Associated systems and methods for providing data services using idle cell resources
First Claim
1. A method for managing network resources in a communications system having a packet switch and a network access node with a limited number of channels for communicating with remote user devices, the method comprising:
- assigning a priority to a first remote user device;
receiving a request for service for the first remote user device;
retrieving the priority for the first remote user device;
ascertaining if any channel of the network access node for the first remote user device is idle;
if a channel is idle, allocating the channel for the first remote user device; and
if all channels are busy, placing the request for service for the first remote user device in a queue;
ordering the queue based on priorities of the remote user devices in the queue; and
when one of the channels becomes idle, allocating the idle channel to the remote user device at the head of the queue.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Associated systems and methods for providing data services using idle cell capacity in a communications system. The systems and methods assign priorities to each remote user device in the communications system. In response to a request for service for a remote user device, the switch determines whether an idle channel is available for the remote user device. If no idle channel is available, the switch determines whether a remote user device with a lower priority than the requesting remote user device is using a channel. If a lower priority remote user device is using a channel, its call is terminated and the channel is assigned to the requesting remote user device. If no lower priority remote user device is using a channel, the request for service is put into an ordered queue to wait for the next available idle channel.
84 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A method for managing network resources in a communications system having a packet switch and a network access node with a limited number of channels for communicating with remote user devices, the method comprising:
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assigning a priority to a first remote user device;
receiving a request for service for the first remote user device;
retrieving the priority for the first remote user device;
ascertaining if any channel of the network access node for the first remote user device is idle;
if a channel is idle, allocating the channel for the first remote user device; and
if all channels are busy, placing the request for service for the first remote user device in a queue;
ordering the queue based on priorities of the remote user devices in the queue; and
when one of the channels becomes idle, allocating the idle channel to the remote user device at the head of the queue. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for managing network resources in a communications system having a packet switch and a network access node with a limited number of channels for communicating with remote user devices, the method comprising:
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receiving a request for service for a broadcast call;
assigning a higher priority to the request for service for a broadcast call;
ascertaining if any channel at the network access node of a first remote user device is idle;
if all channels are in use;
queuing a call of another remote user device with a lower priority than a first remote user device; and
allocating the channel of the other remote user device to the first remote user device. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
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13. A method for storing and forwarding data in a communications system having a packet switch and a network access node with a limited number of channels for communicating with remote user devices, the method comprising:
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assigning a priority for each remote user device;
receiving a request for service for a first remote user device;
retrieving the priority for the first remote user device; and
determining whether the request for service is for a data call;
if the request for service is for a data call, determining whether to store incoming data associated with the data call; and
if incoming data associated with the data call is stored, terminating the data call connection. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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16. A communications system having a switch adapted to handle data and voice calls, a network access node with a limited number of channels for communicating with remote user devices, the switch comprising:
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a memory associated with a database in which a priority for each remote user device is stored; and
a node controller operatively connected to the memory and adapted to control the switch, wherein the node controller;
ascertains an availability of the limited number of channels at the network access node;
receives a request for service at the switch for a first remote user device;
retrieves the priority for the first remote user device;
if none of the channels are idle;
places the request for service for the first remote user device in a queue;
orders the queue based on the priority of the remote user devices in the queue; and
when one of the channels becomes idle, allocates that idle channel to the remote user device at the head of the queue. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. In a communications system having a switch adapted to handle a data or a voice call, a network access node with a limited number of channels for communicating with remote user devices, the switch comprising:
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a memory associated with a database in which a priority for each remote user device is stored; and
a node controller operatively connected to the memory and adapted to control the functions of the switch, wherein the node controller;
receives a request for service at the switch for a first remote user device;
ascertains if any channel at the access node of the first remote user device is idle;
if none of the channels are idle;
searches for a second remote user device with a priority lower than the first remote user device among the remote user devices that are using the channels at the access node;
if a second remote user device with a priority lower than the first remote user device is found, terminates the call of the second remote user device; and
allocates the channel of the second remote user device to the first remote user device. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification