US5666649A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Communications system having variable system performance capability
Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson AB
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Filing: 1994-09-01
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Granted: 1997-09-09
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Expires: 2014-09-01
Abstract
Abstract System performance in a mobile communications system is improved by detecting whether the mobile unit has a particular capability, and adjusting operation of the base station to improve system performance in response to detection that the mobile unit has the particular capability. The capability may be radio reception with lower signal to interference (C/I) requirements. In this case, system performance may be improved by adjusting base station transmitter power to a reduced power range in response to detection that the mobile unit has the particular capability, thereby creating less interference to mobiles that require a higher C/I, and increasing system capacity. Detection may include receiving a signal from the mobile unit, wherein the signal is encoded to indicate whether the mobile station has the particular capability. Alternatively, the signal may be a signal that is encoded to identify from which one of a plurality of mobile units the identifying signal was received. In this instance, the base station uses the identifying signal to retrieve a capability-indicating code from a database, which may be located in the subscriber's home exchange. In another aspect of the invention, a lower of two billing rates is selected for billing a mobile unit in response to detection that the mobile unit has the particular capability. This passes along system savings to the subscriber, and creates an incentive for the subscriber to purchase the usually more expensive mobile unit that has the particular capability.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul W. Dent
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 23:59
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04W; H04W52/00; H04W52/04; H04W52/18; H04W52/28; H04W52/283; H04M; H04M15/00; H04M15/10; H04M15/12; H04W4/00; H04W4/24; H04W8/00; H04W8/22; H04M2215/00; H04M2215/20; H04M2215/2026; H04M2215/22; H04M2215/32; H04W72/00; H04W72/50; H04W72/54; H04W8/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
80 words
In a cellular communications system including a base station and a mobile unit, a method for operating the base station, comprising the steps of: detecting whether the mobile unit has a particular capability to receive signals at a lower signal-to-interference ratio; and adjusting operation of the base station to improve system performance in response to detection that the mobile unit has the particular capability, wherein improving system performance includes reducing consumption of spectral resources consumed in the cellular communications system.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
80 words
In a cellular communications system including a base station and a mobile unit, a method for operating the base station, comprising the steps of: detecting whether the mobile unit has a particular capability to receive signals at a lower signal-to-interference ratio; and adjusting operation of the base station to improve system performance in response to detection that the mobile unit has the particular capability, wherein improving system performance includes reducing consumption of spectral resources consumed in the cellular communications system.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the step of detecting comprises: receiving a signal from the mobile unit, wherein the signal is encoded to indicate whether the mobile station has the particular capability.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the step of detecting comprises: receiving an identifying signal from the mobile unit, wherein the identifying signal is encoded to identify from which one of a plurality of mobile units the identifying signal was received; and using the identifying signal to retrieve a capability-indicating code from a database.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the particular capability to receive signals at the lower signal-to-interference ratio is due to the mobile unit utilizing diversity receiving techniques.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
97 words
In a cellular communications system including a base station and a mobile unit, a method for operating the base station, comprising the steps of: detecting whether the mobile unit has a particular capability to receive signals at a lower signal-to-interference ratio; and adjusting operation of the base station to improve system performance in response to detection that the mobile unit has the particular capability, wherein: the step of adjusting operation of the base station comprises adjusting base station transmitter power to a reduced power range in response to detection that the mobile unit has the particular capability.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
97 words
In a cellular communications system including a base station and a mobile unit, a method for operating the base station, comprising the steps of: detecting whether the mobile unit has a particular capability to receive signals at a lower signal-to-interference ratio; and adjusting operation of the base station to improve system performance in response to detection that the mobile unit has the particular capability, wherein: the step of adjusting operation of the base station comprises adjusting base station transmitter power to a reduced power range in response to detection that the mobile unit has the particular capability.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
145 words
In a cellular communications system including a base station and a mobile unit, a method for operating the base station, comprising the steps of: detecting whether the mobile unit has a particular capability to receive signals at a lower signal-to-interference ratio; and adjusting operation of the base station to improve system performance in response to detection that the mobile unit has the particular capability, wherein: the base station includes a plurality of assignable frequencies, each assignable frequency being characterized by a re-use parameter that indicates re-use proximity of a nearest other base station that also includes the assignable frequency; and the step of adjusting operation of the base station comprises assigning, for use by the mobile unit, a selected one of the assignable frequencies that has a re-use parameter that indicates closer re-use proximity than a re-use proximity of another one of the assignable frequencies.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
145 words
In a cellular communications system including a base station and a mobile unit, a method for operating the base station, comprising the steps of: detecting whether the mobile unit has a particular capability to receive signals at a lower signal-to-interference ratio; and adjusting operation of the base station to improve system performance in response to detection that the mobile unit has the particular capability, wherein: the base station includes a plurality of assignable frequencies, each assignable frequency being characterized by a re-use parameter that indicates re-use proximity of a nearest other base station that also includes the assignable frequency; and the step of adjusting operation of the base station comprises assigning, for use by the mobile unit, a selected one of the assignable frequencies that has a re-use parameter that indicates closer re-use proximity than a re-use proximity of another one of the assignable frequencies.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
115 words
In a cellular communications system including a base station and a mobile unit, a method for operating the base station, comprising the steps of: detecting whether the mobile unit has a particular capability to receive signals at a lower signal-to-interference ratio; and adjusting operation of the base station to improve system performance in response to detection that the mobile unit has the particular capability, wherein the step of adjusting operation of the base station comprises selecting, in response to detection that the mobile unit has the particular capability, a lower of two billing rates, and using the selected billing rate for governing automatic accumulation of charges for a call by or to the mobile unit.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
115 words
In a cellular communications system including a base station and a mobile unit, a method for operating the base station, comprising the steps of: detecting whether the mobile unit has a particular capability to receive signals at a lower signal-to-interference ratio; and adjusting operation of the base station to improve system performance in response to detection that the mobile unit has the particular capability, wherein the step of adjusting operation of the base station comprises selecting, in response to detection that the mobile unit has the particular capability, a lower of two billing rates, and using the selected billing rate for governing automatic accumulation of charges for a call by or to the mobile unit.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
83 words
In a cellular communications system including a base station and a mobile unit, an apparatus for controlling operation of the base station, comprising: means for detecting whether the mobile unit has a particular capability to receive signals at a lower signal-to-interference ratio; and means for adjusting operation of the base station to improve system performance in response to detection that the mobile unit has the particular capability, wherein improving system performance includes reducing consumption of spectral resources consumed in the cellular communications system.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
83 words
In a cellular communications system including a base station and a mobile unit, an apparatus for controlling operation of the base station, comprising: means for detecting whether the mobile unit has a particular capability to receive signals at a lower signal-to-interference ratio; and means for adjusting operation of the base station to improve system performance in response to detection that the mobile unit has the particular capability, wherein improving system performance includes reducing consumption of spectral resources consumed in the cellular communications system.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the detecting means comprises: means for receiving a signal from the mobile unit, wherein the signal is encoded to indicate whether the mobile station has the particular capability.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
56 words
The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the detecting means comprises: means for receiving an identifying signal from the mobile unit, wherein the identifying signal is encoded to identify from which one of a plurality of mobile units the identifying signal was received; means for using the identifying signal to retrieve a capability-indicating code from a database.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the particular capability to receive signals at the lower signal-to-interference ratio is due to the mobile unit utilizing diversity receiving techniques.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
102 words
In a cellular communications system including a base station and a mobile unit, an apparatus for controlling operation of the base station, comprising: means for detecting whether the mobile unit has a particular capability to receive signals at a lower signal-to-interference ratio; and means for adjusting operation of the base station to improve system performance in response to detection that the mobile unit has the particular capability, wherein: the means for adjusting operation of the base station comprises means for adjusting base station transmitter power to a reduced power range in response to detection that the mobile unit has the particular capability.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
102 words
In a cellular communications system including a base station and a mobile unit, an apparatus for controlling operation of the base station, comprising: means for detecting whether the mobile unit has a particular capability to receive signals at a lower signal-to-interference ratio; and means for adjusting operation of the base station to improve system performance in response to detection that the mobile unit has the particular capability, wherein: the means for adjusting operation of the base station comprises means for adjusting base station transmitter power to a reduced power range in response to detection that the mobile unit has the particular capability.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
104 words
In a cellular communications system including a base station and a mobile unit, an apparatus for controlling operation of the base station, comprising: means for detecting whether the mobile unit has a particular capability to receive signals at a lower signal-to-interference ratio; and means for adjusting operation of the base station to improve system performance in response to detection that the mobile unit has the particular capability, wherein the means for adjusting operation of the base station comprises means for selecting a lower of two billing rates for billing the mobile unit in response to detection that the mobile unit has the particular capability.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
104 words
In a cellular communications system including a base station and a mobile unit, an apparatus for controlling operation of the base station, comprising: means for detecting whether the mobile unit has a particular capability to receive signals at a lower signal-to-interference ratio; and means for adjusting operation of the base station to improve system performance in response to detection that the mobile unit has the particular capability, wherein the means for adjusting operation of the base station comprises means for selecting a lower of two billing rates for billing the mobile unit in response to detection that the mobile unit has the particular capability.
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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) | 2000-09-08 | 2001-03-10 | 2001-09-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-09-08 | 2005-03-10 | 2005-09-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-09-08 | 2009-03-10 | 2009-09-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |