US5295140A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for multi-purpose utilization of resources in a communication system
Assignee: Motorola Solutions Inc
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Filing: 1991-03-28
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Granted: 1994-03-15
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Expires: 2011-03-28
Abstract
Abstract A communication resource is subdivided as a function of time into a plurality of time slots (210), which may then be further subdivided on a non-periodic basis into a number of sub-slots (220). In a slot or sub-slot, communication units (101) may utilize the communication resource according to a specific set of access methods defined for that slot or sub-slot. In one embodiment the time slots are subdivided on a non-periodic basis into a least two random access sub-slots, during which communication units may either request one or more reserved time slots, or send unreserved data packets (240). In response to requests for reserved time slots from a requesting communication unit, one or more reserved time slots are provided for the use of the requesting communication unit.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenneth J. Crisler
- 👤 Michael L. Needham
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 23:09
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04W; H04W74/00; H04W74/08; H04B; H04B7/00; H04B7/24; H04B7/26; H04B7/2643; H04B7/2646; H04W72/00; H04W72/04; H04W72/044; H04W72/0446
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
130 words
A method for using a communication resource, comprising the steps of: A) subdividing the communication resource as a function, at least in part, of time, to provide a plurality of time slots; B) non-periodically subdividing at least one of the plurality of time slots into at least two random access sub-slots; C) upon receiving a request from a requesting communication unit, during any one of the random access sub-slots, for at least one reserved time slot providing at least one of the plurality of time slots as a reserved time slot to the requesting communication unit when available; D) upon receiving data from a non-requesting communication unit, during any one of the random access sub-slots, processing the data and not providing a reserved time slot to the non-requesting communication unit.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
130 words
A method for using a communication resource, comprising the steps of: A) subdividing the communication resource as a function, at least in part, of time, to provide a plurality of time slots; B) non-periodically subdividing at least one of the plurality of time slots into at least two random access sub-slots; C) upon receiving a request from a requesting communication unit, during any one of the random access sub-slots, for at least one reserved time slot providing at least one of the plurality of time slots as a reserved time slot to the requesting communication unit when available; D) upon receiving data from a non-requesting communication unit, during any one of the random access sub-slots, processing the data and not providing a reserved time slot to the non-requesting communication unit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 1, wherein step C includes the step of: C1) when a reserved time slot is provided, receiving a data packet from the requesting communication unit in the at least one reserved time slot.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method of claim 1, wherein: step B includes the steps of: B1) receiving a request from a requesting communication unit during one of the at least two random access sub-slots; and B2) receiving other data from a non-requesting communication unit during a different one of the at least two random access sub-slots.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 3, wherein the requesting communication unit is a different communication unit than the non-requesting communication unit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
94 words
The method of claim 1, wherein: step B includes the steps of: B1) receiving first other data from a first non-requesting communication unit during one of the at least two random access sub-slots; and B2) receiving second other data from a second non-requesting communication unit during a different one of the at least two random access sub-slots; and step D includes the step of processing the first and second other data from the first and second non-requesting communication units and not providing a reserved time slot to the first and second non-requesting communication units.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 5, wherein the first non-requesting communication is different than the second non-requesting communication unit.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
177 words
A method of accessing a communication resource, comprising the steps of: A) determining whether the communication resource is available for random access, such that at least one random access subslot is provided; B) upon determining that the communication resource is available for random access, choosing to access the communication resource according to one of a plurality of access methods, wherein said plurality of access methods includes: i) a first method comprising requesting at least one reserved time slot using the at least one random access subslot; and ii) a second method comprising transmitting an unreserved data packet using the at least one random access subslot; C) upon choosing to access the communication resource by the first method: i) choosing one of the at least one random access subslots; ii) transmitting in the chosen random access subslot a request for at least one reserved time slot; D) upon choosing to access the communication resource by the second method, choosing one of the at least one random access subslots to be used for transmission of an unreserved data packet.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
177 words
A method of accessing a communication resource, comprising the steps of: A) determining whether the communication resource is available for random access, such that at least one random access subslot is provided; B) upon determining that the communication resource is available for random access, choosing to access the communication resource according to one of a plurality of access methods, wherein said plurality of access methods includes: i) a first method comprising requesting at least one reserved time slot using the at least one random access subslot; and ii) a second method comprising transmitting an unreserved data packet using the at least one random access subslot; C) upon choosing to access the communication resource by the first method: i) choosing one of the at least one random access subslots; ii) transmitting in the chosen random access subslot a request for at least one reserved time slot; D) upon choosing to access the communication resource by the second method, choosing one of the at least one random access subslots to be used for transmission of an unreserved data packet.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 7, wherein step D further includes the step of: D1) transmitting the unreserved data packet in the chosen random access subslot.
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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) | 1997-03-14 | 1997-09-13 | 1998-03-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-03-14 | 2001-09-13 | 2002-03-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-03-14 | 2005-09-13 | 2006-03-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |