Mesh network mobile unit with positioning system

• US 7,050,819 B2
• Filed: 07/16/2002
• Issued: 05/23/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/16/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Qwest Communications International, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qwest Communications International Incorporated (Lumen Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Schwengler, Thomas, Perini, Patrick L., Arend, Brian
• Primary Examiner(s): LE, DANH C
• Application Number:
  US10/196,866
• Publication Number:
  US 20040198375A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,407 Days
• Field of Search: 455/517, 455/552.1, 455/553.1, 455/3.05, 455/445, 455/456.6, 455/456.1, 370/338, 370/354, 370/229, 370/351
• US Class Current: 455/456.6
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2205/008 using a mobile telephone network
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0054 of actual mobile position, i.e. position calculation on base station
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/02213 Receivers arranged in a network for determining the position of a transmitter
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/04 Position of source determined by a plurality of spaced direction-finders
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/00 Locating users or terminals or network equipment for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/04 adapted for relaying to or from another terminal or user

Abstract

A mesh network mobile unit includes a communications arrangement operable to provide two-way communication between the unit and a mesh network and a regeneration arrangement operable to receive and retransmit signals between other mesh network mobile units and the mesh network. The unit also includes a power receiving arrangement operable to receive power from a power source, wherein the power source is selected from either an internal power source or an external power source and a power utilization arrangement operable to alternatively enable or disable the regeneration arrangement depending upon the selected power source. Embodiments of the invention also include a positioning system that determines the physical location of the mobile unit and uses the information to route signals to the unit.

Claims

1. A mesh network mobile unit, comprising:

a communications arrangement operable to provide two-way communication between the unit and a mesh network;

a regeneration arrangement operable to receive and retransmit signals between other mesh network mobile units and the mesh network;

a positioning system operable to determine the physical location of the unit and transmit information representing the physical location to the mesh networks; and

a frequency selection arrangement configured to use the physical location to select a communications frequency.

wherein the mesh network uses the positioning information to route a pilot signal to the mobile unit.

2. The mesh network mobile unit of claim 1, wherein the network uses the physical location information to route signals to the unit.

3. The mesh network mobile unit of claim 1, wherein the positioning system comprises a Global Positioning System.

4. The mesh network mobile unit of claim 1, wherein the positioning system comprises a receiving arrangement that receives information comprising a position from the network.

5. The mesh network mobile unit of claim 4, wherein the mesh network determines the physical location of the mobile unit using triangulation from a plurality of access points.

6. A method of operating a mobile mesh network, comprising:

receiving information representing the physical location of a mesh network mobile unit;

using the physical location to select a communications frequency; and

establishing communication with the mesh network using the communications frequency;

wherein the mobile unit is further operable to receive and retransmit signals between other mesh network mobile units and the mesh network and using the positioning information to route a pilot signal to the mobile unit.

7. The method of operating a mobile mesh network of claim 6, further comprising using the physical location information to route signals to the unit.

8. The method of operating a mobile mesh network of claim 6, wherein the physical location of the mesh network mobile unit is determined using a Global Positioning System.

9. The method of operating a mobile mesh network of claim 6, wherein the physical location of the mesh network mobile unit is determined by the network.

10. The method of operating a mobile mesh network of claim 9, wherein the physical location of the mesh network mobile unit is determined using triangulation from a plurality of access points.