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US 6,643,517 B1Granted
Method of using location information for interference protection
AssigneeNortel Networks Limited
InventorDavid G. Steer
Life of this patent
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AssigneeNortel Networks Limited
InventorDavid G. Steer
Estimating the term…
A problem with mobile radio systems is the potentially harmful interference they may cause to other electronic equipment. Such interference can be dangerous and even life-threatening in hospitals and aircraft. The present invention provides a method to protect against improper operation of mobile radios, e.g. cellular phones, by making use of a “location technique” and knowledge of the mobile's location to determine if the mobile is inside a protected region and thus needs to constrain its operation. Two modes of operation are possible: one utilising a location technique that is part of the mobile radio system, and the second utilising a location service that is independent of the mobile radio system (such as the satellite based GPS system). The present invention includes control of operation, such as no audible ringing, or outgoing calls only, as well as possible control of transmitter power to protect against interference. This allows for the safe operation of mobile radios in regions where interference could cause serious problems and also provides a method for maintaining social etiquette. Protected region boundaries and conditions of restricted operation are broadcast by base stations on the broadcast control channels. If the location of a mobile is determined to be within a protected region defined by the broadcast message, its operation is limited to the conditions specified.
In a mobile communications system having base stations communicating with mobile radio units, a method of restricting the operation of a mobile radio unit when within a protected zone, the method comprising:
A mobile communications system comprising a plurality of base stations in communication with a plurality of mobile radio units, at least one of the base stations being arranged to broadcast information specifying the geographic location of the boundaries of a protected zone and at least some of the mobile radio units each being arranged to receive the broadcast information and determine whether or not it is located within the protected zone, the at least some of the mobile units each being arranged to go into a restricted operation mode if it is located within the protected zone, wherein the at least one base station is arranged to broadcast, in addition to the information specifying the geographic location of the protected zone, a warning signal indicating that the protected zone is nearby and wherein each of the at least some of the mobile radio units is arranged to determine whether or not it is located within the protected zone only if it has received the waning signal.
A base station for use in a mobile communications system, the base station arranged to broadcast information specifying the geographic location of the boundaries of protected zone within which operation of a mobile radio unit is restricted only if the mobile radio unit has received a warning signal, wherein the base station is arranged to broadcast additionally the warning signal indicating that the protected zone is nearby.
A mobile radio unit for use with base stations in a mobile communication system, the mobile radio unit being arranged to receive broadcast information specifying the geographic location of the boundaries of a protected zone, the mobile radio unit being arranged to determine whether or not it is located within the protected zone and, if it is, being arranged to go into a restricted operation mode, wherein the mobile unit is arranged to receive a warning signal that a protected zone is nearby and to determine whether or not the mobile radio unit is located within the protected zone only if it has received the warning signal.
A mobile radio unit comprising:
A method of programming from a base station a mobile radio unit comprising downloading from the base station via a wireless link feature software that configures the mobile radio unit:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.