Abstract:
An analog telephone adapter (ATA) having a subscriber identity component in the format of a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) that couples a telephone to a cellular network via Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), thereby allowing a cellular service provider to provide an alternative communication service for the home or business. Instead of using the plain old telephone service, a subscriber can plug their analog telephone into the SIM-enabled ATA (SIM-ATA) and receive telephone service from a cellular service provider, eliminating or reducing the need for a traditional Local Exchange Carrier. The SIM-ATA converts signals from analog to digital, and vice-versa. Once the analog telephone signal has been converted to digital, an IP-based protocol (e.g., VoIP) can be used to transmit the telephone call over a digital network. The cellular service provider can then track usage and bill the subscriber accordingly.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 60/520,073 entitled “METHOD, SYSTEM, AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING WIRELESS IDENTIFICATION TO STANDARD TELEPHONE” and filed Nov. 15, 2003, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0002]     This invention relates generally to providing local wireless communications to a subscriber&#39;s home and business, and more particularly, relates to providing SIM connectivity to standard telephones.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Mobile telephone systems include a variety of services and functions beyond simple direct voice communication. Once scarce and expensive, mobile communication devices are now so common that most people own at least one. Mobile phones allow users to communicate from virtually anywhere. Many mobile phone customers, however, maintain a fixed-line phone at their home, in addition to having a mobile phone.  
         [0004]     An inconvenience commonly associated with having a mobile communication device and local phone service is that the subscriber receives service from two different service providers. This typically means that the subscriber receives two bills, one for mobile service and one for service to the home or business.  
         [0005]     In some countries, the local exchange carrier (LEC) owns the physical lines, whether copper, coaxial cable, or fiber-optic, that connects homes and businesses to the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). Whether the LEC will share those lines with other service providers is often unclear. In some countries, antitrust laws prohibit mobile service providers from providing local exchange service. In the absence of government regulations, property laws often allow the LEC to prohibit other service providers from using the LEC&#39;s lines to provide competitive services. Thus, by government regulation or property law, it is often difficult for communication service providers to compete with a LEC.  
         [0006]     One technique used to circumvent this barrier involves the use of an analog telephone adapter (ATA). Utilizing an ATA, consumers can convert their plain old telephone service (POTS) telephone or fax machine into a SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) VoIP telephone to take advantage of Internet telephony services.  
         [0007]     SIP is an IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force) protocol for VoIP and, other text and multimedia sessions, e.g., instant messaging, video, online games and other services. SIP is an application-layer control signaling protocol for creating, modifying, and terminating sessions with one or more participants, which sessions include Internet telephone calls, multimedia distribution, and multimedia conferences.  
         [0008]     The consumer can simply plug an existing analog telephone into a connector (e.g., an RJ-11 socket) on the ATA, and the ATA provides voice and tone to the POTS telephone. The ATA also includes a network connector (e.g., an RJ-45 jack) that facilitates connection to an Ethernet port for communications over an IP network, e.g., a LAN. Thus, using the ATA it is possible to connect a conventional telephone to a remote VoIP server. The ATA communicates with the remote VoIP server using a VoIP protocol, for example, H.323 (an ITU-T standard that defines call control, channel setup, and CODEC specifications for transmitting voice over, e.g., a packet network), SIP, MGCP (Media Gateway Control Protocol), or IAX (Inter Asterisk eXchange) which provides control and transmission of streaming media over an IP network, and encodes and decodes the voice signal using a voice CODEC. Since an ATA communicates directly with a VoIP server, no software is required to be run on a personal computer.  
         [0009]     However, these conventional adapters and systems fall short of allowing wireless service providers to enter the local telephone service market. Thus, there is a substantial unmet need for a system that overcomes the above problems, as well as providing additional benefits.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0010]     The following presents a simplified summary of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify key/critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.  
         [0011]     The subject invention affords a relatively easy architecture for wireless providers to enter the local telephone service market by way of an analog telephone adapter (ATA) that employs subscriber identity information stored in the form of, for example, a SIM (Subscriber Identity Module), USIM (Universal SIM), or similar technology, for dial-tone subscription by a wireless provider. The SIM-ATA unit enables analog-digital communications of voice signals between the analog telephone and a cellular provider over an IP network using VoIP (Voice over IP).  
         [0012]     The present invention disclosed and claimed herein, in one aspect thereof, comprises an ATA that includes a Subscriber Identity Component (SIC) that works with other circuitry to an analog telephone to a cellular network via an IP network using VoIP. This allows a cellular service provider to provide an alternative communications service for the home or business. Instead of using the plain old telephone service (POTS), a subscriber can plug the analog telephone into the SIC-enabled ATA (SIC-ATA), and the SIC-ATA into an IP network, to receive telephone service from a cellular service provider over the IP network using VoIP, eliminating or reducing the need for a traditional Local Exchange Carrier. When powered up, the SIM facilitates authentication to the wireless provider over the IP network. Once authenticated, the analog telephone voice signals will be converted from analog to digital (and back) for communications with other mobile stations over the IP network.  
         [0013]     In another aspect thereof, there is provided a subscriber identity analog telephone system where a single SIC facilitates the use of multiple analog telephones over an IP network to the wireless provider. The subscriber can be identified and billed for services that have been utilized.  
         [0014]     In yet another aspect of the invention, there is also provided a router into which the SIC-ATA capabilities can be integrated.  
         [0015]     In another aspect of the present invention, the subscriber is a corporation that employs a plurality of analog telephones, the use of which the SIC authenticates a plurality of selected users to use VoIP for analog telephone to cellular communication.  
         [0016]     To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the invention are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of the invention may be employed and the present invention is intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features of the invention may become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0017]      FIG. 1  illustrates a block diagram of an analog telephone adapter (ATA) system in accordance with the subject invention.  
         [0018]      FIG. 2  illustrates a schematic block diagram of a SIC-based ATA system in accordance with the invention.  
         [0019]      FIG. 3  illustrates a block diagram of a communications system according to one embodiment of the invention.  
         [0020]      FIG. 4  illustrates a flow chart of a call process in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0021]      FIG. 5  illustrates an isometric cutaway of a SIM-ATA adapter with SIM capabilities and functionality employed in embedded logic, in accordance with the invention.  
         [0022]      FIG. 6  illustrates an alternative implementation of an adapter that employs a removable SIM in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0023]      FIG. 7  illustrates a schematic block diagram of a system where a single SIC is employed in a multiple analog telephone environment in accordance with the invention.  
         [0024]      FIG. 8  illustrates a local base station (LBS) that incorporates SIC-ATA capabilities in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0025]      FIG. 9  illustrates a gateway that incorporates SIC-ATA capabilities in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0026]      FIG. 10  illustrates a router that incorporates SIC-ATA capabilities in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0027]     The present invention is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It may be evident, however, that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate describing the present invention.  
         [0028]     As used in this application, the terms “component” and “system” are intended to refer to a computer-related entity, either hardware, a combination of hardware and software, software, or software in execution. For example, a component may be, but is not limited to being, a process running on a processor, a processor, an object, an executable, a thread of execution, a program, and/or a computer. By way of illustration, both an application running on a server and the server can be a component. One or more components may reside within a process and/or thread of execution and a component may be localized on one computer and/or distributed between two or more computers.  
         [0029]     Referring now to the drawings,  FIG. 1  illustrates a block diagram of an analog telephone adapter (ATA) system  100  in accordance with the subject invention. The system  100  is used in combination with a conventional analog telephone to facilitate transmitting and receiving calls over a digital IP network, such as with digital cellular systems via the Internet. The system  100  can be provided in the form factor of an adapter that can easily be attached to the analog telephone. It is also contemplated that the system  100  can be modularized for installation in the analog telephone housing such that for a given analog telephone design, the module can be designed to fit within the analog telephone housing.  
         [0030]     The system  100  includes a subscriber identity component (SIC)  102  that uniquely identifies a subscriber to a cellular communication network such that the subscriber can be at least identified and billed for services that have been utilized. The SIC  102  can be in the form factor of a subscriber identity module (SIM) that is commonly used in cellular telephones. The SIC  102  can also be a universal SIM (USIM) or similar technology. In any case, there is provided a cellular communications identification technology that facilitates authentication of the user to a cellular network provider.  
         [0031]     The system  100  also includes a communications component  104  that interfaces to the SIC  102  and facilitates analog and digital communications. The communications component  104  includes, for example, a CODEC (Coder/Decoder) that provides analog-to-digital of voice signals of a user of the analog telephone, and digital-to-analog conversion of packet data received from an IP network. The CODEC can operate according to a number of specifications, including but not limited to G.711 a-law, G.711 μ-law, G.726, G.729A, and G.723.1. Such data network can be a global communications network such as the Internet, a corporate intranet, and/or managed networks typically used by long and local service traditional providers and ISPs (Internet Service Providers) that use VoIP. The VoIP protocols include, but are not limited to, H.323, SIP (Session Initiation Protocol), MGCP (Media Gateway Control Protocol), and other suitable protocols, for example. In one implementation, the system  100  can also accommodate facsimile transmissions according or a G.711 specification.  
         [0032]     The component  104  also includes the interface components for interfacing the system  100  to the analog telephone and the IP network. This can include suitable interface connectors and electronics such as RJ-11 connectors (for the analog telephone) and RJ-45 connectors (for the IP network). It is to be appreciated that other suitable interface equipment can also be used, for example, to support coaxial connections, optical connections, etc. The SIC  102  and component  104  intercommunicate such that when the system  100  is powered up, the subscriber information of the SIC  102  is accessed and communicates over the IP network to the cellular system to uniquely associate the subscriber with the telephone call.  
         [0033]      FIG. 2  illustrates a schematic block diagram of a SIC-based ATA system  200  in accordance with the invention. The invention leverages the existence of SIM or similar technology to facilitate allowing a cellular service provider to provide an alternative communication service for the home and/or business. The system  200  (similar to system  100 ) can employ the SIC  102  of  FIG. 1  in the form of a U/SIM as an embedded or a removable module. The SIC  102  couples to a processor  202  that controls all onboard functions. The processor  202  also couples to memory  204  that stores data and programs, and an input/output (I/O) interface  206  that provides the interface between external connections and the processor  202 .  
         [0034]     Although the processor  202 , memory  204 , and I/O interface  206  are shown as separate elements, they do not necessarily need to be. Modern electronic components such as a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), microcontrollers, and Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASIC) can incorporate some or all of these functions into a single chip. For example, the I/O interface  208  can include a CODEC (coder/decoder) that facilitates the conversion of analog signals to digital signals, and vice versa. Alternatively, the processor  202  can function as the CODEC. In accordance with CODEC capabilities, compression/decompression of signals can also be provided. The interface  206  can also include a transceiver and/or other electronics such as a sample and hold circuit, for example.  
         [0035]     The system  200  further includes one or more I/O connectors: a digital port  208 , a first analog port  210 , and a second analog port  212 , all of which can couple to the I/O interface  206 . In the embodiment shown, the port  208  can be a single line jack for digital transmission over ordinary copper wire, such as an RJ-45 jack. Connectors  210  and  212  can be single line jacks for analog transmission over ordinary copper phone wire, such as RJ-11 jacks. Either or both of the jacks  210  and  212  can be used to provide power to the system  200 . Alternatively, the system  200  can be designed to accommodate batteries that can be charged in situ from power signals received from any of the ports ( 208 ,  210  or  212 ), or removed for replacement.  
         [0036]     In operation, when a user chooses to dial out across the IP network using the analog telephone and ATA system  200 , the user picks up the telephone handset (goes “off-hook”). In one embodiment, when the handset is off-hook, the SIC  102  is accessed and used to authenticate the user to the cellular network via the IP network. Once authenticated, the user can then initiate the call by dialing a number. The DTMF (Dual Tone Multi-Frequency) signals are processed by the processor  202  for digital transmission over IP network to a telephone system that processes the number accordingly. The call can then be completed to a mobile station of the cellular network. In another implementation, the call can be routed through the IP network to another user on the IP network such that the call is not wireless. Other options and embodiments are described infra, for example, in another embodiment, the user activates the system  200  to initiate VoIP over the IP network.  
         [0037]     The system  200  connects to the analog telephone to receive the dial-tone of the telephone line, and send the dial-tone signal to the analog telephone. Thus, any incoming and outgoing signals can be processed by the system  200  to determine signal type (analog versus digital) and signal origin (outgoing versus incoming) to operate in accordance with the invention.  
         [0038]     Incoming digital signals from the IP network that arrive at the connector  208 , are converted to analog signals, and passed to the analog telephone via either connector  210  or connector  212 . In a similar manner, analog signals from the telephone are converted to digital signals and sent to connector  208 . Digital signals arriving at the connector  208  of the system  200  travel through the I/O interface  206  to the processor  202 . If the digital signals are voice, they are converted to analog signals and sent to either connector  210  or connector  212 . The processor  202  can execute programs and access data in the memory  204  to facilitate all onboard processes, and those processes necessary for carrying aspects of the present invention. Analog signals arriving at the connector  210  and/or connector  212  pass through the I/O interface  206  to the processor  202 .  
         [0039]     In one implementation, the processor  202  can determine if the signals are associated only with an analog call, in which case the analog signals will be processed in a pass-through mode to the analog telephone. In another implementation, when the user chooses to use VoIP, the user can manually activate usage of the IP network (e.g., using a switch) such that the outgoing call will be routed over the IP network (e.g., the Internet). The processor  202  can automatically sense an incoming digital call signal over the IP network and facilitates processing the digital call packets into an analog signal for reception by a user using the analog telephone. In the return path, when the user speaks, analog signals are converted to a digital format by the processor  204  and sent to the connector  208  for VoIP communications over the IP network.  
         [0040]     The following relevant documents which describe analog and digital communications, D IGITAL  C OMMUNICATIONS  by John G. Proakis, McGraw-Hill, 1995, and D IGITAL  T ELEPHONY AND  N ETWORK  I NTEGRATION  by Bernhard W. Keiser and Eugene Strange, published by Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1995, are both hereby incorporated by reference.  
         [0041]     Many cellular systems today comprise a “SIM” card, a “U/SIM” card, or other similar technology, that is used for authenticating cellular subscription, services, billing, and other purposes. Both technologies are denoted collectively and interchangeably hereinafter as either a SIM or a U/SIM. The SIM card is typically in a form factor that is removable by the user, and makes it possible to carry mobile subscription and data through different types and generations of mobile communication devices (e.g., cellular phones). The SIM is typically a smart card that comprises data and program instructions stored in its own onboard memory. The SIM memory is reprogrammable, but can be security locked to prevent unauthorized reprogramming. The SIM can contain at least the subscriber name, subscriber billing information, security credentials, and/or authentication procedures.  
         [0042]     The SIM card contains a microchip that houses a microprocessor and a memory. The card stores a mathematical algorithm that encrypts voice and data transmissions, which make it nearly impossible to “listen in” on calls. The SIM also identifies the user to the cellular network as a legitimate caller. The interfaces between the mobile handset and the SIM card are fully standardized, including specifications for third generation handsets and SIMs.  
         [0043]     A communications service provider (e.g., cellular provider) can provide the system  200  to subscribing customers. The SIM functionality included in the system  200  allows the communications service provider to bill for IP communications that pass through the system  200 . The system  200  can communicate billing information before, during, or after completion of the communication session. In one embodiment, the system  200  communicates billing information at a predetermined interval, along with the number of bytes of information that have passed through the system  200  since the last report. In another embodiment, the system  200  can also bill the user based upon the destination and/or origination addresses of the packets. For example, if VoIP packets from the cellular service provider have a predetermined origination address, then the system  200  can report billing information only for packets that originated from the cellular service provider.  
         [0044]     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , there is illustrated a block diagram of a communications system  300  according to one embodiment of the invention. The system  300  includes an analog telephone  302  connected to the SIC-ATA system  200  that incorporates the SIC  102  for wireless subscriber identity data. The SIC-ATA  200  outputs IP traffic which includes control plane and barrier plane for voice calls. The SIC-ATA system  200  connects to a gateway  304  which facilitates communications of the IP traffic to a network interface block  306 . The gateway  304  facilitates the interface between the home analog telephone network and the IP-based network commonly associated with a LAN, WAN, WWAN, and a global communications network (e.g., the Internet). It is to be appreciated that the SIC-ATA system  200  can be integrated into the gateway  304  to provide combined capabilities in a single unit.  
         [0045]     The interface  306  facilitates the interface and IP communications to a network  308 , e.g., the Internet. The network interface block  306  can include a cable modem (CM) and/or router system that facilitates communications over a digital broadband network. A second gateway  310  provides the IP network interface to a cellular network  312 , and finally to a mobile station  314 . The second gateway  310  supports GPRS (General Packet Radio Service), an always-on packet data service for GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications), and other GSM protocols. Of course, the system  300  also accommodates analog(VoIP traffic in the reverse direction, from the mobile station  314  over the network  308  through the SIC-ATA system  200  to the analog telephone  302 . Any cellular call to the telephone number associated with the SIC  102  can be routed through the cellular network  312 .  
         [0046]      FIG. 4  illustrates a flow chart of a call process in accordance with the present invention. While, for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the one or more methodologies shown herein, e.g., in the form of a flow chart, are shown and described as a series of acts, it is to be understood and appreciated that the present invention is not limited by the order of acts, as some acts may, in accordance with the present invention, occur in a different order and/or concurrently with other acts from that shown and described herein. For example, those skilled in the art will understand and appreciate that a methodology could alternatively be represented as a series of interrelated states or events, such as in a state diagram. Moreover, not all illustrated acts may be required to implement a methodology in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0047]     At  400 , the SIC module is coupled to the analog telephone system. At  402 , the user connects the module to an IP network, for example, through a gateway and router. At  404 , the module is powered up, and subscriber access information communicated over the IP network for authentication of the user to the cellular network. The subscriber access information can be accessed in preparation for tracking and billing the call. At  406 , the user initiates a call via the analog telephone by dialing a telephone number. At  408 , the call is processed using the CODEC in the module. At  410 , the digital call packets are transmitted over the IP network using VoIP or similar technology. At  412 , the call is connected to the designated mobile station on the cellular network. At  414 , the analog user and wireless user communicate. At  416 , if desired, the call can be tracked and billed accordingly. This can include tracking call time information, user IP address, date, etc., all parameters related to the call, and can include routing the call through a server of the cellular provider such that the cellular provider systems monitor all parameters required for tracking, accounting, and billing.  
         [0048]     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , there is illustrated an isometric cutaway of a SIM-ATA adapter  500  with SIM capabilities and functionality employed in embedded logic  502 , in accordance with the invention. The adapter  500  includes a housing  504  in which a printed circuit (PC) board  506  is mounted. The SIM  502  is mounted on the board  506 , along with at least the supporting electronics and connections illustrated in  FIG. 2 . The housing  504  includes a number of ports, e.g., two ports. The port  208  is single line jack (e.g., RJ-45) for connection to the digital network via a VoIP gateway that facilitates digital transmission over ordinary copper wire. The port  208  can also be configured as a coaxial connector that interfaces to the cable modem.  
         [0049]     In another implementation, the port  208  is a USB (or IEEE 1394) connection that interconnects the adapter  500  to the digital IP network. Port  210  is illustrated as an RJ-11 connection for compatibility with the analog telephone. The adapter  500  connects between the incoming LEC line and the analog telephone, such that the telephone receives the line dial-tone through the adapter  500 . There can also be provided indicators  508  in the form of low power electronic devices (e.g., LEDs) that provide some indication as to the status of the adapter  500  (e.g., power on, and data traffic). Of course, the location of the ports, indicators, and shape (and size) of the adapter  500  is at the discretion of the designer.  
