Call waiting in a wireless centrex system

• US 6,654,603 B1
• Filed: 12/13/1999
• Issued: 11/25/2003
• 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, Wang, Spencer, Ying, Wenchu, Kim, Jinman
• Primary Examiner(s): Urban, Edward F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Trinh, Sonny
• Application Number:
  US09/458,823
• Time in Patent Office: 1,443 Days
• Field of Search: 455/555, 455/413, 455/417, 455/414, 455/422, 455/456, 455/403, 455/550, 455/554, 455/416, 379/93.35, 379/142.04, 379/142.06, 379/142.08
• US Class Current: 455/414.1
• 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. In a wireless centrex system, a method for notifying a mobile station coupled to an intelligent radio transceiver (IRT) of a second call directed to a subscriber'"'"'s directory number when the mobile station is involved in a first call, comprising the steps of:

receiving the second call to said subscriber'"'"'s directory number at a local digital switch (LDS), the subscriber having a mobile station currently registered in the wireless centrex system, the mobile station being involved in said first call;

confirming that call waiting is available to the mobile station by a network server platform (NSP) coupled to said LDS;

forwarding the second call to a forward directory number assigned to the mobile station via said IRT; and

transmitting a tone to the mobile station by said NSP, the tone indicating a presence of the second call.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

responsive to a signal from the mobile station to said (NSP) via said LDS and said IRT, placing the first call on hold, and establishing a voice path for the second call between the mobile station and a calling party.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of, responsive to a signal from the mobile station, routing the second call to a voice messaging system.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein said step of confirming includes the step of determining whether the mobile station subscriber subscribes to call waiting.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein said step of confirming includes the step of determining whether call waiting is currently available to the mobile station.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein said step of transmitting includes the step of transmitting the tone periodically for a preset duration.

7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of routing the second call to a voice messaging system if the second call has not been answered within a preset time after the tone has been transmitted to the mobile station.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein said step of confirming includes the step of confirming that the first call is not a call involving multiple parties.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein said step of confirming includes the step of confirming that the mobile station is not currently involved in another call waiting.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein said step of confirming includes the step of confirming that the mobile station has not received an automatic callback call with the first call on hold.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein said step of confirming includes the step of confirming that the subscriber has not disabled call waiting.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein said step of confirming includes the step of confirming that the mobile station is located in an area for which call waiting has not been disabled.

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein said step of confirming includes the step of confirming that call waiting has not been disabled when the first call is from a predetermined party.

14. The method according to claim 1, wherein said step of confirming includes the step of confirming that the time of day corresponds to a period in which call waiting is enabled.