Multiple mode personal wireless communication system

• US 5,873,037 A
• Filed: 09/27/1996
• Issued: 02/16/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Kernforschungszentrum Karlsruhe GmbH, GTE Wireless Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: GTE Mobile Communications Service Corporation (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Inventors: Zicker, Robert G., Dion, John K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bost, Dwaye D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WYCHE, MYRON
• Application Number:
  US08/720,344
• Time in Patent Office: 872 Days
• Field of Search: 455/450, 455/451, 455/542, 455/454, 455/455, 455/426, 455/444, 455/553
• US Class Current: 455/450
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/27 Devices whereby a plurality of signals may be stored simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2745 using static electronic memories, e.g. chips
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/27463 Predictive input, predictive dialling by comparing the dialled sequence with the content of a telephone directory
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/27485 Appending a prefix to or inserting a pause into a dialling sequence
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/57 Arrangements for indicating or recording the number of the calling subscriber at the called subscriber's set at the operator set in a manual exchange H04M5/20
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724 User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72403 with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/725 Cordless telephones user interfaces specially adapted therefor H04M1/724
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72505 Radio link set-up procedures
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/8033 location-dependent, e.g. business or home
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/00 Metering arrangements; Time controlling arrangements; Time indicating arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/32 Involving wireless systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/7435 Location dependent, e.g. Bussiness or home
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/16 for PBS [Private Base Station] arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/32 Hierarchical cell structures
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/24 Accounting or billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/18 Selecting a network or a communication service
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 Connection setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/20 Manipulation of established connections
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/205 Transfer to or from user equipment or user record carrier
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/22 : Processing or transfer of terminal data, e.g. status or physical capabilities
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/245 : from a network towards a terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/26 : Network addressing or numbering for mobility support
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/265 : for initial activation of new user
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/28 : Number portability ; Network address portability
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/105 : PBS [Private Base Station] network H04W84/12 - H04W84/16 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/14 : WLL [Wireless Local Loop]; RLL [Radio Local Loop]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/021 : adapted for Wireless Local Loop operation
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 : adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/08 : Access point devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/18 : Service support devices; Network management devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/02 : Inter-networking arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/18 : between terminal devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 : in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A multiple mode, personal, wireless communications system is disclosed which exists within a radiotelephone network serving general customers and provides unique additional services to a select group of customers equipped with special handsets, without impacting the general customers. The special handsets automatically switch between and operate in either analog or digital mode with the standard radiotelephone network and in an enhanced cordless mode when within range of independent pico cells, that are interconnected with the public switched telephone network. Each of the network transparent pico cells is controlled via a framework of overlay cells that operate independently of the radiotelephone network and use a unique control protocol on a relatively small number of reserved channels, with a use hierarchy that is reversed with respect to standard radiotelephone channels. Each pico cell consists of a spectrally dynamic, non-capturing, frequency agile, multi-purpose base station provided at customer selected locations to cooperate with the overlay cell framework and support the enhanced cordless mode of operation of the special handsets. Each pico cell is capable of supporting multiple handsets and constitutes a separate, locally interconnected, low power, coverage limited wireless communications system. Through this system, each pico cell effectively diminishes traffic on the radiotelephone system by independently handling registered special handset call traffic. In addition, an alternate line option module can provide wireless local interconnect capability to selectively transfer or allocate call traffic between the public switched telephone network and the radiotelephone network, creating a totally wireless system, if desired. Service control units and host stations are provided to facilitate wireless activation and control of each pico cell and special handset via the overlay cell framework. In the best mode described herein, the radiotelephone network is a standard cellular network.

Claims

1. A method of operating a cellular radio telecommunication network having a first system with a first cell site and a second system with a second cell site, said cell sites forming cells having overlapping coverage areas, and said method comprising the steps of:

identifying an electromagnetic spectrum to be used by said network;

dedicating a first portion of said spectrum to exclusive use in controlling and setting up calls through said first system, said first portion continuously conveying an overhead message train;

dedicating a second portion of said spectrum to exclusive use conveying user communications for said first system calls; and

dedicating a third portion of said spectrum to exclusive use by said second system for controlling and setting up calls and for conveying user communications, said third portion of said spectrum having no continuously conveyed overhead message train.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 additionally comprising the step of configuring a plurality of cellular radiotelephone units to include a single receiver capable of receiving signals in any of said first, second, and third portions of said spectrum and a single transceiver capable of transmitting in any of said first, second, and third portions of said spectrum.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first system includes additional cell sites having their own coverage areas, and said method additionally comprises the step of performing, in a cellular radio telephone unit, a location determination process to determine whether said unit resides in said first cell.

4. A method as claimed in claim 3 additionally comprising the step of refraining, when said performing step determines that said unit does not reside in said first cell, from transmitting signals using said third portion of said spectrum.

5. A method as claimed in claim 3 wherein said unit tunes to said third portion of said spectrum in response to a determination by said performing step that said unit resides in said first cell.

6. A method as claimed in claim 5 wherein said third portion of said spectrum includes a plurality of channels, and said method additionally comprises the step of scanning, at said unit, said channels of said third portion of said spectrum to detect a missing signal in one of said channels of said third portion of said spectrum;

and

using, in response to said scanning step, said one of said channels which has said missing signal for controlling and setting up a call between said unit and said second cell site.

7. A method as claimed in claim 6 wherein said missing signal is identified by detecting a signal level below a predetermined threshold.

8. A method as claimed in claim 7 wherein said using step comprises the step of transmitting a message from said unit to said second system over said channel having a signal level below said threshold.

9. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said third portion of said spectrum includes a plurality of channels, and said method additionally comprises the steps of:

scanning said plurality of channels in said third portion of said spectrum at said second cell site to detect an incoming control message conveyed over one of said plurality of channels and addressed to said second cell site; and

responding to said incoming message by transmitting an outgoing control message from said second cell site over said one of said plurality of channels.

10. A method of operating a cellular radio telecommunication network having a first system with a first cell site and a second system with a second cell site, said cell sites forming cells having overlapping coverage areas, and said method comprising the steps of:

identifying an electromagnetic spectrum to be used by said network;

dedicating a first portion of said spectrum to exclusive use in controlling and setting up calls through said first system, said first portion continuously conveying an overhead message train;

dedicating a second portion of said spectrum to exclusive use conveying user communications for said first system calls; and

dedicating a third portion of said spectrum to exclusive use by said second system, said third portion having a plurality of channels;

configuring a cellular radio telephone unit to include a single receiver capable of receiving signals in any of said first, second and third portions of said spectrum and a single transceiver capable of transmitting in any of said first, second and third portions of said spectrum;

scanning, in said radio telephone unit, said channels of said third portion of said spectrum to detect a missing signal in one of said channels of said third portion of said spectrum; and

transmitting a registration message from said radio telephone unit to said second cell site using said channel detected in said scanning step.

11. A method as claimed in claim 10 wherein:

said first system includes additional cell sites having their own cells;

said method additionally comprises the step of performing, in said radio telephone unit, a location determination process to determine whether said radio telephone unit resides in said first cell; and

said scanning and transmitting steps are performed in response to a determination by said location determination process that said radio telephone unit resides in said first cell.

12. A method as claimed in claim 11 additionally comprising the step of refraining, when said performing step determines that said radio telephone unit does not reside in said first cell, from transmitting signals using said third portion of said spectrum.

13. A method as claimed in claim 10 additionally comprises the steps of:

scanning, at said second cell site, all of said plurality of channels in said third portion of said spectrum to detect said registration message; and

responding to said registration message by transmitting an outgoing message from said second cell site over said channel detected in said scanning step performed in said radio telephone unit.