Method and system for automatically connecting telephone calls to multiple devices having different directory numbers

A system and method for providing telecommunication extension service to a subscriber with at least a first unit having a first number and a second unit having a second number. Upon receipt of a communication directed to the number associated with the one of the units, ringing is provided to both units. A party may answer either unit, or both units may be answered. If one unit is answered, then the other unit is provided with ringing for a predetermined number of rings or for a preselected amount of time. If the other unit is answered, then the communication is connected in a conference call to the other unit, whereby the communication is connected to both units. The conference call may be monitored for drop-out of one of the units. If one unit drops out, the other unit may remains connected. A disconnection feature allows a party who answers on a unit to provide an indication to discontinue ringing to the other unit, or to disconnect the other unit. If a unit is not engaged in a conference call, then that unit may be used to place and receive telecommunications even if the other unit is engaged.

TECHNICAL FIELD 
The present invention generally relates to telecommunication systems, and 
more particularly relates to a system and method for providing a 
telecommunication extension service to a subscriber who has two or more 
telecommunication units. Even more particularly, the present invention 
relates to a system and method for providing a wireless telecommunication 
extension service in a telecommunication network including a wireline and 
wireless network to a subscriber with at least a wireline unit and a 
wireless unit. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
Keeping in touch. Since the dawn of history, human beings have developed 
increasingly more sophisticated means of keeping in touch. First, it was 
language. Then came systems for communicating over distance such as smoke 
signals, drumbeats and semaphores. The heroes of the Industrial Revolution 
provided us with the radio, the telegraph and the telephone. More 
recently, mobile telephones, televisions and networked computers allow us 
to keep in touch. 
The prime importance that people attach to keeping in touch is easily 
demonstrated by an inventory of a typical person's home. There you will 
generally find at least a radio, a television and a telephone. Moreover, 
it is not unusual for a home to have several telephone extensions so that 
a call may be answered quickly and conveniently. The fear of missing a 
call and thereby being out-of-touch has led many people to use telephone 
answering machines and services to record messages from callers. Also, the 
fear of missing a call and thereby being out-of-touch has led many people 
to use mobile telephones, which they typically use while they are on the 
go and away from their homes. 
But people with answering machines, mobile telephones and multiple 
telephone extensions in their homes still miss calls. How can this happen 
to a person equipped with all that technology? The way it happens is 
generally not based on technology. Rather, it is based on a failing of 
human nature. That is, would-be callers generally have difficulty 
remembering or otherwise keeping up with somebody else's telephone number. 
Would-be callers have even greater difficulty remembering or otherwise 
keeping up with somebody else's mobile telephone number as well as 
somebody else's telephone number. The result is that a caller calls the 
number that he or she remembers or to which he or she has ready access 
such as through directory assistance. The caller may not reach the called 
party at that number. The person has missed the call. The person is out of 
touch, at least with respect to that caller. 
There are groups of people who do not share the human failing of having 
difficulty in remembering somebody else's telephone number, and 
especially, of somebody else's telephone number and mobile telephone 
number. One such group includes "mothers with grown children who allegedly 
never call their mothers". Members of this group have been known to track 
down their offspring by repeated calls to the offspring's telephone number 
and mobile telephone number. Mom will try to reach her offspring at home; 
if that fails, mom will try to reach her offspring on the mobile 
telephone; if that fails, mom will try to reach her offspring at home; and 
if that fails . . . The fact that the offspring is equipped with a 
telephone and a mobile telephone may increase by two-fold the number of 
calls that mom will make to reach her offspring. When the offspring 
finally answers such a call, the offspring gets an earful including a 
complaint that mom had to make all sorts of efforts to reach the offspring 
at either the offspring's telephone or mobile telephone. Of course, mom 
may also provide a little education by quoting Shakespeare: "How sharper 
than a serpent's tooth it is to have a thankless child." 
The foregoing paragraph provides a humorous example. But it demonstrates 
the inconvenience visited upon a would-be caller. That would-be caller may 
have to place at least two separate calls to two different numbers to 
finally reach the person, if the person is equipped with a telephone and a 
mobile telephone. The likelihood of the caller reaching the person may be 
doubled because of the person's telecommunications equipment. In other 
words, the person is less likely to miss a call. However, the 
inconvenience in making two calls (even if the would-be caller remembers 
or has ready access to the numbers) cuts into the likelihood that the 
caller will make the calls. The caller may just not be as motivated to 
make the second call as a member of the group: "mothers with grown 
children who allegedly never call their mothers."If the caller is not 
motivated enough to overcome the inconvenience by making more than one 
call, the person will miss the call. The person is out of touch, at least 
with respect to that caller. 
To keep better in touch and to avoid missing a call, a person generally 
distributes his or her telephone number, and if so equipped, his or her 
mobile telephone number. This distribution may be as simple as orally 
informing all would-be callers of these numbers. To a business person, 
this distribution may be as complicated as sending out flyers, passing out 
business cards, posting notices, etc. To a limited extent, this 
distribution of numbers helps the person to keep in touch. The extent to 
which this helps a person avoid missing calls depends on whether would-be 
callers retain the distribution of information and whether would-be 
callers use such a distribution. The flyers, business cards and notices 
may wind up in the would-be callers' recycle bins, or be misplaced, or be 
inconveniently stored. 
Of course, the person's pertinent numbers may change. For example, a person 
who subscribes to mobile telephone service from a particular service 
provider may switch to another service provider for a whole host of 
reasons: better service; less expense; etc. The switch to another service 
provider typically results in a change in the mobile telephone number. 
Thus, to keep in touch and to avoid missing a call, the person has to 
distribute the new number. As before, this distribution may be as simple 
as orally informing all would-be callers of these numbers. On the other 
hand, this distribution may be as complicated as having to send out new 
flyers, print and pass out new business cards, post new notices, etc. 
Whether it's a simple distribution of the new mobile telephone number or a 
complicated distribution, or somewhere between, the change in the mobile 
telephone number results in a hassle. The person may not have distributed 
the new number to all would-be callers; or the would-be callers may have 
forgotten or lost the new number; or the would-be callers may continue to 
call the old number. The person may miss a call and be out of touch for an 
initial period until the change takes hold. This hassle is inconvenient 
and annoying. This hassle may be enough of an impediment to prevent a 
person from taking advantage of better service or less expensive service 
opportunities from a different service provider of mobile 
telecommunication service. In other words, this hassle in distribution of 
a new number may stifle competition in the provision of telecommunication 
services. 
Whether it is an initial distribution of telephone numbers, or a 
distribution of new numbers, the distribution provides would-be callers 
with ready access to the person's pertinent telecommunication numbers. 
Using a person's business card with such number information, a would-be 
caller may try to reach the person by calling first one number, and if no 
answer is received, then by calling the other number. In other words, the 
would-be caller may have to make two calls to get in touch with the 
person. Thus, the distribution of the pertinent numbers by the person may 
resolve the difficulty that some would-be callers have in keeping track of 
a person's telephone number and mobile telephone number. However, the 
distribution does not affect the fact that a caller may have to make two 
or more calls (and repeat those calls) to track down a person. As noted, 
not all callers are motivated enough to overcome the inconvenience of 
making two or more calls. If the caller lacks such motivation, the person 
may miss the call. The person is out of touch, at least with respect to 
that caller. 
The foregoing paragraphs have discussed some of the difficulties faced by a 
person in trying to keep in touch and to avoid missing calls in a 
telephone and mobile telephone environment. Telecommunication service 
providers share the concerns of their subscribers, but they, of course, 
have their own points of view. One interest of a mobile telecommunication 
service provider is to increase air time usage of a mobile telephone by a 
subscriber. Generally, the fees for mobile telecommunication service are 
based on such air time usage. So, more air time usage means more fees for 
the service provider. Thus, such a service provider is interested in 
minimizing the inconvenience to would-be callers in placing calls to 
mobile telephones and promoting the increased use of mobile telephones by 
subscribers. Given the cost of mobile telephone service and the existing 
conventional telephone plant, it is unrealistic to expect the public to 
switch over completely to the use of mobile telephones. Nevertheless, it 
is in the interests of mobile telecommunication service providers to 
increase the probability that a person's mobile telephone is used for as 
much of the person's telecommunication needs as possible. 
Accordingly, with respect to mobile telecommunication service providers, 
there is a need for a system that promotes increased air time usage of a 
mobile telephone by a subscriber. There is an additional need for a system 
that promotes competition in the provision of mobile telephone service by 
making it more convenient for persons to change mobile telecommunication 
service providers. 
Additionally, with respect to subscribers of telecommunication services, 
there is a need for a system that allows people to keep in touch with 
others and to avoid missing communications. In particular, there is a need 
for a system that minimizes the amount of information a person has to 
distribute with respect to a person's telecommunication devices. For 
example, there is a need for a system that allows a person to distribute a 
single number rather than both a telephone number and a mobile telephone 
number. As another example, there is a need for a system that obviates the 
necessity of distributing a new number when a person changes from one 
provider of mobile telecommunication service to another such provider. 
Further, there is a need for a system that eliminates the inconvenience to 
would-be callers of trying to reach a person with a telephone and a mobile 
telephone. For example, there is a need for a system that eliminates the 
necessity of having to place separate (and possibly repeated) calls to a 
person's telephone number and a person's mobile telephone number in order 
to finally reach the person. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention satisfies the needs in the art explained above in 
that the present invention relates to a method and system for providing a 
telecommunication extension service. Particular advantages of the present 
invention are set forth below at the conclusion of this summary. 
Stated generally, one method of the present invention provides 
telecommunication extension service to a subscriber who has a first and 
second unit for use in keeping in touch through telecommunication. Upon 
receipt of a communication directed to the number associated with the one 
of the units, the method checks whether the other unit is available to 
receive the communication. If the second unit is available, then ringing 
is provided to both units. If either unit is answered, then the 
communication is connected to the answered unit. The other unit is 
provided with ringing for a predetermined number of rings or for a 
preselected amount of time so that the other unit may be answered within 
the predetermined number of rings or the preselected amount of time. If 
the other unit is answered, then the communication is connected to the 
other unit, whereby the communication is connected to both units. 
An embodiment of the method of the present invention provides that if 
either unit is answered in response to the ringing before the other unit, 
then, as noted above, the communication is connected to the answered unit. 
However, in this embodiment, the ringing to the other unit is 
discontinued, whereby the communication is connected only to the answered 
unit and the other unit may not be answered after the connection of the 
communication to the answered unit. Another feature that may be included 
in the method of the present invention is that ringing to the other unit 
may be discontinued in response to receiving an indication from the 
answered unit to discontinue the ringing. 
The preferred method includes additional steps such as monitoring a 
communication that is connected to both units for the drop-out of one of 
the units. In response to detecting the drop-out of one of the units, the 
communication is disconnected from the unit that dropped out, whereby the 
communication remains connected only to the unit that has not dropped out. 
Another embodiment of the method of the present invention provides that the 
unanswered (or unconnected) unit may be used as a telecommunications 
device even if the answered unit is connected to a communication. For 
example, if a second communication is received with this second 
communication being directed to a number associated with the unanswered 
(or unconnected) unit, then the second communication may be routed to this 
unit. In this manner, a different communication may be connected to each 
of the units. As another example, if somebody wants to make a telephone 
call on one of the units, the person may make the call even if the other 
unit is connected to a communication. For example, an indication (such as 
a flash hook) may be received from the unit that's not in use with respect 
to the placement of a communication from that unit. In response thereto, 
the communication may be routed from the other unit, whereby the second 
communication is connected from the other unit while the first 
communication remains connected to the answered unit. 
Advantageously, the present invention also includes a system for providing 
a telecommunications extension service to a subscriber. The system 
includes a switch, and first and second programmable network elements. In 
the preferred embodiment, the first programmable network element is a 
service control point, and the second programmable network element is a 
services node. In this system, in response to the receipt of a 
communication directed to a number associated with a subscriber's 
telecommunications unit, the switch suspends the processing of the 
communication, and requests communication processing instructions from the 
first programmable network element. The first programmable network element 
checks whether a second unit associated with the subscriber is available 
for receipt of the communication. If the second unit is available, the 
first programmable network element provides the communication processing 
instructions to the switch. The communication processing instructions 
include a direction to route the communication to the second programmable 
network element. The switch responds to the communication processing 
instructions by routing the communication to the second programmable 
network element. In response, the second programmable network element sets 
up a first leg of a conference call from the communication to the first 
unit, and sets up a second leg of the conference call from the 
communication to the second unit. The second programmable network element 
also causes ringing to be provided to the first unit and the second unit. 
In the preferred embodiment of the system of the present invention, the 
second programmable network element is operative to detect whether either 
unit is answered in response to the ringing. If a unit answered, then the 
communication is connected to the unit that answered. The second 
programmable network element further provides that ringing is continued to 
the other unit for a predetermined number of rings or for a preselected 
amount of time so that the other unit may be answered within the 
predetermined number of rings or the preselected amount of time. If the 
other unit is answered, then the second programmable network element 
connects the communication to the other unit, whereby the communication is 
connected to both units. 
In an embodiment of the system, if one of the units is answered, then the 
communication is connected to the answered unit, and the ringing to the 
other unit is discontinued, whereby the communication is connected only to 
the answered unit, and the other unit may not be answered after the 
connection of the communication to the answered unit. Another feature that 
may be present in an embodiment of the system is the action of the second 
programmable network element to respond to receipt of an indication from 
the answered unit to discontinue the ringing by providing that the ringing 
be discontinued to the other unit. 
In another embodiment of the system, if the communication is connected to 
both units, then the second programmable network element monitors the 
communication for the drop-out of one of the units. If a unit drops out, 
then the communication is disconnected from the unit that dropped out, 
whereby the communication remains connected to the unit that did not drop 
out. 
In the preferred embodiment of the system, one of the units of the 
subscriber is a wireless unit. In this embodiment, the first programmable 
network element is directly connected to a home location register via a 
data link. When the first programmable element is to check whether the 
wireless unit is available, the first programmable network element formats 
a request for availability information relating to the wireless unit in a 
wireless network protocol. The first programmable element then sends the 
request for the availability information over the data link that directly 
connects the first programmable network element and the home location 
register. In response, the home location register sends the availability 
information over the data link to the first programmable network element. 
Based on the availability information, the first programmable element 
provides the switch with communication processing instructions. 
A particular aspect of the present invention includes a method for checking 
the availability of a wireless unit to receive a communication. In this 
method, a communication is received at a service switching point. The 
service switching point suspends the processing of the communication, and 
launches a query to a service control point for communication processing 
instructions. In response to the query, the service control point checks 
whether the communication is directed to a wireless number associated with 
the wireless unit. If the communication is directed to the wireless number 
associated with the wireless unit, then the service control point formats 
a request for availability information relating to the wireless unit in a 
wireless network protocol. The service control point also sends the 
request for the availability information over a data link that directly 
connects the service control point and a home location register. In 
response to the request for the availability information, the home 
location register sends the availability information over the data link to 
the service control point. In response to receipt of the availability 
information, the service control point provides the service switching 
point with the communication processing instructions. 
The above-described method for checking the availability of a wireless unit 
to receive a communication may also include the following steps. Prior to 
providing the service switching point with the communication processing 
instructions, and in response to receipt of the availability information, 
the service control point may examine the content of the availability 
information. The service control point then may base the content of the 
communication processing instructions on the content of the availability 
information. In addition, prior to causing the service control point to 
provide the service switching point with the communication processing 
instructions, and in response to receipt of the availability information, 
the service control point may examine the content of the availability 
information. If the content indicates that the wireless unit is available, 
then the service control point may instruct the service switching point in 
the communication processing instructions to route the communication to 
the wireless unit. Alternatively, prior to providing the service switching 
point with the communication processing instructions, and in response to 
receipt of the availability information, the service control point may 
examine the content of the availability information. If the content 
indicates that the wireless unit is unavailable, then the service control 
point may instruct the service switching point in the communication 
processing instructions to provide the caller with notice that the 
wireless unit is unavailable. 
Advantageously, the present invention provides telecommunication extension 
service to a subscriber who has two or more telecommunication units. 
Pursuant to this service, notice of a communication directed to one of the 
units is provided by ringing both (or all) of the units. The subscriber 
may receive and respond to the communication through use of any of the 
units. Advantageously, the use of one or more telecommunication units 
(each with their own numbers) as extensions to a specified 
telecommunication unit selected by the subscriber allows the subscriber to 
receive calls directed to the subscriber's selected unit by answering such 
calls on the other units. The use of an extension unit to a selected unit 
allows the subscriber freedom to move away from the location of the 
selected unit without missing calls. The telecommunication extension 
service makes it easy to contact a subscriber. Callers are not 
inconvenienced by having to make a call to each of the subscriber's 
different telecommunication units. One call does it all. 
Another advantage of the present invention is that to keep in touch and to 
avoid missing calls, the subscriber distributes only a minimal amount of 
information. The subscriber does not have to provide would-be callers with 
any more information than the number for the subscriber's selected 
telecommunications unit. The telecommunication extension service makes it 
easy to contact a subscriber. Would-be callers do not have to keep track 
of a lot of different numbers and other information. With the preferred 
embodiment of the present invention, a call to the subscriber's selected 
unit, reaches the subscriber's other unit(s) if the telecommunication 
extension service is enabled and the other unit(s) are available to 
receive calls. By obviating the need to provide would-be callers with 
additional telephone numbers (such as the subscriber's mobile telephone 
number, etc.), the subscriber is free to change his or her numbers or to 
change a subscription to a different mobile telephone service provider 
without worrying about updating would-be callers with all the relevant 
numbers. 
While the preferred embodiment of the present invention is disclosed in the 
context of a telecommunication service that allows a wireless unit to be 
used as an extension to a wireline unit, those skilled in the art will 
appreciate that the principles of the present invention may be applied so 
as to provide alternate telecommunication services based on the principles 
described in the context of the preferred embodiment. In particular, the 
present invention provides for an alternate telecommunication extension 
service that allows any type of unit (wireless or wireline) to be used as 
an extension to any other type of unit (wireless or wireline). Further, 
more than one unit (and units of different types) may be used as 
extensions to any other type of unit. Advantageously, these alternate 
extension services provide a subscriber great flexibility and choice with 
respect to the delivery of telecommunications service, and increase 
subscriber satisfaction. Increased subscriber satisfaction is a principal 
goal of a service provider in the increasingly competitive field of 
telecommunications. 
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved 
telecommunication extension service. 
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a system and 
method that promotes increased air time usage of a mobile telephone by a 
subscriber. 
It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a method and 
system that promotes competition in the provision of mobile telephone 
service by making it more convenient for persons to change mobile 
telecommunication service providers. 
It is further object of the present invention to provide a method and 
system that allows people to keep in touch with others and to avoid 
missing communications. 
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a system and 
method that minimizes the amount of information a person has to distribute 
with respect to a person's telecommunication devices. 
It is an addition object of the present invention to provide a method and 
system that allows a person to distribute a single number rather than both 
a telephone number and a mobile telephone number. 
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method and 
system that obviates the necessity of distributing a new number when a 
person changes from one provider of mobile telecommunication service to 
another such provider. 
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a system and 
method that eliminates the inconvenience to would-be callers of trying to 
reach a person with a telephone and a mobile telephone. 
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method and 
system that eliminates the necessity of having to place separate (and 
possibly repeated) calls to a person's telephone number and a person's 
mobile telephone number in order to finally reach the person. 
That the present invention and the preferred embodiment thereof overcome 
the drawbacks set forth above and accomplish the objects of the invention 
set forth herein will become apparent from the detailed description of the 
preferred embodiment to follow.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
This detailed description first provides an overview of the preferred 
embodiment of the present invention. Then a description of the preferred 
environment and the operation of the preferred embodiment is provided with 
reference to FIG. 1. Alternate embodiments of the present invention are 
described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. Finally, with reference to 
FIGS. 4A and 4B, a flow diagram is used to provide a summary of the 
operation of the preferred embodiment. 
Overview of the Preferred Embodiment 
Generally, the preferred embodiment of the present invention provides 
wireless telecommunication extension service to a subscriber who has a 
wireline unit and a wireless unit. Pursuant to this service, notice of a 
communication directed to the wireline unit is provided by ringing both 
the wireline unit and the wireless unit. The subscriber may receive and 
respond to the communication through use of either the wireline unit or 
the wireless unit. Advantageously, the subscriber may respond to the 
communication on one of the units and another party may respond to the 
same communication on the other unit. The result is that the subscriber 
and the other party are connected as a conference call to the 
communication such that the subscriber, other party and caller may all 
engage in the communication. Another advantage of the present invention is 
that the service may monitor the conference call for the drop-out of one 
of the units. In response to detecting such a drop-out, the service 
disconnects the communication from the unit that dropped out such that the 
communication remains connected to the other (non-drop-out) unit. In other 
words, the service breaks down the conference call in such a manner that 
such breakdown of the conference call is virtually transparent and 
un-interruptive to the caller and the party that has not dropped out. They 
may continue to engage in their communication. 
The wireless telecommunication extension service of the present invention 
may also provide a disconnection feature with respect to use of one of the 
units during any particular communication. Per this feature, once the 
subscriber (or another party) responds to the communication on one of the 
units, then the subscriber may provide an indication to the service to 
disconnect the ringing or the communication from the other unit. This 
feature demonstrates yet another advantage of the present invention. The 
subscriber may prevent the other unit from being picked up and a 
conference call being established with respect to the other unit. This 
feature saves time and effort because it provides an indication that the 
communication has already been taken care of, and that another party need 
not respond to the communication on the other unit. This feature also 
allows a party responding to the communication to disconnect an answering 
machine that may have responded to the communication on another unit. 
In addition, the wireless telecommunication extension service of the 
present invention allows the units that are part of the service to 
continue to fully function as telecommunication units when they are not 
being used as part of a conference call with one or more of the other 
units. In other words, if a conference call is not in progress, then any 
of the units may be used to make and receive calls, just as if they were 
not part of the service. For example, if a subscriber is engaged in a 
telephone conference on the wireline unit, another party may use the 
wireless unit for other telecommunication purposes, and vice versa. 
It will be appreciated that the wireless telecommunication service of the 
present invention will not interfere with other telecommunication services 
such as call forwarding service and caller identification service and with 
telecommunication devices such as answering machines and facsimile 
machines, except as noted herein. The manner of use of the present 
invention in connection with these other telecommunication services and 
telecommunication devices will be apparent to those skilled in the art 
given the principles of the present invention. 
The preferred embodiment of the present invention is disclosed in the 
context of a telecommunication service that allows a wireless unit to be 
used as an extension to a wireline unit. For the sake of clarity in the 
description of the preferred embodiment, reference is made to a single 
wireline unit and a single wireless unit, but the present invention is not 
so limited. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the principles 
of the present invention may be applied so as to provide alternate 
telecommunication services based on the principles described in the 
context of the preferred embodiment. In particular, the present invention 
provides for an alternate telecommunication extension service that allows 
any type of unit (wireless or wireline) to be used as an extension to any 
other type of unit (wireless or wireline). Further, more than one unit 
(and units of different types) may be used as extensions to any other type 
of unit. Advantageously, these alternate extension services provide a 
subscriber great flexibility and choice with respect to the delivery of 
telecommunications service, and increase subscriber satisfaction. 
Increased subscriber satisfaction is a principal goal of a service 
provider in the increasingly competitive field of telecommunications. 
The Preferred Environment of the Preferred Embodiment 
Referring now to the drawings, in which like numerals indicate like 
elements throughout the several figures, FIG. 1 is a diagram of the 
preferred environment of the present invention. The preferred environment 
is a telecommunications system 10 that includes the public switched 
telephone network (PSTN) 12 and a wireless telecommunications network 14. 
(also referred to as a wireless network, or a wireless phone network). 
The Public Switched Telephone Network 
In the preferred embodiment, the public switched telephone network 12 
contains Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) elements of a typical local 
exchange carrier. The Advanced Intelligent Network comprises a plurality 
of end or central offices, which are indicated as end offices 16a, 16b in 
FIG. 1. Preferably, each end office includes an "SSP", which is an acronym 
for service switching point. A service switching point is a switch, and 
the terms "end office", "central office", "service switching point" and 
"SSP" are used interchangeably herein unless a distinction is noted based 
on the interaction of the element with the present invention. In the 
preferred embodiment, the service switching point is equipped with AIN 
software release 0.1 or higher release. For more information, see BellCore 
Specification TR-NWT-001284 Switching Systems Generic Requirements for AIN 
0.1, which is incorporated herein by reference. The broken line between 
the end offices 16a, 16 indicates that the number of end offices is 
arbitrary. The Advanced Intelligent Network also comprises non-SSP central 
office switches, but such non-SSP switches are not shown in FIG. 1. The 
difference between an SSP and a non-SSP switch is that an SSP includes 
intelligent network functionality including appropriate hardware and 
software so that, when a set of predetermined conditions are detected, the 
SSP initiates a trigger for a predetermined state of a call on a 
subscriber's directory number, generates the trigger as an appropriate 
message in the form of a query to be sent out over the network, and 
suspends handling of a call until the SSP receives a reply from the 
network instructing the SSP to take certain action. If the SSP receives no 
instructions within a certain amount of time, the SSP has a default task 
to execute with respect to the predetermined condition. A non-SSP switch 
is an electronic switch that can generate certain rudimentary signaling 
over the network, but the non-SSP switch must rely on other equipment to 
provide subscriber lines connected to such a non-SSP switch with more 
complex features and services available in the Advanced Intelligent 
Network. 
As further illustrated in FIG. 1, SSP switches 16a, 16b have a plurality of 
subscriber lines commonly designated as 18 connected thereto. Each 
subscriber line 18 is connected to a piece of terminating equipment 
including a plurality of telephones commonly designated as 20. Although 
telephones are illustrated as the pieces of terminating equipment in FIG. 
1, those skilled in the art will understand that such pieces include other 
telecommunication units or devices such as facsimile machines, computers, 
modems, etc. For purposes of this patent application, these telephones and 
other telecommunication devices are generally referred to as wireline 
units for the obvious reason that these devices are connected by 
subscriber lines to the PSTN. The term "wireline" is used herein 
synonymously with the term "landline" unless specifically noted. In 
addition, the telephones 20 serve to illustrate that these subscriber 
lines 18 and pieces of terminating equipment 20 represent lines and 
equipment that exist in a conventional manner within the network and that 
operate with the present invention, but that are not necessarily connected 
to SSPs 16a, 16b. 
One of the illustrated telephones 20a is designated as corresponding to the 
calling party. The term "calling party" is used herein generally to refer 
to the person or device that initiates a communication. The calling party 
is also referred to herein as "caller" or as "source". In some cases, the 
calling party may not be a person, but may be a device such as a 
telecommunications device including a facsimile machine, answering 
service, modem, etc. 
Two of the illustrated telephones 20e and 20f are illustrated as located 
within the same environment 22 such as a home or office and/or as served 
by the same subscriber line 18e from end office 16b. It is further 
contemplated that the two telephones 20e and 20f are served by the same 
telephone number (also referred to as "directory number"). In other words, 
the home or office environment 22 is served by a subscriber line 18e with 
two telephone extensions 20e, 20f. Those skilled in the art will 
appreciate that the present invention may be implemented with terminating 
devices or systems other than the telephones 20e, 20f as the devices 
associated with the called party. For example, with modifications that 
will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the present invention may be 
implemented with facsimile machines, modems, direct-inward-dial (DID) 
systems, and other systems used generally in homes and businesses, and 
with modifications, with public branch exchange (PBX) systems. 
The telephones 20e, 20f are further designated as corresponding to the 
called party. The term "called party" is used herein generally to refer to 
the person or device that answers or responds to the call or 
communication. The term "subscriber" is also used synonymously herein to 
refer to the "called party" unless a difference is noted. Of course, the 
called party need not necessarily be the subscriber of the service, nor 
the party nor device whom the caller is trying to reach. 
Pursuant to the preferred embodiment, each piece of terminating equipment 
in an Advanced Intelligent Network is assigned a directory number. In the 
description of the present invention, the term "directory number" is used 
in its generally understood meaning to be the number which is dialed or 
input by a caller or source and used by the network to route the 
communication so as to reach a piece of terminating equipment associated 
with the dialed directory number. A directory number is commonly referred 
to as a telephone number. It should be noted that a piece of terminating 
equipment's directory number is not necessarily unique, but may be shared 
by a group of pieces of terminating equipment such as telephone extensions 
20e, 20f. For example, it is likely that the several telephones in a home 
are all served by the same subscriber line and so have the same directory 
number. Thus, a call to a directory number assigned to the subscriber line 
that terminates at the home may be conveniently answered at any of the 
telephones in the home. In the present application, the term "terminates" 
is used with the terms "call" or "communication" pursuant to their meaning 
in the field of telephony to mean an ultimate connection of a call or 
connection to equipment associated with the called party. 
Switches 16a, 16b are interconnected by a plurality of trunk circuits. 
These are the voice path trunks that interconnect the central office 
switches to connect communications. The term "communication" is used 
herein to include all messages or calls that may be exchanged between a 
caller and a called party in the system illustrated in FIG. 1 including 
voice, data and video messages. The term "communication" is used 
synonymously herein with the term "call" unless a distinction is noted. It 
should be understood that central office trunking in a typical urban 
environment is not limited to a daisy chain arrangement implied by FIG. 1. 
In other words, in a typical network, trunk circuits exist between central 
office switch 12a or 12b and the central office switch(es) (not shown) 
servicing other pieces of terminating equipment. 
Each of the SSPs in the network including switches 16a, 16b is typically 
connected to a local signal transfer point (STP) (not illustrated) via 
respective data links. These data links employ a signaling protocol 
referred to as Signaling System 7 (SS7), which is well known to those 
skilled in the art. 
Much of the intelligence of the Advanced Intelligent Network resides in a 
local service control point (SCP) 24. Typically, an SCP is connected to 
one or more SSPs through a respective one or more STPs over SS7 data 
links. For the sake of simplicity, in FIG. 1, SCP 24 is illustrated as 
connected to end office 16b over an SS7 data link 26 as indicated by the 
dashed line. Among the functions performed by SCPs is the maintenance of 
network databases which are used in providing telecommunication services. 
In addition, SCPs include databases such as the illustrated subscriber 
information database 28 that identify particular service subscribers and 
the services to be accorded to these subscribers. 
In order to keep the processing of data and calls as simple as possible, a 
relatively small set of triggers is defined at the switches for each call. 
A trigger in the Advanced Intelligent Network is an event associated with 
a particular subscriber line that generates a packet to be sent to an SCP. 
The trigger causes the SCP to query its database to determine which 
customized calling feature or enhanced service should be implemented for 
this particular call. The results of the database inquiry are sent back to 
the switch from SCP 24. The return packet includes instructions to the 
switch as to how to process the call. The instruction may be to take some 
special action as a result of a customized calling service or enhanced 
feature. In response to receiving the latter type message, the switch 
moves through its call states, and generates further call signaling 
messages that are used to set up and route the call. 
As also illustrated in FIG. 1, an Advanced Intelligent Network typically 
(in the AIN 0.2 software release) includes a telecommunications element 
referred to as a services node 30 (SN). Those skilled in the art will be 
familiar with a services node, which is physically implemented by the same 
types of computers that embody the service control point 24. In addition 
to the computing capability and database maintenance features, services 
node 30 also includes switching fabric, voice and DTMF signal recognition 
devices and voice synthesis devices. 
Although services node 30 is physically quite similar to SCP 24, there are 
some important differences in the use to which the services node 30 is 
generally put. Service control points such as SCP 24 normally implement 
high volume routing services such as call forwarding and 800 number 
translation and routing. They are also used for maintenance of and 
providing access to high volume databases for authorization of billing, 
such as credit card number validations. In most local exchange carrier 
networks, service control points are only used for database lookup and 
routing services that take place prior to the connection of the call. 
In contrast, services nodes are used principally when some enhanced feature 
or service requires user interaction, an audio connection to the call or 
transfer of a significant amount of data to a subscriber over a switch 
connection during or following a call. A services node also is used in 
routing and setting up communications such as conference calls as is 
described in more detail below. A services node is typically connected to 
one or more switches via an integrated services digital network (ISDN) 
link. For example, FIG. 1 illustrates that services node 30 is connected 
to end office 16b. Thus, services that require real-time communication 
with a subscriber (or calling or called party) during a communication 
usually employ the facility of a services node such as services node 30. 
As is well known to those skilled in the art, the Advanced Intelligent 
Network may also include other elements and connections that have not been 
described herein unless their form or function is affected as a result of 
the implementation of the present invention in the AIN. 
The foregoing description is a basic overview together with a few examples 
of the operation of the Advanced Intelligent Network that is a modern 
public switched telephone network. In summary, the AIN is a complex, 
high-speed, high-traffic-volume packet-switched messaging arrangement that 
provides a great deal of versatility in the handling of 
telecommunications. 
The Wireless Network 
As noted supra, the preferred environment is a telecommunications system 10 
that includes the public switched telephone network 12 (described 
generally above) and a wireless network 14. The distinguishing feature of 
a wireless network is obvious from the nomenclature of "wireless". The 
terminating equipment in a wireless network is "wireless" in the sense 
that the equipment is not connected by any lines or wires to network 
elements. The terminating equipment in a wireless network (referred to 
herein as "wireless units") receive communications through radio signals 
rather than through copper wire or fiber optics. A cellular telephone 
network is an example of a wireless network. Thus, a "wireless unit" may 
be generalized to include a cellular telephone, a mobile telephone, a 
mobile station, a portable telephone and other devices that receive 
communications through radio signals rather than through copper wire or 
fiber optics. Even though a cellular mobile radiotelephone (CMR) system is 
used as an example in this detailed description, it should be noted, 
however, that the use of the present invention is not limited to a CMR 
system. The present invention also may be used in connection with the 
Future Public Land Mobile Public Telephone Service (FPLMTS), Personal 
Communication Services (PCS's) and Enhanced Specialized Mobile Radio 
services (ESMR's), and other wireless systems. 
As illustrated in FIG. 1 and as will be well known to those skilled in the 
art, the PSTN 12 is connected to the wireless network 14 through an access 
tandem 32. The connection of the PSTN 12 to the wireless network 14 
through an access tandem 32 (or similar network element) allows for the 
interconnection of these two communication systems. Such interconnection 
is necessary so that a call from a wireline unit such as telephone 20a may 
be connected to a wireless unit such as mobile telephone 34. 
Also as is well known to those skilled in the art, a wireless network 
includes a geographic radio service area divided into cells. Each cell is 
generally serviced by a broadcast antenna to permit communications between 
a wireless unit operating within the area of the cell and a cell control. 
The cell control, in turn, is connected to a wireless network switch (also 
referred to as a "mobile switching center" (MSC)). A wireless network 
switch may communicate with the cell control either through dedicated 
telephone facilities, or more frequently, through a cell-to-mobile 
switching center data link between the cell control and the MSC. 
Generally, a wireless network switch keeps up with the location of wireless 
units that are deemed to be associated with that switch such that the 
switch is able to provide information with respect to the location and/or 
availability of any particular unit to receive a communication. More 
particular stated, the active status or availability of a wireless unit in 
a particular area is typically made known to the relevant wireless network 
switch as a result of a communication process between a wireless unit and 
a cell control (also known as a "base station") that is commonly known in 
the art as the process of "registration". Once a wireless unit registers 
within the geographic area served by a wireless network switch, the switch 
receives the registration information from the cell control, and stores 
the pertinent information in a register. If a wireless unit is associated 
with a subscriber of that particular wireless network, then the 
registration information is stored in a home location register (HLR). In 
other words, the wireless unit is considered to be operating within its 
home territory. On the other hand, if the wireless unit is not associated 
with a subscriber of that particular wireless network, then the 
registration information is stored in a visitors' location register (VLR). 
In other words, the wireless unit is considered to be a visitor to the 
geographic area serviced by the wireless network switch. If necessary, the 
pertinent information relating to a particular wireless unit is based 
through the wireless network to the wireless network switch that is deemed 
to be the "home" switch of a particular unit. These registers, the home 
location register (HLR) and the visitors' location register (VLR), are 
used by the wireless network in any of several different manners well 
known to those skilled in the art to work with the public switched 
telephone network in the routing of communications to and from wireless 
units and through the PSTN. 
FIG. 1 illustrates only the basic elements of a wireless network 14 
necessary to the understanding of the operation of the present invention. 
As illustrated in FIG. 1, wireless network 14 is connected to the PSTN 12 
by a connection between access tandem 32 and wireless network switch 36. 
The switch 36, in turn, is connected to an antenna 38, which transmits and 
receives information (and hence, communications) from wireless network 
switch 36 and a wireless unit 34. As illustrated in FIG. 1, wireless 
network switch 36 includes a register 40, which is illustrated as a home 
location register (HLR), but may also include or alternatively only 
include a visitors' location register (VLR). Also, the registers may 
located in other wireless network elements such as a mobile switching 
center (MSC). The home location register 40 is connected by an SS7 data 
link that uses wireless network protocols such as IS-41 or GSM-MAP to a 
service control point 24 in the public switched telephone network 12. As 
will become clear from the description below of the operation of the 
present invention, the data link between the register 40 and the service 
control point 24 provides certain advantages. Through this data link, the 
service control point can quickly check with the wireless network 14 with 
respect to the activity and or availability of any particular wireless 
unit operating within the area served by the wireless network. 
For the sake of simplicity, the foregoing descriptions of the public 
switched telephone network 12 and wireless network 14 were limited to only 
single or very few examples of particular network elements and their 
respective interconnections. From this basic explanation of these network 
elements and their respective interconnections, those skilled in the art 
will understand the operation of the present invention in the context of 
the increased complexity present in today's telecommunication systems. 
Operation of the Preferred Embodiment in the Preferred Environment 
As noted above, the present invention generally provides wireless 
telecommunication extension service to a subscriber who has a wireline 
unit and a wireless unit. In other words, the present invention turns the 
subscriber's wireless unit into an extension of the wireline unit just as 
if the wireless unit were another wireline extension. A general example is 
provided with reference to FIG. 1. If Doug wants to call his friends, Carl 
and JoAnn, Doug may use his telephone 20a and dial Carl's and JoAnn's 
directory number for Carl's and JoAnn's wireline telephone: 404-845-1234. 
In the prior art, one result of this calling is that the telephones 20e, 
20f ring in the home 22 of Carl and JoAnn. It may be that both Carl and 
JoAnn are available to take the call, and they may both speak to Doug by 
the respective use of the telephones 20e, 20f. 
The present invention does not change this scenario, but rather, the 
present invention provides an additional service. Per the preferred 
embodiment of the present invention, Doug's dialing of Carl's and JoAnn's 
directory number for their wireline unit results in the ringing of both 
the wireline units associated with Carl and JoAnn and of the wireless unit 
associated with Carl and JoAnn. Thus, assume Carl is at home and JoAnn is 
out on a sales trip, but her mobile telephone 34 is active. Then Doug's 
dialing of Carl's and JoAnn's directory number results in the ringing of 
the wireline units 20e, 20f and of the wireless unit 34. If Carl and JoAnn 
answer the ringing of the units, then Doug is able to have a conference 
call with both Carl and JoAnn even though JoAnn is "on the road". Doug has 
reached both parties, but has only dialed the wireline directory number. 
Doug's call to Carl and JoAnn is used repeatedly through this detailed 
description to better illustrate the preferred embodiment of the present 
invention. 
A more detailed explanation of the operation of the present invention is 
now provided with reference to the network elements of the PSTN 12 and 
wireless network 14. To initiate the wireless telecommunication extension 
service, a subscriber preferably provides the service provider with 
certain information. This information must include the wireline number of 
the wireline unit to be accorded the wireless telecommunication extension 
service and the wireless number of the wireless unit that is to serve as 
the extension. For example, when Carl and JoAnn subscribed to wireline 
extension service, they provided the system administrator with their 
wireline unit's directory number (404-845-1234) and with JoAnn's mobile 
telephone number (404-999-6789). This information is provided ultimately 
to the SCP 24 where the information is stored in a manner well known to 
those skilled in the art in a database 36 that may be accessed by the SCP 
24. Alternatively, this information may be provided to the services node 
30 where the information is stored in a manner well known to those skilled 
in the art in a database (not shown) that may be accessed by the services 
node 30. Preferably, the subscriber may change or update the information 
with respect to the operation of the wireless telecommunication extension 
service, such as a change in the wireline number to be accorded the 
service, or a change in the wireless number and that is to serve as the 
wireless extension. Such changes or updates may be made through a call to 
an administrative telephone number associated with the service and the 
provision of information in response to menu prompts. This flexibility in 
the change or update of service information provides the subscriber with 
the opportunity to readily change the service parameters to take into 
account any changes made by the subscriber in connection with his/her 
telecommunication services. 
As a result of the subscription to the wireless telecommunication extension 
service, the service provides that a terminating trigger is associated 
with the wireline number designated by the subscriber. When the end office 
serving the subscriber receives a communication for the wireline number, 
the end office pauses or suspends its processing of the communication 
directed to the wireline number while the end office obtains further 
information with respect to such communication processing. For example, 
when a communication is directed to 404-845-1234 reaches the end office 
16b associated with Carl's and JoAnn's subscriber line, the end office 16b 
notes the terminating trigger associated with Carl's and JoAnn's wireline 
number. The end office 16b pauses or suspends its processing of the 
communication and requests communication processing instructions from a 
first programmable network element by sending a query to the switch's 16b 
associated SCP 24. 
In response to the request for the communication processing instructions, 
the SCP 24 consults its database 36 for further information with respect 
to the communication. In particular, the SCP 24 checks its database 36 to 
determine whether special services are to be accorded to the 
communication. If the check of the database 36 reveals that no special 
services such as wireless telecommunication extension services are to be 
accorded to the communication, then the SCP 24 provides the end office 16b 
with instructions to terminate the communication in a conventional manner. 
Enablement and Disenablement of the Wireless Telecommunication Extension 
Service By the Subscriber 
It should be noted that a feature of the preferred embodiment of the 
present invention is that the subscriber may selectably enable or disable 
the wireless telecommunication extension service. To enable the service 
(or to disable if the service has already been enabled), the subscriber 
calls an administrative number for the service and provides certain 
information in response to certain menu prompts. The information is used 
to update the information at the SCP 24 with respect to the enablement or 
disenablement of the wireless telecommunication extension service. Thus, 
in the preferred embodiment, the check conducted by the SCP to determine 
whether special services are to be accorded to the communication includes 
a check of whether wireless telecommunication extension service for the 
wireline number has been enabled. If not, the communication is terminated 
in a conventional manner to the wireline unit. 
Referring again to the check carried out by the SCP 24 with respect to its 
database 36, if the check of the database 36 reveals that the subscriber 
has subscribed to the wireless telecommunication extension service (and/or 
that the service is enabled), then the SCP 24 takes certain further steps. 
Once the SCP 24 determines that the wireline number is to be accorded 
wireless telecommunication extension service, the first step that the SCP 
24 takes is to check whether the wireless unit is available to receive the 
communication, i.e., whether the wireless unit is available to act as an 
extension to the wireline unit. An "available" wireless unit generally is 
a unit that is active or "ON". In an alternate embodiment, a feature may 
be provided that checks whether the mobile telephone is engaged, i.e., 
busy. 
In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, prior to checking 
whether the wireless unit is available to receive the communication, the 
SCP 24 may check with end office 16b as to whether the wireline unit is 
busy. If the wireline unit is not busy (or otherwise engaged), then the 
provision of wireless telecommunication extension service is provided in 
accordance with the preferred embodiment described below. However, in this 
alternate embodiment, if the wireline unit is busy, then the SCP 24 may 
proceed with checking whether the wireless unit is available. If the 
wireline unit is busy, but the wireless unit is available, then the SCP 24 
may direct the end office 16b to route the communication to the wireless 
unit without regard to the steps described below in connection with the 
placement of a call to the wireline unit. In this alternate embodiment, 
with the wireline unit busy, but with the wireless unit available, the 
wireless unit advantageously functions analogously to another line rather 
than as an extension of the wireline unit. Referring to our example, if 
Doug calls 404-845-1234, but Carl is using the wireline unit for a 
telephone call, then Doug's call may be routed to JoAnn on the wireless 
unit, if it is active. 
Checking Whether the Wireless Unit Is Available 
Referring again to the preferred embodiment, as noted, one of the first 
steps that the SCP 24 takes is to check whether the wireless unit is 
available to receive the communication. In sum, if the wireless unit is 
available, then the SCP provides communication processing instructions to 
said switch. Preferably, the communication processing instructions will 
include a direction to route the communication to a second programmable 
network element such as the service node 30. 
The particular steps preferably taken by the service control point 24 in 
checking whether the wireless unit is available are now described in more 
detail. As a result of subscription to the wireless telecommunication 
extension service, the SCP 24 preferably will have stored in its database 
36 the wireless number provided by the subscriber of the wireless unit 
that is to serve as the extension to the wireline unit. The SCP 24 carries 
out this check as to the availability of the wireless unit by making an 
inquiry or request of the home location register (HLR) 40 in the wireless 
network switch 36 in the wireless network 14. Preferably, the SCP 24 
formats this request for availability information relating to the wireless 
unit in a wireless network protocol such as IS-41 or GSM-MAP, which are 
well known to those skilled in the art. 
In the preferred embodiment, SCP 24 sends an IS-41 location request message 
to the HLR 40 in order to determine the availability of the wireless unit 
34. This inquiry is based on the wireless number of the wireless unit 
provided by the subscriber. The SCP 24 sends the request for the 
availability information over the data link that connects, and preferably, 
directly connects the SCP and the HLR, or to any other network element 
housing the home location register (HLR) 40. In other words, the wireline 
network and the wireless network are connected and communicate through 
this connection between the SCP and the HLR. 
Upon receiving the inquiry from the SCP 24, the HLR 40 considers and acts 
on the inquiry from the SCP 24 just like any other inquiry that the HLR 40 
might receive from another wireless network element with respect to the 
availability of a wireless unit 34. In other words, the communication 
between the wireline SCP 24 and the wireless HLR is conducted pursuant to 
the IS-41 standards well known in the art with respect to communications 
in wireless networks. Alternatively, as will be apparent to those skilled 
in the art, other wireless communication methods such as the Global System 
for Mobile Communications (GSMMAP) may be used as appropriate as the means 
of communication between SCP 24 and HLR 40 in order to determine the 
availability of the wireless unit 34. Nonetheless, other methods may be 
employed to determine whether the wireless unit is available. Further, it 
should be noted that inquiry of other registers and/or switches other than 
the switch or HLR to which the SCP is connected by a direct datalink may 
need to be consulted with respect to the availability of the wireless 
unit. For example, a visitors' location register in a switch of a wireless 
network foreign to the subscriber may need to be consulted in a manner 
well known to those skilled in the art to obtain information on the 
availability of the wireless unit. Alternatively, the SCP 24 may not be 
connected to an HLR 40 by a direct datalink, and the service may check the 
availability of the wireless unit through other means. Systems for 
tracking down the availability of a wireless unit, even when it is 
"roaming", for the delivery of a communication are well known to those 
skilled in the art. 
Preferably, the HLR 40 responds to the inquiry or request for the 
availability information from the SCP 24 by sending the availability 
information over the data link to the SCP in an IS-41 response to location 
request message. 
Upon receipt of the availability information from the HLR 40, the SCP 24 
provides the switch 16b with communication processing instructions. In 
particular, the SCP 24 examines the content of the availability 
information and bases the content of the communication processing 
instructions on the content of availability information. If the content 
indicates that the wireless unit is unavailable, then the SCP 24 instructs 
the service switching point in the communication processing instructions 
to provide the caller with notice that the wireless unit is unavailable. 
In other words, if the results of the inquiry as to the availability of 
the wireless unit are negative, i.e., the wireless unit is "OFF" or 
"busy", then the SCP 24 sends instructions to the end office 16b to 
terminate the communication to the wireline unit associated with the 
wireline number in a conventional manner. Thus, referring to our example, 
if JoAnn is "on the road" and the wireless unit 34 cannot receive calls 
(i.e., it may be in use or the unit 34 is turned "OFF"), then any 
communication directed to Carl's and JoAnn's wireline number is terminated 
only to Carl's and JoAnn's wireline units 20e, 20f. In the preferred 
embodiment, the call may be bridged between the caller and the answering 
party so that these two parties have an indication of the state of the 
call to the third party. For example, if the wireless unit is busy, the 
caller and the answering party on the wireline unit may hear a busy 
signal. Alternatively, the caller and the answering party on the wireline 
unit may be provided with an announcement as to the status of the wireless 
unit. For example, the caller and answering party may be provided with an 
announcement that the wireless unit is "unavailable at this time". 
On the other hand, if the content of the availability information from the 
HLR indicates that the wireless unit is available, then the SCP instructs 
the service switching point in the communication processing instructions 
to route the communication to the wireless unit. In other words, if the 
results of the inquiry as to the availability of the wireless unit are 
positive in that the unit may receive calls, (i.e., the wireless unit may 
be "ON") then the SCP 24 preferably provides the end office 16b with 
certain instructions. In the preferred embodiment, the SCP 24 provides the 
end office 16b with instructions to route the communication to the 
services node 30. 
Alternate Embodiment Without a Service Control Point 
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the above described functions 
of the service control point in connection with the present invention may 
be carried out by other network devices and in other ways to accomplish 
the same result in the provision of telecommunication extension service. 
One such alternate embodiment does not involve the use of a service 
control point, but operates to include steps of another telecommunications 
service known to those skilled in the art as generally a "Teen Line" or 
"RingMaster" service. In particular, in this alternate embodiment, a 
subscriber is provided with two different directory numbers that each ring 
on the same line, but have their own characteristic rings. For example, a 
call directed to the first of these directory numbers may have 
characteristically long rings. A call directed to the second number may 
have short rings. In this manner, the subscriber knows which directory 
number is being used by the caller. This distinction provides the 
subscriber with information and allows the subscriber to answer or not 
answer the communication, or to answer in a certain manner or with certain 
personnel to the communication. Those skilled in the art will recognize 
such a service as a "Teen Line" service (where calls to a teen have a 
characteristic ring so that everybody else in the family may ignore the 
call), or as "RingMaster" service as offered by the assignee of this 
patent application, BellSouth Corporation, Atlanta, Ga. For simplicity of 
explanation, this service is referred to as "RingMaster" service in this 
patent application. 
As stated, one method to eliminate the use of the service control point in 
connection with the present invention is through a use of the RingMaster 
service. A subscriber is provided with RingMaster service such that the 
subscriber is assigned two different directory numbers for the 
subscriber's wireline unit. For example, the subscriber's first directory 
number may be 845-1234 and the second (RingMaster) directory number may be 
921-5555. The first directory number (845-1234) is set up administratively 
as the directory number that is to be accorded wireless extension 
telecommunication service. When a call directed to 845-1234 is received at 
the subscriber's end office, the receipt of the call results in the call 
being forwarded to a services node. For example, upon receipt of a call to 
845-1234, end office 16b forwards the call to a directory number 
associated with the services node 30, such as 332-2111, and the call is 
routed to the services node 30. Upon receipt of the call, the services 
node 30 checks its database for instructions as to how to handle the call. 
The services node is programmed to dial the landline number (921-5555) and 
the mobile telephone number (999-6789). In other words, these instructions 
instruct the services node to set up the first leg of a conference call to 
the second directory number (921-555) and the second leg of the conference 
call to the number of the wireless extension unit through the wireless 
network. 
Thus, this alternate embodiment provides the wireless telecommunication 
extension service to a subscriber without involving or burdening the 
service control point with additional duties. This is especially useful in 
situations where a service control point is unavailable. Advantageously, 
obviating the use of a service control point provides a service provider 
that is not a local exchange carrier (referred to herein as "other service 
providers") with the competitive opportunity to offer wireless 
telecommunication extension service. An other service provider may provide 
the wireless telecommunication extension service through use of the PSTN 
and its own services node. Nonetheless, this alternate embodiment provides 
advantages to subscribers. One such advantage is that the subscriber who 
hears the ringing of the wireline unit is alerted to the receipt of a call 
that has been accorded wireless telecommunication extension service. The 
subscriber is alerted because the call arrives with the distinctive 
ringing as provided through a service such as the RingMaster service. 
Another alternative contemplated by the present invention is to use a 
service control point to instruct an end office to route calls to be 
accorded the telecommunication extension service to a services node. The 
services node then calls the wireline number and the wireless number. This 
alternative may be particularly useful in connection with a service 
control point that is not equipped with IS-41 or GSM-Map capability. 
Processing By the Services Node 
Referring again to the preferred embodiment, as noted above, after the SCP 
determines that the wireless unit is available, the SCP 24 preferably 
instructs the end office 16b to route the communication to the services 
node 30 for processing of the wireless telecommunication extension 
service. Although the preferred embodiment uses a services node for 
further processing of the wireless telecommunication extension service, it 
will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other programmable 
network elements such as intelligent peripherals with appropriate 
functionality may provide such processing. For example, this further 
processing may be accomplished through use of only the SCP as the provider 
of instructions and use of the subscriber's end office to set up and 
monitor the conference call, if that end office is appropriately equipped. 
Additional alternate embodiments of the present invention are described 
below and in connection with FIGS. 2 and 3. 
Upon receipt of the communication from the end office 16b by the services 
node 30, the services node 30 is programmed in a conventional manner so 
that wireless telecommunication extension service is accorded to the 
communication. In particular, when the services node 30 receives the 
communication from the end office 16b, the services node receives the 
number that was dialed by the caller. With reference to our example, the 
services node 30 receives Carl's and JoAnn's wireline number. The services 
node 30 uses this wireline number in its programming to look up in an 
internal or other table or database, if necessary, the wireless number 
that is to serve as the extension to the wireline number. Alternatively, 
the wireless number may be part of the information that the services node 
30 receives when it receives the communication. Then the services node 30 
is programmed to read the information and proceeds accordingly. 
Referring again to the preferred embodiment, essentially, the services node 
30 provides the communication with wireless telecommunication extension 
service by ringing both the wireline unit and the wireless unit and 
setting up a conference call with the communication, the wireline unit and 
the wireless unit. More particularly described, as a first step in the 
provision of wireless telecommunication extension service to the 
communication, the services node 30 preferably places a call to the 
subscriber's wireless number. The call to the subscriber's wireless number 
is referred to as the "first leg" in the conference call that is in the 
process of being set up by the services node 30. Referring to our example, 
the services node 30 places a call to 404-999-6789. Typically, the call to 
the wireless unit will be routed from the services node 30 to the end 
office 16b which further routes the call to the wireless network 14 (or 
elsewhere as appropriate) so as to reach the wireless unit in a manner 
well known to those skilled in the art. 
As a second step in the provision of wireless telecommunication extension 
service to the communication, the services node 30 preferably places a 
call to the subscriber's wireline number. The call to the subscriber's 
wireline number is referred to as the "second leg" in the conference call 
that is in the process of being set up by the services node 30. It will be 
appreciated that the calls to the wireline number and the wireless number 
may be accomplished in any order, and that the designation of one of the 
calls as "first leg" and the other call as "second leg" is irrelevant. 
Nonetheless, it is preferred that the call to the wireless unit be placed 
first because it typically takes longer to set up a wireless call than a 
wireline call. By setting up the wireless call first, the goal of ringing 
both the wireless unit and the wireline unit at the same time is more 
likely to be accomplished. As with the call to the wireline number, the 
call from the services node 30 to the wireless number is routed through 
end office 16b. The careful reader will note that the call by the services 
node 30 to the wireline number is made through end office 16b, and thus, 
the call may result in another trigger and query to the SCP 24. If this 
trigger and query happens, the SCP 24 recognizes the call as originating 
with the services node 30 on the basis of the calling number that is 
provided in the information accompanying the query to the SCP 24. Based 
upon this recognition, the SCP 24 provides the end office 16b with 
instructions to terminate the call from the services node 30 to the 
wireline unit in a conventional manner. 
After the services node 30 makes the calls to the wireline number and to 
the wireless number, the services node 30 then bridges or connects these 
calls so as to set up a conference call involving the communication and 
the calls to the wireline number and wireless number. The conference call 
includes a first leg from the communication at the services node 30 to the 
wireless unit and a second leg from the communication at the services node 
30 to the wireline unit. Specifically, the services node connects each 
call (caller, wireline, wireless) to a port on a three-port conference 
bridge, which provides simultaneous, multi-way communication between all 
three parties. 
As a result of the calls to the wireline number and to the wireless number 
from services node 30, the wireline unit and the wireless unit both ring, 
and preferably, ring concurrently. Referring to our example, if Doug dials 
404-845-1234, then wireline units 20e, 20f ring and wireless unit 34 
rings. In sum, wireless unit 34 functions as an extension of the wireline 
unit. The wireless unit functions as such an extension even though the 
wireless number associated with the wireless unit is different from the 
wireline number associated with the wireline unit. 
Answering the Calls 
In response to the ringing of both the wireline unit and the wireless unit, 
the preferred embodiment of the present invention further provides that 
the communication may be answered by a party at either the wireless unit 
or the wireline unit, or by parties at each of the units. If either the 
wireline unit or the wireless unit is answered in response to the ringing 
before the other unit is answered, then the communication is connected to 
the unit which has been answered. Such a unit may be referred to herein as 
the "answered unit". Preferably, even though one of the units has been 
answered, the other unit continues to ring for a predetermined number of 
rings, i.e., or for a preselected amount of time because a ring cycle 
typically lasts six seconds. 
The Ringing Feature Provided During the Interval 
An added feature of the preferred embodiment is a ringing feature that is 
provided during the initial phase of the communication. To explain this 
feature, assume that the call has been answered on one of the units. The 
ringing features provides that the caller and person who answered the call 
are provided with an indication that ringing is being provided on the 
other leg of the conference call (such indication is also known as 
"audible ringing"). In this way, the caller and the party who answered the 
call are made aware that efforts are underway to alert anybody in the 
vicinity of the other unit to the presence of an incoming communication. 
During this interval (after a party answered one of the units and while 
the other unit is ringing) the caller and the party who answered the call 
may communicate. For example, if Carl answered Doug's call, both Carl and 
Doug hear ringing which indicates that ringing is being provided to 
JoAnn's mobile telephone. Doug and Carl may communicate while the ringing 
is being provided to JoAnn's mobile telephone. If Doug called for JoAnn, 
but Carl answered the call first, Carl could suggest that Doug hang on and 
wait for JoAnn to pick up her mobile telephone. If JoAnn picks up the 
call, then all three parties could communicate, or as explained below, 
Carl could drop out of the communication. On the other hand, during this 
interval (after a party answered one of the units and while the other unit 
is ringing), the answering party does not have to communicate with the 
caller, and in fact, the answer party may hang up without affecting the 
call to the other unit. For example, assume Doug was calling for JoAnn, 
but Carl answered. After Carl answered, but before JoAnn answered, Carl 
may hang up without disrupting Doug's connection to JoAnn's mobile 
telephone. Carl's disconnection (i.e., drop-out) allows for a release of 
the conference bridge as explained in more detail below in connection with 
the dropout feature, but the caller remains connected to the call to 
JoAnn. 
Subscriber Selectability of the Number of Rings (or Amount of Time to Ring) 
the Other Unit 
One feature of the preferred embodiment is that the subscriber may select 
the number of rings (or the amount of time) that the unanswered unit 
continues to ring before the call to that unit is discontinued. The number 
of rings or amount of time may differ with respect to each unit. The 
subscriber may change these selections by placing a call to the 
administrative number for the service and provide certain information in 
response to certain menu prompts. Advantageously, this allows a subscriber 
to take into the account the different uses of the respective units. For 
example, a party using a wireless unit is likely to be located in very 
close proximity to the wireless unit. Thus, the subscriber may specify 
that the wireless unit be provided with only a few rings. Referring to our 
example, JoAnn is "on the road", and her wireless unit is in her car. She 
does not need a lot of time or a lot of rings to answer the call to the 
wireless unit. On the other hand, a wireline unit may not be as readily 
accessible or as close to hand as an active wireless unit. Thus, the 
subscriber may allow for a few more rings to the wireline unit so that the 
party associated therewith has enough time to get to the wireline unit and 
answer the call. Referring to our example, Carl may be working in a part 
of the house 22 (such as the attic or basement) that is remote from the 
wireline unit 20e, 20f. He may need a little extra time to answer the call 
to the wireline unit. 
In the preferred embodiment, if one of the units has been answered, and the 
other unit fails to be answered within a predetermined number of rings or 
within a preselected amount of time, then the call to the unanswered unit 
is discontinued or disconnected. After such disconnection, the services 
node 30 releases the conference bridge and double transfers the call that 
was answered back to the end office 16b. Advantageously, this 
disconnection and transfer back takes place without impeding the parties 
engaged in the communication. After release of the conference bridge, it 
is again available for use by other calls. Thus, this feature of the 
present invention provides for an increase in network efficiency and 
economical use of network devices. The active call (that is, the 
communication between the caller and the party that answered one of the 
units) has its respective portions connected to each other after release 
of the conference bridge, either directly in the services node or, by use 
of the end-office based ISDN transfer feature back to the end office. 
In response to the ringing of both the wireline unit and the wireless unit, 
a party may answer the wireline unit and a different party may answer the 
wireless unit. In other words, the first leg set up by a call from the 
services node to one of the units is established and the second leg set up 
by a call from the services node to the other unit is also established 
which results in a conference call amongst the caller, and the parties who 
answered the units. These parties may then engage in a conference call 
with the caller as a result of the set up of the conference call that had 
been accomplished by the services node 30 when the services node 30 
instituted the ringing of both units. Referring to our example, if Doug 
calls 404-845-1234, then Carl may answer the call to the wireline unit 
20e, 20f and JoAnn may answer the call to the wireless unit 34. Doug, Carl 
and JoAnn may engage in a conference call. Advantageously, Doug reached 
both Carl and JoAnn without having to dial each of them separately. This 
advantage of the present invention saved Doug time and effort. This 
advantage also improved JoAnn's reachability because she may receive a 
call on the mobile telephone when the wireline number is dialed OR the 
mobile telephone number is dialed. 
Disconnection of the Other Call 
A feature of an alternate embodiment of the present invention provides for 
the disconnection of the unanswered unit after the other unit is answered. 
This disconnection may be automatic or implemented by the answering party. 
In this alternate embodiment, the feature provides that after one of the 
calls from the services node 30 (either the first leg or the second leg) 
is answered, the other call may be automatically or manually disconnected 
such that only one of the parties that answered is connected to the 
communication. Typically, it will be the first party that answered that 
remains connected to the communication. This feature may be selected for 
implementation by the subscriber, and enabled and disabled as other 
features by the subscriber through a call to an administrative number for 
the service. 
In particular, the automatic aspect of this feature may be implemented 
preferably by providing that the services node 30 monitor the calls to the 
wireline unit and to the wireless unit such that the services node 30 
notes when one of the calls is answered. After one of the calls is 
answered, the services node 30 then disconnects the other call. Referring 
to our example, Carl and JoAnn may have specified in their subscription to 
the wireless telecommunication extension service that once one of the 
units was answered, the call to the other unit be automatically 
disconnected. Thus, if Doug calls 404-845-1234, both the wireline unit 
20e, 20f and wireless unit 34 will ring. If JoAnn is quicker in answering 
the call than Carl, then Carl may hear the wireline unit ring and then 
hear the wireline unit discontinue its ringing. If Carl nevertheless picks 
up the wireline unit, Carl then only hears a dial tone. 
Even more particularly, the manual aspect of this feature allows one of the 
answering parties to provide an indication (such as dual tone 
multi-frequency (DTMF) signals sent via the telephone keypad, etc.) that 
the other call be disconnected, even if the other call has been answered. 
After the services node receives the indication, the services node then 
disconnects the other call. Referring to our example, Carl and JoAnn may 
have enabled the manual disconnection aspect of this feature. Thus, if 
Doug calls 404-845-1234, both the wireline unit 20e, 20f and wireless unit 
34 ring. If either JoAnn or Carl answers the call, then either party may 
have the option of providing an indication to disconnect the call to the 
other answering party. Advantageously, this feature allows for the answer 
of a communication without tying up two different communication units and 
without tying up two different parties with a call that has already been 
answered by one of them. This feature is useful to a single user who might 
be at home, or might be on the road. This feature is also useful when the 
"other call" is picked up by an answering machine or voice mail system. 
There is little point in having a conference bridge set up amongst a 
caller, an answering party, and an answering machine. 
Indication to Disconnect the Unanswered Call 
A feature of the preferred embodiment allows the party answering the call 
on either the wireline unit or the wireless unit to provide an indication 
to the service to disconnect the call to the unanswered unit or even to 
disconnect the call to the other answered unit. (The disconnection of the 
call to the other unit where that unit has answered was discussed in the 
previous section). Pursuant to the feature of disconnecting the unanswered 
call, if a party answers the call on either unit, the answering party may 
provide an indication from the answered unit to the service to discontinue 
the ringing of the other call. This indication may be provided by pressing 
a particular key on the telephone keypad, by a voice recognition feature, 
or in any other manner well known to those skilled in the art. Preferably, 
the indication must be provided by the answering party within a 
preselected number of rings to the unanswered unit or within a preselected 
period of time after answer of the communication. Advantageously, the 
number of rings and the period of time may be selected and changed by the 
subscriber through an administrative call to the provider of the service. 
This feature allows the subscriber to selectively determine on a 
call-by-call basis whether to allow the other unit to continue to ring and 
possibly to be answered by another party. For example, Carl and JoAnn may 
be looking forward to Doug's call so that they may engage in a conference 
call with all three of them participating. On the other hand, Carl and 
JoAnn may wish to respond to all communications directed to their wireline 
unit, but also wish to minimize the expense of cellular telephone 
services. Thus, if Carl responds to a call on the wireline unit, he may 
provide an indication to the service to discontinue the ringing and 
thereby disconnect the call to JoAnn's mobile phone. JoAnn will have 
noticed the ringing of her mobile phone, but the discontinuance of the 
ringing within a certain number of rings will assure her that Carl took 
the call on the wireline unit. 
If a party that answers the call provides an indication to disconnect the 
other unanswered call, then the indication is preferably detected by the 
services node 30. In the preferred embodiment, if the services node 
detects such an indication, then the services node connects a tone monitor 
to the call to detect the tone. In response to detecting the indication 
from the answered unit, the services node 30 disconnects the call to the 
unanswered unit. After such disconnection, the services node 30 releases 
the conference bridge and double transfers the call that was answered back 
to the end office 16b. Referring to our example, if JoAnn is the first to 
pick up one of the calls from the services node, JoAnn may save Carl the 
trouble of answering the other unit by providing an indication that the 
call to Carl's unit be disconnected. Advantageously, this feature allows 
for an answer to a communication without tying up two different 
communication units and without tying up two different parties with a call 
that has already been answered by one of them. Of course, the party that 
answers one of the calls first does not have to provide any kind of 
disconnection indication. In that case, as described above, the other call 
may be answered by another party and a conference call including the 
caller, and the parties associated with the wireline unit and wireless 
unit may take place. Or, the other call will go unanswered, and that 
unanswered call then is disconnected. 
Monitoring For Drop-Out of a Unit 
One advantage of the services node 30 in setting up and holding of the 
conference call is that the services node 30 preferably may monitor the 
conference call for the drop-out of either or both of the units. In 
response to detecting the drop-out of one of the units, the services node 
30 preferably then disconnects the communication from the unit that 
dropped-out. After such disconnection, the services node 30 releases the 
conference bridge and double transfers the call that was answered back to 
the end office 16b. In this manner, the communication remains connected to 
the unit that did not drop-out. Advantageously, the disconnection and 
transfer back is accomplished transparently to the parties engaged in the 
communication. Referring to our example, if Doug has been involved in a 
conference call with Carl on the wireline unit and JoAnn on the wireless 
unit, Carl may tire of the conversation or otherwise decide to hang up. 
Once Carl hangs up, the services node 30 detects that Carl's unit has 
dropped-out, and the services node 30 takes itself out of the picture by 
disconnecting the communication to Carl's unit and transfers the 
communication back to the end office 16b. 
Processing of the Wireless Telecommunication Extension Service By a 
Programmable Network Element 
Those skilled in the art will understand that the functions performed by 
the services node in the preferred embodiment may be alternatively 
performed by a different device such as a programmable network element. 
Using the Other Unit for Telecommunications 
Yet another feature of the preferred embodiment is that the wireless 
telecommunication extension service allows for either of the units to be 
used for telecommunication purposes even though the other unit may be 
engaged in a communication. For example, assume that Doug called 
404-845-1234, and the wireless telecommunication extension service was 
accorded to his communication. Further assume that Doug was engaged in a 
conversation only with JoAnn, who is using the wireless unit. For purposes 
of this example, Carl may never have answered the wireline unit, or JoAnn 
or the service may have disconnected or cancelled the call to Carl's unit, 
or Carl may have dropped-out of the communication with Doug and JoAnn. 
Then Carl may receive another communication on the wireline unit from 
somebody other than Doug. Alternatively, Carl may use the wireline unit to 
place a call to somebody else. The on-going communication between the 
caller and the wireless unit functioning as an extension to the wireline 
unit does not affect the use of the wireline unit, if the wireline unit is 
not connected to the caller. Similarly, the same lack of effect pertains 
to the wireless unit, so long as the wireless unit is not connected to an 
on-going communication between the caller and the wireline unit. 
Advantageously, this feature provides the subscriber with a wireless 
extension to a wireline unit, but it does not deprive the subscriber of 
the use of two separate telecommunication units. In fact, the wireless 
telecommunication extension service provides a greater advantage to the 
subscriber than simply having an extra telephone serve as an extension. 
With the present invention, the subscriber retains the use of two 
telecommunication units with their respective different directory numbers 
so that separate calls may be received and placed as desired. 
Generalization of the Present Invention 
Certain generalizations may be made based on the foregoing description of 
the preferred embodiment. The foregoing explanation of the present 
invention has been provided in the context of a telecommunication service 
that allows a wireless unit to serve as an extension to a wireline unit. 
But it will be appreciated that the present invention may be used to 
provide alternate extension services. The present invention may be used to 
provide a service that (1) allows a wireless unit to serve as an extension 
to another wireless unit; or that (2) allows a wireline unit with a 
particular directory number to serve as an extension to another wireline 
unit with a different directory number. In addition, the foregoing 
explanation of the present invention has been provided in the context of a 
service that allows a single wireless unit (having its own directory 
number) to serve as an extension to a wireline unit (having its own 
directory number). But it will also be apparent that the present invention 
may be used to provide a service that allows one or more units (wireless 
or wireline, or a combination thereof) with each such unit having its own 
directory number to serve as an extension to another unit (wireless or 
wireline). The changes to the preferred embodiment that would be necessary 
to accommodate these alternate extension services will be readily 
understood by those skilled in the art given the detailed description 
above. Advantageously, these alternate extension services provide a 
subscriber great flexibility and choice with respect to the delivery of 
telecommunications service, and increase subscriber satisfaction. 
Increased subscriber satisfaction is a principal goal of a service 
provider in the increasingly competitive field of telecommunications. 
Alternate Embodiments 
It will be appreciated that the wireless telecommunication extension 
service of the present invention may be provided through the use of 
network elements different from or configured differently from the 
elements described in connection from the preferred embodiment. Further, 
the wireless telecommunication extension service may be provided through 
different operation of the network elements as described in connection 
with the preferred embodiment. FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate two different 
alternatives to the preferred embodiment described in connection with FIG. 
1. These alternatives differ chiefly from the preferred embodiment in that 
the provision of the wireless telecommunication extension service is 
provided through elements associated with the wireless network rather than 
with the wireline network. These differences will be generally transparent 
to the users of the wireless telecommunication extension service. 
In addition, the alternate embodiments of FIGS. 2 and 3 assume the 
existence of a wireless local loop service that also provides for wide 
area mobile telecommunication services. The term "wireless local loop 
services" is used herein to describe the provision of telecommunication 
services to terminating devices (telephones, facsimile machines, etc.) by 
a wireless network. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the careful reader will 
note that the exemplary telephones 20e, 20f that were fixed wireline 
devices in FIG. 1 (through a wireline connection to the PSTN 12) are 
wireless devices in FIGS. 2 and 3. Telephones 20e, 20f are connected to a 
fixed wireless network home base station 42 that receives and transmits 
communications to and from telephones 20e, 20f through the wireless 
network 14 by way of antenna 39 and wireless network switch 36. The 
careful reader may question whether the present invention has to check the 
availability of telephones 20e, 20f in the wireless local loop just as the 
availability of the wireless unit 34 has to be checked. Typically, it will 
be unnecessary to perform such a check of the availability of telephones 
20e, 20f in the wireless local loop because these telephones 20e, 20f are 
likely to be stationery or fixed within the home or business 22. Thus, 
these telephones 20e, 20f are typically always active, although they may 
be engaged, i.e. busy. 
Alternative Environment--FIG. 2 
Given the general differences explained above between the preferred 
embodiment and the alternate embodiments, the alternate embodiment of FIG. 
2 is generally the same as the preferred embodiment of FIG. 1 in that a 
service control point and a services node are used to perform certain 
functions. The principal difference is that the service control point 24 
and services node 30 constitute elements of the wireless network 14 rather 
than the PSTN 12. In particular, SCP 24 is connected to wireless network 
switch 36 by a datalink as will be well known to those skilled in the art 
and services node 30 is connected to wireless network switch 36. The 
service control point 24 and services node 30 in the wireless network 
differ from their counterparts in the wireline network as will be apparent 
to those skilled in the art in that SCP 24 and services node 30 must 
interface and communicate pursuant to formats that are used in a wireless 
network. It will be further appreciated that the differences of this 
embodiment do not change the function or features provided by the wireless 
telecommunication extension service. The differences just change the 
manner in which the service is provided as will be apparent to those 
skilled in the art from the description below. 
Referring to FIG. 2, this alternate embodiment is explained through the use 
of the example of Doug calling his friends, Carl and JoAnn, using their 
directory number, 404-999-1234. The call is received by the PSTN 12 and 
routed in a manner well known to those skilled in the art to the wireless 
network 14. The call is further routed (if necessary) until it reaches the 
wireless network switch 36 that serves Carl's and JoAnn's telephones 20e, 
20f. The processing of the call then proceeds in the same manner as 
described above in connection with the preferred embodiment except that in 
the alternate embodiment of FIG. 2, the wireless network switch 36 
performs the functions of end office 16, and SCP 24 and services node 30 
are directly connected to wireless network switch 36. 
The common use of a service control point in connection with the 
embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2 provides an opportunity here to point out the 
advantages gained by the use of a service control point in connection with 
the present invention. For example, the use of a service control point in 
connection with the wireless telecommunication extension service saves 
network resources in certain situations. With respect to both of the 
embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2, SCP 24 suspends processing of the 
communication and of the wireless telecommunication extension service 
early in the history of the call so as to determine whether a wireless 
unit is available to respond to the call. If the wireless unit is 
unavailable, then the SCP 24 provides instructions that the communication 
be handled in a conventional manner. In this way, the service control 
point prevents network resources from being wasted in the effort to send a 
call to a wireless unit that is unavailable. In fact, if the service 
control point receives information that the wireless unit is unavailable, 
the service control point will not involve the services node in the 
processing of the call. This saves the resources of the services node as 
well as other telephony plant for other uses. 
Alternative Environment--FIG. 3 
The alternate embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3 does not include a service 
control point in providing the wireless telecommunication extension 
service of the present invention. As with the alternate embodiment 
described in connection with FIG. 2, the alternate embodiment of FIG. 3 
includes a services node as a wireless network element that is connected 
to wireless network switch 36. The services node 30 in the wireless 
network differs from its counterpart in the wireline network as will be 
apparent to those skilled in the art in that the services node 30 must 
interface and communicate pursuant to formats that are used in a wireless 
network. It will be further appreciated that the differences of this 
embodiment do not change the function or features provided by the wireless 
telecommunication extension service. The differences just change the 
manner in which the service is provided as will be apparent to those 
skilled in the art from the description below. 
Referring to FIG. 3, the call from Doug directed to his friends, Carl and 
JoAnn, is received by the PSTN 12 and routed in a manner well known to 
those skilled in the art to the wireless network 14. The call is further 
routed (if necessary) until it reaches the wireless network switch 36 that 
serves Carl's and JoAnn's telephones 20e, 20f. In response to receipt of 
the call, the wireless network switch 36 is programmed to respond to the 
information associated with the call to check with the home location 
register (HLR) 40 for instructions with respect to the processing of the 
call. In response to the query from the wireless network switch 36, the 
home location register (HLR) 40 is programmed to provide the switch 36 
with communication routing instructions, and in particular, to provide the 
switch 36 with communication routing instructions to route the 
communication to the services node 30. Upon receipt of the communication, 
the services node 30 checks with the HLR 40 for availability information 
to determine whether the wireless unit is available for the communication. 
To provide such availability information, the HLR 40 may carry out certain 
functions that will be apparent to those skilled in the art as to whether 
the wireless unit is available. (For further details, see discussion in 
connection with FIG. 1 regarding availability information) If the wireless 
unit is unavailable, then the services node provides the wireless network 
switch 36 with instructions to terminate the call in a conventional 
manner. In other words, only a call to the wireline unit is placed. If the 
wireless unit is available, then the services node places a call to both 
the wireline unit and the wireless unit. The processing of the call then 
proceeds in the same manner as described above in connection with the 
preferred embodiment except that in the alternate embodiment of FIG. 3, 
the services node 30 is directly connected to wireless network switch 36. 
Flow Diagram of the Operation of the Preferred Embodiment 
For a straight forward explanation of the operation of the preferred 
embodiment as described above in connection with FIG. 1, a flow diagram of 
the telecommunication extension service is provided in FIGS. 4A and 4B. 
The flow diagram picks up after a communication directed to a subscriber's 
wireline unit is received, and a positive determination has been made that 
the telecommunication extension service is to be accorded to the 
communication. As illustrated in FIG. 4A, the flow diagram is entered at 
start step 100, and proceeds to optional step 102 wherein a check is made 
to determine whether the telecommunication extension service has been 
enabled. If not, then in step 104 conventional (or other) 
telecommunications service is provided to the communication in routing it 
to the wireline unit, and the process ends in step 106. Referring again to 
step 102, if the check in step 102 is positive, then in step 108 a check 
is made to determine whether the appropriate wireless unit is available 
for the communication. If not, then the process proceeds to step 104 and 
provides conventional (or other) telecommunications service, and the 
process ends in step 106. 
Referring again to step 108, if the check in step 108 is positive, then in 
step 110 ringing is provided to the wireline and wireless units. In step 
112, a check is made as to whether either of the units have been answered. 
If there has been an answer, then the process proceeds to step 122 (see 
FIG. 4B). If no answer has been detected, then the process checks whether 
secondary call treatment is to be accorded. Such secondary call treatment 
may include voicemail, call forward no answer, or other treatment 
depending on the subscription of the subscriber. If secondary call 
treatment is to be accorded, then in step 117 the communication is routed 
to secondary call treatment as appropriate, and the process ends instep 
18. If secondary call treatment is not to be accorded, then in step 119 a 
check may be made to determine whether a busy (or similar) status or 
signal has been encountered. If so, then the process proceeds to steps 117 
et seq. wherein a busy signal to the caller (or as otherwise necessary) is 
provided as part of the secondary call treatment. If no busy (or similar) 
status or signal has been encountered, then in step 120 an optional check 
may be made as to whether a time-out or some other event like the 
expiration of a certain number of rings has occurred. If the time-out or 
other event has occurred, then the process proceeds to step 117 et seq. 
wherein an announcement or some other service may be provided as part of 
the secondary call treatment. On the other hand, if the time-out or other 
event has not occurred, then the process returns to step 110 and continues 
to ring both of the units and to proceed with the steps as described 
above. 
The flow diagram continues on FIG. 4B with step 122 which follows a 
positive determination in step 116 (FIG. 4A) that one of the units has 
answered. In step 122, a check is made as to whether it was the wireline 
unit or the wireless unit that answered. If the wireless unit answered, 
then the flow diagram illustrates the process followed in the preferred 
embodiment in steps 124-138 and 156-164. On the other hand, if the 
wireless unit answered, then the flow diagram illustrates the process 
followed in the preferred embodiment in steps 140-160 and 166-168. 
Referring to step 124, if the wireless unit answered, then a call is 
connected or terminated to the wireless unit. In step 126, a check is made 
as to whether ringing should be continued to the wireline unit. Reasons 
for the continuation or discontinuation of ringing are discussed in detail 
above in connection with the preferred embodiment described with reference 
to FIG. 1. If ringing is to be discontinued, then the process ends in step 
128. On the other hand, if ringing is to be continued, then in step 130 
ringing is provided. In optional step 132, a check is made to determine 
whether the wireline unit is busy, i.e., engaged. If so, then secondary 
call treatment may be provided as necessary (such as a busy signal to the 
caller), and the process ends in step 134. If the wireline unit is not 
busy, then in step 136 a check is made to determine whether the wireline 
unit has answered. If not, then the process returns to steps 126 et seq. 
to determine whether ringing is to be continued to the wireline unit. 
Referring again to step 136, if the wireline unit has answered, then in 
step 138 a connection is made to the wireline unit 138. At this point, 
connections have been established from the communication to both the 
wireless unit and the wireline unit. 
Referring again to the check in step 122, if the check determines that the 
wireline unit has answered, then in step 140 the communication is 
connected or terminated to the wireline unit. In step 142, a check is made 
as to whether ringing should be continued to be provided to the wireless 
unit. Reasons for the continuation or discontinuation of ringing are 
discussed in detail above in connection with the preferred embodiment 
described with reference to FIG. 1. If ringing is to be discontinued, then 
the process ends in step 144. On the other hand, if ringing is to be 
continued, then in step 146 ringing is provided. In optional step 148, a 
check is made to determine whether the wireless unit is busy, i.e., 
engaged. If so, then secondary call treatment may be provided as necessary 
(such as a busy signal to the caller), and the process ends in step 150. 
If the wireless unit is not busy, then in step 152 a check is made to 
determine whether the wireless unit has answered. If not, then the process 
returns to steps 142 et seq. to determine whether ringing is to be 
continued to the wireless unit. Referring again to step 152, if the 
wireless unit has answered, then in step 154 a connection is made to the 
wireless unit 154. At this point, connections have been established from 
the communication to both the wireless unit and the wireline unit. 
After steps 138 and 154, and the establishment of a connection from the 
communication to both the wireless unit and the wireline unit, in step 156 
the process monitors the communication for the drop-out of one or both of 
the units. In step 158, a check is made as to whether a drop-out has 
occurred. If not, then the process returns to step 156 with respect to the 
monitoring of the communication with respect to drop-out. On the other 
hand, if the check in step 158 was positive, then in step 160 a check is 
made to determine whether it was the wireline unit or the wireless unit 
that dropped-out. If it was the wireless unit, then in step 162 the 
communication is disconnected from the wireless unit and the process 
proceeds to end in step 164. Referring to step 160 again, if the wireline 
unit dropped-out, then in step 166 the communication is disconnected from 
the wireline unit and the process proceeds to end in step 168. 
In sum, the preferred embodiment provides a wireless telecommunication 
extension service to a subscriber such that a subscriber may specify that 
the subscriber is alerted to a call directed to a particular directory 
number by the ringing of a wireline unit associated with the particular 
directory number and by the ringing of a preselected wireless unit 
associated with the subscriber. Pursuant to this service, the wireless 
unit acts as an extension to the subscriber's wireline unit. 
Advantageously, the use of a wireless unit as an extension allows the 
subscriber to receive calls directed to the subscriber's wireline unit 
even when the subscriber is not present in the location of the wireline 
unit. The use of a wireless unit as an extension to a wireline unit allows 
the subscriber freedom to move away from the location of the wireline unit 
without missing calls. Other advantages of the present invention have been 
described above, and yet other advantages of the present invention will be 
apparent to those skilled in the art. 
Flow Diagram of the Operation of Another Preferred Embodiment 
FIG. 5 is a flow diagram indicating a preferred operation of the present 
invention. FIG. 5 is presented as an illustration of another concise 
representation of some of the steps of the present invention. The flow 
diagram of FIG. 5 also picks up after a communication directed to a 
subscriber's wireline unit is received, and a positive determination has 
been made that the telecommunication extension service is to be accorded 
to the communication. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the flow diagram is 
entered at start step 200, and proceeds to optional step 202 wherein a 
check is made to determine whether the telecommunication extension service 
has been enabled. If not, then in step 204 conventional (or other) 
telecommunications service is provided to the communication in routing it 
to the wireline unit, and the process ends in step 206. Referring again to 
step 202, if the check in step 202 is positive, then in step 208 a check 
is made to determine whether the appropriate wireless unit is available 
for the communication. If not, then the process proceeds to step 204 and 
provides conventional (or other) telecommunications service, and the 
process ends in step 206. 
Referring again to step 208, if the check in step 208 is positive, then in 
step 210 a call is made respectively to the wireline and wireless units. 
As a result of step 210, three alternatives are possible. In step 212, 
both calls time-out; in step 214, both calls are busy; or in step 216, the 
first party answers. Referring to step 212, when both calls timeout, the 
process lets the caller continue to hear ringing at step 218, and then the 
process ends at step 220. Referring to step 214, when both calls are busy, 
the process plays a busy signal to the caller at step 222, then the 
process ends at step 220. 
Referring to step 216, when the first party answers, the process connects 
the first party to the caller at step 224. At this point, three 
alternatives are possible. In step 226, the call to the second party times 
out; in step 228, the first party requests a disconnection of the call to 
the other unit; or in step 230, the second party answers. Referring to 
step 226, when the call to the second party times out, that call is 
dropped at step 232 and the first party and caller are connected at step 
234. The process then ends at step 236. Referring to step 228, when the 
first party requests a disconnection of the call to the other unit, the 
call to the second party is dropped at step 232 and the first party and 
caller are connected at step 234. The process then ends at step 236. 
Referring to step 230, when the second party answers, the first and second 
parties are bridged at step 238. At this point, two alternatives are 
possible. At step 240, either party disconnects or at step 242, either 
party requests disconnection of the call to the other unit. Referring to 
step 240, when either party disconnects, the remaining party and the 
caller are connected at step 244 and the process then ends at step 236. At 
step 242, when either party requests disconnection, the remaining caller 
and the caller are connected at step 244 and the process ends at step 236. 
While this invention has been described in detail with particular reference 
to the preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood that 
variations, modifications and alternate embodiments can be effected within 
the spirit and scope of the invention as described hereinabove and as 
defined in the appended claims.