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

• US 8,055,248 B2
• Filed: 03/24/2010
• Issued: 11/08/2011
• 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: Hicks, John A. III
• Primary Examiner(s): Appiah; Charles
• Assistant Examiner(s): Peaches; Randy
• Application Number:
  US12/730,827
• Publication Number:
  US 20100173620A1
• Time in Patent Office: 594 Days
• Field of Search: 455/415, 455/417, 455/463
• US Class Current: 455/417
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42246 where the subscriber uses a multi-mode terminal which moves and accesses different networks with at least one network having a wireline access including cordless PBX
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/16 Communication-related supplementary services, e.g. call-transfer or call-hold
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 Connection setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/18 Processing of user or subscriber data, e.g. subscribed services, user preferences or user profiles; Transfer of user or subscriber data
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/26 Network addressing or numbering for mobility support
• 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 for providing integrated wireless and wired data voice and data services via a dual mode telecommunications device are provided. A communication directed to an address associated with a dual mode device is received. If the dual mode device is in range of a wireless access point connected to a wired data network, then a determination is made whether the address of the dual mode device is associated with an address of at least one other device associated with the wired data network. If the address of the dual mode device is associated with an address of at least one other device associated with the wired data network, then the communication is routed over the wired data network to the dual mode device and the at least one other device.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

receiving a communication from a calling party, the communication is directed to an address assigned to a first wireless communication device configured to connect to a cellular network, and a second wireless communication device configured to connect to a non-cellular wireless network;

placing a first outgoing call to the first wireless communication device via the cellular network; and

placing a second outgoing call, substantially simultaneously to placing the first outgoing call, to the second wireless communication device via the non-cellular wireless cellular network.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising, connecting the calling party to the first wireless communication device and dropping the second outgoing call, in response to the first outgoing call being answered prior to the second outgoing call.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising, connecting the calling party to the second wireless communication device and dropping the first outgoing call, in response to the second outgoing call being answered prior to the first outgoing call.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising, dropping the first outgoing call and the second outgoing call in response to the first outgoing call and the second outgoing call not being answered within a predetermined period of time.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising, routing the communication to a softswitch for delivery of voicemail services, in response to the first outgoing call and the second outgoing call not being answered within a predetermined period of time.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the placing the second outgoing call includes placing the second outgoing call over a voice over internet protocol network.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising, determining whether the address is assigned to a dual mode device, which operates within the cellular network and the non-cellular network.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising, providing a single bill for communication associated with the first wireless communication device and the second wireless communication device.

9. A system, comprising:

a network data store that stores a telephone number shared by a first wireless communication device configured to connect to a cellular network, and a second wireless communication device configured to connect to a wired data network without employing cellular communication; and

a service node that, substantially simultaneously, initiates outgoing telephone calls to the first wireless communication device, over the cellular network, and the second wireless communication device over the wired data network, in response to receiving communication directed to the telephone number.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the wired data network is a voice over internet protocol network.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the service node determines that one of the outgoing telephone calls is answered and drops, the remaining of the outgoing telephone calls.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein the service node provides an indication to determine which of the first wireless communication device and the second wireless communication device, the communication is directed to, in response to the communication being directed to a specific communication device.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the indication includes a distinctive ring tone provided with the outgoing telephone calls.

14. The system of claim 9, wherein the telephone number is shared by a dual mode communication device that operates within the cellular network and the wired data network.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the service node routes the communication over the wired data network to the dual mode communication device in response to the dual mode communication device being in range of a wireless access point associated with the wired data network.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the service node routes the communication over the cellular network to the dual mode communication device in response to the dual mode communication device moving outside the range of the wireless access point, without an explicit indication from the dual mode communication device.

17. The system of claim 9, further comprising, a shared voice mailbox that is accessible from the first wireless communication device and the second wireless communication device.

18. A system, comprising:

a first wireless communication device configured to connect to a cellular network; and

a second wireless communication device, configured to connect to a non-cellular wireless network, that shares a telephone number with the first wireless communication device,

wherein a first call is received at the first wireless communication device via the cellular network, substantially simultaneously to a second call received at the second wireless communication device, in response to a communication being directed to the telephone number.

19. The system of claim 18, further comprising, a dual mode device, configured to operate within the cellular network and the non-cellular network, that shares the telephone number with the first wireless communication device and the second wireless communication device.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein the second wireless communication device is configured to connect to a voice over internet protocol without employing cellular communication.