SYSTEM AND PROCESS FOR SWITCHING BETWEEN CELL PHONE AND LANDLINE SERVICES

• US 20070037550A1
• Filed: 04/28/2006
• Published: 02/15/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/29/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Frederic Rassam
• Original Assignee: Frederic Rassam
• Inventors: RASSAM, Frederic
• Granted Patent: US 7,937,069 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/406
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/00 Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/8055 Selecting cheaper transport technology for a given service
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/7464 Select transport technology for a given service, e.g. use for data connection WLAN rather than GSM/UMTS/GPRS or use company's communication network rather than a public network

Abstract

A system and a method for determining which type of telephone communication service to use. The system can include at least one base station, and at least one telephone communication system in communication with the base station. There can also be at least one computer which is in communication with at least one of the base station or the telephone communication system. There can also be at least one database system in communication with the computer. The database system can be for storing data for assisting the computer in selecting a particular telecommunication service to place a telephone call based upon a user'"'"'s preferences. The database system can include a matrix which sets the price of the telephone call vs. the signal or reception quality of the call so that the computer or system will select the most desired calling plan based upon a user'"'"'s criteria or preferences.

Claims

1. A system for determining which type of telephone communication service to use comprising:

a) at least one base station;

b) at least one telephone communication system in communication with said base station;

c) at least one computer which is in communication with at least one of said at least one base station or said at least one telephone communication system; and

d) at least one database system in communication with said at least one computer wherein said at least one database system is for storing data for assisting said at least one computer in selecting a particular telecommunication service to place a telephone call based upon a user'"'"'s preferences including both price of a user'"'"'s telephone call and the quality of reception or transmission of said user'"'"'s call.

2. The system as in claim 1, further comprising a communication network, and a server which is in communication with said base station over said communication network, and wherein said at least one database is disposed on said server.

3. The system as in claim 1, wherein said database includes a plurality of listings of characteristics including a price of a call and a quality of a reception of a call based upon historical data.

4. The system as in claim 1, wherein said at least one computer determines a level of quality of call reception based upon a reception quality reading on a cellular phone.

5. The system as in claim 1, wherein said database stores information about a caller'"'"'s plan including the number of minutes left in the user'"'"'s plan.

6. The system as in claim 1, wherein said database stores information about a caller'"'"'s plan including the different rates based upon the time of day of the call.

7. The system as in claim 1, wherein said database stores a set of information relating to a number prefix for a discount calling plan for a user'"'"'s call.

8. The system as in claim 1, wherein said database stores information relating to a number prefix for the region that the user is calling.

9. The system as in claim 1, wherein said database stores information relating to whether a call is local, toll free or an international call.

10. The system as in claim 1, wherein said computer determines a cost of a call based upon at least one of the following characteristics:

the number of minutes left in a user'"'"'s plan;

the time of day or the day of the week;

the party being called;

the number prefix for determining whether the user is calling under a discount calling plan;

the number prefix for determining whether the call is a local, toll free, or international;

the information relating to the carrier of the number to be dialed; and

a listing of the historical records for the connection quality for a telephone call based upon the region that the user is calling from.

11. The system as in claim 1, wherein said at least one computer is disposed in a portable phone.

12. The system as in claim 1, wherein said at least one computer is disposed in said base station.

13. The system as in claim 1, wherein said at least one database further comprises a matrix table for determining a preset desired phone plan for connecting a call based upon criteria in said matrix table.

14. A method for determining which telephone service to use for a particular call comprising the following steps:

a) determining which phone services are available;

b) determining for at least one phone service the number of minutes left in a plan for that service;

c) determining the time and day of the week for a particular call;

d) determining the signal strength for the call;

e) determining whether the number to be dialed is part of a similar network or service provider as the service where the call is originating from;

f) determining whether the call is either local, toll free, or international; and

g) connecting a telephone call through the desired service based upon the determined answers of at least one of the above criteria.

15. The process as in claim 14, wherein a system for connecting a telephone call selects a cell phone plan if the number being dialed is part of a similar or the same telephone network.

16. The process as in claim 14, wherein a system for connecting a telephone call selects a particular telephone service based upon the number of free minutes left in a telephone service plan.