Method and apparatus for over-the-air activation of neighborhood cordless-type services

• US 7,181,207 B1
• Filed: 07/06/2005
• Issued: 02/20/2007
• 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:
  US11/175,825
• Time in Patent Office: 594 Days
• Field of Search: 455/426.1, 455/444, 455/449, 455/554.1, 455/555, 455/445, 455/421, 455/422.1
• US Class Current: 455/426.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2101/65 Telephone numbers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/5038 for local use, e.g. in LAN or USB networks, or in a controller area network [CAN]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/06 Recording class or number of calling , i.e. A-party or called party , i.e. B-party
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/56 for VoIP communications
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/715 Activating new subscriber or card
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/745 Customizing according to wishes of subscriber, e.g. friends or family
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/80 Rating or billing plans; Tariff determination aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/8038 Roaming or handoff
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/8083 involving reduced rates or discounts, e.g. time-of-day reductions or volume discounts
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0108 Customization according to wishes of subscriber, e.g. customer preferences, friends and family, selecting services or billing options, Personal Communication Systems [PCS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0152 General billing plans, rate plans, e.g. charge rates, numbering plans, rate centers, customer accounts
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/2026 Wireless network, e.g. GSM, PCS, TACS
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/32 Involving wireless systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/34 Roaming
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/7442 Roaming
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/24 Accounting or billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/20 based on geographic position or location
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/0453 Resources in frequency domain, e.g. a carrier in FDMA
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/18 Processing of user or subscriber data, e.g. subscribed services, user preferences or user profiles; Transfer of user or subscriber data
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/16 WPBX [Wireless Private Branch Exchange]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/10 : adapted for operation in multiple networks, e.g. multi-mode access points

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 local cordless-type service to a plurality of wireless telephone terminals, comprising:

a plurality of directory numbers (DNs) coupled by respective bearer channels to a line side of a digital telecommunications switch, each of said bearer channels assigned from a pool of available radio frequencies over which one of said plurality of wireless telephone terminals sends and receives radio frequency signals;

at least one intelligent base station (IBS) for receiving radio frequency signals from said plurality of wireless telephone terminals; and

a local digital telecommunications switch coupled to said at least one IBS, said local digital telecommunications switch providing a bearer channel line interface to said IBS, said local digital telecommunications switch further providing a trunk side interface to a public switched telecommunications network, wherein said RDT communicates with said digital telecommunication switch using a GR-303 standard interface.

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

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

assigning at least one directory number (DN) to each of a plurality of wireless telephone terminals for which said local cordless-type service has been initiated;

assigning, by one of a plurality of intelligent base stations (IBSs), a bearer channel from a pool of available radio frequencies to said telecommunications call initiated by said subscriber using one of said plurality of wireless telephone terminals; and

processing, by one of said IBSs, of said telecommunications call via a local digital telecommunications switch in communication with a public switched telecommunications network (PSTN), said digital telecommunications switch providing a bearer channel line interface to said IBS, said digital telecommunications switch further providing a trunk side interface to said PSTN, wherein a remote digital terminal (RDT) is coupled to the plurality of IBSs and provides bearer channel interfaces over an ISDN/BRI bearer channel between each of the IBSs, and further wherein said RDT functions as a concentrator for radio frequency signals sent from said plurality of IBSs over said ISDN/BRI bearer channel;

wherein the method further comprises the step of communicating between said RDT and said digital telecommunications switch using a GR303 standard.