WO2005046185A2

WO2005046185A2 - System and method for wirelessly connecting a standard wire line telephone to the cellular network

Info

Publication number: WO2005046185A2
Application number: PCT/IL2004/001023
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ofer Arad
Original assignee: Goldencell Ltd.
Priority date: 2003-11-09
Filing date: 2004-11-09
Publication date: 2005-05-19
Also published as: WO2005046185A3

Abstract

A switching system that includes a wireless interface enabling any wired stationary phone device, connected to a public switched telephone network (PSTN), is used to establish communication with a cellular network through a portable cellular communicator. The switching system also includes means for identifying outgoing/incoming communication signals (relating to a cellular network) based on configurable rules, detection means for locating the portable cellular communicator in the vicinity of the switching system and communication means for exchanging communication data in accordance with the identified incoming/outgoing signal and configurable rules. Communication data between the stationary phone device and the cellular network are transmitted through the detected portable cellular communicator, whereby the wireless interface, in effect, turns the wired stationary phone device into a cell phone.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR WIRELESSLY CONNECTING A STANDARD WIRE LINE TELEPHONE TO THE CELLULAR NETWORK

FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a system and method to wirelessly connect from a standard phone to a cell phone network, and in particular, a system and method to connect from and/or between any (non-designated) standard (stationary) phone(s) to a cell phone network.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Providing the user with a service which enable the use of a fixed standard phone in place of a mobile phone presents a very significant opportunity for mobile operators.

Prior art enterprise environments enabling such service, require the use of cellular gateways. These gateways include embedded Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) cards (or cell phones), and are connected to the office telephony switch, i.e. the Private Branch Exchange (PBX). Fig. 1 is a prior art schematic block diagram of an enterprise communication system, which enables the use of a fixed phone in place of a mobile phone , having a PBX 110 and which uses a cellular gateway 120 to connect multiple standard phones 130. Once a user in the office dials a cellular number from one of the fixed standard POTS lines 130, PBX 110 routes the call to cellular gateway 120, which in turn dials the call directly to the cellular network 140, instead of via a public switched telephone network (PSTN) 150.

Cellular gateways also require one or more SIM card and/or a full cellular device to be incorporated into the gateway, thus further adding to the cost of the unit. Connection of designated standard phones to a cellular network is known in the art.

Andreason, in U.S. Pat. Application No. 20030008612, teaches a mobile telephone that is easy to carry around, but has a small keypad and a small display. A normal deskphone has a big keypad and display and has a convenient handset, but is stationary. A stationary telephony terminal is described which is connected to a mobile telephony network via a mobile telephone. The mobile and the stationary terminal have each a Bluetooth™ radio transceiver and are interconnected via a Bluetooth™ link. The stationary terminal lacks identity in the mobile network. A subscriber, owning the mobile, can call on the stationary terminal and can move to another network having another stationary terminal, on which he can make a call. Another subscriber with a mobile can call on the terminal. Raffel, et al, in U.S. Pat. Application No. 20030050090, discloses a cordless cellular system. A mobile station communicates with both a cellular network, by which it is assigned a mobile identification number, and to a cordless cellular base station utilizing the same cellular frequency range and communications protocol. The cordless cellular base station is preferably connected to a public switched telephone network and is assigned a land line number. The cordless cellular base station acts as a conduit between the mobile station and the public switched telephone network. When the mobile station comes within range of a cordless cellular base station, it deregisters automatically from the cellular network and register with the cordless cellular base station. Once the mobile station is communicating with the cordless cellular base station, the cordless cellular base station communicates with the cellular network to instruct the cellular network to route all calls for mobile identification number to the cordless cellular base station's landline number. Thus, the prior art is limited to use of only a designated phone for making a cell phone call using a fixed standard POTS. Furthermore, prior art requires that the user proactively establishes communication between the cellular phone and the stationary phone (i.e, places the cellular phone in a designated cradle). Although other prior art systems are not limited for designated phone, such systems reuire PBX and a cellular gateway.

