System and method for integrating call delivery for fixed-site and mobility services

• US 6,885,742 B1
• Filed: 12/29/1999
• Issued: 04/26/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cingular Wireless Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Smith, Erik L
• Primary Examiner(s): Matar, Ahmad F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Quynh H.
• Application Number:
  US09/474,138
• Time in Patent Office: 1,945 Days
• Field of Search: 379/211.01, 379/211.02, 379/207.04, 379/207.05
• US Class Current: 379/211.01
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/1091 Fixed mobile conversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/54 Arrangements for diverting calls for one subscriber to another predetermined subscriber based on the calling party profile H04M3/42059; based on location H04M3/42348; based on presence H04M3/42365; to voice mail H04M3/53308

Abstract

A system and method for call forwarding between a subscriber'"'"'s fixed-site and mobility devices. An incoming call is received that is directed to a fixed-site device belonging to the subscriber. When a busy/no-answer condition is detected at the fixed-site device, a subscriber profile is consulted, and the call is forwarded to the subscriber'"'"'s mobility device in accordance with the profile. A similar procedure is followed for an incoming call to a mobility device, which can be forwarded to the subscriber'"'"'s fixed-site device.

Claims

1. A method for forwarding an incoming call addressed to one of a plurality of Directory Numbers belonging to a subscriber, including:

receiving an incoming call at one of a number corresponding to a fixed-site device or a number corresponding to a mobility device belonging to the subscriber, wherein a call to the number corresponding to the fixed-site device is received via a switch of the Public Switched Telephone Network that communicates with a Mobile Service Center (MSC) coupled to a mobility network, and a call to the number corresponding to the mobility device is received via the MSC, the MSC being further coupled to a Home Location Register (HLR) having a database including a plurality of values for subscriber call forward settings to determine an action to be taken in the event of a busy/no answer condition for either the fixed-site device or the mobility device;

determining that a busy/no answer condition exists for the device corresponding to the number at which the incoming call is received;

consulting the call forward settings of the HLR; and

based on the call forward settings, performing one of routing the incoming call to the fixed-site device, to the mobility device, or to voice mail.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the switch is a Class 5 Switch.

3. A medium storing instructions adapted to be executed by a processor to perform steps including:

receiving an incoming call directed to one of a number corresponding to a fixed-site device or a number corresponding to a mobility device belonging to the subscriber, wherein a call to the number corresponding to the fixed-site device is received via a switch of the Public Switched Telephone Network that communicates with a Mobile Service Center (MSC) coupled to a mobility network, and a call to the number corresponding to the mobility device is received via the MSC, the MSC being further coupled to a Home Location Register (HLR) having a database including a plurality of values for subscriber call forward settings to determine an action to be taken in the event of a busy/no answer condition for either the fixed-site device or the mobility device;

determining that a busy/no answer condition exists for the device corresponding to the number at which the incoming call is received;

consulting the call forwarding settings of the HLR; and

based on the call forwarding settings, performing one of routing the incoming call to the fixed-site device, to the mobility device, or to voice mail.

4. The medium of claim 3, wherein the switch is a Class 5 Switch.

5. An apparatus for forwarding an incoming call to one of a plurality of Directory Numbers belonging to a subscriber, including:

a processor;

a memory coupled to said processor, said memory storing instructions adapted to be executed by said processor to;

receive an incoming call at one of a number corresponding to a fixed-site device or a number corresponding to a mobility device belonging to the subscriber, wherein a call to the number corresponding to the fixed-site device is received via a switch of the Public Switched Telephone Network that communicates with a Mobile Service Center (MSC) coupled to a mobility network, and a call to the number corresponding to the mobility device is received via the MSC, the MSC being further coupled to a Home Location Register (HLR) having a database including a plurality of values for subscriber call forward settings to determine an action to be taken in the event of a busy/no answer condition for either the fixed-site device or the mobility device;

determine that a busy/no answer condition exists for the device corresponding to the number at which the incoming call is received;

consult the call forwarding settings of the HLR; and

based on the call forwarding settings, perform one of routing the incoming call to the fixed-site device, to the mobility device, or to voice mail.