Communications system having pre-defined calling groups

• US 20070123289A1
• Filed: 01/23/2007
• Published: 05/31/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/15/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Labs Incorporated (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Goldberg, Andrew, Coppola, Andrew, Tirabassi, Karen, Stanhope, Mary, Melmpy, Patrick, Butz, Greg
• Granted Patent: US 7,822,433 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/518
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/2044 Group features, e.g. closed user group
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/18 wireless networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/382 using authorisation codes or passwords
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/44 Additional connecting arrangements for providing access to frequently-wanted subscribers, e.g. abbreviated dialling at the subscriber's set H04M1/27; automatic redialling H04M3/424
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/00 Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/06 Selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS]; Services to user groups; One-way selective calling services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/186 Processing of subscriber group data
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 19/00 Integrated devices, or assemblies of multiple devices, comprising at least one organic element specially adapted for rectifying, amplifying, oscillating or switching, covered by group H10K10/00

Abstract

A communications system having a pre-defined calling group with a plurality of members is disclosed. A plurality of personal communication devices (PCDs) each have a system ID and a group ID, and each member of the group is assigned one of the PCDs. The system ID and the group ID both have a predetermined characteristic, where each system ID has a first variation thereof and each group ID has a second variation. A first group-member having a first PCD contacts a second member having a second PCD by entering into the first PCD the second PCD group ID. The first PCD transmits the first PCD system ID and the second PCD group ID to a communications switch. Based on the first PCD system ID, the communications switch locates a record for the first PCD in a switch database and determines therefrom that the first PCD can contact the second PCD by way of the second PCD group ID. A group database in switchable communication with the communications switch has the system ID and group ID for each group member PCD. The communications switch forwards the contact and the second PCD group ID to the group database for further processing. The group database determines that the second PCD group ID is located therein, locates the second PCD system ID based on the second PCD group ID, and forwards the attempted contact and the second PCD system ID to an appropriate communications switch for further processing.

Claims

1. A method of communicating within a pre-defined calling group having a plurality of members, the method comprising:

receiving a system ID of a first personal communication device (PCD) of a pre-defined calling group and a group ID of a second PCD of the pre-defined calling group, wherein the pre-defined calling group comprises a plurality of members, each member associated with a unique system ID and group ID;

establishing a telecommunications connection between the first PCD and the second PCD based on the system ID of the first PCD and the group ID of the second PCD;

wherein the system ID of the first PCD identifies whether the first PCD is a restricted member or a non-restricted member of the pre-defined calling group, wherein restricted members of the calling group are prohibited from contacting PCDs of those outside the calling group.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising preventing the first PCD from receiving a telephone call from a party who is not a member of the pre-defined calling group.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the pre-defined calling group comprises at least one restricted member, and wherein the method further comprises preventing a telecommunications connection between the first PCD and the at least one restricted member.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein a number of digits in the system ID is different from a number of digits in the group ID.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first PCD comprises a cellular telephone and wherein the system ID of the first PCD comprises a telephone number of the first PCD.

6. A computer-readable storage medium comprising a set of instructions for communicating within a pre-defined calling group, the set of instructions to direct a processor to perform acts of:

receiving a system ID of a first personal communication device (PCD) of a pre-defined calling group and a group ID of a second PCD of the pre-defined calling group, wherein the pre-defined calling group comprises a plurality of members, each member associated with a unique system ID and group ID;

establishing a telecommunications connection between the first PCD and the second PCD based on the system ID of the first PCD and the group ID of the second PCD;

wherein the system ID of the first PCD identifies whether the first PCD is a restricted member or a non-restricted member of the pre-defined calling group, wherein restricted members of the calling group are prohibited from contacting PCDs of those outside the calling group.

7. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 6, further comprising a set of instructions to direct a processor to perform the act of:

preventing the first PCD from receiving a telephone call from a party who is not a member of the pre-defined calling group.

8. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 6, wherein the pre-defined calling group comprises at least one restricted member, and wherein the computer-readable storage medium further comprises a set of instructions to direct a processor to perform the act of preventing a telecommunications connection between the first PCD and the at least one restricted member.

9. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 6, wherein a number of digits in the system ID is different from a number of digits in the group ID.

10. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 6, wherein the first PCD comprises a cellular telephone and wherein the system ID of the first PCD comprises a telephone number of the first PCD.

11. A system for communicating with a pre-defined calling group, the system comprising:

at least one network element operative to;

receive a system ID of a first personal communication device (PCD) of a pre-defined calling group and a group ID of a second PCD of the pre-defined calling group, wherein the pre-defined calling group comprises a plurality of members, each member associated with a unique system ID and group ID;

establish a telecommunications connection between the first PCD and the second PCD based on the system ID of the first PCD and the group ID of the second PCD;

wherein the system ID of the first PCD identifies whether the first PCD is a restricted member or a non-restricted member of the pre-defined calling group, wherein restricted members of the calling group are prohibited from contacting PCDs of those outside the calling group.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the at least one network element comprises a communications switch.