Abstract:
A computer readable storage medium stores a set of instructions executable by a processor. The set of instructions being operable to receive, from a communications network, an indication that an element of the network is at a capacity limit; and initiate a communications session from a user communication device using an alternative network, wherein the alternative network transmits the communications session to the communications network.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    During peak hours, emergencies, and other situations, mobile communications networks may experience significant congestion. This congestion may lead to delays, inability to connect communication sessions, dropped sessions, etc. In such situations, it is advantageous to have an alternative routing path available in order to be able to complete such sessions successfully. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    A computer readable storage medium stores a set of instructions executable by a processor. The set of instructions being operable to receive, from a communications network, an indication that an element of the network is at a capacity limit; and initiate a communications session from a user communication device using an alternative network, wherein the alternative network transmits the communications session to the communications network. 
         [0003]    A communications device includes a memory, first and second communications links, and a processor. The processor is configured to receive an instruction via the first communications link to conduct communications via the second communications link. The processor is further configured to initiate a communications session via the second communications link. 
         [0004]    A network device of a communications network includes a memory and a processor. The processor is configured to determine that a network access point of the communications network has reached a capacity limit. The processor is further configured to instruct a user device to initiate a communications session via a secondary network. The processor is further configured to receive an indication that the communications session has been initiated via the secondary network. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]      FIG. 1  shows an exemplary communications network. 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  shows an exemplary method for providing an alternative call routing to a mobile device in a communications network such as the exemplary network of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0007]    The exemplary embodiments may be further understood with reference to the following description and the appended drawings, wherein like elements are referred to with the same reference numerals. The exemplary embodiments describe methods and systems for providing alternative call routing in situations when a cellular phone or other mobile device may be unable to complete a call due to a lack of network capacity. In the exemplary embodiments, calls are routed via a GPS receiver that is linked to the mobile device. 
         [0008]    During peak hours, emergencies, and other high-traffic situations, mobile communications networks may experience significant congestion. This congestion may lead to delays, inability to connect communication sessions, dropped sessions, etc. In particular, such congestion may occur at a single base station, which may be unable to handle traffic as a result. In such situations, it is advantageous to have an alternative routing path available in order to be able to complete such sessions successfully. 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary system  100 . The system  100  includes user equipment  110 , which may include, for example, a cellular phone, a smart phone, or another personal communications device. The user equipment  110  is in bi-directional contact with a GPS receiver  120 . In one embodiment, the GPS receiver  120  and the user equipment  110  may form a single device (e.g., a mobile phone with integrated GPS), may communicate wirelessly (e.g., via a personal area network (“PAN”) such as a Bluetooth network), may share a wired communication, or may be linked in any other manner to allow bi-directional communication. The GPS receiver  120  is in wireless bi-directional communication with a GPS server  130 ; in addition to navigational data, this communication link may also be capable of transmitting other types of data. 
         [0010]    The system  100  also includes a wireless network  140  accessible by the user equipment  110 . In one embodiment, this may be a cellular phone network or a mobility network. In one embodiment, the wireless network  140  may be a universal mobile telecommunications system (“UMTS”) network. The wireless network  140  may include a plurality of Node B components  150 , which may directly communicate with devices such as the user equipment  110 . The wireless network  140  may further include a plurality of radio network controllers (“RNC”)  160 , which may coordinate the operations of the wireless network  140 . For simplicity,  FIG. 1  illustrates only one Node B  150  and one RNC  160 , but those of skill in the art will understand that other such networks may include significantly more of each element and any number of additional network elements to provide the functionality of the wireless network  140 . The wireless network  140  is also capable of bi-directional data communication with the GPS server  130 . While the communication is illustrated as wireless in  FIG. 1 , the GPS server  130  may communicate via a wired connection with a component of the wireless network  140 . 
         [0011]      FIG. 2  illustrates an exemplary method  200  by which alternative call routing may be provided for user equipment such as the user equipment  110  of  FIG. 1 . The method  200  will be described specifically with reference to the system  100  of  FIG. 1 ; however, those of skill in the art will understand that the broader principles may be equally applicable to various other types of systems. 
         [0012]    In step  210 , the user equipment  110  attempts to route a communication session (e.g., a phone call) through the network  140  by contacting Node B  150 . This may be, for example, a newly initiated communication session or a session that is being handed over from a different Node B to the Node B  150 . In step  220 , the RNC  160  receives the request to route the communication session and determines whether to use the network  140  to handle the communication session, or whether to provide alternative call routing as will be described below. In one embodiment, this determination may be made based on a routing or bandwidth capacity of the network  140  and/or a quality of service guaranteed for the user. In another embodiment, the RNC  160  may determine that alternative call routing is appropriate if the call being initiated is a priority call that may merit special treatment. 
         [0013]    If the RNC  160  determines that alternative call routing should be provided, then, in step  230 , the RNC  160  notifies the user equipment  110  of this determination. This may be accomplished, for example, via the Node B  150 . Next, in step  240 , the user equipment  110 , which may be pre-provisioned for alternative routing as described herein, sends data relating to the communication session to the GPS receiver  120 . Those of skill in the art will understand that the nature of this data transfer depends on the nature of the connection between the user equipment  110  and the GPS receiver  120 ; for example, where the user equipment  110  and GPS receiver  120  are integrated into a single device, data may be sent via an internal bus, whereas if the user equipment  110  and the GPS receiver  120  are linked via a network (e.g., a wireless PAN), data may be sent via the network. 
         [0014]    Upon receiving this data, in step  250  the GPS receiver  120 , which may also be pre-provisioned for this function, transmits the data via its link to the GPS server  130 ; as stated above, the communication link between the GPS receiver  120  and the GPS server  130  may be capable of carrying additional data beyond the standard navigational data. Next, in step  260 , the GPS server  130 , which may also be pre-provisioned to carry data traffic for communications sessions in this manner, sends the received data to the network  140 . The transmission of data from the GPS server  130  to the wireless network  140  may be accomplished by any type of communication link that may be capable of such transmission; in one embodiment, transmission may be accomplished via an IP network (e.g., the Internet). 
         [0015]    Alternately, if, in step  220 , the RNC  160  determined that alternate call routing was not required, then, in step  270 , the user equipment  110  initiates communications via the Node B  150  using normal procedures. As stated above, initiation of communications in this context may signify either the creation of a new communication session or the handoff of an existing communication session to the Node B  150 . After either step  260  or step  270 , the method continues in step  280 , where the communication session proceeds within the wireless network  140  using normal procedures. After step  280 , the method terminates. 
         [0016]    The exemplary embodiments provide an alternative call routing path that may avoid congestion if elements of a network, such as the Node B  150  of  FIG. 1 , have reached capacity. The exemplary embodiments may also provide selective alternative routing for high-priority communication sessions. This may be accomplished using components that are typically collocated with user equipment, such as the GPS receiver  120  of  FIG. 1 . As a result, a communication network may be rendered more robust, improving performance and customer satisfaction. 
         [0017]    It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made in the present invention, without departing from the spirit or the scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.