US5408680A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Single channel autonomous digitally trunked RF communications system
Assignee: Pine Valley Investments Inc
•
Filing: 1992-08-11
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Granted: 1995-04-18
•
Expires: 2012-08-11
Abstract
Abstract A single channel autonomous trunking ("SCAT") RF repeater transmits and receives on a single duplex RF channel. The repeater operates alternately in a control channel mode and in an assigned channel mode. Digital control channel signalling results in temporary assignment of the single channel for assigned channel signalling (e.g., mobile generated messages). A holdover time period following reversion of the channel to control channel signalling minimizes collisions and permits priority to be given to emergency communications. Low speed data subaudible digital signalling may be used to provide late entry capabilities.
Inventors
- 👤 David L. Hattey
- 👤 Marc A. Dissosway
- 👤 Samuel Maedjaja
- 👤 Houston H. Hughes, III
- 👤 Jeffrey S. Childress
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 00:06
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04B; H04B7/00; H04B7/24; H04B7/26; H04B7/2603; H04B7/2606; H04B7/14; H04B7/15; H04B7/155; H04B7/15557; H04W; H04W4/00; H04W4/12; H04W4/90; H04W72/00; H04W72/20; H04W76/00; H04W76/50; H04W84/00; H04W84/02; H04W84/04; H04W84/08; H04W88/00; H04W88/02; H04W88/04; H04W88/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
91 words
An RF repeater system for providing RF communications among plural mobile or portable radio transceivers, said system comprising a duplex RF repeater capable of simultaneously receiving and transmitting, said RF repeater operating alternately in a control channel mode and in an assigned channel mode, said RF repeater transmitting digital signalling including channel assignment signalling when operating in said control channel mode, said RF repeater repeating or regenerating mobile or portable radio transmissions and transmitting subaudible signalling control data for at least late entry purposes when operating in said assigned channel mode.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
91 words
An RF repeater system for providing RF communications among plural mobile or portable radio transceivers, said system comprising a duplex RF repeater capable of simultaneously receiving and transmitting, said RF repeater operating alternately in a control channel mode and in an assigned channel mode, said RF repeater transmitting digital signalling including channel assignment signalling when operating in said control channel mode, said RF repeater repeating or regenerating mobile or portable radio transmissions and transmitting subaudible signalling control data for at least late entry purposes when operating in said assigned channel mode.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
80 words
A method of communicating over a single RF channel comprising the following steps: when in a control channel operating mode, transmitting digital control signalling including a channel request message and a plurality of repetitive responsive channel assignment messages over said single channel to temporarily assign said single channel to at least one particular mobile or portable radio; and when in an assigned channel operating mode, transmitting assigned channel signalling over said single channel in response to said channel assignment messages.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
80 words
A method of communicating over a single RF channel comprising the following steps: when in a control channel operating mode, transmitting digital control signalling including a channel request message and a plurality of repetitive responsive channel assignment messages over said single channel to temporarily assign said single channel to at least one particular mobile or portable radio; and when in an assigned channel operating mode, transmitting assigned channel signalling over said single channel in response to said channel assignment messages.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
109 words
A method of communicating over a single RF channel comprising the following steps: when in a control channel operating mode, transmitting digital control signalling including a channel request message and a responsive channel assignment message over said single channel to temporarily assign said single channel to at least one particular mobile or portable radio; and when in an assigned channel operating mode, transmitting assigned channel signalling over said single channel in response to said channel assignment messages, further including the step of inhibiting a mobile or portable radio other than said assigned mobile or portable radio from transmitting on said single channel when in said assigned channel operating mode.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
109 words
A method of communicating over a single RF channel comprising the following steps: when in a control channel operating mode, transmitting digital control signalling including a channel request message and a responsive channel assignment message over said single channel to temporarily assign said single channel to at least one particular mobile or portable radio; and when in an assigned channel operating mode, transmitting assigned channel signalling over said single channel in response to said channel assignment messages, further including the step of inhibiting a mobile or portable radio other than said assigned mobile or portable radio from transmitting on said single channel when in said assigned channel operating mode.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as in claim 2 further including reverting to said control channel operating mode upon termination of said temporary assignment.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
124 words
A method of communicating over a single RF channel comprising the following steps: when in a control channel operating mode, transmitting digital control signalling including a channel request message and a responsive channel assignment message over said single channel to temporarily assign said single channel to at least one particular mobile or portable radio; and when in an assigned channel operating mode, transmitting assigned channel signalling over said single channel in response to said channel assignment messages, further including reverting to said control channel operating mode upon termination of said temporary assignment; further including inhibiting a mobile or portable radio from transmitting digital control channel signalling over said single channel during a hold-off time period subsequent to reverting to said control channel operating mode.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
124 words
A method of communicating over a single RF channel comprising the following steps: when in a control channel operating mode, transmitting digital control signalling including a channel request message and a responsive channel assignment message over said single channel to temporarily assign said single channel to at least one particular mobile or portable radio; and when in an assigned channel operating mode, transmitting assigned channel signalling over said single channel in response to said channel assignment messages, further including reverting to said control channel operating mode upon termination of said temporary assignment; further including inhibiting a mobile or portable radio from transmitting digital control channel signalling over said single channel during a hold-off time period subsequent to reverting to said control channel operating mode.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
119 words
A method of communicating over a single RF channel comprising the following steps: when in a control channel operating mode, transmitting digital control signalling including a channel request message and a responsive channel assignment message over said single channel to temporarily assign said single channel to at least one particular mobile or portable radio; and when in an assigned channel operating mode, transmitting assigned channel signalling over said single channel in response to said channel assignment messages, further including reverting to said control channel operating mode upon termination of said temporary assignment and controlling plural mobile or portable radios to transmit digital control channel signalling during different time periods following said reversion to minimize collisions over said single channel.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
119 words
A method of communicating over a single RF channel comprising the following steps: when in a control channel operating mode, transmitting digital control signalling including a channel request message and a responsive channel assignment message over said single channel to temporarily assign said single channel to at least one particular mobile or portable radio; and when in an assigned channel operating mode, transmitting assigned channel signalling over said single channel in response to said channel assignment messages, further including reverting to said control channel operating mode upon termination of said temporary assignment and controlling plural mobile or portable radios to transmit digital control channel signalling during different time periods following said reversion to minimize collisions over said single channel.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
104 words
A method of communicating over a single RF channel comprising the following steps: when in a control channel operating mode, transmitting digital control signalling including a channel request message and a responsive channel assignment message over said single channel to temporarily assign said single channel to at least one particular mobile or portable radio; and when in an assigned channel operating mode, transmitting assigned channel signalling over said single channel in response to said channel assignment messages, further including reverting to said control channel operating mode upon termination of said temporary assignment and reserving a time period following said reversion for emergency related transmissions.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
104 words
A method of communicating over a single RF channel comprising the following steps: when in a control channel operating mode, transmitting digital control signalling including a channel request message and a responsive channel assignment message over said single channel to temporarily assign said single channel to at least one particular mobile or portable radio; and when in an assigned channel operating mode, transmitting assigned channel signalling over said single channel in response to said channel assignment messages, further including reverting to said control channel operating mode upon termination of said temporary assignment and reserving a time period following said reversion for emergency related transmissions.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as in claim 2 wherein said control channel signalling is time division multiplexed.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
100 words
A method of communicating over a single RF channel comprising the following steps: when in a control channel operating mode, transmitting digital control signalling including a channel request message and a responsive channel assignment message over said single channel to temporarily assign said single channel to at least one particular mobile or portable radio; and when in an assigned channel operating mode, transmitting assigned channel signalling over said single channel in response to said channel assignment messages, further including the step of redundantly transmitting said channel assignment message to increase the likelihood of detection by said mobile or portable radio.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
100 words
A method of communicating over a single RF channel comprising the following steps: when in a control channel operating mode, transmitting digital control signalling including a channel request message and a responsive channel assignment message over said single channel to temporarily assign said single channel to at least one particular mobile or portable radio; and when in an assigned channel operating mode, transmitting assigned channel signalling over said single channel in response to said channel assignment messages, further including the step of redundantly transmitting said channel assignment message to increase the likelihood of detection by said mobile or portable radio.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
94 words
A method of communicating over a single RF channel comprising the following steps: when in a control channel operating mode, transmitting digital control signalling including a channel request message and a responsive channel assignment message over said single channel to temporarily assign said single channel to at least one particular mobile or portable radio; and when in an assigned channel operating mode, transmitting assigned channel signalling over said single channel in response to said channel assignment messages, and wherein said assigned channel signalling transmitting step includes transmitting low speed data for late entry purposes.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
94 words
A method of communicating over a single RF channel comprising the following steps: when in a control channel operating mode, transmitting digital control signalling including a channel request message and a responsive channel assignment message over said single channel to temporarily assign said single channel to at least one particular mobile or portable radio; and when in an assigned channel operating mode, transmitting assigned channel signalling over said single channel in response to said channel assignment messages, and wherein said assigned channel signalling transmitting step includes transmitting low speed data for late entry purposes.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
77 words
A method of upgrading a single channel RF repeater communications system to a plural channel RF repeater communications system without having to replace an installed base of mobile radios comprising: converting a combined control and assigned channel repeater to operate alternately in a dedicated manner on a dedicated control channel or an assigned channel; and adding at least one further repeater for operation in a dedicated manner on said dedicated control channel or on said assigned channel.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
77 words
A method of upgrading a single channel RF repeater communications system to a plural channel RF repeater communications system without having to replace an installed base of mobile radios comprising: converting a combined control and assigned channel repeater to operate alternately in a dedicated manner on a dedicated control channel or an assigned channel; and adding at least one further repeater for operation in a dedicated manner on said dedicated control channel or on said assigned channel.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
79 words
A method of operating a wide area RF communications system comprising: logging in, with a mobile, to a multichannel digitally trunked repeater site having a dedicated RF digital control channel and at least one further RF channel available for temporary assignment to mobiles; and subsequently logging in, with said same mobile, to a single channel digitally trunked repeater site having a single RF channel that operates alternately in a digital control channel mode and in an assigned channel mode.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
79 words
A method of operating a wide area RF communications system comprising: logging in, with a mobile, to a multichannel digitally trunked repeater site having a dedicated RF digital control channel and at least one further RF channel available for temporary assignment to mobiles; and subsequently logging in, with said same mobile, to a single channel digitally trunked repeater site having a single RF channel that operates alternately in a digital control channel mode and in an assigned channel mode.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
81 words
A wide area RF communications system comprising: a multichannel digitally trunked repeater site having a dedicated RF digital control channel and at least one further RF channel available for temporary assignment to mobiles; a single channel digitally trunked repeater site having a single RF channel that operates alternately in a digital control channel mode and in an assigned channel mode; and a multisite switch that routes digital control messages to each of said multichannel site and said single channel repeater site.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
81 words
A wide area RF communications system comprising: a multichannel digitally trunked repeater site having a dedicated RF digital control channel and at least one further RF channel available for temporary assignment to mobiles; a single channel digitally trunked repeater site having a single RF channel that operates alternately in a digital control channel mode and in an assigned channel mode; and a multisite switch that routes digital control messages to each of said multichannel site and said single channel repeater site.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
97 words
An RF repeater including: an RF transmitter for transmitting RF signals over an output frequency; an RF receiver for receiving RF signals over an input frequency; and control means coupled to said RF transmitter and said RF receiver, said control means alternately: (a) controlling said transmitter to transmit and said receiver to receive digital control signalling to/from plural mobile radios; and (b) controlling said transmitter to transmit and said receiver to receive assigned channel signalling including low speed data signals to/from a subset of said plural mobile radios, said subset being specified by said digital control signalling.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
97 words
An RF repeater including: an RF transmitter for transmitting RF signals over an output frequency; an RF receiver for receiving RF signals over an input frequency; and control means coupled to said RF transmitter and said RF receiver, said control means alternately: (a) controlling said transmitter to transmit and said receiver to receive digital control signalling to/from plural mobile radios; and (b) controlling said transmitter to transmit and said receiver to receive assigned channel signalling including low speed data signals to/from a subset of said plural mobile radios, said subset being specified by said digital control signalling.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
68 words
A method of transmitting RF signals in accordance with a predetermined transmission signalling protocol, said method including: transmitting digital control signalling including a channel assignment message over an RF channel to temporarily assign said RF channel to at least one mobile radio; and transmitting assigned channel signalling included repeated or regenerated mobile transmissions and subaudible control data for at least late entry purposes over said assigned RF channel.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
68 words
A method of transmitting RF signals in accordance with a predetermined transmission signalling protocol, said method including: transmitting digital control signalling including a channel assignment message over an RF channel to temporarily assign said RF channel to at least one mobile radio; and transmitting assigned channel signalling included repeated or regenerated mobile transmissions and subaudible control data for at least late entry purposes over said assigned RF channel.
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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) | 1998-04-17 | 1998-10-17 | 1999-04-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-04-17 | 2002-10-17 | 2003-04-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-04-17 | 2006-10-17 | 2007-04-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |