Method and Apparatus for Dynamic Group Address Creation

METHOD AND SERVER FOR CREATING AND MANAGING A MOBILE STATION GROUP FOR A COMMUNICATION SESSION IN A COMMUNICATION NETWORK, AND MOBILE STATION, TELECOMMUNICATION SYSTEM, AND MEDIA THAT CAN BE READ ON MACHINE

Correlates

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for dynamically creating a group address for facilitating communications within a user group.

A wireless communication device, such as a mobile phone or mobile station, is capable of making and receiving voice calls and / or sending and receiving data over a wireless communication network. Recent developments have given these mobile stations the ability to communicate in Push-to-Talk (PTT) modes using Push-to-Talk (PoC) technology. PoC communication uses Voice over IP (VolP) techniques, which involve the communication of data packets carrying voice information. PoC communication is adapted for 20 one-to-one conversations or group conversations, which are session based.

The end user of a mobile station can send an invitation to PoC communication to other potential participants who may accept or ignore the invitation. When an invitation is accepted, a PoC session is created between two participants. Other invitation acceptances will expand the session into a group session with more than two participants.

There are two common ways to create PoC groups 30 for PoC services: 1) presetting a PoC definition

Petition 870180127970, of 10/09/2018, p. 17/53

2/36 group by a PoC service provider or a web-based application tool, and 2) defining a group definition in use time by a user.

Similarly, a user can communicate by instant messaging to a group of users in a chat session, exchanging instant messages within the group.

An individual may wish to be able to initiate group communication with others (previously known or unknown to the individual) who share at least one common trait, such as location, personal preference for a meal or other activity, or a set of common interests or a combination of these characteristics.

Examples of using such a dynamic group could be:

1. My Friends Nearby ”- This group membership is dynamically created based on a subset of pre-listed members (friends) who are in close proximity to the group owner.

2. My Lunch Companions ”- This group membership is dynamically created based on a subset of pre-listed members (friends) who have published lunch preferences similar to those of the group owner.

3 My better half ”- This group affiliation is dynamically created based on compatibility characteristics similar to those of the group owner and which are in close proximity to the group owner.

4 My Shopping Companions ”- This group affiliation is dynamically created based on a subset of

Petition 870180127970, of 10/09/2018, p. 18/53

3/36 pre-listed members (friends) who indicated that they wish to shop today.

5 My Chess Partners ”- This group affiliation is dynamically created based on a publication of interest in playing a network chess game.

6 Distress Calling ”- The introduction of these dynamic groups would facilitate a new concept of

Distress Calls. ”

In the event of an accident, the user would be able to directly call a group of users, almost certainly previously unknown to the user requesting assistance, to request urgent assistance.

An example of using this would be a skier who had an accident and needed urgent assistance from other skiers in his vicinity. Relief Call group membership is dynamically created based on all users who are in close proximity to the group owner who have been authorized to join as Relief Group members.

7 Taxi Location-Based Dispatch Call - The Taxi Dispatcher wishes to contact taxis within a certain proximity of the boarding location. Call-to-Party group membership is dynamically created based on all pre-listed taxi driver users who are within a certain proximity of the boarding location. The boarding location is entered by the dispatcher.

WO01 / 97539 shows a system for sending message to a plurality of mobile phone subscribers. The system is arranged to broadcast a message

Petition 870180127970, of 10/09/2018, p. 19/53

Substantially simultaneous for a desired group of subscribers. Said subscribers are intended as a group filtered from all subscribers according to at least one shared subscriber feature. A message broadcaster creates a group of intended recipients for the message broadcast by filtering profiles of said subscribers stored in a database. While a select group of these subscribers can form a support channel for one to many interactions and many to many interactions, recipient mobile messages are limited to messages constructed from predefined vocabulary or predefined messages.

A solution to one or more of the above needs, therefore, is desired.

SUMMARY

Methods and apparatus for facilitating the creation of a dynamic group for group communication sessions of

Push to speak for

Cellular (PoC), instant messaging sessions, chat and other communications are described.

In one embodiment, the method comprises receiving at least one rule defining a dynamic group member in association with a group address; and filling the dynamic group with members from said mobile stations determined in accordance with at least one rule. Rules are defined by reference to at least one presence and can also be defined by reference to location information available to mobile stations. This information may be published in

Petition 870180127970, of 10/09/2018, p. 20/53

5/36 name of the stations for one or more servers adapted for mobile station identification matching the rules. The method may comprise signing on the servers to obtain the combination mobile stations with which the dynamic group addresses are filled. These and other aspects including one or more aspects of method, server, mobile station and computer program product will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

In order that the invention may be readily understood, embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of examples in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a block diagram illustrating pertinent components of a wireless communication network and a mobile station communicating on this network, configured to facilitate Cellular Push to Talk (PoC) communications;

Fig. 2 is a more detailed diagram of the mobile station which can communicate in the wireless communication network;

Fig. 3 is a block diagram of system component configurations for PoC communication sessions of the present application;

Fig. 4 is a block diagram of system component configurations referring to a PoC communication session between three users, according to one embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing an example dynamic group creation communications flow among the system components of Fig. 4, according to a

Petition 870180127970, of 10/09/2018, p. 21/53

Embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing an exemplary dynamic group creation communications flow among the system components of Fig. 4, according to another embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Fig. 1 is a block diagram of a communication system 100 which includes a mobile station 102 which communicates via a wireless communication network 104.

