US20110122810A1

US20110122810A1 - Router-Based Home Network Synchronization

Info

Publication number: US20110122810A1
Application number: US12/692,509
Authority: US
Inventors: Samir M. Hodroj; Omar Hassan
Original assignee: T Mobile USA Inc
Current assignee: T Mobile USA Inc
Priority date: 2009-11-25
Filing date: 2010-01-22
Publication date: 2011-05-26
Also published as: WO2011066197A3; WO2011066180A3; US20110126095A1; EP2504964B1; EP2504965A4; US20110122774A1; US20110125898A1; EP2504964A2; WO2011066197A2; EP2504965A2; WO2011066181A3; WO2011066180A2; US20110125925A1; US8874741B2; WO2011066153A2; WO2011066153A3; EP2504965B1; EP2504964A4; WO2011066196A3; US8346976B2

Abstract

Described herein is a home data router and a plurality of home communication devices that utilize the home data router for voice and data connectivity. The home data router includes functionality for synchronizing user-added data items across the plurality of home communication devices. Such user-added data items can include things like contacts, addresses, telephone numbers, events, calendar items, notes, and other information that might be useful to have stored in individual home communication devices.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/264,627, entitled “Connected Home” and filed on Nov. 25, 2009. Application No. 61/264,627 is fully incorporated herein by this reference.

BACKGROUND

The lines between different types of communications continue to blur as more and more communications and media transfers take place over common digital networks such as the Internet. In the past, there were different channels for different types of messaging. In particular, voice communications used to take place primarily over dedicated, wired telephone systems. More recently, voice communications have used dedicated wireless technologies such as cellular networks. Even more recently, however, various types of networks are being used for many different types of media exchanges. For example, the public Internet can be used for many different types of communications, including voice communications. Similarly, cellular networks are increasingly being used to convey non-voice data to and from portable devices, including data and content that is normally thought of as belonging to the Internet. In effect, many different networks and networking technologies are being joined and fused, to create a single world-wide data network.
Despite the trend for commonality in data formats, protocols, and media, home consumer devices often cling to older, dedicated technologies. Home telephones, for example, are often stand-alone systems that communicate primarily using legacy, wired telephone infrastructures. Although wireless home telephones are widely used, they normally are not part of the more integrated infrastructure and information corpus with which our cellular phones and personal computers communicate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description is set forth with reference to the accompanying figures, in which the left-most digit of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The use of the same reference numbers in different figures indicates similar or identical items or features.

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of a first exemplary home communications system.

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic representation of a second exemplary home communications system.

FIG. 3 is a simplified block diagram of an exemplary home router.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are flowcharts showing exemplary synchronization procedures.

FIG. 6 is a simplified block diagram of an exemplary local communications device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Described herein are components, devices, and techniques for integrating home telephones and other voice communications devices with the larger communications and information infrastructure that is now available. A network router connects to a communications infrastructure such as the Internet and also communicates with local communications devices such as handheld voice communication devices or handsets. The router has one or more local ports that communicate with the voice communication devices. The local ports can include a wireless network access point, wired analog telephone ports, a wireless telephone transceiver such as a DECT digital telephone transceiver, and/or other types of dedicated or networked ports such as Ethernet ports. In addition to normal network routing functionality for use in conjunction with various types of networked computer devices, the router acts as a telecommunications base station for associated voice communications devices, and includes synchronization features or logic to synchronize user-added information across such devices. The user-added information may include things like contact/address information, calendar events, notes, tasks, photographs, and similar types of user-added or user-specific information that might be useful to have available at the devices.

Overview

FIG. 1 shows relevant components of a home communications system 100 in accordance with various embodiments. System 100 includes an integrated home router and telecommunications base station 102 (referred to below as home router 102). Home router 102 has conventional network and Internet routing features, as well as other capabilities such as wireless telephone base station capabilities.
Home router 102, in the embodiment of FIG. 1, includes a wide-area network (WAN) interface or port 104, data routing logic 106, and one or more local communication interfaces or ports 108.
WAN interface 104 can comprise an Ethernet communications port for connection to an Internet data source or other wide-area network source. Other types of network interfaces might also be utilized. In some embodiments, WAN interface 104 can be a radio or other wireless transceiver that transmits and receives radio frequency communications via an antenna. The radio interface may facilitate wireless connectivity between the home router 102 and various cell towers, base stations and/or wide area access points.
Local communication interfaces 108 can comprise various types of wired and wireless interfaces, configured for communication with a plurality of local devices such as computers, gaming consoles, media players, servers, other computer-like devices, and voice communication devices. Local interfaces 108 include any one or more of an Ethernet interface, wireless LAN interface, a near field interface, a DECT chipset, or an interface for an RJ-11 or RJ-45 port. The wireless LAN interface can include a Wi-Fi interface or a Wi-Max interface, or a Bluetooth interface that performs the function of transmitting and receiving wireless communications using, for example, the IEEE 802.11, 802.16 and/or 802.20 standards. For instance, home router 102 can use a Wi-Fi interface to communicate directly with a nearby device. The near field interface can include a Bluetooth® interface or RFID for transmitting and receiving near field radio communications via a near field antenna. For example, the near field interface may be used for functions, as is known in the art, such as communicating directly with nearby devices that are also, for instance, Bluetooth® or RFID enabled. A reader/interrogator may be incorporated into home router 102.
In this example, local communication interfaces 108 include a wireless network interface or access point 110, also referred to as a Wi-Fi access point. Wireless network interface 110 can be an IEEE 802.11x wireless interface, access point, or transceiver, for connection to various different types of computers and other devices.
Local communication interfaces 108 can also comprise a wireless digital telephone transceiver or interface 112 and one or more wired, analog telephone ports or interfaces 114. Wireless digital telephone interface 112 can be a DECT digital telephone interface for communication with multiple digital handsets or other DECT-compliant devices. Analog telephone interfaces 114 are legacy wired telephone ports, referred to as POTS (“Plain Old Telephone Service”) interfaces.
A variety of handsets, handheld voice communications devices, and other local devices 116 can be associated with home router 102. The example of FIG. 1 includes a computer 116(a) as an example of a computing device that might connect by Wi-Fi to home router 102, using Wi-Fi interface 110. Computer 116(a) can have voice capabilities, allowing voice-over-IP (VoIP) telephony through home router 102.
Telephone handsets 116(b), 116(c), and 116(d) are examples of local voice communication devices or handsets that can be associated with home router 102. Communication device 116(b) is a digital telephone or DECT handset that connects to home router 102 through wireless digital telephone interface 112. Communication device 116(c) is an example of a VoIP handset that connects through Wi-Fi interface 110 for voice communications. Communication device 116(d) is an example of a legacy telephone or handset that connects to home router 102 through one of its analog interfaces 114.
The local computing devices 116 are merely examples of many different types of devices that may utilize the connectivity and services of home router 102. Other devices, having different combinations of communications technologies, may also be used. For example, personal digital assistants (PDA), cell phones, smartphones, and other devices having various functionality and features may be associated for communications through home router 102. Furthermore, cellular devices and other communications or computing devices may also have Wi-Fi or DECT capabilities for use with home router 102. In addition, home router 102 may include other types of wired and wireless local communication interfaces 108, as noted above, through which different local devices might connect.
In conjunction with home router 102, local devices 116 comprise a private home network, such as a local area network (LAN) or personal area network (PAN). As discussed above, communications over the home network may be wired, wireless, or both. Also, communications devices 116 of the home network may utilize any sort of communication protocol known in the art for sending and receiving messages, such as the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), and/or the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP). In one embodiment, communications related to telephony conform to SIP for later transmission by the home router 102 to a telephonic service provider network. Communications also conform to TCP/IP and/or HTTP for transmission across the home network.
WAN interface 104 can be connected to a wide-area network such as the Internet, often through an Internet Service Provider (ISP). Data routing logic 106 routes data between the wide-area network and the various devices 116 that are connected to or associated with home router 102, using the standards and protocols mentioned above. WAN interface 104 is also capable of communicating with a telephone service or telephonic service provider network to facilitate voice communications between local devices 116 and remote telephonic devices. Some telephonic service providers might be accessible through the Internet using VoIP technology, while others might be accessible over proprietary and private networks. In some cases, WAN interface 104 can connect to a private telephonic service provider network using secure encryption technology such as a virtual private network (VPN) tunnel.
Local devices 116 can place and receive voice calls through home router 102. In some cases, the local device might simply use home router 102 as a data conduit for voice data. This might be the case with computer 116, which might have VoIP client software for placing and receiving telephone calls in conjunction with an Internet-based telephonic service provider. Handheld devices such as 116(b) and 116(c) might similarly have self-contained capabilities for placing and receiving voice calls once they have Internet connectivity.
Home router 102 can also, or alternatively, have an internal call handler 120 that makes and receives voice calls and connects them with an appropriate one of local devices 116. Specifically, call handler 120 facilitates voice calls with local devices 116 and through the one or more local communication interfaces 108 and the wide-area network interface 104. In this situation, the VoIP or other telephonic software is implemented largely within home router 102. Local devices 116 act as clients to call handler 120, communicating with call handler 120 through local communication interfaces 108. Call handler 120 in turn communicates with a telephonic service provider through WAN interface 104. In the case of analog telephone 116(d), call handler 120 facilitates voice calls with analog telephone 118(c) through the one or more analog telephone ports 114.
The logic and software for establishing and controlling voice calls can be distributed between home router 102 and local devices 116 in different ways. Whether communications are controlled by local devices 116, or by call handler 120 of home router 102, IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem) and SIP protocols can be used to implement voice and other types of communications.
Home router 102 also has a user data synchronization module or logic 122. Synchronization logic 122 is configured to access user-added information items from a user data store 124 and to synchronize user-added information items across the plurality of local devices 116, through the one or more local communication interfaces 108.
User-added information items can comprise a variety of data objects, representing specific items of information added by or specific to users or a household of users, such as contacts and address book information, notes, pictures, etc.
In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1, user-added information items are stored in database 124, which is external and accessible to home router 102. However, user-added information 124 could also be stored in a database internal to home router 102.
User-added information 124 can be entered and maintained in different ways, including by manual entry using any one of local devices 116. For example, individual handsets can have user interfaces that allow users to enter specific information such as telephone numbers, addresses, etc. Once entered at an individual handset, the information is conveyed through local communication interfaces 108 to synchronization logic 122, which in turn updates user data store 124 and pushes the new information to any other local communication devices 116 associated with home router 102. Alternatively, each of local communication devices 116 may periodically poll home router 102 to detect any changes in user-added information and to update its local information accordingly. Thus, within a short time, all of the local communication devices are updated to contain the same information.
Specific examples of user-added information can include, without limitation:
a. calendar events;
b. messages;
c. contacts;
d. photographs;
e. audio;
f. notes;
g. tasks;
h. email;
i. voicemail;
j. logs;
k. personal locations; and
l. configuration.
User data store 124 can take many forms, from a simple memory structure to a complex application with flexible application programming interfaces (APIs). In the embodiment described herein, user data store 124 is implemented as a network-based service, accessible over either a local-area network or a wide-area network using APIs.
FIG. 2 shows another example of how a home communications system 200 might be implemented to synchronize user-added information across various local devices. In this example, home communications system 200 includes home router 102, as already described. For simplicity, only the call handler 120 and synchronization logic 122 of home router 102 are shown here.
Home router 102 forms a base station for local devices 116, which in this example can be wireless (using DECT, or Wi-Fi interfaces) handsets designed for specific compatibility with the call handling and user data synchronization features of home router 102. They form part of a home network as described above with reference to FIG. 1, and connect to home router 102 through local communication interfaces 108.
System 200 includes a telecommunications service or telephonic service provider network 204, implemented by a telephone service provider. Telephone service 204 can be a VoIP-based service, a cellular network, or any other type of telephonic service with access to the world-wide telephonic infrastructure. In various embodiments, the service provider network 204 is associated with a service provider, such as a provider of telecommunication services, data services, messaging services, mobile cellular services, etc. The service provider network 204 can be a private network of that service provider and might include cellular data and communication networks.
In this example, home router 102 and its call handler 120 communicate with telephone service 204 through a wide-area network 206. Wide-area network 206 represents any one or more networks known in the art, such as cellular networks and/or data networks, including wide area networks (WANs), LANs, PANs, and/or the Internet. A connection between the home router 102 and the service provider network 204 may be through a number of routers, base stations, and/or devices acting as bridges between cellular and data networks. Communications between the home router 102 and the service provider network 204 may utilize any sort of communication protocol known in the art for sending and receiving messages, such as TCP/IP and/or HTTP. In some embodiments, wide-area network 206 also includes an Internet service provider (ISP) providing Internet connectivity to the home router 102. In many embodiment, wide-area network 206 can be thought of simply as the Internet.
In many embodiments, home router 102 communicates with telephone service 204 using a secure tunnel 208, established through the Internet or other wide-area network using virtual private network (VPN) technologies. This ensures data security and privacy.
As noted above, user data store 124 can be located remotely from home router 102. In the example of FIG. 2, user data store 124 is accessible through wide-area network 206. Access to user added data 124 can be through another secure VPN tunnel 210, or using some other secure data exchange protocol. Alternatively, user-added data 124 might be part of and accessible through telephone service 204.

Example Systems

FIG. 3 illustrates a simplified, component level view of an example home router 102, in accordance with various embodiments. As shown, the home router 102 includes a one or more processors 302 and memory 304.
In some embodiments, the processor(s) 302 is a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), or both CPU and GPU, or other processing unit or component known in the art.
Generally, memory 304 contains computer-readable instructions that are accessible and executable by processor 302. Memory 304 may comprise a variety of computer readable storage media, including both volatile and non-volatile storage media (e.g., RAM, ROM, Flash Memory, miniature hard drive, memory card, or the like). Additionally, in some embodiments, memory 304 includes one or more SIM (subscriber identity module, not shown) cards, which are removable memory cards used to identify a user of the home router 102 to the telephone service 204.
Any number of program modules can be stored in the memory, including by way of example, an operating system, one or more applications, other program modules, and program data. Each of such program modules and program data (or some combination thereof) is executable by processor 302 to implement all or part of the logic and functionality described herein. Specific relevant examples of possible program modules are shown in FIG. 3, but others may also be utilized to perform various functions described herein. Note that the described functions can also be implemented in other ways within home router 102, such as with various types of hardwired logic or firmware. In addition, the various functions and responsibilities may be segregated or distributed in different ways. The arrangement of FIG. 3 is just one example of how these functions might be implemented.
In this example, relevant modules of memory 304 include a communications module 306, a call handling module 308, a device synchronization module 310, and other modules and data 312. The functions of these modules will be described in more detail below.
Home router 102 also has LAN ports 314, one or more WAN ports 316, and data routing logic 318. LAN ports 314 are various local network ports, including Ethernet ports and the local device ports 108 described with reference to FIG. 1. WAN ports 316 can also be one or more Ethernet ports, and correspond to the WAN interface 104 of FIG. 1. Data routing logic 318 routes IP packets or other network data between WAN ports 316 and LAN ports 314, in accordance with known protocols. Data routing logic 318 is shown as being a discrete component, but alternatively can be executed by processor(s) 302 as a program module contained and stored within memory 304.
Referring now to both FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, in the described embodiment communications module 306 comprises one or more program modules configured to manage communications and data routing between the various local communications devices 116. Call handling module 308 comprises one or more program modules configured to manage voice calls between local communication devices 116 and telephone service 204. Device synchronization module 310 comprises one or more program modules configured to synchronize user-added data and information, as described above, between local communications devices and user data store 124. In some embodiments, device synchronization module 310 may be configured to pro-actively notify local communications devices 116 of any new or changed user-added data and information, and to therefore push this information to local communications devices 116. In other embodiments, a pull model might be utilized, wherein device synchronization module 310 responds to periodic queries from the local devices 116 to provide the user-added information to local devices 116.
As mentioned above, user data store 124 can be part of the telephone service network 204 and accessible through telephone service network 204. Alternatively, user data store 124 can be a local device or server, accessible through one of LAN ports 314. In some embodiments, there may not be a central store such as user data store 124. Rather, user-added information might simply be stored on local communications devices 116, and propagated from one to the rest of the local communications devices 116 upon any change to the user-added information. In still other embodiments, home router 102 itself may contain the user-added data store.
FIGS. 4 and 5 show functions performed by device synchronization module 310. In FIG. 4, at block 402, synchronization module 310 receives a new or changed user item from a local communications device 116. This is normally in response to a user entering or changing some information item using local communications device 116, such as the user entering contact or calendar information via local communications device 116. In response to receiving the new or changed user item, at block 404 synchronization module 310 saves the new or changed user item to user data store 124. In some embodiments, this is accomplished by issuing appropriate network API calls to a remote server. In other embodiments, this might be accomplished by simply referencing a data structure internal to home router 102. Also in response to receiving the new or changed user item, at block 406 synchronization module 310 pushes or sends the new or changed user item to other local communications devices 116, so that all local communications devices have the same information.
FIG. 5 illustrates a situation in which a user item might be changed on user data store 124 independently of any of local communication devices 116. This might happen, for example, when user data store is implemented as an Internet-based service accessible over the Internet from various computers. In this situation, a device other than local communications devices 102 might be used to create or alter user items within user data store 124. In order to accommodate this scenario, synchronization module 310, at block 502, periodically queries user data store 124 to determine whether any changes of occurred in user-added data. If no changes have occurred, as indicated by decision block 504, the query is repeated after an appropriate time delay 506. If a change has occurred, block 508 is performed, comprising receiving the new or changed data item. In block 510, synchronization module 310 pushes the changed user item to all of local communications devices 116.
FIG. 6 illustrates a component level view of an example local communications device 116 in accordance with various embodiments. As shown, the device 116 may include one or more processors 602 and memory 604.
In some embodiments, the processor(s) 602 is a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), or both CPU and GPU, or other processing unit or component known in the art.
Generally, memory 604 contains computer-readable instructions that are accessible and executable by processor 602. Memory 604 may comprise a variety of computer readable storage media, including both volatile and non-volatile storage media (e.g., RAM, ROM, Flash Memory, miniature hard drive, memory card, or the like). Additionally, in some embodiments, memory 304 includes one or more SIM (subscriber identity module, not shown) cards, which are removable memory cards used to identify a user communications device 116 to a telephone service or service provider.
Any number of program modules can be stored in the memory, including by way of example, an operating system, one or more applications, other program modules, and program data. Each of such program modules and program data (or some combination thereof) is executable by processor 602 to implement all or part of the logic and functionality described herein. Specific relevant examples of possible program modules are shown in FIG. 6, but others may also be utilized to perform various functions described herein. Note that the described functions can also be implemented in other ways within communications device 116, such as with various types of hardwired logic or firmware. In addition, the various functions and responsibilities may be segregated or distributed in different ways. The arrangement of FIG. 6 is just one example of how these functions might be implemented.
In this example, relevant modules of memory 604 include a communications module 606, a user interface module 608, a user item management module 610, and other modules and data 612.
Communications module 606 comprises communications comprises one or more program modules configured to manage communications and data routing between the local communications device 116 and home router 102. User interface module 608 comprises one or more program modules configured to interact with a user, allowing the user to make and receive calls, to receive notifications and other information, and to enter or change information such as user-added information items.
User item management module 610 comprises one or more program modules configured to manage local storage of user information items and to coordinate exchange of user information items with home router 102. For example, user item management module 610 may receive push notifications from home router 102, indicating new or changed user information items. User item management module 610 responds to such notifications by obtaining or receiving the new or changed user information items and storing them locally. Alternatively, user item management module 610 may periodically poll home router 102 to determine whether there are any new or changed user information items. If it finds that there are such new or changed user information items, user item management module may obtain or receive the new or changed user information items and store them locally.

- The other modules and data 612 are modules for enabling voice and data communications to and from the device 116 as well as other modules for any other number of device functions for telecommunications, media, and computing devices known in the art.

Local communications device 116 further includes one or more communications interfaces 614, a display 616, output devices 618, and input devices 620.
In various embodiments, the communication interfaces 614 are any sort of interfaces known in the art, such as any one or more of an Ethernet interface, wireless LAN interface, a near field interface, a DECT chipset, or an interface for an RJ-11 or RJ-45 port. The a wireless LAN interface can include a Wi-Fi interface or a Wi-Max interface, or a Bluetooth interface that performs the function of transmitting and receiving wireless communications using, for example, the IEEE 802.11, 802.16 and/or 802.20 standards. For instance, the device 116 can use a Wi-Fi interface to communicate directly with home router 116. The near field interface can include a Bluetooth® interface or RFID for transmitting and receiving near field radio communications via a near field antenna. For example, the near field interface may be used for functions, as are known in the art, such as communicating directly with nearby devices that are also, for instance, Bluetooth® or RFID enabled. A reader/interrogator may be incorporated into device 116.
In various embodiments, the display 616 is a liquid crystal display or any other type of display commonly used in telecommunication devices. For example, display 616 may be a touch-sensitive display screen, and can then also act as an input device or keypad, such as for providing a soft-key keyboard, navigation buttons, or the like.
In some embodiments, the output devices 618 include any sort of output devices known in the art, such as a display (already described as display 616), speakers, a vibrating mechanism, or a tactile feedback mechanism. Output devices 618 also include ports for one or more peripheral devices, such as headphones, peripheral speakers, or a peripheral display.
In various embodiments, input devices 620 include any sort of input devices known in the art. For example, input devices 620 may include a microphone, a keyboard/keypad, or a touch-sensitive display (such as the touch-sensitive display screen described above). A keyboard/keypad may be a push button numeric dialing pad (such as on a typical telecommunication device), a multi-key keyboard (such as a conventional QWERTY keyboard), or one or more other types of keys or buttons, and may also include a joystick-like controller and/or designated navigation buttons, or the like.
Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed as exemplary forms of implementing the claims.

Claims

1. A telecommunications base station comprising:

one or more wireless interfaces configured for communication with a plurality of handheld voice communication devices;

a communications port capable of communicating with a telephone service;

a call handler that facilitates voice calls with the handheld voice communication devices through the one or more wireless interfaces, the communications port, and the telephone service; and

synchronization logic configured to access user-added information and to synchronize the user-added information across the plurality of handheld voice communication devices through the one or more wireless interfaces.

2. A telecommunications base station as recited in claim 1, wherein the communications port is a wide-area network port configured for connection to the Internet.

3. A telecommunications base station as recited in claim 1 wherein:

the communications port is a wide-area network port configured for connection to the Internet;

the telecommunications base station further comprises data routing logic to route data to and from the Internet; and

the one or more wireless interfaces comprises a wireless network access point that connects local wireless devices to the Internet.

4. A telecommunications base station as recited in claim 1, the synchronization logic being further configured to receive new user-added information from the plurality of handheld voice communications devices and in response to synchronize the new user-added information across the plurality of handheld voice communication devices.

5. A telecommunications base station as recited in claim 1, the synchronization logic being further configured to access the user-added information from a remote server over a wide area network.

6. A telecommunications base station as recited in claim 1, the synchronization logic being further configured to access the user-added information from a local server or local data store.

7. A telecommunications base station as recited in claim 1, wherein the user-added information comprises one or more of the following:

calendar events;

messages;

contacts;

photographs;

audio;

notes;

tasks;

email;

voicemail;

logs;

personal locations; and

configuration.

8. A telecommunications base station as recited in claim 1, the one or more wireless interfaces comprising one or more of a wireless network access point, a DECT digital telephone transceiver, and a wireless telephone transceiver.

9. A telecommunications base station as recited in claim 1, further comprising one or more analog telephone ports for connection to analog telephones, wherein the call handler facilitates voice calls with the analog telephones through the one or more analog telephone ports, the communications port, and the telephone service.

10. A data router comprising:

a plurality of wireless data interfaces configured to communicate with a plurality of local devices; and

synchronization logic configured to receive user-added information via a first of the wireless data interfaces from a first of the local devices and to synchronize the user-added information via a second of the wireless data interfaces with a second of the local devices.

11. A data router as recited in claim 10, wherein the synchronization logic is configured to push the user added information to the second of the local devices.

12. A data router as recited in claim 10, wherein the synchronization logic is configured to respond to periodic queries from the second of the local devices to provide the user-added information to the second of the local devices.

13. A data router as recited in claim 10, further comprising:

a wide-area network port for connection to a wide-area data network;

said one or more wireless data interfaces comprising a wireless network access point; and

routing logic configured to route data between the plurality of local devices and the wide-area data network.

14. A data router as recited in claim 10, further comprising a call handler that facilitates voice calls with the local devices through the one or more wireless data interfaces and the wide-area network.

15. A data router as recited in claim 10, further comprising:

a call handler that facilitates voice calls with the local devices through the one or more wireless data interfaces and the wide-area network; and

the one or more wireless interfaces further comprising one or more of a wireless network access point, a DECT digital telephone transceiver, and a wireless telephone transceiver.

16. A data router as recited in claim 10, further comprising:

the one or more wireless interfaces further comprising a wireless telephone transceiver.

17. A data router as recited in claim 10, the synchronization logic being further configured to access user-added information from a server or data store and to synchronize the accessed user-added information across the local devices.

18. A data router as recited in claim 10, the synchronization logic being further configured to access the user-added information from a remote server over the wide area data network.

19. A data router as recited in claim 10, the synchronization logic being further configured to access the user-added information from a local server or local data store.

20. A data router as recited in claim 10, wherein the user-added information comprises one or more of the following: