Using a wireless intercom to talk-around a cellular wireless network

• US 7,844,295 B1
• Filed: 05/17/2005
• Issued: 11/30/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sprint Spectrum LP (Deutsche Telekom AG)
• Original Assignee: Sprint Spectrum LP (Deutsche Telekom AG)
• Inventors: Ngan, John Cheong-Wai
• Primary Examiner(s): Kincaid; Lester
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lai; Daniel
• Application Number:
  US11/130,997
• Time in Patent Office: 2,023 Days
• Field of Search: 455/435.2, 455/426, 455/410, 455/552.1, 455/41, 455/62, 455/411, 455/426.1, 455/553.1, 455 411- 413, 379/211.04
• US Class Current: 455/552.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/665 by checking the validity of a code
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/02 including a Bluetooth interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/66 user interface aspects for indicating selection options for a communication line
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 Connection setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/005 Discovery of network devices, e.g. terminals
• 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

A method and system are disclosed for bypassing a cellular wireless communications system by using a peer-to-peer wireless link for voice communications between BLUETOOTH enabled handsets. In an exemplary embodiment, when a ten-digit telephone number is dialed to place a call from a cellular wireless telephone, the cellular wireless telephone determines whether a termination-point, such as a second cellular wireless telephone, associated with the ten-digit telephone number is within range of the peer-to-peer wireless link. If the termination-point is within range, then a direct intercom session may be established over the peer-to-peer wireless link. Otherwise, a call initiation is requested over the cellular wireless communications system.

Claims

1. A method for establishing a voice session between a first telephone and a second telephone, the first telephone and second telephone each being operable to engage in both BLUETOOTH communication and cellular wireless communication, at least the first telephone maintaining a list of trusted BLUETOOTH devices, the method comprising:

receiving a request at the first telephone, from a user of the first telephone, to initiate a voice session between the first telephone and the second telephone, wherein the request includes a telephone number of the second telephone without indicating a selection of which communication is to be used;

responsive to the request, the first telephone making a determination of whether the second telephone is available to participate in the voice session via BLUETOOTH communication, at least in part by determining whether the second telephone is within BLUETOOTH range of the first telephone, wherein determining whether the second telephone is within BLUETOOTH range of the first telephone comprises broadcasting the telephone number of the second telephone as a BLUETOOTH passkey for establishing BLUETOOTH pairing between the first telephone and the second telephone and determining whether the first telephone receives from the second telephone a response to the BLUETOOTH passkey broadcast by the first telephone;

in response to receiving the broadcast from the first telephone with the telephone number of the second telephone as a BLUETOOTH passkey, the second telephone generating a response to the first telephone so that the first and second telephones pair with one another in response to the BLUETOOTH passkey;

if the determination is that the second telephone is available to participate in the voice session via BLUETOOTH communication, the first telephone initiating the voice session with the second telephone via BLUETOOTH communication; and

if the determination is that the second telephone is not available to participate in the voice session via BLUETOOTH communication, the first telephone automatically initiating the voice session with the second telephone via cellular wireless communication.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the first telephone making the determination of whether the second telephone is available to participate in the voice session via BLUETOOTH communication, at least further in part by determining whether the second telephone is listed as a trusted device in the list of trusted devices maintained by the first telephone.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the second telephone establishes the first telephone as a trusted device in response to the BLUETOOTH passkey containing the telephone number of the second telephone.