Mobile station 102 preferably includes a display 112, a keyboard 114, and perhaps one or more user interfaces (UI) 116, each of which is coupled to a controller 106. Controller 106 is also coupled to a 15 radio frequency (RF) transceiver circuit 108 and an antenna 110.

Typically, controller 106 is embodied as a central processing unit (CPU) which runs operating system software on a memory component (not shown). Controller 106 will normally control the general operation of mobile station 102, whereas signal processing operations associated with communication functions are typically performed on RF transceiver circuitry 108. Controller 106 has an interface with device display 112 for displaying received information, stored information, user inputs and the like. The keypad 114, which may also be a telephone-type keypad or a full alphanumeric keypad, is usually provided for entering data for storage at mobile station 102, information for transmission to network 104, a telephone number for

Petition 870180127970, of 10/09/2018, p. 22/53

7/36 make a phone call, commands to be executed on the mobile station 102, and possibly other or different user entries.

Mobile station 102 sends communication signals to and receives communication signals from network 104 over a wireless connection through antenna 110. RF transceiver circuit 108 performs similar functions to those of a radio (RN) network 128, including, for modulation and demodulation and possibly coding / decoding and encryption / 10 decryption. It is also contemplated that the RF transceiver circuit 108 may perform certain functions in addition to those performed by RN 128. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that an RF transceiver circuit 108 will be adapted to a network or wireless networks in which mobile station 102 is intended to operate.

Mobile station 102 includes a battery interface

122 to receive one or more rechargeable batteries. Battery 124 provides electrical power to the electrical circuits in mobile station 102, and battery interface 20 provides a mechanical and electrical connection to battery 124. Battery interface 122 is coupled to a regulator 126, which regulates power. to the device.

When mobile station 102 is fully operational, an RF transmitter from RF transceiver circuit 108 25 typically activates only when it is sending to the network, and otherwise is turned off for resource conservation. Similarly, an RF receiver of the typical RF transceiver circuit 108 is periodically disabled for power conservation until it is required to receive signals or information.

Petition 870180127970, of 10/09/2018, p. 23/53

8/36 (if any) during designated time periods.

Mobile station 102 operates using a memory module 120, such as a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) or Removable User Identity Module (R-UIM), which is attached to or inserted into mobile station 102 on the interface. 118. As an alternative to a SIM or an R-UIM, mobile station 102 may operate based on the configuration of data programmed by a service provider for an internal memory, which is a nonvolatile memory. Mobile station 102 may consist of a single unit, such as a data communication device, a mobile phone, a multi-function communication device with data and voice communication capabilities, a communication enabled personal digital assistant (PDA) wireless, or a computer that incorporates an internal modem. Alternatively, mobile station 102 may be a multiple module unit comprising a plurality of separate components, including, but not limited to, a computer or other device connected to a wireless modem. In particular, for example, in the mobile station block diagram of Fig. 1, RF transceiver circuitry 108 and antenna 110 may be implemented as a radio modem unit that can be inserted into a port on a laptop computer. .

In this case, the laptop computer would include a display 112, a keyboard 114, and one or more auxiliary UIs 116, and the controller 106 may remain in the radio modem unit that communicates with the computer's CPU or may be embodied as the computer's CPU. computer. It is also contemplated that a computer or other equipment not normally

Petition 870180127970, of 10/09/2018, p. 24/53

Capable of wireless communication may be adapted to connect to and effectively take control of the RF transceiver circuit 108 and antenna 110 of a single unit device such as one of those described above. Such a mobile station 102 may have a more particular implementation, as will be described later with respect to mobile station 202 of Fig. 2.

Mobile station 102 communicates in and through wireless communication network 104. In the embodiment of Fig. 1, wireless network 10 is a supported Third Generation (3G) network based on Code Division Multiple Access technologies (CDMA). In particular, wireless network 104 is a CDMA2000 network which includes coupled network components as shown in Fig. 1. CDMA2000 15 wireless network 104 includes a Radio Network (RN) 128, a Mobile Switching Center (MSC) 130, a Signaling System 7 (SS7) 140 network, a Home Location Registration / Authentication Center (HLR / AC) 138, a Packet Data Service Node (PDSN) 132, an IP network 134, and a Remote Authentication Dial-Up User (RADIUS) Service server 136. The SS7 network 140 is operated in terms of communication to a network 142 (such as a Public Switched Telephone Network or PSTN), while the IP network is coupled in terms of communication to a network 144 (such as the Internet). Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that other networks and associated topologies including UMTS, GPRS, and E-GPRS radio networks may be employed with the teachings herein.

During an operation, mobile station 102 communicates 30 with RN 128, which performs functions such as

Petition 870180127970, of 10/09/2018, p. 25/53

10/36 call setup, call processing and mobility management. RN 128 includes a plurality of base station transceiver systems that provide wireless network coverage for a particular coverage area commonly referred to as a cell. A given RN 128 base station transceiver system, such as one shown in Fig. 1, transmits the communication signals to and receives the communication signals from mobile stations in this cell. The base station transceiver system 10 typically performs functions such as modulation and possibly encoding and / or encrypting signals to be transmitted to the mobile station according to particular, usually predetermined, communication protocols and parameters, under the control of 15. your controller. The base station transceiver system similarly demodulates and possibly decodes and decodes, if necessary, any communication signals received from mobile station 102 in its cell. Protocols and communication parameters may vary between different networks. For example, one network employs a different modulation scheme and operates at different frequencies than other networks. The underlying services may also differ based on your particular protocol revision.

The wireless link shown in communication system 25 100 of Fig. 1 represents one or more different channels, typically different radio frequency (RF) channels, and the associated protocols used between wireless network 104 and mobile station 102. An RF channel is a limited feature that should be conserved, typically due to limits on overall bandwidth and limited battery power.

Petition 870180127970, of 10/09/2018, p. 26/53

Mobile station 11/36 102. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that a real-time wireless network can include hundreds of cells, depending on the general extent of network coverage. All pertinent components may be connected by multiple switches and routers (not shown), controlled by multiple network controllers.

For all mobile stations 102 registered with a network operator, permanent data (such as the mobile station user profile 102) as well as temporary data (such as the current location of mobile station 102) is stored in an HLR / AC 138. In the case of a voice call to mobile station 102, HLR / AC 138 is consulted to determine the current location of mobile station 102. An MSC 130 Visitor Location Recorder (VLR) is responsible for a group of location areas and stores data from those mobile stations that are currently in your area of ​​responsibility. This includes portions of permanent mobile station data that was transmitted from HLR / AC 138 to VLR for faster access. However, the MSC VLR 130 can also assign and store local data, such as temporary tags. Mobile station 102 is also authenticated to system access by HLR / AC 138. In order to provide packet data services for mobile station 102 in a CDMA 2000-based network, RN 128 communicates with PDSN 132. PDSN 132 provides access to Internet 144 (or intranets, Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) servers, etc.) over the IP 134 network. PDSN 132 also provides foreign agent (FA) functionality over IP networks. furniture as well as a

Petition 870180127970, of 10/09/2018, p. 27/53

12/36 packet transport for a virtual private network formation. PDSN 132 has an IP address range and performs optional IP address management, session maintenance and caching. RADIUS server 136 is responsible for performing packet data services authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) -related functions, and may be referred to as an AAA server.

Wireless communication network 104 also includes a Cellular Push to Talk (PoC) server 137, which can be coupled to an IP network 134. PoC server 137 operates to facilitate individual and group PoC communication sessions between stations. mobile networks 104. A conventional PoC communication session involves a session connection between end users of mobile stations, referred to as session participants, who communicate one at a time in a half duplex manner, much like walkie talkies or two-way radios. conventional.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that wireless network 104 may be connected to other systems, possibly including other networks, not explicitly shown in Fig. 1. A network will typically be transmitting at least some type of radio call or system information on a continuous basis. , even if there is no actual packet data exchanged. Although the network consists of many parts, all these parts work together to result in certain wireless behaviors.

Fig. 2 is a detailed block diagram of a preferred mobile station 202. Mobile station 202 is preferably a two-way communication device having at least voice and communication capabilities.

Petition 870180127970, of 10/09/2018, p. 28/53

13/36 advanced data, including the ability to communicate with other computer systems. Depending on the functionality provided by the mobile station 202, it may be referred to as a data messaging device, two-way radio calling equipment, a mobile phone with data messaging capabilities, a wireless Internet device, or a data communication device (with or without telephony capabilities).

Mobile station 202 may communicate with any of 10 a plurality of base station transceiver systems 200 in its geographic coverage area.

Mobile station 202 will typically incorporate a communication subsystem 211 which includes a receiver 212, a transmitter 214 and associated components such as one or more (preferably embedded or internal) antenna elements 216 and 218 local oscillators (LOs) 213, and a processing module, such as a digital signal processor (DSP) 220. Communication subsystem 211 is analogous to the RF transceiver circuit 108 and antenna 110 20 shown in Fig. 1. As will be apparent to those of skill in the communications field, a particular design of communication subsystem 211 depends on the communication network in which mobile station 202 is intended to operate.

Mobile station 202 may send and receive communication signals over the network after the required network registration or activation procedures have been completed. Signals received by antenna 216 over the network are input to receiver 212, which can perform common receiver functions 30, such as signal amplification,

Petition 870180127970, of 10/09/2018, p. 29/53

Down frequency conversion, filtering, channel selection and the like, and in the example shown in Fig. 2 an analog to digital (A / D) conversion. A / D conversion of a received signal allows more complex communication functions such as demodulation and decoding to be performed on the DSP 220. Similarly, the signals to be transmitted are processed including modulation and decoding, for example, by the DSP 220. DSP-processed signals are input to the transmitter 214 for digital-to-analog (D / A) conversion, up-frequency conversion, filtering, amplification, and transmission over the communication network via antenna 218. The DSP 220 not only processes communication signals, but also provides receiver and transmitter control. For example, the gains applied to communication signals on receiver 212 and transmitter 214 can be adaptably controlled by automatic gain control algorithms implemented in DSP 220.

Network access is associated with a mobile station subscriber or user 202, and therefore mobile station 202 requires a memory module 262, such as a Subscriber Identity Module or SIM card ”or a Removable User (R-UIM) which is inserted into or connected to an interface 264 of mobile station 202 to operate on the network. Alternatively, memory module 262 may be nonvolatile memory which is programmed with configuration data by a service provider so that mobile station 202 can operate on the network. Since mobile station 202 is a mobile battery powered device, it also includes an interface

Petition 870180127970, of 10/09/2018, p. 30/53

15/36 battery 254 for receiving one or more rechargeable batteries 256. Such a 256 battery provides electrical power for most, if not all, of the electrical circuits in mobile station 202, and battery interface 254 provides a mechanical and electrical connection to her. Battery interface 254 is coupled to a regulator (not shown in Fig. 2), which provides V + power for the entire circuit.

Mobile station 202 includes a microprocessor 238 (which is an implementation of controller 106 of Fig. 1) which controls the complete operation of mobile station 202. This control includes network selection techniques of the present application. Communication functions, including at least data and voice communications, are performed via communication subsystem 211. Microprocessor 238 also interacts with additional device subsystems such as a display 222, flash memory 224, random access memory (RAM) 226, auxiliary input / output (I / O) subsystems 228, serial port 230, a keyboard 232, a speaker 234, a microphone 236, a short range communications subsystem 240, and any other device subsystems generally designated at 242. Some of the subsystems shown in Fig. 2 perform communication-related functions, while other subsystems provide resident or device functions. Notably, some subsystems, such as keyboard 232 and display 222, for example, may be used for communication-related functions, such as entering a text message for transmission over a communication network, and functions resident in the

Petition 870180127970, of 10/09/2018, p. 31/53

16/36 device, such as a calculator or to-do list. The operating system software used by microprocessor 238 is preferably stored in persistent storage, such as flash memory 224, which may alternatively be read-only memory (ROM) or similar storage element (not shown). Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the operating system, device specific applications, or parts thereof may be temporarily loaded into volatile storage such as RAM 226.

The 238 microprocessor, in addition to its operating system functions, preferably allows software applications to run on mobile station 202. A predetermined set of applications that control basic device operations, including at least data and voice applications, will typically be installed on mobile station 202 during its manufacture. A preferred app that can be loaded on mobile station 202 may be a personal information manager (PIM) application that has the ability to organize and manage user-related data items, such as, but not limited to email, events. calendar, voicemails, appointments, and to-do items. Of course, one or more memory stores are available on mobile station 202 and SIM 262 to facilitate storage of PIM data items and other information.

The PIM application preferably has the ability to send and receive data items over the wireless network.

In a preferred embodiment, PIM data items are

Petition 870180127970, of 10/09/2018, p. 32/53

Seamlessly integrated, synchronized and updated over the wireless network, with corresponding mobile station user data items stored and / or associated with a master computer system, thereby creating a mirrored master computer on the mobile station 202 with respect to such items. This is especially advantageous when the main computer system is the mobile station user's commercial computer system. Additional applications may also be loaded on mobile station 202 via a network, auxiliary I / O subsystem 228, serial port 230, short range communications subsystem 240, or any other suitable subsystem 242, and installed by a user. RAM 226 or preferably nonvolatile storage (not shown) for execution by microprocessor 238. Such flexibility in application installation enhances the functionality of the mobile station 202 and may provide enhanced device functions, communication related functions, or both. For example, secure communication applications may allow ecommerce and other functions of these financial transactions to be performed using mobile station 202.

In a data communication mode, a received signal such as a text message, an email message, or a web page download will be processed by the communication subsystem 211 and fed into the microprocessor.

238 .

microprocessor

238 preferably still process the signal to output to display 222 or alternatively to a

Auxiliary I / O 228. A mobile station user 202 also

Petition 870180127970, of 10/09/2018, p. 33/53

18/36 can compose data items such as e-mail messages using the keyboard 232 in conjunction with the display 222 and possibly the auxiliary I / O device 228. The keyboard 232 is preferably a complete alphanumeric keyboard and / or a telephone keypad. These composite items may be transmitted over a communication network via communication subsystem 211.

For voice communications, the general operation of mobile station 202 is substantially similar except that received signals would be extracted to speaker 234 and transmission signals would be generated by microphone 236. Alternative Voice or Audio I / O Subsystems , such as a voice message recording subsystem, may also be implemented in mobile station 202. Although voice or audio signal output is preferably performed primarily through the speaker 234, the display 222 may also be used for providing an indication of the calling party's identity, the length of a voice call or a call. other information related to a voice call, such as some examples.

Serial port 230 in Fig. 2 is typically implemented in a personal digital assistant (PDA) type communication device for which synchronization with a user desktop computer is a desirable, albeit optional, component. Serial port 230 allows a user to set preferences through an external device or software application and extends the capabilities of mobile station 202 by providing information or software downloads to the mobile station.

Petition 870180127970, of 10/09/2018, p. 34/53

19/36

202 as well as via a wireless communication network. The alternative download path can be used, for example, to load an encryption key on the mobile station 202 via a direct connection, and thus reliable and guaranteed to thereby provide secure device communication.

The short range communications subsystem 240 of Fig. 2 is an additional optional component providing communication between the mobile station 202 and the different systems or devices, which need not necessarily be similar devices. For example, subsystem 240 may include an infrared device and associated circuits and devices, or a Bluetooth ™ communication module for providing communication with similarly enabled systems and devices. Bluetooth ™ is a registered trademark of Bluetooth SIG, Inc.

Fig. 3 is a block diagram of relevant system components for PoC communications of the present application. System components 300 include a user equipment (UE) 302 which represents a mobile station, a PoC server 304, an access network 306, a Group and List Management Server (GLMS) 308, a SIP / IP 312, a Presence Server 310, and a Location Server 316. The 3GPP-Defined IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) is an example of a SIP / IP core for mobile networks. Some of these components may be optional or not required for critical operation. Although illustrated as individual component devices, some or all of the components 304, 308, 310 collectively 314 may be configured on the same

Petition 870180127970, of 10/09/2018, p. 35/53

20/36 device (not shown).

A PoC communication session is a session connection between end users of a UE 302, referred to as session participants, who communicate one at a time in a half-duplex manner. PoC communication uses Voice over IP (VolP) technology, which involves the communication of data packets carrying voice information. The UE 302 is a terminal equipment (e.g., a mobile station) which includes a PoC application client software which includes a feature of the present application but otherwise uses conventional techniques. The 312 SIP / IP core includes a plurality of Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) proxies and SIP registers. The first point of contact for UE 15 302 is one of the proxies in the SIP / IP 312 core that is used by the

UE 3 02 as outbound proxy. In 3GPP IMS architecture, the outbound proxy is known as Proxy-CSCF (P-CSCF). SIP / IP core 312 performs the following functions: (1) SIP signaling routing between UE 302 and PoC server 304; (2) SIP compression termination from UE 302; (3) authentication and authorization; (4) maintenance of registration status; and (5) loading system report. UE 302 sends all its SIP messages to the outbound proxy IP address after resolving the outbound proxy SIP Uniform Resource Indicator (URI) to an IP address.

End users use GLMS 308 for managing groups, contact lists, and access lists. A contact list can be used by end users to set up an instant chat session with

Petition 870180127970, of 10/09/2018, p. 36/53

21/36 other PoC users or PoC groups. An end user can have one or more contact lists including identities for other PoC users or PoC groups. Contact list management includes operations to allow the UE 302 to store and retrieve contact lists stored by GLMS 308. End users can define PoC groups, particularly as further described below with reference to Figs 4 to 5. An end user can use a PoC group to initiate an instant group chat session or a chat group chat session, depending on the type of group. An access list is used by the end user as a means of controlling who is allowed to initiate instant chat sessions for the end user. An access list contains the end user-defined identities of other end users or groups. The end user can have a list of blocked identities and a list of allowed identities.

With reference to group management according to the present application, as further described below with reference to Figs. 4 to 5, GLMS 308 stores group lists referenced by a group address (such as a group URL). Group member lists can be static or dynamic. GLMS 308 accepts user signatures for a group address containing a set of rules (that is, filters) that defines who is an active member of the group identified by the group address. A user can obtain a group address from GLMS 308 or create one according to a protocol for it, such as Markup Language Configuration Access (XCAP)

Petition 870180127970, of 10/09/2018, p. 37/53

22/36

Extensible (XML).

In turn, GLMS 308 subscribes or otherwise has an interface with Presence Server 310 to obtain users whose presence information matches 5 with the rules specified in the user signature. O

GLMS thus becomes a watchman for this presence information. GLMS 308 also notifies the subscribing user when a group member who abides by the rules in the subscription is available upon receipt of information from Presence Server 310. This notification may be controlled by a group address owner in accordance with a policy. authorization set when the dynamic group is created. Thus, this group address information can only be sent to those 15 users subscribing to the group that subscribes to this type of information.

In addition, GLMS may notify the PoC 304 server (for example, through a SIP Subscription Notification mechanism or other means) who are the active members of the group when members join or leave.

The PoC 304 server includes a feature for performing PoC service. The PoC server 304 typically performs functions such as: (1) endpoint for SIP signaling; (2) endpoint for real-time transport protocol (RTP) and RTP Control protocol signaling (RTCP); (3) SIP session handling; (4) policy control for group access; (5) group session handling; (6) access control; (7) floor control functionality (a floor control is a control mechanism that arbitrates requests from the UEs to the

Petition 870180127970, of 10/09/2018, p. 38/53

23/36 right to speak); (8) indicator of who speaks; (9) participant information; (10) quality feedback; (11) charge reports; and (12) media distribution.

Presence Server 310 manages presence information that is transferred by user / network / external presence agents, and is responsible for combining presence-related information from the information it receives from multiple sources into a single presence document. . Presence Server 310 sends notifications of presence information to authorized watchers for that information as described above. Watchmen may sign attendance information to receive notifications.

Location Information is the location information of a User (ie UE 302). It could be generated in a variety of ways, such as via GPS satellite information for UEs thus equipped or based on the triangulation of the signal from a UE collected from multiple access network base stations 306, among others. . In addition to a direct publication to the presence server 310 by the user, location information may be accumulated and distributed by a location server 316. GSM / UMTS networks support a Door Mobile Location Center network element ( GMLC) that collects location information from various location collection sources. Such an element may be adapted to publish this information to the presence server 310. Rules for dynamic group address determination using location information can be combined on the server.

