US6339698B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Communications system with controlled selective measuring of traffic properties
Assignee: British Telecommunications PLC
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Filing: 1994-08-01
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Granted: 2002-01-15
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Expires: 2014-08-01
Abstract
Abstract A communications system includes a plurality of functional elements and measures properties of the functional elements. A processing function element controls the measuring and receives data from the measuring step. Communications links the central processor with the measuring element and the processing element is arranged to selectively instruct the measuring element to transmit selected data to the processing element.
Inventors
- 👤 John Michael Cullen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 13:43
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L12/00; H04L12/28; H04L12/40; H04W; H04W24/00; H04L12/403; H04L43/00; H04W36/00; H04W36/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
59 words
A communications system comprising: a plurality of measuring means for measuring properties of the traffic carried by the communications system, and a data processing element for controlling the measuring means and receiving data from the measuring means, wherein the data processing element is arranged to selectively instruct the measuring means to transmit selected data to the data processing element.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
59 words
A communications system comprising: a plurality of measuring means for measuring properties of the traffic carried by the communications system, and a data processing element for controlling the measuring means and receiving data from the measuring means, wherein the data processing element is arranged to selectively instruct the measuring means to transmit selected data to the data processing element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A system as in claim 1 in which: the measuring means are re-configurable to measure different properties under the control fo the data processing element.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
A system as in claim 1 wherein: the measuring means are arranged to monitor the properties that they measure continuously and to store the data until commanded by the data processing element to transmit it.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
52 words
A system as in claim 1 wherein: the measuring means are arranged to transmit data to the data processing element over a time period, the beginning and end of which are controlled by the data processing element, and the data processing element is arranged to perform a computation on the data received.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
A system as in claim 4 wherein the computation is a time average.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
A system as in claim 4 wherein the computation is the calculation of a trend.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
A system as in claim 4 wherein: the data processing element is arranged to compare data received from more than one measuring means and to provide an output based on the comparison.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system as in claim 1 wherein: the system is a telecommunications network in which the measuring means determine signal quality at predetermined points within the network.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system as in claim 7 wherein: the measuring means measure the signal quality across an air interface.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
A communications system as in claim 1 , having at least one mobile unit.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
A communications system as in claim 10 , including a cellular radio system.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
A communications system as in claim 1 , including at least one fixed network termination point.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
43 words
A method of measuring properties of the traffic of a communications system, the method comprising the steps of: controlling selected remote means for measuring selected traffic properties, and instructing the selected measuring means to transmit the selected data to a data processing element.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
43 words
A method of measuring properties of the traffic of a communications system, the method comprising the steps of: controlling selected remote means for measuring selected traffic properties, and instructing the selected measuring means to transmit the selected data to a data processing element.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as in claim 13 wherein the properties are continuously monitored and the measurement is stored for later transmission.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method as in claim 13 wherein the process includes: instructing the measuring means to transmit data to the processing unit over a period of time, and performing a computation on the data received over that period.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method as in claim 15 wherein the computation is a time average.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as in claim 15 wherein the computation is the calculation of a trend.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as in claim 15 wherein the process includes: a comparison of data received from more than one measuring means to provide an output based on the comparison.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as in claim 13 wherein the measuring means form part of a telecommunications system, the method comprising: measuring received signal quality at predetermined points within the system.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as in claim 19 , the method comprising: measuring signal quality across an air interface.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as in claim 13 including: controlling the measuring means to measure different properties in response to different control signals.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as in claim 13 , wherein the distributed system includes a mobile radio system.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as in claim 22 , wherein the mobile radio system is a cellular radio system.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as in claim 13 wherein the system includes at least one fixed network termination point.
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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) | 2005-01-14 | 2005-07-16 | 2006-01-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-01-14 | 2009-07-16 | 2010-01-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-01-14 | 2013-07-16 | 2014-01-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |