Multiple mode personal wireless communications system

• US 5,887,259 A
• Filed: 06/22/1994
• Issued: 03/23/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: GTE Wireless Service Corporation (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: GTE Mobile Communications Service Corporation (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Inventors: Zicker, Robert G., Dion, John K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bost, Dwayne D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): TROST IV, WILLIAM GEORGE
• Application Number:
  US08/263,711
• Time in Patent Office: 1,735 Days
• Field of Search: 379/58, 379/59, 379/60, 379/61, 379/63, 455/33.1, 455/33.2, 455/54.1, 455/421, 455/434, 455/422, 455/403, 455/550, 455/426, 455/509, 455/513, 455/450, 455/552
• US Class Current: 455/434
• 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 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 using 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.

Claims

1. A method of operating a radio telecommunications system in response to transmission power levels of said system, said method comprising the steps of:

identifying a location for a base station;

transmitting, after said identifying step, signals between said base station and a radiotelephone unit;

permitting said unit to access said system to participate in communication services when the strength of said signals exceeds an access threshold, said access threshold being established in response to said identifying step; and

preventing said unit from receiving communication services when the strength of said signals falls below a drop threshold, said drop threshold being established in response to said identifying step, and said drop threshold being less than said access threshold.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 additionally comprising the steps of:

measuring, at said base station, signal strength of transmissions emanating from said unit; and

determining whether said signal strength is below a warning threshold, said warning threshold being greater than said drop threshold and less than said access threshold.

3. A method as claimed in claim 2 additionally comprising the steps of:

sending, from said base station when said signal strength is below said warning threshold, a warning order to said unit; and

annunciating, in response to said sending step, said warning order at said unit.

4. A method as claimed in claim 3 wherein said preventing step comprises the steps of:

determining whether said warning order has been sent to said unit; and

continuing, until after said warning order has been sent to said unit, to permit said unit to participate in communication services when the strength of said signals falls below said drop threshold.

5. A method as claimed in claim 3 wherein said annunciating step comprises the step of generating an audible signal.

6. A method as claimed in claim 5 wherein:

said unit includes a loudspeaker and a microphone;

said audible signal is annunciated at said loudspeaker;

and

said method additionally comprises the step of muting said microphone while said audible signal is being annunciated.

7. A method as claimed in claim 1 additionally comprising, prior to said transmitting step, the step of selecting, at one of said base station and said unit, a channel as being free for use in transmitting said signals by said one of said base station and said unit when said channel exhibits a signal level below said drop threshold.

8. A method as claimed in claim 1 additionally comprising the step of programming a memory element, after said identifying step and before said transmitting step, of one of said base station and said unit with said access and drop thresholds.

9. A method as claimed in claim 8 wherein said programming step comprises the step of receiving data at said one of said base station and said unit, said data defining said access and drop thresholds, and said data being received from a location remote to said base station.

10. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein:

said drop threshold defines a level at which signals received at said base station exhibit sufficient strength to support communications;

said method additionally comprises the step of refraining from granting system access to said unit when said unit does not currently have system access and when a signal received at said base station from said unit exhibits a signal strength between said drop and access thresholds;

said permitting step grants system access to said unit when said unit does not currently have system access and when a signal received at said base station from said unit exhibits a signal strength greater than said access threshold; and

said preventing step comprises the step of revoking system access to said unit after said permitting step grants system access when a signal received at said base station from said unit exhibits a signal strength less than said drop threshold.

11. A method of operating a radio telecommunications system in response to transmission power levels of said system, said method comprising the steps of:

establishing access and drop thresholds for a first radio telecommunications device, wherein said drop threshold is less than said access threshold, and said drop threshold defines a level at which signals received at said first device exhibit sufficient strength to support communications;

receiving data at said first device which defines said access and drop thresholds, said data being received from a location remote to said first device;

programming a memory element of said first device with said access and drop thresholds;

refraining from granting system access to second radio telecommunication devices which do not currently have system access when signals received at said first device from said second devices exhibit signal strengths between said drop and access thresholds;

granting system access to third radio telecommunication devices which do not currently have system access when signals received at said first device from said third devices exhibit signal strengths greater than said access threshold; and

revoking system access to said third devices after said granting step when signals received at said first device from said third devices exhibit signal strengths less than said drop threshold.

12. A method as claimed in claim 11 wherein said establishing step additionally establishes a warning threshold, said warning threshold being greater than said drop threshold and less than said access threshold.

13. A method as claimed in claim 12 additionally comprising the step of annunciating, after said granting step, a warning at one of said third devices when signals received from said one third device exhibits a signal strength at said first device less than said warning threshold.

14. A method as claimed in claim 13 additionally comprising the step of continuing, after said annunciating step, to permit said third device to participate in communication services for a predetermined duration before performing said revoking step when said signal strength at said first device falls below said drop threshold.

15. A method as claimed in claim 11 additionally comprising, prior to said refraining and granting steps, the step of selecting, at one of said first, second and third devices, a channel as being free for use in transmitting signals by said one of said first, second and third devices when said channel exhibits a signal level below said drop threshold.

16. A method of operating a radio telecommunications system in response to transmission power levels of said system, said method comprising the steps of:

establishing access and drop thresholds for a first radio telecommunications device, wherein said drop threshold is less than said access threshold, and said drop threshold defines a level at which signals received at said first device exhibit sufficient strength to support communications;

identifying a location for said first radio telecommunications device;

programming a memory element of said first device with said access and drop thresholds in response to said identifying step;

refraining from granting system access to second radio telecommunication devices which do not currently have system access when signals received at said first device from said second devices exhibit signal strengths between said drop and access thresholds;

granting system access to third radio telecommunication devices which do not currently have system access when signals received at said first device from said third devices exhibit signal strengths greater than said access threshold; and

revoking system access to said third devices after said granting step when signals received at said first device from said third devices exhibit signal strengths less than said drop threshold.