Spread spectrum wireless communication system

• US 20030219063A1
• Filed: 04/14/2003
• Published: 11/27/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/1991
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jeffrey S. Vanderpool
• Original Assignee: Jeffrey S. Vanderpool
• Inventors: Vanderpool, Jeffrey S.
• Granted Patent: US 7,120,187 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 375/130
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/2618 using hybrid code-time division multiple access [CDMA-TDMA]
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/2628 using code-division multiple access [CDMA] or spread spectrum multiple access [SSMA] H04B7/2618 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04J 13/00 Code division multiplex systems for frequency hopping H04B1/713
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/0066 of control information between different types of networks in order to establish a new radio link in the target network
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/14 Reselecting a network or an air interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/142 over the same radio air interface technology
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/16 Communication-related supplementary services, e.g. call-transfer or call-hold
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 Connection setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/16 WPBX [Wireless Private Branch Exchange]

Abstract

A system for accessing a telephone system, in which a set of user stations are matched with a set of base stations for connection to a telephone network. Each base station may be coupled directly or indirectly to the telephone network and may be capable of initiating or receiving calls on the telephone network. Each user station may comprise a spread-spectrum transmitter or receiver and may be capable of dynamic connection to selected base stations. A plurality of base stations may be coupled to a private exchange telephone system for coupling user stations in calls outside the telephone network. User stations may use CDMA, FDMA, TDMA or other multiple-access techniques to obtain one or more clear communication paths to base stations. Base stations may be placed at convenient locations or may themselves be mobile. User stations may make and break connections with base stations as the user station moves between service regions, or is otherwise more advantageously serviced by, base stations. User stations may direct requests to and receive information from an enhanced telephone services processor, so as to obtain enhanced telephone services within the telephone network. Base stations may be coupled to each other by means of a private exchange telephone system or other small business telephone system (such as a PBX, Centrex, or key-type system) so as to couple user stations in calls outside the telephone network. User stations may also be coupled directly or indirectly to the telephone network on their own or by another access path, such as narrowband or spread-spectrum cellular telephone circuits.

Claims

1. A wireless communication system, comprising a base station coupled to a telephone network and having means for initiating a call on said telephone network and means for receiving a call on said telephone network;

and

a user station having means for completing a communication path with said base station, said communication path employing a spread-spectrum communication technique;

wherein said communication path is completed between said base station and said user station when said user station initiates or receives a call on said telephone network.

2. A system as in claim 1, wherein said base station is coupled to said telephone network by a private access link.

3. A system as in claim 1, wherein said base station is coupled to said telephone network by a public access link.

4. A system as in claim 1, wherein said base stations are mobile.

5. A system as in claim 1, wherein said base stations are stationary.

6. A system as in claim 1, comprising

a second base station coupled to a telephone network and having means for initiating a call on said telephone network and means for receiving a call on said telephone network;

and

means for breaking said communication path between said one base station and said user station and for completing a second communication path between said second base station and said user station.

7. A system as in claim 6, wherein said means for breaking and for completing comprises means for handing-off said user station from said one base station to said second base station during a call on said telephone network.

8. A system as in claim 6, wherein said means for breaking and for completing comprises means for handing-off said user station from said one base station to said second base station when said user station moves from a first region to a second region.

9. A system as in claim 6, comprising a plurality of cluster controllers for controlling a set of base stations, wherein said means for breaking and for completing comprises means for handing-off said user station from said one base station to said second base station when said user station terminates a call relating to a first cluster controller and initiates a call relating to a second cluster controller.

10. A system as in claim 1, wherein said user station comprises means for directing requests to an enhanced telephone services processor on said telephone network.

11. A system as in claim 1, wherein said user station comprises means for receiving information from an enhanced telephone services processor on said telephone network.

12. A system as in claim 1, wherein said user station comprises means for initiating a call on said telephone network and means for receiving a call on said telephone network independently of said base station.

13. A system as in claim 12, wherein said means for initiating and receiving independently comprises a cellular telephone circuit.

14. A system as in claim 12, comprising a second base station coupled to said telephone network and having means for coupling a cellular telephone circuit to said telephone network.

15. A system as in claim 12, comprising a spread-spectrum cellular telephone system having said user station as a cellular telephone handset and at least one base station as a cellular telephone base station.

16. A system as in claim 1, comprising

a second communication path between said base station and said user station;

and

means for multiplexing signals between said base station and said user station over said one communication path and said second communication path.

17. A system as in claim 16, comprising means for distinguishing a plurality of channels on said one communication path and said second communication path.

18. A system as in claim 16, wherein said one communication path and said second communication path comprise a plurality of logical identifiers, said logical identifiers being frequency bands, spread-spectrum codes, station identifiers, or timeslots.

19. A wireless communication system, comprising

a first base station coupled to a telephone network and having means for initiating a call on said telephone network and means for receiving a call on said telephone network;

a first user station having means for completing a communication path with said first base station, said communication path employing a spread-spectrum communication technique; and

a private exchange telephone system coupled to said first base station and to a second base station, capable of routing a call between said first user station and a second user station coupled to said second base station;

wherein said communication path is completed between said first base station and said first user station when said first user station initiates or receives a call on said telephone network and when said first user station initiates or receives a call with said second user station outside said telephone network.

20. A system as in claim 19, wherein said private exchange telephone system comprises a PBX.

22. A system as in claim 19, wherein said private exchange telephone system comprises a key-type system.

23. A system as in claim 19, comprising

a third base station coupled to said telephone network;

and

means for breaking said communication path between said first base station and said first user station and for completing a second communication path between said third base station and said first user station.

24. A system as in claim 23, wherein said means for breaking and for completing comprises means for handing-off said first user station from said first base station to said third base station during a call outside said telephone network.

21. A system as in claim i9, wherein said private exchange telephone system comprises a Centrex system.

25. A wireless communication system, comprising a plurality of base stations coupled to a telephone network and having means for initiating a call on said telephone network and means for receiving a call on said telephone network;

a plurality of user stations having means for completing communication paths with said base stations, at least one of said communication paths employing a spread-spectrum communication technique; and

means for routing a call from a first one of said base stations to a second one of said base stations;

whereby one of said user stations is capable of initiating or receiving a call on said telephone network by means of one of said communication paths and is capable of initiating or receiving a call outside said telephone network by means of said means for routing.

26. A system as in claim 25, wherein said means for routing comprises a PBX, Centrex or key-type system.

27. A system as in claim 25, comprising at least one of said user stations coupled to said means for routing by means of a communication path not including any of said base stations.