WO2000005858A1

WO2000005858A1 - Smart speed dialing for a terminal subscribing to a private network

Info

Publication number: WO2000005858A1
Application number: PCT/SE1999/001176
Authority: WO
Inventors: Julian Berdych
Original assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson (Publ)
Priority date: 1998-07-24
Filing date: 1999-06-29
Publication date: 2000-02-03
Also published as: AU5074099A

Abstract

A system, method, and apparatus for advantageously utilizing the speed dialing feature of a mobile terminal (135) which subscribes to the public network (105) and any number of private networks (145). The mobile terminal ascertains (315) whether the mobile terminal is being served by a private network in which the mobile terminal subscribes. If the mobile terminal is served by a particular private network, the calling terminal chooses (325) the particular private network phone number to dial. The terminal then ascertains (335) whether the called terminal is within the same private network. If the mobile terminal is within the private network and the called terminal is outside the same private network, the calling terminal dials (340) a private-to-public prefix followed by the private network phone number. If the mobile terminal is within the public wireless network, the calling terminal chooses the public wireless network phone number to dial (345).

Description

SMART SPEED DIALING FOR A TERMINAL SUBSCRIBING TO A

PRIVATE NETWORK

BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to telecommunications terminals, and more particularly to the speed dialing feature in a mobile terminal. Description of Related Art An available feature in telecommunications systems, known as speed dialing, allows users to store frequently dialed phone numbers in memory locations. When the user wishes to speed dial the phone number, the user can simply press a button on the mobile terminal directing the mobile terminal to access a memory location, retrieve the stored phone number, and dial the phone number. In a more advanced application of the feature, a descriptive label, such as the name of a party, is paired with a phone number (known as a name/number pair) and stored in the memory location. The descriptive label appears in a list with other descriptive labels on a visual display forming a part of the mobile terminal. The user then directs the mobile terminal to speed dial a phone number by selecting a descriptive label from the list. The phone number associated with the selected descriptive label is then automatically dialed. It is recognized that in many instances an individual may be associated with plural telephone directory numbers. For example, it is common for an individual to have both a home number and an office number. As another example, in office private branch exchange (PBX) implementations, an individual is identified by not only an external dial-in number but also an internal extension number. Using conventional name/number pairing speed dial configurations, a separate entry in memory must be maintained for storing each of an individual's plural directory numbers, and each of these numbers must be paired with a different name tag.

The speed dialing name/number pair storage and use processes are further complicated in the context of Wireless Office mobile terminals. Wireless Office mobile terminals can be served by both a private network, such as a Wireless Office network, and the public wireless network. While served by the private network, the user dials an abbreviated extension number (usually four or five digits) if the destination terminal is also served by the private network. When the user is being served by the public wireless network and calling a destination terminal served by the private network, the user dials the full, unabbreviated phone number. Finally, when the user is being served by the private network and calling a destination terminal being served by the public network, the user must dial a prefix, such as an "8" or a "9", before dialing the phone number. Accordingly, the numbers which the user often must dial to access a particular terminal will vary depending on whether the mobile terminal is being served by a private or public wireless network. Furthermore, if speed dialing is implemented, each number must be separately stored in a different name/number pair.

The foregoing may be better understood by reference to some specific examples. In a first scenario, suppose a terminal served by a private network belonging to John Doe may be reached by a mobile terminal also served by the private network by dialing "1234". But when the mobile terminal is served by the public wireless network, the subscriber may have to dial a seven-digit phone number such as "555-1234". Because name/number pairing only allows a single phone number to be associated with only a single descriptive label, the subscriber must choose separate labels for each of the numbers. In a second scenario, suppose a terminal being served by the public network belonging to Jane Doe has the phone number "5ZZ-5678". In order to access the same terminal from a mobile terminal served by a private network, the subscriber must dial a prefix followed by the phone number, e_g., "9-5ZZ-5678". Because name/number pairing only allows a single phone number to be associated with a single descriptive label, the subscriber must again choose separate labels for each of the numbers.

By having multiple labels associated with a single individual, the likelihood of a mis-dial increases. For example, while being served by the private network, the caller may by accident or inadvertence fail to choose the name/number pair for the extension speed dial, or fail to choose the name/number pair for the prefixed directory speed dial. As another example, while being served by the public wireless network, the caller may inadvertently choose the name/number pair for the extension speed dial. What is needed is an advanced speed dialing system which supports the use of a common label for plural numbers, and further intelligently chooses from among those numbers to choose the proper directory number, prefix and/or extension based on the currently serving private/public wireless network.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a system, method, and apparatus for using speed dialing in a mobile terminal which subscribes to both a public mobile network and any number of private mobile networks. Multiple phone numbers are associated with each descriptive label in the speed dialing memory. The mobile terminal ascertains whether it is served by a private network or the public wireless network by reading a System Identification (SID) parameter or a Private System Identification (PSID) parameter which it receives. When a descriptive label is chosen for speed dialing, the appropriate phone number is selected from the speed dialing memory, depending on the network serving the mobile terminal. Where the mobile terminal is served by a private network and is dialing a terminal outside the private network, the mobile terminal dials a private-to-public prefix before the phone number.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosed invention is described with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate sample embodiments of the invention and which are incorporated in the specification hereof by reference, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a block diagram of a system of wireless networks; FIGURE 2 is a block diagram of a mobile terminal embodying the present invention; and FIGURE 3 is a flow diagram illustrating the operation of a mobile terminal embodying the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PRESENTLY PREFERRED EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Reference is now made to FIGURE 1 of the drawings, wherein there is shown a block diagram of a system 100 of telecommunications networks. The system 100 comprises a public wireline network, such as a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) 103, a public wireless network, such as a Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM), Advanced Mobile Phone Service (AMPS), Digital AMPS (D- AMPS), or Personal Communication System (PCS) Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) 105, as well as at least one private wireless network, such as Wireless Office networks 110a, 110b. The term "public network" shall be understood to comprise either a public wireline network 103 or a public wireless network 105. The PLMN 105 is composed of at least one area 115 served by a Mobile Switching Center (MSC) 120. The MSC 120 is in communication with at least one Base Station Controller (BSC) 125, which, in turn, is in contact with at least one Base Transceiver Station (BTS) 130. The BTS is the physical equipment that provides radio coverage to a particular geographical portion of the area 115 (known as a cell). It should be understood that the BSC 130 may be connected to several base transceiver stations 130, and may be implemented as a stand-alone node or integrated with the MSC 120. In either event, the BSC 125 and BTS 130 components, as a whole, are generally referred to as a Base Station System (BSS).

The Wireless Office networks 110 serve selected subscribing mobile terminals, such as mobile terminal 135, in a predetermined geographic area. In general, Wireless Office networks 110 are small in comparison to, and completely surrounded by, the PLMN 105. Wireless Office networks 110 include a private MSC 140 and at least one private BTS 145, which provides radio coverage for the Wireless Office network 110.

The private MSCs 140 are connected to Private Branch Exchanges (PBXs) 160 which are, in turn, connected to the PSTN 103.

While the mobile terminal 135 is within the PLMN 105, the mobile terminal 135 will receive a signal on a control channel from a BTS 130 serving the location. The signal includes a System Identification (SID) parameter identifying the PLMN

105. When the mobile terminal 135 is within a Wireless Office network 110, the mobile terminal 135 will also receive a signal from the private BTS 145 providing radio coverage in the Wireless Office network 110 on the control channel. The signal includes a Private System Identification (PSID) parameter identifying the Wireless Office network 110. If the mobile terminal 135 subscribes to the Wireless Office network 110, the mobile terminal will recognize the PSLD parameter. Accordingly, the mobile terminal 135 detects when the mobile terminal can utilize the Wireless Office network 110 in which the mobile terminal is subscribed.

Private networks 110 have a number of benefits over the public wireless networks 105. For example, calls originating from and terminating at subscribing mobile terminals 135 served by the private network 110 are substantially less expensive when the resources of the private network (e.g., the private BTS 160) are used. The private network 110 is also advantageous for calls to terminals (not shown) served by the public network because the call is often billed directly to the owner of the private network, as opposed to the individual subscriber using the mobile terminal 135. Therefore, when the mobile terminal 135 detects that the mobile terminal can use the private network 110 to which the mobile terminal subscribes, the mobile terminal will register with and utilize the resources of the private network.

When using the resources of the private network 110, the phone numbers which must be dialed to call another terminal (not shown) must be modified. For example, the phone number that must be dialed for a terminal within the same private network 110 is usually abbreviated to the last four or five digits. When calling a phone number to a terminal outside the private network 110, a single digit, such as an "8" or a "9" often must be dialed preceding the phone number.

Reference is now made to FIGURE 2, wherein there is shown a block diagram of a mobile terminal 135 embodying the present invention. The mobile terminal 135 comprises a radio transceiver 205, a speech circuit 210, a speaker 215, a microphone

220, and a keypad 225. A controller 230 causes the radio transceiver 205 to receive signals from a BTS 130, such as BTS 130 of FIGURE 1, as well as signals from any private BTS, such as private BTS 145 of FIGURE 1, which may also be providing radio coverage in the area. The received signals are demodulated by the radio transceiver 205 and forwarded to the controller 230 which examines the SID/PSLD parameters as contained in the transmissions. If the controller 230 finds the PSID parameter for a private network, such as Wireless Office network 110a, 110b of FIGURE 1, to which the mobile terminal 135 subscribes, the controller 230 will cause the mobile terminal 135 to register with and use the resources of the private network 110a, 110b. Otherwise, the mobile terminal 135 registers with and uses the resources of the public wireless network 105.

The controller 230 is associated with memory 235 which is partitioned into user-defmable storage areas to create a speed dialing memory 240 and at least one private-to-public prefix memory 245. The speed dialing memory 240 can store a plurality of speed dialing records 250, each associated with a particular terminal (not shown). Each speed dialing record 250 has a number of phone number fields including a public wireless network phone number field 255, as well as one or more private network phone number fields 260a, 260b and a descriptive label 265. The public wireless network phone number field 255 corresponds to the public wireless network 105 and is used to store the numbers which must be dialed to call the associated terminal for the labeled individual when using the public wireless network. For example in North America, the public wireless network phone number field 255 will contain a seven or ten-digit phone number such as "555-1234". Each private network phone number field corresponds to a particular private network 110a, 110b to which the mobile terminal 135 subscribes and stores the phone number that must be dialed to call the associated terminal within that particular private network 110a, 110b. For example, private network phone number field 260a can store the number which must be dialed to reach the party if the mobile terminal subscribes to, and is within private network 110a. Likewise, the private network phone number field 260b can store the numbers which must be dialed if the mobile terminal 135 subscribes to and is within private network 110b. The descriptive label 265 stores descriptive information that is associated with the numbers stored in the public wireless network phone number field 255 and the private network phone number field 260. The descriptive label 265 can appear on a display unit 270 for selection for speed dialing by the user.

The private network phone number fields 260a, 260b of each speed dialing record 250 collectively form a private network phone directory 275a, 275b.

Associated with each private network phone directory 275a, 275b is a private-to-public prefix memory 245 a, 245b which is used to store the prefix which must be dialed to call a terminal not served by that private network 110a, 110b.

The aforedescribed configuration of the speed dialing memory 235 is advantageous because each speed dialing record 250 contains the numbers which must be dialed to call the associated terminal in each network 105, 110a, 110b which the mobile terminal 135 subscribes. For example a speed dialing record 250 can be associated with the party "John Doe" who subscribes to private network 110a. The public phone number field 255 can be used to stored the numbers "555-1234". Because "John Doe" and the mobile terminal 135 both subscribe to private network 110a, the private network phone number field 260a associated with private network 110a can store the abbreviated phone number "1234", which must be dialed when the subscriber is within private network 110a. Because "John Doe" does not subscribe to private network 110b, the same numbers stored in the public network phone number field 255, "555-1234" are stored in private network phone number field 260b. Furthermore, any prefix which must be dialed when using private network 110b to call a terminal outside private network 110b, s^g., "8", is stored in the associated private- to-public prefix memory 245b.

Although in the present embodiment, the mobile terminal has two private network phone number fields, it should be understood that other embodiments may comprise more than two private network phone number fields. Accordingly, the invention is not limited to only two private network phone number fields.

The user can enter information via the keypad 225 to the controller 230 to be stored in memory 240 in a manner well known in the art. A display unit 270 can also be used to assist and prompt the user while entering the information in a manner also well known in the art. By pressing certain keys on the keypad 225, the user can cause the controller 230 to initiate a phone call to a terminal associated with a particular speed dialing record 250 stored in the memory 240.

Reference is now made to FIGURE 3, in conjunction with FIGURES 1 and 2, wherein there is shown a flow chart illustrating the operation of mobile terminal 135 when initiating a phone call to a terminal associated with a particular speed dialing record 250. The controller scans the signals received by the transceiver 205 (step 305) to determine if a PSJX) is received (step 310). If a PSLD is received, the controller 230 determines whether the received PSLD is associated with any private network 110a, 110b to which the mobile terminal 135 subscribes (step 315). If the PSLD is associated with a private network 110 to which the mobile terminal 135 subscribes, the mobile terminal 135 registers with the private network 110a, 110b (step 317). If no PSLD is received (step 310), or not PSID associated with a private network 110a, 110b to which the mobile terminal 135 subscribes is received (step 315), the mobile terminal 135 registers with the public wireless network 105 (step 318). Following step 317 or 318 registration, at step 320, the subscriber selects a party associated with a speed dialing record 250 to call. After the user selects the speed dialing record 250, the controller selects the phone number field 255, 260a, 260b which is associated with the network 105 , 110a, 110b in which the mobile terminal has registered (step 325) . Thus, if registered in the public network, the number is selected from the public network phone number field 255. If registered in the private network, on the other hand, the number is selected from the private network phone number field 260. The controller then determines whether the mobile terminal has registered with a public wireless network 105 or a private network 110a, 110b (step 330). If the mobile terminal 135 is registered with a private network 110a, 110b, the controller 230 then determines whether the called terminal is served by the same private network 110a, 110b as it is registered (step 335). The controller 230 can make this determination by, for example, examining the selected number for the called party and where the phone number is seven or more digits, the controller determines that the terminal is located outside the private network 110a ,110b. If the controller 230 determines that the terminal is not served by the same private network 110a, 110b, the controller 230 causes the number(s) stored in the private-to-public prefix memory 245 to be dialed (step 340) followed by dialing the number in the selected phone number field (selected number) for the called party (step 345).

If the mobile terminal 135 is served by the public wireless network 105, or if the mobile terminal 135 is registered with the same private network 110a, 110b serving the called terminal, the controller only causes the selected number to be dialed (step 345). With further reference to FIGURES 1 , 2, and 3, the operation of the controller is described in the exemplary case where the mobile terminal 135 subscribes to private networks 110a and 110b and is within private network 110a. At step 305, the controller 230 scans the signals received by the transceiver 205 and determines whether a PSID has been received (step 310). Because the mobile terminal is within private network 110a, the mobile terminal receives a PSLD associated with the private network 110a. At step 315, mobile terminal 135 determines that the PSID is associated with a private network 110a in which mobile terminal 135 subscribes and registers with private network 110a in step 317.

Suppose at step 320, the user selects the speed dialing record 250 associated with "John Doe". Then responsive to the user's selection, the controller selects the phone number field that is associated with the private network 110a, private network phone number field 260a, at step 325. At step 330, it is determined that the mobile terminal has registered with a private network. At step 335, the controller 230 determines whether the called terminal is served by the same private network 110a. Because the selected numbers, "1234", do not conform to the seven or ten digit format, the controller 230 determines that "1234" is associated with another terminal served by the private network 110a. Although in the present example, the controller 230 compares the numbers to the seven or ten digit format, it should be noted that in alternative embodiments, the controller 230 can determine whether or not a phone number is associated with another terminal served by the private network 110a by other means. Accordingly, step 340 is bypassed and the controller causes the selected numbers, "1234", to be dialed at step 345.

Suppose instead at step 320 that the user selects the speed dialing record 250 associated with "Jane Doe". Responsive to the user's selection, the controller selects the phone number field that is associated with the private network 110a, private network phone number field 260a, at step 325. At step 330, it is determined that the mobile terminal has registered with a private network. At step 335, the controller 230 determines whether the called terminal is served by the same private network 110a. Because the selected numbers, "5ZZ-5678", conform to the seven or ten digit format, the controller 230 determines that "5ZZ-5678" is not associated with a terminal served by the private network 110a. Accordingly, at step 340 the prefix stored in the private- to-public prefix memory 245a, "9", is dialed, followed by the selected numbers, "5ZZ-

5678" at step 345.

With further reference to FIGURES 1, 2, and 3, the operation of the controller is described in the exemplary case where the mobile terminal 135 subscribes to private networks 110a and 110b and is within private network 110b. At step 305, the controller 230 scans the signals received by the transceiver 205 and determines whether a PSID has been received (step 310). Because the mobile terminal is within private network 110b, the mobile terminal receives a PSLD associated with the private network 110b. At step 315, mobile terminal 135 determines that the PSID is associated with a private network 110b in which mobile terminal 135 subscribes and registers with private network 110b in step 317.

Suppose at step 320 that the user selects the speed dialing record 250 associated with "John Doe". Responsive to the user's selection, the controller selects the phone number field that is associated with the private network 110b, private network phone number field 260b, at step 325. At step 330, it is determined that the mobile terminal 135 has registered with a private network 110b. At step 335, the controller 230 determines whether the called terminal is served by the same private network 110b. Because the selected numbers, "555-1234", conform to the seven or ten digit format, the controller 230 determines that "555-1234" is not associated with a terminal served by the private network 110b. Accordingly, at step 340 the prefix stored in the private-to-public prefix memory 245b, "8", is dialed, followed by the selected numbers, "555-1234" at step 345. Suppose instead that at step 320, the user selects the speed dialing record 250 associated with "Jane Doe". Then responsive to the user's selection, the controller selects the phone number field that is associated with the private network 110b, private network phone number field 260b, at step 325. At step 330, it is determined that the mobile terminal 135 has registered with a private network 110b. At step 335, the controller 230 determines whether the called terminal is served by the same private network 110b. Because the selected numbers, "Z-5678", do not conform to the seven or ten digit format, the controller 230 determines that "Z-5678" is associated with another terminal served by the private network 110b. Accordingly, step 340 is bypassed and the controller causes the selected numbers, "Z-5678", to be dialed at step 345.

Accordingly, the present invention allows the user to advantageously utilize the speed dialing feature of a mobile terminal in both the public network as well as a private network without having to substantially modify the speed dialing entries.

Although the invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it should be recognized that elements thereof may be altered by persons skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the invention is limited only by the following claims and their equivalents.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A mobile terminal comprising: a memory for storing a speed dialing record, the speed dialing record comprising a descriptive label associated with a first telephone number dialable when the mobile terminal is served by a public wireless network and a second telephone number dialable when the mobile terminal is served by a particular private network; and a controller connected to the memory and operable responsive to a selection of the descriptive label from the speed dialing record for: retrieving from the memory and dialing the first telephone number if the mobile terminal is currently being served by the public wireless network; and retrieving from the memory and dialing the second telephone number if the mobile terminal is currently being served by the particular private network.

2. The mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein said controller is further operable to determine whether the mobile terminal is currently being served by the public wireless network or the particular private network.

3. The mobile terminal of claim 2, wherein said controller determines whether the mobile terminal is served by the public wireless network or the particular private network by receiving a signal from a base station and examining said signal for a system identification indicative of being served by the public wireless network and a private system identification indicative of being served by the particular private network.

4. The mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein said controller is further operable to dial a private-to-public prefix before dialing the second telephone number when the second telephone number is associated with a terminal served by the public network.

5. The mobile terminal of claim 1 , wherein the descriptive label is further associated with a third telephone number when the mobile terminal is served by a second private network and wherein the controller is further operable for retrieving from the memory and dialing the third telephone number if the mobile terminal is currently being served by the second private network.

6. A method of speed dialing, at a mobile terminal, a telephone number associated with a called terminal, said method comprising the steps of: retrieving from a memory and dialing a first telephone number for the called terminal if the mobile terminal is currently being served by a public wireless network; and retrieving from the memory and dialing a second telephone number for the called terminal if the mobile terminal is currently being served by a particular private network.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising the step of determining whether the mobile terminal is served by a public wireless network or a particular private network.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said step of determining whether the mobile terminal is currently being served by a public wireless network or a particular private network further comprises the steps of: receiving a signal from a base station; and exarrjirring said signal for a system identification indicative of being served by the public wireless network and a private system identification indicative of being served by the particular private network.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of dialing aprivate- to-public prefix before dialing the second telephone number, when said second terminal is served by the public network.

10. The method of claim 6, further comprising the step of retrieving from the memory and dialing a third telephone number for the called terminal if the mobile terminal is currently being served by a second private network.

11. A mobile terminal comprising: a memory for storing a speed dialing record, the speed dialing record comprising a descriptive label and a phone number associated with a second terminal; and a controller connected to the memory and operable responsive to a selection of the descriptive label from the speed dialing record for: retrieving from the memory and dialing the phone number; and dialing a preselected prefix before dialing the phone number, if the mobile terminal is currently being served by a first network and the second terminal is served by a second network.

12. The mobile terminal of claim 11 , wherein said controller determines whether the second terminal is served by a second network by determining if the retrieved phone number includes at least seven digits.

13. The mobile terminal of claim 11 wherein said first network is a private network and said second network is a public network.

14. The mobile terminal of claim 13, wherein said controller determines whether the mobile terminal is served by the private network by receiving a signal from a base station and examining said signal for a system identification indicative of being served by the public wireless network and a private system identification indicative of being served by the private network.

15. A method of dialing, at a mobile terminal, a telephone number associated with a second terminal, said method comprising the steps of: retrieving from a memory and dialing a phone number; dialing a preselected prefix before dialing the phone number, if the mobile terminal is served by a first network and the second terminal is served by a second network.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the first network is a private network and the second network is a public network.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of determining whether the mobile terminal is served by a public wireless network or a private network, said step of determining further comprising the steps of: receiving a signal from a base station; and examining said signal for a system identification indicative of being served by the public wireless network and a private system identification indicative of being served by the private network.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of determining whether the second terminal is served by a public network or a private network by determining whether the retrieved phone number includes at least seven digits.