System and method for operating a private wireless communications system

• US 20070010245A1
• Filed: 07/06/2005
• Published: 01/11/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nextel Communications Inc (Deutsche Telekom AG)
• Original Assignee: Nextel Communications Inc (Deutsche Telekom AG)
• Inventors: Levitan, Benjamin
• Granted Patent: US 7,437,155 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/426.100
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/04 Billing or invoicing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/12 Hotels or restaurants
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/60 Business processes related to postal services shipping G06Q10/083; franking apparatus G07B17/00

Abstract

A private communications system includes a base station, a switch and an interface to an external network. The base station provides a radio link between the private communications system and a subscriber unit. The subscriber unit has an associated mini-subscription providing the subscriber unit with temporary access to the private communications system. The switch is connected to the base station and provides the subscriber unit with access to the private communications system when the mini-subscription is active. The interface is connected to the switch. In operation, the mini-subscription information is automatically transmitted to the external wireless network, via the interface, when the mini-subscription is terminated.

Claims

1. A method for providing wireless services, the method comprising:

provisioning a subscriber unit for use on a first wireless network, the subscriber unit having an associated mini-subscription defining a limited use of the first wireless network;

terminating the mini-subscription on the first wireless network; and

automatically transferring the mini-subscription to a second wireless network.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the subscriber unit is denied access to the first wireless network after the mini-subscription is terminated.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising billing the subscriber unit for use of the first wireless network in accordance with the mini-subscription.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

receiving, at the second wireless network, the transferred mini-subscription; and

automatically provisioning the subscriber unit for limited use on the second wireless network in accordance with the mini-subscription.

5. The method of claim 4 further comprising:

receiving, at the second wireless network, a request to convert the mini-subscription to a full subscription on the second network; and

converting the limited subscription to a full subscription on the second wireless network.

6. The method of claim 4 wherein the second wireless network includes a plurality of regional networks, and wherein the subscriber unit is automatically provisioned on one of the regional networks in accordance with the mini-subscription.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein provisioning the subscriber unit comprises:

assigning a mobile station identifier to the subscriber unit, the mobile station identifier being associated with the second wireless network, and

registering the subscriber unit and mobile station identifier with the first wireless network, wherein the first wireless network is a home network for the subscriber unit while the mini-subscription is active on the first wireless network.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising:

receiving, at the second wireless network, the transferred mini-subscription; and

registering the subscriber unit and mobile station identifier with the second wireless network, the second wireless network becoming the home network for the subscriber unit.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein the first wireless network provides wireless services within a coverage area that includes a plurality of rooms, the method further comprising:

assigning an extension number to the subscriber unit, the extension number being associated with one of the plurality of rooms;

registering the extension number with the first wireless network;

receiving an incoming communication directed to the extension number; and

routing the incoming communication to the subscriber unit.

10. A private communications system comprising:

a base station providing a radio link between the private communications system and a subscriber unit, the subscriber unit having an associated mini-subscription providing temporary access to the private communications system;

a switch connected to the base station, the switch providing the subscriber unit with access to the private communications system when the mini-subscription is active; and

an interface to an external wireless network, the interface connected to the switch, wherein the mini-subscription information is automatically transmitted to the external wireless network when the mini-subscription is terminated.

11. The private communications system of claim 10 wherein the switch is adapted to deny access to the subscriber unit after the mini-subscription terminates.

12. The private communications system of claim 10 further comprising an HLR connected to the switch, the HLR adapted to establish the private communications system as a home network for the subscriber unit when the mini-subscription is active.

13. The private communications system of claim 10 wherein the base station is HLR is further adapted to store a unique mobile identification number and a first extension number associated with the subscriber unit, and

wherein the switch routes incoming communications directed to either the mobile identification number or the first extension number to the subscriber unit.

14. The private communications system of claim 13 further comprising:

a private branch exchange (PBX) interfaced with the switch; and

a wireline device connected to the PBX and having an associated second extension number, the PBX and switch facilitating communications between the wireless device and the subscriber unit in accordance with the associated first and second extension numbers.

15. The private communications system of claim 13 further comprising a memory card storing the mobile identification number, the first extension number and configuration information associated with the subscriber unit, the memory card being insertable into the subscriber unit enabling the subscriber unit to access the private communications system.

16. The private communications system of claim 13 wherein after the mini-subscription terminates, the first extension number is re-assignable to another subscriber unit and wherein the mobile identification number is not re-assignable by the private communications system to another subscriber unit.

17. The private communications system of claim 10 wherein the switch selectively routes communication traffic between the subscriber unit and a public network through either a wireline connection or a satellite link, according to an anticipated cost of the communication.

18. The private communications system of claim 10 wherein the base station is mounted on a vessel and has a variable geographic coverage area that selectively extends to a region adjacent to the vessel, depending on a location of the vessel.

19. The private communications system of claim 18 wherein the base station is adapted to communicate with the subscriber unit using at least a first frequency band and a second frequency band, and wherein the first frequency band or second frequency band is selected in accordance with vessel location information including at least one of a current location, a destination location and a route between the current location and the destination location.

20. The private communications system of claim 10 further comprising a plurality of antennas and a base station controller, wherein the base station controller performs handoff functions between respective ones of the plurality of antennas, and tracks a location of the subscriber unit in the private communications system.

22. The method of claim 14 wherein provisioning comprises establishing a mini-subscription for the subscriber unit, the mini-subscription providing temporary access to the wireless communications system.

23. The method of claim 15 further comprising:

terminating the mini-subscription, including disassociating the extension number from the subscriber unit; and

transmitting the mini-subscription to an external wireless carrier.

24. The method of claim 16 further comprising,

providing a subscription to the subscriber unit on the external wireless carrier, the subscriber unit being identified on the external wireless carrier by the mobile station identifier.

25. The method of claim 17 further comprising provisioning a second subscriber unit, the second subscriber unit having a second mobile station identifier and the extension associated with the passenger cabin.

21. On a vessel including a plurality of passenger cabins, a method of operating a wireless communications system, the method comprising:

provisioning a subscriber unit on the wireless communications system, the subscriber unit having a mobile station identifier and an extension associated with a passenger cabin;

receiving at a mobile switching center an incoming communication directed to the passenger cabin; and

establishing a wireless communication link between the subscriber unit and the mobile switching center.