U.S. patent application number 09/467591 was filed with the patent office on 2002-04-25 for call re-establishment for a dual mode telephone.
Invention is credited to BELL, JOHN R..
Application Number | 20020049073 09/467591 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 23856316 |
Filed Date | 2002-04-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020049073 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
BELL, JOHN R. |
April 25, 2002 |
CALL RE-ESTABLISHMENT FOR A DUAL MODE TELEPHONE
Abstract
A wireless communication device is disclosed for establishing
communication with a remote terminal device through a cordless or a
mobile base station. The wireless communication device has a
cordless section and a mobile section. The cordless section is for
communicating with a remote terminal device through the cordless
base station in a cordless mode used for a cordless call. The
mobile section is for communicating with the remote terminal device
through the mobile base station in a mobile mode used for a mobile
call. A processor of the wireless communication device detects a
drop of a current call using the cordless service, for example, and
re-establishes the communication using the mobile service. The user
may be prompted prior to call re-establishment. For outgoing calls,
the last dialled number is stored and re-dialled for call
re-establishment. For incoming calls, the caller ID is used for
call re-establishment. When a cheaper service is detected during a
call, the user is prompted and invited to use the cheaper
service.
Inventors: |
BELL, JOHN R.; (FREMONT,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JACK E HAKEN
US PHILIPS CORPORATION
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DEPARTMENT
580 WHITE PLAINS ROAD
TARRYTOWN
NY
10591
|
Family ID: |
23856316 |
Appl. No.: |
09/467591 |
Filed: |
December 20, 1999 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
455/552.1 ;
455/462 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04W 36/14 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
455/552 ;
455/426; 455/462 |
International
Class: |
H04Q 007/20 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A wireless communication device for establishing communication
with a remote terminal device through one of a cordless base
station and a mobile base station comprising: a cordless section
for communicating with said remote terminal device through said
cordless base station in a cordless mode used for a cordless call;
a mobile section for communicating with said remote terminal device
through said mobile base station in a mobile mode used for a mobile
call; a processor which detects a drop of a current call being one
of said cordless call and said mobile call and re-establishes said
communication using another of said cordless call and said mobile
call.
2. The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein said drop
of said current call is detected when a loss of connection to said
remote terminal is detected.
3. The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein said
communication is re-established without data from said cordless
base station and said mobile base station.
4. The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein said
communication is re-established without knowledge of links of said
current call between said wireless communication device and said
remote terminal device.
5. The wireless communication device of claim 1, further comprising
a memory which stores an identification code of said current call,
and wherein said processor redials said identification code to
re-establish said communication.
6. The wireless communication device of claim 5, wherein said
identification code is a last dialed telephone number when said
current call is an outgoing call; and when said current call is an
incoming call, said identification code is one of a caller
identification received by said wireless communication device and a
user entered number when said caller identification is not received
by said wireless communication device.
7. The wireless communication device of claim 5, wherein said
processor redials said identification code upon detection of said
drop of said current call.
8. The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein said
processor prompts a user of said wireless communication device
whether to re-establish said communication.
9. The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein said
processor detects a cheaper link than said current call that
connects said wireless communication device to said remote terminal
device, said cheaper link being provided through one of said
cordless base station and said mobile base station, said processor
prompting a user of said wireless communication device whether to
terminate said current call and re-establish said communication
using said cheaper link.
10. The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein said
processor has a default setting that selects one of said cordless
base station and said mobile base station for an outgoing call.
11. The wireless communication device of claim 10, wherein said
default setting is changeable.
12. A method for establishing a communication between a wireless
communication device and a remote terminal comprising: establishing
a current call between said wireless communication device and said
remote terminal through one of a cordless base station and a mobile
base station; detecting a drop of said current call; and
re-establishes said communication using another of said cordless
base station and said mobile base station.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the detecting act is performed
without communicating with said cordless base station and a mobile
base station.
14. The method of claim 12, wherein the re-establishing act is
performed without data from said cordless base station and said
mobile base station.
15. The method of claim 12, wherein the re-establishing act is
performed without knowledge of links of said current call between
said wireless communication device and said remote terminal.
16. The method of claim 12, wherein the re-establishing act
includes storing in a memory of said wireless communication device
an identification code of said current call, and redialling said
identification code to re-establish said communication.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein said identification code is a
last dialed telephone number when said current call is an outgoing
call; and when said current call is an incoming call, said
identification code is one of a caller identification received by
said wireless communication device and a user entered number when
said caller identification is not received by said wireless
communication device.
18. The method of claim 16, wherein the redialling act is performed
upon detection of said drop of said current call.
19. The method of claim 12, wherein the re-establishing act
includes prompting a user of said wireless communication device
whether to re-establish said communication; and re-establishing
said communication in response to a positive response from said
user.
20. The method of claim 12, wherein the re-establishing act
includes: detecting a cheaper link than said current call that
connects said wireless communication device to said remote
terminal, said cheaper link being provided through one of said
cordless base station and said mobile base station; and prompting a
user of said wireless communication device whether to terminate
said current call and re-establish said communication using said
cheaper link.
21. A program stored in a memory for execution by a processor
within a wireless communication device which includes a cordless
section for communicating with a remote terminal through a cordless
base station and a mobile section for communicating with said
remote terminal through a mobile base station, said program being
configured for: detecting a drop of a current call being through
one of said cordless base station and said mobile base station; and
re-establishing said communication using another of said cordless
base station and said mobile base station.
22. The program of claim 21, wherein said communication is
re-established without data from said cordless base station and
said mobile base station.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention is directed to a dual mode cellular
and cordless telephone and method for semi-automatic hand-over of
calls between the two modes, and more particularly, to a dual mode
telephone and method where dropped calls are re-established by the
telephone without data from base stations or networks.
[0003] 2. Discussion of the Prior Art
[0004] Wireless systems include PCS (Personal Communication System)
or cellular and cordless systems. Examples of PCS/Cellular systems
are AMPS (Advanced Mobile Phone Service), GSM (Global System for
Communications), TDMA (Time Domain Multiple Access), CDMA (Code
Division Multiple Access). Examples of cordless systems are DECT
(Digital European Cordless Telephone System), FM (Frequency
Modulation), spread spectrum, and the Bluetooth telephony profile.
All systems comprise a handset and a base station. However
PCS/cellular systems are nationwide, where the base stations serve
many calls at the same time, and the distance between the handset
and base station can be several miles. By contrast, cordless
systems cover shorter distances and are typically for indoor use,
such as in a home or office. Cordless base stations can support
more than one handset, but the range is typically less than 1000
feet.
[0005] Both PCS/cellular and cordless systems are in widespread use
and both are convenient. There are some handsets that support both
cordless and PCS/cellular functions, but they are expensive.
Bluetooth is a new technology that permits short-range wireless
voice and data links between devices. One such application is
cordless. Thus, a PCS/cellular handset could add cordless
functionality at a low cost using Bluetooth. Accordingly, the
number of dual mode cordless and PCS/cellular handsets could
increase significantly.
[0006] There is a need to roam between cordless and PCS/cellular
systems. In dual mode systems, communication is necessary between a
cordless base station and a PCS/cellular network to facilitate
hand-over of calls between the two different systems. However,
conventional systems and methods for call hand-over are expensive
and difficult to implement since, for example, strength of signals
between handsets and base stations are monitored and communication
paths of current calls are stored by the network or base stations
for hand-over of calls or re-establishment of calls in case of a
dropped call. Accordingly, there is a need to provide a cost
effective system and method for call hand-over between two
different systems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide a dual
mode handset that eliminates the problems of conventional dual mode
handsets.
[0008] The present invention accomplishes the above and other
objects by providing a wireless communication device for
establishing communication with a remote terminal device through a
cordless or a mobile base station. The wireless communication
device has a cordless section and a mobile section. The cordless
section is for communicating with a remote terminal device through
the cordless base station in a cordless mode used for a cordless
call. The mobile section is for communicating with the remote
terminal device through the mobile base station in a mobile mode
used for a mobile call.
[0009] A processor of the wireless communication device detects a
drop of a current call using the cordless service, for example, and
re-establishes the communication using the mobile service. The user
may be prompted prior to call re-establishment. For outgoing calls,
the last dialed number is stored and re-dialed for call
re-establishment. For incoming calls, the caller ID is used for
call re-establishment. When a cheaper service is detected during a
call, the user is prompted and invited to use the cheaper
service.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] Further features and advantages of the invention will become
more readily apparent from a consideration of the following
detailed description set forth with reference to the accompanying
drawings, which specify and show preferred embodiments of the
invention, wherein like elements are designated by identical
references throughout the drawings; and in which:
[0011] FIG. 1 shows a wireless communication system with a dual
mode handset according to present invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 shows a dual mode handset according to present
invention;
[0013] FIG. 3 shows a signaling diagram for managing dropped calls
on an outgoing call according to present invention;
[0014] FIG. 4 shows a signaling diagram for managing dropped calls
on an incoming call according to present invention; and
[0015] FIG. 5 shows a signaling diagram for user initiated change
of service according to present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0016] FIG. 1 shows a wireless communication system 100 with a
wireless or mobile dual mode handset 110 having a PCS or cellular
mode for connection to a PCS/Cellular system and a cordless mode
for connection to a cordless system. Illustratively, the
PCS/Cellular systems may be AMPS, GSM, TDMA, or CDMA, and the
cordless system may be DECT, FM, spread spectrum, or the Bluetooth
telephony profile. The mobile and cordless modes or services are
for illustrative purposes. It is understood by those skilled in the
art that the handset 110 and communication system 100 can include
any two modes or services.
[0017] In the cellular mode, the dual mode handset 110 is
connectable to a remote telephone 120 through a cellular network
130, which includes at least one cellular base station, and a
public switched telephone network (PSTN) 140. A cellular wireless
link L.sub.1 connects the dual mode handset 110 to the cellular
network 130 through an air interface, and a wired link L.sub.2
connects the cellular network 130 to a PSTN 140. In the cordless
mode, the dual mode handset 110 is connectable to the remote
telephone 120 through a cordless network 150, which includes at
least one cordless base station, and the PSTN 140. A cordless
wireless link L.sub.3 connects the dual mode handset 110 to the
cordless network 150 through the air interface, and a wired link
L.sub.4 connects the cordless network 150 to the PSTN 140.
[0018] The mobile handset 110 illustrated in FIG. 2 includes
interconnected elements, such as a baseband section 210, a cordless
RF (radio frequency) section 215, a cellular RF section 220 and a
user interface 225. As is well known in the art, each RF section
215, 220 includes a transmitter and a receiver coupled to a
respective antenna 230, 235 through a duplexer. The transmitter
transmits signals provided from the baseband section 210 as
follows. The baseband section 210 includes an encoder which
provides digital signals to a D/A (digital to analogue) for
conversion to analogue signals. The analogue signals are modulated
by a modulator of the transmitter using an RF carrier signal from a
voltage-controlled oscillator or a frequency synthesizer controlled
by a microprocessor 245 of the baseband section 210. The modulated
signals are amplified by a power amplifier of the transmitter and
transmitted through the antenna.
[0019] The receiver includes a low noise amplifier (LNA) which
receives modulated signals from the antenna. A demodulator
demodulates the received signals using a proper RF carrier signal
from the voltage-controlled oscillator or the frequency
synthesizer. The demodulated signals are digitized by an A/D
(analogue to digital) converter to provide digital baseband signals
to a decoder of the baseband unit 210. Generally, at least the
encoder and decoder are implemented by a digital signal processor
(DSP) 240.
[0020] In addition to the DSP 240 and microprocessor 245, the
baseband section 210 also includes a non-volatile memory or ROM
(read only memory) 250, at least a portion of which is
programmable. The ROM 250 stores firmware constituting programs and
data for operation of the DSP 240 and the microprocessor 245, e.g.,
for steering the setup of a cellular or PCS/Cellular call,
re-establishment of a dropped call, and for other operations of the
mobile handset. The baseband section 210 also includes a volatile
memory or random access memory (RAM) 255, for temporary storage in
conjunction with program execution.
[0021] The user interface 225 includes a microphone 260, speaker
265, a numeric keypad 270, and a driver 275 for a display 280, e.g.
a liquid crystal display (LCD) screen.
[0022] Each RF section 215, 220 further includes an RSSI function
unit 285, 287 to detect received RSSI (Received Signal Strength
Indicator) signals that indicate the strength of the received RF
signals. Detection of the RSSI signals by the cordless and cellular
RSSI units 285, 287 indicates availability of the corresponding
cordless and cellular services.
[0023] The microprocessor 245 uses the RSSI signal to determine the
presence or absence of signals received from base stations. If a
signal received from a base station is detected, then the
microprocessor 245 communicates with that base station using
control signals. Illustratively, for an incoming call, the base
station sends a command to the handset to ring. When the user
answers, the handset sends a command to the base station to start
the call. For an outgoing call, the handset sends a command to the
base station to dial. The base station sends a command back to the
handset with a dialing tone for inputting the phone number to be
dialed.
[0024] Similar control signals between the handset and base station
continue during a call, such as control signals to increase or
decrease the RF transmit power. Each command results in an
acknowledgment response. A dropped call takes place and is detected
when a command is not acknowledged within a predetermined time,
e.g., 2 seconds. Thus, communication inability between the handset
and base station indicates a dropped call. Further, availability of
a service is detected when the RSSI level indicates a signal and
when some commands and responses have been exchanged to verify the
service availability.
[0025] The mobile handset 110 is capable of receiving the telephone
number of a caller, commonly referred to as the caller ID, as is
well known in the art. Further, the mobile handset 110 is capable
of switching between PCS/cellular and cordless modes to be able to
use the least costly available service and to roam over large
distances. This is achieved by semi-automatic or user initiated
handover between PCS/cellular and cordless systems. In particular,
the mobile handset 110 includes three features, namely, managing
dropped calls on an outgoing call, managing dropped calls on an
incoming call, and user initiated hand-over.
[0026] Managing Dropped Calls on an Outgoing Call
[0027] FIG. 3 is an exemplary signalling diagram showing a sequence
of events t.sub.1-t.sub.4 for managing dropped outgoing calls. The
current outgoing call at time t.sub.1 is shown in FIG. 3 to be a
cordless call, however it is understood that the current call in
FIGS. 3-5 may be either a cordless call or a cellular call and the
dual mode mobile phone is switchable between the cordless and
cellular modes.
[0028] For outgoing calls in progress, if the current service fails
(dropped call) and the other service is available, e.g. by
detecting signals with the RSSI units 285, 287, then automatic
re-dial is initiated for the available service using the previously
dialed number, which is stored in the handset memory, such as in
the RAM 255 (FIG. 2). Alternatively, the user is first prompted
whether to automatically re-dial the previously dialed number using
the available service.
[0029] As shown in FIG. 3, at time t.sub.1, a cordless call is
established and in progress by the dual mode handset 110, through a
cordless first link L.sub.5 between the handset 110 and the
cordless base station 150, a second link L.sub.6 between the
cordless base station 150 and the PSTN 140, and a third link
L.sub.7 between the PSTN 140 and the remote telephone 120.
[0030] At time t.sub.2, the user of the dual mode handset 110
experiences a dropped call resulting from failure of the cordless
first link L.sub.5, for example, due to moving out of range of the
cordless base station 150. At this time t.sub.2, the line goes dead
and the call recipient at the remote telephone 120 hangs up.
[0031] At time t.sub.3, the handset 110 recognizes that the call
failure is due to a failure of the cordless first link L.sub.5
between the handset 110 and the cordless base-station 150. For
example, the link L.sub.5 failure is be detected by the
microprocessor 245 (FIG. 2) when the handset 110 can no longer
communicate with the base station for exchanging control or other
signals.
[0032] In response to the detection of the failed link L.sub.5, the
handset 110 automatically redials the last dialed number using the
alternative network, which is the PCS/cellular network 130 when the
dropped call is a cordless call. Illustratively, the last dialed
number is stored in the temporary memory RAM 255 of the handset 110
shown in FIG. 2. The automatic redialing occurs without user
intervention if desired. Alternatively, the user may be prompted
and asked if the call should be re-established by a visual message
displayed on the screen 280 (FIG. 2) and/or an audio tone or a
voice message provided through the speaker 265. The call is
re-established in response to a positive response from a user, such
as depressing a single key on the keypad 170. At time t.sub.4, a
cellular call is in progress. The call re-establishment is very
fast and takes place within a few seconds.
[0033] The microprocessor 245 of the dual mode mobile handset 110
may be pre-programmed so that the cheapest service (e.g., cordless
or cellular) is the default mode. This programming could be a
factory setting or set by the user. Thus, the default mode can be
changed by the user. So when making a call and both the cellular
and cordless services are available, e.g., as indicated by the RSSI
levels received from both the cellular and cordless base stations
130, 150, the cheapest service is automatically chosen when a
telephone number is dialed.
[0034] Further, if both the cellular and cordless services are
available, the user may override the default selection prior to
dialing a number. For example, if the caller is leaving the
coverage area of the cordless base station 150, e.g., the place of
residence or business, the caller knows that the cordless service
will not be available for long. Therefore, the user can force the
handset not to dial using the default/cheaper cordless service, but
to dial using the cellular service and place a cellular call.
[0035] Managing Dropped Calls on an Incoming Call
[0036] FIG. 4 is an exemplary signaling diagram showing a sequence
of events t'.sub.1-t'.sub.4 for managing dropped incoming calls.
For example, the current incoming call at time t'.sub.1 is a
cordless call received by the handset 110 from the cordless base
station 150 through a cordless first link L'.sub.5, after a call is
made on the remote telephone 120 and received by the cordless base
station 150 through the PSTN 140. If the current service, e.g.,
cordless service, fails (dropped call) and the other service, e.g.,
PCS/cellular service, is available, the handset may be configured
for automatic re-dialing to re-establish the call using data from
the caller ID which is stored in the handset memory, such as in the
RAM 255. Alternatively, the handset 110 prompts the user for call
re-establishment and dials the caller ID in response to a positive
response from the user.
[0037] In particular, at time t'.sub.2, the user of the dual mode
handset 110 experiences a dropped call resulting from failure of
the cordless first link L'.sub.5, for example, due to moving out of
range of the cordless base station 150. At this time t'.sub.2, the
line goes dead and the remote caller at the remote telephone 120
hangs up.
[0038] At time t'.sub.3, the handset 110 recognizes that the call
failure is due to a failure of the cordless first link L'.sub.5
between the handset 110 and the cordless base-station 150. For
example, the link L'.sub.5 failure is detected by the loss of
communication between the handset and the corresponding base
station, as previously described.
[0039] In response to the detection of the failed link L'.sub.5,
the handset 110 automatically redials the telephone number included
in the caller ID using the alternative network, which is the
PCS/cellular network 130 when the dropped call is a cordless call.
The automatically redials occurs without user intervention if
desired. Alternatively, the user may be prompted and asked if the
call should be re-established using a video and/or an audio message
as previously described. The call is re-established in response to
a positive response from the user, such as depressing the single
key on the keypad 170 (FIG. 2). At time t'.sub.4, a cellular call
is in progress. The call re-establishment is very fast and takes
place within a few seconds. If caller ID is not available, the user
is prompted to enter the number to call back and re-establish the
dropped call.
[0040] In this case where the dropped call is an incoming call, the
cost of the call moves from the originator at the remote telephone
120 to the user of the dual mode handset 110. Therefore, even if
caller ID is available, it is preferable that the user be prompted
prior for automatic re-dial, e.g., by displaying on the screen 280
(FIG. 2) an appropriate message such as `Re-establish call?
Yes/No`.
[0041] User Initiated Handover
[0042] The user is prompted that the alternate service, e.g., the
cheaper service, is now available and is invited to change
service.
[0043] FIG. 5 is an exemplary signaling diagram showing a sequence
of events tt.sub.1 to tt.sub.4 for user initiated handover of calls
from a cellular system to a cordless system. Of course if desired,
the handset (e.g., its microprocessor) may also be programmed for
user initiated handover of calls from a cordless system to a
cellular system.
[0044] At time tt.sub.1, an outgoing cellular call is in progress
initiated by the handset 110. Although FIG. 5 is directed to an
outgoing cellular call, the following description is equally
applicable for an incoming cellular call, as well as for an
incoming call, whether cellular or cordless. As shown in FIG. 5,
the cellular call is connected to the remote telephone 120 through
a first cellular link L.sub.8 between the handset 110 and the
cellular base station 130, a second cellular link L.sub.9 between
the cellular base station 130 and the PSTN, and another link
L.sub.10 between the PSTN and the remote telephone 120.
[0045] At time tt.sub.2, the microprocessor 245 (FIG. 2) of the
handset 110 detects that the alternate service becomes available,
e.g., the cheaper cordless service, such as when the handset 110 is
within range of the cordless base station 150. The handset 110
invites the user to hand-over the call to the cheaper service using
a video and/or audio message as previously described. The user
warns the remote party verbally that the current call will be
dropped and re-established, and accepts the invitation, for
example, by depressing a single key on the keypad 270 (FIG. 2).
[0046] At time tt.sub.3 and in response to the acceptance of the
user to use the cheaper cellular service, the handset 110 hangs up
and drops the current cellular call, and automatically redials
using the cellular system. Next, the remote telephone 120 rings and
is answered by the remote user. This establishes a cellular call
between the handset 110 and the remote telephone 120. At time
tt.sub.4, a cordless call is in progress.
[0047] This call switching from a more expensive service, e.g., a
cellular call, to a less expensive service, e.g., a cordless call,
is very fast and takes place within a few seconds. It should be
noted that in this illustrative example, it is assumed that the
cordless service is cheaper than the cellular service. However, it
is understood that any cheaper service may be chosen. Thus, the
user-initiated handover may also be performed for switching
cellular calls to cordless calls.
[0048] Note that the previously described events, such as the
dropped calls and moving into range of a cheaper system, would
typically cause a user to perform the above described actions
manually if call re-establishment is desired. Therefore, the above
described features of the dual mode mobile handset provide
convenience and value to the user to automatically perform actions
quickly that otherwise would have been performed manually requiring
longer periods of time for call re-establishment. Further, battery
life (before requiring a charge) of the dual mode mobile handset is
extended since there is no need for extended simultaneous operation
of both the cellular and cordless modes, as well as no need for
power consuming signal strength evaluations.
[0049] The dual mode handset re-establishes dropped calls quickly
and without requiring any input data or from the cordless or
cellular base stations. The dropped call is re-established without
any data about the dropped call stored in the base stations. For
example, there is no need for the base stations to store the links
of the current call in case it is dropped. Further, there is no
need to monitor the strength of signals for call hand-over. Instead
of call hand-over, the call is re-established when it is
dropped.
[0050] While the present invention has been described in particular
detail, it should also be appreciated that numerous modifications
are possible within the intended spirit and scope of the invention.
In interpreting the appended claims it should be understood
that:
[0051] a) the word "comprising" does not exclude the presence of
other elements or acts than those listed in a claim;
[0052] b) the word "a" or "an" preceding an element does not
exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements.
[0053] c) any reference signs in the claims do not limit their
scope; and
[0054] d) several "means" may be represented by the same item of
hardware or software implemented structure or function.
* * * * *