US 5,481,546 AGranted

Interactive nationwide data service communication system for stationary and mobile battery operated subscriber units

AssigneeEON Corporation

InventorGilbert M. Dinkins

Life of this patent

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Abstract

In a two-way interactive communication video network having a network switching center for point-to-point communications between subscribers at different geographic locations, a local base station configuration is provided for facilitating low power battery operated portable subscriber units. The local subscriber units surrounding a base station are adapted for multiplex transmission of digital messages synchronously related to a broadcast television signal for system coordination. Digital messages are transmitted from the local subscriber units to the base station data processing facility through a set of receive only cell site subdivision zones distributed over the base station transmitter geographical range, which communicate with the base station data processing facility over a communication link such as wired cable. Messages are compiled and relayed by satellite to a network switching center transmitter site for nationwide point-to-point communications. Small-size, inexpensive, low-power, portable, digital-transmitting subscriber units are introduced compatible with interactive video data system standards with the ability to cross subdivision and cell zones. Thus, monitoring of inventory, temperature, and other parameters for passive automatic alarm systems and the like, as well as active mobility of subscriber units for meter reading and the like is made possible with direct low-cost nationwide real time reporting capability.

Claims14

Dependent claims

A base station configuration in a two-way communication interactive video network having network hub switching center means for routing communications from and to a plurality of subscriber units comprising:

subscriber units dispersed at various locations within a predetermined base station geographic area,
local base station repeater cell means for communicating with identified individual subscriber units within a local base station geographic area associated with said local base station repeater cell means, said local base station repeater cell means further comprising:
base station data processing and transmission means for transmitting to a set of said local subscriber units contained within said local base station geographic area associated with said local base station repeater cell means and receiving from a subset of said local set of subscriber units multiplexed synchronously related digital data messages of variable lengths for point-to-point communication between said local base station repeater cell means and said subset of said local subscriber units,
reception means for receiving and processing data messages from said set of local subscriber units comprising a local remote receiver disposed within one of a plurality of cell subdivision site partitioned from said local base station geographic area associated with said local base station repeater cell means, said plurality of cell subdivision sites dispersed over said local base station geographic area, each local remote receiver adapted for receiving-only low power digital messages transmitted from said local subscriber units within range of said local remote receiver, and
a set of local subscriber transceiver units including low power mobile units located within said local base station geographic area, each of said local subscriber transceiver units adapted to communicate with said local base station repeater cell means by way of digital data signals of variable lengths synchronously related to a base station broadcast signal and timed for multiplexed message transmission.

2 more elements

A two-way communication interactive video network system having network hub switching center means for routing communications to and from a plurality of subscriber units comprising:

base station repeater cell means for communicating with a plurality of subscriber units, said base station repeater cell means and said plurality of subscriber units disposed in a respective geographic area, said base station repeater cell means further comprising:
data processing and transmission means for transmitting to and receiving from at least one of said plurality of said subscriber units multiplexed synchronously related data messages of variable lengths, such that point-to-point communication between said base station repeater cell means and said at least one of said plurality of subscriber units is possible,
reception means for receiving and processing said multiplexed synchronously related data messages from said at least one of said plurality of subscriber units and relaying said multiplexed synchronously related data messages from said at least one of said plurality of subscriber units to said base station repeater cell means.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 08/240,147Filed 10 May 1994 · continuation
Priority: 26 Oct 1992
Granted: 2 Jan 1996
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification13 codes

H04H 20/67
Arrangements characterised by transmission systems for broadcast: common-wave systems, i.e. using separate transmitters operating on substantially…
H04B 7/15514
Relay station based processing for cell extension or control of coverage area,: for shadowing compensation
H04H 20/02
Arrangements for broadcast or for distribution combined with broadcast: arrangements for relaying broadcast information
H04H 20/38
Arrangements for broadcast or for distribution combined with broadcast: arrangements for distribution where lower stations, e.g. receivers,…