Method and system for automatically providing handset operational status information to a wireless carrier

• US 20060046750A1
• Filed: 12/18/2002
• Published: 03/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Michel Deschenes
• Original Assignee: Michel Deschenes
• Inventors: Deschenes, Michel
• Granted Patent: US 7,567,813 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/462
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724 User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/021 adapted for Wireless Local Loop operation

Abstract

Discloses a system to provide cellular handset operational status information to wireless carriers relating to insertion or proximity of mobile cellular handsets to a hybrid fixed wireless interface (HFWI) device. Upon handset coupling to a HFWI, by insertion of the handset into a receiving connector on the HFWI or proximity of the handset to the HFWI, the system controls the handset to update the signalling protocol to inform the wireless carrier of an interfaced and operational operation mode. In an alternative arrangement upon handset coupling to the HFWI, the HFWI instructs the handset to transmit an interfaced and operational mode of operation message to the wireless carrier. In a preferred embodiment upon removal of the handset from the HFWI, or the handset being taken out of reach of HFWI proximity sensing, the system reverts to the conventional signalling protocol indicating a non-interfaced (mobile) operation mode to the carrier.

Claims

1. A method for a hybrid fixed wireless interface HFWI and a handset equipped with a wireless communication dataport such as a Bluetooth cellular handset BCH capable of a fixed interfaced mode of operation wherein both devices interoperate locally wirelessly exchanging incoming and outgoing voice and internet access and communications functions, characterized in that:

upon coupling of a BCH to an HFWI over a dataport, the HFWI instructs the BCH to transmit a fixed interfaced operational status message to the subscribed wireless operator indicating that the HFWI and the BCH are in a fixed interfaced mode of operation.

2. The method of claim 1 further including the step of the HFWI instructing the BCH to follow a routine, which upon extraction of the BCH from the HFWI will indicate to the subscribed wireless operator that the BCH is no longer in said fixed interfaced mode of operation.

3. The method of claims 1 or 2 wherein the step of communicating the fixed interfaced mode of operation message is effected between the BCH and the subscribed wireless operator by one of:

a) the next exchange of information through a signaling protocol request message,

b) substantially immediately through a data message, and

c) the establishment of heartbeat signaling between the HFWI and the BCH.

4. The method of claims 1 or 2 wherein the step of communicating the said fixed interfaced mode of operation message includes a time out period and receiving an acknowledgement message from the wireless operator.

5. The method of claim 2 further including the step of downloading a routine or instruction to the BCH when in proximity of the HFWI to be executed upon one of the following:

a) uncoupling of the dataport line between BCH and the HFWI,

b) the absence of heartbeat signaling between the BCH and the HFWI

so that the subscribed wireless operator is informed by the BCH that the BCH and the HFWI are no longer in said fixed interfaced mode of operation.

6. The method of claim 2 further including the step of activating a BCH having a preloaded routine to be executed upon one of the following events:

a) uncoupling of the dataport line between BCH and the HFWI,

b) the absence of heartbeat signaling between the BCH and the HFWI

so that the subscribed wireless operator is informed by the BCH that the BCH and the HFWI are no longer in said fixed interfaced mode of operation.

9. A method to produce one of a plurality of ringing signal patterns towards residential analog telephones characterized as:

A HFWI identifying and producing a ringing signal indicative of which BCH in said mutual operability as defined in claim 1 is the originator of the incoming call.

7. Apparatus for establishing a status indication of a Bluetooth cellular handset (BCH) at a subscribed network operation data center comprising:

a) means for instructing a Bluetooth cellular handset BCH to transmit a status message to a wireless carrier network operation data center indicating either one of a fixed interfaced mode of operation of the BCH or an absence of a fixed interfaced mode of operation of the BCH; and

b) receiving means at said wireless carrier network operation data center to maintain the status indication of each respectively subscribed BCH of the wireless operator.

8. A method for operating a HFWI relay to locally passthrough copper pair or alternative available telephone service access directly to residential analog telephones characterized as:

a default mode in the absence of at least one operable BCH in a fixed interfaced mode of operation.

10. A method for a HFWI to trigger into action a BCH user interface display and functional profile appropriate to complement said fixed and interfaced mode of operation.

11. A method for a HFWI and a BCH to block said fixed and interfaced mode of operation, when one or a series of local and remote conditions are not met.

12. The method of claim 11 further including the steps of monitoring BCH local and remote conditions including:

a) air-interface wireless signal and operator services capabilities;

b) BCH local wireless signal and operation;

c) local signal interference;

d) local BCH charging mode and voice and internet data functions and capabilities;

e) charging device power and identification match; and

f) a time out period.