Method and system for dynamically redirecting wireline call delivery

• US 6,134,314 A
• Filed: 12/11/1998
• Issued: 10/17/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Qwest Communications International Incorporated (Lumen Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Qwest Communications International Incorporated (Lumen Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Webb, Jerry O., Dougherty, Angus O.
• Primary Examiner(s): SMITH, CREIGHTON H
• Application Number:
  US09/210,521
• Time in Patent Office: 676 Days
• Field of Search: 379/207, 379/211, 379/212, 455/461, 455/432, 455/433, 455/445
• US Class Current: 379/201.01
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/1091 Fixed mobile conversion
• 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 8/02 Processing of mobility data, e.g. registration information at HLR [Home Location Register] or VLR [Visitor Location Register]; Transfer of mobility data, e.g. between HLR, VLR or external networks

Abstract

A method and system are provided which allow a wireline network to dynamically control call redirection at a wireline Service Control Point (SCP) for mobile subscribers. A wireless location register routinely updates the wireline SCP with information indicative of the operational status of a mobile termination unit. The SCP is arranged to maintain the mobile unit status in a resident database. When a call is placed to a subscriber'"'"'s home telephone number, an SSP will query the SCP for routing instructions, and in response, the SCP will merely access its maintained database to determine the status of the mobile unit. The SCP either sends a mobile identification number or equivalent address to the SSP if the mobile is available, or the home telephone number if the mobile is unavailable.

Claims

1. In a communication system having a wireline network linked to a wireless network, a system for selectively directing call traffic originating from the wireline network to a mobile transceiver unit in the wireless network comprising:

a wireless unit location register for maintaining a first database containing information indicative of mobile transceiver unit registration status and location; and

a wireline service control point in communication with the wireless unit location register for maintaining a second database of data indicative of the availability status of the mobile transceiver unit, wherein the wireless unit location register is arranged to send data representative of the status of the mobile transceiver unit including a directory number to the wireline service control point for updating of the second database, wherein the service control point is arranged to access the second database directly when a request for call routing information is received from the wireline system, and providing information either for routing the call to the mobile transceiver unit based on the directory number maintained in the second database if the mobile unit is available to receive call traffic, or a designated wireline termination unit if the mobile unit is unavailable to receive call traffic.

2. In a communication system having a wireline network linked to a wireless network, a system for selectively directing call traffic originating from the wireline network to a mobile transceiver unit in the wireless network comprising:

a wireless unit location register for maintaining a first database containing information indicative of mobile transceiver unit registration status and location; and

a wireline service control point in communication with the wireless unit location register for maintaining a second database of data indicative of the availability status of the mobile transceiver unit, wherein the wireless unit location register is arranged to send data representative of the status of the mobile transceiver unit to the wireline service control point for updating of the second database, wherein the service control point is arranged to access the second database directly when a request for call routing information is received from the wireline system, and providing information either for routing the call to the mobile transceiver unit if the mobile unit is available to receive call traffic, or a designated wireline termination unit if the mobile unit is unavailable to receive call traffic, wherein the service control point is further arranged to determine whether an activity status timer associated with an available mobile unit has exceeded a predetermined value, and providing the information for routing the call to the mobile transceiver unit if the predetermined value is not exceeded.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the service control point is further arranged to request the wireless network to initiate a forced registration process if the activity status timer has exceeded the predetermined value.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein the service control point waits for a mobile unit de-registration signal from the wireless network in response to the forced registration process before providing the information for routing the call to the designated wireline termination unit.

5. A method for selectively directing call traffic originating from a wireline network to a mobile transceiver unit in a wireless network comprising:

maintaining a first database in the wireless network containing information indicative of mobile transceiver unit registration status and system location;

maintaining a second database in a wireline network service control point (SCP) of data indicative of the availability status of the mobile transceiver unit;

sending data representative of the status of the mobile transceiver unit including a directory number from the wireless network to the wireline service control point for updating of the second database;

in response to the wireline SCP receiving a request for call routing instructions for routing a call, accessing the second database; and

providing information either for routing the call to the mobile transceiver unit based on the directory number maintained in the second database if the mobile unit is available to receive call traffic, or a designated wireline termination unit if the mobile unit is unavailable to receive call traffic.

6. The method of claim 5 further comprising automatically sending the status data for updating the second database every time a mobile transceiver unit is registered or de-registered in the wireless network.

7. A method for selectively directing call traffic originating from a wireline network to a mobile transceiver unit in a wireless network comprising:

maintaining a first database in the wireless network containing information indicative of mobile transceiver unit registration status and system location;

maintaining a second database in a wireline network service control point (SCP) of data indicative of the availability status of the mobile transceiver unit;

sending data representative of the status of the mobile transceiver unit from the wireless network to the wireline service control point for updating of the second database;

in response to the wireline SCP receiving a request for call routing instructions for routing a call, accessing the second database;

determining whether an activity status timer associated with an available mobile unit has exceeded a predetermined value, and

providing information either for routing the call to the mobile transceiver unit if the predetermined value is not exceeded and the mobile unit is available to receive call traffic, or a designated wireline termination unit if the mobile unit is unavailable to receive call traffic.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising requesting the wireless network to initiate a forced registration process if the activity status timer has exceeded the predetermined value.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising waiting for a mobile unit de-registration signal from the wireless network in response to the forced registration process before providing the information for routing the call to the designated wireline termination unit.