Method of assigning a control channel as a temporary voice/data channel in a radio communications system
First Claim
1. In a central controller used in a radio communications system having a limited number of voice channels, the central controller allocating the voice channels via a control channel on which control signals are sent, a method of converting a current control channel for use as a voice/data channel in order to maintain a predetermined level of communication service to a plurality of radios in the system, the method comprising the steps of:
- receiving, from a requesting one of the plurality of radios, a request for a voice channel;
determining whether all of the voice channels are busy;
determining when it is determined that all of the voice channels are busy, a current loading condition for the current control channel; and
assigning, responsive to said step of determining, the current control channel as a temporary voice channel.
2 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method (215) of converting a current control channel for use as a communication (voice/data) channel, in order to maintain a predetermined level of service in a radio communications system, employs a central controller (101) to allocate a limited number of communication channels among a plurality of subscriber units (108-112). After receiving (203) a request for a communication channel from one of a plurality of subscriber units (108-112), the controller (101) determines (205) whether all of the communication channels are busy. The controller then temporarily converts (215) the current control channel to a communication channel.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. In a central controller used in a radio communications system having a limited number of voice channels, the central controller allocating the voice channels via a control channel on which control signals are sent, a method of converting a current control channel for use as a voice/data channel in order to maintain a predetermined level of communication service to a plurality of radios in the system, the method comprising the steps of:
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receiving, from a requesting one of the plurality of radios, a request for a voice channel; determining whether all of the voice channels are busy; determining when it is determined that all of the voice channels are busy, a current loading condition for the current control channel; and assigning, responsive to said step of determining, the current control channel as a temporary voice channel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. In a radio used in a radio communications system having a limited number of voice channels, the system further having a dynamic control channel configuration, the radio receiving outbound signalling words (OSW'"'"'s) from a central controller, and sending inbound signalling words (ISW'"'"'s) to the central controller, the OSW'"'"'s and ISW'"'"'s being used for facilitating access to the limited number of voice channels, a method of accommodating a change in control channel configuration, the method comprising the steps of:
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receiving a first indication signal that a current control channel is being assigned as a voice channel; queuing, responsive to said first indication signal, subsequent request ISW'"'"'s; and sending, at a later time, said queued ISW'"'"'s to the central controller, via a control channel that is made available at said later time. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification