TW201444331A - Message injection system and method - Google Patents

Abstract

A communication bridging device has a processor and a memory. The communication device includes an application unit operating an application that transmits and receives communication signals to a first communication device over a first wireless network, a wireless interface unit that transmits and receives communication signals to a second communication device over a second wireless network, and a switching unit communicatively coupled to the application unit and the wireless interface unit. The switching unit transmits communication signals between the first network and the second network in a bridging mode. The application unit transmits communication signals from the switching unit to the first communication device over the first wireless network in the bridging mode, and the wireless interface unit transmits communication signals from the switching unit to the second communication device over the second wireless network in the bridging mode.

Description

Message injection system and method [Cross-Reference to Related Applications]

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13/347,476, filed on Jan. A portion of the U.S. Patent Application is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for bridging an audio stream from an internet voice protocol to a mobile communication device, such as a cellular telephone.

Devices capable of transmitting and receiving communications, such as phone calls, text messages, emails, instant message requests, and other electronic updates and information, are becoming more common. These devices are versatile and can be substantially stationary (such as a desktop computer, TV/set-up box, static game console, etc.) or can be easily portable (such as a smart phone, tablet, notebook) Computers, personal digital assistants ("PDAs"), portable game consoles, portable media devices and the like). In addition, these devices can communicate through a variety of wired or wireless connections, standards or protocols (such as the Internet, an internal network, Internet Voice Protocol ("VOIP"), satellite, 3G, SMS, MMS, 4G, WIMAX, etc. Etc.) Send and receive communications.

Many times, a user of a cellular device can initiate a call when traveling to an office or having a location with a wireless communication device, such as a VOIP phone. Even with current cellular technology, using a cellular phone call can lead to many reception and clarity questions. question. In addition, another wireless or wired technology may be more suitable for communication in buildings or other locations where cellular signals are not well transmitted. However, with current technology, there is no way to seamlessly bridge between a cellular call and a VOIP call without interrupting a call and redialing.

Embodiments of the present invention comprise a communication bridge device having a processor and a memory, the communication device comprising: an application unit operative to transmit a communication signal to a first communication device via a first wireless network and Receiving an application of a communication signal; a wireless interface unit transmitting the communication signal to a second communication device via a second wireless network and receiving the communication signal; a switching unit communicatively coupled to the application unit and the Wireless interface unit. The switching unit transmits a communication signal between the first network and the second network in a bridge mode, and the application unit transmits the communication signal from the switching unit to the first communication device via the first wireless network in the bridge mode, and the wireless The interface unit transmits the communication signal from the switching unit to the second communication device via the second wireless network in the bridge mode.

In another embodiment, the first wireless network is an internet and the second wireless network is a cellular network.

Another embodiment includes a display unit coupled to one of the input and output units of the bridge device.

In another embodiment, an operational mode is adjusted by displaying a graphical user interface on the display.

In another embodiment, the communication signal is an audio signal.

In another embodiment, the communication signal is a text message.

In another embodiment, the communication signal is a data signal.

The first communication device is an internet voice protocol telephone and the second communication device is a cellular telephone.

In another embodiment, the application simultaneously transmits and receives the first communication device and the communication The signal is coupled to a communication signal of a fourth communication device of one of the first wireless networks.

Another embodiment includes a method of bridging a communication signal across two networks using a communication device having a memory and a processor. Executing a program in the memory, the following steps are performed: an application unit is connected to a first communication device via a first network; and a wireless interface unit is simultaneously connected to a second communication device via a second network; Receiving, by the application unit, a first communication signal from the first communication device; transmitting, by the switching unit coupled to the application unit and the wireless interface unit, the first communication signal from the first device to the second network.

In another embodiment, the program may also perform the steps of: receiving a second communication signal from the second communication device, and transmitting, by the switching unit, the second communication signal from the second communication device to the first communication device.

In another embodiment, the first wireless network is an internet and the second wireless network is a cellular network.

In another embodiment, the method can include the step of displaying a graphical user interface on a display unit coupled to one of the input and output units of the device, wherein the graphical user interface allows a user to change one of the devices Operating mode.

In another embodiment, the communication signal is an audio signal.

In another embodiment, the communication signal is a text message.

In another embodiment, the communication signal is a data signal.

In another embodiment, the first communication device is an internet voice protocol telephone and the second communication device is a cellular telephone.

In another embodiment, the program also performs the steps of simultaneously transmitting and receiving a first communication device and a communication signal communicatively coupled to one of the first wireless networks and the fourth communication device.

Another embodiment includes a wireless communication device having a memory and a processor. The device comprises: a wireless interface unit connected to a first wireless network a radio communication unit of a communication device and simultaneously connected to an application unit of the first communication device by a second wireless network; an application unit communicatively coupled to the first network and the second by the wireless interface unit network. The application unit receives a first communication signal from one of the first communication devices via the first network, and transmits the communication signal to the application unit by using the second network, and the application unit is coupled to the first A third wireless network of the communication device transmits the first communication signal to a second communication device.

In another embodiment, the application unit receives a second communication signal from one of the first communication devices, and the application unit transmits the second communication signal to the radio application in the first communication device via the first network. unit.

Another embodiment includes a speaker communicatively coupled to an application unit and a microphone.

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description.

100‧‧‧Mobile communication device/mobile device/mobile communication unit/bridge device/device

102‧‧‧Application Processing Unit

104‧‧‧Central Processing Unit (CPU)

106‧‧‧Digital Signal Processor (DSP)

108‧‧‧radio communication unit/radio transmission unit

110‧‧‧Central Processing Unit (CPU)

112‧‧‧Digital Signal Processor (DSP)

114‧‧‧ memory

116‧‧‧Input and Output (IO) Unit

118‧‧‧Audio switching unit

120‧‧‧ display

122‧‧‧Auxiliary storage unit

124‧‧‧Speakers

126‧‧‧ microphone

200‧‧‧ operating system

202‧‧‧Application

204‧‧‧Application Programming Interface (API)

206‧‧‧Phone Unit/Audio Framework

208‧‧‧radio transmission unit/application audio unit

220‧‧‧Radio interface unit/radio interface device

222‧‧‧radio background program unit

224‧‧‧Radio audio unit

226‧‧‧Hard Drive Unit/Drive Unit/Hard Drive

300‧‧‧External devices

302‧‧‧ audio path

304‧‧‧ audio path

402‧‧‧Steps

404‧‧‧Steps

406‧‧‧Steps

408‧‧‧Steps

410‧‧‧Steps

414‧‧‧Steps

416‧‧‧Steps

418‧‧‧Steps

420‧‧ steps

500‧‧‧ audio path

502‧‧‧Steps

508‧‧‧Steps

510‧‧ steps

512‧‧‧Steps

550‧‧ steps

552‧‧‧Steps

554‧‧‧Steps

556‧‧‧Steps

558‧‧‧Steps

560‧‧ steps

570‧‧‧Application video unit

572‧‧‧Wireless TV Unit

574‧‧‧Video Switching Unit

576‧‧‧ video signal path

578‧‧‧ camera

600‧‧‧ audio path

602‧‧‧Memory location/memory

604‧‧‧ audio path

606‧‧‧Memory location/intelligence path

608‧‧‧ memory

660‧‧‧Steps

662‧‧‧Steps

664‧‧‧Steps

666‧‧ steps

668‧‧‧Steps

670‧‧‧Steps

700‧‧‧Audio Path/Audio Channel

702‧‧‧Central Processing Unit (CPU)

704‧‧‧ memory

705‧‧‧Network connection unit

706‧‧‧ audio path

708‧‧‧Input/output unit

710‧‧‧ display unit

750‧‧ steps

752‧‧‧Steps

754‧‧‧Steps

756‧‧ steps

758‧‧‧Steps

760‧‧‧Steps

762‧‧‧Steps

764‧‧‧Steps

800‧‧‧External devices

802‧‧‧Microphone input/microphone

804‧‧‧Right speaker output/speaker

806‧‧‧Left speaker output/speaker

808‧‧‧Send/end input

810‧‧‧Control unit

812‧‧‧ switch

850‧‧‧ Connection unit

852‧‧‧Left speaker connector

854‧‧‧Right speaker connector

858‧‧‧Microphone/End Call Connector

900‧‧‧Network

904‧‧‧Hive Tower/Tower

906‧‧‧ Wide Area Network ("WAN") / Network

908‧‧‧Server

910‧‧‧Second communication device/bridge device

950‧‧‧Central Processing Unit (CPU)

952‧‧‧ memory

954‧‧‧Auxiliary storage unit

956‧‧‧Input and Output (IO) Unit

958‧‧‧Speaker

960‧‧‧ microphone

962‧‧‧ display

964‧‧‧Network Interface Unit (NIU)

970‧‧‧Operating system

972‧‧‧Application

974‧‧‧Application Programming Interface (API)

976‧‧‧Network communication unit/network unit

978‧‧‧Internet Voice Protocol (VOIP) unit

980‧‧‧ device driver

1002‧‧‧Communication path/communication connection

1004‧‧‧WiFi communication unit

1006‧‧‧WiFi interface unit

1102‧‧‧Communication Path/Communication Connection/Path

1200‧‧‧ steps

1202‧‧‧Steps

1204‧‧‧Steps

1206‧‧‧Steps

1208‧‧‧Steps

1210‧‧‧Steps

1212‧‧‧Steps

1300‧‧‧Graphical User Interface (GUI)

1302‧‧‧ phone number

1304‧‧‧identifier

1306‧‧‧Status indicator

1308‧‧‧ button

1310‧‧‧Graphical User Interface (GUI)

1312‧‧‧ button

1314‧‧‧ button

1316‧‧‧ button

1400‧‧‧External devices

1402‧‧‧Central Processing Unit ("CPU")

1404‧‧‧ memory

1406‧‧‧Wireless Interface Unit ("WIU")

1408‧‧‧Auxiliary storage unit

1410‧‧‧Input/Output Unit ("IO Unit")

1412‧‧‧ Speaker

1414‧‧‧Microphone

The details of the present invention (including non-limiting advantages and advantages) will be more readily understood by those of ordinary skill in the <RTIgt; FIG. 3A is a schematic representation of one of the interactions between the application processing unit and the radio communication unit of the mobile communication device of FIG. 1; FIG. 3A is a schematic representation of one of the audio switching units of the mobile communication device of FIG. One of the audio switching units of FIG. 3A is schematically represented when a telephone call is active; FIG. 4 depicts an illustrative example of one of the loudspeakers of the mobile communication device of FIG. 1 transmitting an audio signal to the mobile communication device; FIG. 5A depicts a The audio path is between the application audio unit and the radio audio unit An audio switching unit in the mobile communication device of FIG. 1; FIG. 5B depicts a schematic representation of one of the procedures for transmitting a pre-recorded file through a wireless network via the radio interface unit of the mobile communication device of FIG. Figure 5C is a schematic representation of one of the procedures for transmitting an analog signal from one of the mobile communication devices of Figure 1 to a wireless network when the mobile communication device of Figure 1 receives a call; Figure 5D A schematic representation of one of the mobile communication devices of FIG. 1 capable of transmitting video via a wireless network; FIG. 6A illustrates one configuration of an audio switching unit in the mobile communication device of FIG. 1; FIG. 6B illustrates The wireless network transmits a schematic representation of one of the analog signals from one of the mobile communication devices of FIG. 1; FIG. 7A illustrates the mobile communication of FIG. 1 connected to an external device that transmits a pre-recorded signal via a wireless network. One of the devices is shown schematically; FIG. 7B is a schematic representation of one of the procedures for transmitting an audio signal from an external device via a wireless network via the mobile communication device of FIG. 1; FIG. 8A depicts An external device configured to transmit an audio signal via a wireless network; FIG. 8B depicts one of the external devices; FIG. 9A is a schematic representation of one of the cellular networks in communication with a VOIP network; 9B is a schematic representation of one of the second communication devices of FIG. 9A; FIG. 9C is a schematic illustration of one of the software operating on the second communication device of FIG. 9B; FIG. 10 illustrates an audio path for applying audio units and radio audio. An audio switching unit that is opened between the units; FIG. 11 depicts an audio switching unit in which a path is opened between the application audio unit and the radio audio unit, and the path is opened between the application audio unit and a WiFi communication unit; 12 illustrates a method of using a mobile communication device of FIG. 1 to bridge a communication connection from a first network to a second network; FIG. 13A illustrates one of the displays on the display of the mobile communication device of FIG. Graphical user interface; FIG. 13B illustrates one of the graphical user interfaces displayed on the mobile communication device of FIG. 1 after the user selects the button of FIG. 13A; and FIG. 14 depicts one of the bridged calls that can be used on a communication device. External device.

While the invention is susceptible to various forms of embodiments, the invention is to be construed as illustrative only and not intended to be limited to any particular embodiments disclosed herein. One or more embodiments are described below.

The present invention relates to the ability to transmit an audio signal to one or more communication devices via a wireless network, such as a cellular network. The transmitted audio signal can be part of a larger communication management system for notifying the caller that the user of the mobile communication device is unavailable. The audio signal can be sent as a single transmission or can be attached to another audio signal that is received immediately. The term audio is used herein for illustrative purposes and may be interpreted to mean an audio signal, a video signal, a data signal, or any other communication signal transmitted on a mobile communication device.

FIG. 1 illustrates a mobile communication device 100. The mobile communication device 100 includes an application processing unit 102 including a central processing unit (CPU) 104 and a digital signal processor (DSP) 106; a radio communication unit 108 including a CPU 110 and a DSP 112; The memory 114; an input/output (IO) unit 116, comprising an audio switching unit 118; a display 120; and an auxiliary storage unit 122.

The radio communication unit 108 is configured to communicate across a wireless network. The radio communication unit 108 can be configured to use any cellular protocol (including but not limited to: code division multiple access (CDMA), global mobile communication system (GSM), and universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS), Short Message Service (SMS), Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS), Long Term Evolution (LTE) or any other cellular communication protocol to communicate via a wireless cellular network. The radio communication unit can also communicate via different networks including satellite networks, 3G cellular networks, 4G cellular networks, WIMAX networks or any other network.

The IO unit 116 is coupled to a speaker 124 and a microphone 126 via an audio switching unit 118. The audio switching unit 118 is configured to receive an audio signal from the microphone 126 and is configured to adjust various characteristics of the received audio signal. The audio switching unit 118 can adjust the volume of the audio, the sidetone generation, the comfort noise generation, the echo cancellation, the automatic gain, the noise suppression, the tone generation, or any other characteristic of the audio signal. The audio switching unit 118 also routes the audio signals received by the microphone 126 to the application processing unit 102 or the radio communication unit 108, and also routes the audio from the application processing unit 102 and the radio communication unit 108 to the speaker 124. The audio switching unit 118 can also be configured to transmit video signals, data signals, or any other communication signals transmitted through a mobile device.

2 is a schematic representation of one of the interactions between the application processing unit 102 and the radio communication unit 108. The application processing unit 102 includes one of the operating systems 200 running in the CPU 104 of the application processing unit 102. Operating system 200 can be any commercially available operating system that includes Linux, Windows, Mobile, Google Android, or any other operating system capable of running on a mobile device. Operating system 200 controls the operation of CPU 104 and DSP 106 in application processing unit 102. One of the applications 202 operating in the operating system 200 interacts with different components of the mobile device 100, such as the display 120, the speaker 124, and the microphone 126 via an application programming interface (API) 204.

The radio communication unit 108 includes a radio interface unit 220, a radio background program unit 222, a radio audio unit 224, and a driver unit 226 that are operated via the CPU 110 and the DSP 112. The radio audio unit 224 is communicatively coupled to the audio switching unit 118 such that the audio switching unit 118 transmits the audio captured by the microphone 126 for transmission by the radio hardware coupled to the driver unit 226 via the wireless network. Radio audio list The element 224 also transmits the audio information received from the radio hardware via the driver unit 226 to the speaker 126 via the audio switching unit 118.

The radio interface unit 220 performs a higher level of operation to initiate a connection between the mobile device 100 and another device connected to the wireless network via the driver unit 226. Radio interface unit 220 is also communicatively coupled to one of telephone units 206 in application processing unit 102. As an illustrative example, the radio interface unit 220 can receive a command from the telephone unit 206 to initiate a telephone call between two mobile devices. The radio interface unit 220 communicates with the radio audio unit 224 and the driver unit 226 via the radio background program unit 222 to connect to the wireless network and initiate a call between the two devices. The radio interface unit 220 also communicates with the telephone unit 206 to inform the telephone unit 206 that a telephone call has been initiated by the mobile device 100 or by an external device that is calling the mobile device 100. Telephone unit 206 communicates with application 202 running in application processing unit 102 to provide one of radio transmission units 208 and initiates actions in radio transmission unit 108.

The radio audio unit 224 in the radio communication unit 108 is communicatively coupled to the audio switching unit 118 such that the radio communication unit 224 instructs the audio switching unit 118 to transmit the audio signal from the microphone 126 to the radio audio unit 224, and instructs the audio switching unit 118 via the The audio switching unit 118 transmits the audio signal from the radio audio unit 224 to the speaker 124. The hardware driver unit 226 is communicatively coupled to the radio hardware in the mobile device 100 such that the hardware driver unit 226 initiates connection with one of the wireless networks via the radio hardware and controls the transmission of the audio signal to the wireless network and Receive audio signals from the wireless network. The hardware driver unit 226 is communicatively coupled to the radio audio unit 224 via the radio interface unit 220 and the radio background program unit 222 such that the radio audio unit 224 provides the audio signal from the microphone 126 to the hardware driver unit 226 for transmission over the wireless network. . The hardware driver unit 226 also transmits the audio signals received from the wireless network to the radio audio unit 224 for transmission to the speaker 124.

3A is an audio switching unit that transmits audio to the speaker 124 and/or the microphone 126. One of the 118 is indicated schematically. The audio switching unit 118 is communicatively coupled to the speaker 124, the microphone 126, and an external device 300. The audio switching unit 118 receives a signal from the application 202 via the application audio unit 208 requesting that an audio path 302 be established between the speaker 124, the microphone 126, or the external device 300. After receiving the request, the audio switching unit 118 establishes an audio path 302 between the requested device and the application audio unit 208. The application audio unit 208 applies an appropriate filter to the audio signal transmitted to the audio switching unit 118 or received from the audio switching unit 118, and routes the audio signal to the audio switching unit 118. The application 202 transmits the audio signal to the speaker 124 or the external device 300 via the audio path 302, and receives an audio signal from the microphone 126 or the external device 300 via the audio path. The audio signal can be in any format for storing audio, including but not limited to MP3, MPEG, WAV or any other digital audio format. The application audio unit 208 can transmit the analog audio signals to the audio switching unit 118 after converting the audio signals into analog audio signals.

3B is a schematic representation of one of the audio switching units 118 when the radio transmission unit 108 manages one of the calls between the mobile communication device 100 and another device via a wireless network. When the audio switching unit 118 receives a signal from the radio interface unit 220 via the radio audio unit 224 to open an audio path 304 between the radio interface unit 220, the speaker 124, the microphone 126 or the external device 300, the audio switching unit 118 turns off all the open. The audio path and the audio path 304 between the radio interface unit 220 and the speaker 124 and between the radio interface unit and the microphone 126 or between the radio interface unit 220 and the external device 300. The radio audio unit 224 includes all of the necessary filters needed to prepare for the transmission of the audio signals received from the microphone 126 over the wireless network via the radio interface unit 220 and the driver unit 226.

4 depicts an illustrative example of a mobile communication device 100 transmitting an audio signal to a speaker 124. In step 402, a user requests an application 202 to transmit an audio signal to the speaker 124. In step 404, the application 202 requests the status of the speaker 124 from the audio switching unit 118. If an audio path is in the speaker 124 and the radio interface unit When 220 is turned on, the application 202 waits for the speaker 124 to become available. If the speaker 124 is available, then in step 406, the application 202 requests the status of the radio interface unit 220 via the telephone unit 206. The radio interface unit 220 returns an "in-call" state (which indicates that a telephone call is being placed in a call or a "resting" state (which indicates that the radio interface unit 220 is not currently receiving a telephone call).

If the radio interface unit 220 returns to a "in-call" state, then in step 408, the application 202 directs the audio switching unit 118 to open an audio path 302 between the application 202 and the speaker 124 for use via the application audio unit 208. A pre-assigned ring tone signal is transmitted to the speaker 124. The audio switching unit 118 turns off any open audio connections to the speaker 124 and opens an audio path 302 between the application 202 and the speaker to transmit the pre-assigned audio signal to the speaker 124. When the ring tone signal is transmitted to the speaker 124, the phone unit 206 requests caller information from the radio interface unit 220, which is transmitted to the application 202 for presentation to a user via the display 120 of the mobile device 100. The application 202 also presents a button on the display 120 asking if the user intends to accept or reject the incoming call.

If the user accepts the call via a button displayed by the application 202 on the display 120, then in step 410, the telephone unit 206 sends a signal to the radio interface unit 220 to initiate the call. The radio interface unit 220 initiates a connection to one of the wireless networks via the driver unit 226 and instructs the audio switching unit 118 to turn on the audio path 304 between the radio interface unit 220, the speaker 124, and the microphone 126. The audio switching unit 118 turns off the audio path 302 between the application 202 and the speaker 124, and turns on the audio path 304 between the speaker 124, the microphone 126 and the radio interface unit 220 via the radio audio unit 224. After termination to the audio path 302 of the application 202, the transmission of the ring tone signal by the application 202 is terminated. In step 414, the radio interface unit 220 sends a signal that the call has ended to the telephone unit 206 after the call is terminated. Once the call has ended, the application 202 immediately returns to step 402 and the audio switching unit 118 is turned off. The audio interface unit 220, the audio path 304 between the speaker 124 and the microphone 126.

In step 416, if the radio interface unit 220 returns an indication that the phone is in "resting", the application 202 opens an audio path 302 between the application 202 and the speaker 124 via the application audio unit 208 and the audio switching unit 118. In step 418, the application 202 checks the status of the radio interface unit 220 via the telephone unit 206 to confirm that the radio interface unit 220 has not received a telephone call. When the audio signal is transmitted to the speaker 124, the application 202 checks the status of the radio interface unit 220 via the telephone unit 206. If the radio interface unit 220 is still "resting", then in step 420, the application 202 transmits the audio signal to the speaker 124 via the application audio unit 208 and the audio switching unit 118. If the radio interface unit 220 transmits a "in-call" flag to the telephone unit 206, the transmission of the audio signal to the speaker 124 is stopped, and the process moves to step 408. In step 422, the application 202 keeps the audio path 302 open while transmitting the audio signal to the speaker 124 and the radio interface unit 220 remains in the rest, and when the audio signal transmission is complete, the audio path 302 is closed in step 424.

