Method and apparatus for confirming delivery in a multi-channel receiving apparatus

• US 8,995,345 B2
• Filed: 11/28/2012
• Issued: 03/31/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/28/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Motorola Solutions, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Motorola Solutions, Inc.
• Inventors: Stogner, Darrell J., Mills, David R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Masur, Paul H
• Application Number:
  US13/687,495
• Publication Number:
  US 20140146683A1
• Time in Patent Office: 853 Days
• Field of Search: 370/328, 370/338
• US Class Current: 370/328
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/1854 Scheduling and prioritising arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/1887 Scheduling and prioritising arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/1215 for collaboration of different radio technologies
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

An apparatus for simultaneously receiving incoming messages on at least two channels in a multi-channel device, wherein a first incoming message is received on a first channel of the at least two channels according to a first protocol. Responsive to receiving the first incoming message, outgoing messages are transmitted on the first channel while the incoming messages are simultaneously received on a second channel. The outgoing messages to be sent according to the first protocol are queued in a transmitter. The transmitter also monitors at least one data stack that is used for transmitting messages according to a second protocol for transmit opportunities. Responsive to detecting a transmit opportunity, the transmitter transmits an optimal number of the outgoing messages within the duration of the transmit opportunity. The outgoing messages are transmitted on the first channel without affecting incoming messages received on the second channel.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

simultaneously receiving incoming messages on at least two channels in a multi-channel device, wherein a first incoming message is received according to a first protocol on a first channel of the at least two channels; and

responsive to receiving the first incoming message, transmitting outgoing messages on the first channel while simultaneously receiving the incoming messages according to a second protocol on a second channel of the at least two channels, wherein the transmitting comprises;

queuing the outgoing messages to be sent according to the first protocol;

monitoring at least one data stack that is used for at least receiving messages according to the second protocol for transmit opportunities; and

responsive to detecting a transmit opportunity, via the monitoring, transmitting an optimal number of the outgoing messages within the duration of the transmit opportunity,

wherein the outgoing messages are transmitted on the first channel within the duration of the transmit opportunity in order to not affect incoming messages received on the second channel.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the outgoing messages transmitted on the first channel are acknowledgement messages being transmitted in response to first incoming messages.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the queuing comprises intercepting the outgoing messages and making adjustments for a status symbol location in the outgoing messages.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the transmit opportunity is detected when the at least one data stack is not receiving a message according to the second protocol.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the monitoring comprises sending a notification upon detecting the transmit opportunity, wherein the notification provides a duration of the transmit opportunity.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the monitoring comprises sending a notification upon detecting the transmit opportunity, wherein the notification provides a continuous indication of the transmit opportunity and the outgoing message is sent in a sequence when the continuous indication is turned on.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the outgoing message includes a signaling packet configured to send acknowledgements for receipt of multiple packets at once.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the outgoing message includes a retry packet that further includes selective retry requests for multiple packets at once.

9. A multi-channel device comprising:

a receiver configured to simultaneously receive incoming messages on at least two channels in the multi-channel device, wherein a first incoming message is received according to a first protocol on a first channel of the at least two channels; and

a transmitter configured to transmit an outgoing message on the first channel, responsive to receiving the first incoming message, wherein outgoing messages are transmitted while simultaneously receiving the incoming messages according to a second protocol on a second channel of the at least two channels, the transmitter comprising;

a queuing component configured to queue the outgoing messages to be sent according to the first protocol;

a monitoring component configured to monitor at least one data stack for transmit opportunities on the first channel according to the first opportunity, wherein the at least one data stack is used for at least receiving messages according to the second protocol; and

a transmitting deck configured to transmit, responsive to detecting a transmit opportunity, via the monitoring component, an optimal number of the outgoing messages within the duration of the transmit opportunity,

wherein the outgoing messages are transmitted on the first channel within the duration of the transmit opportunity in order to not affect the incoming messages received on the second channel.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the transmitter further comprises a first data stack that is configured to transmit the outgoing messages on the first channel as acknowledgement messages in response to the incoming messages received on the first channel.

11. The device of claim 9, wherein the queuing component is configured to intercept the outgoing messages sent from a first data stack, wherein the outgoing messages sent from the first data stack are acknowledgement messages in response to the incoming messages received on the first channel, and

wherein the queuing component is configured to make adjustments for a status symbol location in the outgoing messages.

12. The device of claim 9, wherein the monitoring component is configured to detect the transmit opportunity when the at least one data stack is not receiving a message according to the second protocol.

13. The device of claim 9, wherein the monitoring component is configured to send a notification upon detecting the transmit opportunity, wherein the notification provides a duration of the transmit opportunity.

14. The device of claim 9, wherein the monitoring component is configured to send a notification upon detecting the transmit opportunity, wherein the notification provides a continuous indication of the transmit opportunity and the outgoing messages are sent in a sequence when the continuous indication is turned on.

15. The device of claim 9, wherein the monitoring component is configured to identify the transmit opportunity using a feature of the second protocol.

16. The device of claim 9, wherein the outgoing message includes a signaling packet configured to send acknowledgements for receipt of multiple packets at once.

17. The device of claim 9, wherein an outgoing message includes a retry packet that further includes selective retry requests for multiple packets at once.

18. A transmitter device configured to:

transmit an outgoing message on a first channel of at least two channels in a multi-channel device, wherein a first incoming message is received by the multi-channel device on the first channel according to a first protocol and the outgoing message is sent responsive to receiving the first incoming message, wherein outgoing messages are transmitted while the multi-channel device is simultaneously receiving incoming messages according to a second protocol on a second channel of the at least two channels, the transmitter comprising;

a queuing component configured to queue the outgoing messages to be sent according to the first protocol;

a monitoring component configured to monitor at least one data stack for transmit opportunities on the first channel according to the first protocol, wherein the at least one data stack is used for at least receiving messages according to the second protocol; and

a transmitting deck configured to transmit, responsive to detecting a transmit opportunity, via the monitoring component, an optimal number of the outgoing messages within the duration of the transmit opportunity,

wherein the outgoing messages are transmitted on the first channel within the duration of the transmit opportunity in order to not affect incoming messages received on the second channel.

19. The transmitter of claim 18, further comprising a first data stack that is configured to transmit the outgoing messages on the first channel as acknowledgement messages in response to the incoming messages received on the first channel.