KR20020010703A - Method and apparatus for disabling communications of a specified mode to a device capable of multi-mode communication - Google Patents

Abstract

A method and apparatus for disabling first mode communication to an apparatus capable of multi-mode communication. The request to disable the first mode communication is generated by the communication device manually or automatically and sent to the mobile switching center. The mobile switching center transforms the data record located in the home location register according to the communication device required. The modification disables communication of a particular mode to the communication device.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DISABLING COMMUNICATIONS OF A SPECIFIED MODE TO A DEVICE CAPABLE OF MULTI-MODE COMMUNICATION}

Wireless communication has become commonplace all over the world. Today's communication devices include analog and digital telephones operating at cellular and PCS frequencies, satellite phones, PCs with wireless modems, wireless transportation communications systems, and the like. In the field of wireless telephony, first generation telephones rely on analog transmission protocols to transmit voice communications. In recent years, wireless phones using digital modulation technology have become popular due to the inherent additional benefits of digital technology. For example, digital cordless phones offer better voice clarity, fewer call breaks, and a variety of service options not available with analog cordless phones.

Wireless connections to worldwide computer networks, such as the Internet, are becoming increasingly desirable for wireless communication devices. Increasing wireless applications for mobile telephony and other products using the Internet are becoming increasingly common. The next generation of mobile phones will be able to work with the Internet at or above the speeds available for today's desktop computers.

Wireless connection to the Internet is only one example of data communication that may or may be available to a wireless communication device. At present, data can be transmitted either synchronously or asynchronously. Synchronous data transmission means that the transmitter and receiver are synchronized with each other in time, and that data is transmitted at specific time intervals. Asynchronous data transmissions, on the other hand, use the information sent with the data to align the receiver to demodulate the received data. One example of synchronous data transmission is commonly referred to as "packet data" transmission and is used to transfer data between a computer and the Internet using various transmission protocols such as TCP / IP. One example of asynchronous data transmission is a dedicated connection between a transmitter and a receiver, such as two computer modems carrying data.

For example, in packet data transfer applications, such as computers connected to the Internet, data is typically transmitted in bursts, with each data burst typically lasting a few seconds or more. Data bursts over the Internet occur, for example, when a user connects to a web site. The information contained in the web site is sent in a data packet to the requesting computer, which generally continues until all required information is completely transmitted to the requesting computer. No data is sent again until another data request is received from the computer.

In wireless applications, data is typically transmitted by bursts wirelessly from a base station to a wireless communication device. However, if a lack of transmission activity is observed for a relatively short time, the air interface providing the communication channel between the base station and the wireless communication device is "disconnected" or "disabled". If a subsequent data request is generated by the wireless communication device, a new communication channel must be established. The period during which a communication session is active but the communication channel is inactive is referred to as a "dormant" period.

In the near future, wireless communications are expected to provide multi-mode communications to users. For example, a wireless telephone capable of voice and data communication is expected soon.

One problem that arises as a result of wireless telephones with multi-mode capability is interference from other calls during dormancy periods. As mentioned above, when the wireless communication device engages in data communication, an indefinite period of sleep occurs. In this case, the communication channel assigned to the wireless communication is canceled and reassigned to another wireless communication device. While no channel is assigned to the first communication device during the data communication, the second communication may be directed to the wireless communication device. The second communication can be, for example, a voice call. If the wireless communication device does not have a communication channel assigned to it, any mode of call can be sent to the communication device. For example, a page message may be sent to a communication device indicating that a voice call is waiting for a user. Pending voice calls are often an undesired obstacle to data calls or communication sessions.

What is needed is an apparatus and method for preventing a first mode of communication from being directed to a communication device capable of multi-mode communication. The need for such an apparatus and method is particularly useful for applications where the user does not want to receive a call in the first mode while communication in the second mode is in progress.

The present invention relates generally to wireless communication devices, and more particularly to disabling at least one mode of communications to a wireless communication device capable of multi-mode communication.

1 is a description of a typical wireless communication system in which the present invention is used.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram form diagram illustrating functional components for a wireless communication device used in the wireless communication system of FIG.

3 is a representation of a typical data record located in a home location register that includes the wireless communication of FIG.

4 is a method of the present invention shown in a flowchart.

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for disabling at least one mode of communication to a device capable of multi-mode communication. In an exemplary embodiment, the wireless communication device includes a wireless telephone capable of communicating in voice mode and data mode.