         [0050]     It is to be appreciated that the home subscriber that uses the adapter  500  with embedded SIM capabilities may choose to not use VoIP for an outgoing call. Thus, the adapter  500  further includes a switch  510  that the user activates to bypass VoIP capability, and route the outgoing call over the conventional PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) system. In a more robust implementation, the adapter  500  can be configured to interpret a signal sent from the handset of the analog telephone to initiate standard analog calls only. For example, instead of activating the switch  510 , the user presses a predetermined DTMF key combination that is processed by the adapter  500  to indicate that the VoIP option is to be bypassed for this outgoing call.  
         [0051]     In another alternative implementation, the user need only speak into the analog handset before dialing a number, and voice one or more commands that deactivate (or activate) the VoIP capability. In yet another alternative option, the home subscriber can control the adapter  500  indirectly via the IP network by accessing a website, and deactivating (or activating) the adapter VoIP capabilities. The capability to speak commands, enter key combinations, and manage the adapter via the IP network (e.g., the Internet) provides safeguards where children are involved, for example. Thus, the home subscriber can deactivate (or activate) the VoIP capability or even the analog call capabilities, for that matter, where such a feature is employed. This can be provided as an add-on service by the wireless provider.  
         [0052]     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , there is illustrated an alternative implementation of an adapter  600  that employs a removable SIM  602  in accordance with the present invention. The adapter  600  includes a housing  604  with connector ports and indicators similar to those of  FIG. 5 . The housing  604  further includes a slot  606  that receives the SIM card  602 . Mounted on the internal PC board (not shown) is a mating connector (not shown) that receives the SIM  602 . Once engaged, the adapter  600  can convert the analog telephone signals for transmission over the Internet by VoIP, and vice versa. Otherwise, with the SIM card  602  removed, the telephone operates normally over analog lines.  100531  With the implementation of  FIG. 6 , a visitor can simply insert a personal SIM card for use in any home or office system to facilitate analog-to-digital VoIP over the Internet. Since the SIM card  602  is unique to the user, the accounting can be handled as unique to the visitor when using an analog phone system of another subscriber. In support thereof, it is further contemplated that the adapter  600  can include the embedded SIM that is dedicated to the home user, and in this “multi-user” implementation, the accessible slot for the visitor to insert a visitor SIM card. Once the visitor inserts the visitor card, this overrides identification and accounting associated with the embedded SIM associated with the home user (or subscriber). When the visitor subscriber removes the visitor SIM, the adapter  600  operates to default back to accounting for the home subscriber.  
         [0053]      FIG. 7  illustrates a schematic block diagram of a system  700  where a single SIC  702  is employed in a multiple analog telephone environment in accordance with the invention. In one embodiment, the system  700  is employed in a subscriber residence where typically only the SIC  702  and one analog telephone  704  are used. However, it is to be appreciated that a location (home and/or business, for example) can have more than one analog telephone connection. In support thereof, the system  700  can further accommodate such implementations by facilitating IP network access to a wireless provider network by multiple users in association with the single SIC  702 . Thus, there is provided a second AT  706  (denoted AT 2 ) up to an Nth AT  708  (denoted AT N ) that are linked to the SIC  102  by a routing means  710 , which can be a switch, or a central processor that routes the subscriber identity information of the SIC  102  to the appropriate AT connection(s), and ultimately, the corresponding provider. The system  700  can be embodied in software and/or hardware.  
         [0054]     This particular implementation facilitates using a single SIC  102  to activate multiple analog telephone systems that are interconnected or in the same locale. It is to be appreciated, however, that the SIC  102  can be multiple different SIC devices having different identity information such that if there are six AT devices, for example, there can be six SIC devices employed to facilitates digital communications that are billed according to associated providers.  
         [0055]     It is further within contemplation of the present invention that the architecture is not limited to analog telephone devices for the generation of analog voice signals, but can any device capable of communicating analog signals or analog voice signals. For example, any analog data terminal that is capable of communicating analog signals over the telephone system can be accommodated with the system  700  of the present invention such that the data terminal can now communicate over an IP network and be billed accordingly for telephone system usage.  
         [0056]     Note that the SIC-ATA capabilities (e.g., system  100  or system  200 ) can be integrated into other equipment. For example, the SIC-ATA unit can be integrated into a gateway unit as a single unit with combined capabilities to further facilitate implementation of the subject invention in home and/or business systems that do not have a gateway suitable for such implementation. Moreover, it is further to be appreciated that the SIM-ATA module, gateway, and the router/cable modem can be integrated as a single unit with combined capabilities.  
         [0057]     Referring now to  FIG. 8 , there is illustrated a local base station (LBS)  800  that incorporates SIC-ATA capabilities in accordance with the present invention. The LBS  800  includes a processor  802  for controlling and processing all onboard operations and functions. A memory  804  interfaces to the processor  802  for temporary storage of data and one or more applications stored in firmware  806  and being executed by the processor  802 . An analog telephone interface  808  accommodates connecting analog telephones and signals to the system  800 . The firmware  806  also stores startup code for execution in initializing the LBS  800 . A communication component  810  interfaces to the processor  802  to facilitate wired/wireless communication with external systems. Either the processor  802  or the communications component  810 , or both, can facilitate CODEC processing for analog-digital signal processing suitable for the subject invention. A second wireless interface  812  can be employed as connected to the processor  802  to accommodate wireless technologies not facilitated by the communication component  810 .  
         [0058]     The LBS  800  can also include a display/keypad/keyboard component  814  for displaying text and graphics related to telephony functions, for example, a Caller ID function and a setup function, and for user input. The component  814  can also accommodate the presentation of multimedia content. A serial I/O interface  816  is provided in communication with the processor  802  to facilitate serial communication (e.g., USB, and/or IEEE 1394) via a hardwire connection. This supports updating and troubleshooting the LBS  800 , for example. Audio capabilities are provided with an audio I/O component  818 , which can include a speaker for the output of audio signals related to, for example, recorded data or telephony voice data, and a microphone for inputting voice signals for recording and/or telephone conversations.  
         [0059]     The LBS  800  can also include a slot interface  820  for accommodating the SIC in the form factor of a card  822 , and interfacing the SIC card  822  to the processor  802 . However, it is to be appreciated that the SIC  822  can be manufactured into the LBS  800 , and updates made by downloading data thereto. This applies to both the home and corporate embodiments described herein.  
         [0060]     The LBS  800  can include an IP interface  824  for accommodating IP traffic from an IP network, for example, the Internet, corporate intranet, home network, person area network, etc., via an ISP or cable provider. Thus, VoIP traffic can be utilized by the LBS  800 , and IP-based multimedia content can be received in either an encoded or a decoded format. Where employed, a video processing component  826  can be provided for decoding encoded multimedia content. The LBS  800  also includes a power source  828  in the form of batteries and/or an AC power subsystem, which power source  828  interfaces to an external power system or charging equipment (not shown) via a power I/O component  830 .  
         [0061]     Referring now to  FIG. 9 , there is illustrated a gateway  900  that incorporates SIC-ATA capabilities in accordance with the present invention. The gateway  900  includes a processor  902  for controlling and processing all onboard operations and functions. A memory  904  interfaces to the processor  902  for temporary storage of data and one or more applications stored in firmware  906  and being executed by the processor  902 . An analog telephone interface  908  accommodates connecting analog telephones and signals to the gateway  900 . The firmware  906  also stores startup code for execution in initializing the gateway  900 . A communications component  910  interfaces to the processor  902  to facilitate wired/wireless communication with external systems. Either the processor  902  or the communications component  910 , or both, can facilitate CODEC processing for analog-digital signal processing suitable for the subject invention. A second wireless interface  912  can be employed as connected to the processor  902  to accommodate wireless technologies not facilitated by the communication component  910 .  
