Method and apparatus for providing a communication path using common sites
First Claim
1. In a radio communication system having a plurality of sites, wherein each site has a corresponding coverage area, and wherein at least some of the coverage areas overlap with one another, a method of providing a communication path between a first and a second communication unit, comprising the steps of:
- A) determining whether the first and second communication units are currently being serviced by different sites;
B) when the first and second communication units are currently being serviced by different sites, determining whether the first and second communication units can both be serviced by a common site; and
C) when the first and second communication units are serviceable by a common site, establishing the communication path between the first and second communication units using the common site.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method of collapsing a communication path among at least two communication units (104-107) reduces the number of sites normally required to provide a communication. Each of a plurality of site controllers (103) in a radio communications system has a corresponding coverage area (100, 101), and at least some of the coverage areas (710-712) overlap one another. The method includes the step of determining (402) whether the communication units are currently being serviced by different sites, and then determining (405) whether they can be serviced by a common site. When the communication units are serviceable by a common site, the call might be established (406) through the common site, resulting in a reduced number of sites required to complete a call.
17 Citations
22 Claims
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1. In a radio communication system having a plurality of sites, wherein each site has a corresponding coverage area, and wherein at least some of the coverage areas overlap with one another, a method of providing a communication path between a first and a second communication unit, comprising the steps of:
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A) determining whether the first and second communication units are currently being serviced by different sites; B) when the first and second communication units are currently being serviced by different sites, determining whether the first and second communication units can both be serviced by a common site; and C) when the first and second communication units are serviceable by a common site, establishing the communication path between the first and second communication units using the common site. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. In a radio communication system having a plurality of sites, wherein each site has a corresponding coverage area, and wherein at least some of the coverage areas overlap with one another, a method of providing a communication path among a group of communication units, comprising the steps of:
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A) establishing an inclusion list which identifies sites to be included in establishing the communication path; B) determining whether members of the group of communication units can be serviced by only one site of the plurality of sites, and identifying said only one site; C) when at least one group member can be serviced by only one site, adding said one site to said inclusion list; D) determining whether remaining group members are currently being serviced by different sites; E) when said remaining group members are currently being serviced by different sites, identifying a set of common sites which can provide service to said remaining group members; F) adding said set of common sites to said inclusion list; and G) establishing the communication path using said identified sites in said inclusion list. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A site controller for use in a radio communication system having a plurality of sites, wherein each site has a corresponding coverage area, and wherein at least some of the coverage areas overlap with one another, the radio communication system having at least a first and second communication unit, where the first communication unit requests a communication with the second communication unit, the site controller comprising:
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A) means for determining whether the first and second communication units are currently being serviced by different sites; B) means for determining whether the first and second communication units which are currently being serviced by different sites can be serviced by a common site; and C) means for establishing a communication path through said common site when the first and second communication units are serviceable by a common site. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A site controller for use in a radio communication system having a plurality of sites, wherein each site has a corresponding coverage area, and wherein at least some of the coverage areas overlap with one another, the site controller comprising:
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A) storage means for storing an inclusion list which identifies sites to be included in establishing a communication path among a group of communication units; B) means for determining whether members of the group of communication units can be serviced by only one site, and including means for identifying such sites as required sites; C) means for altering said inclusion list to include said required sites; D) means for determining whether remaining group members are currently being serviced by different sites; E) means for identifying, among said different sites servicing those of said remaining group members, a set of common sites which can provide service to said remaining group members; F) means for altering said inclusion list to include said set of common sites; and G) means for establishing said communication path using said sites identified in said inclusion list.
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19. In a radio communication system having a plurality of sites, wherein each site has a corresponding coverage area, and wherein at least some of the coverage areas overlap with one another, a method of providing a communication path between a first and a second communication unit, comprising the steps of:
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A) determining whether the first and second communication units are currently being serviced by different sites; B) when the first and second communication units are currently being serviced by different sites, determining whether the first and second communication units can both be serviced by a common site by; B1) at the first communication unit, monitoring signals from at least a primary site that currently provides service to the first communication unit; B2) measuring at least one quality metric for at least some of the monitored signals; B3) using the at least one measured quality metric to determine whether the first and second communication units can both be serviced by the common site; and C) when the first and second communication units are serviceable by the common site, establishing the communication path between the first and second communication units using the common site. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22)
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Specification