Apparatus for providing enhanced functionality to a mobile station

• US 6,314,303 B1
• Filed: 07/29/1997
• Issued: 11/06/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Wireless Services Incorporated (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Phipps, Alastair
• Primary Examiner(s): Vo, Nguyen T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, DUC M
• Application Number:
  US08/902,373
• Time in Patent Office: 1,561 Days
• Field of Search: 455/554, 455/555, 455/556, 455/557, 455/575, 455/90, 455/462, 455/573, 455/569, 455/560, 455/465
• US Class Current: 455/555
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72403 with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72502 with one base station connected to a single line
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/22 Processing or transfer of terminal data, e.g. status or physical capabilities
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/18 between terminal devices

Abstract

An apparatus interfaces with a mobile station to enhance the functionality of that station. The apparatus can be constituted by a base unit that includes an interface adapted to receive and communicate with the mobile station. The base unit further includes processing capabilities and memory which control call processing functions in conjunction with a wireless switch. The base unit communicates with the wireless switch via a transceiver in the mobile station by the connection to the mobile station at the interface element.

Claims

1. In a wireless mobile switching system, an improvement comprising:

a mobile station, comprising;

a first memory having stored therein program instructions that define a first feature set for private branch exchange call processing for the mobile station, and

a physical cradle interface that enables a transfer of signals between said memory and a mobile station cradle; and

a mobile station cradle including

a second memory having stored therein program instructions that define a second feature set for enhanced private branch exchange call processing for the mobile station, and

a mobile station physical interface that enables a transfer of signals between said second memory and said mobile station via said mobile station physical cradle interface.

2. The improvement of claim 1 wherein said enhanced private branch exchange call processing includes at least one private branch exchange function.

3. The improvement of claim 2 wherein said at least one private branch exchange function includes a call transfer function.

4. The wireless mobile switching system of claim 1 further comprising a private branch exchange switch capable of communicating with said mobile station.

5. The improvement of claim 4 wherein said enhanced private branch exchange call processing includes at least one private branch exchange function.

6. The improvement of claim 5 wherein said at least one private branch exchange function includes a call transfer function.

7. An apparatus for enhancing functionality of a mobile station, the mobile station characterized by a first feature set for private branch exchange call processing, comprising:

a mobile station physical interface that establishes an electrical connection with a mobile station; and

a function enhancement module coupled to said mobile station physical interface and capable of communicating with said mobile station, wherein said function enhancement module includes a memory storing program instructions that define a second feature set for enhanced private branch exchange call processing for a stand alone mobile station.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 further including a power supply circuit that is coupled to said mobile station physical interface and provides power to a mobile station coupled to said mobile station physical interface.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said apparatus further comprises a processor coupled to said memory and operating under the control of program instructions in said memory.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said processor communicates with a wireless switching exchange via said mobile station interface.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising a handset that is coupled to said processor and that provides an audio interface to a user.

12. The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising a keypad, coupled to said processor.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 further comprising a display coupled to said processor.

22. The wireless communication system of claim 11 further comprising a public branch exchange coupled to the wireless communication interface of said portable communication unit, said cradle unit being coupled to said private branch exchange via the wireless communication interface, the cradle unit interface and the portable communication interface.

14. An apparatus for supplementing a first feature set for private branch exchange call processing of a mobile station, comprising:

a mobile station interface;

a processor coupled to said mobile station interface;

a memory, coupled to said processor and that stores program instructions that define a second feature set for enhanced private branch exchange call processing of the mobile station;

display coupled to said processor;

a keypad coupled to said processor;

a microphone coupled to said processor; and

a speaker coupled to said processor.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 further comprising an interface to an external processing device.

16. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said external processing device comprises a personal computer.

17. An apparatus for wirelessly communicating with a private branch exchange switch, comprising:

a mobile station having a first feature set for private branch exchange call processing associated therewith; and

a cradle in communication with the mobile station, said cradle comprising;

a processor;

a memory storing program instructions that define a second feature set for enhanced private branch exchange call processing;

a display coupled to said processor;

a keypad coupled to said processor;

a microphone coupled to said processor; and

a speaker coupled to said processor;

wherein said mobile station provides a continuous communication channel to the private branch exchange switch.

18. A method of wireless communication, comprising:

electrically coupling a mobile station that has a first set of private branch exchange call features stored in a memory therein with a cradle that has a second set of enhanced private branch exchange call features stored in a memory therein,

initiating a wireless call according to the first and second sets of call features, and

thereafter, de-coupling the mobile station from the cradle and conducting a remainder of the wireless call according to the first set of call features.

19. A wireless communication system, comprising:

a portable communication unit, including;

a wireless communication interface,

a memory having stored therein program instructions that define a first feature set for private branch exchange call processing for the portable communication unit; and

a cradle unit interface; and

a cradle unit, including;

a memory having stored therein program instructions that define a second feature set for enhanced private branch exchange call processing for said portable communication unit, and

a portable communication unit interface that enables a transfer of signals between said memory of the cradle unit and said memory of the portable communications unit via said cradle unit interface.

20. The wireless communication system of claim 19, wherein said cradle unit excludes a wireless communication interface.

21. The wireless communication system of claim 19, wherein said cradle unit interface enables the transfer of signals from said portable communication interface to a public branch exchange via said wireless communication interface.

23. A wireless communication system, comprising:

a portable communication unit, including;

a cradle unit interface,

a wireless communication interface, and

memory having stored therein program instructions defining a first feature set for private branch exchange call processing, comprising call origination and call termination; and

a cradle unit, including;

a memory having stored therein program instructions defining a second feature set for enhanced private branch exchange call processing, comprising call forwarding, conference calling, and speed dialing, and

a portable communication unit interface that enables a transfer of signals between said memory of the cradle unit and said memory of the portable communications unit via said cradle unit interface.