Method and system for providing a digital wireless local loop

Claim 2

For use with one of a plurality of base transceivers located in one of a plurality of cells defining a cellular service area, each of the plurality of base transceivers having a plurality of frequencies assigned thereto, and one of the plurality of base transceivers operative to communicate with a portable handset at a first plurality of frequencies assigned to the one of the plurality of base transceivers, a method for providing a wireless local loop comprising: determining whether the portable handset is located in an indoor environment or an outdoor environment and generating an indoor or outdoor location signal in response thereto; in response to a generated outdoor location signal, (a) transmitting communication signals between the base transceiver and the portable handset at one of the first plurality of frequencies, and (b) inhibiting the portable handset from transmitting or receiving communication signals at frequencies other than the first plurality of frequencies; and in response to a generated indoor location signal, (a) transmitting communication signals at one of the base transceiver and the portable handset at one of a second plurality of frequencies different from the first plurality of frequencies, the second plurality of frequencies corresponding to one of the plurality of frequencies assigned to another one of the plurality of base transceivers located at another one of the plurality of cells, (b) converting the communication signals to a predetermined conversion frequency, the predetermined conversion frequency corresponding to another one of the first plurality of frequencies, (c) transmitting the converted communication signals to an indoor environment base transceiver and the portable handset at the predetermined conversion frequency, and (d) converting the communication signals received at the predetermined conversion frequency to the one of the second plurality of frequencies for receipt by the indoor environment base transceiver and the portable handset.

Claim 3

The method of claim 1 wherein the first and second plurality of frequencies comprise a portion of the cellular radio spectrum.

Claim 4

The method of claim 1 wherein the communication signals are audio signals.

Claim 5

The method of claim 1 wherein the communication signals are video signals.

Claim 6

The method of claim 1 wherein the communication signals are data signals.

Claim 7

The method of claim 1 wherein the first and second plurality of frequencies are selected based upon an amount of indoor and outdoor location signals generated.

Claim 8

The method of claim 1 wherein the step of converting the communication signals to the predetermined conversion frequency is performed at the base transceiver.

Claim 9

The method of claim 1 wherein the plurality of base transceivers are in communication with a mobile telephone switching center having a central call processor and wherein the step of determining whether the portable handset is located in an indoor environment or an outdoor environment is performed by the central call processor.

Claim 10

For use with a plurality of base transceivers, each of the plurality of base transceivers located in one of a plurality of cells defining a cellular service area and having a plurality of frequencies assigned thereto, and a portable handset adapted to transmit and receive communication signals to one of the plurality of base transceivers, a wireless local loop, comprising: a processor for determining whether the portable handset is located in either an indoor or outdoor environment and for generating a corresponding indoor or outdoor location signal in response thereto; the one of the base transceivers provided in communication with the processor and the portable handset and operative to communicate with the portable handset at a first plurality of frequencies assigned thereto by (a) transmitting and receiving communication signals to and from the portable handset at one of the first plurality of frequencies upon receiving the outdoor location signal, and (b) transmitting and receiving communication signals at one of a second plurality of frequencies upon receiving the indoor location signal, the second plurality of frequencies corresponding to one of the plurality of frequencies assigned to another one of the plurality of base transceivers located at another one of the plurality of cells; a first converter in communication with the one of the base transceivers for receiving communication signals at the one of the second plurality of frequencies and retransmitting the communication signals at a predetermined conversion frequency corresponding to another one of the first plurality of frequencies, the first converter further operative for receiving communication signals at the predetermined conversion frequency and retransmitting the communication signals at the one of the second plurality of frequencies to the base transceiver; a second converter in communication with the first converter and the portable handset for receiving communication signals from the first converter at the predetermined conversion frequency and for retransmitting the communication signals at the one of the second plurality of frequencies to the portable handset, the second converter further operative for receiving communication signals at the one of the second plurality of frequencies from the portable handset and retransmitting the communication signals at the predetermined conversion frequency to the first converter; and an inhibitor in communication with the portable handset for inhibiting the portable handset from transmitting or receiving communication signals at frequencies other than the first plurality of frequencies in response to the generation of the outdoor location signal.

Claim 11

For use with a plurality of base transceivers, each of the plurality of base transceivers located in one of a plurality of cells defining a cellular service area and having a plurality of frequencies assigned thereto, and a portable handset adapted to transmit and receive communication signals to one of the plurality of base transceivers, a wireless local loop, comprising: a processor for determining whether the portable handset is located in either an indoor or outdoor environment and for generating a corresponding indoor or outdoor location signal in response thereto; the one of the base transceivers provided in communication with the processor and the portable handset and operative to communicate with the portable handset at a first plurality of frequencies assigned thereto by (a) transmitting and receiving communication signals to and from the portable handset at one of the first plurality of frequencies upon receiving the outdoor location signal, and (b) transmitting and receiving communication signals at one of a second plurality of frequencies upon receiving the indoor location signal, the second plurality of frequencies corresponding to one of the plurality of frequencies assigned to another one of the plurality of base transceivers located at another one of the plurality of cells; a first converter in communication with the one of the base transceivers for receiving communication signals at the one of the second plurality of frequencies and retransmitting the communication signals at a predetermined conversion frequency corresponding to another one of the first plurality of frequencies, the first converter further operative for receiving communication signals at the predetermined conversion frequency and retransmitting the communication signals at the one of the second plurality of frequencies to the base transceiver; a second converter in communication with the first converter and the portable handset for receiving communication signals from the first converter at the predetermined conversion frequency and for retransmitting the communication signals at the one of the second plurality of frequencies to the portable handset, the second converter further operative for receiving communication signals at the one of the second plurality of frequencies from the portable handset and retransmitting the communication signals at the predetermined conversion frequency to the first converter; and an inhibitor in communication with the portable handset for inhibiting the portable handset from transmitting or receiving communication signals at frequencies other than the first plurality of frequencies in response to the generation of the outdoor location signal.

Claim 12

The system of claim 9 wherein the first converter is located at the base transceiver.

Claim 13

The system of claim 9 wherein the first converter transmits and receives communications signals to and from the base transceiver via a wireline link.

Claim 14

The system of claim 9 wherein the second converter is located in the indoor environment.

Claim 15

The system of claim 9 wherein the second converter comprises a frequency shifting repeater.

Claim 16

The system of claim 9 wherein the inhibitor is a switch.

Claim 17

The system of claim 14 wherein the switch is a physical button disposed on the portable handset.

Claim 18

The system of claim 14 wherein the switch is at least one electronic module adapted to be inserted into the portable handset in order to operate the portable handset in either the indoor environment or the outdoor environment.

Claim 19

The system of claim 16 wherein the at least one electronic module provides operation of the portable handset in both the indoor environment and the outdoor environment.