System and method for wireless broadcast on shared channels

• US 6,026,289 A
• Filed: 07/30/1997
• Issued: 02/15/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 07/30/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hanger Solutions, LLC (IP Investments Group LLC)
• Original Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Zellner, Samuel N., Enzmann, Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): Hudspeth, David R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): ABEBE, DANIEL DEMELASH
• Application Number:
  US08/902,778
• Time in Patent Office: 930 Days
• Field of Search: 455/403, 455/416, 455/450, 455/150.1, 455/454, 455/414
• US Class Current: 455/403
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/30 Resource management for broadcast services

Abstract

A system and method for providing wireless broadcast on shared channels in a cellular communications system. The system and method in response to a request from a remote user for broadcast service designates a voice channel as a broadcast channel, disables the quality monitoring for the designated broadcast channel, activates the designated broadcast channel, and instructs the requesting remote user to tune to the designated broadcast channel. Each subsequent requesting remote user is also instructed to tune to the same broadcast channel. Similarly, in response to a request from broadcaster, the system and method identifies the remote user to receive the broadcast, designates a voice channel as a broadcast channel, disables the quality monitoring for the designated broadcast channel, activates the designated broadcast channel, and instructs the identified remote users to tune to the designated broadcast channel.

Claims

1. In a cellular communications system having a mobile switch, remote users, cells, and a limited number of channels per cell, a method for transmitting data to remote users on shared channels comprising:

a. receiving a request for broadcast service from a first remote user;

b. designating a voice channel as a broadcast channel in a cell for broadcast service;

c. activating the designated broadcast channel;

d. connecting the first remote user to the designated broadcast channel; and

e. disabling quality monitoring of a return signal from the first remote user for the designated broadcast channel.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein disabling quality monitoring of the return signal is accomplished by assigning diagnostic settings to the designated broadcast channel.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein disabling quality monitoring of the return signal is accomplished by assigning control channel characteristics to the designated broadcast channel.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further includes receiving a request for service from a second remote user and connecting the second remote user to the designated broadcast channel at the same time as the first remote user.

5. In a cellular communications system having a mobile switch, remote users, cells, and a limited number of channels per cell, a method for transmitting data to remote users on shared channels comprising:

a. receiving a request for service from a broadcaster;

b. designating a voice channel as a broadcast channel in a cell for broadcast service;

c. activating the designated broadcast channel;

d. connecting a number of remote users to the designated broadcast channel; and

e. disabling quality monitoring of a return signal from each of the remote users for the designated broadcast channel.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein disabling quality monitoring of the return signal is accomplished by assigning diagnostic settings to the designated broadcast channel.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein disabling quality monitoring of the return signal is accomplished by assigning control channel characteristics to the designated broadcast channel.

8. A cellular communications system having a mobile switch, remote users, cells, and a limited number of channels per cell, wherein the mobile switch comprises:

a. a cell controller operatively connected to the cell for controlling access to the channels in the cell, wherein the cell controller is configured to;

i. receive a request for broadcast service from a first remote user;

ii. designate a voice channel as a broadcast channel in a cell for broadcast service;

iii. activate the designated broadcast channel;

iv. connect the first remote user to the designated broadcast channel; and

v. disable quality monitoring of a return signal from the first remote user for the designated broadcast channel.

9. The cellular communications system of claim 8, wherein the cell controller disables quality monitoring of the return signal by assigning diagnostic settings to the designated broadcast channel.

10. The cellular communications system of claim 8, wherein the cell controller disables quality monitoring of the return signal by assigning control channel characteristics to the designated broadcast channel.

11. The cellular communications system of claim 8, wherein the cell controller, in response to receiving a request for service from a second remote user, connects the second remote user to the designated broadcast channel at the same time as the first remote user.

12. A cellular communications system having a mobile switch, remote users, cells, and a limited number of channels per cell, wherein the mobile switch comprises:

a. a cell controller operatively connected to the cell for controlling access to the channels in the cell, wherein the cell controller is configured to;

i. receive a request for service from a broadcaster;

ii. designate a voice channel as a broadcast channel in a cell for broadcast service;

iii. activate the designated broadcast channel;

iv. connect a number of remote users to the designated broadcast channel; and

v. disable quality monitoring of a return signal from each of the remote users for the designated broadcast channel.

13. The cellular communications system of claim 12, wherein the cell controller disables quality monitoring of the return signal by assigning diagnostic settings to the designated broadcast channel.

14. The cellular communications system of claim 12, wherein the cell controller disables quality monitoring of the return signal by assigning control channel characteristics to the designated broadcast channel.