Patent ID: 7127255

Claim:
A point to multipoint wireless communication system, said system comprising: an access point configured to receive data signals from an external system, the access point having an antenna, a processor, and circuitry in communication with the access point antenna and controlled by the access point processor to transmit wireless electromagnetic signals corresponding to the data signals to, and to receive wireless electromagnetic signals from, a geographic area; and a plurality of subscriber units disposed within the area, each said subscriber unit having an antenna, a processor and circuitry controlled by the subscriber unit processor to transmit wireless electromagnetic signals to, and receive wireless electromagnetic signals from, the access point for communication with external systems, wherein the access point allocates data bandwidth among the subscriber units based at least in part on past use of bandwidth to transmit data between the access point and the subscriber units, and wherein, for each said subscriber unit of the plurality of subscriber units, the access point assigns to the subscriber unit a priority for access to the data bandwidth and advances the priority assigned to at least one first said subscriber unit when the first subscriber unit uses the data bandwidth, and wherein the access point allocates the data bandwidth to the subscriber units based on the priorities assigned to the subscriber units.