Distinctive ringing in a wireless centrex system

• US 6,618,600 B1
• Filed: 12/13/1999
• Issued: 09/09/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• 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): Maung, Nay
• Assistant Examiner(s): Trinh, Sonny
• Application Number:
  US09/460,386
• Time in Patent Office: 1,366 Days
• Field of Search: 455/411, 455/414, 455/415, 455/426, 455/554, 455/555, 455/422, 455/401, 455/567, 379/82, 379/179, 379/252, 379/373, 379/911, 379/373.01, 379/373.02, 379/31, 379/418
• US Class Current: 455/567
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/00 Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/00 Connection management
• 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. In a wireless centrex system, a method for alerting a mobile station of a call directed to a subscriber'"'"'s directory number from a predetermined directory number, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving a call from a call-originating directory number directed to a directory number of a subscriber via a line side interface of a local digital switch at an intelligent transceiver of said wireless centrex system, said local digital switch being in communication with said intelligent transceiver via a wireline interface without being connected through any public cellular system to said intelligent transceiver, the subscriber having a mobile station currently registered with said intelligent transceiver of said wireless centrex system;

comparing the call-originating directory number with a list of at least one predetermined directory number;

when the call-originating directory number matches a predetermined directory number in the list, retrieving distinctive call ring information associated with the call-originating directory number;

routing the call to the mobile station via said local digital switch and said intelligent transceiver; and

transmitting the distinctive call ring information to the mobile station by said intelligent transceiver of said wireless centrex system.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of, initiating a distinctive call ring at the mobile station in response to said step of transmitting the distinctive call ring information.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the distinctive call ring information includes one of a plurality of available distinctive call rings, each distinctive call ring being different from a normal call ring.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein when the call-originating directory number does not match a predetermined directory number in the list, the method further comprising the steps of:

routing the call to the mobile station; and

initiating a normal call ring at the mobile station.

5. The method according to claim 4, further comprising the step of transmitting normal call ring information to the mobile station.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the normal call information is no additional information.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein prior to said step of receiving the call, the method further comprising the steps of:

receiving the predetermined directory number; and

storing the predetermined directory number in the list.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein said step of receiving the predetermined directory number includes the step of receiving the predetermined directory number over a world wide web connection.

9. The method according to claim 7, wherein said step of receiving the predetermined directory number includes the step of receiving the predetermined directory number from the mobile station.

10. The method according to claim 7, further comprising the step of receiving the distinctive ring information with the predetermined directory number.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the distinctive ring information includes one of a plurality of available distinctive rings.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the distinctive ring information identifies a default distinctive ring.