Intelligent pico-cell for transport of wireless device communications over wireline networks

• US 7,773,572 B2
• Filed: 10/27/2009
• Issued: 08/10/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/21/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Hicks, John Alson III, O'Neil, Douglas
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen; David Q
• Application Number:
  US12/606,553
• Publication Number:
  US 20100046490A1
• Time in Patent Office: 287 Days
• Field of Search: 370/338, 370/328, 370/352, 455/426.1, 455/426.2, 455/560
• US Class Current: 370/338
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/00 Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor

Abstract

In one embodiment a pico cell may be used to detect a presence of a wireless device and receive a wireless signal from the wireless device. The wireless signal may then be converted from a protocol used by the wireless device to a converted signal in a protocol suitable for use with a broadband connection. The converted signal may then be transmitted over the broadband connection.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

employing a processor to execute code instructions stored in a computer-readable storage medium that, when executed by the processor, perform the following acts;

monitoring existing radio frequency channels;

based on the monitoring act, detecting presence of a wireless device;

determining if the wireless device is allowed to connect to a pico-cell;

when the determining act indicates the wireless device is allowed to connect to then pico-cell;

issuing configuration commands for the wireless device to communicate with the pico-cell; and

initiating a communication session if the wireless device is properly configured;

monitoring configuration settings employed by the wireless device to communicate with the pico-cell; and

updating the configuration commands to improve quality of communications between the wireless device and the pico-cell, wherein the updating includes issuing commands directing the wireless device to switch to at least one of a stronger radio frequency (RF) channel or a disparate power setting.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein determining if the wireless device is allowed to connect to the pico-cell includes determining if the wireless device embodies credentials necessary to access the pico-cell.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

remotely accessing the pico-cell; and

gathering policy information guiding allowance of access to the pico-cell.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising:

if the gathered policy information is unacceptable, issuing a command to effect a suitable policy, wherein the suitable policy can exclude certain cellular-carrier customers.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the communication session is a registration session, a normal phone conversation, or a data communication session.

16. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

pairing of the pico-cell with one or more wireless devices.

17. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a device identifier from the computer-readable storage medium, the device identifier corresponds to at least one active wireless device in communication with the pico-cell.

5. An apparatus, comprising

means for monitoring existing radio frequency channels;

means for detecting presence of a wireless device based on monitored radio frequency channels;

means for determining if the wireless device is allowed to connect to a pico-cell;

when the means for determining indicates the wireless device is allowed to connect to the pico-cell;

means for issuing configuration commands for the wireless device to communicate with the pico-cell; and

means for initiating a communication session if the wireless device is Properly configured; and

means for monitoring configuration settings employed by the wireless device to communicate with the pico-cell; and

means for updating the configuration commands to improve quality of communications between the wireless device and the pico-cell, wherein the means for updating includes means for issuing commands directing the wireless device to switch to at least one of a stronger radio frequency (RF) channel or a disparate power setting.

6. The apparatus of claim method of claim 5, further comprising:

means for accessing the pico-cell remotely; and

means for gathering policy information guiding allowance of access to the pico-cell.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising:

if the gathered policy information is unacceptable, means for issuing a command to effect a suitable policy, wherein the suitable policy can exclude certain cellular-carrier customers.

8. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising means for accessing data regarding use of a pico-cell remotely.

9. A system, comprising:

one or more processors; and

a memory that includes code that when executed by the one or more processors implement the following components;

an interface that monitors existing radio frequency channels and detects presence of a wireless device;

a first module that determines if the wireless device is allowed to connect to a pico-cell;

a selector that issues configuration commands for the wireless device to communicate with the pico-cell when the module determines the wireless device is allowed to connect to the pico-cell, and initiates a communication session if the wireless device is properly configured, the selector updates the configuration commands to improve quality of communications between the wireless device and the pico-cell, wherein to update the configuration commands to improve quality of communications between the wireless device and the pico-cell, the selector issues commands that direct the wireless device to switch to at least one of a stronger radio frequency (RF) channel or a disparate power setting; and

a second module that monitors configuration settings employed by the wireless device to communicate with the pico-cell.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein to determine if the wireless device is allowed to connect to the pico-cell, the first module determines if the wireless device embodies credentials necessary to access the pico-cell.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the communication session is a registration session, a normal phone conversation, or a data communication session.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein the first module receives a device identifier from the memory, the device identifier corresponds to at least one active wireless device in communication with the pico-cell.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein the first module enables pairing of the pico-cell with one or more wireless devices.

14. The system of claim 12, further comprising:

a computer interface functionally coupled to the pico-cell and that allows registration of at least one wireless device allowed to connect to the pico-cell.