US5664007A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for providing continuation of a communication call across multiple networks
Assignee: Nokia of America Corp
•
Filing: 1995-03-06
•
Granted: 1997-09-02
•
Expires: 2015-03-06
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus is disclosed for providing continuation of a communication call as a user moves from the coverage area of one communication network to the coverage area of another communication network having different access media and different applications. A voice, data, video or multimedia call involving multiple end-points which may be located on different networks may be placed on hold pursuant to a pause request made by a user of one of the end-points. The networks include processors programmed to interrupt and recognize specified signals, such as a pause request signal, and to respond by providing reconnection identification information. The user making a pause request may generate a reconnection request in a different network to continue the paused call on the new network by using a calling device that is compatible with the access media and applications provided by the new network. Each network has the capability of communicating with processors associated with other networks to establish a new route for the call so that once a reconnection request is received, the call may be resumed.
Inventors
- 👤 Behrokh Samadi
- 👤 Kazem A. Sohraby
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 11:00
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04W; H04W36/00; H04W36/0005; H04W36/0055; H04W36/0066; H04W36/02; H04W36/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 46
Claim 1
Independent Claim
79 words
A method of providing continuation of a communication call across multiple networks comprising the steps of: establishing a call between a plurality of end-points via a first network; receiving a pause request signal generated by a user of one of the plurality of end-points; transmitting reconnection identification information; holding the call on the first network; receiving in a second network a reconnection request signal generated by the user; and reconnecting said call to the user via the second network.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
79 words
A method of providing continuation of a communication call across multiple networks comprising the steps of: establishing a call between a plurality of end-points via a first network; receiving a pause request signal generated by a user of one of the plurality of end-points; transmitting reconnection identification information; holding the call on the first network; receiving in a second network a reconnection request signal generated by the user; and reconnecting said call to the user via the second network.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of receiving a reconnection request comprises the step of receiving a reconnection request in a second network whose communication access media is different from the communication access media of the first network.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the step of receiving a pause request signal comprises the step of receiving a pause request signal generated by a user of a first calling device, and wherein the step of reconnecting the call comprises the step of reconnecting the call to the user via a second calling device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
77 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of receiving a pause request signal comprises the step of receiving a pause request signal generated by a user of a first calling device, and wherein the step of reconnecting the call comprises the step of reconnecting the call to the user via a second calling device which is compatible with at least some services and applications different from the services and applications supported by the first calling device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of receiving a reconnection request signal comprises the step of receiving a reconnection request signal in a second network which provides services and applications different from the first network.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the steps of transmitting reconnection identification information and holding the call occur automatically in response to the step of receiving a pause request signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of transmitting reconnection identification information comprises the step of transmitting a code that identifies the first network.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of transmitting reconnection identification information comprises the step of transmitting a combination of signals that identifies the call.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 further including the step of receiving the reconnection identification information in the second network.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the step of transmitting reconnection identification information comprises the step of transmitting reconnection identification information to the user prior to the step of holding the call.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 10 further comprising the step of prompting the user to transmit the reconnection identification information to said second network.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of receiving at least a portion of the reconnection identification information in the second network automatically.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of notifying a paused user that a pause request signal was received.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of notifying an auxiliary end-point involved in the call that a pause request signal was received.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 further including the step of exchanging reconnection information between a processor associated with the first network and a processor associated with the second network.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 further including the step of determining a new route for reconnecting the call.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of establishing a call comprises the step of establishing a voice call.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of establishing a call comprises the step of establishing a data call.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of establishing a call comprises the step of establishing a video call.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of establishing a call comprises the step of establishing a multimedia call.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of receiving a pause request signal comprises the step of receiving a pause request signal generated by a user of a mobile calling device.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of releasing traffic links between switches in the first network providing connection to the one of the plurality of end-points.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
154 words
An apparatus for providing continuation of a communication call across multiple networks comprising: a plurality of communication networks, wherein each of the plurality of communication networks comprises an associated processor and at least one switch for establishing traffic links, wherein the processor is programmed to intercept and recognize pause request signals and reconnection request signals, and wherein a first processor responds to a pause request signal received during an established call involving a first network with which the first processor is associated by transmitting reconnection identification information and by holding the call on the first network, and wherein the first processor responds to a reconnection request signal and receipt of reconnection identification information associated with a paused call by exchanging reconnection information with a second processor associated with a second of the plurality of communication networks on which the paused call was previously held and by reconnecting the paused call via the first network.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
154 words
An apparatus for providing continuation of a communication call across multiple networks comprising: a plurality of communication networks, wherein each of the plurality of communication networks comprises an associated processor and at least one switch for establishing traffic links, wherein the processor is programmed to intercept and recognize pause request signals and reconnection request signals, and wherein a first processor responds to a pause request signal received during an established call involving a first network with which the first processor is associated by transmitting reconnection identification information and by holding the call on the first network, and wherein the first processor responds to a reconnection request signal and receipt of reconnection identification information associated with a paused call by exchanging reconnection information with a second processor associated with a second of the plurality of communication networks on which the paused call was previously held and by reconnecting the paused call via the first network.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 23 wherein the first processor responds to a pause request signal by transmitting reconnection identification information to a user who generated the pause request, and wherein the first processor transmits the reconnection identification information prior to holding the call.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 23 wherein the plurality of communication networks involved in the paused call require different access media.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 23 wherein the plurality of communication networks support different services and wherein communication networks involved a particular call share at least a subset of common services.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 23 wherein the processor resides locally within said switch.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 23 wherein the processor is a distributed processor.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 23 wherein the processor is a centralized processor.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus of claim 23 wherein the processor further responds to a reconnection request signal and receipt of reconnection identification information associated with a paused call by exchanging reconnection information with additional processors associated with other of the plurality of communication networks involved in the paused call.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 30 wherein the second processor and the additional processors are distributed processors.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 30 wherein the second processor and the additional processors are centralized processors.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
87 words
A method of providing continuation of a communication call comprising the steps of: establishing a call between a plurality of end-points wherein at least one of said end-points is a cellular phone; receiving a pause request signal generated by a user of the cellular phone; transmitting reconnection identification information to the user; holding the call; generating a reconnection request by the user from a different end-point utilizing a different calling device; receiving the reconnection request signal generated by the user; and reconnecting said call to the user.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
87 words
A method of providing continuation of a communication call comprising the steps of: establishing a call between a plurality of end-points wherein at least one of said end-points is a cellular phone; receiving a pause request signal generated by a user of the cellular phone; transmitting reconnection identification information to the user; holding the call; generating a reconnection request by the user from a different end-point utilizing a different calling device; receiving the reconnection request signal generated by the user; and reconnecting said call to the user.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 33 wherein said cellular phone is part of a first network and said different calling device is part of a second network.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 34 wherein the reconnection identification includes a code that identifies the first network as well as a combination of signals that identify the call that was paused.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 33 further comprising the step of allowing users other than the user that generated the pause request to continue communicating during the time that the call is on hold.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
153 words
A method of providing continuation of a communication call so that a user may continue a call while moving from one location to another and changing from a first type of communication device to a second type of communication device comprising the steps of: establishing a call between a plurality of end-points wherein at least one of said end-points is the first type of communication device and said first type has a first set of operating characteristics; receiving a pause request signal; generated by a user of the first type of communication device; transmitting reconnection identification information to the user; holding the call; generating a reconnection request generated by the user from a different end-point utilizing the second type of communication device where said second type has a second and different set of operating characteristics; receiving the reconnection request signal; reconnecting said call to the user through said second type of communication device.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
153 words
A method of providing continuation of a communication call so that a user may continue a call while moving from one location to another and changing from a first type of communication device to a second type of communication device comprising the steps of: establishing a call between a plurality of end-points wherein at least one of said end-points is the first type of communication device and said first type has a first set of operating characteristics; receiving a pause request signal; generated by a user of the first type of communication device; transmitting reconnection identification information to the user; holding the call; generating a reconnection request generated by the user from a different end-point utilizing the second type of communication device where said second type has a second and different set of operating characteristics; receiving the reconnection request signal; reconnecting said call to the user through said second type of communication device.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 37 wherein said first type of communication device is part of a first network and said second type of communication device is part of a second network.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 38 wherein said first type of communication device is a wireless device.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 38 wherein said second type of communication device is a wireless device.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 38 wherein the reconnection identification information includes a code that identifies the first network as well as a combination of signals that identify the call that was paused.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 37 further comprising the step of allowing end-points which have not communicated the pause request to continue communicating during the time that the call is on hold.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4424418A
Cited
US4893335A
Cited
US4850011A
Cited
US5463674A
Cited
US5307399A
Cited
US5550754A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-09-01 | 2001-03-03 | 2001-09-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-09-01 | 2005-03-03 | 2005-09-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-09-01 | 2009-03-03 | 2009-09-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |