Spread spectrum wireless communication system

• US 7,120,187 B2
• Filed: 04/14/2003
• Issued: 10/10/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Original Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Inventors: Vanderpool, Jeffrey S.
• Primary Examiner(s): VO, DON NGUYEN
• Application Number:
  US10/412,893
• Publication Number:
  US 20030219063A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,275 Days
• Field of Search: 375/130, 375140-145, 375/219, 375/220, 370/311, 370/328, 370/329, 370/331, 370/334, 455/445, 455/507, 455/515, 455/554, 455/555, 379196-198, 379/225, 379/231, 379/232, 379/234
• US Class Current: 375/130
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/2618 using hybrid code-time division multiple access [CDMA-TDMA]
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/2628 using code-division multiple access [CDMA] or spread spectrum multiple access [SSMA] H04B7/2618 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04J 13/00 Code division multiplex systems for frequency hopping H04B1/713
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/0066 of control information between different types of networks in order to establish a new radio link in the target network
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/14 Reselecting a network or an air interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/142 over the same radio air interface technology
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/16 Communication-related supplementary services, e.g. call-transfer or call-hold
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 Connection setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/16 WPBX [Wireless Private Branch Exchange]

Abstract

A system for accessing a telephone system, in which a set of user stations are matched with a set of base stations for connection to a telephone network. Each base station may be coupled directly or indirectly to the telephone network and may be capable of initiating or receiving calls on the telephone network. Each user station may comprise a spread-spectrum transmitter or receiver and may be capable of dynamic connection to selected base stations. A plurality of base stations may be coupled to a private exchange telephone system for coupling user stations in calls outside the telephone network.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

establishing a first communication path between a first user station and a first base station, the first communication path employing a spread-spectrum communication technique;

establishing a second communication path between a second user station and a second base station, the second communication path employing a spread spectrum communication technique; and

establishing a third communication pat between the first base station and the second base station via a private access telephone network coupled between the first base station and the second base station.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising routing a call between the first user station and the second user station via the private access telephone network.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

interrupting the first communication path between the first user station and the first base station; and

establishing a fourth communication path between the first user station and the second base station.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

handing off the first communication path to a third base station; and

establishing a fourth communication path between the third base station and the second base station via a public communication network.

5. A wireless communication system comprising:

a control circuit communicatively coupled with a base station transceiver, the base station transceiver operative to facilitate communications with one or more user stations via spread spectrum wireless signals, wherein the control circuit is configured to selectively connect the base station transceiver with one or more additional base station transceivers via a private access telephone network and connect the base station transceiver to a public communication network.

6. The wireless communication system of claim 5 wherein the private access telephone network comprises a private branch exchange (PBX) telephone system that is configured for routing a call between two user stations.

7. The wireless communication system of claim 5 wherein the public communication network comprises a public switched telephone network (PSTN).

8. The wireless communication system of claim 5 wherein the control circuit comprises at least a portion of a base station controller.

9. The wireless communication system of claim 5 further comprising the base station transceiver and the one or more additional base station transceivers, wherein the private access telephone network and the control circuit may facilitate communications between two user stations independent of the public communication network.

10. A wireless network comprising equipment configured to route communications between user stations, at least one of the user stations communicating with the network using wireless spread spectrum communication signals, wherein the equipment is adapted to selectively route the communications through a private access telephone network to facilitate handoff of the at least one of the user stations communicating using wireless spread spectrum communication signals between base stations.

11. The wireless network of claim 10 wherein the equipment comprises a base station cluster controller.

12. The wireless network of claim 11 wherein the equipment further comprises an enhanced services processor.