Fixed wireless telephone device

• US 7,783,286 B2
• Filed: 04/10/2007
• Issued: 08/24/2010
• 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:
  US11/786,034
• Publication Number:
  US 20070249337A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,232 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 communications device configured to be connected to a plain old telephone service (POTS) device for use in providing a communications link wherein the communications device includes a converter configured to process a call when a 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; and

an antenna operatively connected to the communications device for providing telephone service by facilitating the communications link between the communications device, 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 communications device is located in a fixed location, and a comparator for comparing an initial location of the communications device and a current location of the communications 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 communications 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 communications 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 communications device at a fixed location is charged at a first rate and telephone service when using the communications 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 communications device.

12. A system for providing telephone service comprising:

means for providing a communications link, wherein the means for providing a communications link is located in a vehicle, wherein the means for providing the communications link is configured to be connected to a plain old telephone service (POTS) device;

means for providing telephone service between the POTS device and a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) via a wireless telephone network;

at the means for providing a communications link, means for storing a unique ID for an emitter, wherein a first signal received from the emitter has an encoded ID that identifies the emitter, and

means for providing wireless telephone service to a POTS connection only when the encoded ID from the first signal matches the unique ID stored in the means for storing the unique ID.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the means for providing the wireless telephone service to the POTS connection 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 means for providing a communications link is located within the vehicle.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein the emitter is further comprises means for sending signals to verify the location of the means for providing a communications link and means for sending the signals by the emitter.

16. The system of claim 12, wherein the means for providing a communications link 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 means for providing a communications link within the vehicle is charged at a first rate and telephone service when using the means for providing a communications link at a location other than the vehicle is charged at a second rate.

18. A method for providing telephone service to a fixed wireless device, the method comprising:

providing a communications link between the fixed wireless device and a plain old telephone service (POTS) device;

providing telephone service between the POTS device and a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) via a wireless telephone network;

at the fixed wireless device, storing a unique ID for an emitter;

receiving a first signal received from the emitter, wherein the first signal has an encoded ID that identifies the emitter, and

providing wireless telephone service to a POTS connection only when the encoded ID from the first signal matches the unique ID stored in the fixed wireless device.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

charging a first rate for telephone service when using the fixed wireless device within the vehicle; and

charging a second rate for telephone service when using the fixed wireless device at a location other than within the vehicle.