Spread spectrum wireless telephone system

• US 6,115,412 A
• Filed: 09/15/1997
• Issued: 09/05/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Original Assignee: Omnipoint Corp. (Deutsche Telekom AG)
• Inventors: Vanderpool, Jeffrey S.
• Primary Examiner(s): VO, DON NGUYEN
• Application Number:
  US08/929,485
• Time in Patent Office: 1,086 Days
• Field of Search: 375/200, 375/208, 455/555, 455/554, 455/507, 455/515, 370/329, 370/330, 370/331, 379/198, 379/225, 379/231, 379/232, 379/234
• US Class Current: 375/130
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/2618 using hybrid code-time division multiple access [CDMA-TDMA]
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/2628 using code-division multiple access [CDMA] or spread spectrum multiple access [SSMA] H04B7/2618 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04J 13/00 Code division multiplex systems for frequency hopping H04B1/713
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/0066 of control information between different types of networks in order to establish a new radio link in the target network
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/14 Reselecting a network or an air interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/142 over the same radio air interface technology
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/16 Communication-related supplementary services, e.g. call-transfer or call-hold
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 Connection setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/16 WPBX [Wireless Private Branch Exchange]

Abstract

A system for accessing a telephone system, in which a set of user stations are matched with a set of base stations for connection to a telephone network. Each base station may be coupled directly or indirectly to the telephone network and may be capable of initiating or receiving calls on the telephone network. Each user station may comprise a spread-spectrum transmitter or receiver and may be capable of dynamic connection to selected base stations. A plurality of base stations may be coupled to a private exchange telephone system for coupling user stations in calls outside the telephone network. User stations may use CDMA, FDMA, TDMA or other multiple-access techniques to obtain one or more clear communication paths to base stations. Base stations may be placed at convenient locations or may themselves be mobile. User stations may make and break connections with base stations as the user station moves between service regions, or is otherwise more advantageously serviced by, base stations. User stations may direct requests to and receive information from an enhanced telephone services processor, so as to obtain enhanced telephone services within the telephone network. Base stations may be coupled to each other by means of a private exchange telephone system or other small business telephone system (such as a PBX, Centrex, or key-type system) so as to couple user stations in calls outside the telephone network. User stations may also be coupled directly or indirectly to the telephone network on their own or by another access path, such as narrowband or spread-spectrum cellular telephone circuits.

Claims

1. A wireless communication system, comprising:

a first base station coupled to a telephone network and having means for initiating a call on said telephone network and means for receiving a call on said telephone network;

a first user station having means for completing a communication path with said first base station, said communication path employing a spread-spectrum communication technique; and

a private exchange telephone system coupled to said first base station and to a second base station, said private exchange telephone system capable of routing a call between said first user station and a second user station in communication with said second base station without use of said telephone network;

wherein said first base station and said second base station each comprise a base station transmitter and a base station receiver; and

wherein said communication path is completed between said first base station and said first user station when said first user station initiates or receives a call on said telephone network and when said first user station initiates or receives a call with said second user station outside said telephone network.

2. A system as in claim 1, wherein said private exchange telephone system comprises a PBX.

3. A system as in claim 1, wherein said private exchange telephone system comprises a Centrex system.

4. A system as in claim 1, wherein said private exchange telephone system comprises a key-type system.

5. A system as in claim 1, comprising

a third base station coupled to said telephone network;

and

means for breaking said communication path between said first base station and said first user station and for completing a second communication path between said third base station and said first user station.

6. A system as in claim 5, wherein said means for breaking said communication path between said first user station and for completing said second communication path between said third base station and said first user station comprises means for handing-off said first user station from said first base station to said third base station during a call outside said telephone network.

7. A wireless communication system, comprising:

a first base station coupled to a telephone network and having means for initiating a call on said telephone network and means for receiving a call on said telephone network;

a second base station coupled to a telephone network and having means for initiating a call on said telephone network and means for receiving a call on said telephone network; and

a plurality of user stations having means for completing a communication path with said first base station and said second base station, said communication path employing a spread spectrum communication technique;

wherein a first communication path is completed between said first base station and a selected one of said plurality of user stations after a first master-initialization signal transmitted by said first base station is received by said selected user station, a first node-initialization signal is transmitted from said selected user station to said first base station, a first master-identification signal is transmitted from said first base station to said selected user station, and a first node-identification signal is transmitted from said selected user station to said first base station;

wherein a second communication path is completed between said selected user station and said second base station after a second master-initialization signal transmitted by said second base station is received by said selected user station, a second node-initialization signal is transmitted from said selected user station to said second base station, a second master-identification signal is transmitted from said second base station to said selected user station, and a second node-identification signal is transmitted from said selected user station to said second base station;

wherein a call between said selected user station and said first base station is established using said first communication path; and

wherein said call is handed-off from said first base station to said second base station after said second communication path between said selected user station and said second base station is completed.

8. A wireless communication system, comprising

a first base station coupled to a telephone network and having means for initiating a call on said telephone network and means for receiving a call on said telephone network;

a second base station coupled to a telephone network and having means for initiating a call on said telephone network and means for receiving a call on said telephone network;

a plurality of user stations having means for completing a communication path with said first base station and said second base station, said communication path employing a spread spectrum communication technique; and

a private exchange telephone system coupled to said first base station and to said second base station, said private exchange telephone system capable of routine a call to said first base station or said second base station;

wherein said communication path is completed between said first or second base station and a selected one of said user stations after said selected user station receives a master-initialization signal from said base station, said selected user station transmits a node-initialization signal to said base station, and said base station transmits a master-identification signal to said selected user station.