Programmable ring-call forwarding in a wireless centrex services system

• US 6,574,470 B1
• Filed: 12/13/1999
• Issued: 06/03/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: AT&T Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Chow, Albert, Kim, Jinman, Walker, Hopeton, Wang, Spencer, Ying, Wenchu
• Primary Examiner(s): Bost, Dwayne
• Assistant Examiner(s): Trinh, Sonny
• Application Number:
  US09/458,842
• Time in Patent Office: 1,268 Days
• Field of Search: 455/417, 455/422, 455/414, 455/456, 455/436, 455/437, 455/438, 455/426, 455/555, 455/554, 379/211.02, 379/219, 379/210.01, 379/211.01, 379/212.01, 379/201.01, 379/198, 379/231
• US Class Current: 455/417
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/00 Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/15 Setup of multiple wireless link connections
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/04 Large scale networks; Deep hierarchical networks

Abstract

The instant invention discloses a method and system for providing a novel wireless centrex service that untethers subscribers from the immobility associated with traditional desktop telephones. Essentially, the present invention extends the benefits of wireless voice and data services to subscribers having a need to move within a plurality of localities such as business and hospital campuses.

In accordance with the invention, a wireless telephone subscriber can use a standard cellular/PCS telephone as a wireless extension of their desktop phone, while in the proximity of a miniature radio base station capable of communicating with the PCS/cellular telephone. The advantage of such a system is that a subscriber can use the same cellular/PCS telephone that provides service in the public network in the wireless centrex environment. Additionally, the wireless centrex system provides services and features which are similar to those offered to regular centrex telephone subscribers. Exemplary features include, caller ID, call waiting, call hold, call transfer, call forwarding and voice messaging.

Claims

1. A system for forwarding an incoming call, the call originating from a first communication device and being directed to a directory number of a wireless centrex system, the wireless centrex system comprising:

an intelligent radio transceiver in communication with a mobile station;

a local digital switch configured to route communications between the first communication device and the mobile station, in communication with the intelligent radio transceiver via a wireline interface without being connected to any public cellular system, configured to receive an incoming call and transmit a routing request for the call, and configured to alert a mobile station having a forward directory number associated with the directory number of the call, said logical digital switch having a timer for counting a predetermined amount of time in response to receipt of a programmable ring value while alerting the mobile station of the call, and configured to transmit a notification when the predetermined amount of time has been exceeded without the call being answered, and configured to receive a call forwarding number associated with a second communication device and forward the call to the second communication device;

a network server platform configured to receive the routing request, determine where the mobile station is registered and how to route the call to the mobile station, and instruct said local digital switch to alert the mobile station having a forward directory number associated with the directory number of the call, and configured to determine whether a programmable ring call forwarding feature is active and if so, configured to provide said local digital switch with the programmable ring value for setting the predetermined amount of time, the value representing a time period for which the call should ring before being forwarded, and configured to receive the notification from said local digital switch when the timer counts the predetermined amount of time and configured to trait the call forwarding number associated with the second communication device to said local digital switch responsive to the notification.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first communication device is registered with a PSTN coupled to the wireless centrex system.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the first communication device is registered with the wireless centrex system.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the directory number is a directory number of a wired communication device.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the predetermined amount of time is a time between one second and thirty seconds.

6. A method for forwarding an incoming call, the call originating from a first communication device and being directed to a directory number of a wireless centrex system, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving an incoming call at a local digital switch;

transmitting a routing request for the call to a network server platform;

determining whether a programmable ring call forwarding feature is active for the directory number at the network server platform;

providing the local digital switch with a programmable ring value when the feature is active, the programmable ring value representing a time period for which the call should ring before being forwarded;

alerting a mobile station having a forward directory number associated with the directory number of the call, said mobile station being registered with an intelligent radio transceiver of said wireless centrex system, said intelligent transceiver being further in communication with the local digital system via a wireline interface without being connected to any public cellular system;

counting, at the local digital switch, a predetermined amount of time associated with the programmable ring value while alerting the mobile station of the call;

transmitting a notification to the network server platform when the predetermined amount of time has been excel without the call being answered; and

directing the local digital switch to forward the call to a call forwarding number associated with a second communications device in response to receipt of the notification.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the first communication device is registered with a PSTN coupled to the wireless centrex system.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the first communication device is registered with the wireless centrex system.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein the directory number is a directory number of a wired communication device.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein the predetermined amount of time is a time between one second and thirty seconds.