Method and apparatus for dropping and reacquiring a dispatch channel
First Claim
1. In a communication system providing for dispatch communications between a plurality of communication devices, a method for dropping and reacquiring a dispatch channel comprising the steps of:
- (a) establishing a dispatch call between the plurality of communication devices;
(b) monitoring the signal quality of received signals at each of the plurality of communication devices while in the dispatch call;
(c) transmitting a signal to the communication system from one or more of the plurality of communication devices if the signal quality at the one or more of the plurality of communication devices falls below a predetermined threshold; and
(d) transmitting an alert signal back from the communication system to each of the plurality of communication devices involved in the dispatch call in response to the signal transmitted in step (c), the alert signal informing the plurality of communication devices that the dispatch call has been suspended.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A communication system (100) provides for improved dispatch communications, by providing a method for monitoring the signal quality at each of the Mobile Stations (MS) involved in a dispatch call. Once engaged in the dispatch call, the MSs (110, 112) monitor the signal quality of their ACCH channel (204) and send a message back to the system (208) if their signal quality falls below a predetermined threshold. If the signal quality of any dispatch call participant falls below the given threshold (206), the system alerts all the dispatch call participants (210) thereby avoiding any loss of communications, and tears down the previously set up dispatch call. If the signal quality becomes acceptable again (216) for those MS who had previously experienced poor signal quality, they send a message to the system, which automatically sets up a new dispatch call and alerts all the dispatch participants that the dispatch channel can be used again (218).
37 Citations
20 Claims
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1. In a communication system providing for dispatch communications between a plurality of communication devices, a method for dropping and reacquiring a dispatch channel comprising the steps of:
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(a) establishing a dispatch call between the plurality of communication devices;
(b) monitoring the signal quality of received signals at each of the plurality of communication devices while in the dispatch call;
(c) transmitting a signal to the communication system from one or more of the plurality of communication devices if the signal quality at the one or more of the plurality of communication devices falls below a predetermined threshold; and
(d) transmitting an alert signal back from the communication system to each of the plurality of communication devices involved in the dispatch call in response to the signal transmitted in step (c), the alert signal informing the plurality of communication devices that the dispatch call has been suspended. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A communication device that can operate in a dispatch mode where it communicates with one or more other communication devices over an assigned dispatch link assigned by a communication system, the communication device comprising:
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a controller;
a signal quality measuring circuit coupled to the controller;
a transmitter coupled to the controller;
a receiver coupled to the controller; and
the controller causes the signal quality measuring circuit to commence measuring the signal quality of signals received by the receiver once the communication device is placed in the dispatch mode, and causes the transmitter to transmit a message to the communication system if the signal quality of the received signals falls below a predetermined threshold. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A communication system providing for a dispatch mode of communications between a plurality of communication devices, the communication system comprising:
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one or more base transceivers;
a system control coupled to the one or more base transceivers; and
the system control establishing a dispatch call link between the plurality of communication devices and monitoring for signal quality information that may be transmitted by one or more of the plurality of communication devices, while the plurality of communication devices are involved in the dispatch call. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification