Patent US6431901B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6073031A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Desktop docking station for use with a wireless telephone handset
Assignee: Apple Inc
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Filing: 1997-12-24
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Granted: 2000-06-06
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Expires: 2017-12-24
Abstract
Abstract A telephone base unit for use with a mobile telephone handset comprises means for interfacing the handset with the base unit for enabling user definable data entry key settings of the handset to be downloaded and emulated at the base unit such that when interfaced with the base unit, the mobile telephone handset operates to enable the use of the base unit as a wireless desktop interface. The interface means is comprised of means for transferring user definable data entry key settings of the handset to the base unit, means for storing the user definable data entry key settings of the handset at said base unit and controller means to enable a user to use the user definable data entry key settings with the user interface of the base unit to receive incoming and make outgoing calls from the base unit via the mobile telephone handset.
Inventors
- 👤 Edmond J. Helstab
- 👤 Jeffrey L. Fairless
- 👤 Michael C. G. Lee
- 👤 Neal T. Cowan
- 👤 Jonathan Crone
- 👤 Edward L. Pugh
- 👤 Robert E. Bradley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 07:55
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M1/00; H04M1/72; H04M1/725; H04B; H04B1/00; H04B1/38; H04B1/3827; H04B1/3877; H04M1/72502; H04M1/737
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
168 words
A telephone base unit for use with a mobile telephone handset, said telephone base unit having a user interface with data entry keys, said base unit comprising: means for interfacing said handset with said base unit for enabling user definable data entry key settings of said handset to be downloaded and emulated at said base unit such that when interfaced with said base unit, said mobile telephone handset operates to enable the use of said base unit as a wireless desktop interface, wherein said means for interfacing said handset with said base unit comprises: means for transferring said user definable data entry key settings of said handset to said base unit; means for storing said user definable data entry key settings of said handset at said base unit; and controller means to enable a user to use said user definable data entry key settings with said user interface of said base unit to receive incoming and make outgoing calls from said base unit via said mobile telephone handset.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
168 words
A telephone base unit for use with a mobile telephone handset, said telephone base unit having a user interface with data entry keys, said base unit comprising: means for interfacing said handset with said base unit for enabling user definable data entry key settings of said handset to be downloaded and emulated at said base unit such that when interfaced with said base unit, said mobile telephone handset operates to enable the use of said base unit as a wireless desktop interface, wherein said means for interfacing said handset with said base unit comprises: means for transferring said user definable data entry key settings of said handset to said base unit; means for storing said user definable data entry key settings of said handset at said base unit; and controller means to enable a user to use said user definable data entry key settings with said user interface of said base unit to receive incoming and make outgoing calls from said base unit via said mobile telephone handset.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A telephone base unit as described in claim 1, wherein said means for interfacing further comprises means for detecting the presence of said handset at said base unit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
A telephone base unit as described in claim 2, wherein said means for detecting the presence of said handset at said base unit comprises one of an infrared, radio frequency, current or voltage detector.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
A telephone base unit as described in claim 1, wherein said means for transferring comprises an infrared signal emitter and receiver at said handset and said base unit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
A telephone base unit as described in claim 1, wherein said means for transferring comprises a radio frequency transmitter and receiver at said handset and said base unit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
A telephone base unit as described in claim 1, wherein said means for transferring comprises a serial interface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
A telephone base unit as described in claim 1, wherein said user interface comprises a display with temporarilly definable response and data entry keys.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
A telephone base unit as described in claim 1, wherein said user definable data entry key settings of said mobile handset are emulated at user data entry keys of said user interface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
182 words
A telephone base unit for use with a mobile telephone handset operating on a predetermined wireless protocol, wherein said mobile telephone handset operates to enable the use of said base unit as a wireless desktop interface when said mobile telephone handset interfaces with said base unit, comprising: means for detecting the presence of a handset at said base unit; and means for interfacing said handset with said base unit such that user definable data entry key settings of said handset can be emulated at data entry keys of said base unit, wherein said means for interfacing said handset with said base unit comprises: means for transferring said user definable data entry key settings of said handset to said base unit; means for storing said user definable data entry key settings of said handset at said base unit; and controller means to enable a user to use said user definable data entry key settings at data entry keys of said base unit to receive incoming and make outgoing calls from said base unit via said mobile telephone handset and said predetermined wireless protocol.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
182 words
