System and method for dynamically configuring wireless network geographic coverage or service levels

• US 7,236,777 B2
• Filed: 05/16/2003
• Issued: 06/26/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/16/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intellisist, Inc. dba Spoken Communications (Avaya Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Intellisist, Inc. dba Spoken Communications (Avaya Incorporated)
• Inventors: Tolhurst, William A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Feild, Joseph
• Assistant Examiner(s): SMITH, SHEILA B
• Application Number:
  US10/440,023
• Publication Number:
  US 20040043765A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,502 Days
• Field of Search: 455/422, 455/345, 455/99, 455/423, 455/422.1, 455/427, 370/328, 370/338
• US Class Current: 455/422.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/02 Inter-networking arrangements

Abstract

A system and a method for facilitating communication between a remote station and a service network are disclosed. A remote station is associated with a first communicator configured to communicate over a first communication network and a second communicator configured to communicate over a second communication network. A communication controller associated with the remote station and coupled with the first communicator and the second communicator is operable to transmit a first set of signals using the first communicator a second set of signals using the second communicator. A mobile network access point is directable to within a communication range of the second communicator of the remote station when the remote station is outside of an existing communication range of the second communication network and the first set of signals includes a resource request for the second communication network.

Claims

1. A system for facilitating communication between a remote station and at least one target, the system comprising:

a first communicator associated with the remote station and configured to communicate over a first communication network;

a second communicator associated with the remote station and configured to communicate over a second communication network;

at least one communication controller associated with the remote station and coupled with the first communicator and the second communicator, the communication controller operable to transmit a first set of signals using the first communicator and operable to transmit a second set of signals using the second communicator; and

a service device operable to receive the first set of signals, to determine from the first set of signals a need for the service device to receive the second set of signals, and, in response to determining the need, to cause a mobile network access point to enter a communication range of the second communicator of the remote station.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the mobile network access point is directed to within the communication range of the second communicator of the remote station when the communication range of the second communicator does not reach the second communication network.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the remote station is sent travel instructions over the first communication network via the first communicator directing the remote station how to travel such that the communication range of the second communicator can reach at least one of the second communication network or the mobile network access point.

4. The system of claim 1, further including a communication controller configured to be coupled with at least one of the first communicator and the second communicator for receiving inputs concerning a status of the remote station and reporting that status using at least one of the first communicator and the second communicator.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the communication controller is configured to be coupled with sensing equipment for gathering information about the status of the remote station.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the sensing equipment includes at least one of a telephone interface configured to provide audio communication with a remote station operator, a global positioning system for determining a geographical position of the remote station, a monitoring device for generating telemetry reflecting conditions at the remote station, and an alert key for signaling an emergency situation at the remote station.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the first set of signals includes at least one of a location of the remote station, a request for communication with the second communication network, and an event code signifying a condition at the remote station for which transmitting the second set of signals is desired.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein the second set of signals includes the telemetry reflecting the conditions at the remote station.

9. A system for facilitating communication between a remote station and a service network, the system comprising:

a first communicator associated with the remote station and configured to communicate over a first communication network;

a second communicator associated with the remote station and configured to communicate over a second communication network;

at least one communication controller associated with the remote station and coupled with the first communicator and the second communicator, the communication controller being operable to transmit basic telemetry to the service network using the first communicator and operable to transmit detailed telemetry to the service network using the second communicator; and

a service device operable to receive the first set of signals, to determine from the first set of signals a need for the service device to receive the second set of signals, and, in response to determining the need, to cause a mobile network access point to enter a communication range of the second communicator of the remote station when it is necessary for the second communicator to transmit the detailed telemetry to the service network and the second communication network is outside of the communication range of the second communicator of the remote station.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the remote station is sent travel instructions over the first communication network via the first communicator directing the remote station how to travel such that the communication range of the second communicator can reach at least one of the second communication network or the mobile network access point.

11. The system of claim 9, further including a communication controller configured to be coupled with at least one of the first communicator and the second communicator for receiving inputs concerning a status of the remote station and reporting that status using at least one of the first communicator and the second communicator.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the communication controller is configured to be coupled with sensing equipment for gathering information about the status of the remote station.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the sensing equipment includes at least one of a telephone interface configured to provide audio communication with a remote station operator, a global positioning system for determining a geographical position of the remote station, a monitoring device for generating telemetry reflecting conditions at the remote station, and an alert key for signaling an emergency situation at the remote station.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the basic telemetry includes at least one of a location of the remote station, a request for communication with the second communication network, and an event code signifying a condition at the remote station for which transmitting the detailed telemetry is desired.

15. A method for facilitating communication between a remote station and at least one target, the method comprising:

enabling communication of a first set of signals from the remote station over a first communication network;

enabling communication of a second set of signals from the remote station over a second communication network;

determining from the first set of signals that the remote station requires communication resources associated with the second network; and

dispatching a mobile network access point to within communication range of the remote station such that the second set of signals can be transmitted over the second communication network.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the mobile network access point is dispatched to within the communication range of the remote station when the communication range of the remote station does not reach the second communication network.

17. The method of claim 15, further including sending instructions to the remote station directing the remote station how to travel such that the communication range of the remote station can reach at least one of the second communication network or the mobile network access point.

18. The method of claim 15, further including receiving information concerning a status of the remote station and reporting the status through at least one of the first set of signals and the second set of signals.

19. The method of claim 15, further including gathering information about the status of the remote station.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein information about the status of the remote station is gathered using at least one of telephone interface configured to provide audio communication with a remote station operator, a global positioning system for determining a geographical position of the remote station, a monitoring device for generating telemetry reflecting conditions at the remote station, and an alert key for signaling an emergency situation at the remote station.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the first set of signals includes at least one of a location of the remote station, a request for communication with the second communication network, and an event code signifying a condition at the remote station for which transmitting the second set of signals is desired.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein the second set of signals includes the telemetry reflecting the conditions at the remote station.

23. A method for facilitating communication between a remote station and at least one target, the method comprising:

enabling communication of basic telemetry from the remote station over a first communication network;

enabling communication of detailed telemetry from the remote station over a second communication network;

determining from the basic telemetry that the remote station requires communication resources associated with the second communication network; and

dispatching a mobile network access point to within communication range of the remote station such that the detailed telemetry can be communicated over the second communication network when the second network is outside of the communication range of the remote station.

24. The method of claim 23, further including sending instructions to the remote station directing the remote station how to travel such that the communication range of the remote station can reach at least one of the second communication network or the mobile network access point.

25. The method of claim 23, further including receiving information concerning a status of the remote station and reporting the status over at least one of the first communication network and the second communication network.

26. The method of claim 23, further including gathering information about the status of the remote station.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein information about the status of the remote station is gathered using at least one of telephone interface configured to provide audio communication with a remote station operator, a global positioning system for determining a geographical position of the remote station, a monitoring device for generating telemetry reflecting conditions at the remote station, and an alert key for signaling an emergency situation at the remote station.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the basic telemetry includes at least one of a location of the remote station, a request for communication with the second communication network, and an event code signifying a condition at the remote station for which transmitting the detailed telemetry is desired.