Abstract:
A method and apparatus for providing a cellular zone is disclosed. A communication link connects a cellular base station and a wireless access point. A typical communication link can be a wire-based communication network, such as the Internet, using IP telephony protocol. The wireless access point communicates with a cell phone over a cellular frequency and thereby establishes the cellular zone. Where the area of the cellular zone and the coverage area of the cellular base station overlap, continuous arbitration is performed to select a communications channel. The strength of a first signal received from the cellular base station is compared to the strength of a second signal received from the wireless access point. Selection criteria include signal strength and a time-oriented criteria to maintain continuity of communication channel.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/150,945, filed Jun. 13, 2005, the contents of which are hereby incorporated in their entirety by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to the field of cellular communications. In particular, the present invention provides a method and apparatus for integrating a cellular zone into a cellular communications network. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Currently, cellular networks provide cellular telephone service to wide geographical areas. A cellular network generally comprises a set of overlapping cells, a cell being a geographical area within radio contact of a fixed transmitter, normally known as a base station. Base stations consist of transceivers which send and receive signals to other base stations within a given frequency range as well as to any distributed transceivers (often a cellular phone) with the cell. Cells are positions so as to overlap with each other, thereby providing radio coverage over a greater area than the area of any one cell. Radio communication between base stations is facilitated by placing one base station within the coverage area of another base station. A handing-off protocol enables propagation of a signal from one base station to another and, by extension, throughout the network. Cellular networks are inherently asymmetric with a set of fixed main transceivers each serving a cell and a set of distributed transceivers which provide services to the network&#39;s users. 
     The primary requirement for operation of a cellular network is a way for the distributed transceivers to distinguish between a signal from its own transmitter and a signal from other transmitters. Two common solutions to this are frequency division multiple access (FDMA) and code division multiple access (CDMA). FDMA works by assigning a different operational frequency for each neighbouring cell. By tuning to the frequency of a chosen cell the distributed stations can avoid the signal from other neighbours. CDMA is a form of multiplexing, which enables numerous signals to occupy a single transmission channel, optimizing the use of available bandwidth. The technology is used in ultra-high-frequency (UHF) cellular telephone systems in the 800-MHz and 1.9-GHz bands. CDMA uses spread spectrum by multiple transmitters to send to the same receiver on the same frequency channel at the same time without harmful interference. In spread spectrum technology, the frequency of the transmitted signal is made to vary according to a defined pattern (code), so it can be intercepted only by a receiver whose frequency response is programmed with the same code, so it follows exactly along with the transmitter frequency. The CDMA channel is nominally 1.23 MHz wide. 
     Cellular coverage is typically provided by GSM/CDMA (Global System for Mobile telecommunications/Code Division Multiple Access). GSM is a globally accepted standard for digital cellular communication. In GSM, both signaling and speech channels are digital, which means that it is seen as a second-generation (2G) mobile phone system. GSM systems provide higher digital voice quality and low cost alternatives to making calls, such as text messaging. 
     New developments are emerging in which a dual mode mobile phone using both 802.11 and GSM/CDMA reside on the same handset. IEEE 802.11, or Wi-Fi, denotes a set of Wireless LAN standards developed by Working Group 11 of the IEEE LAN/MAN Standards Committee (IEEE 802). The term is also used to refer to the original 802.11, which is now sometimes called “802.11 legacy.” The 802.11 family currently includes six over-the-air modulation techniques that all use the same protocol, the most popular (and prolific) techniques are those defined by the a, b, and g amendments to the original standard. 802.11b and 802.11g standards use the unlicensed 2.4 gigahertz (GHz) band. The 802.11a standard uses the 5 GHz band. Operating in an unregulated frequency band, 802.11b and 802.11g equipment can incur interference from microwave ovens, cordless phones, and other appliances using the same 2.4 GHz band. However, using the existing wireless protocols of the cellular carrier enables operating with existing handsets with no modification required. 
     If the distributed transceivers are mobile and moving from cell to cell, they have to change radio contact from cell to cell. The mechanism for this transfer depends on the type of network and the circumstances of the change. For example, if there is an ongoing continuous communication, then transfer should be made to occur without interruption. In this case, there must be clear coordination between the base station and the mobile station. Typically such systems use some kind of multiple access independently in each cell, so an early stage of such a handover is to reserve a new channel for the mobile station on the new base station which will serve it. The mobile then moves from the channel on its current base station to the new channel and from that point on communication takes place. 
     With new technologies, there is a need for methods of arbitrating signals between carrier systems. Additionally, as the “wired” and “wireless” worlds of communication come together, and as different types of wireless technologies merge, the issue of carrier signal arbitration and selection becomes increasingly important. New methods will address issues relating to signal platforms. Users typically demand increased signal strength and signal quality. Thus, these new methods should provide improved signal quality. 
     Although cellular network cover wide areas, there remain geographic areas that are still uncovered, for various reasons. Some of these areas have a small population base (customer base), making it not financially viable to install a cell tower (base station) to provide coverage in those areas. Other areas are too remote to justify installation. In other areas, obstructions such as mountains, hills, trees, etc. degrade performance. In addition, man-made forms of interference, such as power lines, degrade the signal. All of these factors may lead to extremely poor signal quality to no signal in a given area. In the past, commercial organizations have installed special cellular antennas in commercial areas, such as malls, where a cellular user might have a problem accessing a carrier signal through thick concrete and metal. However, there is an ongoing need to provide financially viable cellular coverage in areas that do not have adequate carrier coverage and to arbitrate between signal carriers so as to provide signal coverage. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for providing a cellular zone. A communication link is provided between a cellular base station and a wireless access point. A cellular base station generally refers to a transceiver tower that is part of a cellular communication network. A wireless access point could be, for example, a Wireless (802.11)/Router with enhanced GSM/CDMA wireless capabilities. Alternately, the wireless access point could be a box providing GSM/CDMA and Ethernet capabilities. The wireless access point communicates with a cell phone using GSM/CDMA, but can optionally use 802.11 for communication. The communication link from the cellular base station to the cellular zone can be, for example, a wire-based communication network, such as the Internet. In one embodiment of the invention, the wire-based communication network is capable of transmitting signals using IP telephony. Cellular communication is provided between the wireless access point and a cellular telephony device to establish the cellular zone. 
     In one embodiment of the invention, the cellular zone and the coverage area of a nearby cellular base station are non-overlapping. In an alternative embodiment, the cellular zone and the coverage area of the cellular base station overlap in part. In the alternative embodiment with overlapping areas, a method is provided for arbitrating between a first signal received from the cellular base station and a second signal received from the wireless access point compares strengths of the first and second signals and selects between the first and second signal based on signal strength. The method of arbitrating further comprises a time-oriented criteria for signal selection to prevent excessive flipping between channels in cases where signal strengths are comparable or quickly fluctuating. 
     Examples of certain features of the invention have been summarized here rather broadly in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the contributions they represent to the art may be appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject of the claims appended hereto. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For detailed understanding of the present invention, references should be made to the following detailed description of an exemplary embodiment, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements have been given like numerals. 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a configuration in which a cellular signal is incapable of reaching an intended destination; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an exemplary integrated unit enabling GSM (Global System for Mobile Telecommunications); 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a configuration in which degraded cellular reception occurs; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates an alternative embodiment of the present invention in which a cellular zone is located at the periphery of a cell zone; and 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a flowchart for arbitrating between signals received from a base station and from a wireless access device. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the above, the present invention through one or more of its various aspects and/or embodiments is presented to provide one or more advantages, such as those noted below. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a configuration  100  in which a cellular signal is incapable of reaching its intended destination. The base station generally comprises a transceiver tower used for the propagation and direction of signals over the cell  115  a linked cellular network. Base station  110  provides a maximum radius of coverage  120  to cell  115 . Customer  130  happens to be located outside of the cell  115 . Because of this, the cell phone  140  in his possession displays no signal strength and the user cannot initiate or receive a cellular call. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates an exemplary embodiment  200  of the present invention. A cellular zone  238  is provided by establishing a communication channel in the cellular frequency range between a cell phone  236  and a wireless access point  230 . The wireless access point  230  provides cellular coverage over a maximum radius of coverage  234 . The wireless access point  230  communicates with cell phone  236  using GSM/CDMA wireless capabilities. In an exemplary embodiment, wireless access point  230  comprises an integrated Wireless (802.11)/Router with enhanced GSM/CDMA wireless capabilities. In an alternative embodiment, the wireless access point comprises a box that only provides GSM/CDMA and Ethernet capabilities and which plugs into an existing consumer Wireless AP/Router.  FIG. 3  illustrates an exemplary GSM integrated unit  300 . 
     A broadband connection  225 , such as an Internet connection, connects the wireless access point  230  to an Internet Service Provider (ISP), which in turn connects to a cellular service provider  210 . A typical broadband connection  225  could be provided using a DSL Broadband service. To integrate the wireless access point  230  with the cellular network, the customer purchases a cellular-ready device  236  and typically activates the cellular zone at their home through a registration process. Registration enables the carrier  210  to know to route calls through to the cellular zone. The wireless access point  230  registers over IP network (Internet)  220  to the cellular service provider  210 . The cellular provider adds this wireless access point to its network coverage database and routes wireless calls to and from this location. The cellular carrier detects the entry of the cell phone  236  into the cellular zone  238  and routes phone calls appropriately. The connection from the cellular carrier  210  to the consumer&#39;s cell zone  238  is typically provided via IP telephony. 
     The cellular carrier  210  converts voice traffic from the base station  110  to an Internet Protocol (IP) telephony (i.e., Voice over Internet Protocol) and transmits the signal to the wireless access device  230  via ISP  220  and broadband connection  225 . The wireless access point  230  converts the IP telephony signal of the cellular service provider  210  back to GSM/CDMA for transmission over cell zone  238 . The cell zone  238  thus is an integrated part of the cellular provider&#39;s network, and the consumer&#39;s cellular phone  236  rings in the event of a cellular call being received at the wireless access point  230 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates one possible situation  400  in which degraded cellular reception can occur. A cellular customer  430  is located at the periphery of a cell  115  corresponding to base station  110 . Due to the customer&#39;s location, the GSM/CDMA phone  440  experiences reduced signal strength and degraded quality. As a result, the user may or may not be able to initiate or receive a cellular call. Degraded quality can also be caused by physical, geographic, or manmade limitations. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates an alternative embodiment  500  of the present invention in which a cellular zone is located at the periphery of a cell zone. Cellular zone  238  and cell  115  overlap at intersection  505 . Customer  510 , using his cell phone  515  within intersection  505 , can receive two signals: a first signal received from the base station ( 110 ), and a second signal received from the wireless access device ( 230 ) of the cellular zone. Resolution of the issue of zone overlap is facilitated by registering the cellular zone with the cellular provider&#39;s network. The GSM/CDMA wireless registration is managed by the cellular provider&#39;s network, enabling the handoff of wireless voice communications either from the cellular zone or the cellular network. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a flowchart  600  for arbitrating between signals received from a base station and from a wireless access device, as can occur in the configuration of  FIG. 5 . The process of signal selection is repeated on a periodic basis during the course of a phone call. In Box  601 , the strengths of the first signal from the cellular zone to the cellular phone and of the second signal from the cellular carrier&#39;s antennas are measured. These strengths are then compared to determine which is the stronger signal. In Box  603 , the cell phone selects one of these signals to be used for communication based on a set of criteria. Criteria for signal selection include signal strength and a time-constraint. For example, when a stronger signal is clearly established, that stronger signal will be selected. In a situation where signal strengths are fluctuating over a short time period, the arbitrating process maintains the communication channel that it is currently using for a time. This enables continuity of signal reception and prevents constant flipping back and forth between channels. After a time in which the strength of another signal is clearly established as stronger, the stronger signal is again selected. 
     In an additional aspect of the present invention, the consumer can allow or disallow specific phone numbers from accessing their cell zone  238 . As an example, a cell zone owner can only allow his cellular phone to operate using the cell zone  238 . One advantage of restricting user access is to minimize excessive calls across the consumer&#39;s private broadband connection. Restriction can be made by identifying specific phone numbers. 
     Alternatively, the consumer could limit the number of cellular phone devices based upon the IP bandwidth in order to ensure a certain number of concurrent connections. This information can be factored into determining whether a cellular phone operating within a cellular zone leverages the carrier&#39;s network or the cellular zone. 
     Although the invention has been described with reference to several exemplary embodiments, it is understood that the words that have been used are words of description and illustration, rather than words of limitation. Changes may be made within the purview of the appended claims, as presently stated and as amended, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention in its aspects. Although the invention has been described with reference to particular means, materials and embodiments, the invention is not intended to be limited to the particulars disclosed; rather, the invention extends to all functionally equivalent structures, methods, and uses such as are within the scope of the appended claims. 
     In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, the methods described herein are intended for operation as software programs running on a computer processor. Dedicated hardware implementations including, but not limited to, application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arrays and other hardware devices can likewise be constructed to implement the methods described herein. Furthermore, alternative software implementations including, but not limited to, distributed processing or component/object distributed processing, parallel processing, or virtual machine processing can also be constructed to implement the methods described herein. 
     It should also be noted that the software implementations of the present invention as described herein are optionally stored on a tangible storage medium, such as: a magnetic medium such as a disk or tape; a magneto-optical or optical medium such as a disk; or a solid state medium such as a memory card or other package that houses one or more read-only (non-volatile) memories, random access memories, or other re-writable (volatile) memories. A digital file attachment to e-mail or other self-contained information archive or set of archives is considered a distribution medium equivalent to a tangible storage medium. Accordingly, the invention is considered to include a tangible storage medium or distribution medium, as listed herein and including art-recognized equivalents and successor media, in which the software implementations herein are stored. 
     Although the present specification describes components and functions implemented in the embodiments with reference to particular standards and protocols, the invention is not limited to such standards and protocols. Each of the standards for Internet and other packet switched network transmission (e.g., TCP/IP, UDP/IP, HTML, HTTP) represent examples of the state of the art. Such standards are periodically superseded by faster or more efficient equivalents having essentially the same functions. Accordingly, replacement standards and protocols having the same functions are considered equivalents.