Method and system for seamless service availability for multi-mode terminals in different access networks

• US 20060126562A1
• Filed: 12/14/2004
• Published: 06/15/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/14/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sbc Knowledge Ventures, L.P.
• Original Assignee: Sbc Knowledge Ventures, L.P.
• Inventors: Liu, Huitao
• Granted Patent: US 7,376,112 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/331
• 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 84/12 WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
• 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

Systems, methods and devices provide seamless communication service for a wireless multi-mode communication terminal. A multi-mode communication terminal with an intelligent call forwarding module automatically forwards calls in a multi-mode network environment. A backbone communication network links at least two modes of the multi-mode environment.

Claims

1. A multi-mode communications terminal comprising an intelligent call forwarding module whereby seamless communication with the terminal is provided across all modes via a backbone network.

2. The terminal of claim 1, wherein the network comprises WWAN.

3. The terminal of claim 1, wherein the network comprises WLAN.

4. The terminal of claim 1, wherein the network comprises PBX.

5. The terminal of claim 1, wherein the network comprises PABX.

6. The terminal of claim 1, wherein the backbone network links at least two network modes.

7. The terminal of claim 1, wherein the terminal comprises a cell phone.

8. The terminal of claim 1, wherein a different phone number is assigned to the terminal for each network mode in which the terminal operates.

9. A method of providing seamless service to a multi-mode communication terminal across all network modes in which the terminal operates, the method comprising:

operating the terminal in first preferred access network;

detecting a second available preferred access network;

receiving a call directed to the terminal in the first network while the terminal is in the second terminal; and

forwarding the call to the terminal in the second network.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising registering with the second access network.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising canceling call forwarding in the current first network upon successful registration in the second network.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising determining whether call forwarding was previously enabled in the second network.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising canceling enabled call forwarding in the second network.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein the terminal comprises a cell phone.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the terminal comprises an intelligent call forwarding module.

16. The method of claim 9, wherein the terminal comprises an intelligent call forwarding module.

17. The method of claim 9, wherein the network modes comprise WWAN.

18. The method of claim 9, wherein the network modes comprise WLAN.

19. The method of claim 9, wherein the network modes comprise GSM.

20. A system to provide seamless communication service for a wireless multi-mode communication terminal, the system comprising:

a multi-mode terminal further comprising an intelligent call forwarding module;

a multi-mode network environment; and

a backbone network that links at least two modes of the multi-mode environment.