Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OF A MOBILE PHONE'S OWN
IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
I. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to wireless telephones, and more
specifically to software residing on wireless telephones. Still more
specifically,
the invention relates to automatically transmitting a wireless phone's
identification number upon request.
II. Description of the Related Art
Wireless telephones are communications devices that function in a
wireless environment. There are three basic types of wireless telephones.
Portable phones are typically small, handheld devices and can be carried on
the
person. Mobile phones are typically mounted in a vehicle; they have a base
unit
or cradle that is fixedly mounted to the vehicle, usually inside the passenger
compartment, and a handset that is connected to the base unit or cradle by a
wire. A fixed wireless phone is usually mounted in a single location. Any of
these types of phones can be operated over a terrestrial cellular network or
over
a satellite communications network. Some wireless phones are capable of
operating over both cellular and satellite systems. Telephones that operate
over
short range wireless links, such as portable phones that are used in the home
or
small business environment, and which transmit to and receive signals from a
single fixed base station over a short range (for example, several hundred to
a
thousand meters) are not considered wireless phones for purposes of this
disclosure. Such single station, short range wireless phones are typically
called "cordless phones" and are considered to fall into the category of
standard
wireline phones (that is, phones connected to the communications network by
wires).
Wireless telephones generally have enhanced functionality compared to
standard wireline telephones. Wireless telephones are said to have greater
"intelligence." When a wireless telephone is powered up, it must identify
itself
to the base station in whose cellular area the wireless telephone is located,
in
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order to initiate communications. This identification is performed when the
wireless telephone transmits its mobile identification number (MIN) to the
local
base station or stations. The MIN includes a MIN2, which is the area code of
the wireless telephone, and a MIN1, which is the central office number
followed
by the station identification number of the wireless telephone. Typically, the
MIN is the same as the telephone number of the wireless telephone. For
example, for the MIN (555) 213-5597, 555 is the MIN2, and 213-5597 is the
MIN1.
Usually, two hands are required to use the wireless phone. The user
holds the phone or handset in one hand, and uses the fingers of the other hand
to enter digits on the keypad. In some cases a user is able to operate the
phone
using one hand. The phone is cradled in the palm of the hand and data is
"keyed in" using the thumb to press the keys. This operation can be
inconvenient or even dangerous, as when the user attempts to place a call
while
driving a vehicle. One example of a difficult dialing situation is when a user
wants to access a paging system. For example, suppose a user wishes to dial
another user's paging service. The caller will dial the second user's paging
service number. The called party's paging service will typically respond with
a
prerecorded message, requesting the caller to key in his own telephone number
followed by a final key, such as a pound sign. If the caller uses a wireless
telephone to make the call, then the telephone number the user must key in is
the same as the user's MIN. Sometimes, the caller does not remember his
wireless phone number. Even if the caller knows his wireless number, he must
then key in all ten digits plus the pound or star key. This can be distracting
if
the caller is driving, or can be difficult if the caller does not have two
hands free
at that moment. What is needed is a more convenient way for the user to key in
his MIN, by dialing fewer digits than the entire MIN.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to an automatic dialing feature found
in a wireless telephone. In one embodiment, the information automatically
transmitted is the mobile identification number (MIN) of the wireless
telephone,
although any other information stored by a wireless telephone may be provided
automatically as well. The invention is particularly useful when a user is
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attempting to enter the MIN when communicating over a wireless connection
with a paging system.
The present invention provides a method for transmitting the MIN of a
wireless telephone to a called party's paging system. Initially, the method
comprises accessing a paging system for a called party. Upon receipt of a
request from the paging system for the MIN, an automatic sequence is initiated
to transmit the MIN to the paging system. The MIN is then transmitted to the
paging system.
In one embodiment, the MIN is transmitted as one or more dual tone
multi-frequency (DTMF) signals representing keys on the wireless telephone.
The MIN comprises a MIN2 corresponding to an area code of the wireless
telephone and a MIN1 corresponding to a central office number of the wireless
telephone and a station identification number of the wireless telephone.
In one embodiment, a termination sequence is added to the step of
initiating the automatic sequence. The termination sequence is transmitted
following the transmission of the MIN. The termination sequence can be a
DTMF signal corresponding to a single key of the wireless telephone. For
example, the single DTMF signal can correspond to a pound key of the wireless
telephone.
The step of accessing a paging system can comprise actuating the
wireless telephone to receive a signal from the paging system and then
permitting a user to depress a predefined key sequence to establish a
connection with the paging system.
The transmission of the MIN can occur over a traffic channel. Also, the
transmission of the MIN and the termination sequence can occur over a traffic
channel.
Furthermore, in one embodiment, the connection can be automatically
terminated after a predetermined timeout period following the transmission of
the MIN, or following the transmission of the MIN and the termination
sequence.
The above-noted steps can be performed by hardware means or software
means or a combination of the two, residing in the wireless telephone.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention will be described with reference to the
accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers generally
indicate identical, functionally similar, and / or structurally similar
elements.
The drawing in which an element first appears is indicated by the leftmost
digits) in the reference number.
FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary wireless telephone in block diagram form;
FIG. 2 illustrates a flow chart of the steps of the method of the present
invention; and
FIG. 3 illustrates a generic computer system which may be used to
perform the operations of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
EMBODIMENTS
The present invention is described in terms of an example environment.
In this example environment, a user automatically dials the mobile
identification number (MIN) of the wireless telephone by depressing one or
more keys, after a connection is established over a traffic channel with a
paging
system. The MIN is automatically retrieved from memory and transmitted to a
base station. Description in these terms is provided for convenience only. It
is
not intended that the invention be limited to application in this example
environment. For example, the user can use the wireless phone keypad to dial
other information stored in the wireless phone memory as well. After reading
the following description, it will become apparent to one skilled in the
relevant
art how to implement the invention in alternative environments.
FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary wireless telephone 100 in block diagram
form. Wireless phone 100 can comprise an analog device using analog (for
example AMPS) signals, or alternatively as a digital device using digital (for
example, CDMA) signals. For exemplary purposes, however, wireless phone
100 is described as a digital device.
Wireless phone 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 comprises a data entry device
(such as a keypad) 102, a display 104, a digital processor 106, a receiver
108, a
memory 109, a synthesizer 110, a transmitter 112, a power device 114, a
crystal
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oscillator 116, a duplexer 118 and an antenna 120. Power device 114 includes a
power control 122 and a real time clock (RTC) 124.
As those skilled in the art will recognize, a variety of different types of
wireless telephones can be modified in accordance with the functions of the
5 present invention. This includes wireless telephones used for cellular,
personal
communications service (PCS) and satellite communications.
Data entry device 102 can include a keypad with keys labeled
numerically and alphabetically. For normal functions, the user presses the
keys
to make an outbound telephone call. Data entry device 102 can include other
input devices as well, such as a data keyboard having menu-driven buttons or
arrow keys.
Display device 104 is a device that displays the telephone number of a
called party, or other telephone numbers stored by wireless telephone 100.
Display 104 may also display status information in a manner well known to
skilled persons in the art.
Digital processor 106 incorporates a microprocessor and all of the digital
circuitry required to operate the wireless telephone. For a digital wireless
telephone functioning with CDMA communications, processor 106 includes
decoders (for decoding received messages), encoders (for encoding transmitted
messages), vocoders, interleavors, etc., which are items required for wireless
telephone functionality. Processor 106 also includes one or more software
tasks
communicating with a microprocessor, as described further below.
Power device 114 is the device used to power the wireless telephone.
Power device 114 comprises power control device 122 and RTC circuit 124. As
those skilled in the art will recognize, a variety of different power control
devices, such as standard wireless telephone batteries, can be used. RTC
circuit
124 interacts with a crystal oscillator 116. RTC 124 performs the functions of
a
low power time keeper, that is, by keeping track of time in seconds, minutes,
hours, days, weeks, months and years.
Transmitter 112 receives baseband signals from processor 106 and
transmits these signals to antenna 120. Specifically, signals must be up-
converted from the baseband frequencies to the intermediate frequencies (IFs)
and from intermediate frequencies to the radio frequencies (RFs). In one
embodiment, transmitter 112 requires up-converting modulators to convert the
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signal from baseband frequencies to IFs, variable gain amplifiers to amplify
the
signal, up-converters to convert the signal from IF frequencies to the RFs, RF
bandpass filters to filter the RF frequencies, and power amplifiers to amplify
the
resulting RF signal. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that any
comparable transmitter can be used instead.
Receiver 108 receives RF signals from antenna 120 and transmits the
signals to processor 106. The signals must be down-converted from the RF
frequencies to the IF frequencies, and then further down-converted from the IF
frequencies to the baseband frequencies. In one embodiment, receiver 108
includes a low noise amplifier (LNA) to amplify the received RF signal,
bandpass filters to filter the entire radio receive band, down-converters to
down
convert the RF signal to an IF signal, bandpass filters to filter the IF band,
variable gain amplifiers to amplify the signal, IF bandpass filters to filter
the IF
signal, other variable gain amplifiers to amplify the signal, and down-
converting demodulators to demodulate the signal down to a baseband signal.
However, those skilled in the art will recognize that any comparable receiver
can be used instead.
Synthesizer 110 is a device that provides reference signals required by
transmitter 112 and receiver 108. These reference signals are generated by a
local oscillator (that is, a voltage controlled oscillator) and controlled by
a phase
locked loop (PLL) device. The PLL includes programmable dividers, a phase
detector and a charge pump. The signals produced by synthesizer 110 are
mixed with signals in receiver 108 and transmitter 110 to implement the noted
down- and up-conversions (that is, between the RF, IF and baseband
frequencies). The synthesizer can also include a time reference device, such
as a
temperature compensated crystal oscillator (TCXO). Those skilled in the art
will recognize that any comparable synthesizer can be used instead.
Duplexer 118, which can comprise a plurality of bandpass RF filters,
separates the RF signals transmitted from transmitter 112 and the RF signals
received by receiver 108. For North American cellular telephones, 869 MHZ to
894 MHZ are used for received RFs, whereas 824 MHZ to 849 MHZ are used for
transmitted RFs. In one embodiment, duplexer 118 uses one receive-side
bandpass filter and one transmit-side bandpass filter to effect this
separation.
Duplexer 118 permits the wireless telephone to have full duplex
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communications, so that both received and transmitted communications can be
implemented simultaneously. Those skilled in the art will recognize that any
comparable duplexer can be used instead, and in fact, that a duplexer need not
be used to implement the present invention.
Antenna 120 transmits and receives RF signals. In one embodiment,
antenna 120 is a dipole antenna. However, those skilled in the art will
recognize that any comparable antenna can be used instead.
FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating the method of the present invention. In
step 200, a user makes a telephone call to access a remote paging system.
Prior
to making this call, the wireless telephone 100 has already been powered up
and is ready to establish communications in the traffic channel with a base
station. Those skilled in the art will realize that the present invention can
function in other channels being used in a digital (for example, CDMA)
communications connection, or alternatively in an analog (for example, AMPS)
communications connection as well.
Once the call has been connected, the paging system prompts the user to
enter the telephone number of the calling party. For wireless devices, such as
wireless telephone 100, the telephone number is the mobile identification
number (MIN). As noted above, the MIN includes a MIN2, which is the area
code of the wireless telephone, and a MIN1, which is the central office number
followed by the station identification number of the wireless telephone.
In step 202, the caller takes a predetermined action that initiates an
automatic sequence for transmission of the MIN2 and MIN1 of the wireless
telephone 100 to the base station. In one embodiment, the user presses a key
(for example, the message key or the information key) for a predetermined time
period, such as 2 seconds, to initiate the automatic sequence. In this
embodiment, a user interface task running in processor 106 compels RTC 124 to
count down the period of 2 seconds. In another embodiment, the user presses a
predefined key, followed by the "send" key to initiate the automatic sequence.
In yet another embodiment, the user presses a combination of two or more keys
to initiate the automatic sequence.
For the present invention, there are three relevant software tasks running
in processor 106, namely, a user interface task, a call processing task, and a
nonvolatile memory task. In one embodiment, these software tasks are written
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in the "C" language, including inline Assembly code. Those skilled in the
relevant art will recognize that the names assigned to these tasks are
provided
for convenience, and are not limiting to the invention. The tasks are
primarily
defined by their respective functions. In addition, those skilled in the
relevant
art will recognize that the programming language, and other features of the
software running in processor 106 are provided by way of explanation, and are
not limiting.
In step 204, MIN1 and MIN2 are retrieved from memory 109. In one
example, the user is required to hold down a key for a predetermined period of
time, for example, 2 seconds. This time period is counted down by RTC 124.
When this time period is up, RTC 124 so informs the user interface task
running
in processor 106. In response, the user interface task sends a message to the
nonvolatile memory task. The nonvolatile memory task accesses nonvolatile
memory 109, where MIN1 and MIN2 are stored. Using the nonvolatile memory
task, the user interface task retrieves MINI and MIN2. In one embodiment, this
retrieval is performed for MIN2 first, followed by MIN1. In another
embodiment, this retrieval is performed for MIN1 first, followed by MIN2. In
yet another embodiment, this retrieval is performed for the entire MIN at the
same time. It is also important to note that the retrieval of the MIN can be
performed at an earlier time period as well, such as when wireless telephone
100 is initially powered up. In that case, the MIN would be stored in the
random access memory (RAM) portion of memory.
In step 206, the user interface task stores the MIN in a buffer and
transmits the MIN to the call processing task. In one embodiment, the MIN is
followed by a pound ("#") sign or key. The pound ("#") key (or any other
suitable key) acts as an end of message signal. If MIN1 and MIN2 were
retrieved separately, MIN2 is stored first, then MIN1 is stored, and a pound
("#") sign is added at the end.
In step 208, the call processing task utilizes the available communications
channel to send the MIN (and preferably the # sign) to the base station. For a
digital CDMA communications connection, a traffic channel is used. For this
type of connection, the message is a spread spectrum CDMA message, which
informs the base station to play the DTMF tones specified in the message to
another party (for example, the party being paged). On the other hand, for an
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analog connection (for example, an AMPS connection) the actual DTMF tones
are sent as signals to the base station.
Additionally, in step 208 the call processing task sends the above
described message to the base station. For a CDMA connection over a traffic
channel, the same message, or an additional message, requests that the base
station terminate the traffic channel connection. In response, the base
station
terminates the traffic channel, and transmits an appropriate reply to wireless
telephone 100.
Step 210 is an optional timer disconnection step permitting an automatic
disconnection of wireless telephone 100 from the connection after a
predetermined time period. In step 210, after step 208 is initiated, the user
interface task compels RTC 124 to count down a time period (for example, 5
seconds). When the time period is up, RTC 124 so informs the user interface
task. In response, the user interface task sends a message to the call
processing
task to release the call. In one embodiment, the call processing task ensures
that
the MIN has already been transmitted to the base station, and performs the
additional processing of step 208 to terminate the connection.
The present invention is preferably implemented in software.
Alternatively, the invention may be implemented using hardware or a
combination of hardware and software. Consequently, the invention may be
implemented in a computer system or other processing system. An example of
such a computer system built into a wireless phone is shown generally in FIG.
3. A computer system 300 includes one or more processors, such as processor
304. The processor 304 is connected to a communication infrastructure 306 (for
example, a bus or network). Various software implementations are described in
terms of this exemplary computer system. After reading this description, it
will
become apparent to a person skilled in the relevant art how to implement the
invention using other computer systems and/or computer architectures.
Computer system 300 also includes a first memory 308, preferably
random access memory (RAM), and may also include a second memory 310,
preferably a read only memory (ROM). Memory 310 allows computer
programs or other instructions to be loaded into computer system 300.
Computer system 300 may also include a communications interface 324.
Communications interface 324 allows software and data to be transferred
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between computer system 300 and external devices. Examples of
communications interface 324 may include a modem, a communications port, a
PCMCIA slot and card, etc. Software and data transferred via communications
interface 324 are in the form of signals which are capable of being received
by
5 communications interface 324. These signals 328 are provided to
communications interface 324 via a communications path 326.
Communications path 326 carries signals 328 and may be implemented using
wire or cable, fiber optics, a phone line, a cellular phone link, an RF link
and
other communications channels.
10 In this document, the terms "computer program medium" and "computer
usable medium" are used to generally refer to media such as ROM 310 or a
removable storage device 314, such as a PCMCIA card. These computer
program products are means for providing software to computer system 300.
Computer programs (also called computer control logic) are stored in
RAM memory 308 and/or ROM memory 310. Computer programs may also be
received via communications interface 324. Such computer programs, when
executed, enable the computer system 300 to implement the present invention
as discussed herein. In particular, the computer programs, when executed,
enable the processor 304 to implement the process of the present invention.
Accordingly, such computer programs represent controllers of the computer
system 300. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the processes in which
a cellular telephone is permitted (or denied) the placement or receipt of a
call,
learns and records the identities of the accessible cells, and performs cell
handoffs, are all performed by computer control logic. Where the invention is
implemented using software, the software may be stored in a computer
program product and loaded into computer system 300 using ROM 310,
removable storage device 314 or communications interface 324.
While various embodiments of the present invention have been
described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way
of example only, and not limitation. Thus, the breadth and scope of the
present
invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary
embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following
claims and their equivalents.
We claim:
