US6018655A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Imminent change warning
Assignee: Canon Inc
•
Filing: 1997-11-19
•
Granted: 2000-01-25
•
Expires: 2017-11-19
Abstract
Abstract A cellular telephone, in its most preferred embodiment, performs a method for notifying a digital cellular telephone user of an imminent communication disconnection. The preferred method includes, at least, generating at least one condition indication representative of at least one communication condition, analyzing the condition indication, determining whether a communication disconnection is imminent, enhancing quality of received communication signals when possible, and notifying the user of an imminent communication disconnection. Exemplary condition indications include, at least, continuous count and rate indications of frame checksum errors, insufficient quality frames, symbol errors, and chip errors, output power level indication, received signal strength indication, soft handoff status indication, other pilot signal indication, and current pilot signal strength indication. One exemplary analysis technique of determining when a communication disconnection is imminent includes evaluating whether any of a set of condition indications violates a predefined threshold indication, while other exemplary analysis techniques include evaluating whether fixed or historically adaptive combinations of condition indications violate run predefined thresholds, and evaluating combinations of condition indications weighted according to the degree of threshold violation. The process further uses a memory flag in a delayed redundant comparison before enabling a warning, examples of which include visual, sensory, and audible notification methods, including adding generated noise to the received audio signal. Alternate methods of the invention include notifying a user of an imminent inter-system handoff or an imminent change in communication mode.
Inventors
- 👤 Alden S. Bartle
- 👤 George D. Erickson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 02:52
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04W; H04W76/00; H04W76/30; H04W36/00; H04W36/24; H04W36/30; H04W36/302; H04W24/00; H04W36/14; H04W84/00; H04W84/02; H04W84/04; H04W84/042; H04W88/00; H04W88/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 43
Claim 1
Independent Claim
93 words
A method of notifying a cellular telephone user during cellular communication of an imminent communication disconnection, said method comprising the steps of: generating a condition indication representative of a communication condition, including generating a communication error condition, including generating a transmitter output power level indication; analyzing the condition indication to determine whether a communication disconnection is imminent, including determining whether the transmitter output power level indication is greater than a predefined high power threshold level; and notifying the user that a communication disconnection is imminent responsive to determining a communication disconnection is imminent.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
93 words
A method of notifying a cellular telephone user during cellular communication of an imminent communication disconnection, said method comprising the steps of: generating a condition indication representative of a communication condition, including generating a communication error condition, including generating a transmitter output power level indication; analyzing the condition indication to determine whether a communication disconnection is imminent, including determining whether the transmitter output power level indication is greater than a predefined high power threshold level; and notifying the user that a communication disconnection is imminent responsive to determining a communication disconnection is imminent.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the analyzing step includes determining whether the transmitter output power level indication is less than a predefined low power threshold level.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the generating a condition indication step includes generating a received signal strength indication, and wherein the analyzing step includes determining whether the received signal strength indication is less than a predefined low received signal strength indication.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the notifying step includes the steps of generating an audible noise sound, and adding the noise to received audio signals.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the notifying step includes generating an audible sound.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the notifying step includes generating a visual warning indication.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the notifying step includes activating a vibration device.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of enhancing received communication signal quality responsive to determining a communication disconnection is imminent.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 8, wherein the enhancing step includes allocating power to additional cellular telephone receiver components.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
138 words
A method of notifying a cellular telephone user during cellular communication of an imminent communication disconnection, said method comprising the steps of: generating a condition indication representative of a communication condition, wherein the generating a condition indication step includes, at least, the steps of evaluating current frame validity, including, at least, the steps of calculating a current frame checksum, and comparing the calculated frame checksum to a predefined frame checksum, generating a frame checksum error responsive to the calculated frame checksum differing from the predefined frame checksum, and generating a count of continuous frame checksum errors indication; analyzing the condition indication to determine whether a communication disconnection is imminent; continually repeating the generating and analyzing steps during a telephone call; and notifying the user that a communication disconnection is imminent responsive to determining a communication disconnection is imminent.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
138 words
A method of notifying a cellular telephone user during cellular communication of an imminent communication disconnection, said method comprising the steps of: generating a condition indication representative of a communication condition, wherein the generating a condition indication step includes, at least, the steps of evaluating current frame validity, including, at least, the steps of calculating a current frame checksum, and comparing the calculated frame checksum to a predefined frame checksum, generating a frame checksum error responsive to the calculated frame checksum differing from the predefined frame checksum, and generating a count of continuous frame checksum errors indication; analyzing the condition indication to determine whether a communication disconnection is imminent; continually repeating the generating and analyzing steps during a telephone call; and notifying the user that a communication disconnection is imminent responsive to determining a communication disconnection is imminent.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
137 words
A method of notifying a cellular telephone user during cellular communication of an imminent communication disconnection, said method comprising the steps of: generating a condition indication representative of a communication condition, wherein the generating a condition indication step includes, at least, the steps of evaluating current frame validity, including, at least, the steps of calculating a current frame checksum, and comparing the calculated frame checksum to a predefined frame checksum, generating a frame checksum error responsive to the calculated frame checksum differing from the predefined frame checksum, and generating a rate of frame checksum errors indication; analyzing the condition indication to determine whether a communication disconnection is imminent; continually repeating the generating and analyzing steps during a telephone call; and notifying the user that a communication disconnection is imminent responsive to determining a communication disconnection is imminent.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
137 words
A method of notifying a cellular telephone user during cellular communication of an imminent communication disconnection, said method comprising the steps of: generating a condition indication representative of a communication condition, wherein the generating a condition indication step includes, at least, the steps of evaluating current frame validity, including, at least, the steps of calculating a current frame checksum, and comparing the calculated frame checksum to a predefined frame checksum, generating a frame checksum error responsive to the calculated frame checksum differing from the predefined frame checksum, and generating a rate of frame checksum errors indication; analyzing the condition indication to determine whether a communication disconnection is imminent; continually repeating the generating and analyzing steps during a telephone call; and notifying the user that a communication disconnection is imminent responsive to determining a communication disconnection is imminent.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
127 words
A method of notifying a cellular telephone user during cellular communication of an imminent communication disconnection, said method comprising the steps of: generating a condition indication representative of a communication condition, wherein the generating a condition indication step includes, at least, the steps of evaluating current frame quality to determine whether the current frame is of insufficient quality, generating a current insufficient quality frame error responsive to determining the current frame is of insufficient quality, and generating a count of continuous insufficient quality frame errors indication; analyzing the condition indication to determine whether a communication disconnection is imminent; continually repeating the generating and analyzing steps during a telephone call; and notifying the user that a communication disconnection is imminent responsive to determining a communication disconnection is imminent.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
127 words
A method of notifying a cellular telephone user during cellular communication of an imminent communication disconnection, said method comprising the steps of: generating a condition indication representative of a communication condition, wherein the generating a condition indication step includes, at least, the steps of evaluating current frame quality to determine whether the current frame is of insufficient quality, generating a current insufficient quality frame error responsive to determining the current frame is of insufficient quality, and generating a count of continuous insufficient quality frame errors indication; analyzing the condition indication to determine whether a communication disconnection is imminent; continually repeating the generating and analyzing steps during a telephone call; and notifying the user that a communication disconnection is imminent responsive to determining a communication disconnection is imminent.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
126 words
A method of notifying a cellular telephone user during cellular communication of an imminent communication disconnection, said method comprising the steps of: generating a condition indication representative of a communication condition, wherein the generating a condition indication step includes, at least, the steps of evaluating current frame quality to determine whether the current frame is of insufficient quality, generating a current insufficient quality frame error responsive to determining the current frame is of insufficient quality, and generating a rate of insufficient quality frame errors indication; analyzing the condition indication to determine whether a communication disconnection is imminent; continually repeating the generating and analyzing steps during a telephone call; and notifying the user that a communication disconnection is imminent responsive to determining a communication disconnection is imminent.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
126 words
A method of notifying a cellular telephone user during cellular communication of an imminent communication disconnection, said method comprising the steps of: generating a condition indication representative of a communication condition, wherein the generating a condition indication step includes, at least, the steps of evaluating current frame quality to determine whether the current frame is of insufficient quality, generating a current insufficient quality frame error responsive to determining the current frame is of insufficient quality, and generating a rate of insufficient quality frame errors indication; analyzing the condition indication to determine whether a communication disconnection is imminent; continually repeating the generating and analyzing steps during a telephone call; and notifying the user that a communication disconnection is imminent responsive to determining a communication disconnection is imminent.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
127 words
A method of notifying a cellular telephone user during cellular communication of an imminent communication disconnection, said method comprising the steps of: generating a condition indication representative of a communication condition, wherein the generating a condition indication step includes, at least, the steps of evaluating current symbol quality to determine whether the current symbol is of insufficient quality, generating a current insufficient quality symbol error responsive to determining the current symbol is of insufficient quality, and generating a count of continuous insufficient quality symbol errors indication; analyzing the condition indication to determine whether a communication disconnection is imminent; continually repeating the generating and analyzing steps during a telephone call; and notifying the user that a communication disconnection is imminent responsive to determining a communication disconnection is imminent.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
127 words
A method of notifying a cellular telephone user during cellular communication of an imminent communication disconnection, said method comprising the steps of: generating a condition indication representative of a communication condition, wherein the generating a condition indication step includes, at least, the steps of evaluating current symbol quality to determine whether the current symbol is of insufficient quality, generating a current insufficient quality symbol error responsive to determining the current symbol is of insufficient quality, and generating a count of continuous insufficient quality symbol errors indication; analyzing the condition indication to determine whether a communication disconnection is imminent; continually repeating the generating and analyzing steps during a telephone call; and notifying the user that a communication disconnection is imminent responsive to determining a communication disconnection is imminent.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
126 words
A method of notifying a cellular telephone user during cellular communication of an imminent communication disconnection, said method comprising the steps of: generating a condition indication representative of a communication condition, wherein the generating a condition indication step includes, at least, the steps of evaluating current symbol quality to determine whether the current symbol is of insufficient quality, generating a current insufficient quality symbol error responsive to determining the current symbol is of insufficient quality, and generating a rate of insufficient quality symbol errors indication; analyzing the condition indication to determine whether a communication disconnection is imminent; continually repeating the generating and analyzing steps during a telephone call; and notifying the user that a communication disconnection is imminent responsive to determining a communication disconnection is imminent.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
126 words
A method of notifying a cellular telephone user during cellular communication of an imminent communication disconnection, said method comprising the steps of: generating a condition indication representative of a communication condition, wherein the generating a condition indication step includes, at least, the steps of evaluating current symbol quality to determine whether the current symbol is of insufficient quality, generating a current insufficient quality symbol error responsive to determining the current symbol is of insufficient quality, and generating a rate of insufficient quality symbol errors indication; analyzing the condition indication to determine whether a communication disconnection is imminent; continually repeating the generating and analyzing steps during a telephone call; and notifying the user that a communication disconnection is imminent responsive to determining a communication disconnection is imminent.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
127 words
A method of notifying a cellular telephone user during cellular communication of an imminent communication disconnection, said method comprising the steps of: generating a condition indication representative of a communication condition, wherein the generating a condition indication step includes, at least, the steps of evaluating current chip quality to determine whether the current chip is of insufficient quality, generating a current insufficient quality chip error responsive to determining the current chip is of insufficient quality, and generating a count of continuous insufficient quality chip errors indication; analyzing the condition indication to determine whether a communication disconnection is imminent; continually repeating the generating and analyzing steps during a telephone call; and notifying the user that a communication disconnection is imminent responsive to determining a communication disconnection is imminent.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
127 words
A method of notifying a cellular telephone user during cellular communication of an imminent communication disconnection, said method comprising the steps of: generating a condition indication representative of a communication condition, wherein the generating a condition indication step includes, at least, the steps of evaluating current chip quality to determine whether the current chip is of insufficient quality, generating a current insufficient quality chip error responsive to determining the current chip is of insufficient quality, and generating a count of continuous insufficient quality chip errors indication; analyzing the condition indication to determine whether a communication disconnection is imminent; continually repeating the generating and analyzing steps during a telephone call; and notifying the user that a communication disconnection is imminent responsive to determining a communication disconnection is imminent.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
126 words
A method of notifying a cellular telephone user during cellular communication of an imminent communication disconnection, said method comprising the steps of: generating a condition indication representative of a communication condition, wherein the generating a condition indication step includes, at least, the steps of evaluating current chip quality to determine whether the current chip is of insufficient quality, generating a current insufficient quality chip error responsive to determining the current chip is of insufficient quality, and generating a rate of insufficient quality chip errors indication; analyzing the condition indication to determine whether a communication disconnection is imminent; continually repeating the generating and analyzing steps during a telephone call; and notifying the user that a communication disconnection is imminent responsive to determining a communication disconnection is imminent.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
126 words
A method of notifying a cellular telephone user during cellular communication of an imminent communication disconnection, said method comprising the steps of: generating a condition indication representative of a communication condition, wherein the generating a condition indication step includes, at least, the steps of evaluating current chip quality to determine whether the current chip is of insufficient quality, generating a current insufficient quality chip error responsive to determining the current chip is of insufficient quality, and generating a rate of insufficient quality chip errors indication; analyzing the condition indication to determine whether a communication disconnection is imminent; continually repeating the generating and analyzing steps during a telephone call; and notifying the user that a communication disconnection is imminent responsive to determining a communication disconnection is imminent.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
106 words
A method of notifying a cellular telephone user during cellular communication of an imminent communication disconnection, said method comprising the steps of: generating a condition indication representative of a communication condition; analyzing the condition indication to determine whether a communication disconnection is imminent; continually repeating the generating and analyzing steps during a telephone call; and notifying the user that a communication disconnection is imminent responsive to determining a communication disconnection is imminent, including generating an audible noise by generating random data words with a random pattern generator and adding the noise to received audio signals by summing the random data words with received digitized audio data.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
106 words
A method of notifying a cellular telephone user during cellular communication of an imminent communication disconnection, said method comprising the steps of: generating a condition indication representative of a communication condition; analyzing the condition indication to determine whether a communication disconnection is imminent; continually repeating the generating and analyzing steps during a telephone call; and notifying the user that a communication disconnection is imminent responsive to determining a communication disconnection is imminent, including generating an audible noise by generating random data words with a random pattern generator and adding the noise to received audio signals by summing the random data words with received digitized audio data.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
125 words
A method of notifying a cellular telephone user during cellular communication of an imminent communication disconnection, said method comprising the steps of: generating a condition indication representative of a communication condition, wherein the generating a condition indication step includes generating a condition indication representative of a communication condition in a code division multiple access digital cellular telephone; analyzing the condition indication to determine whether a communication disconnection is imminent; continually repeating the generating and analyzing steps during a telephone call; enhancing received communication signal quality responsive to determining a communication disconnection is imminent, wherein the enhancing step includes operating additional demodulator fingers to enhance received communication quality; and notifying the user that a communication disconnection is imminent responsive to determining a communication disconnection is imminent.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
125 words
A method of notifying a cellular telephone user during cellular communication of an imminent communication disconnection, said method comprising the steps of: generating a condition indication representative of a communication condition, wherein the generating a condition indication step includes generating a condition indication representative of a communication condition in a code division multiple access digital cellular telephone; analyzing the condition indication to determine whether a communication disconnection is imminent; continually repeating the generating and analyzing steps during a telephone call; enhancing received communication signal quality responsive to determining a communication disconnection is imminent, wherein the enhancing step includes operating additional demodulator fingers to enhance received communication quality; and notifying the user that a communication disconnection is imminent responsive to determining a communication disconnection is imminent.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
125 words
A method of notifying a cellular telephone user during cellular communication of an imminent communication disconnection, said method comprising the steps of: generating a condition indication representative of a communication condition, wherein the generating a condition indication step includes generating a condition indication representative of a communication condition in a code division multiple access digital cellular telephone; analyzing the condition indication to determine whether a communication disconnection is imminent; continually repeating the generating and analyzing steps during a telephone call; enhancing received communication signal quality responsive to determining a communication disconnection is imminent, wherein the enhancing step includes operating additional echo cancellers to cancel additional inter-symbol interference; and notifying the user that a communication disconnection is imminent responsive to determining a communication disconnection is imminent.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
125 words
A method of notifying a cellular telephone user during cellular communication of an imminent communication disconnection, said method comprising the steps of: generating a condition indication representative of a communication condition, wherein the generating a condition indication step includes generating a condition indication representative of a communication condition in a code division multiple access digital cellular telephone; analyzing the condition indication to determine whether a communication disconnection is imminent; continually repeating the generating and analyzing steps during a telephone call; enhancing received communication signal quality responsive to determining a communication disconnection is imminent, wherein the enhancing step includes operating additional echo cancellers to cancel additional inter-symbol interference; and notifying the user that a communication disconnection is imminent responsive to determining a communication disconnection is imminent.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
122 words
A method of notifying a cellular telephone user during cellular communication of an imminent communication disconnection, said method comprising the steps of: generating a condition indication representative of a communication condition, wherein the generating a condition indication step includes generating a condition indication representative of a communication condition in a code division multiple access digital cellular telephone; analyzing the condition indication to determine whether a communication disconnection is imminent; continually repeating the generating and analyzing steps during a telephone call; enhancing received communication signal quality responsive to determining a communication disconnection is imminent, wherein the enhancing step includes substituting previous frames for current frames; and notifying the user that a communication disconnection is imminent responsive to determining a communication disconnection is imminent.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
122 words
A method of notifying a cellular telephone user during cellular communication of an imminent communication disconnection, said method comprising the steps of: generating a condition indication representative of a communication condition, wherein the generating a condition indication step includes generating a condition indication representative of a communication condition in a code division multiple access digital cellular telephone; analyzing the condition indication to determine whether a communication disconnection is imminent; continually repeating the generating and analyzing steps during a telephone call; enhancing received communication signal quality responsive to determining a communication disconnection is imminent, wherein the enhancing step includes substituting previous frames for current frames; and notifying the user that a communication disconnection is imminent responsive to determining a communication disconnection is imminent.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
90 words
A method of notifying a cellular telephone user during cellular communication of an imminent communication disconnection, said method comprising the steps of: generating a condition indication representative of a communication condition of a current communication signal, including generating a communication error condition; analyzing the condition indication to determine whether a communication disconnection is imminent; notifying the user that a communication disconnection is imminent responsive to determining a communication disconnection is imminent; and enhancing received communication signal quality of the current communication signal responsive to determining a communication disconnection is imminent.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
90 words
A method of notifying a cellular telephone user during cellular communication of an imminent communication disconnection, said method comprising the steps of: generating a condition indication representative of a communication condition of a current communication signal, including generating a communication error condition; analyzing the condition indication to determine whether a communication disconnection is imminent; notifying the user that a communication disconnection is imminent responsive to determining a communication disconnection is imminent; and enhancing received communication signal quality of the current communication signal responsive to determining a communication disconnection is imminent.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 22, wherein the generating a condition indication step includes generating a transmitter output power level indication, and wherein the analyzing step also includes determining whether the transmitter output power level indication is less than a predefined low power threshold level.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 22, wherein the generating a condition indication step includes generating a received signal strength indication, and wherein the analyzing step includes determining whether the received signal strength indication is less than a predefined low received signal strength indication.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 22, wherein the notifying step includes the steps of generating an audible noise sound, and adding the noise to received audio signals.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 22, wherein the notifying step includes generating an audible sound.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 22, wherein the notifying step includes generating a visual warning indication.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 22, wherein the notifying step includes activating a vibration device.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 22, wherein the enhancing step includes allocating power to additional cellular telephone receiver components.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-01-24 | 2007-07-26 | 2008-01-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-01-24 | 2011-07-26 | 2012-01-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |