EP1252775A2

EP1252775A2 - Method and system for transparently determining call service options

Info

Publication number: EP1252775A2
Application number: EP01901874A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Johnny K. John; Gilbert C. Sih; Nikolai K.N. Leung
Original assignee: Qualcomm Inc
Current assignee: Qualcomm Inc
Priority date: 2000-01-06
Filing date: 2001-01-08
Publication date: 2002-10-30
Also published as: HK1053406A1; WO2001050734A3; WO2001050734A2; TWI293003B; JP2003524955A; AU2772801A; JP4741143B2; KR20080005311A; CN1416654A; BR0107463A; KR100915562B1; KR20020071922A; KR100828465B1; CN1416654B

Abstract

A system and method for transparent determination of call service options in a wireless communications system. The present invention initializes a call as a voice call by default. Detectors are then put in place for detecting tones specific to facsimile and data calls. If a facsimile or data call is detected, the call is renegotiated as a facsimile or data call, respectively. If a facsimile or data call is not detected, the call is maintained as a voice call. The detection of facsimile tones may be performed at the call origination side and at the call termination side. The detection of data tones can only be performed at the call termination side. For detecting facsimile calls, a called tone detector is implemented at the call termination side and a calling tone detector is implemented at the call origination side. The called tone for a facsimile machine is a combination of a 2100 hertz tone followed by a V.21 signal having a 0x7e data pattern or a single V.21 signal having a 0x7e data pattern. The calling tone for a facsimile machine is a pure 1100 hertz tone. For detecting data calls, a called tone detector is implemented at the call termination side. The called tone for a data modem is a combination of a V.25 signal followed by a modem tone, a single V.25 signal, or modem tones.

Description

TRANSPARENT DETERMINATION OF CALL SERVICE OPTIONS

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of telecommunications. More particularly, the present invention relates to a transparent system and method for determining call service options. Still more particularly, the present invention relates to a transparent system and method for determining call service options in a wireless communications system.

2. Related Art

A variety of multiple access communications systems have been developed for transferring information among a large number of system users. Two known techniques employed by such multiple access communications systems include time division multiple access (TDMA) and frequency division multiple access (FDMA), the basics of which are well known in the art. However, spread-spectrum modulation techniques, such as code division multiple access (CDMA) spread-spectrum techniques, provide significant advantages over the other modulation schemes, especially when providing service for a large number of communications system users. The use of CDMA techniques in multiple access communications systems is disclosed in the teachings of U.S. Patent No. 4,901,307, which issued February 13, 1990, under the title "SPREAD SPECTRUM MULTIPLE ACCESS COMMUNICATION SYSTEM USING SATELLITE OR TERRESTRIAL REPEATERS," and U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 08/368,570, filed January 4, 1995, under the title "METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR USING FULL SPECTRUM TRANSMITTED POWER IN A SPREAD SPECTRUM COMMUNICATION SYSTEM FOR TRACKING INDIVIDUAL RECIPIENT PHASE TIME AND ENERGY," which are both assigned to the assignee of the present invention, and are incorporated herein by reference.

The above-mentioned patent documents disclose multiple access communications systems in which a large number of generally mobile or remote system users or subscribers each employ at least one subscriber unit to communicate with other system subscribers or users of other connected systems, such as a public telephone switching network. The subscriber units communicate through base stations or gateways and satellite repeaters using CDMA spread-spectrum type communications signals.

Currently, service options in a wireless system have to be determined prior to a call being established. A single subscriber station (SSS) and a base station need to know what service option to use over the wireless link. This is called non-transparent determination of a call service option. Service options may include, but are not limited to, facsimile, data, and voice services.

Facsimile services enable the transmission of an exact reproduction or copy of a document between facsimile machines over a telephone network. Data services enable the transmission of data between data-processing equipment, such as computers having data modems. Data modems are devices that convert digital signals to analog signals and vice versa for transmission over a telephone network. Voice services enable the transmission of speech over a telephone network by converting sound into electrical impulses. Voice services use vocoders for compressing voice speech. Vocoders include an encoder and a decoder. The encoder analyses the incoming speech and extracts relevant parameters based on a model of human speech generation. The decoder synthesizes the speech using the parameters that it receives from the encoder via a transmission channel.

