Presence detection for cellular and internet protocol telephony

• US 20060121916A1
• Filed: 07/18/2005
• Published: 06/08/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/16/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bridgeport Networks, Inc. (Alianza, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Bridgeport Networks, Inc. (Alianza, Inc.)
• Inventors: O'Brien, James D. Jr., De Verteuil, Andre, Aborn, Justin A., Bogdanovic, Ivan Dean, Freter, Karl E., Jhawar, Sanjay S., Wiatrak, Bruce M., Samuelsson, Mats A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,809,381 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/456.500
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/1091 Fixed mobile conversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/20 hybrid systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/30 Determination of the location of a subscriber
• 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 36/0011 for data sessions of end-to-end connection
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/14 Reselecting a network or an air interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/24 Reselection being triggered by specific parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/32 by location or mobility data, e.g. speed data
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/021 Services related to particular areas, e.g. point of interest [POI] services, venue services or geofences
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/16 Communication-related supplementary services, e.g. call-transfer or call-hold
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/08 Access restriction or access information delivery, e.g. discovery data delivery signalling during connection H04W76/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 60/04 using triggered events
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 80/10 adapted for application session management, e.g. SIP [Session Initiation Protocol] connection management H04W76/00; arrangements for session management H04L67/14
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/045 using private Base Stations, e.g. femto Base Stations, home Node B
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/02 Inter-networking arrangements

Abstract

A telephone system supports communication with user devices over both a cellular radio network as well as over an Internet Protocol (IP) network, and enables roaming and active call handoff between cellular and IP domains. Approaches to detecting presence of a user near a suitable IP network are used in controlling transitions between the domains, for example, enabling automatic transitions between domains, and delivery of calls to a mobile user to data network devices in the vicinity of the user.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

detecting a location of a mobile unit of a telephone system; and

using the detected location of the mobile unit, selectively enabling a user to receive calls a data communication system coupled to the telephone system.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising, using the detected location of the mobile unit, selectively disabling receiving calls to the mobile unit over a radio system of the telephone system.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising controlling the telephone system to selectively enable the user to receive calls over the radio system of the telephone system and over the data communication system coupled to the telephone system.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the telephone system comprises a cellular telephone system.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the data communication system comprises a data network.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the data network comprises an Internet Protocol (IP) network.

7. The method of claim 5 wherein the data network comprises a wireless local area network.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein detecting the location of the mobile unit comprises automatically detecting the location.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein detecting the location of the mobile unit is performed at the mobile unit.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein detecting the location of the mobile unit comprises receiving information from a position sensing system.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein receiving information from a position sensing system comprises receiving information from a global positioning system.

12. The method of claim 9 wherein detecting the location of the mobile unit comprises receiving information through the radio system of the telephone system.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein receiving information through the radio system includes receiving cell-related information through a cellular radio system.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein receiving cell-related information includes receiving a candidate channel list for communicating on the radio system.

15. The method of claim 12 wherein receiving information through the radio system comprises determining signal characteristics of signals received over the radio system.

16. The method of claim 9 wherein detecting the location of the mobile unit comprises accessing location-related information at the mobile unit.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein accessing the location-related information at the mobile unit comprises retrieving the location-related information from a storage in the mobile unit.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising storing the location-related information associated during a prior time when the mobile unit was at the location.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein storing the location-related information includes receiving a command from the user indicative of the location of the mobile unit.

20. The method of claim 1 wherein detecting the location of the mobile unit is performed using a fixed device.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein detecting the location of the mobile unit includes detecting proximity of the mobile unit to the fixed device.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein detecting proximity of the mobile unit to the fixed device includes detecting proximity of an electronic device of the mobile device.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein detecting proximity of the electronic device includes detecting proximity of a radio frequency identification device.

24. The method of claim 22 wherein detecting proximity of the electronic device includes using a wireless transmission from the electronic device.

25. The method of claim 24 wherein using the wireless transmission includes receiving communication according to a Bluetooth standard from the electronic device.

26. The method of claim 24 wherein using the wireless transmission includes receiving communication according to a Zigbee standard from the electronic device.

27. The method of claim 21 wherein detecting proximity of the mobile unit to the fixed device includes receiving radio transmissions from the mobile unit in a frequency band used for radio transmissions in the radio system of the telephone system.

28. The method of claim 27 wherein detecting proximity of the mobile unit to the fixed device includes simulating a cellular radio station at the fixed device, wherein receiving the radio transmission from the mobile unit in the frequency band used for radio transmissions in the radio system includes receiving a registration request.

29. The method of claim 20 wherein detecting the location of the mobile unit includes detecting placement of the mobile unit in a predetermined location associated with the fixed device.

30. The method of claim 29 wherein the fixed device comprises a pressure-sensitive device.

31. The method of claim 30 wherein the pressure-sensitive device includes a pressure-sensitive pad.

32. The method of claim 29 wherein the fixed device comprises a cradle for mating with the mobile unit.

33. The method of claim 29 wherein detecting the location of the mobile unit further includes coupling the fixed device to a computer coupled to the data communication system, and receiving a signal at the computer from the fixed device indicative of placement of the device.

34. The method of claim 1 wherein detecting the location of the mobile unit comprises attempting to communicate with the data communication system.

35. The method of claim 34 wherein attempting to communicate with the data communication system includes attempting to communicate over a wireless system of the data communication system.

36. The method of claim 35 wherein attempting to communicate over the wireless system of the data communication system includes attempting to communicate using a wireless access point.

37. The method of claim 34 wherein detecting the location of the mobile unit further comprises detecting the location of the mobile unit according to success in communicating with the data communication system.

38. The method of claim 1 wherein controlling the telephone system to selectively enable a user to receive calls over a radio system of the telephone system and/or over a data communication system coupled to the telephone system comprises:

establishing communication with the telephone system over the data communication system; and

passing registration information for the mobile unit over the data communication system to the telephone system.

39. The method of claim 38 wherein establishing communication with the telephone system over the data communication system includes establishing communication between the mobile unit and the telephone system.

40. The method of claim 38 wherein establishing communication with the telephone system over the data communication system includes establishing communication between a device separate from the mobile unit and the telephone system, and enabling the user to receive calls over the data communication system includes enabling the user to receive calls at the device separate from the mobile unit.

41. The method of claim 40 wherein the device separate from the mobile unit includes a computer in proximity to the mobile unit.

42. The method of claim 1 further comprising controlling the telephone system to enable the user to initiate calls over the data communication system.

43. The method of claim 1 further comprising controlling the telephone system to enable hand off active telephone calls between the radio system of the telephone system and the data communication system according to the detected location of the mobile unit.

44. A method for communication comprising:

associating a set of voice terminals with a user, said user having a mobile device;

determining proximity of the user to the voice terminals by means of the mobile device; and

notifying the set of voice terminals of calls to the user when the user is determined to be in the proximity to said voice terminals.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein the mobile device is notified of the calls to the user when the user is determined to be in the proximity to said voice terminals.

46. The method of claim 44, wherein the set of voice terminals communicate in a wireless local area network.

47. The method of claim 46, wherein the set of voice terminals are associated with a subnet Internet Protocol address.

48. The method of claim 46, wherein the set of voice terminals are associated with a destination phone number.

49. The method of claim 44, wherein the mobile device communicates in a wireless cellular network.

50. The method of claim 49, wherein calls to the user are received in the wireless cellular network.

51. The method of claim 44, wherein the mobile device establishes a communication in the wireless local area network.

52. The method of claim 51, wherein determining proximity of the user to the voice terminals includes establishing communication of the mobile device in the wireless local area network.

53. The method of claim 51, wherein establishing the communication of the mobile device in the wireless local area network comprises registering the mobile device with a VoIP service.

54. A method of internetwork signaling comprising:

determining the presence of a first mobile device in a second wireless network, the first mobile device being registered in a first wireless network, wherein the first wireless network has a first service provider and the second wireless network has a second service provider;

registering the first device in the second wireless network with the second service provider; and

associating the first mobile device with a plurality of phones, wherein at least some of the plurality of phones communicate in the second wireless network.

55. The method of claim 54 further comprising notifying the plurality of phones of a call to the first device received in the first wireless network.

56. The method of claim 54, wherein the presence of the first mobile device in the second wireless network is determined when the first mobile device establishes communication in the second wireless network.

57. The method of claim 54, wherein registering the first device in the second wireless network comprises providing location information to the second service provider.

58. The method of claim 57, wherein location information comprise at least one of a routable Internet Protocol address, a host name, and text information.

59. The method of claim 54, wherein associating the first mobile device with the plurality of phones is determined by information provided when registering the first device in the second wireless network.

60. The method of claim 54, wherein associating the first mobile device with the plurality of phones is determined by the second service provider.

61. The method of claim 60, wherein the associating of the first mobile device with the plurality of phones is determined by observing the source IP address of the IP packets in the second wireless network.

62. The method of claim 54, wherein some of the plurality of phones communicate in a third network having a third service provider.

63. The method of claim 62, wherein the third network includes the PSTN.

64. The method of claim 54, wherein notifying comprises alerting all the associated phones.

65. The method of claim 54, wherein notifying comprises alerting the phones from the second service provider.

66. The method of claim 54, wherein notifying comprises alerting the phones from the third service provider.

67. The method of claim 54, wherein the first service provider and the second service provider comprise a same service provider.

68. The method of claim 54, wherein notifying comprises alerting the associated phones when the mobile device is busy.

69. The method of claim 54, wherein notifying comprises alerting the associated phones with a distinct tone.

70. The method of claim 54, wherein notifying is performed by the first service provider.

71. The method of claim 54, wherein notifying is performed by the second service provider.

72. A method comprising:

accepting registration requests from a subscriber terminal from each of a plurality of access networks, the access networks including a first access network and a different second access network;

maintaining concurrent registration of the subscriber terminal in the first and the second access networks; and

processing a request to establish communication with the subscriber terminal on the first access network, including selectively establishing communication with the subscriber terminal on one or more of the plurality access networks.

73. The method of claim 72 wherein the first access network comprises a cellular telephone network.

74. The method of claim 72 wherein the second access network comprises a data network.

75. The method of claim 72 the access networks include at least one access network from a group consisting of a cellular telephone network, a data network, an Internet Protocol network, a voice-over-IP network, a cellular data network, a wireless data network, a wired data network, and a short-range radio network.

76. The method of claim 72 wherein accepting the registration requests includes receiving a registration request from the subscriber terminal on the first access network and transmitting a modified registration request for the subscriber terminal to a registration device for the first access network.

77. The method of claim 76 wherein a proxy registration device for the first access network accepts the registration request and transmits the modified request to the registration device.

78. The method of claim 76 wherein receiving a registration request from the subscriber terminal includes receiving a registration request for registration with a home registration device.

79. The method of claim 78 wherein the home registration device comprises a Home Location Register.

80. The method of claim 79 wherein a proxy Home Location Register accepts the registration request and transmits the modified request to the Home Location Register.

81. The method of claim 72 wherein the subscriber terminal on the first access network and the subscriber terminal on the second access network are different terminals.

82. The method of claim 72 wherein the subscriber terminal on the first access network and the subscriber terminal on the second access network are a same multi-network terminal.

83. A method comprising:

maintaining concurrent registration of a subscriber terminal in each of a first access network and a different second access network, and

in response to a request to establish communication with the subscriber terminal on the first access network, establishing the communication selectively on one or the other or both of the first and second access networks.

84. A telecommunication system comprising:

a registration device including an interface for accepting registration requests from a subscriber terminal from each of a plurality of access networks, the access networks including a first access network and a different second access network, and maintaining concurrent registration of a subscriber terminal in the first and the second access networks.