Method and apparatus for autonomous user terminal assignment of time and frequency slots for call handoff
First Claim
1. In a satellite based telecommunications system for transmitting communications information to and from a first user terminal, a method for controlling switching between communications channels comprising the steps of:
- (a) transmitting a request for access from a user terminal to a control center via at least one satellite;
(b) selecting at said control center assignment information for a first communications channel, said assignment information identifying predictable events requiring said first user terminal to change between first and second communications channels;
(c) transmitting said assignment information to said first user terminal;
(d) after transmitting said assignment information to said first user terminal, establishing a communications link over said first communications channel with said first user terminal; and
(e) after establishing said communications link, said first user terminal autonomously switching said first communications channel to said second communications channel based on said assignment information indicating that a predictable event is about to occur preventing said first user terminal from continuing to use said first communications channel.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for autonomous assignment of communications channels during call handoffs by a user terminal in a satellite-based telecommunications system. The method comprises the steps of transmitting a request for access from a user terminal to a control center via at least one satellite and selecting channel parameters and model assignment information for a first communications channel at the control center. The assignment information identifies predictable events which require the first user terminal to switch to a second communications channel. The channel parameters and model assignment information are transmitted from the control center to the first user terminal. A communications link is established over a first channel with the first user terminal. While the communications link with the first user terminal over the first channel is maintained, the user terminal autonomously switching its communications link to a second communications channel based on model assignment information identifying a predictable event preventing the first user terminal from continuing to use the first communications channel.
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Citations
36 Claims
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1. In a satellite based telecommunications system for transmitting communications information to and from a first user terminal, a method for controlling switching between communications channels comprising the steps of:
- (a) transmitting a request for access from a user terminal to a control center via at least one satellite;
(b) selecting at said control center assignment information for a first communications channel, said assignment information identifying predictable events requiring said first user terminal to change between first and second communications channels; (c) transmitting said assignment information to said first user terminal; (d) after transmitting said assignment information to said first user terminal, establishing a communications link over said first communications channel with said first user terminal; and (e) after establishing said communications link, said first user terminal autonomously switching said first communications channel to said second communications channel based on said assignment information indicating that a predictable event is about to occur preventing said first user terminal from continuing to use said first communications channel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
- (a) transmitting a request for access from a user terminal to a control center via at least one satellite;
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12. A satellite based telecommunications system for transmitting communications information to and from a first user terminal, comprising:
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a telecommunication satellite; a user terminal for transmitting and receiving said communications information over a communications channel in a communications link with said satellite; a control center for maintaining said communications link with said user terminal via said satellite, said user terminal establishing said communications link by requesting access to the system from said control center, said control center responding to said request for access by selecting and transmitting model assignment information for a first communications channel to said first user terminal, said model assignment information identifying future predictable events requiring switching by said first user terminal between said first communications channel and a second communications channel, said control center transmitting said model assignment information to said first user terminal, said user terminal, while maintaining said communications link over said first communications channel, autonomously switching said communications link to said second communications channel based on said model assignment information identifying a predictable event that prevents said first user terminal from continuing to use said first communications channel. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A communications system for transmitting communications information to and from a first user terminal, comprising:
a user terminal for transmitting and receiving communications information over a communications channel;
a plurality of regional control centers for maintaining a communications link with said first user terminal, said first user terminal establishing said communications link by requesting access to the system, one of said regional control centers responding to said request for access by selecting and transmitting model assignment information for a first communications channel to said first user terminal, said model assignment information identifying future predictable events requiring switching by the first user terminal between said first communications channel and a second communications channel, said one regional control center transmitting said model assignment information to said first user terminal, said first user terminal, while maintaining said communications link over said first channel, autonomously switching said first communications channel to said second communications channel based on said model assignment information which identifies a predictable event that prevents said first user terminal from continuing to use said first communications channel.- View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
Specification