Patent Description:
A recent trend to improve consumer convenience in electronic devices is to redesign wired devices to become wireless. Desktop telephones are no exception to this trend. Moreover, wireless charging is a recently developed technology that is being deployed to facilitate charging of devices without requiring a physical electrical connection.

<CIT> discloses a cordless telephone apparatus comprising a portable handset and a base station. The base station includes a first wireless communication unit which, in operation, communicates data with a music player, a first control unit which, in operation, monitors a status of the music player and remotely controls the music player via the first wireless communication unit, a speaker which outputs audio data, an audio processing unit which, in operation, reproduces the audio data received by the first wireless communication unit from the music player and outputs the audio data to the speaker, a second wireless communication unit which wirelessly communicates data with the portable handset, and a second control unit which, in operation, controls the portable handset as an operation unit to remotely control the music player.

In <CIT>, a portable device is disclosed which is recharged without an electrical contact (e.g. inductively) senses when its proximity to a recharging station. When the portable device detects that it is near enough to the recharging station, a control means changes the state of the device, for example it may begin recharging. The portable device has a memory containing data, and when the device detects a close proximity to the charging station, it may begin transmission, reception or synchronisation of data with another unit. The change of state effected by the control means may also be dependent on the orientation or positioning of the portable device relative to the recharger.

<CIT> relates to a charging coil of a portable terminal charging apparatus is provided with a first detection coil, and a second detection coil disposed inward of the first detection coil and having a smaller diameter than a diameter of the first detection coil. The first and second detection coils are connected to a controller. If the ratio (V2/V1) of a second voltage (V2) detected by the second detection coil to a first voltage (V1) detected by the first detection coil is less than a first set value held in a memory between starting of conduction of the charging coil and connection of a charging load of the portable terminal, the controller performs a safety operation.

Briefly, in one embodiment, methods are presented for providing telephone devices with hook switching capability when a wireless handset is charged by a telephone base using a wireless charging protocol.

In these methods, a power transmitter of a telephone base obtains a handset identifier provided by a wireless handset via a power receiver that is wirelessly coupled to the power transmitter for wireless charging of the wireless handset. The power transmitter determines whether the handset identifier matches a stored identifier. Based, in part, on the handset identifier matching the stored identifier, the telephone base performs hook switching on behalf of the wireless handset.

Desktop telephones are widely used. Existing desktop telephones include a handset and a telephone base connected to each other via a wired cord or via a wireless connection. The telephone base includes a mechanical hook switch is engaged by the handset. When the handset is placed on the telephone base, the mechanical hook switch is depressed or engaged, thereby causing the desktop telephone to assume an "on-hook" status. When a call is to be made or there is an incoming call to be answered, a user picks up the handset and the mechanical hook switch is released. Accordingly, the desktop telephone assumes an "off-hook" status. In the "off-hook" status, the incoming call is automatically answered or a dial tone is provided for the user to make a call. After the user completes the call, the handset is placed back on the telephone base and the mechanical hook switch is depressed. Any call that was occurring is automatically disconnected and the desktop telephone assumes the "off-hook" status.

Techniques are desired to provide hook switching for desktop telephones without the mechanical hook switch on the telephone base. One existing solution involves placing magnetic sensors on the telephone base to detect "off-hook" and "on-hook" states. This, however, requires additional components, thereby increasing the cost and complexity of the desktop telephones.

In various example embodiments presented herein, hook switching of a desktop telephone is performed using existing components that wirelessly charge the handset. In particular, a telephone base may wirelessly connect with the handset, called a wireless handset in this instance, via any of one or more communication protocols, such as the Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT) protocol, the Bluetooth® wireless communication protocol. The telephone base may also charge one or more batteries in the wireless handset according to a wireless charging protocol. One example of a wireless charging protocol is the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) Qi Protocol (version <NUM>. <NUM>), for example. According to the embodiments presented herein, the components of the telephone base that wirelessly charge the wireless handset are also configured to detect presence and absence of the wireless handset at a charging position on the telephone base in order to perform the hook switching.

The hook switching techniques presented herein exploit operations performed by a power transmitter of the telephone base and a power receiver of the wireless handset in the course of controlling wireless charging of the wireless handset. As a result, the desktop telephone no longer needs a mechanical hook switch, thereby improving the design, decreasing complexity, and reducing cost of the desktop telephone. In other words, the desktop telephone does not include any additional circuitry or sensors to perform hook switching. Since no additional components are required for the solution presented herein, power that the additional components would otherwise consume is avoided.

The techniques presented below are not limited to a desktop telephone and are applicable to any telephones that have a telephone base and a wireless handset.

Reference is now made to <FIG> that illustrate a desktop telephone <NUM>, according to an example embodiment. The desktop telephone <NUM> includes a telephone base <NUM> and a wireless handset <NUM>. The telephone base <NUM> has a flat front surface with a base touch screen display <NUM>, a charging position <NUM>, a base stand <NUM>, and a wireless handset holder <NUM>. The wireless handset <NUM> includes a handset touch screen display <NUM>.

In <FIG>, the wireless handset <NUM> is placed in the charging position <NUM> that is on a flat surface of a housing of the telephone base <NUM>. In the charging position <NUM>, the wireless handset <NUM> rests on the wireless handset holder <NUM> abutting an interface surface that is proximate to charging components. In this arrangement, the telephone base <NUM> can wireless charge the wireless handset <NUM>.

<FIG> shows the desktop telephone <NUM> with the wireless handset <NUM> removed from the charging position <NUM>. The wireless handset <NUM> is in short-range communication distance of the telephone base <NUM> to receive or place calls when it is removed from the charging position <NUM>, and even when it is placed in the charging position <NUM>.

According to the embodiments presented herein, the telephone base <NUM> does not include a mechanical hook switch that is engaged by the wireless handset <NUM> when the wireless handset <NUM> is placed on the telephone base <NUM>. Rather, the hook switching is performed by the telephone base <NUM> on behalf of the wireless handset <NUM> by exploiting signaling performed as part of a wireless charging protocol employed to control wireless charging of the wireless handset <NUM>.

It is to be understood that the appearance and mechanical design of the desktop telephone <NUM> shown in <FIG> is not meant to be limiting. There are numerous other ways to support the wireless handset <NUM> on the telephone base <NUM> so that the wireless handset <NUM> can be wirelessly charged by the telephone base <NUM>. Moreover, the telephone base <NUM> need not have a smooth and flat display such as the base touch screen display <NUM>. The display on the telephone base <NUM> may take on many different forms. Moreover, there may be a mechanical keypad and other mechanical buttons on the face of the telephone base <NUM>. Further still, the telephone base <NUM> may have a camera to facilitate video communication.

Various internal components of the desktop telephone <NUM>, according to an example embodiment, are now described with reference to <FIG>. The desktop telephone <NUM> may be configured to implement Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) techniques for conducting telephone calls over an IP network. In another form, the desktop telephone <NUM> may be configured to conduct telephone calls in a more conventional manner directly over a public switched telephone network (PSTN).

The telephone base <NUM> includes a base system <NUM> and a power transmitter <NUM>. The base system <NUM> includes a base central processing unit (CPU) <NUM>, a base memory <NUM>, a network interface card <NUM>, VoIP telephony card(s) <NUM> (which may take the form of one or more Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs)), the base touch screen display <NUM>, and a power supply <NUM>. A bus (not shown) may be provided to enable communication between the base CPU <NUM> and the other components. The bus may be implemented with any architecture designed for passing data and/or control information between the base CPU <NUM> and other components.

The base memory <NUM> may include persistent storage. In one example embodiment, the base memory <NUM> includes a random access memory (RAM) and a cache memory. In general, the base memory <NUM> can include any suitable volatile or non-volatile computer readable storage media. The base memory <NUM> may be a solid state hard drive, a semiconductor storage device, or any other computer readable storage media that is capable of storing program instructions or digital information. Instructions for control logic may be stored in the base memory <NUM> for execution by the base CPU <NUM>. The control logic may include one or more programs stored in the base memory <NUM> for execution by the base CPU <NUM>.

For example, the control logic stored in base memory <NUM> includes instructions that, when executed by the base CPU <NUM>, cause the telephone base <NUM> to perform various control functions for the telephone base, such as connecting/disconnecting the phone call when the hook status changes, as described in more detail below. Also, the control logic includes instructions, that when executed by the base CPU <NUM> cause the telephone base <NUM> to manage the transmission and reception of voice signals and handle other telephone functionality.

The network interface card <NUM> provides for data network communication with other systems or devices. In these examples, the network interface card <NUM> may provide network communications through the use of either or both physical and wireless communications links. The network interface card <NUM> connects the telephone base <NUM> to a communication network, via a router or gateway, to enable connectivity to a local access network (LAN) which in turn is connected to a public network (wide area network) such as the Internet.

The VoIP telephony card(s) <NUM> are hardware component(s) that perform network telephony, including conversion digital-to-analog conversion and analog-to-digital conversion of audio, packetizing of digital audio into data packets, as well as other VoIP telephone functions.

The base touch screen display <NUM> is an input/output interface that allows for touch-based input of controls as well as to display information to a user. The base touch screen display <NUM> may provide data input by the user to the base CPU <NUM> e.g., in order to call a number or may output (display) an instruction or data received from the base CPU <NUM> e.g., there is an incoming call.

The base wireless transceiver <NUM> facilitates wireless communication with the wireless handset <NUM> according to a short-range wireless communication protocol. The base wireless transceiver <NUM> may provide voice data received during a telephone call to the wireless handset <NUM> as well as receive voice data from the wireless handset <NUM> during a telephone call. Moreover, the base wireless transceiver exchanges with the wireless handset <NUM> control signals determined by control logic, such as to switch calls between off-hook status and on-hook status.

The power supply <NUM> is connected to an external power source, such as an electrical outlet (not shown), and supplies electrical power to the components of the telephone base <NUM>, including electrical power to the various components of the base system <NUM> as well as electrical power to the power transmitter <NUM>. The power supply <NUM> supplies power to a charging coil <NUM> of the power transmitter <NUM>.

The power transmitter <NUM> charges the wireless handset <NUM> using the charging coil <NUM>. Moreover, the power transmitter <NUM> detects the presence and absence of the wireless handset <NUM> in the charging position <NUM> of the telephone base based on signaling performed as part of a wireless charging protocol performed, and notifies the base CPU <NUM>. To act as the hook switch for hook switching status report.

As shown in <FIG>, the wireless handset <NUM> includes a handset system <NUM> and a power receiver <NUM>. The handset system <NUM> includes a handset wireless transceiver <NUM>, a rechargeable battery <NUM>, a handset CPU <NUM>, a handset memory <NUM>, and the handset touch screen display <NUM>. The power receiver <NUM> includes a receiving coil <NUM>. The handset system <NUM> acts as a load with respect to the power receiver <NUM>.

The receiving coil <NUM> receives power from the charging coil <NUM> of the power transmitter <NUM> of the telephone base <NUM> when the wireless handset <NUM> is in sufficient proximity to the charging position on the telephone base <NUM>. When this occurs, the power transmitter <NUM> of the telephone base <NUM> charges the rechargeable battery <NUM> of the wireless handset <NUM>.

The handset wireless transceiver <NUM>, the handset CPU <NUM>, the handset memory <NUM>, and the handset touch screen display <NUM> are analogous to the components described above of the telephone base <NUM>. Thus, detailed descriptions of these wireless handset components are omitted for the sake of brevity.

<FIG> is not meant to be exhaustive of the components of the desktop telephone <NUM>. Additional components such as a speaker, a microphone, a camera, are also present as is known in the art. Moreover, the telephone base <NUM> and/or the wireless handset <NUM> may have voice-control capabilities.

Various components of the power transmitter <NUM> and the power receiver <NUM> of the desktop telephone <NUM> are now described with reference to <FIG>.

The power transmitter <NUM> includes the charging coil <NUM>, a power transmitter controller <NUM>, and a power transmitter wireless transceiver (Tx/Rx) <NUM>. The power receiver <NUM> includes the receiving coil <NUM>, the power receiver controller <NUM>, and a power receiver wireless transceiver (Tx/Rx) <NUM>. The power transmitter controller <NUM> includes a power transmitter processor <NUM> and a power transmitter memory <NUM>. The power receiver controller <NUM> includes a power receiver processor <NUM> and a power receiver memory <NUM>. The power transmitter processor <NUM> may be a CPU or digital signal processor that executes instructions based on one or more programs stored in the power transmitter memory <NUM>. Likewise, the power receiver processor <NUM> may be a CPU or digital signal processor that executes instructions based on one or more programs stored in the power receiver memory <NUM>. Alternatively, the power transmitter controller <NUM> and power receiver controller <NUM> may take the form of digital logic gates in a programmable gate array, and/or fixed digital logic in a fixed gate array. Further still, the power transmitter controller <NUM> and power receiver controller <NUM> may be embodied in one or more ASICs. Regardless of the particular form they may take, the power transmitter <NUM> and power receiver <NUM> may be configured to perform wireless charging operations as part of a wireless charging protocol, for example.

The power transmitter wireless transceiver <NUM> and the power receiver wireless transceiver <NUM> perform wireless communications to exchange messages according to a wireless charging protocol, as described in more detail below. The power transmitter wireless transceiver <NUM> and the power receiver wireless transceiver <NUM> each may include a radio frequency (RF) transceiver and modem that modulates messages sourced by the respective controller to be transmitted and demodulates received messages that are provided to the respective controller.

As shown at <NUM>, power is transferred from the charging coil <NUM> of the power transmitter <NUM> to the receiving coil <NUM> of the power receiver <NUM>.

At <NUM>, the power transmitter <NUM> and the power receiver <NUM> exchange control signals (messages in a form of packets, for example) via an information communication interface established between the power transmitter <NUM> and the power receiver <NUM> using the power transmitter wireless transceiver <NUM> and the power receiver wireless transceiver <NUM>.

In one embodiment, wireless power charging may be controlled according to a wireless power charging protocol. The WPC Qi protocol, for example, includes four phases: (<NUM>) a selection phase, (<NUM>) a ping phase, (<NUM>) an identification and configuration phase, and (<NUM>) a power transfer phase. Reference is also made to <FIG> and <FIG> for purposes of this description.

Selection phase. During the selection phase, the power transmitter <NUM>, under the control of the power transmitter controller <NUM>, monitors the interface surface to detect presence and/or absence of an object(s) in the charging position <NUM>. The object may be the wireless handset <NUM> or another device. The power transmitter <NUM> detects the presence of the object in the charging position <NUM> when the object is powered on. For example, a change in capacitance or resonance of the charging coil <NUM> is detected. When the power transmitter <NUM> detects the object, electromagnetic coupling between the power transmitter <NUM> and the power receiver <NUM> is performed. The electromagnetic coupling triggers the ping phase and the identification and configuration phase in which the object is validated. In an example embodiment, the selection phase is only performed when no device is detected on the interface surface of the power transmitter <NUM>. The selection phase is used for monitoring and detecting the object, such as the wireless handset <NUM>, placed on the interface surface. When the object is placed on the interface surface of the power transmitter <NUM>, the selection phase ends and is not activated again while the object remains on the interface surface of the power transmitter <NUM>.

Ping phase. During the ping phase, the power transmitter <NUM> transmits a digital ping (in a form of a control packet) to the power receiver <NUM>, and waits for a response from the power receiver <NUM>. If the power transmitter <NUM> discovers the power receiver <NUM> (receives the response at a signal strength above a predetermined threshold), the power transmitter <NUM> extends the ping phase by periodically transmitting the digital ping. Based on receiving the response (in a form of a packet), the power transmitter <NUM> also transitions to the identification and configuration phase.

Identification and Configuration Phase. During the identification and configuration phase, the power transmitter <NUM> obtains identification information of the object (e.g., the wireless handset <NUM>) and configuration information, such as the maximum amount of power that the power receiver <NUM> intends to provide at its output. The power transmitter <NUM> identifies the wireless handset <NUM> based on acquiring, from the power receiver <NUM>, a handset identifier, transmitted by the power receiver <NUM>. The handset identifier is a unique wireless power identifier (WPID) that is assigned to the wireless handset <NUM> prior to use, and is programmed into the telephone base <NUM> that corresponds to the wireless handset <NUM>. The WPID may be stored in the power receiver <NUM> (e.g., the power receiver memory <NUM>) and in the power transmitter <NUM> (e.g., the power transmitter memory <NUM>).

If the WPID provided to the power transmitter <NUM> by the power receiver <NUM> matches the WPID stored in the power transmitter memory <NUM>, the power transmitter <NUM> notifies the base CPU <NUM> (<FIG>) to perform hook switching on behalf of the wireless handset <NUM>.

Also, based on the configuration information, the power transmitter <NUM> enters the power transfer phase.

