Handset transitions in a dual-mode environment

• US 9,763,144 B2
• Filed: 05/20/2015
• Issued: 09/12/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 04/06/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qwest Communications International Incorporated (Lumen Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Qwest Communications International Incorporated (Lumen Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: LaBauve, Lance, Cook, Charles I., Stevens, Gilman R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wei, Siren
• Application Number:
  US14/717,160
• Publication Number:
  US 20150257045A1
• Time in Patent Office: 846 Days
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/4557 Directories for hybrid networks, e.g. including telephone numbers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1069 Session establishment or de-establishment
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/80 Responding to QoS
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2535 adapted for voice communication over an Internet Protocol [IP] network Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) network equipment and services H04M7/006; implementation or adaptation of Internet protocol [IP], of transmission control protocol [TCP] or of user datagram protocol [UDP] H04L69/16
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/02 including a Bluetooth interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/06 including a wireless LAN interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/006 Networks other than PSTN/ISDN providing telephone service, e.g. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) , including next generation networks with a packet-switched transport layer H04L65/00 takes precedence; aspects not specific to the type of network H04M3/00; special services in those networks H04M3/42
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/0022 for transferring data sessions between adjacent core network technologies
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/18 for allowing seamless reselection, e.g. soft reselection
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/30 by measured or perceived connection quality data
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 60/005 Multiple registrations, e.g. multihoming
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 60/06 De-registration or detaching
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 80/04 Network layer protocols, e.g. mobile IP [Internet Protocol]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/042 Public Land Mobile systems, e.g. cellular systems
• 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

Embodiments of the invention provide novel solutions, including systems, methods and/or software, for handling calls in a dual-mode VoIP/cellular environment. Merely by way of example, some systems can be configured to determine whether to use a VoIP system or a cellular system to handle a particular call, and/or to transition a call from one network to the other network. Other systems can be configured to substitute a public number (which might be, for example, a VoIP number) for a private number (which might be, for example, a cellular number) when routing a call originating from a dual-mode phone on a cellular network. Further systems can be configured to allow a VoIP system to serve as an anchor for calls originated and/or delivered on a cellular system, for instance to facilitate a transition between cellular and VoIP service during a call.

Claims

1. A dual-mode phone capable of operating in a cellular mode and in a voice over Internet Protocol (“

VoIP”

) mode, wherein the dual-mode phone comprises a processor and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to;

determine whether the signal quality of a connection between the dual-mode phone and a VoIP system is above a first threshold;

if the signal quality of the connection is above the first threshold, registers the dual-mode phone with the VoIP system;

determine whether the signal quality of the connection is above a second threshold;

if the dual-mode phone is not registered with a cellular system and signal quality of the connection is not above the second threshold, deregisters the dual-mode phone from the VoIP system

wherein the dual-mode phone further determines whether the dual-mode phone is registered with a cellular system, wherein, if the dual-mode phone is not registered with the cellular system, the first threshold and the second threshold are not enforced, such that the dual-mode phone registers with the VoIP system and maintains a registration with the VoIP system so long as there is sufficient signal to maintain a connection between the VoIP system and the dual-mode phone, regardless of whether the signal quality falls below the first threshold or the second threshold.

2. The dual-mode phone of claim 1, wherein the dual-mode phone further:

begins a first call on the dual-mode phone using the connection;

determines whether the signal quality of the connection is above a third threshold; and

if the signal quality of the connection is not above the third threshold, transitions the first call to a cellular connection.

3. The dual-mode phone of claim 2, wherein the dual-mode phone transitions the first call to a cellular connection by participating in a second call with the VoIP system, wherein the second call is carried by a cellular system.

4. The dual-mode phone of claim 3, wherein the first call is disconnected after the second call has been connected.

5. The dual-mode phone of claim 2, wherein the third threshold is the same threshold as the second threshold.

6. The dual-mode phone of claim 1, wherein the first threshold is higher than the second threshold, such that the dual-mode phone will stay registered at a signal quality at which the dual-mode phone would not be able to register if not already registered.

7. A system for handling a call involving a dual-mode phone capable of operating in a cellular mode and in a voice over Internet Protocol (“

VoIP”

) mode, the system comprising;

a VoIP system comprising a processor and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to;

provide VoIP service to the dual-mode phone;

determine whether the signal quality of a connection between the dual-mode phone and the VoIP system is above a first threshold;

if the signal quality of the connection is above the first threshold, register the dual-mode phone with the VoIP system;

determine whether the signal quality of the connection is above a second threshold;

if the dual-mode phone is registered with a cellular system and signal quality of the connection is not above the second threshold, deregister the dual-mode phone from the VoIP system;

wherein, if the dual-mode phone is not registered with a cellular system, the first threshold and the second threshold are not enforced, such that the dual-mode phone registers with the VoIP system and maintains a registration with the VoIP system so long as there is sufficient signal to maintain a connection between the VoIP system and the dual-mode phone, regardless of whether the signal quality falls below the first threshold or the second threshold.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein the VoIP system is further configured to:

carry a first call involving the dual-mode phone using the connection;

determine whether the signal quality of the connection is above a third threshold; and

if the signal quality of the connection is not above the third threshold, transition the first call to a cellular connection.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the VoIP system transitions the first call to a cellular connection by participating in a second call with the dual-mode phone, wherein the second call is carried by a cellular system.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the first call is disconnected after the second call has been connected.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the third threshold is the same threshold as the second threshold.

12. The system of claim 7, wherein the first threshold is higher than the second threshold, such that the dual-mode phone will stay registered at a signal quality at which the dual-mode phone would not be able to register if not already registered.

13. A method for handling a call involving a dual-mode phone capable of operating in a cellular mode and in a voice over Internet Protocol (“

VoIP”

) mode, the method comprising;

determining whether the signal quality of a connection between a dual-mode phone and a VoIP system is above a first threshold;

if the signal quality of the connection is above the first threshold, registering the dual-mode phone with the VoIP system;

determining whether the signal quality of the connection is above a second threshold;

determining whether the dual-mode phone is registered with a cellular system;

if the dual-mode phone is registered with a cellular system and signal quality of the connection is not above the second threshold, deregistering the dual-mode phone from the VoIP system, wherein, if the dual-mode phone is not registered with the cellular system, the first threshold and the second threshold are not enforced, such that the dual mode phone registers with the VoIP system and maintains a registration with the VoIP system so long as there is sufficient signal to maintain a connection between the VoIP system and the dual-mode phone, regardless of whether the signal quality falls below the first threshold or the second threshold.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

beginning a call on the dual-mode phone using the connection;

determining whether the signal quality of the connection is above a third threshold; and

if the signal quality of the connection is not above the third threshold, transitioning the call to a cellular connection.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein transition the call comprises establishing a second call between the VoIP system and the dual-mode phone, wherein the second call is carried by a cellular system.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising disconnecting the first call after the second call has been connected.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the third threshold is the same threshold as the second threshold.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein the first threshold is higher than the second threshold, such that the dual-mode phone will stay registered at a signal quality at which the dual-mode phone would not be able to register if not already registered.