Non- transparency requires additional resources to be allocated. The additional resources may include separate directory numbers for each service. In a mobile-to-land call (that is, a call originated from a mobile unit using over the air communication signals and completed via a Landline), a user wanting to connect to a particular service option may dial a particular prefix on either the telephone, data modem, or fax machine. The system will then queue off of the dialed prefix and know what type of call has been placed. In a land-to-mobile call (that is, a call originated via a Landline and completed using over the air communication signals), a user wanting to connect to a particular service option may dial one of three specific directory numbers: a directory number for a facsimile call, a directory number for a data call, and a directory number for a voice call. This requires a mobile user to have separate directory numbers for each service option. Alternatively, in a land-to-mobile call, a user wanting to connect to a particular service option can use two-stage dialing. With two-stage dialing, a user, after acquiring a first dial tone, dials a first number and gets a second dial tone. The first number allows the user to dial into a base station. Upon hearing the second dial tone, the user then dials a second number. The second number connects the user to the desired service option.

What is needed is a system and method for providing transparent determination of call service options. What is further needed is a system and method for providing transparent determination of a call service option without requiring additional resources to be allocated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention satisfies the above mentioned needs by providing a system and method for transparent determination of call service options. The present invention requires no intervention on the part of the user. According to the method of the present invention, every wireless call is initialized as a voice call by default. Detectors are then put in place for detecting tones specific to facsimile and data calls. If a facsimile or data call is detected, the wireless call is renegotiated as a facsimile or data call, respectively. If a facsimile or data call is not detected, the wireless call is maintained as a voice call.

The detection of facsimile tones may be performed at the call origination side or at the call termination side. The detection of data tones can only be performed at the call termination side. For detecting facsimile calls, a called tone detector is implemented at the call termination side and a calling tone detector is implemented at the call origination side. The called tone for a facsimile machine is a combination of a 2100 hertz tone followed by a V.21 signal having a 0x7e data pattern or a single V.21 signal having a 0x7e data pattern. The calling tone for a facsimile machine is a pure 1100 hertz tone. For detecting data calls, a called tone detector is implemented at the call termination side. The called tone for a data modem is a combination of a V.25 signal followed by a modem tone, modem tones or a single V.25 signal. The V.21 and V.25 signals are well known standard signals, established by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU). The present invention does not require additional resources to be allocated. The present invention utilizes a single directory number for all services offered. One directory number is used to transparently connect a voice call, facsimile call, and a data call.

Further features and advantages of the invention, as well as the structure and operation of various embodiments of the invention, are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form part of the specification, illustrate the present invention and, together with the description, further serve to explain the principles of the invention and to enable a person skilled in the pertinent art to make and use the invention.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a land-to-mobile call according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a mobile-to-land call according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a mobile-to-mobile call according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an alternative embodiment of a telecommunications network in which the present invention can be implemented.

FIG. 5A is a diagram of a land-to-mobile call illustrating detection signals used for transparent determination of a fax call.

FIG. 5B is a diagram of a mobile-to-land call illustrating detection signals used for transparent determination of a fax call. FIG. 5C is a diagram of a mobile-to-mobile call illustrating detection signals used for transparent determination of a fax call.

FIG. 5D is a diagram of a mobile-to-mobile call illustrating detection signals used for transparent determination of a fax call.

FIG. 6A is a diagram of a land-to-mobile call illustrating detection signals used for transparent determination of a data call.

FIG. 6B is a diagram of a mobile- to-land call illustrating detection signals used for transparent determination of a data call.

FIG. 6C is a diagram of a mobile-to-mobile call illustrating detection signals used for transparent determination of a data call.

FIG. 6D is a diagram of a mobile-to-mobile call illustrating detection signals used for transparent determination of a data call. FIG. 7 is a flow diagram representing a method for providing transparent determination of call service options at the termination side according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram representing a method for providing transparent determination of a facsimile call service option at the origination side according to the present invention.

The features, objects, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description set forth below when taken in conjunction with the drawings in which like reference characters identify corresponding elements throughout. In the drawings, like reference numbers generally indicate identical, functionally similar, and /or structurally similar elements. The drawings in which an element first appears is indicated by the leftmost digit(s) in the corresponding reference number.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

While the present invention is described herein with reference to illustrative embodiments for particular applications, it should be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. Those skilled in the art with access to the teachings provided herein will recognize additional modifications, applications, and embodiments within the scope thereof and additional fields in which the present invention would be of significant utility.

The present invention can be applied for use in various types of wireless communications systems. The preferred mode of operation is in a CDMA system. However, the principals of the invention can be readily adopted for use in TDMA or other types of wireless communications systems.

The present invention is utilized in wireless communications systems, in which at least one terminal is any of a mobile, portable, or fixed wireless subscriber station. For purposes of the present disclosure, any of these types of wireless terminals may be called a "mobile" station. Conventional non- transparent determination of call service options for a wireless system call require the call service option to be known prior to establishing the call. A user having a telephone, a facsimile machine, and a data modem connected to a personal computer (PC) must have separate telephone directory numbers in order for the call option to be identified prior to the establishment of the call.

