On-line communication system and method for its establishing

The invention relates to communication systems, and more particularly to operating systems and communications processes for their implementation.

BACKGROUND.

Over the past few years, radio frequency (RF) communication system evolved from a limited number of systems, each of which was available for the same type of functions, a large number of potential systems used to provide the same type of basic services. For example, a cellular system emerged in Europe and North mobile telephony (NMT) system. At that time it was the only system that provides the mobile phone distribution operation. Later we created a new, similar systems, such as communication system with multiple access (TACS), and more modern digital systems, such as the Special Mobile Devices Group (GSM) (usually referred to as Global System for Mobile communications), DCS-1800 (Digital Cellular System), CT-2 (Beskodovy Phone) and DECT (Digital European Beskodovye Telephone) system. In addition, there are a significant number of systems, each of which serves a specific party, such as the European system of radio communications (ERMS) for paging and the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications Standards MRI 1327 (Signaling Standard for trunk Closed Land Mobile Radio Systems) for private mobile radio applications. These systems often overlap in their coverage areas. Thus, the user can select the system.

There is also the introduction of new systems perfected, such as the American Digital Cellular System (ADC), relating to Interim Standard 54 (IS -54), and Personal Digital Cellular (PDC) standard, developed in Japan, referring to the RCR (research centers for radio) 27. Also standard is developed multiple access code Allocation (IS-95), has a higher capacity and quality in comparison with existing systems. In addition to cellular communication systems there are a number of Personal Communication Systems (PCS) and developed competing radio local loop. Some of these systems will be based on existing protocols (such as the DCS-1900 (Digital Cellular System), GSM based).

Also, some previous land mobile backbone of the proposed allocation of telephone service. One of the most promising systems, currently under development, is a promising land mobile telephone system of general use (FLMPTS).

However, a problem for the end user is to be able to anywhere in the world use the subscriber unit, wherein the user would need to carry a dozen or more subscriber units, since one unit will not operate on all systems. For example, even if GSM and ADC operate on similar technologies multiple access with time division multiplexing (TDMA), not currently used in the GSM telephone system ADC America.

Furthermore, even within a single system of a mobile device owned by the user may have restrictions provided at its original programming that prevent use of features subsequently developed for individual systems. Despite the fact that the currently developed subscriber units that can be returned and reprogrammed or by electronic adjustment, or by replacing some of the memory containing program blocks, a user frequently discovers that the subscriber unit obsolete within a short period of time.

Known invention of US Patent No. 5301359 (the author - Vanden Huevel), receivable assigned to Motorola Inc. company. This invention relates to a method of creating information relating to the bandwidth of communication systems for multiple, independent RF communication systems. This method comprises the steps of Control RF bulletin board, which is independent of multiple, independent RF communication systems, and information from the RF boards concerning multiple RF communication systems.

Another type of system is described in EP-A2-0365200 (Majbudar et al.). The said application describes a system for telecommunications, in which the user (which includes a touch screen display and a computer user) may be using a computer to transmit a request to the central station for the establishment of an appropriate software package to activate the feature phone. This application is an analog process, and actually uses the ISDN standard for transferring programs from one computer to another. The means is the fact that in case of the possibility of activating certain features of the phone, he does not address the creation of the result of multiple access communication systems operating with different protocols.

FIG.

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a network utilizing the present invention; FIG. 2 - block diagram showing the process of the present invention; FIG. 3 - a block diagram illustrating a sub-process of the process shown in FIG. 2; FIG. 4 - a more detailed block diagram of the overall communication system shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 5 - more detailed block diagram of the subscriber unit of FIG. 1; FIG. 6 - frequency and a band diagram of FIG. 7 shows a design of the subscriber unit, which can be used in the present invention.

Best embodiment.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a network which is assigned a common room 10, using the present invention. The network 10 is a plurality of communication systems 11-17 interconnected by a system with wireline 18 with a common communication system 19. The internal communication system 18 may be wireline, such as an integrated digital communication network (ISDN). The systems can also be directly connected along line 23. Fig. 1 subscriber unit 20 sets the access to one of the communication systems in the network 10. To accomplish this, the subscriber access unit 20 will be the first common communication system 19 access using Channel 21. General Communication unit 19 will meet the subscriber list 20 systems available for use network 10. Along with the list of available systems, system 19 may also provide information about the types of features available and system costs.

When the subscriber unit 20 determines which system it is necessary to use, it sends a request to the general communications system 19 and receives the selected program for authorizing a communication system. Then, the subscriber unit 20 opens the channel 22 to the selected communication system, if it is Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UTMS) 14.

The process of accessing a selected communication system is depicted in more detail in FIG. 2 by the method that has been assigned number 30. The general method 30 begins with step 31. It can be realized when the user first enters the area covered by the general communication system. Then, the subscriber accesses the common communication system at step 32. This may be done passively, wherein the subscriber unit can only control information transmitted overall communication system. However, in some respects, the subscriber unit will be required to request and be assigned a common channel communication system.

When accessing the subscriber channel common communication system it receives an indication of available communication systems within the coverage area of ​​the common communication system at step 33. This indication of available systems may be common, as in the system available "GSM", or more, such as obtainable "half-rate GSM "system or to a particular feature.

At this point, the overall communication system can create a list of requirements of any particular communication system at step 34. Such requirements may include capability indicator, power, bandwidth, modulation scheme selection, etc. Further, verification can be made by the subscriber unit or may be coordinated with any of these requirements, step 35.

Blocks subscriber submitted for this type of system can be programmed for an air link may also be established with a stable memory of some pre-programmed systems. Depending on the system and the programming unit of the called party resident subscriber unit further determines in step 36 whether programming nonresident. If programming is required, the subscriber unit will request the programming of the total communication system at step 37. General Communication is responsible transmission allows the program to be received subscriber unit in accordance with the process 38.

Subprocess 38 will generally consist of one or more of the steps shown in FIG. 3. In order to be allowed to function in accordance with the selected communication system, the subscriber unit may require a certain programming. This programming can be achieved either by resolution features that are always resident in the subscriber unit at step 44; or by creating a non-resident functions in step 45. As a resident function can be used indicator of the type of encoding or encryption process used by the selected system. Called subscriber unit comprise some of the indicators in the memory and indicate which of them should be used. An example of a non-resident function can be any type of new capacity, which may be supplemented by the system. For example, it could be a new type of handoff algorithm as the last block update information stored in the memory unit of the called party.

A non-resident function is established to the subscriber unit, or may be created by creating a description that can be performed directly subscriber unit; or by creating a high-level description of the development. If you have created a high-level description of the development, the subscriber unit will generate or develop his own description of the executable. As part of the description, the non-resident function, once obtained, can be stored in nonvolatile memory, thus becoming resident functions. At the same time, the oldest resident functions can be removed from the subscriber unit.

Returning to FIG. 2, the process 30 continues to step 39 where the subscriber unit selects its own configuration to operate in the selected communication system. At this stage, the subscriber unit may be disconnected from the common communication system, or keep in touch. It is very likely (but not necessarily) would require a double-type mode subscriber unit. This principle is known from the prior art and currently available for subscriber units operating in the AMPS or ADC systems in the United States. Upon completion at step 39 of configuring the subscriber unit at step 40 is checked for compatibility by determining whether it meets any requirements of the selected communications system. If the test result is satisfactory, the subscriber unit address to the selected communication system at step 41. This can be achieved by without receiving a command from the total control system or by direct connection request with the subscriber unit.

When the access is completed, the process ends with step 42 30.

FIG. 4 shows a more detailed block diagram. In a preferred embodiment, system 19 would consist of RF equipment, like any mobile communication system. For the present invention, a separate protocol is not important work, such as a derivative of one of the basic types of systems. On the contrary, the protocol can be a completely new development to enhance its effectiveness. Furthermore, the system 19, 48 should contain a list of other available communication systems. This list can be a simple list of available systems or may contain additional information about specific systems. This additional information may be a possible sign, system requirements, system cost, etc.

The overall system 19 will also contain a list of attributes. Said list must be provided in the form of a matrix having features that are referenced by the characteristics of the subscriber unit. Furthermore, each feature must contain or executes description or description of the construction of high level. This list should then be used for generating the programming data that is sent to the subscriber unit.

Total System 19 may also include a register of the subscriber 50 for all systems on the network. With this information, the system can determine whether the subscriber unit is allowed access to the selected system before you pick up the resources to provide the requested subscriber programming. It can also be used by other systems or intercom system 18 or directly to the backbone 23 call paid subscriber information. An alternative method must be used to accommodate this register in the individual systems.

FIG. 5 shows a general block diagram of a subscriber unit 20. Subscriber 20 includes a standard duplex switch 53 to connect antenna 52 to the transmitter 55 and receiver 57. The transmitter 55 is connected to a duplex switch 53 through amplifier 54. The transmitter 55 and receiver 57 are Cycle synthesizers 56 and 58, respectively. Synthesizers 56 and 58 allow the subscriber 20 to work in different frequency bands. It is noted that although conceptually subscriber 20 is a generalized, programmable type of radiotelephone, it does not necessarily have to work in every possible system. For example, FIG. 6 is a diagram of bandwidth many of the currently existing, under development systems. Subscriber 20 can be designed to operate with a series of these systems, such as a strip or band I II (or the lower or upper part of the band II).

Referring to FIG. 5 user 20 further includes a digital signal processor (DSP) 59, a controller 60 and a memory 61. Upon receipt of the network allows the program controller 60 produces coordinate DSP program 59. As shown above, some of the functions may be resident in the subscriber unit 20. For resident functions executable code is found in 39, 61, which may preferably be contained in the DSP 59 or in the controller 60.

FIG. 7 shows the structure of a subscriber unit according to the present invention. The subscriber unit 70 is a combination of personal data assistance (PDA) and the radiotelephone. It consists of a display 71 and keypad 72, distributed between the elements 73 and 74 of PDA 70. Elements 73 and 74 are connected to a loop 80 which enables two elements to close one (the other as shown in FIG. 8). Outside member 74 are speaker 76 and a microphone 77. Optional keys or buttons 78 are also part of the outside and are used for common functions such as answer a call, end call, on / off, etc.

In operation, when the PDA 70 accesses the public network 71 to display a list of available systems. The user may then select a system requiring use of the keypad. The process described above with respect to FIG. 2, then continue allowing the formation of programming PDA 70. PDA 70 can then be closed and used as a radiotelephone.

Thus, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention were established operating communication system and method of operation, are fully consistent with the objectives and advantages set forth above.

Although the invention has been described in connection with specific embodiments thereof, many modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended that all such changes, modifications and variations are included in the appended claims.