Employing different signal thresholds based on type of information transmitted

• US 7,805,110 B2
• Filed: 07/16/2009
• Issued: 09/28/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Jabbary, Mohammad Ali
• Primary Examiner(s): TRINH, TAN H
• Application Number:
  US12/504,300
• Publication Number:
  US 20090280806A1
• Time in Patent Office: 439 Days
• Field of Search: 455/67.11, 455/67.16, 455/67.13, 455/69, 455/522, 455/63.1, 455/63.2, 455/133, 455/134, 455/422, 455/347, 455/436, 455/161.1, 455/514, 455/453, 370/318, 370/332, 370/331, 370/465
• US Class Current: 455/67.11
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 17/318 Received signal strength
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/18 Negotiating wireless communication parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0232 according to average transmission signal activity
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0245 according to signal strength
• 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: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A method is disclosed for determining whether to transmit from a first unit to a second unit, where the transmission is one of a first type and a second type. In the method, a signal from the second unit is received at the first unit, and the strength of the signal as received at the first unit is measured. A determination is made of whether the transmission is of the first type or the second type, and a first threshold is selected if the transmission is of the first type, or else a second threshold is selected if the transmission is of the second type. The measured signal strength is then compared to the selected threshold, and the transmission proceeds only if the measured signal strength exceeds the selected threshold.

Claims

1. A cellular communication system comprising:

a stationary communication unit in communication with a mobile communication unit, wherein a type of transmission permitted between the stationary communication unit and the mobile communication unit is based on evaluating a signal received by the stationary communication unit from the mobile communication unit by;

measuring a strength of the received signal at the stationary communication unit; and

comparing the measured strength of the received signal with two pre-specified threshold values.

2. The cellular communication system of claim 1, wherein a first and second type of transmission are permitted if the strength of the received signal exceeds a higher of the two pre-specified threshold values.

3. The cellular communication system of claim 1, wherein only a first type of transmission is permitted if the strength of the received signal falls between the two pre-specified threshold values.

4. The cellular communication system of claim 1, wherein a transmission is prevented if the strength of the received signal falls below a lower of the two pre-specified threshold values.

5. The cellular communication system of claim 1, wherein the stationary communication unit is a radio transceiver cellular tower.

6. The cellular communicator system of claim 1, wherein the mobile communication unit is a cellular telephone.

7. A method for determining whether to permit transmission between a mobile communication unit and a stationary communication unit, comprising:

evaluating a signal received by the stationary communication unit from the mobile communication unit by;

measuring a strength of the received signal at the stationary communication unit; and

comparing the measured strength of the received signal with two pre-specified threshold values.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

permitting a first and second type of transmission if the strength of the received signal exceeds a higher of the two pre-specified threshold values.

9. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

permitting only a first type of transmission if the strength of the received signal falls between the two pre-specified threshold values.

10. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

preventing a transmission if the strength of the received signal falls below a lower of the two pre-specified threshold values.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein the stationary communication unit is a radio transceiver cellular tower.

12. The method claim 7, wherein the mobile communication unit is a cellular telephone.