GB2422748A

GB2422748A - Telecommunications apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2422748A
Application number: GB0501700A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nicholas Paul Middleton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-01-27
Filing date: 2005-01-27
Publication date: 2006-08-02
Also published as: GB0501700D0

Abstract

A wireless communication module 24 contains a SIM card or other means 26 enabling access to a wireless network, together with a simulator 26 of the functionality of an analogue wired system, e.g. a dial tone and ring generator. Dial tones or pulses produced by a fixed line handset 20 are detected by the device and the wireless module 24 places the call via the wireless network. In a building with a wired local network, the module 26 could be inserted, thereby connecting with existing handsets without the need for further modification. The wireless module 30 comprises either an integral wireless network access arrangement or a connection to a mobile phone handset. This could be a socket for placement of the mobile phone, where it could also be re-charged. The wireless network may be digital telephony, WiFi or WIMAX. The latter offer data transfer, but also voice calls can be handled as VOIP. Thus data rates equivalent to DSL or cable can be achieved, without retaining a fixed line.

Description

Telecommunications Apparatus

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to telecommunications apparatus.

BACKGROUND ART

In recent times, telecommunications networks have advanced significantly and changed in character. In early decades, the advances were incremental and resulted in better performance through increased automation of better quality networks that were, by and large, organised along similar lines to their predecessors. In the 1980s, mobile telephony first became available and instead began to change the character of the network.

Initially, mobile telephony was seen as an addition to a fixed line, as the call quality was poor and data transfer was difficult. However, since then the performance of mobile telephony networks has improved dramatically and is now beginning to match that of fixed line analogue systems. Call quality is now (by and large) indistinguishable from a fixed line and coverage, once patchy, is now largely complete save only for isolated or otherwise difficult areas. Data transmission rates are now much higher and further developments that are soon to be made available will match the transmission rates of fixed line DSL broadband.

This has meant that new subscribers will not automatically choose to install a fixed line and may well choose to rely on a mobile subscription only, particularly in conurbations. Indeed, in developing nations where there is no historic fixed line network, a fixed line analogue connection is the exception not the rule.

In respect of the cost to the consumer, mobile telephony is now often less expensive that retaining a fixed line with the attendant line rental costs. As a result, the use of a mobile telephony service to replace a fixed line in its entirety is now a tempting proposition.

A factor that will limit such a move, however, is the convenience offered by a fixed line installation within a home or an office. Generally, when users are outdoors they are willing to carry a mobile telephone handset with them, in a coat or a travel bag. However, in the home they may not wish to do so and will need to leave the handset to charge, for example. A fixed line installation with many access points will mean that there is always a telephone within earshot that can be accessed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention seeks to ease that transition to a mobile-only telephone service. It seeks to address the problem of having to carry a mobile handset around the home or office, and the problem that many potential subscribers will already have an installed wired network and one or more handsets, either classical "POTS" analogue handsets or cordless handsets, or the like. In this specification, we will refer to analogue handsets such as those that have historically set the technical standard to which more recent handsets such as DECT cordless handsets conform; thus reference to an analogue handset should be taken to include all such handsets and devices such as modems, that are designed to connect directly to an analogue line.

The present invention therefore provides an interface between the two. A wireless communication module contains the SIM card or other means enabling access to a wireless communications network, together with the means necessary to replicate the functionality called for by an analogue telephone.

Typically, this will include a dial tone generator, together with an interface in a form to which the analogue telephone can be connected. Thus, when the receiver of the analogue handset is lifted (or the equivalent) a dial tone can be heard thus prompting the user to dial the required number. The tones or pulses thus produced are detected by the device and the wireless module places the required call via the wireless network.

In this way, the subscriber's investment in handsets suitable for connection to a fixed line network is retained, together with convenience thereof.

In a building with a wired local network, the module could be connected to that network thereby connecting directly to the existing handsets without the need for further work. So as to avoid any potential conflict with wired networks that are currently connected to a local exchange, the module may monitor the wired network to ensure there is no external voltages applied to the line. If the line is found to be connected to an existing exchange, it will need to take account of this, such as by disabling itself.

The telephone module of the device could comprise a self contained and complete wireless network access means. Alternatively, it could comprise a means for connection to a mobile handset, such as by a suitable wired connection or a wireless connection protocol such as Bluetooth. Thus, a subscriber would only need one telephone number; on entering the building the mobile telephone handset can be connected (or left within Bluetooth range) and the building's analogue telephones will now respond to calls made to the subscriber's mobile number. For a single person, this means that only a single subscription and a single number are required. Provision could be made for charging the mobile handset.

In this arrangement, it may be preferable to allow more than one mobile handset to connect to the device, thereby allowing those who live in family units to each have a mobile subscription but to use the same network of analogue handsets for incoming calls. For outgoing calls, the device may have to be programmed with a default subscription to use, or a default order in which to use the available handsets, or could be selectable (for example) via access codes recognised via numbers dialled at the analogue handsets.

The wireless network can be any of the mobile telephony standards that are currently in use, such as GSM, PCN, 2G, 2.5G, 3G etc, or it can be an alternative form of network, either a successor to the aforesaid or an alternative such as 80211b/e (WiFi) or successor thereto such as WIMAX. The latter systems are typically data-based but offer telephony possibilities via protocols such as VOIP (voice over Internet protocol). They are of particular interest in that they can sustain data rates equal to or greater than DSL or cable broadband, typically cited as a reason for retaining a fixed line.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying figures in which the sole figure 1 is a schematic layout of the system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT

The device is designed such that it will allow a standard, off the shelf, analogue telephone equipment to be used with wireless digital transmission systems such as the mobile phone network, wireless broadband etc. The device accepts one or more devices that can be plugged into it with the relevant national standard adapter plug.

Thus, as far the person or other device using it (such as an analogue modem) is concerned, dial tones, ringing etc replicate those that would be expected if the analogue equipment was connected to the local telephone exchange.

Physical Structure A home or small office premises typically has an installed wire network for its analogue handsets, shown schematically by a series of analogue telephone outlets 10, 12, 14, 16. These are connected in parallel by a suitable cable 18.

An analogue handset 20 is connected to the network by a suitable plug 22 which will generally be designed in accordance with the relevant national standards.

The device 24 of the present invention contains a PSTN simulator 26, an analogue to digital converter (ADC) 28, and a wireless transmitter/receiver 30, as will be described below. The PSTN simulator 26 is provided with a telephone socket 32 conforming to the relevant national standard. This allows users with only a single analogue handset to connect it directly to the unit 24. Users who, as shown, have an installed network can connect via a double-ended cable 34 leading from the socket 34 on the unit 24 to a nearby socket 10 on the installed network.

An alternative would be for the unit to be provided with a flylead terminated with a suitable plug for connection to the installed network. This could be in addition to or substitution for the socket 32.

Initiating a call When the calling device 20 is taken OFF HOOK', the device 24 will generate a dial tone by means of a signal generator within the PSTN simulator 26, provided that service is available. Numbers may then be entered using either the tone or loop-disconnect method. The device 24 will store this number and then convert it into the appropriate digital format via the ADC 28 and initiate a call across the given wireless network via the wireless transmitter/receiver 30.

As far as the user is concerned, it is as if the call were being made from a landline. When the handset 20 is placed in the on hook' position, the call is terminated.

The transmission module The transmission module of the wireless transmitter/receiver 30 can come in a number of guises. One form would be to mimic a mobile telephone, or indeed to use an actual mobile phone to complete the connection. Similarly, the call could be connected using voice over IP. Regardless of the infrastructure, as far as the end user or device was concerned, this would be no different than a landline call.

Incoming calls and answering When an incoming call is received from the wireless network, the device 24 generates the appropriate voltages to cause the analogue handset 20 to generate ring tones. When the handset 20 is taken off hook' the call is connected.

Physical attributes The various modules in the device need not be in one location, and wireless means may be used for the components to communicate with each other. Similarly they could in fact all be located in the base unit of a DECT cordless phone system, with no external wires at all, or in a bespoke base unit for a mobile handset thereby allowing interconnection with the handset to permit calls and also allowing charging of the mobile handset.

It will of course be understood that many variations may be made to the above-described embodiment without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An interface for a telephone handset, comprising; a wireless communication module containing means enabling access to a wireless communications network, and means for simulating an analogue network.

2. An interface according to claim 1 in which the means for simulating includes at least one of a dial tone and a ring generator.

3. An interface according to claim 1 or claim 2, including an interface in a form to which the analogue telephone can be connected.

4. An interface according to any one of the preceding claims in which the wireless communication module includes a socket for a SIM card.

5. An interface according to any one of claims 1 to 3 in which the wireless communication module includes means for communicating with a mobile telephone handset.

6. An interface according to claim 5 in which the means for communicating comprises a socket in which the mobile telephone may be placed.

7. An interface according to claim 6 in which the socket includes provisio for charging the mobile handset.

8. An interface according to claim 5 in which the means for communicating comprises a radio frequency protocol.

9. An interface according to any one of the preceding claims in which the wireless communication module operates according to a mobile telephony standard.

10. An interface according to any one of the preceding claims in which the wireless communication module operates according to wireless digital network.

11. An interface according to claim 10 in which the wireless communication module operates over the wireless digital network via a VOIP protocol.

12. An interface substantially as described herein with reference to and/or as illustrated in the accompanying figures.