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

• US 20050148353A1
• Filed: 01/24/2005
• Published: 07/07/2005
• 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., Hightower, Neale C. Sr.
• Granted Patent: US 7,627,338 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/466
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42246 where the subscriber uses a multi-mode terminal which moves and accesses different networks with at least one network having a wireline access including cordless PBX
• 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 8/18 Processing of user or subscriber data, e.g. subscribed services, user preferences or user profiles; Transfer of user or subscriber data
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/26 Network addressing or numbering for mobility support
• 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

Systems and methods provide integrated wireless and wired data voice and data services via a dual mode telecommunications device. A dual mode telephone operates as a digital cordless handset of a wired data network in a structure equipped with one or more wireless access points to allow voice over Internet protocol communication via the wired data network. The dual mode telecommunications device also operates as a conventional mobile wireless telephone via a licensed spectrum wireless network when the telephone is moved outside the range of a wireless access point of the user'"'"'s home or business or other venue.

Claims

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

providing for incoming communications to and outgoing communications from a dual mode device through the licensed wireless network;

detecting the dual mode device in range of a wireless access point over an unlicensed wireless connection, wherein the wireless access point is connected to the wired data network; and

in response to detecting the dual mode device in range of a wireless access point over an unlicensed wireless connection, transmitting a first message to the licensed wireless network, the first message notifying the licensed wireless network that a communication directed to or from a wireless number associated with the dual mode device be routed to an identified electrical path on the wired data network associated with the dual mode device.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising assigning an IP address to the dual mode device upon detecting the device in range of the wireless access point.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising associating the IP address with the identified electrical path on the wired data network associated with the dual mode device.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

obtaining identification information from the dual mode device for provision to the wired data network; and

determining the voice and data services to provide to the dual mode device over the wired data network based upon the obtained identification.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

after transmitting the first message to the licensed wireless network, receiving a call in the licensed wireless network directed to the wireless number associated with the dual mode device;

locating the identified electrical path on the wired data network associated with the dual mode device; and

routing the call to the identified electrical path on the wired data network associated with the dual mode device.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising establishing a voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) session between the dual mode device and the wired data network through the wireless access point.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein establishing a VoIP session between the dual mode device and the wired data network through the wireless access point further comprises detecting an IP address corresponding to the identified electrical path on the wired data network associated with the wireless number called, wherein the VoIP session is established with the dual mode device that is assigned the IP address corresponding to the identified electrical path on the wired data network.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

detecting a loss of the unlicensed wireless connection, wherein the dual mode device is moved from the range of the wireless access point;

in response to detecting the loss of the unlicensed wireless connection, transmitting a second message to the licensed wireless network, the second message notifying the licensed wireless network to route a communication directed to or from the wireless number associated with the dual mode device to the wireless number associated with the dual mode device through the licensed wireless network.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the first message is transmitted by the dual mode device.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the first message is transmitted by the wireless access point and through the wired data network.

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

an unlicensed 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 unlicensed wireless connection;

a licensed wireless network operative to provide telecommunications services on licensed wireless communications frequencies;

one or more dual mode devices associated with a wired data line number for communicating in a first mode with the one or more wireless access points via the unlicensed wireless connection in order to provide the voice and data services and further associated with a wireless number for communicating in a second mode with the licensed wireless network in order to provide the voice and data services;

switching means operatively associated with the licensed wireless network, the switching means operative to receive a message transmitted to the switching means, the message identifying the wired data line number associated with the one or more dual mode devices such that the switching means routes a communication directed to the wireless number to the wired data line number; and

routing means functionally coupled to the unlicensed wireless network, the routing means selectively operative for routing communications directed to the wireless number associated with the one or more dual mode devices to the wired data number line associated with the one or more dual mode devices.

12. The system of claim 11, further comprising:

storing means functionally coupled to the switching means and the routing means, the storing means operative to receive and store the message transmitted to the switching means.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the one or more dual mode digital cordless handsets are further operative to switch between the unlicensed wireless network and the licensed wireless network without user action.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein switching between the unlicensed wireless network and the licensed wireless network comprises exiting a wireless transmission area of the unlicensed wireless network and entering a wireless transmission area of the licensed wireless network.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the one or more dual mode devices are further operative

to detect the signaling transmissions of the licensed wireless network;

to register with the licensed wireless network; and

to switch from the unlicensed wireless network to the licensed wireless network.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein switching between the unlicensed wireless network and the licensed wireless network comprises exiting a wireless transmission area of the licensed wireless network and entering a wireless transmission area of the unlicensed wireless network.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein the one or more dual mode devices are further operative

to detect the signaling transmissions of the unlicensed wireless network;

to provide identification information to the wired data network via the unlicensed wireless network; and

to switch from the licensed wireless network to the unlicensed wireless network.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the one or more dual mode devices are further operative to transfer the identification information from the unlicensed wireless network to the wired data network where it is determined what voice and data services to provide based on the identification information.

19. The system of claim 11, wherein a one of the one or more dual mode devices is operative to communicate with the wired data network via any one of the wireless access points.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the one or more dual mode devices is operative to switch between any two of the wireless access points during voice or data communication.

21. The system of claim 20, 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.

22. The system of claim 11, wherein the unlicensed wireless connection is an IEEE 802.X connection.

23. The system of claim 11, wherein the unlicensed wireless connection is a Bluetooth connection.

24. The system of claim 11, wherein the unlicensed wireless connection is an ETSI HiperLAN connection.

25. The system of claim 11, wherein the licensed wireless connection is a GSM/GPRS connection.

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

providing for incoming communications to and outgoing communications from a dual mode device through the licensed wireless network, wherein the licensed wireless network includes a mobile switching center (MSC) capable of accessing an associated home location register (HLR);

detecting the dual mode device in range of a wireless access point over an unlicensed wireless connection, wherein the wireless access point is wired to the wired data network;

in response to detecting the dual mode device in range of a wireless access point over an unlicensed wireless connection, transmitting a first message to the MSC, the first message notifying the MSC that a communication directed to or from a wireless number associated with the dual mode device be routed to a line number associated with the dual mode device through the wired data network;

storing the first message at the HLR;

after transmitting the first message to the MSC, receiving a call at the MSC directed to the wireless number associated with the dual mode device;

locating the wired data line number associated with the dual mode device in the HLR; and

routing the call to the wired data line number associated with the dual mode device through the wired data network.