Telecommunications – Radiotelephone system – Programming control
Reexamination Certificate
1998-06-12
2001-08-07
Hunter, Daniel (Department: 2684)
Telecommunications
Radiotelephone system
Programming control
C455S419000, C455S575100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06272333
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates in general to wireless communication systems, and more specifically to a method and apparatus in a wireless communication system for controlling a delivery of data from a fixed portion of the wireless communication system to a subscriber unit.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Prior-art messaging systems have utilized specific vector types, such as tone-only, numeric, and alphanumeric vector types, to control the type of data the fixed portion of the messaging system would send to a specific subscriber unit. Typically, control of the specific vector type has been implemented through class-of-service information.
As subscriber units become increasingly user customizable with enhanced software application upgradability, it is impractical to expect that a class-of-service distinction or a subscriber unit class can define all the types of data that the applications accessible to a specific subscriber unit can support. Further, it is unlikely that all subscriber units of a specific type will have identical applications having identical application version numbers. Nonetheless, it remains desirable not to send data to a subscriber unit that the subscriber unit cannot utilize.
Thus, what is needed is a method and apparatus for controlling the delivery of data from the fixed portion of the messaging system to the subscriber unit. Preferably, the method and apparatus will not require specific vector types and corresponding class-of-service information to define the types of data which the subscriber unit can utilize. In addition, the method and apparatus preferably will not require an over-the-air session for each delivery of data to determine whether the subscriber unit can utilize the specific data type.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An aspect of the present invention is a method in a wireless communication system for controlling a delivery of data from a fixed portion of the wireless communication system to a subscriber unit. The method comprises in the subscriber unit the step of maintaining an application registry for registering applications accessible to the subscriber unit. The method further comprises, in the fixed portion of the wireless communication system, the steps of keeping a current copy of the application registry of the subscriber unit, and checking the current copy of the application registry in response to having the data to send to the subscriber unit. The method further comprises, in the fixed portion of the wireless communication system, the step of sending the data only when the checking step determines that an application compatible with the data is accessible to the subscriber unit.
Another aspect of the present invention is a controller in a fixed portion of a wireless communication system for controlling a delivery of data to a subscriber unit which maintains an application registry for registering applications accessible to the subscriber unit. The controller comprises a network interface for accepting the data from an originator, and a processing system coupled to the network interface for processing the data, the processing system comprising a memory. The controller further comprises a base station interface coupled to the processing system for controlling a base station to transmit the data. The processing system is programmed to keep in the memory a current copy of the application registry of the subscriber unit, and to check the current copy of the application registry in response to having the data to send to the subscriber unit. The processing system is further programmed to send the data only when the checking step determines that an application compatible with the data is accessible to the subscriber unit.
Another aspect of the present invention is a subscriber unit in a wireless communication system for controlling a delivery of data from a fixed portion of the wireless communication system. The subscriber unit comprises a receiver for receiving the data, and a processing system coupled to the receiver for processing the data. The subscriber unit further comprises a transmitter coupled to the processing system for communicating with the fixed portion of the wireless communication system. The processing system is programmed to maintain an application registry for registering applications accessible to the subscriber unit; and, in response to a change in accessibility of an application, to update the application registry and control the transmitter to communicate the change to the fixed portion of the wireless communication system.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5291598 (1994-03-01), Grundy
patent: 5594740 (1997-01-01), LaDue
patent: 5699275 (1997-12-01), Beasley et al.
patent: 5790809 (1998-08-01), Holmes
patent: 5862325 (1999-01-01), Reed et al.
patent: 5881235 (1999-03-01), Mills
patent: 5896566 (1999-04-01), Averbuch et al.
patent: 5909437 (1999-06-01), Rhodes et al.
patent: 5930704 (1999-07-01), Kay
patent: 5970090 (1999-10-01), Lazaridis
patent: 5974085 (1999-10-01), Smith
patent: 6005884 (1999-12-01), Cook et al.
patent: 6008737 (1999-12-01), Deluca et al.
patent: 6026366 (2000-02-01), Grube
Breeden R. Louis
Chow C.
Hunter Daniel
Motorola Inc.
LandOfFree
Method and apparatus in a wireless communication system for... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Method and apparatus in a wireless communication system for..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Method and apparatus in a wireless communication system for... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2522023