Call transfer and simplex call capability in a residential system using

Abstract

A wireless communications system (1) has at least one base station, such as a personal base station (5), and a plurality of mobile stations (10) capable of wireless communications with the at least one personal base station. In response to input from a user of a first mobile station, a first step of a method transmits a message from the first mobile station to the personal base station, the message including a request for service and information specifying another mobile station. The message is received at the personal base station and the request for service is interpreted as being one of a plurality of types. In one embodiment the message is interpreted in accordance with a state of the mobile station when transmitting the message. By example, the request for service is interpreted as a request to establish a simplex connection between the first mobile station and another mobile station, when the first mobile station is in an idle state, or as a request to transfer an on-going call from the first mobile station to another mobile station, when the first mobile station is in a conversation state. A next step of the method contacts at least one other mobile station from the personal base station for one of establishing the simplex connection and transferring the on-going call.