Method and Apparatus for Routing a Call to a Dual Mode Wireless Device

• US 20100222052A1
• Filed: 05/10/2010
• Published: 09/02/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Gerszberg, Irwin, Barzegar, Farhad
• Granted Patent: US 8,223,794 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/426.100
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/14 Reselecting a network or an air interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/12 Setup of transport tunnels
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

Disclosed is a system and method for routing a call to a dual mode wireless device. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a network node receives a call. The network node determines that the call is associated with a dual mode wireless device. Once this determination is made, the network node then selects one of a plurality of networks (e.g., cellular network or packet-based network, such as a VoIP network) for use in connecting the call to the dual mode wireless device. The network node then routes the call to the dual mode wireless device via the selected network. During the call, the network node re-routes the call to another network if the network node determines that this other network is now better suited for the call.

Claims

1. A method for routing a call to a dual mode wireless device, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving said call at a network node;

selecting one of a plurality of networks for use in connecting said call to said dual mode wireless device;

routing said call to said dual mode wireless device via said selected network; and

re-routing said call to said dual mode wireless device via another of said plurality of networks during said call.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said dual mode wireless device communicates over one of a cellular network and a packet-based network.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of receiving at least one of dual mode wireless device status information and network information for said one of a plurality of networks.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein said device status information further comprises at least one of location of said dual mode wireless device, strength of one or more signals received by said dual mode wireless device, and cost associated with said call on said one of a plurality of networks.

5. The method of claim 3 wherein said network information further comprises at least one of capacity of said network and coverage of said network in a particular area.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein said re-routing step further comprises selecting said another of said plurality of networks.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein said selecting said another of said plurality of networks further comprises receiving one of device status information and network information for said another of said plurality of networks.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein said re-routing step further comprises polling said dual mode wireless device for at least one of device status information and network information.

9. A method for routing a call to a dual mode wireless device, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving said call at a network node;

selecting one of a plurality of networks for use in connecting said call to said dual mode wireless device;

routing said call to said dual mode wireless device via said selected network; and

determining whether to re-route said call to another of said plurality of networks during said call.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising receiving at least one of dual mode wireless device status information and network information for said one of said plurality of networks.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein said device status information further comprises at least one of location of said dual mode wireless device, strength of one or more signals received by said dual mode wireless device, and cost associated with said call on said one of a plurality of networks.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein said network information further comprises at least one of capacity of said network and coverage of said network in a particular area.

13. The method of claim 9 wherein said determining step further comprises polling said dual mode wireless device.

14. The method of claim 9 wherein said determining step further comprises re-routing said call to said another of said plurality of networks.

15. A network node for routing calls associated with a dual mode wireless device comprising:

means for receiving said call at a network node;

means for selecting a network for use by said dual mode wireless device;

means for routing said call to said dual mode wireless device over said selected network; and

means for determining whether to change said selected network to another network during said call.

16. The network node of claim 15 further comprising means for receiving at least one of dual mode wireless device status information and network information for said one of a plurality of networks.

17. The network node of claim 16 wherein said dual mode wireless device status information further comprises at least one of location of said dual mode wireless device, strength of one or more signals received by said dual mode wireless device, and cost associated with said call on said one of a plurality of networks.

18. The network node of claim 16 wherein said network information further comprises at least one of capacity of said network and coverage of said network in a particular area.

19. The network node of claim 15 wherein said means for determining whether to change said selected network further comprises means for re-routing said call to said another network.