The present invention is a system and method for transparent determination of call service options. The present invention requires no intervention on the part of the user. The present invention eliminates the need to have separate telephone directory numbers for each call service option. By using a single subscriber station (SSS), or a device of similar kind, such as a concentrated subscriber station (CSS) or a customer premises equipment (CPE), a user may have one telephone directory number assigned to the SSS for enabling communication with the telephone, facsimile machine, and data modem.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a land-to-mobile call according to an embodiment of the present invention. A telecommunications network 100 comprises an SSS 110 having a first antenna 112, a base station 116 having a second antenna 114, and a public switched telephone network (PSTN) 118. SSS 110 may be connected to a first telephone 102, a first data modem 104, and a first facsimile machine 108. First data modem 104 is also connected to a first computer 106. Telephone 102, data modem 104, and facsimile machine 108 each connect to SSS 110 using RJ-11 connections 130. PSTN 118 may connect to any one of a second telephone 120, a second facsimile machine 122, or a second data modem 124. Second data modem 124 is also connected to a second computer 126. Telephone 120, facsimile machine 122, and data modem 124 each connect to PSTN 118 using RJ-11 connections 130 (shown in phantom). First and second computers 106 and 126 may be any kind of computer. For example, first and second computers 106 and 126 may be desktop computers, laptop computers, medium-scale computers, or large-scale computers.

SSS 110 is a wireless station for providing wireless local loop service. Alternatively, a concentrated subscriber station (CSS) could be used in place of SSS 110. The CSS functions as multiple SSSs operating together in a manner such as a mini private branch exchange (PBX). Base station 116 is a fixed device for enabling a mobile station, such as SSS 110, to communicate with a land- based user via voice, data, or facsimile service over public switched telephone network (PSTN) 118. Both SSS 110 and PSTN 118 contain, inter alia, an analog- to- digital converter for converting analog signals to digital signals, and vice versa. PSTN 118 also provides a digital connection 128 to base station 116. Both SSS 110 and base station 116 contain a digital signal processor for, inter alia, transparent detection of call service options. SSS 110 and base station 116 communicate over the air via first and second antennas 112 and 114. An arrow 128 in FIG. 1 indicates the direction of a call for a land-to- mobile call in telecommunications network 100. In a land-to-mobile call, a land line user originates a call using one of the call service options 120, 124, or 122 (that is, voice, data, or facsimile) by dialing the directory number assigned to SSS 110. The call is routed to base station 116 via PSTN 118. PSTN 118 converts the analog waveform from the call to a digitized waveform and routes the digitized waveform to base station 116 via digital connection 128. Base station 116 further processes the digitized waveform and sends the data over the air to SSS 110 via second antenna 114. SSS 110 receives the digitized waveform via first antenna 112, converts the digitized waveform back to analog data, and establishes the call. Each service 102, 104, and 108 on the termination side rings until one of the services answers the call.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a mobile-to-land call according to an embodiment of the present invention. An arrow 202 indicates the direction of a call for a mobile-to-land call in telecommunications network 200, substantially identical to telecommunications network 100. In a mobile-to-land call, a remote user originates a call using one of the call service options 102, 104, or 108 (that is, voice, data, or facsimile) by dialing the directory number associated with one of telephone 120, facsimile machine 122, or data modem 124 to be connected via PSTN 118. The call is routed to SSS 110 via RJ-11 connections 130. SSS 110 converts the analog waveform from the call to a digitized waveform and sends the data over the air to base station 116 via first antenna 112. Base station 116 receives the digitized waveform via second antenna 114 and further processes the digitized waveform. Base station 116 routes the digitized waveform to PSTN 118. PSTN 118 converts the digitized waveform back to an analog waveform and routes it to the appropriate service option 120, 122, or 124. The service option 120, 122, or 124 dialed will ring on the termination side.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a mobile-to-mobile call according to an embodiment of the present invention. A telecommunications network 300 comprises a first SSS 310 having a first antenna 312, a first base station 316 having a second antenna 314, a PSTN 318, a second base station 320 having a third antenna 322, and a second SSS 326 having a fourth antenna 324. First SSS 310 may be connected to a first telephone 302, a first data modem 304, and a first facsimile machine 308. First data modem 304 may be connected to a first computer 306. First telephone 302, first data modem 304, and first facsimile machine 308 each connect to first SSS 310 using RJ-11 connections 330. Second SSS 326 may connect to any one or all of a second telephone 328, a second facsimile machine 334, or a second data modem 330. Second data modem 330 may be connected to a second computer 332. Second telephone 328, second facsimile machine 334, and second data modem 330 each connect to second SSS 326 using RJ-11 connections 330. First and second computers 306 and 332 may be any kind of computer. For example, first and second computers 306 and 332 may be desktop computers, laptop computers, medium-scale computers, or large-scale computers.

First and second SSS 310 and 326 provide wireless local loop service. First base station 316 is connected to PSTN 318. PSTN 318 is connected to second base station 320. First and second base stations 316 and 320 are fixed devices for enabling mobile stations, such as first and second SSSs 310 and 326, to communicate with each other via voice, data, or facsimile service over public switched telephone network (PSTN) 318. Both first and second SSSs 310 and 326 include, inter alia, an analog-to-digital converter for converting analog signals to digital signals and vice versa. First SSS 310 and first base station 316 communicate over the air via first and second antennas 312 and 314 using CDMA. Second base station 320 and second SSS 326 communicate over the air via third and fourth antennas 322 and 324 using CDMA.

In a mobile-to-mobile call, a user originates a call from SSS 310 using one of the call service options 302, 304, or 308 (that is, voice, data, or facsimile) by dialing the directory number assigned to second SSS 326. The call is routed to first SSS 310 via RJ-11 connections 130. SSS 310 converts the analog data from the call to digital data and sends the data over the air to first base station 316 via first antenna 312. First base station 316 receives the digital data via second antenna 314 and routes the analog data through PSTN 318 to second base station 320. Second base station 320 transmits the data over the air via third antenna 322 to second SSS 326. Second SSS 326 receives the data via fourth antenna 324, converts the digital data to analog data, and establishes the call. Each service 328, 330, and 334 on the termination side rings until one of the services answers the call.

A mobile-to-mobile call may also originate from SSS 326 using service options 328, 330, or 334 and terminate at SSS 310 for one of service options 302, 304, and 308 in a similar manner as described above, but in reverse order.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an alternative embodiment of a telecommunications network in which the present invention can be implemented. A telecommunications network 400 comprises a first customer premises equipment (CPE) 410, a digital network 412, and a second CPE 414. Instead of transmitting the digital signals over the air, as shown in telecommunications networks 100, 200, and 300, telecommunications network 400 uses digital network 412 to transmit the digital data. First CPE 410 may be connected to a first telephone 402, a first data modem 404, and a first facsimile machine 408. First data modem 404 is connected to a computer 406. Second CPE may be connected to a second telephone 416, a second modem 418, and a second facsimile machine 422. Second data modem is connected to a second computer 420. First and second computers 406 and 420 may be any kind of computer, as noted above.

First and second CPEs 410 and 414 operate in a similar manner as single subscriber stations (SSSs) 110, 310, and 326. CPEs 410 and 414 comprise, inter alia, an analog-to-digital converter and a digital signal processor (DSP) (both not shown). The analog- to-digital converter converts analog signals to digital signals and vice versa. The DSP implements, inter alia, the transparent detection of the call service option. First CPE 410 is connected to digital network 412. Digital network 412 is connected to second CPE.

A user may originate a call from CPE 410 using one of service options 402, 404, or 408 by dialing the directory number assigned to CPE414. CPE 410 receives analog data from one of service options 402, 404, and 408. CPE 410 converts the analog signal into a digital signal and maps the digital signal into digital data packets for transmission over digital network 412. CPE 414 receives the digital packets from digital network 412, converts the digital data back into an analog signal to be sent to analog devices (416, 418, or 422) on the termination side, and establishes the call. Each service 416, 418, and 422 rings until one of the service options 416, 418, and 422 answers the call. A service option call may also originate at CPE 414 using one of service options 416, 418, and 422 and terminate at CPE 410 for one of service options 402, 404, and 408. A user may originate the call with one of service options 416, 418, and 422 by dialing the directory number assigned to CPE 410. CPE 414 receives analog data from one of service options 416, 418, and 422. CPE 414 converts the analog signal into a digital signal and maps the digital signal into digital data packets for transmission over digital network 412. CPE 410 receives the digital packets from digital network 412, converts the digital data back into an analog signal to be sent to service options 402, 404, and 408 on the termination side, and establishes the call. Each service 402, 404, and 408 rings until one of the service options 402, 404, and 408 answers the call.

Although the present invention is described using telecommunications networks 100, 200, 300, and 400, the present invention is not limited to implementation in these telecommunications networks only. Other mobile-to- land, land-to-mobile, and mobile-to-mobile telecommunications networks may be used without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

The present invention employs detectors to detect tones specific to either facsimile calls or data calls. The detectors are implemented in the DSPs. As previously stated, DSPs are found in SSSs 110, 310, and 326, base stations 116, 316, and 320, and CPEs 410 and 414.

