Module for selectively providing wireless and wireless call communication services
First Claim
1. A method of providing competitive call communication services at a customer location using a wireline public switched telephone network (PSTN) and a wireless telecommunications network, said method comprising the steps of:
- installing an alternative line option module between a customer two wire telephone connection and said wireline PSTN, said module including a wireless network transceiver and replacements for central office functions;
receiving control messages at said module prior to said call communication services, said control messages being received from a wireless carrier over a wireless communication link, and said control messages programming said module with a selection process to use in determining whether to provide said call communication services using said wireline PSTN or said wireless network; and
selectively providing said call communication services in accordance with said selection process.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A multiple mode, personal, wireless communications system exists within a radiotelephone network serving general customers and provides additional services to a select group of customers. The system uses handsets (32) which automatically switch between a standard cellular radiotelephone mode of operation (1901) and an enhanced cordless mode (1420) when the handsets (32) are within range of pico cells (26) that are interconnected to the public switched telephone network (20). Each pico cell is controlled via a framework of overlay cells (10b) that operates independently of the radiotelephone network and uses a unique control protocol on a small number of reserved cellular channels. Each pico cell consists of a spectrally dynamic, non-capturing, frequency agile, multi-purpose base station (26) provided at customer-selected locations to cooperate with the overlay cell framework. Each pico cell is capable of supporting multiple handsets (32) and uses low power operation that achieves limited coverage. Each pico cell reduces traffic on the standard cellular radiotelephone network by independently handling registered handsets (32). An alternate line option module (22) provides wireless local interconnect capability to selectively route call traffic between land lines (24) and the standard cellular radiotelephone network. Service control units (12) and host stations (17) facilitate wireless activation and control of each pico cell and handset (32) via the overlay cell framework.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method of providing competitive call communication services at a customer location using a wireline public switched telephone network (PSTN) and a wireless telecommunications network, said method comprising the steps of:
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installing an alternative line option module between a customer two wire telephone connection and said wireline PSTN, said module including a wireless network transceiver and replacements for central office functions; receiving control messages at said module prior to said call communication services, said control messages being received from a wireless carrier over a wireless communication link, and said control messages programming said module with a selection process to use in determining whether to provide said call communication services using said wireline PSTN or said wireless network; and selectively providing said call communication services in accordance with said selection process. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An alternate line option module situated between a customer two wire telephone connection and a wireline public switched telephone network (PSTN) comprising:
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switching means coupled between said customer two wire telephone connection and said wireline PSTN, for selectively interrupting said two wire connection to disconnect said customer connection from said wireline PSTN; control means, coupled to said switching means, for providing call allocation messages to said switching means to selectively allocate communication services between said PSTN and a wireless telecommunications network, said control means including an intelligent processor that responds to control messages from a wireless carrier over a wireless communication link, said control messages being received prior to said call communications; and means, responsive to said switching means, for activating a wireless network transceiver in said module to provide said call communication services using said wireless network. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. An alternate line option module situated between a customer two wire telephone connection and a public switched telephone network (PSTN) comprising:
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switching means for selectively interrupting said two wire connection to disconnect said customer connection to said PSTN; means, coupled to said switching means, for activating a radiotelephone transceiver in said module to deliver outgoing call communications through an alternate wireless communications path; and control means, coupled to said switching means, for providing call allocation control messages to said switching means to selectively allocate call traffic through said alternate line option module between said PSTN and said alternate wireless communications path, said control means including timing means for identifying service windows during which outgoing call communications are delivered through said alternate wireless communications path.
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22. A method of providing competitive outgoing call communication services at a customer location using a wireline public switched telephone network (PSTN) and a wireless telecommunications network, said method comprising the steps of:
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installing an alternate line option module between a customer two wire telephone connection and said wireline PSTN, said module including a cellular transceiver and replacements for central office functions; receiving control messages at said module, said control messages programming said module with a selection process to use in determining whether to provide said outgoing call communication services using said wireline PSTN or said wireless network; maintaining a clock to obtain a current time; comparing said current time with a service window established by said control messages; selecting one of said wireline network and said wireless network for providing said outgoing call communications services in response to said comparing step; and selectively providing said outgoing call communication services in accordance with said selection process. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24)
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Specification