U.S. patent application number 13/856910 was filed with the patent office on 2013-10-03 for wired cellular telephone system.
This patent application is currently assigned to QUALCOMM Incorporated. The applicant listed for this patent is QUALCOMM Incorporated. Invention is credited to Haim M. Weissman.
Application Number | 20130258948 13/856910 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27737491 |
Filed Date | 2013-10-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130258948 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Weissman; Haim M. |
October 3, 2013 |
WIRED CELLULAR TELEPHONE SYSTEM
Abstract
Disclosed is a telephone system using a telephone network
interface configured to couple a cellular telephone to a cable
network. The interface coupled in this way enables transmission and
reception of communication signals to and from a cellular telephone
network over the cable network allowing communication of the
cellular phone to a cellular network connected to the cable
network, for instance. The telephone network interface is further
configured to enable the interface to communicatively couple with
the cellular telephone using packet-based communication, such as
session interface protocol (SIP) packet based communication.
Inventors: |
Weissman; Haim M.; (Haifa,
IL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
QUALCOMM Incorporated |
San Diego |
CA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
QUALCOMM Incorporated
San Diego
CA
|
Family ID: |
27737491 |
Appl. No.: |
13/856910 |
Filed: |
April 4, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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13114950 |
May 24, 2011 |
8433315 |
|
|
13856910 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
370/328 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04W 84/14 20130101;
H04M 7/006 20130101; H04M 2207/20 20130101; H04W 88/16
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
370/328 |
International
Class: |
H04W 88/16 20060101
H04W088/16 |
Claims
1. A communication apparatus comprising: a telephone network
interface configured to communicatively couple a cellular telephone
to a cable network enabling transmission and reception of
communication signals to and from a cellular telephone network over
the cable network; wherein the telephone network interface is
further configured to enable the interface to communicatively
couple with the cellular telephone using packet based
communication.
2. The communication apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the
telephone network interface is further configured as a gateway
operable for packet based communication to transmit and receive
signals compatible with packet based communication via at least the
cable network.
3. The communication apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein the
gateway is configured as a session initiation protocol (SIP)
gateway.
4. The communication apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein the
cellular telephone is configured as a SIP phone.
5. The communication apparatus as defined 3, further comprising: a
second cellular telephone operable using SIP and communicatively
coupled to the telephone network interface allowing SIP packet
based communication between the second cellular telephone and the
cellular telephone or another SIP telephone via the cable
network.
6. The communication apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the
telephone network interface is further communicatively coupled to a
telephone operable in a public switched telephone network
(PSTN).
7. The communication apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein the
telephone network interface is further configured as a gateway
operable for packet based communication and configured to enable
the telephone operable in a public switched telephone network
(PSTN) to transmit and receive communication signals with a
telephone operable with packet based communication.
8. The communication apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the
telephone network interface further comprises a docking receptacle
configured to accept the cellular telephone.
9. The communication apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the
telephone network interface is further configured to
communicatively couple with an extension telephone that acts as a
cordless phone communicating with the console by a protocol known
in the art, such as a cordless telephone protocol, a Bluetooth
protocol, or an IEEE 802.11 protocol.
10. A method for telephone communications comprising:
communicatively coupling a cellular telephone to a cable network
using a telephone network interface operable for transmission and
reception of communication signals to and from a cellular telephone
network over the cable network; wherein the telephone network
interface is further configured to enable the interface to
communicatively couple with the cellular telephone using packet
based communication.
11. The method as defined in claim 10, wherein the telephone
network interface is further configured as a gateway operable for
packet based communication to transmit and receive signals
compatible with packet based communication via at least the cable
network.
12. The method as defined in claim 11, wherein the gateway is
configured as a session initiation protocol (SIP) gateway.
13. The method as defined in claim 12, wherein the cellular
telephone is configured as a SIP phone.
14. The method as defined 12, further comprising: providing a
second cellular telephone operable using SIP and communicatively
coupleable to the telephone network interface allowing SIP packet
based communication between the second cellular telephone and the
cellular telephone or another SIP telephone via the cable
network.
15. The method as defined in claim 10, wherein the telephone
network interface is further communicatively coupled to a telephone
operable in a public switched telephone network (PSTN).
16. The method as defined in claim 15, wherein the telephone
network interface is further configured as a gateway operable for
packet based communication and configured to enable the telephone
operable in a public switched telephone network (PSTN) to transmit
and receive communication signals with a telephone operable with
packet based communication.
17. The method of claim 10, wherein the telephone network interface
further comprises a docking receptacle configured to accept the
cellular telephone.
18. The method of claim 10, wherein the telephone network interface
is further configured to communicatively couple with an extension
telephone that acts as a cordless phone communicating with the
console by a protocol known in the art, such as a cordless
telephone protocol, a Bluetooth protocol, or an IEEE 802.11
protocol.
