Patents Portfolio
U.S. Patent: 9,043,482
Patent Title
Portable communication device for providing phone calling service
Meta Information
Issued Date: May 26, 2015
Inventor: William Ho Chang et al
External Links: UPSTO, Google Patents
Technical Fields
Abstract
A portable communication device for phone calling is herein disclosed and enabled. The portable communication device includes a USB interface for connecting to an external USB port of a computing device for enabling phone calling services using the portable communication device. Upon connecting the portable communication device to the external USB port of the computing device, a phone calling software component or data stored in the portable communication device may execute for enabling phone calling services. The portable communication device may also include one or more ports, and may include an interface for Ethernet connection for connecting to the Internet and for making phone calls without the need for connecting the portable communication device to the external USB port. The portable communication device may further include a Wi-Fi wireless component for local wireless communication, and may be implemented as an adapter-sized dongle for providing phone calling services.
Sample Claim
1. A portable communication device that is plug connectable to an external USB interface of a first computing device, the first computer device being a distinct device from the portable communication device, the portable communication device comprising:
a memory component that includes a memory area storing a phone calling software component; and
one or more controllers having means for managing communication and means for accessing the memory area;
wherein, while the portable communication device is plug connected to the external USB interface of the first computing device, the portable communication device is operable to:
draw power from the first computing device via the external USB interface of the first computing device for operating the portable communication device,
access at least part of the phone calling software component from the memory area, the accessing of at least part of the phone calling software component being facilitated, at least in part, by the one or more controllers,
provide at least part of the accessed phone calling software component to a phone calling application running and executing on the first computing device, the providing of at least part of the accessed phone calling software component being facilitated, at least in part, by the one or more controllers,
enable the phone calling software application running and executing at the first computing device to make phone calls with the phone calling software component provided by the portable communication device, and
enable phone calls through the portable communication device; and
wherein, upon disconnection of the portable communication device from the external USB interface of the first computing device, the portable communication device is further operable to connect the portable communication device to an Ethernet interface connection associated with a computing device, and upon connecting the portable communication device to the Ethernet interface connection, the portable communication device is further configured to enable phone calling service over the Ethernet interface connection; and
wherein the portable communication device is in the form of a portable dongle that enables phone calling either when the portable communication device is connected to the external USB interface of the first computing device, or when the portable communication device is connected to the Ethernet interface connection.