A SYSTEM AND METHOD OF FLEXIBLE FLEET ADMINISTRATION IN A DISPATCHING COMMUNICATION SYSTEM

Abstract: The present invention discloses an apparatus and a method for providing a flexible fleet administration to a dispatcher in a wireless communication system that includes a base station (2), a dispatch station (4) and a plurality of subscriber units (6), comprising the steps of transmitting fleet administration information fromthe dispatch station to the base station, accessing a billing database in the base station to determine whether the dispatcher is entitled to transmit fleet administration information, transmitting the fleet administration information from the base station to the plurality of subscriber units if the billing database indicates that the dispatcher is entitled to transmit fleet administration information, and configuring the operation of one of more subscriber units in accordance with the transmitted fleet administration information.

Description: A SYSTEM AND METHOD OF FLEXIBLE FLEET ADMINISTRATION IN A DISPATCHING COMMUNICATION SYSTEM Background of the Invention The present invention relates to communication systems. More specifically, it relates to communication systems that provide dispatching communication services to fleets of vehicles. Wireless communication systems are used to provide communications capabilities to businesses having fleets of vehicles operating in the field - for example, taxi companies or limousine companies. Typically, wireless communication systems include a base station, one or more dispatch stations and a plurality of subscriber units. In these systems, the base station provides all communications services to the subscriber units and the dispatch station. The subscriber units are mounted in the vehicles operating in the field to provide communication capabilities to the vehicle's occupants. The dispatch stations allow a dispatcher to communicate with one or more of the subscriber units in the dispatcher's fleet. Today's dispatch communication systems, however, provide limited capabilities to the dispatcher to control the communication configuration and capabilities of the subscriber units in the fleet. For example, the dispatcher's control of the capabilities of the subscriber units are limited by the necessity of physically accessing the subscriber units to program their configuration. The dispatcher, therefore, lacks the ability to flexibly and dynamically control the communication capabilities of the subscriber units in the fleet. This may result in inefficient and restricted use of the wireless communication system. In view of these and other limitations, new systems and methods that allow flexible control the communications capabilities of a fleet of subscriber units are needed. Summary of the Invention In accordance with the method of the present invention, flexible fleet administration capabilities are provided to a dispatcher in a wireless communication system that includes a base station, a dispatch station and a plurality of subscriber units. A dispatcher, normally transmitting and receiving communications to and from members of a mobile fleet of subscriber units from a dispatch station, transmits fleet administration information that configures the capabilities of the subscriber units from the dispatch station to a base station or to a central billing station. Then, a billing database is accessed to determine whether the dispatcher is entitled to transmit fleet administration information. The billing database preferably checks to see whether the dispatcher has selected the fleet administration service. Once the access of the billing database has verified that the dispatcher has selected the fleet administration service, the fleet administration information is stored in the base station's database and is transmitted to the appropriate subscriber units in the dispatcher's fleet. The capabilities of the subscriber units are then configured in accordance with transmitted fleet administration information. The invention will now be described in connection with certain illustrated embodiments; however, it should be clear to those skilled in the art that various modifications, additions and subtractions can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims. Description of the Drawings FIG . 1 illustrates a communication system; FIG. 2 illustrates a common air interface for providing communications between the various components of the communication system of FIG. 1 ; FIG. 3 illustrates a base station in the communication system; FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate a subscriber unit in the communication system; FIG. 6 illustrates a dispatch station in the communication system; FIG. 7 illustrates a billing station in the communication system FIG. 8 illustrates the main window in the dispatch station process that allows the dispatcher to configure groups of subscriber units; FIGS. 9 and 1 0 show the steps taken to configure the groups; FIG . 1 1 shows the steps taken to verify that the dispatcher is permitted to transmit fleet administration information to the subscriber units; FIG. 1 2 illustrates the main window in the dispatch station process that allows the dispatcher to configure the telephone capabilities of subscriber units in the subscriber's fleet; FIG. 1 3 illustrates the steps taken to configure the telephone capabilities of subscriber units; FIG. 14 illustrates the main window in the dispatch station process that allows the dispatcher to configure the quick dial capabilities of subscriber units in the dispatcher's fleet; and FIG. 1 5 shows the steps taken to configure the quick dial capabilities of subscriber units. Description of the Preferred Embodiment Referring to FIG. 1 , a communication system 1 is illustrated. The system 1 includes a base station 2, a dispatch station 4 and a plurality of subscriber units 6. A billing station, not shown