Call handling for a fixed wireless device

• US 20040198343A1
• Filed: 12/16/2002
• Published: 10/07/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/26/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Bacon, James
• Application Number:
  US10/319,937
• Publication Number:
  US 20040198343A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/426.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/71 Substation extension arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724 User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72409 by interfacing with external accessories hands-free H04M1/60
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724098 Interfacing with an on-board device of a vehicle for hands-free speaking in vehicles H04M1/6075
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/725 Cordless telephones user interfaces specially adapted therefor H04M1/724
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/10 including a GPS signal receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/24 Accounting or billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/14 WLL [Wireless Local Loop]; RLL [Radio Local Loop]

Abstract

Methods and apparatus are disclosed for establishing a fixed wireless telephone service. A fixed wireless device includes a wireless device for establishing wireless connections to a wireless communications network that interfaces with a public switched telephone network. The fixed wireless device includes a connection that provides telephone service for an ordinary POTS-based telephone, handset, computer, or other communication device. Various techniques are provided for monitoring during use and/or verifying prior to use whether the fixed wireless device remains in an intended fixed location.

Claims

1. A method of providing telephone service, comprising:

providing a wireless device configured to provide telephone service to a POTS device communicatively linked to the wireless device by communicating through a wireless telephone system;

detecting at a switch of the wireless telephone system whether the wireless device is at a first location while the wireless device is in use to provide the telephone service to the POTS device;

allowing the use to continue at the switch when the wireless device is at the first location; and

interrupting the use at the switch when the wireless device is not at the first location.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein detecting whether the wireless device is at a first location comprises:

detecting at the wireless device whether the wireless device is at the first location; and

communicating over a control channel to the switch of the wireless telephone system to instruct the switch about whether the wireless device is at the first location.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the use is an inbound call and wherein interrupting the use comprises:

upon the switch being instructed that the wireless device is not at the first location, then directing the inbound call to a voicemail service associated with the wireless device.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the use is an outbound call and wherein interrupting the use comprises:

upon the switch being instructed that the wireless device is not at the first location, then directing the outbound call to a customer service associated with the wireless device.

5. A wireless device that provides telephone service for a POTS device by communicating through a wireless telephone network, comprising:

a wireless transmission and reception portion; and

a converter that links the wireless transmission and reception portion to a POTS connection, that detects whether the wireless device is at a first location, and that provides an instruction to a switch of the wireless telephone network over a control channel about whether the wireless device is at the first location.

6. The wireless device of claim 5, wherein the POTS connection is an RJ-11 jack.

7. The wireless device of claim 5, wherein the wireless transmission and reception portion operations with digital signals.

8. A system for providing telephone service, comprising:

a wireless telephone network including a switch;

a wireless device that provides telephone service at a POTS connection through the wireless telephone network, wherein the wireless device detects whether the wireless device is at a first location and provides an instruction on a control channel to the switch about whether the wireless device is at the first location so that the switch can interrupt the use of the wireless device when the wireless device is not at the first location; and

a POTS device communicatively linked to the POTS connection.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the switch interrupts the use of the wireless device by directing an inbound call to a voicemail service of the wireless telephone network for the wireless device

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the switch interrupts the use of the wireless device by directing an outbound call to a customer service of the wireless telephone network.

11. A method of providing telephone service to a POTS device through a wireless device that communicates through a wireless telephone network, comprising:

detecting instances of usage of the wireless device at a plurality of switches of the wireless telephone network by reviewing switch records;

for instances of usage at a first switch as indicated by the switch records, charging a rate for fixed telephone service; and

for instances of usage at a second switch as indicated by the switch records, charging a rate for wireless telephone service that differs from the rate for fixed telephone service.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the rate for wireless telephone service is greater than the rate for fixed telephone service.