Method and apparatus of a network architecture for providing a local neighborhood cordless-type services

• US 6,980,817 B1
• Filed: 11/15/2001
• Issued: 12/27/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: AT&T Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Ying, Wenchu, Chow, Albert, Wang, Spencer
• Primary Examiner(s): Gesesse, Tilahun
• Application Number:
  US09/987,610
• Time in Patent Office: 1,503 Days
• Field of Search: 455/426.1, 455/426.2, 455/421, 455/433, 455/432.1, 455/445, 455/432.2, 455/432.3, 455/435.1, 455/435.2, 455/444, 455/461, 455/403, 455/446
• US Class Current: 455/461
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/083 using passwords cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using a predetermined code H04L9/3226
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/306 User profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/08 Access security
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/64 using geofenced areas
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/71 Hardware identity
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/021 Services related to particular areas, e.g. point of interest [POI] services, venue services or geofences
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/265 for initial activation of new user
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/105 PBS [Private Base Station] network H04W84/12 - H04W84/16 take precedence

Abstract

A method for providing a local cordless-type service comprises the steps of receiving subscriber neighborhood zone selection input so that a mobile telephone equipped subscriber may place or receive calls for a fixed rate, for example, per month without having to pay radio frequency air time charges any time they are located within their selected subscribed-to zones. If the subscribed-to zones are adjacent to one another and the mobile subscriber roams from one zone to another, the subscriber may continue their free call uninterrupted and without paying air time charges. However, when the subscriber roams outside their subscribed-to zones they may be switched from the present local cordless-type services to conventional personal communications services and pay air time charges. However for an active call, no air-time charges are incurred as the user transitions between the cellular/DPCS environment and the local cordless service environment. Associated apparatus comprises an IBS for automatically changing radio frequency channels as the subscriber roams within a subscribed-to neighborhood zone, roams to another subscribed-to zone or roams outside a subscribed-to zone. Subscribers may choose to use their mobile identification number, their current directory telephone number for wired public switched telephone service or obtain a new directory number. Subscribers can actuate their service over-the-air automatically without service personnel assistance from their home neighborhood zone.

Claims

1. A network architecture for providing a local cordless-type service, comprising:

a plurality of mobile stations (MSs), each MS in a neighborhood zone will associate with a wired network directory number (DN) assigned to an IBS;

a bearer channel assigned from a pool of available radio frequencies, administered by RF management processes between an network server platform (NSP) and said IBS, over which one of a plurality of cordless telephone terminals and mobile stations sends and receives radio frequency signals;

at least one intelligent base station (IBS) for receiving radio frequency signals from said plurality of MSs;

a local digital switch (LDS) coupled to said IBS, said LDS providing a bearer channel line interface to said IBS, said LDS further providing a trunk-side interface to one of a public switched telecommunications system (PSTN) and a public cellular/PCS network; and

a second RDT, said first RDT provides an interface to said second RDT, a second RDT provides an interface between said first RDT and said LDS, said first RDT acts as a concentrator for radio frequency signals sent from said plurality of mobile stations over said bearer channel.

2. The network architecture according to claim 1, further comprising said first remote digital terminal (RDT) coupled to a plurality of IBSs for providing bearer channel interfaces between each of said plurality of IBSs and said LDS.

3. The network architecture according to claim 2, further comprising at least one basic rate interface (BRI) bearer channel between each IBS and said first RDT.

4. The network architecture according to claim 3, wherein, in the event of first and second simultaneously pending telecommunications calls being handled by said IBS via said LDS, said MS and said NSP.

5. The network architecture according to claim 1, wherein said first RDT and said second RDT communicate using GR-303 standard.

6. The network architecture according to claim 1, wherein said LDS is capable of interfacing with a mobile switching center (MSC) over trunk lines.

7. The network architecture according to claim 1, wherein each IBS can be assigned a plurality of DNs.

8. The network architecture according to claim 7, wherein said MS moves to another neighborhood zone, said IBS believes like a proxy to associate one of said plurality of DNs with said MS.

9. The network architecture according to claim 8, wherein said neighborhood zones are adjacent.

10. The network architecture according to claim 8, wherein said neighborhood zones are non-adjacent.

11. The network architecture according to claim 1, wherein one of said cordless telephone terminals and mobile stations is removed from a neighborhood zone where a telecommunications call was initiated, said telecommunications call being handed off to another IBS.

12. A method for providing local cordless-type service, comprising the steps of:

associating a directory number (DN) assigned to an intelligent base station (IBS) with each of a plurality of mobile stations for which said local cordless-type service has been initiated;

initiating, by a subscriber, a telecommunications call in a neighborhood zone for which said subscriber has selected said local cordless-type service;

assigning, by said IBS, a bearer channel from a pool of available radio frequencies to said telecommunications call initiated by said subscriber using one of said plurality of mobile stations; and

processing, by said IBS, of said telecommunications call via a local digital switch (LDS) in communication with one of a public switched telecommunications network (PSTN) and a public cellular/PCS network, said LDS providing a bearer channel line interface to said IBS, said LDS further providing a trunk-side interface to one of said PSTN and said public cellular/PCS network,

wherein a first remote digital terminal (RDT), coupled to a plurality of IBSs provides bearer channel interfaces between each of said IBSs and said LDS and wherein a second RDT provides an interface between said first RDT and said LDS, said first RDT functions as a concentrator for radio frequency signals sent from said plurality of IBSs over said ISDN-BRI bearer channel.

13. The method according to claim 12, further comprising the step of providing at least one basic rate interface (BRI) bearer channel between each IBS and said first RDT.

14. The method according to claim 12, further comprising the step of processing, by said IBS via said ISDN-BRI bearer channel simultaneously pending telecommunications calls.

15. The method according to claim 12, wherein a second RDT provides an interface between said first RDT and said LDS, said first RDT functions as a concentrator for radio frequency signals sent from said plurality of IBSs over said ISDN-BRI bearer channel.

16. The method according to claim 15, further comprising the step of communicating between said first RDT and said second RDT using a GR-303 standard.

17. The method according to claim 12, further comprising the step of interfacing over trunk lines by said LDS with a mobile switching center (MSC).

18. The method according to claim 12, further comprising the step of handing off said telecommunications call to another IBS, if said subscriber using one of said plurality of mobile stations, is removed from said neighborhood zone where said telecommunications call was initiated.