WO2000004732A1 - Cellular phone with ir link - Google Patents

Cellular phone with ir link Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2000004732A1
WO2000004732A1 PCT/IL1999/000389 IL9900389W WO0004732A1 WO 2000004732 A1 WO2000004732 A1 WO 2000004732A1 IL 9900389 W IL9900389 W IL 9900389W WO 0004732 A1 WO0004732 A1 WO 0004732A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
telephone
network
interface
base station
communicates
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IL1999/000389
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Yaron Ruziack
Original Assignee
Yaron Ruziack
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Yaron Ruziack filed Critical Yaron Ruziack
Priority to AU47961/99A priority Critical patent/AU4796199A/en
Publication of WO2000004732A1 publication Critical patent/WO2000004732A1/en

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W88/00—Devices specially adapted for wireless communication networks, e.g. terminals, base stations or access point devices
    • H04W88/02—Terminal devices
    • H04W88/06—Terminal devices adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q20/00—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
    • G06Q20/30—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols characterised by the use of specific devices or networks
    • G06Q20/32—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols characterised by the use of specific devices or networks using wireless devices
    • G06Q20/327—Short range or proximity payments by means of M-devices
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
    • H04M1/72—Mobile telephones; Cordless telephones, i.e. devices for establishing wireless links to base stations without route selection
    • H04M1/725—Cordless telephones
    • H04M1/737—Characterised by transmission of electromagnetic waves other than radio waves, e.g. infrared waves

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to wireless communication devices, and specifically to infrared (IR) wireless telephones.
  • IR infrared
  • Wireless telephones including both cellular telephones and cordless phones, generally communicate using RF transmission and reception.
  • IR wireless phones are also known in the art, however.
  • Such telephones typically provide for two-way diffuse LR transmission between a wired telephone line and a telephone handset.
  • European patent application no. 558,812 which is incorporated herein by reference, describes a cordless telephone handset that is linked by a photodiode and LED to a fixed station having an IR transmitter and receiver, coupled to a conventional telephone line.
  • the fixed station is placed on a desk or mounted on a wall, while the handset can be moved around within the room.
  • IR communications in place of RF, reduces susceptibility to interference with and interception of communications and also reduces the exposure of users of the telephone to potentially harmful radiation
  • Sharp Corporation offers the "PMC" line of cellular telephones having an IR communication port.
  • This port is designed for local, very short-range communication, with a personal computer, for example, enabling the cellular telephone to be used for data communication, typically in order to download information from the computer to an organizer embedded in the telephone.
  • the telephone communicates with its cellular network exclusively by means of a conventional RF transmitter/receiver.
  • the Nokia 9000 series of cellular telephones offers similar capabilities.
  • a cellular telephone comprises both RF and omni-directional LR communications interfaces.
  • the IR interface communicates with suitable LR transmitter/receiver base stations, located within a building, typically an office, which stations are coupled to a local telephone network in the building.
  • suitable LR transmitter/receiver base stations located within a building, typically an office, which stations are coupled to a local telephone network in the building.
  • the telephone is capable, through the local network, of placing calls to and receiving calls from other telephones in the building and other wired and cellular telephones outside the building.
  • the telephone leaves the building, it communicates via its RF communications interface, like a conventional cellular telephone, with transmission stations of a cellular telephone network.
  • a dual-mode wireless telephone including: a RF interface, which communicates with a cellular communications network; and an LR interface, which communicates with a local telephone network.
  • the LR interface includes an omni-directional interface.
  • the telephone includes a selector, which selects either the RF or the IR interface to be operational for conveying a telephone call between the interface and the respective network.
  • the LR interface detects an LR signal transmitted by an LR base station associated with the local telephone network, and the selector selects the LR interface responsive to the signal.
  • the selector selects the RF interface when the LR signal is not detected, and the LR interface detects the LR signal while the RF interface is selected
  • a local telephone network including: a switchboard, at least one base station coupled to the switchboard and including an IR transmitter and receiver; and a dual-mode wireless telephone, including an IR interface device, which communicates with the base station LR transmitter and receiver, and a RF interface device, which communicates with a cellular communications network.
  • the LR transmitter and receiver respectively include an omni-directional transmitter and an omni-directional receiver.
  • the telephone communicates with the at least one base station substantially exclusively when the telephone is in a vicinity of the base station, wherein the RF interface is substantially deactivated while the telephone is in communication with the base station.
  • the switchboard communicates with a public telephone network and routes calls to and from the public telephone network through the at least one base station to the telephone.
  • the network includes a cellular node coupled to the switchboard, which communicates with the cellular communications network to route c ⁇ Dular calls for the telephone through the local telephone network.
  • a method for controlling communications of a wireless telephone having both LR and RF interfaces including. communicating using the telephone over the RF interface with a cellular communications network; sensing the LR signals transmitted by a local telephone network, using the telephone's LR interface; and transferring the communications of the telephone from the RF interface to the LR interface.
  • sensing the LR signals includes sensing omni-directional LR signals.
  • transferring the communications includes communicating via the LR interface with the local network, wherein communicating with the local network includes routing cellular calls through the local network.
  • Fig. 1 is a schematic illustration showing a local telephone network, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • Fig 2 is a schematic illustration showing a dual-mode telephone for use in the network of Fig. 1, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention .
  • Figs. 1 and 2 schematically illustrate a multi-mode local telephone network 10 and a dual-mode wireless telephone 20 for use in the network, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • Telephone 20 is shown in Fig. 1 inside a building 24, in which network 10 is wired.
  • Telephone 20 includes both an antenna 22, with a suitable RF radio unit 30, for communicating with a cellular telephone network outside building 24, and an LR interface device 26, for communicating with LR transmitter/receiver base stations 28 inside the building LR interface device 26 and base station 28 comprise omni-directional LR transmitters, such as LEDs, and receivers, such as photodiodes.
  • the LEDs and photodiodes preferably have optics coupled thereto suitable for achieving omni-directional transmission and reception, as described, for example, in US Patent Applicauon 08/992,934, which is assigned to the assignee of the present patent application and incorporated herein by reference
  • optics coupled thereto suitable for achieving omni-directional transmission and reception, as described, for example, in US Patent Applicauon 08/992,934, which is assigned to the assignee of the present patent application and incorporated herein by reference
  • Switchboard 12 comp ⁇ ses a switchboard 12 which automatically detects when telephone 20 enters building 24 and which registers the location of the telephone in the building as a user of the telephone carries it from room to room
  • switchboard 12 detects and registers telephone 20 by LR communication with interface device 26, even when the telephone is in an idle mode (i e , not engaged in a call)
  • Switchboard 12 associates telephone 20 with a predetermined telephone extension number, which is preferably permanently assigned to the user.
  • switchboard 10 automatically routes the call via base station 28 to telephone 20.
  • Calls from a public switched telephone network (PSTN) 14 for the user of telephone 20 are also rou t ed by the switchboard to the appropriate base station. The user may similarly make outgoing calls to other extensions served by switchboard 12 and to telephones outside building 24 through PSTN 14 via base station 28 and switchboard 12.
  • PSTN public switched telephone network
  • Switchboard 12 also communicates with a dedicated cellular node 16, which notifies the cellular network that telephone 20 is within the ambit of the node.
  • the cellular node may communicate with the cellular network either via a radio interface, preferably on normal cellular transmission frequencies, or via a special cable interface.
  • Telephone 20 is assigned an ordinary subscriber telephone number in the cellular network, and can make and receive cellular calls using the number when the telephone is outside building 24. Inside the building, however, incoming cellular calls for the user of telephone 20 are preferably routed by the cellular network automatically to node 16, and from there via switchboard 12 to the telephone.
  • Telephone 20 is generally prevented by switchboard 12 from making outgoing cellular calls while inside building 24, because of the high cost of such calls, and the outgoing calls are automatically routed to PSTN 14
  • the routing of both incoming and outgoing calls is preferably transparent both to the user of telephone 20 and to the party at the other end of the call.
  • switchboard 12 when telephone 20 is outside building 24, or is for some other reason out of contact with base stations 28 in the building, switchboard 12 automatically routes calls for the telephone to the telephone number in the cellular network, preferably via cellular node 16. Thus, whenever the extension of the user of telephone 20 is dialed, switchboard 12 forwards the call to the telephone, through either its RF or LR interface.
  • network 10 and telephone 20 has several important advantages for the operator of the network (generally a business or other enterprise occupying building 24) and the telephone user.
  • the network saves on cellular communications costs, reduces the probability that communications will be intercepted by other parties, and enables telephone users, generally employees of the operator, to be reached conveniently wherever they are by dialing a single number
  • telephone 20 reduces exposure to RF radiation from the telephone, which is believed to have adverse health effects, and provides improved reception, with generally higher bandwidth and reduced interference, when the user is within the building .
  • telephone 20 includes both RF radio unit 30, coupled to antenna 22, and an IR interface driver 32, coupled to IR interface device 26.
  • Radio unit 30 and driver 32 are coupled via a selector 34 to user input/output equipment 36 (including microphone, speaker, keypad and display) and to other elements of the telephone, which are well known in the art and omitted from the figure for simplicity.
  • selector 34 defaults to RF operation, and the telephone functions as though it were a conventional cellular telephone.
  • selector 34 selects IR driver 32, and the RF radio unit is shut off.
  • IR driver 32 In order to determine when to switch over to IR operation, IR driver 32 remains active in a standby mode, even when telephone 20 is idle or is communicating using the RF unit.
  • LR interface device 26 begins to receive coded signals from base station 28.
  • LR driver 32 (or alternatively, logic circuits or a processor coupled thereto) analyzes these signals and recognizes the code
  • Telephone 20 responds to the signals by transmitting an acknowledgment message via interface device 26 and base station 28 to switchboard 12 .
  • the switchboard registers the location of the telephone, and calls to and from the telephone are thereafter routed through network 10, as described hereinabove, for as long as LR communications are maintained.
  • LR interface device 26 and driver 32 may also be used to communicate with other types of R-enabied equipment, for example, a portable or desktop computer, Web-enabled television or Personal Digital Assistant.
  • LR capabilities can serve for data input and output:, as well.
  • the LR capabilities can enable the telephone to be used for Internet Web browsing, without eoine through the cellular network.

Abstract

A local telephone network (10) includes a switchboard and at least one base station coupled to the switchboard and including an IR transmitter and receiver. A dual-mode wireless telephone (20) inlcudes an IR interface device, which communicates with the base station IR transmitter and receiver (28), and an RF interface device, which communicates with a cellular communications network.

Description

CELLULAR PHONE WITH IR LINK
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to wireless communication devices, and specifically to infrared (IR) wireless telephones.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Wireless telephones, including both cellular telephones and cordless phones, generally communicate using RF transmission and reception. IR wireless phones are also known in the art, however. Such telephones typically provide for two-way diffuse LR transmission between a wired telephone line and a telephone handset.
For example, European patent application no. 558,812, which is incorporated herein by reference, describes a cordless telephone handset that is linked by a photodiode and LED to a fixed station having an IR transmitter and receiver, coupled to a conventional telephone line. The fixed station is placed on a desk or mounted on a wall, while the handset can be moved around within the room. The use of IR communications, in place of RF, reduces susceptibility to interference with and interception of communications and also reduces the exposure of users of the telephone to potentially harmful radiation
Sharp Corporation, of Japan, offers the "PMC" line of cellular telephones having an IR communication port. This port is designed for local, very short-range communication, with a personal computer, for example, enabling the cellular telephone to be used for data communication, typically in order to download information from the computer to an organizer embedded in the telephone. The telephone communicates with its cellular network exclusively by means of a conventional RF transmitter/receiver. The Nokia 9000 series of cellular telephones offers similar capabilities.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of some aspects of the present invention to provide a cellular telephone that reduces the exposure of users thereof to RF radiation.
It is a further object of some aspects of the present invention to provide a cellular telephone having reduced susceptibility to interference with and interception of wireless transmissions. It is still a further object of some aspects of the present invention to provide a telephone system for businesses and other enterprises offering improved convenience and reduced operating costs.
In preferred embodiments of the present invention, a cellular telephone comprises both RF and omni-directional LR communications interfaces. The IR interface communicates with suitable LR transmitter/receiver base stations, located within a building, typically an office, which stations are coupled to a local telephone network in the building. When the cellular telephone is inside the building, its location is registered by the local telephone network, and calls to and from the telephone are routed through the network, via LR link between the telephone and one of the base stations in proximity thereto. Preferably, the telephone is capable, through the local network, of placing calls to and receiving calls from other telephones in the building and other wired and cellular telephones outside the building. When the telephone leaves the building, it communicates via its RF communications interface, like a conventional cellular telephone, with transmission stations of a cellular telephone network.
There is therefore provided, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a dual-mode wireless telephone, including: a RF interface, which communicates with a cellular communications network; and an LR interface, which communicates with a local telephone network.
Preferably, the LR interface includes an omni-directional interface.
Preferably, the telephone includes a selector, which selects either the RF or the IR interface to be operational for conveying a telephone call between the interface and the respective network. Preferably, the LR interface detects an LR signal transmitted by an LR base station associated with the local telephone network, and the selector selects the LR interface responsive to the signal. Preferably, the selector selects the RF interface when the LR signal is not detected, and the LR interface detects the LR signal while the RF interface is selected
There is also provided, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a local telephone network, including: a switchboard, at least one base station coupled to the switchboard and including an IR transmitter and receiver; and a dual-mode wireless telephone, including an IR interface device, which communicates with the base station LR transmitter and receiver, and a RF interface device, which communicates with a cellular communications network.
Preferably, the LR transmitter and receiver respectively include an omni-directional transmitter and an omni-directional receiver.
Preferably, the telephone communicates with the at least one base station substantially exclusively when the telephone is in a vicinity of the base station, wherein the RF interface is substantially deactivated while the telephone is in communication with the base station.
Further preferably, the switchboard communicates with a public telephone network and routes calls to and from the public telephone network through the at least one base station to the telephone. Preferably, the network includes a cellular node coupled to the switchboard, which communicates with the cellular communications network to route cεDular calls for the telephone through the local telephone network.
There is also provided, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a method for controlling communications of a wireless telephone having both LR and RF interfaces, including. communicating using the telephone over the RF interface with a cellular communications network; sensing the LR signals transmitted by a local telephone network, using the telephone's LR interface; and transferring the communications of the telephone from the RF interface to the LR interface.
Preferably, sensing the LR signals includes sensing omni-directional LR signals. Further preferably, transferring the communications includes communicating via the LR interface with the local network, wherein communicating with the local network includes routing cellular calls through the local network.
The present invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments thereof, taken together with the drawings in which. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a schematic illustration showing a local telephone network, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and
Fig 2 is a schematic illustration showing a dual-mode telephone for use in the network of Fig. 1, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Reference is now made to Figs. 1 and 2, which schematically illustrate a multi-mode local telephone network 10 and a dual-mode wireless telephone 20 for use in the network, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Telephone 20 is shown in Fig. 1 inside a building 24, in which network 10 is wired.
Telephone 20 includes both an antenna 22, with a suitable RF radio unit 30, for communicating with a cellular telephone network outside building 24, and an LR interface device 26, for communicating with LR transmitter/receiver base stations 28 inside the building LR interface device 26 and base station 28 comprise omni-directional LR transmitters, such as LEDs, and receivers, such as photodiodes. The LEDs and photodiodes preferably have optics coupled thereto suitable for achieving omni-directional transmission and reception, as described, for example, in US Patent Applicauon 08/992,934, which is assigned to the assignee of the present patent application and incorporated herein by reference Thus, as long as telephone 20 is within a certain radius of base station 28, preferably about 8 m, and the telephone's LR interface device 26 is not completely obscured, communications between the telephone and the station will be maintained. It is not necessary that device 26 be pointed toward station 28 or that there even be a clear line of sight between them, since the LR receivers will also receive radiation reflected from interior walls of the building.
Local network 10 compπses a switchboard 12 which automatically detects when telephone 20 enters building 24 and which registers the location of the telephone in the building as a user of the telephone carries it from room to room Preferably, switchboard 12 detects and registers telephone 20 by LR communication with interface device 26, even when the telephone is in an idle mode (i e , not engaged in a call) Switchboard 12 associates telephone 20 with a predetermined telephone extension number, which is preferably permanently assigned to the user. Thus, when another user inside building 24 dials the extension of the user of telephone 20, switchboard 10 automatically routes the call via base station 28 to telephone 20. Calls from a public switched telephone network (PSTN) 14 for the user of telephone 20 are also routed by the switchboard to the appropriate base station. The user may similarly make outgoing calls to other extensions served by switchboard 12 and to telephones outside building 24 through PSTN 14 via base station 28 and switchboard 12.
Switchboard 12 also communicates with a dedicated cellular node 16, which notifies the cellular network that telephone 20 is within the ambit of the node. The cellular node may communicate with the cellular network either via a radio interface, preferably on normal cellular transmission frequencies, or via a special cable interface. Telephone 20 is assigned an ordinary subscriber telephone number in the cellular network, and can make and receive cellular calls using the number when the telephone is outside building 24. Inside the building, however, incoming cellular calls for the user of telephone 20 are preferably routed by the cellular network automatically to node 16, and from there via switchboard 12 to the telephone. Telephone 20 is generally prevented by switchboard 12 from making outgoing cellular calls while inside building 24, because of the high cost of such calls, and the outgoing calls are automatically routed to PSTN 14 The routing of both incoming and outgoing calls is preferably transparent both to the user of telephone 20 and to the party at the other end of the call.
Optionally, when telephone 20 is outside building 24, or is for some other reason out of contact with base stations 28 in the building, switchboard 12 automatically routes calls for the telephone to the telephone number in the cellular network, preferably via cellular node 16. Thus, whenever the extension of the user of telephone 20 is dialed, switchboard 12 forwards the call to the telephone, through either its RF or LR interface.
The use of network 10 and telephone 20 has several important advantages for the operator of the network (generally a business or other enterprise occupying building 24) and the telephone user. For the operator, the network saves on cellular communications costs, reduces the probability that communications will be intercepted by other parties, and enables telephone users, generally employees of the operator, to be reached conveniently wherever they are by dialing a single number For the user, telephone 20 reduces exposure to RF radiation from the telephone, which is believed to have adverse health effects, and provides improved reception, with generally higher bandwidth and reduced interference, when the user is within the building.
Referring now to Fig. 2, it will be observed that telephone 20 includes both RF radio unit 30, coupled to antenna 22, and an IR interface driver 32, coupled to IR interface device 26. Radio unit 30 and driver 32 are coupled via a selector 34 to user input/output equipment 36 (including microphone, speaker, keypad and display) and to other elements of the telephone, which are well known in the art and omitted from the figure for simplicity. When telephone 20 is outside building 24 or otherwise out of communication with base stations 28 in the building, selector 34 defaults to RF operation, and the telephone functions as though it were a conventional cellular telephone. Inside the building, however, selector 34 selects IR driver 32, and the RF radio unit is shut off.
Preferably, in order to determine when to switch over to IR operation, IR driver 32 remains active in a standby mode, even when telephone 20 is idle or is communicating using the RF unit. When the telephone enters building 24, LR interface device 26 begins to receive coded signals from base station 28. LR driver 32 (or alternatively, logic circuits or a processor coupled thereto) analyzes these signals and recognizes the code Telephone 20 responds to the signals by transmitting an acknowledgment message via interface device 26 and base station 28 to switchboard 12. The switchboard registers the location of the telephone, and calls to and from the telephone are thereafter routed through network 10, as described hereinabove, for as long as LR communications are maintained.
In addition to their functions in communicating with network 10, LR interface device 26 and driver 32 may also be used to communicate with other types of R-enabied equipment, for example, a portable or desktop computer, Web-enabled television or Personal Digital Assistant. In this way, by addition of suitable software to telephone 20, its LR capabilities can serve for data input and output:, as well. Similarly, the LR capabilities can enable the telephone to be used for Internet Web browsing, without eoine through the cellular network. It will be appreciated that the preferred embodiments described above are cited of example, and the full scope of the invention is limited only by the claims.

Claims

WE CLAIM:
1. A dual-mode wireless telephone, comprising; a RF interface, which communicates with a celluiar communications network; and an LR interface, which communicates with a local telephone network.
2. A telephone according to claim 1, wherein the LR interface comprises an omni-directional interface.
3. A telephone according to claim 1, and comprising a selector, which selects either the RF or the LR interface to be operational for conveying a telephone call between the interface and the respective network.
4 A telephone according to claim 3, wherein the IR interface detects an LR signal transmitted by an LR base station associated with the local telephone network, and wherein the selector selects the IR interface responsive to the signal.
5. A telephone according to claim 4, wherein the selector selects the RF interface when the LR signal is not detected.
6. A telephone according to claim 4, wherein the LR interface detects the LR signal while the RF interface is selected.
7. A local telephone network, comprising: a switchboard; at least one base station coupled to the switchboard and comprising an LR transmitter and receiver; and a dual-mode wireless telephone, comprising an LR interface device, which communicates with the base station LR transmitter and receiver, and a RF interface device, which communicates with a cellular communications network.
8. A network according to claim 7, wherein the LR transmitter and receiver respectively comprise an omni-directional transmitter and an omni-directional receiver.
9 A network according to claim 7, wherein the telephone communicates with the at least one base station substantially exclusively when the telephone is in a vicinity of the base station.
10. A network according to claim 9, wherein the RF interlace is substantially deactivated while the telephone is in communication with the base station.
11. A network according to claim 7, wherein the switchboard communicates with a public telephone network and routes calls to and from the public telephone network through the at least one base station to the telephone.
12. A network according to claim 1, and comprising a cellular node coupled to the switchboard, which communicates with the cellular communications network to route cellular calls for the telephone through the local telephone network.
13. A method for controlling communications of a wireless telephone having both LR and RF interfaces, comprising: communicating using the telephone over the RF interface with a cellular communications network; sensing the IR signals transmitted by a local telephone network, using the telephone's LR interface: and transferring the communications of the telephone from the RF interface to the LR interface.
14. A method according to claim 13, wherein sensing the IR signals comprises sensing omni-directional IR signals.
15. A method according to claim 13, wherein transferring the communications comprises communicating via the IR interface with the local network.
16. A method according to claim 15, wherein communicating with the local network comprises routing cellular calls through the local network.
PCT/IL1999/000389 1998-07-15 1999-07-14 Cellular phone with ir link WO2000004732A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU47961/99A AU4796199A (en) 1998-07-15 1999-07-14 Cellular phone with ir link

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US11605198A 1998-07-15 1998-07-15
US09/116,051 1998-07-15

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Cited By (13)

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EP1081975A1 (en) * 1999-09-06 2001-03-07 Tsumura Research Institute Co. Method and system for regulating usage of mobile terminals in a predetermined area
FR2812105A1 (en) * 2000-07-21 2002-01-25 Gemplus Card Int Automatic secure access to different equipment and services, uses portable device containing microprocessor memory and communication components to access services
EP1257132A1 (en) * 2001-05-08 2002-11-13 Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson (Publ) Apparatus for integrating mobile telephones as terminals of a private communication system
US6577877B1 (en) 2000-02-23 2003-06-10 Motorola, Inc. Wireless infrared peripheral interface for a communication device
EP1324550A2 (en) * 2001-12-28 2003-07-02 Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba Portable terminal with combined direct short haul radio and cellular radio communication
WO2003073782A1 (en) * 2002-02-26 2003-09-04 Nokia Corporation Method and device for adapting the configuration of an application of a mobile terminal to an accessible data connection
EP1376996A2 (en) * 2002-06-25 2004-01-02 Netcodec Co, Limited Internet cordless phone
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EP1715664A1 (en) * 2005-04-22 2006-10-25 Marvell World Trade Ltd. Wireless phone system with wireless modes for short range and long range communication with a terminal
EP1715665A1 (en) * 2005-04-22 2006-10-25 Marvell World Trade Ltd. Base station with wireless modes for short range and long range communication with a terminal
EP1715666A1 (en) * 2005-04-22 2006-10-25 Marvell World Trade Ltd. Wireless phone with wireless modes for short range and long range communication with a base station
US7327981B2 (en) 2004-03-03 2008-02-05 Vtech Telecommunications Limited Systems and methods for using landline telephone systems to exchange information with various electronic devices
US9031537B2 (en) 2000-06-27 2015-05-12 Mesa Digital, Llc Electronic wireless hand held multimedia device

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US5241410A (en) * 1990-06-21 1993-08-31 Litephone Systems Ltd. Enhanced infrared-connected telephone system
US5566022A (en) * 1993-06-11 1996-10-15 Segev; Uri Infra-red communication system
US5659598A (en) * 1993-10-08 1997-08-19 Nokia Telecommunications Oy Dual mode subscriber terminal and a handover procedure of the dual mode subscriber terminal in a mobile telecommunication network
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Cited By (23)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6411821B1 (en) 1999-09-06 2002-06-25 Tsumura Research Institute Co. Telephone regulation system and portable telephone terminal device used in such a system
EP1081975A1 (en) * 1999-09-06 2001-03-07 Tsumura Research Institute Co. Method and system for regulating usage of mobile terminals in a predetermined area
US6577877B1 (en) 2000-02-23 2003-06-10 Motorola, Inc. Wireless infrared peripheral interface for a communication device
US9646444B2 (en) 2000-06-27 2017-05-09 Mesa Digital, Llc Electronic wireless hand held multimedia device
US9031537B2 (en) 2000-06-27 2015-05-12 Mesa Digital, Llc Electronic wireless hand held multimedia device
WO2002009361A1 (en) * 2000-07-21 2002-01-31 Gemplus Device for automatic and secure accessing to various appliances and services
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