Hybrid public/private wireless network with seamless roaming

Abstract

A communications system connecting mobile subscriber devices to at least one of a PSTN and a plurality of PBX networks comprising a plurality of network interface units coupled to one of a PSTN and a PBX network, each of the plurality of network interface units having a predetermined coverage area; at least one mobile subscriber device, the mobile subscriber device assigned to one network interface unit considered a home network interface unit, and the mobile subscriber device receives a port assignment through the home network interface unit from one of the PSTN and the PBX network coupled to the home network interface unit, the PSTN port assignment determining the mobile subscriber device directory number, and the PBX network port assignment determining the mobile subscriber device extension number; a wireless access unit coupled to each of the plurality of network interface units and providing wireless connection between the network interface unit and a mobile subscriber device within the coverage area of the network interface unit; and a programmable cross-connect device connecting the plurality of network interface units and dynamically cross connecting calls between the home network interface unit of the mobile subscriber device and a visited network interface unit as part of call origination and termination process, the visited network interface unit covering a geographic region within which the mobile subscriber device is roaming.

1. A communications system connecting mobile subscriber devices to at least one of a PSTN and PBX network comprising:
 a plurality of network interface units (NIU) respectively communicatively coupled to one of a PSTN and a PBX having a predetermined coverage area; 
 at least one mobile subscriber device assigned to one of said network interface units designated a home network interface unit, said one mobile subscriber device receiving a port assignment through the home NIU from the PSTN or the PBX coupled thereto; 
 a plurality of wireless access subsystems (WAS) coupled respectively to the corresponding NIU and providing wireless connection between the corresponding NIU and a mobile subscriber device operating within the coverage area of the corresponding NIU; and 
 a programmable cross-connect device (ATC) connecting the plurality of network interface units and dynamically cross connecting calls between the home network interface unit of a mobile subscriber device and another network interface unit the coverage area of which is visited by said mobile subscriber device, said dynamic cross-connection being accomplished as part of a call origination and termination process. 
 
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1  wherein said PSTN port assignment determines a directory number of the mobile subscriber device. 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 1  wherein said PBX network port assignment determines an extension number the mobile subscriber device. 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 1  wherein each NIU coupled to a PSTN is designated as a public NIU. 
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 1  wherein each NIU coupled to one of the PBX networks is designated as a private NIU. 
     
     
       6. The system of  claim 1  wherein each mobile subscriber may roam outside the coverage area of its home NIU and into the coverage area of a visited NIU. 
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 6  wherein said ATC includes a visited location table entry and a home location table entry for said mobile subscriber. 
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 7  wherein said ATC updates the visited location table entry in response to a registration message from said mobile subscriber device. 
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 8  wherein said ATC connects a call path between the home NIU and the visited NIU, when said mobile subscriber device is roaming outside the coverage area of the home NIU and in the coverage area of the visited NIU. 
     
     
       10. The system of  claim 9  wherein the call path includes incoming calls to said mobile subscriber device. 
     
     
       11. The system of  claim 9  wherein the call path includes outgoing calls to said mobile subscriber device. 
     
     
       12. The system of  claim 6  wherein the visited NIU directly connects an outgoing call from said mobile subscriber by dialing any of a predetermined set of dialed numbers to a corresponding substituted physical directory number without the call path going through said ATC. 
     
     
       13. The system of  claim 12  wherein the home NIU is a private NIU. 
     
     
       14. The system of  claim 13  wherein said mobile subscriber device dialing plan corresponding to a private home NIU determines a substituted physical device extension number for said mobile subscriber device, wherein said dialing plan is communicated to the visited network interface unit from the private home network interface unit. 
     
     
       15. The system of  claim 12  wherein the home NIU is a public NIU. 
     
     
       16. The system of  claim 15  wherein said mobile subscriber device dialing plan corresponding to a public home NIU determines the substituted physical directory number for said mobile subscriber device, wherein said dialing plan is communicated to the visited NIU from the public home NIU. 
     
     
       17. The system of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of ATCs. 
     
     
       18. The system of  claim 17  further comprising at least one central programmable cross-connect device (C-ATC) connecting the plurality of ATCs. 
     
     
       19. The system of  claim 18  wherein the C-ATC updates a corresponding visited location table entry in response to a registration message from said mobile subscriber device. 
     
     
       20. The system of  claim 19  wherein each of the plurality of ATCs is the home ATC device for a predetermined range of mobile subscriber device identifications (PSID) corresponding to a plurality of mobile subscriber devices. 
     
     
       21. The system of  claim 19  wherein all of the plurality of mobile subscribers assigned to a first home NIU under the coverage of a first home ATC have PSID assigned from a predetermined range. 
     
     
       22. The system of  claim 18  wherein the C-ATC connects the call path between the visited ATC of said mobile subscriber device and the home ATC of said mobile subscriber device. 
     
     
       23. The system of  claim 1  wherein each of the plurality of WASs emits a unique identification code (ID), said ID including certain coded attributes of the corresponding NIU. 
     
     
       24. The system of  claim 23  wherein said ID identifies each WAS as one of a public WAS or a private WAS. 
     
     
       25. The system of  claim 23  wherein said mobile subscribers determines preferential access to one of said plurality of NIUs based on the coded attributes of the ID. 
     
     
       26. The system of  claim 25  wherein said public WAS is providing connection to the corresponding NIU coupled to the PSTN. 
     
     
       27. The system of  claim 26  wherein said private WAS is providing connection to its corresponding NIU coupled to a PBX network. 
     
     
       28. The system of  claim 1  wherein each NIU generates a call detail record recording call path information. 
     
     
       29. The system of  claim 28  wherein a preferential billing rate is computed based on mobile subscriber identification number (PSID). 
     
     
       30. The system of  claim 29  wherein the call detail record is searched for roaming PSIDs and a network usage bill may be presented to a public operator based on the call detail record. 
     
     
       31. A method of providing communication services for a plurality of mobile subscriber devices communicating via at least one of a PSTN and one of a plurality of PBX networks, comprising:
 coupling a plurality of network interface units (NIU) to one of a PSTN and a PBX network, each of the plurality of network interface units having a corresponding predetermined coverage area; 
 assigning each of a plurality of mobile subscriber devices to only one of the plurality of network interface units designated as its home network interface unit, each of said mobile subscriber devices receiving a port assignment through its home NIU from the PSTN or the PBX coupled thereto; 
 coupling a wireless access unit (WAS) to each of the plurality of NIUs to provide wireless connection between each of said NIUs and a mobile subscriber device operating within the coverage area of said NIU; and 
 using a programmable cross-connect device (ATC) to connect the plurality of NIUs and dynamically cross connecting calls between the home NIU of the mobile subscriber device and another NIU the coverage area of which is visited by said mobile subscriber device, said dynamic cross-connection being accomplished as part of a call origination and termination process. 
 
     
     
       32. The method of  claim 31  wherein said PSTN port assignment determines a directory number for the mobile subscriber device. 
     
     
       33. The method of  claim 31  wherein said PBX network port assignment determines an extension number for the mobile subscriber device. 
     
     
       34. The method of  claim 31  wherein each NIU coupled to a PSTN is designated as a public NIU. 
     
     
       35. The method of  claim 31  wherein each NIU coupled to one of the PBX networks is designated as a private NIU. 
     
     
       36. The method of  claim 31  wherein each mobile subscriber may roam outside the coverage area of its home NIU and into the coverage area of a visited NIU. 
     
     
       37. The method of  claim 36  wherein said ATC includes a visited location table entry and a home location table entry for said mobile subscriber. 
     
     
       38. The method of  claim 37  wherein said ATC updates the visited location table entry in response to a registration message from said mobile subscriber device. 
     
     
       39. The method of  claim 38  wherein said ATC connects a call path between the home NIU and the visited NIU, when said mobile subscriber device is roaming outside the coverage area of the home NIU and in the coverage area of the visited NIU. 
     
     
       40. The method of  claim 39  wherein the call path includes incoming calls to said mobile subscriber device. 
     
     
       41. The method of  claim 39  wherein the call path includes outgoing calls to said mobile subscriber device. 
     
     
       42. The method of  claim 36  wherein the visited NIU directly connects an outgoing call from said mobile subscriber by dialing any of a predetermined set of dialed numbers to a corresponding substituted physical directory number without the call path going through said ATC. 
     
     
       43. The method of  claim 42  wherein the home NIU is designated as a private NIU. 
     
     
       44. The method of  claim 43  wherein said mobile subscriber device dialing plan corresponding to a private home NIU determines the substituted physical device extension number for said mobile subscriber device, wherein said dialing plan is communicated to the visited NIU from the private home NIU. 
     
     
       45. The method of  claim 42  wherein the home NIU is designated as a public NIU. 
     
     
       46. The method of  claim 45  wherein said mobile subscriber device dialing plan corresponding to a public home NIU determines the substituted physical directory number for said mobile subscriber device, wherein said dialing plan is communicated to the visited NIU from the public home NIU. 
     
     
       47. The method of  claim 31  further comprising a plurality of ATCs. 
     
     
       48. The method of  claim 47  further comprising at least one central programmable cross-connect device (C-ATC) connecting the plurality of ATCs. 
     
     
       49. The method of  claim 48  wherein the C-ATC updates a corresponding visited location table entry in response to a registration message from said mobile subscriber device. 
     
     
       50. The method of  claim 49  wherein each of the plurality of ATCs is the home ATC for a predetermined range of mobile subscriber devices identifications (PSID) corresponding to a plurality of mobile subscriber devices. 
     
     
       51. The method of  claim 49  wherein all of the plurality of mobile subscribers assigned to a first home NIU under the coverage of a first home ATC have PSIDs assigned from a predetermined range. 
     
     
       52. The method of  claim 48  wherein the C-ATC connects the call path between the visited ATC of said mobile subscriber device and the home ATC of said mobile subscriber device. 
     
     
       53. The method of  claim 31  further comprising a plurality of WASs wherein each WAS emits a unique identification code (ID), said ID including certain coded attributes of a corresponding NIU. 
     
     
       54. The method of  claim 53  wherein said mobile subscribers determines preferential access to one of said plurality of NIUs based on coded attributes of the ID. 
     
     
       55. The method of  claim 53  wherein said ID identifies each WAS as one of a public WAS and a private WAS. 
     
     
       56. The method of  claim 54  wherein said public WAS is providing connection to its corresponding NIU coupled to a PSTN. 
     
     
       57. The method of  claim 54  wherein said private WAS is providing connection to its corresponding NIU coupled to a PBX network. 
     
     
       58. The method of  claim 31  wherein each NIU generates a call detail record recording call path information. 
     
     
       59. The method of  claim 58  wherein a preferential billing rate is computed based on PSIDs. 
     
     
       60. The method of  claim 59  wherein the call detail record is searched for roaming PSIDs and a network usage bill may be presented to a public operator based on the call detail record. 
     
     
       61. A computer program embodied in a tangible, non-transitory computer readable medium for providing communication services for a plurality of mobile subscriber devices communicating via at least one of a PSTN and one of a plurality of PBX networks, having instructions stored thereon, the instructions comprising:
 code segmentinstructions for coupling a plurality of network interface units (NIU) to one of a PSTN and a PBX network, each of the plurality of network interface units having a corresponding predetermined coverage area; 
 code segmentinstructions for assigning each of a plurality of mobile subscriber devices to only one of the plurality of network interface units designated as its home network interface unit, each of said mobile subscriber devices receiving a port assignment through its home NIU from the PSTN or the PBX coupled thereto; 
 instructions for coupling a wireless access unit (WAS) to each of the plurality of NIUs to provide wireless connection between each of said NIUs and a mobile subscriber device operating within the coverage area of said NIU; and 
 code segmentinstructions for using a programmable cross-connect device (ATC) to connect the plurality of NIUs and dynamically cross connecting calls between the home NIU of the mobile subscriber device and another NIU the coverage area of which is visited by said mobile subscriber device, said dynamic cross-connection being accomplished as part of a call origination and termination process. 
 
     
     
       62. The computer program product tangible, non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 61  wherein said PSTN port assignment determines a directory number for the mobile subscriber device. 
     
     
       63. The computer program product tangible, non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 61  wherein said PBX network port assignment determines an extension number for the mobile subscriber device. 
     
     
       64. The computer program product tangible, non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 61  wherein each NIU coupled to a PSTN is designated as a public NIU. 
     
     
       65. The computer program product tangible, non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 61  wherein each NIU coupled to one of the PBX networks is designated as a private NIU. 
     
     
       66. The computer program product tangible, non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 61  wherein each mobile subscriber may roam outside the coverage area of its home NIU and into the coverage area of a visited NIU. 
     
     
       67. The computer program product tangible, non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 66  wherein said ATC includes a visited location table entry and a home location table entry for said mobile subscriber. 
     
     
       68. The computer program product tangible, non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 67  wherein said ATC updates the visited location table entry in response to a registration message from said mobile subscriber device. 
     
     
       69. The computer program product tangible, non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 68  wherein said ATC connects a call path between the home NIU and the visited NIU, when said mobile subscriber device is roaming outside the coverage area of the home NIU and in the coverage area of the visited NIU. 
     
     
       70. The computer program product tangible, non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 69  wherein the call path includes incoming calls to said mobile subscriber device. 
     
     
       71. The computer program product tangible, non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 69  wherein the call path includes outgoing calls to said mobile subscriber device. 
     
     
       72. The computer program product tangible, non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 66  wherein the visited NIU directly connects an outgoing call from said mobile subscriber by dialing any of a predetermined set of dialed numbers to a corresponding substituted physical directory number without the call path going through said ATC. 
     
     
       73. The computer program product tangible, non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 72  wherein the home NIU is designated as a private NIU. 
     
     
       74. The computer program product tangible, non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 73  wherein said mobile subscriber device dialing plan corresponding to a private home NIU determines the substituted physical device extension number for said mobile subscriber device, wherein said dialing plan is communicated to the visited NIU from the private home NIU. 
     
     
       75. The computer program product tangible, non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 72  wherein the home NIU is designated as a public NIU. 
     
     
       76. The computer program product tangible, non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 75  wherein said mobile subscriber device dialing plan corresponding to a public home NIU determines the substituted physical directory number for said mobile subscriber device, wherein said dialing plan is communicated to the visited NIU from the public home NIU. 
     
     
       77. The computer program product tangible, non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 61  further comprising a plurality of ATCs. 
     
     
       78. The computer program product tangible, non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 77  further comprising at least one central programmable cross-connect device (C-ATC) connecting the plurality of ATCs. 
     
     
       79. The computer program product tangible, non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 78  wherein the C-ATC updates a corresponding visited location table entry in response to a registration message from said mobile subscriber device. 
     
     
       80. The computer program product tangible, non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 79  wherein each of the plurality of ATCs is the home ATC for a predetermined range of mobile subscriber devices identifications (PSID) corresponding to a plurality of mobile subscriber devices. 
     
     
       81. The computer program product tangible, non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 79  wherein all of the plurality of mobile subscribers assigned to a first home NIU under the coverage of a first home ATC have PSIDs assigned from a predetermined range. 
     
     
       82. The computer program product tangible, non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 78  wherein the C-ATC connects the call path between the visited ATC of said mobile subscriber device and the home ATC of said mobile subscriber device. 
     
     
       83. The computer program product tangible, non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 61  further comprising a plurality of WASs wherein each WAS emits a unique identification code (ID), said ID including certain coded attributes of a corresponding NIU. 
     
     
       84. The computer program product tangible, non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 83  wherein said mobile subscribers determines preferential access to one of said plurality of NIUs based on coded attributes of the ID. 
     
     
       85. The computer program product tangible, non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 83  wherein said ID identifies each WAS as one of a public WAS and a private WAS. 
     
     
       86. The computer program product tangible, non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 84  wherein said public WAS is providing connection to its corresponding NIU coupled to a PSTN. 
     
     
       87. The computer program product tangible, non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 84  wherein said private WAS is providing connection to its corresponding NIU coupled to a PBX network. 
     
     
       88. The computer program product tangible, non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 61  wherein each NIU generates a call detail record recording call path information. 
     
     
       89. The computer program product tangible, non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 88  wherein a preferential billing rate is computed based on PSIDs. 
     
     
       90. The computer program product tangible, non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 89  wherein the call detail record is searched for roaming PSIDs and a network usage bill may be presented to a public operator based on the call detail record. 
     
     
       91. A communications system connecting wireless subscriber devices to at least one of a PSTN network and a plurality of PBX networks comprising:
 a plurality of network interface units coupled to one of a PSTN network and a PBX network, each of a plurality of network interface units having a predetermined coverage area; 
 a plurality of mobile subscriber devices, each of said mobile subscriber devices assigned to one of the plurality of network interface units corresponding to a home network interface unit of said mobile subscriber device; 
 a plurality of wireless access units, each of said plurality of wireless access units providing wireless connection between one of said plurality of network interface units and a plurality of subscriber devices within the coverage area of said one of said plurality network interface units; and 
 a programmable cross connect device providing full connectivity between all constituent network interface units and dynamically cross connecting calls between the home network interface unit and the visited network interface unit as part of call origination and termination process. 
 
     
     
       92. The system of  claim 91  wherein said mobile subscriber device receiving a port assignment from the corresponding PSTN network or PBX network coupled to said home network interface unit. 
     
     
       93. The system of  claim 92  wherein said PSTN port assignment determining the mobile subscriber device directory number, and said PBX port assignment determining the mobile subscriber device extension number. 
     
     
       94. A method comprising:
 assigning one of a plurality of network interface units (NIUs) to a wireless subscriber as a home NIU of the wireless subscriber, wherein the plurality of NIUs are interconnected through an air traffic controller (ATC) circuit;   registering at the ATC a current location of the wireless subscriber in response to the wireless subscriber communicating with a visiting NIU different the home NIU; and   dynamically cross connecting calls to and from the roaming wireless subscriber, wherein the calls are established and conducted through the assigned home NIU of the roaming wireless subscriber, the ATC, and the visiting NIU of the roaming wireless subscriber;   wherein the home NIU is coupled to one of a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and a Private Branch Exchange (PBX) network,   wherein, if the home NIU is coupled to a PSTN, a PSTN port assignment determines a directory number of the wireless subscriber, and   wherein, if the home NIU is coupled to a PBX, a PBX port assignment determines an extension number of the wireless subscriber.   
     
     
       95. The method of claim 94, wherein each of the home NIU and visiting NIU is coupled to one of a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and a Private Branch Exchange (PBX) network. 
     
     
       96. The method of claim 94, wherein dynamically cross connecting calls comprises coupling the ATC with a second ATC. 
     
     
       97. The method of claim 94, further comprising the ATC updating the visited location table entry in response to a registration message from the wireless subscriber. 
     
     
       98. The method of claim 94, further comprising a plurality of wireless access subsystems (WASs) coupled to respective corresponding NIUs, at least one of the WASs providing wireless connectivity between the corresponding NIU and the wireless subscriber within the coverage area of the corresponding NIU. 
     
     
       99. The method of claim 94, wherein the ATC is configured to operate as a cross-connect switch between the plurality of NIUs and to store locations and details of the plurality of NIUs. 
     
     
       100. The method of claim 94, further comprising the ATC querying one or more NIUs other than the visiting NIU to determine the assigned home NIU. 
     
     
       101. A communication system comprising:
 a plurality of network interface units (NIUs), wherein one of the plurality of NIUs is assigned to a wireless subscriber as a home NIU of the wireless subscriber; and   an air traffic controller (ATC) configured to register a current location of the wireless subscriber in response to the wireless subscriber communicating with a visiting NIU different from the home NIU, and dynamically cross connect calls to and from the roaming wireless subscriber, wherein the calls are established and conducted through the assigned home NIU of the roaming wireless subscriber, the ATC, and the visiting NIU of the roaming wireless subscriber;   wherein the home NIU is coupled to one of a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and a Private Branch Exchange (PBX) network,   wherein, if the home NIU is coupled to a PSTN, a PSTN port assignment determines a directory number of the wireless subscriber, and   wherein, if the home NIU is coupled to a PBX, a PBX port assignment determines an extension number of the wireless subscriber.   
     
     
       102. The communication system of claim 101, wherein each of the home NIU and visiting NIU is coupled to one of a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and a Private Branch Exchange (PBX) network. 
     
     
       103. The communication system of claim 101, wherein the ATC is further configured to communicate with a second ATC. 
     
     
       104. The communication system of claim 101, wherein the ATC is further configured to update a visited location table entry in response to a registration message from the wireless subscriber. 
     
     
       105. The communication system of claim 101, further comprising a plurality of wireless access subsystems (WASs) coupled to respective corresponding NIUs, wherein each WAS is configured to provide wireless connectivity between the corresponding NIU and the wireless subscriber when the wireless subscriber is within the coverage area of the corresponding NIU. 
     
     
       106. The communication system of claim 101, wherein the ATC is further configured to query one or more NIUs other than the visiting NIU to determine the assigned home NIU. 
     
     
       107. A communication system comprising:
 a set of network interfaces providing communications services to respective geographic regions and each coupled to one of a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and a Private Branch Exchange (PBX) network; and   an air traffic controller (ATC) coupled to each of the network interfaces and configured to provide a communications link between the network interfaces and establish and conduct communication with a roaming mobile subscriber through a home network interface (NIU) to which the roaming mobile subscriber is assigned and a visiting network interface within whose respective geographic region the roaming mobile subscriber resides, to store locations and details of the plurality of NIUs;   wherein the home NIU is coupled to one of a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and a Private Branch Exchange (PBX) network,   wherein, if the home NIU is coupled to a PSTN, a PSTN port assignment determines a directory number of the wireless subscriber, and   wherein, if the home NIU is coupled to a PBX, a PBX port assignment determines an extension number of the wireless subscriber.   
     
     
       108. The communication system of claim 107, wherein the ATC is further configured to query one or more network interfaces other than the visiting network interface to determine the assigned home NIU.