(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2003/0123627 A1
`Pinard et al.
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Jul. 3, 2003
`
`US 2003.01.23627A1
`
`(54) PALM PC DOCKABLE PHONE
`
`(30)
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`(76) Inventors: Debbie Pinard, Kanata (CA); Ed
`Bijman, Stittsville (CA); Douglas C.
`Oddy, Greely (CA)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`Frank Chau Esq.
`F Chau & Associates LLP
`1900 Hempstead Turnpike Suite 501
`East Meadow, NY 11554 (US)
`
`(*) Notice:
`
`This is a publication of a continued pros-
`ecution application (CPA) filed under 37
`CFR 1.53(d).
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`09/502,085
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Feb. 10, 2000
`
`Feb. 11, 1999 (GB)......................................... 99030421
`Publication Classification
`(51) Int. Cl." ....................................................... H04B 1100
`(52) U.S. Cl. ........................................................ 379/110.01
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`Apalm PC dockable phone, comprising a personal computer
`running a Software application for implementing telephony
`functions, a personal digital assistant (PDA) device provid
`ing a user display and input interface, and a telephone Set
`connected to the personal computer and in communication
`with the PDA device, wherein the telephone set incorporates
`phone firmware for communicating with the Software appli
`cation and PDA firmware for communicating with the PDA
`device for controlling the telephony functions via the user
`display and input interface.
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`3
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`CALL
`CONTROL
`SERVER
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`Petitioners Microsoft Corporation and HP Inc. - Ex. 1019, p. 1
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`

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`Patent Application Publication
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`Jul. 3, 2003 Sheet 1 of 4
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`US 2003/0123627 A1
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`FG.1
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`CALL
`CONTROL
`SERVER
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`Petitioners Microsoft Corporation and HP Inc. - Ex. 1019, p. 2
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Jul. 3, 2003. Sheet 2 of 4
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`US 2003/0123627 A1
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`Petitioners Microsoft Corporation and HP Inc. - Ex. 1019, p. 3
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`

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`Patent Application Publication
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`Jul. 3, 2003. Sheet 3 of 4
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`US 2003/0123627 A1
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`FG.3
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`Petitioners Microsoft Corporation and HP Inc. - Ex. 1019, p. 4
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`

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`Patent Application Publication
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`Jul. 3, 2003. Sheet 4 of 4
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`US 2003/0123627 A1
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`PC 3
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`GUAPPLICATION
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`TELEPHONY SERVICES
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`TAP SERVICE PROVIDER
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`USB
`TAP
`SERVICE
`PROVIDER
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`PHONE
`SDE
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`55
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`LINE
`SOE DESKTOP
`TAP
`SERVICE
`PROVIDER
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`DRVER
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`USB POR OR SERAL PORT
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`ETHERNET
`PORT
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`CALL
`CONTROL
`SERVER
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`PHONE D
`FRMWARE
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`PDA
`FIRMWARE
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`PHONE/DOCKING STATION 1
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`NFRARED
`DRIVER
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`INFRARED
`PORT 44
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`ESCAL
`DRVER
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`SERIALPARALLEL
`PORT 41 INFRARED
`PORT 46 (
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`PDA 5
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`PHONE
`DISPLAY
`APP
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`NFRARED
`DRIVER
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`PHYSICAL
`PORT
`WER
`DR
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`SERIALPARALLEL
`PORT 42
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`FG4
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`Petitioners Microsoft Corporation and HP Inc. - Ex. 1019, p. 5
`
`