FIG. 5A depicts an audio switching unit 118 that opens an audio path 500 between an application audio unit 208 and a radio audio unit 224. This configuration allows an application 202 to send a pre-recorded signal to the radio interface unit 220 for transmission across the wireless network. FIG. 5B depicts a schematic representation of one of the procedures for transmitting a pre-recorded signal over a wireless network via radio interface unit 220. In step 502, the application 202 requests to transmit a pre-recorded signal over the wireless network via the radio interface unit 220. In step 504, the application 202 checks the status of the radio interface unit 220 via the telephone unit 206. If the radio interface unit 220 returns to a "resting" state, the application 220 returns to step 502 to wait for a call to be initiated. If the radio interface unit 220 returns to an "in-call" state, then in step 508, the application 202 requests that the audio path 500 be opened between the radio interface unit 220 and the application 202. The application can also initiate a call to one of the other devices via the telephone unit 206 by transmitting a "start call" flag to the radio interface unit 226.

In step 510, the audio switching unit 118 opens the audio path 304 between the radio interface unit 220 and the microphone 126, and opens the application 202 and the radio interface unit 220 via the application audio unit 208 and the radio audio unit 224. The path opens an audio path 500 between the application 202 and the radio interface unit 220. In step 512, the application 202 transmits an audio signal through the audio path 500 via the application audio unit 208. The radio audio unit 224 receives the audio signal from the application audio unit 208 and transmits the audio signal through a plurality of filters (which are prepared for transmission of the audio signal over the wireless network via the hardware driver unit 226). After the audio signal transmission is completed, the audio switching unit 118 can turn off the audio path 500. The application 202 can also keep the audio path 500 open until the radio interface unit 220 indicates that the call is terminated. If the audio path 500 remains open while the call is active, the audio received from the wireless network can be sent to the application 202, where the audio can be stored in the memory 114 or the auxiliary storage unit 122 of the mobile communication device 100.

Figure 5C is a schematic representation of one of the procedures for transmitting an analog signal from an application 202 to a wireless network upon receiving a call. In step 550, the application 202 receives an indication from the radio interface unit 220 that a call is being called. The radio interface unit 220 can transmit a "in-call" flag to the application 202 via the telephone unit 206. The radio interface unit 220 may also transmit information about the call (such as, but not limited to, caller identification information, caller location, or any other information about the call) to the application 202 via the telephone unit 206. In step 552, the application 202 confirms that it is configured to automatically answer an incoming call. The application 202 can use the caller information transmitted by the radio transmission unit 220 to determine whether to automatically answer the call. As an illustrative example, application 202 can only answer calls from callers stored on a predetermined caller list in memory 114 of device 100. The application 202 can also ignore calls from callers on the caller list. The application 202 can also prompt the user of the mobile communication device 100 to answer the call by displaying a message on the display 120. If the application is not configured for use Automatically answering, the application 202 ends. If the application 202 is configured to automatically answer a call, the phone unit 206 transmits an "auto answer" flag to the radio interface unit 220.

In step 554, the radio interface unit 220 receives the "Auto Answer" flag and does not request an audio path between the speaker 124, the microphone 126, or the external device 300. In step 556, the application 202 requests an audio path 500 between the application and the radio interface unit 220 via the application audio unit 208. In step 558, the audio switching unit 118 turns on the audio path 500 and the radio interface unit 220 initiates the call via the opened audio path 500. After the radio interface unit 220 confirms that the call is initiated via the telephone unit 206, the application 202 transmits the audio signal via the audio channel 500 through the application audio unit 208 and the radio audio unit 224, and the driver unit 226 is self-radio interface unit via the radio audio unit 224. 220 receives the audio signal and transmits the audio signal via the wireless network.

In step 560, the application 202 determines if the audio signal has been completely transmitted by the audio path 500. If the audio signal has been completely transmitted, the application 202 can request that the audio path 500 be turned off. The application 202 can also terminate the call by transmitting an "end call" flag from the telephone unit 206 to the radio interface unit 220. The application 202 can also maintain the audio path 500 until the user of the mobile device 100 receives a call by pressing a button displayed by the application 202 on the display 120 of the mobile communication device 100. If the user indicates that they want to receive the call, the application 202 transmits an "in-call" flag to the radio interface unit 220, which requests the audio switching unit 118 to turn off the audio path 500 and open the audio path 304.

The application 202 can analyze information from additional sources (such as one of the scheduling applications residing in or outside of the mobile communication device 100), Global Positioning Satellite (GSP) information, or any other user-specific information to determine Whether the "Auto Answer" flag should be turned on. As an illustrative example, application 202 can query mobile communication device 100 The top one schedules the application to determine if the Auto Answer flag should be turned on. When a user receives a call while in a scheduled event, the application 202 can transmit an "auto answer" flag to the radio interface unit 220. To determine if the user is in a scheduled event, the application 202 can compare the current time and date with one of the user's schedule start and end times and dates to determine if the event is in progress. If the event is in progress, the application will send an "Auto Answer" flag to the radio interface unit when a call comes in.

The user may also supply a list of authorized telephone numbers that should not be automatically answered during the event. As another illustrative example, a user may designate a particular phone number to dial a call during an event such as a family member or a customer call user. When the indicated telephone number is transferred from the radio interface unit 220 to the telephone unit 206 as part of the call information, the application 202 transmits an "accept call" signal to the radio interface unit 220 indicating that the radio interface unit 220 is turned on to the speaker 124. And the audio path of the microphone 126. If the caller information is not in the list of authorized phone numbers, the application 202 will not open an audio path between the radio interface unit 220 and the speaker 124.

The application 202 can also rely on a plurality of pieces of information to determine whether the "auto answer" flag should be transmitted to the radio interface unit 220. As an illustrative example, the application 202 can analyze the user's schedule information and GPS location to determine if the user is at the meeting location. If the user is at the conference location, the "auto answer" flag is transmitted to the radio interface unit 220 when a call comes in. If the user is not at the location indicated by the schedule information, "Auto Answer" will not be transmitted.

The application 202 can also automatically open an audio path 304 from the radio audio unit 224 to the speaker 124 when receiving a call from a particular device. As an illustrative example, application 202 can receive caller information and an "in-call" flag from radio interface unit 220 via telephone unit 206. The application 202 can compare the received callers Information (such as the telephone number of the incoming device) and an authorized list of one of the telephone numbers stored in the memory of the mobile communication device 100, and can match the caller information with one of the predetermined callers stored in the authorized list The call is automatically accepted and opened to an audio path of the speaker 124 and the microphone 126. Since the audio channel is turned on on both devices, a pair of talkie effects are achieved in which both parties can communicate with one another via a wireless network.

Figure 5D is a schematic representation of one of the mobile devices capable of transmitting video over a wireless network. In accordance with this embodiment, the mobile communication device 100 includes a video switching unit 574, an application video unit 570, and a wireless television unit 572. The video switching unit 574 is configured to receive a video signal from the application 202 via the application video unit 570 and is configured to transfer the video signal to the wireless television unit 572 via the video signal path 576. The application video unit 570 is also configured to format the video signal into a format that can be operated using the wireless television unit 572. The wireless television signal unit 572 can also include a plurality of filters to format the video signals for transmission by the hardware driver 226 via the wireless network. The mobile communication device 100 can simultaneously transmit video and audio signals via the wireless network via the hardware driver 226. The transmission of the video signal can be initiated by any of the previously discussed means, such as receiving a telephone call from an authorized telephone number. The video signal may be generated by a camera 578 that is optically coupled to the application processing unit 102 via the IO unit 116. Camera 578 can be used to record or generate video signals transmitted over a wireless network.

FIG. 6A depicts one configuration of the audio switching unit 118. The audio switching unit 118 is coupled to the speaker 124, the microphone 126, the application audio unit 208, and the radio audio unit 224. Audio frame 206 and radio audio unit 224 are coupled to audio switching unit 118 via memory locations 602 and 606. Memory locations 602 and 606 can be partitions of memory 114 or partitions of auxiliary storage unit 122. Additionally, each memory location 602 and 606 can be divided into a plurality of memory locations.

The radio audio unit 224 stores the audio signal received from the driver unit 226 in the memory 602, and the audio switching unit 118 retrieves the stored sound from the memory location 602. The audio signal is transmitted to the speaker 124 via the audio path 600. The audio switching unit 118 receives the audio from the microphone 126 and stores the audio from the microphone 126 in the memory location 602 via the audio path 604. The radio audio unit 224 captures the audio signal from the memory location 602 and transmits the audio signal to the wireless network via the radio interface unit 220 and the driver unit 226. The radio audio unit 224 also stores the audio signals received from the wireless network in the memory location 602. Similarly, external device 300 transmits audio signals via audio path 606 and retrieves audio signals from memory 608. Application audio unit 208 is also coupled to memory location 602 and is configured to read and write audio signals into memory location 602.

Figure 6B depicts a schematic representation of one of the procedures for transmitting an audio signal over a wireless network. In step 660, the application 202 requests the transmission of an audio signal. In step 662, the application 202 checks the status of the radio interface unit 220 via the telephone unit 206. If the radio interface unit 220 returns to a "resting" state, the application 202 waits for the status to change to an "in-call" state. The application 202 can also initiate a call by transmitting a "start call" flag to the radio interface unit 220 via the telephone unit 206. If the application 220 initiates a call, the radio interface unit 220 connects to the wireless network via the driver unit 226 and performs all of the required functions to initiate a call via the wireless network. When the mobile device is expected to accept the call, the radio interface unit 220 sends an "in-call" flag to the telephone unit 206, which forwards the "on-call" status to the application 202.

In step 664, the application 202 accesses the memory location 602, wherein the audio transmitted to the wireless network is stored via the application audio unit 208. The application 202 can transmit a "virtual call" flag to the audio switching unit 118, which causes the audio switching unit 118 to turn off the audio path 604 between the microphone 126 and the memory location 602. The application 202 can also be coupled to the microphone 126 and prevent the microphone 126 from transmitting an audio signal to the memory 602.

In step 666, the application 202 routes the audio signal through the application audio unit. 208. The application audio unit 208 formats the audio signal into a format compatible with the radio audio unit 224, and then stores the converted audio signal in the memory 602. The radio audio unit 224 captures the audio signal from the memory location 602 and transmits the audio signal through the wireless network via the radio interface unit 220 and the driver unit 226. In step 668, the application audio unit 208 determines if the audio signal has been successfully stored in the memory location 602. If successfully stored, the application 202 ends the program. If not successfully stored, the application 202 attempts to store the audio signal again.

Figure 7A is a schematic representation of one of the mobile devices 100 connected to an external device 300 that transmits a pre-recorded signal via a wireless network. The external device 300 can be configured to receive an audio signal from the application 202 via the application audio unit 208 via the audio path 700. The external device 300 includes a CPU 702, a memory 704, and a network connection unit 705. The external device is configured to receive an audio signal from the application 202, reformat the audio signal into one of the formats accepted by the radio audio unit 224, and transmit the reformatted audio signal to the radio audio unit via the audio path 706. 224. The audio signal can be stored in the memory 704 of the external device 300 for later transmission.

The application 202 can be communicatively coupled to the external device 300 via the network connection unit 705 using a wireless communication protocol such as Bluetooth. The application 202 can also be communicatively coupled to the external device by a wired data bus (such as a universal serial bus (USB) connection) in the external device 300 and in the mobile device 100. Application 202 can also be communicatively coupled to external device 300 by a network connection, such as a TCP/IP connection or an Ethernet connection. The application 202 can also be coupled to the external device 300 by a stand or a USB connection to one of the external devices that is configured to hold the mobile communication device 100 in a predetermined position. The application 202 can also be coupled to the external device 300 by an adapter on the external device 300 that is configured to engage an audio port on the mobile communication device 100.

7B is for transmitting an external device via the wireless communication network via the mobile communication device 100. One of the programs of 300 transmitting an audio signal is schematically indicated. When the external device 300 is connected to the mobile device 100, in step 750, the application 202 requests an audio channel 700 between the external device 300 and the application 202 from the audio switching unit 118 via the application audio unit 208. The external device 300 can be communicatively coupled to the mobile communication device 100 using a wireless protocol, such as Bluetooth, or by coupling to one of the ends of one of the external devices 300. In step 752, in response to a request from one of the application audio units 208, the audio switching unit 118 turns on the audio path 700. In step 754, the application 202 transmits the audio signal to the external device 300 via the audio path 700. In step 756, the external device 300 receives the audio signal, converts the audio signal into a format accepted by the radio audio unit 224, and stores the audio signal in the memory 704.

After the external device 300 stores the audio file, in step 758, the application 202 monitors the status of the wireless interface device 220 via the telephone unit 206. When the radio interface unit 220 transmits an "on-call" status to the telephone unit 206, in step 760, the application 202 transmits an "accept call" flag to the radio interface unit 220 such that the radio interface unit 220 is via the driver unit. 226 connected to the call.

In step 762, the application 202 transmits a "start transmission" signal to the external device 300 via a hardwired connection between the established wireless connection or external device 300, as previously discussed. In step 764, the external device 300 transmits the stored audio signal to the radio audio unit 224 via the audio path 706. The radio audio unit 224 filters the audio signal before transmitting the audio signal to the wireless network via the radio interface unit 220 and the driver unit 226. Although the above example indicates that the application is operating in the mobile communication device 100, the application can also operate on the external device 300.

The external device 300 can include a plurality of switches coupled to one of the input/output units 708 of the external device. An application operating in the memory 704 of the external device 300 monitors the state of each switch and changes the operation of the external device 300 based on the state of the switch. As an illustrative example, when a first switch is selected, the application can be from the mobile communication device 100. The received audio signal is transmitted to a headset coupled to one of the external devices 300. When a second switch is selected, the application can initiate an automatic answer mode in which the external device 300 transmits the audio signal stored in the memory 704 of the external device 300 via the wireless communication network via the mobile communication device 100. When a third switch is selected, the application can initiate a call transition mode in which the audio signal received by the external device 300 is analyzed by operating an application in the memory 704 of the external device 300. When a fourth switch is selected, the application can receive the audio signal transmitted from the microphone coupled to one of the external devices 300, convert the audio signal into a digital format, and store the audio signal in the memory 704 of the external device 300. These switches can be buttons. In addition, the application can initiate different modes based on the combination of one of the switches.

The external device 300 can also include a display unit 710. Display unit 710 can be configured to display a menu that allows the user to select different modes of operation of external device 300. Display unit 710 can also be configured to display information about external device 300 and files stored in memory 704 of external device 300. As an illustrative example, display unit 710 can display a list of records stored in memory 704 of external device 300. Display unit 710 can be logically coupled to at least one of the switches such that selection of a switch will correspond to one of the actions described on display unit 710. As another illustrative example, a switch selection may allow a user to listen to a particular audio file stored in memory 704 of external device 300. Display unit 710 can also display information regarding the association of audio files stored in memory 704 with different modes of operation of external device 300.

