System and method for providing integrated voice and data services utilizing wired cordless access with unlicensed/unregulated spectrum

• US 20040248595A1
• Filed: 07/07/2003
• Published: 12/09/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Smith, William L., Hicks, John A. III, Patterson, Gregory N.
• Granted Patent: US 8,457,082 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/465
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/18 wireless networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/185 wireless packet-switched
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42263 where the same subscriber uses different terminals, i.e. nomadism
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/0066 Details of access arrangements to the networks where the access arrangement is a PSTN/ISDN access H04M7/122
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/16 WPBX [Wireless Private Branch Exchange]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

Methods and systems provide integrated voice and data services utilizing wired cordless access with unlicensed/unregulated connectivity sources. A digital cordless telephone operates over unlicensed/unregulated spectrum in conjunction with one or more wireless access points (WAP) that are installed in homes, businesses, entertainment venues, and the like. The WAPs are connected to a communications service provider'"'"'s broadband packet data network. A user may use the device when they are in range of another wireless access point in a public or private building that also is connected to their communications service provider'"'"'s broadband packet data network.

Claims

1. A system for providing voice and data services over a wired data network and over a regulated wireless network, the system comprising:

a wireless network including one or more wireless access points wired to the wired data network, the wireless access points operative to provide wireless access to the wired data network over an unregulated wireless connection; and

one or more digital cordless handsets for communicating with the one or more wireless access points via the unregulated wireless connection in order to provide the voice and data services.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the wireless network is operated by a first provider, wherein the system further comprises a second wireless network operated by a second provider, and wherein the one or more digital cordless handsets are further operative to interoperate between the wireless network and the second wireless network.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein a one of the one or more digital cordless handsets is operative to communicate with the wired data network via any one of the wireless access points.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the one of the one or more digital cordless handsets is operative to switch between any two of the wireless access points during voice or data communication.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein switching between any two of the wireless access points comprises exiting a wireless transmission area of a first wireless access point and entering a wireless transmission area of a second wireless access point.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein the digital cordless handsets contain identification information, and wherein the identification information is transferred from the wireless network to the wired network where it is determined what voice and data services to provide based on the identification information.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the unregulated wireless connection is an IEEE 802.11b connection.

8. A method of providing voice and data services over a wired data network, comprising:

detecting a digital cordless handset in range of a wireless access point over an unregulated wireless connection, wherein the wireless access point is wired to the wired data network; and

providing for incoming calls to and outgoing calls from the digital cordless handset and through the wired data network.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

obtaining identification information from the digital cordless handset; and

determining the voice and data services to provide to the digital cordless handset over the wired data network based upon the obtained identification.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising assigning an IP address to the digital cordless handset upon detecting the handset being in range of the wireless access point, and wherein providing for incoming and outgoing calls comprises establishing a VoIP session between the digital cordless handset and the wired network through wireless access point.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein providing for incoming calls comprises detecting an IP address corresponding to a telephone number that is called and wherein the VoIP session is established with the digital cordless handset that is assigned the IP address corresponding to the telephone number.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein providing for outgoing calls comprises establishing the VoIP session when receiving a dialed number at the digital cordless handset and completing a call to the party corresponding to the dialed number.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein the unregulated wireless connection is a bluetooth connection.

22. The system of claim 12, wherein the unregulated wireless connection is an IEEE 802.11b connection.

14. A system for providing voice and data services over a wired data network, the system comprising:

a broadband residential gateway comprising a first network device for communicating with the wired data network, a second network device for providing a communications link to one or more wired network devices over a local wired network, and a wireless access point operative to provide wireless access to the wired data network over an unregulated wireless connection; and

one or more digital cordless handsets for communicating with the one or more wireless access points via the unregulated wireless connection in order to provide the voice and data services.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the one or more wired network devices comprise one or more digital wired handsets for communicating with the wired data network in order to provide the voice and data services.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the local wired network comprises a home phone networking alliance network.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the wired data network is operative to generate a telephone call directed toward the broadband residential gateway and wherein the telephone call may be answered on any of the digital cordless handsets or any of the digital wired handsets.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein the broadband residential gateway is operative to generate a telephone call directed toward the wired data network and wherein the telephone call may be initiated on any of the digital cordless handsets or any of the digital wired handsets.

19. The system of claim 15, wherein the system further comprises a directory information database and wherein any of the digital cordless handsets or any of the digital wired handsets are operative to access directory information provided by the directory information database.

20. The system of claim 14, wherein the digital cordless handsets transmit a user identifier to the wired network and wherein the system further comprises a restriction database of the wired network that applies rules to telephone calls of the digital cordless handsets based on the user of the digital cordless handset.

21. The system of claim 14, wherein the system further comprises a web interface at a personal computer linked to the wired network, wherein the web interface provides for entry of administrative information for providing the voice and data services over the wired data network.