`

`US 2003/O123627 A1
`
`Jul. 3, 2003
`
`PALM PC DOCKABLE PHONE
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`0001. This invention relates in general to Computer Tele
`phony Integration (CTI), and more particularly to a system
`for integrating functionality of a PDA (Personal Digital
`ASSistant) with a combined telephone set/docking station
`connected to a personal computer (PC).
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`0002 Palm-top or hand-held PDA's such as the Palm
`Pilot(R) PC or the Casio(R) E-10 PDA provide a mobile user
`with “pocket' applications which are controlled using a
`pen-based input device, buttons and an LCD output. These
`devices are enjoying increased popularity because of their
`lightweight construction and compact design (e.g. the
`devices can fit easily in a jacket pocket or purse and provide
`the user with useful features Such as contact data bases,
`address books, Schedulers, notepads, etc.). Palm-top PCs
`and PDA's are normally designed to operate as Stand-alone
`units, independently of any workstation PC. However, work
`Station cradles are normally provided for Synchronizing the
`palm-top PC with a workstation PC. Thus, a user's address
`books and Schedulers in both the palm-top device and the
`user's desktop computer can be Synchronized with each
`other when changes are made in either device. The cradle
`consists of a plastic molded housing for receiving the
`palm-top PDA. The housing contains an integrated power
`Supply and a Serial connection to the WorkStation. Thus,
`when “docked in the cradle, the palm-top PDA battery may
`be charged and the applications running on both the palm
`top PDA and workstation may be synchronized over the
`bi-directional serial link.
`0.003
`Quite independently of the palm-top PDAs dis
`cussed above, CTI systems are known for integrating tele
`phony features with a PC. For example, the Mitel Personal
`ASSistant(R) integrated telephony System includes a tele
`phone which is connected to a WorkStation PC via a Serial
`bus or USB, and Software for integrating applications run
`ning on the desktop PC with telephony features offered by
`the attached telephone. Thus, for example, the CTI Software
`can be configured So that when an incoming call is received
`with CLID (Calling Line Identification), a contacts database
`is accessed and information about the calling party is
`displayed while the telephone rings. Or, Soft keys can be
`programmed on the telephone, via the computer, to launch
`an application on the computer, Such as a spreadsheet.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`0004. According to such prior art palm-top PDAs and
`CTI systems, the telephone set and palm-top PDA are treated
`by the desktop WorkStation as Separate devices. According to
`the present invention, a System is provided for integrating
`the functionality of the telephone and palm-top PDA when
`connected to a desktop workStation (either physically or via
`remote connection Such as infrared). Thus, users are able to
`perform communication functions at the desktop, using the
`familiar palm-top interface.
`0005. In one embodiment, the palm-top PDA is dockable
`within a base telephone Set, So that the telephone Set
`performs the function of the cradle in existing devices.
`However, according to the present invention Software is
`
`provided in both the telephone and palmtop PDA which
`allows the palm-top device to control communication func
`tions of the telephone, Such as dialing a number from the
`palm-top address book, displaying information on an incom
`ing caller using CLID data, etc. Also, where the telephone
`set is not provided with a display, the palm-top PDA, when
`docked in the telephone Set, functions as a display to Show
`numbers dialed, Set features, etc.
`0006 Recent palm-top PDAS include an infrared port that
`allows two palm-top PDAS to communicate with each other.
`According to another embodiment of the invention, the
`telephone is provided with Such an infrared port instead of
`(or in addition to) physically cradling the palm-top PDA.
`Thus, as an example, if a user who is equipped with a System
`according to this embodiment receives a telephone inquiry
`from a first party which requires the user to consult a Second
`party before replying, the user can Simply access the data
`entry for the second party in the user's palm-top PDA and
`invoke a phone display application in the palm-top PDA
`which causes the palm-top PDA to synchronize with the
`telephone Set via the infrared port, and transmit the appro
`priate dialing information to the telephone. The telephone
`then establishes a hands-free call connection with the Second
`party (while the first party is on Soft hold) So that the user can
`consult the Second party. The user can then Swap calls to the
`first party, via the palm-top PDA for completing the call.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`0007 Adetailed description of the preferred embodiment
`of the present invention is described herein below, with
`reference to the drawings in which:
`0008 FIG. 1 shows a palm-top PDA docked into a
`telephone Set which, in turn is connected to a desktop
`WorkStation, according to a first embodiment of the inven
`tion;
`0009 FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware
`interface between the telephone, WorkStation and palm-top
`PDA of FIG. 1;
`0010 FIG. 3 is a block diagram a palm-top PDA com
`municating with a telephone Set via an infrared port, accord
`ing to an alternative embodiment of the invention; and
`0011 FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing software mod
`ules in the palm-top PC, telephone and desktop WorkStation
`for effecting bi-directional communication and control ther
`ebetween according to both the first and Second embodi
`mentS.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
`0012 Turning to FIG. 1, a telephone set 1 is shown
`according to a first embodiment of the invention, connected
`to a desktop WorkStation 3. This connection can be via a
`serial bus (e.g. RS-232), USB or any other suitable bi
`directional communication link. The WorkStation 3 executes
`a CTI Software application for implementing advanced
`computing and telephony features over the PSTN 11 (public
`switched telephone network) via a call control server 10 or
`on a Stand-alone basis. Examples of the former are ubiqui
`tous in the CTI art, and one example of the latter configu
`ration is the Mitel Personal Assistant(R) integrated telephony
`System discussed herein above.
`
`Petitioners Microsoft Corporation and HP Inc. - Ex. 1019, p. 6
`
`

