Handset registration in a dual-mode environment

• US 8,989,813 B2
• Filed: 07/19/2006
• Issued: 03/24/2015
• 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): PHUONG, DAI
• Application Number:
  US11/490,515
• Publication Number:
  US 20070015536A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,170 Days
• Field of Search: 455/426.1, 4554321-436, 455/552.1
• US Class Current: 455/555
• 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 method for handling a call involving a dual-mode handset capable of operating in a cellular mode and in a voice over Internet Protocol (“

VoIP”

) mode, the method comprising;

a dual-mode handset participating in a first call with another party, the first call being carried on a VoIP connection with a VoIP system;

determining that a signal quality for the VoIP connection has fallen below a first threshold;

the dual-mode handset originating a second call with the VoIP system, wherein the second call is carried by a cellular system;

the VoIP system answering the second call;

the VoIP system bridging the first call and the second call;

the dual-mode handset transitioning a microphone function and a speaker function from the first call to the second call, such that the dual-mode handset is in communication with the other party via the second call; and

disconnecting the first call.

2. The method recited in claim 1 wherein the VoIP system answers the second call only after receiving a confirmation message from the dual-mode handset that the dual-mode handset is transitioning to a cellular call.

3. The method recited in claim 1, wherein determining that the signal quality for the VoIP connection has fallen below the first threshold comprises determining, at the dual-mode handset, that the signal quality for the VoIP connection has fallen below a first threshold.

4. The method recited in claim 1, wherein determining that the signal quality for the VoIP connection has fallen below the first threshold comprises determining, at the VoIP system, that the signal quality for the VoIP connection has fallen below a first threshold.

5. The method recited in claim 4, wherein determining that the signal quality for the VoIP connection has fallen below the first threshold comprises receiving a message from the dual-mode handset concerning the signal quality.

6. The method recited in claim 1, further comprising:

determining whether the signal quality for the VoIP connection is above a second threshold; and

registering the dual-mode handset with the VoIP system only if the signal quality is above the second threshold.

7. The method recited in claim 6, wherein the second threshold is higher than the first threshold, such that the VoIP system will maintain the first call over the VoIP connection at a signal quality at which the dual-mode handset would not be able to register with the VoIP if not already registered.

8. The method recited in claim 1, further comprising:

the dual-mode handset registering with the cellular system;

the dual-mode handset registering with the VoIP system; and

the dual-mode handset simultaneously maintaining active registrations with the cellular system and with the VoIP system.

9. A telecommunication system for handling a first call with an other party involving a dual-mode handset capable of operating in a cellular mode and in a voice over Internet Protocol (“

VoIP”

) mode, the telecommunication system comprising;

the dual-mode handset;

a VoIP system configured to provide VoIP service to the dual-mode handset; and

a cellular system configured to provide cellular service to the dual-mode handset;

wherein the VoIP system is configured to;

determine that a signal quality for a first call over a VoIP connection with the dual-mode handset has fallen below a first threshold;

answer a second call originated by the dual-mode handset and carried by the cellular system;

bridge the first call and the second call; and

disconnect the first call.

10. The system recited in claim 9, wherein the first call is disconnected after the dual-mode handset transitions a microphone function and a speaker function from the first call to the second call, such that the dual-mode handset is in communication with the other party via the second call.

11. The system recited in claim 9, wherein the VoIP system determines that the signal quality for the VoIP connection has fallen below the first threshold based on receiving a message from the dual-mode handset that the signal quality has fallen below the first threshold.

12. The system recited in claim 9, wherein the VoIP system is configured to answer the second call only after receiving a confirmation message from the dual-mode handset that the handset is transitioning to a cellular call.

13. The system recited in claim 9, wherein the VoIP system is further configured to:

determine whether the signal quality for the VoIP connection is above a second threshold; and

register the dual-mode handset with the VoIP system only if the signal quality is above the second threshold.

14. The system recited in claim 13, wherein the second threshold is higher than the first threshold, such that VoIP system will maintain the call over the VoIP connection at a signal quality at which the dual-mode handset would not be able to register if not already registered.

15. The system recited in claim 9, wherein the dual-mode handset:

registers with the cellular system;

registers with the VoIP system; and

simultaneously maintains active registrations with the cellular system and with the VoIP system.

16. A telecommunication system for handling a call with an other party involving a dual-mode handset capable of operating in a cellular mode and in a voice over Internet Protocol (“

VoIP”

) mode, the telecommunication system comprising;

a VoIP system configured to provide VoIP service to the dual-mode handset;

wherein the VoIP system is configured to;

handle a first call between the dual-mode handset and the other party over a VoIP connection;

determine that a signal quality for the VoIP connection has fallen below a first threshold;

answer a second call from the dual-mode handset over a cellular system;

bridge the first call and the second call after answering the second call; and

disconnect the first call.

17. The system recited in claim 16, wherein the first call is disconnected after the dual-mode handset transitions a microphone function and a speaker function from the first call to the second call, such that the dual-mode handset is in communication with the other party via the second call.

18. The system recited in claim 16, wherein the VoIP system determines that the signal quality for the VoIP connection has fallen below the first threshold based on receiving a message from the dual-mode handset that the signal quality has fallen below the first threshold.

19. The system recited in claim 16, wherein the VoIP system is further configured to:

determine whether the signal quality for the VoIP connection is above a second threshold; and

register the dual-mode handset with the VoIP system only if the signal quality is above the second threshold.

20. The system recited in claim 19, wherein the second threshold is higher than the first threshold, such that VoIP system will maintain the call over the VoIP connection at a signal quality at which the dual-mode handset would not be able to register if not already registered.