System and Method for Multiple Mode Communication

• US 20130189975A1
• Filed: 01/19/2012
• Published: 07/25/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/19/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: WorldVu Satellites Limited
• Original Assignee: WorldVu Satellites Limited
• Inventors: Wyler, Gregory Thane
• Granted Patent: US 8,849,274 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/427
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/14 Reselecting a network or an air interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/18 for allowing seamless reselection, e.g. soft reselection
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/30 by measured or perceived connection quality data
• 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

A system and method of communication disclosed which may include establishing a telephone call for a cell phone at a first end of the call to a second end of the call, the cell phone receiving communication service from a cellular phone network; substantially continuously detecting a signal level of the cellular phone network available to the cell phone; and transferring the telephone call from the cellular phone service to a second network having a link back to a core network of said cellular phone network only if the detected signal level of the cellular phone service falls below a specified threshold.

Claims

1. A method of communication, the method comprising:

establishing a telephone call for a cell phone at a first end of the call to a second end of the call, the cell phone receiving communication service from a cellular phone network;

substantially continuously detecting a signal level of the cellular phone network available to the cell phone; and

transferring the telephone call from the cellular phone service to a second network having a link back to a core network of said cellular phone network only if the detected signal level of the cellular phone service falls below a specified threshold.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the cell phone is located within a vehicle.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the cell phone is in communication with a dual-mode device (DMD) located in the vehicle, the DMD having a first communication link to the cell phone and a second communication link to the second network and wherein the transferring step comprises:

the DMD connecting the cell phone call to the second network.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the second network includes ground-to-satellite communication links.

5. The method of claim 3 wherein the second network includes ground-to-satellite communication links.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the detecting step comprises:

the cell phone detecting the signal level of the cellular phone network, and wherein the transferring step comprises;

the cell phone requesting that a DMD, in communication with the cell phone, take over operation of the established telephone call if the detected signal level falls below the specified threshold.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the detecting step comprises:

a DMD, detecting the signal level of the cellular phone network, and wherein the transferring step comprises;

the DMD increasing its transmission power and notifying the cell phone of a need to transfer operation of the established telephone call to the second network.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the transferring step further comprises:

the cell phone directing the DMD to transfer operation of the established telephone call to the second network.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the detecting step comprises:

a DMD, detecting the signal level of the cellular phone network, and wherein the transferring step comprises;

the DMD reporting the low signal strength to one of (a) a core network of the DMD, and (b) the cellular phone core network; and

one of (a) the DMD core network and (b) the cellular phone core network requesting the DMD to increase its signal strength to an acceptable level and the network commanding the cell phone to switch to the DMD.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the transferring step further comprises:

the DMD increasing an indication of the signal strength of the second network to the cell phone, to prompt the cell phone to transfer the call to the second network, only if the DMD determines that the signal level of the cellular phone network has fallen below the acceptable threshold.

11. The method of claim 2 wherein the transferring step comprises:

providing a DMD on said vehicle for enabling access by said cell phone to said second network.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising:

said cellular phone core network monitoring a congestion level of a cell tower servicing said telephone call for said cell phone;

said cellular phone core network notifying a core network of said DMD if the congestion level of said cell tower exceeds an acceptable threshold; and

a DMD core network instructing said DMD on said vehicle to prompt the cell phone to transfer the telephone call to said second network if the congestion level of said cell tower exceeds said acceptable threshold.

13. An apparatus comprising:

means for communicating with a cell phone communication link;

means for communicating with a satellite communication network;

means for detecting a signal level of service from a cellular phone network to said cell phone; and

means for transferring a telephone call in progress on said cell phone from the cellular phone network to said satellite communication network in the detected signal level is below a specified threshold.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the means for communicating with the satellite communication network comprises:

a satellite communication port within a dual-mode communication device (DMD).

15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the means for communicating with the cell phone comprises a 3G communication port incorporated within the DMD.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the DMD comprises:

a conversion circuit for enabling data received at the 3G port of said DMD to be configured to flow out the satellite communication port of the DMD and for enabling data received at the satellite communication port of the DMD to be transmitted to and out of the cell phone communication port of the DMD.

17. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the detection means is incorporated within a dual mode communication device (DMD) in communication with said cell phone.

18. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the detection means is incorporated within said cell phone.

19. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein an entirety of said apparatus is incorporated on or within a motor vehicle.