voIP ACCESSORY

Abstract

An accessory for electronic equipment includes an interface for exchanging data between the accessory and the electronic equipment, and a voice over internet protocol (VoIP) circuit. The VoIP circuit is operatively configured to implement at least a portion of VoIP in the electronic equipment or the accessory.

1 . An accessory for an electronic device configured without VoIP functionality, the accessory comprising:
 an interface for exchanging data between the accessory and the electronic device; and   a voice over internet protocol (VoIP) circuit, wherein the VoIP circuit, via the interface, is operative to transfer instructions to the electronic device, the instructions operative to reconfigure the electronic device to include algorithms enabling VoIP functionality in the electronic device.   
     
     
         2 . The accessory of  claim 1 , wherein the electronic device is a mobile phone. 
     
     
         3 . The accessory of  claim 1 , wherein the VoIP circuit comprises a processor and code executable by the processor. 
     
     
         4 . The accessory of  claim 1 , wherein the VoIP circuit comprises memory and code stored in the memory. 
     
     
         5 . The accessory of  claim 1 , wherein the VoIP circuit is implemented in hardware. 
     
     
         6 . The accessory of  claim 1 , wherein the interface is a Bluetooth interface or an electrical connection between the accessory and the electronic device. 
     
     
         7 . The accessory of  claim 1 , wherein the VoIP circuit creates a client-server configuration. 
     
     
         8 . The accessory of  claim 1 , wherein the electronic device controls at least one user interface, and the accessory and/or electronic device control VoIP processing. 
     
     
         9 . The accessory of  claim 8 , wherein the user interface is configured to manipulate data corresponding to at least one of an electronic phone book, a phone number, a ring tone, a key pad entry or a data display. 
     
     
         10 . The accessory of  claim 1 , wherein the VoIP circuit configures the electronic device to operate as an input/output terminal. 
     
     
         11 . The accessory of  claim 1 , wherein VoIP is implemented in the electronic device, the accessory, or shared between the electronic device and the accessory. 
     
     
         12 . A method of implementing voice over internet protocol (VoIP) in an electronic device configured without VoIP functionality, comprising the steps of:
 establishing a data link between the electronic device and an accessory of the electronic device; and   using the accessory to transfer, via the data link, instructions to the electronic device, the instructions operative to reconfigure the electronic device to include algorithms enabling VoIP functionality in the electronic device, wherein the accessory is at least one of a communications head set, a battery pack operative to power the electronic device, or a portable memory device installable in the electronic device.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein configuring at least a portion of VoIP functionality includes configuring the electronic device as an input/output terminal. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein establishing the data link includes using a wireless data link. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising the step of establishing a client-server configuration between the electronic device and the accessory. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising accessing a VoIP gateway via the electronic device and/or the accessory, wherein access to the VoIP gateway is via a local area network, a wide area network, or a cellular circuit switched network. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein configuring at least a portion of VoIP functionality in the electronic device includes implementing voice sampling and network control algorithms. 
     
     
         18 . A computer program product directly loadable into internal memory of a digital computer, comprising software code portions for performing the steps of  claim 12  when said product is run on a computer. 
     
     
         19 . The accessory of  claim 1 , wherein the VoIP circuit is further operative to install the VoIP functionality in the electronic equipment. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising using the accessory to install at least a portion of the VoIP functionality in the electronic equipment.