Patent ID: 7110789

Claim:
A system for communicating with a wireless communications network, the system comprising: a cellular phone for sending signals to and receiving signals from the wireless communications network; a docking station for communicating with the wireless communications network through the cellular phone only when the cellular phone is engaged in the docking station, the docking station comprising: a controller for controlling operation of the docking station; a docking port comprising: a recess for accepting the cellular phone such that a display of the cellular phone remains visible for operating the docking station, and a connector connected to the controller, the connector for engaging the cellular phone; inside surfaces that are adapted to cover at least a keypad of the cellular phone; a telephone handset situated on a front surface of the docking station, the telephone handset utilized in substitution of a speaker and a microphone of the engaged cellular phone; and a telephone keypad situated on the front surface, the telephone keypad used in substitution for the keypad of the engaged cellular phone.