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

• US 8,027,672 B2
• Filed: 10/30/2007
• Issued: 09/27/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/16/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• 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): GARY, ERIKA A
• Application Number:
  US11/929,518
• Publication Number:
  US 20080214179A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,428 Days
• Field of Search: None
• 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;

a GPS unit associated with the remote station and configured to generate GPS data;

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 and the generated GPS data using the first communicator and operable to transmit a second set of signals using the second communicator; and

a mobile network access point,

wherein the remote station is sent travel instructions based on the generated GPS data over the first communication network via the first communicator directing remote station to travel to a first location and the mobile network access point is sent travel instructions directing the mobile network access point to a second location such that when the remote station is located at the first location, the second communicator associated with the remote station is in range of the mobile network access point at the second location.

2. 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.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the communication controller is configured to be coupled with sensing equipment for gathering information about the status of the remote station.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the sensing equipment includes at least one of a telephone interface configured to provide audio communication with a remote station operator, 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.

5. The system of claim 4, 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.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein the second set of signals includes the telemetry reflecting the conditions at the remote station.

7. 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 mobile network access point directable to within 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,

wherein the remote station is sent travel instructions over the first communication network via the first communicator directing the remote station to travel to a first location and the mobile network access point is sent travel instructions directing the mobile network access point to a second location such that when the remote station is located at the first location, the remote station is in range of the mobile network access point at the second location.

8. The system of claim 7, 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.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the communication controller is configured to be coupled with sensing equipment for gathering information about the status of the remote station.

10. The system of claim 9, 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.

11. The system of claim 10, 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.

12. 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;

requesting communication resources at the remote station from the second network in the first set of signals;

transmitting travel instructions over the first communication network that directs the remote station to travel to a first location

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

13. The method of claim 12, 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.

14. The method of claim 12, further including gathering information about the status of the remote station.

15. The method of claim 14, 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.

16. The method of claim 15, 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.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the second set of signals includes the telemetry reflecting the conditions at the remote station.

18. 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;

requesting communication resources at the remote station from the second communication network in the basic telemetry to allow for communication of detailed telemetry to the service network over the second communication network;

transmitting travel instructions over the first communication network that directs the remote station to travel to a first location; and

dispatching a mobile network access point to a second location within communication range of the remote station for the communication of the detailed telemetry to the service network over the second communication network when the remote station is located at the first location.

19. The method of claim 18, 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.

20. The method of claim 18, 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.