Method and system for assigning multiple directory numbers (DN) to a personal communication system (PCS) telephone

A method, for use in a mobile telephone handset, for activating one of a plurality of directory numbers (DNs) assigned to the handset, the method comprising the steps of:

• a) de-activating at a switch an active one of the plurality of directory numbers assigned to a handset;
• b) identifying an inactive one of the plurality of directory numbers;
• and
• c) activating at a switch the identified inactive directory number.

A system, for use in a switching system, for activating one of a plurality of directory numbers (DNs) assigned to a mobile telephone handset, comprising:

• a) means for de-activating at a switch an active one of the plurality of directory numbers assigned to a handset;
• b) means for identifying an inactive one of the plurality of directory numbers;
• and
• c) means for activating at a switch the identified inactive directory number.

A system, for use with a mobile telephone handset, for activating one of a plurality of directory numbers (DNs) assigned to the handset, comprising:

• a) means for de-activating at a switch an active one of the plurality of directory numbers;
• b) means for identifying an inactive one of the plurality of directory numbers;
• and
• c) means for activating at a switch said identified inactive directory number.

A computer-readable medium capable of configuring a switching system to perform a method for activating in the switching system one of a plurality of directory numbers (DNs) assigned to a mobile telephone handset, the method comprising the steps of:

• a) de-activating at a switch an active one of the plurality of directory numbers;
• b) identifying an inactive one of the plurality of directory numbers;
• and
• c) activating at a switch the identified inactive directory number.

A computer-readable medium capable of configuring from a switch a mobile telephone handset to perform a method for activating in a handset one of a plurality of directory numbers (DNs) assigned to the handset, the method comprising the steps of:

• a) de-activating at a switch an active one of the plurality of directory numbers;
• b) identifying an inactive one of the plurality of directory numbers;
• and
• c) activating at a switch the identified inactive directory number.

A personal communication system (PCS) network, comprising:

• a) a first switching system interfacing a second switching system, wherein the first switching system including:
• means for de-activating at a switch an active one of a plurality of directory numbers assigned to a mobile telephone handset;
• means for identifying an inactive one of the plurality of directory numbers;
• and
• means for activating at a switch the identified inactive directory number.

A personal communication system (PCS) mobile telephone handset, comprising:

• a) a memory comprising:
• a handset controller program adapted to de-activate at a switch an active one of a plurality of directory numbers (DNs) assigned to the handset and adapted to activate at a switch an inactive one of the plurality of directory numbers;
• and
• b) a processor for running the handset controller program.

A switching device having a data structure for assigning a plurality of directory numbers (DNs) to a personal communication system (PCS) mobile telephone handset, the data structure having a plurality of entries, each entry comprising:

• a) one of the plurality of directory numbers;
• b) an indicator for determining whether the directory number is active;
• and
• c) a home location register identifier.