19. A communication apparatus comprising: means for communicatively
interfacing a cellular telephone with a cable network to enable
transmission and reception of communication signals to and from a
cellular telephone network with the cellular telephone over the
cable network; wherein the means for communicatively interfacing is
further configured to communicate with the cellular telephone using
packet based communication.
20. The communication apparatus as defined in claim 19, wherein the
means for communicatively interfacing is configured as a gateway
operable for packet based communication to transmit and receive
signals compatible with packet based communication via at least the
cable network.
21. The communication apparatus as defined in claim 20, wherein the
gateway is configured as a session initiation protocol (SIP)
gateway.
22. The communication apparatus as defined in claim 21, wherein the
cellular telephone is configured as a SIP phone.
23. The communication apparatus as defined 21, further comprising:
a second cellular telephone operable using SIP and communicatively
coupled to the means for communicatively interfacing allowing SIP
packet based communication between the second cellular telephone
and the cellular telephone or another SIP telephone via the cable
network.
24. The communication apparatus as defined in claim 19, wherein the
means for communicatively interfacing is further communicatively
coupled to a telephone operable in a public switched telephone
network (PSTN).
25. The communication apparatus as defined in claim 24, wherein the
means for communicatively interfacing is further configured as a
gateway operable for packet based communication and configured to
enable the telephone operable in a public switched telephone
network (PSTN) to transmit and receive communication signals with a
telephone operable with packet based communication.
26. The communication apparatus of claim 19, wherein the means for
communicatively interfacing further comprises a docking receptacle
configured to accept the cellular telephone.
27. The communication apparatus of claim 19, wherein the means for
communicatively interfacing is further configured to
communicatively couple with an extension telephone that acts as a
cordless phone communicating with the console by a protocol known
in the art, such as a cordless telephone protocol, a Bluetooth
protocol, or an IEEE 802.11 protocol.
Description
CLAIM OF PRIORITY UNDER 35 U.S.C. .sctn.120
[0001] The present application for patent is a continuation of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 13/114,950 filed May 24, 2011, which is
a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/360,861,
filed Feb. 5, 2003, which was issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,970,368 on
Jun. 28, 2011, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/355,235, filed Feb. 7, 2002, all of which are
assigned to the assignee hereof, and expressly incorporated herein
by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to communication
systems, and specifically to wired and cellular telephone
systems.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] There are a number of telephone systems that are very well
known in the art. The oldest system, and probably still the most
widely used, is a public switched telephone network (PSTN) where a
simple telephone is physically coupled to a telephone network via
conducting wires. An extension to the PSTN comprises a cordless
telephone system, typically used in a home or an office, where a
portable telephone communicates in an unwired manner with a console
in the home. The console is wired to the PSTN in place of the
simple telephone, and the communication between the console and the
portable phone is generally via a radio-frequency (RF) carrier,
although other methods such as using an infra-red carrier are also
known in the art.
[0004] A cable television (CATV) system may also be used as another
wired system for transferring PSTN telephone signals. The CATV
system is coupled at its uplink side to the PSTN. At the downlink
side, e.g., in a home or office environment, a landline telephone
may be coupled to the CATV system via a modem. The CATV system
conveys the PSTN telephone signals via the CATV cables, using a
carrier that is not used for transmitting television signals in the
CATV system.
[0005] Cellular telephone systems use non-wired mobile cellular
telephones that communicate with a central base-station.
Communication between the mobile telephones and the base-station is
via a cellular RF carrier, the cellular RF carrier being at a
different frequency, and having substantially greater power, than
the RF carrier of the cordless telephone system. Furthermore,
cellular telephones can only connect via a wireless connection and
are unable to physically connect to their cellular network.
Accordingly, it would be advantageous for there to be a method and
apparatus that would allow a cellular telephone to communicate with
the associated cellular network over a cable television
network.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] A method and apparatus is disclosed that enables a cellular
telephone to communicate with its cellular network via a cable
television network. The disclosed method and apparatus integrates
operations of a public switched telephone network (PSTN) telephone
and a cellular telephone.
[0007] In one embodiment of the disclosed method and apparatus, a
console acts as a "docking" station for a cellular mobile
telephone. The console is connected via a wired network, such as a
cable television network, to a base station of a cellular network
within which the mobile telephone operates or is capable of
operating. The console and the base station communicate via an
intermediate frequency (IF) carrier compatible with the cable
network. In a first operational mode, the telephone is "docked" in
the console and is electrically and physically connected by a
docking receptacle, which acts as a telephone interface, to the
console. In one embodiment, the telephone and the base station
communicate via the cable network, and there is virtually no
radio-frequency (RF) radiation from the mobile telephone. The
conversion between the IF and RF is made by signal conversion
circuitry in the console.
[0008] In another embodiment, when the telephone is undocked from,
and is relatively close to the console, the telephone and the
base-station communicate via the console, so that the telephone
only uses very low levels of RF power.
[0009] In yet another embodiment, the telephone may be capable of
connecting to the console in either of the ways described above. In
addition, the telephone has a mode that corresponds to a "standard"
operating mode of a telephone within a cellular network. The
standard mode is active when the cellular telephone is out of the
console's range. In the standard mode, the telephone may
communicate with the base station "over the air," or may
communicate with another base station of the cellular network.
[0010] By providing a console that can accept the cellular
telephone and communicate with a base station via a cable network,
the telephone is able to act as both a cordless telephone and as a
mobile telephone. Furthermore, when acting as a cordless telephone,
RF radiation from the telephone is virtually nonexistent or is
substantially reduced compared to RF power levels when the
telephone operates in its standard mode.
[0011] In one embodiment of the disclosed method and apparatus, the
console is adapted to accept more than one mobile telephone, the
one or more extra telephones acting as a vehicle enabling voice
and/or communications other than voice, such as data. Alternatively
or additionally, the console is able to act as a local
communication center capable of being coupled to other
communication devices such as a computer or one or more landline
telephones. In some embodiments of the disclosed method and
apparatus, the console, together with its one or more mobile
telephones, acts as a video phone. In such cases, the console
incorporates a video camera, or is adapted to receive camera
signals, for transmitting images. Received video images are
projected onto a television coupled to the cable network.
[0012] In one embodiment of the disclosed method and apparatus, the
console comprises a mobile site modem (MSM) which enables the
console alone to function as a telephone within the cellular
network. In these embodiments, the console may act as one cellular
telephone, operating in a wired or a cordless mode, and optionally
comprising a speaker. The mobile telephone which is docked in the
console may act as a separate, second cellular telephone, the two
telephones having different numbers and preferably communicating by
different IF carriers, and/or channels and/or time slots, with the
base station. Optionally, a user may assign a priority to the
numbers, and/or implement automatic transfer between the
numbers.
[0013] In one embodiment of the disclosed method and apparatus, the
console is connected to a PSTN. The console is able to receive and
make both PSTN calls and cellular calls. Similarly, telephones
connected to the console, either cellular telephones physically
coupled to the console or wirelessly coupled to the console, or
PSTN telephones, can make or receive either cellular or PSTN calls.
Most preferably, the console is also configured to operate as a
session initiation protocol (SIP) gateway, so that SIP calls may be
made and received at the console, and by telephones, including SIP
telephones that may be coupled to the console.
[0014] The disclosed method and apparatus will be more fully
understood from the following detailed description, taken together
with the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a wired cellular
system, according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0016] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating elements of the
system of FIG. 1 in a home, according to a preferred embodiment of
the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a console
operative in the system of FIG. 1, according to an alternative
preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 4 is a schematic graph illustrating intermediate
frequency carriers that may be used in the system of FIG. 1,
according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an alternative
console, according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0020] FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of a service switch
unit, according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0021] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a further
alternative console, according to a preferred embodiment of the
present invention.
[0022] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating an alternative
wired cellular system, according to a preferred embodiment of the
present invention.
[0023] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating a console,
according to an alternative preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] Reference is now made to FIG. 1, which is a schematic
diagram illustrating a wired cellular system 30 according to an
embodiment of the disclosed method and apparatus. At an upstream
side of system 30, a cellular network base-station transceiver
system (BTS) 38, also referred to as a cable-coupled BTS, is
coupled via a BTS frequency converter 40 to a cabling system 44 of
a cable television (CATV) broadcast network 42. Cabling system 44
comprises any cabling method known in the art, such as coaxial
cable and/or fiber optic cable, or a combination of such methods.
The BTS 38 communicates with the cabling system 44 directly by
intermediate frequency (IF) signals, i.e., the BTS transmits IF
cellular downstream signals, and receives IF cellular upstream
signals. Preferably, the upstream and downstream IF signals are
converted to and from radio-frequency (RF) cellular signals by
converter 40. The intermediate frequencies are chosen so that they
do not interfere with other services provided by the CATV network.
It should be noted that even though it is common for RF signals to
be of a higher frequency than IF signals, the IF signals selected
for use over the cable network may be either higher or lower than
the radio-frequencies of the cellular signals. Upstream of the BTS,
the BTS communicates with its cellular network 34 and other
upstream elements coupled to the cellular network, such as an
Ethernet network 36 and a public switched telephone network (PSTN)
32, by any means known in the art. Operations of BTS 38 and
converter 40 are under the overall control of a system controller
43, which is able, inter alia, to select IF frequencies to be used,
as is described in more detail below.
[0025] It will be appreciated that embodiments of the disclosed
method and apparatus may be implemented for any cellular
communication system, including a Code Division Multiple Access
(CDMA) system, a Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) system, a
Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), and/or combinations of
these and other communication systems known in the art.
