Patent US6546253B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6546253B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Neighborhood cordless service call handoff
Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II LP
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Filing: 1998-12-30
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Granted: 2003-04-08
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Expires: 2018-12-30
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for providing telephone call hand offs between a local cordless service and a different wireless cellular service such as a macro-cellular service. The local cordless service may be configured such that a mobile telephone equipped subscriber may place or receive calls for a fixed rate, for example, per month without having to pay radio frequency air time charges any time they are located within their selected subscribed-to zones. If the subscribed-to zones are adjacent to one another and the mobile subscriber roams from one zone to another, the subscriber may continue their free call uninterrupted and without paying air time charges. However, when the subscriber roams outside their subscribed-to zones they may be switched from the present local cordless services to conventional personal communications services and pay air time charges. However for an active call, no air-time charges are incurred as the user transitions between the cellular/DPCS environment and the local cordless service environment. Associated apparatus comprises an IBS for automatically changing radio frequency channels as the subscriber roams within a subscribed-to neighborhood zone, roams to another subscribed-to zone or roams outside a subscribed-to zone. Subscribers may choose to use their mobile identification number, their current directory telephone number for wired public switched telephone service or obtain a new directory number.
Inventors
- 👤 Albert Chow
- 👤 Jinman Kim
- 👤 Spencer Wang
- 👤 Wenchu Ying
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 12:27
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04W; H04W4/00; H04W4/24; H04M; H04M15/00; H04M15/70; H04M15/745; H04M15/80; H04M15/8005; H04M15/8033; H04M15/8038; H04M2215/00; H04M2215/01; H04M2215/0108; H04M2215/20; H04M2215/2026; H04M2215/32; H04M2215/34; H04M2215/74; H04M2215/7435; H04M2215/7442; H04W36/00; H04W36/0005; H04W36/0011; H04W36/0033
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
352 words
A method comprising the step of: handing off a telephone call involving a mobile station between a first subscribed zone of mobile wireless subscriber loop service to a different wireless cellular service, the first subscribed zone being associated with a mobile station, wherein: an amount that is billed toward use of the mobile station is not affected by an amount of airtime used by the mobile station within the first subscribed zone, the mobile wireless subscriber loop service further provides a plurality of subscribed zones including the first subscribed zone, each of the plurality of subscribed zones being served by a different radio transmitter, each of the different radio transmitters is connected to a line side of a digital communications switch, an amount that is billed toward use of the mobile station does not depend upon an amount of airtime used by the mobile station within any of the plurality of subscribed zones, the step of handing off a telephone call involving a mobile station between a first subscribed zone of a mobile wireless subscriber loop service to a different wireless cellular service comprises the sub-steps of: the radio transmitter in the first subscribed zone sending a handoff request to a mobile switching center (MSC) in the wireless cellular service, the MSC connecting the mobile station to a designated target cell simultaneous with a connection between the mobile station and the radio transmitter in the first subscribed zone, and the radio transmitter in the first subscribed zone released a connection with the mobile station, the handoff request includes the designated target cell, and the radio transmitter in the first subscribed zone sending a handoff request to a MSC in the wireless cellular service includes: a network service platform (NSP) receiving the handoff request from the radio transmitter in the first subscribed zone, the NSP sending the handoff request to the MSC on the wireless cellular service, the NSP receiving a handoff request response from the MSC, wherein the handoff request response includes channel availability in the designated target cell, and the NSP forwarding a transfer request from the NSP to the MSC.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
352 words
A method comprising the step of: handing off a telephone call involving a mobile station between a first subscribed zone of mobile wireless subscriber loop service to a different wireless cellular service, the first subscribed zone being associated with a mobile station, wherein: an amount that is billed toward use of the mobile station is not affected by an amount of airtime used by the mobile station within the first subscribed zone, the mobile wireless subscriber loop service further provides a plurality of subscribed zones including the first subscribed zone, each of the plurality of subscribed zones being served by a different radio transmitter, each of the different radio transmitters is connected to a line side of a digital communications switch, an amount that is billed toward use of the mobile station does not depend upon an amount of airtime used by the mobile station within any of the plurality of subscribed zones, the step of handing off a telephone call involving a mobile station between a first subscribed zone of a mobile wireless subscriber loop service to a different wireless cellular service comprises the sub-steps of: the radio transmitter in the first subscribed zone sending a handoff request to a mobile switching center (MSC) in the wireless cellular service, the MSC connecting the mobile station to a designated target cell simultaneous with a connection between the mobile station and the radio transmitter in the first subscribed zone, and the radio transmitter in the first subscribed zone released a connection with the mobile station, the handoff request includes the designated target cell, and the radio transmitter in the first subscribed zone sending a handoff request to a MSC in the wireless cellular service includes: a network service platform (NSP) receiving the handoff request from the radio transmitter in the first subscribed zone, the NSP sending the handoff request to the MSC on the wireless cellular service, the NSP receiving a handoff request response from the MSC, wherein the handoff request response includes channel availability in the designated target cell, and the NSP forwarding a transfer request from the NSP to the MSC.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the different wireless cellular service is a macro-cellular wireless service.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the first subscribed zone has a radius in the range of about one and one-half mile to two miles.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the different wireless cellular service is a Personal Communications Service (PCS) wireless service.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the different wireless cellular service is a Digital Personal Communications Service (DPCS) wireless service.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of handing off the telephone call is performed such that the call is handed off from the first subscribed zone to the different wireless cellular service.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of handing off the telephone call is performed such that the call is handed off from the different wireless cellular service to the first subscribed zone.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein an amount that is billed toward use of the mobile station depends upon an amount of airtime used by the mobile station within the different wireless cellular service.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of handing off the telephone call is perform ed using the IS-41 protocol.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the first subscribed zone is one of a home zone and a visitor zone.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein each of the radio transmitters serving each of the plurality of subscribed zones is an intelligent base station.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
314 words
A method comprising the step of handing off a telephone call involving a mobile station between a first subscribed zone of a local cordless service to a macro-cellular service different from the local cordless service, wherein: the local cordless service further provides a plurality of subscribed zones including the first subscribed zone, each of the plurality of subscribed zones being served by a different radio transmitter, each of the different radio transmitters is connected to a line side of a digital communications switch, an amount that is billed toward use of the mobile station does not depend upon an amount of airtime used by the mobile station within any of the plurality of subscribed zones, the step of handing off a telephone call involving a mobile station between a first subscribed zone of a mobile wireless subscriber loop service to a different wireless cellular service comprises the sub-steps of: the radio transmitter in the first subscribed zone sending a handoff request to a mobile switching center (MSC) in the wireless cellular service, the MSC connecting the mobile station to a designated target cell simultaneous with a connection between the mobile station and the radio transmitter in the first subscribed zone, and the radio transmitter in the first subscribed zone released a connection with the mobile station, the handoff request includes the designated target cell, and the radio transmitter in the first subscribed zone sending a handoff request to a MSC in the wireless cellular service includes: a network service platform (NSP) receiving the handoff request from the radio transmitter in the first subscribed zone, the NSP sending the handoff request to the MSC on the wireless cellular service, the NSP receiving a handoff request response from the MSC, wherein the handoff request response includes channel availability in the designated target cell, and the NSP forwarding a transfer request from the NSP to the MSC.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
314 words
A method comprising the step of handing off a telephone call involving a mobile station between a first subscribed zone of a local cordless service to a macro-cellular service different from the local cordless service, wherein: the local cordless service further provides a plurality of subscribed zones including the first subscribed zone, each of the plurality of subscribed zones being served by a different radio transmitter, each of the different radio transmitters is connected to a line side of a digital communications switch, an amount that is billed toward use of the mobile station does not depend upon an amount of airtime used by the mobile station within any of the plurality of subscribed zones, the step of handing off a telephone call involving a mobile station between a first subscribed zone of a mobile wireless subscriber loop service to a different wireless cellular service comprises the sub-steps of: the radio transmitter in the first subscribed zone sending a handoff request to a mobile switching center (MSC) in the wireless cellular service, the MSC connecting the mobile station to a designated target cell simultaneous with a connection between the mobile station and the radio transmitter in the first subscribed zone, and the radio transmitter in the first subscribed zone released a connection with the mobile station, the handoff request includes the designated target cell, and the radio transmitter in the first subscribed zone sending a handoff request to a MSC in the wireless cellular service includes: a network service platform (NSP) receiving the handoff request from the radio transmitter in the first subscribed zone, the NSP sending the handoff request to the MSC on the wireless cellular service, the NSP receiving a handoff request response from the MSC, wherein the handoff request response includes channel availability in the designated target cell, and the NSP forwarding a transfer request from the NSP to the MSC.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 12 , wherein the macro-cellular service is a Personal Communications Service (PCS) wireless service.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 12 , wherein the different wireless cellular service is a Digital Personal Communications Service (DPCS) wireless service.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 12 , wherein the first subscribed zone has a radius in the range of about one and one-half mile to two miles.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 12 , wherein the step of handing off the telephone call is performed such that the call is handed off from the first subscribed zone to the macro-cellular service.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 12 , wherein the step of handing off the telephone call is performed such that the call is handed off from the macro-cellular service to the first subscribed zone.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 12 , wherein an amount that is billed toward use of the mobile station does not depend upon an amount of airtime used by the mobile station within the first subscribed zone.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 12 , wherein an amount that is billed toward use of the mobile station depends upon an amount of airtime used by the mobile station within the macro-cellular service.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 12 , wherein the step of handing off the telephone call is performed using the IS-41 protocol.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 12 , wherein the first subscribed zone is one of a home zone and a visitor zone.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 12 , wherein each of the radio transmitters serving each of the plurality of subscribed zones is an intelligent base station.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