In the call transition mode, the audio signal received from the wireless network or the microphone coupled to the external device 300 is converted to text using conventional speech recognition software algorithms well known in the art. Examples of speech recognition applications include Dragon Naturally Speaking and Microsoft's Text to Speech. The external device 300 can analyze the converted audio signal for the keywords and initiate different modes based on the identified keywords. The user of the mobile communication device 100 can store a list of keywords and associated operating modes. In the memory 704 of the external device 300.

As an illustrative example, external device 300 can receive an audio signal containing one of the words "emergency." A user of the mobile communication device 100 can pre-configure the external device 300 to automatically notify the user of the mobile communication device 100 of any received audio containing the word "emergency" by playing a tone on the speaker of the mobile communication device 100. signal. Additionally, the external device 300 can be configured to enter a wheel mode upon receipt of an audio signal containing the phrase "the mobile device is parked in a vehicle." The external device 300 can also be configured to initiate any other mode of operation based on a keyword previously identified by a user of the mobile communication device 100.

FIG. 8A depicts an external device 800 configured to transmit an audio signal via a wireless network. The external device 800 includes a microphone input 802, a right speaker output 804, a left speaker output 806, a send/end input 808, and a control unit 810. Control unit 810 can also be configured to be independent of speakers 804, 806 and microphone 810. Control unit 810 is communicatively coupled to audio switching unit 118. Control unit 810 can be coupled to audio switching unit 118 by an audio adapter, a wireless communication unit, or by any other audio connection. When a call is received, the audio switching unit 118 uses any of the methods previously described to open an audio path between the control unit 810 and the application audio unit 208. Control unit 810 is configured to receive an audio signal based on an operational mode of external device 800 and to transmit a control signal to application audio unit 208.

In a first mode, when the switch 812 is engaged, the control unit 810 transmits a control signal to the application audio unit 208 via the audio path 700 via the audio switching unit 118. The application audio unit 208 receives the control signal, opens an audio path to the radio interface unit 220, and transmits any of the audio signals stored in the memory 114 of the mobile communication device 100 using any of the methods discussed previously. When the switch is not engaged, control unit 810 transmits the audio signal to right speaker output 804 and left speaker channel output 806. Control unit 810 also transmits audio signals from microphone 802 to mobile communication device 100.

The external device 800 can also be a docking station in a car that allows a user to install the mobile communication device 100 and charge the mobile communication device 100. The external device 800 is configured to identify when a mobile communication device 100 is engaged with the docking station. When the mobile communication device 100 is docked in the docking station, the control unit 810 transmits a control signal to the application audio unit 208 to transmit the audio signal from the memory 114 of the mobile communication unit 100 in response to a received call.

FIG. 8B depicts one of the connection units 850 for the external device 800. The connection unit 850 includes a left speaker connector 852, a right speaker connector 854, a common electrical connector 856, and a microphone/end call connector 858. The left speaker connector 852 receives an audio signal transmitted to the left speaker from the audio switching unit 118. The right speaker connector 854 receives an audio signal transmitted to the right speaker from the audio switching unit 118. The microphone end call connector 858 transmits one of the audio signals captured by a microphone to the audio switching unit 118.

Figure 9A shows a schematic representation of one of the cellular networks in communication with a VOIP network. The network 900 includes a mobile communication device 100, a cellular tower 904 connected to a wide area network ("WAN") 906, a server 908 connected to the WAN 906, and a second communication device 910 connected to the server 908. . The second communication device 910 can be a VOIP phone, a conventional landline phone, a second mobile communication device, or a computer-operated communication software. The mobile communication device 100 communicates with the tower 904 to connect to the second communication device 910 via the WAN 906. The audio signal is transmitted between the mobile communication device 100 and the second communication device 910 via the tower 904 and the WAN 906. When a call is placed between the mobile communication device 100 and the second communication device 910, the mobile communication device 100 communicates with the tower 904 to establish a communication channel between the mobile communication device 100 and the second communication device 910. Once the communication channel is established, communication is initiated between the mobile communication device 100 and the second communication device 910 via the communication channel.

FIG. 9B is a schematic representation of a second communication device 910. The second communication device 910 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 950, a memory 952, and an auxiliary storage unit 954. An input/output (IO) unit 956. The IO unit 956 is coupled to a speaker 958, a microphone 960, and a display 962. The second communication device 910 also includes a network interface unit (NIU) 964 that is configured to communicate across a network 906. Network 906 can be any known communication protocol (including TCP/IP, Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), and Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Short Message Service (SMS), Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS), Long Term Evolution (LTE) or any other cellular communication protocol to communicate with one of the wireless or wired networks. The NIU 964 can also communicate over different networks including satellite networks, 3G cellular networks, 4G cellular networks, WIMAX networks, TCP/IP networks, the Internet, or any other communication network.

FIG. 9C is a schematic illustration of one of the software operating on the second communication device 910. The second communication device 910 includes an operating system such as Microsoft Windows, Apple IOS, a proprietary VOIP operating system, or any other operating system. The second communication device 910 includes one of the operating systems 970 running in the CPU 950. Operating system 970 controls the operation of CPU 950, memory 952, NIU 964, auxiliary storage unit 954, and IO unit 956. One of the applications 972 operating in the operating system 970 interacts with different components of the second communication device 910, such as the display 120, the speaker 124, and the microphone 126 via an application programming interface (API) 974.

The application 972 communicates via a network via a network communication unit 976 and a VOIP unit 978. The VOIP unit 978 converts the audio, video and data signals into one of the mobile communication device 100 and other VOIP phones or software recognizable formats. The VOIP unit 978 can be configured to convert one of the audio signals received from the speaker 958 and the microphone 960 into a VOIP network protocol, such as the Simple Initiation Protocol (SIP), the H.248 protocol, the H.323 protocol, or any other VOIP protocol. . The application 972 and the operation API 974 encapsulate the converted audio signal for transmission over the network via the network communication unit 976. Video and data information can be transmitted via VOIP unit 978 and network unit 976. Control of the NIU 964 and other hardware is provided by a device driver 980 that is logically coupled to the operating system 970.

FIG. 10 illustrates an audio switching unit 118 that opens a communication path 1002 between the application audio unit 208 and the radio audio unit 224. The audio switch 118 includes a WiFi communication unit 1004 and a WiFi interface unit 1006. The WiFi communication unit 1004 can be one antenna capable of communicating via an IEEE 802.11 wireless network. The WiFi communication unit 1004 registers with the wireless network using a known connection protocol, including but not limited to TCP/IP. Once the connection is established, the WiFi communication unit 1004 receives and transmits information via the WiFi interface unit 1006. The WiFi communication unit 1004 is communicatively coupled to the audio switching unit 118 such that the audio switching unit 118 can redirect the information received from the WiFi communication unit 1004 to the application audio unit 208.

11 depicts an audio switching unit 118 on the mobile communication device 100 in which a communication path 1002 is opened between the application audio unit 208 and the radio audio unit 224, and a path 1102 is opened between the application audio unit 208 and the WiFi communication unit 1004. In the case where the communication path 1102 is opened between the application audio units 208, the application 202 can transmit to and receive information from the WiFi network. Additionally, path 1002 allows application audio unit 208 to receive and transmit signals across the radio network by radio audio unit 224. Paths 1002 and 1102 can be opened simultaneously so that application 202 can simultaneously receive information and transmit information across communication paths 1002 and 1102.

To initiate a bridge mode on the mobile communication device 100, a user can select one of the buttons on the graphical user interface ("GUI") displayed on the mobile communication device 100. In the bridge mode, the application 202 receives communication signals from the radio interface unit 224 via the communication connection 1002 and reroutes the communication signals to a predetermined address via the second connection via the communication connection 1102. The user can manually identify the network in which the address exists by entering the address into the GUI. As an illustrative example, a user may enter a VOIP telephone number of a second communication device 910 and then select one of the buttons on the GUI indicating that the address is a VOIP telephone number. In another embodiment, the application 202 retrieves the WiFi network to identify the address that the second device is located to. Once the device associated with the address is located, the application 202 can transmit a recognition request to one of the second applications operating on the identified device The program determines the type of device associated with the address.

As another illustrative example, a user may initiate a bridging mode on the mobile communication device 100 and the mobile communication device 100 may receive routing address information from the user. Alternatively, application 202 can automatically select a routing address from a list of predetermined routing addresses. The routing address can be a TCP/IP address on a network, a cellular telephone number, a VOIP telephone number, a conventional landline telephone number, or any other address capable of receiving a communication signal. The routing address may include information about the network to which the second communication device 910 is connected, the geographic location of the second communication device 910, or any other information to assist in establishing a communication connection with the second communication device 910.

In one embodiment, a user selects one of the buttons on the GUI to place the mobile communication device 100 in a bridge mode. After selecting the button, the application 202 prompts the user to enter a routing address, such as a second telephone number. After receiving the routing address, the application 202 transmits a communication request to the application 972 on the second communication device 910 associated with the routing address. The application 972 responds to the connection request with information for establishing a communication path between the two devices. Next, the application 202 is connected to the second communication device 910 via the communication path 1102 and the application 972. When a communication connection is established between the two applications 202 and 972, the application 202 disconnects the microphone 126 and the speaker 124 from the radio audio unit 224, and connects the microphone 125 and the speaker 124 to the application audio unit 208, and the application 202 begins routing signals received from application 972 to the speaker via the network and transmits signals received from microphone 126 to application 972 via communication path 1102 via the network.

The application 202 can display a status indicator indicating the status of the connection between the mobile communication device 100 and the second communication device 910 on the GUI. The status indicator allows the user to determine if the second communication device 910 or the first communication device 972 is connected, available for connection, or whether the network connection between the two meets a minimum data transmission value. As an illustrative example, application 202 can display the word "connected" on the GUI to indicate two devices 100 and 910. Communication connection. In another embodiment, applications 202 and 972 can insert timing information into an initial connection request to determine the length of time required to transmit information over the network. When the length of time is below a predetermined value, the application 202 can display a graphical representation indicating that the quality of the connection is below a minimum required value. Applications 202 and 972 can also perform any other known network analysis to determine the quality of the network connection.

12 illustrates a method of bridging a communication connection from a first network to a second network using a mobile communication device 100. In step 1200, a mobile communication device 100 is placed in a bridge mode and the communication device 100 collects the address of the second communication device 910. In step 1202, the application 202 operating in the mobile communication device 100 transmits a communication request to the application 972 operating on the second communication device 910. The communication request can include information for establishing two-way audio communication with one of the mobile communication devices 100 via a second network. The second network can be a wireless network connected to one of the mobile communication device 100 and the second communication device 910.

In step 1204, the application 972 operating on the second communication device 910 receives the communication request from the mobile communication device 100 and transmits the communication connection information to the mobile communication device 100. The communication connection information may include detailed information about a communication connection between two devices, including encrypted information (such as hash keys), network address information, communication protocol information (such as SIP communication protocol information), connection speed, or Any other information required by the two devices to communicate via the second network. In step 1206, the application 202 and the application 972 establish a communication connection via the second network.

In step 1208, the application 202 reconfigures the audio switching unit 118 to route signals from the radio audio unit 224 to the application 202 via connection 1002 while maintaining a connection between the mobile communication device 100 and the transmitting device. Next, the application 202 configures each audio signal to comply with the communication protocol of the second communication device 910. As an illustrative example, application 202 can receive digital audio signals from radio audio unit 224 and can convert the audio signals to one of the wireless networks via audio switching unit 118. H.323 VOIP communication packet. The application 972 on the second communication device 910 receives the H.323 communication packet and processes the information as a standard VOIP phone call.

In step 1210, once communication with the second communication device 910 is established, the application 202 disconnects the speaker 126 and the microphone 124 from the audio switching unit 118. Communication with the second communication device 910 can be established by selecting one of the connection buttons on one of the GUIs displayed on the display 962 of the second communication device 910. By pressing the connect button, the second communication device 910 completes the audio connection with the mobile communication device 100 and initiates two-way communication with the mobile communication device 100. In another embodiment, a communication transfer can be initiated on the mobile communication device 100 by answering a receiver or turning on a speaker on the second communication device 910. Consistent with this embodiment, the second communication device 910 can transmit a signal to the mobile communication device 100, the content of which is that the speaker 958 on the second communication device 910 is open. In step 1212, the application 202 monitors communication with the second communication device 910 and terminates any connection via the radio audio unit 224 or the WiFi communication unit 1004 when the call is terminated.

Although FIG. 12 depicts a mobile communication device 100 coupled to a second communication device 910 and establishing a communication channel, the second communication device 910 can also initiate a communication channel with one of the mobile communication devices 100. Consistent with this embodiment, the second communication device 910 establishes connection with one of the mobile communication devices 100 via the application 972 operating on the second communication device 910. The application 972 disconnects the speaker 958 and the microphone 960 while maintaining the connection with the transmission device in the same manner as the mobile communication device 100.

In another embodiment, the mobile communication device 100 or the second communication device 910 can receive additional communication requests when bridging communications from one network to another. The mobile communication device 100 or the second communication device 910 can be configured to incorporate additional communications from the bridged communication into a single conference call communication. Consistent with this embodiment, applications 202 and 972 on bridge device 100 or 910 receive an incoming communication request and prompt the user of bridge device 100 or 910 to accept or reject the call. If the user accepts the call, the application 202 or 972 running on the bridge device 100 or 910 asks the user whether to make the call await or answer the call. call. If the user merges the call, the application 202 or 972 establishes a connection with one of the new devices or a number of new devices and routes the communication with the previously established communication. If the user causes the call to be answered, the application 202 or 972 uses any of the previously discussed methods to open a connection with one of the new devices and use any of the methods discussed herein to route the new connection to the mobile communication device. 100 or a second communication device 910.

FIG. 13A illustrates one GUI 1300 displayed on display 120 of one of mobile communication devices 100. The GUI 1300 displays the telephone number 1302 and an identifier 1304 of the call currently connected to the mobile communication device 100. A status indicator 1306 displays the status of the connection between the mobile communication device 100 and the second communication device 972. A button 1308 is positioned on the lower portion of the GUI 1300, which allows the user to reroute the call currently connected to a second communication device 910.

FIG. 13B illustrates one of the GUIs 1310 displayed after a user selects the button 1306. The GUI 1310 includes two buttons 1312 and 1314 that display a predetermined second communication device 910 that can reroute the connected call. As an illustrative example, pressing the "office phone" button will cause the application 202 to connect to the predetermined address associated with the "office phone" in the application 202. In addition, the application 202 stores the communication protocol, network address, and other communication information in the memory 114 of the mobile communication device 100 such that the application 202 can be coupled to the second communication device 910 associated with the button 1312. Alternatively, by selecting button 1316, a user can enter a new phone number to cause application 202 to send a communication request to the new phone number using a standard VOIP communication request.

The second communication device 910 can also include a display that allows the user to initiate a re-routing connection to one of the mobile communication devices 100. When the user selects the button, the second communication device 910 transmits a signal to the mobile communication device instructing the mobile communication device 100 to complete the rerouting of the call. In an alternate embodiment, when the user answers the receiver or opens an audio communication path on the second communication device 910, the application 202 can complete the rerouting.

Figure 14 depicts an external device 1400 that can be used to bridge a call on a communication device. The external device 1400 can be a wireless telephone headset configured to connect to a mobile communication device 100 or a VOIP phone via a wireless communication protocol such as Bluetooth. The external device includes a central processing unit ("CPU") 1402, a memory 1404, a wireless interface unit ("WIU") 1406, an auxiliary storage unit 1408, and an input/output unit ("IO unit") 1410. A speaker 1412 and a microphone 1414 can be coupled to the IO unit 1410.

The external device 1400 can be configured to transmit and receive audio signals via the WIU 1406 using a mobile communication device 100 or a second communication device 972. The WIU 1406 may allow the device to simultaneously connect to a mobile communication device 100 or a second communication device 972 using two different wireless connections. The use of two separate wireless connections for connection is well known in the art and can be achieved using communication protocols such as Bluetooth or IEEE 802.11 and the like. When connected to the communication device 100 or 910, a connection can be communicatively coupled to the third communication device of the communication device 100 or 910 via a cellular or wireless network to receive the audio signal. The second connection is communicatively coupled to the application 202 or 972 on the mobile communication device 100 or the second communication device 910. When the external device 1400 receives a communication signal from the mobile communication device 100 or the second communication device 910, the external device 1400 converts the communication signal into a predetermined format and transmits it to the application 202 or 972 via the second wireless connection. The application 202 or 972 then transmits the retransmitted signal to one of the third communication devices communicatively coupled to the application 202 or 972 using any of the methods previously described.

The application 202 or 972 also forwards the communication signal received from the third communication device to the external device 1400, wherein the received communication signal is transmitted to the mobile communication device 100 or the second communication device 972. In this manner, external device 1400 acts as an audio switching unit 118 to bridge communications between two communication networks. Therefore, the external device 1400 can perform the same function as the audio switching unit 118. The external device 1400 can also bridge text messages, video signals, data, or any other information transmitted via a cellular or wireless network.

As an illustrative example, a wireless Bluetooth headset can be connected by a first wireless connection and A second wireless connection is coupled to the mobile communication unit 100. The first wireless connection can be communicatively coupled to the application 202 via the application audio unit 208 and the second wireless connection can be communicatively coupled to the wireless audio unit 224. When the external device 1400 is connected to the application 202, the application transmits details of how the communication signal will be transmitted to the application 202 for communication conversion information.

When the mobile communication device 100 establishes a communication channel with a third communication device, such as a mobile communication device, the communication signal from the third communication device routes the channel radio audio unit 224 via the audio switching unit 118 to the external device. The external device 1400 receives the communication signal and converts the signal into a format defined by the application 202. Next, the external device 1400 transmits the converted communication signal to the application 202. The application 202 then transmits the communication signal to a second communication device 972. The communication signal from the second communication device 972 is transmitted from the application 202 to the external device 1400, converted to a format transmittable via the radio audio unit 224, and transmitted to the radio audio unit 224 via the audio switching unit 118 for Transfer to the third communication device.

As one of ordinary skill will recognize that a call can be bridged from one network to another, a user can transfer a call from one device to another without disconnecting and reconnecting a call. . In addition, a user may choose to reroute a call from a static line to a mobile device to allow the user to move freely while continuing a conversation without terminating and not restarting a call.

In the present invention, the word "a" is understood to include both singular and plural. Conversely, any reference to a plural term should be singular as appropriate.

It will be appreciated that various changes and modifications of the preferred embodiments disclosed herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and without departing from the invention. Therefore, we intend to cover such changes and modifications from the scope of the accompanying patent application.

124‧‧‧Speakers

126‧‧‧ microphone

202‧‧‧Application

220‧‧‧Radio interface unit/radio interface device

300‧‧‧External devices

570‧‧‧Application video unit

572‧‧‧Wireless TV Unit

574‧‧‧Video Switching Unit

576‧‧‧ video signal path

578‧‧‧ camera

Claims (20)

A communication bridge device having a processor and a memory, the communication device comprising: an application unit configured to transmit a communication signal to a first communication device via a first wireless network and to receive an application of the communication signal a wireless interface unit that transmits a communication signal to a second communication device and receives a communication signal via a second wireless network; a switching unit communicatively coupled to the application unit and the wireless interface unit, wherein The switching unit transmits a communication signal between the first network and the second network in a bridge mode, and the application unit transmits a communication signal from the switching unit to the bridge via the first wireless network in the bridge mode a first communication device, and the wireless interface unit transmits a communication signal from the switching unit to the second communication device via the second wireless network in the bridge mode. The bridging device of claim 1, wherein the first wireless network is an internet and the second wireless network is a cellular network. A bridge device as claimed in claim 1, comprising a display unit coupled to one of the input and output units of the bridge device. A bridge device as claimed in claim 3, wherein an operational mode is adjusted by a graphical user interface as shown on the display. The bridge device of claim 1, wherein the communication signal is an audio signal. The bridging device of claim 1, wherein the communication signal is a text message. The bridge device of claim 1, wherein the communication signal is a data signal. The bridge device of claim 1, wherein the first communication device is an internet voice protocol phone and the second communication device is a cellular phone. The bridge device of claim 1, wherein the application simultaneously transmits and receives the first communication device and a communication signal communicatively coupled to the fourth communication device of the first wireless network. A method of using a communication device having a memory and a processor to bridge a communication signal across two networks, wherein executing a program in the memory performs the following steps: via an application unit via a first The network is connected to a first communication device; the wireless communication unit is simultaneously connected to a second communication device via a second network; and the application unit receives a first communication signal from the first communication device; The first communication signal from the first device is transmitted to the second network by a switching unit coupled to the application unit and the wireless interface unit. The method of claim 10, comprising the steps of: receiving a second communication signal from the second communication device, and transmitting, by the switching unit, the second communication signal from the second communication device to the first communication Device. The method of claim 10, comprising the step of displaying a graphical user interface on a display unit coupled to one of the input and output units of the device, wherein the graphical user interface allows a user to change an operation of the device mode. The method of claim 10, wherein the communication signal is an audio signal. The method of claim 10, wherein the communication signal is a text message. The method of claim 10, wherein the communication signal is a data signal. The method of claim 10, wherein the first communication device is an internet voice protocol telephone and the second communication device is a cellular telephone. The method of claim 10, comprising simultaneously transmitting and receiving the first communication device and the communication signal communicatively coupled to the fourth communication device of the first wireless network step. A wireless communication device having a memory and a processor, comprising: a wireless interface unit connected to a radio communication unit of a first communication device by a first wireless network and simultaneously by a second wireless The network is connected to one of the first communication devices; an application unit communicatively coupled to the first network and the second network by the wireless interface unit, wherein the application unit is connected to the first network Receiving a first communication signal from a radio application unit of the first communication device, and transmitting the communication signal to the application unit by the second network, and wherein the application unit is coupled to the first A third wireless network of the communication device transmits the first communication signal to a second communication device. The device of claim 18, wherein the application unit receives a second communication signal from an application processing unit of the first communication device, and wherein the application unit transmits the second communication signal to the first communication network via the first network The radio application unit in the first communication device. The device of claim 18, comprising a speaker communicatively coupled to the application unit and a microphone.