Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
126 words
A method of reducing an audio gap in a signal connection with a communication unit during handoff in a cellular communication system, such method comprising the steps of: providing a temporary signal connection with the communication unit from a mobile switching center (MSC) of a source base site, through the source base site to a handoff target base site; establishing a trunk connection from the MSC of the source base site to a MSC of the target base site; interconnecting, at the target base site, the temporary signal connection, a signal path extending the trunk connection from the MSC of the target base site to the target base site, and the communication unit; and re-routing the signal connection with the communication unit through the trunk connection.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
126 words
A method of reducing an audio gap in a signal connection with a communication unit during handoff in a cellular communication system, such method comprising the steps of: providing a temporary signal connection with the communication unit from a mobile switching center (MSC) of a source base site, through the source base site to a handoff target base site; establishing a trunk connection from the MSC of the source base site to a MSC of the target base site; interconnecting, at the target base site, the temporary signal connection, a signal path extending the trunk connection from the MSC of the target base site to the target base site, and the communication unit; and re-routing the signal connection with the communication unit through the trunk connection.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method as in claim 1 further including the step of disconnecting the temporary signal connection after the signal connection has been re-routed through the trunk connection.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
149 words
In a cellular communication system a method of reducing an audio gap in a downlink signal stream during handoff of a communication unit between a source cell of a first mobile switching center (MSC) and a target cell of a second MSC, such method comprising the steps of: creating a peer-to-peer signal path for the downlink signal stream between a base site of the source cell and a base site of the target cell; providing a trunk connection between the first MSC and second MSC; establishing, at a base site of the target cell, a three-way signal connection among the peer-to-peer signal path, a signal path extending the trunk connection from the MSC of the target base site to the target base site, and the communication unit; and rerouting the downlink signal stream from the first MSC to the communication unit via the trunk connection and three-way signal connection.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
149 words
In a cellular communication system a method of reducing an audio gap in a downlink signal stream during handoff of a communication unit between a source cell of a first mobile switching center (MSC) and a target cell of a second MSC, such method comprising the steps of: creating a peer-to-peer signal path for the downlink signal stream between a base site of the source cell and a base site of the target cell; providing a trunk connection between the first MSC and second MSC; establishing, at a base site of the target cell, a three-way signal connection among the peer-to-peer signal path, a signal path extending the trunk connection from the MSC of the target base site to the target base site, and the communication unit; and rerouting the downlink signal stream from the first MSC to the communication unit via the trunk connection and three-way signal connection.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 3 further comprising the step of terminating the peer-to-peer signal path following the establishment of the three-way signal connection.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
127 words
A method of reducing an audio gap during handoff in an audio connection between a cellular radiotelephone and another caller, such method comprising the steps of: establishing an inter base site signal path from a mobile switching center (MSC), through the source base site and target base site to the cellular radiotelephone; establishing a three-way connection, at the target base site, among the inter base site signal path, cellular radiotelephone, and MSC of the target base site; establishing a trunk connection between the MSC of the target base site and an MSC of the source base site; and re-routing signal information from the MSC of the source base site, through the trunk connection, MSC of the target base site, and target base site, to the cellular radiotelephone.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
127 words
A method of reducing an audio gap during handoff in an audio connection between a cellular radiotelephone and another caller, such method comprising the steps of: establishing an inter base site signal path from a mobile switching center (MSC), through the source base site and target base site to the cellular radiotelephone; establishing a three-way connection, at the target base site, among the inter base site signal path, cellular radiotelephone, and MSC of the target base site; establishing a trunk connection between the MSC of the target base site and an MSC of the source base site; and re-routing signal information from the MSC of the source base site, through the trunk connection, MSC of the target base site, and target base site, to the cellular radiotelephone.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method as in claim 5 further comprising the step of terminating the inter base site signal path following the establishment of the three-way signal connection.