Patent Document

RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Not applicable 
       FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not applicable 
       MICROFICHE APPENDIX 
       [0003]    Not applicable 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0005]    The invention is related to the field of communications, and in particular, to a communication system that provides integrated service over wireless networks and packet networks. 
         [0006]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0007]    A wireless telephone places calls over a wireless network. The wireless network often exchanges these calls with other telephone networks, such as the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). The wireless network and telephone offer features, such as instant messaging, voice mail, call logs, and address books. For example, a user may place a call by selecting an entry in a call log or address book. 
         [0008]    An Internet Protocol (IP) telephone places calls over an IP network. The IP network often exchanges these calls with other telephone networks, such as the PSTN. The IP network and telephone also offer features, such as voice mail, call logs, and address books. 
         [0009]    Unfortunately, the integration of communication services over wireless networks and IP networks is currently ineffective. The user cannot get integrated telephone service over both wireless and IP networks using a single telephone number. The user cannot get access to integrated voice mail, call logs, and address books for both wireless and IP networks. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    Examples of the invention include a communication system and its method of operation. The communication system comprises a communication platform and a wireless service node. The communication platform is configured to receive first signaling for a call to a telephone number, and in response, to transfer second signaling to alert a packet network appliance of the call and to transfer third signaling. The wireless service node is configured to receive the third signaling, and in response, to transfer fourth signaling to alert a wireless telephone of the call. Note that the wireless telephone and the packet network appliance are simultaneously alerted of the call. 
         [0011]    In some examples of the invention, a user answers the wireless telephone for the call, and in response, the wireless telephone transfers fifth signaling to the wireless service node indicating that the wireless telephone has answered the call. The wireless service node is configured to receive the fifth signaling, and in response, to transfer sixth signaling to the communication platform indicating that the wireless telephone has answered the call. The communication platform is configured to receive the sixth signaling, and in response, to transfer seventh signaling to the packet network appliance to stop alerting for the call. 
         [0012]    In some examples of the invention, a user answers the packet network appliance for the call, and in response, the packet network appliance transfers fifth signaling to the communication platform indicating that the packet network appliance has answered the call. The communication platform is configured to receive the fifth signaling, and in response, to transfer sixth signaling. The wireless service node is configured to receive the sixth signaling, and in response, to transfer seventh signaling to the wireless telephone to stop alerting for the call. 
         [0013]    In some examples of the invention, the packet network appliance and the wireless telephone share the telephone number. 
         [0014]    In some examples of the invention, a user operates the packet network appliance to transfer fifth signaling to initiate a second call. The communication platform is configured to receive the fifth signaling, and in response, to transfer sixth signaling to a telephone network to extend the second call, wherein the sixth signaling indicates the telephone number as the caller number. 
         [0015]    In some examples of the invention, the communication platform is configured to add a code to the third signaling. The wireless service node is configured to receive the first signaling, transfer the first signaling to the communication platform, receive the third signaling, and distinguish the first signaling from the third signaling based on the code. 
         [0016]    In some examples of the invention, the communication platform is configured to maintain a call log for the telephone number, transfer the call log to the packet network appliance, receive a user selection of an entry from the call log, and initiate another call between the packet network appliance and another telephone number indicated by the selected entry from the call log. 
         [0017]    In some examples of the invention, the communication platform is configured to maintain an address book for the telephone number, transfer the address book to the packet network appliance, receive a user selection of an entry from the address book, and initiate another call between the packet network appliance and another telephone number indicated by the selected entry from the address book. 
         [0018]    In some examples of the invention, the communication platform is configured to transfer the call to a voice mail server and receive information from the voice mail server indicating that a voice mail has been received for the telephone number, and in response, transfer fifth signaling to the packet network appliance indicating that the voice mail has been received for the telephone number and to transfer sixth signaling. The wireless service node is configured to receive the sixth signaling, and in response, to transfer seventh signaling to the wireless telephone indicating that the voice mail has been received for the telephone number. 
         [0019]    In some examples of the invention, the communication platform is configured to receive a text message from a message server, and in response, transfer the text message to the wireless service node for transfer to the wireless telephone, and transfer the text message to the packet network appliance. 
         [0020]    Note that in the terms “first signaling, second signaling, third signaling . . . ” the numerical terms “first, second, third . . . ” are used to distinguish the signaling from one another, but the terms do not necessarily indicate sequence. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0021]    The same reference number represents the same element on all drawings. 
           [0022]      FIG. 1  illustrates a communication system in an example of the invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 2  illustrates a communication platform in an example of the invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 3  illustrates a call through a telephone network to a wireless telephone in an example of the invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 4  illustrates a call through a telephone network to a packet network appliance in an example of the invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 5  illustrates a call from a packet network appliance through a telephone network to a called party in an example of the invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 6  illustrates a call from a wireless telephone through a telephone network to a called party in an example of the invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 7  illustrates a messaging service in an example of the invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 8  illustrates a voice mail service in an example of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0030]    The following description and figures depict specific examples to teach those skilled in the art how to make and use the best mode of the invention. For the purpose of teaching inventive principles, some conventional aspects have been simplified or omitted. Those skilled in the art will appreciate variations from these examples that fall within the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the features described below can be combined in various ways to form multiple variations of the invention. As a result, the invention is not limited to the specific examples described below, but only by the claims and their equivalents. 
         [0031]      FIG. 1  illustrates communication system  100  in an example of the invention. Communication system  100  includes wireless telephone  101 , wireless network  102 , wireless service node  103 , telephone network  104 , packet network appliance  105 , packet network  106 , and communication platform  107 . Wireless service node  103  can communicate with wireless telephone  101  over wireless network  102 . Wireless service node  103  is also coupled to telephone network  104  and platform  107 . Platform  107  can communicate with packet network appliance  105  over packet network  106 . 
         [0032]    Wireless telephone  101  could be any device or system configured to communicate with wireless service node  103  over wireless network  102 . Some examples of wireless telephone  101  include mobile telephones, cellular telephones, computers, and personal digital assistants. 
         [0033]    Wireless network  102  could be any device or system that communicates with wireless telephone  101  over an air interface. Some examples of wireless network  102  include Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) networks, Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) networks, Wireless Fidelity (WIFI) networks, and WiMax networks. 
         [0034]    Wireless service node  103  could be any device or system that controls communications with wireless telephone  101  over wireless network  102 . Wireless service node  103  also interfaces with telephone network  104  and platform  107 . Some examples of wireless service node  103  include mobile switching centers, wireless access points, service control points, and soft switches. 
         [0035]    Telephone network  104  could be any device or system that transfers communications between telephones. Some examples of telephone network  104  include the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), enterprise telephone networks, IP telephone networks, and wireless telephone networks. 
         [0036]    Packet network appliance  105  could be any device or system that communicates over packet network  106 . Some examples of packet network appliance  105  include computers, terminal adapters, IP gateways, personal digital assistants, and packet telephones. The packet format could be IP, Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), Ethernet, or some other packet format. 
         [0037]    Packet network  106  could be any device or system that transfers packets. Some examples of packet network  106  include IP networks, ATM networks, and Ethernet networks. 
         [0038]    Communication platform  107  could be any computer platform with communication interfaces that is configured to operate as described herein. Platform  107  may be integrated into other devices and systems. Platform  107  may be distributed across several devices and systems. Platform  107  could comprise a properly configured Centrex Server from Avaya or Broadsoft. 
         [0039]      FIG. 2  illustrates communication platform  107  in an example of the invention. Platform  107  includes signaling server  201  and media server  202 . Signaling server  201  and media server  202  could be computerized communication systems with communication interfaces. Signaling server  201  and media server  202  communicate over control link  203 . 
         [0040]    Signaling server  201  and packet network appliance  105  exchange telecommunication signaling over signaling link  211 . This signaling could be Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) signaling or some other signaling format. Signaling server  201  and wireless service node  103  exchange telecommunication signaling over signaling link  212 . This signaling could be Signaling System Seven (SS7) signaling or some other signaling format. Signaling server  201  and telephone network  104  exchange telecommunication signaling over signaling link  215 . This signaling could be SS7 signaling or some other signaling format. 
         [0041]    Wireless service node  103  exchanges signaling with wireless telephone  101  over wireless signaling link  215 . This signaling could be any form of wireless telecommunication signaling. Signaling server  201  may also exchange signaling with wireless telephone  101  over signaling links  212  and  215 . This signaling may be converted from one format to another by wireless service node  103 . 
