US6014567A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Technique for balancing a communication load in a communication network
Assignee: Nokia of America Corp
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Filing: 1997-02-24
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Granted: 2000-01-11
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Expires: 2017-02-24
Abstract
Abstract In a communication network where a communication load imbalance is detected, the overburdened channels in the network are labeled congested to deter new-coming terminals from accessing such channels. In addition, messages are sent to selected terminals on the congested channels, commanding them to relocate from such channels to other uncongested channels. As a result, the load imbalance in the network is effectively reduced.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenneth Carl Budka
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 07:25
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04W; H04W72/00; H04W72/50; H04W72/52
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
113 words
A communications arrangement including a plurality of terminals and a plurality of channels, the plurality of terminals using the plurality of channels to communicate information, the communications arrangement comprising: a processor for computing an average number of terminals using a channel, and at least a difference between the average number and the number of terminals using a selected one of the plurality of channels, a load imbalance among said channels being determined based on a comparison of at least the difference with a predetermined threshold; and a controller for influencing a choice of at least one terminal to use the selected channel to communicate information when the load imbalance is determined to exist.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
113 words
A communications arrangement including a plurality of terminals and a plurality of channels, the plurality of terminals using the plurality of channels to communicate information, the communications arrangement comprising: a processor for computing an average number of terminals using a channel, and at least a difference between the average number and the number of terminals using a selected one of the plurality of channels, a load imbalance among said channels being determined based on a comparison of at least the difference with a predetermined threshold; and a controller for influencing a choice of at least one terminal to use the selected channel to communicate information when the load imbalance is determined to exist.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The arrangement of claim 1 wherein said plurality of channels form part of a communication network.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The arrangement of claim 2 wherein said network includes a Cellular Digital Packet Data (CDPD) network.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The arrangement of claim 3 wherein at least one of said channels is an Advanced Mobile Phone Service (AMPS) channels.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The arrangement of claim 1 wherein the load imbalance is determined to exist when said difference exceeds said predetermined threshold.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The arrangement of claim 1 wherein said plurality of terminals are of a selected type.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The arrangement of claim 6 wherein each of the terminals of the selected type is a relatively active transmitter and relatively inactive receiver.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The arrangement of claim 6 wherein each of the terminals of the selected type is a relatively active receiver and relatively inactive transmitter.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The arrangement of claim 6 wherein each of the terminals of the selected type is an active transmitter and receiver.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The arrangement of claim 6 wherein each of the terminals of the selected type is presently inactive.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The arrangement of claim 1 wherein said controller indicates to said at least one terminal that the selected channel is unavailable.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The arrangement of claim 1 wherein said controller communicates a request to said at least one terminal for foregoing the selected channel being used thereby.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
The arrangement of claim 1 wherein said controller communicates a request to said at least one terminal for using a different channel than the selected channel being used thereby.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
11 words
The arrangement of claim 1 wherein said processor includes said controller.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
92 words
A communication arrangement for use with a network providing a plurality of channels, the communication arrangement comprising: a plurality of terminals, said terminals being associated with ones of said channels; a processor for computing an average number of terminals associated with a channel; a monitor for determining the existence of a load imbalance in the network when the number of terminals associated with a selected one of said channels exceeds said average number by at least a threshold value; and a controller for taking an action in response to said load imbalance.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
92 words
A communication arrangement for use with a network providing a plurality of channels, the communication arrangement comprising: a plurality of terminals, said terminals being associated with ones of said channels; a processor for computing an average number of terminals associated with a channel; a monitor for determining the existence of a load imbalance in the network when the number of terminals associated with a selected one of said channels exceeds said average number by at least a threshold value; and a controller for taking an action in response to said load imbalance.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
11 words
The arrangement of claim 15 wherein said threshold value is zero.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
The arrangement of claim 15 wherein said plurality of terminals are of a selected type.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
The arrangement of claim 15 wherein said action includes labeling said selected one of said channels unavailable.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
34 words
The arrangement of claim 15 wherein said action includes communicating a request to at least one terminal currently associated with said selected one of said channels for removing the association of the terminal therefrom.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
14 words
The arrangement of claim 15 wherein said processor includes said monitor and said controller.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
110 words
A method for use in a communication network including a plurality of channels and a plurality of terminals, the plurality of terminals using the plurality of channels to communicate information, the method comprising: computing an average number of terminals using a channel, and at least a difference between the average number and the number of terminals using a selected one of the plurality of channels; determining a load imbalance among said channels based on a comparison of at least the difference with a predetermined threshold; and influencing a choice of at least one terminal to use the selected channel to communicate information when the load imbalance is determined to exist.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
110 words
A method for use in a communication network including a plurality of channels and a plurality of terminals, the plurality of terminals using the plurality of channels to communicate information, the method comprising: computing an average number of terminals using a channel, and at least a difference between the average number and the number of terminals using a selected one of the plurality of channels; determining a load imbalance among said channels based on a comparison of at least the difference with a predetermined threshold; and influencing a choice of at least one terminal to use the selected channel to communicate information when the load imbalance is determined to exist.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method of claim 21 further comprising indicating to said at least one terminal that the selected channel is unavailable.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 21 further comprising communicating a request to said at least one terminal for foregoing the selected channel being used thereby.
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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) | 2003-01-10 | 2003-07-12 | 2004-01-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-01-10 | 2007-07-12 | 2008-01-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-01-10 | 2011-07-12 | 2012-01-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |