Methods, apparatus, and systems for accessing mobile and voice over IP telephone networks with a mobile handset

• US 7,460,525 B2
• Filed: 07/02/2002
• Issued: 12/02/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: General Instrument Corporation (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Inventors: Moore, Richard Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sam; Phirin
• Application Number:
  US10/180,988
• Publication Number:
  US 20030039242A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,345 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 370/354
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2535 adapted for voice communication over an Internet Protocol [IP] network Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) network equipment and services H04M7/006; implementation or adaptation of Internet protocol [IP], of transmission control protocol [TCP] or of user datagram protocol [UDP] H04L69/16
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724 User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/02 Communication route or path selection, e.g. power-based or shortest path routing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/18 Selecting a network or a communication service
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 74/00 Wireless channel access
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

Methods, systems, and apparatus are provided to enable access to mobile and voice over IP (VoIP) telephone networks with a mobile handset. A VoIP gateway for the VoIP telephone network is provided. A cable modem allows communication between the handset and the VoIP telephone network via the VoIP gateway. A local network connects the handset to the VoIP gateway. The mobile handset determines whether it is within range of the local network. If the handset is within the range of the local network, data traffic may be routed to and from the handset via the VoIP telephone network. If the handset is outside of the range of the local network, data traffic may be routed to and from the handset via the mobile telephone network. The data traffic may comprise telephony data traffic and/or Internet protocol (IP) data traffic.

Claims

1. A method for accessing mobile and voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephone networks with a mobile handset, comprising the steps of:

determining whether the mobile handset is within range of a local network of a VoIP gateway of a VoIP telephone network;

if said handset is within the range of the local network, routing data traffic to and from said handset via the VoIP telephone network; and

if said handset is outside of the range of the local network, routing data traffic to and from said handset via the mobile telephone network.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein:

the local network comprises one of a wired local network or a wireless local network; and

the handset is determined to be within range of the local network when the handset is either physically connected to the wired local network or within a predetermined distance of the wireless local network.

3. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said data traffic comprises at least one of telephony data traffic and Internet protocol (IP) data traffic.

4. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said data traffic comprises telephony traffic, further comprising:

forwarding telephone calls from the mobile telephone network to the VoIP telephone network when the handset is within the range of the local network; and

disabling said forwarding of telephone calls when the handset is outside the range of the local network.

5. A method in accordance with claim 4, wherein:

the step of forwarding telephone calls from the mobile telephone network to the VoIP telephone network further comprises;

requesting the telephone number of the VoIP gateway by the handset; and

sending a command to the mobile telephone network from the handset instructing the mobile telephone network to forward incoming telephone calls to the telephone number of the VoIP gateway via the VoIP telephone network.

6. A method in accordance with claim 4, wherein:

the step of disabling said forwarding of telephone calls further comprises;

sending a command to the mobile telephone network from the handset instructing the mobile telephone network to cancel said forwarding of telephone calls.

7. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said data traffic comprises telephony traffic, further comprising:

forwarding telephone calls from the mobile telephone network to the VoIP telephone network when the handset is within the range of the local network; and

forwarding telephone calls from the VoIP telephone network to the mobile telephone network when the handset is outside of the range of the local network.

8. A method in accordance with claim 7, wherein:

the step of forwarding telephone calls from the mobile telephone network to the VoIP telephone network further comprises;

requesting the telephone number of the VoIP gateway by the handset; and

sending a command to the mobile telephone network from the handset instructing the mobile telephone network to forward incoming telephone calls to a telephone number of the VoIP gateway via the VoIP telephone network.

9. A method in accordance with claim 7, wherein:

the step of forwarding telephone calls from the VoIP telephone network to the mobile telephone network further comprises;

sending a command to the VoIP telephone network from the handset instructing the VoIP telephone network to forward incoming telephone calls to a telephone number of the mobile handset via the mobile telephone network.

10. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said local network comprises at least one of a Bluetooth™

wireless network, an IEEE 802.11b wireless network, an IEEE 802.11a wireless network, an IEEE 802.11g wireless network, an IEEE 802.11h wireless network, an IEEE 802.11e wireless network, a Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT) wireless network, a 900 MHz Cordless Telephone wireless network, a 2.4 GHz Cordless telephone wireless network, a HomeRF™

wireless network, a Home Phone Line Networking Alliance (HPNA) wired network, a Home Plug™

wired network, a 10/100BaseT Ethernet wired network, a USB wired network, and an IEEE 1394 wired network.

11. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said data traffic comprises Internet protocol (IP) data traffic, further comprising:

forwarding said IP data traffic from said mobile telephone network to said VoIP telephone network when the handset is within range of the local network.

12. A method in accordance with claim 11, further comprising:

notifying IP routers of a new route for the handset'"'"'s IP address to enable said forwarding of said IP data traffic via the VoIP telephone network.

13. A method in accordance with claim 11, further comprising:

dynamically assigning to the handset a new IP address on an IP subnet of the VoIP gateway; and

dynamically updating IP network domain name servers with a new mapping of a Fully Qualified Domain Name (DQDN) for the new IP address of the handset.

14. A method in accordance with claim 11, wherein said IP data traffic enables at least one of email, instant messaging, pager functions, dispatch functions, Internet browsing, advertisements, and e-commerce transactions.

15. A method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:

authenticating said handset when said handset is determined to be within the range of the local network.

16. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said handset is determined to be out of range of said local network when one of (1) the handset is a predetermined distance from a wireless local network;

(2) the handset is disconnected from a wired local network;

(3) a failure occurs in the VoIP telephone network;

or (4) a failure occurs in the local network.

17. A method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:

enabling the handset to control residential systems.

18. A method in accordance with claim 17, wherein said residential systems comprise at least one of a home computer, a security system, an audio system, a audiovisual system, a television appliance, an Internet appliance, a heating and cooling system, and a lighting system.

19. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said VoIP telephone network comprises a broadband IP network.

20. A system for accessing mobile and voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephone networks with a mobile handset, comprising:

a VoIP gateway for the VoIP telephone network;

a local network for connecting the handset to the VoIP gateway; and

a mobile handset enabled to determine whether the mobile handset is within range of the local network;

wherein;

if said handset is within the range of the local network, data traffic is routed to and from said handset via the VoIP telephone network; and

if said handset is outside of the range of the local network, data traffic is routed to and from said handset via the mobile telephone network.

21. System in accordance with claim 20, wherein:

the local network comprises one of a wired local network or a wireless local network; and

the handset is determined to be within range of the local network when the handset is either physically connected to the wired local network or within a predetermined distance of the wireless local network.

22. System in accordance with claim 20, wherein said data traffic comprises at least one of telephony data traffic and Internet protocol (IP) data traffic.

23. System in accordance with claim 20, wherein:

said data traffic comprises telephony traffic;

telephone calls are forwarded from the mobile telephone network to the VoIP telephone network when the handset is within the range of the local network; and

said forwarding of telephone calls is disabled when the handset is outside the range of the local network.

24. System in accordance with claim 23, wherein:

to enable said forwarding of telephone calls from the mobile telephone network to the VoIP telephone network, the handset (1) requests the telephone number of the VoIP gateway, and (2) sends a command to the mobile telephone network instructing the mobile telephone network to forward incoming telephone calls to the telephone number of the VoIP gateway via the VoIP telephone network.

25. System in accordance with claim 23, wherein:

to disable said forwarding of telephone calls, the handset sends a command to the mobile telephone network instructing the mobile telephone network to cancel said forwarding of telephone calls.

26. System in accordance with claim 20, wherein:

said data traffic comprises telephony traffic;

telephone calls are forwarded from the mobile telephone network to the VoIP telephone network when the handset is within the range of the local network; and

telephone calls are forwarded from the VoIP telephone network to the mobile telephone network when the handset is outside of the range of the local network.

27. System in accordance with claim 26, wherein:

to enable the forwarding of telephone calls from the mobile telephone network to the VoIP telephone network, the handset (1) requests the telephone number of the VoIP gateway, and (2) sends a command to the mobile telephone network instructing the mobile telephone network to forward incoming telephone calls to a telephone number of the VoIP gateway via the VoIP telephone network.

28. System in accordance with claim 26, wherein:

to enable the forwarding of telephone calls from the VoIP telephone network to the mobile telephone network, the handset sends a command to the VoIP telephone network instructing the VoIP telephone network to forward incoming telephone calls to a telephone number of the mobile handset via the mobile telephone network.

29. System in accordance with claim 20, wherein said local network comprises at least one of a Bluetooth™

wireless network, an IEEE 802.11b wireless network, an IEEE 802.11a wireless network, an IEEE 802.11g wireless network, an IEEE 802.11h wireless network, an IEEE 802.11e wireless network, a Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT) wireless network, a 900 MHz Cordless Telephone wireless network, a 2.4 GHz Cordless telephone wireless network, a HomeRF™

wireless network, a Home Phone Line Networking Alliance (HPNA) wired network, a Home Plug™

wired network, a 10/100BaseT Ethernet wired network, a USB wired network, and an IEEE 1394 wired network.

30. System in accordance with claim 20, wherein:

said data traffic comprises Internet Protocol (IP) data traffic;

said IP data traffic is forwarded from said mobile telephone network to said VoIP telephone network when the handset is within range of the local network.

31. System in accordance with claim 30, wherein:

IP routers are notified of a new route for the handset'"'"'s IP address to enable said forwarding of said IP data traffic via the VoIP telephone network.

32. System in accordance with claim 30, wherein:

the handset is dynamically assigned a new IP address on an IP subnet of the VoIP gateway; and

IP network domain name servers are dynamically updated with a new mapping of a Fully Qualified Domain Name (DQDN) for the new IP address of the handset.

33. System in accordance with claim 30, wherein said IP data traffic enables at least one of email, instant messaging, pager functions, dispatch functions, Internet browsing, advertisements, and e-commerce transactions.

34. System in accordance with claim 20, wherein:

said handset is authenticated when said handset is determined to be within the range of the local network.

35. System in accordance with claim 20, wherein said handset is determined to be out of range of said local network when one of (1) the handset is a predetermined distance from a wireless local network;

(2) the handset is disconnected from a wired local network;

(3) a failure occurs in the VoIP telephone network;

or (4) a failure occurs in the local network.

36. System in accordance with claim 20, wherein:

the handset is enabled to control residential systems.

37. System in accordance with claim 36, wherein said residential systems comprise at least one of a home computer, a security system, an audio system, a audiovisual system, a television appliance, an Internet appliance, a heating and cooling system, and a lighting system.

38. System in accordance with claim 20, wherein said VoIP telephone network comprises a broadband IP network.

39. A mobile handset for accessing mobile and voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephone networks, comprising:

a rechargeable battery;

a user interface;

a gateway interface for communicating with a local network of a VoIP gateway of the VoIP telephone network;

a transceiver enabled for communication with said mobile telephone network and said VoIP telephone network;

a processor for determining whether the mobile handset is within range of the local network, wherein;

if said handset is within the range of the local network, data traffic is routed to and from said handset via the VoIP telephone network; and

if said handset is outside of the range of the local network, data traffic is routed to and from said handset via the mobile telephone network.

40. A handset in accordance with claim 39, wherein:

the local network comprises one of a wired local network or a wireless local network; and

the processor determines that the handset is within range of the local network when the handset is either physically connected to the wired local network or within a predetermined distance of the wireless local network.

41. A handset in accordance with claim 39, wherein said data traffic comprises at least one of telephony data traffic and Internet protocol (IP) data traffic.

42. A handset in accordance with claim 39, wherein:

said data traffic comprises telephony traffic;

telephone calls are forwarded from the mobile telephone network to the VoIP telephone network when the handset is within the range of the local network; and

said forwarding of telephone calls is disabled when the handset is outside the range of the local network.

43. A handset in accordance with claim 42, wherein:

the processor enables forwarding telephone calls from the mobile telephone network to the VoIP telephone network by (1) requesting the telephone number of the VoIP gateway, and (2) sending a command to the mobile telephone network instructing the mobile telephone network to forward incoming telephone calls to the telephone number of the VoIP gateway via the VoIP telephone network.

44. A handset in accordance with claim 42, wherein:

the processor disables said forwarding of telephone calls by sending a command to the mobile telephone network from the handset instructing the mobile telephone network to cancel said forwarding of telephone calls.

45. A handset in accordance with claim 39, wherein:

said data traffic comprises telephony traffic;

telephone calls are forwarded from the mobile telephone network to the VoIP telephone network when the handset is within the range of the local network; and

telephone calls are forwarded from the VoIP telephone network to the mobile telephone network when the handset is outside of the range of the local network.

46. A handset in accordance with claim 45, wherein:

the processor enables forwarding telephone calls from the mobile telephone network to the VoIP telephone network by (1) requesting the telephone number of the VoIP gateway, and (2) sending a command to the mobile telephone network instructing the mobile telephone network to forward incoming telephone calls to a telephone number of the VoIP gateway via the VoIP telephone network.

47. A handset in accordance with claim 45, wherein:

the processor enables forwarding telephone calls from the VoIP telephone network to the mobile telephone network by sending a command to the VoIP telephone network instructing the VoIP telephone network to forward incoming telephone calls to a telephone number of the mobile handset via the mobile telephone network.

48. A handset in accordance with claim 39, wherein said local network comprises one of a Bluetooth™

wireless network, an IEEE 802.11b wireless network, an IEEE 802.11a wireless network, an IEEE 802.11g wireless network, an IEEE 802.11h wireless network, an IEEE 802.11e wireless network, a Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT) wireless network, a 900 MHz Cordless Telephone wireless network, a 2.4 GHz Cordless telephone wireless network, a HomeRF™

wireless network, a Home Phone Line Networking Alliance (HPNA) wired network, a Home Plug™

wired network, a 10/100BaseT Ethernet wired network, a USB wired network, and an IEEE 1394 wired network.

49. A handset in accordance with claim 39, wherein:

said data traffic comprises Internet Protocol (IP) data traffic;

said IP data traffic is forwarded from said mobile telephone network to said VoIP telephone network when the handset is within range of the local network.

50. A handset in accordance with claim 49, wherein:

IP routers are notified of a new route for the handset'"'"'s IP address to enable said forwarding of said IP data traffic via the VoIP telephone network.

51. A handset in accordance with claim 49, wherein:

the handset is dynamically assigned a new IP address on an IP subnet of the VoIP gateway; and

IP network domain name servers are dynamically updated with a new mapping of a Fully Qualified Domain Name (DQDN) for the new IP address of the handset.

52. A handset in accordance with claim 49, wherein said IP data traffic enables at least one of email, instant messaging, pager functions, dispatch functions, Internet browsing, advertisements, and e-commerce transactions.

53. A handset in accordance with claim 39, wherein:

said handset is authenticated when said handset is determined to be within the range of the local network.

54. A handset in accordance with claim 39, wherein said processor determines that the handset is out of range of said local network when one of (1) the handset is a predetermined distance from a wireless local network;

(2) the handset is disconnected from a wired local network;

(3) a failure occurs in the VoIP telephone network;

or (4) a failure occurs in the local network.

55. A handset in accordance with claim 39, wherein:

the handset is enabled to control residential systems.

56. A handset in accordance with claim 55, wherein said residential systems comprise at least one of a home computer, a security system, an audio system, a audiovisual system, a television appliance, an Internet appliance, a heating and cooling system, and a lighting system.

57. A handset in accordance with claim 39, wherein said VoIP telephone network comprises a broadband IP network.