US6459894B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for assisting a user to find a communication resource of sufficient capacity
Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC
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Filing: 2000-02-22
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Granted: 2002-10-01
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Expires: 2020-02-22
Abstract
Abstract A wireless communication system measures ( 602 ) a traffic load of ones of a plurality of fixed communication stations ( 102, 202 ) and transmits ( 606 ) from at least one of the stations information describing a location of the at least one of the stations and locations of nearby other stations, along with traffic loads corresponding to the stations. A portable communication unit ( 104 ) within communication range of the station conveys ( 608 ) the information, thereby assisting the user of the portable communication unit to find a fixed communication station having sufficient capacity available for handling a desired communication.
Inventors
- 👤 W. Garland Phillips
- 👤 Larry David Jordan
- 👤 Slim Souissi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 21:35
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04W; H04W48/00; H04W48/18; H04W8/00; H04W8/18; H04W8/183
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
127 words
A method for assisting a user to find an available communication resource, the method comprising the steps of: measuring a traffic load of ones of a plurality of fixed communication stations; transmitting from at least one of the plurality of fixed communication stations information describing a location of the at least one of the plurality of fixed communication stations and locations of nearby others of the plurality of fixed communication stations, along with traffic loads corresponding to the stations; and displaying the information at a portable communication unit within communication range of the at least one of the plurality of fixed communication stations, thereby assisting the user of the portable communication unit to find a fixed communication station having sufficient capacity available for handling a desired communication.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
127 words
A method for assisting a user to find an available communication resource, the method comprising the steps of: measuring a traffic load of ones of a plurality of fixed communication stations; transmitting from at least one of the plurality of fixed communication stations information describing a location of the at least one of the plurality of fixed communication stations and locations of nearby others of the plurality of fixed communication stations, along with traffic loads corresponding to the stations; and displaying the information at a portable communication unit within communication range of the at least one of the plurality of fixed communication stations, thereby assisting the user of the portable communication unit to find a fixed communication station having sufficient capacity available for handling a desired communication.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the transmitting step includes the step of transmitting a map.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of transmitting diagnostic information.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the transmitting step includes the step of transmitting text describing the locations of the stations.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of transmitting a coverage map depicting areas of good communication coverage.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of transmitting the locations of stations which are out-of-service.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
137 words
A wireless communication system for assisting a user to find an available communication resource, the wireless communication system comprising: a plurality of fixed communication stations, each station comprising: a transceiver; and a processor coupled to the transceiver for controlling the transceiver, wherein the processor is programmed to: measure a traffic load of the station; receive traffic loads corresponding to the fixed stations; control the transceiver to transmit information describing a location of the station and locations of nearby other of the plurality of fixed communication stations, along with traffic loads corresponding to the fixed stations; and a portable communication unit in communication with one of said plurality of fixed communication stations, for displaying the information to the user, thereby assisting the user to find a fixed communication station having sufficient capacity available for handling a desired communication.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
137 words
A wireless communication system for assisting a user to find an available communication resource, the wireless communication system comprising: a plurality of fixed communication stations, each station comprising: a transceiver; and a processor coupled to the transceiver for controlling the transceiver, wherein the processor is programmed to: measure a traffic load of the station; receive traffic loads corresponding to the fixed stations; control the transceiver to transmit information describing a location of the station and locations of nearby other of the plurality of fixed communication stations, along with traffic loads corresponding to the fixed stations; and a portable communication unit in communication with one of said plurality of fixed communication stations, for displaying the information to the user, thereby assisting the user to find a fixed communication station having sufficient capacity available for handling a desired communication.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The wireless communication system of claim 7 , wherein the processor is further programmed to control the transceiver to transmit a map.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The wireless communication system of claim 7 , wherein the processor is further programmed to control the transceiver to transmit diagnostic information.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The wireless communication system of claim 7 , wherein the processor is further programmed to control the transceiver to transmit text describing the locations of the stations.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The wireless communication system of claim 7 , wherein the processor is further programmed to control the transceiver to transmit a coverage map depicting areas of good communication coverage.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The wireless communication system of claim 7 , wherein the processor is further programmed to control the transceiver to transmit the locations of stations which are out-of-service.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
111 words
A fixed communication station, comprising a transceiver; and a processor coupled to the transceiver for controlling the transceiver, wherein the processor is programmed to: measure a traffic load of the station; receive traffic loads corresponding to the fixed stations; and control the transceiver to transmit information describing a location of the station and locations of nearby other stations, along with traffic loads corresponding to the fixed stations, to a portable communication unit within communication range of the transceiver, thereby displaying the information at the portable communication unit to assist a user of the portable communication unit to find a fixed communication station having sufficient capacity available for handling a desired communication.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
111 words
A fixed communication station, comprising a transceiver; and a processor coupled to the transceiver for controlling the transceiver, wherein the processor is programmed to: measure a traffic load of the station; receive traffic loads corresponding to the fixed stations; and control the transceiver to transmit information describing a location of the station and locations of nearby other stations, along with traffic loads corresponding to the fixed stations, to a portable communication unit within communication range of the transceiver, thereby displaying the information at the portable communication unit to assist a user of the portable communication unit to find a fixed communication station having sufficient capacity available for handling a desired communication.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The fixed communication station of claim 13 , wherein the processor is further programmed to control the transceiver to transmit a map.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
The fixed communication station of claim 13 , wherein the processor is further programmed to control the transceiver to transmit diagnostic information.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
The fixed communication station of claim 13 , wherein the processor is further programmed to control the transceiver to transmit text describing the locations of the stations.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
29 words
The fixed communication station of claim 13 , wherein the processor is further programmed to control the transceiver to transmit a coverage map depicting areas of good communication coverage.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
27 words
The fixed communication station of claim 13 , wherein the processor is further programmed to control the transceiver to transmit the locations of stations which are out-of-service.
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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) | 2005-09-30 | 2006-04-01 | 2006-10-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-09-30 | 2010-04-01 | 2010-10-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-09-30 | 2014-04-01 | 2014-10-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |