Method and system in a wireless communications network for the simultaneous transmission of both voice and non-voice data over a single radio frequency channel

• US 6,847,821 B1
• Filed: 09/14/1998
• Issued: 01/25/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/14/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nortel Networks Limited (Nortel Networks Corporation)
• Inventors: Lewis, Larry Dewayne, Mezell, Jerry Louis
• Primary Examiner(s): Kincaid, Lester G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PEREZ GUTIERREZ, RAFAEL
• Application Number:
  US09/152,759
• Time in Patent Office: 2,325 Days
• Field of Search: 455/450, 455/451, 455/452, 455/509, 455/511, 455/452.1, 455/452.2, 455/436, 370/337, 370/329, 370/341, 370/347, 370/435, 370/442, 370/458, 370/468, 370/498
• US Class Current: 455/452.2
• CPC Class Codes: H04J 3/1605 Fixed allocated frame structures
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

A method and system in a wireless communications network for the simultaneous transmission of voice and non-voice data over a single dedicated radio frequency channel to a mobile unit having a primary transmission bandwidth. Initially, voice data are transmitted to a mobile unit via a primary time interval within a single dedicated radio frequency channel. An unoccupied secondary time interval available to the mobile unit is then identified. Thereafter, non-voice data are transmitted to the mobile unit via the secondary time interval, in response to identifying the secondary time interval. The primary transmission bandwidth of the mobile unit is next automatically broadened to encompass both the primary time interval and the secondary time interval. Finally, the primary time interval and the secondary time interval are linked within the single dedicated radio frequency channel to permit the subsequent processing of the voice and non-voice data as a single transmitted unit over the single dedicated radio frequency channel. In identifying an unoccupied secondary time interval available to the mobile unit, time intervals positioned adjacent the primary time interval are examined to determine occupancy. If an adjacent time interval is determined to be occupied, the call being processed within that adjacent time interval is handed off to another channel or mobile unit, leaving that adjacent time interval open and unoccupied. The non-voice data is then transmitted to the mobile unit via the adjacent time interval, such that the adjacent time interval comprises an identified secondary time interval available to the mobile unit. The wireless communications network may be composed of a cellular telephone network operating alone or in association with landline-based components.

Claims

1. A program product residing in computer memory in a computer within a wireless communications network for the simultaneous transmission of voice and non-voice data over a single dedicated radio frequency channel to a mobile unit having a primary transmission bandwidth, said program product comprising:

instruction means residing in a computer for transmitting voice data to a mobile unit via a primary time interval within a single dedicated radio frequency channel;

instruction means residing in a computer for identifying an unoccupied adjacent secondary time interval available to said mobile unit;

instruction means residing in a computer for transmitting non-voice data to said mobile unit via said adjacent secondary time interval, in response to identifying said adjacent secondary time interval;

instruction means residing in a computer for automatically broadening said primary transmission bandwidth of said mobile unit to encompass both said primary time interval and said adjacent secondary time interval in response to said transmission of non-voice data to said mobile unit via said adjacent secondary time interval; and

instruction means residing in a computer for linking said primary time interval and said adjacent secondary time interval within said single dedicated radio frequency channel to permit the subsequent processing of said voice and non-voice data as a single transmitted unit over said single dedicated radio frequency channel.

2. The program product of claim 1, wherein said instruction means residing in a computer for linking said primary time interval and said adjacent secondary time interval within said single dedicated radio frequency channel to permit the subsequent processing of said voice and non-voice data as a single transmitted unit over said single dedicated radio frequency channel, further comprises:

instruction means residing in a computer for linking said primary time interval and said adjacent secondary time interval within said single dedicated radio frequency channel via a call processing routine in order to permit the subsequent processing of said voice and non-voice data as a single transmitted unit over said single dedicated radio frequency channel.

3. The program product of claim 2 wherein said instruction means residing in a computer for identifying an unoccupied adjacent secondary time interval available to said mobile unit, further comprises:

instruction means residing in a computer for identifying a time interval adjacent said primary time interval, in order to determine occupancy of said adjacent time interval; and

instruction means residing in a computer for performing a handoff of data contained within said adjacent time interval, if said adjacent time interval is occupied, in order to free said adjacent time interval for utilization as an unoccupied adjacent secondary time interval available to said mobile unit.

4. The program product of claim 3 wherein said wireless communications network comprises a cellular telephone communications network.

5. The program product of claim 4 further comprising:

instruction means residing in a computer for processing said voice and non-voice data as a single transmitted unit over said single dedicated radio frequency channel.

6. The program product of claim 5 wherein each of said instruction means within said computer system further comprises signal bearing media.

7. The program product of claim 6 wherein said signal bearing media further comprises transmission media.

8. The program product of claim 6 wherein said signal bearing media further comprises recordable media.

9. A system in a wireless communications network for the simultaneous transmission of voice and non-voice data over a single dedicated radio frequency channel to a mobile unit having a primary transmission bandwidth, said system comprising:

means for transmitting voice data to a mobile unit via a primary time interval within a single dedicated radio frequency channel;

means for identifying an unoccupied adjacent secondary time interval available to said mobile unit;

means for transmitting non-voice data to said mobile unit via said adjacent secondary time interval, in response to identifying said adjacent secondary time interval

means for automatically broadening said primary transmission bandwidth of said mobile unit to encompass both said primary time interval and said adjacent secondary time interval in response to said transmission of non-voice data to said mobile unit via said adjacent secondary time interval; and

means for linking said primary time interval and said adjacent secondary time interval within said single dedicated radio frequency channel to permit the subsequent processing of said voice and non-voice data as a single transmitted unit over said single dedicated radio frequency channel.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein said means for linking said primary time interval and said adjacent secondary time interval within said single dedicated radio frequency channel to permit the subsequent processing of said voice and non-voice data as a single transmitted unit over said single dedicated radio frequency channel, further comprises:

means for linking said primary time interval and said adjacent secondary time interval within said single dedicated radio frequency channel via a call processing routine in order to permit the subsequent processing of said voice and non-voice data as a single transmitted unit over said single dedicated radio frequency channel.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein said means for identifying an unoccupied adjacent secondary time interval available to said mobile unit, further comprises:

means for identifying a time interval adjacent said primary time interval, in order to determine occupancy of said adjacent time interval; and

means for performing a handoff of data contained within said adjacent time interval, if said adjacent time interval is occupied, in order to free said adjacent time interval for utilization as an unoccupied adjacent secondary time interval available to said mobile unit.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein said wireless communications network comprises a cellular telephone communications network.

13. The system of claim 12 further comprising:

means for processing said voice and non-voice and non-voice data as a single transmitted unit over said single dedicated radio frequency channel.

14. A method in a wireless communications network for the simultaneous transmission of voice and non-voice data over a single dedicated radio frequency channel to a mobile unit having a primary transmission bandwidth, said method comprising the steps of:

transmitting voice data to a mobile unit via a primary time interval within a single dedicated radio frequency channel;

identifying an unoccupied adjacent secondary time interval available to said mobile unit;

transmitting non-voice data to said mobile unit via said adjacent secondary time interval, in response to identifying said adjacent secondary time interval;

automatically broadening said primary transmission bandwidth of said mobile unit to encompass both said primary time interval and said adjacent secondary time interval in response to said transmission of non-voice data to said mobile unit via said adjacent secondary time interval; and

linking said primary time interval and said adjacent secondary time interval within said single dedicated radio frequency channel to permit the subsequent processing of said voice and non-voice data as a single transmitted unit over said single dedicated radio frequency channel.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the step of linking said primary time interval and said adjacent secondary time interval within said single dedicated radio frequency channel to permit the subsequent processing of said voice and non-voice data as a single transmitted unit over said single dedicated radio frequency-channel, further comprises the step of:

linking said primary time interval and said adjacent secondary time interval within said single dedicated radio frequency channel via a call processing routine in order to permit the subsequent processing of said voice and non-voice data as a single transmittal unit over said single dedicated radio frequency channel.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the step of identifying an unoccupied adjacent secondary time interval available to said mobile unit, further comprises the steps of:

identifying a time interval adjacent said primary time interval, in order to determine occupancy of said adjacent time interval; and

performing a handoff of data contained within said adjacent time interval, if said adjacent time interval is occupied, in order to free said adjacent time interval for utilization as an unoccupied adjacent secondary time interval available to said mobile unit.

17. The method of claim 14 wherein the step of transmitting voice data to a mobile unit via a primary time interval within a single dedicated radio frequency channel, further comprises the step of:

transmitting voice data to a mobile unit within said wireless communications network via a primary time interval within a single dedicated radio frequency channel, wherein said wireless communications network comprises a cellular telephone communications network.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising the step of:

processing said voice and non-voice data as a single transmitted unit over said single dedicated radio frequency channel.