Method, system, and apparatus for providing wireless identification to standard telephone

US7792093B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• AT&T Mobility II LLC · US

Inventors

• John Eric Myhre · Shoreline, US
• Masud Kibria · Kirkland, US
• James F. Whitehead · Mercer Island, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 15, 2004
• Grant date: Sep 7, 2010
• Expiry date: Jul 8, 2029

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H04W88/181
• WIPO field: Telecommunications
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

An analog telephone adapter (ATA) having a subscriber identity component in the format of a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) that couples a telephone to a cellular network via Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), thereby allowing a cellular service provider to provide an alternative communication service for the home or business. Instead of using the plain old telephone service, a subscriber can plug their analog telephone into the SIM-enabled ATA (SIM-ATA) and receive telephone service from a cellular service provider, eliminating or reducing the need for a traditional Local Exchange Carrier. The SIM-ATA converts signals from analog to digital, and vice-versa. Once the analog telephone signal has been converted to digital, an IP-based protocol (e.g., VoIP) can be used to transmit the telephone call over a digital network. The cellular service provider can then track usage and bill the subscriber accordingly.