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US5502722A
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Method and apparatus for a radio system using variable transmission reservation
Assignee: Motorola Solutions Inc
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Filing: 1994-08-01
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Granted: 1996-03-26
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Expires: 2014-08-01
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus is provided for a operating a radio communication system (100). The system (100) has a sequence of communication channels (205), including a reservation channel, and a channel hopping protocol for operating on the sequence (205). A hop period is defined for the channel hopping protocol. A transceiver (113) monitors the reservation channel to find an open communication slot (213), having a duration less than the channel hop period, and cyclically channel hops through the sequence of communication channels in the open slot (213). The transceiver (113) reserves the communication slot (213) for a subsequent cycle through the sequence by transmitting a reservation signal on the reservation channel.
Inventors
- 👤 Tracy L. Fulghum
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 23:51
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04W; H04W28/00; H04W28/16; H04W28/26; H04W24/00; H04W72/00; H04W72/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
236 words
A method of operating a radio communication system, the radio communication system having first and second transceivers, the method comprising the steps of: selecting a sequence of communication channels; selecting a reservation channel from among the sequence of communication channels; providing a channel hop period for channel hopping on the sequence of communication channels; at the first transceiver: cycling through each channel of the sequence of communication channels within a communication slot, while channel hopping at an interval equal to the channel hop period; and reserving a communication slot of a slot duration less than the channel hop period for a subsequent cycle through the sequence of communication channels by transmitting a reservation signal for the slot duration when on the reservation channel; at the second transceiver: monitoring the reservation channel to detect an open communication slot indicated by an absence of a reservation signal on the reservation channel, including the steps of: monitoring the reservation channel for a monitor period of at least a hop cycle period to detect an open communication slot having a duration of at least the channel hop period; and when an open communication slot is not detected within the monitor period, monitoring the reservation channel to detect an open communication slot having a duration less than the channel hop period; and establishing communications in the open communication slot on the sequence of communication channels, when an open communication slot exists.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
236 words
A method of operating a radio communication system, the radio communication system having first and second transceivers, the method comprising the steps of: selecting a sequence of communication channels; selecting a reservation channel from among the sequence of communication channels; providing a channel hop period for channel hopping on the sequence of communication channels; at the first transceiver: cycling through each channel of the sequence of communication channels within a communication slot, while channel hopping at an interval equal to the channel hop period; and reserving a communication slot of a slot duration less than the channel hop period for a subsequent cycle through the sequence of communication channels by transmitting a reservation signal for the slot duration when on the reservation channel; at the second transceiver: monitoring the reservation channel to detect an open communication slot indicated by an absence of a reservation signal on the reservation channel, including the steps of: monitoring the reservation channel for a monitor period of at least a hop cycle period to detect an open communication slot having a duration of at least the channel hop period; and when an open communication slot is not detected within the monitor period, monitoring the reservation channel to detect an open communication slot having a duration less than the channel hop period; and establishing communications in the open communication slot on the sequence of communication channels, when an open communication slot exists.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the step of reserving a communication slot, comprises the steps of: dividing the channel hop period into multiple period segments; and transmitting the reservation signal for at least one period segment when on the reservation channel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of: providing a maximum data throughput rate for transmissions on the sequence of communication channels; and transmitting at a data throughput rate less than the maximum data throughput rate for transmissions on a communication slot having a duration of less than the channel hop period.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
61 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of: monitoring the reservation channel to detect whether an adjacent open communication slot exists, when on the reservation channel and operating on a communication slot having a duration of less than the channel hop period; and extending the communication slot into the adjacent communication slot when an open adjacent communication slot exists.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the step of transmitting a reservation signal, comprises the step of transmitting a signal on the reservation channel having a range extending beyond communication range on other communication channels of the sequence of communication channels.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
181 words
A method of operating a radio communication system using variable transmission reservation, the radio communication system having a sequence of communication channels, including a reservation channel, and a channel hopping protocol for operating on the sequence of communication channels, the channel hopping protocol having a defined channel hop period, the method comprising the steps of: monitoring the reservation channel to detect an open communication slot indicated by an absence of a reservation signal on the reservation channel including the steps of: determining whether there exists an open communication slot having a duration of at least the channel hop period; and when an open communication slot having a duration of at least the channel hop period is not detected, determining whether there exists an open communication slot having a duration less than the channel hop period; establishing communications in the open communication slot on the sequence of communication channels, when an open communication slot exists; and cycling through each channel of the sequence of communication channels within a communication slot, while channel hopping at an interval equal to the channel hop period.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
181 words
A method of operating a radio communication system using variable transmission reservation, the radio communication system having a sequence of communication channels, including a reservation channel, and a channel hopping protocol for operating on the sequence of communication channels, the channel hopping protocol having a defined channel hop period, the method comprising the steps of: monitoring the reservation channel to detect an open communication slot indicated by an absence of a reservation signal on the reservation channel including the steps of: determining whether there exists an open communication slot having a duration of at least the channel hop period; and when an open communication slot having a duration of at least the channel hop period is not detected, determining whether there exists an open communication slot having a duration less than the channel hop period; establishing communications in the open communication slot on the sequence of communication channels, when an open communication slot exists; and cycling through each channel of the sequence of communication channels within a communication slot, while channel hopping at an interval equal to the channel hop period.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
199 words
A method of operating a radio communication system using variable transmission reservation, the radio communication system having a sequence of communication channels, including a reservation channel, and a channel hopping protocol for operating on the sequence of communication channels, the channel hopping protocol having a defined channel hop period, the method comprising the steps of: monitoring the reservation channel to detect an open communication slot indicated by an absence of a reservation signal on the reservation channel, including the steps of: monitoring the reservation channel for a monitor period of at least a hop cycle period to detect an open communication slot having a duration of at least the channel hop period; and when an open communication slot having a duration of at least the channel hop period is not detected within the monitor period, monitoring the reservation channel to detect an open communication slot having a duration less than the channel hop period; establishing communications in the open communication slot on the sequence of communication channels, when an-open communication slot exists; and cycling through each channel of the sequence of communication channels within a communication slot, while channel hopping at an interval equal to the channel hop period.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
199 words
A method of operating a radio communication system using variable transmission reservation, the radio communication system having a sequence of communication channels, including a reservation channel, and a channel hopping protocol for operating on the sequence of communication channels, the channel hopping protocol having a defined channel hop period, the method comprising the steps of: monitoring the reservation channel to detect an open communication slot indicated by an absence of a reservation signal on the reservation channel, including the steps of: monitoring the reservation channel for a monitor period of at least a hop cycle period to detect an open communication slot having a duration of at least the channel hop period; and when an open communication slot having a duration of at least the channel hop period is not detected within the monitor period, monitoring the reservation channel to detect an open communication slot having a duration less than the channel hop period; establishing communications in the open communication slot on the sequence of communication channels, when an-open communication slot exists; and cycling through each channel of the sequence of communication channels within a communication slot, while channel hopping at an interval equal to the channel hop period.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 7, wherein the step of reserving a communication slot, comprises the steps of: dividing the channel hop period into multiple period segments; and transmitting the reservation signal for at least one period segment when on the reservation channel.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 6, further comprising the steps of: providing a maximum data throughput rate for transmissions on the sequence of communication channels; and transmitting at a data throughput rate less than the maximum data throughput rate for transmissions on a communication slot having a duration of less than the channel hop period.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
61 words
The method of claim 6, further comprising the steps of: monitoring the reservation channel to detect whether an adjacent open communication slot exists, when on the reservation channel and operating on a communication slot having a duration of less than the channel hop period; and extending the communication slot into the adjacent communication slot when an open adjacent communication slot exists.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
184 words
A radio communication system operable over a sequence of communication channels, including a reservation channel, under a channel hopping protocol, the radio communication system having a defined channel hop period, the radio communication system comprising: a transceiver, comprising: means for monitoring the reservation channel to detect an open communication slot indicated by an absence of a reservation signal having a duration of at least the channel hop period on the reservation channel; and means for determining that an open communication slot having a duration of at least the channel hop period does not exist, and for consequently establishing communications in an open communication slot having a duration less than the channel hop period on the sequence of communication channels; means for cycling through each channel of the sequence of communication channels within the communication slot, while channel hopping at an interval equal to the channel hop period: and means for maintaining the communication slot having a slot duration less than the channel hop period for a subsequent cycle through the sequence of communication channels by transmitting a reservation signal when on the reservation channel.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
184 words
A radio communication system operable over a sequence of communication channels, including a reservation channel, under a channel hopping protocol, the radio communication system having a defined channel hop period, the radio communication system comprising: a transceiver, comprising: means for monitoring the reservation channel to detect an open communication slot indicated by an absence of a reservation signal having a duration of at least the channel hop period on the reservation channel; and means for determining that an open communication slot having a duration of at least the channel hop period does not exist, and for consequently establishing communications in an open communication slot having a duration less than the channel hop period on the sequence of communication channels; means for cycling through each channel of the sequence of communication channels within the communication slot, while channel hopping at an interval equal to the channel hop period: and means for maintaining the communication slot having a slot duration less than the channel hop period for a subsequent cycle through the sequence of communication channels by transmitting a reservation signal when on the reservation channel.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
175 words
In a radio communication system having a sequence of communication channels, including a reservation channel, and a channel hopping protocol for operating on the sequence of communication channels, the channel hopping protocol having a defined channel hop period, a transceiver, comprising: means for monitoring the reservation channel to detect an open communication slot, having a duration less than the channel hop period, indicated by an absence of a reservation signal on the reservation channel; means for establishing communications in the open communication slot on the sequence of communication channels, when an open communication slot exists; means for determining a maximum data throughput rate for transmission on the sequence of communication channels; means for transmitting at a data throughput rate less than the maximum data throughput rate for transmissions on the communication slot when the communication slot has a duration of less than the channel hop period: and means for cycling through each channel of the sequence of communication channels within the communication slot, while channel hopping at an interval equal to the channel hop period.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
175 words
In a radio communication system having a sequence of communication channels, including a reservation channel, and a channel hopping protocol for operating on the sequence of communication channels, the channel hopping protocol having a defined channel hop period, a transceiver, comprising: means for monitoring the reservation channel to detect an open communication slot, having a duration less than the channel hop period, indicated by an absence of a reservation signal on the reservation channel; means for establishing communications in the open communication slot on the sequence of communication channels, when an open communication slot exists; means for determining a maximum data throughput rate for transmission on the sequence of communication channels; means for transmitting at a data throughput rate less than the maximum data throughput rate for transmissions on the communication slot when the communication slot has a duration of less than the channel hop period: and means for cycling through each channel of the sequence of communication channels within the communication slot, while channel hopping at an interval equal to the channel hop period.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
128 words
A method of operating a radio communication system, the radio communication system having a channel hopping protocol with a defined channel hop period, the method comprising the steps of: selecting a sequence of communication channels for operation under the channel hopping protocol; selecting a reservation channel from among the sequence of communication channels; monitoring the reservation channel to detect an open communication slot indicated by an absence of a reservation signal having a duration of at least the channel hop period on the reservation channel; and establishing communications in an open communication slot having a duration less than the channel hop period on the sequence of communication channels, after determining that an open communication slot having a duration of at least the channel hop period does not exist.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
128 words
A method of operating a radio communication system, the radio communication system having a channel hopping protocol with a defined channel hop period, the method comprising the steps of: selecting a sequence of communication channels for operation under the channel hopping protocol; selecting a reservation channel from among the sequence of communication channels; monitoring the reservation channel to detect an open communication slot indicated by an absence of a reservation signal having a duration of at least the channel hop period on the reservation channel; and establishing communications in an open communication slot having a duration less than the channel hop period on the sequence of communication channels, after determining that an open communication slot having a duration of at least the channel hop period does not exist.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
80 words
The method of claim 13, further comprising the steps of: cycling through each channel of the sequence of communication channels within the communication slot, while channel hopping at an interval equal to the channel hop period; and maintaining the communication slot having a slot duration less than the channel hop period for a subsequent cycle through the sequence of communication channels by transmitting a reservation signal for a duration less than the channel hop period, when on the reservation channel.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 13, further comprising the steps of: providing a maximum data throughput rate for transmissions on the sequence of communication channels; and transmitting at a data throughput rate less than the maximum data throughput rate for transmissions on a communication slot having a duration of less than the channel hop period.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
61 words
The method of claim 13, further comprising the steps of: monitoring the reservation channel to detect whether an open adjacent communication slot exists, when on the reservation channel and operating on a communication slot having a duration of less than the channel hop period; and extending the communication slot into the adjacent communication slot when an open adjacent communication slot exists.
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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) | 1999-03-26 | 1999-09-25 | 2000-03-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-03-26 | 2003-09-25 | 2004-03-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-03-26 | 2007-09-25 | 2008-03-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |