Abstract: Systems and methods are described for downloading audio signals into a digital telephone to update and replace a conventional ringer tone. The source of the audio signal can be from any analog audio sound source, such as a radio, PC sound card, MP3 player, CD or DVD player, etc. The audio signal can be fed through an audio cable into a handset headset jack that is already available in most digital telephones, or into a specialized audio jack incorporated into the base (of a cordless telephone). The audio signal may be comprised of a song or speech. The audio signal can be stored in a specialized memory for storing audio signals without requiring encoding the signal prior to storage, or it can be stored in any conventional memory arrangement. For a cordless telephone, the audio signal may be stored in the handset or in the base unit.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for providing connectivity to portable electronic devices, such as a cordless telephone, for the purpose of upgrading software features. In a preferred embodiment, portable electronic devices can receive incoming data at the PSTN jack from a personal computer that is also connected to the PSTN via a PSTN modem. In this manner, upgrades can be accomplished without requiring users to disconnect the telephone or to connect additional cables or components. The telephone is temporarily disabled from service only during the downloading of the upgrade software from the personal computer to the telephone. Upgrade software can be received at the personal computer from downloads or from other sources.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for providing connectivity to portable electronic devices, such as a cordless telephone, for the purpose of upgrading software features. In a preferred embodiment, portable electronic devices can be connected to a conventional household audio player via an audio input/out interface in the device to receive encoded data signals modulated in an audio band. The audio player can playback an audio signal stored in any of several different formats, including compact disc, audio cassette tape, MP3 file, or streaming audio, and can be physically connected an audio jack in the portable electronic device via a conventional audio cable. The device demodulates and decodes the signal and routes the transmitted data to memory registers for upgrading software stored in device memory.

Abstract: A cordless telephone system comprising a base unit, at least one handset, and one or more expansion units is provided. The handset and the expansion units communicate with the base unit via communication channels implemented in a wireless communication protocol. The expansion units can provide the system with communication interfaces to various external networks, such as an additional analog telephone line, a digital telephone line, or a cellular telephone. Conference calling functionality is provided between handsets and expansion base units within the primary base unit. Data services can also be provided by a wireless expansion base unit.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for providing connectivity to portable electronic devices, such as a cordless telephone, for the purpose of upgrading software features. In a preferred embodiment, portable electronic devices can receive incoming data at the PSTN jack from a personal computer that is also connected to the PSTN via a PSTN modem. In this manner, upgrades can be accomplished without requiring users to disconnect the telephone or to connect additional cables or components. The telephone is temporarily disabled from service only during the downloading of the upgrade software from the personal computer to the telephone. Upgrade software can be received at the personal computer from downloads or from other sources.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for providing connectivity to portable electronic devices, such as a cordless telephone, for the purpose of upgrading software features. In a preferred embodiment, portable electronic devices can be connected to a conventional household audio player via an audio input/out interface in the device to receive encoded data signals modulated in an audio band. The audio player can playback an audio signal stored in any of several different formats, including compact disc, audio cassette tape, MP3 file, or streaming audio, and can be physically connected an audio jack in the portable electronic device via a conventional audio cable. The device demodulates and decodes the signal and routes the transmitted data to memory registers for upgrading software stored in device memory.

Abstract: A cordless telephone system comprising a base unit, at least one handset, and one or more expansion units is provided. The handset and the expansion units communicate with the base unit via communication channels implemented in a wireless communication protocol. The expansion units can provide the system with communication interfaces to various external networks, such as an additional analog telephone line, a digital telephone line, or a cellular telephone. Conference calling functionality is provided between handsets and expansion base units within the primary base unit. Data services can also be provided by a wireless expansion base unit.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for configuring a menu screen interface in which a user can navigate between menu items by depressing telephone buttons a minimum number of times. In this manner, a user can quickly and easily navigate a menu screen that provides available features and services on a telephone. In a disclosed embodiment, a hierarchical menu screen interface is provided in which navigation and selection between tiers of the menu screen is accomplished by a singular movement of a joystick on the telephone. Alternatively, the user depresses a single button on the telephone to identify and select a desired menu item. Icons on the menu screen are arranged to allow for combined functionality from single telephone buttons.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for downloading audio signals into a digital telephone to update and replace a conventional ringer tone. The source of the audio signal can be from any analog audio sound source, such as a radio, PC sound card, MP3 player, CD or DVD player, etc. The audio signal can be fed through an audio cable into a handset headset jack that is already available in most digital telephones, or into a specialized audio jack incorporated into the base (of a cordless telephone). The audio signal may be comprised of a song or speech. The audio signal can be stored in a specialized memory for storing audio signals without requiring encoding the signal prior to storage, or it can be stored in any conventional memory arrangement. For a cordless telephone, the audio signal may be stored in the handset or in the base unit.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to systems and methods for sharing mutual resources between an external device and a cordless telephone via a communication medium. According to an embodiment, a system includes a computing device coupled to a cordless telephone. The computing device includes a device controller, a device memory, and a device physical medium interface. The cordless telephone includes a telephone controller, a telephone memory, and a telephone physical medium interface. The computing device and the cordless telephone are coupled via the device physical medium interface and the telephone medium interface to provide for sharing mutual resources between the computing device and cordless telephone.