FIG. 5 A is a diagram of a land-to-mobile call illustrating detection signals used for transparent determination of a fax call. The detection of a facsimile call may be performed at both the call origination side and the call termination side. This is because facsimile machines 108 and 122 emit a calling tone (CNG) 502 when originating or transmitting a call and a called tone (CED) 504 when terminating or receiving a call. Calling tone (CNG) 502 emitted by facsimile machines is a pure 1100 hertz frequency tone. Called tone (CED) 504 is a pure 2100 hertz frequency tone followed by a V.21 signal. The V.21 signal is an ITU standard that falls under the broad class of ITU-T V.series modems. The V.21 signal used in facsimile transmissions is a binary frequency shift-keyed (bfsk) at 300 bits per second with a preamble of data pattern 0x7e. The 0x7e data pattern is transmitted by all facsimile machines for approximately a second. A facsimile machine may or may not emit the pure 2100 hertz frequency tone, but will always transmit the 0x7e data pattern. Therefore, a detector, in order to transparently detect a facsimile call service option on the termination side, must trigger off the 0x7e data pattern of the called tone and on the origination side, must trigger off the 1100 hertz calling tone. Both SSS 110 and base station 116 contain detectors (not shown). In one embodiment of the present invention, every call is initiated as a voice call. A call originated by facsimile machine 122 will emit calling tone 502. Detectors within base station 116 may detect calling tone 502. Facsimile machine 108, upon answering the facsimile call will emit called tone 504. Detectors within SSS 110 will detect called tone 504. Once a detector flags the presence of a fax call, the entire call is switched or renegotiated to a fax service option. Once the service options are switched, facsimile transactions are facilitated.

FIG. 5B is a diagram of a mobile-to-land call illustrating detection signals used for transparent determination of a fax call. A call originated by facsimile machine 108 will emit calling tone 502. Detectors within SSS 110 may detect calling tone 502. Facsimile machine 122, upon answering the facsimile call will emit called tone 504. Detectors within base station 116 will detect called tone 504. Once a detector flags the presence of a fax call, the entire call is switched or renegotiated to a fax service option. Once the service options are switched, facsimile transactions are facilitated.

FIG. 5C is a diagram of a mobile-to-mobile call illustrating detection signals used for transparent determination of a fax call. A call originated by facsimile machine 334 will emit calling tone 502. Detectors within SSS 326 may detect calling tone 502. Facsimile machine 308, upon answering the facsimile call, will emit called tone 504. Detectors within SSS 310 will detect called tone 504. Once a detector flags the presence of a fax call, the entire call is switched or renegotiated to a fax service option. Once the service options are switched, facsimile transactions are facilitated. FIG. 5D is a diagram of a mobile-to-mobile call illustrating detection signals used for transparent determination of a fax call. A call originated by facsimile machine 308 will emit calling tone 502. Detectors within SSS 310 may detect calling tone 502. Facsimile machine 334, upon answering the facsimile call, will emit called tone 504. Detectors within SSS 326 will detect called tone 504. Once a detector flags the presence of a fax call, the entire call is switched or renegotiated to a fax service option. Once the service options are switched, facsimile transactions are facilitated.

A mobile-to-mobile call using a digital telecommunications network, such as telecommunications network 400, operates in a similar manner as described above, except that CPEs 410 and 414 replace SSSs 310 and 326, respectively.

In one embodiment of the present invention, facsimile detection is performed at the termination side only. In another embodiment of the present invention, facsimile detection is performed at both the termination side and the origination side.

FIG. 6A is a diagram of a land-to-mobile call illustrating detection signals used for transparent determination of a data call. The detection of a data call can only be performed at the call termination side. This is because data modems only emit data tones at the termination side. Thus, no data tones are emitted by data modem 124 on the origination side. Data tones 602 are emitted on the termination or receiving side. An initial tone that may be emitted for a data call is a V.25 tone. The V.25 tone is a 2100 hertz tone with phase reversal. The V.25 tone may be followed by modem tones. Modem tones include, but are not limited to, V.21 without the 0x7e pattern, V.22/V.22 bis, V.32/V.32 bis, etc. Therefore, a detector, in order to transparently detect a data call service option on the termination side, may trigger off the V.25 data tone.

A call originated from data modem 124 will ring SSS 110 as described above with reference to FIG. 1. SSS 110 will ring each service option (102, 104, and 108). Data modem 104, upon answering the data call will emit called tone 602. Detectors within SSS 110 will detect called tone 602. Once a detector flags the presence of a data call, the entire call is switched or renegotiated to a data service option. Once the service options are switched, data transactions are facilitated.

FIG. 6B is a diagram of a mobile-to-land call illustrating detection signals used for transparent determination of a data call. A call originated from data modem 104 will ring data modem 124 as described above with reference to FIG. 2. Data modem 124, upon answering the data call will emit called tone 602. Detectors within base station 116 will detect called tone 602. Once a detector flags the presence of a data call, the entire call is switched or renegotiated to a data service option. Once the service options are switched, data transactions are facilitated.

