Multi-model personal radio communication system

Multi-mode personal wireless communication system

Technical field

The present invention relates to an improved wireless communication system. More specifically, the preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to a multi-mode communication system including a special mobile phone designed to work according to a standard analog or digital protocol when it is within the coverage of a standard cellular wireless telephone network, and when it is It works according to a special protocol when connected to the coverage area provided by the independent, low-power "pico" cell of the wireless telephone network. The term "pico" as used herein refers to a cell size smaller than that of a conventional cellular radiotelephone. The pico cell is placed in a location selected by the user and cooperates with the structure of the coverage cell that operates independently of the cell of the cellular network.

This covering cellular structure allows service providers to carry out complete control of each specific mobile phone and picocellular system through the service control unit and the host station. The standard cellular system can also be enhanced by the addition of area identifier additional information, which is ignored by the standard mobile phone but interpreted by the special mobile phone to continuously notify those users of the current operating mode of the special mobile phone.

Background technique

It has long been recognized that it is necessary to assign a personal service number to each user and provide appropriate equipment to allow users to have two-way communication capabilities (ie, the ability to initiate and receive calls) regardless of the user's location changes.

In order to realize this capability faster from a technical point of view, a system that has expanded the traditional wired telephone service has been developed. For example, recent innovations in paging, standard cordless in home phone services, cellular phone services, and personal communication systems are all well known. The design of such systems includes efforts to effectively meet the needs of the ultimate universal business. However, each system has well-recognized technical shortcomings that make it unable to provide universal telecommunications services.

For example, conventional systems control the operation of remote devices through remote programming. However, such conventional systems require original programming to establish phone system identification, such as a mobile identification number (MIN), which can be used in future calls to provide remote programming. This is a bad remote programming technique because it prevents the original programming from being performed remotely. As a result, it is necessary to provide a complete complex and expensive infrastructure to handle the original programming of remote devices through physical access to the device.

In addition, conventional cellular systems monitor the power level of the transmitted signal to determine whether the signal level is high enough to ensure the supply of communication services. Such conventional systems have relatively low access thresholds because they are unwilling to give up any potential users' communication services and the income they can obtain. However, the traditional cellular system may switch or discard immediately after receiving a weak signal access from a mobile phone. This is a bad technique when applied to serving cells that do not support handover or for communication where handover overhead is expected to be minimized, because it causes calls to be dropped or handed over immediately upon access.

In addition, traditional cellular systems are designed so that users do not know when their calls are about to be dropped by the serving cell. When a serving cell discards a call, it is hoped that another cell can accept the call through a handover process. However, in conventional and other cellular systems, the availability of another serving cell cannot be guaranteed. Because the call is dropped without warning the user when the user may be able to take steps to avoid the call being dropped, this is a bad operating technique.

In addition, when conventional systems provide call waiting tones and other warning signals during a call, such warning signals are often set so that both parties to the call know the warning signal. This is also a bad operation technique. The party who is not warned during the call usually does not need to be aware of the warning. When the party knows the warning that is meaningless to him or her, the result is often confusion and a conversation flow is often unnecessarily disrupted.

Also, conventional systems are designed to provide services via mobile phones only when they can do so. They often fail to realize that multiple communication services can be implemented through multiple different communication systems such as multi-cellular systems and terrestrial line services. They cannot yet integrate multiple services into a common mobile phone and provide users with meaningful information about the different communication service options that mobile phones often have.

Therefore, there is still a need for an improved communication system to provide users with communication services that are closer to universal than existing systems.

Disclosure of the Invention Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an improved telecommunications system that more completely satisfies the needs of users for low-cost, universal communication services.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved telecommunications system designed to include a standard cellular network and also include a network covering a serving cell that operates independently of the serving cell of the cellular network.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a multi-channel pico station at each user location in such a system, which supports multiple portable telephone handsets in turn, and each handset can work in wireless or pico mode when it is in the users house. When it leaves the user's house and is still within the cellular coverage area, it works in standard cellular mode.

Another object of the present invention is to provide such an improved telecommunications system in which call forwarding capabilities are provided by unique ringing assistance, so that users who carry portable personal mobile phones that selectively work in one of the dual modes can Or inactive system mode receives and quickly recognizes incoming calls directed to the assigned cellular subscriber number.

Another object of the present invention is to provide such a dual-mode portable mobile phone with automatic registration and control without user intervention, and to provide the user with a display, which can inform the user of the working status or mode set by the mobile phone at any time, so the user can check The implementation of the call makes an informed and cost-effective decision.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a working mode based on a special but cellular compatible protocol that allows dynamic channel allocation and occupancy in a dual-mode system using one wireless per cell phone.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an alternative line capability that allows the selective distribution of call traffic between the user's premises and the cellular network.

These objects and other features and advantages of the present invention are achieved in a telecommunication system designed to work with a standard cellular network with multiple analog or digital configurations and standard geographic coverage cells. The system also includes a fairly independent network covering the serving cell that works independently of the standard cell of the cellular network. In addition, the system can be used in wireless telephone networks with other characteristics, such as SMR networks.

Preferably, each coverage serving cell provides wireless communication coverage to a geographic area roughly equivalent to the cell site area, but in order not to cause interference, the wireless communication coverage is set at a set of selected and allocated cellular network signal frequencies as much as possible. Separate the reserved cellular frequency.

In order to cooperate with the coverage serving cell, a base station called a pico station is placed at each user location. Each pico site is designed to support up to 6 improved portable mobile phones working in dual mode. In the first mode, when the cell phone is physically removed from the vicinity of the pico station, each cell phone works like a normal portable network or cellular phone. The second wireless working mode of the system mobile phone described here is called enhanced cordless for the first time and will be called pico mode in subsequent use. The enhanced cordless mode of the present invention differs from the operation of a standard cordless phone in several respects. This system uses a unique burst mode communication control protocol that has not been seen in standard cordless operation between the mobile phone and the pico station. This protocol is compatible with cellular standards to allow multi-mode operation that is not possible with standard cordless. In addition, the standard cordless frequency allocation is clearly different from the cellular frequencies used in this system. Other differences will become clear with the following description, resulting in operational improvements in the services provided.

The unique protocol used by this system allows remote activation and control using the 10k bit Manchester-encoded data channel inherent in the cellular phone hardware. Therefore, when approaching the pico station, the mobile phone works as a cordless phone supported by the pico station through the PSTN line connected to the house.

In the preferred mode, the call is sent through a link that may include an alternative line selection module connected between the pico station and the PSTN. With that scheme, services can be provided through direct access from the pico site to the public switched telephone network, or services from the pico site can be selectively redirected back to the cellular network through the radio of the alternative line selection module. An important advantage of the system comes from the ability to distribute selected parts of the call service between these two paths to adapt to call capacity and change call requirements. This allows the system to be used in areas with limited cellular capacity without having to force rationing services.

The service control unit and the host station are used to help establish and control portable mobile phones and pico stations using remote programming techniques that were not practical before.

Each cell phone includes components similar to a standard analog cell phone with a wireless transceiver. In addition, the mobile phone has additional software to allow it to work in the pico mode in cooperation with the pico station located in the user's house. As a workaround for analog technology, improved mobile phones can be shown to be compatible with digital technology. In addition, the same necessary additions or improvements should be made to the pico station.

After the initial establishment, each mobile phone uses a process to identify when it is near its authorized pico station. Then the mobile phone will periodically transmit a signal to find out its authorized pico station to determine whether it is within the acceptable communication range. If the pico station receives an acceptable cell phone signal level, it responds and exchanges registration information with the cell phone to establish or register the cell phone in the pico mode.

The mobile phone then transmits a message to the cellular system it is still working on, ordering all subsequent incoming calls attempted on the cellular network to be forwarded to this authorized pico station number (this may be the user's home PSTN number). Finally, the phone switches to pico mode and transmits a response control message to the pico station to indicate that it is "home" and in service. At that time, a message is displayed on the phone indicating that the user's phone is in pico mode, which is the opposite of cellular mode.

When in pico mode, the system operates on selected, reserved cellular channels at low power levels using the same basic technical standards as analog AMPS-type cellular systems. During this mode, the pico station can and must operate as a telecommunication base station without handover capabilities.

Up to six mobile phones can be registered to the pico station. In the preferred embodiment, only one mobile phone can transmit at the same time. However, the system supports the ability of other phones to join an ongoing call. During the call activity, the cell phone to the pico station link is established at a very low power level, which results in low battery consumption.

The pico station is directly connected to the home telephone line that sends the call, but is always controlled by the service control unit and the coverage host station located in the network area through a wireless frequency link. When the mobile phone is taken out of the range of the pico station in the working state, it automatically switches back to the cellular mode and cancels all existing call forwarding.

It should be noted that the operation of the special mobile phone and overlay network of the present invention is transparent and will not interfere with the operation of the standard cellular network.

Brief description of the drawings Figure 1 is a system block diagram of a preferred embodiment of the system of the present invention; Figure 2 is a component diagram of a mobile phone used in the system of the present invention; Figure 3 is a system mobile phone diagram, illustrating the keypad layout and Other external features; Figure 4 is a component diagram of the pico station of the system; Figure 5 is a configuration diagram of the service control unit of the system; Figure 6 is a component diagram of the alternative line selection module used in the system of the present invention; Figure 7 is The operation flow chart of the pico station in the establishment and activation operation; Fig. 8 is the operation flow chart of the pico station in the configuration operation of the pico station; Fig. 9 is the operation flow chart of the pico station in the authorization operation of the mobile phone; Fig. 10 is the operation flow chart of the pico station in the scanning channel operation Station operation flow chart; Figure 11 is the operation flow chart of the pico station during call and idle cycle operations; Figure 12 is the operation flow chart of the pico station during call initiation and call connection operations; Figure 13 is the operation flow of the pico station during call termination operations Figure; Figure 14 is a mobile phone operation flowchart during initialization and service determination operations; Figure 15 is a mobile phone operation flowchart when monitoring pico stations and channel finding operations; Figure 16 is a mobile phone operation flowchart during mobile phone authorization operations; Figure 17 is The mobile phone operation flow chart during the mobile phone registration operation; Figure 18 is the mobile phone operation flow chart when the mobile phone recaptures the pico station operation; Figure 19 is the mobile phone operation flow chart when the mobile phone is idle, speed dial, and cellular session operation; Figure 20 is Mobile phone operation flow chart during dial input operation;

Figure 21 is a mobile phone operation flowchart for digital input and non-digital input operations; Figure 22 is a mobile phone operation flowchart for other parts of call selection and sending; Figure 23 is a mobile phone operation flowchart for contacting the micro-site operation; 24 is the mobile phone operation flowchart when the mobile phone processes the base station command operation; Figure 25 is the operation flowchart of the alternative line selection module during initialization, configuration, and service determination operations; Figure 26 is the alternative line selection during call processing operations Module operation flow chart; Figure 27 is a mobile phone message format bit allocation diagram for the reverse control channel communication of the system components working in the pico mode; Figure 28 is the overhead and registration of the forward control channel for the system components working in the pico mode The pico station message format bit allocation diagram of the command word; Figure 29 is the pico station message format bit allocation diagram used for the forward control channel call processing commands and authorization command words of the system components working in the pico mode; Figure 30 is the system forward The information framing diagram of the communication grouping with the reverse channel; Figure 31 is a diagram of the message format bit allocation of the service control unit of the reverse control channel for communication with the pico station on the overlay network and the control command word; Figure 32 shows the pico station A flowchart of the call connection process performed; Figure 33 shows a flowchart of a normal conversation operation performed by the mobile phone.

The best mode for implementing the present invention. Overview of the system. The system of the present invention includes a combination of components that are at home or at another user site, and when the user leaves the home site, generating economical and convenient telecommunication services.

From the service provider's point of view, the system of the present invention is designed to provide a special service for a selected group of users, and also cooperate with standard wireless telephone networks such as cellular networks that also support conventional cellular users in analog or digital configurations. And operate in the network. In addition, the system usually includes a coverage cell network, which is roughly equivalent to the cell location in a cellular standard network. The coverage service cell network provides wireless communication coverage to a geographic area roughly equivalent to the cell site area, but in order not to cause interference, the wireless communication coverage is a set of reserved cells that are selected as far apart as possible from the allocated cellular network signal frequency. Frequency. The pico stations on each selected user site influence each other with appropriately distributed coverage service cells. The pico station receives calls from special mobile phones and transmits these calls to the PSTN through the house wires. In this method, when they are at home or at a service site, in addition to providing services on a standard network for the selected user group, the system can support wireless or pico mode operation.

The improved wireless communication system can support multi-mode and dual-mode telephone handsets associated with each pico station. When they are in the users house, each cell phone can work in the pico mode; and when they are located outside the users house and still in standard Or it can work in standard and cellular mode when it is within the coverage area of the cellular network. The advantage of this system is that since it allows effective use of all the equipment of the system, it can handle a significantly increased call service.

A pico station is a personal pico cell with dynamic spectrum, non-capturing, and network transparency in the network.

System Components Referring now to the drawings, particularly FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described. Figure 1 shows one 10a of the many cellular exchanges or serving cells of an existing cellular system. The serving cell can be configured for standard operation of traditionally designed AMPS, or TDMA or CDMA digital services. The EIA or TIA standard 553 defines the mobile station and ground station compatibility specifications of the cellular system, and all licensed cellular operations in the United States comply with this specification. The system of the present invention is planned to adhere to or be compatible with these standards.

The exemplified serving cell site may also be the physical location of the coverage serving cell and the antenna 10b that provides wireless coverage of a geographic area substantially consistent with the serving cell site.

However, the coverage cell operates on a set of selected reserved frequencies with appropriate spacing from the relevant cellular frequencies, so they do not interfere with cellular radio operations. At least one channel is reserved for commands only, and other reserved channels can provide call and command capabilities. At this point, it should also be noted that all communications from the mobile phone to the pico station are on the reserved call channel, except for authorized communications. However, the communication from the service control unit to the pico station is mainly communication on the command channel.

The standard cellular frequency allocation is specified in section 2.1.1.1 of EIA-553. In a preferred embodiment, the reserved common control channel selected for B-side use is 799, which is the channel farthest from the B-side signal allocation. The call channel reserved on the B side will typically be channels 798-789.

For the use of the A side, the reserved common control channel is selected 991 with the largest separation from the A side signal allocation. The call channel reserved by the A side will typically be channels 992-1001. Obviously, a small number or additional channels should be reserved, and six to twelve channels are a preferred range.

In addition, an array of geographically separated coverage serving cells should be used. Compared with the cellular serving cells, it is possible to obtain wireless coverage substantially equivalent to the geographic area of the relevant cellular network.

The pico station 26 is placed at the user's location, and is connected to the PSTN with a cable through a standard RJ11 interface connected to the existing house phone line. In the illustrated embodiment, the alternative line selection module 22 is connected between the pico station and the PSTN 20 via a cable 24. The alternative line selection module is located at or close to the user's location. In this preferred embodiment, it can represent a civil house or a commercial house. Although not required, if desired, a standard wired telephone handset or cell phone can be interconnected with the house wire as shown in the figure. If you want, the alternative line selection module can be omitted from the system, or used selectively, with or without related pico stations in the same house. Therefore, the alternative circuit selection module is an independent device that can be used with any device that interfaces with the house's electrical wiring.

Provides up to 6 dual-mode portable phones (32a-f), each of which is related to a pico station, and can work under the control of the pico station and the service control unit in the dual mode explained in detail below.

In the first mode, each portable handset operates like a portable cellular phone operating through a direct wireless connection to the serving cell 10a. In the second mode, the phone operates like an enhanced cordless phone supported by a pico station located in the user's premises. In the latter or pico mode, the call can be sent to the public switched telephone network through the connection of the home wired telephone service via the pico station, effectively using the combination of wireless and PSTN support. If the alternative line selection module is installed in the system, it also provides options to and from the mobile phone on the indicated wireless link through the pico station and the alternative line selection module, and through the cellular network represented by the serving cell 10a Channel call capability.

At least one service control unit 12 is provided for each covered service cell, which communicates with the system through a cable connection to the service cell site, and the personal computer 16 also communicates with the service control unit through a cable connection. The service control unit is connected to a host station 17 with a workstation 18 via PSTN and cable connection 14. The host is also connected to the user activation system 23 through a standard X.25 channel, such as is usually used by a cellular carrier to control the activation and programming of a cellular phone that is allowed to be used on a given cellular network. The remote programming function of the host system is appropriately implemented by a subsystem such as that described in US Patent No. 5,046,082, which is mentioned above and is incorporated herein by reference.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the mobile phone used in the system includes a housing 31, a keypad 32, an antenna 34, and a display screen 35. The keypad includes a standard twelve-key part 38, a power switch 39, and a clear key 40. The usual "send" key is replaced by a green key 41 with a special mark, and the "end" key is also replaced by a red key 42 marked with a special mark. When the green key or the off-hook key is pressed, a dial tone is provided and a call sequence is started. When the red key or on-hook key 42 is pressed, the call sequence is terminated.

The appearance of the mobile phone differs from the standard cellular design only in the function keys 41, 42. Since the mobile phone does not include the send key, the mobile phone uses the standard DTMF generator in the mobile phone to provide accurate dial tone according to the flow control explained in conjunction with Figure 20. The dial tone is used together with the North American numbering plan function to detect the completion of the dialing status. As a result, the mobile phone dialing scheme is different from the standard cellular dialing. When off-hook to indicate that the user's service is valid and can make a call, the mobile phone immediately generates a local dial tone. Then the dialing process follows the standard PSTN habits (off-hook, dial tone, dialing, call process, connection, talking and hanging up), which is familiar to telephone users.

The mobile phone also has the ability to show the user which working mode the mobile phone is currently set in-ie, pico or cellular. This information and other information are displayed on the standard LCD display 35 on the mobile phone (for example, appropriate information includes: Wireless=bome#n; NeighborhoodCellular=Local; Cellular=PREMIUM). The displayed status information enables users to make informed decisions when placing and receiving calls, especially when a specific service provider rate plan is feasible.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a component diagram of a mobile phone is illustrated, which is similar to a conventional cellular phone. The antenna 50 is connected to a duplexer 52, which in turn is connected to the receiver section 54 and the transmitter section 55. The speaker 56 is connected to the receiver and the microphone 57 is connected to the transmitter. The central processing unit 58 is interconnected with the receiver and the transmitter through an input/output bus and an address/data bus. The display processor/keypad section 59 is also interconnected with the I/O bus in a conventional manner. The non-volatile memory EEprom53 is also interconnected with the A/D bus in a conventional manner.