[0026] It will also be appreciated that since BTS 38 communicates
on its downstream side via a cable 41 using IF, the BTS and BTS
converter 40 may be implemented as a "stripped-down" version of a
standard BTS. Most preferably, the stripped-down BTS comprises a
cell site modem (CSM) which communicates with CATV cabling system
44 using IF signals. Optionally, more than one CSM may be used,
preferably mounted on one board, if more than one IF carrier is
used. Situations when more than one IF carrier may be used are
described below.
[0027] CATV cabling system 44 is coupled at its downstream side to
individual cable TV receivers, which are typically dwelling units,
although any other entity to which system 44 is coupled, such as an
office, may act as a cable TV receiver. Each cable TV receiver is
coupled to CATV cabling system 44 by a cable. Herein, by way of
example, two generally similar homes 50 and 54 operate as cable TV
receivers, being respectively coupled to system 44 by cables 46 and
48.
[0028] Terminating each cable from system 44 at the system's
downstream side is a console, so that home 50 has a console 52
coupled to cable 46, and home 54 has a generally similar console 56
coupled to cable 48. As is described in more detail below, each
console acts as cellular signal converter, so that downstream IF
cellular signals received from system 44 are converted to
downstream RF cellular signals, and so that upstream RF cellular
signals are converted to upstream IF cellular signals. Each console
52 and 56 is adapted to transfer signals between the console and
respective cellular telephones 60 and 58.
[0029] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating elements of
system 30 at home 50, and connections between the elements,
according to one embodiment of the disclosed method and apparatus.
A splitter/combiner 70 coupled to cable 46 separates CATV signals
from system 44, and conveys the signals to a television 82.
Splitter/combiner 70 also conveys IF cellular signals to and from
console 52 in home 50 via a CATV network interface 51. As is shown
in FIG. 2, more than one generally similar console 52, and elements
coupled to the downstream side of the consoles, may be coupled to
splitter/combiner 70. By way of example, two such consoles 52 are
shown in FIG. 2.
[0030] Console 52 comprises signal conversion circuitry 72, which
in turn comprises an IF diplexer 75, one or more local oscillators
73, and an RF diplexer 77. Circuitry 72 converts IF downstream
cellular signals to RF downstream cellular signals, and RF upstream
cellular signals to IF upstream cellular signals. A downstream RF
amplifier 83, having an adjustable amplification, amplifies the RF
downstream cellular signals. A downstream RF signal detector 84
measures a level of the RF downstream cellular signals generated by
circuitry 72. Also, an upstream amplifier 85, having an adjustable
amplification, amplifies the IF upstream cellular signals, and an
upstream signal detector 85 measures a level of the IF upstream
cellular signals. Most preferably, the one or more local
oscillators 73 comprise two oscillators whose frequencies are
controlled by controller 76, or by another controller (as
exemplified below with reference to FIG. 6) in the console, so that
the upstream IF and downstream IF frequencies may be set
independently. Console 52 comprises a docking receptacle 79 which
is coupled to RF diplexer 77 and which transmits the RF upstream
cellular signals to the diplexer, and receives the RF downstream
signals from the diplexer.
[0031] Docking receptacle 79 is configured to accept cellular
telephone 60 and acts as a telephone interface, as described below.
When telephone 60 is docked in receptacle 79, corresponding to a
first mode of operation of console 52, console 52 diverts the RF
upstream and downstream signals from an antenna 90 of telephone 60
directly to and from internal circuitry 92 of the telephone.
Console 52 also comprises a loudspeaker/microphone 96 and,
preferably, a keypad 98. Thus, in its docked state, telephone 60 is
able to communicate with BTS 38 via console 52 without radiating RF
cellular signal radiation into home 50. In the docked state,
console 52 most preferably maintains downstream RF cellular signals
at a pre-set first mode low RF power level, using amplifier 83 and
detector 84. Similarly, upstream IF cellular signals are most
preferably adjusted, using amplifier 85 and detector 86, to avoid
crossing an upstream threshold limit.
[0032] Most preferably, in its docked state, baseband signals that
would be generated at telephone 60 are diverted to
loudspeaker/microphone 96, so that the telephone effectively
operates as a "loudspeaker" phone, from which, if keypad 98 is
implemented, calls may be made from the keypad. Alternatively, if
keypad 98 is not implemented, calls may be made from the keypad of
telephone 60. Thus, in the first mode of operation of console 52,
the console-telephone combination operates substantially as part of
a wired cellular telephone system.
[0033] Console 52 also comprises an antenna 94. In the first mode
of operation of console 52, when telephone 60 is docked in
receptacle 79, antenna 94 may be implemented to couple console 52
to an extension telephone 78 which acts as a cordless phone
communicating with the console. Most preferably, communications
between antenna 94 and extension telephone 78 are by a protocol
known in the art, such as a cordless telephone protocol, a
Bluetooth protocol, or an IEEE 802.11 protocol.
[0034] Console 52 is also implemented to operate in a second
operating mode, effective when telephone 60 is "un-docked" from
receptacle 79. In the second mode of operation, communications
between telephone 60 and console 52 are effected by RF cellular
signals between antenna 90 and antenna 94. The RF cellular signals
are preferably set at a low power level, consistent with antennas
90 and 94 being close to each other, and are most preferably
near-field RF cellular radiation signals. Alternatively, the
signals comprise far-field RF cellular radiation signals, or a
combination of near- and far-field signals. As for the docked state
described above, in the second un-docked mode console 52 most
preferably maintains downstream RF cellular signals at a pre-set
second mode low RF power level, using amplifier 83 and detector 84,
and upstream IF cellular signals at a level that avoids crossing
the upstream threshold limit, using amplifier 85 and detector 86.
Preferably, the levels are substantially fixed at installation of
system 30 and/or of console 52. Optionally, the levels may be
altered by controller 76, and/or by communication from BTS 38, or
by any other means known in the art.
[0035] Preferably, a gain of amplifier 83 is set so that the
pre-set second mode low RF power level radiated from console 52,
and consequently the upstream RF power level radiated from mobile
telephone 60, are both low and approximately equal. Alternatively,
the gain of amplifier 83 is set so that mobile telephone 60
transmits an upstream RF signal level that requires low gain in
amplifier 85, so as to minimize noise radiated into CATV system
44.
[0036] Most preferably, the pre-set levels and the amplification
gains provided by amplifiers 83 and 85 are set in conjunction with
a method of signal transmission used between BTS 38 and console 52,
as described in more detail below with reference to FIG. 4.
[0037] It will be understood that if antenna 94 has been
implemented to communicate with extension telephone 78, the antenna
is implemented to radiate and receive both RF cellular signals and
RF signals compatible with communicating with the extension
telephone.
[0038] Most preferably, when console 52 operates in its second
operating mode, RF radiation levels for antennas 90 and 94 are set
to be equal to or less than RF levels of cordless telephone
protocols.
[0039] The second operating mode corresponds to telephone 60 and
console 52 being used in a cordless cellular phone arrangement, and
it will be appreciated that the RF power levels used by the
telephone and the console, including the pre-set levels described
above, in embodiments of the disclosed method and apparatus are of
the same order as, or lower than, power levels transmitted by
cordless telephone systems. The second mode is operative while
telephone 60 and console 52 are within range of each other, the
range depending on the RF power levels which the console and the
telephone use. Most preferably, the RF power levels of both
telephone 60 and console 52 are pre-set to enable the telephone to
operate within a home or at another location wherein the console is
positioned, such as by setting levels of the RF power to be
receivable when the telephone and the console are at a pre-set
distance from each other.
[0040] It will be appreciated that in both the first and the second
mode of operation of console 52, there is very little loss of
signal power between the communicating telephone and BTS 38. Also,
problems such as multiple Rayleigh reflections that are associated
with typical cellular communications are absent. Thus, in both
modes of operation of console 52 the RF power amplification
requirement is relatively small.
[0041] Optionally, console 52 comprises a controller 76 which
enables a computer 80 to be coupled to the console. If controller
76 is implemented, it most preferably enables computer 80 to
receive and transmit compatible cellular signals, such as cellular
video transmissions, as are known in the art.
[0042] In a third operating mode, telephone 60 operates as a
standard cellular telephone. The third mode becomes operative when
telephone 60 is out of a range between the telephone and the
console implemented for the second mode, typically when a user of
the phone takes the phone from the home or office where the console
is situated. When the third mode is operative, transmission from
console 52 is substantially shut off. Thus, the telephone may
communicate with BTS 38, or another BTS operative in cellular
network 34, over-the-air (OTA).
[0043] In some embodiments of the disclosed method and apparatus,
console 52 itself operates as a "stand-alone" cellular telephone.
In this case, console 52 comprises circuitry 71 that is
substantially similar to that of telephone 60 and/or that may
include a mobile site modem (MSM) 81, circuitry 71 being
implemented in place of docking receptacle 79, using RF circuitry.
Preferably, keypad 98 and loudspeaker/microphone 96 are implemented
so that console 52 may communicate with BTS 38 via cable 46.
Alternatively or additionally, a wired or a cordless handset may be
coupled to console 52. It will be understood that, depending on how
circuitry 71 is implemented, communications between the console and
BTS 38 may be directly via IF cellular signals, or via RF and IF
cellular signals.
[0044] In another embodiment of the disclosed method and apparatus,
console 52 may be implemented to operate as a combined stand-alone
and docking receptacle for telephone 60. In this case console 52 is
implemented to support two separate telephone systems, one for the
console itself, and a second for telephone 60. The two systems most
preferably have different numbers, and the numbers may be
prioritized by a user of the console, so that, for example, if a
caller is unable to contact the user on one number the console
automatically switches to the other number.
[0045] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a console 152,
according to an alternative embodiment of the method and apparatus.
Apart from the differences described below, the operation and
implementation of console 152 is generally similar to that of
console 52 (FIGS. 1 and 2), such that elements indicated by the
same reference numerals in both consoles 52 and 152 are generally
identical in construction and in operation. Console 152 includes a
high data rate docking receptacle 179, generally similar to docking
receptacle 79, which acts as a receptacle and as a high data rate
telephone interface for a high data rate cellular telephone 160. A
splitter/combiner 154 is implemented in console 152 to separate
high data rate cellular signals suitable for telephone 160 and
cellular signals suitable for telephone 60.
[0046] Optionally, console 152 comprises a connection 172 which
enables the console to act as a local telephone exchange (PBX)
between telephones 60 and 160 and one or more PSTN telephones 170
coupled to the console by wires. Further optionally, console 152
comprises a video camera 190 and/or is adapted to receive video
signals from an external video camera, which enables the console to
be used as a cellular video phone. Console 152 is implemented to
transfer video images from the video camera on the IF cellular
upstream signals. Television 82 (FIG. 2), or another television
such as a television screen 180 incorporated into the console, is
adapted receive video signals from the IF cellular downstream
signals, so that the combination of the television and console 152
may be used as a video telephone link. Preferably, video camera 190
and connection 172 are coupled to receptacles 79 and 179 via
controller 76. Alternatively, the camera and the connection are
coupled directly, with controller 76 acting to control
communications between the connection, the video camera, and
receptacles 79 and 179. Further alternatively, connection 172 is
configured to support one or more signal transmission protocols
known in the art, such as a firewire protocol.
[0047] It will be understood that consoles 52 or 152 may each be
implemented to transfer IF cellular signals between the console and
BTS 38 on more than one IF carrier, depending, inter alia, on the
bandwidth requirements of the particular console. It will also be
understood that different consoles, such as console 52 and console
56 (FIG. 1), may use different IF carriers. Typically, as
illustrated in FIG. 1 by the multiple IF lines within converter 40,
BTS converter 40 and/or BTS 38 are implemented to operate with a
multiplicity of different IF carriers. It will be appreciated that
operation of system 30 using a multiplicity of IF carriers is
advantageous, enabling signals between different regions/consoles
of system 30 to be more easily controlled by a controller operating
BTS 38.
[0048] System 30 typically operates by overall IF bandwidths being
allocated for cellular network 34 use by cabling system 44, the
allocated bandwidths being selected so as not to interfere with
frequencies of CATV signals used by system 44. Within the overall
IF bandwidth available for cellular use, each console operative
within system 30 requires a relatively narrow IF carrier for its
specific operations. Thus, operating system 30 with a multiplicity
of IF carriers also enables bandwidth to be more efficiently
allocated. Preferably, consoles operative within system 30 have
selectable IF carriers, a particular IF carrier being selected by
altering the frequency of LO 73 (FIG. 2). Most preferably, the
selection of the IF carrier of a particular console is controlled
by commands issued from system controller 43 (FIG. 1), using any
system known in the art, such as a short messaging system (SMS)
protocol. Additionally or alternatively, selection of the IF
carrier may be performed substantially independently by the
particular console.
[0049] FIG. 4 is a schematic graph 200 illustrating IF carriers
that may be used in system 30, according to an embodiment of the
method and apparatus. Graph 200 shows a wide IF carrier 208, and a
plurality of narrow IF carriers; by way of example three narrow IF
carriers 202, 204, and 206, are illustrated, although it will be
understood that the number of narrow IF carriers may be another
whole number greater than one.
[0050] In a first method of communication, BTS 38 and console 52
use wide IF carrier 200 for both downstream and upstream signals.
In a second method wide IF carrier 200 is used for downstream
transmission, and one of the narrow IF carriers 202, 204, or 206 is
used for upstream transmission. In the second method, console 52 is
most preferably configured to select one of the narrow IF carriers
on a random basis. In a third method, the console selects one of
the narrow IF carriers on a random basis for upstream and
downstream transmission.
[0051] The method used for transmission between BTS 38 and console
58 is preferably chosen to maximize capacity of system 30. Most
preferably, the method is also chosen in conjunction with
considerations of power levels transmitted and amplification
needed, as described above with reference to FIG. 2, so as to
optimize performance of system 30 and to minimize noise radiated
into CATV system 44.
[0052] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a console 252,
according to another embodiment of the disclosed method and
apparatus. Apart from the differences described below, the
operation of console 252 is generally similar to that of console 52
(FIGS. 1 and 2), such that elements indicated by the same reference
numerals in both consoles 52 and 252 are generally identical in
construction and in operation. In addition to being coupled to BTS
38 by cable 46 and cabling system 44, console 252 is coupled to a
PSTN network 280 via a PSTN line in 256 and a PSTN line out 258,
the latter being in turn connected to one or more PSTN phones 270.
Console 252 comprises a service switch unit 254, which connects
lines 256 and 258 to cellular telephone 60 and docking receptacle
79, which switches between the cellular and PSTN services available
to console 252, and which acts as a PSTN interface.
[0053] Service switch unit 254 enables console 252 to receive
incoming, and make outgoing, cellular and PSTN calls. Unit 254 is
described in more detail below with reference to FIG. 6. When
console 252 is in an idle state, i.e., when the console is not
receiving an incoming call, making an outgoing call, or does not
have an open call, unit 254 preferably routes an incoming PSTN call
(received via line 256) to one or more of PSTN telephones 270.
Alternatively or additionally, console 252 is implemented so that
telephone 60 receives the incoming PSTN call. Similarly, when
console 252 is in an idle state and an incoming cellular call is
received via cable 46, the call is also preferably routed to one or
more of PSTN telephones 270. Alternatively or additionally, as for
the incoming PSTN call, the incoming cellular call is routed to
telephone 60. It will be understood that console 252 may be in an
idle state when telephone 60 is docked in receptacle 79 or when the
telephone is undocked from the receptacle. Depending on which type
of call is received, console 252 informs cellular network 34 or
PSTN network that the call--cellular or PSTN--is being answered and
that the respective service is in use, while allowing access to the
service that is not being used.
[0054] Most preferably, console 252 generates a distinctive visual
and/or audible signal representative of the incoming call, such as
a ring tone that enables a user hearing the ring to distinguish the
incoming call as a cellular call or as a PSTN call.
[0055] When console 252 is in an idle state, unit 254 most
preferably routes calls made from one of telephones 270, initiated
by a user setting the telephone to be off-hook, to line out 258.
Alternatively, a user wishing to make a cellular call from
telephone 270, via console 252 that is initially in an idle state,
may inform the console of such a need by dialing a predetermined
code, such as **, from telephone 270. If console 252 comprises more
than one cellular line, such as described above with reference to
console 152, then the predetermined code may be of a form that
identifies the particular line chosen, such as **1 or **2.
[0056] If an incoming cellular call is received while one of
telephones 270 is off-hook on a PSTN call, console 252 generates an
indication of receipt of the incoming call, the indication
preferably being a "flash" tone to the off-hook telephone 270,
although any other audible and/or visual indication may be used.
Similarly if an incoming PSTN call is received while one of
telephones 270 has an open cellular call, a flash tone is also
generated.
[0057] Most preferably, console 252 integrates services known in
the art that are provided by both PSTN telephone 270 and cellular
telephone 60. For example, console 252 is able to scan a memory 262
in telephone 60, and provide data from the memory to telephone 270,
most preferably by commands issued from telephone 270 to the
console. The commands may be by keystrokes from telephone 270. The
data stored in memory 262 preferably comprises information such as
a stored telephone directory. Most preferably, telephone 270
comprises a graphic interface 272 enabling it to display results of
the commands. Services that may be integrated comprise, but are not
limited to, call waiting, speed dial, voice commands, caller
identification, and small messaging system (SMS) messages.
[0058] It will be understood that the disclosed method and
apparatus may include a console having combinations of features
from more than one of the consoles 52, 152, and 252. Such a
combination includes, but is not limited to, a combined console
having multiple cellular phones and/or a video camera, such as are
described with reference to console 152, the combined console also
having PSTN and cellular calling capability, as are described with
reference to console 252. Other combinations will be apparent to
those skilled in the art. All of the combinations are understood to
be within the scope of the disclosed method and apparatus.
[0059] FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of service switch unit
254, according to an embodiment of the disclosed method and
apparatus. A line in interface 304 comprises a line detector 310
that detects the presence of PSTN line in 256, and signals on the
line. The interface also includes a ring detector 310 that senses
incoming PSTN calls when console 252, or a telephone coupled to the
console, is engaged in an open cellular call. Interface 304 also
comprises an on/off hook circuit 314 that goes to an off-hook state
when a cellular call is made by console 252.
[0060] A line out interface 308 comprises substantially all
components for line out 258 to operate as part of PSTN network 280.
Interface 308 comprises a power supply 320 that powers telephones
270 coupled to line 258, a dual tone multi frequency (DTMF)
detector that detects and translates DTMF tones received from the
telephones, a flash detector 324 that detects a flash tone received
from the telephones, and a flash generator that generates a flash
tone for the telephones. Interface 308 comprises an on/off circuit
328 which switches between an on-hook and an off-hook state
according to an operative state of telephones 270. Interface 308
also comprises a line detector 330 that detects the presence of
PSTN line out 258, and signals on the line, a ring generator 332,
and an on/off hook detector 334 that detects the state of
telephones 270.
[0061] A cellular phone interface 302 provides coupling between
docking receptacle 79, converting between signals on lines 256 and
258 and signals which are compatible with telephone 60. It will be
understood that at least part of interface 302 may be incorporated
in receptacle 79. A line switch 306 performs switching between
interfaces 304, 302, and 308, under the control of a switch
controller 300. Controller 300 acts as an overall controller of
switch 254, receiving signals from, and generating signals for, the
interfaces. At least some of the functions of controller 300 and
controller 76 may be transferred between the controllers; for
example, controller 300 may be implemented to at least partly
control IF frequencies used by circuitry 72, and/or an RF power
level generated by the circuitry.
[0062] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a console 352,
according to an embodiment of the disclosed method and apparatus.
Apart from the differences described below, the operation of
console 352 is generally similar to that of console 252 (FIG. 5),
such that elements indicated by the same reference numerals in both
consoles 352 and 252 are generally identical in construction and in
operation. Rather than all the switching on PSTN line 258 being
performed by service switch unit 254, a breaker box 350 houses line
in interface 304 of the unit and performs substantially all the
functions of the interface, disconnecting the PSTN line when
telephones 270 are making a cellular call. Breaker box 350 is
installed between telephones 270 and PSTN network 280, and is
implemented to detect signals such as predetermined ** tones and
ring tones from PSTN network 280, and is also implemented to
generate flash tones to telephones 270. Using breaker box 350
allows a user to install console 352 at any position on line out
258, separately from the breaker box.
[0063] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating an alternative
wired cellular system 400, according to an embodiment of the
disclosed method and apparatus. Apart from the differences
described below, the operation of system 400 is generally similar
to that of system 30 (FIGS. 1-7), such that elements indicated by
the same reference numerals in both systems 30 and 400 are
generally identical in construction and in operation. In system 400
a base-station controller (BSC) 404 controls and communicates with
BTS 38 within cellular network 34. BSC also communicates with PSTN
32 via a mobile switching center (MSC) 414 and a visitor location
register (VLR), and PSTN 32 is connected to a PSTN telephone 410.
Communication between PSTN 32 and telephone 410 may be via an
Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) connection.
[0064] BSC 404 is coupled to a packet switching network 402, such
as the Internet, via a gateway 406. Gateway 406 comprises a packet
data serving node (PDSN), a gateway general-packet-radio-service
(GPRS) support node (GGSN), and/or a serving GPRS support node
(SSGN), or any combination of these or any other nodes that enable
BSC 404 to transmit and receive packets compatible with network
402.
[0065] Network 402 is coupled, inter alia, to a first session
initiation protocol (SIP) telephone 412 that is able to receive and
make SIP calls via network 402, according to a transfer protocol
defined in Request for Comments (RFC) 3261 and updates to RFC 3261,
published by the Network Working Group of the Internet Society. RFC
3261 may be found at
ftp://ftp.rfc-editor.org/in-notes/rfc3261.txt.
[0066] Console 52 includes SIP circuitry 420 that enables the
console to act as SIP gateway. Console 52 is also coupled to a PSTN
telephone 418, substantially as described above with reference to
FIG. 3 for telephone 170 or with reference to FIG. 5 for telephone
270. Thus, calls may be made between cellular telephone 60 and SIP
telephone 412, or between PSTN phone 418 and SIP telephone 412.
Alternatively or additionally, SIP circuitry 420 is configured to
communicate with a second SIP telephone 422 located in proximity to
console 52, in which case SIP calls may be placed via the console
from telephone 422. Further alternatively or additionally, PSTN
telephone 410 may be implemented to make and receive SIP calls.
[0067] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating a console 452,
according to an embodiment of the disclosed method and apparatus.
Apart from the differences described below, the operation and
implementation of console 452 is generally similar to that of
console 252 (FIG. 5), such that elements indicated by the same
reference numerals in both consoles 252 and 452 are generally
identical in construction and in operation. Most preferably,
console 452 does not include converter 72 or docking receptacle 79.
Optionally, console 452 may include converter 72 and docking
receptacle 79, which operate substantially as described above with
reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.
[0068] Console 452 comprises IF-baseband converter circuitry 458.
Circuitry 458 comprises an IF to baseband converter 454 which is
able to convert the downstream IF cellular signals received from
CATV network interface 51 directly to downstream baseband signals.
Circuitry 458 also comprises a baseband to IF converter 460 which
converts upstream baseband signals to upstream IF cellular signals.
Converters 454 and 460 are coupled to a mobile site modem (MSM) 456
which in turn is coupled to service switch unit 254. Converters 454
and 460, and modem 456, are known in the art. Preferably, console
452 comprises loudspeaker/microphone 96 and keypad 98 (FIG. 2)
which act as baseband transceivers. Alternatively or additionally,
MSM 456 is coupled via service switch unit 254 to other components
that act as baseband transceivers, such as telephones 270. Thus,
circuitry 458 enables the console to operate as a stand-alone
cellular telephone.
[0069] Optionally, console 452 comprises antenna 94 that enables
the console to operate as a wireless telephone communicating with
an extension phone 78, generally as described above with reference
to FIG. 2.
[0070] It will be appreciated that the preferred embodiments
described above are cited by way of example, and that the present
invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and
described hereinabove. Rather, the scope of the present invention
includes both combinations and sub-combinations of the various
features described hereinabove, as well as variations and
modifications thereof.
* * * * *