The apparatus of the present invention comprises a multi-mode wireless telephone and means located within the telephone for generating a disable request to a base station and / or a mobile switching center for disabling first mode communication to the wireless communication device.

In a first embodiment, a disable request for disabling the first communication mode to the multi-communication device is sent from the communication device to the base station prior to the communication device to start the second communication mode. After completing the second mode communication, the communication of the first mode is re-enabled by the mobile switching center after re-enabling or completing the second mode communication by generating a request for re-enabling the first mode communication by the communication device. It is done automatically.

In a second embodiment of the present invention, the disable request for disabling the first communication mode is transmitted to the base station and / or the mobile station switching center whenever the user wishes to disable the first mode communication to the wireless communication device. do. In this embodiment, a request to disable the first communication mode to the multi-mode communication device is generated at the wireless communication device, and the request is generally transmitted through the base station to the mobile switching center. The request directs the mobile switching center to disable first mode communication to the wireless communication device.

The method of the present invention generates a disable request by a wireless communication device capable of multi-mode communication and ultimately sends a request to a mobile switching center to disable first mode communication to the wireless communication device. It includes a step. The mobile switching center disables first mode communication to the wireless communication device. The request may be generated manually or automatically prior to initiation of the second communication mode, or manually at any time by the wireless communication device user.

The construction, objects, and effects of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like elements throughout.

A method and apparatus for disabling at least one mode of communication to a device capable of multi-mode communication. In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus of the present invention includes a multi-mode wireless telephone and means in a telephone for generating a disable request to a base station or mobile switching center to disable first mode communication to a communication device. do.

Although the principles of the present invention are described in terms of land-based, wireless communication systems and more specifically wireless telephones capable of implementing two modes of operation, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to this field. For example, the present invention may be used in any wireless communication system, and may also be used in devices such as satellite communication devices or pagers and in any communication device having at least two modes of operation.

1 is a description of a typical land-based, wireless communication system in which the present invention is used. It should be understood that the components shown in FIG. 1 only represent one mode of the wireless communication system and that other communication systems may use different components to achieve similar results. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the system shown in FIG.

In the wireless communication system of FIG. 1, a remote unit, or wireless communication device, is shown as wireless communication devices 100a, 100b, and 100n, with a single wireless communication device assigned to each user of the system. Indications a, b and c on the wireless communication device display indicate the first user, the second user and the nth user, respectively, and represent n users in the communication system. Although only three wireless communication devices are shown in FIG. 1, it should be understood that a wireless communication system typically includes thousands of users.

Referring again to FIG. 1, a mobile switching center (MSC) 120 typically includes an interface and processing circuitry for providing system control to the base stations 100a-110n and includes 1 to "m, including a wireless communication system. "Base stations. Base stations are already known in the art for transmitting and receiving communication signals to and from wireless communication devices. Each base station 110 provides a coverage area of several miles from the base station location. As the wireless communication device moves within the coverage area of each base station, communication signals to and from the wireless communication device are generally routed through a particular base station located closest to the wireless communication device.

MSC 120 provides circuitry for routing communications between various base station coverage areas and wireless communication devices operating between remote base stations and land-line telephone users via PSTN, denoted PSTN 130 in FIG. do. MSC 120 may optionally or additionally be coupled to computer network 160 to wireless communications devices of the communication system and computer network 160 such as personal computers, mainframe computers, digital cameras, email systems, remote control devices, and the like. Provide communication between various known computing devices connected.

MSC 120 typically includes a telecommunications switch (not shown) and a base station controller (BSC) (not shown). The telecommunications switch provides a switching interface to the PSTN 130, while the BSC provides the hardware and software necessary for communication to occur between base stations. MSC 120 typically also provides other functions of the communication system, such as billing services and data services.

MSC 120 is connected to the base station by various means such as a dedicated telephone line, a fiber optic link or a microwave communication link. When a call is initiated by a wireless communication device, a call origination message is sent to one or more base stations closest to the wireless communication device that initiated the call. The call origination message is routed to the MSC 120, where it is processed and then routed to the PSTN 130 or one or more base stations closest to the wireless communication device to which the call is directed. When the call originates from the PSTN 130, the originating message is routed through the MSC 120 and from there to one or more base stations closest to the wireless communication device to which the call is directed.

