Patent ID: 8265240
Filing Date: 2012-09-11
Classification: H04R

Abstract:
1. A selectively expandable speakerphone system, comprising: a speakerphone console connected to a telephone system for transmitting and receiving audio signals over a telephone line; one or more portable computers each having an included microphone and loudspeaker, and a wireless networking interface configured for communicating on any of a plurality of distinct wireless local area networks; a wireless audio access point for connecting the portable computers with the speakerphone console on a selected one of the wireless local area networks, communicating audio signals generated by the microphone to the speakerphone console for substantially simultaneous transmission over the telephone line, and communicating audio signals received over the telephone line by the speakerphone console to all of the one or more portable computers for substantially simultaneous playback on the loudspeakers; and an audio control applet disposed on each portable computer, configured for automatically diverting the audio signals generated by the microphone to the speakerphone console for transmission over the telephone line and for automatically diverting audio signals received over the telephone line by the speakerphone console to the portable computer when the portable computer is connected to the selected wireless local area network.