A telephone base unit for use with a mobile telephone handset operating on a predetermined wireless protocol, wherein said mobile telephone handset operates to enable the use of said base unit as a wireless desktop interface when said mobile telephone handset interfaces with said base unit, comprising: means for detecting the presence of a handset at said base unit; and means for interfacing said handset with said base unit such that user definable data entry key settings of said handset can be emulated at data entry keys of said base unit, wherein said means for interfacing said handset with said base unit comprises: means for transferring said user definable data entry key settings of said handset to said base unit; means for storing said user definable data entry key settings of said handset at said base unit; and controller means to enable a user to use said user definable data entry key settings at data entry keys of said base unit to receive incoming and make outgoing calls from said base unit via said mobile telephone handset and said predetermined wireless protocol.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
A telephone base unit as described in claim 9, wherein said means for transferring said user definable data entry key settings comprises an infrared signal emitter and receiver at said handset and said base unit.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
A telephone base unit as described in claim 9, wherein said means for transferring comprises a radio frequency transmitter and receiver at said handset and said base unit.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
A telephone base unit as described in claim 9, wherein said means for transferring comprises a serial interface.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
34 words
A telephone base unit as described in claim 9, wherein said means for detecting the presence of said handset at said base unit comprises one of an infrared, radio frequency, current or voltage detector.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
171 words
A telephone apparatus comprising a base unit and a mobile telephone handset wherein said mobile telephone handset operates to enable the use of said base unit as a wireless desktop interface when said mobile telephone handset interfaces with said base unit and said base unit comprises: means for detecting the presence of a handset at said base unit; and means for interfacing said handset at said base unit such that user definable data entry key settings of said handset can be emulated at data entry keys of said base unit, wherein said means for interfacing said handset with said base unit comprises: means for transferring said user definable data entry key settings of said handset to said base unit; means for storing said user definable data entry key settings of said handset at said base unit; and controller means to enable a user to use said user definable data entry key settings at data entry keys of said base unit to receive incoming and make outgoing calls from said base unit.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
171 words
A telephone apparatus comprising a base unit and a mobile telephone handset wherein said mobile telephone handset operates to enable the use of said base unit as a wireless desktop interface when said mobile telephone handset interfaces with said base unit and said base unit comprises: means for detecting the presence of a handset at said base unit; and means for interfacing said handset at said base unit such that user definable data entry key settings of said handset can be emulated at data entry keys of said base unit, wherein said means for interfacing said handset with said base unit comprises: means for transferring said user definable data entry key settings of said handset to said base unit; means for storing said user definable data entry key settings of said handset at said base unit; and controller means to enable a user to use said user definable data entry key settings at data entry keys of said base unit to receive incoming and make outgoing calls from said base unit.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
A telephone apparatus as described in claim 14, wherein said means for transferring comprises an infrared signal emitter and receiver at said handset and said base unit.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
A telephone apparatus as described in claim 14, wherein said means for transferring comprises a radio frequency transmitter and receiver at said handset and said base unit.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
A telephone apparatus as described in claim 14, wherein said means for transferring comprises a serial interface.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
33 words
A telephone apparatus as described in claim 14, wherein said means for detecting the presence of said handset at said base unit comprises one of an infrared, radio frequency, current or voltage detector.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
127 words
A method of interfacing a telephone base unit with a mobile telephone handset operating on a predetermined wireless protocol wherein said mobile telephone handset operates to enable the use of said base unit as a wireless desktop interface when said mobile telephone handset interfaces with said base unit, the method comprising: detecting the presence of a handset at said base unit; transferring user definable data entry key settings of said handset to said base unit; storing said user definable data entry key settings of said handset at said base unit; controlling said user definable data entry key settings and data entry keys of said base unit to receive incoming and make outgoing calls from said base unit via said mobile telephone handset and said predetermined wireless protocol.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
127 words
A method of interfacing a telephone base unit with a mobile telephone handset operating on a predetermined wireless protocol wherein said mobile telephone handset operates to enable the use of said base unit as a wireless desktop interface when said mobile telephone handset interfaces with said base unit, the method comprising: detecting the presence of a handset at said base unit; transferring user definable data entry key settings of said handset to said base unit; storing said user definable data entry key settings of said handset at said base unit; controlling said user definable data entry key settings and data entry keys of said base unit to receive incoming and make outgoing calls from said base unit via said mobile telephone handset and said predetermined wireless protocol.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as described in claim 19, wherein said user definable data entry key settings are transferred using an infrared link.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as described in claim 19, wherein said user definable data entry key settings are transferred using a radio frequency link.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as described in claim 19, wherein said user definable data entry key settings are transferred using a serial interface.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-06-06 | 2003-12-06 | 2004-06-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-06-06 | 2007-12-06 | 2008-06-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-06-06 | 2011-12-06 | 2012-06-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |