Method and system for providing tiered priority access to communication network resources
First Claim
1. A communication method, comprising:
- allocating a communication channel on a base station antenna for use by a tiered priority access (TPA) authorized mobile device;
allowing general access to the communication channel so long as no call is made from or to the TPA-authorized mobile device;
monitoring the allocated communication channel to determine whether call volume is at or near capacity of the allocated communication channel;
monitoring incoming and outgoing calls to determine whether a new call is to or from the TPA-authorized mobile device;
disconnecting an ongoing general access call using the allocated communication channel in response to determining that call volume is at or near capacity and determining that a new call is to or from the TPA-authorized mobile device; and
connecting the new call to or from the TPA-authorized mobile device via the allocated communication channel in response to disconnecting the ongoing general access call.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and systems automatically allocate cellular communication network resources to emergency response personnel during emergency situations which are detected by call volumes exceeding a predetermined maximum. Access to cellular communication network resources is provided by dedicating a portion of communication channels to emergency response personnel use. By reserving whole communication channels for emergency communication purposes, emergency personnel are able to both initiate and receive calls from both other mobile devices as well as conventional landline telephone stations. Qualified emergency response personnel can preregistered their phones and be assigned personal identification numbers to enable access to allocated network resources. Users can also be registered “on the fly.”
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A communication method, comprising:
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allocating a communication channel on a base station antenna for use by a tiered priority access (TPA) authorized mobile device; allowing general access to the communication channel so long as no call is made from or to the TPA-authorized mobile device; monitoring the allocated communication channel to determine whether call volume is at or near capacity of the allocated communication channel; monitoring incoming and outgoing calls to determine whether a new call is to or from the TPA-authorized mobile device; disconnecting an ongoing general access call using the allocated communication channel in response to determining that call volume is at or near capacity and determining that a new call is to or from the TPA-authorized mobile device; and connecting the new call to or from the TPA-authorized mobile device via the allocated communication channel in response to disconnecting the ongoing general access call. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A server for use in a cellular communication system, comprising:
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a processor configured to communicate with a plurality of base stations of the cellular communication system, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations comprising; allocating a communication channel on a base station antenna for use by a tiered priority access (TPA) authorized mobile device; allowing general access to the communication channel so long as no call is made from or to the TPA authorized mobile device; monitoring the allocated communication channel to determine whether call volume is at or near capacity of the allocated communication channel; monitoring incoming and outgoing calls to determine whether a new call is to or from the TPA authorized mobile device; disconnecting an ongoing general access call using the allocated communication channel in response to determining that call volume is at or near capacity and determining that a new call is to or from the TPA authorized mobile device; and connecting the new call to or from the TPA authorized mobile device via the allocated communication channel in response to disconnecting the ongoing general access call. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A non-transitory processor-readable storage medium having stored thereon processor-executable software instructions configured to cause a processor in a cellular communication network to perform operations comprising:
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allocating a communication channel on a base station antenna for use by a tiered priority access (TPA) authorized mobile device; allowing general access to the communication channel so long as no call is made from or to the TPA authorized mobile device; monitoring the allocated communication channel to determine whether call volume is at or near capacity of the allocated communication channel; monitoring incoming and outgoing calls to determine whether a new call is to or from the TPA authorized mobile device; disconnecting an ongoing general access call using the allocated communication channel in response to determining that call volume is at or near capacity and determining that a new call is to or from the TPA authorized mobile device; and connecting the new call to or from the TPA authorized mobile device via the allocated communication channel in response to disconnecting the ongoing general access call. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification