Communication systems and method

Abstract

Users can make landline, wireless and/or internet calls from a conventional landline communication device. If the communication device is on a wireless call, that call may be placed on hold to answer an incoming call on the landline. Likewise, if the communication device is on a landline call, that call may be placed on hold to answer an incoming call on the wireless telephone. Wireless and landline calls may also be conferenced together.

1 . A communication system comprising:
 a communication device; and   interface circuitry connected to a single ring-tip line pair of a landline communication network and to a wireless communication device for a wireless communication network, wherein the interface circuitry selectively connects the communication device to the ring-tip line pair for landline and internet calls and to the wireless communication device for wireless calls.   
   
   
       2 . The communication system according to  claim 1 , wherein the interface circuitry determines whether to place a landline, internet or wireless call in response to a user input. 
   
   
       3 . A communication system comprising:
 a communication device having a display; and   interface circuitry connected to a ring-tip line pair of a landline telephone network and to a wireless communication device for a wireless communication network, the interface circuitry selectively connecting the communication device to the ring-tip line pair for landline calls and to the wireless communication device for wireless calls,   wherein the display of the communication device displays indicia indicative of whether the communication device is currently engaged in landline or wireless call.   
   
   
       4 . The communication system according to  claim 3 , wherein the display further displays user instructions. 
   
   
       5 . The communication system according to  claim 3 , wherein the display further displays call status indicia. 
   
   
       6 . A method comprising:
 selectively connecting a communication device to a ring-tip line pair of a landline communication network for landline calls and to a wireless communication device for a wireless communication network for wireless calls; and   displaying indicia to the user indicative of whether the communication device is currently engaged in landline or wireless call.   
   
   
       7 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein the indicia is displayed on a display of the communication device. 
   
   
       8 . A storage medium storing computer-executable instructions for performing the steps set forth in  claim 6 .