Telecommunications – Radiotelephone system – Special service
Reexamination Certificate
1998-06-15
2001-10-23
Bost, Dwayne (Department: 2681)
Telecommunications
Radiotelephone system
Special service
C455S426100, C455S551000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06308060
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to the field of telecommunications, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for providing a communication path using a paging network.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Mobile voice communications technology has enjoyed substantial growth over the past decade. Many cars, trucks, airplanes, boats, and other vehicles are equipped with devices that allow convenient and reliable mobile voice communications using a network of satellite-based or land-based transceivers. Advances in this technology have led to widespread use of portable mobile units, such as hand-held or vehicle-mounted cellular telephones, for voice communications. Demands for further advances include mobile voice communications technology capable of supporting personal and enhanced services, such as emergency assistance and vehicle monitoring, locating, and tracking.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, the disadvantages and problems associated with previous techniques used to provide communication paths have been substantially reduced or eliminated.
According to one embodiment of the present invention, a system for providing a communication path between a platform and a mobile unit includes a paging network and a mobile voice communications network. A platform coupled to the paging network and the mobile voice communications network communicates a paging signal having call setup information using the paging network. The mobile unit includes a paging device and a transceiver. The paging device receives the paging signal. The transceiver selects a particular number assignment module in response to the call setup information and initiates registration with the mobile voice communications network using the selected number assignment module to enable the establishment of a communication path between the platform and the mobile unit.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, a method for providing a communication path between a platform and a mobile unit includes communicating a paging signal having call setup information to a mobile unit using a paging network. The method continues by selecting at the mobile unit a particular number assignment module in response to the call setup information. The method concludes by registering a transceiver of the mobile unit with a mobile voice communications network coupled to the platform using the selected number assignment module to enable the establishment of a communication path between the platform and the mobile unit.
Technical advantages of the present invention include a communication system that provides a communication path between a platform and a mobile unit by forwarding call setup information to a transceiver of a mobile unit in a paging signal using a paging network to cause registration of the transceiver with a mobile voice communications network using a specified number assignment module (NAM) prior to attempting a call to the transceiver. In a particular embodiment, the NAM is associated with the call setup information and is designated for use with the communication system.
Registering the transceiver with the mobile voice communications network using the designated NAM in response to the call setup information delivered by the paging network allows the transceiver to receive calls using multiple NAMs without requiring the transceiver to register each NAM with the network simultaneously. As a result, the transceiver may remain unregistered or may maintain registration with a network using a single NAM while preserving multiple NAM capabilities. For example, the transceiver may remain registered with the network using only a personal NAM and remain capable of simultaneously receiving enhanced services using a NAM specified in a paging signal. This allows the transceiver to conserve power and the platform to determine remotely the specific NAM to be used for a particular communication path.
Further technical advantages include providing sensors and actuators at the mobile unit to facilitate the provisioning of enhanced services using the communication path. For example, the sensors may generate information on the status or condition of the mobile unit or its operator and, in response, initiate a request for enhanced services. In another example, actuator data generated by enhanced services hosts and communicated to the mobile unit may be used to unlock the doors, immobilize the vehicle, sound an alarm, or perform any function remotely using an appropriate actuator coupled to the mobile unit.
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@Track Communications, Inc.
Bost Dwayne
Contee Joy K.
Locke Liddell & Sapp LLP
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