Busy call forwarding in a wireless centrex services system

• US 6,631,258 B1
• Filed: 12/13/1999
• Issued: 10/07/2003
• 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): Bost, Dwayne
• Assistant Examiner(s): Trinh, Sonny
• Application Number:
  US09/459,541
• Time in Patent Office: 1,394 Days
• Field of Search: 455/417, 455/419, 455/418, 455/426, 455/422, 455/435, 455/462, 455/554, 455/555, 455/403, 455/550, 379/231, 379/232, 379/234
• 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 route communications between the first communication device and a second communication device; and

a network server platform configured to determine whether the wireless mobile station having a forward directory number associated with the directory number is busy with another call,

the local digital switch configured to forward the call to the second communication device responsive to the network server platform determining that the wireless mobile station is busy, and further configured to route the call to the wireless mobile station responsive to the network server platform determining that the wireless mobile station is not busy.

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. 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:

determining by a network server platform whether a wireless mobile station having a forward directory number associated with the directory number is busy with another call, said mobile station being registered with an intelligent radio transceiver of said wireless centrex system, said intelligent transceiver being further in communication with a local digital switch via a wireline interface without being connected to any public cellular system;

either forwarding the call by the local digital switch to a second communication device responsive to determining that the wireless mobile station is busy, or routing the call to the wireless mobile station responsive to determining that the wireless mobile station is not busy.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the first communication device is registered with a PSTN coupled to the wireless centrex system.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the first communication device is registered with the wireless centrex system.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein the directory number is a directory number of a wired communication device.