Power Transfer Phase. In this phase, wireless charging is performed whereby the charging coil <NUM> provides power to the receiving coil <NUM> based on the configuration information obtained during the identification and configuration phase. During the power transfer phase, the information communication interface is supported (set up and remains available). The information communication interface provides feedback on charging and is utilized to detect when hook switching should be performed, as described in more detail below.

Reference is now made to <FIG> is a flow chart illustrating a method <NUM> of performing hook switching based on the state changes occurring in the course of wireless charging between the telephone base <NUM> and the wireless handset <NUM>, according to an example embodiment. Reference is also made to <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG> in connection with the description of <FIG>.

At <NUM>, the wireless handset <NUM> is (already) placed in the charging position <NUM> of the telephone base <NUM> and is therefore electromagnetically coupled to the telephone base <NUM>. The power transmitter <NUM> has already matched the identifier received from the wireless handset with the stored identifier, and is in an on-hook status.

At <NUM>, when the wireless handset <NUM> is in the on-hook status, the power transfer phase, ping phase, and identification & configuration phase are continuously performed. Specifically, at <NUM>, the receiving coil <NUM> receives power from the charging coil <NUM>, thereby charging the rechargeable battery <NUM> when charging is desired. If the wireless handset <NUM> is fully charged, the power transfer phase stops. However, the information communication interface remains open. That is, the power transmitter <NUM> and the power receiver <NUM> continue to exchange signals (messages) via the information communication interface, based on the ping phase and identification & configuration phase, at a predetermined frequency e.g., approximately <NUM> according to the wireless charging protocol.

In particular, at <NUM>, the power transmitter <NUM> executes a digital ping i.e., continuously sends a packet to request the WPID and configuration information. At <NUM>, the power transmitter <NUM> continuously receives the WPID from the power receiver <NUM>. Based on the configuration information, charging of the wireless handset <NUM> may resume. Since the power transmitter <NUM> continues to detect a matching WPID from the wireless handset <NUM>, the power transmitter <NUM> continues to monitor activity in order to perform hook switching on behalf of the wireless handset <NUM>.

When the wireless handset <NUM> is removed from the charging position <NUM>, such as to answer an incoming call, the power transfer phase, the ping phase, and the identification and configuration phase end. When the power transmitter controller <NUM> fails to receive a matching WPID from the wireless handset <NUM>, for a predetermined time interval, the power transmitter controller <NUM> notifies the base CPU <NUM> that the wireless handset <NUM> is no longer detected. The base CPU <NUM> places the telephone base <NUM> in the off-hook status, as shown at <NUM>. When this occurs, the base CPU <NUM> communicates with the wireless handset <NUM> via the base wireless transceiver <NUM> to notify the wireless handset <NUM> that it should be in the off-hook status. In particular, the base CPU <NUM> receives an off-hook event notification. Based on the off-hook event notification, the base CPU <NUM> may take various actions. That is, the base CPU <NUM> is software controlled or pre-programmed to execute various actions depending on context and user interface (UI) definition or configuration.

By way of an example, based on the off-hook event notification and a detection that there are no incoming calls, the base CPU <NUM> notifies the wireless handset <NUM> to provide a dial tone to make a call. However, if no call is made within a predetermined period of time (e.g., <NUM> seconds), the base CPU <NUM> instructs the wireless handset <NUM> to assume an idle state. It is to be understood that the above is an example only and that the base CPU <NUM> may be programmed to perform various different actions based on notifications it receives from the power transmitter controller <NUM>. Thus, the base CPU <NUM> may determine how to control the wireless handset <NUM> including whether to provide an automatic dial tone, pick up a call, etc. in response to notifications from the power transmitter controller <NUM> based on pre-programmed configurations and/or other states of the telephone base <NUM> (whether or not there is an incoming call, a configuration made on the wireless handset <NUM>, etc.).

At <NUM>, the power transmitter <NUM> returns to the selection phase in order to attempt to detect an object in the charging position <NUM>.

At <NUM>, when the object is detected, the ping phase (described above) is triggered.

At <NUM>, when the signal strength of the response is above a predetermined threshold, the power transmitter <NUM> enters the identification and the configuration phase in which the WPID of the wireless handset is received. The power transmitter processor <NUM> compares the WPID received in the response packet with one or more WPIDs stored in the power transmitter memory <NUM>.

At <NUM>, based on detecting a match of the stored WPID and the WPID received from the wireless handset <NUM>, the power transmitter <NUM> detects the on-hook status and may switch the wireless handset <NUM> to the on-hook status. In particular, the power transmitter processor <NUM> transmits to the base CPU <NUM> a notification indicating presence of the wireless handset <NUM> in the charging position <NUM> on the telephone base <NUM>, so that the base CPU <NUM> will determine that this is an on hook status. In other words, the base CPU <NUM> determines that the wireless handset <NUM> should be in the on-hook status based on the notification coming from power transmitter <NUM>. Based on this notification, the base CPU <NUM> is software controlled or pre-programmed to execute various actions depending on the context and UI definition and/or configuration. For example, if the telephone base <NUM> is in a "hands-free" mode, then the on-hook event notification from the power transmitter <NUM> does not result in disconnecting an ongoing call. On the other hand, if the telephone base <NUM> is in "handset" mode, the base CPU <NUM> may be programmed to automatically disconnect the ongoing call or disconnect the ongoing call after obtaining a confirmation from the user.

Further, since the WPIDs match, at <NUM>, the power transmitter <NUM> transitions to the power transfer phase and establishes the information communication interface in which signals are continuously exchanged (the ping phase and the identification & configuration phase). The continuous loop of the ping and identification & configuration phases is executed to detect an off-hook status of the wireless handset <NUM>.

On the other hand, if at <NUM>, the WPID received from a device that supports wireless charging does not match the WPID stored in the power transmitter memory <NUM>, only charging is performed at <NUM>. That is, the two phases (ping phase and identification and & configuration phase) are not continuously performed because this mechanism is used for monitoring the on/off hook status of the wireless handset <NUM>. Since the device is not the wireless handset <NUM>, continuous execution of the ping phase and identification & configuration phase is not performed. In short, mismatch of the WPIDs indicates that the object placed in the charging position <NUM> is not the wireless handset <NUM> for which the telephone base <NUM> should perform hook switching. Thus, by comparing the WPIDs, false on-hook switching does not occur. The telephone base <NUM> only responds to changing states at the charging position if the WPID received from the power receiver <NUM> matches a WPID stored in the telephone base <NUM>.

Since the power transmitter <NUM> and the power receiver <NUM> used for wireless charging are also used to implement the hook switching, no additional components are necessary and no additional power is consumed for the hook switching. By eliminating the mechanical hook switching, the desktop telephone <NUM> is more compact, and may be more aesthetically pleasing.

In various example embodiments, terms such as "transmit" and "receive" are broadly used herein to refer to techniques for providing and obtaining data and/or signals.

Turning now to <FIG>, a flowchart is described of a method <NUM> for performing hook switching of the wireless handset based on wireless charging, according to various example embodiments. The method <NUM> is performed by an apparatus e.g., the telephone base <NUM> shown in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>.

At <NUM>, the method <NUM> involves obtaining, by a power transmitter of a telephone base, a handset identifier provided by a wireless handset via a power receiver that is wirelessly coupled to the power transmitter for wireless charging of the wireless handset.

At <NUM>, the method <NUM> includes determining whether the handset identifier matches a stored identifier.

At <NUM>, based on the handset identifier matching the stored identifier, the method <NUM> involves performing, by the telephone base, hook switching on behalf of the wireless handset.

In the method <NUM>, the operation <NUM> of performing the hook switching on behalf of the wireless handset may include, based, in part, on obtaining the handset identifier that matches the stored identifier indicating presence of the wireless handset in a charging position on the telephone base, providing an on-hook status on behalf of the wireless handset.

In one form, the operation <NUM> of performing the hook switching on behalf of the wireless handset may further include, upon failure to obtain, for a predetermined time interval, the handset identifier that matches the stored identifier when the wireless handset is in the on-hook status, providing an off-hook status on behalf of the wireless handset.

In yet another form, the operation <NUM> of performing the hook switching on behalf of the wireless handset may further include, based on obtaining the handset identifier that matches the stored identifier, switching the off-hook status to the on-hook status on behalf of the wireless handset.

The method <NUM> may further include, upon the handset identifier obtained from the wireless handset via the power transmitter not matching the stored identifier, charging the wireless handset via the power transmitter without performing the hook switching events on behalf of the wireless handset.

According to one or more example embodiments, the operation <NUM> of obtaining the handset identifier may include establishing an information communication interface, according to a wireless charging protocol, between the power transmitter and the power receiver during the wireless charging of the wireless handset and exchanging signals via the information communication interface.

The wireless charging protocol may be a Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) Qi protocol.

The stored identifier may be a unique identifier according to a wireless charging protocol. The method <NUM> may further include, when the handset identifier matches the stored identifier, providing, by the power transmitter to a processor of the telephone base, an on-hook status notification indicating presence of the wireless handset in a charging position on the telephone base, indicative of an on-hook status. The method <NUM> may further include, upon failure to obtain, for a predetermined time interval, the handset identifier that matches the stored identifier when the wireless handset is in the on-hook status, providing, by the power transmitter to the processor of the telephone base, an off-hook notification representing absence of the wireless handset in the charging position on the telephone base, indicative of an off-hook status.

In still another example embodiment, an apparatus is provided. The apparatus is a telephone base <NUM>. The apparatus includes a wireless transceiver configured to wirelessly communicate with a wireless handset, a memory configured to store one or more identifiers, a charging position on a surface of a housing, and a power transmitter positioned proximate the charging position. The power transmitter is configured to wirelessly provide power to a power receiver of the wireless handset in order to charge a rechargeable battery of the wireless handset when the wireless handset is in the charging position. The power transmitter is further configured to obtain, from the power receiver, a handset identifier that uniquely identifies the wireless handset, and determine whether the handset identifier matches one of the one or more identifiers stored in the memory. The apparatus further includes a processor coupled to the power transmitter and configured to perform hook switching on behalf of the wireless handset based on the power transmitter indicating that the handset identifier matches one of the one or more identifiers stored in the memory.

In one form, the processor may be configured to perform the hook switching on behalf of the wireless handset by, based on obtaining the handset identifier that matches one of the one or more identifiers stored in the memory, indicating presence of the wireless handset in the charging position, providing an on-hook status on behalf of the wireless handset.

In one or more example embodiments, the processor may further configured to perform the hook switching on behalf of the wireless handset by, upon failure to obtain, for a predetermined time interval, the handset identifier that matches one of the one or more identifiers stored in the memory when the wireless handset is in the on-hook status, providing an off-hook status on behalf of the wireless handset.

The processor may further be configured to perform the hook switching on behalf of the wireless handset by, based on obtaining the handset identifier that matches the one of the one or more identifiers stored in the memory, switching the off-hook status to the on-hook status on behalf of the wireless handset.

The processor may further be configured to perform, upon the handset identifier obtained from the wireless handset via the power transmitter not matching the one of the one or more identifiers stored in the memory, charging the wireless handset via the power transmitter without performing the hook switching on behalf of the wireless handset.

In one form, the power transmitter may further be configured to obtain the handset identifier by establishing an information communication interface, according to a wireless charging protocol, with the power receiver during charging of the rechargeable battery and exchanging signals with the power receiver via the information communication interface. The wireless charging protocol is a Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) Qi protocol.

In yet another example embodiment, a telephone such as the desktop telephone <NUM> is provided. The telephone includes a wireless handset and a telephone base. The wireless handset that includes a handset wireless transceiver, a rechargeable battery, and a power receiver configured to charge the rechargeable battery. The telephone base includes a base wireless transceiver configured to wirelessly communicate with the handset wireless transceiver, a memory configured to store one or more identifiers, a charging position on a surface of a housing, and a power transmitter positioned proximate the charging position. The power transmitter is configured to wirelessly provide power to the power receiver in order to charge the rechargeable battery when the wireless handset is in the charging position, obtain, from the power receiver, a handset identifier that uniquely identifies the wireless handset, and determine whether the handset identifier matches one of the one or more identifiers stored in the memory. The telephone base further includes a processor coupled to the power transmitter and configured to perform hook switching on behalf of the wireless handset based, in part, on the power transmitter indicating that the handset identifier matches the one of the one or more identifiers stored in the memory.

In one form, the processor may be configured to perform the hook switching on behalf of the wireless handset by, based on the power transmitter obtaining the handset identifier that matches the one of the one or more identifiers stored in the memory, indicating presence of the wireless handset in the charging position, providing an on-hook status on behalf of the wireless handset.

The processor may further be configured to perform the hook switching on behalf of the wireless handset by, upon failure, by the power transmitter, to obtain, for a predetermined time interval, the handset identifier that matches the one of the one or more identifiers stored in the memory when the wireless handset is in the on-hook status, providing an off-hook status on behalf of the wireless handset.

According to one or more example embodiments, the processor may further be configured to perform the hook switching on behalf of the wireless handset by, based on the power transmitter obtaining the handset identifier that matches the one of the one or more identifiers stored in the memory, switching the off-hook status to the on-hook status on behalf of the wireless handset.

In one form, the power transmitter may further be configured to perform, upon the handset identifier obtained from the wireless handset via the power transmitter not matching the one of the one or more identifiers stored in the memory, charging the wireless handset via the power transmitter without performing the hook switching on behalf of the wireless handset.

The power transmitter may further be configured to obtain the handset identifier by establishing an information communication interface, according to a wireless charging protocol, with the power receiver during charging of the rechargeable battery and exchanging signals with the power receiver via the information communication interface. The wireless charging protocol may be a Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) Qi protocol.

The embodiments presented may be in other various other forms, such as a system or a computer program product. The computer program product may include a computer readable storage medium (or media) having computer readable program instructions thereon for causing a telephone or a telephone base to carry out aspects presented herein.

Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations of the present embodiments may be assembler instructions, instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state-setting data, configuration data for integrated circuitry, or either source code or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented programming language such as Python, C++, or the like, and procedural programming languages, such as the "C" programming language or similar programming languages. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through any type of network. In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including, for example, programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), or programmable logic arrays (PLA) may execute the computer readable program instructions by utilizing state information of the computer readable program instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry, in order to perform aspects presented herein.

The programs described herein are identified based upon the application for which they are implemented in a specific embodiment. However, it should be appreciated that any particular program nomenclature herein is used merely for convenience, and thus the embodiments should not be limited to use solely in any specific application identified and/or implied by such nomenclature.

The present embodiments may employ any number of any type of user interface (e.g., Graphical User Interface (GUI), command-line, prompt, etc.) for obtaining or providing information, where the interface may include any information arranged in any fashion. The interface may include any number of any types of input or actuation mechanisms (e.g., buttons, icons, fields, boxes, links, etc.) disposed at any locations to enter/display information and initiate desired actions via any suitable input devices (e.g., keyboard, keypad, etc.). The interface screens may include any suitable actuators (e.g., links, tabs, etc.) to navigate between the screens in any fashion.

The software and/or algorithms described above and illustrated in the flow charts may be modified in any manner that accomplishes the functions described herein. In addition, the functions in the flow charts or description may be performed in any order that accomplishes a desired operation.

The software of the present embodiments may be available on a non-transitory computer useable medium (e.g., magnetic or optical mediums, magneto-optic mediums, floppy diskettes, CD-ROM, DVD, memory devices, etc.) of a stationary or portable program product apparatus or device for use with stand-alone systems or systems connected by a network or other communications medium.

The communication network may be implemented by any number of any type of communications network (e.g., local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), Internet, Intranet, virtual private network (VPN), etc.). The computer or other processing systems of the present embodiments may include any conventional or other communications devices to communicate over the network via any conventional or other protocols. The computer or other processing systems may utilize any type of connection (e.g., wired, wireless, etc.) for access to the network. Local communication media may be implemented by any suitable communication media (e.g., LAN, hardwire, wireless link, Intranet, etc.).

In summary, a method of performing hook switching on behalf of a wireless handset based on wireless charging is described. The method includes obtaining, by a power transmitter of a telephone base, a handset identifier provided by a wireless handset via a power receiver that is wirelessly coupled to the power transmitter for wireless charging of the wireless handset. The method further includes determining whether the handset identifier matches a stored identifier, and based, in part, on the handset identifier matching the stored identifier, performing, by the telephone base, hook switching on behalf of the wireless handset.

Aspects of the present embodiments are described herein with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to the embodiments.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods, and computer program products according to various embodiments. In some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the blocks may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved.

Claim 1:
A method comprising:
obtaining, by a power transmitter (<NUM>) of a telephone base (<NUM>), a handset identifier provided by a wireless handset (<NUM>) via a power receiver (<NUM>) that is wirelessly coupled to the power transmitter (<NUM>) for wireless charging of the wireless handset (<NUM>);
determining whether the handset identifier matches a stored identifier; and
based, in part, on the handset identifier matching the stored identifier, performing, by the telephone base (<NUM>), hook switching on behalf of the wireless handset.