US6011786A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Systems and methods for control channel communication in cellular radiotelephone systems
Assignee: Ericsson Inc
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Filing: 1997-06-06
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Granted: 2000-01-04
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Expires: 2017-06-06
Abstract
Abstract A first control channel associated with a first cell is communicated in the first cell using a first time/frequency window. The first control channel and a traffic channel are communicated in a second cell using the first time/frequency window. The first control channel may be communicated in the second cell when the first time/frequency window is unassigned to a traffic channel in the second cell. The first time/frequency window may be assigned to a traffic channel in the second cell, and the first control channel may be communicated in the second cell when the traffic channel to which the first time/frequency window is assigned in the second cell is idle. The traffic channel to which the first time/frequency window is assigned in the second cell may be communicated over different carrier frequency bands to thereby frequency hop the traffic channel. The second cell may be served by a base station, and a traffic channel may be communicated between the base station and a radiotelephone using the first time/frequency window at a signal power level which decreases as the distance between the base station and the radiotelephone decreases.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul Wilkinson Dent
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 03:10
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04B; H04B7/00; H04B7/24; H04B7/26; H04B7/2643; H04W; H04W72/00; H04W72/04; H04W72/044; H04B7/02; H04B7/04; H04B7/06; H04W16/00; H04W16/24; H04W72/20; H04W84/00; H04W84/02; H04W84/04; H04W84/042
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 119
Claim 1
Independent Claim
177 words
A cellular radiotelephone communications system, the system comprising: a plurality of cells for communicating with radiotelephones; and time division multiple access (TDMA) communicating means for communicating radiotelephone communications channels in a plurality of cells over a plurality of carrier frequency bands during a plurality of sequential time slots such that said plurality of carrier frequency bands and said plurality of time slots define a plurality of time/frequency windows, said TDMA communicating means including: first cell TDMA communicating means for communicating radiotelephone communications channels in a first cell, said first cell TDMA communicating means communicating a first control channel associated with said first cell using a first time/frequency window; and second cell TDMA communicating means for communicating radiotelephone communications channels in a second cell, said second cell TDMA communicating means communicating said first control channel and a traffic channel using said first time/frequency window, said second cell TDMA communicating means communicating said first control channel in said second cell using said first time/frequency window when said first time/frequency window is not used for communication of a traffic channel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
177 words
A cellular radiotelephone communications system, the system comprising: a plurality of cells for communicating with radiotelephones; and time division multiple access (TDMA) communicating means for communicating radiotelephone communications channels in a plurality of cells over a plurality of carrier frequency bands during a plurality of sequential time slots such that said plurality of carrier frequency bands and said plurality of time slots define a plurality of time/frequency windows, said TDMA communicating means including: first cell TDMA communicating means for communicating radiotelephone communications channels in a first cell, said first cell TDMA communicating means communicating a first control channel associated with said first cell using a first time/frequency window; and second cell TDMA communicating means for communicating radiotelephone communications channels in a second cell, said second cell TDMA communicating means communicating said first control channel and a traffic channel using said first time/frequency window, said second cell TDMA communicating means communicating said first control channel in said second cell using said first time/frequency window when said first time/frequency window is not used for communication of a traffic channel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein said second cell TDMA communicating means communicates said first control channel in said second cell using said first time/frequency window when said first time/frequency window is unassigned to a traffic channel in said second cell.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein said second cell TDMA communicating means communicates said first control channel in said second cell using said first time/frequency window when a traffic channel to which said first time/frequency window is assigned is idle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein said second cell TDMA communicating means communicates a traffic channel to which said first time/frequency window is assigned over different carrier frequency bands to thereby frequency hop said traffic channel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein said second cell TDMA communicating means includes a base station which communicates a traffic channel to a radiotelephone using said first time/frequency window at a signal power level which decreases as the distance between the base station and the radiotelephone decreases.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein said TDMA communicating means further comprises: third cell TDMA communicating means for communicating radiotelephone communications channels in a third cell, said third cell TDMA communicating means communicating a third control channel associated with said third cell using said first time/frequency window.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
58 words
A system according to claim 1: wherein said plurality of cells comprises a plurality of groups of sector cells, each of said groups served by a radiotelephone base station; wherein said first cell comprises a cell of a first group of sector cells; and wherein said second cell comprises a cell of a second group of sector cells.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein said second cell neighbors said first cell.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
53 words
A system according to claim 1: wherein said second cell communicating means communicates a second control channel associated with said second cell using a second time/frequency window; and wherein said first cell TDMA communicating means communicates said second control channel and a traffic channel in said first cell using said second time/frequency window.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
62 words
A system according to claim 9: wherein said first cell TDMA communicating means communicates said first control channel in said first cell over one of said carrier frequency bands during a first time slot; and wherein said second cell TDMA communicating means communicates said second control channel in said second cell over said one carrier frequency band during a second time slot.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
56 words
A system according to claim 9: wherein said first cell TDMA communicating means communicates said first control channel over a first carrier frequency band during one of the plurality of time slots; and wherein said second cell TDMA communicating means communicates said second control channel over a second carrier frequency band during said one time slot.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
94 words
A cellular radiotelephone communications system, the system comprising: a plurality of cells for communicating with radiotelephones; and adjacent cell communicating means for communicating a first control channel associated with a first cell of said plurality of cells in said first cell using a first time/frequency window and for communicating said first control channel and a traffic channel in a second cell adjacent said first cell using said first time/frequency window, said adjacent cell communicating means communicating, said first control channel when said first time/frequency window is not used for communication of a traffic channel.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
94 words
A cellular radiotelephone communications system, the system comprising: a plurality of cells for communicating with radiotelephones; and adjacent cell communicating means for communicating a first control channel associated with a first cell of said plurality of cells in said first cell using a first time/frequency window and for communicating said first control channel and a traffic channel in a second cell adjacent said first cell using said first time/frequency window, said adjacent cell communicating means communicating, said first control channel when said first time/frequency window is not used for communication of a traffic channel.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
41 words
A system according to claim 12, wherein said adjacent cell communicating means communicates said first control channel in said second cell using said first time/frequency window when said first time/frequency window is unassigned to a traffic channel in said second cell.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
46 words
