Patent Application
20080026739
PSTN 101 is an international telephone network that provides telephony service to users connected to PSTN 101. PSTN 101 provides the ability for landline users to place and receive calls within communication system 100.
MSC 103 connects PSTN 101 to the wireless communication system serviced by MSC 103. MSC 103 is preferably responsible for compiling call information for billing and handing off calls from one cell to another. In an exemplary embodiment, MSC 103 is a CDMA MSC. MSC 103 provides control for base stations, such as base station 105. It should be understood that in a typical wireless communication system, MSC 103 would control a plurality of base stations, although
Base station 105 is responsible for communicating over the air with mobile units that are located within a cell area covered by base station 105. Base station 105 completes calls with PSTN 101 utilizing MSC 103. In the exemplary embodiment depicted in
Mobile unit 107 requests (201) coverage for remote destination 117. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a user of mobile unit 107 initiates the determination of remote service coverage utilizing mobile device 107. This can be accomplished via soft-key or dial-in. In an alternate exemplary embodiment, mobile unit 107 can request coverage by calling a customer service representative of the wireless service provider or via a computer, such as by sending an email or accessing a website. In a further exemplary embodiment, the user can request coverage utilizing a speech-to-text converter or can verbally convey the remote location to an operator who keys the remote location information.
After verifying that mobile unit 107 has subscribed to the remote destination service coverage feature, communication system 100 prompts the user of mobile unit 107 to enter remote destination information. In a first exemplary embodiment, mobile unit 107 sends an address of the remote destination to communication system 100. The address can include the street address of the destination, a town name, a zip code, an intersection, a landmark, a building name, an airport, or any other indication of a geographical location.
Communication system 100 locates (203) remote destination 117. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the communication system utilizes mapping software to locate remote destination 117. The mapping software preferably converts the entered information into GPS coordinates of remote destination 117.
Communication system 100 determines (205) coverage information for remote destination 117. In the scenario where mobile unit 107 may or may not subscribe to the remote destination service coverage feature, communication system 100 preferably verifies whether mobile unit 107 has subscribed to a remote destination service coverage feature. If mobile unit 107 has subscribed, communication system 100 determines if there are networked cells in the area that can provide coverage at remote destination 117. In an exemplary embodiment, communication system 100 makes the determination by comparing the GPS location of a base station with the GPS location of remote destination 117.
In an exemplary embodiment, communication system 100 determines if a system provides cellular coverage for remote destination 117. In an alternate exemplary embodiment, communication system 100 determines if there is mobile service coverage at remote destination 117 based on the current state of the wireless equipment located at remote destination 117. For example, the present invention can use the status of the remote cellular system. In this scenario, communication system 100 can alert mobile unit 107 to the current or future working status at remote destination 117.
Communication system 100 provides (207) coverage information to mobile unit 107. In an exemplary embodiment, communication system 100 sends the coverage information to mobile unit 107 utilizing SMS (short message service). In an alternate exemplary embodiment, communication system 100 sends the coverage information to mobile unit 107 via screen display. The coverage information can be displayed on mobile unit 107 as a series of bars, wherein an increasing number of bars indicates increased wireless signal strength within remote destination 117. The information provided to mobile unit can be text or graphical and can either be sent to mobile unit 107 or to another device indicated by a user of mobile unit 107.
Communication system 100 can also provide additional information to requesting mobile unit 107. For example, communication system 100 can provide rate information to mobile unit 107. Additionally, communication system 100 can provide information about the coverage provided at sites adjacent to remote destination 117.
While this invention has been described in terms of certain examples thereof, it is not intended that it be limited to the above description, but rather only to the extent set forth in the claims that follow.
