Method and apparatus providing residential base carrier inactivation after line failure or line in use

Abstract

A personal base station ( 38 ) includes a transceiver ( 38 b , 38 c ) coupled to an antenna ( 38 d ) for conducting bidirectional wireless communications with a mobile station ( 10 ); an interface ( 38 g ) to a telephone line; and a controller ( 38 a ) that includes a circuit ( 38 f ) for sensing that the telephone line is not available for use. The controller is responsive to the telephone line not being available for use for notifying a mobile station that the mobile station is to register with a cellular communication system ( 32 ). In a preferred embodiment of this invention the sensing circuit is operable to discriminate between a disconnection of the telephone line and the use of the telephone line. In the first case the disconnect message may be sent immediately, while in the latter case the disconnect message may be sent after some predetermined time delay. In one embodiment the controller formats and transmits a message to the mobile station for notifying the mobile station that the mobile station is to register with the cellular communication system, while in another embodiment the controller terminates a transmission of an RF carrier signal to the mobile station for notifying the mobile station that the mobile station is to register with the cellular communication system. Methods for operating the personal base station are also disclosed.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for operating a wireless communications system of a type that includes a mobile station, a base station connected to a public cellular communication system, and a personal base station, comprising the steps of: 
 sensing that a telephone line connected to the personal base station is not available for use; and    notifying the mobile station that the mobile station is to obtain service from the public cellular communication system.    
     
     
         2 . A method as set forth in    claim 1   , wherein the step of notifying includes a step of transmitting a message to the mobile station from the personal base station.  
     
     
         3 . A method as set forth in    claim 1   , wherein the step of notifying includes a step of immediately terminating a transmission of an RF carrier signal to the mobile station from the personal base station.  
     
     
         4 . A method as set forth in    claim 1   , wherein the step of sensing includes a step of discriminating between a disconnection of the telephone line and the use of the telephone line.  
     
     
         5 . A method for operating a wireless communications system of a type that includes a mobile station, a base station connected to a public cellular communication system, and a personal base station, comprising the steps of: 
 sensing that a telephone line connected to the personal base station is not available for use, the step of sensing including a step of discriminating between a disconnection of the telephone line and the use of the telephone line;    for the case where the telephone line is determined to be disconnected, notifying the mobile station that the mobile station is to register with the public cellular communication system; and    for the case where the telephone line is determined to be in use, delaying for a period of time and, if the telephone line is still in use, notifying the mobile station that the mobile station is to register with the public cellular communication system.    
     
     
         6 . A method as set forth in    claim 5   , wherein the steps of notifying each include a step of transmitting a message to the mobile station from the personal base station.  
     
     
         7 . A method as set forth in    claim 5   , wherein the steps of notifying each include a step of terminating a transmission of an RF carrier signal to the mobile station from the personal base station.  
     
     
         8 . A personal base station, comprising: 
 a transceiver coupled to an antenna for conducting bidirectional wireless communications with a mobile station;    an interface to a telephone line; and    a controller including a circuit for sensing that said telephone line is not available for use, said controller being responsive to said telephone line not being available for use for notifying a mobile station that the mobile station is to obtain service from a cellular communication system.    
     
     
         9 . A personal base station as set forth in    claim 8   , wherein said sensing circuit is operable to discriminate between a disconnection of the telephone line and the use of the telephone line.  
     
     
         10 . A personal base station as set forth in    claim 8   , wherein said controller formats and transmits a message to the mobile station for notifying the mobile station that the mobile station is to register with the public cellular communication system.  
     
     
         11 . A personal base station as set forth in    claim 8   , wherein said controller terminates a transmission of an RF carrier signal to the mobile station for notifying the mobile station that the mobile station is to register with the public cellular communication system.