Patent ID: 7194083

Claim:
A system for interfacing plain old telephone system (POTS) devices with cellular networks, comprising: an interface configured to convert a POTS compatible signal to a cellular network compatible signal, wherein the interface is further configured to convert a cellular network compatible signal to a POTS compatible signal, wherein the interface comprises a docking station configured to interface with a cellular telephone, wherein the docking station comprises a tuned antenna configured to couple with the cellular telephone, wherein the tuned antenna is further configured to improve transmission and reception by the cellular telephone; and a POTS connector configured to couple a POTS device to the interface; wherein the interface includes an audio relay configured to receive an audio-control signal and transmit an analog-audio signal between the POTS device and the cellular telephone in response to the received audio-control signal; and wherein when the system detects an analog-audio signal that is indicative of a called-party telephone ringing prior to a called party picking up the called party telephone, the cellular telephone and the POTS device are connected through at least one of the cellular networks prior to the called party picking up the called party telephone.