If the voice communication is initiated by the wireless communication device 100, in other words a conventional telephone call, what is known as a traffic channel or air interface is assigned to the wireless communication device 100 by one or more base stations 110 closest thereto. . The traffic channel remains assigned to the wireless communication device 100 until communication is complete, for example until one of the users involved in the call "hangs up" the call. While a call is active or connected, no other call can be accepted by the wireless communication device 100 (if the call waiting service option is available and of course the service is not activated). Regardless of how much voice activity is occurring between the two groups, the air interface remains dedicated to the wireless communication device 100. If the second call is directed to the wireless communication device 100 while the wireless communication device 100 is in the first call, the busy signal is generated at the MSC 120 and returned to the device requesting the second call or the second call. The two calls are sent to another phone number, for example a phone number corresponding to a voice mail system. In a CDMA communication system, Industry Standard Specification IS-53 specifies how such a process will be implemented.

When the wireless communication device is performing data communication, or what is known as a data call, communication session or data session, information generally does not flow continuously over the air interface. More often, data is transmitted in burst information, for example, when an electronic document is required by a wireless modem connected to a laptop computer. It should be understood that data communication includes one or more calls.

The air interface is used when it is necessary to transmit the document. The time during which data is being actively transmitted over the air interface is called the "active" state or the "connected" state. The activation state also includes a predetermined time after the data burst has been transmitted over the air interface, also called " hang time " After a predetermined time, for example, if no data is transmitted over the air interface 20 seconds after any data is transmitted over the air interface, the activation state expires and the dormant state begins. In the dormant state, the air interface initially assigned to the wireless communication device is usually withdrawn by the mobile switching center through which the wireless communication device passes to communicate. However, data calls often do not complete as soon as they enter a dormant state. In many cases, for example, there is a long pause between data transmissions between the wireless communication device and the host computer.

At the end of the activation state, the wireless interface assigned to the wireless communication device is reassigned to another wireless communication device as needed to transmit voice or data communication. Reallocation of under-utilized air interfaces is a technique used to improve efficiency and maximize the capacity of a communication system.

During the dormant state, the wireless communication device 100 or the base station 110 can quickly rebuild another wireless interface if necessary. This is because any operating parameter of the data call is stored in the communication device 100, the base station 110 and / or the MSC 120 that the communication device 100 was in contact with. For example, during a data call, the wireless communication device is typically assigned an IP address by a base station through which the communication device goes through communication. An IP address is a known 4-digit code for uniquely identifying a remote computer to a computer network such as the Internet. In this example, the IP address is used to identify a wireless communication device, such as a host computer, to a device that was in contact before entering a dormant state. The air interface or communication channel to the wireless communication device can be quickly reestablished if the original IP address assigned to the communication device is maintained during the dormant state. However, if the second communication is received by the wireless communication device while in the dormant state such as a voice call, the information belonging to the data call such as the IP address will be reconstructed once the second communication is received by the wireless communication device. There is a need.

During an active state, such as during periods of data being transmitted to or from a wireless communication device or during a "hang time" period, the wireless communication device generally cannot receive other calls. For example, when communication device 100 is in an active state, it should not receive a voice call directed to it by MSC 120. Any voice call intended for wireless communication device 100 while in an activated state will receive a busy signal from MSC 120 or be sent to a predetermined destination, such as a voice mail system. Another way of handling voice calls is addressed in industry standards belonging to nearby specific communication systems, such as IS-53 for CDMA communication systems.

However, during the dormant state, the wireless communication device 100 will receive another call being sent there, thereby interrupting the ongoing data call. In the dormant state, since no air interface is currently assigned to the communication device 100, the MSC 120 may transmit other communication to the wireless communication device 100.

While in the dormant state, if the wireless communication device user notifies the receipt of a second call, such as a voice call or a data call, from the MSC 120, then the data communication will be interrupted and directed towards the communication device 100. Any information intended to be lost will be lost. The present invention solves this problem by generating a request in the wireless communication device 100 to prevent a particular mode of call from being transmitted to the wireless communication device 100. This is particularly useful while the wireless communication device 100 is making a data call.

2 illustrates in block diagram form the functional components of the wireless communication device 100. The wireless communication device 100 may be capable of multi-mode communication, which means that it may transmit and receive communication in different modes, such as voice communication or data communication. It should be understood that voice communication includes any audio-mode communication including audible tones used in voice, music or call processing, modem and facsimile machines. Data communication includes packet data or asynchronous data communication. Packet data communication is commonly used in applications requiring a connection to an Internet-based host. Asynchronous data communication is commonly used in applications that typically require a connection to a PSTN modem to provide dial-up access to email or other data files. In addition to these modes, it is conceivable that the wireless communication device can also communicate in other modes.

The wireless communication device 100 generally starts communication by using the input device 200. While input device 200 includes a keypad in an exemplary embodiment, input device 200 accepts user commands, such as a voice response device that converts voice commands into electrical signals suitable for processing by controller 202. May be any device. During voice communication, the user speaks to the microphone 204, which converts acoustic energy into electrical energy and transmits this electrical signal to the controller 202 for processing. The microphone 204 may replace the input device 200 in applications where the second audio input device is undesirable. In many cases, a voice encoder / decoder, commonly known as a codec, is used between the microphone and the controller 202 or integrated within the controller 202 to transmit electrical signals from the microphone 204 over a limited bandwidth air interface. Convert it to the appropriate format. Speaker 206 is used to convert the received electrical signal into an acoustic signal. Speaker 206 includes a speaker that is particularly suitable for low acoustic output in typical telephone applications, or speaker 206 is typically intended for use in push-to-talk radio-mode applications. Includes treble speakers suitable for high acoustic output. In another embodiment, speaker 206 includes a combination of high and low sound speakers that are commonly used and readily available.

Wireless communication device 100 further includes a display 208 for allowing a user to view operating characteristics of the wireless communication device. Such displays are common to many wireless devices today, including telephones and remote data terminals.

The data port 210 serves as an interface between the controller 202 and an external data communication device. The data port 210 generally allows a variety of two-way communications to occur between the wireless communication device 100 and an external device. Such external devices include laptop computers, facsimile devices, and remote data terminals.

When a user starts voice or data communication, an identification code, typically a telephone number, corresponding to the second communication device is input using the input device 200. In an exemplary embodiment, the input device 200 includes keys corresponding to the numbers 0 to 9 and additional function keys such as SEND, END, and the like. The input device 200 also includes one or more keys used to classify outgoing communication as data communication or voice communication. For example, a user who wants to initiate data communication can press a key designed for data communication and dial a phone number that corresponds to the data service the user wants to communicate with. In one embodiment, all calls from the wireless communication device 100 are assumed to be voice calls unless they are classified into some other communication mode as described by one of several methods above.

The controller 202 serves as the main computing unit of the wireless communication device 100. Although the controller 202 is shown as a single element of FIG. 2, the controller 202 is one or more on-demand manufactured by Intel in Santa Clara, CA, combined with memory devices, bus controllers, and other support devices well known to those skilled in the art. One or more discrete components such as integrated circuits (ASICs) or microprocessors.

More than other functions, the controller 202 is responsible for receiving commands from the user via the input device 200. For example, the controller 202 receives a signal corresponding to a telephone number from the input device 200 with a signal for initiating communication with a second communication device located remotely from the first communication device. In addition to the telephone number and initiation signal, the controller 202 also receives a signal from the input device 200 indicating which communication mode is to be initiated. In an exemplary embodiment, the wireless communication device 100 may communicate in at least two modes, a data communication mode and a voice communication mode. Data communication modes are typically used when there is a desire to transmit and receive information suitable for digital computing devices such as laptop computers. Data is sent in separate segments, commonly called packets. Each data packet generally contains overhead information for various purposes. For example, many data packets contain data fields that are used to store error correction codes. The error correction code is used to check whether the received data packet was completely received, i.e. the data was not corrupted during the transmission process. Voice communication mode is used when it is desired to transmit acoustic information, including voice, facsimile tones, music, or other aural forms of communication.

Normally, during a dormant state, another mode of call may be received by the wireless communication device 100. For example, the voice call may be directed to the wireless communication device 100 by the base station 110 in communication with the wireless communication device 100. In such a situation, the wireless communication device 100 will generally indicate that a call is being received by the wireless communication device user by generating an audible beep, such as a typical ring tone currently used in many telephones. An audible warning tone that a call is on hold is generally generated in response to a paging message sent by base station 110 over a paging channel. The message will generally indicate the frequency for the wireless communication device used to receive the appropriate communication channel, orthogonal code, time slot or call. If the user chooses to receive the call, the data call will be aborted. Resumption of data calls can only occur in the case of a more time-consuming process than if reconnection from a dormant state occurs. For example, to reestablish a data call, communication device 100 and base station 110 must first determine if data was lost when an optional call was received and then forward the lost data.

The present invention generates at least one request to the wireless communication device 100 by generating a disable request and transmitting the disable request to the corresponding base station 110 and / or the MSC 120 through which the wireless communication device 100 communicates. Disable the mode call. Referring back to FIG. 2, the user of the wireless communication device 100 initiates a request using the input device 200. A user typically enters a disable request at any time before starting another mode of communication. For example, before initiating a data call, a user may disable a voice call to his wireless communication device 100 to generate a disable request to ensure that the data call is not disturbed. Or, the disable request is automatically generated and sent prior to the commencement of the communication in a particular mode.

The disable request includes some code, such as feature request codes commonly used in telephony applications today. Such feature codes include an asterisk (*) and two numeric codes. The predetermined code is optionally generated by a single, predetermined key when the input device 200 is a keypad and by a predetermined audio code when the input device 200 responds to an audio command. The disable request also includes information describing how long a particular mode of communication will be disabled. For example, a basic setting condition is defined that is disabled only until the first mode communication becomes the second mode communication. Or a basic setting condition in which the first mode communication is defined until a re-enable request is transmitted by the wireless communication apparatus 100.

The disable request is provided to the controller 202 and processed to conform to the communication protocol of the wireless communication system, such as the CDMA format, the TDMA format, or other format well known to those skilled in the art. The processed disable request includes information identifying which mode, such as voice communication, is disabled. Identification information such as mobile identification number (MIN) and / or electronic serial number (ESN) is also inserted into the processed disable request. The processed disable request is provided to the RF transceiver 212, upconverted to high frequency, and provided to the antenna 214 for wireless transmission to one or more nearby base stations 110.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the processed request is received by one or more base stations located generally nearby of the wireless communication device that sent the request. The request is processed by base station 110a, downconverted and demodulated using techniques known in the art to generate the original request. The request is sent to MSC 120 and disables specific mode communication to the specific wireless communication device 110 that sent the request, as will be described below.

The processed disable request arrives at MSC 120, which updates the data record corresponding to the particular wireless communication device 00 that sent the disable request. The data record is generally located in the Home Location Register (HLR), but may optionally be located in the MSC 120 or elsewhere away from the MSC 120. 3 shows a representation of a typical data record located within HLR 140.

As shown in FIG. 3, a typical data record identifies each wireless communication device 100 that has registered with a particular MSC 120 that the HLR 140 supports. Registration is a known process by which the wireless communication device connects to the MSC 120, where calls are efficiently routed to the wireless communication device 100 operating within the coverage area of one or more base stations associated with the MSC 120. . When the wireless communication device registers with the MSC 120, data recording is performed by the MSC 120, for example, when the wireless communication device registers with a wireless system other than that supported by the MSC 120. It is generated on the remaining HLR until it is instructed to delete the record. When the wireless communication device 100 registers with the MSC 120, the wireless communication device 100 includes at least an electronic serial number (ESN) and a mobile identification number (MIN) uniquely assigned to the wireless communication device 100. It identifies itself by sending a registration message. Other information is typically also registered by the wireless communication device 100, such that the current location of the wireless communication device 100, the user name associated with the wireless communication device 100, the " enabled features " indication, and not shown in FIG. Other information is also sent.

When the disable request is received by the MSC 120, a signal is sent from the MSC 120 to the HLR 140 instructing the HLR 140 to modify the data record corresponding to the requesting wireless communication device. If the wireless communication device 100 has not previously registered the MSC 120, a new data record is generated at this time. The enabled feature column of the data record is modified so that calls of a particular mode, in this case voice calls, are not transmitted to the associated wireless communication device 100. This result can be achieved in a number of different ways. If the call forwarding feature is enabled, the voice call to the wireless communication device 100 will be disabled. This feature automatically sends calls under certain conditions. For example, one call transfer mode is called "call transfer improper". Under this feature, all calls directed to a particular wireless communication device will automatically be forwarded to another phone number, whether or not the particular wireless communication device is communicating. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, this is the main mechanism by which calls to the wireless communication device 100 are disabled.

If the user of the wireless communication device 100 wishes to enable the communication mode disabled in the initial request, a re-enable request is generated by the user of the wireless communication device 100 to cancel the initial request. In general, a re-enable request may occur at any time if the wireless communication device 100 is not in an active call. The re-enable request is generally required by using an input device 200 similar to how the disable request was generated, such as the room described above. The feature request code is used as a re-enable signal by a user who inputs an asterisk (*) and a two-digit code. The feature request is provided to the controller 202, processed and sent in a manner similar to the disable request described above. Optionally, the re-enable request is automatically generated after the end of any call. The re-enable request is ultimately received by the MSC 120 and instructs the HLR 140 to modify the data record associated with the wireless communication device 100 to enforce the re-enable request. In general, this is done by disabling the "call forwarding inappropriate" feature of the "enabled feature" or by disabling the "signal busy signal" feature.

The re-enable request is optionally automatically generated after the end of a particular communication mode. The controller 202 issues a re-enable request after determining that the data call has ended. In another embodiment, the MSC 120 automatically deforms the HLR 140 after termination of a particular communication mode, as known in the art.

4 is a method of the present invention shown in a flowchart. In step 400, the multi-mode wireless communication device 100 wishes to disable first mode communication to the wireless communication device 100. In an exemplary embodiment, the first mode is defined as voice communication and the second mode is defined as data communication. Frequently, when a user is in a second mode communication, the user prevents the first mode communication from being transmitted to the communication device 100.

In step 402, a disable request to disable second mode communication is generated by a user using input device 200. Typically one or more keys of a keypad including input device 200 are pressed to generate a request. For example, one key may be designated as a key for disabling voice communication to the communication device. Another key may be specified to disable data communication. In another embodiment, a request to interrupt the first mode communication may be automatically generated by the controller 202 after the user initiates the second mode communication. For example, when a user initiates a data call, a request to disable voice communication may be automatically generated by controller 202 prior to or concurrently with the initiation of the data call. In another embodiment, the disable request may be automatically generated by the controller 202 after initiation of the second mode communication from the second communication device. For example, prior to the wireless communication device 100 receiving a page message of an incoming data call, the option is to automatically enable voice communication after receipt of the data communication using the input device 200 on the wireless communication device 100. Can be set to disable. Or, rather than a condition being set for receipt of the data communication, the disable request may be automatically generated after receiving a page message indicating the availability of incoming data communication.

In step 404, the disable request for disabling the first communication mode, including the identification of the mode to be disabled and the identification information of the specific wireless communication device generating the disable request, is performed using known techniques. By the communication device 100, it is transmitted to one or more base stations 110.

In step 406, the disable request is received by one or more base stations 110 in communication with the wireless communication device 100 sending the disable request. The disable request is generally sent to the MSC 120 in communication with one or more base stations 110 including a wireless communication system.

In step 406, the database associated with the MSC 120 that received the disable request is updated to disable additional communication in the first communication mode to the wireless communication device 100. The database is generally located at HLR 140 in communication with MSC 120. As described above, the wireless communication device registers the MSC 120 at random intervals to allow the MSC 120 to more efficiently control the communication of the system. The data record is generated at the HLR 140 indicating the presence of registration of wireless communication devices. Each data record includes at least one field of enabled features authorized for use by each registered communication device. In an exemplary embodiment, the call sending the inappropriate feature is activated for a communication device requiring voice communication to be disabled. Enabling calls that send inappropriate features automatically sends all calls in a particular mode to a designated optional telephone number, typically to a voice mailbox system. In another embodiment, when a call is placed to a wireless communication device having voice communication disabled by the present invention, a "busy" signal is sent back to the original device that placed the call.

The first mode communication will remain disabled as long as the "call transfer improper" feature or the "busy signal improper" feature is enabled. Communication in disabled mode is re-enabled in one of two ways. The wireless communication device 100 may automatically re-enable a request by a wireless communication device user using the input device 200 or by a controller 202 that detects a predetermined event, such as the termination of the second mode communication. This causes a re-enable request. The re-enable request is initiated with the MSC 120 to the MSC 120, optionally detecting a certain event, such as the termination of the second mode communication.

The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment has been provided to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without particular inventive abilities. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments set forth herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims (4)

An apparatus for disabling at least one communication mode to a device capable of multi-mode communication, the apparatus comprising: The apparatus capable of multi-mode communication; And Means for issuing a request by the device to prevent first mode communication from being sent to the device. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the request includes a message to prevent first mode communication from being transmitted to the device while the device is in a second communication mode. A method for disabling at least one communication mode to a device capable of multi-mode communication, the method comprising: Generating a request by the multi-mode communication device to prevent first mode communication from being sent to the device; Sending the request to a mobile switching center; And Preventing the first mode communication from being transmitted to the device. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein said request includes a message to prevent first mode communication from being sent to said device while said device is in second mode communication.