Handset transitions in a dual-mode environment
Embodiments of the invention provide novel solutions, including systems, methods and/or software, for handling calls in a dual-mode VoIP/cellular environment. Merely by way of example, some systems can be configured to determine whether to use a VoIP system or a cellular system to handle a particular call, and/or to transition a call from one network to the other network. Other systems can be configured to substitute a public number (which might be, for example, a VoIP number) for a private number (which might be, for example, a cellular number) when routing a call originating from a dual-mode phone on a cellular network. Further systems can be configured to allow a VoIP system to serve as an anchor for calls originated and/or delivered on a cellular system, for instance to facilitate a transition between cellular and VoIP service during a call.
1. A method for handling a call involving a dual-mode handset capable of operating in a cellular mode and in a voice over Internet Protocol (“VoIP”) mode, the method comprising:
a dual-mode handset participating in a first call with an other party, the first call being carried on a VoIP connection with a VoIP system;
determining that a signal quality for the VoIP connection has fallen below a first threshold;
originating a second call between the VoIP system and the dual-mode handset, wherein the second call is carried by a cellular system;
answering the second call;
bridging the first call and the second call;
the dual-mode handset transitioning a microphone function and a speaker function from the first call to the second call, such that the dual-mode handset is in communication with the other party via the second call; and
disconnecting the first call.
2. The method recited in claim 1 , wherein the dual-mode handset originates the second call and the VoIP system answers the second call.
3. The method recited in claim 1 , wherein the VoIP system answers the call only after receiving a confirmation message from the dual-mode handset that the dual-mode handset is transitioning to a cellular call.
4. The method recited in claim 1 , wherein the VoIP system originates the second call and the dual-mode handset answers the second call.
5. A telecommunication system for handling a call involving a dual-mode handset capable of operating in a cellular mode and in a voice over Internet Protocol (“VoIP”) mode, the system comprising:
a VoIP system configured to provide VoIP service to a dual-mode handset, wherein the VoIP system is further configured to:
carry a first call over a VoIP connection between the dual-mode handset and an other party;
determine that a signal quality for the VoIP connection has fallen below a first threshold;
answer a second call originated by the dual-mode handset and carried by a cellular system configured to provide cellular service to the dual-mode handset;
bridge the first call and the second call; and
disconnect the first call.
6. The system recited in claim 5 , wherein the first call is disconnected after the dual-mode handset transitions a microphone function and a speaker function from the first call to the second call, such that the dual-mode handset is in communication with the other party via the second call.
7. The system recited in claim 5 , wherein the VoIP system determines that the signal quality for the VoIP connection has fallen below a first threshold based on receiving a message from the dual-mode handset that the signal quality has fallen below the first threshold.
8. The system recited in claim 5 , further comprising the cellular system.
9. A telecommunication system for handling a call involving a dual-mode handset capable of operating in a cellular mode and in a voice over Internet Protocol (“VoIP”) mode, the system comprising:
a VoIP system configured to provide VoIP service to a dual-mode handset, wherein the VoIP system is further configured to:
carry a first call over a VoIP connection between the dual-mode handset and an other party;
determine that a signal quality for the VoIP connection has fallen below a first threshold;
originate a second call directed to the dual-mode handset and carried by a cellular system configured to provide cellular service to the dual-mode handset;
bridge the first call and the second call; and
disconnect the first call.
10. The system recited in claim 9 , wherein the first call is disconnected after the dual-mode handset transitions a microphone function and a speaker function from the first call to the second call, such that the dual-mode handset is in communication with the other party via the second call.
11. The system recited in claim 9 , wherein the VoIP system determines that the signal quality for the VoIP connection has fallen below a first threshold based on receiving a message from the dual-mode handset that the signal quality has fallen below the first threshold.
12. The system recited in claim 9 , further comprising the cellular system.
13. A dual-mode handset capable of operating in a cellular mode and in a voice over Internet Protocol (“VoIP”) mode, wherein the dual-mode handset is configured to:
participate in a first call with an other party over a VoIP connection with a VoIP system;
originate, based on a determination that a signal quality of the VoIP connection has fallen beneath a first threshold, a second call to the VoIP system carried by a cellular system configured to provide cellular service to the dual-mode handset; and
transition a microphone function and a speaker function from the first call to the second call, after the first call and the second call have been bridged by the VoIP system, such that the dual-mode handset is in communication with the other party via the second call.
14. The dual-mode handset recited in claim 13 , further configured to:
determine that the signal quality for the VoIP connection has fallen beneath the first threshold.
15. The dual-mode handset recited in claim 14 , further configured to:
provide an indication to the VoIP system that the VoIP connection has fallen beneath the first threshold.
16. The dual-mode handset recited in claim 13 , further configured to:
receive an indication from the VoIP system that the signal quality for the VoIP connection has fallen beneath the first threshold.
17. A dual-mode handset capable of operating in a cellular mode and in a voice over Internet Protocol (“VoIP”) mode, wherein the dual-mode handset is configured to:
participate in a first call with an other party over a VoIP connection with a VoIP system;
receive, based on a determination that a signal quality of the VoIP connection has fallen beneath a first threshold, a second call from the VoIP system and carried by a cellular system configured to provide cellular service to the dual-mode handset; and
transition a microphone function and a speaker function from the first call to the second call, after the first call and the second call have been bridged by the VoIP system, such that the dual-mode handset is in communication with the other party via the second call.
18. The dual-mode handset recited in claim 17 , further configured to:
determine that the signal quality for the VoIP connection has fallen beneath the first threshold.
19. The dual-mode handset recited in claim 18 , further configured to:
provide an indication to the VoIP system that the VoIP connection has fallen beneath the first threshold.
20. The dual-mode handset recited in claim 17 , further configured to:
receive an indication from the VoIP system that the signal quality for the VoIP connection has fallen beneath the first threshold.