Call processing using logical channel assignments
First Claim
1. A method of operating a device used in electronically communicating call data through a communications network, said method comprising the steps of:
- receiving a network control message from said network, said message conveying a logical channel identification value for use in transmitting call data during a call;
obtaining call data for transmission through said network during said call; and
sending a call data communication to said network, said call data communication including said logical channel identification value and said call data.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A communications network includes satellites, which serve as switching nodes and move in orbits about the earth. The network additionally includes stationary switching offices. Mobile communication units communicate with the network through the satellites using TDMA data packets and network control messages. The switching offices couple to PSTNs. Each mobile unit is managed by a nearby switching office that assigns a logical channel identification (LCID) value to the unit. The unit and network use the LCID value to identify the unit in network communications so that network resources are conserved. The network insures that LCID values assigned to opposing parties in a call are included in all TDMA data packets transported to the opposing parties. Satellites and switching offices use these LCID values as logical channel assignments which do not change throughout the duration of the call, in spite of movement by satellites.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method of operating a device used in electronically communicating call data through a communications network, said method comprising the steps of:
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receiving a network control message from said network, said message conveying a logical channel identification value for use in transmitting call data during a call; obtaining call data for transmission through said network during said call; and sending a call data communication to said network, said call data communication including said logical channel identification value and said call data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method of operating a first communication unit to facilitate calls between said first communication unit and other units accessible through a communications network, said method comprising the steps of:
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(a) associating a substantially permanent identification value with said first communication unit; (b) sending said substantially permanent identification value to said network; (c) receiving a logical channel identification value from said network in response to said step (b); and (d) sending a network control message to said network, said network control message including said logical channel identification value as an identifier for said first communication unit. - View Dependent Claims (6)
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7. A method of operating a switching node of a communications network having a plurality of switching nodes, said network serving to communicate time division multiple access data packets with a communication unit, said method comprising the steps of:
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setting up a call through said communications network with said communication unit, said call comprising sending data packets to said communication unit from said communications network and sending data packets from said communications network to said communication unit; obtaining a logical channel identification value; storing said logical channel identification value so that an association is formed between said logical channel identification value and data related to said call; and causing said logical channel identification value to be included with data packets sent to said communication unit, said logical channel identification value being used by said network in routing said data packets to said communication unit. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification