System and method for providing integrated voice and data services utilizing wired cordless access with unlicensed/unregulated spectrum and wired access with licensed/regulated spectrum

• US 7,610,047 B2
• Filed: 07/07/2003
• Issued: 10/27/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/2003
• 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: Smith, William L., Hicks, John A. III, Patterson, Gregory N.
• Primary Examiner(s): Edouard; Patrick N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Huynh; Chuck
• Application Number:
  US10/614,744
• Publication Number:
  US 20040259541A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,304 Days
• Field of Search: 455/466, 455/552.1, 455/553.1, 455/90.2, 455/411, 455/436, 455/41.2, 455/419, 455/432.3, 455/435.1, 455/433, 370/352, 370/401, 370/276, 379/230, 379/93.9, 709/230
• US Class Current: 455/433
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/18 wireless networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/185 wireless packet-switched
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42263 where the same subscriber uses different terminals, i.e. nomadism
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/0066 Details of access arrangements to the networks where the access arrangement is a PSTN/ISDN access H04M7/122
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/16 WPBX [Wireless Private Branch Exchange]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

Systems and methods provide integrated wireless and wired data voice and data services via a dual mode telecommunications device. A dual mode telephone operates as a digital cordless handset of a wired data network in a structure equipped with one or more wireless access points to allow voice over Internet protocol communication via the wired data network. The dual mode telecommunications device also operates as a conventional mobile wireless telephone via a licensed spectrum wireless network when the telephone is moved outside the range of a wireless access point of the user'"'"'s home or business or other venue.

Claims

1. A method of providing voice and data services over

a wired data network and over a second wireless network to a dual mode digital cordless handset, the method comprising:

detecting, at the dual mode digital cordless handset, a first wireless connection provided by a first wireless access point, wherein the first wireless access point is wired to the wired data network;

in response to detecting the first wireless connection, broadcasting a medium access control (MAC) address to the first wireless access point;

in response to broadcasting the MAC address, receiving an Internet Protocol (IP) address at the dual mode digital cordless handset;

receiving a request to transmit subscriber identity module (SIM) information using the received IP address;

providing, to the wired data network, using the received IP address, the SIM information from the dual mode digital cordless handset for determining whether a user identified by the SIM information is a valid user based on a look-up of the SIM information in a first home location register (HLR), the first HLR being configured to obtain from the SIM information, identification information for determining the voice and data services legitimately accessible by the user identified by the SIM information, the voice and data services being provided by, and a limitation on the voice and data services being defined and implemented by, a first application server, the limitation being based on the user identified by the SIM information;

in response to the first HLR determining that the user is a valid, the dual mode digital cordless handset receiving, through the wired data network, incoming calls or data services directed to the dual mode digital cordless handset, and transmitting outgoing calls or data services from the dual mode digital cordless handset, through the wired data network according to the voice and data services legitimately accessible by the user and the limitation on the voice and data services;

in response to the first HLR determining that the user is not valid, the dual mode digital cordless handset receiving an indication that communication to the dual mode digital cordless handset has ceased;

detecting, at the dual mode digital cordless handset, a loss of the first wireless connection;

detecting, at the dual mode digital cordless handset, a connection through the second wireless network;

in response to detecting the connection through the second wireless network, providing subscriber identity module (SIM) information from the dual mode digital cordless handset to a second HLR communicatively coupled to the second wireless network, the second HLR being configured to determine a user identified by the SIM information, the voice and services legitimately accessible by the user identified by the SIM information and a limitation on the voice and data services, the limitation being based on the user identified by the SIM information wherein the voice and data services legitimately accessible by the user identified by the SIM information are implemented by a second application server communicatively coupled to the second HLR;

in response to the second HLR determining that the user is a valid, receiving, through the wired data network, incoming calls or data services directed to the dual mode digital cordless handset, and transmitting outgoing calls or data services from the dual mode digital cordless handset, through the wired data network according to the voice and data services legitimately accessible by the user and the user-specific restriction on the voice and data services; and

in response to the second HLR determining that the user is not valid, the dual mode digital cordless handset receiving an indication that communication to the dual mode digital cordless handset has ceased.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the incoming calls directed to the dual mode digital cordless handset and transmitting the outgoing calls from the dual mode digital cordless handset through the wired data network comprises establishing a voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) session between the dual mode digital cordless handset and the wired data network through the first wireless access point.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the incoming calls directed to the dual mode digital cordless handset comprises:

communicating via a voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) session if a one of the incoming calls is directed to a telephone number associated with an IP address that matches the detected IP address.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting the outgoing calls from the dual mode digital cordless handset comprises:

establishing, at the wired data network, a voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) session with the wired data network to receive respective telephone numbers associated with the outgoing calls; and

initiating the outgoing calls to the received telephone numbers, completing the outgoing calls to parties associated with the telephone numbers.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first wireless connection comprises an IEEE 802 connection.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first wireless connection comprises a Bluetooth connection.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the second wireless network comprises a GSM/GPRS connection.