Systems for use with multi-number cellular devices

• US 8,064,876 B2
• Filed: 09/30/2008
• Issued: 11/22/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Knight, Marachel L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel; Ajit
• Assistant Examiner(s): Navar; Erica
• Application Number:
  US12/242,795
• Publication Number:
  US 20100081460A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,148 Days
• Field of Search: 455405-409, 4554321-433
• US Class Current: 455/406
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/6418 Hybrid transport
• 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

Abstract

Devices and methods are disclosed which relate to a multi-number cellular communication system that allows a single mobile device to use more than one telephone number. This cellular communication system assigns more than one telephone number to a mobile device. When a call is made to that mobile device from any of the assigned telephone numbers, a connection is made to the mobile device. When a user of the mobile device places an outgoing call, the user selects which telephone number to use for that outgoing call.

Claims

1. A multi-number cellular communication system, comprising:

a plurality of wireless transmitters;

a gateway in communication with the plurality of wireless transmitters;

a service database in communication with the gateway, the service database containing service capabilities of each number of a mobile device with a multi-number service plan;

a multi-number controller in communication with the gateway; and

a billing database in communication with the gateway;

wherein the multi-number controller allows the mobile device with the multi-number service plan to use more than one number, while the billing database maintains a separate record for each number, wherein the gateway references the service database to determine whether a selected number of the more than one number is subscribed to a selected service, and the gateway notifies the mobile device when the selected number is not subscribed to the selected service and alerts the mobile device to select a second number.

2. The system in claim 1, wherein each wireless transmitter is a cellular tower.

3. The system in claim 1, wherein the multi-number controller comprises logic for incoming calls, logic for outgoing calls, and a menu system for setting user preferences.

4. The system in claim 3, wherein the menu system is a hierarchy of audible menus, each responding to the touch of a key on a keypad.

5. The system in claim 4, wherein the multi-number controller further comprises a preferences database.

6. The system in claim 5, wherein the preferences database stores a plurality of preferences concerning default telephone numbers and call waiting.

7. The system in claim 6, wherein the multi-number controller references the preferences database during a connection of a call.

8. The system in claim 4, wherein the multi-number controller further comprises logic for communicating with a multi-number mobile device.

9. A multi-number cellular communication system, comprising:

a plurality of cellular towers;

a gateway in communication with the plurality of cellular towers;

a service database in communication with the gateway, the service database containing service capabilities of each number of a mobile device with a multi-number service plan;

a multi-number logic unit in communication with the gateway; and

a billing database in communication with the gateway;

wherein the multi-number logic unit identifies the mobile device with the multi-number service plan and allows it to use more than one telephone number while the billing database maintains a separate record for each telephone number, wherein the gateway references the service database to determine whether a selected number of the more than one number is subscribed to a selected service, and the gateway notifies the mobile device when the selected number is not subscribed to the selected service and alerts the mobile device to select a second number.

10. The system in claim 9, wherein each cellular tower transmits wireless signals to and from mobile devices.

11. The system in claim 9, wherein the multi-number logic unit comprises a logic for incoming calls, a logic for outgoing calls, and a menu system for setting user preferences.

12. The system in claim 11, wherein the menu system is a hierarchy of audible menus, each responding to the touch of a key on a keypad.

13. The system in claim 12, wherein the multi-number logic unit further comprises a preferences database.

14. The system in claim 13, wherein the preferences database stores a plurality of preferences concerning default telephone numbers and call waiting.

15. The system in claim 14, wherein the multi-number logic unit references the preferences database during a connection of a call.

16. The system in claim 12, wherein the multi-number logic unit further comprises a logic for communicating with a multi-number mobile device.

17. A method of connecting a mobile device through a cellular connection comprising:

providing a service plan that enables a mobile device to use more than one telephone number;

referencing a service database to determine whether a selected telephone number of the more than one telephone number is subscribed to a selected service; and

connecting the mobile device through a network;

wherein a user may place and receive calls from a plurality of telephone numbers on the mobile device, wherein a gateway notifies the mobile device when the selected telephone number is not subscribed to the selected service and alerts the mobile device to select a second telephone number.

18. The method in claim 17, wherein the connecting comprises one of an incoming and outgoing call.

19. The method in claim 17, further comprising referencing a preferences database.

20. The method in claim 17, further comprising communicating with a multi-number mobile device for preferences stored in the multi-number mobile device.