System and method for routing a wireless connection in a hybrid network

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to systems and methods for establishing and/or routing wireless data and/or voice connections across a hybrid network based upon a user's selection or preference. In some embodiments, a method for routing a wireless connection across a hybrid network comprises allowing a user to select a routing preference, routing the wireless connection via a short-haul communications network if the routing preference indicates a short-haul communications network choice, and routing the wireless connection via a cellular network if the routing preference indicates a cellular network choice. In other embodiments, the present invention provides a system and method for learning the user's data, cellular, and/or VoIP access habits in order to optimize the user's experience. In yet other embodiments, the present invention allows carriers to comply with CALEA and E911 rules by identifying the location of hybrid devices within the hybrid network.

1 . A method for routing a call across a hybrid network having a cellular network and a short-haul communications network, the method comprising:
 storing a user's routing preference in a routing preferences server;   communicating the routing preference to a control network; and   using the control network to route the call across the hybrid network;
 wherein:
 the call is routed via the short-haul communications network if the routing preference indicates a short-haul communications network choice; and 
 the call is routed via the cellular network if the routing preference indicates a cellular network choice. 
 
   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  where the call may be one of: a data call, and a voice call. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  where the routing preference comprises a data access area. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising allowing a law enforcement agency to access current routing information. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising providing location information associated with a 9-1-1 call to an emergency service using current routing information. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  where the routing preference comprises a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) provider preference. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  where the routing preference comprises a smart option. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising routing a data call based on a data access habit of the user. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising routing a voice call based on a cellular network access habit of the user. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising routing a VoIP call based on a VoIP access habit of the user. 
     
     
         11 . A system comprising:
 a routing preferences server for storing a routing preference selected by a user; and   a control network coupled to the routing preferences server, where the control network is operable to connect a cellular network to a short-haul communications network.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11  where the routing preferences server is operable to communicate the user preference to the control network. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11  where control network is operable to route the call via the short-haul communications network if the routing preference indicates a short-haul communications network choice. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 11  where control network is operable to route the call via the cellular network if the routing preference indicates a cellular network choice. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 11  where the control network comprises an applications processor. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 11  where the control network comprises a gateway. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 11  where the control network comprises a location entity. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 11  where the cellular network is selected from the group consisting of: a Global System for Mobile (GSM) network, a Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) network, a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) network, and a Personal Communications Services (PCS) network. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 11  where the short-haul communications network comprises an Internet Service Provider (ISP) network. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 11  where the short-haul communications network is selected from the group consisting of: IEEE 802.11 (WiFi), and IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX). 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 11  further comprising means for allowing a law enforcement agency to access current routing information. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 11  further comprising means for providing current routing information to a law enforcement agency. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 11  further comprising means for providing location information associated with a 911 call to an emergency service using current routing information.