Employing different signal thresholds based on type of information transmitted

#The present invention relates to a method for transmitting information from a transmission site to a receiving unit. More particularly, the present invention relates to such a method for deciding whether to transmit the information, wherein the receiving unit is a two-way unit that sends a signal to the site, and wherein the decision to transmit is based on a comparison of the strength of the signal as received at the site against a signal threshold that differs based on the type of information that is to be transmitted.

#In many transmission systems, a decision on whether to transmit information from a transmission site to a receiving unit is made based on whether the receiving unit will likely actually receive the information to be transmitted. In at least some of such transmission systems, the receiving unit is a two-way unit that can receive the sent transmission from the transmission site and that can also send signals back to the transmission site.

#In such transmission systems, one way of deciding whether to transmit the information is to have the receiving unit send a signal to the transmission site, to then examine the strength of such sent signal as received at the transmission site, and to then make a judgment of the ability of the receiving unit to receive the transmitted information based on such signal strength. That is, the ability of the receiving unit to receive the transmitted information from the transmission site may be related, at least roughly, to the strength of a sent signal as received from such receiving unit at such transmission site. More particularly, if the signal strength is relatively strong, it is very likely that the receiving unit can receive the transmitted information. Correspondingly, if the signal strength is relatively weak, it is very likely that the receiving unit cannot receive the transmitted information.

#The foregoing summary as well as the following detailed description of the present invention will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of the illustrating the invention, there are shown in the drawings embodiments which are presently preferred. As should be understood, however, the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. In the drawings:

#FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view and shows a typical cellular telephone system such as that which would employ the method of the present invention; and

#FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing steps performed in selecting a threshold in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

#Certain terminology may be used in the following description for convenience only and is not considered to be limiting. For example, the words “left”, “right”, “upper”, and “lower” designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. Likewise, the words “inwardly” and “outwardly” are directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the referenced object. The terminology includes the words above specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import.

#Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein like numerals are used to indicate like elements throughout, there is shown in FIG. 1 a typical cellular telephone system 10 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. As seen, the system 10 includes one or more mobile switching centers 12, one or more radio transceiver cellular towers 14, and one or more cellular telephones 16. As is known, each tower 14 is associated with a particular switching center 12, and, depending on the location of a particular telephone 16, such phone 16 registers to one of the towers 14 and therefore is switched through the associated switching center 12. Thus, voice communication between the phone 16 and the rest of the world is achieved through the registered tower 14 and the associated switching center 12, and data transmission that originates from the world for the phone 16 is routed to the associated switching center 12 for further transmission to the registered tower 14 and then to the phone 16.

#Note that each tower 14 need not necessarily be an actual tower. Instead, the functional elements of a tower 14 may reside on the top or side of a building, on a mountain or mountainside, or in any other appropriate location, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Such functional elements may even be positioned on the ground or on a floating platform at sea, if appropriate as dictated by circumstances and terrain, for example.