Dispatch overdialing for inter-group and other added calling/called access to communications channels in a trunked radio communications system

Claim 1

In an improved trunking radio transceiver of the type which (a) in an idle mode scans plural channels to detect a pre-assigned calling sequence of N received signals, (b) in a wait mode scans said plural channels to detect and acquire a non-used one of said channels and (c) in a ready mode stays tuned to such detected calling or acquired channel C so as to permit transceiver communications thereon, said improvement comprising: transmitter means operable after initial acquisition of said channel C for (1) sending over said channel C a predetermined dispatch overdial signal to initiate an attempt to add yet another transceiver to an existing communication, (2) thereafter sending over said channel C a sequence of N identifying signals which were used to establish said transmitter means on said channel C, and (3) thereafter sending over said channel C another sequence of signals identifying said another transceiver.

Claim 6

A method for achieving inter-group communications in a trunking radio communications system including a first radio transceiver associated with a first group of such radio transceivers and a second radio transceiver associated with a second group of such radio transceivers, wherein radio transceivers associated with the same group can communicate freely with one another via a repeater over a communication channel but radio transceivers associated with different groups are nominally inhibited from communicating with one another via said repeater, said method including the steps of: transmitting from said first radio transceiver to said repeater, signals identifying said second radio transceiver; testing whether said transmitted identifying signals are valid in accordance with predetermined criteria; and dedicating a communication channel to said first and second radio transceivers if said testing step reveals said identifying signals are valid, wherein said transmitting step includes: transmitting a dispatch overdial signal, transmitting a first signal sequence identifying said first transceiver, and transmitting a second signal sequence identifying said second radio transceiver.

Claim 7

A method for achieving inter-group communications in a trunking radio communications system including a first radio transceiver associated with a first group of such radio transceivers and a second radio transceiver associated with a second group of such radio transceivers, wherein radio transceivers associated with the same group can communicate freely with one another via a repeater over a communication channel but radio transceivers associated with different groups are nominally inhibited from communicating with one another via said repeater, said method including the steps of: transmitting from said first radio transceiver to said repeater, signals identifying said second radio transceiver; testing whether said transmitted identifying signals are valid in accordance with predetermined criteria; and dedicating a communication channel to said first and second radio transceivers if said testing step reveals said identifying signals are valid, wherein said transmitting step includes: transmitting a dispatch overdial signal, transmitting a first signal sequence identifying said first transceiver, and transmitting a second signal sequence identifying said second radio transceiver.

Claim 9

A method of bringing at least one additional radio transceiver onto a communication channel already acquired and operating between at least first and second radio transceivers in a trunked radio communications system including a plurality of radio transceivers which communicate with each other via at least one repeater over an acquired one of a plurality of communication channels, and wherein each transceiver has an identifying sequential tone signal which enables it to acquire the use of one of said communication channels, said method comprising the steps of: transmitting, by said first transceiver which desires to bring said additional transceiver into said communication channel, a dispatch overdial signal to said repeater; transmitting, by said first transceiver, a first tone sequence signal to said repeater which said first tone sequence signal was used to establish said first transceiver on said communication channel; determining, by said repeater, whether said first tone sequence signal is an identification tone signal which was validly used to first establish said communication channel; transmitting, by said first transceiver, a second tone sequence signal to said repeater, said second tone sequence signal being the identification tone signal of said additional transceiver; transmitting, by said repeater, handshake signals to establish said additional transceiver on said already acquired channel, if said first tone sequence signal is the identification tone signal which was used to first establish acquisition of the communication channel; and suppressing, by said repeater, said handshake signals, if said first tone sequence signal is not the identification tone signal which was used to first establish said communication channel.

Claim 10

A method of bringing at least one additional radio transceiver onto a communication channel already acquired and operating between at least first and second radio transceivers in a trunked radio communications system including a plurality of radio transceivers which communicate with each other via at least one repeater over an acquired one of a plurality of communication channels, and wherein each transceiver has an identifying sequential tone signal which enables it to acquire the use of one of said communication channels, said method comprising the steps of: transmitting, by said first transceiver which desires to bring said additional transceiver into said communication channel, a dispatch overdial signal to said repeater; transmitting, by said first transceiver, a first tone sequence signal to said repeater which said first tone sequence signal was used to establish said first transceiver on said communication channel; determining, by said repeater, whether said first tone sequence signal is an identification tone signal which was validly used to first establish said communication channel; transmitting, by said first transceiver, a second tone sequence signal to said repeater, said second tone sequence signal being the identification tone signal of said additional transceiver; transmitting, by said repeater, handshake signals to establish said additional transceiver on said already acquired channel, if said first tone sequence signal is the identification tone signal which was used to first establish acquisition of the communication channel; and suppressing, by said repeater, said handshake signals, if said first tone sequence signal is not the identification tone signal which was used to first establish said communication channel.

Claim 12

A method of bringing at least one additional radio transceiver onto a communication channel already acquired and operating between at least first and second radio transceivers in a trunked radio communications system including a plurality of radio transceivers which communicate with each other via at least one repeater over an acquired one of a plurality of communication channels, and wherein each transceiver has an identifying sequential tone signal which enables it to acquire the use of one of said communication channels, said method comprising the steps of: transmitting, by said first transceiver which desires to bring said additional transceiver into said communication channel, a dispatch overdial signal to said repeater; transmitting, by said first transceiver, a first tone sequence signal to said repeater which said first tone sequence signal was used to establish said first transceiver on said communication channel; determining, by said repeater, whether said first tone sequence signal is an identification tone signal which was validly used to first establish said communication channel; transmitting, by said first transceiver, a second tone sequence signal to said repeater, said second tone sequence signal being the identification tone signal of said additional transceiver; transmitting, by said repeater, handshake signals to establish said additional transceiver on said already acquired channel; and memorizing, by said repeater, said first tone sequence signal, whereby said first transceiver may be held responsible for bringing said additional radio transceiver onto said communication channel.

Claim 13

A method of bringing at least one additional radio transceiver onto a communication channel already acquired and operating between at least first and second radio transceivers in a trunked radio communications system including a plurality of radio transceivers which communicate with each other via at least one repeater over an acquired one of a plurality of communication channels, and wherein each transceiver has an identifying sequential tone signal which enables it to acquire the use of one of said communication channels, said method comprising the steps of: transmitting, by said first transceiver which desires to bring said additional transceiver into said communication channel, a dispatch overdial signal to said repeater; transmitting, by said first transceiver, a first tone sequence signal to said repeater which said first tone sequence signal was used to establish said first transceiver on said communication channel; determining, by said repeater, whether said first tone sequence signal is an identification tone signal which was validly used to first establish said communication channel; transmitting, by said first transceiver, a second tone sequence signal to said repeater, said second tone sequence signal being the identification tone signal of said additional transceiver; transmitting, by said repeater, handshake signals to establish said additional transceiver on said already acquired channel; and memorizing, by said repeater, said first tone sequence signal, whereby said first transceiver may be held responsible for bringing said additional radio transceiver onto said communication channel.

Claim 19

A method for establishing communications between radio stations via a repeater, comprising the steps of: (1) transmitting, with a first radio station, a first signal identifying at least a second radio station; (2) receiving and retransmitting the first signal transmitted by said transmitting step (1) with a repeater; (3) receiving, with said second radio transceiver, said first signal retransmitted by said retransmitting step (2); (4) retransmitting, by either one of said first and second radio transceivers, a version of the first signal transmitted by said transmitting step (1); (5) receiving, with said repeater, the signal retransmitted by said retransmitting step (4); (6) determining, with said repeater, whether the signal received by said receiving step (5) corresponds to the signal received by said receiving step (2); (7) transmitting, with said one of said first and second radio transceivers, a second signal different from said first signal identifying a third radio transceiver; (8) receiving the signal transmitted by said transmitting step (7) with said repeater; and (9) conditionally retransmitting, with said repeater, a version of the signal received by said receiving step (8) depending upon the determination of said determining step (6).

Claim 20

A method for establishing communications between radio stations via a repeater, comprising the steps of: (1) transmitting, with a first radio station, a first signal identifying at least a second radio station; (2) receiving and retransmitting the first signal transmitted by said transmitting step (1) with a repeater; (3) receiving, with said second radio transceiver, said first signal retransmitted by said retransmitting step (2); (4) retransmitting, by either one of said first and second radio transceivers, a version of the first signal transmitted by said transmitting step (1); (5) receiving, with said repeater, the signal retransmitted by said retransmitting step (4); (6) determining, with said repeater, whether the signal received by said receiving step (5) corresponds to the signal received by said receiving step (2); (7) transmitting, with said one of said first and second radio transceivers, a second signal different from said first signal identifying a third radio transceiver; (8) receiving the signal transmitted by said transmitting step (7) with said repeater; and (9) conditionally retransmitting, with said repeater, a version of the signal received by said receiving step (8) depending upon the determination of said determining step (6).

Claim 26

A method for establishing radio communications via a repeater, comprising the steps of: (1) receiving and retransmitting, with a repeater, a first signal transmitted by a first radio transceiver; (2) receiving, with said repeater, a version of the first signal received and retransmitted by said step (1); (3) determining, with said repeater, whether the signal received by said receiving step (2) corresponds to the signal received by said receiving and retransmitting step (1); (4) receiving a subsequent signal transmitted by said first radio transceiver with said repeater; and (5) conditionally retransmitting, with said repeater, a version of the signal received by said receiving step (4) depending upon the determination of said determining step (3).

Claim 27

A method for establishing radio communications via a repeater, comprising the steps of: (1) receiving and retransmitting, with a repeater, a first signal transmitted by a first radio transceiver; (2) receiving, with said repeater, a version of the first signal received and retransmitted by said step (1); (3) determining, with said repeater, whether the signal received by said receiving step (2) corresponds to the signal received by said receiving and retransmitting step (1); (4) receiving a subsequent signal transmitted by said first radio transceiver with said repeater; and (5) conditionally retransmitting, with said repeater, a version of the signal received by said receiving step (4) depending upon the determination of said determining step (3).

Claim 31

A method for establishing communications between at least first and second radio transceivers comprising the steps of: (1) transmitting, with a first radio transceiver, a first radio signal identifying a second radio transceiver; (2) receiving, with said second radio transceiver, said first identifying signal transmitted by said transmitting step (1); (3) transmitting a dispatch overdial radio signal with either one of said first and second radio transceivers, said dispatch overdial signal including a version of the first signal transmitted by said transmitting step (1), and a second identifying signal different from said first signal identifying a further radio transceiver; (4) receiving said transmitted dispatch overdial signal with said further radio transceiver; and (5) communicating radio signals between said further radio transceiver and said first and/or second radio transceivers in response to receipt by said further radio transceiver of said dispatch overdial signal.

Claim 32

A method for establishing communications between at least first and second radio transceivers comprising the steps of: (1) transmitting, with a first radio transceiver, a first radio signal identifying a second radio transceiver; (2) receiving, with said second radio transceiver, said first identifying signal transmitted by said transmitting step (1); (3) transmitting a dispatch overdial radio signal with either one of said first and second radio transceivers, said dispatch overdial signal including a version of the first signal transmitted by said transmitting step (1), and a second identifying signal different from said first signal identifying a further radio transceiver; (4) receiving said transmitted dispatch overdial signal with said further radio transceiver; and (5) communicating radio signals between said further radio transceiver and said first and/or second radio transceivers in response to receipt by said further radio transceiver of said dispatch overdial signal.

Claim 37

A method for establishing communications between at least first and second radio transceivers comprising the steps of: (1) transmitting, with a first radio transceiver, a first signal identifying at least a second radio transceiver; (2) receiving, with said second radio transceiver, said first signal transmitted by said transmitting step (1); (3) retransmitting, with either one of said first and second radio transceivers, a version of the first signal transmitted by said transmitting step (1); (4) retransmitting, with said one of said first and second radio transceivers, a second signal different from said first signal identifying a third radio transceiver; (a) listening, subsequent to said transmitting step (4), for a version of said signal transmitted by said transmitting step (4); and (b) determining, with said one radio station, whether a signal heard by said receiving step (a) has the same characteristics as the signal transmitted by said transmitting step (4).

Claim 38

A method for establishing communications between at least first and second radio transceivers comprising the steps of: (1) transmitting, with a first radio transceiver, a first signal identifying at least a second radio transceiver; (2) receiving, with said second radio transceiver, said first signal transmitted by said transmitting step (1); (3) retransmitting, with either one of said first and second radio transceivers, a version of the first signal transmitted by said transmitting step (1); (4) retransmitting, with said one of said first and second radio transceivers, a second signal different from said first signal identifying a third radio transceiver; (a) listening, subsequent to said transmitting step (4), for a version of said signal transmitted by said transmitting step (4); and (b) determining, with said one radio station, whether a signal heard by said receiving step (a) has the same characteristics as the signal transmitted by said transmitting step (4).

Claim 39

A method for selectively establishing communications between a first radio station and a plurality of other radio stations comprising the steps of: (1) transmitting, with a first radio station, a first signal identifying at least a second radio transceiver; (2) transmitting a dispatch overdial connect signal of predetermined characteristics by said first radio station; p1 (3) subsequent to said transmitting step (2), waiting with said first radio station for a predetermined period of time; p1 (4) subsequent to said waiting step (3), retransmitting a version of the first signal transmitted by said transmitting step (1); (5) transmitting, with said first radio station, a further signal different from said previously-transmitted signals, identifying a further radio transceiver; and (6) repeating said steps (2)-(5) for each futher radio station with which communications is to be established.

Claim 40

A method for selectively establishing communications between a first radio station and a plurality of other radio stations comprising the steps of: (1) transmitting, with a first radio station, a first signal identifying at least a second radio transceiver; (2) transmitting a dispatch overdial connect signal of predetermined characteristics by said first radio station; p1 (3) subsequent to said transmitting step (2), waiting with said first radio station for a predetermined period of time; p1 (4) subsequent to said waiting step (3), retransmitting a version of the first signal transmitted by said transmitting step (1); (5) transmitting, with said first radio station, a further signal different from said previously-transmitted signals, identifying a further radio transceiver; and (6) repeating said steps (2)-(5) for each futher radio station with which communications is to be established.

Claim 49

A method for establishing radio communications via a radio repeater, comprising the steps of: (1) transmitting radio signals with a first radio transceiver; (2) receiving and retransmitting, with a repeater, a first radio signal transmitted by said first radio transceiver; (3) subsequent to said receiving and retransmitting step (2), receiving, with said repeater, a version of the first signal transmitted by said first radio transceiver; (4) determining, with said repeater, whether the signal received by said receiving step (3) corresponds to the signal received earlier by said receiving and retransmitting step (2); (5) receiving, with said repeater, a further radio signal transmitted by said first radio transceiver; and (6) conditionally retransmitting, with said repeater, a version of the signal received by said receiving step (5) depending upon the determination of said determining step (4).

Claim 50

A method for establishing radio communications via a radio repeater, comprising the steps of: (1) transmitting radio signals with a first radio transceiver; (2) receiving and retransmitting, with a repeater, a first radio signal transmitted by said first radio transceiver; (3) subsequent to said receiving and retransmitting step (2), receiving, with said repeater, a version of the first signal transmitted by said first radio transceiver; (4) determining, with said repeater, whether the signal received by said receiving step (3) corresponds to the signal received earlier by said receiving and retransmitting step (2); (5) receiving, with said repeater, a further radio signal transmitted by said first radio transceiver; and (6) conditionally retransmitting, with said repeater, a version of the signal received by said receiving step (5) depending upon the determination of said determining step (4).

Claim 51

A method for selectively establishing communications between a first radio transceiver and a plurality of other radio transceivers comprising the steps of: (1) transmitting, with a first radio transceiver, a first radio signal identifying at least a second radio transceiver; (2) transmitting a dispatch overdial connect radio signal having predetermined characteristics with said first radio transceiver; (3) subsequent to said transmitting step (2), waiting a predetermined period of time; (4) subsequent to said waiting step (3), retransmitting a version of the first signal transmitted by said transmitting step (1); (5) transmitting, with said first radio transceiver, a further radio signal different from said signals transmitted by steps (1), (2) and (4), said further signal identifying a further radio transceiver; and (6) repeating said steps (2)-(5) for each further radio transceiver with which communications is to be established.

Claim 52

A method for selectively establishing communications between a first radio transceiver and a plurality of other radio transceivers comprising the steps of: (1) transmitting, with a first radio transceiver, a first radio signal identifying at least a second radio transceiver; (2) transmitting a dispatch overdial connect radio signal having predetermined characteristics with said first radio transceiver; (3) subsequent to said transmitting step (2), waiting a predetermined period of time; (4) subsequent to said waiting step (3), retransmitting a version of the first signal transmitted by said transmitting step (1); (5) transmitting, with said first radio transceiver, a further radio signal different from said signals transmitted by steps (1), (2) and (4), said further signal identifying a further radio transceiver; and (6) repeating said steps (2)-(5) for each further radio transceiver with which communications is to be established.