Multiple mode personal wireless communications system

• US 6,526,277 B1
• Filed: 09/27/1996
• Issued: 02/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: GTE Wireless Service Corporation (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: GTE Wireless Service Corporation (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Inventors: Zicker, Robert G., Dion, John K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Trost, William
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Simon
• Application Number:
  US08/723,712
• Time in Patent Office: 2,342 Days
• Field of Search: 379/58, 379/59, 379/60, 379/61, 379/63, 455/33.1, 455/34.1, 455/33.2, 455/54.1, 455/56.1, 455/422, 455/426, 455/435, 455/461, 455/454, 455/462, 455/465, 455/552
• US Class Current: 455/426.2
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/27 Devices whereby a plurality of signals may be stored simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2745 using static electronic memories, e.g. chips
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/27463 Predictive input, predictive dialling by comparing the dialled sequence with the content of a telephone directory
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/27485 Appending a prefix to or inserting a pause into a dialling sequence
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/57 Arrangements for indicating or recording the number of the calling subscriber at the called subscriber's set at the operator set in a manual exchange H04M5/20
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724 User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72403 with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/725 Cordless telephones user interfaces specially adapted therefor H04M1/724
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72505 Radio link set-up procedures
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/8033 location-dependent, e.g. business or home
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/00 Metering arrangements; Time controlling arrangements; Time indicating arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/32 Involving wireless systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/7435 Location dependent, e.g. Bussiness or home
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/16 for PBS [Private Base Station] arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/32 Hierarchical cell structures
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/24 Accounting or billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/18 Selecting a network or a communication service
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 Connection setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/20 Manipulation of established connections
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/205 Transfer to or from user equipment or user record carrier
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/22 : Processing or transfer of terminal data, e.g. status or physical capabilities
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/245 : from a network towards a terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/26 : Network addressing or numbering for mobility support
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/265 : for initial activation of new user
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/28 : Number portability ; Network address portability
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/105 : PBS [Private Base Station] network H04W84/12 - H04W84/16 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/14 : WLL [Wireless Local Loop]; RLL [Radio Local Loop]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/021 : adapted for Wireless Local Loop operation
• 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 88/08 : Access point devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/18 : Service support devices; Network management devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/02 : Inter-networking arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/18 : between terminal devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 : in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A multiple mode, personal, wireless communications system is disclosed which exists within a radiotelephone network serving general customers and provides unique additional services to a select group of customers equipped with special handsets, without impacting the general customers. The special handsets automatically switch between and operate in either analog or digital mode with the standard radiotelephone network and in an enhanced cordless mode when within range of independent pico cells, that are interconnected with the public switched telephone network. Each of the network transparent pico cells is controlled via a framework of overlay cells that operate independently of the radiotelephone network and use a unique control protocol on a relatively small number of reserved channels, with a use hierarchy that is reversed with respect to standard radiotelephone channels. Each pico cell consists of a spectrally dynamic, non-capturing, frequency agile, multi-purpose base station provided at customer selected locations to cooperate with the overlay cell framework and support the enhanced cordless mode of operation of the special handsets. Each pico cell is capable of supporting multiple handsets and constitutes a separate, locally interconnected, low power, coverage limited wireless communications system. Through this system, each pico cell effectively diminishes traffic on the radiotelephone system by independently handling registered special handset call traffic. In addition, an alternate line option module can provide wireless local interconnect capability to selectively transfer or allocate call traffic between the public switched telephone network and the radiotelephone network, creating a totally wireless system, if desired. Service control units and host stations are provided to facilitate wireless activation and control of each pico cell and special handset via the overlay cell framework. In the best mode described herein, the radiotelephone network is a standard cellular network.

Claims

1. A multiple mode telecommunications system which uses communication facilities, said system comprising:

a portable handset with a single transceiver capable of operating in accordance with first and second wireless control protocols, said first protocol having a post-activation registration session initiated by said handset transmitting a reverse channel message without receiving a corresponding forward channel message, and said second protocol having a post-activation registration session initiated by said handset transmitting a reverse channel message after receiving a corresponding forward channel message stream;

a local base station including a transceiver capable of exchanging communications with said handset in accordance with said first control protocol when said handset is within a local range of said local base station; and

switching means, coupled to said handset transceiver, for automatically setting said handset transceiver to engage in communications with a land station under said second control protocol when said handset is moved beyond range of said local base station.

2. A multiple mode communications system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said local base station and said handset are configured in accordance with said first protocol so that one of said handset and said local base station initiating contact with the other of said handset and said local base station selects a channel over which such contact shall take place.

3. A multiple mode communications system as claimed in claim 2 wherein:

said handset is configured so that communications taking place using said first protocol use a first set of channels; and

said handset is configured to select said channel over which such contact shall take place by scanning said set of channels to detect a signal level below a predetermined threshold.

4. A multiple mode communications system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said handset is configured so that communications taking place using said first protocol use a first number of channels and so that communications taking place using said second protocol use a second number of channels, said first number being less than said second number.

5. A multiple mode telecommunications system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said second control protocol is cellular protocol.

6. A multiple mode telecommunications system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said portable handset is one of a plurality of portable handsets and said local base station is configured to exchange communications with said plurality of said handsets.

7. A multiple mode telecommunications system as claimed in claim 1 wherein:

said local base station is configured to monitor calls on a telephone line of a public switched telephone network; and

said local base station and said handset are mutually configured so that said handset can join a call in progress on said telephone line.

8. A multiple mode telecommunications system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said local base station is adapted to be connected to a public switched telephone network.

9. A multiple mode telecommunications system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first protocol uses a data message format that is consistent with a data message format used by said second protocol.

10. A multiple mode telecommunications system as claimed in claim 1 additionally comprising an alternate line module connected to said local base station for selectively diverting call communications from said handset to said local base station through a cellular station.

11. A multiple mode telecommunications system as claimed in claim 10 wherein said alternate line module includes simulation circuits, said simulation circuits being configured to simulate a central office of a public switched telephone network.

12. A multiple mode telecommunications system as claimed in claim 11 wherein said alternate line module simulating circuits are configured to provide dial tone, ring generation, North American Numbering Plan Analysis, talk battery, and call waiting line transfer.

13. A multiple mode telecommunications system as claimed in claim 1 further including a remote land station with a transceiver set to communicate with said handset under said second protocol when said handset is outside local range of said local base station.

14. A multiple mode communications system as claimed in claim 13 wherein said handset and said land station are configured in accordance with said second protocol so that said land station determines channels over which said land station and said handset communicate.

15. A multiple mode telecommunications system as claimed in claim 1 additionally comprising a service control unit in wireless data communication with said local base station.

16. A multiple mode telecommunications system as claimed in claim 15 wherein said handset, said local base station, and said service control unit are configured to remotely program said handset using a first wireless communication link between said service control unit and said local base station and a second wireless communication link between said local base station and said handset.

17. A multiple mode communications system as claimed in claim 16 wherein said handset, said local base station, and said service control unit are configured to remotely program said handset without using an in-band modem.

18. A multiple mode communications system as claimed in claim 17 wherein said handset, said local base station, and said service control unit are configured to remotely program said handset using 10 K bit Manchester digital modulation data communication scheme.

19. A multiple mode telecommunications system as claimed in claim 16 wherein said service control unit and said local base station are configured to engage in wireless communication using said first protocol.

20. A multiple mode telecommunications system as claimed in claim 16 wherein said service control unit is configured as a mobile unit.