CA2797273A1 - Method and apparatus for selecting a voip femtocell for in-service use - Google Patents

Abstract

The methods and devices of the present disclosure may be used to enable non-carrier dependent, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) femtocells for in-service use with one or more mobile handheld devices. The VoIP femtocell generally includes at least one Radio Frequency (RF) transceiver; and program logic that, at least in part, performs a broadcast channel selection protocol and a handheld reselection protocol, so as to enable one or more mobile handheld devices to select the VoIP femtocell for in-service use. In certain embodiments, the broadcast channel selection protocol includes a configuration phase and a broadcast phase.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SELECTING A VOIP
FEMTOCELL FOR IN-SERVICE USE

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Application Serial No. 12 774,274, filed May 5, 2010, the entire contents of which application is hereby incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention is applicable at least in the. fields of voice and data comrrmunicatior-rs (e.g., those that n plement Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) corxrn unica.0orrs) and the field of mobile telet horn and, more 1 at'tieufarf r, in the fold of devices.
, sÃelals processor program products, and methods of facilitating \"oIP communication.
BACKGROUND OF THE. INVENTION
VoIP is a tech cloy that allows the packet switched systems and transmission channels that connect computer networks to act as an aiterrtative to traditional circuit switched telephone networks, deliveriri real-time voice to both standard.
telophones and personal computers (PCs.). VoIP allows an individual to utilize a. network correction to transmit voice encapsulated data packets over available local corgi munication lines, such as the Internet, This is typically ta.cilitated by the, use of an Analog Telephone Adapter (ATA) which emulates some functions of a phone company's central office and connects via a wired interface to a network like the Internet.
Fixed-mobile convergence (FMC') is a service at the intersection of VoIP, mobile/cellular, and broadband Internet technologies, that attempts to bridge ce.llular:'mohile net vorks with switched: fired telephone networks. Two prig:nary methods exist for mobile operators to provide a FMC service in a residential e ironnw t with existing handsets, -here the legacy analog phone line is not required. The first. method requires rub scribers to obtain a dual-mode hand. et arn.d. access the network through unlicensed mobile access (UM_ )= traditionally through the SO-1 1 l.a 1?. g n connection, Also known as wireless fidelity, (Wi-Fi;). A bertet`.it of t - MA is that the unlicensed frequencies around 22,4 C3H.z can be utilized :freely by the operators award subscribers ith.in regulatory limits for reasonable transmitted power levels, An alternative approach for offering FMC is to deploy a "user base station" or ferntocell, directly within the ubscribers' promises, e.g.,, home or office.
With a ferntocell, the handset (mobile device) accesses the _fenitocell through traditional licensed spectrum, via a radio link that implements traditionail mobile network standards. The power levels I

between the fetutocell and the attached mobile device are generally much lower than the power level; between a n acroce lular base transceiver station. (BTS) and n obile device;., because the limited range of the f nitocell is intended to cover the subscriber's premises.
There is a need in the art for fermtocell devices that can deliver fixed-mobile convergence solutions to .facilitate \`alP voice and data. transmission.
Sli.hl.MARY. OF THE INVENTION
The present disclosure relates to telephony services. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to methods and devices that facilitate voice and:'or data transmission throw-di a Voice over Internet Protocol (Volll) network via use of a 'oil?
enabled, non-carrier dependent fenitoeell.
The present disclosure is best understood vwith reference to the claims, the entire specification, and all of the drawings submitted herewith, which describe the devices, systefrms, processor program products and. methods of the present invention in greater detail than this sunmm cry, which is merely intended to convey aspects of illustrative embodiments of the present invention.
By way ofexanmple, the disclosed devices (:e.g., computers, and .adapters, such as network adapters), sy tcms, processor program products and methods may include a combination of hardware and: or soth are that allows the riser to overcome problems associated with use of Voil' communications net vorks.
By way of example. the central processing unit(s), processor(s), controller(s) or program to ,ic. in the disclosed devices (e.g., the computers and fenuocel.l devices) can include the ability to enable use of mobile handheld devices with Vo1P
enabled. iron-carrier dependent femtocells.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment: of the present disclosure, a fer ttocell '.`~ for use , ith one or more u-iobile handheld devices and methods for enabling femtocell for use without regard to mobile network carrier are provided. The fenmtocell generally includes at least one Radio Frequency (RF) transceiver; and program logic that, at least in part, performs a broadcast channel selection protocol and a handheld reselection.
protocol, so as to enable one or more mobile handheld devices to select the feiniocell for in-service use. In certain embodiments, the broadcast channel selection protocol includes a.
configuration phase and a broadcast ph,aase, In additional embodiments, the femtocell broadcasts as the dominant basestatiort in a user communication zone arid, I the primary basestation available .I

for a mobile handheld de ice for in-sertidce use within the user communication Tone without regard to mobile network carrier.
Additional objects, advantages and novel features of this inve_ntion will be set forth in part in the description that follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon exai:irination. of the tollowirtcr description., or may be learned by practicing the in 4'entioiv BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the accompanying drawings that form a part of the specification and are to be read in conjunction therew-ith, the present invention is illustrated by way of example and not limitation, with like reference nuinerals .referring to like elements It should be noted tlrart tine connections illustrated in all the Figures of the present disclosure are intended to illustrate interactions. The illustrated connections should he regarded as logical connections, and should not be regarded as limited to physical connections.
I igure 1 is a block diagram illustrating a Structure of an exemplary f intocc.ll 1:5 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating ar. structure of an exemplary communications network, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;
Figure 3 is a block diagram illustrating, a structure of an exemplary coi:irputer sy'stern, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
Figures 4 and 4A-4D arc flowcharts illustrating exemplary embodiments and protocols enabling aspects of a fenitocell of the disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INNFNITION
In the f allowinM,; detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the Invention. In other instances, well known 2 structures, interfaces, and processes have not been shown in detail in order not to unnecessarily obscure the invention. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that those specific details disclosed herein need not be used to practice the invention a~icl do rant represent a.liirritartion on the. scoff}e of tlte. iris enÃit+r , zxce t as recited in the claims. It is intended that.no part of this specification be construed to effect a disavowal of any part of the full scope of the invention.
The methods and devices of the present disclosure may be used to enable Voice over Internet Protocol (Voll?) enabled, non-carrier dependent ferntocells _for in-service use with one or more .mobile handheld devices. The femtocell veneraal1 includes at least o-ne Radio Frequency (RF) transceiver: and pro cram logic that, at least in part, performs a broadcast channel selection protocol and a handheld resclec ion protocol, so as to enable one or more -mobile handlheld devices to select the featmtocell for in-service use. In certain embodiments, the broadcast channel selection protocol includes a configuration phase and a broadcast phase. In additional er:abod:irnents, the fer: tocell broadcasts as the dominant hasestation in a user communication zone and is the primary basestation available for a mobile handheld device for in-service use Within the user commmmnication zone without.
necessarily, regard to mobile e network prove der.
As explained in further detail herein, the term radio frequency (.RF) transceiver, nand. or trarnsceiver, refers to a component including R F and,'or cellular capaabitities which may operate in either half duplex and ,"or full duplex modes. As used herein, without intending to be limited, such terms include a single component configuration;
n which both transmitter and receiver capabilities are integrated within a single component, as well as multiple component configurations, in which transmitter and receiver capabilities are separated into individual components.
includin Any type of tame?bite handheld device capable of sending and receiving data, but not limited to voice data (e.g- cellular telephone), via mobile telephony standards known era the aart -nay be used in. connection with the present. disclosure, and the disclosure is :not rrterrded to be li:miti.ng in this respect. More particularly. fer: tocell may be used to interface mobile handheld devices to a VoW raetwork.. In certain aspects, Figure .I depicts a block diagram of a structure of an exemplary fenrtocell 100 according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The description. of the femtocell 100 set .forth herein arid reflected in the figures may be read more broadly and is merely an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. B v4 ay of exararple, in some instances, certain components, features, and 2` functions of the fenntocell of the invention may be incorporated in a computer or associated soft are'prog;ram logic in communication with the fenrtocell.
The fenatocells described herein may be used with any mobile telephony standards known. to those of skill in the art, such as Global System for- =fobile Communications (GSM); Code Division Multiple Access (f. DM A),Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (U ITS), Long Term Evolution (LTE), Worldwide Interoperabilitz for Microwave Access (WiM ?) or CDMA2000, or any mobile telephone standard ttrat may be developed in the future. In certain enrl}a~d:irracrat , the feir-ttoce l may be optimized or configured to nterface with selected or designated mobile telephone standards, e.g. selected based on the desired mobile handheld device(s) to be used in connection with the femtocell.
However, the description herein is not so limited. In certain aspects, connectivity to the public switched telephone network (PSTN) may be provided through an Internet connection, anal.
voice data is transmitted through VoIP tedmolo;pies.
Irr an embodiment of the present disclosure, with reference to Figure 1.
fenttocell. 100 may include at least one radio frequency-- (RF) transceiver 130, and a central processor unit (CPU) 135. Mobile handheld device 165 may connect wirelessly to fenitocell 100 via radio transceiv ergs) 130..RF transceiver(s) 130 allow the fertatocell 100 to both send and receive Rl /'ccllulat- signals. The R:F transceiver(s) 130 may be con ected to CPU 135 or it may be integrated with the MI.' .135 on a circuit with or without other components).
RF
transceiver(s) 130 may send or receive data tc..g., communication data, includitr_ voice data, from a handheld mobile device). 1; c.nmtocell 100 may interface with a computing device., e. .;
a laptop or desktop computer 150 via an appropriate interface, e.g., a Universal Serial Bus (U.SB:) connector 140.
As.n:tensioned previously., RF transceiver(s) 130 may he configured as :t sir gle component, which both transmits and receives signals in either half duplex or full duplex operation mode. In other embodirrients, RF transceiver(s) 1 30 may be configured with separate transmitter and receiver components, again in either half duplex or full duplex operation .mode.
In certain embodiments.. CPU 135 may generally control femtocell 100 via appropriate program logic: including, but not limited to, haseband processing logic. In certain aspects. Ã `PI_' 135 may he integrated into a baseband processor unit (not shown), as generally recognized by those of skill in the an, The baseb tnd processor unit and/or C`P
1 35 m ty generally include at microprocessor of a kind that is well known to one of ordinar 2` skill in the art. Integrated ~~ i[birr a baseband. processor unit, or interfaced with CPU 135 is pre?;rant logic e.g., bas band processing logic (not shown) which processes data and executes to{gic in real time.
In certain embodiments, CPL? 135 may perform data iiiodti.latiotil,dciiicsdulatioii, AD
and DA conversion if required, and time starnp correlation correction .me.rge as needed to account for interface delay, e.g., delay due to USB 140 or other inter.f:ace, etc., and to convert user data to the desired data transfer rate, In other embodiments. a computing device, e.g..
laptop or desktop computer 150, may per orni such functions.

In certain embodiments, CPU 135 may optionally be connected to one or more memory devices such as flash memory 110 and SDR N 115. The f aslr memory 110 may be Used to store information. permanently. such as configuration information and program code,. when the femiocell 100 is not powered or is turned off, The SDk M 115 may be used as a working storage for the CPU 135 during, operation..
The display 1111, ti hrcl? is all optional feature of femtoeeli 100. may be used to display information about incoming calls, diagnostics, an or status information of the femtocell 100. Display 105 may also be used to display video. One of ordinary skill in the art can appreciate that any kind of decoder, such as, for example, an ='YIPEG-4./ H1.264 decoder, may be used to decode the video output, if any. in certain crilbodiniclits, tile decoder may he implemented as a dedicated. component decoder 120), or may be implemented in Software running via CPI,: 135. The display 105 may also be used to display and present advertising, news, irtforrnation, and/or entertainment to the user. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the CPU 13-5 may include circuitry which monitors the signal strength of the wireless netixork (not shown) employed by ferntocell 100. and display 105 nlay optionally display signori mn- mth information if desired, Signal strtmgth monitoring circuitry is well knowwn to one of ordinary skill in the art.
In one embodiment, a wireless network card 125 .pray be incorporated into femtacell 100. For example, the wireless network card 125 may he incorporated into fem.tocell 100 by connectin<g it'pia a mini-P i connector (riot shoNwn). Also, the wireless network capability may he built in to femtocell 100 in the form of a semiconductor chip without the use of a separate card, or in any other manner presently knot n or developed in the future. The wireless net: ork card 125 allows fen-rtocell 100 to access any one or more of available wireless net: orks. The wireless network card 125 ma transmit the information to the '; network by implementin4g, for example, a variation of the IEEE 802.11 standard. One of ordinary skkill, however, can appreciate that other methods can he employed as well. The voreless network card 125 may be built into femtocell 100 via a replaceable module by a known. standard such as PCI, PCMCIA, or USB. By employing a. particular wireless card, a user may have access to any number of wireless n&, orks such as Wi t i, WI-Max, EV-DO, 11SPD.A, or any other wireless network.
In yet another enmbodiment of the invention, ferrrtoeell 100 may be adapted to include multiple wireless network cards. The multiple wireless :net or-k cards feature allows the user .flexibiliÃy' to employ different types of wireless network services, such as Wi-Fi and cellular broadband wireless. One of ordinary skill can appreciate that many different services can be employed and the example may be used for illustration and not as a way of limitation. The circuitry may, for example, be adapted to include multiple PCI
cards, or other replaceable nodules, such as PCMCIA, USB or PCl. The CPU 135 may include program logic which may allow the network interlace to adaptively switch between using the, w reless network cards to transmit data and allow a user to replace wireless network cards during the. operation of fenitoceil 100. For example, when femtocell 100 is not in range of router "135 (see Figure 2) via Wi-Fi rrr other wireless network, fen:rtc?ce11 1 t. tl may transmit packeiized data from a mobile 1 andheld device via a broadband network such as EV-DÃ) or another applicable broadband. network to which a user has a subscription, Fenntocell 100 may also include the capability to be connected to a local area.
network: or wide area network 155. In certain embodiments, ferntocell 100 may include one or more physical trrterfaces, e.g.. a RJ-45 i:nterface 145 connection. a Universal Serial Bus (U:SB) connection .140, etc., in addition to ,~wwireless network card(s) 125 to connect to local area network or wide area network 155. Alternatively or additionally.
fe.n:rtoceti 1(10 may be attached directly to a computing device, e.g.: laptop or desktop computer 150 via an interface, for example, L S 3 connector 140. hetrrtocell' 10() may connect to the Internet via local area network, wide area network, or cor:nputing device in a mariner known in the art.
In certain embodiments, femtocell 100 may optionally include a subscriber line interface (S1,.1C) and data. access arrangement (D.AA) circuit (both not shown) to allow interface to an analog telephone handset (not shown), if desired. The SLIC may generrilly be responsible for emulating a telephone :nettia orlr central office. It r:rr<3 generate at ring current, detect on-)rook and off-hook transition and notify the CPU 135 of any signal transition. The SLIC nuty also performs A;D conversion on input voice signal and may also perform D/.
conversion if required. The DAA may detect a ring current and notify the CPU
135 of the, presence of a ring. current. The DAA may also create off-hook and on-hook transactions in order to emulate a telephone handset back to the telephone neu%ork central office, and may also perform AD andor D
A con e.rsror:t on signals tr nsrrritting to and from the equivalent of a telephone network central office: (not shown).
One of ordinary skill in the art can appreciate that fen:rtocell 100 requires AC or DC
power in. order to operate, By way of example and not limitation, the terntocell 100 can be powered from an AC electrical outlet or DC power source, such as the cigarette lighter in M n automobile;, a DC battery, or the USB port of a computer.

Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating a structure of at) exemplary conurrunicall oils network 200, according to an embodiment of the invention, The embodiment shown. in Figure 2 is provided for illustration purposes an.d. not by way of limitation.
It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the elements that make up the communications network can vary and he optimized for different applications.
Communications network 200 may, but need not necessarily, include mobile handheld device 205, cellular nets. vork 2 l0, ferntocell 100, a connector such as a USB connector 220, laptop computer 225, desktop computer 230, rroutet 235, a broadband modem 240, Internet 245, gateway 250, public safety answering point (l SAP) 255, Vol.l' end-user 260, and PSTN
end-user 265.
.According to an embodiment of the invention, fen:ttocell 100 may include a wireless network card 125 which allows femtocell 100 to wireless:ly connect to a wide area network, such as the Internet "245. As shown in Figure 2, for example, ferrrtocell 100 may (through a wired or wireless connection) transmit digitized. voice data to tit router 235, which may then transmit the voice data to the Internet 245 through a broadband modem 240. The router 235 is of ak nd well known by those of ordinary skill in the art, such as an 802.11 sg router. As will be recognized by those of skill in the art, femtocell 100 may be connected to the router 235 through any appropriate standard for wireless cor:nmuntication (e.g., IEEE
802, 11.) or may have a connector .e.g., a 1 ?SB or RJ-45 connector) for physically connecting to a router or broadband modem which may be, for example, a cable, fiber optic or DSL, modem;).
Alternatively, fenrtoeell 100 may include tit connector (such as tit UUSB
connector 220) for connecting to a laptop computer- 225 or desktop computer 230, which is in turn connected (w.trired or wirelessly) to the internet via a local area net ork, wide area network, etc.
Accordingly, femtocell 100 may use the capabilities and components of a computing device 2.5 to which it is connected (e.g., a laptop or desktop computer) to communicate aver a local area nevi orl or wide area rnetwork.
In certain embodiments, fenrtocell 100 can receive digitized voice data from a mobile handheld device 205, or from a laptop computer .2215 or desktop computer 230, or any other type of computing or communication device (e.g., via a l.: Si3 connector 20, wireless network card 125, or other suitable connector).
Figure 3 s hows a. block diagram illustrating a structure of an exemplary computer system 300 including fenrtocell 305 for use with a computing device 350. The embodiment shown in Figure 3 is provided for illustration purposes only, and is not intended to be lin iting. Fen tocell 305 includes a CPU or other processor 325 running pro cram logic 31 O, e,g.., baseband processing logic. In one embodiment, f,rtocell 305 further includes a first transceiver 330 (which piss capable of tr'sansmitti_nv]g and/or receiving aradio signal 333 to establish a two-IIaT~ communication channel) and an optional second transceiver 340.
Ferr:rtocell 305 r:rxay wcitrde a connector 335 that couples terrrtocell 305 to the cor:nputi.ng device 350. The connector 335 may be a USI3 connector, a PCI, rrrini PCI, or other connector. Fenitocell 305 may also be wirelessly coupled. to a. computer via, for exarrmrple, second transceiver 340.
The computing device 350 includes one or more processors 380 (e.g=., CP'U) controllers toot shown) and/or program logic (not shoe ii) coupled to memory 385, such as a RANI. a ROM, an SDRAN49 an F.EPRC31 I, a flash me or-y, a hard drive, an optical drive and/or a floppy drive. The CPU: 3225 and program logic 310 of the femtocell 305 may also have memory- associated with it to store program logic acrd/or data used by the program logic to implement the present disclosure.
The computing device 350 r:nav be connected, directly or indirectly, wired or wirelesslv, to one or more additional computers or devices (:not shown) via one or more data networks {not shown), such as a local area network, wide area network, wireless network, or the Internet. A user may, interact with the computing device 350 via input output devices (trot shop n), such as a keyboard, mouse: trackball, or touch screen.. in.
additio ~, the computing deice 350 may have a. display 395, strclr as a monitor, LCD display, or plasma display, which displays information to the user. The computing device 350 may also be coupled to a printer trot shown.) for printing information.
The program logic may> be stored in a computer readable medium such as memory, In one embodirrvent, the computing device 350 may store in a computer readable media, such as the memory 385, at least part of the program logic (and. corresponding data) that is used to implement an embodiment of the present invention. Also stored in the memr:rory 385 of the computer 350 rr:ray= be the data relied upon by,. the software application code of the present invention. The program logic may also be implement d in hardware via dedicated device incorporating program logic or a controller; for example. The program logic includes soft dare instructions to be executed by the processor 380 or some other processor which is separate from the CPU computing device 350. Alternatively, the prod rain logic may be executed by a processor or a controller on the ferntocell 305. lrr other embodiments, the program logic (and corresponding data) that is used to implement the invention ilia be stored, at least In part, in nmemory on the feintocell 301.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, with reference to the femtocell of Figure 1 and Figure 4, the CPU 1351 m y execute program Iodic that, at least in part, enables ferntocell 100 for in-service use 400 with one or more mobile handheld devices 165. In.
one aspect, refc.rriri to Fi ore 4 at step 410 the program logic, at least in part, enables firirtsae:cll 100 to perform a broadcast channel selection. protocol. Thereafter, at step 41 f. the CPU 135 may then execute program logic to, at least in part, initiates a handheld reselection protocol so as to enable one or more mobile handheld devices 165 to select fen-itoccll 100 for 1.11-S"Ien"Ice Ilse 400. At step 41.8, the CPU 135 rimy execute program logic. that, at least in part, enables the fernttiocell 100 to initiate a haridlield authentication protocol to authenticate and authorize mobile handheld device 165 access to the fenitocell for in-ser ice use 400, At step 420; the C VU 1 15 may optionally execute program logic that, at least in part, performs a location deterniinaÃion protocol, It is to be understood that the location detennination protocol of step 4211 may occur independently of steps 410-418, and may occur at any. time in the sequence of e rbling feniÃocell 100, if location determination is desired.
In certain embodiments, and with reference to Figure 4A, the broadcast channel selection protocol of step 4 1.0 niay include a conlt.gw'ation phase 412 and a broadcast phase 41.4.
With reference to Figure 413, the configuration phase 412 may include the step ill which f .rntocell 100 is used in a handset-'receive triode to detect at least one eornniercial mobile radio service (CMRS) basestation. with a. signal that is detectable iri a user communication zone 400a.

By way of example, a user communication zone 400a may be a zone or area in which a mobile handheld device 165 may be used with the fenitocell 100., Such a zone may vary based on power output of the f rntocell and may, for example, be sufficiently large enough to cover a ty>13'cal user homestead or office. For exatriple, the user con rnanication zone 400a may be between 50 square feet and 3000 square feet. In a larger homestead. the power output of the femtoce .l may be modified such that the fenitocell can be in communication with a mobile handheld device 1615 located an rwhere in the homestead. In some embodiments, the output of the fenitocell may be such that it is compliant With Part 15 of the regulations of the Federal Communications Coninris iort governing operation of radio frequency devices withoui an individual license. See 47 C.1= '"R 15,1, et serf.

In certain embodiments, all CMRS basestations with a signal that is detectable within the taxer communication zone are detected. In other e mbodi :aments, at least one CMRS
basestation a signal that is detectable within the Laser Boni nmi.caation zone which is,'-`are compatible with a communication standard supported by mobile handheld device 165 is arc detected. By way of example: it mobile handheld device .165 supports GSM, then ferntocell 100 may detect only GSM basestation(s) within the user communication zone. In yet other embodiments, one or more t_ !FIRS basestati.ons with a signal that is detectable within the user communication zone are detected until at least one CMRS basestation with a weak local signal is detected.
At step 412-2, fcnntocell 100 may obtain CMRS bas :station information from detected., available CMRS basestations detected during step 412-1 (e.g.. CMRS
basest ttic rt ide.ntrtier in-torn anon and identifier information of bascstatio.ns in communication with detected basestations, i.e., `netglhiborhood base:statiot s"). At stop 412 3, a CNIRS
basestation is selected. hi certain embodiments, the, CMRS hasestation with the weakest 1:5 detected local signal strength a:nay be selected. In other embodiments. if the femtocell detects more than one ha Mesta Lion with a uffciently weak signal in the Laser communication zone, then a CMRS basestation that has a sufficiently weak signal, but not necessarily the weakest signal, may he selected. In yet other embodiments. a C MRS basest ttion that has no detectable signal strength. at ternntocell 100 may be selected. For exan:mple, a C IRS
basestation identifier of a -neighborhood basestation" obtained f~ om a detected C MRS
basestation may he selected - Accordingly, even though the fern?tocell could not detect a signal from the CMIRS hasestation O NA it actually selected, it is able to select that basestatiort because it obtained the lase: tation's information as 'a neighborhood hasestatiori ' to t basest:ation that the fern?tocell could detect. If multiple CMRS basestation s with equivalently or sufficiently weak local signal streng=th, or no local signal strengths, are detected, selection may be based on other combinations of suitable selection parameters including but not limited to, rank of user handheld reselection parameters, channel idenifiers, etc. CMRS
basestation information may Include, but is not limited to, location Identifiers, channel identifiers, available CMRS baasestaations in communication therewith (i.e., "neighborhood basestations"), signal streangth, user bandheld reselection parimeters, and combinations thereof.
Referring back to Figure 4A, in one embodiment the broadcast phase 414 may comprise using fe nntoccll 100 in a haasestation/hroadcast mode to broadcast as a femnrtocell using basestation information corresponding to the selected CMRS basesta:tion that has a weak or no detectable local signal strength within the user communication zone 400a, which was obtained. and selected during the confa4.uratiorr phase 412. Such basestation irrformati.orr corresponding to the selected C NI S hasestiat on r 3ay be the basestation information obtained during, the configuration phase 41.2, or may. be basestation .n.t~3z~:tx<i;t t~tt :ntrr i.Eie but based on the obtained basestation information, so as to increase priority of ffintoco'll 100 as described herein.
With reference to Figure 4, handheld reselection protocol 416 enables ferritocell 100 to broadcast its the primary, dominant CNIR.S basestation detectable within user communication zone 400a, so is to initiate. selection of forntocell 100 by mobile handheld devices within the use communication zone for in-service use. As understood by those of skill in the art, upon deiecting a dominant CMRS hasestation, a mobile handheld device;
once within the user communication one 400a, may initiate a location update request: "basestation reselection process, as described in further detail below.
In certain embodirnents, the handheld reselection protocol 410 may comprise utilizing fenrtocell 100 in a broadcast mode to broadcast at a higher power relative to other avaj able CMRS basestations detected during configuration phase 412. In other ernbodinients. the handheld rescl.ection protocol 416 may eor:nprise utilizing fei:ntoccl.l 100 in a broadcast mode to broadcast a handheld reselection parameter (not shown.) which is higher in priority than all haudlreld reselectiorr parameters obtained from the available CMRS
hasestations detected during the configuration phase 412. Broadcasting at a higher power or broadcasting ofa.nigher priority handheld reselection. parameter increases the fetutocell ranking to the highest ranking in the user communication zone, Femt:ocell 100 may utilize the highest power or hi hest priority handhold rc sclcckion p tr'ameker in user communication zone 400a such that fear oceil 100 may broadcast as the dominant basestation in the user communication zone 400a, thereby becoming the primary dominant basestation available to mobile handheld device 165 for irr-service use within the user corr:rrrlar.nication zone 400a.
Upon detecting fenrtocell 100 as the priinarvidorrrirrant hasestation within user communication zone 400a, mobile handheld. device 165 may iniÃiake a location update recluestrescleetion process as described below.
With reference to Figure 4C, in one embodiment, the handheld authentication protocol 418 may comprise, at step 418-1, the femtoeell 100 receiving, a location update.
request from a mobile handheld device 165, A location update request may be any standard location update request from a mobile handheld device, asgenerally mderstood by those of skill in the art, By way of non-li:aiiting example, a location update procedure allows a mobile device to inform . a C-MRS network- service provider, e.g., cellular network service provider, when a .mobile device moves from one location area to the next.
Mobile handheld devices are generally e sporasible for detecting location area codes. When a mobile handheld device finds that the location area has changed, it performs in update by sending a location update request, together with its previous location, and its subscriber information, e.g., Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity (TMST), Interrnationall Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), etc.. to the cellular network provider.
At step 4.18-2, the ferntocel.l 100 detects the subscriber information associated with the mobile handheld device 165 so as to identify the device, A
registration/acceptance process may then be initiF ted.
At step 418-3, the fenitocell 100 executes program logic that, at least i n part, enables the ferntocel.l 100 to register and accept a mobile handheld device 165, More slac.eil Bally, in 1:5 cert.-till etilbothments, at step 418-3, the fe:.rntocell deter :nines whether the mobile handheld device 165 is registered or un esgisà red with the ferrit:ocell 100, By way of non-linutiing example (Ili -it shown), the mobile lhrandlreld device may be determined as registered or unregistered via a database or table look.-up process. lip certain et~r1?eactiments: a re i tration database or table r:nay be maintained (e. g., in memory associated with :feta:ttocell. 100 or a computing device in coninumicaation with terntocell 100), where "sretgistered"
device identification information is loaded or added to a database or table, and searches of a registration database are performed to determine registration status.
If at step 418-3 it is determined that the devvice 165 is registered with ferutocell 100, then at step 418-4, the ferntocefl 100 may initiate a user contact protocol which may irrclrade, at step 418-5, contacting the registered device (e.g., via a text riessage, ring back, S' _IS, etc.) to determine whether the user of the registered device desires access to the ' o:lP enabled fenitocell for ira-service use 400. At step 4118-6, the program logic :scenting on the ferratocell 100 awaits a response (e.g., via return text ine.ssage, ring back, SMS, etc.) from the registered device 165. if at step 418-6 a response is received from the registered device that access is desired, then at step 418-7aa, fenitocell 100 may establish a corn rraunication channel with the registered device 165 so as to allow access to feraat?cell 100 for in-set- ice use 400, In the es eaat that at step 418-6 no response is received (or a response that access is not desired is received) from the registered device 165. then at step 41.8-7b, feintoce .l 100 may optionally contact the registered device 165 with an alert that access will not be granted (e.g_; N is text iriessage, ring back, CMS, e.mai1, etc,), Alternatively, fenitocell 100 may not send any further 1miressa4ges to the registered device if no response is -received (or a response that access is not desired is received) at step 418-6.
lri certain embodiments. at step 418-5 fe.nitocell. 100 may simply contact the back, S =IS, etc.) to alert the user of the registered device (e.g., Liar text message" ring registered. device that access to feintocell. 100 for in-sere. ice use 400 has be granted, anad.
femtocell 100 may establish a communication channel with the registered device 165 so as to allow access to fctrrtocell I M for in-service use 400. 't`hus, the ferrmtoccll may grant access to the registered rrmobilc device rand optionally contact the mobile device to notify it of such access) Without awaiting a response from the mobile device or without any further affirmative action by the mobile device and/or the user of the mobile device.
if at step 418-3 it is determitied that the device is not registered. with the fe.mtocell 1 00, then at step 418-8 the fen:itocell 1 00 may initiate a user contact protocol which may include, at step 418-9, contacting the unregistered device (e.g., via a text .message, ring bade, SMS, etc.) to do erniric whether the unregistered device desires access to femtoccll 100 for in-service use 400. If at step 41$-11, the unregistered device responds that it desired access to f mtocell 1.00 for in-sere ice use 400.. then at step 418-12 a user registration action is performed. Following completion of the user registration action, at step 418-13, femtocel.l establishes a commtmic ation charnel with the mobile handheld device 165 so as to allow access to fenrrocell 100 for rn sere, ice use 400. In certain embodiments, at step 4.15-1.4, the mobile handheld device 165 identification inf nnatiori is optionally added to the, registered device daÃabasc'table for future reference, If at stop 418-11 the unregistered device does not respond, responds negatively (c the inquiry, or the. user registration action cannot be perfumed successfully, there at step 418-15 the unre6ster=ed device may be contacted with a unauthorized access alert (e:
g via return text niessage, ring back, SMS, etc.) that indicates that the unregistered mobile handheld device is not alloww-cd access to fenitocell 100 for in-service Use.
In an alternative. embodiment, the femtzocell 100 may maintain a database (not shown) of mobile devices that have refused or .failed tore<gister with the femtocell with ill a certain period of time. For example, the fen tocell may maintain a list, table or database of every unregistered mobile device that did not respond., responded negatively, or for which the user registration action could not be performed successfully within the past 4, 5, 12, 16, 1 S, 24, 72 hours, past N eek, etc. In such an embodi.nrent, the femtocell may not initiate the reuisiration `accepÃance process, e,g,, steps 418.9 and subsequent. step,,;, if ii determines that the unregistered mobile device is listed in Stud. database. Accordingly, for exan ple, if a user of a mobile device declines to redtister with the femtocell when the mobile device is within the user communication zone. then the f :,rn.tocell will. riot attempt to contact that i:nob:ile device to inquire regarding registration regardless of how many times that mobile device leaves and re-enters the user communication zone during the predetermined time period.
In certain embodiments, the user registration action ii-ray be performed entirely via program logic of the feintocell 100. In other ert bodiments, one or more steps of the user registration action may be performed via program logic: of the fertmtocell 100, and one or more steps of the user # egi'c tration action may be performed G is a user interface and separate pre?;arairr logic {riot shown) and in communication with the ferrmtocell 100, c,p., a user interface and. program lode executed via a CPU of a computer (not shown) in communication with the VoW enabled fenitocell 100, ~w-ired or wirelessly, via a local area network, wide area network, Interact, etc, By way of non-limiting example. the user registration action may include generating a user profile associated with the identified mobile handheld device via. program logic of the fi mtoccll 1{10 and/or program logic in communication with the femtocell l.00. In other ei:nbodirnents, the user registration action :Wray include entering a passwvord via the mobile handheld device and transmitting the password to femtocell 100. As recognized by those of skill in the art, various combinations of user registration action described herein, known to those in the art, ,or developed in the future may be utilized, With reference to 1 i sure 4l the location determination protocol 4"{1 may include, the stop 420-1 of receiving one or more first signals carrying corresponding one or more commercial mobile radio service (C MRS) tower-, ~,Nwireless access point (WAP), and/or transmitter identifiers that each identify, one or more CMRS towers,., W Ps, and/or transmitters; the step 420-2 of determining one or more sign ill strengths of the one or more first signals, and the step 420-3 of obtaining a location of ffintoccli 100 using die ono or more locations of the ('MRS towers, WAPs,, and/or transmitters and the one or more siLnal strengths of the one or more first sigxnal's-In accordance wwith certain embodiments of the location determination protocol, the CPU 135 and. or RIF tr i:nsceiver(s) 130 monitors signals received. from one or more C'MRS
tower, WAP, and/or transmitter to determine their (MRS; WAP, and/or transmitter tower identifiers and also monitor the corresponding signal strength for each of those signals. The CMRS, WAP, and/ or transmitter tower identifiers and corresponding sign it strengths may be stored in local flash Memory (e.g., memory 11Ã3 and/or SDRAM 115). In accordance with one embodiment, the CPU 135 may query a database system such as that which is provided by Mexens Technology via web service APIs w- hich are of "ered as part of its NAVTZON positioning system) via an. associated computer and its broadband l Ink to identiy a latitude and longitude for each CMRS, 1 tP,mcl/or transmitter tower, and thereafter use the latitude and l'orngirude and the signal strength for each cell tower to calculate a location for fenitocell 100 using Nell-known triangulation techniques. See, e.g U.S.
Patent Nu. 7, 397,424, which is incorporated herein by reference Alternatively, the C 1'[_' 135 may query a database system with the latitude and longitude of each CMRS, WAP, and/or transmitter tower along with its corresponding signal strength and have the database s y, system return location identifying information for femtocell 100, such as a calculated.
location of feintocell 100 .xpressed in the form of latitude and longitude coordinates.
Once the location identifying information, such as latitude and longitude coordinate have bet:.:ri determined; a database system such as Googlc maps may be queried by the CPU
1 35 (e (,., via an associated computer and its broadband link) using Google maps APIs to identify the corresponding closest address (or other location identifyinn information) for fenatocell 100 based on. the given latitude and longitude. The CPU 135 may then cause the 2Ã1 display 105 to display location identifying information for femtoeell 1Ã10, including the address information received from Google maps database system if desired.
Once the CPU 135 determines a location of fenitoceli 100, it r:aaav, in connection with the h tndling of an emergency call, t:r`ansfer, vi t t cellular network or a packet switched network, location identifying inft?rmation to tremote device (such as a computer opt mated 2.` by a PSAP) to aid emergency personnel in identifying the location of said.
communication device. The CPU 135 may implement an emergency call as a cellular based call via said cellular network using the RF transceiver(s) 130 or a. \ oT.P call via said packet switched network. In certain embodiments, the CPU 135 may first attempt to route an emergency call as a Vo1P call via a packet switched network, and then route the call as ace]
lular call via the 30 RF transceiver(s) if the packet switched network is not available. In other embodiments, CPU 135 may first attempt to route an emergency call as a cellular call, and secondarily attempt to route the emergency call as a VcdP call if the cellular network is not available.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, location identifying information may be provided to a location based service, such as Intrado Inc.
.hich inairttains a database ofregistereci locations for femtocef 100. The, service, in turrt, may provide the location identifying irnforniation directly to a PSAP. Although the service may receive location identi.feyir.w, irnfo.rmation in the form of an address, it can also convert the loca:troil Information horn latitude and longitude to address information and forward the same to the PSAP.
In accordance with one embodiment, the CPU 135 ma.y store location in.fon.natiorr in local memory to obtain "registered location r ff rmation.- If desired, the CPU
135 may them execute program logic to evaluate the calculated location of fenitocell .100 relative to the .registered location information in local memory to identify the closest registered location to the location of femtocell. 100, and whether the calculated location and the registered location are vv%ithirt a pred.etermirted. distance of each other. The registered location infonrratiorr may include one or more registered locations, if the calculated location of ferntocell 100 is not a 1:5 registered location or within a certain distance of a registered location, the CPU 135 may update the registered location to the calculated location, or may pre mpt a user to update the remstered location information by noting the discrepancy between the calculated location and the registered location and, by way of example, selecting the most current calculated location offerntoeell 100 as a suggested new registered location. The, CPU 135 i:nay. display a prompt for a user to update the registered location on the LC display 105 or a computer associated. with ferntocell 100, The user may select the calculated location of ferntocell 1.00.
The CPU 135 may cause the location to be displayed on the display 105 to aid the user in selecting the cm rem calculated location of fenrtocell 100 i a registered locawyll, As mentioned a.bov c, although the operation of the CPU 1 `5 and exec:tttioir of 2` program logic of femtocell 100 has been described above, it may be that one or more of each of the operat.ions.'steps described above may be performed by the CPU of another device, such as a. computer that is coupled to :fenitocell 100.
In additional embodiments of the invention , the CPU 135 may oxec-utc pros, that routes emergency calls to the RF transceiver(s) l 30 which is capable of establishing a two-way communication channel corresponding to the emergency call, the tvvo-way communication Channel being established over a cellular network. Specifically, In one emboclirnent, if the CPU 135 determines that the IMF transceiver(s) 130 can engage in two-way, communication via the cellular network, then the CPU .135 proceeds to route the call over a3. celhrlar network via the transceiver. By way of example, the CPU 135 mays determine that the RF tr'ansccivcr(s) 130 can cngyaue in t o way communication via the cellular net3~%~_rk hz d.etcSryr ~Frining if ce lul r siy rtal C _resent. 130 an alternative embodirlient. the CPU 135 may determine that the RF t1anscei Y~Tei(s 130 can engage in two-way cotrimurrication Via the cellular network by measuring the strength of a cellular signal and comparing it to a pre. determined standard, if the CRT determines that the RF
transceiver(s) 130 can not engage in two-wary communication. via the cellular nehv ork, then the CPU 135 proceeds to route the call over the Vo1P network. In another embodiment, the CPU attempts to route the call over a cellular network, and if the attempt fails, then the Cl'U 135 proceeds to route the call otre.r the VoW network, via, for example, a router and..or broadband modem.
In other embodiments, the CPU 135 may first attempt to route an enterg,ency call is the Vo1P net ork, and then via a cellular network if the VoIP network is not available.
Although certain steps or functionalities have been described as being perforated by fenntocell 100, and,or a laptop or desktop computer to which the ferntocell 1.00 is connected, 1:5 it is to he understood that these descriptions are not intended in any way to limit or restrict the manner in which the process and methods of the present disclosure are perforated.
Those with ordinary skill in the art will understand that if a certain or step or furictionalityr is described as being perforÃrt.ed by the CPU 135 of feÃn.tocel.l 100, that the step or functionality can be split het veeri the one or more processors of the femtocell, or between processors of the .ferntocell and a computing deice to which the fenttocell is connected or in communication, or erttireIV, by one or more processors on a computing deg ice.
to which the ferntocell is connected or in. cornmurrication_ .As one exart:ple, and not by way of l.irrritartion., the steps and frntctiorralit described in Figures 4 through 4D may be divided betty en the fen-itocell and one or more computing devices (laptop, desktop computer, network computer, 2` server, etc.) to Which the fenttocell is connected or in corn.awnication in an combination (wired, w.irelessly, local area network, wide area network, Internet;. etc.).
Information and signals may be represented using any of a variety of different technologies and techniques. For example, data, instrerc.tions, cornntands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips tit rt may he referenced throughout the above description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields or particles, or any combination thereof.
The various illustr-atiVe logical blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithm steps described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may he implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or combinations of both. To illustrate this interchangeability of hardware and software, various illustrative Components, blocks, modules, circuits, and. steps have been described above generally in teens of their funcÃionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon the parti.cular application and design constraints ir:nlposed on the overall system. The described functionality may be implemented in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation. decisions should not be interpreted. as causing a departure from the scope of the present invention.
The Various illustrative logical blocks, modules, and circuits described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented or performed with a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor DSPI, all application specific integrated Circuit t ASI: ),, a field programmable gale array signal (FPGA or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein, A general purpose processor may be a 1:5 microprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor r:nay be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine, A processor ri-wy also be implemented as r combination of computing devices, a combination of a DSP and a tn.icroprocessor, a plurality of: n:ricroprocessorr, one or more microprocessors in conjunction w-Jth a DSP core, or any other such con'lrguration.
The steps of a method or algorithm described in connection with the err bodiments disclosed herein may be embodied directly in hardware, in a software module executed by a processor, or in a combination of the t so. A software modulepray reside in RANI. r:ler:lo.ry.
flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, f E.P1 O I memory, registers, hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor such that the processor may read information from, and writc information to, the storzww medium In the alternative., the storage medium may be integral to the processor. The processor and the storage medium 'nay reside in an ASIA , 'The ASIC Ina-eside in a user terminal. In the alternative, the processor and the storage medium may reside as discrete components in a user ternminal.
The methods disclosed herein comprise one or more steps or actions for achieving the described method. The method steps and/or actions may be interchanged with one another without departing from the scope of the present invention. In other words, unless a specific order of steps or actions is required for proper operation of the errrbodiment, the, order and/or use of specific steps and./or actions may be modified without departing from the scrape of the present inventionn.
What has been described. and illustrated. herein is a preferred embodiment of the invention along with some of its variations. The terns, descriptions and figures used herein are set forth by way of illustration only and are not meant as limitations.
Those skd.led In. the art will recognize that many variations are possible w- tlr n the spirt and scope of the invention. Which is intended to be defined by the following clams, in which all terms are meant in their broadest reasonable sense unless otherwise indicated therein.

Claims (42)

1. A method for enabling a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) femtocell for in-service use with one or more mobile handheld devices, the method comprising:
(a) performing a broadcast channel selection protocol via, at least in part, a femtocell comprising at least one radio frequency (RF) transceiver, wherein said broadcast channel selection protocol comprises a configuration phase and a broadcast phase;
wherein said configuration phase comprises using the VoIP femtocell in a handset/receive mode to (i) detect at least one commercial mobile radio service (CMRS) basestation, (ii) obtain CMRS basestation information from the detected CMRS basestation(s), and (iii) select a CMRS basestation that has a weak or no detectable signal strength within a user communication zone;
wherein said broadcast phase comprises using the VoIP femtocell in a basestation/broadcast mode to broadcast within the user communication zone as a VoIP femtocell using basestation information corresponding to the selected CMRS basestation; and (b) performing a handheld reselection protocol via, at least in part, said VoIP femtocell to enable one or more mobile handheld devices to select said VoIP femtocell for in-service use;
wherein said handheld reselection protocol comprises increasing the VoIP
femtocell ranking to the highest ranking in the user communication zone to thereby enable one or more mobile handheld devices to select the VoIP femtocell for in-service use.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the VoIP femtocell ranking is increased to the highest ranking in the user communication zone by broadcasting the VoIP
femtocell at a power that causes the VoIP femtocell to have the highest detectable power, compared to all other CMRS basestations, within the user communication zone.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the VoIP femtocell ranking is increased to the highest ranking in the user communication zone by broadcasting a handheld reselection parameter from the VoIP femtocell that is higher in priority than all other CMRS basestaions detectable within the user communications zone.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the configuration phase comprises using the VoIP
femtocell to detect all CMRS basestations available within the user communication zone.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the configuration phase comprises using the VoIP
femtocell to detect all CMRS basestations available within the user communication zone that are compatible with a communication standard supported by the one or more mobile handheld device.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the configuration phase comprises using the VoIP
femtocell to detect one or more CMRS basestations available within the user communication zone until at least one CMRS basestation with a weak signal within the user communication zone is detected.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the configuration phase comprises using the VOIP
femtocell to detect one or more CMRS basestations available within the user communication zone until identifier information for at least one CMRS basestation with no detectable signal within the user communication zone is obtained.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the broadcast selection protocol is performed entirely by the VoIP femtocell.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
(c) performing a handheld authentication protocol via, at least in part, the VoIP femtocell to authenticate and authorize mobile handheld device access to the VoIP femtocell for in-service use, wherein said handheld authentication protocol comprises (i) upon receipt of a location update request from a mobile handheld device, performing an identification request including detecting subscriber information associated with the mobile handheld device so as to identify the device, and (ii) initiating a registration process associated with the identified mobile handheld device via a user contact protocol.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said registration process comprises determining that the identified mobile handheld device is registered with the VoIP femtocell, and establishing a communication channel with the registered device so as to allow access to the VoIP
femtocell for in-service use.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said registration process further comprises initiating a user contact protocol including contacting the registered mobile handheld device to alert a user of the registered device of access to the VoIP femtocell for in-service use, and receiving a response from a user of the registered device.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein said registration process comprises:
(i) determining that the identified mobile handheld device is not registered with the VoIP
femtocell; (ii) initiating a user contact protocol including contacting the unregistered mobile handheld device to perform a user registration action; (iii) receiving a response to complete the user registration action, and (iv) establishing a communication channel with the mobile handheld device so as to allow access to the VoIP femtocell for in-service use.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein said registration process comprises:
(i) determining that the identified mobile handheld device is not registered with the VoIP
femtocell; (ii) initiating a user contact protocol including contacting the unregistered mobile handheld device to perform a user registration action; and (iii) not allowing the unregistered mobile handheld device access to said VOIP femtocell.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising contacting the unregistered mobile handheld device with an unauthorized access alert.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein said CMRS basestation information is selected from location identifiers, channel identifiers, available CMRS basestations in communication with identified basestation, signal strength, user handheld reselection parameters, and combinations thereof.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the VoIP femtocell is compatible for use with a communication standard selected from the group consisting of: Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Long Term Evolution (LTE), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) and CDMA2000.

17. The method of claim 1, further comprising a location determination protocol, wherein the location determination protocol includes (i) receiving one or more first signals carrying corresponding one or more commercial mobile radio service (CMRS) tower, wireless access point (WAP), and/or transmitter identifiers that each identify one or more CMRS towers, WAPs, and/or transmitters; (ii) determining one or more signal strengths of the one or more first signals, and (iii) obtaining a location of the VoIP
femtocell using the one or more locations of the CMRS towers, WAPs, and/or transmitters and the one or more signal strengths of the one or more first signals.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the location determination protocol further comprises: (i) correlating the one or more identifiers to one or more locations of the CMRS
towers, WAPs, and/or transmitters having the one or more identifiers, and (ii) calculating the location of the VoIP femtocell based on the locations and the signal strengths.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the location determination protocol further comprises: providing location of the VoIP femtocell in connection with an emergency services call.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the emergency services call is first routed as a VoIP call via a packet switched network in communication with the VoIP
femtocell, and secondarily routed via the RF transceiver(s) as a cellular call if the packet switched network is not available.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein the emergency services call is first routed via the RF transceiver(s) as a cellular call, and secondarily routed as a VOIP call via a packet switched network in communication with the VOIP femtocell if a cellular signal is not available.

22. A VoIP femtocell for use with one or more mobile handheld devices and one or more computing devices, said VoIP femtocell comprising:
at least one RF transceiver(s); and program logic that, at least in part, (a) performs a broadcast channel selection protocol including a configuration phase and a broadcast phase; and (b) performs a handheld reselection protocol to enable one or more mobile handheld devices to select the VoIP
femtocell for in-service use;
wherein said first, configuration phase comprises using the VoIP femtocell in a handset/receive mode to (i) detect at least one commercial mobile radio service (CMRS) basestation, (ii) obtain CMRS basestation information from the detected CMRS
basestation(s), and (iii) select a CMRS basestation that has a weak or no detectable signal strength within a user communication zone;
wherein said second, broadcast phase comprises using the VoIP femtocell in a basestation/broadcast mode to broadcast within the user communication zone as a VoIP
femtocell using basestation information corresponding to the selected CMRS
basestation;
and wherein said handheld reselection protocol comprises increasing the VoIP
femtocell ranking to the highest ranking in the user communication zone to thereby enable one or more mobile handheld devices to select the VoIP femtocell for in-service use.

23. The VoIP femtocell of claim 22, wherein the VOIP femtocell ranking is increased to the highest ranking in the user communication zone by broadcasting the VOIP
femtocell at a power that causes the VOIP femtocell to have the highest detectable power, compared to all other CMRS basestations, within the user communication zone.

24. The VoIP femtocell of claim 22, wherein the VOIP femtocell ranking is increased to the highest ranking in the user communication zone by broadcasting a handheld reselection parameter from the VOIP femtocell that is higher in priority than all other CMRS
basestaions detectable within the user communications zone.

25. The VoIP femtocell of claim 22, wherein the configuration phase comprises using the VoIP femtocell to detect all CMRS basestations available within the user communication zone.

26. The VoIP femtocell of claim 22, wherein the configuration phase comprises using the VoIP femtocell to detect all CMRS basestations available within the user communication zone that are compatible with a communication standard supported by the one or more mobile handheld device.

27. The VoIP femtocell of claim 22, wherein the configuration phase comprises using the VoIP femtocell to detect one or more CMRS basestations available within the user communication zone until at least one CMRS basestation with a weak signal within the user communication zone is detected.

28. The VoIP femtocell of claim 22, wherein the configuration phase comprises using the VoIP femtocell to detect one or more CMRS basestations available within the user communication zone until identifier information for at least one CMRS
basestation with no detectable signal within the user communication zone is obtained.

29. The VoIP femtocell of claim 22, wherein the broadcast selection protocol is performed entirely via said program logic of said VoIP femtocell.

30. The VoIP femtocell of claim 22, further comprising program logic that, at least in part:
(c) performs a handheld authentication protocol to authenticate and authorize mobile handheld device access to said VoIP femtocell for in-service use, wherein said handheld authentication protocol comprises (i) upon receipt of a location update request from a mobile handheld device, performing an identification request including detecting subscriber information associated with the mobile handheld device so as to identify the device, and (ii) initiating a registration process associated with the identified mobile handheld device via a user contact protocol.

31. The VoIP femtocell of claim 30, wherein said program logic, at least in part, implements a registration process comprising: determining that the identified mobile handheld device is registered with the VoIP femtocell, and establishing a communication channel with the registered device so as to allow access to the VoIP femtocell for in-service use.

32. The VoIP femtocell of claim 31, wherein said program logic, at least in part, implements a registration process further comprises initiating a user contact protocol including contacting the registered mobile handheld device to alert a user of the registered device of access to the VOIP femtocell for in-service use, and receiving a response from a user of the registered device.

33. The VoIP femtocell of claim 30, wherein said program logic, at least in part, implements a registration process comprising:
(i) determining that the identified mobile handheld device is not registered with the VoIP
femtocell; (ii) initiating a user contact protocol including contacting the unregistered mobile handheld device to perform a user registration action; (iii) receiving a response to complete the user registration action, and (iv) establishing a communication channel with the mobile handheld device so as to allow access to the VoIP femtocell for in-service use.

34. The VoIP femtocell of claim 22, wherein said CMRS basestation information is selected from location identifiers, channel identifiers, signal strength, user handheld reselection parameters, and combinations thereof.

35. The VoIP femtocell of claim 22, wherein the VoIP enhanced femtocell is compatible for use with a communication standard selected from the group consisting of:
Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Long Term Evolution (LTE), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), and CDMA2000.

36. The VoIP femtocell of claim 22, wherein said program logic, at least in part, implements a registration process comprising:
(i) determining that the identified mobile handheld device is not registered with the VoIP
femtocell; (ii) initiating a user contact protocol including contacting the unregistered mobile handheld device to perform a user registration action; and (iii) not allowing the unregistered mobile handheld device access to said VOIP femtocell.

37. The VOIP femtocell of claim 36, wherein said program logic implements a registration process further comprising contacting the unregistered mobile handheld device with an unauthorized access alert.

38. The VoIP femtocell of claim 22, further comprising program logic that, at least in part, performs a location determination protocol, wherein the location determination protocol includes (i) receiving one or more first signals carrying corresponding one or more commercial mobile radio service (CMRS) tower, wireless access point (WAP), and/or transmitter identifiers that each identify one or more CMRS towers, WAPs, and/or transmitters; (ii) determining one or more signal strengths of the one or more first signals, and (iii) obtaining a location of the VoIP
femtocell using the one or more locations of the CMRS towers, WAPs, and/or transmitters and the one or more signal strengths of the one or more first signals.

39. The VoIP femtocell of claim 38, wherein the program logic implementing the location determination protocol further performs: (i) correlating the one or more identifiers to one or more locations of the CMRS towers, WAPs, and/or transmitters having the one or more identifiers, and (ii) calculating the location of the VoIP enhanced femtocell based on the locations and the signal strengths.

40. The VoIP femtocell of claim 38, wherein the program logic implementing the location determination protocol further performs: providing location of the VoIP femtocell in connection with an emergency services call.

41. The VoIP femtocell of claim 40, further comprising program logic that, at least in part, first routes an emergency services call as a VoIP call via a packet switched network in communication with the VoIP femtocell, and secondarily routes the emergency services call via the RF transceiver(s) as a cellular call if the packet switched network is not available.

42. The VoIP femtocell of claim 40, further comprising program logic that, at least in part, first routes an emergency services call via the RF transceiver(s) as a cellular call, and secondarily routes the emergency services call as a VoIP call via a packet switched network in communication with the VoIP femtocell if a cellular signal is not available.