System and process for switching between cell phone and landline services

• US 7,937,069 B2
• Filed: 04/28/2006
• Issued: 05/03/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/29/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Frederic Rassam
• Original Assignee: Frederic Rassam
• Inventors: Rassam, Frederic
• Primary Examiner(s): Ly; Nghi H
• Application Number:
  US11/380,898
• Publication Number:
  US 20070037550A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,831 Days
• Field of Search: 455/406, 455/405, 455/418, 455/424
• 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 computerized method for determining which telephone service to use for a particular call selected from a plurality of phone services comprising using a processor which is programmed to perform the following steps:

providing a portable base station for housing the processor;

determining via the processor which of the phone services are available wherein the phone services are selected from the group comprising landline phone services, and wireless phone services;

determining via said portable base station a call quality for each phone service;

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

determining via the processor the time and day of the week for a particular call;

determining via the processor the signal strength for the call;

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

determining via the processor whether the call is either local, toll free, or international; and

selecting a particular carrier in a said base station based upon both call an estimated call quality and an estimated price of the call;

automatically connecting a telephone call in said base station through the particular carrier and particular service selected from the group comprising landline phone services, and wireless phone services based upon the determined answers from all of said determination steps to provide a caller with a call having the desired characteristics of price and quality of the call.

2. The method as in claim 1, 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.

3. The method as in claim 1, 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.

4. The method as in claim 1, wherein said landline phone service comprises both analog phone service and voip phone service.

5. The method as in claim 1, wherein said step of connecting a telephone call through the desired service occurs in said base station wherein said base station comprises a RJ11 connection, a ethernet connection and at least one wireless communication means through a SIM card.

6. The method as in claim 1, further comprising the step of selecting a desired phone service based upon an estimated cost for the call.

7. The method as in claim 1, further comprising the step of selecting a desired phone service based upon a perceived quality of reception of the call.

8. The method as in claim 1 further comprising the step of determining the service to select based upon the number dialed by the customer.

9. The method as in claim 1, wherein said step of selecting a desired phone service comprises selecting a phone service based upon a balance between potential cost for the call and perceived reception quality of the call based upon a matrix of pre calculated values and which is stored in said base station.

10. The method as in claim 9 wherein said matrix is displayed on a screen on said base station.

11. The method as in claim 1, wherein said matrix is stored in a handset on said base station.

12. The method as in claim 11, wherein said matrix is programmable.

13. The method as in claim 12, further comprising the step of adjusting a position on said matrix for determining which of said services to use.

14. The method as in claim 13, further comprising the step of using at least one keypad to adjust a position on said matrix for determining which of said services to use.

15. The method as in claim 14, further comprising the step of presetting a position on a matrix for a particular call based upon a particular number.

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

providing a portable base station;

determining in said portable base station a reception quality of a call to be placed;

determining via said base station which phone services are available wherein said phone services are selected from the group comprising;

landline analog phone services, and voice over IP phone services;

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

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

determining the signal strength for the call;

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;

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

selecting a desired phone service in said base station; and

automatically connecting a telephone call through a base station to a desired carrier and to the desired service selected from the group comprising landline phone services, and wireless phone services based upon the determined answers from all of said determination steps, wherein said connection occurs in a base station for a phone to provide a caller with a call having the desired characteristics of price and quality of the call.

17. The method as in claim 16, further comprising the step of determining the service to select based upon the number dialed by the customer.

18. The method as in claim 16,

wherein said step of selecting the desired phone service comprises determining based upon availability, reception quality and cost the proper phone service for selection via a matrix.

19. The method as in claim 18, wherein said step of selecting a desired phone service includes utilizing a stored matrix of values for both reception and cost for an available service.

20. The method as in claim 16, further comprising the step of:

recording in said portable base station historical reception quality information based upon previous calls from said portable base station.

21. The method as in claim 20, further comprising the step of displaying said matrix on a screen on said portable base station.