Method for automatically bypassing the use of a communication system infrastructure

• US 5,666,661 A
• Filed: 11/27/1995
• Issued: 09/09/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 03/10/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Motorola Mobility LLC (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Motorola, Inc. (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
• Inventors: Grube, Gary W., Shaughnessy, Mark L., Naddell, Marc C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Urban, Edward F.
• Application Number:
  US08/562,940
• Time in Patent Office: 652 Days
• Field of Search: 455/34.1, 455/34.2, 455/54.1, 455/54.2, 455/56.1, 455/62, 455/63, 455/33.2, 379/59, 379/60
• US Class Current: 455/509
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/14 Direct-mode setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/23 Manipulation of direct-mode connections
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/08 Trunked mobile radio systems

Abstract

Within a communication system (100), a communication can be switched from a system mode of operation to a direct mode of operation when the distance relationship between the units (102, 103) involved in the communication is obtained. Having obtained the distance relationship between the units (102, 103), that distance is compared with a predetermined threshold. When the distance relationship is favorable with respect to the threshold, the communication is transferred to a direct mode of operation. If however the distance relationship is unfavorable to the threshold, the communication stays on the system communication resource.

Claims

1. A method for changing communication modes, the method comprising the steps of:

a) determining, by a communication resource controller, the geographic locations of communication units engaged in a communication using a system communication resource;

b) determining, by the communication resource controller, a distance relationship between the communication units, based on the geographic locations of the communication units;

c) determining, by the communication resource controller, whether the distance relationship is favorable with respect to a predetermined threshold;

d) when the distance relationship is favorable, transmitting, by the communication resource controller, a mode change message; and

e) upon receiving the mode change message, performing, by the communication units, an action identified in the mode change message, including relinquishing the system communication resource, and affiliating with a direct mode communication resource, wherein the direct mode communication resource is not the system communication resource.

2. In the method of claim 1, step (e) further comprises performing the action by adjusting transmit power levels of the communication units, based on the distance relationship.

3. A method for changing communication modes, the method comprising the steps of:

a) determining, by a first communication unit, a geographic location of a first communication unit and a geographic location of a second communication unit, wherein the first communication unit and the second communication unit are engaged in a communication using a system communication resource;

b) determining, by the first communication unit, a distance relationship between the first communication unit and the second communication unit, based on the geographic location of the first communication unit and the geographic location of the second communication unit;

c) determining, by the first communication unit, whether the distance relationship is favorable with respect to a predetermined threshold;

d) when the distance relationship is favorable, transmitting, by the first communication unit, a mode change message to the second communication unit;

e) transmitting, by the second communication unit, an acknowledgment upon receipt of the mode change message; and

f) performing an action identified in the mode change message by the first communication unit and the second communication unit, including relinquishing the system communication resource, and affiliating with a direct mode communication resource, wherein the direct mode communication resource is not the system communication resource.

4. In the method of claim 3, step (f) further comprises performing the action by adjusting transmit power levels of the communication units.

5. In a communication system having a first communication unit engaged in a communication, using a system communication resource, with a second communication unit, the first communication unit having a first location, the second communication unit having a second location, and there being a distance relationship between the first communication unit and the second communication unit, the distance relationship being based on the first location and the second location, a method for the first communication unit to change communication modes, the method comprising the steps of:

a) receiving a mode change message, the mode change message being based on the distance relationship, wherein the mode change message includes an action;

b) adjusting the transmit power level of the first communication unit, when the action indicates a power adjustment;

c) relinquishing the system communication resource when the action indicates a direct mode operation; and

d) affiliating with a direct mode communication resource when the action indicates the direct mode operation, wherein the direct mode communication resource is not the system communication resource.