Cellular-telephone central call-processing system utilizing object-oriented software in adjunct personal computer

• US 5,995,831 A
• Filed: 07/15/1996
• Issued: 11/30/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Excel Switching Corp. (Enghouse Systems Limited)
• Original Assignee: Phoenix Wireless Group
• Inventors: Carter, John, Tsao, Charles, Gulliford, Philip Case, Matthies, Christopher Craig
• Primary Examiner(s): Le, Thanh Cong
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bhattacharya, Sam
• Application Number:
  US08/680,467
• Time in Patent Office: 1,233 Days
• Field of Search: 455/403, 455/406, 455/422, 455/426, 455/456, 455/457, 455/461, 455/560
• US Class Current: 455/426.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/042 Public Land Mobile systems, e.g. cellular systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/14 Backbone network devices

Abstract

An adjunct processor for a wireless telephone system utilizes object-oriented software for providing a common air-interface protocol for each cell site'"'"'s base station, so that, regardless of the specific cellular system, it may be coupled to the central, adjunct node-processor of the invention, so that multifarious-operating cellular systems may be linked by the central personal computer adjunct node-processor into one holistic system comprised of many different cellular operating systems and of many node-processors. A network of many adjunct node-processors allows hand-off between adjunct processors, so that if one adjunct processor fails or is down, another adjunct processor in the network may take over its functions. Each adjunct processor also has an alarm-management system, which may take over the alarm-management operation of a down adjunct processor. The object-oriented software of each adjunct processor is comprised of three components: Call-processing, sell-site interface, and matrix switch interface. Each component is comprised of an objects-oriented software and a state table, with the objects-oriented software creating a pointer for the state table.

Claims

1. A wireless telephone system, comprising:

a plurality of cell-sites, each cell-site having a base-station and a number of mobile-subscribers linked to said base station;

a central adjunct node-processor linking together said plurality of cell-sites, and controlling all call-processing functions and operations between said plurality of cell-sites;

said adjunct node-processor comprising a computer having memory means for storage of data;

said memory means comprising control means for controlling call-processing of a telephone call between mobile subscribers;

said memory means comprising objects-oriented software comprising a state table defining all of the possible states for call-connection to a said cell-site, and objects-directed software means for creating pointers for said state stable;

said plurality of cell-sites comprising at least two different cell-sites operating on different specifications and protocol, said objects-oriented software linking together said at least two different cell-sites, whereby cell-sites of different specifications and protocols may be linked together by said central adjunct node-processor;

whereby different cell-sites operating on different specifications and protocol may be subsequently coupled to said central adjunct node-processor via said memory means using the existing hardware elements, so that existing hardware elements need not be replicated in order to accommodate different cell-sites operating on different specifications and protocol.

2. The wireless telephone system according to claim 1, in combination with a public switched telephone network, and further comprising:

matrix-switch means operatively associated with said central adjunct node-processor for coupling each of said plurality of cell-sites to said public switched telephone network;

said matrix-switch means being controlled by said adjunct node-processor;

said control means of said memory means of said adjunct node-processor switch also comprising means for controlling the operation and functioning of said matrix-switch means for call-processing of a telephone call between a mobile-subscriber and said public switched telephone network.

3. The wireless telephone system according to claim 2, wherein said control means comprises a first call-processing objects-software, a second cell-site interface objects-software, and a third switch-interface objects-software;

said first call-processing objects-software controlling call-processing states for control of said second and third objects-software;

said second objects-software interfacing said adjunct node-processor and said first call-processing objects-software with said cell-sites; and

said third objects-software interfacing said adjunct node-processor and said first call-processing objects-software thereof to said matrix switch means.

4. The wireless telephone system according to claim 3, wherein said first call-processing objects-software comprises a first state table defining all of the possible individual states for call-processing and the actions associated therewith, and first objects-directed software means for creating pointers for said state stable for recording the state of a call of a said mobile-subscriber and for creating all call-process handling by means of said state table.

5. The wireless telephone system according to claim 4, wherein said second objects-software also comprises a second state table defining all of the possible states for call-connection to a said mobile-subscriber of a said cell-site, and second objects-directed software means for creating pointers for said second state stable.

6. The wireless telephone system according to claim 5, wherein said third objects-software also comprises a third state table defining all of the possible states for call-connection between a said cell-site and the PSTN, and third objects-directed software means for creating pointers for said third state stable.

7. The wireless telephone system according to claim 2, further comprising at least one additional central adjunct node-processor linking together at least another set of a plurality of cell-sites for forming a node-network, said at least one additional central adjunct node-processor controlling all call-processing functions and operations between said at least another set of a plurality of cell-sites and the public switched telephone network;

and

at least one additional matrix-switch means operatively associated with said at least one additional central adjunct node-processor for coupling each said cell-site of said at least another set of plurality of cell-sites to the public switched telephone network;

said at least one additional matrix-switch means being controlled by said at least one additional adjunct node-processor;

said at least one additional adjunct node-processor also comprising a computer having memory means for storage of data;

said memory means of said at least one additional adjunct node-processor comprising control means for controlling the operation and functioning of said at least one additional matrix switch, and for controlling call-processing of a telephone call between a said mobile-subscriber of said at least another set of a plurality of cell-sites and the public switched telephone network;

said memory means of each of said central adjunct node-processor and said at least one additional central adjunct node-processor comprising linkage means for linking said central adjunct node-processors together for two-way communication and control.

8. The wireless telephone system according to claim 7, wherein said control means of each said central adjunct node-processor comprises means for directing a call associated with a said mobile-subscriber thereof to the other central adjunct node-processor, so that when a call is made from a said mobile-subscriber of one said central adjunct node-processor to a mobile-subscriber of the other said central adjunct node-processor, the PSTN is avoided.

9. The wireless telephone system according to claim 7, wherein said control means further comprises means for handing off control of all call-processing functions and operations associated therewith to another said central adjunct node-processor, whereby, when one said central adjunct node-processor is experiencing down-time, another said central adjunct node-processor may assume the tasks thereof.

10. The wireless telephone system according to claim 7, wherein said memory means of each said central adjunct node-processor further comprises alarm-management means for receiving and reporting an alarm condition associated said wireless telephone system;

said means for handing off control of all call-processing functions and operations comprising means for handing off alarm-management functions and operations associated therewith to another said central adjunct node-processor, whereby when one central adjunct node-processor'"'"'s alarm-management system fails, its functions are taken over by another central adjunct node-processor in the network.

11. The wireless telephone system according to claim 1, wherein said objects-oriented software links together at least two of:

a first AMPS-type cell-site;

a second GSM-type cell-site, a third TACS-type cell-site, and a fourth NMT-type cell-site.

12. The wireless telephone system according to claim 1, wherein said memory means further comprises billing means for initiating the start of the billing time-period for a call associated with a said mobile-subscriber, and terminating the billing time-period upon termination of the call;

said billing means relatively-instantaneously recording and tracking the billing of each said mobile-subscriber, whereby limits and constraints imposed on any said mobile-subscriber may be enforced.

13. The wireless telephone system according to claim 1, wherein said memory means further comprises alarm-management means for receiving and reporting an alarm condition associated said wireless telephone system.

14. A wireless telephone system, for alternate connection to a public switched telephone network, comprising:

a plurality of central adjunct node-processors linked together to form a network, each said central adjunct node-processor linking together a plurality of cell-sites, and controlling all call-processing functions and operations between said plurality of cell-sites and the public switched telephone network;

each said cell-site having a base-station and a number of mobile-subscribers linked to said base station;

a plurality of matrix-switch means, one said matrix switch means operatively associated with one said central adjunct node-processor of said plurality of central adjunct node-processors, for coupling each said plurality of cell-sites to the public switched telephone network;

each said matrix-switch means being controlled by a said adjunct node-processor;

each said adjunct node-processor comprising substantially identical computer means having memory means for storage of data;

said memory means comprising control means for controlling the operation and functioning of a said matrix-switch means, and for controlling call-processing of a telephone call between a mobile-subscriber and the public switched telephone network;

each said memory means of each said central adjunct node-processor further comprising hand-off means, whereby each said central adjunct node-processor is capable of assuming the control and functions performed by any other said central adjunct node-processor of said network, whereby, during the down-time of one said central adjunct node-processor, its control and functions are taken over by another said central adjunct node-processor of said network;

whereby different cell-sites operating on different specifications and protocol may be subsequently coupled to said central adjunct node-processor via said memory means using the existing hardware elements, so that existing hardware elements need not be replicated in order to accommodate different cell-sites operating on different specifications and protocol.

15. The wireless telephone system according to claim 14, wherein said control means for controlling the operation and functioning of a said matrix-switch means, and for controlling call-processing of a telephone call between a said mobile-subscriber and the public switched telephone network is capable of controlling each of said plurality of matrix-switch means of said network.

16. The wireless telephone system according to claim 14, wherein said memory means of each said central adjunct node-processor further comprises alarm-management means for receiving and reporting an alarm condition associated said wireless telephone system;

said hand-off means for handing off control of all call-processing functions and operations comprising means for handing off alarm-management functions and operations associated therewith to another said central adjunct node-processor, whereby when one central adjunct node-processor'"'"'s alarm-management system fails, its functions are taken over by another central adjunct node-processor in the network.

17. The wireless telephone system according to claim 14, wherein said memory means further comprises billing means for initiating the start of the billing time-period for a call associated with a said mobile-subscriber thereof, and terminating the billing time-period upon termination of the call;

said billing means relatively-instantaneously recording and tracking the billing of each said mobile-subscriber, whereby limits and constraints imposed on any said mobile-subscriber may be enforced.

18. The wireless telephone system according to claim 17, wherein said hand-off means for handing off control of all call-processing functions and operations comprises means for handing off alarm-management functions and operations associated therewith to another said central adjunct node-processor, whereby when one central adjunct node-processor'"'"'s alarm-management system fails, its functions are taken over by another central adjunct node-processor in the network.

19. A central adjunct node-processor for a wireless telephone system, for linking together a plurality of cell-sites where each cell-site comprises a base station and mobile-subscribers, comprising:

a personal computer having memory means for storage of data;

said memory means comprising control means for controlling the operation and functioning of the plurality of cell-sites, and for controlling call-processing of a telephone call between mobile-subscribers;

said control means comprising call-processing objects-software;

said call-processing objects-software comprising a state table defining all of the possible individual states for call-processing and the actions associated therewith, and objects-directed software means for creating pointers for said state stable for recording the state of a call of a mobile-subscriber and for creating all call-process handling by means of said state table;

said control means further comprising cell-site interface objects-software, said call-processing objects-software controlling call-processing states for control of said cell-site interface objects-software;

said cell-site interface objects-software interfacing said adjunct node-processor and said call-processing objects-software with its cell-sites;

said cell-site interface objects-software also comprising a state table defining all of the possible states for call-connection to a mobile-subscriber of a cell-site, and objects-directed software means for creating pointers for said state table thereof;

a plurality of cell-sites linked to said central adjunct node-processor by said cell-site interface objects-software;

said plurality of cell-sites comprising at least two cell-sites operating on different specifications and protocol, whereby said cell-site interface objects-software adapts to each for control by said adjunct node-processor;

whereby different cell-sites operating on different specifications and protocol may be subsequently coupled to said central adjunct node-processor via said memory means using the existing hardware elements, so that existing hardware elements need not be replicated in order to accommodate different cell-sites operating on different specifications and protocol.

20. The central adjunct node-processor for a wireless telephone system, for linking together a plurality of cell-sites, according to claim 19, wherein said plurality of cell-sites comprises at least two from the group of:

GSM-type system;

AMPS-type system;

NTM-type system; and

TACS-type system.

21. In an adjunct processor for a wireless telephone system, which adjunct processor comprises memory means, said memory means comprising linking means for linking the adjunct processor to a plurality of cell-sites forming part of the wireless telephone system, the improvement comprising:

said linking means comprising cell-site interface objects-oriented software for directly linking cell-sites operating with different specifications and protocol to the adjunct-processor for control thereby;

said cell-site interface objects-oriented software comprising a state table defining all of the possible states for call-connection to any of the cell-sites linked thereto, and objects-directed software means for creating pointers for said state table thereof;

whereby different cell-sites operating on different specifications and protocol may be subsequently coupled to said adjunct processor via said memory means using the existing hardware elements, so that existing hardware elements need not be replicated in order to accommodate different cell-sites operating on different specifications and protocol.

22. The adjunct processor for a wireless telephone system according to claim 21, wherein said cell-site interface objects-oriented software comprises a state table defining all of the possible states for call-connection to any of the cell-sites linked there to, and objects-directed software means for creating pointers for said state table thereof.

23. The adjunct processor for a wireless telephone system according to claim 22, in combination with a plurality of cell-sites, at least two of said plurality of cell-sites being from the group of:

GSM-type system;

AMPS-type system;

NTM-type system; and

TACS-type system.

24. The adjunct processor for a wireless telephone system according to claim 22, wherein said memory means further comprises call-processing objects-software for controlling said cell-site interface objects-oriented software, and also comprising a state table defining all of the possible individual states for call-processing and the actions associated therewith, and objects-directed software means for creating pointers for said state stable for recording the state of a call of a mobile-subscriber and for creating all call-process handling by means of said state table.

25. The adjunct processor for a wireless telephone system according to claim 24, in combination with at least one more adjunct processor for forming a wireless telephone network, said at least one more adjunct processor also comprising memory means having linking means for linking said at least one more adjunct processor to another plurality of cell-sites forming part of the wireless telephone system, said linking means of said at least one more adjunct processor also comprising cell-site interface objects-oriented software, whereby said another plurality of cell-sites operating with different specifications and protocol may be readily linked to said at least one more adjunct-processor for control thereby;

said cell-site interface objects-oriented software of said adjunct processor and said cell-site interface objects-oriented software of said at least one more adjunct processor being substantially the same, whereby, if one said adjunct processor fails or is experiencing down-time, another said adjunct processor may take over all of the control, functions and operations thereof.

26. The adjunct processor for a wireless telephone system according to claim 21, wherein said adjunct processor is a personal computer.

27. The adjunct processor for a wireless telephone system according to claim 25, wherein each said adjunct processor is a personal computer.

28. The adjunct processor for a wireless telephone system according to claim 26, wherein said memory means further comprises billing means for initiating the start of the billing time-period for a call associated with a mobile-subscriber thereof, and terminating the billing time-period upon termination of the call;

said billing means relatively instantaneously recording and tracking the billing of each said mobile-subscriber, whereby limits and constraints imposed on any said mobile-subscriber may be enforced.

29. The adjunct processor for a wireless telephone system according to claim 26, wherein said memory means of each said adjunct processor further comprises alarm-management means for receiving and reporting an alarm condition associated with said wireless telephone system;

and hand-off means for handing off control of all call-processing functions and operations and all alarm-management functions and operations to another said adjunct processor, whereby when one adjunct processor'"'"'s alarm-management system fails, its functions are taken over by another adjunct processor in the network.

30. In an adjunct processor for a wireless telephone system, which adjunct processor comprises memory means, said memory means comprising linking means for linking the adjunct processor to a plurality of cell-sites forming part of the wireless telephone system, the improvement comprising:

said linking means comprising cell-site interface objects-oriented software, whereby cell-sites operating with different specifications and protocol may be readily linked to the adjunct-processor for control thereby;

said memory means further comprising call-processing objects-software for controlling said cell-site interface objects-oriented software, and also comprising a state table defining all of the possible individual states for call-processing and the actions associated therewith, and objects-directed software means for creating pointers for said state stable for recording the state of a call of a mobile-subscriber and for creating all call-process handling by means of said state table;

and further comprising at least one more adjunct processor for forming a wireless telephone network, said at least one more adjunct processor also comprising memory means having linking means for linking said at least one more adjunct processor to another plurality of cell-sites forming part of the wireless telephone system, said linking means of said at least one more adjunct processor also comprising cell-site interface objects-oriented software, whereby said another plurality of cell-sites operating with different specifications and protocol may be readily linked to said at least one more adjunct-processor for control thereby;

said cell-site interface objects-oriented software of said adjunct processor and said cell-site interface objects-oriented software of said at least one more adjunct processor being substantially the same, whereby, if one said adjunct processor fails or is experiencing down-time, another said adjunct processor may take over all of the control, functions and operations thereof.

31. A wireless telephone system, such as a cellular system and a personal communications system, comprising:

a plurality of cell-sites, each cell-site having a base-station and a number of mobile-subscribers linked to said base station;

a central adjunct node-processor linking together said plurality of cell-sites, and controlling all call-processing functions and operations between said plurality of cell-sites;

said adjunct node-processor comprising a computer having memory means for storage of data;

said memory means comprising control means for controlling call-processing of a telephone call between mobile subscribers;

at least one additional central adjunct node processor linking together at least another set of a plurality of cell-sites for forming a node-network, said at least one additional central adjunct node-processor controlling all call-processing functions and operations of said at least another set of a plurality of cell-sites;

said at least one additional adjunct node-processor also comprising a computer having memory means for storage of data;

said memory means of said at least one additional adjunct node-processor comprising control means for controlling the operation and functioning of call-processing of a telephone call between mobile-subscribers of said at least another set of a plurality of cell-sites;

said memory means of each of said central adjunct node-processor and said at least one additional central adjunct node-processor comprising linkage means for linking said central adjunct node-processors together for two-way communication and control.

32. The wireless telephone system according to claim 31, wherein said control means of each said central adjunct node-processor comprises means for directing a call associated with a mobile-subscriber thereof to the other central adjunct node-processor, so that when a call is made from a mobile-subscriber of one said central adjunct node-processor to a mobile-subscriber of the other said central adjunct node-processor, the public switched network is avoided.

33. A wireless telephone system, such as a cellular system, and a personal communications system, comprising:

a plurality of cell-sites, each cell-site having a base-station and a number of mobile-subscribers linked to said base station;

a central adjunct node-processor linking together said plurality of cell-sites, and controlling all call-processing functions and operations between said plurality of cell-sites;

matrix-switch means operatively associated with said central adjunct node-processor for coupling each of said plurality of cell-sites to the public switched telephone network;

said matrix-switch means being controlled by said adjunct node-processor;

said adjunct node-processor comprising a computer having memory means for storage of data;

said memory means comprising control means for controlling the operation and functioning of said matrix switch, and for controlling call-processing of a telephone call between a said mobile-subscriber and the public switched telephone network;

said memory means comprising objects-oriented software comprising a state table defining all of the possible states for call-connection to a said cell-site, and objects-directed software means for creating pointers for said state stable for controlling said matrix-switch means;

said memory means further comprising billing means interacting with said state table and said matrix-switch means for initiating the start of the billing time-period for a call associated with a said mobile-subscriber, and terminating the billing time-period upon termination of the call;

said billing means relatively-instantaneously recording and tracking the billing of each said mobile-subscriber via said matrix-switch means, whereby limits and constraints imposed on any said mobile-subscriber may be enforced.