User requested communication resource allocation

• US 5,512,884 A
• Filed: 04/21/1995
• Issued: 04/30/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Motorola Solutions, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Motorola, Inc. (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
• Inventors: Hesse, Gregory N., McDonald, Daniel J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Olms, Douglas W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HOM, SHICK C
• Application Number:
  US08/428,786
• Time in Patent Office: 375 Days
• Field of Search: 340/825.03, 340/825.04, 340/825.47, 340/825.49, 455/11.1, 455/16, 455/33.1, 455/34.1, 379/58, 379/59, 379/60, 379/62, 370/60, 370/94.1, 370/58.1, 370/58.2
• US Class Current: 455/509
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/044 based on the type of the allocated resource
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/08 Trunked mobile radio systems

Abstract

In a multi-site communication system, a communication unit (106) transmits a communication request (208) that includes information identifying the sites (100 and/or 101) where the user desires to communicate with members of his user group. Communication resources are allocated (308) using the communication request and current resource allocation for the user group.

Claims

1. A method of allocating communication resources amongst a plurality of users belonging to a user group in a communication system having a plurality of sites, wherein each site includes at least one communication resource that is allocatable to support a communication within an associated coverage area, comprising the steps of:

identifying, by a communication unit, sites where communication resources should be allocated when at least one member of the user group is active therein, yielding identifying information;

generating, by the communication unit, a communication request, comprising the identifying information;

transmitting, by the communication unit, the communication request; and

allocating, by the communication system, communication resources using the communication request.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the identifying information comprises an identification of the site wherein the communication unit sourced the communication request.

3. The method of claim 1, where the identifying information comprises an identification of a first site wherein the communication unit sourced the communication request and other sites that are adjacent to the first site.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the identifying information comprises an identification of specific sites.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the identifying information comprises an indication that a wide-area communication is desired.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the identifying information comprises any one of:

A) an identification of the site wherein the communication unit sourced the communication request;

B) an identification of a first site wherein the communication unit sourced the communication request and other sites that are adjacent to the first site;

C) an identification of specific sites; and

D) an indication that a wide-area communication is desired.

7. A method of allocating communication resources in a communication system having a plurality of sites, wherein each site includes at least one communication resource that is allocatable to support a communication within an associated coverage area, comprising the steps of:

at a communication unit;

identifying which of the plurality of sites the communication unit desires communication support in, yielding a site assignment request;

generating a communication request, comprising the site assignment request and sourcing the communication request; and

at a central controller;

processing the site assignment request and assigning communication resources in at least some of the sites that have been identified by the communication unit.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the site assignment request comprises an identification of the site wherein the communication unit sourced the communication request.

9. The method of claim 7, where the site assignment request comprises an identification of a first site wherein the communication unit sourced the communication request and other sites that are adjacent to the first site.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the site assignment request comprises an identification of specific sites.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein the site assignment request comprises an indication that a wide-area communication is desired.

12. The method of claim 7, wherein the site assignment request comprises any one of:

A) an identification of the site wherein the communication unit sourced the communication request;

B) an identification of a first site wherein the communication unit sourced the communication request and other sites that are adjacent to the first site;

C) an identification of specific sites; and

D) an indication that a wide-area communication is desired.

13. A method of allocating communication resources amongst a plurality of users belonging to a user group in a communication system having a plurality of sites, wherein each site includes at least one communication resource that is allocatable to support a communication, within an associated coverage area, comprising the steps of:

identifying, by a communication unit, sites where communication resources should be allocated when at least one member of the user group is active therein, yielding identifying information;

transmitting, by the communication unit, a communication request to support a communication amongst members of the user group, comprising the identifying information; and

when the identifying information designates one or more specific sites, and when a wide-area communication including members of the user group has already been established and is currently ongoing, denying the communication request.

14. A method of allocating communication resources amongst a plurality of users belonging to a user group in a communication system having a plurality of sites, wherein each site includes at least one communication resource that is allocatable to support a communication within an associated coverage area, comprising the steps of:

identifying, by a communication unit, sites where communication resources should be allocated when at least one member of the user group is active therein, yielding identifying information;

transmitting, by the communication unit, a communication request to support a communication amongst members of the user group, comprising the identifying information; and

when a non-wide-area communication including members of the user group has already been established and is currently ongoing, processing, by the communication systems the communication request as though the sites that are being used to support the non-wide-area communication are then currently unavailable.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein when the identifying information specifies sites that are not the same sites as those then being used to support the non-wide-area communication, allocating communication resources in the specified sites to support the communication request.

16. A method of requesting and using communication resources that are allocatable amongst a plurality of users belonging to a user group in a communication system having a plurality of sites, wherein each site includes at least one communication resource that is allocatable to support a communication within an associated coverage area, comprising the steps of:

identifying, by a communication unit, sites where communication resources should be allocated when at least one member of the user group is active therein, yielding identifying information;

generating, by the communication unit, a communication request, comprising the identifying information and transmitting, by the communication unit, the communication request; and

using, by the communication unit, the communication resources that have been allocated in response to the communication request.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the identifying information comprises an identification of the site wherein the communication unit sourced the communication request.

18. The method of claim 16, where the identifying information comprises an identification of a first site wherein the communication unit sourced the communication request and other sites that are adjacent to the first site.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the identifying information comprises an identification of specific sites.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein the identifying information comprises an indication that a wide-area communication is desired.

21. A communication unit for use in a communication system having a plurality of sites, wherein each site includes at least one communication resource that is allocatable to support a communication within an associated coverage area, comprising:

A) an input device arranged and constructed to receive input from a user, wherein the input comprises identification of sites that the user desires included in a particular communication;

B) a controller, operably coupled to the input device, arranged and constructed to receive the input and to generate a communication resource request; and

C) a transmitter, operably coupled to the controller, arranged and constructed to transmit the communication resource request.

22. A method of allocating communication resources in a communication system having a plurality of sites, wherein each site includes at least one communication resource that is allocatable to support a communication within an associated coverage area, comprising the steps of:

at a communication unit;

identifying information regarding at least one of the plurality of sites in which communication is desired by a user of the communication unit;

generating a communication request that comprises the information; and

transmitting the communication request; and

at a central controller;

receiving the communication request;

determining a user group in which the communication unit belongs;

determining if a call is currently in progress for the user group;

when a call in not currently in progress for the user group, assigning communication resources in at least one of the sites that have been identified by the information in the communication request.