Each mobile phone is assigned a unique mobile identification number (MIN), which is used as a mobile phone number by the cellular system. When the mobile phone switches from the cellular system service to the pico mode service of the pico station, the mobile phone automatically informs the cellular system to forward all incoming calls to its MIN to the PSTN phone number associated with the instantaneous pico station it switches to. This process is reversed every time the mobile phone switches back to the service area of the cellular system and exceeds the service area of the pico station or pico mode, as explained in the contact process description below. The special functions of the mobile phone are adjusted by additional software executed by the central processing unit of the mobile phone.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a component diagram of a pico station is illustrated, including an antenna 60 connected to a duplexer 62, which is connected to a receiver section 64 and a transmitter section 65 in sequence. A central processing unit 66 with a standard configuration is provided, and the standard telephone line interface module 72 is connected to the receiver part and the transmitter part through audio cables 68 and 69, respectively. If desired, as illustrated in Figure 1, the interface module is also connected to the telephone line in the house, which is connected to the alternative line selection module. The I/O bus is interconnected between the transmitter and receiver sections and the central processing unit, as is the address/data bus. The non-volatile EEprom 70 is also connected to the A/D bus. The status LED 73 and the authorization mode button 74 are respectively connected to the I/O bus.

The purpose of a pico site is to provide an interface between each of its authorized mobile phones and the PSTN telephone line or cellular system of the user site (if it is so configured). Each pico site is designed to support up to 6 mobile phones and each mobile phone can be authorized for up to 3 pico sites to provide user adaptability. The pico station preferably works in the cellular spectrum and always operates as a ground station during the pico mode and the mobile phone communication session. However, unlike the standard cellular ground station, the pico station works in the pico mode and does not transmit a continuous stream of overhead data on a known channel to lock the phone on it. On the contrary, the situation where the pico station and each mobile phone use a unique burst mode communication operating protocol to locate and access each other only occurs when those specific units want to communicate. This leads to an effective system improvement because the channel is mainly used for call switching. In addition, the cell phone battery capacity is preserved.

This unique operating protocol is started by the initiating device (pico station or mobile phone) after selecting a communication channel from a plurality of reserved channels. The channel selection process relies on the initiating device measuring the strength of any signal appearing on the selected channel and comparing this measured value with a predetermined acceptable value. If the signal appearing on the selected channel is less than this predetermined value, it is considered that the channel can be used for this communication session. If the level is greater than the known value, the initiating device selects another channel from a plurality of known communication channels and performs the measurement and comparison process again until an acceptable channel is found. The selected channel is only occupied during the communication session and then released. Once it is released, any neighboring pico stations or mobile phones that avoid using this channel due to the appearance of the measured signal can use this channel for the corresponding communication session, and then release it in turn.

Both pico stations and mobile phones use very low transmit power. This fact, combined with the unique channel selection process and other advantages of the system, allows a relatively small number of channels to serve a very large number of user sites. Another advantage of dynamically selecting channels and using protocols is that it eliminates the work that is currently used in standard cellular ground station systems that require pre-allocation of wireless channels for adjacent picocell areas to avoid interference. This elimination of frequency planning simplifies the use of the system, allows it to be successfully used in the neighborhood, and allows the public to quickly take advantage of the benefits provided by the system.

The activation and absolute control of the pico station is maintained by the cellular service provider by using the service control unit as illustrated in FIG. 5.

Referring now to FIG. 5, it includes several components described in FIG. 1, which are labeled with the same numbers in FIG. 5. FIG. 5 additionally illustrates a mobile service control unit 80 useful for the fixed unit 12. The unit 80 includes a car equipped with a personal computer interconnected with a cellular mobile radio unit 80b designed similar to a mobile phone. In particular, it also includes the requirements for pico mode overhead control operations in addition to the standard cellular overhead protocol. Software capabilities.

In the illustrated embodiment, the mobile unit provides the service control unit function for pico stations that may be outside the range of the fixed service control unit; or the mobile unit can be used in the location of the fixed service control unit as indicated by the number 12. When the mobile service control unit is used, it works on the communication path from the host station 17 to the serving cell site 10a through the PSTN. The communication path is then established between the serving cell site 10a and the unit 80 through a standard cellular wireless link. In order to communicate with and control the pico station, the unit 80 uses a wireless link on a cellular frequency which is selected as a dedicated control channel, hereinafter referred to as a common setup and control channel. This wireless link complies with a unique communication protocol compatible with the pico mode protocol, which is a subset of it, described in detail below. The message format of this protocol is detailed in Figure 31.

When the fixed service control unit 12 is used, a transmission link from the host station 17 to the service control unit through the PSTN is used. In addition, the service control unit is connected to the service cell 10b of the system through a cable. The communication from the service control unit to the pico station uses a dedicated control channel and the word operation protocol illustrated in FIG. 31 through a wireless link from the serving cell 10b to the pico station.

Obviously, the fixed service control unit is a more suitable method for communicating with the pico station. However, at the beginning of system installation, there are gaps in the overlay network, which may require the use of one or more mobile units. Alternatively, the mobile unit and the fixed unit can be used interchangeably or in the same general area. It should also be realized that when a mobile unit is used, it can rely entirely on transmission from the host station or it can send information preloaded on the mobile unit via tape or other media loaded on the PC to the selected pico station. The same capability is also possible for fixed service control units.

In the smallest case, one of these devices needs to be placed in each serving cell site serving the neighborhood where the pico site is used. In the basically ubiquitous cellular system coverage area, every household in an urban or suburban area is irradiated by cellular wireless energy. (Most rural households are also within the service range of a typical cellular provider and can provide this service option). The service control unit uses this situation to use the reserved channel radio link between the serving cell 10b and the pico station to contact any pico station within its range to activate, update, review and control its functions and operations.

Like a cell phone in the pico mode, the control unit also uses a unique operating protocol during its communication session with the pico station. These sessions are always generated on the common control channel reserved for this purpose. The active session initiated by the service control unit is completely reserved on the common control channel. All other control unit sessions are initialized on any free channel among the multiple channels known to the desired pico station, and then immediately eventually move to the common control channel. Any pico station can also initiate a session with the control unit by transmitting a request on the common control channel when it is idle.

The service control unit is linked to a centralized host station that maintains data records of all active pico stations and mobile phones in the service area of the cellular carrier. The host station is linked to the (carrier) central cellular client activation system in turn, through which the host station receives the data of each pico station and mobile phone sold. This data is used by the host during the activation of each pico station and controls the services provided. Through the customer activation system, the master station is also updated with the change of the user's business profile. These updates are immediately transferred from the host station to the appropriate pico station through the control unit.

The components of the alternative line selection module are described in Figure 6. As shown in the figure, the PSTN is connected to the network interface device 83 through a cable 82. The network interface device is provided by the local exchange carrier as a demarcation device between the local exchange carrier equipment and the house wire in the user's house. The telephone line interface module 84 is connected to the output of the network interface device through the cable 24. The connection to the premises wire 86 is provided by the telephone line interface module via the cable 25.

The alternative line selection module includes a central processing unit 97, which controls all components of the alternative line selection through an input/output bus 99 and an address/data bus 98. The components to be controlled are cellular receiver unit 88, cellular transmitter unit 91, call battery replacement module 96, 90vac ring voltage generator 95, precision dial tone generator 94, red/green status LED 101, remote programming modem 104, Real time clock 106 and telephone line interface module 84.

The cellular receiver 88 and the transmitter 91 are connected to the antenna duplexer 93 through cables 89 and 92, respectively. The duplexer 93 is also connected to the tethered antenna 100 through a cable 105. The wire 87 provides an audio path for the audio received from the telephone line interface module. The transmit audio path is through the wire 90.

The central processing unit 97 has an integrated microprocessor, which also includes RAM for working registers, ROM for storing programs, and EEprom for non-volatile data storage.

The alternative line option is usually powered by the ac power source 102 but it also includes a backup battery 103 that can provide about an hour of continuous operation when the ac power source fails.

System protocol The entire coverage network and pico mode operating protocol of the system are implemented through a public air interface using the 10K bit Manchester coded data transmission method integrated in the cellular phone. This kind of realization is a necessary condition for all cellular stations to process 10K-bit data messages, making the hardware cheaper. As a result, there is no need to add additional hardware to the phone to use this protocol.

The system message format is consistent with the standard cell phone format, but the message content is unique among overlay network components. Overlay network components always use channels reserved exclusively for them when communicating with each other. Therefore, compatibility is provided between the existing cellular protocol and the protocol of this new system. In fact, the benefit of such an implementation is that any of the most existing cellular phone manufacturers can support mobile phones simply by modifying their mobile phone software to support additional overlay network protocols.

In the cellular mode, the base station behaves like a ground station and provides control of all transmissions between the ground station and the mobile phone. In the pico mode, a unique protocol establishes the control relationship between the mobile phone and the pico station for the first time. In particular, in the direction of outbound calls to the mobile phone, the Pico station performs dominant control according to the protocol. In terms of inbound calls, the mobile phone performs dominant control according to the agreement.

In the service control unit-pico station relationship, the service control unit is the master and the link between those units includes a 10Kbit Manchester coded data stream. It should be seen that this is a controlled reverse structure compared with the existing cellular system.

In the host-service control unit relationship, the host plays a dominant control role and initializes messages based on service availability. As described in US Patent No. 5,046,082, the communication connection between these units is in accordance with a modem-based dialing protocol using a unique DTMF scheme.

The direct application of this inventive technique with remote programming has been improved in the system of the present invention by eliminating the need for a data modem in the download operation of the link between the system control unit and the pico station. The need for modems in the download operation of the pico station-cell phone link is also eliminated. This is accomplished by converting the unique DTMF modem access activation command sequence received by the service control unit from the host into a unique enhanced or pico protocol parameter information message format.

Subsequently, the same message format is used in the remote programming of the mobile phone. As a result, mobile phones are again required to include an in-band modem. This reduction in hardware eliminates the limitations of existing applications in this system that are not conducive to remote programming of mobile phones. In this way, the remote programming of the mobile phone is cost-effective.

In the currently configured system, it is hoped that each member of the family has a mobile phone for his or her personal use. In a system configured as currently described, only a single call can be in progress at any one time. However, preparations have been made to interconnect more than one mobile phone to a given call.

In connection with other embodiments, other options are described below. In addition, different ringing capabilities are described so that family members can easily distinguish individual incoming calls.

Each cell phone tries to work in standard cellular mode when leaving the pico station. The working mode of the mobile phone uses the standard cellular overhead message protocol of the cellular system. When the mobile phone is brought back within the range of the pico station, it automatically switches to the pico mode under the management of the pico station. Then the mobile phone works on the unique control protocol supported by the pico station.

Taking these characteristics into account, the system needs to include a device to set up and operate the mobile phone in two modes. In addition, a unique conversion protocol is needed to realize the switching and automatic control of the mobile phone between the two working modes.

In order to describe all the protocols required to operate the system of the present invention, the steps necessary to enable the mobile phone and the pico station to be used after the user purchases the mobile phone will be fully described below. The first step is usually to activate the pico site. The process for the mobile phone includes the authorization process completed by the user and the cellular service provider after purchasing the pico station and the mobile phone.

These activation and authorization processes include the activation processing tasks that are usually necessary for the user to operate the mobile phone in the cellular mode, and the special steps required to set up the pico stations and mobile phones purchased to work in the pico mode. In addition, in order to use it with its associated Pico site, the user must authorize each cell phone purchased. The mobile phone will automatically register when it is within the communication range of the pico station.

As the forerunner of each mobile phone registering to the pico site, there is a cyclic process called location analysis. Each mobile phone detects its cellular coverage area at its cell site, which also covers one of its authorized pico sites. This warns the mobile phone that it is near its home and is now within the wireless range of a pico station that is authorized to operate. Only then will the phone try to contact its authorized pico site. This location analysis process is automatically performed every time the mobile phone is used, and is continuously performed if the location of the mobile phone is changed by the user when the mobile phone cooperates with the cellular system. Its use in the system eliminates the inherent crosstalk or interference that exists in a large number of other dual-mode systems considered in the industry. In addition, the location analysis saves the battery capacity of the mobile phone and increases the call service capacity of the reserved channel.

After successfully registering in pico mode, the phone works in a different state. The mobile phone periodically performs recapture operations to maintain the registration relationship with the pico station. This process is activated by a timer and is another burst mode communication process designed to limit the channel to non-session, as explained in the process in Figure 18. In the idle state, the mobile phone can be universal. In addition, through the specific processing task flow described in detail below, the mobile phone can be connected to a call process, can initiate a call process, and can terminate a call process.

As explained earlier, the Pico site has not been activated by the user at the time of purchase. The activation process is carried out "over the air" by a service control unit. The cellular carrier that provides pico station services is selected and a single control channel is reserved for all service control units and pico stations to use. This common control channel is known to pico stations. Each pico station is also assigned a unique 22-bit electronic serial number (ESN) by the manufacturer. The Pico site ESN is captured by the customer activation system at the point of sale and transmitted to the selected host site according to the address and phone number of the location that the Pico site intends to use. The customer activation system also transmits the MIN and ESN of each mobile phone authorized to use this pico site to the host station.

In response, the host station checks the location address of the pico station and selects the most appropriate service control unit to contact it. The host station then issues a command to these selected service control units to request the target pico station to perform a positioning task.

Each relevant service control unit then periodically sends out the non-rejectable access information to the target pico station identified by the ESN on the common control channel. This process is repeated until the target pico site is contacted.

It should be seen that the ESN domain of the non-rejectable access information can be additionally partially or fully encoded using different public-private key schemes. If used, this code provides the cellular service provider with the ability to control access confidentiality. It can be used alone or in combination with the inherent confidentiality measures of the remote programming system access scheme, thereby generating dual-level confidentiality protection.

When the consumer installs the pico station at the desired location and connects its power source, the pico station will immediately enter the initialization task in order to receive the non-rejection message. The central processor of the pico station then performs internal housekeeping operations to put the pico station's wireless and telephone lines in an idle state. The central processor of the pico station then uploads the content of its EEprom to determine the working status of the pico station. If the pico station has not been configured, it enters a pre-configuration task. In that case, the central processor instructs the pico station to tune to the known A-side wirelessly, and the B-side control channel is used to check the connection with the service control unit.

Immediately after receiving the unrejectable access message of the Pico station ESN addressed to it, the Pico station transmits a communication establishment message (ACK) to the service control unit with its full power. After receiving the ACK, the service control unit measures the signal strength of the received ACK signal of the pico station and transmits a session termination command to the pico station. The service control unit then reports the result of its positioning task to the host station.

The host station sequentially analyzes all the results from the indicated service control unit and selects a reported highest ACK signal strength as the service control unit serving the location of the pico station.

This location confirmation process assures the cellular service provider that the address information provided by the user is correct, so that each non-rejectable access message is aimed at a specific part of the coverage of the entire cellular system. Then the host station transmits all the working parameters that need to be forwarded to the selected pico station to the selected service control unit. This data is transmitted in the format of an activation command sequence.

When receiving the activation command sequence, the selected service control unit queues up to wait for the pico station configuration session with the target pico station. The service control unit starts this session by first transmitting an unrejectable access message addressed to the target pico station. After receiving the corresponding pico station ACK, the service control unit will pass the parameter information message defined by the parameter information message format described below to the pico station.

When the pico station receives each parameter information message, it responds with an ACK message again. A non-acknowledgement (NAK) message from the pico station causes the service control unit to resend the parameter information message. When all the messages are successfully transmitted, the control unit sends a session termination command to the pico station. The service control unit then reports the successful activation processing status of the pico station to the host station and saves a data file including the parameters assigned to the pico station in its memory.

The consumer must also authorize each mobile phone to use the pico site. This process is designed to avoid unauthorized use of the pico station and the telephone line connected to it. In order to start this process, the phone must be powered on and "Base Station auth" must be selected from the phone's menu functions. The mobile phone must be brought to the vicinity of the Pico station at that time, because the process is performed at a very low emission level in order to avoid unconsciously visiting any other nearby Pico stations.

Therefore, after the pico station receives its configuration, it enters the pre-authorized state, and waits for its authorization button to be pressed, or to contact the service control unit. The pico station changes the associated status LED from red to green.

The user then presses the authorization button on the pico station until the associated status LED flashes green to indicate that the process has started. The phone display will also flash when the authorization session is in progress. During the process, the phone must be kept close to the pico station for 3 to 7 seconds. The pico station uses a known public control channel for this authorization process exchange.

During the authorization process, the pico station captures and checks the MIN and ESN of the mobile phone against the list of allowed mobile phones it receives from the service control unit. If a given cell phone is not on the list, its designed process fails without authorizing the cell phone. If the mobile phone is expected, the pico station will use the parameter information message format described below to pass the parameter information to it.

The mobile phone transmits an ACK message in response to each parameter information message it receives. If the mobile phone NAKs a message, the pico station will resend that message. After completing all the messages, the pico station sends a termination session command to the mobile phone to terminate the process. This returns the status LED of the pico station to a steady green state to indicate the end of the process. Then the mobile phone and the pico station return to their respective idle states.

Specific messages are marked in the process description in Figure 7-26. As noted earlier, these messages are composed of the words illustrated in Figures 27-31.

Figure 27 depicts the general format of the specific data message word used by the mobile phone in pico mode of operation. Refer to their actual positions in the data message transmitted by the mobile phone to the pico station on the reverse channel of the occupied channel to represent each item.

All the words described in the figure comply with the general format requirements of the EIA-553 standard-mobile station-ground station compatibility specification.

A cell phone data message can include one, two, or three words that are transmitted as a packet on the reverse channel to transmit the communication to the pico station. The word position assignment of each item in FIG. 27 is always the word position of the specific data word assumed in the generated data message as indicated by the font size. Each domain specified in the description word is identified according to the standard naming and identification of the domain specified by EIA-553.

In order to help understand the description of the message word, here are some specific key fields explained.

NAWC field = the number of incoming additional words and will reflect the total remaining word count in each transmitted message word. When included in a word, the command field will always be set to 11110, indicating a local command without being confused with a network command. ORDQ domain = command qualifier and is set to 000 except in the case where the best server and parameter information command is set to 001. The Local field, when included in a word, will include a 5-bit local command pattern to identify the specific command to be executed.

It should be seen that all the words in Figure 27 only indicate pico stations and never indicate a cellular network. Item 2701 is known as an abbreviated address word and is used as a single-word command response message; each two-word access attempt is the first word of the message; and each three-word identifies the first word of the command response message.

Access attempt messages are used for authorization, registration, recapture, call initiation, and call termination events. To help understand and identify the specific information included in each communication process, the messages involved in FIG. 27 are listed below. The authorized access attempt information includes 2701 (word 1) and 2702 (word 2) sent as a two-word message (I'll Take It). The initial registration access message includes 2701 (word 1) and 2703 (word 2) sent as a two-word message (Here IAm1). The recapture access message from the mobile phone includes 2701 (word 1) and 2704 (word 2) transmitted as two-word messages (Here IAm2). The call originating access attempts generated by the mobile phone before the dial-up collection include 2701 (word 1) and 2705 (word 2) sent as two-character messages (I Want In1). The call originating access request message generated by the mobile phone after the dialing collection includes 2701 (word 1) and 2706 (word 2) sent as the first two-word message in the message (I Want In2). The mobile phone call termination access attempt message includes 2701 (word 1) and 2702 (word 2) sent as a two-word message (I'll Take It).

Item 2702 is called the parameter message confirmation word and is always sent as a single word message in response to the pico station during the authorization process of downloading the working parameters required for the pico mode operation to the mobile phone. This single word response message uses the 26 to 36 bit positions ACK or NAK to receive the parameter information message from the pico station. Bit 26(X) is set to 0 to indicate ACK, and to 1 to indicate NAK. Bits 27 and 28 (AA) are set to 00 to ACK/NAK last command, and set to 01 to ACK/NAK last parameter word. Bits 29 to 36 (ZZZZZZZZ) are set as the parameter information identification (PID) of the NAK data.

Item 2706 is called the best server response and 8 bits 19 to 26 are coded as follows: bit 19&20 (DD) = digital color code of the best server (0 to 3); bit 21 = 0; bits 22 to 26 ( NNNNN) = 5-bit offset count from the optimal server channel number serving the initial paging channel of the cellular system. That is, 00000=334 for the B side or 333 for the A side and 10100=354 for the B side or 313 for the A side.

Item 2709 is called the extended address word and always occupies word position 3 when it is incorporated into the data message from the mobile phone to the pico station. This word is requested by the Pico site from the mobile phone to allow the capture of the mobile phone's electronic serial number for comparison with the list of allowed Pico site users to avoid unauthorized system access. The mobile phone includes the word 3 in its full registration message to the pico station.

Figure 28 describes the composition of the data message used when the pico station establishes its add-on (OHD) and transmits command words to the mobile phone. These words are 40 bits in length instead of the 48-bit words used by mobile phones.

The items in Figure 28 are described by their defined message locations. Item 2801 (OHD word 1), 2802 (OHD word 2) and 2804 (OHD control filler) strictly follow the EIA-553 standard. Item 2803 (OHD word 3) was established to allow the pico station to transmit a unique identifier in the form of a 22-bit base station serial number to allow the mobile phone to identify its associated pico mode pico station in the short time when the pico station actually transmits an additional message stream .

Item 2805 (command word 1) strictly follows the EIA-553 standard, and is used by the pico station as a single-word command for mobile phone paging and as the first word in a multi-word command sent to the mobile phone.

Item 2806 (command word 2) is the second word in the two-character best server command sent by the pico station to the mobile phone.

Item 2807 (command word 2) is the second word in the two-character access acceptance message sent by the pico station to the mobile phone when the access to the pico station is rejected.

Item 2808 (command word 2) is the second word in the two-character access acceptance message sent by the pico station to the mobile phone when the access is accepted and the line is idle. The local domain NNN=000 to 101 is allocated to the local unit for this mobile phone access.

Item 2809 (command word 2) is the second word in the two-character access acceptance message sent by the pico station to the mobile phone if the line is busy. If the mobile phone is busy, the local domain NNN=110.

Figure 29 depicts the additional pico station command words used when communicating with the service control unit and the mobile phone operating in the pico mode.

Item 2901 (command word 1) is a single word reminder message sent on the common control channel to the service control unit to request service.

Item 2902 (command word 1) is the first word in the multi-word response message sent to the service control unit during the configuration/update session.

Item 2903 (command word 2) is the second word sent to the service control unit for review confirmation during the positioning session.

Item 2904 (command word 3) is the second word of the two-word ACK/NAK response from the pico station to the service control unit during the configuration/update session.

Item 2905 (command word 2) is the second word of the multi-word parameter information transmission process executed in the authorization operation of the mobile phone. This command warns the phone to follow the parameter information command.

Item 2906 (command word 3-N) is the parameter information command word including the parameter information identification field (PID) and the parameter value field (PVAL) described in Table 1.

Table 1 PID parameter name (PVAL) Bit/length 00000001 Number of channels used 500000010 Transmit power level 300000011 Access threshold RSSI 800000100 Alarm threshold RSSI 800000101 Hanging threshold RSSI 800000110 RSSI sampling interval 400000111 RSSI average count 400001011 Base phone number NPA 1200001100 Base phone number NNX 1200001101 base phone number LINE 1600001110 mobile pico station count 200010001 best server identification 900010010 call forwarding on command 1600010011 call forwarding off command 160010100 mobile phone registration number 300000000 terminate the session (11111111) Figure 31 describes the service control unit used when communicating with the pico station Data message composition. The length of these words is 48 bits.

Item 3101 is called a non-rejectable access message and is transmitted as a single word command.

Item 3102 is the first word of the multi-word command message sent by the service control unit to the specific pico station.

Item 3103 is the second word of the parameter information command message.

Item 3104 is the second word of the ACK/NAK response sent to the pico station after receiving the request data.

Item 3105 is the second word of the two-word shutdown command that forces the pico station to terminate all pico operations and monitor the common control channel for other commands.

Item 3106 is the second word of the two-word reset command that forced a reset in the pico station.

Item 3107 is the second word of the two-character full review command that instructs the pico station to respond with traffic, working parameters, failure, and diagnostic information.

Item 3108 is the second word of the two-character part that instructs the pico station to review the command with traffic, failure and diagnostic information.

Item 3109 is the second word of the two-word termination session command to release the pico station from this communication session.

Figure 30 describes the data message format and timing for both the forward channel direction (pico station to cell phone) and the reverse channel direction (cell phone to pico station). As shown in the figure, the data message format strictly follows the EIA-553 standard in terms of their transmission duration and their data word repetition and sequence.

One difference between the ground station protocol for cellular and the base station protocol defined in EIA-553 is that the command transmitted to a target mobile phone is transmitted on both the word A and word B streams at the same time in the forward command channel format, which is ignored The normal cellular ground station flow distribution based on the MIN of the target mobile phone. The cellular ground station sends commands to two different mobile phones through the word A and word B flow.

Another difference between the mobile station protocol for cellular and the cell phone pico mode protocol includes the use of encoded digital color code domains in the reverse control channel message stream. In the pico mode, this field is set to all 1s when trying to access the message transmission, and is set to the digital color code assigned to the target pico station in all other message transmissions. The purpose of this is to prevent the network cellular system from erroneously attempting to process this pico mode access event once the signal is mixed and the message is obtained by the cellular network.

Pico station configuration process Now referring to the drawings, especially Figs. 7-13, the process steps related to the operation of the pico station will be explained in more detail. Figure 7 describes the main idle loop of the program. The pico station activation operation is divided into the configuration process described in FIG. 8 and the authorization process described in FIG. 9. The call processing functions are illustrated in Figures 10-13.

Obviously, at the time of purchase, the pico site has not yet been activated for use by the user. The configuration operation is performed "over the air" by the business control unit after the pico station is placed in the house where it is used. As explained earlier, several service control units and a host station are distributed in the coverage cell area of each serving pico station. Together with the host including a server, a service control unit position that can reach a given pico station position is generated. list of.

The base station activation operation includes additional events associated with the standard user activation system used by the carrier or service provider of the cellular system. In this regard, the user activation process includes a large number of standard cellular carrier systems used to identify and authorize to service all activated standard cellular phones. In addition, the Pico site ESN is captured by the user activation system at the point of sale. The user activation system transmits this ESN along with the address and phone number of the location where the pico station is expected to be used to the host of the service control system. The user activation system also transmits the mobile identification number (MIN) and ESN of each mobile phone authorized to use the pico station to the service control system host.

The control system host checks the location address of the pico station and selects the most likely service control unit, which can complete the connection between the relevant control unit and the target pico station. Then, the system host sends a command to each selected service control unit to complete the positioning task for the target pico station. Then, each selected control unit periodically sends out an unrejectable access message addressing the ESN of the target pico station on the common control channel. This message will be repeated periodically until the control contact with the target pico station has been completed.

Now referring to FIG. 7, when the user installs the pico station at the desired location and connects its power source, the pico station enters the initialization task 701. After power-on, the central processor of the pico station then issues a power-on reset command and initializes task 702, which performs a certain housekeeping operation and puts the pico station wireless and the phone line interface of the pico station in their idle state. Then, the pico station central processor uploads the content in its EEprom in task 702 and initializes task 703 to determine the working status of the pico station.

If the work status check in the query task 703 determines that the pico station has not been configured, a pre-configuration task is entered in the processing task 705 and the status LED is set to red. During task 703, if it determines that the operation of the pico station has been configured, it initiates a query task 704 to determine whether the mobile phone associated with the pico station has been authorized.

If a negative result is obtained in task 704, or a positive result is obtained in task 710, the pico station enters task 715 and tunes to the common control channel. After task 715, query task 716 determines whether the service control unit requires pico station access.

If access is not required, the Pico site starts to establish the mobile phone authorization process shown in Figure 9. If access is required, the pico site adjusts the business control access requirements according to the description in Figure 8.

If task 704 determines that the mobile phone is authorized, it means that at least one mobile phone has successfully downloaded pico mode operating parameters during the authorization process. The positive result of the query task 704 initiates the query task 710 to determine whether the red authorization button on the pico station has been pressed. If the button is not pressed, the query task 711 is entered to determine whether the state of the telephone line has changed. If the phone line status is new, enter task 712, update each registered mobile phone to this result and the pico station returns to the idle state through the scan channel routine. If the telephone line status has not changed as determined by task 711, the pico station starts the channel scanning process of FIG. 10.

If the operation is not allowed, the query task 703 initializes the processing task 705. In task 705, the pico station central processor instructs the wireless pico station to alternately tune to the known A-side common control channel and then the B-side common control channel to monitor whether an additional message has been received from the control unit.

Then, a query task 706 is executed to determine whether there is a control unit. If a negative response is obtained, a loop is executed to return to the beginning of task 706, and the query task is repeated until the control unit is found. If an affirmative response is recognized, task 707 is entered to determine whether due to the subject ESN, a non-rejectable access message from the control unit is addressed to the selected pico station. If not, execute a loop back to the beginning of task 706.

If the unrejectable access message from the control unit is addressed to the target pico station, the pico station starts the configuration process in FIG. 8. There, the pico station transmits a communication establishment confirmation message to the control unit on full power. The control unit measures the signal strength of the received signal of the pico station and then sends a session termination command to the pico station. Then, the pico station exits the configuration process and returns to the main loop entrance 720.

After sending a termination session command to the pico station, the service control unit reports the result of its positioning command to the host. The host sequentially analyzes the results from all the ordered service control units and selects the one with the strongest received signal from the pico station as the master control of the location of the pico station. Then, the system host transmits all the service control units that need to be forwarded to the selected service control unit transmitted by the working parameters of the pico station. This data is included in an activation command sequence.

After the service control unit receives the activation command sequence, the following events are initiated. The control unit queues up for a pico station configuration session with the target pico station. The control unit initiates this dialogue by first transmitting a non-rejectable access message addressed to the target pico station on the common control channel. The pico station responds with the communication establishment confirmation message described in the processing task 802 of the pico station configuration process.

After receiving the communication establishment confirmation command of the pico station, the control unit uses the standard parameter information message format to transmit the parameter information to the pico station, and then the pico station confirms the reception of the parameter information message.

The rest of the processing task flow for the configuration process is further illustrated in FIG. 8. The processing task 801 starts the processing task 802 to execute the control unit access function, and sends a communication establishment confirmation to the control unit. The query task 803 determines whether this is the initial configuration process performed by the pico station. If not, initialize the start command timer task 804. If it is the initial configuration process, enter task 805 to clear the EEprom random access memory mapping register of the pico station. After clearing the register, task 806 captures and confirms the receipt of the best server identification. Then task 807 captures and confirms the reception of the power level allocation. After tasks 807 and 808 capture and confirm the reception of the number of working channels of the pico station, task 809 captures and confirms the mobile phone allocation. The task 810 captures and confirms the work mode assignment and the termination of the session command, and the task 811 saves the image of the random access memory to EEprom.

After executing tasks 805-811, task 812 clears all service registers in the pico station and sets the status LED to green. After the task 812 is successfully executed, the pico station returns to the main loop processing task shown in FIG. 7.

Any NAK from the pico station will cause the service control unit to send a retransmitted parameter information message. If all the messages are successful, the control unit will issue a session termination command to the pico station and report the activation of the pico station to the system host. Then, the control unit saves a data file related to the pico station's ESN index about the pico station including the parameters assigned to the pico station to its hard disk.

The service control unit access event is initialized after the initial configuration result of the process 804 to the configuration function update process started with the query task 815. The query task 815 determines whether a command addressed to this pico station from the control unit has been received. An affirmative result will start the query task 816 when the watchdog timer action expires.

The negative result of the query task 816 is returned to the beginning of the query task 815 to continue monitoring the control unit commands. When the command timer expires, the query task 816 forcibly produces a positive result, and returns to the main loop at the entry 720.

The receipt of the command will result in a positive result in the query task 815 and start the query task 817 to detect the new configuration assignment from the control unit. The positive result of task 817 initiates processing task 818 to capture and ACK the change of its configuration to the pico station.

Then processing task 818 starts processing task 819 to restart the command timer and returns to the beginning of query task 815 to wait for other commands.

If the command is not a configuration change, the negative result of the query task 817 starts to determine whether a query task 820 that terminates the session command is received.

The negative result of the query task 820 is returned to the beginning of the query task 815 to wait for other commands.

When the query task 820 determines a session termination command, the affirmative result starts processing task 821 to confirm the termination of the control unit session.

Then processing task 821 starts processing task 822, saves the new configuration data in EEprom, and then returns to the main loop at 720.

After receiving its initial configuration information, the pico station can enter the pre-authorized task and wait for the authorization button to be manually pressed or further contact the service control unit. The pico station status LED will display a steady green to indicate that the user's mobile phone authorization will be completed.

During the mobile phone authorization process, the consumer must authorize each of his mobile phones to use his pico site. This process is designed to avoid unauthorized use of the pico station and the telephone line connected to it. This process also establishes the entire coverage area where the pico station and the mobile phone will communicate. The physical location of the pico station is also determined in this process by comparing the cellular best server information collected by the mobile phone during the authorization establishment process with the information provided by the service control unit to the pico station during the configuration process.

Referring now to FIGS. 7, 9, 16 and 19, authorization operations including both mobile phone and pico station processing tasks will be described.

The cell phone to be authorized must be powered on and in the cellular idle state indicated by task 1901. The query task 1902 will detect whether the user has pressed the menu key. Subsequently, the query task 1903 monitors the Base Station Auth selection made by the mobile phone menu function, and exits to the task 1905 displaying Base Station Auth and starts the mobile phone authorization task 1601. The mobile phone must be brought close to the pico station because the processing tasks are performed at very low transmit power and each component requires a very strong signal level to avoid unintentionally visiting any nearby pico stations.

Then the consumer must press the authorization button on the pico station, which is detected by the query task 710 in the main loop task 720. The positive result from the query task 710 initializes the mobile phone authorization task 901. The pico station monitors the On state of the button in the query task 902 and starts the button press timer through the task 903. The query task 904 monitors whether the button is still On when the key is timed out. If the button is Off, a negative result of the query task 904 will return to the query task 902, otherwise a negative result of the button On test will cause the task 901 to return to the main loop 720. The key press timing is set to 500 milliseconds to ensure that the switch is absolutely closed before performing further processing tasks.

If the result of the query task 904 is affirmative, the pico station performs task 905 to tune the pico station transmitter to a known setting/control channel and start to transmit the authorization overhead signal stream 3002 through the forward control channel. This overhead stream includes pico station words 2801, 2802, and 2803. Then the pico station starts a ten-second authorization timer in task 906.

Referring now to FIG. 16, the execution of the mobile phone authorization task 1601 leads to a processing task 1602 in which the mobile phone is tuned to the public/control channel and a ten second authorization timer is started. The query task 1603 monitors the signal strength of -60dbm or higher on the forward control channel. If the pico station signal does not appear, the query task 1605 monitors the ten-second authorization timer to expire. If the result of task 1605 is positive, task 1601 exits to the cordless idle at gate 1420. Otherwise, the negative result of the query task 1605 results in returning to the query task 1603 to monitor the signal strength again.

Once the query task 1603 determines sufficient signal strength, the query task 1604 monitors the occurrence of the authorization overhead flow of the pico station. The positive result of the query task 1604 initializes the query task 1605 to detect the timer expiration again.

The positive result of the query task 1604 initializes the processing task 1606, allowing the mobile phone to start transmitting its three-character authorization stream 3005 including the words 2701, 2707, and 2709. The word 2707 local field shall include the "I'll take it." call response message. This transmission complies with the EIA-553 section 2.6.3.5 of the mobile phone reverse control channel message.

If the pico station query task 907 does not receive a signal from the mobile phone at a level of -60dbm or higher, it will not respond to the transmission. In association with that process, the mobile phone query task 1607 monitors the pico station busy/idle bits in the forward control channel overhead stream. The mobile phone will not detect the forward control channel busy/idle bit change from the pico station and will stop transmission after transmitting 104 bits. The negative result of the mobile phone query task 1607 transfers the task 1601 to the processing task 1624, which will delay the task by a random time> 10 milliseconds <200 milliseconds. Then initialize the query task 1605 to guide the mobile phone to resend its authorization flow. The phone is programmed to perform these transmissions at its power level 7 (approximately 2mw output).

The pico station query task 907 monitors the signal level of the mobile phone and if it is not above the minimum value, the task 908 monitors the expiration of the 10-second authorization timer. If the timer has not expired, the pico station returns to the query task 907 and re-checks the signal level of the mobile phone.

If the query task 908 detects that the timer has expired, the pico station executes the processing task 909, turns off the transmitter and stops the blinking state of the LED (if it is ON) and returns to the main loop at 720. The mobile phone will detect the loss of the signal from the pico station through the query task 1603 and terminate its authorization timer. If detected by the query task 1605, it will return the mobile phone to its cellular idle task through the cordless idle entrance gate at 1420 .

When the query task 907 measures sufficient signal strength from the mobile phone, the pico station executes the processing task 910, during which the pico station captures the MIN and ESN data of the mobile phone. The query task 911 monitors whether the captured ESN and MIN are in the list of allowed mobile phones delivered to the pico station through the service control unit during the activation period. If the mobile phone is not what the pico station expects, the negative result of the query task 911 initializes the processing task 909 to terminate the authorization process. The affirmative result of the query task 911 initiates the processing task 912, requesting and capturing the cellular best server information from the mobile phone.

The positive result of the mobile phone query task 1607 initializes the query task 1608 to monitor the signal strength of the pico station at -60dbm or higher. If the pico station does not receive the ESN and MIN of the mobile phone, the query task 1608 will detect the loss of the signal and its negative result will exit through the cordless idle at 1420, and the task 1609 will be forcibly terminated. The positive result of the query task 1608 initializes the query task 1609 to monitor the best server commands from the pico station. Failure to receive this command will cause task 1601 to return to query task 1608 to monitor the signal strength again.

When the query task 1609 detects the best server command, it initializes the processing task 1610 to make the mobile phone transmit cellular best server information to the pico station.

Then, the task 1610 initializes the query task 1611, searches to identify the control filling overhead from the pico station, and indicates that the link has been successfully established in order to continue the authorization process. The negative result of the query task 1611 initializes the query task 1612 and monitors sufficient signal levels. The positive result of task 1612 is returned to the query task 1611. The negative result of 1612 is returned through the cordless idle gate 1420.

The pico station processing task 912 produces the best server data capture, and the task 901 is transferred to the processing task 913, which will transmit a control filler stream 2804 on the forward control channel and cause the pico station LED to start blinking. The query task 914 then compares the captured best server data with the allowable cellular best server data list downloaded by the service control unit to the pico station during the configuration process.

If the pico station data does not match the cellular best server data, the negative result of the query task 914 initializes the processing task 909, which will terminate the process. This situation indicates that the location of the pico station has changed since it was configured by the service control unit.

The reception of the control filler leads to a positive result of the query 1611 and the processing task 1613 is initiated. The mobile phone will start flashing its backlight display in response to processing task 1613, and after query task 1611 detects this initial control fill word stream, it indicates that authorization has been successfully initiated. Then the phone will enter its parameter transmission loop. In this session, the mobile phone light will flash continuously while the pico station's signal remains above -60dbm, or until the pico station issues a command to terminate the session when the session is completed.

The affirmative result of the query task 914 transfers control to the parameter transmission cycle of the pico station. This loop uses the parameter information message format described in 3001 to transmit the parameter information message 2902 to the mobile phone.

The pico station parameter transmission cycle starts with a processing task 915 that starts a periodic timer. Then task 901 initializes processing task 916, which formats and transmits the first parameter information message on the forward control channel, followed by a stream of control filler words. Then the query task 917 monitors the ACK from the mobile phone. If the result of the query task 917 is negative, the query task 918 is initialized to monitor whether the periodic timer is still running. The affirmative result of the query task 918 is initialized and the processing task 916 is initiated, whereby the previous message is retransmitted. If the query task 918 determines that the period timer has expired, the negative result initializes the processing task 909 to terminate the current process.

The positive result of the query task 917 initializes the query task 919 to monitor the completion of the parameter information list. The negative result of the query task 919 initializes the processing task 915, bypassing each of the remaining parameters. The affirmative result of the query task 919 initializes the processing task 920, transmits a session termination command on the forward control channel, so that the LED stops blinking, and the process returns to the main loop through 720.

The mobile phone parameter conversion cycle includes a query task 1614 that monitors the signal strength of the pico station, a processing task 1615 that captures parameter information messages and sends an ACK or NAK response on the reverse control channel, and a query task 1616 that monitors the session termination command from the pico station . The task 1601 can exit this loop when the query task 1614 detects that the signal is lost, and then initialize the processing task 1622. The processing task 1622 turns off the backlight blinking and returns the mobile phone to the cordless idle through the cordless idle entrance at the door 1420.

When the query task 1616 detects the termination of the session command, the task 1601 controls the initialization of the query task 1617 to compare the serial number of this pico station with the numbers of all previously authorized pico stations. The positive result from the query task 1617 initializes the processing task 1623, which will delete the information previously stored in the time slot of this pico station. Then the processing task 1623 transfers control to the processing task 1621, and the parameter information collected during this authorization period is stored in the EEprom of the mobile phone.

The negative result of the query task 1617 initializes the query task 1618 to monitor the authorization of the mobile phone's multi-picosite. Each mobile phone can store and communicate with up to 3 different pico stations. If the multi-pico station is not authorized, the negative result of the query task 1618 initializes the processing task 1623. The affirmative response to the query task 1618 initiates the query task 1619 to determine whether the authorization count of the pico station has been reached. The positive result of the query task 1619 initializes the processing task 1622, and the saving processing task is abandoned. The negative result from the query task 1619 initializes the processing task 1620, increments the count of the stored pico station data files and initializes the processing task 1621, saves the file in EEprom and then returns to the cordless idle through the cordless idle entry at 1420.

The main loop of the pico station returns to refer to Figure 7, the pico station exits the authorized operation through the main loop gate at 720. The query task 703 recognizes the occurrence of the service control unit activation event and initiates the query task 704 to detect the occurrence of the mobile phone authorization event. The positive result of the query task 704 initiates the query task 710, which monitors the state of the authorization button. The negative result of the query task 710 initializes the query task 711, which monitors the state of the telephone line connected to the pico station. Once the query task 711 determines that the line status has changed, it initiates a processing task 712, which will then issue an update command to all registered mobile phones. The negative result of query task 711 transfers control to the scan channel task at gate 1001.

The pico station will spend most of its time in the idle loop, use the telephone line interface to monitor the line status and actions, and use the pico station to wirelessly scan all channels assigned to the mobile phone or service control unit for access attempts.

The pico station will exit the idle loop of the pico station in order to transmit: a. Respond to an access attempt from a registered mobile phone from it; b. Give the registered mobile phone an update signal for the change of the telephone line status; c. When a registered mobile phone incoming call is issued D. When a mobile phone is an active participant of a telephone call; e. When the authorization button on the pico station is pressed; and f. Respond to an unrejectable access message from the service control unit.

At other times, the pico station is in scanning receiving mode, and the pico station transmitter is turned off.

In order to transmit, the pico station must monitor the availability of the selected channel, that is, independent of the transmission of other units. This is done by measuring the received signal strength indicator (RSSI), which provides a numerical value representing the magnitude of the RF energy present at the location of the pico station on the channel being checked. The pico station is preset to a busy channel RSSI tolerance value through the service control unit, above which a channel will be considered to be in use by the monitoring unit and therefore cannot be used by the pico station for any transmission.

The mobile phone registration process is for each other's access. By controlling the transmission power and establishing a minimum signal level, both the pico station and the mobile phone operate in a restricted RF coverage environment.

Considering that a channel is activated for an access attempt of a mobile phone, the pico station is also preset at the access minimum RSSI level by the service control unit, and the access attempt will not be responded by the pico station below this value. In addition to controlling the coverage area of pico stations, another purpose of this minimum RSSI access is to allow pico stations to identify channels with acceptable signal levels, and quickly transfer to the mobile phone to try to get access at an acceptable signal level. Into the channel.

When the cell phone location analysis process detects that the cell phone is in the coverage area of the best service cell site that also covers the pico station, the registration process is initiated by the cell phone during the rescan task. Subsequently, as long as the mobile phone remains in the best service coverage area, the mobile phone periodically attempts to access the pico station by selecting an idle channel from the multiple channels given in the authorization process. This registration attempt should last long enough to allow the pico station to scan all channels and still have time to detect the mobile registration attempt and respond to the mobile phone.

Referring now to Figures 10, 14, 15, and 17, the mobile phone registration process will be described.

The pico station enters the scan channel task 1001 and executes the processing task 1002 to tune the pico station receiver to the first of the multiple channels designated for use by the pico station. Control is then handed over to the query task 1003, 1003 monitors the channel to check whether the received signal strength is above the access threshold level assigned to the pico station by the service control unit in the configuration process. It is hoped that this access threshold level is set at a level higher than a warning threshold or an interrupt threshold. Therefore, if the user's mobile phone is allowed to access, the user will have some margin to move around, and the communication will not be automatically interrupted.

If an insufficient channel level occurs, the negative result of the query task 1003 initializes the processing task 1004, which increments the channel number and tunes the receiver to a new channel. The processing task 1004 then initializes the query task 1005, which compares the current channel number with the maximum allowable channel number. If the channel number has not exceeded the maximum number, the negative result of the query task 1005 is returned to the query task 1003 to detect the signal strength on the newly selected channel. If the maximum channel number is exceeded, the query task 1005 initializes the query task 1013, and 1013 monitors the behavior of the local timer.

If the local timer is not running, the negative result of the query task 1013 initializes the processing task 1018, and 1018 cancels all cell phone registrations of the pico station. Task 1010 then returns to the entry 720 of the main loop.

The mobile phone performs a pico idle task according to the EIA-553 rescan standard. This task enters at 1420 and initializes the query task 1418, which monitors whether the mobile phone is in the local idle mode. The negative result of the query task 1418 initializes the query task 1401, and 1401 monitors the data filling of the pico station obtained through the authorization process described above. The positive result of the query task 1401 initiates the mobile phone registration process in 1701.

In 1701, the mobile phone enters the mobile phone registration and proceeds to the utility task 1515, 1515 tunes the mobile phone to the first of the multiple channels designated for the pico station in the processing task 1516. Then initialize the query task 1517, 1517 to monitor the received signal strength on that channel to determine whether it is lower than the suspension threshold level provided to the mobile phone during the authorization process of the pico station described above. This is the RSSI level used by the mobile phone to determine a busy channel. If the query task 1517 judges that the channel is not lower than the minimum value, the negative result initializes the processing task 1519, and 1519 increments the channel number and tunes the mobile phone to this new channel. The processing task 1519 then initializes the query task 1520.

The query task 1520 monitors the selected channel number and compares it with the maximum allowed channel number. If the channel number does not exceed the maximum value, the negative result of the query task 1520 initializes the query task 1517 to detect the signal level on the newly selected channel. The positive result of the query task 1520 initializes the processing task 1521, and returns a failure to the task 1701. The query task 1702 detects the failure and initiates the processing task 1707. 1707 starts the search base station timer with a short count value to ensure a quick return to the processing process. Control then returns to the rescan task at entry 1402.

Once the query task 1517 detects an acceptable channel, it initiates the process 1518 to return OK. Satisfying the query task 1702 will initialize the processing task 1703, and then start the access timer and make the mobile phone start to use the 3006 format to transmit the "Here IAmI" message words 2701 and 2702. The processing task 1703 then initializes the query task 1704.

The query task 1704 monitors the signal from the pico station on the forward control channel that is higher than the access threshold level. If such a signal does not appear, the negative result of the query task 1704 initializes the query task 1705, and 1705 monitors the operation status of the access timer. The positive result of the query task 1705 initializes the query task 1704, and again monitors the signal from the pico station. When the query task 1705 detects that the access timer expires, the processing task 1706 is initialized with a negative result.

The processing task 1706 stops the transmission from the mobile phone and restarts the found base station timer with its standard value. Task 1706 then returns to the rescan task through the entrance at door 1402.

When the mobile phone signal is sufficient, the pico station query task 1003 will answer "Yes", and the task 1001 controls to start the query task 1006 in order to monitor the presence of 10k bit Manchester coded data on the received signal. If the query task 1006 does not detect data, the negative result initializes the processing task 1004 and tunes to the next channel. The positive result from 1006 initiates the query task 1007, and 1007 analyzes the content of the received data stream to identify the mobile phone authorization registration message.

The mobile phone authorization registration message identified in task 1007 can be an initial registration, which will appear when the mobile phone enters the pico system from a standard or giant cellular system for the first time, or a recapture registration, which was the last time the mobile phone was registered. Appears when registering in the pico system.

The positive result of the query task 1007 initializes the processing task 1008, 1008 executes the registration process of the mobile phone, and then returns to the main loop through the entry 720. The registration process can be an extended registration process, including security checks for initial registration. It can be a shorter process for recapture registration. For example, for reacquisition, task 1008 can simply restart the local timer related to the mobile phone discussed with task 1013 above. The negative result of the query task 1007 initializes the query task 1009.

The query task 1009 monitors whether a service control unit access request occurs in the received data message. The positive initialization processing task 1010 of the query task 1009, 1010 sets the service control unit access flag and starts the base station idle task in 1101. The negative result of the query task 1009 initializes the query task 1011, and 1011 monitors whether a mobile phone access request occurs in the received data message. The positive result from the query task 1011 initializes the processing task 1012, 1012 sets the mobile phone access flag and starts the base station idle task in 1101.

The negative result of the query task 1011 is returned to the processing task 1004 in order to increment to the next channel and continue scanning.

The base station processing task 1008 starts a local timer when it successfully ends the registration process. This timer is a register that saves the event value of the event plus 300 seconds. The query task 1013 detects this non-zero timing register and transfers the affirmative result to the query task 1014.

The query task 1014 monitors the current time value and compares it with each non-zero stored value of the local timing register. If the current time is equal to or exceeds the stored value, the affirmative result of the query task 1014 initializes the processing task 1015 and cancels the registration of the relevant mobile phone because the pico station is not captured again within the allowed time window.

However, even though the registration is cancelled, the mobile phone can be re-captured in the future without going through the entire registration process. For example, the phone may fail to recapture because of a power failure. As long as the mobile phone remains in the same pico cell after power on again, it will try to reacquire, and the pico base station will receive the reacquisition attempt. On the other hand, if the mobile phone finds that it is powered on outside the pico cell, it will go through the entire registration process the next time it encounters the pico cell.

Control then transfers to the initialization query task 1016, which monitors to determine whether a cell phone remains registered. The negative result of the query task 1016 is returned to the main loop at the entry 720. The affirmative result of the query task 1016 initializes the processing task 1017, which executes an update processing task to notify the mobile phones that keep the registration of their status with the pico station. The processing task 1017 then starts the base station idle task at 1101.

The base station idle task 1101 proceeds to the query task 1102 to monitor the ringing voltage on the house line. The negative result of the query task 1102 initializes the query task 1103 to determine whether the service control unit is requesting access for update or review.

A positive result of 1103 initializes the processing task 1105 to tune the base station to the common control channel and ACKs (acknowledge) the access of the service control unit. The processing 1105 initializes the query task 1106 and analyzes the SCU command for a configuration update. A positive result of query 1106 transfers control to the base station configuration task at 801. The negative result of the query 1106 initializes the query task 1107 to determine whether the command of the service control unit is for the purpose of review.

The negative result of the query 1107 exits through the processing task 1111, which ends the access of the service control unit and returns to the main loop at 720.

If this is a review session, the affirmative result of the query task 1107 initiates the process 1108. The process 1108 transmits the requested review (all or part) data to the service control unit and initiates the query task 1109.

The query task 1109 monitors the clear service registration command from the service control unit, and its positive result initializes the processing task 1110, resetting all service registers to zero.

The processing task 1110 and the negative result of the query 1109 both initialize the processing task 1111, end the access session of the service control unit, and return to the main loop at 720.

Referring again to FIG. 17, the base station processing task 1008 causes the pico station to transmit its three-word registration overhead message flow (words 2801, 2802, and 2803) on the forward control channel using format 3002. The mobile phone query task 1704 will detect the presence of a signal on the channel, initialize the processing task 1708, and start the data capture timer. The query task 1709 then monitors whether 10k-bit Manchester-encoded data appears on the channel. The negative result of the query task 1709 initializes the query task 1701 and monitors the running status of the data capture timer. The affirmative result of query task 1701 is returned to query task 1709, and the data is monitored again. The negative output of the query task 1701 initializes the processing task 1711, so that the mobile phone stops transmitting the "Here I Am!" message and starts the search base station timer with a short count value to quickly return to this processing task.

The affirmative result of the query task 1709 starts the query task 1712 to monitor the messages in the overhead format of the pico station registration. The negative result of the query task 1712 initializes the processing task 1717, ends the registration attempt, restarts the base station search timer with a normal value, and returns to the rescan task at the entry 1402. The affirmative result of the query task 1712 initiates the processing basic overhead task at 1713.

Process the basic overhead task and then initialize the query task 1714 to compare the digital color code received in the registration overhead message with the digital color code stored for this pico station. If they are not the same, the negative result of the query task 1714 initializes the processing task 1717.

The positive result of the query task 1714 initializes the query task 1715 and monitors whether the received system identification is the SID stored for this pico station. The negative result of the query task 1715 initializes the processing task 1717. The positive result of the query task 1715 initializes the query task 1716 and compares the received serial number of the pico station with the serial number stored for this pico station. The processing task 1717 is initialized with the negative result of the query task 1716. The positive result of the query task 1716 initializes the query task 1718 to monitor whether the free/busy control bit in the overhead stream of the pico station is in the idle state. The negative result of the query task 1718 also starts the query task 1719 to monitor whether the number of consecutive busy states encountered has reached the maximum allowable count value.

If the maximum count value is not exceeded, the negative result of the query task 1719 initializes the query task 1718 and retests the free/busy bit status. Once the maximum value is exceeded, the positive result of the query task 1719 initializes the processing task 1717, and the registration attempt ends.

The positive result of the query task 1718 initializes the processing task 1720 to make the mobile phone send its 3-character registration message to the pico station. This message includes the words 2701, 2702, and 2709 sent in the 3005 format. The processing task initiates an inquiry task 1721 that receives a response from the pico station. The reception response message from the pico station includes a two-word combination of 2805 and one of 2808 or 2809 sent in the 3003 format.

The processing task 1717 is initialized without receiving the negative result of the receiving query task 1721, and the registration attempt is ended. The positive result of the query task 1721 initializes the processing task 1722, which captures the local cell phone unit number settings from the pico station. Processing task 1722 then initializes processing task 1723.

The processing task 1723 uses the cellular switch to perform the automatic call forwarding notification function. This function activates call forwarding for any incoming call directed to the MIN of this mobile phone. These calls will be forwarded to the pico station phone number through the cellular switch. The processing task 1723 then initializes the processing task 1724.

The processing task 1724 sets the local flag (H-Idle=true), clears the cellular idle flag (C-Idle=false), sets the transmission permission flag (XMIT=true), and starts the reacquisition timer. In addition, task 1724 saves the pico station identification registered by the mobile phone. This identification is stored in non-volatile memory. If this identification has not been changed, the mobile phone will try to quickly recapture the pico station after power-on, without going through the longer and complete registration process discussed below. Task 1701 then returns to the rescan task at the cordless idle entry 1420.

When a mobile phone is initially powered on, task 1400 is performed. Task 1400 initializes the phone. After task 1400, query task 1427 verifies the identity of the pico station with which it last communicated, if any. In a preferred embodiment, when the mobile phone is registered to the giant cell system, the pico cell identification is set to zero. The non-zero code identifies a pico station. If task 1427 finds that the picocell ID is zero, program control proceeds to task 1403 to determine the appropriate giant cell system from which cellular services can be sought.

If task 1427 finds a non-zero pico cell identification, task 1428 loads the internal data table corresponding to the identified pico station. Such a data table is loaded with programming for SID, power level, active channel number, and the like. After task 1428, program control proceeds to recapture gate 1801 to recapture the identified pico station. By recapturing the pico site, the complete registration process is omitted. By omitting the complete registration process, the mobile phone can communicate with its pico station soon after power-on. Therefore, the user can turn off his or her mobile phone but is in an authorized pico cell, hear the phone ringing through the landline system, power on the mobile phone, and then quickly answer the call.

If the mobile phone fails to locate the pico station, it will return to the rescan task through the entrance at 1402. Control is passed to query task 1403 to determine the appropriate system from which cellular services can be sought. The system identification assignment is specific to non-wired (A side is always odd) or wired (B side is always even) service providers.

The query task 1403 monitors whether the SID stored in the mobile phone is an even value, and the affirmative result initializes the processing task 1404. The processing task 1405 is initialized with the negative result of the query task 1403.

The processing task 1404 selects the B-side establishment/control channel, and the processing task 1405 selects the A-side establishment/control channel. Two processing initialization tasks 1406, scanning selected channels for seeking cellular services according to the EIA-533 standard. The control then initiates a query task 1407 to monitor the results of this search for cellular service availability.

If there is no service available, the negative result of the query task 1407 initializes the busy scan entry at the gate 1500, and the gate initiates the query task 1501. The query task 1501 monitors the search status of the pico station, and its negative result initializes the processing task 1502 and starts the timer for finding the pico station. The processing task 1502 returns to the rescan task at the gate 1402 to search for cellular services again.

If the answer of the query task 1407 is affirmative, the initialization query task 1408 monitors the local idle flag = true. This test is part of the second line function, which allows the registered mobile phone to use the cellular network to initiate a call when the house line is occupied.

The affirmative result of the query task 1408 indicates that this rescan event is a second line attempt, and the processing task 1409 is initialized to display Premium (extra cost) on the mobile phone.

The processing task 1409 starts the query task 1423 to check the overhead global message for the local identification. The positive result of the query task 1423 initializes the processing task 1424, and replaces the Premium display with the Local display on the screen.

The negative results of the processing task 1424 and the query task 1423 both initialize the query task 1410, which monitors whether there is a call to 911 in the dialed digit buffer. The affirmative result of the query task 1410 returns to the cellular call task at the output number entry 1917.

If the query task 1410 determines that the second line attempt is not a call to 911, the negative result initiates the dial input process at 2000.

The negative result of query task 1408 initiates query task 1411, which compares the SID of the available cellular system with the cellular SID stored for this mobile phone. If it is the same, the positive result of the query task 1411 initializes the query task 1412, and it is determined whether it is the first time to pass this loop by checking whether the status of the cellular idle flag = true.

The negative result of the query task 1412 initializes the processing task 1413, which sends a call forwarding close command to the cellular switch, and returns the call to the mobile phone MIN to this mobile phone. In addition, the task 1413 stores a zero picocell ID in the non-volatile memory. Unless this ID value is rewritten according to subsequent pico station registration, the mobile phone will search for a zero pico cell ID in task 1427 after power-on, and stop attempts to recapture the pico station. The processing task 1413 then initializes the processing task 1414 and sets the cellular idle flag = true to ensure that there is only one access through this cycle. The processing task 1414 starts the search base station timer and initializes the query task 1415. The positive result of the query task 1412 or the negative result of the query task 1411 both initialize the query task 1415.

The query task 1415 monitors the best server ID established in the process of searching for cellular services and compares it with the stored best server ID, which represents the best server for each pico site that this mobile phone is authorized to use.

The term "best server refers to the identification of the cell site that provides the strongest signal from the cellular system to the mobile phone. Each cell site is uniquely identified by the establishment/control channel number it uses and the digital color code of the message stream assigned to it.

Since the cell site site provides coverage of a limited area, the mobile phone can limit the search for one of its pico sites to these occasions, that is, the mobile phone is physically located within the coverage area of the best server cell site closest to the location of the pico site .

It should be recognized that this technology greatly reduces the number of unnecessary transmissions from the mobile phone and greatly improves the availability of the pico station channel for calls.

Once the query task 1415 identifies a match of the best server, its positive result initiates the query task 1416 to monitor whether the timer for finding the base station is activated. If the base station search timer is running, the processing task 1417 is initialized with a positive result of the query task 1416.

The processing task 1417 displays the word Premium on the screen of the mobile phone to indicate to the user that the cellular system is providing services and there is a space and time usage fee. The processing task 1417 immediately starts the query task 1425 to monitor the content of the overhead data stream sent from the cell site. Each cell site in the cellular system has a new message attached to the normal overhead stream. This is a local control message, in accordance with the global action message format specified by EIA-553. The 16-bit local domain of this message is coded with the area identifier of the cell site.

Each mobile phone has an area identification table that is loaded during the authorization process. The query task 1425 compares the received area identifier with this table, and if it matches, an affirmative output of the query 1425 will be generated. The affirmative result initializes the processing task 1426, displaying the word Local instead of Premium.

The negative results of the processing task 1426 and the query task 1425 are both returned to the cellular idle task at 1901.

It should be recognized that the ability to display on mobile phones and the availability of sensitive service messages in multiple locations greatly enhances the customer's ability to make informed decisions about how much money may be incurred when making or receiving calls at a given location (if any).

When the query task 1416 detects that the search base station timer has expired, it will produce a negative result and start the mobile phone registration task at 1701.

The local cell phone unit number in the idle mode of the cell phone is dynamically designated by the pico station and changes as the cell phone enters and leaves the service area of the pico station.

Once the registration of a mobile phone is accepted, the pico station starts a local timer for the device. The registered mobile phone must recapture the pico station before the timer expires or the pico station cancels its registration.

When irrelevant mobile phones are prohibited from transmitting, the activity of the pico station in the phone call will stop the pico station's local and cell phone reacquisition timers. The mobile phone responds to the OHD message of the pico station, causing the pico station to reset the corresponding local timer to a value equal to the time of the event plus 300 seconds.

Upon receiving the registration of the pico station, each mobile phone also starts its internal reacquisition timer. The interval of this timer is set to 270 seconds, which is 30 seconds less than the local timer of the pico station.

When the mobile phone's reacquisition timer expires, the mobile phone attempts to reacquire the pico station by locating an idle channel and sending a "Here I Am2 Access Attempt Registration" message.

The pico station will respond to this message by repeating the registration sequence described earlier.

Every time the mobile phone fails to recapture the pico station, the counter will be incremented. If this reacquisition failure counter reaches the maximum count, the phone is forced to switch to the cellular network and try to get service there. The mobile phone resets its reacquisition failure counter for every successful reacquisition of the pico station, and restarts the reacquisition timer.

This process will be described in more detail with reference to Figures 14, 15 and 18.

The flow from the mobile phone registration task to the rescan task proceeds to the query task 1418 at the cordless idle entry 1420, which monitors the local idle flag=true. The positive result of the query task 1418 initializes the processing task 1419, and displays the designated local unit number on the mobile phone to indicate that the user's pico station is providing services. The processing task 1419 initializes the task of monitoring the base station at the entrance 1503.

The monitoring base station task initializes the query task 1504 and monitors the status of the reacquisition timer. If this timer does not expire, the affirmative result of the query task 1504 initializes the monitoring base station loop at the processing task 1506. The processing task 1506 then tunes the mobile phone to the original pico station channel and initializes the query task 1507.

The query task 1507 monitors whether a signal higher than the access threshold appears on the channel. If there is no high signal, the negative result of the query task 1507 initializes the processing task 1511, increments the selected channel by 1 and initializes the query task 1512.

The query task 1512 monitors whether there are user actions on the keypad of the mobile phone. If a key is pressed, the query task 1512 starts the cordless call initiation task at the entrance 2200. If no keypad action is detected, the negative result of the query task 1512 initializes the query task 1513, and compares the selected channel number with the maximum allowed channel number. If the selected channel number is greater than the maximum, the affirmative result of the query task 1513 initializes the query task 1504, and retests the state of the reacquisition timer. Until this time, the negative result of the query task 1513 is returned to the query task 1507 to monitor whether a signal from the pico station appears on the selected channel.

When the query task 1507 detects the presence of a signal, its affirmative result initializes the query task 1508 to monitor whether 10K bits of Manchester coded data appears. If the signal that appears is not data, the negative result of the query task 1508 initializes the processing task 1511 to jump to the next channel. If the data appears, the affirmative result of the query task 1508 initializes the query task 1509.

The query task 1509 checks whether there is a pico station command pointing to this mobile phone in the data stream, and the affirmative response will be initiated at the entry 2400 to process the base station command task, as specified in the EIA-553 standard. The negative result of the query task 1509 initializes the query task 1510 to check whether there is overhead (information) from the pico station in the data stream. The affirmative result of the query task 1510 starts the task of processing base station overhead at the entry 1713.

If the data stream is not an authorized pico station, the negative result of the query task 1510 initializes the processing task 1511 and checks the next channel.

The mobile phone scans all the allowed pico station channels completely, and then returns to the query task 1504 to test the reacquisition timer.

The mobile phone will consume most of the pico mode idle time in this scanning cycle to monitor the activities of the pico stations that may involve the mobile phone.

When the reacquisition timer expires, the negative result of the query task 1504 initializes the common task 1515 to search for available channels as described above. The positive result of the public task is returned to query 1505, and the channel found is tested. The negative result is returned to query 1504, and the process is restarted.

When a free channel is found, the affirmative result of the query task 1505 starts the reacquisition pico station task in 1801.

Reacquisition base station task 1801 begins with processing task 1802, which starts an access timer to limit the duration of the attempt. The processing task 1802 then causes the mobile phone to start in the direction of the reverse control channel of the selected channel, and send a message stream including the words 2701 and 2704 "Here IAm2 Registration" in the 3006 format.

The processing task 1802 initializes the query task 1803, and monitors whether there is a signal from the pico station that exceeds the access threshold level in the forward control channel direction of the selected channel. If the pico station does not respond, the negative result of the query task 1803 initializes the query task 1814 to monitor the access timer. Once the access timer expires, the processing task 1815 is initialized with the negative result of the query task 1814.

Processing task 1815 stops transmitting on the reverse control channel and increments the failure counter. The processing task 1815 then loads the recapture timer with a smaller value to ensure a quick return to this task.

Control then transfers to query task 1816 to monitor whether the value of the failure counter is equal to the maximum number of failures allowed (3). If the failure of the recapture pico station task reaches the maximum count, the query task 1816 retreats to the processing task 1817.

Processing task 1817 clears the local idle flag, clears the reacquisition timer and starts the base station search timer. This action effectively cancels the phone from the local state. Subsequently, the processing task 1817 returns to the rescan task at the rescan entry 1402.

If the failure timer does not reach the maximum count, the negative result of the query task 1816 returns control to the cordless idle entry of the rescan task at 1420.

Once the query task 1814 detects that the access timer expires, its affirmative result initializes the query task 1803, and continues to search for pico station signals. When 1803 detects that enough signals are present, the affirmative result initiates processing task 1804.

The processing task 1804 starts the data appearance timer and initializes the query task 1805 to monitor whether 10K bit Manchester-encoded data appears. If the data does not appear, the negative result of the query task 1805 initializes the query task 1818 and monitors the occurrence of a timer for the data. If the timer expires, the processing task 1815 is initialized with a negative result of the query task 1818.

When the timer is running, the affirmative result of the query task 1818 initializes the query task 1805, and retests whether data appears. When the query task 1805 detects data, its affirmative result initializes the query task 1806 to test whether there is overhead in the data stream. If the data message is not overhead, the negative result of query task 1806 initializes processing task 1815.

The positive result of the query task 1806 initializes the query task 1807 and compares the digital color code in the received overhead stream with the digital color code stored for this pico station. If the digital color code does not match, the negative result of query task 1807 initializes processing task 1815. If the digital color codes match, the affirmative result of the query task 1807 initializes the query task 1808.

The query task 1808 compares the received system identification with the SID stored for this pico station. If they do not match, the negative result of query task 1808 initializes processing task 1815. The positive result of the query task 1808 initializes the query task 1809 and compares the received serial number of the pico station with the serial number stored for this pico station. The processing task 1815 is initialized with the negative result of the query task 1809. The affirmative response of the query task 1809 initiates the query task 1810.

The query task 1810 monitors whether the free/idle bit in the forward control channel overhead is idle. If the free/busy bit is busy, the negative result of the query task 1810 initializes the query task 1819, counts the failures and compares the count with the maximum number of failures allowed. If the maximum value is reached, the processing task 1815 is initialized with a positive result of the query task 1819. The negative result of the query task 1819 initializes the query task 1810, and the free/busy state is tested again.

The positive result of the query task 1819 initializes the processing task 1811 to make the mobile phone send a three-character registration message to the pico station. This stream includes words 2701, 2703, and 2709 sent in the 3005 format on the reverse control channel. The processing task 1811 initializes the query task 1812.

The inquiry task 1812 monitors that the pico station receives this registration response. The response from the pico station includes a two-word message, using one of the words 2805 and 2808 or 2809, in the 3003 format.

If the pico station fails to accept the mobile phone, the negative result of the query task 1812 initializes the processing task 1817 and exits the local service. The positive result of the query task 1812 initializes the processing task 1813, and executes the internal housekeeping processing required to update the status of the mobile phone of the pico station. This processing task also clears the failure counter and restarts the recapture timer. The processing task 1813 then returns to the rescan task at the cordless idle entry 1420.

Cellular Idle When a cell phone leaves the coverage of a pico cell, it becomes an active cell phone. Referring to FIG. 19, the mobile phone operation in the cellular idle mode processing at 1901 proceeds to query task 1902 to monitor the action of the menu key discussed above.

If the menu key is not pressed, the negative result of the query task 1902 initializes the query task 1906 to test the action of the call key. The negative result of query task 1906 initializes processing task 1904 to perform the normal cellular idle function specified in EIA-533. The process 1904 returns to the rescan task at the cordless idle entry 1402.

If the query task 1906 detects that the call button is On, the affirmative result is to initialize the query task 1907 to test the service availability. If the service is not available, the negative result of the query task 1907 is returned to the rescan task at the cordless idle port 1420.

If the query task 1907 detects a service, the positive result is to initialize the dial input task at 2000.

The mobile phone joins a call in progress. The pico station constantly monitors the status and conditions of the telephone line to which it is connected. Once a call is initiated from one of the home extensions also connected to this telephone line, the following events will occur: a. The pico station will send an update message to each of its registered mobile phones. The local domain of this update message indicates the line status as "occupied" (word 2809); b. Each cell phone will display "line occupied" instead of Home# to notify the user that someone is using the house line.

The Pico site allows any of its registered mobile phones to join this ongoing call. With reference to Figures 10, 11, 12, 13, 19, 22, and 23, the events of the mobile phone joining the call are described.

When the mobile phone user presses the off-hook (green) button in the pico mode, the event is detected by the query task 1512 in the task of the monitoring base station, and the cordless call initiation task at the entrance 2200 is started.

The cordless call initiation task initializes the query task 2201 and monitors the On state of the green button. If the result is no, the query task 2201 returns to the processing task 2202, processes all other first keystrokes, and then returns to the cordless idle task 1420. The positive result of query 2201 initializes query 2203 to check whether the green key is generated in response to a ringing event. The positive result of the query 2203 initializes the call answering task at the entry 2120. The negative result of the query task 2203 initiates the capture pico station task at 2210.

The capture pico station task 2210 initializes the common task at 1515 in order to find an available channel. When the query task 1515 is completed, return to the query task 2211.

The negative result of task 2211 initializes the recorder task at 1916, and produces recorder sound to the user, indicating that no call origination has been received. The positive result of task 2211 initializes processing task 2212, starts the access timer and causes the mobile phone to start transmitting the "I Want In1 Access Request" message in the direction of the reverse control channel of the selected channel. This message includes words 2701 and 2706 and is sent in 3006 format. The processing task 2212 then initializes the task of contacting the pico station at the entrance 2301.

The pico station will detect the mobile phone access request message in the query task 1011, and its affirmative result will initialize the processing task 1012, and set the mobile phone access flag before starting the base station idle task at 1101.

The contact base station task 2301 initiates the query task 2302, and monitors whether there is a signal from the pico station that exceeds the access threshold level in the forward control channel direction of the selected channel. If there is no high signal, the negative result of the query task 2302 initializes the query task 2312 to monitor the access timer.

Then the idle task proceeds to query task 1102 to monitor whether there is a ringing voltage on the line. The negative result from the query task 1102 initializes the query task 1103, and the monitoring service control unit access flag = true. The negative result from the query task 1103 initializes the query task 1104 and monitors the mobile phone access flag = true. The negative result from the query task 1104 is returned to the main loop at the entry 720. The affirmative response from the query task 1104 initializes the processing task 1112.

Processing task 1112 captures the mobile phone ESN/MIN and dials out the number if it is ready. The control then initiates the query task 1113 to compare the captured ESN/MIN with the mobile phone data authorized by the pico station. If the result of the query task 1113 is whether or not, the control returns to the main loop at the entry 720. The affirmation from the query task 1113 responds to the initialization at the entry 1201 to initiate or join the call task.

Initiate or join the call task 1201 to initialize the processing task 1202, perform an update for all registered mobile phones, notify the occupation status of the mobile phones, and initialize the processing task 1203. The processing task 1203 sends an appropriate response message to the mobile phone (if the line is idle, receive the words 2805 and 2808; or if the line is occupied, the voice channel is allocated). Pico stands in the processing task 1203 and waits for the mobile phone to respond.

If the access timer is running, the affirmative result of the query task 2312 is returned to the query task 2302, and the signal from the pico station is detected again. If the response of the query task 2312 is no, the processing task 2312 is initialized, the access message is stopped from the mobile phone, the count of the failure to contact the pico station is counted and the reduced count value is put in the reacquisition timer. Process task 2312, and then initialize query task 2314.

The query task 2314 monitors the contents of the dialed digit buffer for 911 emergency calls, because entering this process is the result of a failure to contact the pico station.

If the result is affirmative, the query task 2314 immediately exits the task of capturing the pico station and enters the rescan task at the entrance 1402 to try to find the service from the cellular network to complete the emergency call.

If 911 is not the dialed number, the negative result of the query task 2314 initializes the query task 2315 and compares the failure count with the maximum number of failures allowed. If the count value is the maximum value, the affirmative result of the query task 2315 initializes the processing task 2316 and cancels the local state of the mobile phone. The processing task 2316 is completed by clearing the local idle flag, clearing the reacquisition timer, and starting the base station search timer. The processing task 2316 then returns to the rescan task at the rescan entry 1402.

If the query task 2315 does not detect the maximum failure count, the negative result is returned to the rescan task at the cordless idle entry 1420.

When the query task 2302 detects a signal from the pico station, its affirmative result initializes the processing task 2303, starts the data appearance timer, and initializes the query task 2304.

The query task 2304 monitors whether 10K-bit Manchester-encoded data appears in the forward control channel direction of the selected channel. If the data does not appear, the negative result of the query task 2304 initializes the query task 2317 to monitor the occurrence of a timer for the data. The affirmative result of the query task 2317 initializes the query task 2304, and tests whether the data appears again. If the query task 2317 provides a negative result, the processing task 2313 is initialized to end the access attempt.

When the query task 2304 detects the occurrence of data, the query task 2305 is initialized, and the received digital color code is compared with the digital color code stored for the pico station to detect whether it matches. If the result is No, the processing task 2313 is Initialize to terminate the access attempt. If the result is Yes, the query task 2306 is initialized.

The query task 2306 checks whether the response message of the pico station is a voice channel allocation command specified by EIA-553. If the result of the query task 2306 is negative, the query task 2318 is initialized to check whether the response message of the pico station is received in the word 2805 and 2808 format.

The negative response from the query task 2318 initiates the query task 2319 to check whether 911 appears in the contents of the dialed digit buffer. The positive response from the query task 2319 initiates the rescan task at the rescan entry 1402, and tries to find the cellular service to handle the emergency call. If the result of the query task 2319 is negative, the reordering task at 1916 is initialized to notify the user that the call cannot be processed.

The positive result of the query task 2318, or the positive result of the query task 2306, initializes the processing task 2307, causing the mobile phone to send a two-word response message to the pico station as a response. Subsequently, the query task 2308 is initialized to monitor whether the voice channel assignment from the pico station is received. The negative result of the query task 2308 initializes the query task 2321.

Referring now to FIG. 12, the pico station processing task 1203 captures the mobile phone response and initializes the query task 1204 to test whether the line status is idle. When the join call function is executed, a negative result of query 1204 is generated. This causes task 1201 to retreat to 1315 to capture the house line. The affirmative result from the query task 1204 initializes the query task 1205 to check whether the dialing from the mobile phone is received. The negative result of the query task 1205 initializes the processing task 1208, starts the dial input timer and initializes the query task 1209. The query task 1209 monitors the dial capture from the mobile phone. The negative result from the query task 1209 starts the query task 1210 to monitor the status of the dial input timer.

The negative result of the query task 1210 forces the task 1201 to exit by updating the mobile phone entry 1323. A positive result from query task 1210 is returned to query task 1209. The affirmative result of query 1209 is returned to processing task 1203, and an ACK is sent. The affirmative result from the query task 1205 starts the processing task 1206 to capture the house route. The processing task 1206 initializes the query task 1207 and monitors whether the dial-out process is successful. If the result of query 1207 is negative, task 1201 exits through the release line entry at 1322.

A successful dial-out will produce a positive result of the query task 1207, causing the task 1201 to initiate the switch to the call mode processing at the entry 1316.

The query task 2321 uses the dial to be passed to monitor whether the purpose of the access attempt is to capture the pico station event. The affirmative response of the query task 2312 initializes the processing task 2323, keeps the mobile phone in the transmitting state, and transmits the dial to the pico station for processing. Control is then transferred back to the initiating task at the call entrance 2204.

If the result of the query task 2321 is negative, the processing task 2322 is initialized, the mobile phone transmitter is turned off, and the initiating task is returned to the dial entry 2000 to capture the dialing from the user.

The positive result of the query task 2308 initializes the processing task 2309 to tune the mobile phone to the designated voice channel allocation (same physical channel). Subsequently, the query task 2310 is initialized to monitor whether the received line status of the pico station is occupied. If the result is negative, the query task 2321 is initialized. If the line is occupied, the affirmative result of the query task 2310 initializes the query task 2311.

The query task 2311 monitors whether the content of the dialed digit buffer is a call to 911. The affirmative result initializes the rescan task at the rescan entry 1402. The negative result of the query task 2311 initializes the processing task 2320, keeps the mobile phone transmitter turned on, and returns to the initiating task at the call entrance 2204.

The call entry of the initiating task at 2204 proceeds to the query task 2205, and the monitoring transmission permission flag = true. The negative response of the query task 2205 initializes the processing task 2208, displays the mobile phone occupation message on the display screen, and returns the control to the rescan task at the cordless busy entry 1422. The affirmative result initializes the query task 2206.

The query task 2206 determines whether the pico station has allocated a voice channel for this call. The negative response of the query task 2206 initiates the query task 2209 to determine whether the user makes an emergency call. The positive response from the query task 2209 returns to the rescan task at the rescan entry 1402. The negative response from the query task 2209 returns to the reordering task at the entry 1916 to notify the user that the call has failed to be processed.

The affirmative result of the query task 2206 initializes the processing task 2207 and executes the normal call function. When the call ends, the control is transferred from the processing task 2207 back to the rescan task at the cordless idle entry 1420.

Once the call is established, the pico station processing task 1316 initiates a fast on-off cycle at the query task 1317 that monitors the call process. The affirmative result of the query task 1317 initializes the query task 1318 to monitor the quick on-off from the mobile phone. If the response of the query task 1318 is negative, the query task 1319 is initialized.

FIG. 32 shows a flowchart that further clarifies the process followed in task 1317 by the pico station. As shown in Figure 32, the query task 3201 determines whether the call is over. When the mobile phone user presses the on-hook button, the call will end, causing the mobile phone to turn off the monitoring tone (SAT) and transmit a 1800ms burst of signal tone. Alternatively, the far end of the call can disconnect the call and return the dial tone to the phone line. If one of these two events causes the call to end, program control exits through the "negative" exit of task 1317.

If task 3201 determines that the call has not ended, query task 3202 determines whether the internal timer has expired. The internal timer is a free-running clock that works in background mode and can be timed out periodically. In a preferred embodiment, the interval timer times out every 15 seconds. As long as the interval timer has not expired, the program control exits through the "affirmative" exit of task 1317.

If task 3202 determines that the interval timer has expired, task 3203 updates the running average of RSSI. In a preferred embodiment, the signal strength is averaged in the last four time intervals of the interval timer. After task 3203, query task 3204 checks this running average to determine whether the signal strength drops below the power-down, disconnect, or HANGUP threshold. In a preferred embodiment, the power-down threshold is programmed to have an RSSI signal strength lower than the access threshold level (see Table 1 above). Therefore, when a pico station guarantees the access of a mobile phone, the user can freely move around the point where the access is guaranteed, without being suddenly warned about what to do or suddenly losing power.

If the signal level is above the power-down threshold, task 3205 clears the warning flag, and the program control exits through the "positive" exit of task 1317. If task 3204 determines that the signal strength is below the power-down threshold, task 3206 checks the warning flag to determine whether it is set. If it is not set, program control exits through the "affirm" exit of task 1317. However, if it is set, task 3207 is executed to power down the mobile phone, and the program control exits through the "negative" exit of task 1317.

By powering off the mobile phone, the communication service provided to the mobile phone is stopped, and the call ends. The phone was powered down because its signal level dropped to a low level indicating that it was at the edge of the picocell. A power-down threshold is programmed to keep the pico cell small enough to prevent interference from other pico cells nearby. However, the phone will not lose power unless it has been warned in the previous interval. If the phone is not warned, it will not lose power, or if any previous warning was generated a long time ago, the phone will not lose power.

Referring back to FIG. 13, if the response of the query task 1318 is affirmative, the processing task 1320 is initialized, and a quick turn-on/off is transmitted from the mobile phone to the call center office, and then the query task 1319 is initialized.

The query task 1319 monitors the received signal level from the mobile phone and compares it with the disconnection warning level. The affirmative response from the query task 1319 initializes the processing task 1321 and sends a warning command to the mobile phone. The disconnection warning level is an RSSI signal strength between the access level and the power-down or on-hook level. In addition, task 1321 sets the above-mentioned warning flag to power down the phone in the next time interval when the signal level does not improve, as discussed above with tasks 3204 and 3206. By sending a warning message to the mobile phone to issue a warning command, the communication is controlled using a voice channel well known in the cell phone field. The phone responds to this warning message by issuing a warning to the user so that the user can know steps to take to prevent power loss. For example, the user should gradually move closer to the base station. Both the processing task 1321 and the negative response from the query task 1319 will initialize the query task 1317 and continue to monitor whether a dismantling event occurs during the call.

When the query task 1317 detects a call removal event, the processing task 1322 is initialized. The processing task 1322 then releases the line and initializes the processing task 1323, performs updates to all registered mobile phones, notifies them of the current line status, and removes the mobile phone occupation message from their display screens. Processing task 1323 then returns control to the main loop at entry 720.

During this call connection process, other home extensions can join or leave the call at will. The pico station will maintain the connection between this telephone line and the mobile phone until one of the following disconnection events occurs: a. The pico station does not detect the detection tone from the mobile phone within 5 seconds; b. the user presses the hook button to turn off the phone The detection tone is turned off and a 1800ms burst of signal tone is emitted; c. The remote unit is removed from the call and returns a dial tone to the telephone line.

d. The average measured RSSI of the mobile phone drops below the disconnected RSSI level.

If the reason for the end of the call is a. or d. above, each registered mobile phone can receive a new unit number assignment from the pico station, because these two situations inform the pico station that the active mobile phone is no longer in the service area of the pico station in.

FIG. 33 shows a flowchart describing tasks performed in the normal call function 2207. Task 2207 performs normal call functions for cordless operation mode. Task 1915 performs a similar call function for the giant cell operating mode, as discussed below.

The normal call function executes the query task 3301 to determine whether a voice channel control communication is received. The present invention intends to perform voice channel control communication in a manner similar to that described in EIA-553. If the voice channel control communication is not received, the query task 3302 is executed to determine whether the mobile phone is still off-hook. As long as the phone is still off-hook, the call continues and program control returns to task 3301.

When task 3302 determines that the mobile phone is no longer off-hook, the user of the mobile phone has already hung up and now needs to disconnect the call. Task 3303 executes the call end processing, which is consistent with the situation in EIA-553 that the mobile phone is the first party to end the call. After task 3303, the program controls to exit the normal call function 2207 or 1915. The call has been completed.

Refer back to task 3301. When voice channel control communication is detected, query task 3304 is executed to determine whether the control communication is a release command. The release command informs the other party of the mobile phone that the call has ended, and task 3305 then executes the call end processing consistent with the mobile phones EIA-553 regulations. After task 3305, the program controls to exit the normal call function 2207 or 1915, and the call has been completed.

When task 3304 determines that the control communication is not a release command, query task 3306 determines whether the control communication is a warning command such as the one discussed with task 1321 above. When a warning command is detected, the query task 3307 is executed to make the program control wait for the detection tone (SAT) to return. As is common in voice channel control communication, the SAT is removed when such control communication occurs, but is restored after the communication is completed. When the SAT disappears, the call is muted, but the call can continue when the SAT returns. The typical silent time is short and will not be noticed by the user. Program control remains at task 3307 until the SAT returns.

When the SAT returns, task 3308 mutes the microphone 57 (see Figure 2) so that no sound signal is emitted from the mobile phone. Next, task 3309 issues a special alert to the user. In a preferred embodiment, this notification takes the form of playing a sound signal on the speaker 56 of the mobile phone (see FIG. 2). In a preferred embodiment, the sound is a group of three beeps, about 50ms on and 50ms off. The use of sound rather than visual notification is because the user generally puts the phone to his or her ear when receiving a warning command, and may not necessarily notice the visual notification. Now that the microphone is muted, the warning will not be heard by the other party on the call, and the call flow is unlikely to be interrupted. After task 3309, task 3310 activates the microphone so that the sound can be transmitted to the other party of the call. After task 3310, program control returns to task 3301, and the call continues. As mentioned above, in the preferred embodiment, the mobile phone user has a predetermined time interval equal to 15 seconds, during which the signal received by the pico station is strengthened. Typically, users need to move to the base station in order to achieve this goal.

Referring back to task 3306, when receiving a control communication that is not a release or warning command, the mobile phone can perform the task of analyzing any number of the control communication, and then perform task 3311 to appropriately respond to other types of control communication. Typically, such other types of control communications will not be received when operating in the cordless mode specified by task 2207. However, when operating in the giant cell mode specified by task 1915, the mobile phone can receive power control commands, handover commands, and the like. After the response in task 3311, program control returns to task 3301, and the call continues.

Base station-mobile phone call initiation process When the pico station is in idle mode, and the telephone line is connected but not occupied, any one of the registered mobile phones can initiate a phone call.

The dialing process of a conventional cellular phone is significantly different from the general PSTN dialing process. The advantage of the present invention is to restore the general PSTN dialing process to the mobile phone of the system operating in pico and cellular modes.

This is achieved by making the mobile phone generate an internal accurate dial tone; removing the dial tone when the first dialed digit is entered; analyzing the number entry relative to the North American numbering plan; and automatically sending the number to the network when the entry is detected. Cellular customers will quickly adapt to this system because they are not forced to learn new procedures.

With reference to Figures 19, 20, and 21, the mobile phone call initiation process will be described.

When the mobile phone user presses the off-hook (green) key, it will continue to the dial input at 2000 according to the processing flow described above for the mobile phone to join an ongoing call.

The dial input task at 2000 initiates the query task 2001, and determines whether this is a pico mode or a cellular connection by monitoring the condition that the local idle flag = true. The processing task 2005 is initialized with the negative result of the query task 2001. The positive result from the query task 2001 starts the query task 2003, and the monitor launch flag = true. The negative result from the task 2003 initializes the processing task 2004, displays the mobile phone occupation message on the display screen and returns to the rescan task at the cordless busy entry 1422.

The cordless busy entry 1422 initializes the query task 1421 as part of the second line selection process. The query task 1421 monitors whether the green off-hook key is pressed, and the affirmative result returns to the rescan task at the query 1403 as described above. The negative result of the query task 1421 starts the monitoring base station at the entrance 1503.

If the sending flag is true, the positive result of the query task 2003 initializes the processing task 2005, clears the digital collection buffer, resets the digital counter to zero and sets the maximum expected digital count to seven. Control is then transferred from 2005 to processing task 2006.

The processing task 2006 turns on the internal precise dial tone generator to indicate to the user that a call can be made. The processing task 2006 then initializes the query task 2008 in the digital capture portal 2007. Query task 2008 to monitor whether any key is pressed.

The negative result of query task 2008 initiates query task 2009, which monitors service availability by checking the signal transmitted by the pico station on the selected channel. If H-Idle is true, compare its level with the disconnection level, if C -If Idle is true, check the giant cellular service. If the query task 2009 does not recognize the existence of the service, its negative result initializes the processing task 2013, removes the dial tone and returns to the cordless idle task at the entrance 1420.

When there are available services, the positive result of the query task 2009 initializes the query task 2021, and tests the local idle=true state. The negative result from the query 2021 initializes the query task 2011. The affirmative result from the query 2021 starts the query task 2010, and the monitor launch=true flag. If the result of query 2010 is negative, the dial input task exits through the busy exit port at 2021. The positive result from the query task 2010 also starts the query task 2011 to check the status of the input timer.

The negative result of the query task 2011 indicates that the user did not perform the expected input. Start the query task 2012 to monitor the empty status of the digital buffer. If some digital numbers have been collected, the negative result of the query task 2012 is to initialize the speed dial task at the entrance 1908.

The empty buffer allows the affirmation of the query task 2012 to transfer control back to the loop at the processing task 2005 that initiated the collection digital loop processing. The positive result of query task 2011 initializes task 2008.

When the task 2008 detects the pressing of a key, its positive result initializes the query task 2014 and detects the condition of local idle = true. The negative result from 2014 initializes the query task 2016. The positive result of the query task 2014 starts the query task 2015, and it is checked whether the second off-hook (green) button is pressed within two seconds of the first off-hook when the call is initiated. The cell phone uses that process to bypass the pico mode of the pico station. This is a second line function that allows users to force calls to the cellular system. One reason for this choice may be to make an important call when the house line is busy. The affirmative response from the query task 2015 makes it exit from the initiating task and enter the rescan task at the entrance 1402.

The negative response of the query task 2015 initializes the query task 2016 and checks whether the pressed key is a number key. The negative result from the query task 2016 initializes the non-numeric input task at the entry 2102. The non-numeric input task at 2102 is executed to the query task 2109 that monitors the pressing of the clear key. If the response of task 2109 is affirmative, the query task 2110 is initialized to check the empty status of the digital buffer. If the buffer is empty, the affirmative result of the query task 2110 initializes the dial input task at the start entry 2000. This action turns on the dial tone.

If the dial number buffer is not empty, the negative response of the query task 2110 executes the task 2111 of deleting the previous number input from the number buffer and decrementing the number counter by one. Then, control is passed to the query task 2112 to check the empty status of the digital buffer after this deletion. The negative response from task 2112 initiates the digital acquisition loop at digital capture input 2007. If task 2112 finds that the number buffer is empty, its affirmative result will restart the dial input task at 2000 and store the dial tone for the user.

If the response of the query task 2109 is negative, the query task 2113 is initialized to monitor whether the first key pressed is the (#) key. The function of that key is to redial the previous number key on the phone. The positive response from the query task 2113 initializes the processing task 2114, which retrieves the digits of the last call and puts it into the digit buffer. The processing task 2114 initializes the query task 2115 to monitor whether the digital buffer is empty.

If the response of the query task 2115 is affirmative, it returns to the start of the dial input task at 2000. If the response of the query task 2114 is negative, the processing task 2116 is initialized, the dial tone is removed and the dialing at the entry 2020 is initialized to complete the task.

If the first input is not the (#) key, a negative response at 2113 appears to initialize the query task 2118 to monitor whether the first key pressed is the (*) key. The affirmative response from 2118 initializes processing task 2119, removes the dial tone and initializes processing task 2120. The processing task 2120 saves (*) in the digital buffer and initializes the processing task 2107 to start the operation of the inter-digital timer. The processing task 2107 returns control to the digital capture loop at the digital capture entry 2707.

If the first input is not an (*), the negative response from the query task 2118 initializes the processing task 2121, generates a sudden error tone to the user, and then initializes the processing task 2107 to start the interdigital timer.

Referring back to FIG. 20, if the key pressed is a number key, the processing task 2017 is initialized with the affirmative result of the query task 2016, the number is stored in the number buffer, and the number counter is incremented by one. Then the control shifts from the task 2017 to the query task 2018 that compares the digital count output and the maximum digital count. The affirmative response of the query task 2018 initializes the query task 2019, and directs the initiated task to the appropriate service by monitoring the local idle=true state. The negative result from the query task 2019 will transfer control to the output digital task at the entry 1917 and the call will be processed in the cellular network. The positive result of the query task 2019 initializes the acquisition base station task at 2213.

If all the desired numbers have not been entered, the negative response from the query task 2018 initializes the number entry task at 2101 in FIG. 21. The number input task proceeds to the query task 2103 to monitor the first dialed number. The affirmative response from the query task 2103 initializes the processing task 2104, removes the dial tone signal and initializes the query task 2105, and monitors whether the first digit is 1 or 0, which indicates that a charging call has been made. The affirmative response of task 2105 initializes processing task 2106 and resets the maximum value of the digital counter to 11. Both the negative result of query 2103 and the negative result from task 2105 initialize query task 2108.

The query task 2108 compares the digits accumulated in the digit buffer with the North American dialing plan to detect the dialing completion status. The affirmative response from the query task 2108 initiates the dialing at 2020 to complete the task. The negative response of task 2108 initializes processing task 2107 and restarts the interdigital timer.

The unique dialing plan of mobile phones that use digital counters for processing tasks and interdigit timers for processing tasks, as well as comparison with NANP standards and internal accurate dial tone generators allow users to quickly enter the number they want to dial. In this way, in turn, it brings the benefits of using dial tone to cellular and other special mobile phones and it is easy to be familiar with the dialing procedures, without the function of sending and ending keys.

By shifting the control from the query task 2012 of the digital capture task 2007 to the speed dial input at the port 1908, the mobile phone also supports speed dialing internally through the timeout between digits of the non-empty number buffer. Control proceeds to query task 1909 to monitor whether the value of the digital counter is less than or equal to three, allowing up to 200 speed dial storage registers. The negative response from the query task 1909 initiates the dialing at the entrance of 2020 to complete the task. The positive response from the query task 1909 initiates the query task 1910.

The query task 1910 monitors whether the value of the digital buffer falls between 1 and 199 speed dial register values. The negative response from the query task 1910 initializes the dialing completion task at the entry 2020, while the positive response initializes the processing task 1911 to restore the content stored in the selected memory location and put it into the digital buffer. The processing task 1911 initializes the query task 1912.

The query task 1912 monitors the empty status of the digital buffer. The affirmative response of task 1912 causes a return to the beginning of the dial input task 2000. The negative response from the query task 1912 initiates the dial completion task entered at the entrance 2020 and initiates a call.

The dialing completion task at 2020 proceeds to the query task 2019, and the route is determined according to the previous description.

The cellular initiation process of the output number at the entrance 1917 initializes the processing task 1913, and initiates a call to the cellular network with the accumulated number used as the destination address. The processing task 1913 initializes the query task 1914 at the cellular call entry point 1918.

The query task 1914 monitors whether a voice channel assignment has been received from the cellular switch. Once the call is not completed, the negative result from the query task 1914 initializes the processing task 1916, which generates a sound recorder to alert the user that the call is not completed. The control then transfers from the processing task 1916 back to the rescan task at the free entry 1420.

If the result of query task 1914 is affirmative, control is transferred to the normal cellular call function at task 1915. Once the call is completed, the processing task 1915 returns control to the rescan task at the cordless idle entry 1420. The normal cellular call function task 1915 is described in more detail above together with FIG. 33.

The initial processing task 2214 of the capture pico station entrance at 2213 in FIG. 22 is to turn on the mobile phone transmitter and start sending the "I Want In2Demand" message to the pico station on the selected channel. Control then moves from the processing task 2214 to the contact pico station task 2301 discussed above.

Referring again to Figure 12, the pico station detects the access request message and captures the dialed number from the mobile phone. As mentioned earlier, the processing task 1203 issues a voice channel response and captures the confirmation from the mobile phone. The processing task 1203 initializes the query task 1204 to monitor the idle state of the house line.

The affirmative response from the query task 1204 initiates the query task 1205 and monitors the dial capture. A positive response from task 1205 initiates processing task 1206. The processing task 1206 occupies the house line and initializes the query task 1207, detects the dial tone and dials the number captured from the mobile phone to the network. Complete the failed initialization processing task 1322 of the dial processing task, and end the call.

Successful completion of the query task 1207 will switch to the call processing task at the initialization 1316, and switch to the call mode described in the EIA-553 standard. Control is transferred to the fast on-off monitoring cycle described earlier.

During this call connection process, other house extensions can join or leave the call at will. The pico station will keep the phone line connected to the mobile phone until a disconnection event occurs.

If the activated cell phone no longer appears in the service area of the pico station and causes the call to end, each registered cell phone can receive a new unit number assignment from the pico station.

In the process of ending the call of the base station mobile phone, in the idle task of the pico station, the telephone line interface will alert the pico station of an incoming call by detecting the ringing voltage on the line. The pico station then immediately initiates the call ending process.

The call ending process will be described with reference to Figures 9, 11, 13, and 24.

As mentioned above, the pico station scan channel task will start the base station idle task at the entrance 901 after processing the activation of the local timer. The pico station will not participate in calling activities unless the mobile phone is locally.

The base station idle task proceeds from the entrance 1101 to the query task 1102 to monitor whether there is a ringing voltage on the house line. The affirmative response from the query task 1102 initiates the end call process at 1300.

Control is transferred to processing task 1301, and the ringing return timer is started at five second intervals. The North American telephone system uses a two-second on and four-second off ring cycle.

The processing task 1301 initializes the processing task 1302, finds an idle pico station channel and sends a paging command to each authorized mobile phone. This action includes collecting the phone's response to the paging command. This processing task follows the EIA-553 message configuration standard.

The mobile phone monitoring base station task will detect the pico station paging command during the query task 1509, and will start the base station command processing task at 2401. The processing base station command task at the entrance 2401 initializes the query task 2402, and compares the type of the command with the paging command. The positive response from the query task 2402 initiates the query task 2403.

The query task 2403 monitors whether the busy/idle bit of the pico station is idle. The negative response from the query task 2403 initiates the query task 2405, counts the failures and compares the failed failure count to the maximum allowed failure count. The affirmative response of task 2405 causes the task of processing base station commands to be exited and the rescan task is initiated at the cordless idle entry 1420.

The negative response from the query task 2405 initializes the query task 2403 according to the test busy/idle bit status. The affirmative response from the query task 2403 initializes the processing task 2404 and sends an acknowledgment signal to the pico station. Then the processing task 2404 initializes the rescan task at the cordless idle entry 1420.

Then the base station processing task 1302 initializes the query task 1303, and monitors all the replies from the paging mobile phone. The negative result from the query task 1303 is returned to the base station idle task at 1101, and then the processing task is initialized again. The affirmative response from the query task 1303 initializes the processing task 1304.

The processing task 1304 will send an Alert OnOrder to each mobile phone that has an ACK'D paging command.

The mobile phone will capture the command in the monitoring base station task of the query task 1509 and restart the task of processing the base station command at the entrance 2400. The control initiates the query task 2402 again to monitor the paging command. The negative response from the query task 2402 initiates the query task 2406 and monitors the warning command. The affirmative response from the query task 2406 initiates the query task 2407 and monitors the warning opening command. The affirmative response from the query task 2407 initializes the processing task 2408, which activates the internal ringer in the mobile phone to remind the user to call. The processing task 2408 then initializes the rescan task at the cordless idle entry 1420.

The pico station processing task 1304 then initializes the query task 1305 to monitor the response from the house extension. The affirmative response from the query task 1305 initializes the processing task 1311 and sends a release command to each reminded mobile phone.

The processing task 1311 then issues an update command to notify the mobile phone line occupation status. Control then returns to the base station idle task at the entrance 1101.

The negative response from the query task 1305 initiates the query task 1306 and monitors the response from the mobile phone. The negative result from the query task 1306 initializes the query task 1307 and detects the line ringing state again. The affirmative response of the query task 1307 initializes the processing task 1308 and restarts the ringing return timer for another five-second interval. Both the processing task 1308 and the negative result of the query task 1307 initialize the query task 1309.

The query task 1309 monitors the receipt of confirmations from all mobile phones. The negative response of the query task 1309 initializes the processing task 1312 and sends a paging command to each mobile phone that does not respond. The processing task 1312 initializes the processing task 1313, and sends a warning start command to each responding mobile phone. Both the processing task 1313 and the positive result from the query task 1309 initialize the query task 1310.

The query task 1310 monitors the situation of the ringing return timer. If the timer expires, the system determines that the caller has hung up. As a result, the affirmative response of the inquiry task 1310 and the initialization task 1311 ends the call. The negative response from the query task 1310 is returned to the query task 1305, and the response from the house extension is tested again.

Referring now to FIG. 24, processing the negative result of the base station command query task 2406 initializes the query task 2410, and monitors the release command from the pico station. The positive result of the query task initializes the processing task 2411, turns off the warning ringer, returns a disconnection response, and initializes the rescan task at the cordless idle entry 1420.

The negative result from the query task 2410 initializes the query task 2412 and monitors the update command from the pico station. The positive result from the query task 2412 initializes the processing task 2413, captures the new state and initializes the query task 2414. The negative result from the query task 2412 is returned to the rescan task at the cordless idle entry 1420.

The query task 2414 monitors whether the busy/idle state of the pico station is idle. The negative response from the query task 2414 initializes the query task 2421, counts the failures and compares the accumulated count with the maximum number of failures allowed. The positive result from the query task 2421 returns to the rescan task at the cordless idle entry 1420. The negative response from the query task 2421 is returned to the query task 2414, and the busy/idle state is tested again.

The positive result of the query task 2414 initializes the processing task 2415, confirms the update and initializes the query task 2416. The query task 2416 monitors whether the update command is a cell phone occupation message. The negative result of the query task 2416 initializes the query task 2422. Task 2422 monitors whether the update command is a line seized message. The negative result of the query task 2422 initializes the query task 2423. Task 2423 monitors whether the update command is an idle message. The negative response of the query task 2423 is returned to the rescan task at the cordless idle entry 1420.

When the user wants to answer an incoming call, he presses the off-hook key. This action is detected by the monitoring pico station function of the query task 1512 and its negative result initiates the call origination task at the entrance 2200.

As explained above, the initiating task entry 2200 initializes the query task 2201, and monitors the off-hook (green) key pressed state. The affirmative response of the query task 2201 initializes the query task 2203 to monitor the on state of the warning ringer. The affirmative response from the query task 2203 initiates the answer call task at the entry 2122.

Referring now to FIG. 21, the response call task entry 2122 initializes the query task 2123 to monitor the busy/idle status of the pico station. The negative response from the query task 2123 initializes the query task 2129, counts the failures and compares the accumulated count value with the maximum allowable number of failures. The affirmative result from the query task 2129 returns to the rescan task at the cordless idle entry 1420. The negative response from the query task 2129 initializes the query task 2123, and tests the busy/idle state again.

The affirmative response from the query task 2123 initializes the processing task 2124 and sends an "I'll Take It" message to the pico station. The processing task 2124 initializes the query task 2125 and monitors the confirmation from the pico station.

Referring now to FIG. 13, the pico station detects a response from the mobile phone in the query task 1306 of the initialization processing task 1314. The processing task 1314 issues a warning shutdown command to all other mobile phones, confirms the "I'll Take It" message from the answering mobile phone, and issues an update command to all other mobile phones. The update command is a message instructing the mobile phone to display "mobile phone occupied" or similar words. In this mode, all other mobile phones cannot be served through the pico system. However, communication services through the giant cell system are still available. The processing task 1314 then initializes the processing task 1315, takes the line to answer the call, and initializes the processing task 1316 to start a call through the process described above.

Referring back to FIG. 24, the mobile phone captures the warning shutdown command in the query task 2407, and then 2407 initializes the processing task 2409 to turn off the warning ringer. The processing task 2409 initializes the rescan task at the cordless idle entry 1420.

The answering mobile phone stays in the closed loop at the query task 2125 in FIG. 21, waiting for the ACK from the pico station. The negative result from the query task 2125 initializes the query task 2126 to monitor the update commands directed to this mobile phone. Once another mobile phone competes for a response and succeeds, the affirmative response from the query task 2126 will initialize the base station command processing task at the entrance 2401.

The negative response from the query task 2126 initializes the query task 2127 to monitor whether the signal strength of the pico station is greater than the disconnection level. The affirmative response from the query task 2127 closes the loop and initializes the query task 2125, waiting for the ACK from the pico station. The loss of the Pico station signal will generate a negative response from the query task 2127 and initialize the processing task 2128, clear the display and cancel the warning ringer. The processing task 2128 returns to the rescan task at the rescan entry 1402.

Receiving an ACK from the pico station in the query task 2125 initiates the initiation task at the cordless call entrance 2204 described above.

Each unanswered mobile phone receives an update command. Referring now to FIG. 24, the processing base station command query task 2416 detects the mobile phone occupancy state, and the positive result from the query task 2416 initializes the processing task 2417. The processing task 2417 displays the mobile phone occupancy message on the display screen and initializes the query task 2418 to monitor new commands from the pico station. Similarly, the affirmative response from the query task 2422 initializes the processing task 2424 and displays the line occupation message on the display screen. The affirmative response from the query task 2423 initializes the processing task 2425 and displays an idle message on the display screen. After task 2424 or 2425, program control proceeds to task 2418 to monitor new commands from the pico station.

The negative result from the query task 2418 initializes the query task 2419 to monitor whether the signal strength of the pico station is above the disconnection level. The affirmative response from the query task 2419 is returned to the query task 2418 to detect the pico station command. When the active mobile phone is in the call, all mobile phones will stay in this channel.

Once the mobile phone loses the signal from the pico station from the query task 2419, the negative result initializes the processing task 2420, clears the display and returns control to the rescan task at the entrance 1402.

Receiving a new command from the pico station will produce a positive result of the query task 2418, thereby initializing the task of processing the base station command at the entry 2401.

This sequence completes the call processing flow of the mobile phone and the pico station.

The alternative line selection module The alternative line selection module includes a modified cellular phone housed in an externally installable accessory that is powered by AC power and has an internal backup battery. Modifications to this cell phone unit include the addition of a switchable PSTN telephone line interface, the addition of allowing remote programming system compatibility, and other user operating software.

The purpose of the alternative line selection module is to provide flexible access for call service distribution. This function can be limited to inter-office exchange carrier (IXC) or extended to local exchange carrier (LEC). This feature is referred to herein as a competitive access option.

The alternative line selection module is an independent device, it may or may not be used with pico stations or dual-mode mobile phones. The alternative line is selected as an rf link to the customer site, which provides another access to the PSTN through the local cellular carrier device.

The alternative circuit selection module works under the control of the local cellular carrier. It monitors calls initiated from the premises and selectively routes the calls to the cellular system to complete the calls. The alternative line selectively monitors the giant cellular network and can route the call placed in the MIN of the alternative line selection to the house line to complete the call. The selection process, line substitution function and operation mode are downloaded from the cellular carrier to the alternative line selection through the remote programming capability described above. The use of remote programming lines ensures absolute control of the cellular carrier over the alternative line selection module.

In the illustrated embodiment, the PSTN central office line goes to the premises terminal at the input of the standard network interface device (NID) provided by the local exchange carrier. The output of the interface module is connected to the house line. The house line connects all customers' telephone equipment (extensions, fax machines, computer modems, cordless phones, etc.) to the central office line. The alternative circuit selection module is installed by connecting its input to the output of the NID. The house wiring is then connected to the output of the alternate wiring module. This allows alternative lines to select house lines in series.

This method of interconnection allows the alternative line selection module to become a replacement for the central office during the period when the alternative line selection actively provides competitive access from the cellular carrier to the house.

Referring now to FIG. 25, the remote programming operation of the initialization function and the alternative line selection module will be described.

When power is supplied, task 2501 is started to perform internal internal operations to place the telephone line interface and cellular radio unit in idle mode. The alternative line selection module is designed to ensure that its line interface and wireless unit fail (stop or power down) in the on-hook state and the transmitter is off, respectively.

Task 2501 transfers control to processing task 2502, uploading the contents of the non-volatile memory to determine the operating status. Then the processing task 2052 initializes the query task 2503 to test a programmable MIN.

If the MIN has not been programmed, the alternative line selection module will attempt to place a cellular call to a factory-programmed 1-800 host until the connection with the host is established.

This attempt is made on the strongest cellular bearer access channel (A side or B side) that initially serves the alternative line selection module. If the call is not accepted by the carrier to complete the call, the alternative line selection module will switch between the two sides and try the call again. If the host is busy and cannot handle a two-to-one line selection call, the two-to-one line selection module will retry at five-minute intervals until the connection is established.

The negative result from the query task 2503 initializes the processing task 2509, and the startup status light flashes red, indicating that the alternative line selection is invalid. The processing task 2509 then selects the B-side system and initializes control to the query task 2510 to monitor the available cellular services.

The positive result from the query task 2510 initializes the processing task 2512 and initiates a call to the 1-800 number assigned to the host. The query task 2513 is then initiated to determine whether the call is accepted by the selected system. The cellular carrier using the alternative line selection module is programmed to receive calls to the remotely programmed number without requiring the calling unit to have a valid MIN. If the result of the query task 2513 is negative or the result of the query task 2510 is negative, the processing task 2511 is initialized to force the alternative line selection module to switch to other cellular systems.

The processing task 2511 then returns to the query task 2510 to test the available services again. The positive result from the query task 2513 starts the query task 2514 to determine whether the host accepts the call from the alternative line selection module.

If the host does not respond, the negative result of the query task 2514 initializes the processing task 2534, enters a five-minute delay, and then returns to the query task 2510 to try to contact the host again.

The positive result from the query task 2514 initializes the processing task 2515, and obtains one time from the host including the MIN and SID of the alternative line selection, the current date/time set for the real clock, the host registration date/time window, and the operating parameter mode. download.

The operating parameter mode of the alternative line selection module includes the local exchange option (LEC bypass) command and the inter-office exchange option (IXC bypass) command. These parameters are stored in the central processing non-volatile memory.

The processing task 2515 then connects to the query task 2516 to monitor whether the host download is complete. If the download process fails, the negative result of the query task 2516 initializes the processing task 2534, performs a delay and retries.

The affirmative result of query task 2516 starts processing task 2517 and restores the status light to a steady green state, indicating that the alternative line selection module is now programmed and operable. The status LED is provided as a business tool to facilitate failure diagnosis when needed.

The processing task 2517 returns to the main business cycle of the alternative line selection, the check window entry at 2505.

When any power-on reset event occurs after the remote programming system is downloaded, the positive result from the query task 2503 initializes the query task 2504 to test whether the internal real clock is working properly. The affirmative result of the query task 2504 is returned to the main business cycle entry verification window at 2505.

The negative result from the query task 2504 initiates a direct process of contacting the remote programming system to calibrate the date and time. This task is completed by starting the query task 2524 to test the availability of the cellular service. If the service is available, a positive result from the query task 2524 starts the processing task 2525 to initiate a call to the host. The processing task 2525 initializes the query task 2526 and monitors the response from the host. The negative result from the query task 2526 initializes the processing task 2529, causes a one-minute delay, and then returns to the processing task 2525 to try again.

The response from the host provides a positive result from the query task 2526, and the processing task 2527 is initiated. The processing task 2527 obtains an update of the real clock from the remote programming system. Control then passes to query task 2528 to determine that the load was successful. The negative result of the query task 2528 is returned to the processing task 2529. The affirmative result of the query task 2528 is returned to the main business cycle at 2505, and the window entry is verified.

Once the query task 2524 determines that there is no service available, its negative result initializes the processing task 2535, lights the status LED to a steady red, and records the alarm status into the non-volatile memory to allow the event to be reported to the remote programming system. The processing task 2535 then starts the query task 2536 and continues to monitor the availability of cellular services.

If the service is not available, the query task 2536 returns the start of the query task 2536 with its negative result and remains in the tight loop. The positive result from query task 2536 initializes processing task 2537, restores the status light to steady green and returns to processing task 2525, and tries to contact the host.

The check window task entry at 2505 uses several processing steps as described above to initialize the query task 2506 following the standard cellular protocol to determine whether the cellular service is located at the alternative line selection location that conforms to the cellular carrier SID downloaded from the host Available.

The negative result from the query task 2506 is connected to the processing task 2530, the status light is lit steady red to indicate the alarm state and the event is recorded in the non-volatile memory for later reporting to the host. The processing task 2530 initializes the query task 2531 reserved for monitoring service availability in a tight loop. The negative result of query task 2531 is returned to the start of query task 2531. Once the service is available, the affirmative result from the query task 2531 starts the processing task 2532, restores the status LED to a stable green state, and returns to the task entry of the verification window at 2505.

When the service is available, the affirmative result of the query task 2506 is output to the initialization query task 2507. The alternative line selection module maintains a real-time clock and calendar to determine when its operating window is allowed and when it should contact the host for possible updates of operating parameters. The query task 2507 tests the current date/time and compares it with the remote programming call stored in the window. If the incoming call window is opened, the affirmative result of the query task 2507 starts the query task 2533.

The query task 2533 determines the delay timer, and the negative result of the query task 2533 initializes the query task 2518 to monitor service availability. The negative result from the query task 2518 is returned to the check window entry at 2505.

The affirmative result of the query task 2518 starts the processing task 2519 and initiates a call to the host. The processing task 2519 initializes the query task 2520 and tests the response from the host. Once the query task 2520 does not confirm that the remote programming system responds, negative exit will start the processing task 2523 and start the delay timer with a timeout value of 30 seconds. The processing task 2523 then returns to the check window entry at 2505.

If the response from the host produces a positive result of the query task 2520, the processing task 2521 is started and an update is obtained from the host. The processing task 2521 initializes the query task 2522 and determines the successful completion of the update.

The negative result from the query task 2522 initializes the delay timer processing task at 2523, and the positive result returns to the check window entry at 2505.

If the host call in the window is closed, the negative result of the query task 2507 initializes the query task 2508. The positive result of the query task 2533 also initializes the query task 2508. The query task 2508 compares the current date/time with the value downloaded from the remote programming system to determine whether the service window of the alternative line selection module is open. The existence of this kind of service window allows the cellular carrier to perform service management during the period when the cellular system's ability to handle house call services is limited.

If the query task 2508 determines that the business window is closed, the negative result is returned to the check window entry at 2505. If the business window is opened, the affirmative result of the query task 2508 starts the alternative line at the entrance 2601 to select the online task.

Therefore, when the service window is closed or the alternative line selection does not receive services from the cellular system, the alternative line selection module will ignore the activity of all lines in the house.

Referring now to FIG. 26, the function of the alternative line selection service will be described in more detail. When the operating window permits, the alternative line selects the wireless unit to receive the service from the cellular system. The alternative line selection online task is entered at 2601, the query task 2602 is initialized, and the line current is monitored to determine the off-hook indication. The positive result of the query task 2602 initializes the query task 2603 to test the real clock for the start of a new minute.

To ensure that all time-sensitive events are covered, if the alternative line selection online task finds that the line is occupied at the beginning of its business window, the query task 2603 exits the alternative line selection online task and returns to 2505 at the beginning of each new minute The entrance of the verification window. The negative result of the query task 2603 is returned to the start of the query task 2602, and the line status continues to be monitored.

When the line is idle, the negative result of the query task 2602 initializes the query task 2604 to monitor the alternative line selection configuration data to determine the bypass mode of the local exchange company. The affirmative result of the query task 2604 starts the processing task 2605 to activate the line transfer mechanism.

Processing task 2605 removes the house line from the central office and replaces all central office functions with the alternative line selection module. The negative results of processing task 2605 and query task 2604 both start query task 2606.

Query task 2606 monitors the house line to determine whether an extension is off-hook. The affirmative result of query task 2606 starts query task 2622 to monitor the LEC bypass mode. The affirmative result of query task 2622 initializes processing task 2623 to generate precise dial tone to the house line.

The negative results of processing task 2623 and query task 2622 start processing task 2624, capture the first dialed digit and transfer control to query task 2625.

Query 2625 to determine the LEC bypass mode, and the affirmative result initializes processing task 2626 to remove the dial tone signal. The negative results of processing task 2626 and query task 2625 initialize query task 2627 to determine whether the first number is one or zero. In both cases, an access investigation was generated.

Once the query task 2627 produces a negative result, the query task 2628 is started to monitor the LEC bypass mode. If the alternative line is selected in the IXC bypass mode, the negative result of the query task 2628 initializes the processing task 2629 and captures the dialed exchange office code (the first three digits). Processing task 2629 then initiates query task 2630 to determine whether this exchange code (NNX) is a number in a series of exchanges that are transferred to the cellular carrier to complete the call. The negative result of the query task 2630 is returned to the check window entry at 2505.

The affirmative result of query task 2630 and the affirmative result of query task 2628 start processing task 2631 to capture the complete dial-out number. The processing task 2631 then initializes the query task 2632 to test the LEC bypass mode. The negative result of query task 2632 starts processing task 2633, which obtains the line from the central office and effectively transfers the call to the PSTN. The house is now connected to the output interface of the alternative line selection module to keep the line powered by -48vdc talk battery. The affirmative results of processing task 2633 and query task 2632 initialize processing task 2634 to send a cellular call to the collected dial numbers.

The processing task 2634 connects the house line audio line so that the caller can hear the line detection provided in response to the call initiation. The processing task 2634 then starts the query task 2635 to monitor the status of the call event. By returning the affirmative result of the query task 2635 to the start of the query task 2635, control remains at the query task 2635 until the call removal event. The occurrence of the disconnection event produces a negative result of the query task 2635, and the processing task 2636 is initialized.

The processing task 2636 stops the call initiated by the alternative line selection, and releases it if the house line is occupied. Then choose one of the lines to select the online task and return to the check window entry 2505. The call transferred by the alternative line selection module will be completed before the alternative line selection window is closed.

If the query task 2606 produces a negative result based on the situation of the extension, the query task 2607 is activated to monitor the reception of incoming calls from the cellular carrier pointing to the alternative line selection MIN. The positive result of the query task 2607 initiates the query task 2608 to determine whether the alternative line selection MIN call is an IXC bypass event that will be transferred to the house line.

If the result of query task 2608 is negative, start processing task 2609, answer the alternative line selection MIN call and answer the host access protocol. The processing task 2609 initiates the query task 2610 to determine whether the remote programming system is a caller. The negative result of the query task 2610 initializes the processing task 2611, stops the alternative line selection MIN call and returns control to the check window entry 2505.

Once the result of the query task 2610 is affirmative, the processing task 2612 is initiated, the remote programming system update session is captured and the processing task 2613 is initialized, the alternative line selection MIN call is removed, and the verification window entry 2505 is returned.

If the IXC bypass is in effect, the result of query task 2608 is affirmative and processing task 2617 is initialized, occupying the house line and generating a ringing voltage to remind the extension of an incoming call. The processing task 2617 then initializes the query task 2618 to monitor to determine whether a response from the extension has been generated.

The negative result from the query task 2618 initiates the query task 2619 to monitor the continued presence of cellular callers. The negative result from the query task 2619 exits through the processing task 2613 described above. The affirmative result of the query task 2617 is returned to the ringing generation processing task 2617.

The response from the extension produces a positive result of the query task 2618, and the processing task 2620 is initialized. Processing task 2620 connects the house line audio to cellular wireless communication to allow calls. The processing task 2620 then starts the query task 2621 to monitor the call situation. The query task 2621 will remain in the tight loop until the disconnection event occurs. The affirmative result of the query task 2621 returns the input of the query task 2621.

When the disconnection event occurs, the negative result of the query task 2621 initializes the processing task 2613 described above.

If the line selection MIN does not receive the call, the negative result of the query task 2607 initializes the query task 2614 to monitor whether the central office line has ringing voltage. The negative result of the query task 2614 returns control to the check window entry 2505.

The affirmative result of the query task 2514 starts the query task 2615 to monitor the response from an extension on the house line. The negative result of the query task 2615 is returned to the beginning of the query task 2614, and the line ringing continues to be monitored.

The positive result of the query task 2615 initializes the query task 2616 to monitor whether the answered call has a disconnection event. If the call is still valid, the affirmative result of the query task 2616 is returned to the start of the query task 2616 in a tight loop. When the call is completed, the negative result of the query task 2616 will be returned to the check window entry 2505.

When the alternative line selection is not operating in the LEC bypass mode, the call activity query tasks 2635 and 2621 use the alternative line selection input line interface to monitor whether there is ringing on the central office line during the transfer of the call by the alternative line selection module Bell voltage. Once there is a call to the house, the alternative line selection will send a call waiting tone to the house side of the output line interface.

The house line extension user can choose to answer the call by performing a quick disconnection. The alternative line selection detects a quick on-off response to the alternative line selection call waiting prompt, which will cause the alternative line selection to switch its output line interface back to the central office line in order to answer the incoming call.

The cellular call is put on hold, and the house line effectively suspends the called party and waits for the next quick connection. If the caller forgets to return to the suspended cellular call and simply hangs up the extension, the alternative line selection will occupy the output line interface and generate a ringing voltage to the house line.

When this ringing is answered, the alternative line selection module reconnects the cellular call to the house line. Once the cellular called party ends when suspended, the alternative line selection module will ignore any other quick on-off from the house line.

The alternative-to-one line selection module detects an unsolicited fast connection and disconnection when the call is in progress, and transfers to the cellular system to follow the cellular protocol.

When the operating mode of the alternative line selection module is dedicated LEC update, the alternative line selection line interface is always occupied (connected to the house line) and never released. All incoming or outgoing communications will be handled by the alternative line selection module and the cellular system.

The customer's use of the described system is extremely simple and offers numerous advantages. In the purchase business, customers can choose to support each of the 6 mobile phones on up to three pico sites. Therefore, the layout of various pico stations is possible, that is, the dedicated mobile phones required within the home range are home and office.

The steps for customer activation are very simple, just include inserting the pico station, placing each cell phone close to each other, selecting the cell phone activation command and pressing the activation button on the base station.

After registration, the use of the mobile phone is actually similar to a standard wired phone, because as long as the mobile phone is turned on and goes off-hook, a dial tone will be generated. Since then, the standard wireless dial-up protocol is used.

A special mobile phone, one for each family member, including a select number and optional ringing function. When used with the call forwarding function of this system, each family member can identify and answer the special number that points to them at home. Personal call.

The display feature of the mobile phone always allows the customer to know the level of the service being used, and even allows the customer to know how many home phones are registered when entering the home area.

Another feature adjusts the power usage of the mobile phone, saves battery energy as much as possible, and provides a system with minimal adjacent channel interference and minimal risk of eavesdropping.

Another feature is that when the pico station serves another mobile phone in the home area, the cellular system can be used to provide a dedicated second line for call initiation. Obviously, customers can also directly benefit from a variety of different business solutions, so that billing can meet special needs.

From a system point of view, the preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a multi-mode personal wireless communication system integrated and coexisting in a wireless telephone network such as a cellular network. This system provides both standard and unique additional services in order to select a group of customers with special mobile phones without affecting other customers supported by the network or cellular system. The coexistence of the system is established by using a reverse control protocol level on the minimum number of reserved cellular channels, which are shared by all selected client groups in a special enhanced cordless operation mode. The integration of the system is provided through strict compliance with established protocol standards without the need for frequency scheme coordination. In addition, the present invention provides the use of special standard overhead messages with programmable content input cellular systems.

This allows cellular service providers to effectively market their services in the form of coverage areas that attract customers the most. These areas can be as small as a single cell site or reach the entire system. Therefore, customers can now purchase a form of service that provides local usage billing in areas of interest and additional usage billing in other areas. The existing cellular client device will ignore the additional overhead message and continue to get cellular service.

The special mobile phone of the present invention automatically switches between them and operates in the analog or digital mode of the standard cellular network according to the existing standard protocol. When in the range of an independent, locally interconnected picocell, a special mobile phone uses a special protocol in an enhanced cordless mode. In order to be consistent with the goals required by the ubiquitous telecommunication system, when the mobile phone is in the coverage of the relevant picocell, the mobile phones provided by the present invention can use the cellular network as a dedicated second line for call initiation.

The special location analysis method of the present invention, implemented by these mobile phones, prohibits them from attempting to communicate with the relevant picocells until they are near the proper location. This saves battery power and greatly reduces unnecessary transmissions on reserved channels. Controlling such transmissions enhances the effectiveness of these channels in carrying call traffic.

In addition, the internal accurate dial tone is added to these special mobile phones and dial analysis is used according to the North American numbering plan to provide customers with a very user-friendly and easy-to-use mobile phone. The special mobile phone message display screen of the present invention also increases the user-friendliness of the system, which is reflected in the fact that the customer can always know which part of the system is providing services and the relative cost, that is, home-local-foreign.

In addition, the present invention adds excellent ringing level characteristics to the call forwarding level characteristics, so that the customer can quickly recognize that the incoming and outgoing call belongs to a specific one of the supported special mobile phones at the pico cell location. This can be achieved by connecting all phones to the house line that rings with the ringing signal tone of the desired phone. The present invention also provides economic benefits to service providers because it has the ability of a special mobile phone to be remotely programmed through a special protocol. This feature allows special mobile phones to be distributed through sales channels that are currently ineffective to service providers, further reducing the final cost of customers. In addition, the present invention provides these special mobile phones with the ability to recognize and operate with up to three independent picocells, providing customers with the flexibility to establish multiple local system environments. With the addition of additional locations, call traffic can be offloaded from the cellular network, and service providers benefit from this. This offloading of traffic will allow current cellular networks to implement the invention in a way that has minimal impact on the existing customer base.

The present invention provides transparent pico cells to the network, which are activated and controlled through an overlapping cellular structure that operates independently of the cellular network. As explained earlier, this overlapping structure uses a special control protocol on the reserved channel with the usage level reserved for the cellular.

This special control method does not require picocells to contact, communicate with, or become part of the entire cellular network, allowing their operations to be transparent to the existing customer base supported by the cellular network. The present invention requires that each picocell is composed of a spectrum dynamic, non-capturing, frequency-sensitive, multi-purpose base station, and the customer can establish the base station at a selected location. Each picocell operates with an overlapping cellular structure and supports an enhanced cordless operation mode for special mobile phones. Each picocell can support multiple mobile phones and form an independent, locally interconnected wireless communication system with limited coverage, and effectively download communication services from the cellular system. Each picocell achieves the above-mentioned purpose through the local interconnection with the PSTN without the need for the cellular network to independently process its registered special mobile phone call communication.

However, in addition to this, as an increase in the communication capacity of the cellular network, a component called the alternative line selection module of the present invention can provide wireless local interconnection capabilities. The alternative line selection module is remotely programmed and allows cellular service providers to selectively forward or distribute call communications from the public switched telephone network to the cellular wireless telephone network and from the cellular wireless telephone network to the public switched telephone network, generating the entire Wireless system.

This alternative circuit selection module includes in its programmable operating standard the data needed to internally determine when it will operate and what special function it will perform.

As provided in the present invention, the alternative line selection module can be used as an attachment to the existing cellular network independent of other components. When activated in the feed-in house line, this component is an effective replacement for the smart central office. This capability provides a wireless interconnection replacement and remains fully compatible with existing equipment currently connected to the house line, enabling cellular service providers to effectively compete in the local exchange market.

The present invention also provides a service control unit and a host station, which facilitates the wireless activation and control of each picocell and special mobile phone through the overlapping cellular structure. These components of the system ensure the integrity of each component, reducing the amount of manpower previously required. The method of integrating the activation system with existing customers and the security protocol greatly reduce the chance of incorrect operation.

The invention provides a combination with the ability of a remote programming system, and eliminates the need for data modem hardware in terminal devices (picocells and mobile phones). This simplification of the hardware, combined with the increase in operating speed due to the improved data rate provided by the 10K bit channel, results in an economical and viable remote programming process.