Handoff of phone calls from wireless to wireline network

Abstract

Telephone calls are handed off from a wireless network to a wireline network under the control of a subscriber. When at a given location, the subscriber enters the directory number of the wireline terminal (typically the closest) to which a future wireless call is to be transferred. The entered directory number is then stored in memory in the subscriber's wireless terminal with the current location of the subscriber as determined by a satellite-based global positioning system (GPS) for future use. If the subscriber wants to transfer a call to a wireline terminal, the subscriber selects a transfer handoff key on the subscriber's wireless terminal. After the subscriber's location is determined using the GPS, it is then determined if a directory number (DN) of a designated wireline terminal has previously been entered and stored in memory for the subscriber's present location. If so, the call is transferred to the designated wireline terminal using the local cellular network and the wireless call is terminated. If the DN of a wireline terminal associated with the subscriber's present location has not previously been entered, the wireless call is allowed to continue. Automatic call forwarding to a designated wireline terminal is also provided for in the event of a weak received signal link using a table of previously entered wireline terminal DN's. In both manual and automatic transfer of a wireless call, the subscriber must pick up the ringing wireline terminal to complete call transfer.