US RE42,697 E1 · Apparatus and methods for networking omni-modal radio devices

Abstract

A network and method of operating a network of wireless service providers adapted to interact with a plurality of omni-modal wireless products within a given geographic area in a manner to permit the wireless service providers to “borrow” radio frequencies from other wireless service providers within the same geographic region. As a cellular service provider in a given region finds that one of its service areas or cells has become nearly or fully loaded, frequency could be borrowed from a competitor, such as a PCS provider serving the same region. Selected omni-modal wireless product users in the overloaded area would be told to switch their omni-modal to the “leased” frequency but to use the non-PCS communications protocol appropriate to the type of service desired by the user. Implementation of this method broadly within a given geographic region will have the effect of insuring that the available radio spectrum is used to its maximum capacity to serve the needs of the wireless users on a real time basis.

Claims54

Dependent claims

A radio frequency management system for reallocation of radio spectrum among a plurality of wireless communication networks using differing radio frequency modulation protocols and differing radio frequencies to communicate with a plurality of frequency and protocol agile portable radio devices each of which is responsive to portable radio device control signals to change its operating frequency and modulation protocol, comprising

capacity detection means for generating a frequency request signal upon determining that a first wireless communication network operating using a first radio frequency spectrum allocated to said first wireless communication network and using a first modulation protocol, is at or near full capacity,
frequency reallocating means responsive to a frequency request signal for reassigning temporarily radio spectrum from a second wireless communication network operating using a second radio frequency spectrum allocated to said second wireless communication network and different from said first radio frequency spectrum and using second modulation protocol, to the first communication network determined by said capacity detection means to be at or near fill capacity, and
means for causing portable radio control signals in at least some of the frequency and protocol agile portable radio devices to change their operating frequency and modulation protocol to permit the portable radio devices so changed to communicate over the temporarily reassigned radio spectrum.

A method for reallocation of radio frequency spectrum among a plurality of wireless communication networks at least some of which may be available and operating at a given time and location using differing radio frequency modulation protocols and over differing radio frequencies to communicate with a plurality of frequency and protocol agile portable radio devices each of which is responsive to portable radio device control signals to change its operating frequency and modulation protocol, comprising the steps of

generating a frequency request signal upon determining that a first wireless communication network is at or near full capacity,
reassigning temporarily in response to said frequency request signal radio spectrum from a wireless communication network utilizing less of its normally assigned radio frequency to the communication network determined to be at or near full capacity, and
causing portable radio control signals in at least some of the frequency and protocol agile portable radio devices to change their operating frequency and transmission protocol to permit the portable radio devices so changed to communicate over the temporarily reassigned radio spectrum.

A method, performed by a first wireless service provider operating within a given geographic region in the PCS frequency band for ensuring that radio spectrum available within the given geographic region is used efficiently, thereby enabling the first wireless service provider to better serve the communication needs of a user having a frequency agile wireless device, the method comprising:

establishing an agreement or relationship with a second wireless service provider operating within the given geographic region, wherein, under the agreement or relationship, the second wireless service provider agrees that, under pre-determined conditions, it will transfer to the first wireless service provider a right to use radio spectrum licensed to the second wireless service provider to provide service to the user of the first wireless service provider;
accepting, from the second wireless service provider, the transfer of the right to use radio spectrum allocated to the second wireless service provider;
receiving a request for service transmitted to the first wireless service provider from the user's frequency agile wireless device;
and
using a portion of the radio spectrum licensed to the second wireless service provider to provide the service requested by the user after accepting, from the second wireless service provider, the transfer of the right to use the radio spectrum portion.

2 more elements

A method, performed by a first wireless service provider operating within a given geographic region in the PCS frequency band for ensuring that radio spectrum available within the given geographic region is used efficiently so as to serve a service need of a customer of the first wireless service provider, wherein the customer has a frequency agile wireless device, the method comprising:

establishing an agreement with a second wireless service provider operating within the given geographic region, wherein, under the agreement, the second wireless service provider agrees to allow the first wireless service provider to use radio spectrum allocated to the second wireless service provider to provide service to customers of the first wireless service provider;
receiving a request for service transmitted to the first wireless service provider from the customer's frequency agile wireless device;
and
using a portion of the radio spectrum allocated to the second wireless service provider to provide the service requested by the customer.

1 more element

A method for participating in a radio spectrum market to promote the efficient use of radio spectrum by a first wireless network and a plurality of other wireless networks operating in overlapping geographic areas using communication protocols which may differ and to whom corresponding portions of the radio spectrum have been licensed, respectively, by a governmental authority, including radio spectrum in the PCS band licensed to the first wireless network for exclusive use and/or control by each wireless network to provide wireless services to a plurality of subscribers of the corresponding wireless network having wireless access devices capable of accessing the corresponding wireless network using radio spectrum and a communication protocol appropriate to the corresponding wireless network and wherein the method comprises the steps of

(A) establishing a business arrangement between the first wireless network, operating within the PCS band of frequencies, and one or more of the other wireless networks participating in the market under which the right to use licensed radio spectrum may be transferred from one wireless network to another wireless network participating in the business arrangement;
(B) performing at least one of the following steps:
i. transferring the right to use radio spectrum from the PCS band, licensed to the first wireless network, to a second wireless network pursuit to the business arrangement for expanding the capacity of the second wireless network to grant access to the subscribers of the second wireless network using the transferred radio spectrum and the communication protocol employed by the second wireless network, and
ii. accepting a transfer of the right to use radio spectrum, licensed to a second wireless network, to the first wireless network pursuant to the business arrangement for expanding the capacity of the first wireless network to grant access to the subscribers of the first wireless network using the transferred radio spectrum and the communication protocol employed by the first wireless network;
(C) receiving a request for service from a user's wireless access device;
and
(D) providing the requested service by using (i) the portion of the radio spectrum licensed to the first wireless network the right of which was transferred to the second wireless network in step (B)(i), or (ii) the portion of the radio spectrum licensed to the second wireless network the right of which was transferred to the first wireless network in step (B)(ii), after accepting the transfer of the right to use the radio spectrum portion.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Apparatus and methods for networking omni-modal radio devices

Life of this patent

Apparatus and methods for networking omni-modal radio devices

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims54