U.S. patent number RE38,787 [Application Number 09/392,676] was granted by the patent office on 2005-08-30 for apparatus and methods for networking omni-modal radio devices.
This patent grant is currently assigned to MLR, LLC. Invention is credited to Charles M. Leedom, Jr., Eric J. Robinson, Joseph B. Sainton.
United States Patent |
RE38,787 |
Sainton , et al. |
August 30, 2005 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
Apparatus and methods for networking omni-modal radio devices
Abstract
A network and method of operating a network of wireless service
providers adapted to interact with a plurality of omni-modal
wireless products within a given geographic area in a manner to
permit the wireless service providers to "borrow" radio frequencies
from other wireless service providers within the same geographic
region. As a cellular service provider in a given region finds that
one of its service areas or cells has become nearly or fully
loaded, frequency could be borrowed from a competitor, such as a
PCS provider serving the same region. Selected omni-modal wireless
product users in the overloaded area would be told to switch their
omni-modal to the "leased" frequency but to use the non-PCS
communications protocol appropriate to the type of service desired
by the user. Implementation of this method broadly within a given
geographic region will have the effect of insuring that the
available radio spectrum is used to its maximum capacity to serve
the needs of the wireless users on a real time basis.
Inventors: |
Sainton; Joseph B. (Newberg,
OR), Leedom, Jr.; Charles M. (Falls Church, VA),
Robinson; Eric J. (Ashburn, VA) |
Assignee: |
MLR, LLC (Palm Beach Gardens,
FL)
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Family
ID: |
34864200 |
Appl.
No.: |
09/392,676 |
Filed: |
September 8, 1999 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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167002 |
Dec 15, 1993 |
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Reissue of: |
709112 |
Sep 6, 1996 |
05761621 |
Jun 2, 1998 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
455/453; 455/454;
455/552.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04W
16/06 (20130101); H04W 88/06 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H04Q
7/36 (20060101); H04Q 7/32 (20060101); H04Q
7/38 (20060101); H04Q 007/22 () |
Field of
Search: |
;455/438,353,454,513,524,552,434,426,446,552.1 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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0 501 807 |
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Feb 1992 |
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EP |
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0 501 807 |
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Feb 2002 |
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EP |
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WO 90/13211 |
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Nov 1990 |
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WO |
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Other References
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Architectures, Inc. .
"Motorola Paging & Wireless Data Group", Bob Growney and
William Davies, pp. 155 and 156, Portable Computers Wireless
Communications, 1993. .
"Racotek", Richard Cortese and Larry Sanders, pp. 176-178, Portable
Computers and Wireless Communications, 1993. .
Supplementary EP Search Report, EP 95 90 8417, Jun. 18, 1999, 2
pages. .
European Patent Office, Official Action for Application No. 95 908
417.9--2412, Sep. 9, 2003, 9 pages. .
PCT, Notification of Transmittal of International Preliminary
Examination Report for PCT/US94/14159, Apr. 18, 1996, 7 pages.
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PCT, Notification of Transmittal of International Preliminary
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International Search Report, PCT/US94/14159, Apr. 12, 1995, 1 page.
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International Preliminary Examination Report (From PCT/IPEA/409),
PCT/US94/14159, Apr. 8, 1996. .
Canadian Patent Appl. No. 2179151, Official Action dated May 18,
2004, 5 pages. .
European Patent Appl. No. 95 908 417.9-2412, Offficial Action dated
Sep. 16, 2003, 10 pages. .
European Patent Appl. No. 95 908 417.9-2412, Official Action dated
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Prospective Licensee Invalidity Claim Charts, 15 pages. .
Fisher, Dual Mode Mobile Unit for Next Generation Digital Narrow
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Primary Examiner: Kincaid; Lester G.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Leedom, Jr.; Charles M.
Parent Case Text
This application is a Continuation of Ser. No. 08/167,002, filed
Dec. 15, 1993, now abandoned.
Claims
I claim:
1. A radio frequency management system for reallocation of radio
spectrum among a plurality of wireless communication networks using
differing radio frequency modulation protocols and differing radio
frequencies to communicate with a plurality of frequency and
protocol agile portable radio devices each of which is responsive
to portable radio device control signals to change its operating
frequency and modulation protocol, comprising capacity detection
means for generating a frequency request signal upon determining
that a first wireless communication network operating using a first
radio frequency spectrum allocated to said first wireless
communication network and using a first modulation protocol, is at
or near full capacity, frequency reallocating means responsive to a
frequency request signal for reassigning temporarily radio spectrum
from a second wireless communication network operating using a
second radio frequency spectrum allocated to said second wireless
communication network and different from said first radio frequency
spectrum and using second modulation protocol, to the first
communication network determined by said capacity detection means
to be at or near full capacity, and means for causing portable
radio control signals in at least some of the frequency and
protocol agile portable radio devices to change their operating
frequency and modulation protocol to permit the portable radio
devices so changed to communicate over the temporarily reassigned
radio spectrum.
2. A radio frequency management system as defined in claim 1,
further including a plurality of frequency and protocol agile
portable radio devices for facilitating wireless communication over
any one of a plurality of wireless communication networks at least
some of which may be available and operating at a given time and
location using differing radio frequency modulation protocols and
over differing radio frequencies, each of which includes a
frequency agile radio transceiver operating at any one frequency of
a plurality of radio frequencies appropriate for each of the
plurality of wireless communication networks, said one frequency
selected in response to a frequency control signal, a digital
interface circuit for interconnecting said frequency agile radio
transceiver with external digital signal processing devices to
allow digital signal information to be sent and received over said
frequency agile radio transceiver, protocol agile operating circuit
means for operating said frequency agile radio transceiver and said
digital interface circuit in accordance with any one modulation
protocol of a plurality of modulation protocols, said one
modulation protocol selected in response to a protocol control
signal, and adaptive control means for determining which wireless
communications networks are available at a given location and time,
for accessing a selected wireless communication network and for
generating the frequency control signal and the protocol control
signal in response to a user defined criteria to cause the device
to communicate with the selected wireless communication network
using a frequency and modulation protocol suitable for transmission
of said digital signal information over said selected wireless
communications network.
3. The radio frequency management system defined in claim 2,
wherein said adaptive control means selects the wireless
communication network based on the least cost.
4. The radio frequency management system as defined in claim 2,
wherein said adaptive control means selects the wireless
communication network based on the quality of the radio
transmission link connecting said frequency agile transceiver and
the selected wireless communication network.
5. The radio frequency management system as defined in claim 2,
wherein said adaptive control means selects the wireless
communication network based on the probability of being dropped
from the network.
6. The radio frequency management system as defined in claim 2,
wherein said adaptive control means selects the wireless
communication network based on the security of the radio
transmission link connecting said frequency agile transceiver and
the selected wireless communication network.
7. The radio frequency management system as defined in claim 2,
wherein adaptive control means selects the wireless communication
network based on prior experience with specific wireless
communication networks.
8. The radio frequency management system as defined in claim 2,
wherein said adaptive control means selects the wireless
communication network based on the combined determination of two or
more of the following: the cost of using the wireless communication
network, the quality of the transmission link connecting said
frequency agile transceiver and the selected wireless communication
network, prior experience with specific wireless communication
networks, the potential of being dropped from the network, or the
security of the radio transmission link connecting said frequency
agile transceiver and the selected wireless communication
network.
9. The radio frequency management system as defined in claim 2,
wherein said adaptive control means communicates with selected
wireless communication networks to determine on a real time basis
the operating characteristics of the corresponding wireless
communication network.
10. The radio frequency management system as defined in claim 2,
further including a modem means operating to perform at least one
of modulation or demodulation of a carrier signal with user
data.
11. The radio frequency management system as defined in claim 10,
further including a data processor means for processing digital
data transmitted over said frequency agile transceiver.
12. The radio frequency management system as defined in claim 11
for use with wireless communication networks having call placement
and call answering functions, wherein said data processor means
causes said frequency agile transceiver to control telephone call
placement and call answering functions over wireless communication
networks having such telephone functions.
13. A method for reallocation of radio frequency spectrum among a
plurality of wireless communication networks at least some of which
may be available and operating at a given time and location using
differing radio frequency modulation protocols and over differing
radio frequencies to communicate with a plurality of frequency and
protocol agile portable radio devices each of which is responsive
to portable radio device control signals to change its operating
frequency and modulation protocol, comprising the steps of
generating a frequency request signal upon determining that a first
wireless communication network is at or near full capacity,
reassigning temporarily in response to said frequency request
signal radio spectrum from a wireless communication network
utilizing less of its normally assigned radio frequency to the
communication network determined to be at or near full capacity,
and causing portable radio control signals in at least some of the
frequency and protocol agile portable radio devices to change their
operating frequency and transmission protocol to permit the
portable radio devices so changed to communicate over the
temporarily reassigned radio spectrum.
14. A method as defined in claim 13, comprising the further steps
of operating a frequency agile radio transceiver at any one
frequency of a plurality of radio frequencies appropriate for each
of the plurality of wireless communication networks, said one
frequency selected in response to a frequency control signal,
interconnecting said frequency agile radio transceiver with
external digital signal processing devices to allow digital signal
information to be sent and received over said frequency agile radio
transceiver, operating said frequency agile radio transceiver in
accordance with any one modulation protocol of a plurality of
modulation protocols, said one modulation protocol selected in
response to a protocol control signal, and determining which
wireless communications networks are available at a given location
and time and accessing a selected wireless communication network by
generating the frequency control signal and the protocol control
signal in response to a user defined criteria to cause the device
to communicate with the selected wireless communication network
using a frequency and modulation protocol suitable for transmission
of said digital signal information over said selected wireless
communications network.
15. The method as defined in claim 14, wherein said step of
selecting the wireless communication network is based on the least
cost.
16. The method as defined in claim 14, wherein said step of
selecting the wireless communication network is based on the
quality of the radio transmission link connecting said frequency
agile transceiver and the selected wireless communication
network.
17. The method as defined in claim 14, wherein said step of
selecting the wireless communication network is based on the
probability of being dropped from the network.
18. The method as defined in claim 14, wherein said step of
selecting the wireless communication network is based on the
security of the radio transmission link connecting said frequency
agile transceiver and the selected wireless communication
network.
19. The method as defined in claim 14, wherein said step of
selecting the wireless communication network is based on prior
experience with specific wireless communication networks.
20. The method as defined in claim 14, wherein said step of
selecting the wireless communication network is based on the
combined determination of two or more of the following: the cost of
using the wireless communication network, the quality of the
transmission link connecting said frequency agile transceiver and
the selected wireless communication network, prior experience with
specific wireless communication networks, the probability of being
dropped from the network, or the security of the radio transmission
link connecting said frequency agile transceiver and the selected
wireless communication network.
21. The method as defined in claim 14, further including the step
of engaging in an electronic handshake with selected wireless
communication networks to determine on a real time basis the cost
for desired services and the operating characteristics of the
corresponding wireless communication network.
22. The method as defined in claim 14, further including the step
of causing said frequency agile transceiver to control telephone
call placement and call answering functions over wireless
communication networks having such telephone functions.
23. A radio frequency management system for providing information
useful in selecting among a plurality of wireless communication
networks having different and variable operating characteristics
and accessed by a plurality of portable radio devices each of which
is capable of accessing any of the plurality of wireless
communication networks comprising: wireless communication network
monitoring means for monitoring the current network load of each of
the plurality of wireless communication networks; processing means
connected with said network monitoring means for receiving a signal
indicative of said current network load and for generating a signal
representing current operational characteristics of each of the
wireless communications networks in response thereto; network
information transmission means connected with said processing means
for receiving said signal and for transmitting said operational
characteristics for each of the plurality of wireless communication
networks to each of the plurality of portable radio devices thereby
allowing each of the portable wireless devices to selectively
access one of said plurality of wireless communications networks in
response to said operational characteristics.
24. The system of claim 23 wherein said operation characteristics
include the cost for use of the wireless communication
network..Iadd.
25. In a cellular radio communication network operating over a
predetermined frequency range subdivided in frequency into
frequency bands, said network comprising at least a first
independent radio communication system and a second independent
radio communication system each providing radio telecommunication
service over a common geographic region, a method for using said
frequency range comprising the steps of: assigning from said
predetermined frequency range at least one first frequency band to
be used as a control channel by said first independent radio
communication system; assigning from said predetermined frequency
range at least one second frequency band to be used as a control
channel by said second independent radio communication system; and
sharing by said first independent radio communication system and
said second independent radio communication system frequency bands
in the portion of said predetermined frequency range not assigned
as control channels to provide radio telecommunication service to a
plurality of subscribers located in said common geographic
region..Iaddend..Iadd.
26. The method of claim 25 wherein said step of sharing comprises
sharing in a coordinated and synchronized manner between said first
independent radio communication system and said second independent
radio communication system..Iaddend..Iadd.
27. The method of claim 26 wherein said step of sharing comprises
the step of assigning frequency and time slot combinations in
response to channel set-up requests received from said first
independent radio communication system and said second independent
radio communication system..Iaddend..Iadd.
28. The method of claim 25 wherein said first independent radio
communication system and said second independent radio
communication system are designed to provide radio
telecommunication services using TDMA..Iaddend..Iadd.
29. In a cellular radio communication network operating over a
predetermined frequency range subdivided in frequency into
frequency bands, said network comprising at least a first
independent radio communication system and a second independent
radio communication system each providing radio telecommunication
service over a common geographic region, a method for using said
frequency range comprising the steps of: assigning from said
predetermined frequency range at least one first frequency band to
be used as a control channel by said first independent radio
communication system; assigning from said predetermined frequency
range at least one second frequency band to be used as a control
channel by said second independent radio communication system;
assigning from said predetermined frequency range a predetermined
portion of said predetermined frequency range to be used by said
first independent radio communication system to provide radio
telecommunication service to a plurality of subscribers located in
said geographic region; and sharing by said first independent radio
communication system and said second independent radio
communication system frequency bands in the portion of said
predetermined frequency range not assigned as control channels or
assigned exclusively to said first independent radio communication
system, to provide radio telecommunication service to the plurality
of subscribers located in said geographic
region..Iaddend..Iadd.
30. The method of claim 29 wherein said step of sharing comprises
sharing in a coordinated and synchronized manner between said first
independent radio communication system and said second independent
radio communication system..Iaddend..Iadd.
31. The method of claim 30 wherein said step of sharing is
controlled by a processor which assigns frequency and time slot
combinations in response to channel set-up requests received from
said first independent radio communication
system..Iaddend..Iadd.
32. The method of claim 29 wherein said first independent radio
communication system and said second independent radio
communication system are designed to provide radio
telecommunication services using TDMA..Iaddend..Iadd.
33. In a cellular radio communication network comprising a
plurality of independent systems each providing service within a
common geographic area, and operating within a frequency range
comprising a plurality of frequency bands, a method of allocating
frequency bands to said independent systems said method comprising
the steps of: assigning one or more first frequency bands to each
of said independent systems, wherein said first frequency bands are
used for control channels within the independent systems to which
each is assigned; and allocating one or more second frequency bands
to said independent systems on a shared basis, wherein said second
frequency bands are used for traffic channels within the
independent system to which each is currently
allocated..Iaddend..Iadd.
34. The method of claim 33 wherein said step of allocating
comprises: allocating frequency bands from said second frequency
bands for traffic channels within a first one of the plurality of
independent systems independently of the allocation of said second
frequency bands within a second one of the plurality of independent
systems..Iaddend..Iadd.
35. The method of claim 33 wherein said step of allocating
comprises: allocating one or more second frequency bands to each of
said independent systems depending on the allocation of said second
frequency bands to the other independent systems of said
network..Iaddend..Iadd.
36. The method of claim 35 wherein said plurality of independent
systems communicate over time division multiplexed channels, each
channel defined by a frequency band and a time slot assignment, and
wherein said step of allocating comprises: receiving a channel
allocation request from an originating one of said independent
systems; determining if channels are available in said network; and
in response to an affirmative determination: transmitting a channel
allocation assignment to said originating independent
system..Iaddend..Iadd.
37. The method of claim 36 wherein said step of determining if
channels are available in said network comprises searching for
unused frequency/time slot combinations..Iaddend..Iadd.
38. A cellular communications network providing service over a
frequency range comprising a plurality of first frequency bands and
a plurality of second frequency bands, said network comprising: a
plurality of independent radio communications systems, each of said
independent systems providing service in a coverage area, the
coverage areas of each of said independent systems having a common
area, each of said independent systems being assigned one or more
of said first frequency bands for use as control channels for each
independent system and providing service over said plurality of
second frequency bands on a shared basis..Iaddend..Iadd.
39. The cellular communications network of claim 38 in which one or
more of said independent systems is assigned one or more fixed
frequency bands for providing service in addition to providing
service over said plurality of shared frequency
bands..Iaddend..Iadd.
40. The cellular communications network of claim 38 further
comprising means for allocating said shared frequency bands for
communications on a coordinated and synchronized
basis..Iaddend..Iadd.
41. The cellular communications network of claim 38 in which each
of said independent radio communications systems comprises one or
more mobile telephone switching offices, and said network further
comprises means for allocating unused frequency bands of said
second frequency bands among said independent systems on a shared
basis, said means for allocating connected to each of said mobile
telephone switching offices..Iaddend..Iadd.
42. A wireless communication system organized to promote user
driven competition among a plurality of commercially independent
wireless service networks operating with differing frequencies
and/or differing protocols and serving, within a given geographic
region, a population of portable radio devices that are
sufficiently frequency and protocol agile to allow access to more
than one of the wireless service networks, comprising: a. an
accessing circuit associated with each portable radio device for
providing access to any one of a plurality of the wireless service
networks by requesting access and, if available, establishing
access in response to an access control signal that adjusts the
radio frequency and the protocol of the associated portable radio
device as necessary to access the selected wireless service
network, b. control signal generator for generating the access
control signal in response to user defined criteria to cause access
to the wireless service network that best satisfies the user
criteria, and c. a frequency reallocator for increasing the
capacity of any one of the wireless service networks as the
aggregate demand for access to that wireless service network
increases by allowing portions of the radio spectrum, otherwise
available to another wireless service network, to be used by the
wireless service network experiencing increased
demand..Iaddend..Iadd.
43. A wireless communication system organized to promote
competition among a plurality of commercially independent wireless
service networks operating with differing frequencies and/or
differing protocols and serving, within a given geographic region,
a population of user held portable radio devices that are
sufficiently frequency and protocol agile to allow access to a
plurality of the wireless service networks, comprising: a. a
frequency reallocator for increasing the capacity of any one of the
wireless service networks as the aggregate demand for access to
that wireless service network increases by allowing portions of the
radio spectrum, otherwise available to another wireless service
network, to be used by the wireless service network experiencing
increased demand, b. an accessing circuit associated with each
portable radio device for providing access to any one of a
plurality of the wireless service networks by requesting access
and, if available, establishing access in response to an access
control signal that adjusts the radio frequency and the protocol of
the associated portable radio device as necessary to access the
selected wireless service network, and c. control signal generator
for generating an access control signal in response to control
instructions received from a wireless service network which has
borrowed frequency from another wireless service network through
operation of said frequency reallocator to cause said accessing
circuit to access to the wireless service network on the
reallocated frequency..Iaddend..Iadd.
44. A wireless communication system organized to promote user
driven competition among a plurality of commercially independent
wireless service providers, comprising a. a plurality of
independent wireless service networks operated by the wireless
service providers to provide wireless services within a common
geographic region using differing frequencies and/or differing
protocols, b. a plurality of portable radio devices, located within
the geographic region, that are sufficiently frequency and protocol
agile to allow access to more than one of the wireless service
networks, each said portable radio device including i. an accessing
circuit for providing access to any one of a plurality of the
wireless service networks by requesting access and, if available,
establishing access in response to an access control signal that
adjusts the radio frequency and the protocol of the associated
portable radio device as necessary to access the selected wireless
service network, ii. memory for storing a user defined criteria for
selecting a wireless service, and iii. control signal generator for
automatically generating the access control signal in response to
an automated selection of the wireless network that best satisfies
the stored criteria for wireless service and for causing said
accessing circuit to access the wireless service network identified
by the access control signal generated..Iaddend..Iadd.
45. A wireless communication system organized to promote user
driven competition among a plurality of commercially independent
wireless service networks operating with differing frequencies and
serving, within a given geographic region, a population of portable
radio devices that are sufficiently frequency agile to allow access
to more than one of the wireless service networks, comprising a. an
accessing circuit associated with each portable radio device for
providing access to any one of a plurality of the wireless service
networks by requesting access and, if available, establishing
access in response to an access control signal that causes said
accessing circuit to adjust the radio frequency of the associated
portable radio device as necessary to access the selected wireless
service network, b. network information transmitter for
transmitting operational characteristics for more than one of the
wireless service networks to each of the portable radio devices c.
control signal generator associated with each portable radio device
for generating the access control signal in response to receipt of
transmitted operational characteristics for more than one of the
wireless service networks, and d. a frequency reallocator for
increasing the capacity of any one of the wireless service networks
as the aggregate demand for access to that wireless service network
increases by allowing portions of the radio spectrum, otherwise
available to another wireless service network, to be used by the
wireless service network experiencing increased
demand..Iaddend..Iadd.
46. A wireless communication system organized to permit maximum
utilization of the available radio spectrum assigned to a plurality
of independent wireless service networks operating over differing
communication channels to provide wireless service within a common
geographic area to a plurality of portable radio devices that are
sufficiently frequency agile in response to command signals
supplied to the portable devices by the independent wireless
service to allow selective access by each portable radio device to
more than one of the wireless service networks, a. an accessing
circuit associated with each portable radio device for providing
access to any one of a plurality of the wireless service networks
by requesting access and, if available, establishing access in
response to an access control signal that causes said accessing
circuit to adjust the radio frequency of the associated portable
radio device as necessary to access the selected wireless service
network, b. a frequency reallocator for increasing the capacity of
any one of the wireless service networks as the aggregate demand
for access to that wireless service network increases by allowing
portions of the radio spectrum, otherwise available to another
wireless service network, to be used by the wireless service
network experiencing increased demand, and c. access control signal
generator associated with each portable radio device for generating
an access control signal that will cause a portable radio device,
in response to receipt of a command signal from that wireless
service network, to access a wireless service network using a
frequency that has been reallocated to that wireless service
network by said frequency reallocator..Iaddend.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to frequency and protocol agile,
wireless communication devices and systems adapted to enable voice
and/or data transmission to occur using a variety of different
radio frequencies, transmission protocols and radio
infrastructures.
Many communication industry experts believe that a personal
information revolution has begun that will have as dramatic an
impact as did the rise of personal computers in the 1980's. Such
experts are predicting that the personal computer will become truly
"personal" by allowing virtually instant access to information
anytime or anywhere. There exists no consensus, however, on the
pace or form of this revolution.
For example, the wireless communication industry is being
fragmented by the emergence of a substantial number of competing
technologies and services including digital cellular technologies
(e.g. TDMA, E-TDMA, narrow band CDMA, and broadband CDMA),
geopositioning services, one way and two-way paging services,
packet data services, enhanced specialized mobile radio, personal
computing services, two-way satellite systems, cellular digital
packet data (CDPD) and others. Fragmenting forces within the
wireless communication industry have been further enhanced by
regulatory actions of the U.S. government. In particular, the U.S.
government is preparing to auction off portions of the radio
spectrum for use in providing personal communication services (PCS)
in a large number of relatively small contiguous regions of the
country. The U.S. government is also proposing to adopt regulations
which will encourage wide latitude among successful bidders for the
new radio spectrum to adopt innovative wireless technologies.
Until the market for wireless communication has experienced an
extended "shake-out" period it is unlikely that a clear winner or
group of winners will become apparent. Any portable unit which is
capable of interacting with more than one service provider or radio
infrastructure would obviously have advantages over a portable unit
which is capable of accessing only a single service provider. Still
better would be a portable unit which could be reprogrammed to
interact with a variety of different service providers. Previous
attempts to provide such multi modal units have produced a variety
of interesting, but less than ideal, product and method
concepts.
Among the known multi-modal proposals is a portable telephone,
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,127,042 to Gillig et al., which is
adapted to operate with either a conventional cordless base station
or cellular base station. U.S. Pat. No. 5,179,360 to Suzuki
discloses a cellular telephone which is capable of switching
between either an analog mode of operation or a digital mode of
operation. Yet another approach is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
4,985,904 to Ogawara directed to an improved method and apparatus
for switching from a failed main radio communication system to a
backup communication system. Still another proposal is disclosed in
U.S. Pat. No. 5,122,795 directed to a paging receiver which is
capable of scanning the frequencies of a plurality of radio common
carriers to detect the broadcast of a paging message over one of
the carriers serving a given geographic region. In U.S. Pat. No.
5,239,701 to Ishii there is disclosed a radio receiver which is
responsive to an RF signal containing a plurality of channel
frequencies, each having broadcast information, and a circuit for
producing a wide band version of the received RF signal and a
circuit for producing a narrow band version of the received RF
signal.
While multi-modal in some regard, each of the technologies
disclosed in the above listed patents is highly specialized and
limited to a specific application. The systems disclosed are
clearly non-adaptive and are incapable of being easily reconfigured
to adapt to different transmission protocols or different radio
infrastructures. Recently, Motorola has announced beta testing of a
system called "MoNet" which will allegedly allow users to operate
on whatever wireless network happens to be available using protocol
and frequency agile radio modems. The MoNet technology will be
integrated in both networks and mobile devices and will permit
first time users to fill out an electronic application, transmit
it, and receive a personal ID to allow the user to operate on any
of several mobile networks yet receive just one bill. Another
provider of an open system is Racotek of Minneapolis, Minn. which
offers client server architecture designed to be portable across
different mobile devices, host platforms, and radio
infrastructures.
While the limited attempts to deal with the fragmentation of the
wireless communication industry have had some merits, no one has
yet disclosed a truly self adaptive, omni-modal wireless product
which enables an end user to access conveniently various wireless
services in accordance with a selection process which is
sufficiently under the control of the end user.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A fundamental objective of the subject invention is to overcome the
deficiencies of the prior art by providing a truly omni-modal
wireless system and method which is adaptive to the selectively
variable desires of the end user and is reconfigurable to allow
maximum utilization of the total radio frequency spectrum assigned
in any given geographic are for wireless communication.
Another more specific object of the subject invention in the
provision of multiple portable product in the hands of plural
individual users wherein each portable product would be capable of
utilizing any one of the wireless data services within a given
geographic area based on a user determined criteria such as: (1)
the cost of sending a data message, (2) the quality of transmission
link (signal strength, interference actual or potential), (3) the
potential for being bumped off of the system (is service provider
at near full capacity), (4) the security of transmission, (5) any
special criteria which the user could variably program into his
omni-modal wireless product based on the user's desires or (6) any
one or more combinations of the above features that are
preprogrammed, changed or overridden by the user.
Another object of the subject invention is to provide plural
omni-modal wireless products which would allow for adaptive service
provider selection based on user experience with specific service
providers.
A more specific object of the subject invention is to provide
plural omni-modal wireless products which would have the effect of
inducing intense competition for customers among various wireless
data service providers based on quality of service and price by
allowing the user to easily and conveniently identify the service
providers that best meet the user's performance requirements.
Another object of the invention is to provide a network of
omni-modal wireless products and service providers which is
designed to provide the most business and profit making potential
to the service providers who best meet the varying demands of the
greatest number of omni-modal wireless product users.
Still another objective of the subject invention is to promote and
encourage introduction of innovative technology which will satisfy
the desires of end users to receive the best possible quality
wireless service at the lowest possible cost by promoting real time
adaptive price and service competition among cell service
providers.
Another objective of the subject invention is to allow wireless
service providers to broadcast electronically as part of any
"handshaking" procedure with a omni-modal wireless product
information such as (1) rate information and (2) information
regarding system operating characteristics such as percent of
system capacity in use and/or likelihood of being dropped.
Still another objective of the subject invention is to create a
user oriented source enrollment and billing service in the wireless
data market by establishing uniform standard for "handshakes" to
occur between cell service providers and omni-modal wireless
products.
A more specific object of this invention is to provide a network of
wireless service providers adapted to interact with a population of
omni-modal wireless products within a given geographic area in a
manner to permit the wireless service providers to "borrow" radio
frequencies from other wireless service providers within the same
geographic region. As a cellular service provider in a given region
finds that one of its service areas or cells has become nearly or
fully loaded, frequency could be borrowed from a competitor, such
as a PCS provider serving the same region. Selected omni-modal
wireless product users in the overloaded area would be told to
switch their omni-modal to the "leased" frequency but to use the
non-PCS communications protocol appropriate to the type of service
desired by the user. Implementation of this method broadly within a
given geographic region will have the effect of insuring that the
available radio spectrum is used to its maximum capacity to serve
the needs of the wireless users on a real time basis.
These objects, and others which will be apparent to those skilled
in the art upon review of the specification, are achieved in the
present invention by an omni-modal radio circuit implemented by a
standard radio computing chip or chipset which can serve as a
computer (special or general purpose), or as an interface to a
general purpose personal computer. The chip preferably includes a
modem and associated processing circuits. So that it can perform at
least basic processing functions such as displaying data, accepting
input, etc., the chip may also incorporate at least a basic
microprocessor. The processor may provide only predetermined
functions, accessible through a standard applications programming
interface, or in more advanced designs the processor can run other
software or firmware added by the product maker. Exemplary
processor functions of the chip include radio network interface
control (call placement, call answering), voice connection, data
transmission, and data input/output. The chip can be used to
implement a variety of omni-modal devices and can provide computing
resources to operate fundamental communications programs.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 are block schematic diagrams of an omni-modal radio
communications circuit according to the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a block schematic diagram of an advanced cellular
telephone implemented using an omni-modal radio communications
circuit according to the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a block schematic diagram of a personal communicator
implemented using an omni-modal radio communications circuit
according to the present invention;
FIG. 4A is a plan view of the front of a data transmission and
display radiotelephone implemented using an omni-compatible radio
communications circuit;
FIG. 4B is a plan view of the back of a data transmission and
display radiotelephone implemented using an omni-compatible radio
communications circuit;
FIG. 5 is a block schematic diagram of a telephone/pager
implemented using the present omni-modal radio communications
circuit;
FIG. 6A is a block schematic diagram of a dual mode
cellular/cordless landline telephone implemented using the present
omni-modal radio communications circuit;
FIG. 6B is a flowchart showing a method of operation of a dual mode
cellular/cordless landline telephone according to the present
invention;
FIG. 7 is a block schematic diagram of a personal computer
incorporating an omni-modal radio communications circuit;
FIG. 8 is a block schematic diagram of a special purpose radio data
transmitting device implemented using an omni-modal radio
communications circuit;
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a radio system selection method by
which information carriers are selected according to varying
specified criteria;
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a method of broadcasting local
carrier information to facilitate carrier selection by customers
for a particular information transmission task;
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a handshake sequence for arranging
information transmission using the omni-modal device of the present
invention;
FIG. 12 is a plan view of a modular implementation of the
omni-modal radio communications circuit of the present invention
installed in a cellular telephone;
FIG. 13 is a plan view of a modular implementation of the
omni-modal radio communications circuit of the present invention
installed in a personal computer;
FIG. 14 is a block schematic diagram showing a system for relaying
paging signals to the omni-modal device of the present invention
using a cellular telephone system; and
FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a method of relaying paging signals
to the omni-modal device of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
A preferred embodiment of a standardized radio processing circuit 1
is shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. The standardized radio processing
circuit 1, shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B taken together, may be
implemented on a single VLSI chip or on a set of VLSI chips making
up a chipset. As will be seen, this chip or chipset provides a
standard building block which can be used to make a plurality of
consumer products that provide data transmission capability. As
will be seen later with reference to FIGS. 2 through 8, by adding
minimal external components to the standardized circuit 1, a wide
variety of products can be produced. Also, as will be seen, the
standardized circuit 1 can be advantageously implemented on a
removable card with a standardized interface connector or
connectors, so that it can then be selectively inserted into and
removed from a variety of devices to provide the devices with radio
information transmission capability.
In terms of the preferred functional and operational
characteristics of circuit 1, it is particularly significant that
this circuit provides a multi-modal or omni-modal communications
capability. That is, circuit 1 can be adjusted by the user, or
automatically under stored program control, to transfer information
over at least two different radio communications networks, and
preferably all networks available in a particular area within the
frequency range of the transceiver of circuit 1.
Examples of radio communications networks which circuit 1 may be
designed to use include commercial paging networks; the U.S.
cellular telephone network or Advanced Mobile Phone System (AMPS);
alternative cellular telephone network standards such as the
European standard; digitally modulated radiotelephone systems
operating under various encoding techniques such as TDMA, CDMA,
E-TDMA, and BCDMA; Cellular Digital Packet Data (CDPD); Enhanced
Specialized Mobile Radio (ESMR); ARDIS; Personal Cellular Systems
(PCS); RAM; global positioning systems; FM networks which transmit
stock prices or other information on subcarriers; satellite-based
networks; cordless landline telephones (such as 49 Mhz and
particularly 900 Mhz systems); and wireless LAN systems.
Preferably, circuit 1 is also designed to use the landline/public
switched telephone network (PSTN).
As another feature, the omni-modal circuit 1 may perform local
positioning calculations to accurately determine its location by
monitoring precisely synchronized timing signals which may be
broadcast by cell sites for this purpose. If such timing signals
were provided, the omni-modal circuit 1 could receive the signals,
determine the relative time delay in receiving at least three such
signals from different transmitter locations, and triangulate to
determine the distance of the omni-modal circuit to each of the
transmitters. If the omni-modal circuit 1 is installed in a
vehicle, this information may be used to determine the location of
the vehicle.
As will be seen, for each system which can be accessed by circuit
1, appropriate cross connections are provided between the radio
circuit or landline interface, as selected, and voice or data
sources and destinations. The appropriate cross connections are
established under program control and include conversions between
digital and analog signal forms at appropriate points in cases
where a signal in one form is to be transmitted using a method for
which a different signal form is appropriate. The operating
parameters of the transceiver may be optimized by a digital signal
processor for either voice or data transmission.
In addition, a library of command, control and data transmission
protocols appropriate for each supported system may be included in
circuit 1, and the device can implement the correct protocols by
consulting a lookup table during transmissions to obtain the data
channel protocols appropriate to the system selected. In another
embodiment, the library of command, control, and data transmission
protocols may be replaced, or supplemented, by information
transmitted over the radio frequencies to the device by the
carrier, or information downloaded from a hardwired connection to
another device. Flash memory, EEPROMs, or non-volatile RAM can be
used to store program information, permitting replacement or
updating of the operating instructions used by the device.
As examples, the library functions accessible by the device (and
also by external devices which may call the library functions) may
include the following: Select RF modulation frequency; select RF
modulation protocol; select data formatting/conditioning protocol;
transmit data in input stream using selected network and protocol;
select output; select input; select data/voice mode; answer call;
generate DTMF tones and transmit on selected network; scan for
control channels/available systems; obtain cost information for
current selected system; obtain cost information for all systems;
obtain operating quality information for current system; obtain
operating quality information for all systems; request transmission
channel in system; obtain signal strength for current channel;
obtain signal strength for all active systems; and initiate a
transmission on the selected network.
FIG. 1A shows a block schematic diagram of a preferred embodiment
of an omni-modal radio communication radio frequency (RF) circuit.
In the example shown, the RF circuit includes antenna 2, diplexer
4, amplifier 6, transmit mixer 8, receiver mixer 10, programmable
local oscillator 12, modulation selector switches 14 and 16, analog
detector-demodulator 18, digital demodulator 20, analog modulator
22, digital modulator 24, voice grade channel output 26, digital
output 28, voice grade channel input 30, and digital input 32.
Voice grade channel output 26 is connected to analog
detector-demodulator 18 and digital output 28 is connected to
digital demodulator 20. Analog detector-demodulator 18 and digital
demodulator 20 are selectively connected to receiver mixer 10
through switch 14. Receiver mixer 10 is connected to both local
oscillator 12 and diplexer 4. Diplexer 4 is connected to antenna 2.
These components provide radio frequency receive circuitry that
allows selective reception and demodulation of both analog and
digitally modulated radio signals.
Voice grade channel input 30 is connected to analog modulator 22
and digital input 32 is connected to digital modulator 24. Analog
modulator 22 and digital modulator 24 are selectively connected to
transmit mixer 8 through switch 16. Transmit mixer 8 is connected
to both local oscillator 12 and amplifier 6. Amplifier 6 is
connected to diplexer 4 and diplexer 4 is connected to antenna 2.
These components comprise radio frequency transmit circuitry for
selective transmission of analog or digitally modulated radio
signals.
The operation of the omni-modal radio communication RF circuit
shown in FIG. 1A will now be described in more detail. Antenna 2
serves to both receive and transmit radio signals. Antenna 2 is of
a design suitable for the frequency presently being received or
transmitted by the RF circuit. In the preferred embodiment, antenna
2 may be an antenna suitable for receiving and transmitting in a
broad range about 900 Mhz. However, different antennas may be
provided to permit different transceiver ranges, including dipole,
yagi, whip, micro-strip, slotted array, parabolic reflector, or
horn antennas in appropriate cases.
Diplexer 4 allows antenna 2 to receive broadcast radio signals and
to transmit the received signals to the demodulators 18 and 20, and
to allow modulated radio signals from modulators 22 and 24 to be
transmitted over antenna 2. Diplexer 4 is designed so that signals
received from amplifier 6 will be propagated only to antenna 2,
while signals received from antenna 2 will only be propagated to
receiver mixer 10. Diplexer 4 thus prevents powerful signals from
amplifier 6 from overloading and destroying receiver mixer 10 and
demodulators 18 and 20.
The receive path of the omni-modal RF circuit comprises receiver
mixer 10, which is connected to, and receives an input signal from,
diplexer 4. Receiver mixer 10 also receives a reference frequency
from local oscillator 12. Receiver mixer 10 converts the signal
received from diplexer 4 to a lower frequency signal and outputs
this intermediate frequency on output line 36 to switch 14. Switch
14 is connected through control line 38 to a microprocessor (not
shown). Control line 38 selectively controls switch 14 to pass the
intermediate frequency signal on output line 36 to either analog
detector-demodulator 18 or to digital demodulator 20. This
selection is controlled based upon the type of signal currently
being received. For example, if the omni-modal circuit 1 is tuned
to an analog communication system, switch 14 would be connected to
analog detector demodulator 18. If, however, the omni-modal circuit
1 is receiving a digital modulated signal, switch 14 would be in a
state to allow an intermediate frequency on output line 36 to be
transmitted to digital demodulator 20.
Analog detector demodulator 18 receives analog signals through
switch 14 from receiver mixer 10 on output line 36. Analog detector
demodulator converts the RF modulated signal received as an
intermediate frequency into a voice grade channel or VGC. The voice
grade channel may comprise an audio frequency spectrum going from
approximately 0 Hz to approximately 4 KHz. Analog detector
demodulator 18 is designed for demodulation of analog radio
frequency signals. For example, analog detector demodulator would
be capable of demodulating a frequency modulated (FM) radio
signals. Analog detector demodulator 18 may also be capable of
demodulating amplitude modulated (AM) radio signals.
Digital demodulator 20 is designed to demodulate digital signals
received from receiver mixer 10 through switch 14. Digital
demodulator 20 is designed to demodulate digital signals such as,
for example, pulse code modulation (PCM), time division multiple
access (TDMA), code division multiple access (CDMA), extended time
division multiple access (E-TDMA) and broad band code division
multiple access (BCDMA) signals. The output 28 from digital
demodulator 20 could consist of a digital bit stream.
The transmit circuitry of the omni-modal RF circuit will now be
described in detail. Analog voice grade channel signals can be
received over analog input 30 which is connected to analog
modulator 22. Analog modulator 22 acts to modulate the received
voice grade channel onto an intermediate frequency signal carrier.
Analog modulator 22 would be capable of modulating frequency
modulation (FM) or amplitude modulation (AM) signals, for
example.
As can be seen in FIG. 1A, analog modulator 22 is connected to
switch 16. The intermediate frequency output from analog modulator
22 on output line 42 is sent to switch 16. Switch 16 is connected
to a microprocessor (not shown) in a manner similar to switch 14
described above. Switch 16 is capable of selectively connecting
transmit mixer 8 to either analog modulator 22 or digital modulator
24. When switch 16 is connected to analog modulator 22 through
output line 42, analog modulated signals are transmitted to
transmit mixer 8.
Digital input can be received by the transmit portion of the RF
modulator circuitry through digital input 32. Digital input 32 is
connected to digital modulator 24 which acts to modulate the
received digital data onto an intermediate frequency RF carrier.
Digital modulator 24 may preferably be capable of modulating the
signal into a PCM, TDMA, E-TDMA, CDMA and BCDMA format. The output
44 of digital modulator 24 is connected to switch 16. Switch 16 can
be controlled through control line 40 to select the digital
modulated signal on output 44 and to selectively transmit that
signal to transmit mixer 8.
Transmit mixer 8 is connected to programmable local oscillator 12
which is capable of generating frequencies that cover the frequency
spectrum of the desired communication systems. Transmit mixer 8
operates in a manner well known in the art to covert the
intermediate frequency signal received from switch 16 to a radio
frequency for transmission over a radio communication system. The
output of transmit mixer 8 is connected to amplifier 6. Amplifier 6
acts to amplify the signal to insure adequate strength for the
signal to be transmitted to the remote receiving station. Amplifier
6 may be connected to control circuitry to allow the power output
of amplifier 6 to be varied in accordance with control signals
received from the control circuitry. The output of amplifier 6 is
connected to diplexer 4 and, as described above, to antenna 2.
FIG. 1B is a block schematic diagram of the input and control
circuitry of omni-modal circuit 1. As can be seen from FIG. 1B, the
input and control circuitry comprises speaker 100, microphone 102,
voice processing circuitry 104, digital to analog converter 106,
analog to digital converter 108, first selection switch 122,
microprocessor 110, memory 112, data input 114, data output 116,
data processing circuitry 118, second selector switch 120 and modem
124.
Microprocessor 110 is connected to memory 112 and operates to
control the input circuitry as well as the programmable local
oscillator 12 and switches 14 and 16 shown in FIG. 1A. Memory 112
can contain both data storage and program information for
microprocessor 110. Microprocessor 110 may be any suitable
microprocessor such as an Intel 80X86 or Motorola 680X0 processor.
Memory 112 contains a program that allows microprocessor 110 to
selectively operate the voice processing circuitry, data processing
circuitry and switches to select the appropriate transmission
channel for the communication signal currently being processed. In
this manner, microprocessor 110 allows omni-modal circuit 1 to
selectively operate on a plurality of radio communication
systems.
As can be seen in FIG. 1B, an externally provided speaker 100 and
microphone 102 are connected to voice processing circuitry 104.
Voice processing circuitry 104 has output 142 and input 144. Voice
processing output 142 is connected to switch 122. Similarly, voice
processing input 144 is connected to switch 122. Switch 122, which
may be an electronic analog switch, comprises two single pole
double throw switches which operate in tandem to selectively
connect voice output 142 and voice input 144 to appropriate data
lines. Switch 122 is connected through control line 146 to
microprocessor 110. Control line 146 allows microprocessor 110 to
selectively operate switch 122 in response to commands received
from the user or in response to a program in memory 112. In a first
position, switch 122 connects voice processing input 144 to voice
grade channel output 126. Referring to FIG. 1A, voice grade output
126 is connected to the output 26 of analog detector demodulator
18. In this manner, voice processing circuitry 104 is able to
receive demodulated analog voice signals from analog detector
demodulator 18. When voice processing input 144 is connected to
126, voice processing output 142 will be connected to voice input
130. As can be seen in FIG. 1A, voice input 130 is connected to
voice grade channel input 30 of analog modulator 22. In this
manner, voice processing circuitry 104 can transmit voice through
the transmit circuitry of FIG. 1A.
If switch 122 is changed to its alternate state, voice processing
input 144 will be connected to digital to analog converter 106.
Digital to analog converter 106 is connected to digital input 128
which, referring to FIG. 1A, is connected to digital output 28 of
digital demodulator 20. Digital to analog converter 106 acts to
receive a digital information bit stream on digital input 128 and
to convert it to an analog voice grade channel. The analog voice
grade channel from digital to analog converter 106 is sent through
voice input 144 to voice processing circuitry 104. Voice processing
circuitry 104 can then amplify or alter the voice grade channel
signal to the taste of the user and outputs the signal on speaker
100. Voice processing output 142 is connected to analog to digital
converter 108 which in turn is connected to digital output 132.
Digital output 132 is connected in FIG. 1A to digital input 32 and
to digital modulator 24. In this manner, voice processing circuitry
104 is capable of transmitting a voice or other analog voice grade
channel signal through a digital modulation system.
As noted above, omni-modal circuit 1 is capable of transmitting
data over a plurality of radio frequency communication systems. As
can be seen in FIG. 1B, data input 114 and data output 116 are
connected to data processing circuitry 118. Data input 114 allows
the processing circuitry to receive data from any number of user
devices. The format of the data received on data input 114 may be
variable or standardized depending on the circuitry provided in
data processing circuitry 118. For example, data input 114 may use
a standard RS-232 serial interface to receive data from a user
device. Data input 114 may also use a parallel twisted pair of HPIB
interface as well. Data output 116 similarly transmits data in a
format compatible with the equipment being used by the user. Data
processing circuitry 118 is connected to microprocessor 110 which
acts to control the formatting and conditioning of the data done by
data processing circuitry 118. For example, data processing
circuitry 118 may add protocol information or error correction bits
to the data being received on data input 114. Conversely, data
processing circuitry 118 may act to remove overhead bits such as
protocol or error correction bits from the data prior to its output
on data output 116. Data processing circuitry 118 is connected to
switch 120 through data output 150 and data input 152. Switch 120
operates in a manner similar to that described with respect to
switch 122 above. Switch 120 is connected to microprocessor 110
through control line 148. Microprocessor 110 operates to control
switch 120 to selectively connect the data output 150 to either
digital circuit output 140 or to modem input 156. Switch 120 also
operates to connect digital data input 152 to either digital input
138 or digital modem output 154. Modem 124 may be any standard
modem used to modulate digital data onto an analog voice grade
channel. For example, modem 124 may incorporate a modem chip set
manufactured by Rockwell International Corporation that receives
digital data and modulates it into a 4 KHz band width for
transmission over standard telephone systems. Modem input 156
receives data from data processing circuitry 118 through data input
152 and switch 120. The data received over modem input 156 is
modulated onto a voice grade channel and output on modulated modem
output 136. Modulated modem output 136 is connected to voice grade
channel input 30 of analog modulator 22 shown in FIG. 1A.
Similarly, digital modem output 154 receives demodulated baseband
signal from modem 124. The modulated data signal is received by
modem 124 from modem input 134, which is connected to voice grade
channel output 26 of analog detector demodulator 18. Modem 124 acts
to demodulate the data received over modem input 134 and outputs a
digital data stream on digital modem output 154. This digital data
stream is connected through switch 120 and data input 152 to data
processing circuitry 118. As described above, data processing
circuitry 118 conditions and formats the data received from the
modem and outputs the data to the user on data output 116. If the
user has selected a digital RF transmission system, it is not
necessary to use modem 124. In this case, switch 120 is operated so
that the digital data output 150 from data processing circuitry 118
is connected through digital output 140. Digital output 140 is
connected to digital input 32 of digital modulator 24 shown in FIG.
1A. Similarly, data input 152 to data processing circuitry 118 is
connected through digital input 138 to digital output 28 of digital
demodulator 20 shown in FIG. 1A.
As is readily apparent from the above discussion. FIGS. 1A and 1B
together depict a radio frequency communication system that is
capable of operating over a plurality of different radio channels
and is further capable of transmitting either analog or digital
data information signals as well as analog or digital voice
signals. The system is also capable of transmitting a 4 Khz voice
grade channel having both data and voice simultaneously
present.
FIG. 1B broadly depicts the operation of the circuit which involves
the selection by the microprocessor 110 of either a voice or data
call. Once this selection is made, the data is then sent to the RF
modulation circuitry shown in FIG. 1A. The RF modulation circuitry
is capable of modulating or demodulating either analog or digital
signals.
Circuit 1 is designed to facilitate product differentiation by
companies making use of circuit 1 as a standard building block for
radio voice and/or data communications devices. For example, each
manufacturer may provide specialized interface features for the
user, and specialized hardware controls appropriate for various
user groups. Circuit 1 is particularly advantageous in facilitating
these goals in that it provides microprocessor 110 and memory 112
that allow manufacturers to customize the operation of the circuit
with little or no additional components. Furthermore, circuit 1
could be pre-programmed with a series of primitives that would
allow a manufacturer to quickly and easily integrate the complex
features of the device into a use friendly consumer product.
Referring next to FIG. 2, a block schematic diagram of an advanced
cellular telephone implemented using an omni-modal radio
communication circuit 1 shown in FIG. 1 is depicted. The omni-modal
radio communication circuit of FIGS. 1A and 1B is shown in outline
form as reference number 1. Also shown in FIG. 2 are speaker 100,
microphone 102, digital data input 114, digital data output 116 and
universal digital input/output interface 158. As can be seen from
FIG. 2, the present radio communications circuit allows a cellular
phone to be constructed with the addition of minimal components.
The advanced cellular phone of FIG. 2 includes keypad 202, display
204 and interface connector 206. Keypad 202 and display 204 are
connected to interface connector 206. Interface connector 206
connects with the universal digital input/output interface 158
which connects to the omni-modal radio communications circuit 1
depicted in more detail in FIGS. 1A and 1B. Keypad 202 may be any
keypad used with telephone devices. Similarly, display 204 can be
any display used with standard cellular telephones or other
computing devices. For example, display 204 could be a
light-emitting diode (LED) or a liquid crystal display (LCD) as
commonly used with telephones, calculators and/or watches.
As shown in FIG. 2, keypad 202 and display 204 connect through
interface connector 206 to universal digital input/output interface
158 of the omni-modal RF circuit. The universal digital
input/output interface 158 allows the omni-modal circuit 1 to be
connected with a variety of electronic devices including keypad 202
and display 204. It is contemplated that universal digital
input/output interface 158 may comprise one connector or a
plurality of connectors each having different data protocols
transmitted and received therein. For example, universal
input/output interface 158 may include a keyboard or keypad
interface circuit as well as a display interface circuit. The
keypad interface circuit would include necessary circuitry for
buffering key strokes and receiving key input data from a keyboard.
The display driver circuitry would include a memory and processor
necessary for the display of data stored in the display memory. In
this manner, the omni-modal circuit 1 is capable of interacting
with many different keypads and display devices. In one preferred
embodiment, the universal interface connector includes a serial
addressable interface wherein the components connected to the
serial interface have a unique address byte assigned to each
component. This allows the serial interface to communicate with a
plurality of devices sequentially. Keypad 202 for example may be
assigned an address byte of 001, while display 204 would be
assigned address byte of 002. When the universal interface desires
to communicate from microprocessor 110 shown in FIG. 1B with the
keypad or display, the appropriate address would be included in the
data sent to the universal interface connector. Keypad 202 and
display 204 would monitor the data coming across the universal
interface 158 and would respond only to those bytes having an
appropriate address corresponding to the selective device.
The advanced cellular phone of FIG. 2 includes digital data input
114 and digital data output 116. This allows the phone to transmit
digital computer data without the need of bulky external interface
devices. For example, it is often necessary to use a tip and ring
interface emulator to communicate over a cellular network from a
computer or other data source. With the present invention, however,
it is only necessary to connect to the digital data input 114 and
to the digital data output 116. The data protocol used on these may
be any protocol suitable for data communication, but in the
preferred embodiment would be a RS 232 serial interface. By
connecting a computer serial interface port to data input 114 and
data output 116, data may be transmitted using the omni-modal
circuit 1. The microprocessor 110 and memory 112 shown in FIG. 1B
would configure the internal circuitry of the omni-modal circuit
for data transmission.
Also shown in FIG. 2 are speaker 100 and microphone 102. Speaker
100 and microphone 102 may be standard speakers and microphones
used on cellular telephones and are adapted to allow the omni-modal
circuit 1 to transmit voice communications over a cellular radio
network.
FIG. 3 is a block schematic diagram of a personal communicator
implemented through the use of the omni-modal circuit 1 shown in
FIGS. 1A and 1B. As shown in FIG. 3, the personal communicator
includes omni-modal circuit 1, personal communicator computing
circuitry 302, telephone handset 318, and interface circuitry
comprising data input 114, data output 116, and universal interface
158.
The personal communicator computing circuitry 302 includes display
304, microprocessor 306, memory 308, input device 316, data
interface jack 310 and RJ-11 jack 312. As can be seen in FIG. 3,
the microprocessor 306 is connected to the display 304, the memory
308, the input device 316 and to the data interface jack 310 and
RJ-11 jack 312.
The personal communicator computing circuitry 302 acts to allow the
user to interface and process data in a manner known to those of
skill in the art. For example, display 304 may include an LCD
display panel and may be color or black and white. Microprocessor
306 may include an Intel 80X86 microprocessor or any other
microprocessor manufactured by Intel or Motorola or other computer
processing chip manufacturers. Memory 308 includes random access
memory (RAM) and read-only memory (ROM) necessary for the
functioning of the computing device. Input device 316 may be a
keyboard or a pen-based interface or other interface including
voice recognition that allows for data to be input to the personal
communicator computing circuitry 302. Microprocessor 306 is
interfaced through data interface jack 310 to data input 114 and
data output 116 of the omni-modal circuit. This allows the personal
communicator computing circuitry 302 to transmit data using the
omni-modal circuit 1. Also, as seen in FIG. 3, microprocessor 306
is connected through universal interface 158 to microprocessor 110
in the omni-modal circuit 1. This permits the microprocessors 306
and 110 to exchange control and operating information with each
other. Should the microprocessor desire to make a data call,
microprocessor 306 can instruct the microprocessor 110 shown in
FIG. 1B of the omni-modal circuit 1 to initiate a data call through
a designated service provider. In response to such command from
microprocessor 306, microprocessor 110 shown in FIG. 1B may
initiate a switching action and configure the omni-modal circuit 1
to transmit data over a selected service provider. To increase the
flexibility of the personal communicator computing device, an RJ-11
jack 312 is included. The RJ-11 jack is connected to the data lines
from the microprocessor 306 and allows the personal communicator
computing device to transmit data over a standard landline
telephone.
In one particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the
omni-modal circuit 1 can transmit data over a landline telephone
line using RJ-11 jack 312 and modem 124 shown in FIG. 1B. The
microprocessor 306 of the personal communicator computing device
would transmit data through data interface jack 310 and data input
114 to the omni-modal circuit 1. The omni-modal circuit 1, would
receive the data at the data processing circuitry 118 and transmit
the data through data output 150 and modem input 156 to modem 124
shown in FIG. 1B. Modem 124 would then modulate the data onto a
voice grade channel and transmit the modulated data signal on modem
output 154 through switch 120 and data input 152 to data processing
circuitry 118. The data processing unit may then transmit the data
over data output 116 and into microprocessor 306 through interface
jack 310 shown in FIG. 3. The microprocessor 306 may then route the
data through auxiliary data output line 314 to RJ-11 jack 312. In
this manner, the personal communicator computing circuitry 302 is
able to send data over standard landline telephone lines without
the use of a second additional modem. The modem in the omni-modal
circuit 1 serves two functions allowing the personal communicator
user to send data through his standard landline wall jack or over a
wireless network depending on the availability of each at the time
the user desires to send the data.
Also shown in FIG. 3 is handset 318. In the preferred embodiment of
the personal communicator, the speaker 100 and microphone 102 would
be embodied in a separate handset 318. This handset 318 would
connect to the omni-modal circuit 1 through an appropriate
interface connection.
FIGS. 4A and 4B depict a communication device 402 employing the
omni-modal circuit 1 of the present invention, and having an
integrated display device for conveying information to a user. FIG.
4A shows the front of the communication device 402 that could serve
as a cellular phone. The device 402 includes speaker 100, antenna
2, microphone 102 and key pad buttons 406. In this regard, the
external features of the device are similar to those of a standard
commercially available cellular phone. As shown in FIG. 4B, the
device is unique in that it incorporates an expanded display 404
and control buttons 408, 410, 412 for the display of information to
the user. For example, the display 404 could convey airline flight
information to the user while they are connected with an airline
representative. In response to a user request, the airline
representative could transmit flight information to the user's
communication device 402, which would then display this information
on the display 404. The user could then cycle through the
information using increment button 408 and decrement button 410.
When the user desired to select a given flight, they could indicate
assent by pressing the enter button 412. This information would
then be transmitted digitally to the airline representative's
computer.
The capabilities of the omni-modal circuit 1 facilitate its use in
a device as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. Since the device is
programmable through the use of microprocessor 110 and memory 112
(FIG. 1B), it is capable of switching between voice and data modes
of operation. This allows the user to conduct a voice conversation
and then to receive data for display on the integrated display
device. Alternatively, the omni-modal circuit could access another
communication service to receive data for display, or it might
receive data over a subchannel during the conversation. This would
be particularly advantageous if the user desired to continue a
voice call while continuing to receive data information, as in the
case of the airline flight selection example given above.
Referring next to FIG. 5, a block schematic diagram of a
telephone/pager device using the omni-modal circuit 1 is shown. As
can be seen from FIG. 5, the telephone/page device includes keypad
502, display 504 and control circuitry 506. The keypad 502 is
connected to control circuitry 506. Display 504 is also connected
to control circuitry 506. Control circuitry 506 is farther
connected through universal digital input/output interface 158 to
the microprocessor 110 of the omni-modal circuit shown in FIG.
1B.
The combination telephone/pager device shown in FIG. 5 is generally
similar in design to the advanced cellular telephone shown in FIG.
2. One particularly advantageous aspect of the omni-modal circuit 1
is its ability to provide a great degree of flexibility in the
design and implementation of communication circuits. For different
implementations external to the omni-modal circuit, the memory 112
shown in FIG. 1B can be reprogrammed to provide different functions
through microprocessor 110 for the universal digital interface
158.
In FIG. 5, the telephone/pager implementation includes control
circuitry 506 which receives information through the universal
digital interface 158 from microprocessor 110. The control
circuitry can then determine whether or not a page signal has been
received by the omni-modal circuit 1 and if so it can display the
appropriate information on display 504. If, however, control
circuitry 506 receives information from microprocessor 110 that a
telephone call has been received or is being used, then control
circuitry 506 can appropriately display the telephone information
on display 504. Similarly, control circuitry 506 can receive
information from keypad 502 and selectively process this
information depending on the current mode of operation. For
example, if the device shown in FIG. 5 is in pager mode, control
circuitry 506 may allow keypad input to cycle through stored paging
messages. If however, the device shown in FIG. 5 is in telephone
mode, control circuitry 506 may process the keypad information
received from keypad 502 as telephone commands and transmit control
signals through interface 158 to microprocessor 110 to cause a
telephone call to be placed. Further, control circuitry 506 can
actuate alarm 508 which may be a audible alarm such as a beeping or
a vibration generator. Alarm 508 serves to notify the user when a
telephone call or page is received.
FIG. 6A is a block schematic diagram of a dual mode
cellular/cordless landline telephone is disclosed. The dual mode
device includes key pad 602, optional display 604, handset 606, and
interface connector 608. The key pad 602 and optional display 604
are connected to microprocessor 110 (FIG. 1B) through interface
connector 608 and universal digital interface 158.
Key pad 602 allows a user to provide information to microprocessor
110 for operating the dual mode device. For example, the user may
operate the key pad to indicate that a certain call should be made
on the cordless telephone network and not on the cellular network.
To the contrary, the user may specify that the cellular network was
to be used by operating the key pad 602 to so indicate.
One particularly preferred embodiment of a dual mode device may be
programmed to allow for automatic selection of either a cellular
communications network or a cordless telephone landline network.
This is particularly advantageous in that a cordless telephone
landline network is often considerably cheaper to access than is a
cellular telephone network. Therefore, if the device will
automatically access a cordless telephone network whenever one
available, and use the cellular network only we absolutely
necessary, the user can achieve substantial savings while still
having a single, portable, communications unit that operates over a
large geographic area. If the user requests service while within
his home, for example, the cordless telephone system would be used
and the user would be charged a minimal amount. If the user were to
place a call while away from his home a greater charge would be
incurred. The user, however, would use the same communications
equipment regardless of where the service was used, and the service
selection would appear transparent to the user.
FIG. 6B is a flowchart of one method that may be used to implement
this embodiment. The process of FIG. 6B begins 650 by determining
if the user has activated the device to request communications
services 652. If the user has not requested communication services,
the devices continues to check for a user request. If a user
request is detected, the device then determines if it is within
range of a cordless telephone landline system 654. If the device is
within range of a cordless telephone landline system, then the
device services the user's request using the cordless landline
communication system 662 and the process terminates 664. If the
device is not within range of a cordless landline network, then the
device determines if it is within the service range of a cellular
phone system 656. If the device is within range, the user's request
is serviced using the cellular phone system 660 and the process
terminates 664. If the device is not within range of a cellular
system, then the device issues an alert to the user to indicate
that no service is available 658 and the process terminates
664.
Although FIG. 6A and the above discussion focus on a dual mode
cellular/cordless landline telephone, it should be understood that
the a device in accordance with the present invention may include
the ability to access additional communication systems. For
example, it may be desirable to have a device substantially as
shown in FIG. 6A, but having the ability to access a personal
communication service (PCS) network in addition to the cellular and
cordless landline systems. This would allow the user to achieve
further cost savings while seamlessly moving throughout a given
geographic area.
Referring next to FIG. 7, a block schematic diagram of a personal
computer 702 incorporating an omni-modal circuit 1 is shown. As can
be seen in FIG. 7, computer 702 includes antennae 2 and an
interface port 704 that allows for a integrated circuit card to be
inserted into the computer. As shown in FIG. 7, the interface port
704 has installed therein a removable card 701 comprising an
omni-modal circuit 1. The omni-modal radio communications card 701
includes connector 706, which may include data input 114, data
output 116 and universal digital interface 158 shown in FIG. 1B.
This connector allows the omni-modal radio interface card 701 to
communicate with the computer through a corresponding mating
connector 708 inside the personal communicator. This allows the
microprocessor 110 on the omni-modal radio communications card 701
to communicate with the memory and microprocessor contained in the
computer 702. In a preferred embodiment, the omni-modal radio
communications card 701 is in the form of a PCMCIA card adapted to
interface into a standard slot in a portable or other computing
device. FIG. 7 also shows an optional telephone handset 710 which
may be interfaced to the radio communication interface card 701.
Optional handset 710 includes speaker 100 and microphone 102, and
serves to allow for voice communication over radio network service
providers that provide such capability.
The omni-modal radio communication card 701 also has an external
RJ-11 data jack 712. The external RJ-11 data jack 712 allows
omni-modal communications card 701 to transmit data over a
telephone landline circuit using a common RJ-11 interface cable.
Omni-modal communications card 701 includes a modem 124 in FIG. 1B
for modulating digital data onto a voice grade channel suitable for
transmission over a landline telephone connection.
Therefore, the radio communications card 701 serves as a modem to
the personal computer and a separate modem card or external modem
is not necessary in order to transmit data over a landline jack.
The microprocessor 110 in the omni-modal circuit card 701 allows
the circuitry to select either landline transmission via external
RJ-11 jack 712 or cellular radio transmission through antennae 2.
This may be accomplished for example through an analog switch
circuit as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,972,457, the disclosure of
which is incorporated herein by reference.
FIG. 8 is a block schematic diagram of a special purpose radio data
transmitting device 801 that is implemented using the omni-modal
circuit. It is often desirable to be able to construct a device
that will be capable of operating to send data wirelessly. For
example, it may be desirable to include such a device in a vending
machine or gasoline pump. Device 801 may then relay data at a
predetermined time concerning the amount of consumables (e.g. food,
beverages, gasoline, etc.) still remaining in stock. In this
manner, it is not necessary to have a person physically inspect the
device and evaluate the remaining stock, which would be
considerably more expensive.
The omni-modal circuit 1 of the present invention can be used to
implement a system as described above. Referring to FIG. 8, the
omni-modal circuit 1 is connected to a data source 802 through data
lines 806 comprising data input line 114 and data output line 116.
Additionally, microprocessor 110 (FIG. 1B) is connected to the data
source through universal digital interface 158 and control line
804. The resulting omni-modal device 801 can be programed to access
a selected communications service at a periodic interval and to
transmit data from the data source at that time. This function can
be included in the library of functions available on circuit 1.
After accessing the communications service, microprocessor 110 may
instruct data source 802 using control line 804 to transmit data
over data lines 806. Of course, the omni-modal device 801 will have
the circuits necessary to use a plurality of different transmission
networks. However, because of mass production and the availability
of predetermined designs it may be desirable to use the standard
building block circuit 1 to implement limited-purpose devices which
will be used with only one or two systems, even though these
limited purpose devices will use only a portion of the built-in
capabilities of circuit 1.
In addition to functions directly related to radio communications
and modulation, the library may desirably include other functions
which enable desirable computing features. Fore example, data
displaying, electronic mail storage, retrieval, and composition,
and other computing functions may be included in the library. In
addition, if a high powered processor is provided, the library may
be expanded to include substantial operating system functions so
that circuit 1 can be used to construct full-fledged personal
computers and personal communicators capable of running third party
applications programs.
As described above, circuit 1 will be capable of utilizing any one
of the wireless data services within a given geographic area. The
selection of the service to be used can be made manually by the
user, or can be selected automatically. Referring to FIG. 9,
circuit 1 may have a preprogrammed routine for selecting
information carriers based on varying criteria. As shown in FIG. 9,
the criteria for selecting a carrier may be varied by the user.
Possible criteria include the cost of sending a data message;
quality of transmission link (signal strength, interference actual
or potential); available bandwidth on a carrier for data
transmission (or transmission speed supported); potential for being
bumped off the system or having transmissions delayed (that is, is
the service provider at nearly full capacity); security of
transmission; or other special criteria which the user or the
device may establish based on the user's individual priorities. As
another example, the length of a data message to be transmitted may
be considered as a factor in selecting the carrier. If the length
of the proposed message is made known to circuit 1, this
information can be used in conjunction with pricing information to
determine the lowest cost route. For example, for very short
messages a paging service or cellular digital packet data (CDPD)
service might be selected. For longer messages, such as fax or data
file transmission, a circuit switched connection with high speed
data transfer capacity (such as AMPS cellular) may be more
cost-effective.
Information about the costs and services offered by carriers in the
area will be made available to the omni-modal circuit 1 for use in
this competitive selection process, either through pre-programming
by the user or selling organization or by transmission of the
information in a manner described elsewhere herein.
The carrier may be selected by any one of the characteristics of
the available competing carriers. For example, a given user may be
price sensitive, and wish to always employ the lowest cost
transmission method. Another user may have time-critical
communications needs (e.g. securities trading or news reporting)
and may prefer the most reliable or the highest speed transfer
regardless of price.
In determining the cost of a particular transmission, circuit 1
preferably first determines the type and quantity of data to be
transmitted. For example, if the user has selected a function of
transmitting a file or an electronic mail message, circuit 1 will
determine the length of the message, and file. This information is
then used in determining the protected cost of transmitting the
data on each system. For example, for a short E-mail message, the
expected cost for an AMPS cellular system will be the cost of
making a one-minute call. For a packet radio system, the expected
cost will be the length of the message divided by the number of
characters per packet, times the cost per packet. As long as the
basis for carrier charges is provided to circuit 1, the cost
factors relevant for any particular message can be calculated.
Thus, circuit 1 can intelligently predict relative costs of
transmitting over various networks and can operate with a low-cost
preference dependent on characteristics of an individual message.
Different low-cost transmission modes are appropriately selected
for messages having different characteristics.
A more sophisticated approach than pure low-cost selection allows
the user to assign weights to different competitive factors (price,
signal clarity, transmission speed or other factors) depending on
the individual preferences and needs of the user. Based on the
assigned weights, the circuit then calculates a "score" for each
available system and selects the system with the highest score. As
an example, a user may instruct the circuit to select carriers
based 60% on the ratio of the lowest price to the price of the
particular carrier and 40% on normalized signal strength. If the
cost to send the message on System I is $0.50 (signal strength 2),
the cost on System II is $0.60 (signal strength 4), the cost on
System III is $0.85 (signal strength 5) and the cost on System IV
is $0.50 (signal strength 1) circuit 1 would calculate scores
of:
System I: 0.60(0.50/0.50)+0.40(2/5)=0.76
System II: 0.60(0.50/0.60)+0.40(4/5)=0.82
System III: 0.60(0.50/0.85)+0.40(5/5)=0.75
System IV: 0.60(0.50/0.50)+0.40(1/5)=0.68
so System II would be selected. With the same systems available, if
the user preferred a selection based 80% on cost and only 20% on
signal quality, the scores would be
System I: 0.80(0.50/0.50)+0.20(2/5)=0.88
System II: 0.80(0.50/0.60)+0.20(4/5)=0.83
System III: 0.80(0.50/0.85)+0.20(5/5)=0.67
System IV: 0.80(0.50/0.50)+0.20(1/5)=0.84
and System I would be selected. Of course, the application of this
weighted selection criteria is not limited to, and is not
necessarily based on, price and signal strength. Any number of
criteria, including these or others, can be considered in a formula
to meet the individual user's needs. The criteria for a particular
user are stored in a user profile in the memory of circuit 1.
Preferably, a default user profile corresponding to the preferences
of a large number of users is established. Then, the individual
user can change his or her user profile to establish different
selection parameters and preferences at any time through
appropriate input to circuit 1.
Particularly desirable selection algorithms may also take multiple
factors into account by employing branching algorithms to select
the carrier. For example, one multistage selection process based on
multiple criteria would operate as follows. Initially, systems
which are incapable of performing the desired function would be
eliminated from consideration. For example, if the user wants to
place a voice call, data-only systems would not be considered. As
another example, if the user wants to send a fax to a customer and
a given network has no capability of transmitting fax information
to a specified telephone number, that system would not be
considered for the proposed task. Next, among the systems
available, circuit 1 may predict the lowest cost route based on a
formula accounting for the message length and the costs of the
available systems, including consideration of any long-distance
surcharges implied by the destination of the information transfer.
Finally, users may also prefer that circuit 1 automatically avoid
selecting carriers which are suffering performance degradations
because of capacity limits, or which have a particularly weak
signal at the location of the user. In this way, if the carrier
which would otherwise be preferred will not be able to provide a
fast, accurate information transfer at the time from the user's
location, the carrier that is the "next best" according to the
primary programmed selection criteria (cost in this example) may be
automatically selected. A tradeoff between signal quality and cost
may also be arbitrated by the weighting method described above.
Preferably, any one or combination of the above selection criteria
is available in the circuit 1 and the selection criteria can be
selected, programmed, changed or overridden by the user. Adaptive
service provider selection may be implemented based on user
experience. That is, the information transmission track record of
circuit 1 with a particular service provider (e.g. error rate,
dropped connections, transmission time) can be stored and updated,
and this information can be used as a weighted factor in selecting
service providers. In this way, service providers providing poor
services can be avoided in cases where more desirable alternatives
are available.
The market and consumer implications of the present invention are
substantial, in that the circuits and methods of the present
invention tend to introduce intense competition for customers among
various wireless carriers. The present invention automatically
identifies service providers that best meet the user's performance
requirements. In this way, service providers that meet the varying
demands of the most user will have a large market share and
maintain full usage of their available frequency spectrum. The
invention therefore allows the users to drive the market by
creating price and service competition among carriers.
In addition, the omni-modal capability of the present invention
facilitates a free market for the use of frequency spectrum.
Circuit 1 can be activated to select a specified channel frequency,
but may be activated to use command, control, and data protocols on
that channel that are normally appropriate for different channels,
if the carrier controlling the frequency has authorized another
carrier to temporarily use the first carrier's channel. As an
example, a local AMPS cellular telephone carrier may have open
channels, which may be temporarily "rented" to a Specialized Mobile
Radio (SMR) carrier which is experiencing heavy traffic on its
assigned channels. The SMR carrier may then direct persons
requesting SMR service to operate on the "rented" channel, but
using SMR protocols rather than the AMPS protocols which would
normally be appropriate to that channel. This method of operation
maximizes the efficient use of available frequencies by allowing
carriers to shrink and expand the number of channels available
based on current demand. During rush hours, when AMPS traffic is
high, additional channels might be reallocated to AMPS by market
forces; that is, the AMPS carrier will rent additional channels
from under-utilized carriers to provide the services desired by the
public at that time. At other times, demand for other systems may
increase, and AMPS or other carriers may rent their under-utilized
bandwidth to carriers having a substantial demand. This might
occur, for example, if a network providing status reporting
services from remotely located equipment (vending machines, gas
pumps, etc.) is designed to transmit a large volume of data during
late night or early morning hours. If the remotely located
equipment is provided with an omni-tunable device, the status
report network can rent channels from other carriers and use
multiple channels to service its customers. In this way, economic
incentives are established to ensure that airwave channels are
assigned to their most productive use at all times, and the
anti-competitive effects of carrier monopolies established by FCC
channel assignments are reduced.
Referring to FIG. 9, one method for evaluating system selection is
shown. The process begins 902 with the determination by the
omni-modal circuit 1 of whether a data of voice service is desired
904. If a data service is desired, the circuit 1 obtains price
information 908 for the available data service providers. If a
voice service is desired, the circuit 1 obtains voice pricing
information 906. Once this pricing information is obtained, the
circuit 1 evaluates the information to make a service provider
selection based on the criteria supplied from the user. Once this
selection is made, circuit 1 is configured for accessing the
selected service provider 912 and establishes a connection with
that provider 914. Once the user has completed his use of the
selected service provider, the process ends 916.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing steps useful in a method according
to the present invention for "advertising" available carrier
services in a geographic area. In this method, wireless service
providers broadcast electronically, as part of any "handshaking"
procedure with an omni-modal product, information such as rate
information, information specifying system operating
characteristics such as system utilization, the likelihood of being
dropped, and other factors noted above which may be desirably
considered in carrier selection. This information may be broadcast
in each geographical region by a jointly operated or
government-operated transmitter operating at a predetermined
frequency. Circuit 1 may then be operated to scan the predetermined
"service advertising" channel and obtain necessary information for
use in selecting carriers. On a government-operated channel,
government-collected statistics on the operation of the various
carriers in the area may be transmitted as a consumer service to
further encourage service competition and assist users in selecting
the most appropriate carrier.
Alternatively, individual carriers may broadcast pricing
information on individual command channels. Pricing can be changed
on a dynamic basis to maintain a desired system load level. In
fact, in one preferred embodiment, an automated price negotiation
can be performed in which the circuit 1 transmits an indication of
the type and amount of information which is to be transmitted, and
the carrier responds by quoting a price for the transmission. Such
quotes can be obtained from multiple carriers and the lowest cost
transmission mode can be selected, or the quoted prices can be
factored into an equation that considers other factors in addition
to price, as disclosed previously. As part of this scheme, radio
carriers may implement a dynamic demand curve evaluation program in
which system load and profitability are constantly monitored. The
evaluation program may also monitor the percentage of requested
quotes which are not accepted. In this way, the radio carrier's
system can dynamically adjust prices to maximize revenue to the
carrier at all times, based on a real-time model of the current
demand curve for airtime service in the area.
One method in which system information could be distributed to
users is shown in FIG. 10. The process starts 1002 by contacting a
selected service provider 1004. The service provider provides
information to a central location as discussed above. Once the
information for the first selected service provider is complete,
the process determines if other service providers exist 1008. If
other providers exist, the process 1004 and 1006 is repeated for
each additional service provider. When service information is
compiled for all service providers, the process compiles and
formats the information into a standard reporting form the is
understandable to all mobile units 1010. The process then
determines the proper modulating frequency and protocol for the
desired geographic area 1012 and broadcasts this information to all
mobile users on the selected frequency and using the selected
protocol 1014. Once the information has been broadcast to the
users, the process ends 1016.
Referring next to FIG. 11, a flowchart showing a handshake sequence
for arranging information transmission using the omni-modal circuit
1 of the present invention is shown. The process begins 1102 with
the omni-modal circuit 1 accessing a service provider 1104 and
receiving carrier cost information from the service provider 1106.
The omni-modal circuit 1 may also receive additional information
from the service provider such as signal quality, system resources,
and available bandwidth. The circuit 1 then stores the information
received from the service provider 1108. The circuit determines if
other service providers exist 1110 and, if they do, repeats the
above steps to acquire cost and availability information for each
service within the omni-modal circuit's range.
Once information has been acquired for all available service
providers, the information is evaluated 1112. This evaluation could
consist of a simple determination based on a single factor, or
could include more complex calculations relating to weighting of
given factors and qualities. The results of the evaluation are used
to select a service provider to process the users pending request
for services. A connection is established 1114 on the selected
service provider, and the user's request is processed, after when
the process ends 1116.
FIG. 12 is a view of a cellular radiotelephone 1200 which is
generally of the type and configuration described above with
reference to FIG. 2. However, radiotelephone 1200 is constructed
using a modular omni-modal circuit 1 constructed on a removable
card 1204 which is provided with a standardized connector or
connector (for example, a PCMCIA connector) 1205 to establish all
necessary interface connections to a plurality of receiving devices
in the manner described above with reference to FIG. 7.
As can be seen in FIG. 12, a telephone shell 1202 containing a
battery power supply, microphone, speaker, keypad, and antenna 2
has a receiving slot 1206 for receiving card 1204 carrying circuit
1. When card 1204 is installed in telephone shell 1202, connector
1205 mates with connector 1208 within slot 1206 and the external
components of the shell 1202 are operatively combined with card
1204 to create a functional multi-modal cellular telephone.
FIG. 13 illustrates the installation of the same card 1204 in a
notebook sized computer 1302, whereby the computer 1302 is provided
with complete omni-modal network access. By using the same card
1204 containing standardized circuit 1 to provide radio network
access for various devices, the user can avoid maintaining multiple
accounts or telephone numbers, yet can communicate by radio using
many devices. For example, a receiving slot for card 1204 could be
provided in the user's automobile, and insertion of card 1204 upon
entering the car would activate cellular communications capability
in the car. The same card 1204 can be readily transferred between
the car, a portable handset shell as shown in FIG. 12, and a
computer as shown in FIG. 13 for data transmission.
The omni-modal circuit of the present invention can perform both
page receiving and other functions, such as placing cellular
telephone calls. However, since only a single transmitting and
receiving circuit is provided, when the device is in use on a
non-paging communications network such as an AMPS cellular
telephone system, any pages directed to the device may not be
received. The present invention provides a solution to this
potential problem in which the paging system control is
interconnected with other network(s) such as the local AMPS
cellular system. It should be understood that while connection of
the pager system to the AMPS system is shown as an example, such
connections may be provided between any systems used by the
omni-modal circuit 1 to achieve similar objectives.
FIG. 14 is a block schematic diagram of a paging relay system
according to the present invention for use with omni-modal circuits
1 that support pager functions and also a non-pager network
function such as cellular telephone operation. FIG. 14 shows a
paging system 1400 which is connected in a conventional manner by
lines 1406 to a broadcast antenna 1408 which transmits pager
signals to pager devices such as the omni-modal circuit 1 shown in
the Figure. In addition, FIG. 14 shows a cellular telephone network
office 1402 which is connected to control the operation of the
cellular telephone cell site transmitter 1412 by lines 1410.
Significantly, the paging system 1400 is connected to the cellular
telephone network office 1402 by lines 1404 which permit transfer
of operational and control information between the paging system
1400 and cellular telephone network office 1402. Because of the
connection of lines 1404, the paging system can determine whether
the omni-modal device 1 is engaged in a cellular call and will thus
be unable to receive a page.
FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a preferred operation of the pager
and other (for example AMPS) systems interconnected as described
with reference to FIG. 14. In block 1502, the pager system first
determines by reference to stored records whether the pager device
which is to be contacted is an omni-modal circuit 1 which may be
engaged in data transmission with another system at the time of any
given page. If not, the page can be sent by the usual broadcast
method in block 1504. If an omni-modal circuit 1 is involved in the
paging operation, the pager system then contacts any connected
networks which might be in use by omni-modal device 1 and inquires
whether the device is in fact using such networks in block 1506. If
not, the omni-modal device is presumed to be available for
receiving a page and control transfers to block 1504 for
transmission of the page by conventional methods. If circuit 1 is
in use, the pager system determines whether delivery by the
alternate network may be accomplished in block 1508. This may be
determined by appropriate factors, including whether the network
(e.g. AMPS) is capable of and willing to deliver the page
information to circuit 1, and whether the user of circuit 1 has
subscribed to this service.
If delivery by the alternate network is not available, control
transfers to block 1510 which imposes a time delay. The page
information is stored, and after some appropriate period of time,
control transfers to block 1506 and the pager system again attempts
to determine whether the page can be transmitted by conventional
means.
If the alternative network is able to deliver the page and this
service is to be provided, control transfers from block 1508 to
block 1512 and the page is transmitted over the alternative system.
In the case of the AMPS system, the page information may be
transmitted as a momentary interruption in an ongoing conversation,
as information provided on a command channel, as subaudible
information (e.g. in a band from 0 to 300 Hz), or by another
appropriate method.
* * * * *