US5799068A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Smart phone integration with computer systems
Assignee: INPRO II LICENSING SARL
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Filing: 1997-11-26
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Granted: 1998-08-25
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Expires: 2017-11-26
Abstract
Abstract A business telephone system employs digital signal processing in a digital telephone having a serial link for connection to a general-purpose computer. The Smart Phone is the central intelligence for the system, which may utilize a PBX connected in a LAN network to multiple computers, including file servers, and each computer may have one or more Smart Phones connected. In one embodiment, docking bays in the phone provide an ability to interchange finctional modules, including DSP modules. The docking bays and functional modules may be configured to PCMCIA standards. In another embodiment, a docking bay, which may also be PCMCIA, has a physical window allowing access to an input area on a docked module, wherein the docked module is an intelligent module with a CPU, a memory, and a bus structure, affording control of the smart phone and the entire system through the input interface of the docked module. In various embodiments the external form of the system may vary, and in one embodiment, the smart phone elements are integrated with a desktop or a portable computer having docking bays to receive and connect functional modules, such a DSP modules and/or an intelligent module.
Inventors
- 👤 Dan Kikinis
- 👤 Pascal Dornier
- 👤 William J. Seiler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 17:54
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/03; G06F3/033; G06F3/0354; G06F3/03549; G06F1/00; G06F1/16; G06F1/1613; G06F1/1615; G06F1/1616; G06F1/1626; G06F1/1632; G06F1/18; G06F1/183; G06F1/20; G06F1/203; G06F1/206; G06F13/00; G06F13/38; G06F13/40; G06F13/4063; G06F13/409; G06F21/00; G06F21/60; G06F21/62; G06F3/03541; G06F3/03543; G06F3/048; G06F3/0481; G06F3/0482; H; H04; H04M; H04M1/00; H04M1/72; H04M1/724; H04M1/72403; H04M1/72409; H04M11/00; H04M11/06; H04M11/066; H04M3/00; H04M3/42; H04M3/42314; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/00127; H04N1/00204; H04N1/00236; H04N1/00241; H04N1/00326; H04N1/00339; H04N1/0035; H04N1/00352; H04N1/00392; H04N1/00405; H04N1/00408; H04N1/00411; H04Q; H04Q11/00; H04Q11/04; H04Q11/0428; H01; H01H; H01H2223/00; H01H2223/046; H01H2223/052; H04M1/72412; H04M1/72415; H04M1/725; H04M2250/00; H04M2250/22; H04M3/42323; H04N1/00519; H04N1/00538; H04N1/04; H04N1/10; H04N1/107; H04N1/19; H04N1/195; H04N2201/00; H04N2201/0008; H04N2201/0034; H04N2201/0048; H04N2201/0049; H04N2201/0051; H04N2201/0053; H04N2201/0063; H04Q2213/00; H04Q2213/13003; H04Q2213/13034; H04Q2213/1308; H04Q2213/13093; H04Q2213/13096; H04Q2213/13098; H04Q2213/13103; H04Q2213/13106; H04Q2213/13107; H04Q2213/13174; H04Q2213/13175; H04Q2213/13179; H04Q2213/13199; H04Q2213/13209; H04Q2213/1322; H04Q2213/13299; H04Q2213/13322; H04Q2213/13389; H04Q2213/13396
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
154 words
A portable digital telephone system comprising: a general-purpose portable computer having a keyboard input, a speaker, and a PC Card slot with a standard PC Card interface, the computer adapted to function with a PC Card; a telephone functional module adapted as a PC Card wherein the PC card has a microphone and DSP providing digitized audio data to the computer via the standard PC Card interface, the telephone functional module adapted as a PC card also comprising telephone circuitry adapted for providing functions for placing a telephone call and providing a user interface for voice communication; and control code executable by the computer and adapted for implementing a menu-driven display having an entry field for telephone numbers and a mechanism for initiating a telephone call; wherein the computer with the telephone PC Card functions as a speaker phone, allowing a user to enter a telephone number and initiate a call at the keyboard.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
154 words
A portable digital telephone system comprising: a general-purpose portable computer having a keyboard input, a speaker, and a PC Card slot with a standard PC Card interface, the computer adapted to function with a PC Card; a telephone functional module adapted as a PC Card wherein the PC card has a microphone and DSP providing digitized audio data to the computer via the standard PC Card interface, the telephone functional module adapted as a PC card also comprising telephone circuitry adapted for providing functions for placing a telephone call and providing a user interface for voice communication; and control code executable by the computer and adapted for implementing a menu-driven display having an entry field for telephone numbers and a mechanism for initiating a telephone call; wherein the computer with the telephone PC Card functions as a speaker phone, allowing a user to enter a telephone number and initiate a call at the keyboard.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The portable digital telephone svstem of claim 1 wherein the telephone PC Card provides a microphone for voice input.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
A portable digital telephone svstem as in claim 1 wherein the menu-driven display comprises fields for retrieving from memory pre-stored telephone numbers, credit card numbers, and area codes, and wherein the computer by executing the control code combines retrieved numbers to place a long-distance credit card call.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
A portable digital telephone system as in claim 1 wherein the telephone functional module includes an interface to an Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) telephone line, and the control code provides necessary software functions for operation with an ISDN line.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
A portable digital telephone system as in claim 1 wherein the general-purpose portable computer is selected from the types of portable computers known as laptop computers, notebook computers, hand-held computers, and personal digital assistants.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
131 words
In a general-purpose portable computer having a keyboard input, a speaker, and a PC Card slot with a standard PC Card interface, the computer adapted to function with a PC Card; a method for adapting the general purpose computer to operate as a speakerphone, comprising steps of: providing a PC Card compatible with the PC Card slot, wherein the PC Card comprises telephone circuitry including a DSP chip and a microphone, with the PC card providing digital audio data to the computer via the standard PC Card interface; loading to the computer control code adapted for operating the computer as a speakerphone in conjunction with the PC Card; and docking the PC Card in the PC Card slot, providing thereby a capability for the computer to operate as a speaker phone.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
131 words
In a general-purpose portable computer having a keyboard input, a speaker, and a PC Card slot with a standard PC Card interface, the computer adapted to function with a PC Card; a method for adapting the general purpose computer to operate as a speakerphone, comprising steps of: providing a PC Card compatible with the PC Card slot, wherein the PC Card comprises telephone circuitry including a DSP chip and a microphone, with the PC card providing digital audio data to the computer via the standard PC Card interface; loading to the computer control code adapted for operating the computer as a speakerphone in conjunction with the PC Card; and docking the PC Card in the PC Card slot, providing thereby a capability for the computer to operate as a speaker phone.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the PC Card includes an interface to an Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) telephone line, and the control code provides necessary software functions for operation with an ISDN line.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-08-24 | 2002-02-23 | 2002-08-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-08-24 | 2006-02-23 | 2006-08-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-08-24 | 2010-02-23 | 2010-08-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |