Method and system for dynamically assigning features and users to wireline interfaces

• US 6,266,523 B1
• Filed: 09/22/1999
• Issued: 07/24/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Qwest Communications International Incorporated (Lumen Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Qwest Communications International Incorporated (Lumen Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Cook, Charles I., Dougherty, Angus O., Corliss, James R., Fargano, Michael J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hunter, Daniel
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHOW, CHARLES CHIANG
• Application Number:
  US09/400,780
• Time in Patent Office: 671 Days
• Field of Search: 455/403, 455/422, 455/445, 455/567, 455/461, 455/555, 455/554, 379/58, 379/60
• US Class Current: 455/403
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4228 in networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13097 Numbering, addressing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13098 Mobile subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13103 Memory
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13141 Hunting for free outlet, circuit or channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13204 Protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13345 Intelligent networks, SCP
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13353 Routing table, map memory
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13533 multivendor and hybrid, e.g. public/private, networks, inc. international
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13541 routing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13546 Intelligent Peripheral
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0029 Provisions for intelligent networking

Abstract

A method and system for supporting wireless and/or wireline features of telecommunications subscribers utilizing existing wireline interfaces includes a processor for provisioning the wireline interfaces to support predetermined wireless and/or wireline features. A service logic, such as a Service Control Point (SCP), assigns the wireline interfaces to the telecommunications subscribers on a call-by-call basis based on the features subscribed to by the subscriber. The processor is further operative to reprovision the wireline interfaces based on the number of subscribers assigned to the wireline interfaces.

Claims

1. For use in an integrated wireline/wireless network, a method for using a fixed number of existing wireline interfaces to support a plurality of predetermined wireless and/or wireline features subscribed to by telecommunications subscribers, the method comprising:

assigning each of the wireline interfaces to the telecommunications subscribers on a call-by-call basis based on the features subscribed to by each of the subscribers; and

dynamically provisioning any one of the wireline interfaces on a call-by-call basis to support a different one of the plurality of pre-determined features based on the number of subscribers subscribing to each of the features and currently assigned to the wireline interfaces.

2. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein assigning each of the wireline interfaces further includes receiving identification data identifying the call as being one of a call terminating at a wireless handset associated with one of the subscribers and a call originating from the wireless handset associated with the subscriber.

3. The method as recited in claim 2 wherein receiving the identification data includes:

receiving a mobile identification number (MIN) identifying the call as originating from the wireless handset;

determining if the MIN is received in response to one of a registration request and a call origination; and

assigning one of the wireline interfaces based on the identification data contained in the MIN if the MIN is received in response to a call origination.

4. The method as recited in claim 3 wherein if the MIN is received in response to a registration request, the method further including assigning a common interface to the wireless handset, the common interface utilized as a waiting area until one of the wireline interfaces is assigned to the subscriber upon the subscriber originating a call from the wireless handset.

5. The method as recited in claim 4 wherein receiving the identification data further includes:

receiving a directory number corresponding to a telephone number of a desired subscriber to be reached; and

determining if there is a MIN associated with the directory number indicating the call is to the wireless handset associated with the subscriber.

6. The method as recited in claim 5 wherein determining the call is to the wireless handset further includes:

determining if the wireless handset is registered in the wireless network; and

assigning one of the wireline interfaces based on the identification data if the wireless handset is registered in the wireless network.

7. The method as recited in claim 6 wherein assigning one of the wireline interfaces based on the identification data further includes:

determining if the MIN is assigned to the common interface;

if the MIN is not assigned to the common interface, determining if the handset is busy; and

if the handset is not busy, assigning one of the wireline interfaces based on the features subscribed to by the subscriber.

8. The method as recited in claim 6 wherein if the handset is not registered in the wireless network, the method further comprising:

determining if the called subscriber is a subscriber of a single number service wherein the MIN of subscriber is associated with the wireless handset and a wireline telephone;

if so, assigning one of the wireline interfaces corresponding to a wireline interface permanently provisioned to the wireline telephone associated with the wireless handset.

9. The methods as recited in claim 7 wherein assigning one of the wireline interfaces further includes providing an unavailable signal upon determining the wireless handset is busy.

10. The method as recited in claim 9 wherein providing the unavailable signal includes providing a continuous ringing of the wireless handset indicating there is no answer by the called subscriber.

11. The method as recited in claim 9 wherein providing the unavailable signal includes providing a voice mail feature to the caller.

12. The methods as recited in claim 10 wherein assigning one of the wireline interfaces further includes providing an unavailable signal if the called subscriber is not a subscriber of a single number service.

13. The method as recited in claim 12 wherein providing the unavailable signal includes providing a continuous ringing of the wireline telephone indicating there is no answer by the called subscriber.

14. The method as recited in claim 12 wherein providing the unavailable signal includes providing a voice mail feature to the caller.

15. For use in an integrated wireline/wireless network, a system for using a fixed number of existing wireline interfaces to support a plurality of predetermined wireless an/or wireline features subscribed to by telecommunications subscribers, the system comprising:

service logic operative to assign each of the wireline interfaces to the telecommunications subscribers on a call-by-call basis based on the features subscribed to by each of the subscribers; and

a the processor operative to dynamically provision any one of the wireline interfaces on a call-by-call basis to support a different one of the plurality of predetermined features based on the number of subscribers subscribing to each of the features and currently assigned to the wireline interfaces.

16. The system as recited in claim 15 wherein the service logic, in assigning each of the wireline interfaces, is further operative to receive identification data identifying the call as being one of a call terminating at a wireless handset associated with one of the subscribers and a call originating from the wireless handset associated with the subscriber.

17. The system as recited in claim 16 wherein the service logic, in receiving identification data, is further operative to receive a mobile identification number (MIN) identifying the call as originating from the wireless handset, determine if the MIN is received in response to one of a registration request and a call origination, and assign one of the wireless interfaces based on the identification data contained in the MIN if the MIN is received in response to a call origination.

18. The system as recited in claim 17 wherein the service logic, upon determining the MIN is received in response to a registration request, is further operative to assign a common interface to the wireless handset, the common interface utilized as a waiting area until one of the wireline interfaces is assigned to the subscriber upon the subscriber originating a call from the wireless handset.

19. The system as recited in claim 16 wherein the service logic, in receiving the identification data, is further operative to receive a directory number corresponding to a telephone number of a desired subscriber to be reached, and determine if there is a MIN associated with a directory number indicating the call is to the wireless handset associated with the subscriber.

20. The system as recited in claim 19 wherein the service logic, in determining the call is to the wireless handset, is further operative to determine if the wireless handset is registered in the wireless network, and assign one of the wireline interfaces based on the identification data if the wireless handset is registered in the wireless network.

21. The system as recited in claim 20 wherein, the service logic, in assigning one of the wireline interfaces based on the identification data, is further operative to determine if the MIN is assigned to a common interface, determine if the handset is busy if the MIN is not assigned to the common interface, and assign one of the wireline interfaces based on the features subscribed to by the subscriber if the handset is not busy.

22. The system as recited in claim 21 wherein the service logic, in assigning one of the wireline interfaces, is further operative to provide an unavailable signal upon determining the wireless handset is busy.

23. The system as recited in claim 22 wherein the unavailable signal is a continuous ringing of the wireless handset indicating there is no answer by the called subscriber.

24. The system as recited in claim 22 wherein the unavailable signal is a voice mail feature presented to the caller.

25. The system as recited in claim 20 wherein the service logic, in determining the handset is not registered in the wireless network, is further operative to determine if the called subscriber is a subscriber of a single number service wherein the MIN of the subscriber is associated with the wireless handset and a wireline telephone service, and assign one of the wireline interfaces corresponding to a wireline interface permanently provisioned to the wireline telephone associated with the wireless handset.

26. The system as recited in claim 25 wherein the service logic, in assigning one of the wireline interfaces, is further operative to provide an unavailable signal if the called subscriber is not a subscriber of a single number service.

27. The system as recited in claim 26 wherein the unavailable signal is a continuous ringing of the wireline telephone indicating there is no answer by the called subscriber.

28. The system as recited in claim 26 wherein the unavailable signal is a voice mail feature presented to the caller.

29. The system as recited in claim 15 wherein the service logic is disposed in the wireline network.

30. The system as recited in claim 15 wherein the service logic is disposed in the wireless network.