Speed calling in a wireless centrex system

• US 6,785,560 B1
• Filed: 12/13/1999
• Issued: 08/31/2004
• 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:
  US09/458,737
• Time in Patent Office: 1,723 Days
• Field of Search: 455/564, 455/417, 455/422, 455/414, 455/550, 455/555, 455/554, 379/219, 379/210, 379/211, 379/212, 379/209, 379/216
• US Class Current: 455/564
• 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 method for a wireless centrex subscriber to call a telephone number using a speed call code from a mobile station registered in a wireless centrex system including an intelligent transceiver, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving a call origination request with a speed call code at said intelligent transceiver from the mobile station registered in the wireless centrex system;

validating whether the mobile station is authorized for speed call;

retrieving a directory number associated with the speed call code if a directory number has been associated therewith, when the mobile station is authorized for speed call; and

initiating a call set up procedure at said intelligent transceiver for placing a call to the retrieved directory number via a wireline line side interface to a local digital switch without being connected through any public cellular system to the local digital switch.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of, returning a feature unavailable message to the mobile station, when the mobile station is not authorized for speed call.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the feature unavailable message is a short message.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein the feature unavailable message is an aural message.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of returning a message indicating that no directory number is associated with the speed code, if no directory number is associated therewith.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the message is a short message.

7. The method according to claim 5, wherein the message is an aural message.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein said step of validating includes the step of comparing an identification number of the mobile station with an authorized subscriber list.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the speed call code identifies at least two directory numbers and said step of retrieving retrieves the at least two directory numbers and said step of initiating includes initiating a conference call to the at least two directory numbers.

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

receiving the directory number; and

associating the directory number with a speed call code; and

storing the speed call code with its associated directory number.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein said step of receiving the directory number includes the step of receiving the directory number over a World Wide Web connection.

12. The method according to claim 10, wherein said step of receiving the directory number includes the step of receiving the directory number from the mobile station.

13. The method according to claim 10, wherein said step of associating includes the step of automatically selecting an unassigned speed call code to be associated with the directory number.