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

• US 20120236795A1
• Filed: 05/31/2012
• Published: 09/20/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Barzegar, Farhad, Gerszberg, Irwin
• Granted Patent: US 8,599,873 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/328
• 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

1-19. -19. (canceled)

20. A network node for routing a call to a dual mode wireless device, the network node comprising:

a memory storing computer program instructions;

a processor communicatively coupled to the memory, the processor configured to execute the computer program instructions, which, when executed on the processor, cause the processor to perform a method comprising;

receiving the call at the network node;

receiving dual mode wireless device status information comprising a location of the dual mode wireless device;

receiving network information for a plurality of networks, the network information comprising a capacity and a coverage of each of the plurality of networks;

designating a selected network for use in connecting the call to the dual mode wireless device by selecting one of the plurality of networks;

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

handing off the call to a non-selected network of the plurality of networks during the call based on the location of the dual mode wireless device and a coverage of the non-selected network.

21. The network node of claim 20 wherein the plurality of networks comprise one of a packet switched network and a circuit switched network.

22. The network node of claim 20 wherein the designating a selected network is based on the location of the dual mode wireless device and a coverage of the selected network.

23. The network node of claim 20 wherein the handing off the call to a non-selected network is further based on one of a data security preference, a capacity of the non-selected network, and a cost analysis including a comparison of a cost associated with the call on the non-selected network relative to a cost associated with the call on the selected network.

24. The network node of claim 23 wherein the dual mode wireless device status information comprises one of a strength of a signal received by the dual mode wireless device and a cost associated with the call on one of the plurality of networks.

25. The network node of claim 23 wherein the network information further comprises a capacity of one of the plurality of networks.

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

receiving the call at a network node;

receiving dual mode wireless device status information comprising a location of the dual mode wireless device;

receiving network information for a plurality of networks, the network information comprising a capacity and a coverage of each of the plurality of networks;

designating a selected network for use in connecting the call to the dual mode wireless device by selecting one of the plurality of networks;

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

handing off the call to a non-selected network of the plurality of networks during the call based on the location of the dual mode wireless device and a coverage of the non-selected network.

27. The method of claim 26 wherein the plurality of networks comprise one of a packet switched network and a circuit switched network.

28. The method of claim 26 wherein the designating a selected network is based on the location of the dual mode wireless device and a coverage of the selected network.

29. The method of claim 26 wherein the handing off the call to a non-selected network is further based on one of a data security preference, a capacity of the non-selected network, and a cost analysis including a comparison of a cost associated with the call on the non-selected network relative to a cost associated with the call on the selected network.

30. The method of claim 29 wherein the dual mode wireless device status information comprises one of a strength of a signal received by the dual mode wireless device and a cost associated with the call on one of the plurality of networks.

31. The method of claim 29 wherein the network information further comprises a capacity of one of the plurality of networks.

32. A network node for routing a call to a dual mode wireless device, the network node comprising:

means for receiving the call at the network node;

means for receiving dual mode wireless device status information comprising a location of the dual mode wireless device;

means for receiving network information for a plurality of networks, the network information comprising a capacity and a coverage of each of the plurality of networks;

means for designating a selected network for use in connecting the call to the dual mode wireless device by selecting one of the plurality of networks;

means for routing the call to the dual mode wireless device via the selected network; and

means for handing off the call to a non-selected network during the call based on the location of the dual mode wireless device and a coverage of the non-selected network.

33. The network node of claim 32 wherein the plurality of networks comprise one of a packet switched network and a circuit switched network.

34. The network node of claim 32 wherein the designating a selected network is based on the location of the dual mode wireless device and a coverage of the selected network.

35. The network node of claim 32 wherein the handing off the call to a non-selected network is further based on one of a data security preference, a capacity of the non-selected network, and a cost analysis including a comparison of a cost associated with the call on the non-selected network relative to a cost associated with the call on the selected network.

36. The network node of claim 35 wherein the dual mode wireless device status information comprises one of a strength of a signal received by the dual mode wireless device and a cost associated with the call on one of the plurality of networks.

37. The network node of claim 35 wherein the network information further comprises a capacity of one of the plurality of networks.