Telecommunications method for multi-network communications

• US 5,915,224 A
• Filed: 12/16/1997
• Issued: 06/22/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 06/22/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Original Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Inventors: Jonsson, Bjorn Erik Rutger
• Primary Examiner(s): Bost, Dwayne D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MAUNG, NAY AUNG
• Application Number:
  US08/991,659
• Time in Patent Office: 553 Days
• Field of Search: 455/414, 455/417, 455/426, 455/432, 455/435, 455/436, 455/459, 455/461, 455/524, 455/525, 455/552, 455/553, 379/201, 379/210-212
• US Class Current: 455/552.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/725 Cordless telephones user interfaces specially adapted therefor H04M1/724
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42 Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers specially adapted for wireless communication networks H04W4/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42229 Personal communication services, i.e. services related to one subscriber independent of his terminal and/or location diverting calls from one subscriber to another subscriber, i.e. two different subscriptions H04M3/54; selecting arrangements in intelligent networks H04Q3/005
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4228 in networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/54 Arrangements for diverting calls for one subscriber to another predetermined subscriber based on the calling party profile H04M3/42059; based on location H04M3/42348; based on presence H04M3/42365; to voice mail H04M3/53308
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/18 Selecting a network or a communication service
• 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

The present invention relates to a multinetwork communication method for telecommunication in an environment which includes a number of different telecommunications networks, using a multinetwork terminal intended for communication in the various telecommunications networks. The invention is characterized in that the multinetwork terminal (25) itself detects those telecommunications networks to which it has access. On the basis of predetermined decision criterions, the multinetwork terminal itself decides in which of the accessible telecommunications networks communication shall take place. The invention also relates to a multinetwork terminal having a control unit (32) and network switching means controlled by the control unit for activation of communication devices (30, 31) in the selected telecommunications network.

Claims

1. A multi-network communication method for telecommunication in an environment which includes a plurality of different telecommunications networks and a multi-network terminal provided for communication in each of said telecommunications networks, said multi-network terminal monitoring said networks in order to detect with which network the terminal currently has access, said method comprising the steps of:

said multi-network terminal dynamically selecting, based upon the networks that are currently accessible, an accessible network in which communication shall take place;

said multi-network terminal initiating, when changing networks for communication, annulment of any diversion service earlier active in said selected network, and in each remaining non-selected network initiating, in a coordinated manner with said annulment step, activation of a diversion service so that an incoming call in any of said non-selected networks, the incoming call having said multi-network terminal as a destination, is redirected to the multi-network terminal in the selected network.

2. A multi-network communication method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said multi-network terminal comprises (a) a hand held unit provided with a function that makes the hand held unit operate as a mobile telephone and (b) a stationary telephone instrument, wherein said multi-network terminal initiates said diversions in said currently accessible networks upon insertion of said hand held unit into a battery-charging unit and upon removing of the hand held unit from said battery-charging unit.

3. A multi-network communication method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said multi-network terminal comprises a hand held unit provided with functionality and hardware that makes the hand held unit operate as a mobile telephone unit and as a cordless telephone unit, wherein said multi-network terminal initiates said diversions in said accessible networks upon insertion of the hand held unit into a battery-charging unit and upon removal of the hand held unit from said battery-charging unit.

4. A multi-network communication method in accordance with claim 3, wherein said hand held unit initiates said diversions when the cordless telephone unit leaves the area covered by a base station of said cordless telephone unit.

5. A multi-network communication method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said multi-network terminal initiates an outgoing connection in said selected network.

6. A multi-network communication method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said multi-network terminal initiates an outgoing connection in any of said currently accessible networks.

7. A multi-network communication method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said multi-network terminal comprises a computer provided with a first communication device for communication in a local area network and a second communication device for communication in a wide area network, said multi-network terminal initiating said diversions when the multi-network terminal leaves the area covered by a base station of said first communication device.