Therefore, there is a need to provide for a cellular gateway system to wirelessly connect any (non-designated) standard (stationary) phone to a cell phone network.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is a principal object of the present invention to provide for Wirelessly Connecting a non-designated standard POTS to a Cellular network (WCTC). WCTC is represented by a device and/or software for use with a method and a system that employs wireless technology such as Bluetooth™ or Wireless LAN, etc., to detect the presence of a cell phone (CP), or similar device, which enters its range of operation, and which supports compatible wireless technology. Henceforth, WCTC is referred to as HomeCell.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a system and method to connect from and/or between any (non-designated) standard (stationary) phone(s) to a cell phone network. It is another object of the present invention to provide for low-cost connection from any (non-designated) standard (stationary) phone to a cell phone network. It is still another object of the present invention to provide connection from any (non- designated) standard (stationary) phone to a cell phone network, wherein said connection is such that a SIM card is unnecessary to be incorporated in a cellular gateway It is yet another object of the present invention to provide connection from any (non- designated) standard (stationary) phone to a cell phone network, which can handle several cell phones and several phone calls. It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide connection from any (non- designated) standard (stationary) phone to a cell phone network for Residential/ Small Office/Home Office (SOHO) Cellular Gateways. It is yet still another object of the present invention to provide connection from any (non-designated) standard (stationary) phone to a cell phone network that is easy to install. It is yet one more object of the present invention to provide connection from any (non-designated) standard (stationary) phone to a cell phone network that reduces the need to incur the health risk from radiation emanating from a cell phone.

A switching system is disclosed that includes a wireless interface enabling any wired stationary phone device, connected to a public switched telephone network (PSTN), is used to establish communication with a cellular network through a portable cellular communicator. The switching system also includes means for identifying outgoing/incoming communication signals (relating to a cellular network) based on configurable rules, detection means for locating the portable cellular communicator in the vicinity of the switching system and communication means for exchanging communication data in accordance with the identified incoming/outgoing signal and configurable rules. Communication data between the stationary phone device and the cellular network are transmitted through the detected portable cellular communicator, whereby the wireless interface, in effect, turns the wired stationary phone device into a cell phone.

The HomeCell turns the regular home-POTS into a cellular phone and provides the following: calling directly from a standard home phone to the cellular network (no need to use the a public switched telephone network (PSTN); all cellular calls from the standard home-phone are placed directly on the cellular network; receiving cellular calls on the standard home phone, including cordless and desk-top speaker telephone; switching in real time from a cell phone to the standard home POTS; and same regular home-POTS will continue to be used to make/receive regular calls on/from the PSTN (wired) network.

Once the HomeCell is installed it is transparent to the user. Once the HomeCell detects a CP in its range, the HomeCell can subordinate, control and activate the applications and services running on, or provided to and by, a CP. One method embodied in the present invention provides control of the subordinated

CP through commands that are wirelessly sent by the HomeCell to the CP. These commands are received by the CP as long as it is in the range of the HomeCell. When the

CP is moved out of range of the HomeCell, the HomeCell cannot subordinate the CP until the CP is detected again in the range of the HomeCell.

While the HomeCell subordinates and controls the CP, the HomeCell itself is subordinated to another device or application or mechanism. Thus, the Subordinating Device (SBD) that subordinates the HomeCell also can subordinate and control the CP (via the HomeCell) and activate any service or application that can be activated by or on the cell phone, or by the cell phone's user. This process or mechanism allows the SBD to act as if it is the CP itself.

The SBD can be of different forms and different devices. One such device is a standard Land-Type Plain Old telephone System Telephone (LTPOST). In this case the SBD user can initiate an outgoing call on a standard POTS (via the HomeCell) directly on, to or through the cellular network, and without using the public wired POTS network. This basically creates a direct connection between the home standard POTS and the cellular network. The HomeCell uses its connection and control of the CP to achieve this direct link between the standard POTS and the cellular network.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows hereinafter may be better understood. Additional details and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the detailed description, and in part will be appreciated from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order to understand the invention and to see how it may be carried out in practice, a preferred embodiment will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a prior art schematic block diagram of an enterprise telephone system, having a PBX, which uses a cellular gateway to connect multiple standard phones;

Fig. 2 is a schematic illustration of a HomeCell, which uses a HomeCell to connect a standard phone to a cell phone via a cellular network, according to the principles of the present invention;

Fig. 2a is a schematic illustration of an alternate embodiment of a HomeCell, which uses the HomeCell to connect a standard phone to a cell phone via a cellular network, according to the principles of the present invention; Fig. 3 is a schematic block diagram of multiple HomeCelPs using a HomeCell cellular gateway connected to multiple standard home phones, according to the principles of the present invention; and

Fig. 3a is a schematic block diagram of multiple HomeCell's using a HomeCell cellular gateway connected to multiple standard home phones, wherein no cell phone is present, and the HomeCell's as a group act as a PBX, according to the principles of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The principles and operation of a method and an apparatus according to the present invention may be better understood with reference to the drawings and the accompanying description, it being understood that these drawings are given for illustrative purposes only and are not meant to be limiting. Fig. 2 is a schematic illustration of a HomeCell 205, which uses a HomeCell 205to connect standard phone 130 to a cell phone 208, according to the principles of the present invention. Standard phone 130 is thus enabled to make a cell phone call via cellular network 140. One exemplary use of HomeCell 205 of the present invention is in a home environment. When a user returns home, he places his cell phone 208 somewhere with in the range of HomeCell 205, so that both devices can communicate using wireless Bluetooth™ technology or other similar wireless technology. HomeCell 205 detects the presence of cell phone (CP) 208, subordinates CP 208 and also subordinates HomeCell 205. From this moment on, a user of standard POTS 130, which is linked to HomeCell 205, can place a call directly on to cellular network 140 via HomeCell 205 and via CP 208 using only standard POTS 130. CP 208 is not moved or touched and this connection is transparent to the user who only uses standard POTS 130 to make the outgoing call. It is preferable that for the duration of the connection established using HomeCell 205, CP 208 will indicate on its display that CP 208 is currently being used by standard POTS 130. Also, if CP 208 is moved away from range of HomeCell 205, it may prompt or beep or display a warning to the user, that he is losing, or about to lose the connection with HomeCell 205. This will stop the connection between standard POTS 130 and cellular network 140. Furthermore, even in this case where CP 208 is moved out of range of HomeCell 205 during a connection, HomeCell 205 can prompt the person who is holding it and he will be able to return CP 208 to the range of HomeCell 205, and standard POTS 130 will be able to continue the connection without the need to dial again to cellular network 140. In addition, the user of standard POTS 130 might also be warned by sound or voice message by HomeCell 205 that HomeCell 205 is losing or lost contact with standard POTS 130.

Fig. 2a is a schematic illustration of an alternate embodiment using a HomeCell, wherein the HomeCell is used to connect a standard phone to a cell phone via a cellular network, according to the principles of the present invention. In this embodiment HomeCell 205 can also make use of public switched telephone network (PSTN) 150, and decide to direct an outgoing call to the wire-line public network. In order to direct a call to PSTN 150, HomeCell 205 will subordinate the home interface to PSTN 150, and alternatively, may choose to direct an outgoing call to PSTN 150, based on preconfigured or real time mechanisms and parameters.

In order to avoid the subordination of any device, including a cell phone 208, without a clear approval of the owner/user of cell phone 208, an optional mechanism/software could be included in HomeCell 205 to assure security authorization and authentication. For example, it is possible that when installing HomeCell 205, HomeCell 205 and CP 208 will communicate between them, and CP 208 will prompt the user to authorize the connection and the subordination with, and to, HomeCell 205, by entering a specific number that will be generated by HomeCell 205, or alternatively by entering a unique identifying number that is physically written on HomeCell 205.

HomeCell 205 enables a direct connection between standard POTS 130 and cellular network 140, also based on data which HomeCell 205 receives or intercepts using its interface with standard POTS 130. This data includes input, such as the dialed number or destination number. Based on the input from standard POTS 130, HomeCell 205 sends commands to CP 208, and along with these commands, HomeCell 205 forwards the destination number of CP 208 to be dialed on cellular network 140 by CP 208. In turn, CP 208 dials the call on cellular network 140, and the SBD user will be connected to the call via HomeCell 205, which uses a wireless connection to transfer data and voice to CP 208 from standard POTS 130, and to receive data and voice from CP 208, which HomeCell 205 forwards to standard POTS 130 and its user. This connection continues for the duration of the call, and allows the user of standard POTS 130 to talk and use it as if it was the handset of cell phone 208 itself. This is enabled as CP 208 uses its wireless embedded or included technology (e.g. Bluetooth™ or wireless LAN) to forward to HomeCell 205 all the voice and data that it receives during the call from or through cellular network 140, including voice originated by the destination user. In addition, this wireless technology enables HomeCell 205 to forward to CP 208 all voice and data originated by standard POTS 130 via HomeCell 205. Some or all of this data is forwarded by CP 208 to the destination user or destination terminal and/or its user, via cellular network 140.

HomeCell 205 can have multiple Subordinated Interfaces or Devices (SID). HomeCell 205 will choose to connect the SBD to a specific SID, based on preconfigured or real time parameters or mechanisms. As HomeCell 205 can have multiple Subordinated Interfaces (including the sockets of PSTN 150 and cell phones 208) it can preferably choose the best interface to switch or route the call to, based on configurable parameters. One example is when a cellular number is dialed on standard POTS 130. If the number dialed is identified by HomeCell 205 as a number that should be routed directly to the cellular network, HomeCell 205 will route the outgoing call to cell phone 208, which will dial the call directly on cellular network 140. If the number dialed is identified by HomeCell 205 as a number that should be routed directly to PSTN 150, HomeCell 205 will route the outgoing call to the socket of PSTN 150, and allow the call to be dialed on PSTN 150 directly. Optionally, HomeCell 205 can forward incoming calls from CP 208 to standard

POTS 130 via the wireless connection with CP 208, as long as CP 208 is in the range of HomeCell 205 as mentioned above. In this case HomeCell 205 initiates an action on the SBD based on input from CP 208. When there is an incoming call on CP 208, CP 208 prompts HomeCell 205, and HomeCell 205 will trigger a ring on standard POTS 130. If standard POTS 130 is answered, the conversation will be held on standard POTS 130, and CP 208 will be only an enabler of the call via HomeCell 205.

When forwarding an incoming call from cell phone 208 to a standard POTS 130 (via the wireless connection with CP 208) it is possible that special software, which will be installed on cell phone 208, will be used in order to wirelessly command HomeCell 205 to trigger a ring on standard POTS 130. Once standard POTS 130 is answered, the user who answers is connected to the incoming cellular call by HomeCell 205. Furthermore, it is also possible that HomeCell 205 will use mechanisms or profiles or protocols which are already installed on cell phone 208.

HomeCell 205 can be a stand-alone device, or it can be embedded or integrated into an SBD or SID. In addition, HomeCell 205 can include several parts which need not necessarily be located or installed on the same device. One such example is installing a part of HomeCell 205 as software (SW) on CP 208, and/or installing or embedding a part of HomeCell 205 SW or functionality on the SBD including standard POTS 130 or similar devices. This includes a cordless standard POTS. One way to enable the connection and the transfer of commands between CP 208 and HomeCell 205 is through specific software that will be installed on CP 208, which will also manage the wireless interface of CP 208 with HomeCell 205, and will manage the transfer of commands, data and voice from CP 208 to the wireless interface and to HomeCell 205.

HomeCell 205 may also allow transfer or handoff of a conversation in real time from cell phone 208 to standard POTS 130. This means that if a user is talking on cell phone

208 and if he is in the range of HomeCell 205, the user can transfer the call to HomeCell 205 and then continue the conversation using standard POTS 130. One way to enable this transfer mechanism is through installing software on CP 208, which will support this action. Alternatively, HomeCell 205 will use mechanisms or profiles or protocols which are already installed on cell phone 208, in order to support such transfers during the call process. If the call is conducted on standard POTS 130, and the call is routed by HomeCell 205 to cellular network 140 via CP 208, the user may also choose to switch the conversation to CP 208 and continue the conversation and/or connection of CP 208. One example where this could be useful is in the home environment, where the user is conducting a call as described above and he wishes to go out of the of the house and out of the range of HomeCell 205 while continuing the conversation. HomeCell 205 may include its own power source or optionally it could rely on the power of the SBD or SID. Furthermore, when the SBD is a standard POTS 130, it is possible that HomeCell 205 will provide power to standard POTS 130 through an interface such as RJ-11 . Using this interface, HomeCell 205 can simulate to standard POTS 130 a regular standard wire line connection, even if one is not present. This allows a user to make any outgoing call using standard POTS 130 via HomeCell 205, even with out the presence of a PSTN 150 interface or connection.

One example where this is advantageous is in remote offices or in homes which are not connected to public wired POTS network, but they do have cellular network coverage. Similar to the home environment solution described above, once the user enters the remote office or the house, he places his CP 208 in the vicinity of HomeCell 205 to allow both devices to communicate. HomeCell 205 simulates a wire line connection for standard POTS 130, as if it is connected to a regular public wire line POTS network. A user who dials a number on standard POTS 130 will hear the ring tones, as if it was a standard POTS 130 connected to a PSTN 150. This allows the user to dial and receive outgoing and incoming calls, respectively, using standard POTS 130, but the call will actually be placed directly on cellular network 140 or received from cellular network 140. Since HomeCell 205 can support multiple CP's 208, it is possible that when there are several users, such as roommates, in the house and each one has his own CP 208, a user will need to identify himself, for example, using a code prior to making an outgoing call. Based on this code HomeCell 205 will know which CP 208 to use for the connection and a user will be billed only for his calls. Fig. 3 is a schematic block diagram of multiple HomeCell's using one or more homeCell™ cellular gateways connected to multiple standard home phones, according to the principles of the present invention. Thus, several standard phones (generally, in different rooms) can be supported with one cellular device.

HomeCell 205 can also detect the presence of another HomeCell 205. For example, if two or more HomeCell 205 devices are installed in a home environment,

HomeCell 205 devices will exchange information, and allow a direct link to be created between them in order to have a group of HomeCell 205 devices act as if they were one HomeCell 205, and thereby provide the best service to the user.

If there are two or more cellular devices, one can act as an SBD and the other will act as the SID. Fig. 3a is a schematic block diagram of multiple HomeCell's using a HomeCell cellular gateway connected to multiple standard home phones, wherein no cell phone is present, and the HomeCell's as a group act as a PBX, according to the principles of the present invention. Thus, HomeCell 205 can also act as a PBX (switch) scenario, where one or several of the incoming or outgoing (or other) extensions are connected to HomeCell 205. In this scenario, outgoing calls could be routed to HomeCell 205 based on configurable parameters. In one example, a call is dialed to cellular network 140, and is received by the acting PBX. The acting PBX, in turn, will route the call to HomeCell 205 extension. An Incoming cellular call example is where a cellular call is received by a cell phone in the range of HomeCell 205. HomeCell 205 prompts the acting PBX on the incoming call, and the acting PBX can connect the call to one of the extensions based on configurable parameters.

It is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description, and should not be regarded as limiting.

It is important, therefore, that the scope of the invention is not construed as being limited by the illustrative embodiments set forth herein. Other variations are possible within the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

We claim:

1. A switching system comprising a wireless interface enabling any wired stationary phone device, connected to a public switched POTS network (PSTN), is used to establish communication with a cellular network through a portable cellular communicator, said switching system comprising: means for identifying outgoing/incoming communication signals (relating to a cellular network) based on configurable rules; detection means for locating the portable cellular communicator in the vicinity of the switching system; and communication means for exchanging communication data in accordance with the identified incoming/outgoing signal and configurable rules, said communication data between the stationary phone device and the cellular network through the detected portable cellular communicator, whereby the wireless interface, in effect, turns the wired stationary phone device into a cell phone.

2. The switching system of claim 1 , wherein the wired stationary phone device is undesignated.

3. The switching system of claim 1 , wherein all cellular calls from the wired stationary phone device are placed directly on the cellular network.

4. The switching system of claim 1 , wherein cellular calls are received on the wired stationary phone device.

5. The switching system of claim 4, wherein the wired stationary phone device is a cordless phone.

6. The switching system of claim 4, wherein the wired stationary phone device is a desk-top speaker telephone.

7. The switching system of claim 1 , wherein operation of the wireless interface is transparent to a user of said system.

8. The switching system of claim 1 , wherein switching from the portable cellular communicator to the wired stationary phone device is done in real time.

9. The switching system of claim 1 , wherein the wired stationary phone device continues to be used to make/receive regular calls on/from the PSTN.

10. The switching system of claim 1 , wherein the portable cellular communicator is a cell phone.

11. The switching system of claim 1 , wherein the wireless interface can handle several cell phones.

12. The switching system of claim 1 , wherein the wireless interface is adapted for a Residential/ Small Office/Home Office (SOHO) Cellular Gateway.

13. for Residential/ Small Office/Home Office (SOHO) Cellular Gateways

14. The switching system of claim 1 , wherein the wireless interface and the portable cellular communicator use Bluetooth™ technology to communicate.

15. The switching system of claim 1 , wherein the wireless interface and the portable cellular communicator use wireless LAN to communicate.

16. A method for a switching system, said system comprising a wireless interface enabling any wired stationary phone device to establish communication with a cellular network through a portable cellular communicator, said method comprising: identifying outgoing/incoming communication signals (relating to a cellular network) based on configurable rules; locating a portable cellular communicator in the vicinity of the wireless interface; and exchanging communication data in accordance with the identified incoming/outgoing signal and configurable rules, said communication data being exchanged between the stationary phone device and the cellular network through the located portable cellular communicator.