EP0353759A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Mobile radio data communication system and method
Assignee: Norand Corp
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Filing: 1989-08-03
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2009-08-03
Abstract
Abstract In an exemplary embodiment, a test signal is sent by a base station at a suitable point in a communiications protocol. According to the evaluation of the test signal transmission, a relatively high data rate or a lower more conservative data rate is selected by a mobile unit for the transmission of a relatively lengthy data message. The test signal can be associated with a query from a mobile unit having a message to send, or with a contention polling message from the base. Such test signal can be transmitted at the lower data rate where its transmission characteristics (e.g. signal strength, jitter or quality of transmission of known information) can be used to predict probable feasibility of transmission at the higher data rate, but most preferably the test signal is part of a high data rate contention poll which may alternate with a low data rate contention poll.
Inventors
- 👤 Ronald L. Mahany
- 👤 Marvin L. Sojka
- 👤 Guy J. West
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 15:05
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04W; H04W24/00; H04B; H04B17/00; H04B17/0082; H04B17/0085; H04L; H04L1/00; H04L1/0001; H04L1/0002; H04L1/0023; H04L1/0025; H04L1/12; H04L1/16; H04L1/1607; H04L1/1685; H04L12/00; H04L12/28; H04L12/40; H04L12/403; H04L2001/0092; H04L2001/0093; H04W28/00; H04W28/16; H04W28/18; H04W28/22; H04W74/00; H04W74/04; H04W74/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 43
Claim 1
Independent Claim
269 words
The method of operating a radio frequency data communication system wherein a multiplicity of mobile transceiver units are to collect data and are to be able to transmit the collected data promptly after its collection to a base transceiver station, during movement of the mobile transceiver units at varying distances from the base transceiver station and wherein reliable communication with such mobile transceiver units over the entire area of mobile operation could only take place at a limited normal data rate, said method comprising: effecting transmission of a test signal from the base transceiver station to the mobile transceiver units, at respective mobile transceiver units, evaluating characteristics of the test signal which are predictive of successful communication of the respective mobile transceiver unit with the base transceiver station at a higher than normal data rate in spite of potential adverse transmission conditions for respective currently less favorably situated mobile transceiver units which have collected data to send and which do not successfully receive the test signal or which do successfully receive the test signal but determine that transmission at a high data rate would be likely to be subject to detrimental transmission conditions, arranging to send the collected data to the base transceiver station at a limited normal data rate, and for respective currently more favorably situated mobile transceiver units which have collected data to send and which successfully receive the test signal and which determine that transmission conditions are not likely to prevent successful transmission at a high data rate, arranging to send the collected data at a high data rate substantially higher than the normal data rate.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
269 words
The method of operating a radio frequency data communication system wherein a multiplicity of mobile transceiver units are to collect data and are to be able to transmit the collected data promptly after its collection to a base transceiver station, during movement of the mobile transceiver units at varying distances from the base transceiver station and wherein reliable communication with such mobile transceiver units over the entire area of mobile operation could only take place at a limited normal data rate, said method comprising: effecting transmission of a test signal from the base transceiver station to the mobile transceiver units, at respective mobile transceiver units, evaluating characteristics of the test signal which are predictive of successful communication of the respective mobile transceiver unit with the base transceiver station at a higher than normal data rate in spite of potential adverse transmission conditions for respective currently less favorably situated mobile transceiver units which have collected data to send and which do not successfully receive the test signal or which do successfully receive the test signal but determine that transmission at a high data rate would be likely to be subject to detrimental transmission conditions, arranging to send the collected data to the base transceiver station at a limited normal data rate, and for respective currently more favorably situated mobile transceiver units which have collected data to send and which successfully receive the test signal and which determine that transmission conditions are not likely to prevent successful transmission at a high data rate, arranging to send the collected data at a high data rate substantially higher than the normal data rate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
65 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the test signal is part of a communications frame, and wherein at least one of the more favorably situated mobile transceiver units sends its collected data at the high data rate within the same communications frame as the test signal so as to minimize the elapsed time between the test signal and a high data rate transmission prompted thereby.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the test signal is a high data rate contention polling signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the test signal is a limited normal data rate contention polling signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the test signal is a special test pattern comprising a known bit sequence.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the test signal is comprised of a known bit sequence having a length of at least about forty bits.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
67 words
The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein scanners are associated with respective mobile transceiver units and supply data to the respective transceiver units based on manual transport of the transceiver units and scanners to successive locations of scanner readable data, the scanned data from one location being transmitted to the base transceiver unit during manual transport of the transceiver unit and scanner to the next location.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the mobile transceiver units which are able to receive said test signal evaluate the received signal strength taking account of rapid signal fading effects in determining whether transmission should be attempted at a high data rate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 8, wherein the received signal strength is sampled several times during receipt of the test signal and is evaluated based upon a weighted average value giving emphasis to the lower signal strengths.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 8 or 9, wherein a mobile transceiver unit which is able to receive the test signal responds at a high data rate when the received signal strength evaluation shows a sufficient fade margin, preferably twenty decibels higher than the high data rate sensitivity threshold.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
313 words
The method of operating a radio frequency data communication system wherein a multiplicity of mobile transceiver units are to collect data and are to be able to transmit the collected data promptly after its collection to a base transceiver station, during movement of the mobile transceiver units at varying distances from the base transceiver station and wherein reliable communication with such mobile transceiver units over the entire area of mobile operation could only take place at a limited normal data rate, said method comprising: effecting RF wireless transmission of a first signal from the base transceiver station to the mobile transceiver units at an increased data rate substantially higher than the normal data rate, at respective mobile transceiver units which successfully receive said first signal, evaluating characteristics of the first signal which are predictive of successful communication of the respective mobile transceiver unit with the base transceiver station at a higher than normal data rate in spite of potential adverse transmission conditions, effecting RF wireless transmission of a second signal from the base transceiver station to the mobile transceiver units at a limited normal data rate, for respective currently less favorably situated mobile transceiver units which have collected data to send and which do not successfully receive the first signal or which do successfully receive the first signal but determine that transmission at a high data rate would be likely to be subject to detrimental transmission conditions, arranging to send the collected data to the base transceiver station at a limited normal data rate, and for respective currently more favorably situated mobile transceiver units which have collected data to send and which successfully receive the first signal and which determine that transmission conditions are not likely to prevent successful transmission at a high data rate, arranging to send the collected data at a high data rate substantially higher than the normal data rate.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
313 words
The method of operating a radio frequency data communication system wherein a multiplicity of mobile transceiver units are to collect data and are to be able to transmit the collected data promptly after its collection to a base transceiver station, during movement of the mobile transceiver units at varying distances from the base transceiver station and wherein reliable communication with such mobile transceiver units over the entire area of mobile operation could only take place at a limited normal data rate, said method comprising: effecting RF wireless transmission of a first signal from the base transceiver station to the mobile transceiver units at an increased data rate substantially higher than the normal data rate, at respective mobile transceiver units which successfully receive said first signal, evaluating characteristics of the first signal which are predictive of successful communication of the respective mobile transceiver unit with the base transceiver station at a higher than normal data rate in spite of potential adverse transmission conditions, effecting RF wireless transmission of a second signal from the base transceiver station to the mobile transceiver units at a limited normal data rate, for respective currently less favorably situated mobile transceiver units which have collected data to send and which do not successfully receive the first signal or which do successfully receive the first signal but determine that transmission at a high data rate would be likely to be subject to detrimental transmission conditions, arranging to send the collected data to the base transceiver station at a limited normal data rate, and for respective currently more favorably situated mobile transceiver units which have collected data to send and which successfully receive the first signal and which determine that transmission conditions are not likely to prevent successful transmission at a high data rate, arranging to send the collected data at a high data rate substantially higher than the normal data rate.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
64 words
The method of claim 11, wherein the first and second signals are contention polling signals, the respective currently less favorably situated mobile transceiver units transmitting their identities to the base transceiver station in response to the second polling signal, and the respective currently more favorably situated mobile transceiver units transmitting their identities to the base transceiver station in response to the first polling signal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method of claim 11 or 12, wherein the base transceiver station dynamically allocates respective first and second times following the first and second signals in which mobile transceiver units may respond, in accordance with the respective numbers of mobile transceiver units which have responded to previously transmitted such first and second signals.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
74 words
The method of claim 13, wherein the base transceiver station effects RF wireless transmission of information as to its dynamic selection of the first and second times as part of the first and second signals, respectively, the currently more favorably and less favorably situated mobile transceiver units transmitting their respective identities at respective essentially randomly selected intervals within the respective first and second times as obtained from the respective received first and second signals.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
107 words
The method of claim 13, wherein the base transceiver station dynamically allocates respective numbers of first and second time slots following the first and second signals, respectively, within which the mobile transceiver units may respond, the base transceiver station selecting the current values of the respective numbers of such first and second time slots according to the respective numbers of mobile transceiver units which have responded to previously transmitted such first and second signals, and the currently more favorably and less favorably situated mobile transceiver units responding to the first and second signals at randomly selected ones of the currently allocated first and second time slots, respectively.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
73 words
The method of claim 15, wherein the base transceiver station takes account of the number of instances when there are no responses in a time slot, when all of the time slots following the first or second signal have responses, or when more than one mobile transceiver unit seeks to respond in the same time slot resulting in collision and increases or decreases the allocated numbers of first and second time slots accordingly.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 11 or 12, wherein the base transceiver station sends the first signal, and grants communication time to successfully responding currently more favorably situated mobile transceiver units in turn, and then sends the second signal, and grants communication time to successfully responding currently less favorably situated mobile transceiver units.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method of claim 11 or 12, wherein the base transceiver station effects transmission of one of the first or second signals a number of times in succession before sending the other of the first and second signals, so as to accommodate larger or smaller numbers of currently less favorably and more favorably situated mobile transceiver units.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 11 or 12, wherein the base transceiver station includes with said first and second signals information identifying any mobile transceiver units for which it has a message.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
89 words
The method of claim 19, wherein the base transceiver station maintains a list of mobile transceiver units which have successfully responded to a recently transmitted first signal, and includes the identity of any of the currently listed mobile transceiver units for which it has a message in conjunction with the transmission of a further first signal, while also including the identity of currently listed mobile transceiver units with the transmission of a second signal so as to insure that the message is delivered in spite of changing transmission conditions
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 11 or 12, wherein the mobile transceiver units which are able to receive said first signal evaluate the received signal strength taking account of rapid signal fading effects in determining whether transmission should be attempted at a high data rate.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 21, wherein the received signal strength is sampled several times during receipt of the first signal and is evaluated based upon a weighted average value giving emphasis to the lower signal strengths.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 21 or 22, wherein a mobile transceiver unit which is able to receive the first signal responds at a high data rate when the received signal strength evaluation shows a sufficient fade margin, preferably twenty decibels higher than the high data rate sensitivity threshold.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 11, wherein the first signal includes a test pattern.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 24, wherein the test pattern is comprised of a known bit sequence.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 24, wherein the test pattern is comprised of a known bit sequence having a length of at least about forty bits.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 24, 25 and 26, wherein the jitter characteristics of the received test pattern are used to predict whether successful communication at the higher data rate is probable.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 11, wherein the first signal has a limited normal data rate but is evaluated as to received signal strength so as to predict the feasibility of communication between a mobile transceiver unit and the base transceiver station at the higher data rate.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
61 words
The method of claim 11, wherein characteristics of the first signal as received are evaluated along with a temperature measurement to determine whether a mobile transceiver unit for which the evaluation of received signal is favorable to a high data rate, but which has previously failed as to high data rate communication should again attempt transmission at a high data rate.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
281 words
The method of operating a radio frequency data communication system wherein a multiplicity of mobile transceiver units are to collect data and are to be able to transmit the collected data promptly after its collection to a base transceiver station, during movement of the mobile transceiver units at varying distances from the base transceiver station and wherein reliable communication with such mobile transceiver units over the entire area of mobile operation could only take place at a limited normal data rate, said method comprising: in a communications interchange between the base transceiver station and one or more mobile transceiver units, effecting with a RF wireless transmission, the transmission of a test signal in one communication direction via an RF link, at a receiver receiving the test signal, evaluating the characteristics of the test signal which are predictive of successful communication between a respective mobile transceiver unit and the base transceiver station at a higher than normal data rate in spite of potential adverse transmission conditions, for the case where the evaluation of the received test signal determines that transmission at a high data rate would be likely to be subject to detrimental transmission conditions, transmitting a responsive RF wireless transmission in the opposite communication direction via said RF link signalling for further communications interchange at the limited normal data rate, and for the case where the evaluation of the received test signal determines that transmission conditions are not likely to prevent successful transmission at a high data rate, transmitting a responsive RF wireless transmission in such opposite communication direction via said RF link signalling for further communications interchange at a higher data rate substantially higher than the limited normal data rate.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
281 words
The method of operating a radio frequency data communication system wherein a multiplicity of mobile transceiver units are to collect data and are to be able to transmit the collected data promptly after its collection to a base transceiver station, during movement of the mobile transceiver units at varying distances from the base transceiver station and wherein reliable communication with such mobile transceiver units over the entire area of mobile operation could only take place at a limited normal data rate, said method comprising: in a communications interchange between the base transceiver station and one or more mobile transceiver units, effecting with a RF wireless transmission, the transmission of a test signal in one communication direction via an RF link, at a receiver receiving the test signal, evaluating the characteristics of the test signal which are predictive of successful communication between a respective mobile transceiver unit and the base transceiver station at a higher than normal data rate in spite of potential adverse transmission conditions, for the case where the evaluation of the received test signal determines that transmission at a high data rate would be likely to be subject to detrimental transmission conditions, transmitting a responsive RF wireless transmission in the opposite communication direction via said RF link signalling for further communications interchange at the limited normal data rate, and for the case where the evaluation of the received test signal determines that transmission conditions are not likely to prevent successful transmission at a high data rate, transmitting a responsive RF wireless transmission in such opposite communication direction via said RF link signalling for further communications interchange at a higher data rate substantially higher than the limited normal data rate.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 30, wherein the test signal is transmitted by a mobile transceiver unit in response to a polling signal from the base transceiver station (FIGS. 7B and 9B).
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 30, wherein the test signal is associated with a polling signal transmitted by the base transceiver station (FIGS. 8A, 8B, 11 and 13-16).
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 32, wherein the test signal is associated with a contention polling signal defining a time interval for random response by the mobile transceiver units (FIFS. 8B, 11 and 13-16).
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
221 words
In a radio frequency data communication system, base station transceiver means selectively operable for data communication at a lower relatively conservative first data rate where reliable transmission is obtained under a relatively wide range of operating conditions, and at a relatively less conservative second data rate which is substantially higher than said first data rate and provides reliable data communication under a more restricted range of operating conditions, a plurality of mobile transceiver units in radio communication with said receiver means and selectively operable for data communication at said first data rate and at said second data rate, control means receiving a test transmission after transmission between the base station transceiver means and at least one of said plurality of mobile transceiver units, and operable to evaluate said test transmission as received to determine the probable feasibility of data communication between said base station and said one of said plurality of mobile transceiver units at said relatively less conservative second data rate and selecting according to such evaluation said second data rate if evaluated as probably feasible and otherwise said lower relatively conservative first data rate, and data rate switchover means controlled by said control means for automatically effecting data communication at the first and second data rates according to the evaluation by said control means of the received test transmission.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
221 words
In a radio frequency data communication system, base station transceiver means selectively operable for data communication at a lower relatively conservative first data rate where reliable transmission is obtained under a relatively wide range of operating conditions, and at a relatively less conservative second data rate which is substantially higher than said first data rate and provides reliable data communication under a more restricted range of operating conditions, a plurality of mobile transceiver units in radio communication with said receiver means and selectively operable for data communication at said first data rate and at said second data rate, control means receiving a test transmission after transmission between the base station transceiver means and at least one of said plurality of mobile transceiver units, and operable to evaluate said test transmission as received to determine the probable feasibility of data communication between said base station and said one of said plurality of mobile transceiver units at said relatively less conservative second data rate and selecting according to such evaluation said second data rate if evaluated as probably feasible and otherwise said lower relatively conservative first data rate, and data rate switchover means controlled by said control means for automatically effecting data communication at the first and second data rates according to the evaluation by said control means of the received test transmission.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
82 words
In a radio frequency data communication system according to claim 34, said mobile transceiver units being assigned polling addresses, and said control means controlling said base station transceiver means to send polling messages at said first data rate to respective individual mobile transceiver units which are assigned respective polling addresses, and said control means controlling said base station transceiver means to send a test transmission at said second data rate which is interlaced with polling messages transmitted at said first data rate.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
195 words
In a radio frequency data communication system according to claim 34, said control means controlling said base station transceiver means to send a general polling message at the first data rate and then to await responses from at least certain of said mobile transceiver units in at least one response interval, said control means controlling said base station transceiver means to send a test transmission, time offset from the general polling message and the at least one response interval, at the second data rate, said mobile transceiver units being responsive to the test transmission at said second data rate to send a first signal at said first data rate when the test pattern transmission is inaccurately received, and to send a second signal at said first data rate said control means being responsive to a first signal from a mobile transceiver unit signifying inaccurate reception of such test pattern to control said base station transceiver means to receive a data transmission at said first data rate, and being responsive to a second signal from a mobile transceiver unit to control said base station transceiver means to receive a data transmission at said second data rate.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
30 words
In a radio frequency data communication system according to claim 34, said control means comprising received signal strength indicator means for evaluating the received signal strength of said test transmission.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
24 words
In a radio frequency data communication system according to claim 34, said control means comprising means for evaluating jitter in the received test transmission.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
65 words
In a radio frequency data communication system according to claim 34, said control means comprising signal quality indicator means receiving a test transmission comprised of a known bit pattern having a length of at least about forty bits and evaluating the quality of the communications channel transmitting the test transmission according to the number of errors detected in the transmission of the known bit pattern.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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