Mobile call routing based on detected wireless personal area network devices

Abstract

A portable phone a portable phone is equipped with a personal area network (PAN) detection mechanism to detect all portable phones and electronic identifiers (e.g., key fobs) in its PAN. A buddy list is included in the portable phone. If an electronic identifier is detected, such as from a key fob, but its corresponding portable phone is not, a proxy signal mechanism signals to the wireless telephone network that the phone may receive calls for a different phone. In response, the wireless telephone network routes calls for the different phone to the proxy phone instead. In this manner a phone may change functions automatically as devices enter and leave the PAN.

1 . A portable phone comprising:
 a detection mechanism that detects via wireless interface devices in physical proximity to the portable phone by receiving from each device an electronic identifier corresponding to a person; and   a proxy mechanism coupled to the detection mechanism that sends a message to a wireless telephone network to route calls for a second portable phone corresponding to a device detected by the detection mechanism to the portable phone when the second portable phone is not detected by the detection mechanism.   
   
   
       2 . The portable phone of  claim 1  wherein the detection mechanism detects at least one phone that corresponds to a device that sends the electronic identifier corresponding to a person. 
   
   
       3 . The portable phone of  claim 1  wherein the proxy mechanism comprises a buddy list that lists devices that send an electronic identifier and a corresponding phone. 
   
   
       4 . The portable phone of  claim 3  wherein if the detection mechanism detects an electronic identifier in the buddy list, but does not detect a corresponding second portable phone in the buddy list, the proxy mechanism sends a proxy signal to the wireless telephone network to instruct the wireless telephone network to route the calls for the second portable phone to the portable phone. 
   
   
       5 . The portable phone of  claim 1  wherein the proxy mechanism comprises a proxy call notification mechanism that receives a proxy call signal from the wireless telephone network when a call being routed to the portable phone is a call that was originally intended for the second portable phone. 
   
   
       6 . The portable phone of  claim 5  wherein the proxy call notification mechanism provides notification to a user when a call being routed to the portable phone is a call that was originally intended for the second portable phone. 
   
   
       7 . The portable phone of  claim 1  wherein, upon a detected device corresponding to the second portable phone leaving the physical proximity of the portable phone, the proxy mechanism determines if calls for the second portable phone are being routed to the portable phone, and if so, the proxy mechanism sends a signal to the wireless telephone network to no longer route the calls for the second portable phone to the portable phone. 
   
   
       8 . The portable phone of  claim 3  wherein the proxy mechanism further comprises a buddy validation mechanism that requires a buddy to authorize the addition of the buddy to the buddy list. 
   
   
       9 . A telephone system comprising:
 a wireless telephone network that comprises a router for routing calls, the router including a proxy router that receives a message from a first portable phone, and in response to the message, the proxy router routes calls for a second portable phone to the first portable phone; and   a proxy call signal mechanism that sends a signal to the first portable phone when a call for the second portable phone is being routed to the first portable phone to indicate to the user of the first portable phone the call is for the second portable phone.   
   
   
       10 . A portable phone comprising:
 a detection mechanism that detects via wireless interface devices in physical proximity to the portable phone by receiving from each device an electronic identifier corresponding to a person;   a proxy mechanism coupled to the detection mechanism that sends a message to a wireless telephone network to route calls for a second portable phone corresponding to a device detected by the detection mechanism to the portable phone when the second portable phone is not detected by the detection mechanism; and   a proxy call notification mechanism that receives a proxy call signal from the wireless telephone network when a call being routed to the portable phone is a call that was originally intended for the second portable phone to notify the user of the first portable phone the call is for the second portable phone.   
   
   
       11 . The portable phone of  claim 10  wherein, upon a detected device leaving the physical proximity of the portable phone, the proxy mechanism determines if calls for the second portable phone are being routed to the portable phone, and if so, the proxy mechanism sends a signal to the wireless telephone network to no longer route the calls for the second portable phone to the portable phone.