         [0042]    Media server  202  and packet network appliance  105  exchange user communications over bearer link  213 . These user communications could be packet voice, text messages, or some other type of packet-based user communication. Media server  203  and wireless service node  103  exchange user communications over bearer link  214 . These user communications could be Time Division Multiplex (TDM) voice, packet voice, text messages, or some other type of user communication. Wireless service node  103  and wireless telephone  101  exchange the user communications over bearer link  215 . Thus, media server  202  and wireless telephone  101  can exchange the user communications over bearer links  214  and  216 . These user communications may be converted from one format to another by wireless service node  103 . 
         [0043]    Note that packet network  106  is omitted from  FIG. 2  for clarity, but packet network  102  transfers the signaling and user communications between platform  107  and appliance  105  over links  211  and  213 . Also note that wireless network is omitted from  FIG. 2  for clarity, but wireless service node  102  transfers the signaling and user communications between node wireless service  103  and wireless telephone  101  over wireless links  215 - 216 . 
         [0044]      FIG. 3  illustrates a call through telephone network  104  to wireless telephone  101  in an example of the invention. A caller (not shown) places the call to a telephone number that is shared by wireless telephone  101  and packet appliance  105 . Telephone network  104  receives call request signaling for the call, and in response, transfers call request signaling, such as an SS7 Initial Address Message (IAM), to wireless service node  103 . Based on the shared telephone number in the call request, wireless service node  103  transfers a call request signaling to platform  107 —this call request could be the same SS7 IAM received from telephone network  104 . Wireless service node  103  also accepts a bearer path for the call from telephone network  104 , and extends this bearer path to platform  107 . In response to the call request signaling, platform  107  transfers a ringback tone over the bearer path to wireless service node  103 , to telephone network  104 , and on to the caller to indicate that the call is proceeding. 
         [0045]    In response to the call request signaling, platform  107  identifies wireless telephone  101  and packet appliance  105  as associated with the called telephone number, and transfers separate ring instruction signaling to wireless service node  103  and packet network appliance  105 . The ring instruction signaling to wireless service node  104  could be an SS7 IAM, and the ring instruction signaling to packet network appliance could  105  be a SIP invite. Platform  107  also extends the bearer path from wireless service node  103  over separate potential bearer paths to wireless service node  103  and to packet network appliance  105 . Note that a potential bearer path through packet network  106  may consist of an IP address pair for packet network appliance  105  and platform  107   
         [0046]    In response to the ring instruction signaling, packet network appliance  105  alerts the user of an incoming call through a ring, vibration, or other call alert. In response to the other ring instruction signaling, wireless service node  103  transfers ring instruction signaling to wireless telephone  101 , and wireless telephone  101  alerts the user of an incoming call through a ring, vibration, or other call alert. Wireless service node  103  also extends the potential bearer path from platform  107  to wireless telephone  101 . 
         [0047]    Wireless service node  103  may need to distinguish the call request signaling transferred by telephone network  104  from the call request signaling (ring instructions) transferred by platform  107 , since both could be SS7 IAMs. Wireless service node  103  could distinguish this signaling by analyzing a code, such as the source address of the signaling or some other code inserted by platform  107  in this signaling. Wireless service node  103  could identify the code to distinguish the signaling. For call request signaling from telephone network  104  specifying a shared telephone number, wireless service node  103  should forward the signaling to platform  107 . For call request signaling from platform  107  specifying one of the shared telephone numbers, wireless service node  103  should extend the call to the appropriate wireless telephone. 
         [0048]    Note that platform  107  initiates a simultaneous ring on both wireless telephone  101  and packet network appliance  105  in response to a call to the shared telephone number. Also note that platform  107  establishes separate potential bearer paths to both wireless telephone  101  and packet network appliance  105 . 
         [0049]    If desired, platform  107  can route incoming calls to only wireless telephone  101  if appliance  105  is not logged in to platform  107 . If desired, platform  107  can route incoming calls to only appliance  105  if wireless telephone  101  is not on. Alternatively, the user can log into platform  107  and select call routing—route to both, route to telephone  101 , or route to appliance  105 . 
         [0050]    In this example, the user answers wireless telephone  101 . In response to the user&#39;s answer, wireless telephone  101  indicates to wireless service node  103  that it has been answered, and wireless service node  103  transfers answer signaling to platform  107  indicating that wireless telephone  101  has answered the call. In response to the answer signaling, platform  107  transfers answer signaling, such as an SS7 answer message, to telephone network  104 . In response to the answer signaling, node  103 , network  104 , and platform  107  cut through the call over the bearer path to provide duplex communications between the caller and the called party (the user of wireless telephone  101 ). Note that before cut-through, only the portion of the duplex bearer path from the called party to the caller is operational, but after cut-through, the portion of the duplex bearer path from the caller to the called party becomes operational as well. 
         [0051]    Platform  107  transfers stop ring signaling to packet network appliance  105 , and in response, appliance  105  stops alerting the user for the incoming call. Platform  107  logs the call by recording the date, time, and telephone numbers associated with the call. Platform  107  also logs whether the call uses wireless telephone  101  or packet network appliance  105 . Platform  107  also drops the potential bearer path to appliance  105 . At this point, the duplex bearer path for the call extends from the caller (not shown) through telephone network  104  to wireless service node  103  to platform  107  then back to wireless service node  103  and on to wireless telephone  101 . 
         [0052]      FIG. 4  illustrates a call through telephone network  104  to packet network appliance  105  in an example of the invention. A caller (not shown) places the call to the shared telephone number. Telephone network  104  receives call request signaling for the call, and in response, transfers call request signaling to wireless service node  103 . Based on the shared telephone number in the call request, wireless service node  103  transfers call request signaling to platform  107 . Wireless service node  103  also accepts a bearer path for the call from telephone network  104 , and extends this bearer path to platform  107 . In response to the call request signaling, platform  107  transfers a ringback tone over the bearer path to wireless service node  103 , to telephone network  104 , and on to the caller to indicate that the call is proceeding. 
         [0053]    In response to the call request signaling, platform  107  identifies wireless telephone  101  and packet appliance  105  as associated with the called telephone number, and transfers separate ring instruction signaling to wireless service node  103  and packet network appliance  105 . The ring instruction signaling to wireless service node  104  could be an SS7 IAM, and the ring instruction signaling to packet network appliance could  105  be a SIP invite. Platform  107  also extends the bearer path from wireless service node  103  over separate potential bearer paths to wireless service node  103  and to packet network appliance  105 . 
         [0054]    In response to the ring instruction signaling, packet network appliance  105  alerts the user of an incoming call through a ring, vibration, or other call alert. In response to the other ring instruction signaling, wireless service node  103  transfers ring instruction signaling to wireless telephone  101 , and wireless telephone  101  alerts the user of an incoming call through a ring, vibration, or other call alert. Wireless service node  103  also extends the potential bearer path from platform  107  to wireless telephone  101 . 
         [0055]    In this example, the user answers packet network appliance  105 . In response to the user&#39;s answer, packet network appliance  105  transfers answer signaling to platform  107  indicating that packet network appliance  105  has answered the call. In response to the answer signaling, platform  107  transfers answer signaling, such as an SS7 answer message, to telephone network  104 . In response to the answer signaling, node  103 , network  104 , and platform  107  cut through the call over the bearer path to provide duplex communications between the caller and the called party (the user of packet network appliance  105 ). Note that before cut-through, only the portion of the duplex bearer path from the called party to the caller is operational, but after cut-through, the portion of the duplex bearer path from the caller to the called party becomes operational. 
         [0056]    Platform  107  transfers stop ring signaling to wireless service node  103 , and in response, wireless service node  103  transfers stop ring signaling to wireless telephone  101 , and wireless telephone  101  stops alerting the user for the incoming call. Platform  107  logs the call by recording the date, time, and telephone numbers associated with the call. Platform  107  also logs whether the call uses wireless telephone  101  or packet network appliance  105 . Platform  107  also drops the potential bearer path back to wireless service node  103 , and wireless service node  103  drops the potential bearer path to wireless telephone  101 . At this point, the duplex bearer path for the call extends from the caller (not shown) through telephone network  104  to wireless service node  103  to platform  107  and on to packet network appliance  105 . 
         [0057]      FIG. 5  illustrates a call from packet network appliance  105  through telephone network  104  to a called party in an example of the invention. The user operates packet network appliance  105  to transfer call request signaling, such as a SIP invite, to platform  107 . In response, platform  107  transfers a call request, such as an SS7 IAM, to telephone network  104 . Platform  107  places the shared telephone number as the caller telephone number in the call request signaling to telephone network  104 . Thus, the telephone number shared with wireless telephone  101  is delivered to the caller as the Automatic Number Identification (ANI) on calls placed by packet network appliance  105 . 
         [0058]    Platform  107  establishes a bearer path from packet network appliance  105  to telephone network  104 . Platform  107  receives alerting signaling from telephone network  104  indicating that the called party is being alerted. In response to the alerting signaling, platform  107  transfers ringback signaling to appliance  105 , and appliance  105  plays a ringback tone to the caller (the user of appliance  105 ). Platform  107  receives answer signaling from telephone network  104  indicating that the called party has answered the call. In response to the answer signaling, platform  107  and telephone network  104  cut-through the bearer path. Platform  107  transfers stop ringback signaling to appliance  105 , and appliance  105  stops playing the ringback tone to the caller. Platform  107  also logs the call as described above. At this point, the duplex bearer path for the call extends from packet network appliance  105  to platform  107  to telephone network  104  and on to the called party (not shown). 
         [0059]      FIG. 6  illustrates a call from wireless telephone  101  through telephone network  104  to a called party in an example of the invention. The user operates wireless telephone  101  to transfer call request signaling to wireless service node  103 . In response to the call request signaling from wireless telephone  101 , wireless service node  103  transfers call request signaling to platform  107  and establishes a bearer path to platform  107 . In response, platform  107  transfers a call request, such as an SS7 LAM, to telephone network  104 . Platform  107  places the shared telephone number as the caller telephone number in the call request signaling to telephone network  104 . Thus, the telephone number shared with packet network appliance  105  is delivered to the caller as the Automatic Number Identification (ANI) on calls placed by wireless telephone  101 . 
         [0060]    Platform  107  also extends the bearer path to telephone network  104 . Platform  107  receives alerting signaling from telephone network  104  indicating that the called party is being alerted. In response to the alerting signaling, platform  107  transfers ringback signaling to wireless service node  103 , and wireless service node  103  transfers ringback signaling to wireless telephone  101 . In response to the ringback signaling, wireless telephone  101  plays a ringback tone to the caller (the user of wireless telephone  101 ). Platform  107  receives answer signaling from telephone network  104  indicating that the called party has answered the call, and in response, platform  107  transfers answer signaling to wireless service node  103 . In response to the answer signaling, node  103 , platform  107 , and telephone network  104  cut-through the bearer path. Wireless service node  103  also transfers stop ringback signaling to wireless telephone  101 , and wireless telephone  101  stops playing the ringback tone to the caller. Platform  107  also logs the call as described above. At this point, the duplex bearer path for the call extends from wireless telephone  101  to wireless service node  103  to platform  107  to telephone network  104  and on to the called party (not shown). 
         [0061]    In the above examples, the user could initiate calls from either wireless telephone  101  or packet network appliance  105 . Note that the same telephone number is delivered as the ANI on these calls. On incoming calls to the shared telephone number, note that the user has the option of answering the call over either wireless telephone  101  or packet network appliance  105 . This option is facilitated by the use of simultaneous ringing and separate potential bearer paths. Advantageously, wireless telephone  101  and packet network appliance  105  share the same telephone number. Also note that calls can be routed through platform  107 , so platform  107  can log all calls and apply additional services. 
         [0062]      FIG. 7  illustrates a messaging service in an example of the invention. Communication system  100  now includes message server  108 . Message server  108  could support a Short Message Service (SMS), or some other form of messaging service. When message server  108  receives a message for wireless telephone  101 , message server  108  forwards the message to wireless telephone  101  over a messaging channel—typically a signaling link through wireless service node  103  and network  102 . Message server  107  also forwards the message to platform  107 . Platform  107  transfers the message to packet network appliance  105 . Thus, messages for the user of wireless telephone  101  that are received into message server  108  are transferred to both wireless telephone  101  and packet network appliance  105 . 
         [0063]    Alternatively, when message server  108  receives a message for wireless telephone  101  or packet network appliance  105 , message server  108  forwards the message to platform  107 . In response, platform  107  transfers the message through wireless service node  103  to wireless telephone  101 , and platform  107  also transfers the message to packet network appliance  105 . 
         [0064]    If desired, platform  107  can discard messages for appliance  105  if appliance  105  is not logged in to platform  107 . If desired, platform  107  can discard messages for wireless telephone  101  if telephone  101  is not on. Alternatively, the user can log into platform  107  and select message routing—route to both, route to telephone  101 , or route to appliance  105 . 
         [0065]    Wireless telephone  101  transfers messages to message server  108  over the messaging channel. In response, message server  108  forwards the message to the appropriate recipient. Alternatively, wireless telephone  101  could transfer the messages to platform  107 , and platform  107  could transfer the messages to message server  108 . Packet network appliance  105  also transfers messages to platform  107 . This message transfer could use SIP over signaling link  211 . Platform  107  forwards the message to message server  108 . This message forwarding could use SMS. In response, message server  108  forwards the message to the appropriate recipient. 
         [0066]      FIG. 8  illustrates a voice mail service in an example of the invention. Communication system  100  now includes voice mail server  109 . When an incoming call is not answered by the user from either wireless telephone  101  or appliance  105  after a set time period or number of rings, platform  107  extends the call to voice mail server  109 . The caller then leaves a voice mail for the user with voice mail server  109 . Voice mail server  109  informs platform  107  that a voice message has been received for the shared telephone number. In response, platform  107  transfers a message waiting indicator over a signaling channel to wireless telephone  101 , and wireless telephone  101  indicates the waiting message to the user through a tone, icon, or some other notice. Platform  107  also transfers a message waiting indicator over the signaling channel to packet network appliance  105 , and network appliance  105  indicates the waiting message to the user through a tone, icon, or some other notice. 
         [0067]    The user may access the voice mail through wireless telephone  101  by calling voice mail. Wireless service node  103  extends the call to voice mail server  109 , and the user interacts with voice mail server  109  to access the voice mail. The user may also access the voice mail through network appliance  105  by calling voice mail. Platform  107  extends the call to voice mail server  109 , and the user interacts with voice mail server  109  to access the voice mail. 
         [0068]    After the voice mail is accessed by the user, voice mail server  109  informs platform  107  that no messages are awaiting. In response, platform  107  transfers a no message waiting indicator over the signaling channel to wireless telephone  101 , and wireless telephone  101  removes the message waiting indication. Platform  107  also transfers a no message waiting indicator over the signaling channel to packet network appliance  105 , and network appliance  105  removes the message waiting indication. 
         [0069]    In some examples, wireless service node  103  may also have an associated voice mail server (not shown). Unanswered calls could also be transferred to this voice mail system. Thus, the voice mail operations described above could be distributed between voice mail server  109  and the voice mail server associated with wireless service node  103 . 
         [0070]    Note that communication platform  107  typically handles calls to and from the telephone number. This enables platform  107  to maintain a detailed call log for the telephone number by allocating calls into lists for incoming calls, outgoing calls, received calls, and recent calls—even if appliance  105  is used on the call. Each list indicates the telephone numbers, time, date, and user device (telephone  101  or appliance  105 ) associated with each call. The user may access their call log through packet network appliance  105  by accessing platform  107  over packet network  106 . 
         [0071]    Once the user logs-in to platform  107 , platform  107  provides a Graphical User Interface (GUI) with options, and one of the options is to view the call log. When viewing the call log through appliance  105 , the user may place another call by selecting one of the calls. Platform  107  then initiates a call from appliance  105  to telephone network  104  using the telephone number from the selected entry. Wireless telephone  101  could maintain its own call log for the calls it actually handles, or the call log in telephone  101  could be synchronized with the call log in platform  107  over the signaling channel. 
         [0072]    Wireless telephone  101  maintains a personal address book. The personal address book includes a list of names and telephone numbers. Platform  107  maintains copy of the personal address book, and the two personal address books can be synchronized over the signaling channel. If the user modifies the personal address book in telephone  101 , then the change is reflected in the personal address book in platform  107 . If the user modifies the personal address book in platform  105 , then the change is reflected in the personal address book in telephone  101 . 
         [0073]    In addition, the user may access their personal address book in platform  107  through packet network appliance  105  over packet network  106 . Once the user logs-in to platform  107 , platform  107  provides a Graphical User Interface (GUI) with options, and one of the options is to view and edit the personal address book. When viewing the personal address book through appliance  105 , the user may place another call by selecting one of the address book entries. Platform  107  then initiates a call from appliance  105  to telephone network  104  using the telephone number from the selected entry. Note that the user can also initiate calls in a similar fashion from telephone  101  using its personal address book. 
         [0074]    Advantageously, wireless telephone  101  and packet network appliance  105  share the same telephone number. Communication network  100  integrates several services for wireless telephone  101  and packet network appliance  105 . The user has the option of using either wireless telephone  101  or packet network appliance  105  to place and answer calls, send and receive messages, and access voice mail. The user also has the option of accessing a call log or personal address book from either wireless telephone  101  or packet network appliance  105 . The user may then place calls from either the call log or the personal address book.

Technology Category: 5