Telecommunications – Radiotelephone system – Zoned or cellular telephone system
Reexamination Certificate
1998-06-30
2001-05-22
Urban, Edward F. (Department: 2683)
Telecommunications
Radiotelephone system
Zoned or cellular telephone system
C455S456500, C455S567000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06236858
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates wireless telecommunication, and in particular, to wireless terminals.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The utilization of personal communication service (PCS) wireless terminals and switching systems is increasing for office buildings, large retail stores, hospitals, etc. The capability of being able to communicate with employees where ever they may be in a facility has proven to be worth the cost of the installation of PCS systems. Within office buildings where the employees work the same set of hours, it is necessary to assign to each employee their own PCS wireless terminal. However, within large retail stores and hospitals where multiple shifts are worked during the day, it is sufficient to have a number of PCS wireless terminals equal to the number of employees on a given shift. The sharing of PCS terminals in this manner greatly reduces the cost of installing a PCS system.
Problems have arisen because of the small size of the PCS terminals, and the fact that employees become accustomed to having the PCS terminal on their person. The end result is that an employee leaving for the day has a reasonable probability of leaving the facility with the PCS terminal; thus, leaving another employee on the next shift without a PCS terminal. In general, the problem is not so much that the employees are trying to steal the PCS terminals, but rather that they are simply forgetting to turn the PCS terminal in at the end of their shift.
What is needed is a procedure and mechanism whereby the employees will be alerted if they attempt to leave the facility with a PCS terminal.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The preceding problem is solved and a technical advance is achieved by an apparatus and method that allows the detection of a wireless terminal leaving a facility by a wireless switching system. Advantageously, in a first embodiment, a base station is assigned to each exit from the facility. The base station uses a directional antenna which only communicates with wireless terminals within the exit area. When a wireless terminal enters the exit area and registers on the base station, the base station transmits the registration information to a wireless switching system that immediately places a telephone call to the user of the wireless terminal to inform them that they have not turned in their wireless terminal.
Advantageously, in a second embodiment of the invention, a transmission signal separate from the frequencies utilized for voice and data communication by the wireless switching system is utilized to alert the wireless terminal to the fact that the wireless terminal is in an exit area. The wireless terminal is responsive to this alerting to place a call to the wireless switching system to inform the wireless switching system of this fact. The wireless switching system then alerts the user via the wireless terminal. In addition, if the wireless terminal is in a standby mode when it enters the exit area, it is responsive to the separate transmission signal to power up the wireless terminal so that the wireless terminal can alert the wireless switching system. The separate transmission signal may be a low radio frequency, a high radio frequency, an optical transmission, etc.
Advantageously, in a third embodiment of the invention, a base station is assigned to each exit from the facility. The base station uses a directional antenna which only communicates with wireless terminals within the exit area. When a wireless terminal enters the exit area and registers on the base station, the base station performs the normal registration operations with a wireless switching system. After the wireless terminal is registered, the base station places a telephone call to the user of the wireless terminal to inform them that they have not turned in their wireless terminal.
These and other features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following description of an illustrative embodiment of the invention considered together with the drawing.
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Avaya Technology Corp.
Jackson Blane J.
Moran John C.
Urban Edward F.
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