Abstract: A method and telecommunications device is provided for accessing a telecommunications device feature. The method includes detecting an incoming call from a calling party, providing information identifying the calling party, and configuring the telecommunications device feature in response to the information identifying the calling party. The telecommunications device includes a means for receiving an incoming call from a calling party, a caller identification system capable of providing information identifying the calling party, and a control logic capable of configuring the telecommunications device feature in response to the information identifying the calling party.

Abstract: A computer system that functions as a cordless telephone base unit is disclosed. The computer system includes a cordless telephone device that can be operative through the computer system. The cordless telephone device can function as a cordless telephone base unit with the help of an external antenna that can be attached to the computer system housing. The cordless telephone device may, for example, include a cordless telephone card installed in one of a plurality of connector slots on the computer system motherboard. The cordless telephone device is coupled to a sound device, which may be a computer sound card and may also be installed on the computer system motherboard. The cordless telephone device comprises a cordless telephone base unit, a microphone output and a speaker input to allow the cordless telephone device to be coupled to the sound device in the computer system.

Abstract: A system-on-a-chip with a variable bandwidth bus. The integrated circuit includes at least one bus, a clock, a plurality of modules coupled to the bus and operable to transfer and receive data on the bus, and a bus controller coupled to the bus that controls data transfers on the bus. The modules are operable to generate requests to the bus controller to perform transfers on the bus. Each request comprises an identifier which identifies one or more receiving modules, a transfer size value which specifies the amount of data to be transferred, and a timing value providing a time frame within which the requested data transfer should occur.

Abstract: A system-on-a-chip with a variable clock rate bus. The integrated circuit includes at least one bus, a clock, a plurality of modules coupled to the bus and operable to transfer and receive data on the bus, and a bus controller coupled to the bus that controls data transfers on the bus. The modules are operable to generate requests to the bus controller to perform transfers on the bus. Each request comprises an identifier which identifies one or more receiving modules, a transfer size value which specifies the amount of data to be transferred, and a timing value providing a time frame within which the requested data transfer should occur. Thee bus controller receives the requests, analyzes the timing value, and selectively adjusts the clock rate of the bus based on the timing value.

Abstract: A telephone that communicates high-quality audio signals and a method for communicating an audio signal with an extended frequency range over a telephone network. The cordless telephone has a handset unit with a sampler circuit, a compression circuit, decompression circuit, as well as analog-to-digital (A/D) and digital-to-analog (D/A) converters, which handset is coupled by an infrared (IR) wireless link to a base unit connected to the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). In one embodiment, the telephone includes a sampler, a compression block, a telephone port, a decompression block, and a digital-to-analog (D/A) converter. The sampler receives a analog audio signal and digitizes the signal into a high-quality (705.6 kbps) digital audio signal. The compression block then encodes the digital audio signal into a compressed digital signal at a lower bit rate (such as 150 kbps or 56 kbps) with a compression algorithm such as MP3.

Abstract: Presented is a telephone calling party announcement system which stores telephone numbers and associated voice messages provided by a user. When an incoming telephone call occurs, and a telephone number of a calling party matches a stored telephone number, an associated stored voice message is played back. Calling party information is provided by Caller ID information transmitted between a first and a second ring signal. If a stored telephone number matches the telephone number portion of the Caller ID information, a stored voice message associated with the telephone number is played back between (or in place of) subsequent ring signals. The stored voice message is typically the name of the calling party, and in this case the name of the calling party is announced between ring signals. A first embodiment includes a voice message unit which receives, stores, and plays back voice messages provided by the user.

Abstract: A digital cordless telephone system using lossless pulse code modulation (PCM) for encoding an audio signal. By using an efficiently implemented and uncompressed encoding scheme, the system substantially reduces implementation costs and improves the quality of transmission for white signals such as modem signals. A transceiver implementation includes a PCM coder, an RF transmitter, an RF receiver, and a PCM decoder. Also presented is a method for communicating an audio signal from a transmitter unit to a remote receiver unit. The method includes steps of sampling an audio signal into a PCM data stream, modulating the PCM data stream onto a carrier, transmitting the carrier, receiving the carrier, demodulating the PCM data stream from the carrier, and generating a reconstructed audio signal from the PCM data stream.

Abstract: An integrated circuit including a main system processing unit which can be extended using a plurality of programmable logic unit for a plurality of possible functions, and a system for programming same. The integrated circuit also includes a plurality of functional logic blocks, a plurality of input/output (I/O) pads, and programmable logic coupled to each of the plurality of functional logic blocks. The main system processing unit is operable to perform a first function. Each of the plurality of functional logic blocks is operable to perform a respective function. The programmable logic is operable to route data to and from various ones of the plurality of functional logic blocks. The programmable logic is programmable to configure operation of two or more of the plurality of functional logic blocks and is also programmable to create data paths between two or of the plurality of functional logic blocks to configure the integrated circuit for one of the plurality of functions.

Abstract: A method and a system to meter and control the usage of a telephone. The metering and control functions are applicable for specific outgoing or incoming destination, the specific user of the telephone, the time of the day when an outgoing call is made or an incoming call is received, and the calling time allowed either collectively or per the specific outgoing or incoming destination. At least one list of a plurality of lists is stored. Each of the stored lists includes at least one entry, and each entry includes at least one of a plurality of fields. The fields within an entry contain information that is used by the metering circuitry to execute the control functions. The outgoing or incoming phone number is received and encoded using a codec unit and compared with all the entries stored within the lists. The result of the comparison is used to determine if a match exists between the encoded phone number and one of the entries stored within the lists.

Abstract: An improved telephone system with additional features that enable a user or users to make more effective use of their telephone service. The present invention comprises an improved telephone system and method for updating a clock using caller ID information. In one embodiment, the clock is located in a remote device from a caller ID unit, and is updated automatically by information received from the caller ID unit through existing wiring in a building's power grid. In another embodiment, the clock is located in a portable telephone handset, and the caller ID unit may be located either in the portable telephone handset or in a portable telephone base station.

Abstract: A system and method for increasing the flexibility of communications being performed by an integrated circuit Specifically, an integrated circuit including a programmable input/output processor and an attendant method of use thereof are disclosed. The integrated circuit comprises a main functional unit operable to perform a computing function and to fulfill an input/output (I/O) request, a memory coupled to the main functional unit, a programmable logic coupled to the main functional unit; and a plurality of I/O pads coupled to the programmable logic. The memory is operable to store one or more of a plurality of configurations for the programmable logic. The main functional unit is further operable to read the one or more of the plurality of configurations stored in the memory. The main functional unit is also operable to configure the programmable logic with a desired configuration from the plurality of configurations.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an improved telephone system and method that reduce call interruptions to a telephone, i.e., reduce interruptions caused by a caller placing a call to the telephone. If the no-call feature is enabled and a call is received by the telephone, the telephone answers the incoming telephone call in response to receiving the telephone call. The telephone then plays a message to the caller indicating that no calls are being taken. The telephone does not generate an audible ring signal in response to the telephone call received from the caller. The telephone system further comprises an exemption logic unit for allowing calls placed by certain callers to come through even when the no-call feature is enabled. The user indicates the exception parties to the no-call feature prior to receiving a call from an external party or at a later time.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a telephone system and method for self-announcing a caller of an incoming telephone call. After an incoming telephone call is received from a caller, the telephone answers the incoming telephone call before any ring signals are generated. A message is then generated requesting the caller to self-announce him/herself. A speaker on the telephone is activated to enable the telephone users to listen to the announcement. After the caller self-announces him/herself, a user, if present, may decide to answer the incoming telephone call. The user may answer the incoming telephone call either by placing the telephone in speakerphone mode or by activating the handset and engaging in a conversation with the caller. If the user is not present or chooses not answer the incoming telephone call, the telephone transfers control to an answering machine unit so that the caller is given the choice of leaving a message. In one embodiment, the answering machine is built-in to the telephone.