Abstract:
The present invention discloses novel systems and methods for enabling two-way radio communications over a computer network including correlating signals received by a two-way radio networking base/repeater station from a two-way radio to an internet or Internet Protocol address of one or more other base/repeater stations and establishing a computer network link for two-way radio networking communications over a computer network such as the Internet.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to a system and method for enabling two-way radio communications over a computer network. More particularly, the invention relates to a system and method for correlating signals received by a two-way radio networking (“TWRN”) base/repeater station from a remote two-way radio to an internet or Internet Protocol (“IP”) address of one or more other base/repeater stations and establishing a computer network link for TWRN communications over a computer network such as the Internet.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     TWRN is a well-known communications method. TWRN often may involve a first end-user with a remote two-way radio that sends and receives communications using radio signaling such as DTMF, DCS, CTCSS, 5/6 tone selcall, or other type of modulated RF control format with a first base/repeater station. The first base/repeater station transmits the voice or data communication signals to at least one second base/repeater station. The second base/repeater station then transfers the communication signals to a second end user in contact with the second base/repeater station and the process is reversed for return communications. Conventional TWRN communication generally is controlled by each portable/mobile unit having a unique ID and/or group ID. This ID is stored at the audio switch controller of the base/repeater station that this user is within range of. When a call is made to the individual user, a search is made of the controllers until the ID is found. The controllers then route audio as appropriate. In conventional TWRN, long-range communications are exchanged between and among the base/repeater stations via audio switching networks or dedicated telephone lines. Such networks require a costly infrastructure.  
         [0003]     Computer networks, such as the Internet, have more recently become well known and pervasive. Unlike the circuit switched technology of TWRN, these networks utilize a packet switched technology. Compared to circuit switched networks, packet switched networks are commonly acknowledged to be far more efficient for the transport of information. Generally, charges for use of switch networks and dedicated telephone lines are time based (i.e., cents per minute of use) whereas charges for use of the computer networks are usually flat monthly fees. Computer networks and the Internet utilize an addressing structure completely different from the TWRN. They employ unique domain names (e.g., “abc.com”) and associated, unique addresses (e.g., “123.255.255.123”) for establishing packet-based communications between systems. Even though the system of the present invention is not required to use the PSTN or TWRN, the design of the system of the present invention optionally may include expedients enabling use of such systems.  
         [0004]     In general, communication via computer networks, as compared with other communications, results in a lower cost to the end user. Accordingly, individuals and businesses often seek to shift communications traffic from the TWRN and other systems, such as the Public Switched Telephone Network (“PSTN”), to the Internet.  
         [0005]     Ranalli et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,539,077, describes one example of a method and apparatus designed to shift communications from the PSTN to the Internet. Ranalli et al. describes a database on a data network to relate a unique identifier attached to a user to a data network address including an IP by which the user may be reached. Ranalli et al. provide a method is provided for registering a telephone number and an associated IP with a directory service that is accessible on the Internet. The directory service can then be accessed with a request for resolution of the unique identifier to its associated Internet address, wherein the directory service resolves the associated Internet address in response to the request. Ranalli et al. do not mention or suggest, in any way, application of such a system to two-way radio communications.  
         [0006]     Thus, no prior art teaches or suggests a method or system for enabling two-way radio communications over a computer network and/or the Internet.  
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION  
       [0007]     The present invention concerns TWRN using a computer network or Internet real-time voice or data communication system. In one preferred embodiment, the user of a remote two-way radio wishing to communicate voice or data to another user selects and transmits a unique signal code associated with a desired target base/repeater station with which the remote is not in communication. A first base/repeater station with which the first remote radio is in communication receives the signal code. Hardware and software at the base/repeater station correlates the code with an internet or IP address of one or more target base/repeater stations, establishes a computer network link between or among the base/repeater stations via a computer network and/or Internet real-time voice communication system and bi-directionally translates two-way radio signals into a digital format. Thus, a voice/data communication path is established between or among base/repeater stations such that two-way radio communications may be exchanged across great distances. The current application of the present invention provides bi-directional service. Uni-directional service is inherent in the invention if such use is desired.  
         [0008]     Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide a system and method that allows for the exchange of two-way radio signals across great distances by making use of computer networks.  
         [0009]     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a system and method that allows for two-way radio communication that is less expensive than conventional TWRN communication using audio switching networks or dedicated telephone lines. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]      FIG. 1  is a flow diagram of the sequence of events that occur in the operation of one embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0011]     The present invention concerns two-way radio communications using a computer network and/or Internet real-time voice communication system.  FIG. 1  is a flow diagram of the sequence of events that occur in the operation of one embodiment of the present invention. The user of a first two-way radio  10  wishing to communicate with one or more target base/repeater station(s)  30  in which the first two-way radio  10  is not in communication selects and transmits a signal code  40  associated with the desired target base/repeater station(s)  30 . The user of a first radio  10  may select the signal code  40  using a selection means (not shown). The selection means may be a keypad or channel selector device. However, any selection means known to those skilled in the art may be used. Such means are well known to those skilled in the art. The signal code  40  is transmitted to a base/repeater station  50  with which the first radio  10  is in communication via a transmitting means (not shown). The transmitting means may be modulated RF carrier. However, any suitable transmitting means known to those skilled in the art may be used.  
         [0012]     The user of the first radio  10  also transmits voice/data communication via communication signals  20  to the base/repeater station  50  using a sending/receiving means. The transmitting means and the sending/receiving means may be one in the same; however, such need not be the case. In other instances, the sending/receiving means may be modulated lightwave, or wireline. Information in the communication signals  20  is generally, but not limited to, human voice, control signals, and status messages.  
         [0013]     The first radio  10  can use as a signal code  40  any type of signal desired by the user that is compatible with the base/repeater station  50  with which the first radio  10  is in communication. The communication signals  20  likewise can use any type of signal desired by the user that is compatible with the base/repeater station  50  with which the first radio  10  is in communication. The communication signals  20  and signal code  40  can be in the form of a communication protocol such as conventional (non-trunked), LTR, MPT-1327, EDACS, or other such protocols, or any combination thereof, or any suitable protocol known to those skilled in the art. Also any excitable signaling method, such as DCS, CTCSS, DTMF, any type of tone control format, any combination thereof, or any suitable methods known to those skilled in the art may be used for the signal code  40  and/or communication signals  20 .  
         [0014]     In the depicted embodiment, a lead decoder  60  at the base/repeater station  50  receives the signal code  40  and the communication signals  20  from the first radio  10  via a sending/receiving means (not shown). The lead decoder  60  then decodes the signal code  40  from the first radio  10  into a format that can be recognized by a lead controller  70  and transfers the decoded signal to the lead controller  70 . The lead decoder may be computer based, repeater controller based, or a dedicated stand-alone decoder. However, any lead decoder technology known to those skilled in the art may be used.  
         [0015]     In the depicted embodiment, the lead controller  70  assimilates the decoded signal for the first base/repeater station  50  via an assimilating means (not shown). The assimilating means may be computer based. However, any assimilating means known to those skilled in the art may be used. The lead controller  70  also analyzes the data for validity and correctness in protocol via a verifying means (not shown). The verifying means may be a computer database. However, any suitable verifying means known to those skilled in the art may be used.  
         [0016]     The lead controller  70  additionally employs a correlation means to correlate the signal to an internet or IP address. Preferably, the correlation is accomplished by a computer relational database. However, correlation may be accomplished by any suitable means known to those skilled in the art. In the depicted embodiment, lead controller  70  performs the correlation that determines the type of signaling used and the specific response to act upon via a determination means (not shown). The determination means may be computer based. However, any suitable determination means known to those skilled in the art may be used. Once the lead controller  70  has determined the signaling method, the information may be used for either: (i) directly selecting an IP target or (ii) referencing a location in a database directory containing destination IP addresses and parameters pertaining to communication functionality. A targeting means may be used for selecting an IP target. The targeting means preferably is a computer based relational database. However, any suitable targeting means known to those skilled in the art may be used. A directory means is used for referencing a location in a database directory. The directory means may be a relational database. However, any suitable directory means known to those skilled in the art may be used. The data base directory may comprise IP or Internet addresses as they relate to signaling and specific base/repeater stations.  
         [0017]     The selected desired IP address or the direct IP method is then utilized by the lead controller  70  to establish by a linking means a bi-directional computer network link  80  via a computer network or Internet voice or data communication system between the lead controller  70  and one or more target base/repeater stations  30 . The linking means may be computer networks. However, any suitable linking means known to those skilled in the art may be employed. Using a conversion means, the base/repeater station  50  bi-directionally converts two-way radio communication signals  20  into a digital format. The conversion means may be by computer based CODEC (analog to VoIP). However, any suitable conversion means know to those skilled in the art may be used.  
         [0018]     Once a bidirectional link is established between the base/repeater station and the target base/repeater station(s), digitalized communication signals  20  can be exchanged over the computer network link  90 . The link may remain active until any user desires to break the link. This event will cause the link to become disconnected. Normal operation is that only the link originated by the caller will be terminated and returned to stand-by. Operation where all links are terminated and set to stand-by is also possible in accordance with the practice of the present invention.  
         [0019]     In the depicted embodiment, a controller  90  at the target base/repeater station(s)  30  receives the communication signals  20  from the computer network link  90  and bi-directionally converts them via a conversion means (not shown) into signals that can be transmitted by the target base/repeater station  30 . The conversion means may be a computer based CODEC. However, any means known to those skilled in the art may be used. The communication signals sent by the target base/repeater station  30  can be received by any second two-way radio  100  that is in communication with the target base/repeater station  30 . Since the computer network link  80  is bi-directional, a path for the exchange of communications has been established between the first radio  10  and any second radio  100 . This methodology can implement two-way radio communications that are not limited by the range of the two-way radios.  
         [0020]     A target base/repeater station  30  could also initiate the operation explained above since a decoder  120  and controller  90  may be installed at a target base/repeater station  30 . As heretofore noted, the described operation is also possible between multiple base/repeater stations and is not limited to communications between two points. Further, Even though this system may not use the PSTN or TWRN in its current implementation the design does not preclude use of these systems.  
         [0021]     The above-mentioned patents are incorporated herein by reference. Many variations of the present invention will suggest themselves to these skilled in the art in light of the above-detailed description. All such obvious variations are within the full-intended scope of the appended claims.