A system according to claim 13, wherein said adjacent cell control channel communicating means communicates said first control channel in said second cell using said first time/frequency window when a traffic channel to which said first time/frequency window is assigned in said second cell is idle.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
40 words
A system according to claim 12, wherein said adjacent cell communicating means communicates a traffic channel to which said first time/frequency window is assigned in said second cell over different carrier frequency bands to thereby frequency hop said traffic channel.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
46 words
A system according to claim 12, wherein said adjacent cell communicating means includes a base station which communicates a traffic channel to a radiotelephone using said first time/frequency window at signal power level which decreases as the distance between the base station and the radiotelephone decreases.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
58 words
A system according to claim 12: wherein said plurality of cells comprises a plurality of groups of sector cells, each of said groups served by a radiotelephone base station; wherein said first cell comprises a cell of a first group of sector cells; and wherein said second cell comprises a cell of a second group of sector cells.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
54 words
A system according to claim 12, wherein said adjacent cell communicating means comprises means for communicating a second control channel associated with said second cell in said second cell using a second time/frequency window and for communicating said second control channel and a traffic channel in said first cell using said second time/frequency window.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
53 words
A system according to claim 18, wherein said adjacent cell communicating means communicates said first control channel in said first cell over one of said carrier frequency bands during a first time slot and communicates second control channel in said second cell over said one carrier frequency band during a second time slot.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
56 words
A system according to claim 18, wherein said adjacent cell communicating means communicates said first control channel in said first cell over a first carrier frequency band during one of the plurality of time slots and communicates said second control channel in said second cell over a second carrier frequency band during said one time slot.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
162 words
A radiotelephone for communicating in a time division multiple access (TDMA) cellular radiotelephone communications system, the radiotelephone communications system including a plurality of cells for communicating with radiotelephones using a plurality of radiotelephone communications channels communicated in the plurality of cells over a plurality of carrier frequency bands during a plurality of sequential time slots such that the plurality of carrier frequency bands and the plurality of time slots define a plurality of time/frequency windows, the radiotelephone comprising: TDMA control channel communicating means for communicating a first control channel associated with a first cell using a first time/frequency window and for communicating a second control channel associated with a second cell using a second time/frequency window, said TDMA control channel communicating means communicating said second control channel in said second time/frequency window when said second time/frequency window is not used for communication of a traffic channel; and TDMA traffic channel communicating means for communicating a traffic channel using said second time/frequency window.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
162 words
A radiotelephone for communicating in a time division multiple access (TDMA) cellular radiotelephone communications system, the radiotelephone communications system including a plurality of cells for communicating with radiotelephones using a plurality of radiotelephone communications channels communicated in the plurality of cells over a plurality of carrier frequency bands during a plurality of sequential time slots such that the plurality of carrier frequency bands and the plurality of time slots define a plurality of time/frequency windows, the radiotelephone comprising: TDMA control channel communicating means for communicating a first control channel associated with a first cell using a first time/frequency window and for communicating a second control channel associated with a second cell using a second time/frequency window, said TDMA control channel communicating means communicating said second control channel in said second time/frequency window when said second time/frequency window is not used for communication of a traffic channel; and TDMA traffic channel communicating means for communicating a traffic channel using said second time/frequency window.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
29 words
A radiotelephone according to claim 21, wherein said TDMA control channel communicating means communicates said second control channel when said second time/frequency window is unassigned to a traffic channel.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
32 words
A radiotelephone according to claim 21, wherein said TDMA control channel communicating means communicates said second control channel when a traffic channel to which said second time/frequency window is assigned is idle.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
36 words
A radiotelephone according to claim 21 wherein said TDMA traffic channel communicating means communicates a traffic channel to which said second time/frequency window is assigned over different frequency bands to thereby frequency hop said traffic channel.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
164 words
A base station for communicating with radiotelephones in a time division multiple access (TDMA) cellular radiotelephone communications system, the radiotelephone communications system including a plurality of cells for communicating with radiotelephones using a plurality of radiotelephone communications channels communicated in the plurality of cells over a plurality of carrier frequency bands during a plurality of sequential time slots such that the plurality of carrier frequency bands and the plurality of time slots define a plurality of time/frequency windows, the radiotelephone comprising: means for communicating a first control channel associated with a first cell in a first cell using a first time/frequency window; and means for communicating a traffic channel and a second control channel associated with a second cell in said first cell using a second time/frequency window, said means for communicating a traffic channel and a second control channel communicating said second control channel using said second time/frequency window when said second time/frequency window is not used for communication of a traffic channel.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
164 words
A base station for communicating with radiotelephones in a time division multiple access (TDMA) cellular radiotelephone communications system, the radiotelephone communications system including a plurality of cells for communicating with radiotelephones using a plurality of radiotelephone communications channels communicated in the plurality of cells over a plurality of carrier frequency bands during a plurality of sequential time slots such that the plurality of carrier frequency bands and the plurality of time slots define a plurality of time/frequency windows, the radiotelephone comprising: means for communicating a first control channel associated with a first cell in a first cell using a first time/frequency window; and means for communicating a traffic channel and a second control channel associated with a second cell in said first cell using a second time/frequency window, said means for communicating a traffic channel and a second control channel communicating said second control channel using said second time/frequency window when said second time/frequency window is not used for communication of a traffic channel.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
36 words
A base station according to claim 25, wherein said means for communicating a traffic channel and a second control channel communicates said second control channel when said second time/frequency window is unassigned to a traffic channel.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
39 words
A base station according to claim 25, wherein said means for communicating a traffic channel and a second control channel communicates said second control channel when a traffic channel to which said second time/frequency window is assigned is idle.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
44 words
A base station according to claim 27, wherein said means for communicating a traffic channel and a second control channel communicates a traffic channel to which said second time/frequency window is assigned over different carrier frequency bands to thereby frequency hop said traffic channel.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
45 words
A base station according to claim 27, wherein said means for communicating a traffic channel and a second control channel communicates a traffic channel to a radiotelephone at a signal power level which decreases as the distance between the base station and the radiotelephone decreases.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
141 words
