Multiple number assignment module communication

• US 5,918,172 A
• Filed: 09/27/1996
• Issued: 06/29/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Iron Oak Technologies LLC
• Original Assignee: Highway Master Communications Inc.
• Inventors: Quick, Gordon D., Russell, Thomas D., Saunders, William C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dolinar, Andrew M.
• Application Number:
  US08/721,912
• Time in Patent Office: 1,005 Days
• Field of Search: 455/404, 455/414, 455/419, 455/420, 455/435, 455/551, 455/552, 455/556, 455/557, 455/31.1, 455/66
• US Class Current: 455/404.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 60/00 Affiliation to network, e.g. registration; Terminating affiliation with the network, e.g. de-registration
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 Connection setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/183 Processing at user equipment or user record carrier
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/26 Network addressing or numbering for mobility support
• 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 communication system (10) includes a communication device (12) that supports communication using multiple number identification modules (70-74). Each NAM (70-74) supported by the communication device (12) is associated with a network (14,16) that provides a voice service or an enhanced service to the communication device (12). For outbound communication, the communication device (12) selects the appropriate NAM (70-74) in response to a request for a particular service. For inbound communication, the communication device (12) registers more than one NAM (70-74) to be able to respond to incoming pages from the networks (14, 16).

Claims

1. A communication device, comprising:

an input device operable to generate a request specifying one of an enhanced service and a voice service;

a memory operable to store a first number assignment module associated with the enhanced service and a second number assignment module associated with the voice service;

a processor coupled to the input device and operable to select the first number assignment module if the request specifies the enhanced service, the processor operable to select the second number assignment module if the request specifies the voice service; and

a transceiver coupled to the memory and operable to provide the requested service using the selected number assignment module.

2. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the input device comprises a numeric telephone keypad, the input device operable to generate the request in response to a telephone number dialed on the keypad.

3. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the input device comprises a service button, the input device operable to generate the request in response to an activation of the service button.

4. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the input device comprises a display having a service button, the input device operable to generate the request in response to an activation of the service button representing a selection of a menu item on the display.

5. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the input device generates the request for communication service without operator intervention.

6. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the second number assignment module is associated with local telephone service.

7. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the first number assignment module is associated with an emergency service and the second number assignment module is associated with local telephone service.

8. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the memory further comprises a third number assignment module associated with long distance telephone service.

9. The communication device of claim 1, further comprising a sensor operable to communicate data to the transceiver, the data associated with the requested service.

10. The communication device of claim 1, further comprising an actuator operable to receive data from the transceiver, the data associated with the requested service.

11. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the processor is operable to modify at least one of the first number assignment module and the second number assignment module stored in memory in response to a remote program request.

12. A method of operation of a cellular transceiver having a first number assignment module and a second number assignment module, the first number assignment module associated with an enhanced service and the second number assignment module associated with a voice service, the method comprising:

generating at the cellular transceiver a request specifying one of the enhanced service and the voice service;

selecting the first number assignment module if the request specifies the enhanced service;

selecting the second number assignment module if the request specifies the voice service; and

providing the requested service using the cellular transceiver and the selected number assignment module.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of generating the request comprises generating the request in response to a dialed telephone number.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of generating the request comprises generating the request in response to an activation of a service button.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of generating the request comprises:

displaying a menu item on a display; and

generating the request in response to an activation of a service button representing a selection of the menu item on the display.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the second number assignment module is associated with local telephone service.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein the first number assignment module is associated with an emergency service and the second number assignment module is associated with local telephone service.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein the memory further comprises a third number assignment module associated with long distance telephone service and further comprising the step of selecting the third number assignment module if the request specifies long distance telephone service.

19. The method of claim 12, wherein providing the requested service comprises:

generating sensor data at a sensor coupled to the cellular transceiver, the sensor data associated with the requested service; and

transmitting the sensor data using the cellular transceiver and the selected number assignment module.

20. The method of claim 12, wherein providing the requested service comprises:

receiving actuator data using the cellular transceiver and the selected number assignment module, the actuator data associated with the requested service; and

communicating the actuator data to an actuator coupled to the cellular transceiver.

21. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of modifying at least one of the first number assignment module and the second number assignment module in response to a remote program request.

22. A cellular communication system, comprising:

a communication device comprising a memory operable to store a first number assignment module associated with an enhanced service and a second number assignment module associated with a voice service;

a first cellular network coupled to the communication device, the first cellular network operable to register the first number assignment module; and

a second cellular network coupled to the communication device, the second cellular network operable to register the second number assignment module such that the first number assignment module and the second number assignment module are concurrently registered with their respective cellular networks.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the communication device further comprises a transceiver operable to transmit a service message to the first cellular network, the system further comprising a complex coupled to the first cellular network and operable to receive the service message, the complex further operable to provide the enhanced service to the communication device in response to the service message.

24. The system of claim 22, wherein the communication device further comprises a transceiver operable to transmit a service message to the first cellular network, the system further comprising:

a complex coupled to the first cellular network and operable to receive the service message; and

an enhanced service module coupled to the complex and identified in the service message, the enhanced service module operable to provide the enhanced service to the communication device.

25. A cellular communication system, comprising:

a communication device comprising a memory operable to store a first number assignment module associated with a first class of service and a second number assignment module associated with a second class of service;

a first cellular network coupled to the communication device, the first cellular network operable to register the first number assignment module; and

a second cellular network coupled to the communication device, the second cellular network operable to register the second number assignment module such that the first number assignment module and the second number assignment module are concurrently registered with their respective cellular networks.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein:

the first class of service directs outgoing calls to a complex; and

the second class of service prohibits long distance calls.

27. A method for cellular communication in a first cellular network and a second cellular network, the method comprising:

storing a first number assignment module associated with an enhanced service and a second number assignment module associated with a voice service at a communication device;

registering the first number assignment module with the first cellular network; and

registering the second number assignment module with the second cellular network such that the first number assignment module and the second number assignment module are concurrently registered with their respective cellular networks.

28. The method of claim 27, further comprising:

transmitting a service message to the first cellular network;

receiving the service message at a complex; and

providing the enhanced service to the communication device in response to the service message.

29. The method of claim 27, further comprising:

transmitting a service message to the first cellular network;

receiving the service message at a complex;

selecting an enhanced service module; and

providing the enhanced service to the communication device in response to the service message.

30. A method for cellular communication in a first cellular network and a second cellular network, the method comprising:

storing a first number assignment module associated with a first class of service and a second number assignment module associated with a second class of service at a communication device;

registering the first number assignment module with the first cellular network; and

registering the second number assignment module with the second cellular network such that the first number assignment module and the second number assignment module are concurrently registered with their respective cellular networks.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein:

the first class of service directs outgoing calls to a complex; and

the second class of service prohibits long distance calls.

32. A device for communicating with a first cellular network and a second cellular network, comprising:

a memory operable to store a first number assignment module associated with an enhanced service and a second number assignment module associated with a voice service;

a transceiver operable to register the first number assignment module with the first cellular network and the second number assignment module with the second cellular network such that the first number assignment module and the second number assignment module are concurrently registered with their respective cellular networks, the transceiver operable to receive a page; and

a processor operable to activate for communication one of the first number assignment module and the second number assignment module, the activated number assignment module specified by the page.

33. The device of claim 32, wherein the second number assignment module is associated with local telephone service.

34. The device of claim 32, wherein the first number assignment module is associated with an emergency service and the second number assignment module is associated with local telephone service.

35. The device of claim 32, wherein the memory further stores a third number assignment module associated with long distance telephone service, the transceiver operable to register the third number assignment module with a third cellular network such that the first number assignment module, the second number assignment module, and the third number assignment module are concurrently registered with their respective cellular networks.

36. The device of claim 32, further comprising a sensor operable to communicate data to the transceiver for communication using the activated number assignment module.

37. The device of claim 32, further comprising an actuator operable to receive data from the transceiver using the activated number assignment module.

38. The device of claim 32, wherein the processor is operable to modify at least one of the first number assignment module and the second number assignment module stored in the memory in response to a remote program request.

39. A method performed at a communication device for communicating with a first cellular network and a second cellular network, the method comprising:

storing a first number assignment module associated with an enhanced service and a second number assignment module associated with a voice service in a memory;

registering the first number assignment module with the first cellular network and the second number assignment module with the second cellular network;

receiving a page identifying a selected one of the first number assignment module and the second number assignment module; and

activating for communication the selected number assignment module.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein the second number assignment module is associated with local telephone service.

41. The method of claim 39, wherein the first number assignment module is associated with an emergency service and the second number assignment module is associated with local telephone service.

42. The method of claim 39, further comprising:

generating sensor data at a sensor coupled to the communication device; and

transmitting the sensor data using the selected number assignment module.

43. The method of claim 39, further comprising:

receiving actuator data using the selected number assignment module; and

communicating the actuator data to an actuator coupled to the communication device.

44. The method of claim 39, wherein the memory is operable to modify at least one of the first number assignment module and the second number assignment module in response to a remote program request.

45. The method of claim 39, further comprising:

responding to the page using the selected number assignment module;

providing communication using the selected number assignment module; and

deactivating the selected number assignment module after providing communication.

46. A method for remotely programming a communication device, comprising:

establishing data communication with a first cellular network;

receiving a remote program request, the remote program request specifying number assignment module information; and

programming a memory of the communication device with the number assignment module information such that the communication device is operable to receive enhanced service using a first cellular network and voice service using a second cellular network.

47. The method of claim 46, wherein the remote program request comprises:

a new mobile identification number to be supported by the communication device; and

a new system identification number associated with the new mobile identification number and a second cellular network.

48. The method of claim 46, further comprising the step of reading the number assignment module information into a program memory of the communication device.

49. The method of claim 46, further comprising the step of reading the number assignment module information into a program memory of the communication device during power-up initialization of the communication device.

50. The method of claim 46, further comprising the step of comparing a mobile identification number specified in the remote program request to determine if the mobile identification number is compatible with an existing mobile identification number supported by the communication device.

51. A method for remotely programming a communication device, comprising:

establishing data communication with a first cellular network;

receiving a remote program request, the remote program request specifying number assignment module information;

reading a last digit of a mobile identification number specified in the remote program request;

determining whether the last digit is odd or even;

generating an error message in response to the determination; and

programming a memory of the communication device with the number assignment module information.