US 5,826,198 AGranted

Transmission of data over a radio frequency channel

AssigneeMicrocom Systems, Inc.

InventorsLewis A. Bergins, Michael Onorato, Jerry Falk, Richard Carey, Dennis Kloc, Roy Greene

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Abstract

An improved system for the transmission of data over a cellular telephone channel is provided. The system is especially adapted to reduce the cost associated with cellular telephone calls by allowing data transmission only when the channel signal level is greater than a pre-defined value, so as maximize the probability that a transmission will be successful. In addition, the system provides for user transparent reconnection and reestablishment of a dropped link, allowing transmission to continue where dropped without the need to retransmit data already successfully received. As an additional benefit, the system provides a mechanism for call timing and billing so that an estimated bill may be generated based on connection time.

Claims17

Dependent claims

An apparatus for selectively transmitting and receiving data over a communications channel to and from a remote site, the communications channel having a determinable level of data transmission quality, said apparatus comprising:

data interface means for transferring data to and receiving data from a data source;
modulation means for modulating said data received from said data source in accordance with a transmission format so as to produce outgoing modulated data to be transmitted to said remote site;
demodulation means for demodulating incoming modulated data received from said remote site;
transceiver means for transmitting said outgoing modulated data over said communications channel and for receiving said incoming modulated data from said communications channel;
measuring means for measuring the level of data transmission quality of the communications channel irrespective of whether a connection has been established with the remote site;
connecting means for establishing a connection across said communication channel with said remote site if said level of data transmission quality of the communications channel is above a first predefined threshold level;
means for activating said measuring means so as to measure the level of data transmission quality of the communications channel at the end of each of successive time intervals after a connection has been established with the remote site so long as data is required to be transferred to said remote site and the connection with said remote said has not been terminated;
and
means for immediately terminating said connection with said remote site if the measured level of signal transmission quality of the communication channel at the end of any of the time intervals is below a second predefined threshold level.

6 more elements

A method of selectively transmitting and receiving data over a communications channel to and from a remote site, wherein the communications channel has a determinable level of data transmission quality, the method including the steps of:

providing measuring means for measuring the level of transmission quality of the communications channel irrespective of whether a connection has been established with the remote site;
establishing a connection across said communication channel with said remote site if said level of data transmission quality of the communications channel is above a first redefined threshold level;
activating said measuring means so as to measure the level of data transmission quality of the communications channel at the end of each of successive time intervals after a connection has been established with the remote site so long as data is required to be transferred to said remote site and the connection with said remote site has not been terminated;
and
immediately terminating said connection with said remote site after the connection is established if the measured level of data transmission quality of the communication channel at the end of any of the time intervals is below a second predefined threshold level.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 08/888,444Filed 7 Jul 1997 · continuation
Priority: 13 Jan 1992
Granted: 20 Oct 1998
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification23 codes

H04W 88/02
Devices specially adapted for wireless communication networks, e.g. terminals, base stations or access point devices: terminal devices
H04L 1/1887
Arrangements specially adapted for the transmitter end: scheduling and prioritising arrangements
H04M 15/00
Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication
H04W 4/24
Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor: accounting or billing