US5966658A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Automated selection of a communication path
Assignee: IRON OAKS TECHNOLOGIES LLC
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Filing: 1996-09-26
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Granted: 1999-10-12
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Expires: 2016-09-26
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus (32, 42) is provided for automatically selecting one of a plurality of alternate communication paths (16). The apparatus (32, 42) includes a database (74, 94) which stores information for at least one communication attribute relating to the plurality of alternate communication paths (16). A processor (72, 92) is coupled to the database (74, 94). The processor (72, 92) can automatically select one of the alternate communication paths (16) using the information for the communication attribute in response to a request for communication.
Inventors
- 👤 William C. Kennedy, III
- 👤 Kenneth R. Westerlage
- 👤 Dale E. Beasley
- 👤 James L. Gerstner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 15:08
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04W; H04W40/00; H04W40/02; H04W40/20; H04W88/00; H04W88/02; H04W4/00; H04W4/06; H04W88/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 63
Claim 1
Independent Claim
85 words
An apparatus for automatically selecting one of a plurality of communication paths, the apparatus comprising: a memory operable to store a plurality of ordered lists of communication paths, each ordered list associated with one of a plurality of communication attributes, each communication attribute representing a separate priority for communication; and a processor operable to receive a request for communication, the request indicating a communication attribute, the processor further operable to automatically select a communication path from an ordered list associated with the indicated communication attribute.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
85 words
An apparatus for automatically selecting one of a plurality of communication paths, the apparatus comprising: a memory operable to store a plurality of ordered lists of communication paths, each ordered list associated with one of a plurality of communication attributes, each communication attribute representing a separate priority for communication; and a processor operable to receive a request for communication, the request indicating a communication attribute, the processor further operable to automatically select a communication path from an ordered list associated with the indicated communication attribute.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an input device operable to receive the request for communication from a user.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a first ordered list associated with a communication attribute representing a higher priority for communication includes more communication paths than a second ordered list associated with a communication attribute representing a lower priority for communication.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processor selects a first available communication path from the ordered list associated with the indicated communication attribute.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a positioning device coupled to the processor and operable to determine a position fix, wherein the processor is further operable to automatically select a communication path in response to the position fix.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the positioning device is a GPS receiver.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus of claim 5, wherein: each ordered list is associated with one of a plurality of geographic regions; and the processor relates the position fix to a geographic region and automatically selects a communication path from an ordered list associated with the communication attribute and the geographic region.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
71 words
A method for automatically selecting one of a plurality of communication paths, the method comprising: storing a plurality of ordered lists of communication paths, each ordered list associated with one of a plurality of communication attributes, each communication attribute representing a separate priority for communication; receiving a request for communication, the request indicating a communication attribute; and selecting a communication path from an ordered list associated with the indicated communication attribute.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
71 words
A method for automatically selecting one of a plurality of communication paths, the method comprising: storing a plurality of ordered lists of communication paths, each ordered list associated with one of a plurality of communication attributes, each communication attribute representing a separate priority for communication; receiving a request for communication, the request indicating a communication attribute; and selecting a communication path from an ordered list associated with the indicated communication attribute.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 8, further comprising: associating each ordered list with one of a plurality of geographic regions; determining a position fix; relating the position fix to a geographic region; and selecting a communication path from an ordered list associated with the communication attribute and the geographic region.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 8, wherein receiving a request for communication further comprises receiving a request for communication from an input device operated by a user.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 8, wherein selecting a communication path from an ordered list further comprises selecting a first available communication path from the ordered list.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 8, further comprising: determining a position fix; and selecting a communication path from an ordered list using the position fix.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 12, wherein determining a position fix further comprises using a GPS receiver to determine a position fix.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
87 words
An apparatus for automatically selecting one of a plurality of communication paths, the apparatus comprising: a memory operable to store a plurality of scores, each score associated with one of a plurality of communication paths and a communication attribute; and a processor operable to receive a request for communication, the request indicating a communication attribute, the processor further operable to retrieve a score for each communication path using the indicated communication attribute, the processor further operable to automatically select a communication path based on the retrieved scores.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
87 words
An apparatus for automatically selecting one of a plurality of communication paths, the apparatus comprising: a memory operable to store a plurality of scores, each score associated with one of a plurality of communication paths and a communication attribute; and a processor operable to receive a request for communication, the request indicating a communication attribute, the processor further operable to retrieve a score for each communication path using the indicated communication attribute, the processor further operable to automatically select a communication path based on the retrieved scores.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising an input device operable to receive the request for communication from a user.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 14, wherein: the indicated communication attribute is necessary for communication; and the processor selects a communication path that is able to provide the indicated communication attribute.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the communication attribute relates to a transmission delay or a propagation delay of a communication path.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the communication attribute relates to the reliability of a communication path or an ability of a communication path to provide a confirmation of a successful communication.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the communication attribute relates to a capability of a communication path to communicate voice signals or a capability of a communication path to communicate data.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
10 words
The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the scores are numeric.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a positioning device coupled to the processor and operable to determine a position fix, wherein the processor is further operable to use the position fix to determine that each communication path is available prior to retrieving a score for each communication path.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the positioning device is a GPS receiver.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the processor determines that each communication path is available if the position fix is located within a coverage region associated with each communication path.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
68 words
A method for automatically selecting one of a plurality of communication paths, the method comprising: storing a plurality of scores, each score associated with one of a plurality of communication paths and a communication attribute; receiving a request for communication, the request indicating a communication attribute; retrieving a score for each communication path using the indicated communication attribute; and selecting a communication path based on the retrieved scores.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
68 words
A method for automatically selecting one of a plurality of communication paths, the method comprising: storing a plurality of scores, each score associated with one of a plurality of communication paths and a communication attribute; receiving a request for communication, the request indicating a communication attribute; retrieving a score for each communication path using the indicated communication attribute; and selecting a communication path based on the retrieved scores.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 24, further comprising: storing a coverage region associated with each communication path; determining a position fix; and determining that each communication path is available if the position fix is located within a coverage region associated with each communication path.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 24, wherein receiving a request for communication further comprises receiving a request for communication from an input device operated by a user.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 24, wherein: the indicated communication attribute is necessary for communication; and selecting a communication path further comprises selecting a communication path that is able to provide the indicated communication attribute.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 24, wherein the communication attribute relates to a transmission delay or a propagation delay of a communication path.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 24, wherein the communication attribute relates to the reliability of a communication path or an ability of a communication path to provide a confirmation of successful communication.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 24, wherein the communication attribute relates to a capability of a communication path to communicate voice signals or a capability of a communication path to communicate data.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 24, wherein the plurality of scores are numeric.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 24, further comprising determining that each communication path is available prior to retrieving a score for each communication path.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 32, further comprising: determining a position fix; and determining that each communication path is available using the position fix.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 33, wherein determining a position fix further comprises using a GPS receiver to determine a position fix.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
112 words
An apparatus for automatically selecting one of a plurality of communication paths, the apparatus comprising: a memory operable to store a plurality of scores, each score associated with one of a plurality of communication paths and one of a plurality of communication attributes; and a processor operable to receive a request for communication, the request indicating a first communication attribute and a second communication attribute, the processor further operable to determine a total score for each communication path using a first score associated with the first communication attribute and a second score associated with the second communication attribute, the processor further operable to select a communication path based on the total scores.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
112 words
An apparatus for automatically selecting one of a plurality of communication paths, the apparatus comprising: a memory operable to store a plurality of scores, each score associated with one of a plurality of communication paths and one of a plurality of communication attributes; and a processor operable to receive a request for communication, the request indicating a first communication attribute and a second communication attribute, the processor further operable to determine a total score for each communication path using a first score associated with the first communication attribute and a second score associated with the second communication attribute, the processor further operable to select a communication path based on the total scores.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 35, further comprising an input device operable to receive the request for communication from a user.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 35, wherein: the first communication attribute is necessary; and the processor selects a communication path that is able to provide the first communication attribute.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the first communication attribute relates to a transmission delay or a propagation delay of a communication path.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the first communication attribute relates to the reliability of a communication path or an ability of a communication path to provide a confirmation for a receipt of a communication.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the first communication attribute relates to a capability of a communication path to deliver voice signals or an ability of a communication path to carry data.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 35, wherein: the first score and the second score are numeric; and the processor determines the total score by summing the first score and the second score.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the processor retrieves the first score, retrieves the second score, and determines the total score using the retrieved first score and the retrieved second score.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus of claim 35, further comprising a positioning device coupled to the processor and operable to determine a position fix, wherein the processor is further operable to use the position fix to determine whether each communication path is available.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 43, wherein the positioning device is a GPS receiver.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 43, wherein the processor determines that each communication path is available if the position fix is located within a coverage region associated with each communication path.
Claim 51
Independent Claim
95 words
A method for automatically selecting one of a plurality of communication paths, the method comprising: storing a plurality of scores, each score associated with one of a plurality of communication paths and one of a plurality of communication attributes; receiving a request for communication, the request indicating a first communication attribute and a second communication attribute; determining a total score for each communication path by using a first score associated with the first communication attribute and a second score associated with the second communication attribute; and selecting a communication path based on the total scores.
Claim 52
Independent Claim
95 words
A method for automatically selecting one of a plurality of communication paths, the method comprising: storing a plurality of scores, each score associated with one of a plurality of communication paths and one of a plurality of communication attributes; receiving a request for communication, the request indicating a first communication attribute and a second communication attribute; determining a total score for each communication path by using a first score associated with the first communication attribute and a second score associated with the second communication attribute; and selecting a communication path based on the total scores.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 46, further comprising: storing a coverage region associated with each communication path; determining a position fix; and determining that each communication path is available if the position fix is located within a coverage region associated with each communication path.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 46, wherein receiving a request for communication further comprises receiving a request for communication from an input device operated by a user.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 46, wherein: the first communication attribute is necessary for communication; and selecting a communication path further comprises selecting a communication path that is able to provide the first communication attribute.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 46, wherein the first communication attribute relates to a transmission delay or a propagation delay of a communication path.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 46, wherein the first communication attribute relates to the reliability of a communication path or an ability of a communication path to provide a confirmation of successful communication.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 46, wherein the first communication attribute relates to a capability of a communication path to deliver voice signals or an ability of a communication path to carry data.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 46, wherein the scores are numeric and determining a total score further comprises summing the first score and the second score.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 46, wherein the scores are numeric and determining a total score further comprises: retrieving the first score; retrieving the second score; and determining the total score by summing the retrieved first score and the retrieved second score.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 46, further comprising determining that each communication path is available prior to determining a total score.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 55, further comprising: determining a position fix; and determining that each communication path is available using the position fix.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 56, wherein determining a position fix further comprises using a GPS receiver to determine a position fix.
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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) | 2002-10-11 | 2003-04-12 | 2003-10-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-10-11 | 2007-04-12 | 2007-10-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-10-11 | 2011-04-12 | 2011-10-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |