Location defined control of cellular system

• US 6,985,731 B1
• Filed: 04/02/2001
• Issued: 01/10/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/02/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Johnson, Derek, Heubel, Michael L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cumming, William D.
• Application Number:
  US09/822,256
• Time in Patent Office: 1,744 Days
• Field of Search: 370/310, 370/331, 455/440, 455/437, 455/432.1, 455/436, 455/441, 455/456.3, 342/357.09
• US Class Current: 455/436
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/322 by location data

Abstract

A system and method for controlling operations in a cellular system is disclosed. A serving cell or the mobile telephone switching office (MTSO) determines that a portable wireless device operating in a serving cell needs to be handed off (a “handoff”). The position of the portable wireless device is determined. The position may be determined based on any of a variety of localization techniques, such as time difference of arrival (TDOA), angle of arrival (AOA), location pattern matching (LPM), global positioning system (GPS), or other localization techniques. A target cell is selected based on the position of the portable wireless device. Generally, the target cell is selected as the cell that is closest to the portable wireless device. Factors such as a position vector and/or a velocity vector may be assessed in selecting the target cell. Based on the target cell that is selected, the MTSO assigns the portable wireless device to the target cell and the transmission is handed off to the new cell.

Claims

1. A method for controlling operations in a cellular system, comprising:

determining that a handoff is to be made for a portable wireless device operating in a serving cell;

determining a position of the portable wireless device;

correlating the position to a road or highway by accessing a geographic information system (GIS) database;

processing a velocity vector to determine the road or highway that the portable wireless devices appears to be traveling;

determining a target cell that is geographically closest to the position of the portable wireless device;

considering the road or highway in determining the target cell that is geographically closest;

assigning the portable wireless device to the target cell.