Mobile radio device having adaptive position transmitting capabilities
First Claim
1. In a communication network including a mobile communication device, a method of scheduling a transmission by the communication device of a position message including a computed position of the communication device, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) periodically determining a network loading parameter indicating a level of transmission activity on the network; and
(b) determining when to transmit the position message from the communication device across the network as a function of the network loading parameter.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An Adaptive Position Transmission Algorithm (APTA) for mobile radio device where position information is required, using any transmission medium such as high frequency (HF), very high frequency (VHF), ultra high frequency (UHF), Satellite Communications (SATCOM), etc. A mobile radio device employing the APTA provides accurate and automatic position reporting and thus, in a tactical environment improves situation awareness and reduces the probability of fratricide. A mobile radio device employing the APTA also reduces the number of options available to the user thereby simplifying the operation thereof while improving overall performance in most applications. The APTA accomplishes this by monitoring position, time and radio network parameters to determine when stand alone messages will be transmitted. The APTA factors radio network loading with movement and periodic thresholds. As radio network loading increases, the movement and periodic thresholds are increased to reduce the impact of position reporting on the radio network. The APTA also incorporates a time limit which prevents the radio from transmitting too often. This time limit is based on radio network loading.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. In a communication network including a mobile communication device, a method of scheduling a transmission by the communication device of a position message including a computed position of the communication device, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) periodically determining a network loading parameter indicating a level of transmission activity on the network; and
(b) determining when to transmit the position message from the communication device across the network as a function of the network loading parameter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
(b1) limiting a rate at which scheduled position messages are transmitted by setting a minimum time between transmission of a most recently transmitted position message and transmission of a next scheduled position message, the minimum time being set as a function of the network loading parameter.
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4. The method of claim 3, wherein step (b) further includes:
(b2) transmitting a position message when a time since transmission of the most recently transmitted position message is greater than the minimum time and the distance traveled by the communication device since transmission of the most recently transmitted position message is greater than a movement threshold.
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5. The method of claim 4, wherein step (b) further includes:
(b3) setting the movement threshold as a function of the network loading parameter.
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6. The method of claim 1, wherein step (b) includes:
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(b1) setting a duration of a periodic time interval as a function of the network loading parameter;
(b2) initializing a start time of the periodic time interval when a most recently transmitted position message is transmitted; and
(b3) transmitting a position message when a time since transmission of the most recently transmitted position message is greater than the periodic time interval.
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7. The method of claim 1, wherein step (b) includes:
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(b1) setting a movement threshold as a function of the network loading parameter; and
(b2) transmitting a position message when the distance traveled by the communication device since transmission of a most recently transmitted position message is greater than the movement threshold.
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8. The method of claim 1, wherein the communication device is capable of automatically transmitting position messages with voice or data messages and scheduling transmission of stand-alone position messages, wherein:
step (b) includes scheduling transmission of a next stand-alone position message as a function of;
a minimum time elapsed since transmission of a most recently transmitted position message;
a periodic time interval; and
a minimum distance traveled by the communication device since transmission of the most recently transmitted position message, wherein the minimum time, the periodic time interval and the minimum distance are parameters whose values are set as a function of the network loading parameter.
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9. The method of claim 8, wherein step (b) further includes transmitting a stand-alone position message if a time since transmission of the most recently transmitted position message is greater than the minimum time and, either the time since transmission of the most recently transmitted position message is greater than the periodic time interval or the distance traveled by the communication device since transmission of the most recently transmitted position message is greater than the minimum distance.
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10. The method of claim 8, wherein step (a) includes periodically determining an idle time as a percentage of time of no network activity during a predetermined time period, and step (b) includes increasing the minimum time, the periodic time interval and the minimum distance as idle time decreases.
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11. The method of claim 8, wherein the most recently transmitted position message is a stand-alone position message or a position message transmitted with a voice or data message.
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12. The method of claim 8, wherein the communication device is configured to be in one of a plurality of movement modes, wherein the minimum distance is set as a function of the movement mode.
Specification