Signalling method for establishing trunked communication

Claim 2

In a trunked communication system having at least one central controller for allocating a limited number of communication channels among a plurality of subscriber units organized in groups and each subscriber having at least an individual identification code and a talk-group affiliation, said subscribers constructed and arranged to communicate information on any of the communication channels, a method for any of the plurality of subscribers to request access to a communication channel comprising the steps of: (a) transmitting a message comprising at least a call request information word having a predetermined bit length and being organized in fields, wherein a first field represents the subscriber's individual identification code, and a second field represents the type of call requested; (b) receiving a message comprising at least channel grant information words each having a predetermined bit length and being organized in fields, wherein: (i) a first word comprises a first field representing said subscriber's individual identification code, and a second field representing a predetermined digital word; (ii) a second word comprises a first field representing said subscriber's talk-group affiliation, and a second field representing a channel assignment.

Claim 3

In a trunked communication system having at least one central controller for allocating a limited number of communication channels among a plurality of subscriber units organized in groups and each subscriber having at least an individual identification code and a talk-group affiliation, said subscribers constructed and arranged to communicate information on any of the communication channels, a method for any of the plurality of subscribers to request access to a communication channel comprising the steps of: (a) transmitting a message comprising at least a call request information word having a predetermined bit length and being organized in fields, wherein a first field represents the subscriber's individual identification code, and a second field represents the type of call requested; (b) receiving a message comprising at least a command information word having a predetermined bit length and being organized in fields, wherein a first field represents said subscriber's individual identification code, and a second field represents a predetermined command code; (c) transmitting a message comprising at least call request information words each having a predetermined bit length and being organized in fields, wherein: (i) a first word comprises a first field representing said subscriber's individual identification code, and a second field representing a predetermined digital word; (ii) a second word comprises a first field representing said subscriber's talk-group affiliation, and a second field representing said type of call requested; (d) receiving a message comprising at least channel grant information words each having a predetermined bit length and being organized in fields, wherein: (i) a first word comprises a first field representing said subscriber's individual identification code, and a second field representing a predetermined digital word; (ii) a second word comprises a first field representing said subscriber's talk-group affiliation, and a second field representing a channel assignment.

Claim 4

In a trunked communication system having at least one central controller for allocating a limited number of communication channels among a plurality of subscriber units organized in groups and each subscriber having at least an individual identification code and a talk-group affiliation, said subscribers constructed and arranged to communicate information on any of the communication channels, a method for any of the plurality of subscribers to request access to a communication channel comprising the steps of: (a) transmitting a message comprising at least a call request information word having a predetermined bit length and being organized in fields, wherein a first field represents the subscriber's individual identification code, and a second field represents the type of call requested; (b) receiving a message comprising at least a command information word having a predetermined bit length and being organized in fields, wherein a first field represents said subscriber's individual identification code, and a second field represents a predetermined command code; (c) transmitting a message comprising at least call request information words each having a predetermined bit length and being organized in fields, wherein: (i) a first word comprises a first field representing said subscriber's individual identification code, and a second field representing a predetermined digital word; (ii) a second word comprises a first field representing said subscriber's talk-group affiliation, and a second field representing said type of call requested; (d) receiving a message comprising at least channel grant information words each having a predetermined bit length and being organized in fields, wherein: (i) a first word comprises a first field representing said subscriber's individual identification code, and a second field representing a predetermined digital word; (ii) a second word comprises a first field representing said subscriber's talk-group affiliation, and a second field representing a channel assignment.

Claim 5

In a trunked communication system having at least one central controller for allocating a limited number of communication channels among a plurality of subscriber units organized in groups and each subscriber having at least an individual identification code and a talk-group affiliation, said subscribers constructed and arranged to communicate information on any of the communication channels, a subscriber unit, comprising: means for transmitting a message comprising at least a call request information word having a predetermined bit length and being organized in fields, wherein a first field represents the subscriber's individual identification code, and a second field represents the type of call requested; means for receiving a message comprising at least channel grant information words each having a predetermined bit length and being organized in fields, wherein: (i) a first word comprises a first field representing said subscriber's individual identification code, and a second field representing a predetermined digital word; (ii) a second word comprises a first field representing said subscriber's talk-group affiliation, and a second field representing a channel assignment.

Claim 6

In a trunked communication system having at least one central controller for allocating a limited number of communication channels among a plurality of subscriber units organized in groups and each subscriber having at least an individual identification code and a talk-group affiliation, said subscribers constructed and arranged to communicate information on any of the communication channels, a subscriber unit, comprising: means for transmitting a message comprising at least a call request information word having a predetermined bit length and being organized in fields, wherein a first field represents the subscriber's individual identification code, and a second field represents the type of call requested; means for receiving a message comprising at least channel grant information words each having a predetermined bit length and being organized in fields, wherein: (i) a first word comprises a first field representing said subscriber's individual identification code, and a second field representing a predetermined digital word; (ii) a second word comprises a first field representing said subscriber's talk-group affiliation, and a second field representing a channel assignment.

Claim 7

In a trunked communication system having at least one central controller for allocating a limited number of communication channels among a plurality of subscriber units organized in groups and each subscriber having at least an individual identification code and a talk-group affiliation, said subscribers constructed and arranged to communicate information on any of the communication channels, a subscriber unit comprising: means for transmitting a message comprising at least a call request information word having a predetermined bit length and being organized in fields, wherein a first field represents the subscriber's individual identification code, and a second field represents the type of call requested; means for receiving a message comprising at least a command information word having a predetermined bit length and being organized into fields, wherein a first field represents said subscriber's individual identification code, and a second field represents a predetermined command code; means for transmitting a message comprising at least call request information words each having a predetermined bit length and being organized into fields, wherein: (i) a first word comprises a first field representing said subscriber's individual identification code, and a second field representing a predetermined digital word; (ii) a second word comprises a first field representing said subscriber's talk-group affiliation, and a second field representing said type of call requested; means for receiving a message comprising at least channel grant information words each having a predetermined bit length and being organized in fields, wherein: (i) a first word comprises a first field representing said subscriber's individual identification code, and a second field representing a predetermined digital word; (ii) a second word comprises a first field representing said subscriber's talk-group affiliation, and a second field representing a channel assignment.

Claim 8

In a trunked communication system having at least one central controller for allocating a limited number of communication channels among a plurality of subscriber units organized in groups and each subscriber having at least an individual identification code and a talk-group affiliation, said subscribers constructed and arranged to communicate information on any of the communication channels, a subscriber unit comprising: means for transmitting a message comprising at least a call request information word having a predetermined bit length and being organized in fields, wherein a first field represents the subscriber's individual identification code, and a second field represents the type of call requested; means for receiving a message comprising at least a command information word having a predetermined bit length and being organized into fields, wherein a first field represents said subscriber's individual identification code, and a second field represents a predetermined command code; means for transmitting a message comprising at least call request information words each having a predetermined bit length and being organized into fields, wherein: (i) a first word comprises a first field representing said subscriber's individual identification code, and a second field representing a predetermined digital word; (ii) a second word comprises a first field representing said subscriber's talk-group affiliation, and a second field representing said type of call requested; means for receiving a message comprising at least channel grant information words each having a predetermined bit length and being organized in fields, wherein: (i) a first word comprises a first field representing said subscriber's individual identification code, and a second field representing a predetermined digital word; (ii) a second word comprises a first field representing said subscriber's talk-group affiliation, and a second field representing a channel assignment.

Claim 9

In a trunked communication system having at least one central controller for allocating a limited number of communication channels among a plurality of subscriber units organized in groups and each subscriber having at least an individual identification code and a talk-group affiliation, said subscribers constructed and arranged to communicate information on any of the communication channels, a method for any of the plurality of subscribers to request access to a communication channel comprising the steps of: at any of the subscriber units: (a) transmitting a message comprising at least a call request information word having a predetermined bit length and being organized in fields, wherein a first field represents the subscriber's individual identification code, and a second field represents the type of call requested; (b) receiving a message comprising at least channel grant information words each having a predetermined bit length and being organized in fields, wherein: (i) a first word comprises a first field representing said subscriber's individual identification code, and a second field representing a predetermined digital word; (ii) a second word comprises a first field representing said subscriber's talk-group affiliation, and a second field representing a channel assignment; at the central controller: (a) receiving said message comprising at least a call request information word having a predetermined bit length and being organized in fields, wherein a first field represents the subscriber's individual identification code, and a second field represents the type of call requested; (b) cross-referencing said subscriber's individual identification code to provide the subscriber's talk-group affiliation; (c) transmitting said message comprising at least channel grant information words each having a predetermined bit length and being organized into fields, wherein: (i) a first word comprises a first field representing said subscriber's individual identification code, and a second field representing a predetermined digital word; (ii) a second word comprises a first field representing said subscriber's talk-group affiliation, and a second field representing a channel assignment.

Claim 10

In a trunked communication system having at least one central controller for allocating a limited number of communication channels among a plurality of subscriber units organized in groups and each subscriber having at least an individual identification code and a talk-group affiliation, said subscribers constructed and arranged to communicate information on any of the communication channels, a method for any of the plurality of subscribers to request access to a communication channel comprising the steps of: at any of the subscriber units: (a) transmitting a message comprising at least a call request information word having a predetermined bit length and being organized in fields, wherein a first field represents the subscriber's individual identification code, and a second field represents the type of call requested; (b) receiving a message comprising at least channel grant information words each having a predetermined bit length and being organized in fields, wherein: (i) a first word comprises a first field representing said subscriber's individual identification code, and a second field representing a predetermined digital word; (ii) a second word comprises a first field representing said subscriber's talk-group affiliation, and a second field representing a channel assignment; at the central controller: (a) receiving said message comprising at least a call request information word having a predetermined bit length and being organized in fields, wherein a first field represents the subscriber's individual identification code, and a second field represents the type of call requested; (b) cross-referencing said subscriber's individual identification code to provide the subscriber's talk-group affiliation; (c) transmitting said message comprising at least channel grant information words each having a predetermined bit length and being organized into fields, wherein: (i) a first word comprises a first field representing said subscriber's individual identification code, and a second field representing a predetermined digital word; (ii) a second word comprises a first field representing said subscriber's talk-group affiliation, and a second field representing a channel assignment.

Claim 11

The method of claim 5, which includes the central controller step of: (a1) determining whether said subscriber's individual identification code is valid.

Claim 12

The method of claim 5, which includes the central controller step of transmitting a message comprising at least a command information word having a predetermined bit length and being organized in fields, wherein a first field represents said subscriber's individual identification code, and a second field represents a predetermined command code, if the central is unable to determine said subscriber's talk-group affiliation.

Claim 13

In a trunked communication system having at least one central controller for allocating a limited number of communication channels among a plurality of subscriber units organized in groups and each subscriber having at least an individual identification code and a talk-group affiliation, said subscribers constructed and arranged to communicate information on any of the communication channels, a method for any of the plurality of subscribers to request access to a communication channel comprising the steps of: at any of the subscriber units: (a) transmitting a message comprising at least a call request information word having a predetermined bit length and being organized in fields, wherein a first field represents the subscriber's individual identification code, and a second field represents the type of call requested; (b) receiving a message comprising at least a command information word having a predetermined bit length and being organized in fields, wherein a first field represents said subscriber's individual identification code, and a second field represents a predetermined command code; (c) transmitting a message comprising at least call request information words each having a predetermined bit length and being organized in fields, wherein: (i) a first word comprises a first field representing said subscriber's individual identification code, and a second field representing a predetermined digital word; (ii) a second word comprises a first field representing said subscriber's talk-group affiliation, and a second field representing said type of call requested; (d) receiving a message comprising at least channel grant information words each having a predetermined bit length and being organized in fields, wherein: (i) a first word comprises a first field representing said subscriber's individual identification code, and a second field representing a predetermined digital word; (ii) a second word comprises a first field representing said subscriber's talk-group affiliation, and a second field representing a channel assignment; at the central controller: (a) receiving said message comprising at least a call request information word having a predetermined bit length and being organized in fields, wherein a first field represents the subscriber's individual identification code, and a second field represents the type of call requested; (b) cross-referencing said subscriber's individual identification code thereby determining the absence of the subscriber's talk-group affiliation; (c) transmitting said message comprising at least a command information word having a predetermined bit length and being organized in fields, wherein a first field represents said subscriber's individual identification code, and a second field represents a predetermined command code; (d) receiving said message comprising at least call request information words each having a predetermined bit length and being organized in fields, wherein: (i) a first word comprises a first field representing said subscriber's individual identification code, and a second field representing a predetermined digital word; (ii) a second word comprises a first field representing said subscriber's talk-group identification code, and a second field representing said type of call requested; (e) transmitting said message comprising at least channel grant information words each having a predetermined bit length and being organized in fields, wherein: (i) a first word comprises a first field representing said subscriber's individual identification code, and a second field representing a predetermined digital word; (ii) a second word comprises a first field representing said subscriber's talk-group affiliation, and a second field representing a channel assignment.

