System and method for selecting a subsystem for message traffic in an integrated communication network

A method of operating a subscriber unit capable of receiving system control information and message information of different types from a plurality of subsystems in an integrated system, said subsystems being capable of operating independently and in communication with central controller of said integrated system and said plurality of subsystems including at least one outbound subsystem capable of communicating information to the subscriber unit on an outbound channel and at least one inbound subsystem capable of receiving information communicated from the subscriber unit on an inbound channel, said method comprising:

• storing information identifying, for each of said different types of messages that said subscriber unit can receive, a list of the subsystems capable of communicating the message type and said list being ordered according to the subscriber unit's preference;
• receiving control information from said integrated system identifying a particular type of outbound message to be communicated to the subscriber unit;
• identifying each of the subsystems in the list stored for said received message type covering an area in which said subscriber unit is located;
• and
• communicating to said integrated system, subsystem selection information including the identity of the identified subsystems in the list stored for the received message type covering the area in which the subscriber unit is located.

A method of selecting a subsystem for communicating message information to a subscriber unit capable of receiving system control information and message information of different types from a plurality of subsystems in an integrated system, said subsystems being capable of operating independently and in communication with central controller of said integrated system and said plurality of subsystems including at least one outbound subsystem capable of communicating information to the subscriber unit on an outbound channel and at least one inbound subsystem capable of receiving information communicated from the subscriber unit on an inbound channel, said method comprising:

• storing in said subscriber unit information identifying, for each of said different types of messages that said subscriber unit can receive, a list of the subsystems capable of communicating the message type;
• receiving control information from said integrated system identifying a particular type of outbound message to be communicated to the subscriber unit;
• identifying each of the subsystems in the list stored for said received message type covering an area in which said subscriber unit is located;
• communicating to said integrated system, subsystem selection information including the identity of the identified subsystems in the list stored for the received message type covering the area in which the subscriber unit is located;
• receiving in the integrated subsystem said subsystem selection information;
• and
• selecting a subsystem for communicating said outbound message to said subscriber unit from the subsystems identified in said received subsystem selection information based upon the availability of said identified subsystems to communicate said outbound message to said subscriber unit.

A method of selecting a subsystem for communicating message information to a subscriber unit capable of receiving system control information and message information of different types from a plurality of subsystems in an integrated system, said subsystems being capable of operating independently and in communication with central controller of said integrated system and said plurality of subsystems including at least one outbound subsystem capable of communicating information to the subscriber unit on an outbound channel and at least one inbound subsystem capable of receiving information communicated from the subscriber unit on an inbound channel, said method comprising:

• storing in said subscriber unit information identifying, for each of said different types of messages that said subscriber unit can receive, a list of the outbound subsystems capable of communicating the message type;
• receiving control information from said integrated system identifying a particular type of outbound message to be communicated to the subscriber unit;
• identifying each of the outbound subsystems in the list stored for said particular message type covering an area in which said subscriber unit is located;
• communicating to said integrated system, subsystem selection information including the identity of the identified outbound subsystems in the list stored for the received message type covering the area in which the subscriber unit is located;
• receiving in the integrated subsystem said subsystem selection information;
• selecting one of said outbound subsystems identified in said received subsystem selection information;
• and
• communicating said outbound message to said subscriber unit on said one outbound subsystem.

A method of selecting a subsystem for communicating message information to a subscriber unit capable of receiving system control information and message information of different types from a plurality of subsystems in an integrated system, said subsystems being capable of operating independently and in communication with central controller of said integrated system and said plurality of subsystems including at least one outbound subsystem capable of communicating information to the subscriber unit on an outbound channel and at least one inbound subsystem capable of receiving information communicated from the subscriber unit on an inbound channel, said method comprising:

• communicating system control information to a subscriber unit, said control information identifying a particular type of outbound message information to be communicated to said integrated system;
• receiving subscriber control information from a subscriber unit responsive to said system control information, said subscriber control information including the identity of a plurality of outbound subsystems capable of communicating said particular message type and covering an area in which said subscriber unit is located;
• selecting one of said plurality of identified outbound subsystems for communicating outbound message information of the particular type;
• and
• communicating said outbound message information on said selected outbound subsystem.

A method of selecting a subsystem for communicating message information to a subscriber unit capable of receiving system control information and message information of different types from a plurality of subsystems in an integrated system, said subsystems being capable of operating independently and in communication with central controller of said integrated system and said plurality of subsystems including at least one outbound subsystem capable of communicating information to the subscriber unit on an outbound channel and at least one inbound subsystem capable of receiving information communicated from the subscriber unit on an inbound channel, said method comprising:

• communicating system control information to a subscriber unit, said control information identifying a particular type of outbound message information to be communicated to said integrated system;
• receiving subscriber control information from a subscriber unit responsive to said system control information, said subscriber control information including the identity of at least one outbound subsystem capable of communicating said particular message type and covering an area in which said subscriber unit is located;
• and
• communicating said outbound message information on said selected outbound subsystem.

A system for operating a subscriber unit capable of receiving system control information and message information of different types from a plurality of subsystems in an integrated system, said subsystems being capable of operating independently and in communication with central controller of said integrated system and said plurality of subsystems including at least one outbound subsystem capable of communicating information to the subscriber unit on an outbound channel and at least one inbound subsystem capable of receiving information communicated from the subscriber unit on an inbound channel, said system comprising:

• a memory for storing information identifying, for each of said different types of messages that said subscriber unit can receive, a list of the subsystems capable of communicating the message type;
• a receiver for receiving control information from said integrated system identifying a particular type of outbound message to be communicated to the subscriber unit;
• a processor for identifying an outbound subsystem in the list stored for said received message type covering an area in which said subscriber unit is located;
• and
• communication means for communicating to said integrated system, subsystem selection information including the identity of said most preferred subsystem for said message type covering the area in which said subscriber unit is located.

A system for operating a subscriber unit capable of receiving system control information and message information of different types from a plurality of subsystems in an integrated system, said subsystems being capable of operating independently and in communication with central controller of said integrated system and said plurality of subsystems including at least one outbound subsystem capable of communicating information to the subscriber unit on an outbound channel and at least one inbound subsystem capable of receiving information communicated from the subscriber unit on an inbound channel, said system comprising:

• a memory for storing information identifying, for each of said different types of messages that said subscriber unit can receive, a list of the subsystems capable of communicating the message type and said list being ordered according to the subscriber unit's preference for communicating the message type on a subsystem;
• a receiver for receiving control information from said integrated system identifying a particular type of outbound message to be communicated to the subscriber unit;
• a processor for identifying each of the subsystems in the list stored for said received message type covering an area in which said subscriber unit is located;
• and
• communication means for communicating to said integrated system subsystem selection information including the identity of all of the identified subsystems in the list stored for the received message type covering the area in which the subscriber unit is located.