`

`US 2003/O123627 A1
`
`Jul. 3, 2003
`
`0013 A palm-top PC 5 is shown docked within a cradle
`disposed in a central portion of the telephone Set 1. The Set
`1 provides power for operating the palm-top PC 5 while
`recharging its battery. AS discussed in greater detail below
`with reference to FIG. 4, Software applications running on
`the telephone set 1 and palm-top PC3 allow the devices to
`communicate with each other. A phone display application
`(FIG. 4) on palm-top PC5 permits the palm-top PC to place
`telephone calls and perform other call control functions. For
`incoming calls to the telephone Set 1, palm-top PC5 can be
`configured via the phone application to display information
`on the incoming caller, automatically open predetermined
`applications on the palm-top PC depending on who is
`calling, etc.
`0.014 Turning to FIG. 2, the hardware components of
`telephone Set 1 are shown in greater detail. In addition to
`customer components Such as microcontroller 21, telephone
`line interface 23 (for connection to the PSTN), handset
`interface 25, Speakerphone interface 27 (and associated high
`frequency microphone 29 and Speaker 31), dial pad and
`other keys/switches 33, visual indicators 35 (e.g. LCDs,
`LEDs), display 37 and power supply 39, a pair of serial or
`parallel ports 40 and 41 are also provided. The interface 40
`connects the telephone set 1 to the workstation or PC 1 as
`discussed, for example, in applicant's above discussed Per
`Sonal ASSistant(R). This connection permits data to be com
`municated bidirectionally between the palm-top PC 5 and
`WorkStation 3, via the telephone Set 1, for Synchronization of
`data between the palm-top PC and workstation. This syn
`chronization process does not for part of the present inven
`tion, and is well known in the art. The Second Serial/parallel
`interface 41 allows control data to be exchanged between the
`palm-top PC 5 and the telephone set 1, as described in
`greater detail below with reference to FIG. 4. A compatible
`serial or parallel interface 42 is provided within the PDA 5.
`0015 With reference to FIG. 3, an embodiment of the
`invention is shown wherein the palm-top PC5 and telephone
`set 1 communicate via an IR link using IR ports 44 and 46
`which are similar to those used on existing palm-top PCs to
`permit information eXchange between two palm-top PCs. In
`all other respects, the hardware configuration is identical to
`FIG. 1.
`0016 FIG. 4 shows the software components within the
`PC 3, telephone 1 and PDA 5 necessary to carry out the
`functionality of the present invention. The configuration and
`operation of the interface between PC 3 and Ethernet call
`control server 10 is well known in the art. Within the PC 3,
`a desktop TAPI service provider 52 controls the line side of
`the well known TAPI interface, whereas a USB TAPI service
`provider 55 controls the device side of the TAPI communi
`cations. Both TAPI service providers 52 and 55 communi
`cate with a TAPI service provider 53 which provides an
`interface to telephony services and GUI application 54 for
`implementing display and phone services within the PC 3.
`The USB TAPI service provider 55 communicates with a
`USB driver 56, which handles the interface to port 40 on the
`telephone set 1. Within the telephone set 1, telephone
`firmware 57 is provided for controlling the dial pad 33,
`visual indicators 35 and display 37, as well as the interfaces
`23, 25 and 27. PDA firmware 58 is also provided for
`controlling communications with the PDA 5, via one of
`either an infrared driver 59 or physical port driver 60, when
`the PDA 5 is docked within the set 1. Within the PDA5, a
`
`phone display application 63 is provided which communi
`cates with the set 1 via one of either physical port driver 61
`or infrared driver 62 to implement telephony features. The
`phone display application 63 Supports dialing, call answer,
`call display, etc., and communicates with the drivers 61 and
`62 though the well known WinNET, WinSock, TCP/IP or
`IrDA, and PPP/SLIP or IrDA Miniports layers of the Win
`dowS(R) CE 2.1 operating System.
`0017. In operation, the PDA 5 functions as an extension
`of the telephony interface provided by telephone set 1. For
`example, in the event of an incoming call to the Set 1 from
`the call control server 100, the call may answered at the
`telephone Set 1 in the usual manner (by going off hook or
`actuating a speakerphone key), or if the PDA 5 is connected
`thereto the call may be answered by actuating a Soft key on
`the PDA 5. More particularly, upon receipt of a call notifi
`cation from call control server 100 via desktop TAPI service
`provider 52 and TAPI service provider 53, the telephony
`services and GUI application 54 send a call notification
`message to the telephone Set 1 via port 40, in a well known
`manner. The phone firmware 57 then causes the set 1 to ring,
`and sends a further message to the PDA5 (via firmware 58
`and one of the port pairs 44, 46 or 41,42) which causes the
`phone display application 63 within PDA 5 to display a call
`answer Soft key (and optionally call display, caller informa
`tion from a local database, etc.). The user can then answer
`the call by actuating the soft key on PDA 5. The actuation
`of the soft key on PDA 5 is interpreted by the Socket layer
`interface provided by phone firmware 57, and thereafter by
`the socket layer interface in USB driver 56 (the PC 3 has
`access to the TCP/IP stack, in the usual manner). The user
`commands are then communicated to the call control Server
`100 via Ethernet connectivity, in the usual manner, for
`further call processing. In this way, PDA 5 acts as a display
`and control eXtension to the Set 1 for controlling calls via call
`control server 100, regardless of whether the PDA is docked
`within the set 1 or communicating therewith via IR ports 44
`and 46.
`0018. A person understanding the present invention may
`conceive of other embodiments or variations therein, all of
`which are believed to be within the sphere and scope of the
`invention as Set forth in the claims appended hereto.
`
`What is claimed is:
`1. A palm PC dockable phone, comprising:
`a personal computer running a Software application for
`implementing telephony functions,
`a personal digital assistant (PDA) device providing a user
`display and input interface; and
`a telephone Set connected to Said personal computer and
`in communication with said PDA device, said tele
`phone Set incorporating phone firmware for communi
`cating with Said Software application and PDA firm
`ware for communicating with said PDA device for
`controlling Said telephony functions via Said user dis
`play and input interface.
`2. The palm PC dockable phone of claim 1, wherein said
`telephone Set includes a cradle for receiving and connecting
`to said PDA device.
`
`Petitioners Microsoft Corporation and HP Inc. - Ex. 1019, p. 7
`
`

`

`US 2003/O123627 A1
`
`Jul. 3, 2003
`
`3. The palm PC dockable phone of claim 1, wherein each
`of said telephone set and said PDA device includes an
`infrared port for facilitating infrared communication ther
`ebetween.
`4. The palm PC dockable phone of claim 1, wherein said
`telephony functions are implemented locally.
`5. The palm PC dockable phone of claim 1, wherein said
`telephony functions are implemented via a call control
`SCWC.
`
`6. The palm PC dockable phone of claim 1, wherein said
`phone firmware in Said telephone Set communicates with
`Said Software application in Said personal computer over a
`TAPI interface.
`7. The palm PC dockable phone of claim 6, wherein said
`TAPI interface is implemented at a device level via USB.
`
`Petitioners Microsoft Corporation and HP Inc. - Ex. 1019, p. 8
`
`