Method and system for providing wireless communications to a subscriber of a private wireline network

• US 6,073,029 A
• Filed: 07/25/1997
• Issued: 06/06/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Qwest Communications International Incorporated (Lumen Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: U S West Inc.
• Inventors: Smith, Dennis C., Fargano, Michael J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bost, Dwayne D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MAUNG, NAY AUNG
• Application Number:
  US08/900,250
• Time in Patent Office: 1,047 Days
• Field of Search: 455/422, 455/426, 455/432, 455/433, 455/436, 455/445, 455/461, 455/462, 455/463, 455/552, 455/554, 455/555, 455/444, 455/560, 455/561, 370/336, 370/466, 370/522, 370/524
• US Class Current: 455/555
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/16 WPBX [Wireless Private Branch Exchange]

Abstract

A method and system for providing wireless communications to a subscriber of a private wireline network includes a private wireline switch and a wireline interface. The switch processes and controls telephone calls to and from the subscriber to provide a plurality of communication features to the subscriber. The wireline interface is in communication with the switch and the public wireless network for providing wireless communications to the subscriber via the switch.

Claims

1. In a telecommunications system having a switch in a private wireline network for processing and controlling telephone calls to and from a subscriber to provide a plurality of communications features to the subscriber, a method for providing wireless communications to the subscriber of the private wireline network utilizing a public wireless network, the method comprising:

providing a processor in the public wireless network and in communication with the switch for translating between wireline and wireless communications protocols;

providing a base station in the private wireline network and in communication with the processor for providing wireless communications to the subscriber; and

providing a wireline interface coupled between the switch and the processor for enabling the processor to control wireless communications to the subscriber via the base station when the subscriber is located in the private wireline network.

2. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein providing the wireline interface further includes providing the wireline interface for supporting the plurality of communications features provided by the private wireline network to the subscriber.

3. The method as recited in claim 2 wherein supporting the plurality of communications features includes simultaneously transmitting voice and signaling information between the private wireline network and the public wireless network.

4. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the private wireline network communicates via a wireline communication protocol and the public wireless network communicates via a wireless communication protocol and wherein the method further comprising translating between the wireline and wireless communication protocols.

5. The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising determining whether or not a user of the public wireless network is a subscriber of the private wireline network.

6. The method as recited in claim 5 wherein the public wireless network includes a database containing identification data for all users of the public wireless network, and wherein determining includes comparing identification data of the user with the identification data in the database.

7. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein enabling includes enabling the subscriber to roam throughout the public wireless network.

11. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein the private wireline network communicates via a wireline communication protocol and the public wireless network communicates via a wireless communication protocol, the system further comprising a processor in the public wireless network and in communication with the wireline interface for translating between the wireline and wireless communication protocols.

12. The system as recited in claim 11 wherein the processor includes a database for storing identification data, the identification data identifying whether or not a user of the public wireless network is a subscriber of the private wireline network.

13. The system as recited in claim 11 wherein the processor is further provided for permitting the subscriber to roam throughout the public wireless network while maintaining communications via the switch.

8. A system for providing wireless communications to a subscriber of a private wireline network utilizing a public wireless network, the system comprising:

a switch in the private wireline network for processing and controlling telephone calls to and from the subscriber to provide a plurality of communications features to the subscriber;

a processor in the public wireless network and in communication with the switch for translating between wireline and wireless communications protocols;

a base station in the private wireline network and in communication with the processor for providing wireless communications to the subscriber; and

a wireline interface coupled between the switch and the processor for enabling the processor to control wireless communications to the subscriber via the base station when the subscriber is located the private wireline network.

9. The system as recited in claim 8 wherein the wireline interface includes line-side features to support the plurality of communications features provided by the private wireline network.

10. The system as recited in claim 9 wherein the wireline interface includes both a voice path and a signaling path for simultaneously transmitting voice and signaling information between the private wireline network and the public wireless network.

14. The system as recited in claim 9 wherein the wireline interface includes a plurality of copper wire pairs.

15. The system as recited in claim 9 wherein the wireline interface is an Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) interface.

16. The system as recited in claim 9 wherein the wireline interface is a GR-303 interface.

17. The system as recited in claim 8 wherein the private wireline network is a Private Branch Exchange (PBX) and wherein the switch is a PBX switch.

18. The system as recited in claim 8 wherein the private wireline network is a Centrex system and wherein the switch is a Service Switching Point (SSP).