in FIG. 1 , is preferrably also provided to process billing information from a plurality of communication systems 1 . The communication system 1 may be a frequency hopping system which is divided into sectors 8 to 1 0 wherein sets of frequencies are reused in each sector to provide wireless communications. Note, however, that the present invention may be used on other types of communication systems, including TDMA systems, CDMA systems and even analog based systems. The base station 2 includes the communication equipment necessary to provide the multiple access communications for the plurality of subscribers units 6 and for the dispatch station 4. The base station 2 also includes the communication equipment needed to provide communications through the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). The dispatch station 4 includes equipment necessary to dispatch communications from the dispatch station 4 to a number of subscriber units 6, commonly referred to as point-to-multipoint communications. It also includes equipment needed to communicate with individual subscriber units. The subscriber units 6 generally consist of mobile or portable equipment necessary to transmit, receive and process communication signals. Referring to FIG. 2, the communication links between the base station 2, the dispatch station 4 and the subscriber units 6 -- referred to as the common air interface - are illustrated. The communication channels in FIG. 2 include a plurality of traffic channels (TCHs), at least one control channel (CCH) and at least one access channel (ACH). In the communication system 1 of FIG. 1 , all of these channels are present in each sector 8 to 10. The TCHs operate in the uplink (transmissions from subscriber units 6 to the base station 2) and in the downlink (transmissions from the base station 2 to the subscriber units 6) . The CCH and the ACH, however, operate only in one direction - the CCH in the downlink and the ACH in the uplink. In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, ten 25 kHz frequency channels are used to define ten uplink channels and ten 25 kHz frequency channels are used to define ten downlink channels. In each sector 8 to 1 0, nine of the frequency channels are used to implement nine uplink TCHs and nine of the frequency channels are used to implement nine downlink TCHs. In each sector 8 to 1 0, the remaining frequency channels are used to transmit one ACH and one CCH. Voice information, data information and inband overhead control signals between the base station 2 and the subscriber units 6 are transmitted over the TCHs, preferably using frequency hopping and time hopping communication methodology. Timing and control signals from the base station 2 to the subscriber unit 6 are transmitted on the CCH. Status and operational requests from the subscriber unit 6 to the base station 2 are transmitted on the ACH. Transmissions between the base station 2 and the dispatch station 4 are treated in the same fashion as transmissions between the base station 2 and the subscriber units 6. Note that this description is illustrative of one communication method and one air interface that can be used in connection with the present invention - many others are possible. Referring to FIG. 3, the base station 2 is illustrated. The base station 2 includes a first sector unit 1 6, a second sector unit 17, a third sector unit 1 8, a microsector unit 20, a redundant sector 21 , a PABX 22, a voice mail unit 24, a central frequency source unit 26, an administration computer 28, a central controller 30, a database server 32, a local administrative computer 34, a terminal server 36, a local area network 38, a power supply 39, data computers 40 and a modem pool 41 . The base station 2 may also include a billing station, but where the communication system 1 is a regional or national system, it is preferred to provide a central billing system that serves all of the communication systems. The base station 2 of FIG. 3 does not include a billing station. The sector units 1 6 to 1 8 establish the communication channels illustrated in FIG. 2 in the sectors 8 to 1 0, respectively. The microsector unit 20 establishes communications with additional communication equipment in trouble spots in the communication system 1 . The redundant sector 21 provides redundant communication channels for the sector units 1 6 to 1 8. The base station 2 provides communications with the PSTN via the PABX 22. The PABX 22 also provides three way conferencing, routing, least cost routing of long distance calls, voice mail interfacing, dispatch bridging, user services support and metering functions. The voice mail unit 24 provides voice mail capability. The central frequency source unit 26 provides timing references throughout the system. The administrative computer 28 tracks subscriber unit 6 configurations, tracks administrative activities, performs network management, performs built-in-test management and performs system initialization. The central controller 30 provides various functions, including call management, dispatch management, control of the PABX 22, voice mail interfacing, operational mode management, subscribers management, call management, supplies billing information, and generates reports. The data base server 32 stores user data concerning user rights, status, calls and airtime. It also provides basic data base management and services to all data base clients, such as the local operator, fleet administrators and remote operators. The local administration computer 34 provides maintenance and operational control of the base station 2. The local area network 38 enables communications between the various components connected to the network. Two pieces of equipment form a subscriber unit — a subscriber terminal 14 illustrated in FIG. 4 and a radio unit 1 2 illustrated in FIG. 5. In general, the radio unit 1 2 provides the equipment needed to transmit, receive and process signals over the common air interface of FIG. 2 while the subscriber terminal 14 provides an interface to a subscriber. Referring to FIG. 4, the subscriber terminal 14 includes a microprocessor 50, an oscillator circuit 52, a power supply circuit 54, a serial interface circuit 56, a display driver circuit 58, a memory circuit 60, a keyboard interface circuit 62, an I/O decoder circuit 64, a LED driver 66 and an interface circuit 68. The subscriber terminal 14 can also include a real time clock 70 or, alternatively, the base station 2 can distribute real time clock information to each of the subscriber units 6. The memory circuit 60 includes a decoder circuit 76, an address latch 78, a boot ROM 80, a flash memory 82 and a static RAM 84. The boot ROM 80 stores the code necessary to initialize the microprocessor 50 and the circuitry of the subscriber terminal 14 as well as code necessary to download future software versions for the subscriber terminal 14. The flash memory 82 is non-volatile re-writable memory which is utilized to store information which must be maintained even during a loss of power. The static RAM 84 is utilized as a working memory as needed. The display driver circuit 58 includes the LCD display 24, a power supply 86, a LCD controller 88, a memory circuit 90 and an address controller 92. The display driver circuit 58 is accessed by the microcontroller 50 via the I/O decoder 64. The information to be displayed is downloaded from the microprocessor 50 to the memory circuit 90. The display of the information on the display 24 is then controlled in a conventional manner by the LCD controller 88. The microprocessor 50 is responsive to the selection of the keys 30 to 34 and 36 to 43, as well as to the selection of the keys on the handset 28. When the keys are selected, selection signals are processed through the keyboard interface circuit 62 to the microprocessor 50. The microprocessor 50 also controls the LEDs 44 through the LED driver circuit 66. The RS-232 interface 94 provides communications between the subscriber terminal 14 and external devices, such as notebook computers, magnetic swipe devices used to read magnetic strips, printers, bar code readers and serial keyboards. The RS-485 interface 96 and the interface circuitry 68 provides communications between the subscriber terminal 14 and the receiver and transmitter circuitry of the radio unit 12 (shown in FIG. 5). In FIG. 5, the circuitry of the radio unit 12 is illustrated. The radio unit 12 includes antennas 102 and 104, a radio board 106, a baseband unit 108, a service board 110, and a GPS interface 111. The radio unit circuitry illustrated in FIG.5 t except the antennas 102 and 104, in a preferred embodiment, is housed separately from the subscriber terminal 14, for example, inside the trunk of an automobile. The antennas 102 and 104 are preferably mounted externally on the automobile. The radio board 106 includes transmitter and receiver circuitry. More particularly, it includes a transmitter 112, two receiver channels 114 and 116, a duplexer 118, a frequency synthesizer 120, gain and frequency control circuitry 122 and transmitter gain control circuitry 124. As previously described, the circuitry of the radio board 106 provides communication via frequency hopping, that is, a communication signal is transmitted and received by hopping the signal over several different frequency channels. The radio board 106 is interfaced with the baseband unit 108. The baseband unit 108 includes a modem 126, a controller 128, a voice processing package 130 and an interface circuit 132 to the subscriber terminal's 14 circuitry. This baseband unit 108 receives the signals to be transmitted to the base station 2 from the subscriber terminal 1 and sends the signals to the transmitter 112 in the radio board 106 for transmission This baseband unit 108 also receives the signals that the radio board 106 receives from the base station 2, processes the received signals and sends them to the subscriber terminal 14 through the interface 1 32. Referring to FIG. 6, the dispatch station 4 is illustrated. The dispatch station 4 includes a personal computer 1 50, a modem 1 52, a radio unit 1 2, a microphone 1 54, a speaker 1 56 and an antenna 1 58. When the base station transmits to the dispatch station 4, the communication signals are received on the antenna 1 58, processed by the radio unit 1 2 and sent to the computer 1 50 through a port 1 60. The computer 1 50 determines whether the communication is voice or data communications. If the communication is a voice communication, then the signals are sent to a sound card in the computer 1 50 for voice processing. The voice signals are eventually sent to the speaker 1 56 through a port 1 62 on the sound card so that they can be heard by a dispatcher. If the communication is a data communication, then the computer 1 50 processes the data so that it can be presented to the dispatcher in a desired format. When the dispatcher sends a voice or data communication signal from the dispatch station 4 to the base station 2, the signal is generated from the microphone 1 54, in the case of voice signals, or from a data file in the computer 1 50, in the case of data signals. The voice signals are processed through the sound card in the computer 1 50. Then the voice or data signals are sent through the port 1 60 to the radio unit 12 for transmission by the antenna 1 58. When the dispatcher desires to send fleet administration information that controls the configuration and capabilities of the subscriber units in the dispatcher's fleet, the dispatcher accesses the computer 1 50 to set the desired fleet administration information. This process will be described in greater detail later. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the fleet administration information, once configured by the dispatcher, is then sent through a port 1 64 to the modem 1 52. The modem 1 52 transmits the fleet administration information to either a central billing station or to the base station 2 over a land line. In an alternate embodiment, the fleet administration information is transmitted over-the-air to the base station 2 through the radio unit 12. The fleet administration information can then be forwarded to the billing station, whether the billing station is part of the base station 2 or off-site in a central location. Referring to FIG. 7, a central billing station 1 70 is illustrated. The billing station 1 70 includes a server 172, a gateway 1 74, a local area network 1 76 and a router 1 78 to a wide area network. The server 1 72 has a database that keeps track of information concerning all users of the commmunication system 1 , including all of the dispatchers and all of the subscribers. The information tracked includes the services that the users have signed up to use, the payment histories of the users, the configurations of the users of the system 1 and current billing information. The gateway 1 74 is a switch that provides a signal path to and from the local area network 1 76. A router 1 78 then routes these signals to a wide area network for distribution to and from the local area network 38 of the base station 2. The method and apparatus by which the dispatcher sets the configuration and capabilities of the subscriber units in the dispatcher's fleet will now be described. When the dispatcher desires to configure the capabilities of the fleet subscriber units, the dispatcher accesses a fleet administration software package on the computer 1 50, which is preferably implemented in a windows programming environment. The preferred components of the fleet administration software package includes a group management process, a telephone assignment process and a quick dial listing process. Referring to FIG. 8, the GROUP MANAGEMENT window that allows the dispatcher to configure groups of subscriber units is illustrated. Dispatchers typically group the members of a fleet by geographic or functional responsibilities, thereby allowing cost effective and efficient communications with the fleet. In FIG. 8, for example, there are four groups shown across a top bar 200 in the GROUP MANAGEMENT window, namely MANHATTAN 1 , QUEENS, BRONX and MANHATTAN 2. In this case, therefore, the dispatcher has defined four groups according to geographic locations in New York City. Any of the four groups are viewable in a main section 202 of the GROUP MANAGEMENT window of FIG. 8 To view a group, the dispatcher preferably uses a mouse to click on the button in the bar 200 of the desired group and drags the group to the main section 202 When the dispatcher does this, the vehicle number and the name of the driver of each group is viewable in the section 202. The configuration of the section 202 is controlled by the first three boxes along a top bar 204 in the GROUP MANAGEMENT window. The first box 206 allows a single group to be viewed, the second box 208 allows two groups to be displayed and the third box 210 allows four groups to be viewed (which is the configuration shown in FIG. 8 ) . The vehicle numbers ( 1 01 to 1 10 in this case) of the vehicles in the dispatcher's fleet are displayed to the dispatcher along a bar 212 that extends along the bottom of the GROUP MANAGEMENT window. Alternatively, the driver's names can be displayed along the bar 21 2. The bar 21 2 is preferably scrollable so as to be able to display many vehicles or drivers. The steps taken by a dispatcher and the computer 1 50 when a new group is added are illustrated in FIG. 9. In the first step 220, the NEW button on the top bar 204 is selected. Then, in step 222, the computer 1 50 causes a dialog box to be displayed that prompts the dispatcher to enter the name of the newly created group In step 222, the dialog box also preferably prompts the dispatcher to state whether the group being created is a temporary group. As a default, the computer 1 50 assumes that the newly created group will be permanent. If, however, the subscriber indicates that the group will be temporary, then the computer 1 50 prompts the dispatcher to indicate the length of time that the group will be in existence, preferably in days and hours. This information will be transmitted to the billing station 1 70 or to the base station 2. If the billing station 1 70 receives this information, it preferably transmits the information to the base station 2. Once this information is received, the base station 2 will monitor the length of time the group is in existence. Once the specified length of time has elapsed, the base station 2 will eliminate the temporary grouping. Then, the base station 2 transmits a message to the dispatch station 4 indicating that the temporary group has been eliminated. Alternatively, this process may be performed by the server 1 72 in the billing station 1 70. In step 224, the computer 1 50 is waiting for an instruction from the dispatcher to close the GROUP MANAGEMENT window. As long as the window is open, the computer 1 50 is waiting for the selection of a subscriber. In step 226 the dispatcher adds a driver (or a vehicle) to a group by clicking on the button in the bar 21 2 bearing the driver (or vehicle) identification, dragging the button to the group when it is being displayed in the main section 202 and dropping the button. In step 228, the computer 1 50 updates its local database that specifies the groupings of the subscribers. As long as the dispatcher remains in the GROUP MANAGEMENT window, new subscribers can be added to any group that is displayed in the section 202. Once the dispatcher instructs the computer 1 50 to leave the window, in step 229, the computer 1 50 asks the dispatcher to verify that the newly created groupings should be sent to the base station 2 as part of a fleet administration information package to be distributed to the subscriber units 6. Alternatively, this can be accomplished by adding a SEND button on the top bar 204 in the GROUP MANAGEMENT window. In this alternate embodiment, when the dispatcher wants to send the fleet administration information, the dispatcher selects the SEND button. If the fleet administration information is not sent, then the computer 1 50 must update its local database to reflect the fact that the new fleet administration information was not sent. If the dispatcher verifies that the groupings should be sent, in step 230, the groupings are transmitted through the modem 1 52 to the modem pool 41 in the base station 2 as part of a fleet administration package. Before using the transmitted fleet administration information, in step 230, the billing database is accessed to verify that the dispatcher's dispatch station 4 has selected the fleet administration service described herein. If the dispatcher has not selected this option, the fleet administration information is dropped and a message is sent back to the dispatch station 4 indicating that the information was dropped. The billing database is also optionally checked to determine the dispatcher's payment history. If the dispatcher is behind in payments, then the information can be dropped and a message sent to the dispatcher indicating that the information is not being used. Assuming the billing database indicates that everything is in order, in step 231 , the new fleet administration information is entered into the system, including the database server 32 in the base station 2 and the server 1 72 at the billing station 1 70. Then, in step 232, the base station 2 causes the necessary fleet administration information to be sent to the subscriber units in the dispatcher's fleet. In this case that grouping information is sent to the appropriate subscriber units 6 where it is stored in the circuit of the controller 1 28, thus allowing the subscriber to use the grouping information to perform tasks such as scanning for group dispatches. FIG. 1 0 illustrates the steps performed when the dispatcher modifies a group. First, in step 250, the dispatcher selects a group to be modified from the bar 200. Then in step 252, the group and the subscriber units in the selected group are displayed in the section 202 of the GROUP MANAGEMENT window. More than one group can be displayed at a time, as previously explained. Then, in step 254, the computer 1 50 monitors for an instruction to close the GROUP MANAGEMENT window. As long as the window is open, the following steps are performed. In step 256, the computer 1 50 determines whether the dispatcher has selected a group to delete. The dispatcher does this by pointing a cursor at the group in the section 202 and selecting the DELETE button from the bar 204. If the dispatcher does this, in step 258, the selected group is deleted. Then, in step 259, the computer 1 50 updates its local database that stores the group configurations. Otherwise, the next steps are performed. In step 260, the computer 1 50 checks to see if the dispatcher has selected a subscriber unit to move from one group to another. The dispatcher does this by pointing at the listing of a subscriber in a group displayed in the section 202 and dragging the subscriber to another displayed group where it is dropped. If the dispatcher does this, in step 262, the selected subscriber is moved from one group to another. Then, in step 259, the computer's 1 50 local database is updated. In step 264, the computer 1 50 checks to see if the dispatcher has selected a subscriber unit 6 to be deleted from a group. The dispatcher does this by pointing at the listing of a subscriber in a group and selecting the DELETE button on the bar 202. If the dispatcher does this, in step 266, the selected subscriber is deleted from the group. Then, in step 259, the computer's 1 50 local database is updated. In step 268, the computer 1 50 checks to see if the dispatcher has selected a subscriber unit to add to a group. The dispatcher does this by pointing at a subscriber (or vehicle) in the bottom bar 21 2 and then dragging and dropping the selected subscriber in the displayed group to which the subscriber is to be added to. If the dispatcher does this, in step 270, the selected subscriber unit is added to the group. In step 259, the computer's local database is updated. Once the dispatcher leaves the GROUP MANAGEMENT window, in step 272, the computer 1 50 prompts the dispatcher to indicate whether the new fleet administration information stored in the computer's 1 50 local database should be sent to the base station 2. If the dispatcher confirms that the information should be sent then, in step 274, the fleet administration information containing the modified group information is sent to the base station 2 via the modem pool 41 . In step 274, the billing database is accessed to ensure that the dispatcher is allowed to administer the fleet in this manner, as previously described. Then, in step 276, the databases of the base station 2 and the server 1 72 are updated. In step 278, the fleet administration information is sent to the subscriber units in the dispatcher's fleet and the subscriber units update their configuration, as previously described. The dispatcher can also set other features of subscriber units from the window of FIG. 8. The dispatcher does this by pointing the cursor to an individual subscriber identified along the bottom bar 21 2. This causes a dialog box to appear which asks the dispatcher to specify whether the subscriber is to have dispatcher capabilities, whether the scanning function in the subscriber unit (wherein the subscriber unit scans for dispatches to a plurality of groups) is disabled and, if disabled, how long it should be disabled and whether to enable the subscriber's beep monitor. If selected by the dispatcher, this information becomes part of the fleet administration information package that is transferred to the base station 2 and eventually to the controller 1 28 in the subscriber unit 6. The controller 1 28 uses this information to set the scanning function and the beeping function of the subscriber unit 6. Referring back to FIG. 8, the DIAL, PHONE and EXIT buttons on the bar 204 allow the dispatcher to move between various windows and to leave the fleet administration program. The PHONE button transfers the dispatcher to the TELEPHONE ASSIGNMENT window. The DIAL button transfers the dispatcher to the QUICK DIAL LIST window. The EXIT button causes the fleet administration program to be exited. Referring to FIG. 1 1 , the steps performed to access the billing database to verify that the dispatcher is entitled to transmit fleet administration information as described herein are illustrated in greater detail. Once the fleet administration information has been transmitted to the base station 2 through the modem pool 41 , it is preferably routed through the router 1 78, the LAN 1 76, and the gateway 1 74 to the server 1 72 in the billing station 1 70. The server 1 72, in step 280, then sends a message to the dispatch station 4 asking the dispatcher to enter a logon identification. The message may be sent via the landline connection to the server 1 72 or through the base station 2 over the TCH or the CCH. After the dispatcher enters the correct logon identification, in step 282, the server 1 72 asks the dispatcher at the dispatch station 4 to enter a passsword which the server 1 72 has stored in its database. After the dispatcher enters the correct password, in step 282 , the server 1 72 accesses its billing database to verify that the dispatcher has signed up for the fleet administration service of the present invention , step 284. In step 286, if the dispatcher has not signed up for the fleet administration service fo the present invention, the server 1 72 sends a message, either via land line connection or via the base station 2, to the dispatch station indicating this status. On the other hand, if the dispatcher has signed up for the service and, optionally, if the dispatcher's payments are up to date, within the parameters of a preselected grace period, then in step 288, the billing database in the server 1 72 and the configuration database 32 in the base station 2 are updated. Then, in step 290, necessary fleet administration information is transmitted by the base station 2 to the affected subscriber units 6. It should be noted that in less complex systems, the billing database may be part of the base station 2. In this embodiment, the billing database is connected directly to the LAN 38 in the base station 2. Also, the dispatch station 4 can transmit the fleet administration information in a number of different ways. It can be transmitted over the air through the TCH or the ACH or via land lines, as already explained. Additionally, it can be sent to the server 1 72 in the database 1 70 via a land line and the fleet administration information entered via a DTMF touchtone control system. Referring now to FIG. 1 2, the TELEPHONE ASSIGNMENT window that allows a dispatcher to select one of a potentially limited quantity of PSTN numbers (which allow phone calls outside the communication system 1 over the PSTN) for flexible assignment among the subscribers that are members of the dispatcher's fleet. The subscribers that are members of the fleet are identified along a bottom bar 300 in the window of FIG. 1 2. The PSTN numbers (a ten digit number) available to the dispatcher which have not been assigned to a subscriber unit are displayed in a sub-window 302. A sub-window 304 displays the PSTN numbers which are assigned to subscriber units as well as the identity of the subscribers to which the number is assigned. Below the windows 302 and 304, a section of the window called TELEPHONE CONFIGURATION is displayed. By using the TELEPHONE CONFIGURATION section, a dispatcher can set various limits on the features available to a subscriber having an assigned PSTN number. For example, for each PSTN number that is assigned, the dispatcher can limit the number of calls a subscriber can make by clicking in the circle next to CALLS. Then, another box pops up that asks the dispatcher to specify the number of calls. The dispatcher can also limit the length of time (in days or hours) during which the PSTN number is assigned to a subscriber unit 6 by clicking in the circles next to HOURS or DAYS. If the dispatcher does this, then another box pops up that asks the dispatcher to specify the number of hours or days. The dispatcher can also select no expiration or limits. The dispatcher can also limit the length of time a call can be made. More particularly, the dispatcher can limit all calls on an assigned PSTN number to a predetermined length of time by clicking next to MINUTES PER CALL, in which case, another box pops up to ask the dispatcher how many minutes to allow. The dispatcher can also limit the area codes to which calls are placed. The dispatcher does this by clicking in the circle next to AREA CODE, in which case another box pops up to ask the dispatcher which area codes to permit. The dispatcher can also enable a call forwarding feature, a call waiting feature and a voice mail feature by clicking in the circle next to these features as shown in FIG. 1 2. When this information is transmitted as part of the fleet administration information package to the base station 2, it is stored in the base station's 2 database 32. When a subscriber unit 6 attempts to utilize a PSTN number or one of the other features described above, the base station 2 checks its database to check whether the use is authorized. If it is authorized, the base station 2 implements the subscriber unit's 6 request in accordance with the parameters specified by the dispatcher in the TELEPHONE CONFIGURATION section of the TELEPHONE ASSIGNMENT window. If the use is not authorized, the base station 2 refuses the subscriber unit's 6 request. Referring to FIG. 1 3, the steps taken to add, modify or delete PSTN number assignments are illustrated. In step 320, the dispatcher selects the PHONE button from another window which causes the TELEPHONE ASSIGNMENT window to be displayed. Then in step 322, the computer 1 50 monitors for instructions to close the TELEPHONE ASSIGNMENT window. As long as the window remains open, the computer 1 50 performs the following steps. In step 324, the computer 1 50 checks to see if the dispatcher has selected a subscriber to assign a PSTN number to. The dispatcher does this by pointing to the subscriber in the bar 300, dragging the subscriber to an unassigned PSTN number in the window 302 and dropping the subscriber there. In step 326, if the dispatcher does this, then the computer 1 50 causes the PSTN number, the subscriber's name and the subscriber's identification (the number from the bar 300) to be displayed in the assigned PSTN window 304. Then, in step 328, the computer 1 50 updates its local database with this information. In step 330, the computer 1 50 checks to see if the dispatcher has selected an assigned PSTN number for deletion. The dispatcher does this by clicking on a subscriber in the assigned PSTN window 304, then dragging the subscriber back to the bar 300 and dropping the subscriber there. In step 332, if the dispatcher does this, the computer 1 50 causes the PSTN number to be erased from the assigned PSTN window 304 and displayed in the unassigned number window 302. Then, in step 328, the computer 1 50 updates its local database with this infmormation. In step 334, the computer 1 50 checks to see if the dispatcher has selected a subscriber having an assigned PSTN number to modify the attributes of the assigned PSTN number. The dispatcher does this by pointing to a subscriber in the assigned PSTN window 304, double clicking and then selecting the features in the TELEPHONE CONFIGURATION section of the window, as previously discussed. In step 336, if the dispatcher does this, the computer 1 50 causes the modified attributes of the assigned PSTN number to be displayed. Then, in step 328, the computer 1 50 updates its local database with this information. In step 338, when the dispatcher closes the TELEPHONE ASSIGNMENT window, the computer 1 50 prompts the dispatcher to indicate whether the new fleet administration information stored in the computer's 1 50 local database should be sent to the base station 2. If the dispatcher confirms that the information should be sent then, in step 340, the fleet administration information containing the modifies groups are sent to the base station 2 and the billing database is checked to ensure that the dispatcher is allowed to administer the fleet in this manner, as previously described. Then, in step 342, the base station 2 database is updated to allow control of the telephony requests from subscriber units 6. In step 344, the fleet administration information, if necessary, is sent to the subscriber units in the dispatcher's fleet and the subscriber units update their configuration. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there are several quick dial lists maintained by the communication system 1 . The first quick dial list is for PSTN numbers. This list is stored by the base station 2 and preferably consists of three digit numbers that correlate to PSTN numbers available to subscriber units in a particular fleet. Thus, any subscriber can dial a three digit number and quickly access a PSTN number. In accordance with the present invention, this list is controlled by the dispatcher at the dispatch station 4. The second quick dial list consists of a multi digit (preferably two) number that correlates to identifiers for other subscriber units. This list is stored at the subscriber unit 6 and is used by a subscriber to quickly access other subscriber units. This list is controlled by the subscribers. The third quick dial list consists of a multi digit (preferably two) number that correlates to telephone numbers. This list is stored at the subscriber unit 6 and is used by a subscriber to quickly access telephone numbers. This list is controlled by the subscribers. Referring now to FIG. 1 4, the PSTN QUICK DIAL LIST window that allows a dispatcher to create the first quick dial list referred to above by assigning quick dial numbers to available PSTN numbers, is illustrated. The window includes a top bar 400 that has the buttons EDIT, NEW, DELETE, GROUP, PHONE and EXIT. The GROUP button opens the GROUP MANAGEMENT window. The PHONE button opens the TELEPHONE ASSIGNMENT window. The EXIT button closes the PSTN QUICK DIAL LIST window. The other buttons in the top bar 400 will be discussed later. The window also includes a bottom bar 402 which identifies the subscribers within the dispatcher's fleet. The PSTN QUICK DIAL LIST window also includes a main section 404 which lists PSTN numbers, the person or entity who will be communicated with if the PSTN number is dialed and the associated quick dial number. These quick dial numbers are availabe to each subscriber unit to provide quick dialing capabilities to PSTN numbers, assuming the subscriber unit has that capability. Referring to FIG. 1 5, the steps taken to add, edit or delete PSTN quick dial numbers are illustrated. In step 410, the computer 1 50 monitors for instructions to close the window. As long as the window is open, the following steps are performed. In step 420, the computer 1 50 checks to see if the dispatcher has selected the NEW button. In step 422, if the dispatcher selects the NEW button, then the computer 1 50 causes a dialog box to be displayed on its screen. The dialog box asks the dispatcher to enter the new quick dial number, the associated PSTN number, the person or entity who will be called if the PSTN number is used and whether the PSTN number is an emergency number. In step 424, the dispatcher enters this information. Then in step 426, the computer 1 50 updates its local database. In step 428, the computer 1 50 checks to see if the dispatcher has selected the EDIT button from the bar 400. In step 430, if the EDIT button is selected, the computer 1 50 causes a dialog box to be displayed. The dialog box contains information associated with a highlighted line of information in the section 404 of the window. In step 432, the dispatcher edits the information in the dialog box as desired. In step 426, the computer 1 50 updates its local database. In step 434, the computer 1 50 checks to see if the dispatcher has selected the DELETE button from the bar 400. In step 436, if the DELETE button is selected, the computer 1 50 deletes the quick dial number associated with the highlighted line of information that the cursor is pointing to. Then, in step 426, the computer 1 50 updates its local database. In step 438, when the dispatcher closes the PSTN QUICK DIAL LIST window, the computer 1 50 prompts the dispatcher to indicate whether the new fleet administration information stored in the computer's 1 50 local database should be sent to the base station 2. If the dispatcher confirms that the information should be sent then, in step 440, the fleet administration information containing the modifies groups are sent to the base station 2 and the billing database is checked to ensure that the dispatcher is allowed to administer the fleet in this manner, as previously described . Then, in step 442, the billing database and the base station 2 database 32 are updated . In step 444, the fleet administration information is sent to the subscriber units in the dispatcher fleet and the subscriber units update their configuration. This quick dial information is stored at the base station 2. When the subscriber unit 6 or the dispatch station 4 uses the quick dial numbers, the base station 2 checks its database to determine the quick dial assignments and utilizes this information to direct the telephone calls to the correct PSTN number. In steps 232 (FIG. 9 , 278 (FIG.i O). 344 (FIG. 13) and 444 (FIG . 15) some of the fleet administration information created during the previously described steps is transmitted from the base station 2 to the subscriber units 6 in the dispatcher's fleet. This information is used by the subscriber unit 6 to control the capabilities of the subscriber unit 6. For example, the grouping information is sent to the subscriber unit 6 where it is stored in the controller's 1 28 memory. The controller 1 28 uses this information to determine whether a dispatch communication is directed to a group to which the subscriber belongs. The controller 1 28 accomplishes this by examining all dispatch communications from the base station 2 to extract control information that identifies the group to which the dispatch is directed . The controller 1 28 then scans the grouping information to determine how to respond. It is understood that changes may be made in the above description without departing from the scope of the invention. It is accordingly intended that all matter contained in the above description and in the drawings be interpreted as illustrative rather than limiting.

Claims: WE CLAIM: 1 . A method of providing flexible fleet administration to a dispatcher in a wireless communication system that includes a base station, a dispatch station and a plurality of subscriber units, comprising the steps of: transmitting fleet administration information from the dispatch station to the base station; accessing a billing database in the base station to determine whether the dispatcher is entitled to transmit fleet administration information; transmitting the fleet administration information from the base station to the plurality of subscriber units if the billing database indicates that the dispatcher is entitled to transmit fleet administration information; and configuring the operation of one or more subscriber units in accordance with the transmitted fleet administration information. 2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the billing database is accessed to determine if the dispatcher has selected the fleet administration service. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the billing database is accessed to determined if the dispatcher is up to date with payments for communication services. 4. Apparatus for providing flexible fleet administration to a dispatcher in a wireless communication system that includes a base station, a dispatch station and a plurality of subscriber units, comprising: means for transmitting fleet administration information from the dispatch station to the base station; means for accessing a billing database in the base station to determine whether the dispatcher is entitled to transmit fleet administration information; means for transmitting the fleet administration information from the base station to the plurality of subscriber units if the billing database indicates that the dispatcher is entitle to transmit fleet administration information; and means for configuring the operation of one or more subscriber units in accordance with the transmitted fleet administration information. 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the billing database is accessed to determine if the dispatcher has selected the fleet administration service. 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the billing database is accessed to determined if the dispatcher is up to date with payments for communication services.

Inventors: EIN-DOR IDO, SALDINGER BRUCE J, EIN-DOR, IDO, SALDINGER, BRUCE, J.
Applicants: EIN DOR IDO, GEOTEK COMMUNICATIONS INC, SALDINGER BRUCE J, EIN-DOR, IDO, GEOTEK COMMUNICATIONS, INC., SALDINGER, BRUCE, J.
Application year: 1996
Main classification: H04B7
IPC codes: H04W84