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US6205326B1
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Method for determining when a communication unit is located within a preferred zone
Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC
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Filing: 1998-06-10
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Granted: 2001-03-20
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Expires: 2018-06-10
Abstract
Abstract The present invention provides a communication system ( 100 ) and a method for determining when a communication unit ( 105 ) is located within a preferred zone in the cellular communication system ( 100 ). The cellular communication system ( 100 ) includes a plurality of cells. A preferred zone for a communication unit ( 100 ) is created. Radio characteristics associated with the preferred zone, such as pilot signal, cell ID, and distance, are obtained. It is then determined, based at least in part upon the radio characteristics, when the communication unit ( 100 ) is located within the preferred zone.
Inventors
- 👤 Daniel Francis Tell
- 👤 William R. Bayer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 16:42
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04W; H04W64/00; H04W4/00; H04W4/02; H04W4/029
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
109 words
A method for determining when a communication unit is located within a preferred zone in a cellular communication system, the cellular communication system including a plurality of cells, the method comprising the steps of: creating a preferred zone for a communication unit, wherein the preferred zone is defined by a specific cell, a pilot channel information, a pseudo-random (PN) offset code, and a range offset value corresponding to a distance of the preferred zone from a center of a cell; obtaining radio characteristics associated with the preferred zone; and determining, based at least in part upon the radio characteristics, when the communication unit is located within the preferred zone.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
109 words
A method for determining when a communication unit is located within a preferred zone in a cellular communication system, the cellular communication system including a plurality of cells, the method comprising the steps of: creating a preferred zone for a communication unit, wherein the preferred zone is defined by a specific cell, a pilot channel information, a pseudo-random (PN) offset code, and a range offset value corresponding to a distance of the preferred zone from a center of a cell; obtaining radio characteristics associated with the preferred zone; and determining, based at least in part upon the radio characteristics, when the communication unit is located within the preferred zone.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method for determining when a communication unit is located within a preferred zone in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the step of creating a preferred zone comprises the step of creating a preferred zone that includes a plurality of cells.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
51 words
A method for determining when a communication unit is located within a preferred zone in accordance with claim 2 , wherein the step of creating a preferred zone that includes a plurality of cells comprises the step of creating a preferred zone that includes a portion of the plurality of cells.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method for determining when a communication unit is located within a preferred zone in accordance with claim 1 , further comprising the step of notifying a user of the communication unit when the communication unit is within the preferred zone.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method for determining when a communication unit is located within a preferred zone in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the step of creating a preferred zone comprises the step of creating a preferred zone based upon a predefined characteristic associated with the communication unit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
60 words
A method for determining when a communication unit is located within a preferred zone in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the step of obtaining radio characteristics associated with the preferred zone comprises the steps of: converting the preferred zone to radio characteristics of the preferred zone; and transferring the radio characteristics of the preferred zone to the communication unit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method for determining when a communication unit is located within a preferred zone in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the step of creating a preferred zone comprises the step of creating a preferred zone upon input from a user of the communication unit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method for determining when a communication unit is located within a preferred zone in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the step of obtaining radio characteristics associated with the preferred zone comprises the step of obtaining a pilot signal associated with the preferred zone.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method for determining when a communication unit is located within a preferred zone in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the step of obtaining radio characteristics associated with the preferred zone comprises the step of obtaining a cell identifier associated with the preferred zone.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method for determining when a communication unit is located within a preferred zone in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the step of obtaining radio characteristics associated with the preferred zone comprises the step of obtaining a distance from a serving pilot of the preferred zone.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method for determining when a communication unit is located within a preferred zone in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the step of obtaining radio characteristics associated with the preferred zone comprises the step of obtaining the latitude and the longitude of the preferred zone.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method for determining when a communication unit is located within a preferred zone in accordance with claim 1 , further comprising the step of denying access to the cellular communication system when the communication unit is not located in the preferred zone.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method for determining when a communication unit is located within a preferred zone in accordance with claim 1 , further comprising the step of sending a message from the communication unit to the cellular communication system to indicate whether the communication unit is located in the preferred zone.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method for determining when a communication unit is located within a preferred zone in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the step of creating a preferred zone comprises the step of creating a preferred zone based upon a street address.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
51 words
A method for determining when a communication unit is located within a preferred zone in accordance with claim 14 , wherein the step of creating a preferred zone based upon a street address comprises the step of creating a preferred zone based upon a pilot signal associated with the street address.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
53 words
A method for determining when a communication unit is located within a preferred zone in accordance with claim 14 , wherein the step of creating a preferred zone based upon a street address comprises the step of creating a preferred zone based upon a plurality of pilot signals associated with the street address.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
51 words
A method for determining when a communication unit is located within a preferred zone in accordance with claim 14 , wherein the step of creating a preferred zone based upon a street address comprises the step of creating a preferred zone based upon a cell identifier associated with the street address.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
53 words
A method for determining when a communication unit is located within a preferred zone in accordance with claim 14 , wherein the step of creating a preferred zone based upon a street address comprises the step of creating a preferred zone based upon a distance from a serving pilot of the street address.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method for determining when a communication unit is located within a preferred zone in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the step of creating a preferred zone comprises the step of creating a preferred zone based upon a landmark.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method for determining when a communication unit is located within a preferred zone in accordance with claim 19 , wherein the step of creating a preferred zone based upon a landmark comprises the step of creating a preferred zone based upon a pilot signal associated with the landmark.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
51 words
A method for determining when a communication unit is located within a preferred zone in accordance with claim 19 , wherein the step of creating a preferred zone based upon a landmark comprises the step of creating a preferred zone based upon a plurality of pilot signals associated with the landmark.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method for determining when a communication unit is located within a preferred zone in accordance with claim 19 , wherein the step of creating a preferred zone based upon a landmark comprises the step of creating a preferred zone based upon a zone identifier associated with the landmark.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
51 words
A method for determining when a communication unit is located within a preferred zone in accordance with claim 19 , wherein the step of creating a preferred zone based upon a landmark comprises the step of creating a preferred zone based upon a distance from a serving pilot of the landmark.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method for determining when a communication unit is located within a preferred zone in accordance with claim 1 , further comprising the step of calibrating the communication unit.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US6018653A
Cited
US5946615A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-03-19 | 2004-09-18 | 2005-03-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-03-19 | 2008-09-18 | 2009-03-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-03-19 | 2012-09-18 | 2013-03-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |