Common signaling method and apparatus

Abstract

A common signaling method are apparatus are provided. In one embodiment, a method is provided that enables communication in under-utilized radio frequencies by receiving a master beacon, scanning radio frequencies included in the master beacon, and establishing communications using an unoccupied radio frequency from one of the listed radio frequencies. This Abstract is provided for the sole purpose of complying with the Abstract requirement rules that allow a reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure contained herein. This Abstract is submitted with the explicit understanding that it will not be used to interpret or to limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.

1 . A method of communication, the method comprising the steps of: 
 scanning a plurality of radio frequencies for a master beacon signal;    receiving the master beacon signal that includes a list of radio frequencies;    scanning the list of radio frequencies for an unused radio frequency;    transmitting a signal on the unused radio frequency.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of radio frequencies comprises radio frequencies ranging from approximately 50 Mega-Hertz to approximately 1 Giga-Hertz.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of radio frequencies comprises radio frequencies used to transmit television signals.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the steps of: 
 transmitting a local beacon signal; and    periodically scanning the plurality of radio frequencies for the master beacon signal.    
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising the steps of: 
 detecting the master beacon signal;    ceasing transmission when a priority signal is included in the master beacon signal;    monitoring the master beacon signal; and    transmitting when the priority signal is absent in the master beacon signal.    
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the master beacon signal is transmitted by a commercial broadcast station selected from a group consisting of: an AM radio station; an FM radio station; and a television broadcast station.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the master beacon signal is present in the vertical blanking interval of an analog television broadcast signal.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the master beacon signal is present in a portion of a digital television broadcast signal.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the master beacon signal includes information selected from a group consisting of: the list of radio frequencies, a communication data rate; a signal modulation method; a timing information; a ranging information; a shut-down function; a power control information; and a priority signal information.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the list of radio frequencies comprises television signal radio frequencies.  
     
     
         11 . A method of communication, the method comprising the steps of: 
 scanning a plurality of radio frequencies for a master beacon signal;    failing to detect the master beacon signal;    scanning the plurality of radio frequencies for an unused radio frequency; and    transmitting a signal on the unused radio frequency.    
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of radio frequencies comprises radio frequencies ranging from approximately 50 Mega-Hertz to approximately 1 Giga-Hertz.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of radio frequencies comprises radio frequencies used to transmit television signals.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising the steps of: 
 transmitting a local beacon signal; and    periodically scanning the plurality of radio frequencies for the master beacon signal.    
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising the steps of: 
 detecting the master beacon signal;    ceasing transmission when a priority signal is included in the master beacon signal;    monitoring the master beacon signal; and    transmitting when the priority signal is absent in the master beacon signal.    
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the unused radio frequency comprises a radio frequency that does not contain a communication signal.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the unused radio frequency comprises a radio frequency used to transmit television signals.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the unused radio frequency comprises a radio frequency within a range from approximately 50 Mega-Hertz to approximately 1 Giga-Hertz.  
     
     
         19 . A communication network, comprising: 
 a master device configured to transmit a master beacon signal in multiple radio frequencies;    at lease one slave device configured to scan the multiple radio frequencies, receive the master beacon signal, obtain a list of radio frequencies from the master beacon signal, scan the list of radio frequencies for an unused radio frequency, and transmit a signal on the unused radio frequency.    
     
     
         20 . The communication network of  claim 19 , wherein the list of radio frequencies comprises radio frequencies used to transmit television signals.