US5523997A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Communication network with dynamic intraswitching
Assignee: CDC Propriete Intellectuelle
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Filing: 1994-06-13
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Granted: 1996-06-04
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Expires: 2014-06-13
Abstract
Abstract A communication network (10) includes a constellation of satellites (12) in orbit around the earth. Gateways (14) communicate with the satellites (12), reside on the surface of the earth, and interface the network (10) to the local PSTN (18). User units (16) communicate with satellites (12) and provide communication services to users. A gateway (14) includes a mobile switching center (22), which connects half-calls, and an earth terminal controller (20), which occasionally overrides connections defined in the mobile switching center (22). When possible, communication paths connected at the mobile switching center (22) are intraswitched at a satellite (12) rather than being routed through the mobile switching center. However, when supplementary services are requested, the communication path is reconfigured back to the mobile switching center (22) so that additional signals may be inserted into the communication path.
Inventors
- 👤 James W. Bishop, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 22:19
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M3/00; H04B; H04B7/00; H04B7/14; H04B7/15; H04B7/185; H04B7/1853; H04B7/18558; H04B7/1856; H04W; H04W40/00; H04W40/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
A method of operating a communication network, the communication network including a first network switching center and a second network switching center, comprising the steps of: determining, at said second network switching center, whether a communication path can omit said second network switching center; establishing the communication path between first and second user units through said first network switching center but not through said second network switching center, said first network switching center being in orbit around the earth; and reconfiguring, after said establishing step, said communication path through said first and second network switching centers.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
96 words
A method of operating a communication network, the communication network including a first network switching center and a second network switching center, comprising the steps of: determining, at said second network switching center, whether a communication path can omit said second network switching center; establishing the communication path between first and second user units through said first network switching center but not through said second network switching center, said first network switching center being in orbit around the earth; and reconfiguring, after said establishing step, said communication path through said first and second network switching centers.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 additionally comprising the step of conducting a call between said first and second user units during said reconfiguring step.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 additionally comprising the step of receiving at said second network switching center a signalling message from said first user unit so that said reconfiguring step occurs in response to said signalling message.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as claimed in claim 3 additionally comprising the step of routing said signalling message to said second network switching center.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as claimed in claim 4 additionally comprising the step of said second network switching center sending a reconfigure message to said first network switching center in response to said signalling message.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
105 words
A method of operating a communication network, the communication network including a first network switching center and a second network switching center, comprising the steps of: establishing a communication path between first and second user units through said first network switching center but not through said second network switching center; reconfiguring said communication path through said first and second network switching centers; and receiving at said second network switching center a signalling message from said first user unit so that said reconfiguring step occurs in response to said signalling message, wherein said signalling message conveys a request from said first user unit for supplementary services.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
105 words
A method of operating a communication network, the communication network including a first network switching center and a second network switching center, comprising the steps of: establishing a communication path between first and second user units through said first network switching center but not through said second network switching center; reconfiguring said communication path through said first and second network switching centers; and receiving at said second network switching center a signalling message from said first user unit so that said reconfiguring step occurs in response to said signalling message, wherein said signalling message conveys a request from said first user unit for supplementary services.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
124 words
A method of operating a communication network, the communication network including a first network switching center and a second network switching center, comprising the steps of: establishing a communication path between first and second user units through said first network switching center but not through said second network switching center; reconfiguring said communication path through said first and second network switching centers; and receiving at said second network switching center a signalling message from said first user unit so that said reconfiguring step occurs in response to said signalling message, wherein said first and second user units communicate with each other over said communication path; and said signalling message conveys a request from said first user unit for supplementary services over said communication path.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
124 words
A method of operating a communication network, the communication network including a first network switching center and a second network switching center, comprising the steps of: establishing a communication path between first and second user units through said first network switching center but not through said second network switching center; reconfiguring said communication path through said first and second network switching centers; and receiving at said second network switching center a signalling message from said first user unit so that said reconfiguring step occurs in response to said signalling message, wherein said first and second user units communicate with each other over said communication path; and said signalling message conveys a request from said first user unit for supplementary services over said communication path.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 additionally comprising the step of configuring a Global System for Mobile telecommunications (GSM) Mobile Switching Center (MSC) as said second network switching center.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
128 words
A method of operating a communication network, the communication network including a first network switching center and a second network switching center, comprising the steps of: establishing a communication path between first and second user units through said first network switching center but not through said second network switching center; sending data packets through said communication path, said sending step taking place at said first user unit before said reconfiguring step; detecting, at said first user unit, an instruction to implement a hold service; refraining, in response to said detecting step, from sending data packets through said communication path; sending, in response to said detecting step, a signalling message to said second network switching center; and reconfiguring said communication path through said first and second network switching centers.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
128 words
A method of operating a communication network, the communication network including a first network switching center and a second network switching center, comprising the steps of: establishing a communication path between first and second user units through said first network switching center but not through said second network switching center; sending data packets through said communication path, said sending step taking place at said first user unit before said reconfiguring step; detecting, at said first user unit, an instruction to implement a hold service; refraining, in response to said detecting step, from sending data packets through said communication path; sending, in response to said detecting step, a signalling message to said second network switching center; and reconfiguring said communication path through said first and second network switching centers.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
137 words
A method of operating a communication network, the communication network including a first network switching center and a second network switching center, comprising the steps of: establishing a communication path between first and second user units through said first network switching center but not through said second network switching center; receiving data packets from said communication path, said receiving step taking place at said first user unit before said reconfiguring step; converting said received data packets into audio signals; detecting, at said first user unit, an instruction to implement a hold service; refraining, in response to said detecting step, from converting received data packets into audio signals; and sending, in response to said detecting step, a signalling message to said second network switching center; and reconfiguring said communication path through said first and second network switching centers.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
137 words
A method of operating a communication network, the communication network including a first network switching center and a second network switching center, comprising the steps of: establishing a communication path between first and second user units through said first network switching center but not through said second network switching center; receiving data packets from said communication path, said receiving step taking place at said first user unit before said reconfiguring step; converting said received data packets into audio signals; detecting, at said first user unit, an instruction to implement a hold service; refraining, in response to said detecting step, from converting received data packets into audio signals; and sending, in response to said detecting step, a signalling message to said second network switching center; and reconfiguring said communication path through said first and second network switching centers.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
106 words
A method of operating a communication network comprising the steps of: locating a first network switching center in orbit around the earth; locating a second network switching center proximate the surface of the earth; defining a communication path between first and second user units at said second network switching center; and coupling said first and second user units to said first network switching center according to said defined communication path by intraswitching said communication path between said first and second users in said first network switching center, said communication path being routed through said first network switching center but not through said second network switching center.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
106 words
A method of operating a communication network comprising the steps of: locating a first network switching center in orbit around the earth; locating a second network switching center proximate the surface of the earth; defining a communication path between first and second user units at said second network switching center; and coupling said first and second user units to said first network switching center according to said defined communication path by intraswitching said communication path between said first and second users in said first network switching center, said communication path being routed through said first network switching center but not through said second network switching center.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as claimed in claim 11 additionally comprising the step of reconfiguring said communication path through said first and second network switching centers.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as claimed in claim 12 additionally comprising the step of conducting a call between said first and second user units during said reconfiguring step.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method as claimed in claim 12 additionally comprising the step of receiving a signalling message at said second network switching center from said first user unit so that said reconfiguring step occurs in response to said signalling message.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as claimed in claim 14 additionally comprising the step of said second network switching center sending a reconfigure message to said first network switching center in response to said signalling message.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method as claimed in claim 11 additionally comprising the step of receiving, during said intraswitching step, a signalling message at said second network switching center, said signalling message originating at said first user unit.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
145 words
A method of operating a communication network comprising the steps of: locating a first network switching center in orbit around the earth; locating a second network switching center proximate the surface of the earth; defining a communication path between first and second user units at said second network switching center; coupling said first and second user units to said first network switching center according to said defined communication path by intraswitching said communication path between said first and second users in said first network switching center, said communication path being routed through said first network switching center but not through said second network switching center; and receiving, during said intraswitching step, a signalling message at said second network switching center, said signalling message being originated at said first user unit, wherein said signalling message conveys a request from said first user unit for supplementary services.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
145 words
A method of operating a communication network comprising the steps of: locating a first network switching center in orbit around the earth; locating a second network switching center proximate the surface of the earth; defining a communication path between first and second user units at said second network switching center; coupling said first and second user units to said first network switching center according to said defined communication path by intraswitching said communication path between said first and second users in said first network switching center, said communication path being routed through said first network switching center but not through said second network switching center; and receiving, during said intraswitching step, a signalling message at said second network switching center, said signalling message being originated at said first user unit, wherein said signalling message conveys a request from said first user unit for supplementary services.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
95 words
A communication network comprising: first and second user units; a first network switching center forming at least a portion of a data communication path between said first and second user units, the first network switching center being in orbit around the earth; a second network switching center in signalling communication with said first user unit; and means, in signalling communication with said first and second network switching centers, for reconfiguring said communication path through said first and second network switching centers and for determining whether said communication path can omit said second network switching center.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
95 words
A communication network comprising: first and second user units; a first network switching center forming at least a portion of a data communication path between said first and second user units, the first network switching center being in orbit around the earth; a second network switching center in signalling communication with said first user unit; and means, in signalling communication with said first and second network switching centers, for reconfiguring said communication path through said first and second network switching centers and for determining whether said communication path can omit said second network switching center.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
37 words
A communication network as claimed in claim 18 wherein said reconfiguring means is configured to reconfigure said communication path in response to a signalling message received at said second network switching center from said first user unit.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
26 words
A communication network as claimed in claim 18 wherein said second network switching center comprises a Global System for Mobile telecommunications (GSM) Mobile Switching Center (MSC).
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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) | 1999-06-04 | 1999-12-04 | 2000-06-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-06-04 | 2003-12-04 | 2004-06-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-06-04 | 2007-12-04 | 2008-06-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |