US5732360A
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US
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Mobile telecommunication device and method used for changing wireless communication between base stations of different kinds
Assignee: AT and T WIRELESS SERVICES AND ATMEL CORP
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Filing: 1995-09-08
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Granted: 1998-03-24
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Expires: 2015-09-08
Abstract
Abstract A remote unit has the ability to switch automatically from a public network to a non-public network comprising of private and residential base stations. In the preferred embodiment, the public network is characterized by cells with each cell having a unique identification signal. Initially, a first switchover from a public network to a non-public network requires the user to manually cause the switchover. The remote unit stores the first identification signal transmitted by the base station from which the remote unit traversed into the region covered by the non-public base station. In addition, the remote unit stores the identification signal associated with a cell of the public network previous to the current cell if the switchover occurred less than two (2) minutes from the exit of the previous cell. In this manner, the remote unit can adaptively learn as it traverses other possible paths from other cells into the region covered by the non-public base station.
Inventors
- 👤 Keith Jarett
- 👤 Roland E. Williams
- 👤 Michael A. Raffel
- 👤 Roderick Nelson
- 👤 Tony S. Lee
- 👤 Masud Kibria
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 18:37
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04W; H04W48/00; H04W48/18; H04W8/00; H04W8/18; H04W8/183; H04W84/00; H04W84/02; H04W84/10; H04W84/105; H04W88/00; H04W88/02; H04W88/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 34
Claim 1
Independent Claim
263 words
A mobile telecommunicating device for communicating wirelessly with a plurality of base stations of a first kind, in a first communication protocol, and for communicating wirelessly with at least a base station of a second kind, in a second communication protocol, wherein each of said plurality of base stations of said first kind and said base station of said second kind transmits and receives wireless signals to and from a respective region, with a region of one base station of said first kind overlapping a region of said base station of said second kind, and wherein each of said plurality of base stations of said first kind transmits a distinctive identification signal, said device comprising: means for receiving each of said distinctive identification signal in said first protocol, from each of said plurality of base stations of said first kind, as said mobile telecommunication device travels through the respective regions of said plurality of base stations of said first kind; means for storing a first distinctive identification signal transmitted by said one base station of said first kind and for storing a previous distinctive identification signal, said previous distinctive identification signal being a distinctive identification signal received by said device within a predetermined time prior to a current distinctive identification signal received, said current distinctive identification signal received being a distinctive identification signal currently received by said device; and means for comparing said distinctive identification signal received by said device to previously stored distinctive identification signals and to attempt to initiate communication in said second communication protocol in the event of a match.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
263 words
A mobile telecommunicating device for communicating wirelessly with a plurality of base stations of a first kind, in a first communication protocol, and for communicating wirelessly with at least a base station of a second kind, in a second communication protocol, wherein each of said plurality of base stations of said first kind and said base station of said second kind transmits and receives wireless signals to and from a respective region, with a region of one base station of said first kind overlapping a region of said base station of said second kind, and wherein each of said plurality of base stations of said first kind transmits a distinctive identification signal, said device comprising: means for receiving each of said distinctive identification signal in said first protocol, from each of said plurality of base stations of said first kind, as said mobile telecommunication device travels through the respective regions of said plurality of base stations of said first kind; means for storing a first distinctive identification signal transmitted by said one base station of said first kind and for storing a previous distinctive identification signal, said previous distinctive identification signal being a distinctive identification signal received by said device within a predetermined time prior to a current distinctive identification signal received, said current distinctive identification signal received being a distinctive identification signal currently received by said device; and means for comparing said distinctive identification signal received by said device to previously stored distinctive identification signals and to attempt to initiate communication in said second communication protocol in the event of a match.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
The device of claim 1 further comprising: timing means for measuring a predetermined period of time; and wherein said storing means purges said previous distinctive identification signal in the event said device does not receive said current distinctive identification signal within a time period at least equal to said predetermined period of time.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
99 words
The device of claim 2 wherein said storing means further stores a second distinctive identification signal, said second distinctive identification signal transmitted by a base station of said first kind, whose associated region overlaps said region of said one base station of said first kind, and wherein said comparing means further comprising: means for comparing said current distinctive identification signal to said first distinctive identification signal, and for comparing said previous distinctive identification signal to said second distinctive identification signal, and in the event of a match in either comparison, attempt to initiate communication in said second communication protocol.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said first communication protocol is in a first frequency.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said second communication protocol is in a second frequency, different from said first frequency.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said plurality of base stations of said first kind comprise a public carrier communication network.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 6 wherein said base station of said second kind comprises a non-public communication network.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said region of said base station of said second kind, overlapping with a plurality of regions of base stations of said first kind.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
44 words
The device of claim 8 wherein said storing means further stores a second distinctive identification signal, said second distinctive identification signal transmitted by another base station of said first kind, whose associated region overlaps said region of said base station of said second kind.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
The device of claim 9 wherein said comparing means further compares said distinctive identification signal received by said device to said second distinctive identification signal stored and to attempt to initiate communication with said base station of said second kind in the event of a match.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
279 words
A method of changing wireless communication between a mobile unit and a first base station of a plurality of base stations of first kind, in a first communication protocol, and between said mobile unit and a base station of a second kind in a second communication protocol, wherein each of said plurality of base stations of said first kind and said base station of said second kind transmits and receives wireless signals to and from a respective region, with said region of said first base station of said first kind overlapping said region of said base station of said second kind, and wherein each of said plurality of base stations of said first kind transmits a distinctive identification signal, said method comprising: storing by said mobile unit, through user activation, a first distinctive identification signal transmitted by said first base station of said first kind; receiving by said mobile unit each of said distinctive identification signal in said first communication protocol, from each of said plurality of base stations of said first kind, as said mobile unit travels through the respective regions of said plurality of base stations of said first kind; storing, by said mobile unit, a previous distinctive identification signal, said previous distinctive identification signal being a distinctive identification signal received by said mobile unit within a predetermined time prior to a current distinctive identification signal received, said current distinctive identification signal being a distinctive identification signal currently received by said mobile unit; and comparing said distinctive identification signal received by said mobile unit to previously stored distinctive identification signals and to attempt to initiate communication in said second communication protocol in the event of a match.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
279 words
A method of changing wireless communication between a mobile unit and a first base station of a plurality of base stations of first kind, in a first communication protocol, and between said mobile unit and a base station of a second kind in a second communication protocol, wherein each of said plurality of base stations of said first kind and said base station of said second kind transmits and receives wireless signals to and from a respective region, with said region of said first base station of said first kind overlapping said region of said base station of said second kind, and wherein each of said plurality of base stations of said first kind transmits a distinctive identification signal, said method comprising: storing by said mobile unit, through user activation, a first distinctive identification signal transmitted by said first base station of said first kind; receiving by said mobile unit each of said distinctive identification signal in said first communication protocol, from each of said plurality of base stations of said first kind, as said mobile unit travels through the respective regions of said plurality of base stations of said first kind; storing, by said mobile unit, a previous distinctive identification signal, said previous distinctive identification signal being a distinctive identification signal received by said mobile unit within a predetermined time prior to a current distinctive identification signal received, said current distinctive identification signal being a distinctive identification signal currently received by said mobile unit; and comparing said distinctive identification signal received by said mobile unit to previously stored distinctive identification signals and to attempt to initiate communication in said second communication protocol in the event of a match.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 11 further comprising: measuring a predetermined period of time; and purging said previous distinctive identification signal in the event said mobile unit does not receive said current distinctive identification signal within at least a time period equal to said predetermined period of time.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
95 words
The method of claim 12 further comprising: storing a second distinctive identification signal, said second distinctive identification signal transmitted by a base station of said first kind, whose associated region overlaps said region of said first base station of said first kind; comparing said current distinctive identification signal to said first distinctive identification signal, and in the event of a match; comparing said previous distinctive identification signal to said second distinctive identification signal; and attempting to initiate communication in said second communication protocol, in the event of a match in either of said comparing steps.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said first communication protocol is in a first frequency.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said second communication protocol is in a second frequency, different from said first frequency.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said plurality of base stations of said first kind comprise a public carrier communication network.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said base station of said second kind comprises a non-public communication network.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said region of said base station of said second kind, overlapping with a plurality of regions of base stations of said first kind.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 18 wherein said storing step further stores a second distinctive identification signal, said second distinctive identification signal transmitted by a second base station of said first kind, whose associated region overlaps said region of said base station of said second kind.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 19 wherein said comparing step further compares said distinctive identification signal received by said mobile unit to said second distinctive identification signal stored and to attempt to initiate communication with said base station of said second kind in the event of a match.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 20 further comprising the step of ranking said stored first and second distinctive identification signals based upon frequency of occurrence.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 20 further comprising the step of ranking said stored first and second distinctive identification signals based upon more recent occurrence.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 22 further comprising the step of determining a predetermined period of time; and purging a distinctive identification signal stored in said mobile unit in the event of absence of a match within said predetermined period of time.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
163 words
A method of operating a portable communication device for switching communication between said device and two wireless networks, each of said networks transmitting a characteristic signal, said method comprising, monitoring characteristic signals transmitted by one of said two wireless networks; storing characteristic signals of said one network, when a user activates switching in communication from said one network to another of said two wireless networks; communicating wirelessly with said one network, while monitoring characteristic signals thereof; storing a previous distinctive identification signal, said previous distinctive identification signal being a distinctive identification signal monitored by said portable communication device within a predetermined time prior to a current distinctive identification signal being monitored, said current distinctive identification signal received being a distinctive identification signal currently received by said device comparing said characteristic signals monitored while communicating with said one network with previously stored characteristic signals, and attempting to initiate communication automatically with said another network in the event of a match in said comparing step.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
163 words
A method of operating a portable communication device for switching communication between said device and two wireless networks, each of said networks transmitting a characteristic signal, said method comprising, monitoring characteristic signals transmitted by one of said two wireless networks; storing characteristic signals of said one network, when a user activates switching in communication from said one network to another of said two wireless networks; communicating wirelessly with said one network, while monitoring characteristic signals thereof; storing a previous distinctive identification signal, said previous distinctive identification signal being a distinctive identification signal monitored by said portable communication device within a predetermined time prior to a current distinctive identification signal being monitored, said current distinctive identification signal received being a distinctive identification signal currently received by said device comparing said characteristic signals monitored while communicating with said one network with previously stored characteristic signals, and attempting to initiate communication automatically with said another network in the event of a match in said comparing step.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 24 further comprising: measuring a predetermined period of time; and purging said previous distinctive identification signal in the event said portable communication device does not receive said current distinctive identification signal within a time period at least equal to said predetermined period of time.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 24 wherein communication with said first wireless network is in a first frequency.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 26 wherein communication with said second wireless network is in a second frequency, different from said first frequency.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 24 wherein said first wireless network is a public carrier communication network comprising a plurality of base stations each base station communicating within a cell.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 28 wherein a plurality of cells of said first wireless network overlap said region of said second wireless network.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 29 wherein each of said plurality of base stations of said first wireless network transmits a distinctive identification signal, with said characteristic signals being said distinctive identification signals.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 24 wherein said second wireless network is a non-public communication network comprising a base station communicating within a region.
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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) | 2001-03-23 | 2001-09-22 | 2002-03-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-03-23 | 2005-09-22 | 2006-03-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-03-23 | 2009-09-22 | 2010-03-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |