Telecommunications – Radiotelephone system – Auxiliary data signaling
Reexamination Certificate
1997-05-31
2003-10-07
Nguyen, Lee (Department: 2683)
Telecommunications
Radiotelephone system
Auxiliary data signaling
C455S067150, C455S434000, C370S336000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06631274
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to the field of communications. More specifically, the invention relates to mobile communications systems and networks.
2. Description of the Related Art
In cellular networks such as Global Systems Mobile (GSM), several types of messages can be communicated, such as control or data messages. In the case of GSM, message types are communicated using Service Access Point Identifiers (SAPI) at the “data link” layer (“data link” is specified in the well-known Open Systems Integration (OSI) networking model). Control information, such as timing and handshaking signals, which are transparent to users of the GSM network, are communicated using the SAPI
0
(SAPI zero) interface. Short Message Services (SMS) are short, fixed-length messages (e.g. a string of 160 characters), such as paging messages, and are communicated using SAPI
3
(SAPI three). Further, GSM uses several types of “channels” (communication pathways separated by frequency/time characteristics) for communicating messages over the network. Current practice allows for SAPI
3
messages to be transmitted on only two such channels—Slow Associated Control Channel (SACCH) and Slow Dedicated Control Channel (SDCCH). A third channel, Fast Associated Control Channel (FACCH), as well as SDCCH can transmit SAPI
0
information. Currently, however, there is no practice for transmitting SAPI
3
over the FACCH.
A voice call sent over GSM is handled using the TCH (Traffic Channel), which is the channel defined in GSM for transferring user-to-user data such as voice. For transferring critical information such as certain control data, the voice traffic on TCH is pre-empted by the control data and sent over the FACCH. Thus, FACCH is the mechanism by which control data can utilize TCH for transmission. However, during periods of silence, when none of the connected users (mobile systems) are communicating voice, GSM currently prohibits the transmission of any other data, and makes the voice channel “dedicated.” Since human beings are not always continuously talking, it would be advantageous to utilize the silent periods between voice traffic on the same channel for transmitting other types of messages such as paging messages.
Thus, there is needed a solution for utilizing silent periods on a dedicated voice or traffic channel for the communicating of data other than traffic that is currently prohibited.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one embodiment, the invention provides an enhanced mobile messaging system which has a service point access system configured to send short message service data during discontinuous periods of user-to-user data transmission over the same channel used for user-to-user data transmission.
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Siegmund M. Redl., Matthias K. Weber and Malcolm W. Oliphant, An Introduction to GSM, pp. 252-253, Jul. 1995.*
Michel Mouly and Marie-Bernadette Pautet, “The GSM System for Mobile Communications” pp. 277-278, 1992.
Blakely , Sokoloff, Taylor & Zafman LLP
Intel Corporation
Nguyen Lee
LandOfFree
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