Cellular extension service using single line and multiple cellular telephone sets

• US 6,393,275 B1
• Filed: 12/27/1996
• Issued: 05/21/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/27/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: AT&T Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Alfred, Joseph Anderson
• Primary Examiner(s): CUMMING, WILLIAM D
• Application Number:
  US08/777,366
• Time in Patent Office: 1,971 Days
• Field of Search: 455/402, 455/414, 455/445, 455/552, 455/419, 455/405, 455/422, 379/27, 379/127, 379/179, 379/177
• US Class Current: 455/422.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/06 Selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS]; Services to user groups; One-way selective calling services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/16 Communication-related supplementary services, e.g. call-transfer or call-hold
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/26 Network addressing or numbering for mobility support

Abstract

Multiple cellular telephones, each having a unique ESN, share the same cellular telephone number (MIN). Data records at the MSC are modified to reflect the parent and extension cellular telephones configuration. Incoming calls are delivered to all telephones sharing a MIN simultaneously, sequentially, or in accordance with a caller'"'"'s selection. An extension wireless telephone may interrupt a call in progress of another extension wireless telephone. Cellular telephones sharing a MIN may call each other using intercom extension numbers.

Claims

1. A method for configuring cellular telephones to share a cellular telephone line number, the method comprising the steps of:

defining one of the cellular telephones as a parent and the other cellular telephones as extensions, each of the cellular telephones being associated with a separate data record;

including identification information for the extension cellular telephones in the data record associated with the parent cellular telephone, the data record associated with the parent cellular telephone being located in a central facility; and

including identification information for the parent cellular telephone in the data records associated with the extension cellular telephones, the extension cellular telephones being devoid of associations with other cellular telephone line numbers.

11. The method for configuring cellular telephones of claim 1 wherein

the parent cellular telephone is defined by the presence of the cellular telephone line number in the associated data record.

12. The method for configuring cellular telephones of claim 1 wherein

each extension cellular telephone is defined by the presence of an extension telephone field and the cellular telephone line number of the parent cellular telephone in the associated data record.

2. A cellular communication system having a parent cellular telephone and at least one extension cellular telephone which share a cellular telephone line number, the system comprising:

a memory for storing identification information for the extension cellular telephones in a data record associated with the parent cellular telephone, the data record associated with the parent cellular telephone being located in a central facility; and

a memory for storing identification information for the parent cellular telephone in data records associated with the extension cellular telephones, each of the cellular telephones being associated with a separate data record, the extension cellular telephones being devoid of associations with other cellular telephone line numbers.

3. A method for configuring cellular telephones to share a cellular telephone line number, the method comprising the steps of:

defining one of the cellular telephones as a parent and the other cellular telephones as extensions, each of the cellular telephones being associated with a separate data record;

storing a data record for one of the parent or the extensions in a centralized control facility, wherein said data record associated with the parent includes identification information for the extensions, and said data records associated with the extensions include identification information for the parent; and

storing a record associating the shared cellular telephone line number with the parent and the extensions, the extensions being devoid of associations with other cellular telephone line numbers.

4. A cellular communication system having a parent cellular telephone and at least one extension cellular telephone which share a cellular telephone line number, the system comprising:

a memory for storing a data record for one of the parent or extension cellular telephones, the memory being located in a central facility, each of the cellular telephones being associated with a separate data record, wherein said data record associated with the parent cellular telephone includes identification information for the extension cellular telephones, and said data records associated with the extension cellular telephones include identification information for the parent cellular telephone; and

a memory for storing a record associating the shared cellular telephone line number with the parent and extension cellular telephones, the extension cellular telephones being devoid of associations with other cellular telephone line numbers.

5. A method for setting up a call from a caller to a cellular telephone line number having a plurality of associated cellular telephones, the method comprising the steps of:

delivering an audible menu signal to the caller;

receiving a response signal from the caller;

translating the response signal to a selected one of the cellular telephones associated with the cellular telephone line number, each of the cellular telephones having a unique electronic serial number and being associated with a separate data record, each of the associated cellular telephones being devoid of associations with other cellular telephone line numbers; and

delivering a call setup signal to the selected cellular telephone.

6. A method for a first cellular telephone to interrupt a call in progress of a second cellular telephone, the call in progress of the second cellular telephone being with a third party, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving, at a central facility, an interrupt request signal from the first cellular telephone, the first and second cellular telephones sharing a cellular telephone line number, each of the cellular telephones having a unique electronic serial number and being associated with a separate data record,

producing, at the central facility, an interrupt notice signal,

transmitting the interrupt notice signal from the central facility to the second cellular telephone, and

placing the third party on hold.

7. A method for a first cellular telephone to place a call to a second cellular telephone, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving, at a central facility, an intercom extension number associated with the first cellular telephone from the second cellular telephone, the first and second cellular telephones sharing a cellular telephone line number, each of the cellular telephones having a unique electronic serial number and being associated with a separate data record, and each of the cellular telephones devoid of associations with other cellular telephone line numbers, and delivering a call setup request to the first cellular telephone.

8. A communication system for a first cellular telephone to place a call to a second cellular telephone, the system comprising:

an interface, at a central facility, for receiving an intercom extension number associated with the first cellular telephone from the second cellular telephone, the first and second cellular telephones sharing a cellular telephone line number, each of the cellular telephones having a unique electronic serial number and being associated with a separate data record, and each of the cellular telephones devoid of associations with other cellular telephone line numbers, and

communication facilities for delivering a call setup request to the first cellular telephone.

9. A method for configuring a plurality of cellular telephones to share a cellular telephone number, the method comprising the steps of:

including the cellular telephone number in a first data record associated with a selected one of the cellular telephones, each of the cellular telephones being associated with a separate data record, the first data record being located in a central facility; and

including information identifying the selected one of the cellular telephones in the data records associated with the other of the cellular telephones, the other of the cellular telephones being devoid of associations with other cellular telephone line numbers.

10. A cellular communication system having a plurality of cellular telephones sharing a cellular telephone number, the system comprising:

a memory located at a central facility for storing the cellular telephone number in a first data record associated with a selected one of the cellular telephones, and

a memory located at the central facility for storing information identifying the selected one of the cellular telephones in data records associated with the other of the cellular telephones, each of the other of the cellular telephones being associated with a separate data record, the other of the cellular telephones being devoid of associations with other cellular telephone line numbers.