FIG. 6C is a diagram of a mobile-to-mobile call originated in the direction shown by arrow 604 and illustrating detection signals used for transparent determination of a data call. A call originated from data modem 330 will ring data modem 304. Data modem 304, upon answering the data call will emit called tone 602. Detectors within SSS 310 will detect called tone 602. Once a detector flags the presence of a data call, the entire call is switched or renegotiated to a data service option. Once the service options are switched, data transactions are facilitated.

FIG. 6D is a diagram of a mobile-to-mobile call originated in the direction shown by arrow 606 and illustrating detection signals used for transparent determination of a data call. A call originated from data modem 304 will ring data modem 330. Data modem 330, upon answering the data call will emit called tone 602. Detectors within SSS 326 will detect called tone 602. Once a detector flags the presence of a data call, the entire call is switched or renegotiated to a data service option. Once the service options are switched, data transactions are facilitated.

As previously stated, in one embodiment of the present invention, every call originates as a voice call by default. Calls received by an SSS unit ring each service option connected to it. Thus, any of the services may pick up. In the event that the call is actually a data or facsimile call, the call is renegotiated to a data call or a facsimile call, respectively. Otherwise, the call is maintained as a voice call. In the event that the call is a data or a facsimile call and a telephone answers, the call will fail.

As previously stated, the detection of facsimile tones may be performed at the call origination side as well as the call termination side. The detection of data tones can only be performed at the call termination side.

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram representing a method for providing transparent determination of call service options at the termination side according to the present invention. The steps of FIG. 7 may be implemented in hardware, firmware, software, or a combination thereof. The process begins in step 702 where control immediately passes to step 704.

In step 704, an incoming call is received at the termination side. Control then passes to step 706.

In step 706, voice operations are set-up by running the vocoders. Control then passes to step 708. In step 708, the ringing of the user's equipment occurs. If the call is a land-to-mobile call or a mobile-to-mobile call, each user service option will ring. If the call is a mobile-to-land call and the user has one connection to PSTN 118 with multiple service options, each user service option will ring. Control then passes to step 710. In step 710, the user equipment picks up. Pick up of the user equipment triggers a timer, Tl to start. Timer Tl is the amount of time allotted for the detection of a fax specific preamble or a data modem signal during a call. Control then passes to step 712. In step 712, the tone detectors are turned on and run with the vocoders. The tone detectors are turned on after ringing the user equipment and after the user equipment picks up or answers to eliminate the detectors triggering on noise signals generating by the ringer. Control then passes to decision step 714. In decision step 714, it is determined whether a 2100 hertz tone is detected. If a 2100 hertz tone is detected, the call is not a voice call and must be renegotiated as a data call or a facsimile call. Control then passes to decision step 716.

In decision step 716, it is determined whether a data specific 2100 hertz tone is detected. A data specific 2100 hertz signal is the V.25 signal. If a data specific 2100 hertz tone is detected, control then passes to step 718. In step 718, the call is renegotiated as a data call.

Returning to decision step 716, if it is determined that a data specific 2100 hertz tone is not detected, control then passes to decision step 720. In decision step 720, it is determined whether a facsimile specific preamble is detected. The facsimile specific preamble is the 0x7e data pattern. If the facsimile specific preamble is detected, control then passes to step 722. In step 722, the call is renegotiated as a facsimile call. Returning to decision step 720, if it is determined that the facsimile specific preamble is not detected, control passes to decision step 724.

In decision step 724, it is determined whether a modem signal has been detected. If a modem signal has been detected, control passes to step 726. In step 726, the call is renegotiated as a data call.

Returning to decision step 724, if a modem signal is not detected, control passes to decision step 728. In decision step 728, it is determined whether timer

Tl has expired. Timer Tl is typically 4 to 5 seconds in length. If timer Tl has expired, control passes to step 730 where the call is renegotiated as a data call. If timer Tl has not expired, control passes back to decision step 716.

Returning to decision step 714, if it is determined that a 2100 hertz tone is not detected, control then passes to decision step 732.

In decision step 732, it is determined whether a fax specific preamble has been detected. The fax specific preamble refers to the 0x7e data pattern always emitted by every facsimile machine. If a fax specific preamble has been detected, control passes to step 734. In step 734, the call is renegotiated as a facsimile call.

Returning to decision step 732, if it is determined that a fax specific preamble has not been detected, control then passes to decision step 736. In decision step 736, it is determined whether modem signals have been detected. If modem signals have been detected, control passes to step 738. In step 738, the call is renegotiated as a data call.

Returning to decision step 736, if it is determined that modem signals are not detected, control then passes to decision step 740. In decision step 740, it is determined whether timer Tl has expired.

Timer Tl is typically 4 to 5 seconds in length. If timer Tl has expired, control then passes to step 742. In step 742, the call is maintained as a voice call.

Returning to decision step 740, if it is determined that timer Tl has not expired, control passes back to step 712. As previously stated, detection of a facsimile call may be determined on the origination side. FIG. 8 is a flow diagram representing a method for providing transparent determination of a facsimile call service option at the origination side according to the present invention. The steps of FIG. 8 may be implemented in hardware, firmware, software, or a combination thereof. The process begins in step 802 where control immediately passes to step 804.

In step 804, an outgoing call is made. Control then passes to step 806. In step 806, the call is set-up for voice operations by turning on the vocoders. A timer T2 is started. Timer T2 is the amount of time allotted for detecting a fax calling tone. Control then passes to step 808. In step 808, the tone detectors are turned on and run with the vocoders.

Control then passes to decision step 810.

In decision step 810, it is determined if a facsimile calling tone has been detected. A facsimile calling tone is an 1100 hertz tone. If the facsimile calling tone has been detected, control passes to step 812. In step 812, the call is renegotiated as a facsimile call.

Returning to decision step 810, if it is determined that a facsimile calling tone has not been detected, control passes to decision step 814. In decision step 814, it is determined whether timer T2 has expired. Timer T2 is typically 9 to 10 seconds. If timer T2 has expired, control passes to step 816.

In step 816, the tone detectors on the origination side are disabled. The call remains at its default value of a voice call.

Returning to decision step 814, if timer T2 has not expired, control passes back to step 808.

In one embodiment of the present invention, transparent detection of call service options is performed on the termination side only (FIG. 7). In an alternative embodiment, transparent detection of call service options is performed on the termination side as well as the origination side (FIGs. 7 and 8).

CONCLUSION

The previous description of the preferred embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

Claims

1. A method for transparent determination of call service options in a wireless communications system, comprising the steps of:

(a) initiating a call as a voice call by default; (b) detecting tones specific to facsimile and data calls;

(c) renegotiating said call to one of said facsimile and data call if said detection step detects tones specific to one of said facsimile and data calls; and

(d) maintaining said call as said voice call if said detection step fails to detect tones specific to one of said facsimile and data calls.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said detection step further comprises the step of performing the detection of facsimile tones at one of a call origination side and a call termination side.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said detection step further comprises the step of performing the detection of facsimile tones and data tones at a call termination side.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said detection step further comprises the step of performing the detection of facsimile tones at both a call origination side and a call termination side.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said detection step further comprises the step of performing the detection at a base station if the call originated from a single subscriber station (SSS) for a mobile-to-land call.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said detection step further comprises the step of performing the detection at a terminating single subscriber station (SSS) for mobile-to-mobile and land-to-mobile calls.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said detection step further comprises the step of detecting the combination of a 2100 hertz tone followed by a V.21 signal for said facsimile calls, wherein said V.21 signal is a binary frequency shift-keyed (bfsk) at 300 bit per second of data pattern 0x7e.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said detection step further comprises the step of detecting a V.21 signal for said facsimile calls, wherein said V.21 signal is a binary frequency shift-keyed (bfsk) at 300 bits per second of data pattern 0x7e.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said detection step further comprises the step of detecting a combination of a V.25 tone followed by a modem tone for said data calls, wherein said V.25 tone is a 2100 hertz tone with phase reversal.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein said detection step further comprises the step of detecting a V.25 signal for said data calls, wherein said

V.25 tone is a 2100 hertz tone with phase reversal.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said detection step further comprises the step of detecting a modem tone for said data calls.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein said detection step further comprises the step of detecting a modem tone for said data calls, wherein said modem tone may be one of a V.21 signal, a V.22 signal, a V.22 bis signal, a V.32 signal, and a V.32 bis signal, wherein said V.21 signal is a V.21 signal without a 0x7e pattern.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein said detection step further comprises the step of detecting a calling tone at the call origination side for said facsimile calls.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein said detection step further comprises the step of detecting a called tone at the call termination side for said facsimile calls.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein said detection step further comprises the step of detecting a called tone at the call termination side for said data calls.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein said calling tone is an 1100 hertz tone and said detection step comprises the step of detecting said 1100 hertz tone at the call origination side for said facsimile calls.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein said called tone is a 2100 hertz tone followed by a V.21 signal having a 0x7e data pattern and said detection step comprises the step of detecting said 2100 hertz tone followed by said V.21 signal having a 0x7e data pattern at the call termination side for said facsimile calls.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein said called tone is a V.25 signal followed by a modem tone and said detection step comprises the step of detecting said V.25 signal followed by said modem tone at the call termination side for said data calls.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein said called tone is a V.21 signal having a 0x7e data pattern and said detection step comprises the step of detecting said V.21 signal having said 0x7e data pattern at the call termination side for said facsimile calls.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein said called tone is a V.25 signal and said detection step comprises the step of detecting said V.25 signal at the call termination side for said data calls.

