Fixed wireless telephone device

• US 7,212,816 B2
• Filed: 02/13/2006
• Issued: 05/01/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/26/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Bacon, James, Mark, Elizabeth A.
• Primary Examiner(s): GELIN, JEAN ALLAND
• Application Number:
  US11/353,860
• Publication Number:
  US 20060211403A1
• Time in Patent Office: 442 Days
• Field of Search: 455/74.1, 455/426.2, 455/426.1, 455/554.1, 455/554.2, 455/406, 455/414.1, 455/421, 455/422.1, 455/456.1, 455/555, 455/565, 455/552.1, 455/553.1, 455/461
• US Class Current: 455/426.2
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724 User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72409 by interfacing with external accessories hands-free H04M1/60
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724098 Interfacing with an on-board device of a vehicle for hands-free speaking in vehicles H04M1/6075
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/725 Cordless telephones user interfaces specially adapted therefor H04M1/724
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/10 including a GPS signal receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/24 Accounting or billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/14 WLL [Wireless Local Loop]; RLL [Radio Local Loop]

Abstract

Methods and apparatus are disclosed for establishing a fixed wireless telephone service. A fixed wireless device includes a wireless device for establishing wireless connections to a wireless communications network that interfaces with a public switched telephone network. The fixed wireless device includes a connection that provides telephone service for an ordinary POTS-based telephone, handset, computer, or other communication device. Various techniques are provided for monitoring during use and/or verifying prior to use whether the fixed wireless device remains in an intended fixed location.

Claims

1. A system for providing telephone service comprising:

a fixed wireless device for use in providing a communications link wherein the fixed wireless device includes a converter configured to;

receive an indication as to whether a first signal has been received, and

process a call if the first signal has not been received wherein the converter being configured to process the call comprises the converter performing one of the following;

terminating the call in progress and preventing the call from being completed;

a plain old telephone service (POTS) device connected to the fixed wireless device; and

an antenna for providing telephone service by facilitating the communications link between the POTS device and a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) via a wireless telephone network.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the converter comprises a printed circuit board (PCB) for use in converting between wireless signaling and POTS signaling.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the PCB includes a global positioning system receiver for determining whether the fixed device is located in a fixed location, and a comparator for comparing an initial location of the fixed device and a current location of the fixed device.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the PCB includes a topology component for determining wireless telephone network parameters.

5. The system of claim 2, wherein the PCB includes a data capable wireless communication component to facilitate data transfer via the wireless telephone network.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the fixed wireless device includes a wireless telephone for facilitating telephone service between the POTS device and the PSTN.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein a PCB adapts the wireless telephone for use with the POTS device.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the fixed wireless device includes a wireless transceiver chipset for facilitating telephone service between the POTS device and the PSTN.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein a PCB adapts the wireless transceiver chipset for use with the POTS device.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein telephone service when using the fixed wireless device at a fixed location is charged at a first rate and telephone service when using the fixed wireless device at a location other than the fixed location is charged at a second rate.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein a computing device is connected to the fixed wireless device.

12. A system for providing telephone service comprising:

a fixed wireless device for use in providing a communications link, wherein the fixed wireless device is located in a vehicle;

a plain old telephone service (POTS) device connected to the fixed wireless device;

an antenna for providing telephone service by facilitating the communications link between the POTS device and a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) via a wireless telephone network;

a memory, at the fixed wireless device, that stores a unique ID for an emitter, wherein a first signal received from the emitter has an encoded ID that identifies the emitter, and

a converter configured to provide wireless telephone service to a POTS connection only when the encoded ID from the first signal matches the unique ID stored in the memory.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the converter comprises a printed circuit board (PCB) for use in converting between wireless signaling and POTS signaling.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the PCB is used to verify that the fixed wireless device is located within the vehicle.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein the emitter is further configured for sending signals to verify the location of the fixed wireless device and an antenna to facilitate sending the signals by the emitter.

16. The system of claim 12, wherein the fixed wireless device includes a wireless telephone for facilitating telephone service between the POTS device and the PSTN.

17. The system of claim 12, wherein telephone service when using the fixed wireless device within the vehicle is charged at a first rate and telephone service when using the fixed wireless device at a location other than the vehicle is charged at a second rate.