Method and apparatus for completing inbound calls in a wireless communication system

A method in fixed communication unit for completing a plurality of inbound calls for a plurality of portable communication units in a wireless communication system comprising a plurality of portable communication units and a plurality of fixed communication units, the fixed communication unit for providing wireless communications over a limited coverage area and for providing coupling to a telephone system and having at least one wireless transceiver operating on a plurality of wireless transmission channels for carrying call set-up signaling in a first mode and user communications in a second mode, the wireless communication system further comprising a call processor for routing calls, the method comprising the steps of:

• receiving information from the call processor comprising identities of a plurality of portable communication units having inbound calls awaiting routing;
• generating in response to the receiving step more than one sequence of periodic call set-up polls on at least one of the at least one wireless transceiver on at least one of the plurality of wireless transmission channels, the sequence commencing at a starting time for polling a portable communication unit having an inbound call, wherein the sequence coexists with other sequences of periodic call set-up polls being generated concurrently by the same at least one of the at least one wireless transceiver;
• monitoring periodically the at least one of the plurality of wireless transmission channels for a reply from a replying one of the plurality of portable communication units polled in the generating step;
• establishing a user communications link with the replying one of the plurality of portable communication units on a wireless transmission channel receiving a reply in response to receiving the reply;
• and
• commanding the call processor, in response to the establishing step, to route an inbound call for the replying one of the plurality of portable communication units to a telephone port in the fixed communication unit associated with the replying one of the plurality of portable communication units.

A fixed communication unit for completing a plurality of inbound calls for a plurality of portable communication units in a wireless communication system comprising a plurality of portable communication units and a plurality of fixed communication units, the fixed communication unit for providing wireless communications over a limited coverage area and for providing coupling to a telephone system and operating on a plurality of wireless transmission channels for carrying call set-up signaling in a first mode and user communications in a second mode, the wireless communication system further comprising a call processor for routing calls, the fixed communication unit comprising apparatus for completing the plurality of inbound calls for the plurality of portable communication units, the apparatus comprising:

• processor means for controlling the fixed communication unit and for generating more than one sequence of periodic call set-up polls in response to the plurality of inbound calls;
• data communication means coupled to the processor means for communicating with the call processor for receiving inbound call information and responding with routing instructions therefor;
• memory means coupled to the processor means for storing values corresponding to each of a plurality of possible polling time slots, the values comprising inbound call information received from the call processor and determined within the fixed communication unit, the inbound call information comprising a plurality of portable communication unit identification codes for uniquely identifying each of a plurality of portable communication units receiving inbound calls;
• transceiver means coupled to the processor means for generating the more than one sequence of periodic call set-up polls on at least one of the plurality of wireless transmission channels for the plurality of portable communication units having inbound calls, and for monitoring periodically the at least one of the plurality of wireless transmission channels for a reply from one of the plurality of portable communication units polled;
• and
• wireless call processing means coupled to the transceiver means for establishing a wireless transmission link with a replying portable communication unit on one of the plurality of wireless transmission channels for handling the inbound call.

A fixed communication unit for completing a plurality of inbound calls for a plurality of portable communication units in a wireless communication system comprising a plurality of portable communication units and a plurality of fixed communication units, the fixed communication unit for providing wireless communications over a limited coverage area and for providing coupling to a telephone system and operating on a plurality of wireless transmission channels for carrying call set-up signaling in a first mode and user communications in a second mode, the wireless communication system further comprising a call processor for routing calls, the fixed communication unit comprising apparatus for completing the plurality of inbound calls for the plurality of portable communication units, the apparatus comprising:

• a microprocessor for controlling the fixed communication unit and for generating more than one sequence of periodic call set-up polls in response to the plurality of inbound calls;
• data communication ports coupled to the microprocessor for communicating with the call processor for receiving inbound call information and responding with routing instructions therefor;
• a real-time clock coupled to the microprocessor and having a time value for controlling polling duration;
• and
• a memory coupled to the microprocessor for storing values corresponding to each of a plurality of possible polling time slots, the values comprising inbound call information received from the call processor and determined within the fixed communication unit, the inbound call information comprising:
• a plurality of portable communication unit identification codes for uniquely identifying each of a plurality of portable communication units receiving inbound calls;
• and
• a corresponding plurality of poll start time values comprising the time value of the real-time clock at the start of the sequence of periodic call set-up polls of each of the plurality of portable communication units having inbound calls for timing the duration of each of the sequences of periodic call set-up polls;
• wherein the apparatus further comprises:
• a transceiver coupled to the microprocessor for generating the more than one sequence of periodic call set-up polls on at least one of the plurality of wireless transmission channels for the plurality of portable communication units having inbound calls, and for monitoring periodically the at least one of the plurality of wireless transmission channels for a reply from one of the plurality of portable communication units polled;
• and
• a wireless call processing element coupled to the transceiver for establishing a wireless transmission link with a replying portable communication unit on the at least one of the plurality of wireless transmission channels for handling an inbound call.