         [0062]     The gateway  900  can also include indicators  914  for providing status information as to processes occurring in the unit, for example, a setup function, power status, and port activity. A serial I/O interface  916  is provided in communication with the processor  902  to facilitate serial communication (e.g., USB, and/or IEEE 1394) via a hardwire connection. This can support updating and troubleshooting the gateway  900 , for example. The gateway  900  can also include a slot interface  918  for accommodating the SIC in the form factor of a card  920 , and interfacing the SIC card  920  to the processor  902 . However, it is to be appreciated that the SIC  920  can be manufactured into the gateway  900 , and updates made by downloading data thereto. This applies to both the home and corporate embodiments described herein.  
         [0063]     The gateway  900  can include an IP interface  922  for accommodating IP traffic from an IP network, for example, the Internet, corporate intranet, home network, person area network, etc., via an ISP or cable provider. Thus, VoIP traffic can be utilized by the gateway  900 , and IP-based multimedia content can be received in either an encoded or a decoded format. The gateway  900  also includes a power source  924  in the form of batteries and/or an AC power subsystem, which power source  924  interfaces to an external power system or charging equipment (not shown) via a power I/O component  926 .  
         [0064]     Referring now to  FIG. 10 , there is illustrated a router  1000  that incorporates SIC-ATA capabilities in accordance with the present invention. The router  1000  includes a processor  1002  for controlling and processing all onboard operations and functions. A memory  1004  interfaces to the processor  1002  for temporary storage of data and one or more applications stored in firmware  1006  and being executed by the processor  1002 . An analog telephone interface  1008  accommodates connecting analog telephones and signals to the gateway  1000 . The firmware  1006  also stores startup code for execution in initializing the router  1000 . A communications component  1010  interfaces to the processor  1002  to facilitate wired/wireless communication with external systems. Either the processor  1002  or the communications component  1010 , or both, can facilitate CODEC processing for analog-digital signal processing suitable for the subject invention. A second wireless interface  1012  can be employed as connected to the processor  1002  to accommodate wireless technologies not facilitated by the communication component  1010 .  
         [0065]     The router  1000  can also include indicators  1014  for providing status information as to processes occurring in the unit, for example, a setup function, power status, and port activity. A serial I/O interface  1016  is provided in communication with the processor  1002  to facilitate serial communication (e.g., USB, and/or IEEE 13104) via a hardwire connection. This can support updating and troubleshooting the router  1000 , for example. The router  1000  can also include a slot interface  1018  for accommodating the SIC in the form factor of a card  1020 , and interfacing the SIC card  1020  to the processor  1002 . However, it is to be appreciated that the SIC  1020  can be manufactured into the router  1000 , and updates made by downloading data thereto. This applies to both the home and corporate embodiments described herein.  
         [0066]     The router  1000  can include an IP interface  1022  for accommodating IP traffic from an IP network, for example, the Internet, corporate intranet, home network, person area network, etc., via an ISP or cable provider. The interface  1022  can be multiple IP ports such that the router  1000  includes capabilities as a multi-port hub, switch, or the like. Thus, VoIP traffic can be utilized by the router  1000 , and IP-based multimedia content can be received in either an encoded or a decoded format. The router  1000  also includes a power source  1024  in the form of batteries and/or an AC power subsystem, which power source  1024  interfaces to an external power system or charging equipment (not shown) via a power I/O component  1026 .  
         [0067]     Aspects of the invention described above may be stored or distributed on computer-readable media, including magnetic and optically readable and removable computer discs, as well as distributed electronically over the Internet or over other networks (including wireless networks). Those skilled in the relevant art will recognize that portions or embodiments of the invention may reside in a fixed element of a communication network, while corresponding portions may reside on a mobile communication device. Data structures and transmission of data particular to aspects of the invention are also encompassed within the scope of the invention.  
         [0068]     What has been described above includes examples of the present invention. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the present invention, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the present invention are possible. Accordingly, the present invention is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.