CA2214768A1 - A subscriber unit having a sleep mode and a dormant mode - Google Patents
A subscriber unit having a sleep mode and a dormant mode Download PDFInfo
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- CA2214768A1 CA2214768A1 CA002214768A CA2214768A CA2214768A1 CA 2214768 A1 CA2214768 A1 CA 2214768A1 CA 002214768 A CA002214768 A CA 002214768A CA 2214768 A CA2214768 A CA 2214768A CA 2214768 A1 CA2214768 A1 CA 2214768A1
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- subscriber unit
- base station
- unit
- subscriber
- dormant mode
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
- H04W52/00—Power management, e.g. TPC [Transmission Power Control], power saving or power classes
- H04W52/02—Power saving arrangements
- H04W52/0209—Power saving arrangements in terminal devices
- H04W52/0212—Power saving arrangements in terminal devices managed by the network, e.g. network or access point is master and terminal is slave
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
- H04W84/00—Network topologies
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02D—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES [ICT], I.E. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES AIMING AT THE REDUCTION OF THEIR OWN ENERGY USE
- Y02D30/00—Reducing energy consumption in communication networks
- Y02D30/70—Reducing energy consumption in communication networks in wireless communication networks
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
- Signal Processing (AREA)
- Mobile Radio Communication Systems (AREA)
Abstract
A method for providing communication services between a base station (2) and a subscriber unit (6), including the steps of placing the subscriber unit in a dormant mode wherein the subscriber unit consumes limited power, transmitting communication signals from the base station when the subscriber unit is in the dormant mode, at the base station, determining that the subscriber unit is not responsive to the transmitted communication signals and storing the communication and the identity of the subscriber unit to which the communication was directed in a buffer at the base station, after a predetermined time, taking the subscriber unit out of the dormant mode and causing the subscriber unit to communicate with the base station to inquire about communications messages, and if there are buffered communications for the subscriber unit, transmitting the buffered communications from the base station to the subscriber unit.
Description
CA 022l4768 l997-09-05 W 096/27993 PCT~US96J~31S~
A SUBSCRIBEP~ UNIT HAYING A SLEEP MODE AND A DORMANT MOD~
~ackground of the Inven~on The present invention relates to wireless communication systerns.
More specifically, it relates to the subscri~er units used by s~bscribers to thewlreless communication systems.
Wireless commL~nication systems are used to provide commLlnications capa~ilities to businesses having fieets of vehicies operating in the field -- for example, taxi companies or limousine companies. Typically, wireless communication systems include a base station, one or more dispatch stations and a plurality of subscriber units. All communicat~ons are routPd thr~ugh the ~ase station. The subscriber units are moun~e~ in the vehicles operating in the field to provide communication capabilities to the vehicle's ocr~upan~s. The dispatch st~tions allow a dispatcher to send dispatch communications to one or more of the subscriber units through the base s~tion.
Today's dispatch communication systems, however, provide limited communication capabilities. For example, deliverymen working the eight-to-five shift turn their subscriber units off at ~;:t)O P.M. The nexr day, when they start their new workshift, they turn their subscriber units on a short time before 8:00 AaVl. Communications from the dispatch station are not ~ransmitted until the subscriber uni~ are turned on. If too many subscriber W 096/27993 PCTrUS96/03150 units are turned on at the same time, the communication 8y5tem can be overloaded, thPreby crsating delays in the trsnsmissions of messages, In view of thes~ and other iimitations, new systems and methods that provide improved communicaticns between a dispatch station and a fleet of subscriber units are needed.
Summary of sha invention The present Tn~ention provides apparatus and method of proYiding d,spatch communications in a syst~m that includes a bsse ritation, a dispatch station and one or more ~ubscriber uni~s. In 2ccordzncs one aspect of the lQ p!~sent invention, the ~ubscrl~er unit has four modes of operation ~hat ~onsume vsrious amountr, o~ power. The modes include a sleep mode, a dDrmsnt mode, a power off mode and a power on mode. In the Rleep mode, limited power is consumed while ~ ~ubscriber unit listens for communications from tha base ~tation. In the dormant mode, the ~ubscriber unit is essentially shut down and, therefor~, consumes rr.inimal power.
~urin~ the dormant mods, communic~tlon signals transmitted to the subscri~er unit, includlng dispatches from a dlsp~tch stahon, are stored in a buffer at the base ~tstion. After a predetermined time, which is preset by the dispatch ttation or by the r~ubsrriber, ~n internal alarm clock in the subscriber unit causes the subscriber unit to come out of the dormant mode to initiate ~ call to the base ststion to inquire about messases which were direcsed to ths su~scriber unit durin~ the time it W85 in the dormant mode.
SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) CA 022l4768 l997-09-05 W O 96/27993 PCTnUS9~03150 If there are buffered communications for the subscr;ber unit, the base station transmits the buffered communications from the base sl~lion to the subscriber unit. The subscriber unit then returns to the dormant mode.
Tne inven~ion will now be described in connection with certain illustratPd embodiments; however, it should be clear to those skilled in the art that vari~us modifications, additions and subtractions can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims.
Description of the Drawings FIG. 1 illustrates a communication system;
Fl~i. 2 illustrates a common air interface for providin~ communications between the various components of the communicaticn system of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 illustrates a base station in the communication system;
FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate a s~lbscriber unit in the communicatlon system;
FJG. 6 illustrates a dispatch station in the communication system;
FIG. 7 illustrates a bill;ng station in the communication system;
FIG. ~3 illustrates the on/off power control of the subscriber ùnit;
FIG. 9 illustrates the power control of the subscriber unit during the sleep mode;
FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate the steps taken by the subscriber unit in the dormant mode; and ~ FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate the organizalion of memory in the base . W 096/27993 PCTrUS96/03150 station which is used to buffcr messages to dormant subscriber units.
Descr;pb'on of the Preferred Embodiment Referring to FIG. 1, a communication system 1 is illustrated. The system 1 includes a base station 2, a dispatch station 4 and a plurality of subscriber units 6. A billing station, not shown in FIG. 1, is preferably also pro~ided to process billing information from a plurality of communication sys~ems 1.
The communication system 1 may be a frequency hopping syst~m which is ciivided into Sectors 8 to 10 wherein sets of frequencies are reused in each sector to provide wireless communications. Note, however, that the present invention may be used on other types of communication syst~ms, incl~ding TDMA systems, CDMA systems and even analog based systems.
The base station 2 includes the communication equipment necessary to provide ~he ml~ltiple access communications for the plurality o~
subscribers units 6 and for the dispatch station ~. The base station 2 also includes the communication equipment needed to provide communications through the Public Switched Telephone ~iietwork (PSTN).
The dispatch station 4 includes equipment necessary to dispatch cornmunications from the dispatch station 4 to a number of subscri~er units 6, commoniy referred to as point-to-muitipoint communications. It also includes equipment needed to communicate with individual subscriber units.
The subscriber units 6 genera[ly consist of mobile or porta~le equipment WO 96127993 PCT/US96/031~;0 necessary to transmit, receive and process communication signals.
Referring to FIG. 2, the communication links between the base s;~tion 2, the dispatch station 4 and the subscriber units 6 -- referred to as the cornmon air interface -- are illustrated. The communication channels in FIG.
2 include a plurality of traffic channels (TCHs), at least one control channel (CCH) and at least one access channel (ACH). In the communication system 1 of FIG. 1, all of thes~ channels are present in each sector 8 to 10. I he TCHs operate in the uplirtk (~ransmissions from subscri~er units 6 to the bas~
station 2) and in the downlink (transmissions from the base station 2 to the subscri~er units 6). The CCH and the A~H, however, operate only in one direction -- the CCH in the downJink and the ACH in the uplink.
In ~he illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, ten 25 kHz frequency channels are used to define ten uplink channels and ten 25 kHz frequency channels are used to define ten downlink channels. In each sectar 8 to 10, nine of the frequency channels are used to implement nine upiink TCHs and nine of the frequency channels are used to impiement nine downlink TCHs.
In each sector 8 to 1 O, the remaining frequency channels are used to transmit one ACH and one CCH. Voice information, data information and in~and overhead control signals between the base station 2 and the subscriber units 6 are transmitted over the TCHs, preferably using frequency hoppin9 and time hopping communication methodology. T iming and control ~ signals from the base station 2 to the subscriber unit 6 are transmitted on -CA 02214768 1997-09-05 ' W O 96/27993 PCTrUS961031S0 the CCH. S;atus and operat;onal requests from the subscriber unit 6 to the ba~e station 2 are transmitted on the ACH. Transmissions between the base station 2 and the dispatch stat;on 4 are treated in the same fashion as transmiss;ons between the base station 2 and the subscriber units 6 Note tha~ this description is illustr~tive o~ one communication method and one air interface that can be used in connection with the present invention -- many others are possible.
Referring to FIG. 3, the base station 2 is iliustrated. The base s;ation 2 includes a first sector unit 16, a second sector unit 17, a third sectcr unit 18, a microsector unit 20, a redundant sector 21, a PABX 22, a voice mail unlt 24, a central ~requency source unit 26, an administratlon computer 28, a central controller 30, a database server 32, a local administra~ive computer 34 a terminal server 36, a local area network 38, a power supply 39, data computers 40 and a modem pool 41. The base station 2 may also include a billing station, but where the communication system 1 is part of a regional or national system having numerous base stations, it is preferred to provide a central billing system that serves all of the base stations. The base station 2 of FIG 3 does not include a billing station.
The sector units 16 to 18 establish the communication channels illustrated in FIG. 2 in the sectors 8 to 10, respectively. The microsector unit 20 establishes communications with additional communication equipment in trouble spots in the communication system 1. I he redundant 3 . PC~T/IJS96J~31~;0 sector 21 provides redundant communication channels for the sector units 16 to 18. The base station 2 provides communications with the PSTN via the PABX 22. The PABX 22 aJso provides three way conferencing, routing, least cost routing of long distance calls, voice mail inter~acing, dispatch briclging, user services supporlt and meterin~ functions.
The voice mail unit 24 provides voice mail capability to the communication sys.em 1. The central frequency sourcs unit 26 provides timing references throughout the system. The admin;strat;ve computer 28 tracks subscri~er unit 6 configurations, tracks administrative activities, performs network management, performs built-in-test mana~ement and performs system initialization. The central controller 30 provides various functions, includin~ call managem~nt, dispatch mana~ement, control OT the PABX 2Z, voice mail interfacing, operational rnode management, subscriber mana~ement, call mana~ement, supplies billing information, and generates reports. The data base ser~er 32 stores user data concerning ~Iser rights, status, calls and airtime. it also provides basic data base management and servi~es to all datz base clients, such as the local operator, ~leet administrators and remote operators. The local administration computer 34 provides maintenance and operational control of the base stat;on 2. The loca~ area network 38 enables communications between the various components connected to the networic.
Two pieces of equipment form a subscriber unit-- a subscriber W 096/27993 PCTrUS96/03150 terrn;nal 14 illustrated in FIG. 4 and a radio unit 12 iilustrated in FIG. 5. Ingeneral, the radio unit 12 provides the equipment needed to transmit, receive and process signals over the common air interface of FIG. 2 while the subscriber terminal 14 provides ~n inter~ace to a subscriber.
Referring to FIG. 4, the subscriber terminal 14 includes a microprocessor 50, an oscillator circ~lit 52, a power supply circuit 54, a serial interface clrcuit 56, a display driver circuit 58, a memory circuit 60, akeyboard interface circuit 62, an l/O decoder circuit 64, a LEI:) driver 66 and an interface circuit 68. The subscriber terminal 14 can also include a real time clock 70 or, alternatively, th~ base station 2 can distribute rea~ time ciock information to each of the s~lbscriber units 6.
The memory circuit 60 inciudes a decoder circuit 76, an address latch 78 a boot ROM 80, a flash memory 82 and a static RAM 84. The boot RO~ 80 stores the code necessary to initialize the microprocessor 50 and l~ the circuitry of the subscriber terminal 14 as well as code necessary to download ~uture software versions for the subscriber te~minal 14. The f~ash memory 82 is non-volatile re-writable memory which is utilized to store ir~formation which must be maintained even durin~ a loss of power. The static RAM 84 is utilized as a working memory as needed.
The display driver circuit 58 includes the LCD display 24, a power supply 86, a LCD controller 8~, a memory circuit 90 and an address controller 92. The display driver circuit 58 is accessed by the WO 96t~7993 PCT/US96/03150 r.icrocontrollt-r 50 via the 1/0 dacoder 64. The information to be displayed isJownloaded from the microprocessor 50 to the memory circuit 9(). The ~ display of the in~ormation on the dispiay 24 is then controlled in a conventional manner by the LCD controller 88.
The microproc9ssor 50 is responsive to the selec1:ion of the keys 30 to 34 cnd 36 to 43, as well as to the selection of the keys on the handset 2~:.
When the kzys are s~lected, selection signals are processed through the keyboard inter~ace circuit 62 to the microprocessor 50. The microprocessor ~0 also controls the LE~s 44 through the LED driver circuit 66. T he RS-2:~2 interface 9 provides commun;cations between the subscriber terminal 14 and extern21 devices, such as notebook computers, magnetic swipe devices used to read magnet~c strips, printers, bar code readers and serial key~oards.
The RS-48~ ;nterface 96 and the interface circuitry 68 provides communications between the subscriber terminal 14 and the receiver and transmitter circ:uitry of the radio unit 12 (shown in FIG. 5).
ln FIG. ~, the circuitry of the radio unit 12 is illustrated. The rzd;o unit 1 2 includes antennas 102 and 104, a radio board 106, a bas~band unit 108, a service board 1 10, and a GPS interface 1 1 1. The radio unit circu;try illustrated in FIG. ~, except the antennas 102 and 104, is preferably housed separately frorn the subscr;ber terminal 14, ~or exarnple, inside the trunk of an automobile. The antennas 102 and 1 04 are preferably mounted ex-emally on the automobiie.
The radio board 106 includes transmitter and receiver circuitry. I~lore particularly, it ;ncludes a transm;tter 1 12, two receiver channels ~ 14 and 116, a duplexer 118, a frequency synthesi2er 120, gain and frequency control circuitry 122 and transmitter gain control circuitry 124. As previous1y descri~ed, the circuitry of the radio board 106 preferably provides communication via frequency hopping, that is, a communication signal is transmitted and received by hopping the signal oYer several different ~requency channels.
The radio board 106 is interfaced with the baseband unit 108. The baseband unit 108 includes a modem 126, a controller 128, a voice processing package 130 and an inter~ace circuit 132 to the subscriber terminal's 14 ci~cuitry, This baseband un;t 108 receives the signals ~o be tran~miKed ;o the base station 2 from the subscriber terminal 14 processes ~hose signals and then sends the signals to the transmit~er 1 12 in the radio 1~ board 106 for transmission. This baseband unit 108 also receives the signals that the radio board 106 receives from the base staticn 2, processes the received signals and sends them to the subscriber terminal 14 through tlleinterface 132.
Referring to Fl~i. 6, the dispatch station 4 is illustrated. The dispatch slation 4 includes a personal computer 150, a modem 152, a radio unit 12, a microphone 15~, a speaker 156 and an antenna 158. When the base stat;on transmits tc the dispatch station 4, the communication s;gnaJs are _ WO 96127993 PCTnJS96~0:~S0 received on the antenna 15~3, processed by the radio unit 12 and sent to the computer 150 throu~h a seria~ port 160 The computer 150 determines whether the communication is voice or data communications. If the communication is a voice communication, then the signals are sent to a sound card in the computer 150 for voice process;ng. The voice sisnais are eventually sent to the speaker 156 through a port ~ 62 on the sound card so that they can be heard by a dispatcher. If the communicat;on is a data communication, then the computer 150 processes the data so thzt it can be presented to the dispatcher in a desired format.
iO When the dispatcher sznds a voice or data communication signai 'rom ' the dispatch station 4 to the base station 2, the signal is senerated from themicrophone 1~;4, in the case of voice signals, or from a data file in ;he computer 150, in the casz of data si5nals. The voice signals are preferably processe~ throu~h the sound card in the computer 150. Then, the voice or da~a signals are sent through the port 160 to the radio un;t 12 for transmission by the antenna 158.
In addi~ion to voice and data, the dispatcher can send fleet administration information to the subscriber units in the dispatcher's fleet to control the configuration and capabilities of those subscriber !Jnits. To do this, the dispatcher accesses the computer 150 to set the desired fleet administration information. The fleet administration information, once c~nfigured by the dispalcher, i5 then sent through a port 164 to the modem W 096t27993 PCTnUS96/031S0 152. The modem 1~2 transmits the fleet adminlstration information to either a central billing station or to the base sta~;on 2 over a land line.
Alternatively, the fleet administration information is transmitted over-;ne-air to the base station 2 through the dispatch station radio unit 12. The fleet adrninistration information can then he forwarded to the billin~ station, whe,ther the billing station is part of the base station 2 or off-site in a centrat location.
Referr;ng to FIG. ?, a central biiling station 170 is illustrated. The bil~ina s~ation 170 includes a server 172, a gateway 174, a local area network 176 and a rcuter 178 to a wide area network. The s~rver 172 has a database that keeps track of information concerning all users of the communication system 1, including all of the dispatchers and all of the subscribers. The information tracked includes the services that the users ha~ Igned up to use, the payment histor;es of the users, the configurations of thP users of the system 1 and current bill;ng informatlon. The gateway 174 is a switch thzt provides a signal pat~l to and from the local area netv~rork 176. A router 178 then routes these signals to a wide area network ~or distribution to and from the local area network 38 of the base station 2.
In accordance with the present invention, the subscriber unit 6 pre~erably has four different modes of operation, each o~ w~ich consume differing amounts of power. In the first rnode, power off, all components in _ W O 96/27993 P ~ ~US96J031~0 the subscriber unit 6 are turned off and no power is consumed. In ~he second mode of operation, power on, all components in the subscriber unit 6 are turned on and maximum power is consumed. In the third mode, the dormant mode, all compcnents except those responsible for "waking up~ the subscrjber unit 6 at a preset time are turned off. The subscriber unit 6 wakes up at a preselected time to query the base station 2 for messages.
Once in the dormant mode, however, the subscriber unit 6 will not resume nornlal operation until the unit is turned on by the cubscriber. In the four~h mode, the sleep mode, subscriber unit 6 turns power off to all components except those necessary to receive signa~s from the base s.ation 2. Then, when signals are r-~ceived, the subscriber unit 6 again wakes up to process those si~3nals. The subscriber unit 6 exits the sleep mode whenever any key on the keypad 24 is touched.
These modes of operation are illustrated in FIGS. 8 to 11. Referring to FlG. 8, the steps taken by the subscriber unit 6 when turning power on ar~d off are illustrated. In step 200, the microprocessor 50 in the subscriber terminai 14 determ;nes that the power control key on the subscriber terminal 14 has been selected. If the power is being turned on, then in steps 202 and 204, the controller 128 and the microprocessor 50 cause the power to the radio unit 12 and to the subscriber terminal 14, respectively, to be turned on. If the power is being turned off, then in steps 206 and 208, the controller 128 and the microprocessor 50 cause the power to th~ radio unit W O 96t27993 PCTrUS96/031S0 1~ and to the subsc.iber terminal 1 A~ respectiveiy~ to be turned off.
Referring to FIG. 9, the 5.eps taken b~/ the subscr;ber unit ô in the sleep rnoc~e are iilus~rated. In step 220, the microprocessor cO receives an instruction from a subscriber that causes the subscriber unit 6 to enter the slee~ mode. In step 222, the microprocessor 50 sends an instruction to the controlier 128 in the radio unit 12 that tells the radio unit 12 to enter ;he sle~p mod~. Then, in st-p 224, the processor 50 causes powef to .he su~scriber terminal 14 to be turned off. In step 226, the controller 7 28 causes power ;o be turned off .o selected compcnents but allows power to supplied to o.her components The controller 128 turns power of~ to all components not needed to receive communication signals from the base station 2. Therefore, in the radio unit 12 (FIG. 5), the reccivers 1 14 and 11~;, the synthesizer 120, the frequency and gain control cir~uit 122, the modem 126 and the controller 128 remain powered during the sleep mode.
Thus, the subscriber unit 6 can receive signals when in the sleep mode.
When signzls are recPived or when a subscriber touches a key cn the keypad 26, the subscriber unit 6 returns to normal operation and proc~sses any received or ;ransmitted communic~tions.
Referring to FIG. 10, the s.eps taken to enter the dormant mode are 2~ illustrated. in step ~C0, the subscri~er depresses keys on the keyboard 2 on the subscriber ter~inal 14 to instruct the subscriber uni~ 6 t~ enter a dormant n cde of operation. Tr)e microprocessor 50 reads the depressed WO 96127993 . PCTJUS96JI)31~1) keys, interprets the dormant mode instructions and notifie5 the contro~Jer 128 In the radio unit 12 that the subscriber unit 6 has been instructed to en~er the dormant mode of operation.
Then, in step 302, in one embodiment o~ the present invention, the controller 1.Z8 causes a commun~cation signal to be sent by the subscriber unit's transmitter 1 12 to the base station 2. The communication s;gnaJ is pref~rably sent on the ACH, but may also be sent on the uplink TCH as well.
It is received and processed by the appropriate seclor unit 16 to 18 or 20.
The sector unit ~ 6 to 18 or 20 proc2sses ~he signal by examinin~ a control field ;n the communication s;gnal to determine what type of communication was received. In this case, the control field indicates tha~ the communication signal is from a particul~r su~scriber unit that is entering the dormant mode.
The sector unit 16 to 18 or 20, from the received cc~mmunication 1a signals, determines which subscriber unit is entering the dormant mode.
This information is transmitted to the database 32 and the administrative computer 2~ under the control of the central controller 30. The information concerning the status of the subscriber unit 6 in the database 32 and the administrative computer 28 is updated to reflect the dormant status. Thus, the base station 2 knows which subscriber unlts 6 are in the dormant state.
In an alternate ~mbodiment of the present invention, step 302 is sk;pped. Then, th~ base sta~ion 2 is not notified that the subscriber unit 6 is W 096/27993 PCTrUS96/03150 entering the dormant mode of cperation Thus, upon attempting 2 communic.a.ion ~ith a dormant subscriber unit 6, the base sta;ion 2 ~,viil only know ;ha, ~he subscriber unit 6 is not receiving the commurication.
In response to the dormancy message, the base station 2 can aend a message to the su~scriber unit ~ instructing the subscriber unit 6 to s.ay awake for a preselected or an ins.ructed period of time. Tile base stztion 2 can issue this instruction i~ i. wants to broadcast a message to rnany subscriber units 6 or for any other reason.
In step 30¢, the subscriber unit 6 checks its controller 12~ rr,emGry to determine how long the subscriber unit 6 should ~nter the dormant moce. In one embodiment, the length of time is set in the controller 128 memory 30 that every subscriber ~nit 6 enters the dormant mode for the same lensth of tirre. In an alternate embodiment, the subscriber can enter the length of time that the subscriber unit 6 should stay ;n the dormant mode throus;~l the keyboard 26 on the sui~scriber terminal 14. In this case, the microprocessor 50 ~eads this information (the length o~ time) from the keyboard and transmits it to the controller 128, where it is stored in memory.
In ano~her embodiment, however, the length of time that a su.,~-r ~er nit 6 stays in th~ c'crmant mode is programmable by a dispatcher â~ e~
~'' dispa,ch s;ation ~. To do this, the dispatcher accesses the computer 1 5~J.
One of the options ~he computer 1~0 offers as part of a fieet administratior.
pack2se is to alio~,v tine dispatcher to select the length of time the subscr;~e~
W O 96/27993 PCT~US961~3~S~
unit remains dormant once the subscriber places the unit ;n the dormant mode. When the dispatcher selects this option, the computer 150 prompts the dispatcher to enter the length of t;me. Once the dispatcher enters the length of time, the computer 150 stores this parameter in its memory.
When the dispatcher cornpletes the entry, the dispatcher enters an instruction that causes the computer 150 to send this information to the base station Z. This inforrnation is preferably sent to the base staticn with the other dispa~cher controlled fleet administration in~ormation that configures and controls the subscriber units 6. Examples of the information that can be con;rolled inciude groupings of su~scriber units, PSTN
assignments to subscr;ber units, and subscr;~er unit telephony configurations and quick dial iists.
Re~erring to FIG. 6, when the dispatcher instructs the computer 150 to send the fl~et administration information, includlng the dormancy time in accordance with the present invention, the computer 150 sends the information tllrough a port ~ 64 to a modem 1~2 in the dispatch station 4.
The modem 152 preferably transmits the flee~ administration information over a land line to the modem pool 41 in the base station 2. Alternatively, the computer 150 can route the fleet administration information through the 2d radio unit 12 so that the transmission is over-the-air, via the TCH or the ACH, to one of the sectors 16 to 18 in ~he base station 2.
