Interactive nationwide data service communication system for stationary and mobile battery operated subscriber units
DC CAFC
First Claim
1. A base station configuration in a two-way communication interactive video network having a network hub switching center for routing communications from and to a plurality of subscriber units at various geographic locations served by a base station that processes digital data modulated on an r-f carrier and transmitted from a plurality of subscriber units dispersed over a predetermined base station geographic area by presenting multiplexed digital data synchronously related to the base station broadcast signal for communication from identified individual subscriber units within designated geographic service areas, comprising in combination,base station data processing and transmission facilities for transmitting to a set of local subscriber units and receiving from a subset of those local subscriber units multiplexed synchronously related digital data messages of variable lengths for point-to-point communication between individual subscribers with remotely located reception stations,base station reception means for receiving and processing data messages from the set of local subscriber units at that base station comprising a set of cell subdivision sites partitioned from said base station geographic area and dispersed over the base station geographic area, each cell subdivision site being adapted for receiving-only low power digital messages transmitted from local subscriber units within range of the partitioned cell site areas, anda set of local subscriber transceiver units including low power mobile units located within the base station geographic area each adapted to communicate with said base station by way of digital data signals of variable lengths synchronously related to said base station broadcast signal and timed for said multiplexed message transmission.
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Abstract
In a two-way interactive communication video network having a network switching center for point-to-point communications between subscribers at different geographic locations, a local base station configuration is provided for facilitating low power battery operated portable subscriber units. The local subscriber units surrounding a base station are adapted for multiplex transmission of digital messages synchronously related to a broadcast television signal for system coordination. Digital messages are transmitted from the local subscriber units to the base station data processing facility through a set of receive only cell site subdivision zones distributed over the base station transmitter geographical range, which communicate with the base station data processing facility over a communication link such as wired cable. Messages are compiled and relayed by satellite to a network switching center transmitter site for nationwide point-to-point communications. Small-size, inexpensive, low-power, portable, digital-transmitting subscriber units are introduced compatible with interactive video data system standards with the ability to cross subdivision and cell zones. Thus, monitoring of inventory, temperature, and other parameters for passive automatic alarm systems and the like, as well as active mobility of subscriber units for meter reading and the like is made possible with direct low-cost nationwide real time reporting capability.
232 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A base station configuration in a two-way communication interactive video network having a network hub switching center for routing communications from and to a plurality of subscriber units at various geographic locations served by a base station that processes digital data modulated on an r-f carrier and transmitted from a plurality of subscriber units dispersed over a predetermined base station geographic area by presenting multiplexed digital data synchronously related to the base station broadcast signal for communication from identified individual subscriber units within designated geographic service areas, comprising in combination,
base station data processing and transmission facilities for transmitting to a set of local subscriber units and receiving from a subset of those local subscriber units multiplexed synchronously related digital data messages of variable lengths for point-to-point communication between individual subscribers with remotely located reception stations, base station reception means for receiving and processing data messages from the set of local subscriber units at that base station comprising a set of cell subdivision sites partitioned from said base station geographic area and dispersed over the base station geographic area, each cell subdivision site being adapted for receiving-only low power digital messages transmitted from local subscriber units within range of the partitioned cell site areas, and a set of local subscriber transceiver units including low power mobile units located within the base station geographic area each adapted to communicate with said base station by way of digital data signals of variable lengths synchronously related to said base station broadcast signal and timed for said multiplexed message transmission.
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16. A point-to-point interactive video network system having a central switching station, a plurality of base stations, a satellite station, and a set of subscriber units located in the vicinity of each base unit, comprising in combination, means for providing for two-way digital communications between two different subscriber units by a serial communication path extending through a base station, the satellite, the central station, the satellite and back to a base station, wherein at least some of said base stations serve a set of subscriber units dispersed over a predetermined geographic area and comprise communication means between the subscriber units with the base station including a set of stationary receive only terminals remote from the base station coupled by a communication link with the base station for conveying transmitted messages from subscriber units in a subdivided portion of said geographic area in the vicinity of the receive only terminals to the base station, subscriber transmitter units for transmitting digital amplitude modulated pulses at a peak power in the milliwatt range, and data processing means at the base station for assembling and re-transmitting digital subscriber messages from the subscriber units via the satellite to the central station, said subscriber units transmitting on a plurality of frequency bands.
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17. A point-to-point interactive video network system having a central switching station, a plurality of base stations, a satellite station, and a set of subscriber units located in the vicinity of each base unit, comprising in combination, means for providing for two-way digital communications between two different subscriber units by a serial communication path extending through a base station, the satellite, the central station, the satellite and back to a base station, wherein at least some of said base stations serve a set of subscriber units dispersed over a predetermined geographic area and comprise communication means between the subscriber units with the base station including a set of stationary receive only terminals remote from the base station coupled by a communication link with the base station for conveying transmitted messages from subscriber units in a subdivided portion of said geographic area in the vicinity of the receive only terminals to the base station, subscriber transmitter units for transmitting digital amplitude modulated pulses at a peak power in the milliwatt range, and data processing means at the base station for assembling and re-transmitting digital subscriber messages from the subscriber units via the satellite to the central station, said subscriber units being portable, said base station including means to receive messages from said subscriber units through a single one of said receive only terminals.
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18. A point-to-point interactive video network system having a central switching station, a plurality of base stations, a satellite station, and a set of subscriber units located in the vicinity of each base unit, comprising in combination, means for providing for two-way digital communications between two different subscriber units by a serial communication path extending through a base station, the satellite, the central station, the satellite and back to a base station, wherein at least some of said base stations serve a set of subscriber units dispersed over a predetermined geographic area and comprise communication means between the subscriber units with the base station including a set of stationary receive only terminals remote from the base station coupled by a communication link with the base station for conveying transmitted messages from subscriber units in a subdivided portion of said geographic area in the vicinity of the receive only terminals to the base station, subscriber transmitter units for transmitting digital amplitude modulated pulses at a peak power in the milliwatt range, and data processing means at the base station for assembling and re-transmitting digital subscriber messages from the subscriber units via the satellite to the central station, each-of the receive only terminals receiving signals in a different frequency band, and the subscriber units having means for selecting a transmission carrier frequency in a plurality of the frequency bands.
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19. An interactive video data system comprising:
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subscribers with portable subscriber units and facilities for communicating from the subscriber units when moved through different geographic zones, and a set of subscriber units limited to digital processing facilities comprising digital transducers and means for transmitting digital data derived by said transducers.
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20. An interactive video data system comprising:
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subscribers with portable subscriber units and facilities for communicating from the subscriber units when moved through different geographic zones, a base station of defined geographic area for serving a set of said subscriber units, said area is subdivided into a plurality of zones, and receive only stations located in said zones for reception of transmissions from subscriber units located in the respective zones, and facilities in said base station and subscriber units for handing off communications between zones when communicated signals deteriorate below a given threshold.
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Specification
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Current AssigneeEON Corporation
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Original AssigneeEON Corporation
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InventorsDinkins, Gilbert M.
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Primary Examiner(s)Chin, Wellington
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Application NumberUS07/966,414Time in Patent Office834 DaysField of Search358/86, 465/5.1, 465/6.1, 465/6.3, 465/3.2, 465/33.1, 465/53.1, 320/71, 320/73, 320/75, 320/85.1, 320/95.1, 320/95.3, 320/104.1, 379/90, 379/93, 379/58, 379/59, 379/63, 348/6, 348/8, 348/12, 348/7, 348/10, 348/13, 370/97, 455/54.1, 455/56.1US Class Current725/62CPC Class CodesH04B 7/15514 for shadowing compensation ...H04H 20/02 Arrangements for relaying b...H04H 20/38 Arrangements for distributi...H04H 20/67 Common-wave systems, i.e. u...H04H 20/72 of terrestrial networksH04N 7/17309 Transmission or handling of...H04W 84/025 with acknowledge back capab...Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication n...
