Method and system in a wireless communications network for the simultaneous transmission of both voice and non-voice data over a single radio frequency channel

Abstract

A method and system in a wireless communications network for the simultaneous transmission of voice and non-voice data over a single dedicated radio frequency channel to a mobile unit having a primary transmission bandwidth. Initially, voice data are transmitted to a mobile unit via a primary time interval within a single dedicated radio frequency channel. An unoccupied secondary time interval available to the mobile unit is then identified. Thereafter, non-voice data are transmitted to the mobile unit via the secondary time interval, in response to identifying the secondary time interval. The primary transmission bandwidth of the mobile unit is next automatically broadened to encompass both the primary time interval and the secondary time interval. Finally, the primary time interval and the secondary time interval are linked within the single dedicated radio frequency channel to permit the subsequent processing of the voice and non-voice data as a single transmitted unit over the single dedicated radio frequency channel. In identifying an unoccupied secondary time interval available to the mobile unit, time intervals positioned adjacent the primary time interval are examined to determine occupancy. If an adjacent time interval is determined to be occupied, the call being processed within that adjacent time interval is handed off to another channel or mobile unit, leaving that adjacent time interval open and unoccupied. The non-voice data is then transmitted to the mobile unit via the adjacent time interval, such that the adjacent time interval comprises an identified secondary time interval available to the mobile unit. The wireless communications network may be composed of a cellular telephone network operating alone or in association with landline-based components.