21. A system for transparent determination of call service options, comprising: means for initiating a call as a voice call by default; means for detecting tones specific to facsimile and data calls; means for renegotiating said call to one of said facsimile and data calls if said detection step detects tones specific to one of said facsimile and data calls; and means for maintaining said call as said voice call if said detection step fails to detect tones specific to one of said facsimile and data calls.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein said detection means further comprises means for performing the detection of facsimile tones at one of a call origination side and a call termination side.

23. The system of claim 21, wherein said detection means further comprises means for performing the detection of facsimile tones and data tones at a call termination side.

24. The system of claim 21, wherein said detection means further comprises means for performing the detection of facsimile tones at both a call origination side and a call termination side.

25. The system of claim 21, wherein said detection means further comprises means for performing the detection at a base station if the call originated from a single subscriber station (SSS) for a mobile-to-land call.

26. The system of claim 21, wherein said detection means further comprises means for performing the detection at a terminating single subscriber station (SSS) for mobile-to-mobile and land-to-mobile calls.

27. The system of claim 21, wherein said detection means further comprises means for detecting the combination of a 2100 hertz tone followed by a V.21 signal for said facsimile calls, wherein said V.21 signal is a binary frequency shift-keyed (bfsk) at 300 bit per second of data pattern 0x7e.

28. The system of claim 21, wherein said detection means further comprises means for detecting a V.21 signal for said facsimile calls, wherein said

V.21 signal is a binary frequency shift-keyed (bfsk) at 300 bits per second of data pattern 0x7e.

29. The system of claim 21, wherein said detection means further comprises means for detecting a combination of a V.25 tone followed by a modem tone for said data calls, wherein said V.25 tone is a 2100 hertz tone with phase reversal.

30. The system of claim 21, wherein said detection means further comprises means for detecting a V.25 signal for said data calls, wherein said

V.25 tone is a 2100 hertz tone with phase reversal.

31. The system of claim 30, wherein said detection means further comprises means for detecting a modem tone for said data calls.

32. The system of claim 30, wherein said detection means further comprises means for detecting a modem tone for said data calls, wherein said modem tone may be one of a V.21 signal, a V.22 signal, a V.22 bis signal, a V.32 signal, and a V.32 bis signal, and wherein said V.21 signal is a V.21 signal without a 0x7e pattern.

33. The system of claim 21, wherein said detection means further comprises means for detecting a calling tone at the call origination side for said facsimile calls.

34. The system of claim 21, wherein said detection means further comprises means for detecting a called tone at the call termination side for said facsimile calls.

35. The system of claim 21, wherein said detection means further comprises means for detecting a called tone at the call termination side for said data calls.

36. The system of claim 33, wherein said calling tone is an 1100 hertz tone and said detection means comprises means for detecting said 1100 hertz tone at the call origination side for said facsimile calls.

37. The system of claim 34, wherein said called tone is a 2100 hertz tone followed by a V.21 signal having a 0x7e data pattern and said detection means comprises means for detecting said 2100 hertz tone followed by said V.21 signal having a 0x7e data pattern at the call termination side for said facsimile calls.

38. The system of claim 35, wherein said called tone is a V.25 signal followed by a modem tone and said detection means comprises means for detecting said V.25 signal followed by said modem tone at the call termination side for said data calls.

39. The system of claim 34, wherein said called tone is a V.21 signal having a 0x7e data pattern and said detection means comprises means for detecting said V.21 signal having said 0x7e data pattern at the call termination side for said facsimile calls.

40. The system of claim 35, wherein said called tone is a V.25 signal and said detection means comprises means for detecting said V.25 signal at the call termination side for said data calls.

41. A method for transparent determination of call service options, comprising the steps of:

(a) initiating a call as one of a voice call, a data call, and a facsimile call as a default setting;

(b) detecting tones specific to facsimile and data calls; (c) determining a call service option for said call based on the results of step (b); (d) renegotiating said call to one of said voice call, said facsimile call, and said data call if it is determined that said call service option is different than said default setting; and

(e) maintaining said call at said default setting if said call is determined to be said default setting.

42. The method of claim 41, wherein said step of initiating the call comprises the step of initiating the call as said voice call for said default setting.