Claim 14

In a trunked communication system having at least one central controller for allocating a limited number of communication channels among a plurality of subscriber units organized in groups and each subscriber having at least an individual identification code and a talk-group affiliation, said subscribers constructed and arranged to communicate information on any of the communication channels, a method for any of the plurality of subscribers to request access to a communication channel comprising the steps of: at any of the subscriber units: (a) transmitting a message comprising at least a call request information word having a predetermined bit length and being organized in fields, wherein a first field represents the subscriber's individual identification code, and a second field represents the type of call requested; (b) receiving a message comprising at least a command information word having a predetermined bit length and being organized in fields, wherein a first field represents said subscriber's individual identification code, and a second field represents a predetermined command code; (c) transmitting a message comprising at least call request information words each having a predetermined bit length and being organized in fields, wherein: (i) a first word comprises a first field representing said subscriber's individual identification code, and a second field representing a predetermined digital word; (ii) a second word comprises a first field representing said subscriber's talk-group affiliation, and a second field representing said type of call requested; (d) receiving a message comprising at least channel grant information words each having a predetermined bit length and being organized in fields, wherein: (i) a first word comprises a first field representing said subscriber's individual identification code, and a second field representing a predetermined digital word; (ii) a second word comprises a first field representing said subscriber's talk-group affiliation, and a second field representing a channel assignment; at the central controller: (a) receiving said message comprising at least a call request information word having a predetermined bit length and being organized in fields, wherein a first field represents the subscriber's individual identification code, and a second field represents the type of call requested; (b) cross-referencing said subscriber's individual identification code thereby determining the absence of the subscriber's talk-group affiliation; (c) transmitting said message comprising at least a command information word having a predetermined bit length and being organized in fields, wherein a first field represents said subscriber's individual identification code, and a second field represents a predetermined command code; (d) receiving said message comprising at least call request information words each having a predetermined bit length and being organized in fields, wherein: (i) a first word comprises a first field representing said subscriber's individual identification code, and a second field representing a predetermined digital word; (ii) a second word comprises a first field representing said subscriber's talk-group identification code, and a second field representing said type of call requested; (e) transmitting said message comprising at least channel grant information words each having a predetermined bit length and being organized in fields, wherein: (i) a first word comprises a first field representing said subscriber's individual identification code, and a second field representing a predetermined digital word; (ii) a second word comprises a first field representing said subscriber's talk-group affiliation, and a second field representing a channel assignment.

Claim 15

The method of claim 8, which includes the central controller step of: (a1) determining whether said subscriber's individual identification code is valid.

Claim 16

In a trunked communication system having at least one central controller for allocating a limited number of communication channels among a plurality of subscriber units organized in groups and each subscriber having at least an individual identification code and a talk-group affiliation, said subscribers constructed and arranged to change at least their talk-group affiliation at will and to communicate information on any of the communication channels, a method for any of the plurality of subscribers to update the central of a talk-group affiliation change comprising the steps of: (a) transmitting, automatically, following selection of another talk-group affiliation, a message comprising at least update information words each having a predetermined bit length and being organized in fields, wherein: (i) a first word comprises a first field representing said subscriber's individual identification code, and a second field representing a predetermined digital word; (ii) a second word comprises a first field representing said subscriber's talk-group affiliation, and a second field representing a predetermined code word; (b) receiving a message comprising at least an acknowledge information word having a predetermined acknowledge code.

Claim 17

In a trunked communication system having at least one central controller for allocating a limited number of communication channels among a plurality of subscriber units organized in groups and each subscriber having at least an individual identification code and a talk-group affiliation, said subscribers constructed and arranged to change at least their talk-group affiliation at will and to communicate information on any of the communication channels, a method for any of the plurality of subscribers to update the central of a talk-group affiliation change comprising the steps of: (a) transmitting, automatically, following selection of another talk-group affiliation, a message comprising at least update information words each having a predetermined bit length and being organized in fields, wherein: (i) a first word comprises a first field representing said subscriber's individual identification code, and a second field representing a predetermined digital word; (ii) a second word comprises a first field representing said subscriber's talk-group affiliation, and a second field representing a predetermined code word; (b) receiving a message comprising at least an acknowledge information word having a predetermined acknowledge code.

Claim 18

In a trunked communication system having at least one central controller for allocating a limited number of communication channels among a plurality of subscriber units organized in groups and each subscriber having at least an individual identification code and a talk-group affiliation, said subscribers constructed and arranged to change at least their talk-group affiliation at will and to communicate information on any of the communication channels, a subscribers unit comprising: means for transmitting, automatically, following selection of another talk-group affiliation, a message comprising at least update information words each having a predetermined bit length and being organized in fields, wherein: (i) a first word comprises a first field representing said subscriber's individual identification code, and a second field representing a predetermined digital word; (ii) a second word comprises a first field representing said subscriber's talk-group affiliation, and a second field representing a predetermined code word; means for receiving a message comprising at least an acknowledge information word having a predetermined acknowledge code.

Claim 19

In a trunked communication system having at least one central controller for allocating a limited number of communication channels among a plurality of subscriber units organized in groups and each subscriber having at least an individual identification code and a talk-group affiliation, said subscribers constructed and arranged to change at least their talk-group affiliation at will and to communicate information on any of the communication channels, a subscribers unit comprising: means for transmitting, automatically, following selection of another talk-group affiliation, a message comprising at least update information words each having a predetermined bit length and being organized in fields, wherein: (i) a first word comprises a first field representing said subscriber's individual identification code, and a second field representing a predetermined digital word; (ii) a second word comprises a first field representing said subscriber's talk-group affiliation, and a second field representing a predetermined code word; means for receiving a message comprising at least an acknowledge information word having a predetermined acknowledge code.

Claim 20

In a trunked communication system having at least one central controller for allocating a limited number of communication channels among a plurality of subscriber units organized in groups and each subscriber having at least an individual identification code and a talk-group affiliation, said subscribers constructed and arranged to change at least their talk-group affiliation at will and to communicate information on any of the communication channels, a method for any of the plurality of subscribers to update the central of a talk-group affiliation change comprising the steps of: (a) transmitting, automatically, with the subscriber's next transmission, a message comprising at least update/call request information words each having a predetermined bit length and being organized in fields, wherein: (i) a first word comprises a first field representing said subscriber's individual identification code, and a second field representing a predetermined digital word; (ii) a second word comprises a first field representing said subscriber's talk-group affiliation, and a second field representing the type of call requested; (b) receiving a message comprising at least channel grant information words each having a predetermined bit length and being organized in fields, wherein: (i) a first word comprises a first field representing said subscriber's individual identification code, and a second field representing a predetermined digital word; (ii) a second word comprises a first field representing said subscriber's talk-group affiliation, and a second field representing a channel assignment.

Claim 21

In a trunked communication system having at least one central controller for allocating a limited number of communication channels among a plurality of subscriber units organized in groups and each subscriber having at least an individual identification code and a talk-group affiliation, said subscribers constructed and arranged to change at least their talk-group affiliation at will and to communicate information on any of the communication channels, a method for any of the plurality of subscribers to update the central of a talk-group affiliation change comprising the steps of: (a) transmitting, automatically, with the subscriber's next transmission, a message comprising at least update/call request information words each having a predetermined bit length and being organized in fields, wherein: (i) a first word comprises a first field representing said subscriber's individual identification code, and a second field representing a predetermined digital word; (ii) a second word comprises a first field representing said subscriber's talk-group affiliation, and a second field representing the type of call requested; (b) receiving a message comprising at least channel grant information words each having a predetermined bit length and being organized in fields, wherein: (i) a first word comprises a first field representing said subscriber's individual identification code, and a second field representing a predetermined digital word; (ii) a second word comprises a first field representing said subscriber's talk-group affiliation, and a second field representing a channel assignment.

Claim 22

In a trunked communication system having at least one central controller for allocating a limited number of communication channels among a plurality of subscriber units organized in groups and each subscriber having at least an individual identification code and a talk-group affiliation, said subscribers constructed and arranged to change at least their talk-group affiliation at will and to communicate information on any of the communication channels, a subscriber unit comprising: means for transmitting, automatically, with the subscriber's next transmission, a message comprising at least update/call request information words each having a predetermined bit length and being organized in fields, wherein: (i) a first word comprises a first field representing said subscriber's individual identification code, and a second field representing a predetermined digital word; (ii) a second word comprises a first field representing said subscriber's talk-group affiliation, and a second field representing the type of call requested; means for receiving a message comprising at least channel grant information words each having a predetermined bit length and being organized in fields, wherein: (i) a first word comprises a first field representing said subscriber's individual identification code, and a second field representing a predetermined digital word; (ii) a second word comprises a first field representing said subscriber's talk-group affiliation, and a second field representing a channel assignment.

Claim 23

In a trunked communication system having at least one central controller for allocating a limited number of communication channels among a plurality of subscriber units organized in groups and each subscriber having at least an individual identification code and a talk-group affiliation, said subscribers constructed and arranged to change at least their talk-group affiliation at will and to communicate information on any of the communication channels, a subscriber unit comprising: means for transmitting, automatically, with the subscriber's next transmission, a message comprising at least update/call request information words each having a predetermined bit length and being organized in fields, wherein: (i) a first word comprises a first field representing said subscriber's individual identification code, and a second field representing a predetermined digital word; (ii) a second word comprises a first field representing said subscriber's talk-group affiliation, and a second field representing the type of call requested; means for receiving a message comprising at least channel grant information words each having a predetermined bit length and being organized in fields, wherein: (i) a first word comprises a first field representing said subscriber's individual identification code, and a second field representing a predetermined digital word; (ii) a second word comprises a first field representing said subscriber's talk-group affiliation, and a second field representing a channel assignment.