A method of communicating in a time division multiple access (TDMA) radiotelephone communications system, the radiotelephone system including a plurality of cells for communicating with radiotelephones using a plurality of radiotelephone channels communicated over a plurality of carrier frequency bands during a plurality of sequential time slots such that the plurality of carrier frequency bands and the plurality of time slots define a plurality of time/frequency windows, the method comprising the steps of: communicating a first control channel associated with a first cell in the first cell using a first time/frequency window; and communicating the first control channel and a traffic channel in a second cell using the first time/frequency window, wherein the first control channel is transmitted in the second cell using the first time/frequency window when the first time/frequency window is not used for communication of a traffic channel.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
141 words
A method of communicating in a time division multiple access (TDMA) radiotelephone communications system, the radiotelephone system including a plurality of cells for communicating with radiotelephones using a plurality of radiotelephone channels communicated over a plurality of carrier frequency bands during a plurality of sequential time slots such that the plurality of carrier frequency bands and the plurality of time slots define a plurality of time/frequency windows, the method comprising the steps of: communicating a first control channel associated with a first cell in the first cell using a first time/frequency window; and communicating the first control channel and a traffic channel in a second cell using the first time/frequency window, wherein the first control channel is transmitted in the second cell using the first time/frequency window when the first time/frequency window is not used for communication of a traffic channel.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method according to claim 30, wherein said step of communicating the first control channel and a traffic channel comprises the step of communicating the first control channel in the second cell when the first time/frequency window is unassigned to a traffic channel in the second cell.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
69 words
A method according to claim 30, further comprising the step of assigning the first time/frequency window to a traffic channel in the second cell, and wherein said step of communicating the first control channel and a traffic channel comprises the step of communicating the first control channel in the second cell when the traffic channel to which the first time/frequency window is assigned in the second cell is idle.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method according to claim 32, further comprising the step of communicating the traffic channel to which the first time/frequency window is assigned in the second cell over different carrier frequency bands to thereby frequency hop the traffic channel.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
68 words
A method according to claim 30, wherein the second cell is served by a base station, and wherein said step of communicating a traffic channel and a first control channel comprises the step of communicating a traffic channel between the base station and a radiotelephone using the first time/frequency window at a signal power level which decreases as the distance between the base station and the radiotelephone decreases.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 30, further comprising the step of communicating a third control channel associated with a third cell in the third cell using the first time/frequency window.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
58 words
A method according to claim 30, wherein the plurality of cells comprises a plurality of groups of sector cells, each of the groups served by a radiotelephone base station, wherein the first cell comprises a cell of a first group of sector cells, and wherein the second cell comprises a cell of a second group of sector cells.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 30, wherein the second cell neighbors the first cell.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
53 words
A method according to claim 30, further comprising the steps of: communicating a second control channel associated with the second cell in the second cell using a second time/frequency window; and communicating a traffic channel and the second control channel and a traffic channel in the first cell using the second time/frequency window.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
82 words
A method according to claim 38: wherein said step of communicating a first control channel in the first cell comprises the step of communicating the first control channel in the first cell over one of the carrier frequency bands during a first time slot; and wherein said step of communicating a second control channel in the second cell comprises the step of communicating the second control channel in the second cell over the one carrier frequency band during a second time slot.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
84 words
A method according to claim 38: wherein said step of communicating a first control channel in the first cell comprises the step of communicating the first control channel in the first cell over a first carrier frequency band during one of the plurality of time slots; and wherein said step of communicating a second control channel in the second cell comprises the step of communicating the second control channel in the second cell over a second carrier frequency band during the one time slot.
Claim 46
Independent Claim
145 words
A method of communicating in a time division multiple access (TDMA) radiotelephone communications system, the radiotelephone system including a plurality of cells for communicating with radiotelephones using a plurality of radiotelephone channels communicated over a plurality of carrier frequency bands during a plurality of sequential time slots, the method comprising the steps of: communicating a first control channel associated with a first cell in the first cell over a first carrier frequency band during a first time slot; and communicating the first control channel in a second cell over the first carrier frequency band during the first time slot when no traffic channel is assigned to use the first carrier frequency band in the second cell during the first time slot or when a traffic channel assigned to use the first carrier frequency band in the second cell during the first time slot is idle.
Claim 47
Independent Claim
145 words
A method of communicating in a time division multiple access (TDMA) radiotelephone communications system, the radiotelephone system including a plurality of cells for communicating with radiotelephones using a plurality of radiotelephone channels communicated over a plurality of carrier frequency bands during a plurality of sequential time slots, the method comprising the steps of: communicating a first control channel associated with a first cell in the first cell over a first carrier frequency band during a first time slot; and communicating the first control channel in a second cell over the first carrier frequency band during the first time slot when no traffic channel is assigned to use the first carrier frequency band in the second cell during the first time slot or when a traffic channel assigned to use the first carrier frequency band in the second cell during the first time slot is idle.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method according to claim 41, further comprising the step of communicating a traffic channel which is assigned to use the first carrier frequency band in the second cell during the first time slot over different carrier frequency bands to thereby frequency hop the traffic channel.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
103 words
A method according to claim 42, further comprising the steps of: communicating a second control channel associated with the second cell in the second cell over a second carrier frequency band during the first time slot; and communicating the second control channel in the first cell over the second carrier frequency band during the first time slot when no traffic channel is assigned to use the second carrier frequency band in the first cell during the first time slot or when a traffic channel assigned to use the second carrier frequency band in the first cell during the first time slot is idle.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method according to claim 43, further comprising the step of communicating a traffic channel which is assigned to use the second carrier frequency band in the first cell during the first time slot over different carrier frequency bands to thereby frequency hop the traffic channel.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
105 words
A method according to claim 42, further comprising the steps of: communicating a second control channel associated with the second cell in the second cell over the first carrier frequency band during a second time slot; and communicating the second control channel in the first cell over the first carrier frequency band during the second time slot when no traffic channel is assigned to use the first carrier frequency band in the first cell during the second time slot or when a traffic channel which is assigned to use the first carrier frequency band in the first cell during the second time slot is idle.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method according to claim 45, further comprising the step of communicating a traffic channel which is assigned to use the first carrier frequency band in the first cell during the second time slot over different carrier frequency bands to thereby frequency hop the traffic channel.
Claim 53
Independent Claim
207 words
A method of communicating control channels and traffic channels in a time division multiple access (TDMA) radiotelephone communications system, the radiotelephone communications system including a plurality of cells for communicating with radiotelephones using a plurality of radiotelephone channels communicated over a plurality of carrier frequency bands during a repetitive frame divided into sequential time slots, the method comprising the steps of: communicating a first control channel associated with a first cell in the first cell over a first carrier frequency band during a first time slot of the repetitive frame; communicating a second control channel associated with a second cell in the second cell over a second carrier frequency band during a second time slot of the repetitive frame; communicating a traffic channel in the second cell over multiple carrier frequency bands including the first carrier frequency band to thereby frequency hop the traffic channel, the frequency-hopped traffic channel being communicated in the second cell over the first carrier frequency band during the first time slot; and communicating the first control channel in the second cell over the first carrier frequency band during the first time slot when the first carrier frequency band is unused for communicating traffic in the second cell during the first time slot.
Claim 54
Independent Claim
207 words
A method of communicating control channels and traffic channels in a time division multiple access (TDMA) radiotelephone communications system, the radiotelephone communications system including a plurality of cells for communicating with radiotelephones using a plurality of radiotelephone channels communicated over a plurality of carrier frequency bands during a repetitive frame divided into sequential time slots, the method comprising the steps of: communicating a first control channel associated with a first cell in the first cell over a first carrier frequency band during a first time slot of the repetitive frame; communicating a second control channel associated with a second cell in the second cell over a second carrier frequency band during a second time slot of the repetitive frame; communicating a traffic channel in the second cell over multiple carrier frequency bands including the first carrier frequency band to thereby frequency hop the traffic channel, the frequency-hopped traffic channel being communicated in the second cell over the first carrier frequency band during the first time slot; and communicating the first control channel in the second cell over the first carrier frequency band during the first time slot when the first carrier frequency band is unused for communicating traffic in the second cell during the first time slot.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
97 words
A method according to claim 47, wherein said step of communicating the first control channel in the second cell over the first carrier frequency band during the first time slot when the first carrier frequency band is unused for communicating traffic during the first time slot comprises the step of communicating the first control channel in the second cell over the first carrier frequency band during the first time slot during a pause in speech activity in a traffic channel assigned to use the first carrier frequency band in the second cell during the first time slot.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
143 words
A method according to claim 47: wherein said step of communicating a traffic channel in the second cell comprises the step of communicating a data packet over a traffic channel assigned to the first carrier frequency band and the first time slot between a radiotelephone and base station serving the second cell; and wherein said step of communicating the first control channel in the second cell over the first carrier frequency band during the first time slot when the first carrier frequency band is unused for communicating traffic during the first time slot comprises the step of communicating the first control channel in the second cell over the first carrier frequency band during the first time slot when no data packet is pending for communication between the base station and the radiotelephone over the first carrier frequency band during the first time slot.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
61 words
A method according to claim 47, further comprising the step of communicating a second traffic channel in the first cell over multiple carrier frequency bands including the second carrier frequency band to thereby frequency hop the second traffic channel, the frequency-hopped second traffic channel being communicated in the first cell over the second carrier frequency band during the second time slot.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
51 words
A method according to claim 50, further comprising the step of communicating the second control channel in the first cell over the second carrier frequency band during the second time slot when the second carrier frequency band is unused for communicating traffic in the first cell during the second time slot.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method according to claim 47, further comprising the step of communicating a third control channel associated with a third cell in the third cell over the first carrier frequency band during the first time slot of the repetitive frame.
Claim 60
Independent Claim
207 words
A method of communicating control channels and traffic channels in a time division multiple access (TDMA) radiotelephone communications system, the radiotelephone communications system including a plurality of cells for communicating with radiotelephones using a plurality of radiotelephone channels communicated over a plurality of carrier frequency bands during a repetitive frame divided into sequential time slots, the method comprising the steps of: communicating a first control channel associated with a first cell in the first cell over a first carrier frequency band during a first time slot of the repetitive frame; communicating a second control channel associated with a second cell in the second cell over the first carrier frequency band during a second time slot of the repetitive frame; communicating a traffic channel in the second cell over multiple carrier frequency bands including the first carrier frequency band to thereby frequency hop the traffic channel, the frequency-hopped traffic channel being communicated in the second cell over the first carrier frequency band during the first time slot; and communicating the first control channel in the second cell over the first carrier frequency band during the first time slot when the first carrier frequency band is unused for communicating traffic in the second cell during the first time slot.
Claim 61
Independent Claim
207 words
A method of communicating control channels and traffic channels in a time division multiple access (TDMA) radiotelephone communications system, the radiotelephone communications system including a plurality of cells for communicating with radiotelephones using a plurality of radiotelephone channels communicated over a plurality of carrier frequency bands during a repetitive frame divided into sequential time slots, the method comprising the steps of: communicating a first control channel associated with a first cell in the first cell over a first carrier frequency band during a first time slot of the repetitive frame; communicating a second control channel associated with a second cell in the second cell over the first carrier frequency band during a second time slot of the repetitive frame; communicating a traffic channel in the second cell over multiple carrier frequency bands including the first carrier frequency band to thereby frequency hop the traffic channel, the frequency-hopped traffic channel being communicated in the second cell over the first carrier frequency band during the first time slot; and communicating the first control channel in the second cell over the first carrier frequency band during the first time slot when the first carrier frequency band is unused for communicating traffic in the second cell during the first time slot.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
93 words
A method according to claim 53, wherein said step of communicating the first control channel in the second cell over the first carrier frequency band during the first time slot when the first carrier frequency band is unused for communicating traffic during the first time slot comprises the step of communicating the first control channel in the second cell over the first carrier frequency band during the first time slot during a pause in speech activity in a traffic channel assigned to use the first carrier frequency band during the first time slot.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
144 words
A method according to claim 53: wherein said step of communicating a traffic channel in the second cell comprises the step of communicating a data packet over a traffic channel assigned to the first carrier frequency band and the first time slot between a radiotelephone and a base station serving the second cell; and wherein said step of communicating the first control channel in the second cell over the first carrier frequency band during the first time slot when the first carrier frequency band is unused for communicating traffic during the first time slot comprises the step of communicating the first control channel in the second cell over the first carrier frequency band during the first time slot when no data packet is pending for communication between the base station and the radiotelephone over the first carrier frequency band during the first time slot.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
61 words
A method according to claim 53, further comprising the step of communicating a second traffic channel in the first cell over multiple carrier frequency bands including the first carrier frequency band to thereby frequency hop the second traffic channel, the frequency-hopped second traffic channel being communicated in the first cell over the first carrier frequency band during the second time slot.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
51 words
A method according to claim 56, further comprising the step of communicating the second control channel in the first cell over the first carrier frequency band during the second time slot when the first carrier frequency band is unused for communicating traffic in the first cell during the second time slot.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method according to claim 53, further comprising the steps of communicating a third control channel associated with a third cell in the third cell over the first carrier frequency band during the first time slot of the repetitive frame.
Claim 67
Independent Claim
203 words
A method of communicating control channels and traffic channels in a time division multiple access (TDMA) radiotelephone communications system, the radiotelephone communications system including a plurality of cells for communicating with radiotelephones using a plurality of radiotelephone channels communicated over a plurality of carrier frequency bands during a repetitive frame divided into sequential time slots, the method comprising the steps of: communicating a first control channel associated with a first cell in the first cell over a first carrier frequency band during a first time slot of the repetitive frame; communicating a second control channel associated with a second cell in the second cell over a second carrier frequency band during the first time slot of the repetitive frame; communicating a traffic channel in the second cell over multiple carrier frequency bands including the first carrier frequency band to thereby frequency hop the traffic channel, the frequency-hopped traffic channel being communicated in the second cell over the first carrier frequency band during the first time slot; and communicating the first control channel in the second cell over the first carrier frequency band during the first time slot when the first carrier frequency band is unused for communicating traffic during the first time slot.
Claim 68
Independent Claim
203 words
A method of communicating control channels and traffic channels in a time division multiple access (TDMA) radiotelephone communications system, the radiotelephone communications system including a plurality of cells for communicating with radiotelephones using a plurality of radiotelephone channels communicated over a plurality of carrier frequency bands during a repetitive frame divided into sequential time slots, the method comprising the steps of: communicating a first control channel associated with a first cell in the first cell over a first carrier frequency band during a first time slot of the repetitive frame; communicating a second control channel associated with a second cell in the second cell over a second carrier frequency band during the first time slot of the repetitive frame; communicating a traffic channel in the second cell over multiple carrier frequency bands including the first carrier frequency band to thereby frequency hop the traffic channel, the frequency-hopped traffic channel being communicated in the second cell over the first carrier frequency band during the first time slot; and communicating the first control channel in the second cell over the first carrier frequency band during the first time slot when the first carrier frequency band is unused for communicating traffic during the first time slot.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
97 words
A method according to claim 59, wherein said step of communicating the first control channel in the second cell over the first carrier frequency band during the first time slot when the first carrier frequency band is unused for communicating traffic during the first time slot comprises the step of communicating the first control channel in the second cell over the first carrier frequency band during the first time slot during a pause in speech activity in a traffic channel assigned to use the first carrier frequency band in the second cell during the first time slot.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
144 words
A method according to claim 59: wherein said step of communicating a traffic channel in the second cell comprises the step of communicating a data packet over a traffic channel assigned to the first carrier frequency band and the first time slot between a radiotelephone and a base station serving the second cell; and wherein said step of communicating the first control channel in the second cell over the first carrier frequency band during the first time slot when the first carrier frequency band is unused for communicating traffic during the first time slot comprises the step of communicating the first control channel in the second cell over the first carrier frequency band during the first time slot when no data packet is pending for communication between the base station and the radiotelephone over the first carrier frequency band during the first time slot.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
58 words
A method according to claim 59, further comprising the step of communicating a traffic channel in the first cell over multiple carrier frequency bands including the second carrier frequency band to thereby frequency hop the traffic channel, the frequency-hopped traffic channel being communicated in the first cell over the second carrier frequency band during the first time slot.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
51 words
A method according to claim 62, further comprising the step of communicating the second control channel in the first cell over the second carrier frequency band during the first time slot when the second carrier frequency band is unused for communicating traffic in the first cell during the first time slot.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method according to claim 59, further comprising the step of communicating a third control channel associated with a third cell in the third cell over the first carrier frequency band during the first time slot of the repetitive frame.
Claim 74
Independent Claim
177 words
A method for communicating broadcast control channel information to mobile stations in a time division multiple access cellular communications system divided into a plurality of geographical cells, the method comprising the steps of: allocating a first time slot in a repetitive TDMA frame period for communicating broadcast control information for mobile stations in a first cell using a first radio channel frequency; allocating a second time slot in said repetitive TDMA frame period for communicating broadcast control information for mobile stations in a second cell using a second radio channel frequency; allocating said first time slot in said repetitive TDMA frame period for communicating speech or data traffic information for a mobile station in said second cell using frequency hopping within a set of hop frequencies including said first radio channel frequency; and when said first radio channel frequency is temporarily unused for traffic transmission in said second cell in said first time slot, transmitting the same broadcast control information as transmitted in said first cell during said first time slot on said first radio channel frequency.
Claim 75
Independent Claim
177 words
A method for communicating broadcast control channel information to mobile stations in a time division multiple access cellular communications system divided into a plurality of geographical cells, the method comprising the steps of: allocating a first time slot in a repetitive TDMA frame period for communicating broadcast control information for mobile stations in a first cell using a first radio channel frequency; allocating a second time slot in said repetitive TDMA frame period for communicating broadcast control information for mobile stations in a second cell using a second radio channel frequency; allocating said first time slot in said repetitive TDMA frame period for communicating speech or data traffic information for a mobile station in said second cell using frequency hopping within a set of hop frequencies including said first radio channel frequency; and when said first radio channel frequency is temporarily unused for traffic transmission in said second cell in said first time slot, transmitting the same broadcast control information as transmitted in said first cell during said first time slot on said first radio channel frequency.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 65, further comprising the step of: allocating said second time slot in said repetitive TDMA frame period for communicating traffic channel information for a mobile station in said first cell using frequency hopping within a set of hop frequencies including said second radio channel frequency.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 66, further comprising the step of: whenever said second radio channel frequency is temporarily unused for traffic transmission in said first cell during said second time slot, transmitting the same broadcast control information as transmitted in said second cell during said second time slot using said second radio channel frequency.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
82 words
The method of claim 65, further comprising the steps of: allocating a third time slot in said repetitive TDMA frame period for communicating broadcast control information for mobile stations in a third cell using a third radio channel frequency; and allocating said first time slot in said repetitive TDMA frame period for communicating traffic channel information for a mobile station in said third cell using frequency hopping within a set of hop frequencies including said first and said second radio channel frequencies.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 65, wherein said first time slot is not used for traffic transmission during pauses in speech activity in the direction of transmission cellular system to mobile station.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 65, wherein said first time slot is not used for traffic transmission when no data packet is waiting for transmission in the direction of transmission cellular system to mobile station.
Claim 81
Independent Claim
176 words
A method for communicating broadcast control channel information to mobile stations in a time division multiple access cellular communications system divided into a plurality of geographical cells, the method comprising the steps of: allocating a first time slot in a repetitive TDMA frame period for communicating broadcast control information for mobile stations in a first cell using a first radio channel frequency; allocating a second time slot in said repetitive TDMA frame period for communicating broadcast control information for mobile stations in a second cell using said first radio channel frequency; allocating said first time slot in said repetitive TDMA frame period for communicating speech or data traffic information for a mobile station in said second cell using frequency hopping within a set of hop frequencies including said first radio channel frequency; and when said first radio channel frequency is temporarily unused for traffic transmission in said second cell during said time slot, transmitting the same broadcast control information as transmitted in said first cell during said first time slot using said first radio channel frequency.
Claim 82
Independent Claim
176 words
A method for communicating broadcast control channel information to mobile stations in a time division multiple access cellular communications system divided into a plurality of geographical cells, the method comprising the steps of: allocating a first time slot in a repetitive TDMA frame period for communicating broadcast control information for mobile stations in a first cell using a first radio channel frequency; allocating a second time slot in said repetitive TDMA frame period for communicating broadcast control information for mobile stations in a second cell using said first radio channel frequency; allocating said first time slot in said repetitive TDMA frame period for communicating speech or data traffic information for a mobile station in said second cell using frequency hopping within a set of hop frequencies including said first radio channel frequency; and when said first radio channel frequency is temporarily unused for traffic transmission in said second cell during said time slot, transmitting the same broadcast control information as transmitted in said first cell during said first time slot using said first radio channel frequency.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 71, further comprising the step of: allocating said second time slot in said repetitive TDMA frame period for communicating traffic channel information for a mobile station in said first cell using frequency hopping within a set of hop frequencies including said first radio channel frequency.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 72, further comprising the step of: whenever said first radio channel frequency is temporarily unused for traffic transmission in said first cell during said second time slot, transmitting the same broadcast control information as transmitted in said second cell during said second time slot using said first radio channel frequency.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
79 words
The method of claim 71, further comprising the steps of: allocating a third time slot in said repetitive TDMA frame period for communicating broadcast control information for mobile stations in a third cell using said first radio channel frequency; and allocating said first time slot in said repetitive TDMA frame period for communicating traffic channel information for a mobile station in said third cell using frequency hopping within a set of hop frequencies including said first radio channel frequency.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 74, further comprising the step of: allocating said second time slot in said repetitive TDMA frame period for communicating traffic channel information for another mobile station in said third cell using frequency hopping within a set of hop frequencies including said first radio channel frequency.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 71, wherein said first time slot is not used for traffic transmission during pauses in speech activity in the direction of transmission cellular system to mobile station.
Claim 88
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 71, wherein said first time slot is not used for traffic transmission when no data packet is waiting for transmission in the direction of transmission cellular system to mobile station.
Claim 89
Independent Claim
177 words
A method for communicating broadcast control channel information to mobile stations in a time division multiple access cellular communications system divided into a plurality of geographical cells, the method comprising the steps of: allocating a first time slot in a repetitive TDMA frame period for communicating broadcast control information for mobile stations in a first cell using a first radio channel frequency; allocating said first time slot in said repetitive TDMA frame period for communicating broadcast control information for mobile stations in a second cell using a second radio channel frequency; allocating said first time slot in said repetitive TDMA frame period for communicating speech or data traffic information for a mobile station in said second cell using frequency hopping within a set of hop frequencies including said first radio channel frequency; and when said first radio channel frequency is temporarily unused for traffic transmission in said second cell during said first time slot, transmitting the same broadcast control information as transmitted in said first cell during said first time slot using said first radio channel frequency.
Claim 90
Independent Claim
177 words
A method for communicating broadcast control channel information to mobile stations in a time division multiple access cellular communications system divided into a plurality of geographical cells, the method comprising the steps of: allocating a first time slot in a repetitive TDMA frame period for communicating broadcast control information for mobile stations in a first cell using a first radio channel frequency; allocating said first time slot in said repetitive TDMA frame period for communicating broadcast control information for mobile stations in a second cell using a second radio channel frequency; allocating said first time slot in said repetitive TDMA frame period for communicating speech or data traffic information for a mobile station in said second cell using frequency hopping within a set of hop frequencies including said first radio channel frequency; and when said first radio channel frequency is temporarily unused for traffic transmission in said second cell during said first time slot, transmitting the same broadcast control information as transmitted in said first cell during said first time slot using said first radio channel frequency.
Claim 91
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 78, further comprising the step of: allocating said first time slot in said repetitive TDMA frame period for communicating traffic channel information for a mobile station in said first cell using frequency hopping within a set of hop frequencies including said second radio channel frequency.
Claim 92
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 79, further comprising the step of: whenever said second radio channel frequency is temporarily unused for traffic transmission in said first cell during said first time slot, transmitting the same broadcast control information as transmitted in said second cell during said first time slot using said second radio channel frequency.
Claim 93
Dependent Claim
82 words
The method of claim 78, further comprising the steps of: allocating said first time slot in said repetitive TDMA frame period for communicating broadcast control information for mobile stations in a third cell using a third radio channel frequency; and allocating said second time slot in said repetitive TDMA frame period for communicating traffic channel information for a mobile station in said third cell using frequency hopping within a set of hop frequencies including said first and said second radio channel frequencies.
Claim 94
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 81, further comprising the step of: allocating said second time slot in said repetitive TDMA frame period for communicating traffic channel information for a mobile station in said first cell using frequency hopping with a set of hop frequencies including said first and said third radio channel frequencies.
Claim 95
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 78, wherein said first time slot is not used for traffic transmission occur during pauses in speech activity in the direction of transmission cellular system to mobile station.
Claim 96
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 78, wherein said first time slot is not used for traffic transmission occur when no data packet is waiting for transmission in the direction of transmission cellular system to mobile station.
Claim 97
Independent Claim
185 words
A method for receiving service request control messages or call acknowledgement control messages from mobile stations in a time division multiple access cellular communications system divided into a plurality of geographical cells, the method comprising the steps of: allocating a first time slot in a repetitive TDMA frame period for receiving said control messages from mobile stations in a first cell using a first radio channel frequency; allocating a second time slot in said repetitive TDMA frame period for receiving said control messages from mobile stations in a second cell using a second radio channel frequency; allocating said first time slot in said repetitive TDMA frame period for receiving speech or data traffic from a mobile station in said second cell using frequency hopping within a set of hop frequencies including said first radio channel frequency; and when said first radio channel frequency is temporarily unused for receiving traffic in said second cell during said first time slot attempting instead to receive said control messages transmitted by a mobile station in said first cell during said first time slot on said first radio channel frequency.
Claim 98
Independent Claim
185 words
A method for receiving service request control messages or call acknowledgement control messages from mobile stations in a time division multiple access cellular communications system divided into a plurality of geographical cells, the method comprising the steps of: allocating a first time slot in a repetitive TDMA frame period for receiving said control messages from mobile stations in a first cell using a first radio channel frequency; allocating a second time slot in said repetitive TDMA frame period for receiving said control messages from mobile stations in a second cell using a second radio channel frequency; allocating said first time slot in said repetitive TDMA frame period for receiving speech or data traffic from a mobile station in said second cell using frequency hopping within a set of hop frequencies including said first radio channel frequency; and when said first radio channel frequency is temporarily unused for receiving traffic in said second cell during said first time slot attempting instead to receive said control messages transmitted by a mobile station in said first cell during said first time slot on said first radio channel frequency.
Claim 99
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 85, further comprising the step of: allocating said second time slot in said repetitive TDMA frame period for receiving speech or data traffic from a mobile station in said first cell using frequency hopping with a set of hop frequencies including said second radio channel frequency.
Claim 100
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method of claim 86, further comprising the step of: whenever said second radio channel frequency is temporarily unused for receiving traffic in said first cell during said second time slot, attempting instead to receive during said second time slot using said second frequency one of said control messages transmitted from a mobile station in said second cell.
Claim 101
Dependent Claim
72 words
The method of claim 85, further comprising the steps of: allocating a third time slot in said repetitive TDMA frame period for receiving said control messages from mobile stations in a third cell using a third radio channel frequency; and allocating said first time slot in said repetitive TDMA frame period for receiving speech or data traffic from a mobile of hop frequencies including said first and said second radio channel frequencies.
Claim 102
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 85, wherein said first time slot is not used for traffic transmission during pauses in speech activity in the direction of transmission mobile station to cellular system.
Claim 103
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 85, wherein said first time slot is not used for traffic transmission when no data packet is waiting for transmission in the direction of transmission mobile station to cellular system.
Claim 104
Independent Claim
186 words
A method for receiving service request control messages or call acknowledgement control messages from mobile stations in a time division multiple access cellular communications system divided into a plurality of geographical cells, the method comprising the steps of: allocating a first time slot in a repetitive TDMA frame period for receiving said control messages from mobile stations in a first cell using a first radio channel frequency; allocating a second time slot in said repetitive TDMA frame period for receiving said control messages from mobile stations in a second cell using said first radio channel frequency; allocating said first time slot in said repetitive TDMA frame period for receiving speech or data traffic from a mobile station in said second cell using frequency hopping within a set of bop frequencies including said first radio channel frequency; and when said first radio channel frequency is temporarily unused for traffic reception in said second cell during said first time slot, attempting to receive one of said control messages transmitted by a mobile station in said first cell during said first time slot using said first radio channel frequency.
Claim 105
Independent Claim
186 words
A method for receiving service request control messages or call acknowledgement control messages from mobile stations in a time division multiple access cellular communications system divided into a plurality of geographical cells, the method comprising the steps of: allocating a first time slot in a repetitive TDMA frame period for receiving said control messages from mobile stations in a first cell using a first radio channel frequency; allocating a second time slot in said repetitive TDMA frame period for receiving said control messages from mobile stations in a second cell using said first radio channel frequency; allocating said first time slot in said repetitive TDMA frame period for receiving speech or data traffic from a mobile station in said second cell using frequency hopping within a set of bop frequencies including said first radio channel frequency; and when said first radio channel frequency is temporarily unused for traffic reception in said second cell during said first time slot, attempting to receive one of said control messages transmitted by a mobile station in said first cell during said first time slot using said first radio channel frequency.
Claim 106
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 91, further comprising the step of: allocating said second time slot in said repetitive TDMA frame period or receiving said control messages from mobile stations in said first cell using frequency hopping within a set of hop frequencies including said first radio channel frequency.
Claim 107
Dependent Claim
59 words
The method of claim 92, further comprising the step of: whenever said first radio channel frequency is temporarily unused for traffic reception in said first cell during said second time slot, attempting to receive one of said control messages transmitted from a mobile station in said second cell during said second time slot using said first radio channel frequency.
Claim 108
Dependent Claim
80 words
The method of claim 91, further comprising the steps of: allocating a third time slot in said repetitive TDMA frame period for receiving said control messages from mobile stations in a third cell using said first radio channel frequency; and allocating said first time slot in said repetitive TDMA frame period for receiving speech or data traffic from a mobile station in said third cell using frequency hopping within a set of hop frequencies including said first radio channel frequency.
Claim 109
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 94, further comprising the step of: allocating said second time slot in said repetitive TDMA frame period for receiving speech or data traffic from a mobile station in said third cell using frequency hopping within a set of hop frequencies including said first radio channel frequency.
Claim 110
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 91, wherein said first time slot is not used for traffic reception during pauses in speech activity in the direction of transmission mobile station to cellular system.
Claim 111
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 91, wherein said first time slot is not used for traffic reception when no data packet is waiting for transmission in the direction of transmission mobile station to cellular system.
Claim 112
Independent Claim
183 words
A method for receiving service request control messages or call acknowledgement control messages from mobile stations in a time division multiple access cellular communications system divided into a plurality of geographical cells, the method comprising the steps of: allocating a first time slot in a repetitive TDMA frame period for receiving said control messages from mobile stations in a first cell using a first radio channel frequency; allocating said first time slot in said repetitive TDMA frame period for receiving said control messages from mobile stations in a second cell using a second radio channel frequency; allocating said first time slot in said repetitive TDMA frame period for receiving speech or data traffic information from a mobile station in said second cell using frequency hopping within a set of hop frequencies including said first radio channel frequency; and when said first radio channel frequency is temporarily unused for traffic reception in said second cell, attempting to receive instead one of said control messages transmitted from a mobile station in said first cell during said first time slot using said first radio channel frequency.
Claim 113
Independent Claim
183 words
A method for receiving service request control messages or call acknowledgement control messages from mobile stations in a time division multiple access cellular communications system divided into a plurality of geographical cells, the method comprising the steps of: allocating a first time slot in a repetitive TDMA frame period for receiving said control messages from mobile stations in a first cell using a first radio channel frequency; allocating said first time slot in said repetitive TDMA frame period for receiving said control messages from mobile stations in a second cell using a second radio channel frequency; allocating said first time slot in said repetitive TDMA frame period for receiving speech or data traffic information from a mobile station in said second cell using frequency hopping within a set of hop frequencies including said first radio channel frequency; and when said first radio channel frequency is temporarily unused for traffic reception in said second cell, attempting to receive instead one of said control messages transmitted from a mobile station in said first cell during said first time slot using said first radio channel frequency.
Claim 114
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 98, further comprising the step of: allocating said first time slot in said repetitive TDMA frame period for receiving speech or data traffic from a mobile station in said first cell using frequency hopping within a set of hop frequencies including said second radio channel frequency.
Claim 115
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 99, further comprising the step of: whenever said second radio channel frequency is temporarily unused for traffic reception in said first cell, attempting instead to receive one of said control messages transmitted by a mobile station in said second cell during said first time slot using said second radio channel frequency.
Claim 116
Dependent Claim
83 words
The method of claim 98, further comprising the steps of: allocating said first time slot in said repetitive TDMA frame period for receiving said control messages from mobile stations in a third cell using a third radio channel frequency; and allocating said second time slot in said repetitive TDMA frame period for receiving speech or data traffic from a mobile station in said third cell using frequency hopping within a set of hop frequencies including said first and said second radio channel frequencies.
Claim 117
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 101, further comprising the step of: allocating said second time slot in said repetitive TDMA frame period for receiving speech or data traffic channel from a mobile station in said first cell using frequency hopping within a set of hop frequencies including said first and second third radio channel frequencies.
Claim 118
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 98, wherein said first time slot is not used for traffic reception during pauses in speech activity in the direction of transmission mobile station to cellular system.
Claim 119
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 98, wherein said first time slot is not used for traffic reception when no data packet is waiting for transmission in the direction of transmission mobile station to cellular system.
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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) | 2003-01-03 | 2003-07-05 | 2004-01-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-01-03 | 2007-07-05 | 2008-01-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-01-03 | 2011-07-05 | 2012-01-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |