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US5239678A
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Method of assigning a control channel as a temporary voice/data channel in a radio communications system
Assignee: Motorola Solutions Inc
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Filing: 1991-11-21
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Granted: 1993-08-24
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Expires: 2011-11-21
Abstract
Abstract A method (215) of converting a current control channel for use as a communication (voice/data) channel, in order to maintain a predetermined level of service in a radio communications system, employs a central controller (101) to allocate a limited number of communication channels among a plurality of subscriber units (108-112). After receiving (203) a request for a communication channel from one of a plurality of subscriber units (108-112), the controller (101) determines (205) whether all of the communication channels are busy. The controller then temporarily converts (215) the current control channel to a communication channel.
Inventors
- 👤 Gary W. Grube
- 👤 Rafael J. Diaz
- 👤 Robert Adamczyk
- 👤 Robin Roberts
- 👤 Michael D. Sasuta
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 17:23
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04W; H04W28/00; H04W28/16; H04W28/26; H04W72/00; H04W72/50; H04W72/52
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
136 words
In a central controller used in a radio communications system having a limited number of voice channels, the central controller allocating the voice channels via a control channel on which control signals are sent, a method of converting a current control channel for use as a voice/data channel in order to maintain a predetermined level of communication service to a plurality of radios in the system, the method comprising the steps of: receiving, from a requesting one of the plurality of radios, a request for a voice channel; determining whether all of the voice channels are busy; determining when it is determined that all of the voice channels are busy, a current loading condition for the current control channel; and assigning, responsive to said step of determining, the current control channel as a temporary voice channel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
136 words
In a central controller used in a radio communications system having a limited number of voice channels, the central controller allocating the voice channels via a control channel on which control signals are sent, a method of converting a current control channel for use as a voice/data channel in order to maintain a predetermined level of communication service to a plurality of radios in the system, the method comprising the steps of: receiving, from a requesting one of the plurality of radios, a request for a voice channel; determining whether all of the voice channels are busy; determining when it is determined that all of the voice channels are busy, a current loading condition for the current control channel; and assigning, responsive to said step of determining, the current control channel as a temporary voice channel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said step of assigning further comprises the step of broadcasting a voice-on-control (VOC) status signal on said current control channel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said step of assigning further comprises the step of sending, on at least one of the voice channels, a VOC ongoing status signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising the step of re-assigning a new control channel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method in accordance with claim 4, further comprising the step of sending, on said new control channel, an indication signal to send inbound signalling words (ISW's) on said new control channel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
A method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising the step of comparing said current loading condition with a loading threshold, the loading threshold representing a maximum level of communication traffic for which communication service can be maintained at least to the predetermined level without using said current control channel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method in accordance with claim 6, further comprising the step of delaying, when said current loading condition exceeds said loading threshold, said step of assigning by a predetermined amount of time.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
130 words
In a radio used in a radio communications system having a limited number of voice channels, the system further having a dynamic control channel configuration, the radio receiving outbound signalling words (OSW's) from a central controller, and sending inbound signalling words (ISW's) to the central controller, the OSW's and ISW's being used for facilitating access to the limited number of voice channels, a method of accommodating a change in control channel configuration, the method comprising the steps of: receiving a first indication signal that a current control channel is being assigned as a voice channel; queuing, responsive to said first indication signal, subsequent request ISW's; and sending, at a later time, said queued ISW's to the central controller, via a control channel that is made available at said later time.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
130 words
In a radio used in a radio communications system having a limited number of voice channels, the system further having a dynamic control channel configuration, the radio receiving outbound signalling words (OSW's) from a central controller, and sending inbound signalling words (ISW's) to the central controller, the OSW's and ISW's being used for facilitating access to the limited number of voice channels, a method of accommodating a change in control channel configuration, the method comprising the steps of: receiving a first indication signal that a current control channel is being assigned as a voice channel; queuing, responsive to said first indication signal, subsequent request ISW's; and sending, at a later time, said queued ISW's to the central controller, via a control channel that is made available at said later time.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method of accommodating a change in control channel configuration in accordance with claim 8, wherein said step of queuing further comprises the step of prioritizing said subsequent request ISW's.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method of accommodating a change in control channel configuration in accordance with claim 8, further comprising the step of receiving a second indication signal that a new control channel has been re-assigned.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method of accommodating a change in control channel configuration in accordance with claim 10, wherein said step of sending further comprises the step of transmitting, responsive to said second indication signal, said queued request ISW's via said new control channel.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method of accommodating a change in control channel configuration in accordance with claim 9, further comprising the step of selectively sending a particular class of said prioritized request ISW's to the central controller.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-08-23 | 1997-02-22 | 1997-08-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-08-23 | 2001-02-22 | 2001-08-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-08-23 | 2005-02-22 | 2005-08-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |