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US5214790A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Enhanced talkgroup scan algorithm

Assignee: Motorola Solutions Inc
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Filing: 1991-03-11
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Granted: 1993-05-25
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Expires: 2011-03-11
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Abstract

Abstract An enhanced talkgroup scanning algorithm is provided. This algorithm provides an efficient scan function when a unit scan list contains a mixture of trunked talkgroups and conventional channels. This is accomplished by adding a new scanning algorithm for conventional priority groups, and by enhancing the trunking talk group scanning cycle. A novel scanning algorithm for conventional priority groups is used to decrease the audio holes in trunking calls when looking back at a priority conventional channel. When a unit is active on a low priority trunking call and goes over to the priority conventional channel to check for activity, several new steps are taken into consideration when the unit goes back to the trunked system/active trunked call. Based on whether there has been activity on the priority channel, the unit will immediately return to the old voice channel (unsquelched) or revert to the control channel. A novel scanning algorithm for talk groups allows a unit to revert to scanning the conventional groups in the list quicker if there is no activity on the trunked system for any of the trunking groups in the list.

Inventors

  • 👤 Thaddeus A. Kozlowski
  • 👤 Daniel J. McDonald
  • 👤 Guy G. Romano

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-02 02:56
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04W; H04W48/00; H04W48/18; H04W88/00; H04W88/02; H04W88/06

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim 173 words
A method for a radio to scan a conventional radio system and a trunked radio system, said conventional radio system emitting an unsquelch code, said trunked system including a control channel and a plurality of trunked channels and emitting subaudible low speed data signals, said trunked system control channel emitting one or more scan markers, each scan marker comprising an outbound signalling word which marks the start of voice activity for the trunked radio system, the method comprising the following steps: (a) monitoring the trunked radio system control channel to determine all channel assignments; (b) thereafter, monitoring all trunked channels; (c) determining when it is time to monitor the conventional radio system; (d) when (c) occurs, then saving the identity of the trunked channel currently being received; (e) when the proper unsquelch code is detected on said conventional radio system, then monitoring the conventional radio system; (f) determining when it is time to return to the trunked radio system; (g) when (f) occurs, then returning to the trunked channel saved as in (d).
Claim 2
Independent Claim 173 words
A method for a radio to scan a conventional radio system and a trunked radio system, said conventional radio system emitting an unsquelch code, said trunked system including a control channel and a plurality of trunked channels and emitting subaudible low speed data signals, said trunked system control channel emitting one or more scan markers, each scan marker comprising an outbound signalling word which marks the start of voice activity for the trunked radio system, the method comprising the following steps: (a) monitoring the trunked radio system control channel to determine all channel assignments; (b) thereafter, monitoring all trunked channels; (c) determining when it is time to monitor the conventional radio system; (d) when (c) occurs, then saving the identity of the trunked channel currently being received; (e) when the proper unsquelch code is detected on said conventional radio system, then monitoring the conventional radio system; (f) determining when it is time to return to the trunked radio system; (g) when (f) occurs, then returning to the trunked channel saved as in (d).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 46 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said determining step (c) includes the steps of: (c1) determining when a predetermined period of time has elapsed since said proper unsquelch code has been detected, or (c2) determining when there is no call activity on the trunked radio system.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 22 words
The method of claim 2, wherein said determining step (c2) includes a step of detecting the presence of two consecutive scan markers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 22 words
The method of claim 3, wherein said determining step (c1) is performed by means of a timer that is implemented in software.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 26 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said determining step (f) includes a step of determining when there is no call activity on the conventional radio system.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 27 words
The method of claim 5, wherein said determining step (f) includes a step of detecting the absence of a proper unsquelch code on the conventional radio system.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 39 words
The method of claim 1 including the further step of: (h) determining whether the party that is currently transmitting on the saved trunked channel is the same party that was transmitting on the channel previously, as in step (d).
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 35 words
The method of claim 7, wherein said determining step (h) includes a step of determining when the subaudible low speed data on the trunked radio system corresponds to the previously saved call from step (d).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 35 words
The method of claim 8 including the further step of: (i) when the determination from step (h) is affirmative, then continuing to receive signals on the saved trunked channel, otherwise returning to step (a), above.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 176 words
A radio arranged for scanning a conventional radio system and a trunked radio system according to a method, said conventional radio system emitting an unsquelch code, said trunked system including a control channel and a plurality of trunked channels and emitting subaudible low speed data signals, said trunked system control channel emitting one or more scan markers, each scan marker comprising an outbound signalling word which marks the start of voice channel activity for the trunked radio system, said method comprising the following steps: (a) monitoring the trunked radio system control channel to determine all channel assignments; (b) thereafter, monitoring all trunked channels; (c) determining when it is time to monitor the conventional radio system; (d) when (c) occurs, then saving the identity of the trunked channel currently being received; (e) when the proper unsquelch code is detected on said conventional radio system, then monitoring the conventional radio system; (f) determining when it is time to return to the trunked radio system; (g) when (f) occurs, then returning to the trunked channel saved as in (d).
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 176 words
A radio arranged for scanning a conventional radio system and a trunked radio system according to a method, said conventional radio system emitting an unsquelch code, said trunked system including a control channel and a plurality of trunked channels and emitting subaudible low speed data signals, said trunked system control channel emitting one or more scan markers, each scan marker comprising an outbound signalling word which marks the start of voice channel activity for the trunked radio system, said method comprising the following steps: (a) monitoring the trunked radio system control channel to determine all channel assignments; (b) thereafter, monitoring all trunked channels; (c) determining when it is time to monitor the conventional radio system; (d) when (c) occurs, then saving the identity of the trunked channel currently being received; (e) when the proper unsquelch code is detected on said conventional radio system, then monitoring the conventional radio system; (f) determining when it is time to return to the trunked radio system; (g) when (f) occurs, then returning to the trunked channel saved as in (d).
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 46 words
The radio of claim 10, wherein said determing step (c) includes the steps of: (c1) determining when a predetermined period of time has elapsed since said proper unsquelch code has been detected, or (c2) determining when there is no call activity on the trunked radio system.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 22 words
The radio of claim 11, wherein said determining step (c2) includes a step of detecting the presence of two consecutive scan markers.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 22 words
The radio of claim 11, wherein said determining step (c1) is performed by means of a timer that is implemented in software.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 26 words
The radio of claim 10, wherein said determining step (f) includes a step of determining when there is no call activity on the conventional radio system.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 27 words
The radio of claim 14, wherein said determining step (f) includes a step of detecting the absence of a proper unsquelch code on the conventional radio system.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 41 words
The radio of claim 10, said method including the further step of: (h) determining whether the party that is currently transmitting on the saved trunked channel is the same party that was transmitting on the channel previously, as in step (d).
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 35 words
The radio of claim 16, wherein said determining step (h) includes a step of determining when the subaudible low speed data on the trunked radio system corresponds to the previously saved call from step (d).
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 35 words
The radio of claim 17, including the further step of: (i) when the determination from step (h) is affirmative, then continuing to receive signals on the saved trunked channel, otherwise returning to step (a), above.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US4461036A Cited
US4618998A Cited
US4553262A Cited
US4716407A Cited
US4672657A Cited
US4837858A Cited
US5133082A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1996-05-24 1996-11-23 1997-05-25 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2000-05-24 2000-11-23 2001-05-25 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2004-05-24 2004-11-23 2005-05-25 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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