327 words
A first wireless network configured to communicate with a mobile station and to communicate with a second wireless cellular network, the first wireless network comprising: a first radio transmitter providing a mobile wireless subscriber loop service having a first subscribed zone, the first radio transmitter serving the first subscribed zone associated with the mobile station, a telephone call being in progress involving the mobile station within the first subscribed zone, wherein an amount that is billed toward use of the mobile station is not affected by an amount of airtime used by the mobile station within the subscribed zone; and a switch connected to both the first wireless network and the second wireless cellular network, the switch being configured to assist in handing off a telephone call involving the mobile station to the second wireless cellular network, wherein: the first wireless network further includes a plurality of radio-transmitters each serving one of a plurality of subscribed zones including the first subscribed zone, wherein each of the different radio transmitters is connected to a line side of a digital communications switch, an amount that is billed toward use of the mobile station does not depend upon an amount of airtime used by the mobile station within any of the plurality of subscribed zones, the switch receives a handoff request from the first radio transmitter and connects the mobile station in the first subscribed zone to a designated target cell in the second wireless cellular network simultaneous with a connection between the mobile station and the radio transmitter in the first subscribed zone, the radio transmitter in the first subscribed zone releases a connection with the mobile station, and the switch receives a handoff request from the radio transmitter in the first subscribed zone via a network service platform (NSP), sends a handoff request response to the NSP, wherein the handoff request response includes channel availability in the designated target cell, and receives a transfer request from the NSP.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
327 words
A first wireless network configured to communicate with a mobile station and to communicate with a second wireless cellular network, the first wireless network comprising: a first radio transmitter providing a mobile wireless subscriber loop service having a first subscribed zone, the first radio transmitter serving the first subscribed zone associated with the mobile station, a telephone call being in progress involving the mobile station within the first subscribed zone, wherein an amount that is billed toward use of the mobile station is not affected by an amount of airtime used by the mobile station within the subscribed zone; and a switch connected to both the first wireless network and the second wireless cellular network, the switch being configured to assist in handing off a telephone call involving the mobile station to the second wireless cellular network, wherein: the first wireless network further includes a plurality of radio-transmitters each serving one of a plurality of subscribed zones including the first subscribed zone, wherein each of the different radio transmitters is connected to a line side of a digital communications switch, an amount that is billed toward use of the mobile station does not depend upon an amount of airtime used by the mobile station within any of the plurality of subscribed zones, the switch receives a handoff request from the first radio transmitter and connects the mobile station in the first subscribed zone to a designated target cell in the second wireless cellular network simultaneous with a connection between the mobile station and the radio transmitter in the first subscribed zone, the radio transmitter in the first subscribed zone releases a connection with the mobile station, and the switch receives a handoff request from the radio transmitter in the first subscribed zone via a network service platform (NSP), sends a handoff request response to the NSP, wherein the handoff request response includes channel availability in the designated target cell, and receives a transfer request from the NSP.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
19 words
The first wireless network of claim 23 , wherein the second wireless cellular network is a macro-cellular wireless network.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
22 words
The first wireless network of claim 23 , wherein the second wireless cellular network is a Personal Communications Service (PCS) wireless network.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
23 words
The first wireless network of claim 23 , wherein the second wireless cellular network is a Digital Personal Communications Service (DPCS) wireless network.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
28 words
The first wireless network of claim 23 , wherein the first subscribed zone has a radius in the range of about one and one-half mile to two miles.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
35 words
The first wireless network of claim 23 , wherein the telephone call originates in the first subscribed zone, the telephone call being handed off from the first subscribed zone to the second wireless cellular network.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
36 words
The first wireless network of claim 23 , wherein the telephone call originates in the second wireless cellular network, the telephone call being handed off from the second wireless cellular network to the first subscribed zone.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
37 words
The first wireless network of claim 23 , wherein an amount that is billed toward use of the mobile station depends upon an amount of airtime used by the mobile station within the second wireless cellular network.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
19 words
The first wireless network of claim 23 , wherein the switch performs the hand off using the IS-41 protocol.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
23 words
The first wireless network of claim 23 , wherein the first subscribed zone is one of a home zone and a visitor zone.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
27 words
The first wireless network of claim 23 , wherein each of the radio transmitters serving each of the plurality of subscribed zones is an intelligent base station.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2006-04-07 | 2006-10-07 | 2007-04-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-04-07 | 2010-10-07 | 2011-04-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-04-07 | 2014-10-07 | 2015-04-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |