Importance

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Abstract

A multi-mode cellular and voice over internet protocol mobile device and a supporting network is disclosed. The mobile device includes a housing, an antenna, a wide area cellular communications module to provide wide area cellular communications, and a short-range wireless local area network module to provide a wireless communications interface to a wireless local area network having voice over internet protocol capability. In a particular embodiment, an internet protocol address managed by a wireless LAN base station is forwarded to and stored by the mobile phone device. In another embodiment, a method of forwarding a call from a mobile phone to a wireless LAN base station is disclosed. In another illustrative embodiment, a method of communicating from a wireless LAN base station to a mobile phone is disclosed. The method includes determining that the mobile phone is within range of a wireless LAN base station, connecting the mobile phone to the wireless LAN, including retrieving an internet protocol address, connecting the mobile phone to the voice over internet protocol (VoIP) provider, including retrieving an optional port number, and sending the internet protocol address and optional port number of the VoIP provider to the cellular provider as a request to forward calls for the mobile phone through the VoIP provider.

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First Claim