Petition 870180127970, of 10/09/2018, p. 39/53

If the location information is published to the presence server 310 or, alternatively, the location server 316 (such as a GMLC or another server communicating with the GMLC) can be adapted to combination of rules.

Each entity in the PoC system is assigned one or more IP addresses for public or private IP domains. On the other hand, an end user can address another user by a telephone number. UE 302 sends a telephone number to SIP / IP core 312 in a TEL Uniform Resource Locator (URL). The telephone number can either use the international E.164 format (prefixed by a '+' sign) or a local format using a local dial plan and prefix. The 312 SIP / IP core interprets the phone number with a '+' in the beginning to be an E.164 number. TEL URL addressing for a PoC session requires that the PoC 304 server can resolve the TEL URL to SIP URI, for example, using DNS / ENUM or another local database. A telephone number in a local format is converted to E.164 format before DNS / ENUM is used.

For a group communication to occur (such as a Push to Talk communication, or an instant messaging chat session), a group address is used for communication signaling addressing to establish group communication with members of the group. group. According to the teachings here, in order for a group to be dynamically created for communication, the address of the members of the dynamic group must be filled. Such a dynamic group address can

Petition 870180127970, of 10/09/2018, p. 40/53

25/36 may be populated with members selected from network users using presence information, which may include location information about users stored or provided to the network and filtered according to rules. A user wishing to establish a particular dynamic group can provide rules for group population.

Rules defining criteria, which must be met by one another to be included in the particular group, can be defined in a number of ways, including, for example, using Extensible Markup Language (XML) documents well known in the art. Rules can reference presence and / or location data elements, use comparison expressions, and other data to define eligibility as a group member. For example, a distress filter may reference presence data such as a user's posting of a willingness to be considered for a distress group, a current location of users, and a proximity limit (eg 500 m).

In the simplest form, the user having this ability creates (using a protocol such as XCAP) a group address (such as a SIP URL) or is provided by the network with a group address that has no permanent group members. Instead, the user defines group address association rules or filters that determine the dynamic membership of the group based on information stored in or provided to the network concerning other users.

A dynamic group membership can be determined.

Petition 870180127970, of 10/09/2018, p. 41/53

26/36 in various ways. Affiliation can be determined as a subset of users on the network that indicate that they are interested in being members of a particular dynamic group. Potential users may publish through 5 presence techniques a desire to be considered for a particular group. Affiliation can be determined from a subset of particular pre-selected or named users identified by the dynamic group address owner and associated with the group at the time the dynamic group address is created. A user may be a group owner by defining the rules for membership and pre-selecting a group of fellow users as potential candidates and providing rules for dynamic group definition in any case using presence and / or attendance information. published location for those preselected users.

Other users who wish to be candidate members of these dynamic groups may post (using presence techniques) an indication that they wish to participate in particular dynamic groups and, additionally, directly or through information collected by the network to publish information from presence and / or location about the user for use to determine membership 25 dynamically. In addition to posting an interest to a specific dynamic group, users can post an interest in being candidates for dynamic groups generally. Those users who choose not to be considered thus can easily be deleted.

In addition to the inventive techniques described here, the

Petition 870180127970, of 10/09/2018, p. 42/53

PoC architecture and signaling may be the same as is conventional, as described in current specifications such as Push-to-talk over Cellular (PoC), Architecture, PoC Release 1.0 - Architecture V1.1.0 (2003-08) Technical

Specification; and Push-to-talk over Cellular (PoC),

Signaling Flows, PoC Release 1.0 - Signaling Flows V1.1.3 (2003-08) Technical Specification; and OMA Standard Push-totalk over Cellular (PoC) - Architecture Draft Version 1.0 March 25, 2004.

Some users may choose to be anonymous when they become members of a dynamic group. Anonymous users can choose to watch / listen to communication in the dynamic group - this is known as passive participation. Mechanisms can be provided that allow users to indicate whether they require anonymity when joining dynamic groups in which they wish to participate. The creator of a dynamic group can also determine if anonymous members are allowed and whether they can participate actively or only passively as part of the rules for creating a group. A mechanism is also provided for anonymous group members to reveal their identity later once they are participating in the dynamic group. Preferably, to facilitate anonymity, users may preferably include this information in their presence information. Dynamic group owners then choose to filter (for example, an authorization attribute) which allows or denies affiliation with anonymous users.

User (s) sign group address and network signs presence information based on rules

Petition 870180127970, of 10/09/2018, p. 43/53

28/36 associated with the group address. This may include the use of signature presence filters that trigger notifications only when the rules for active group membership are met. When a candidate group member publishes directly (or has posted on their behalf through the network) information that meets the rules for active group membership, a notification is sent indicating that this member is now an active member of the group. This notification may be sent to other active group members who have signed the group address, if this notification is authorized by the owner of the dynamic group address. Subscribing to this group membership information is optional.

When an active group member performs group communication (such as a Push to Talk talk burst) to the dynamic group address. Communication is directed to all currently active members of the group.

Fig. 4 is a block diagram of a system component configuration 20 for PoC components between three users according to one embodiment of the invention. People of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the choice of three users is merely illustrative and not limiting. Configuration 400 comprises elements of configuration 300, and electrical protection system, PoC server 304, GLMS 308, presence server 310, which may be provided as individual components or collected and provided as a component (for example). 314) or another 30 component configuration location server (not shown) 316 and

Petition 870180127970, of 10/09/2018, p. 44/53

29/36 SIP / IP core 312. In addition, there are three example users, User 1 402, User 2 404, and User 3 406, each with a respective UE 302.

In the context of the above architecture, Fig. 5 is a flowchart 500 which illustrates an exemplary PoC communication session between the three users of Fig. 4. The representative flow illustrates a method for dynamic group address creation for PoC communications. The method may be embodied in a computer program product which includes a computer storage medium (e.g.,

<td colspan="4">a computer disk or a memory</td><td>) and instructions</td><td>in</td>

<td>computer stored</td><td>at the</td><td>kinda</td><td>in</td><td>storage</td><td>in</td>

<td>computer.</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td>

<td>In the present example,</td><td>O</td><td>Address</td><td>in</td><td colspan="2">group and members</td>

Candidates (friends) for the group were defined by the owner beforehand, as is known. Using a User Interface (UI) (for example, UE 302) not shown, User 1 402 defines rules for dynamic address creation. The UI preferably allows the user to specify or select from a set of rules / options to help define the rules for group address association.

Stream operations 500 begin at step 502, where User 1 402 signs the Group Address (URL) by sending a SIP Signature to GLMS 308. The SIP Signature request contains filters in the body of the request that indicate the rules for active membership. of the group. In this case, the filters indicate a lunch preference for User 1 402, which is for Italian food. GLMS 308 using SIP Signature or some other mechanism gets from server

Petition 870180127970, of 10/09/2018, p. 45/53

30/36 presence 310 a list of users who are present that meet the criteria for group membership (step 504).

At step 506, User 2 404 sends a SIP Publication to presence server 310 for publishing presence information about this user, including lunch preference information. In this case, preferences for Chinese and Italian food are published. In step 508, presence server 310, using SIP Notification or some other means, notifies GLMS 308 that User 2 404 is available and adheres to the rules specified by User 1 402. A contact address for User 2 404 is provided. GLMS 308 adds the

User 2 404 to the group.

In step 510, GLMS 308 sends a SIP Notification to User 1 402 indicating that User 2 404 is now a member of the group because of a shared preference for Italian food. In step 512, GLMS, using a SIP Notification or some other means, notifies the PoC 304 server that User 2 404 is now a member of the group.

In step 514, User 3 406 sends a SIP Publication to presence server 310 to publish presence information about this user, including information about lunch preferences, in this case Italian and Mexican foods. In step 516, presence server 310, using a SIP Notification or some other means, notifies GLMS 308 that User 3 406 is available and complies with the rules specified by User 2 404 and provides the contact address for User 3 406. . O

Petition 870180127970, of 10/09/2018, p. 46/53

31/36

GLMS 308 adds User 3 406 to the group.

At step 518, GLMS sends a SIP Notification to User 1 402 indicating that User 3 406 is now a member of the group. In step 520, GLMS 308 using a 5 SIP Notification or some other means notifies the PoC 304 server that User 3 406 is now a member of the group.

In step 522, user 1 invites fellow Italian food-loving users to lunch using the mobile station to make a PoC call by sending a SIP Invitation 10 to the PoC server 304 addressed to the Group Address which now contains User 2 404 and O

User 3 406.

At step 524, the PoC 304 server that has its Group Address resolves it to the User 2 404 and User 3 406 member addresses and sends a SIP Invitation to the User 2 404 call. At step 526, the server PoC 304 also sends a SIP Invitation to User 3 406.

In steps 528 and 530, User 2 404 and User 3 406, respectively, accept the call by sending a 20 SIP 200 OK response to the PoC 304 server. In steps 532 and 534 the respective acceptances are sent to the User. 1 402 by the PoC server 304 by sending the respective SIP 200 OK replies to User 1 402.

At step 536, User 1 402 begins chatting with the other users (404 and 406) using the voice communication path established by the PoC server 304 to select an Italian restaurant in which users 402 to 406 can meet for lunch.

In the context of the general architecture, above in Fig. 4, and 30 including additional presence servers that are not

Petition 870180127970, of 10/09/2018, p. 47/53

Fig. 6 is a stream 600 which illustrates a portion of a PoC communication session initiation by a user for dynamically defining members for a user group address whose presence information is managed by a plurality of presence servers. Individual presence servers can be from the same or different domains and networks. The illustrated method may be embodied in a computer program product, which includes a computer storage medium (e.g., a computer disk or memory) and computer instructions stored in the computer storage medium.

Operations 600 begin with a stream to fetch multiple servers, and in step 602, a user (for example, User 1) signs a group address (URL) by sending a SIP Signature to GLMS containing body filters. request that indicate the rules for active group membership. GLMS has a feature list comprising presence servers in its domains or others that may also contain combinations for a signature message filters. In this case, GLMS has a resource list that contains Presence Server 1 and Presence Server 4. GLMS uses a SIP Signature to sign on to Presence Server 1 to obtain users who are present that meet the criteria. for group membership. This Subscription is directed to Presence Server 1 (step 604).

Presence Server 1, as well as searching for its own storage (for example, a presence database) for combinations, also has a list of

Petition 870180127970, of 10/09/2018, p. 48/53

Feature containing other presence servers on their own or in other domains, which may also contain combinations for the filters in the subscription. In this case, Presence Server 1 has a resource list that contains Presence Server 2 and Presence Server 3. Presence Server 1 uses a SIP Signature to subscribe to Presence Server 2 to obtain the user list. that are present that meet the criteria for group membership. This subscription is directed to Presence Server 2 (step 606).

In step 608, Presence Server 1 recognizes the Subscription by sending a SIP 200 OK back to GLMS and, in step 610, GLMS recognizes User Subscription 1 by sending a SIP 200 OK back to the GLMS Terminal. User PTT 1.

In step 612, Presence Server 2 recognizes the Subscription by sending a SIP 200 OK back to Presence Server 1. Presence Server 2 uses a SIP Notification to notify Presence Server 1 of

<td colspan="2">found combinations,</td><td>and</td><td>receive a</td><td>SIP 200</td><td>OK</td><td>back</td>

<td>(steps 614 to 616).</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td>

<td>In step 618,</td><td>O</td><td colspan="2">Server</td><td>Presence</td><td> 1</td><td>use one</td>

<td>SIP Subscription for</td><td colspan="2">too</td><td>sign in</td><td>Server</td><td>in</td><td>Presence</td>

3 for the list of present users who meet the criteria for group membership. This subscription is directed to Presence Server 3. In steps 620 through 624, Presence Server 3 recognizes the Subscription by sending a SIP 200 OK back to Presence Server 1, and Presence Server 3 uses a Notification. SIP to notify Presence Server 1 of

Petition 870180127970, of 10/09/2018, p. 49/53

34/36 combinations found upon receipt of the recognition of the

Presence Server 1 for Notification in return.

In steps 626 to 628, GLMS uses a SIP Subscription to sign on to Presence Server 4 to obtain the list of present users that meet the criteria for group membership. This signature is directed to Presence Server 4, which recognizes the Signature by sending a SIP 200 OK back to GLMS.

Presence Server 4 uses a SIP Notification to notify GLMS of the found combinations, and GLMS acknowledges the Notification by sending a SIP 200 OK back to Presence Server 4 (steps 630 to 632).

The Server

Presence 1 aggregates (combines) the responses in the messages of

Notification received from

Server

Presence 2 of

Server

Presence

3, and use a

Notification

SIP to notify GLMS of the found combinations (step 634). GLMS recognizes the

Notification by sending a SIP 200 OK back to the

Server

Presence 1 (step 636).

GLMS aggregates (combines) the responses of the

Server

Presence 1 and the Server

Presence 4 in communications received from Notification. GLMS uses a SIP Notification to notify User 1 of the found combinations, and the user UE acknowledges the Notification by sending a SIP 200 OK back to GLMS (steps 638 to 640). Although a notification is described whereby members are aggregated prior to sending a message to another entity (For example, GLMS, the presence server or a UE), the message sending could be started as soon as a

Petition 870180127970, of 10/09/2018, p. 50/53

35/36 member was determined to gradually fill the group. Thus, persons skilled in the art will appreciate that server entities can communicate with fellow servers simultaneously, rather than one at a time, as shown and described.

The above flow illustrates how Resource List search hierarchies can be used to search multiple servers and multiple domains for combinations. This technique can be used in situations that require multiple domain / network searches. For example, a Distress Call by User 1 could use a Distress URL for the group. User 1 PTT Terminal signs in the distress group URL. A GLMS on the home PTT terminal network begins adding users to that group based on predefined rules (filters). Rules can examine the presence and location of information, such as those available users who are located 500 meters from User 1 by subscribing to Presence Servers on the home network.

In the case of a British skier (having a home network) traveling in the French Alps outside the home area on a roaming network, the initial additions to the group would be other home network subscribers in the area. In this case, a notification would be returned to GLMS for the PTT terminal as soon as another member was added to the group, so that the call could be initially established.

Subsequently, GLMS on the home network subscribes to the roaming network using a resource list based on the network information visited in the Subscription request. The

Petition 870180127970, of 10/09/2018, p. 51/53

36/36

Roaming Network Presence Servers conduct searches on their own presence information to find other users within the 500 meter range specified in the filters, and return notification messages to the home network, which would add these roaming network users to the group. Relief

Subsequently, the roaming network Presence Server would then subscribe to a Presence Server from one or more other network operators in France, using their own 10 resource lists, with the rules they had received from the filters in the subscription sent from from the home network (British). Notification communications from other networks are then notified back from the roaming network to the home network and those users thus notified to GLMS also become members of the Relief group.

The above mentioned embodiments of the present application are intended as examples only. Those skilled in the art may make changes, modifications and variations in particular embodiments without departing from the scope of the application. The invention described herein in the recited claims is intended to cover and encompass all suitable changes in technology.