Once the length of dormancy has ~een determined, in step 306, a W 096/27993 PCTrUS961031S0 power off timer is set. The timer determines the time that the subscriber unit 6 spends in the dormant mode and in waking up from the dormant mode. Then, in s.ep 308, the power to the components in the su~scriber terminal 14 and the radio unit 12 are turned off, except power is supplied to the microprocessor 50 in ~he subscriber terminal 14 and to the controller 12~ ;n the radio unit 12. This allows the subscriber unit to "~ake up" at a later time and then, in turn, to wake up other components needed to receive messages. It also allows the controller 128 to maintain the power o~F tirner.
Referring now to FIG. 1 1, dur;ng the dormancy time, the control~er 128, in step ~tO, keeps checking to see whether the dormancy time has eiapsed. During th;s time, the base station 2 can be attempting to transmit communication signals to the subscriber Lsnit 6 while it is in the dormant state. If step 302 has been skipped, the base station 2 attempts to communicate with the dormant subscriber unit 6 and detErmines that the l~ su~scriber ~nit 6 is not responding. If step 302 is performed, the ~ase station 2 will know ~hat the subscriber unit 6 is in the dormant mode by checking its database.
When the base station 2 determines that the subscriber unit 6 to which the communication is directed is not availabie, either by attempting to communicate or by checking the database or both, the base s~ation 2 buffers the message in the communication signal. F~GS. 12 and 13, illustrate the buffering of these messages. In FIG. 12, the database 32 maintains a table W O 96/27993 PCT~US96J~3tSD
of subscriber unit identification numbers, an indica~ion of whether there are bLlffered messages and the locaticns of those buffered messages. Whenever a message cannot be delivered by the base station 2 to the subscriber unit 6, the table of FIG. 12 is updated to indicate that the subscriber unit has a buffered message and the location of the message. In FIG. ?3, the buffering of the rnessage is indicated. For example, in FIG. 12, the datahase indicates that subsrriber unit having identification number SU002 has a buffer~d message starting at mernory location 0000. Referring to memory locat;on 0000, in FIG. 13, the buffered me-sage is found. In this case, the bu,~;ered tC message is the next days itinerary.
Referring now back to FIG. 11, once the dormancy time has elapsed, the c~ntro~ler 128 checks the power off timer. The power off timer keeps track of how iong the subscriber un;t 6 has ~een in the dormant mode, including the times that the subscriber unit 6 wakes up and then returns to the dormant mode~ If the power off timer is less than a predetermined amount, preferably fourteen (14) hours, in step 312, the microprocessor ~0 and the controller 128 cause power to be turned on to the subscriber terrninal 14 and to the radio ~Jnit 12, respectjvely if the power off ~imer exceeds the predetermined amoutnt, then the subscriber unit 6 does not wake up. Thus, the power off timer stops tlle subscriber unit 6 from repeatedly waking up from the dormant mode, thereby preventing the draining of the battery of the vehicle in which the subscriber unit 6 is W 096/27993 PCTrUS96/031S0 ins.alled.
Once awake, in step 314, the controller 128 causes a communication signal to be transmitted to the base station 2 indicating that th~ subscriber unit 6 is no longer in the dormant mode. Then the base station 2 accesses its memory as illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13 to determine whether there are buffered messages. If any are found, the base station 2, in step 316, transmits these messages to the subscriber unit 6.
Any messaae which has been directed to the dorrnant subscriber unit 6 can be buffer~d and then transmitted. The present invention, however, is particularty useful in transmitting the next day's work orders to a sulbscriber,to transmit new user databases and to download naw software versians to subscriber units.
Once all of the buffered messages have been transmitted, the subscriber unit 6 returns to the dormant mode. The subscriber unit 6 is removed from the dormant mode by power being turned on or, i~ an alternative embodiment, by the selection of one of the keys on the keypad 24.
It is understood that changes may be made in the above description without departing from the scope of the invention. It is accordingly intended that all mat~er contained in the above description and in the drawings be interpreted as illustrative rather than limiting.
A SUBSCRIBEP~ UNIT HAYING A SLEEP MODE AND A DORMANT MOD~
~ackground of the Inven~on The present invention relates to wireless communication systerns.
More specifically, it relates to the subscri~er units used by s~bscribers to thewlreless communication systems.
Wireless commL~nication systems are used to provide commLlnications capa~ilities to businesses having fieets of vehicies operating in the field -- for example, taxi companies or limousine companies. Typically, wireless communication systems include a base station, one or more dispatch stations and a plurality of subscriber units. All communicat~ons are routPd thr~ugh the ~ase station. The subscriber units are moun~e~ in the vehicles operating in the field to provide communication capabilities to the vehicle's ocr~upan~s. The dispatch st~tions allow a dispatcher to send dispatch communications to one or more of the subscriber units through the base s~tion.
Today's dispatch communication systems, however, provide limited communication capabilities. For example, deliverymen working the eight-to-five shift turn their subscriber units off at ~;:t)O P.M. The nexr day, when they start their new workshift, they turn their subscriber units on a short time before 8:00 AaVl. Communications from the dispatch station are not ~ransmitted until the subscriber uni~ are turned on. If too many subscriber W 096/27993 PCTrUS96/03150 units are turned on at the same time, the communication 8y5tem can be overloaded, thPreby crsating delays in the trsnsmissions of messages, In view of thes~ and other iimitations, new systems and methods that provide improved communicaticns between a dispatch station and a fleet of subscriber units are needed.
Summary of sha invention The present Tn~ention provides apparatus and method of proYiding d,spatch communications in a syst~m that includes a bsse ritation, a dispatch station and one or more ~ubscriber uni~s. In 2ccordzncs one aspect of the lQ p!~sent invention, the ~ubscrl~er unit has four modes of operation ~hat ~onsume vsrious amountr, o~ power. The modes include a sleep mode, a dDrmsnt mode, a power off mode and a power on mode. In the Rleep mode, limited power is consumed while ~ ~ubscriber unit listens for communications from tha base ~tation. In the dormant mode, the ~ubscriber unit is essentially shut down and, therefor~, consumes rr.inimal power.
~urin~ the dormant mods, communic~tlon signals transmitted to the subscri~er unit, includlng dispatches from a dlsp~tch stahon, are stored in a buffer at the base ~tstion. After a predetermined time, which is preset by the dispatch ttation or by the r~ubsrriber, ~n internal alarm clock in the subscriber unit causes the subscriber unit to come out of the dormant mode to initiate ~ call to the base ststion to inquire about messases which were direcsed to ths su~scriber unit durin~ the time it W85 in the dormant mode.
SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) CA 022l4768 l997-09-05 W O 96/27993 PCTnUS9~03150 If there are buffered communications for the subscr;ber unit, the base station transmits the buffered communications from the base sl~lion to the subscriber unit. The subscriber unit then returns to the dormant mode.
Tne inven~ion will now be described in connection with certain illustratPd embodiments; however, it should be clear to those skilled in the art that vari~us modifications, additions and subtractions can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims.
Description of the Drawings FIG. 1 illustrates a communication system;
Fl~i. 2 illustrates a common air interface for providin~ communications between the various components of the communicaticn system of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 illustrates a base station in the communication system;
FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate a s~lbscriber unit in the communicatlon system;
FJG. 6 illustrates a dispatch station in the communication system;
FIG. 7 illustrates a bill;ng station in the communication system;
FIG. ~3 illustrates the on/off power control of the subscriber ùnit;
FIG. 9 illustrates the power control of the subscriber unit during the sleep mode;
FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate the steps taken by the subscriber unit in the dormant mode; and ~ FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate the organizalion of memory in the base . W 096/27993 PCTrUS96/03150 station which is used to buffcr messages to dormant subscriber units.
Descr;pb'on of the Preferred Embodiment Referring to FIG. 1, a communication system 1 is illustrated. The system 1 includes a base station 2, a dispatch station 4 and a plurality of subscriber units 6. A billing station, not shown in FIG. 1, is preferably also pro~ided to process billing information from a plurality of communication sys~ems 1.
The communication system 1 may be a frequency hopping syst~m which is ciivided into Sectors 8 to 10 wherein sets of frequencies are reused in each sector to provide wireless communications. Note, however, that the present invention may be used on other types of communication syst~ms, incl~ding TDMA systems, CDMA systems and even analog based systems.
The base station 2 includes the communication equipment necessary to provide ~he ml~ltiple access communications for the plurality o~
subscribers units 6 and for the dispatch station ~. The base station 2 also includes the communication equipment needed to provide communications through the Public Switched Telephone ~iietwork (PSTN).
The dispatch station 4 includes equipment necessary to dispatch cornmunications from the dispatch station 4 to a number of subscri~er units 6, commoniy referred to as point-to-muitipoint communications. It also includes equipment needed to communicate with individual subscriber units.
The subscriber units 6 genera[ly consist of mobile or porta~le equipment WO 96127993 PCT/US96/031~;0 necessary to transmit, receive and process communication signals.
Referring to FIG. 2, the communication links between the base s;~tion 2, the dispatch station 4 and the subscriber units 6 -- referred to as the cornmon air interface -- are illustrated. The communication channels in FIG.
2 include a plurality of traffic channels (TCHs), at least one control channel (CCH) and at least one access channel (ACH). In the communication system 1 of FIG. 1, all of thes~ channels are present in each sector 8 to 10. I he TCHs operate in the uplirtk (~ransmissions from subscri~er units 6 to the bas~
station 2) and in the downlink (transmissions from the base station 2 to the subscri~er units 6). The CCH and the A~H, however, operate only in one direction -- the CCH in the downJink and the ACH in the uplink.
In ~he illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, ten 25 kHz frequency channels are used to define ten uplink channels and ten 25 kHz frequency channels are used to define ten downlink channels. In each sectar 8 to 10, nine of the frequency channels are used to implement nine upiink TCHs and nine of the frequency channels are used to impiement nine downlink TCHs.
In each sector 8 to 1 O, the remaining frequency channels are used to transmit one ACH and one CCH. Voice information, data information and in~and overhead control signals between the base station 2 and the subscriber units 6 are transmitted over the TCHs, preferably using frequency hoppin9 and time hopping communication methodology. T iming and control ~ signals from the base station 2 to the subscriber unit 6 are transmitted on -CA 02214768 1997-09-05 ' W O 96/27993 PCTrUS961031S0 the CCH. S;atus and operat;onal requests from the subscriber unit 6 to the ba~e station 2 are transmitted on the ACH. Transmissions between the base station 2 and the dispatch stat;on 4 are treated in the same fashion as transmiss;ons between the base station 2 and the subscriber units 6 Note tha~ this description is illustr~tive o~ one communication method and one air interface that can be used in connection with the present invention -- many others are possible.
Referring to FIG. 3, the base station 2 is iliustrated. The base s;ation 2 includes a first sector unit 16, a second sector unit 17, a third sectcr unit 18, a microsector unit 20, a redundant sector 21, a PABX 22, a voice mail unlt 24, a central ~requency source unit 26, an administratlon computer 28, a central controller 30, a database server 32, a local administra~ive computer 34 a terminal server 36, a local area network 38, a power supply 39, data computers 40 and a modem pool 41. The base station 2 may also include a billing station, but where the communication system 1 is part of a regional or national system having numerous base stations, it is preferred to provide a central billing system that serves all of the base stations. The base station 2 of FIG 3 does not include a billing station.
The sector units 16 to 18 establish the communication channels illustrated in FIG. 2 in the sectors 8 to 10, respectively. The microsector unit 20 establishes communications with additional communication equipment in trouble spots in the communication system 1. I he redundant 3 . PC~T/IJS96J~31~;0 sector 21 provides redundant communication channels for the sector units 16 to 18. The base station 2 provides communications with the PSTN via the PABX 22. The PABX 22 aJso provides three way conferencing, routing, least cost routing of long distance calls, voice mail inter~acing, dispatch briclging, user services supporlt and meterin~ functions.
The voice mail unit 24 provides voice mail capability to the communication sys.em 1. The central frequency sourcs unit 26 provides timing references throughout the system. The admin;strat;ve computer 28 tracks subscri~er unit 6 configurations, tracks administrative activities, performs network management, performs built-in-test mana~ement and performs system initialization. The central controller 30 provides various functions, includin~ call managem~nt, dispatch mana~ement, control OT the PABX 2Z, voice mail interfacing, operational rnode management, subscriber mana~ement, call mana~ement, supplies billing information, and generates reports. The data base ser~er 32 stores user data concerning ~Iser rights, status, calls and airtime. it also provides basic data base management and servi~es to all datz base clients, such as the local operator, ~leet administrators and remote operators. The local administration computer 34 provides maintenance and operational control of the base stat;on 2. The loca~ area network 38 enables communications between the various components connected to the networic.
Two pieces of equipment form a subscriber unit-- a subscriber W 096/27993 PCTrUS96/03150 terrn;nal 14 illustrated in FIG. 4 and a radio unit 12 iilustrated in FIG. 5. Ingeneral, the radio unit 12 provides the equipment needed to transmit, receive and process signals over the common air interface of FIG. 2 while the subscriber terminal 14 provides ~n inter~ace to a subscriber.
Referring to FIG. 4, the subscriber terminal 14 includes a microprocessor 50, an oscillator circ~lit 52, a power supply circuit 54, a serial interface clrcuit 56, a display driver circuit 58, a memory circuit 60, akeyboard interface circuit 62, an l/O decoder circuit 64, a LEI:) driver 66 and an interface circuit 68. The subscriber terminal 14 can also include a real time clock 70 or, alternatively, th~ base station 2 can distribute rea~ time ciock information to each of the s~lbscriber units 6.
The memory circuit 60 inciudes a decoder circuit 76, an address latch 78 a boot ROM 80, a flash memory 82 and a static RAM 84. The boot RO~ 80 stores the code necessary to initialize the microprocessor 50 and l~ the circuitry of the subscriber terminal 14 as well as code necessary to download ~uture software versions for the subscriber te~minal 14. The f~ash memory 82 is non-volatile re-writable memory which is utilized to store ir~formation which must be maintained even durin~ a loss of power. The static RAM 84 is utilized as a working memory as needed.
The display driver circuit 58 includes the LCD display 24, a power supply 86, a LCD controller 8~, a memory circuit 90 and an address controller 92. The display driver circuit 58 is accessed by the WO 96t~7993 PCT/US96/03150 r.icrocontrollt-r 50 via the 1/0 dacoder 64. The information to be displayed isJownloaded from the microprocessor 50 to the memory circuit 9(). The ~ display of the in~ormation on the dispiay 24 is then controlled in a conventional manner by the LCD controller 88.
The microproc9ssor 50 is responsive to the selec1:ion of the keys 30 to 34 cnd 36 to 43, as well as to the selection of the keys on the handset 2~:.
When the kzys are s~lected, selection signals are processed through the keyboard inter~ace circuit 62 to the microprocessor 50. The microprocessor ~0 also controls the LE~s 44 through the LED driver circuit 66. T he RS-2:~2 interface 9 provides commun;cations between the subscriber terminal 14 and extern21 devices, such as notebook computers, magnetic swipe devices used to read magnet~c strips, printers, bar code readers and serial key~oards.
The RS-48~ ;nterface 96 and the interface circuitry 68 provides communications between the subscriber terminal 14 and the receiver and transmitter circ:uitry of the radio unit 12 (shown in FIG. 5).
ln FIG. ~, the circuitry of the radio unit 12 is illustrated. The rzd;o unit 1 2 includes antennas 102 and 104, a radio board 106, a bas~band unit 108, a service board 1 10, and a GPS interface 1 1 1. The radio unit circu;try illustrated in FIG. ~, except the antennas 102 and 104, is preferably housed separately frorn the subscr;ber terminal 14, ~or exarnple, inside the trunk of an automobile. The antennas 102 and 1 04 are preferably mounted ex-emally on the automobiie.
The radio board 106 includes transmitter and receiver circuitry. I~lore particularly, it ;ncludes a transm;tter 1 12, two receiver channels ~ 14 and 116, a duplexer 118, a frequency synthesi2er 120, gain and frequency control circuitry 122 and transmitter gain control circuitry 124. As previous1y descri~ed, the circuitry of the radio board 106 preferably provides communication via frequency hopping, that is, a communication signal is transmitted and received by hopping the signal oYer several different ~requency channels.
The radio board 106 is interfaced with the baseband unit 108. The baseband unit 108 includes a modem 126, a controller 128, a voice processing package 130 and an inter~ace circuit 132 to the subscriber terminal's 14 ci~cuitry, This baseband un;t 108 receives the signals ~o be tran~miKed ;o the base station 2 from the subscriber terminal 14 processes ~hose signals and then sends the signals to the transmit~er 1 12 in the radio 1~ board 106 for transmission. This baseband unit 108 also receives the signals that the radio board 106 receives from the base staticn 2, processes the received signals and sends them to the subscriber terminal 14 through tlleinterface 132.
Referring to Fl~i. 6, the dispatch station 4 is illustrated. The dispatch slation 4 includes a personal computer 150, a modem 152, a radio unit 12, a microphone 15~, a speaker 156 and an antenna 158. When the base stat;on transmits tc the dispatch station 4, the communication s;gnaJs are _ WO 96127993 PCTnJS96~0:~S0 received on the antenna 15~3, processed by the radio unit 12 and sent to the computer 150 throu~h a seria~ port 160 The computer 150 determines whether the communication is voice or data communications. If the communication is a voice communication, then the signals are sent to a sound card in the computer 150 for voice process;ng. The voice sisnais are eventually sent to the speaker 156 through a port ~ 62 on the sound card so that they can be heard by a dispatcher. If the communicat;on is a data communication, then the computer 150 processes the data so thzt it can be presented to the dispatcher in a desired format.
iO When the dispatcher sznds a voice or data communication signai 'rom ' the dispatch station 4 to the base station 2, the signal is senerated from themicrophone 1~;4, in the case of voice signals, or from a data file in ;he computer 150, in the casz of data si5nals. The voice signals are preferably processe~ throu~h the sound card in the computer 150. Then, the voice or da~a signals are sent through the port 160 to the radio un;t 12 for transmission by the antenna 158.
In addi~ion to voice and data, the dispatcher can send fleet administration information to the subscriber units in the dispatcher's fleet to control the configuration and capabilities of those subscriber !Jnits. To do this, the dispatcher accesses the computer 150 to set the desired fleet administration information. The fleet administration information, once c~nfigured by the dispalcher, i5 then sent through a port 164 to the modem W 096t27993 PCTnUS96/031S0 152. The modem 1~2 transmits the fleet adminlstration information to either a central billing station or to the base sta~;on 2 over a land line.
Alternatively, the fleet administration information is transmitted over-;ne-air to the base station 2 through the dispatch station radio unit 12. The fleet adrninistration information can then he forwarded to the billin~ station, whe,ther the billing station is part of the base station 2 or off-site in a centrat location.
Referr;ng to FIG. ?, a central biiling station 170 is illustrated. The bil~ina s~ation 170 includes a server 172, a gateway 174, a local area network 176 and a rcuter 178 to a wide area network. The s~rver 172 has a database that keeps track of information concerning all users of the communication system 1, including all of the dispatchers and all of the subscribers. The information tracked includes the services that the users ha~ Igned up to use, the payment histor;es of the users, the configurations of thP users of the system 1 and current bill;ng informatlon. The gateway 174 is a switch thzt provides a signal pat~l to and from the local area netv~rork 176. A router 178 then routes these signals to a wide area network ~or distribution to and from the local area network 38 of the base station 2.
In accordance with the present invention, the subscriber unit 6 pre~erably has four different modes of operation, each o~ w~ich consume differing amounts of power. In the first rnode, power off, all components in _ W O 96/27993 P ~ ~US96J031~0 the subscriber unit 6 are turned off and no power is consumed. In ~he second mode of operation, power on, all components in the subscriber unit 6 are turned on and maximum power is consumed. In the third mode, the dormant mode, all compcnents except those responsible for "waking up~ the subscrjber unit 6 at a preset time are turned off. The subscriber unit 6 wakes up at a preselected time to query the base station 2 for messages.
Once in the dormant mode, however, the subscriber unit 6 will not resume nornlal operation until the unit is turned on by the cubscriber. In the four~h mode, the sleep mode, subscriber unit 6 turns power off to all components except those necessary to receive signa~s from the base s.ation 2. Then, when signals are r-~ceived, the subscriber unit 6 again wakes up to process those si~3nals. The subscriber unit 6 exits the sleep mode whenever any key on the keypad 24 is touched.
These modes of operation are illustrated in FIGS. 8 to 11. Referring to FlG. 8, the steps taken by the subscriber unit 6 when turning power on ar~d off are illustrated. In step 200, the microprocessor 50 in the subscriber terminai 14 determ;nes that the power control key on the subscriber terminal 14 has been selected. If the power is being turned on, then in steps 202 and 204, the controller 128 and the microprocessor 50 cause the power to the radio unit 12 and to the subscriber terminal 14, respectively, to be turned on. If the power is being turned off, then in steps 206 and 208, the controller 128 and the microprocessor 50 cause the power to th~ radio unit W O 96t27993 PCTrUS96/031S0 1~ and to the subsc.iber terminal 1 A~ respectiveiy~ to be turned off.
Referring to FIG. 9, the 5.eps taken b~/ the subscr;ber unit ô in the sleep rnoc~e are iilus~rated. In step 220, the microprocessor cO receives an instruction from a subscriber that causes the subscriber unit 6 to enter the slee~ mode. In step 222, the microprocessor 50 sends an instruction to the controlier 128 in the radio unit 12 that tells the radio unit 12 to enter ;he sle~p mod~. Then, in st-p 224, the processor 50 causes powef to .he su~scriber terminal 14 to be turned off. In step 226, the controller 7 28 causes power ;o be turned off .o selected compcnents but allows power to supplied to o.her components The controller 128 turns power of~ to all components not needed to receive communication signals from the base station 2. Therefore, in the radio unit 12 (FIG. 5), the reccivers 1 14 and 11~;, the synthesizer 120, the frequency and gain control cir~uit 122, the modem 126 and the controller 128 remain powered during the sleep mode.
Thus, the subscriber unit 6 can receive signals when in the sleep mode.
When signzls are recPived or when a subscriber touches a key cn the keypad 26, the subscriber unit 6 returns to normal operation and proc~sses any received or ;ransmitted communic~tions.
Referring to FIG. 10, the s.eps taken to enter the dormant mode are 2~ illustrated. in step ~C0, the subscri~er depresses keys on the keyboard 2 on the subscriber ter~inal 14 to instruct the subscriber uni~ 6 t~ enter a dormant n cde of operation. Tr)e microprocessor 50 reads the depressed WO 96127993 . PCTJUS96JI)31~1) keys, interprets the dormant mode instructions and notifie5 the contro~Jer 128 In the radio unit 12 that the subscriber unit 6 has been instructed to en~er the dormant mode of operation.
Then, in step 302, in one embodiment o~ the present invention, the controller 1.Z8 causes a commun~cation signal to be sent by the subscriber unit's transmitter 1 12 to the base station 2. The communication s;gnaJ is pref~rably sent on the ACH, but may also be sent on the uplink TCH as well.
It is received and processed by the appropriate seclor unit 16 to 18 or 20.
The sector unit ~ 6 to 18 or 20 proc2sses ~he signal by examinin~ a control field ;n the communication s;gnal to determine what type of communication was received. In this case, the control field indicates tha~ the communication signal is from a particul~r su~scriber unit that is entering the dormant mode.
The sector unit 16 to 18 or 20, from the received cc~mmunication 1a signals, determines which subscriber unit is entering the dormant mode.
This information is transmitted to the database 32 and the administrative computer 2~ under the control of the central controller 30. The information concerning the status of the subscriber unit 6 in the database 32 and the administrative computer 28 is updated to reflect the dormant status. Thus, the base station 2 knows which subscriber unlts 6 are in the dormant state.
In an alternate ~mbodiment of the present invention, step 302 is sk;pped. Then, th~ base sta~ion 2 is not notified that the subscriber unit 6 is W 096/27993 PCTrUS96/03150 entering the dormant mode of cperation Thus, upon attempting 2 communic.a.ion ~ith a dormant subscriber unit 6, the base sta;ion 2 ~,viil only know ;ha, ~he subscriber unit 6 is not receiving the commurication.
In response to the dormancy message, the base station 2 can aend a message to the su~scriber unit ~ instructing the subscriber unit 6 to s.ay awake for a preselected or an ins.ructed period of time. Tile base stztion 2 can issue this instruction i~ i. wants to broadcast a message to rnany subscriber units 6 or for any other reason.
In step 30¢, the subscriber unit 6 checks its controller 12~ rr,emGry to determine how long the subscriber unit 6 should ~nter the dormant moce. In one embodiment, the length of time is set in the controller 128 memory 30 that every subscriber ~nit 6 enters the dormant mode for the same lensth of tirre. In an alternate embodiment, the subscriber can enter the length of time that the subscriber unit 6 should stay ;n the dormant mode throus;~l the keyboard 26 on the sui~scriber terminal 14. In this case, the microprocessor 50 ~eads this information (the length o~ time) from the keyboard and transmits it to the controller 128, where it is stored in memory.
In ano~her embodiment, however, the length of time that a su.,~-r ~er nit 6 stays in th~ c'crmant mode is programmable by a dispatcher â~ e~
~'' dispa,ch s;ation ~. To do this, the dispatcher accesses the computer 1 5~J.
One of the options ~he computer 1~0 offers as part of a fieet administratior.
pack2se is to alio~,v tine dispatcher to select the length of time the subscr;~e~
W O 96/27993 PCT~US961~3~S~
unit remains dormant once the subscriber places the unit ;n the dormant mode. When the dispatcher selects this option, the computer 150 prompts the dispatcher to enter the length of t;me. Once the dispatcher enters the length of time, the computer 150 stores this parameter in its memory.
When the dispatcher cornpletes the entry, the dispatcher enters an instruction that causes the computer 150 to send this information to the base station Z. This inforrnation is preferably sent to the base staticn with the other dispa~cher controlled fleet administration in~ormation that configures and controls the subscriber units 6. Examples of the information that can be con;rolled inciude groupings of su~scriber units, PSTN
assignments to subscr;ber units, and subscr;~er unit telephony configurations and quick dial iists.
Re~erring to FIG. 6, when the dispatcher instructs the computer 150 to send the fl~et administration information, includlng the dormancy time in accordance with the present invention, the computer 150 sends the information tllrough a port ~ 64 to a modem 1~2 in the dispatch station 4.
The modem 152 preferably transmits the flee~ administration information over a land line to the modem pool 41 in the base station 2. Alternatively, the computer 150 can route the fleet administration information through the 2d radio unit 12 so that the transmission is over-the-air, via the TCH or the ACH, to one of the sectors 16 to 18 in ~he base station 2.
Once the length of dormancy has ~een determined, in step 306, a W 096/27993 PCTrUS961031S0 power off timer is set. The timer determines the time that the subscriber unit 6 spends in the dormant mode and in waking up from the dormant mode. Then, in s.ep 308, the power to the components in the su~scriber terminal 14 and the radio unit 12 are turned off, except power is supplied to the microprocessor 50 in ~he subscriber terminal 14 and to the controller 12~ ;n the radio unit 12. This allows the subscriber unit to "~ake up" at a later time and then, in turn, to wake up other components needed to receive messages. It also allows the controller 128 to maintain the power o~F tirner.
Referring now to FIG. 1 1, dur;ng the dormancy time, the control~er 128, in step ~tO, keeps checking to see whether the dormancy time has eiapsed. During th;s time, the base station 2 can be attempting to transmit communication signals to the subscriber Lsnit 6 while it is in the dormant state. If step 302 has been skipped, the base station 2 attempts to communicate with the dormant subscriber unit 6 and detErmines that the l~ su~scriber ~nit 6 is not responding. If step 302 is performed, the ~ase station 2 will know ~hat the subscriber unit 6 is in the dormant mode by checking its database.
When the base station 2 determines that the subscriber unit 6 to which the communication is directed is not availabie, either by attempting to communicate or by checking the database or both, the base s~ation 2 buffers the message in the communication signal. F~GS. 12 and 13, illustrate the buffering of these messages. In FIG. 12, the database 32 maintains a table W O 96/27993 PCT~US96J~3tSD
of subscriber unit identification numbers, an indica~ion of whether there are bLlffered messages and the locaticns of those buffered messages. Whenever a message cannot be delivered by the base station 2 to the subscriber unit 6, the table of FIG. 12 is updated to indicate that the subscriber unit has a buffered message and the location of the message. In FIG. ?3, the buffering of the rnessage is indicated. For example, in FIG. 12, the datahase indicates that subsrriber unit having identification number SU002 has a buffer~d message starting at mernory location 0000. Referring to memory locat;on 0000, in FIG. 13, the buffered me-sage is found. In this case, the bu,~;ered tC message is the next days itinerary.
Referring now back to FIG. 11, once the dormancy time has elapsed, the c~ntro~ler 128 checks the power off timer. The power off timer keeps track of how iong the subscriber un;t 6 has ~een in the dormant mode, including the times that the subscriber unit 6 wakes up and then returns to the dormant mode~ If the power off timer is less than a predetermined amount, preferably fourteen (14) hours, in step 312, the microprocessor ~0 and the controller 128 cause power to be turned on to the subscriber terrninal 14 and to the radio ~Jnit 12, respectjvely if the power off ~imer exceeds the predetermined amoutnt, then the subscriber unit 6 does not wake up. Thus, the power off timer stops tlle subscriber unit 6 from repeatedly waking up from the dormant mode, thereby preventing the draining of the battery of the vehicle in which the subscriber unit 6 is W 096/27993 PCTrUS96/031S0 ins.alled.
Once awake, in step 314, the controller 128 causes a communication signal to be transmitted to the base station 2 indicating that th~ subscriber unit 6 is no longer in the dormant mode. Then the base station 2 accesses its memory as illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13 to determine whether there are buffered messages. If any are found, the base station 2, in step 316, transmits these messages to the subscriber unit 6.
Any messaae which has been directed to the dorrnant subscriber unit 6 can be buffer~d and then transmitted. The present invention, however, is particularty useful in transmitting the next day's work orders to a sulbscriber,to transmit new user databases and to download naw software versians to subscriber units.
Once all of the buffered messages have been transmitted, the subscriber unit 6 returns to the dormant mode. The subscriber unit 6 is removed from the dormant mode by power being turned on or, i~ an alternative embodiment, by the selection of one of the keys on the keypad 24.
It is understood that changes may be made in the above description without departing from the scope of the invention. It is accordingly intended that all mat~er contained in the above description and in the drawings be interpreted as illustrative rather than limiting.
Claims (9)
1. A method of providing communication services between a base station ad a subscriber unit when the subscriber unit is in a dormant mode by temporarily leaving the dormant mode, said method comprising the steps of:
placing the subscriber unit in a dormant mode wherein the subscriber unit consumes limited power;
transmitting communication signals from the base station when the subscriber unit is the dormant mode;
at the base station, determining that the subscriber unit is not responsive to the transmitted communication signals and storing the communication and the identity of the subscriber unit to which the communication was directed in a buffer at the base station;
automatically after a predetermined time, temporarily taking the subscriber unit out of the dormant mode and causing the subscriber unit to communicate with the base station to inquire about buffered communications messages directed thereto; and if there are buffered communications for the subscriber unit, transmitting the buffered communications from the base station to the subscriber unit and then, upon completion of such communication with the base station, returning the subscriber unit to the dormant mode..
placing the subscriber unit in a dormant mode wherein the subscriber unit consumes limited power;
transmitting communication signals from the base station when the subscriber unit is the dormant mode;
at the base station, determining that the subscriber unit is not responsive to the transmitted communication signals and storing the communication and the identity of the subscriber unit to which the communication was directed in a buffer at the base station;
automatically after a predetermined time, temporarily taking the subscriber unit out of the dormant mode and causing the subscriber unit to communicate with the base station to inquire about buffered communications messages directed thereto; and if there are buffered communications for the subscriber unit, transmitting the buffered communications from the base station to the subscriber unit and then, upon completion of such communication with the base station, returning the subscriber unit to the dormant mode..
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:
from the dispatch station, transmitting a communication to the subscriber unit defining the length of the dormant mode.
from the dispatch station, transmitting a communication to the subscriber unit defining the length of the dormant mode.
3. The method of claim 2, further comprising the step of:
transmitting a communication defining the length of the dormant mode from the dispatch station to the base station and then to the subscriber unit.
transmitting a communication defining the length of the dormant mode from the dispatch station to the base station and then to the subscriber unit.
4. A method of communicating data from a base station to each of plural subscriber units even when some or all of the subscriber units have been placed in a dormant mode and their respectively associated users are not immediately available to receive or act on such data, said method comprising the steps of:
(a) placing at least one subscriber unit in a dormant mode when its associated user is not immediately available to receive or act on received data from the base station;
(b) storing data in a buffer at the base station that is intended for later transmission to subscriber units then in a dormant mode; and (c) temporarily causing subscriber units in the dormant mode to nevertheless communicate at different times with the base station to receive and locally store any data then being buffered for that particular subscriber unit at the base station so that such data is thereafter available to its respective user when the subscriber unit is taken out of the dormant mode for normal operation and use by the user.
(a) placing at least one subscriber unit in a dormant mode when its associated user is not immediately available to receive or act on received data from the base station;
(b) storing data in a buffer at the base station that is intended for later transmission to subscriber units then in a dormant mode; and (c) temporarily causing subscriber units in the dormant mode to nevertheless communicate at different times with the base station to receive and locally store any data then being buffered for that particular subscriber unit at the base station so that such data is thereafter available to its respective user when the subscriber unit is taken out of the dormant mode for normal operation and use by the user.
5. A method as in claim 4 wherein:
said placing step (a) includes placing the subscriber unit in a power saving mode while it is in the dormant mode except for the times that the dormant mode is temporarily interrupted for communication with the base station.
said placing step (a) includes placing the subscriber unit in a power saving mode while it is in the dormant mode except for the times that the dormant mode is temporarily interrupted for communication with the base station.
6. A method as in claim 4 wherein step (c) includes writing for an elapsed time before causing a given subscriber unit to communicate with the base station and request transmission of any thereat buffered data directed to said given subscriber unit.
7. A method as in claim 6 wherein said elapsed time defined by signals earlier received from the base unit.
8. A method as in claim 4 wherein said base unit determines that a given subscriber unit is in its dormant mode by noting a failure to receive any response from its transmissions to that subscriber unit and, as a consequence, the base unit then stores the respectively associated data in its buffer for later transmission.
9. A method as in claim 4 wherein step (c) includes sending a request transmission from a dormant subscriber unit to the base unit after its respective elapsed time requesting the base unit to then re-transmit any buffered messages intended for that particular subscriber unit.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| IL112,939 | 1995-03-08 | ||
| IL112939A IL112939A (en) | 1995-03-08 | 1995-03-08 | Subscriber unit having a sleep mode and a dormant mode |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2214768A1 true CA2214768A1 (en) | 1996-09-12 |
Family
ID=11067199
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002214768A Abandoned CA2214768A1 (en) | 1995-03-08 | 1996-03-08 | A subscriber unit having a sleep mode and a dormant mode |
Country Status (6)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0872136A4 (en) |
| KR (1) | KR19980702771A (en) |
| AU (1) | AU5304396A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2214768A1 (en) |
| IL (1) | IL112939A (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1996027993A1 (en) |
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| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JP3270306B2 (en) * | 1995-09-14 | 2002-04-02 | 株式会社東芝 | Mobile communication system, mobile communication network and mobile communication device used in this system |
| US5710975A (en) * | 1995-12-26 | 1998-01-20 | Motorola, Inc. | Selective call transceiver with system approved power saving state |
| US5884196A (en) * | 1996-06-06 | 1999-03-16 | Qualcomm Incorporated | Method and apparatus of preserving power of a remote unit in a dispatch system |
| DE19739792A1 (en) * | 1997-09-10 | 1999-03-11 | Siemens Ag | Decentralized execution of functions / services of a mobile radio system |
| US6463307B1 (en) * | 1998-08-14 | 2002-10-08 | Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson | Method and apparatus for power saving in a mobile terminal with established connections |
| CN1359575A (en) * | 1999-06-29 | 2002-07-17 | 西门子信息及移动通讯有限公司 | Method and system for coordinating master mobile units with a slave base station |
| TWI237480B (en) | 2001-06-27 | 2005-08-01 | Flarion Technologies Inc | Methods and apparatus for supporting group communications |
| US7356020B2 (en) | 2002-04-08 | 2008-04-08 | Qualcomm Incorporated | Support of disparate addressing plans and dynamic HA address allocation in mobile IP |
| US6788963B2 (en) | 2002-08-08 | 2004-09-07 | Flarion Technologies, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for operating mobile nodes in multiple a states |
| US7363039B2 (en) | 2002-08-08 | 2008-04-22 | Qualcomm Incorporated | Method of creating and utilizing diversity in multiple carrier communication system |
| US8190163B2 (en) | 2002-08-08 | 2012-05-29 | Qualcomm Incorporated | Methods and apparatus of enhanced coding in multi-user communication systems |
| US6961595B2 (en) | 2002-08-08 | 2005-11-01 | Flarion Technologies, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for operating mobile nodes in multiple states |
| US7869803B2 (en) | 2002-10-15 | 2011-01-11 | Qualcomm Incorporated | Profile modification for roaming in a communications environment |
| US7593718B2 (en) * | 2002-12-31 | 2009-09-22 | Motorola, Inc. | WLAN communication system and method with mobile base station |
| US7411895B2 (en) | 2003-02-19 | 2008-08-12 | Qualcomm Incorporated | Controlled superposition coding in multi-user communication systems |
| US8593932B2 (en) | 2003-05-16 | 2013-11-26 | Qualcomm Incorporated | Efficient signal transmission methods and apparatus using a shared transmission resource |
| US7925291B2 (en) | 2003-08-13 | 2011-04-12 | Qualcomm Incorporated | User specific downlink power control channel Q-bit |
| US7697501B2 (en) | 2004-02-06 | 2010-04-13 | Qualcomm Incorporated | Methods and apparatus for separating home agent functionality |
| US9066344B2 (en) | 2005-09-19 | 2015-06-23 | Qualcomm Incorporated | State synchronization of access routers |
| US8755848B2 (en) | 2005-09-30 | 2014-06-17 | Qualcomm Incorporated | Mobile device power management |
| CN101637051B (en) | 2007-01-11 | 2012-10-31 | 高通股份有限公司 | Using dtx and drx in a wireless communication system |
| US9584411B2 (en) | 2012-12-06 | 2017-02-28 | Qualcomm Incorporated | Power save mechanism for low-power network devices |
| CN104427597B (en) * | 2013-09-04 | 2019-09-13 | 南京中兴新软件有限责任公司 | WLAN terminal keeps always on system and method, server |
| US9426750B2 (en) | 2014-07-29 | 2016-08-23 | Apple Inc. | Apparatus, system, and method for parallelizing UE wakeup process |
| US9560588B2 (en) | 2014-11-03 | 2017-01-31 | Apple Inc. | Apparatus, system, and method for PDCCH preparation in radio frequency circuitry |
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| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5077830A (en) * | 1988-02-17 | 1991-12-31 | Indesys, Inc. | Method and apparatus to selectively address recipients and recover missing messages on a broadcast distribution network |
| US4868560A (en) * | 1988-04-14 | 1989-09-19 | Motorola, Inc. | Voice paging system providing deferred paging capability |
| ATE140358T1 (en) * | 1988-09-12 | 1996-07-15 | Motorola Inc | TWO-DIRECTIONAL RADIO TRANSMISSION SYSTEM WITH SELECTABLE OPERATING STATES |
| GB2226475A (en) * | 1988-12-23 | 1990-06-27 | Philips Electronic Associated | Power economising in multiple user radio systems |
| US5128938A (en) * | 1989-03-03 | 1992-07-07 | Motorola, Inc. | Energy saving protocol for a communication system |
| GB2244409B (en) * | 1989-10-30 | 1994-08-17 | Telecom Sec Cellular Radio Ltd | Radio communication system |
| US5382949A (en) * | 1993-02-01 | 1995-01-17 | Motorola, Inc. | Method for increasing battery life for selective call receivers |
-
1995
- 1995-03-08 IL IL112939A patent/IL112939A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
-
1996
- 1996-03-08 WO PCT/US1996/003150 patent/WO1996027993A1/en active Search and Examination
- 1996-03-08 AU AU53043/96A patent/AU5304396A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1996-03-08 KR KR1019970706178A patent/KR19980702771A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1996-03-08 EP EP96909612A patent/EP0872136A4/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1996-03-08 CA CA002214768A patent/CA2214768A1/en not_active Abandoned
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| WO1996027993A1 (en) | 1996-09-12 |
| IL112939A0 (en) | 1995-06-29 |
| EP0872136A4 (en) | 1999-04-21 |
| IL112939A (en) | 1998-06-15 |
| KR19980702771A (en) | 1998-08-05 |
| AU5304396A (en) | 1996-09-23 |
| EP0872136A1 (en) | 1998-10-21 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Discontinued | ||
| FZDE | Discontinued |
Effective date: 20000308 |