Method and apparatus for providing a private communication system in a public switched telephone network

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METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING A PRIVATE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM IN A PUBLIC SWITCHED TELEPHONE NETWORK

This application is a divisional application of Canadian Patent Application Serial No. 2,244,929 filed January 29, 1997.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

I. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to multiparty communication systems, and, more particularly, to a point-to-multipoint private communication network directly incorporated within a cellular or land line telephone system.

II. Description of the Related Art

Mobile cellular telephone service has been in use for some time, and traditionally has been characterized by a central site transmitting with high power to a limited number of mobile or portable units in a large geographic area. In early cellular systems only a limited number of radio channels were available, thus limiting the number of radiotelephone conversations within an entire metropolitan area to the number of channels available.

Modern cellular radiotelephone systems have a comparatively large number of radio channels, which may be effectively multiplied by using identical channel frequencies within the differing smaller coverage areas (i.e., cells) comprising a given service territory. Each cell includes a cell-site transmitter, or base station,. which broadcasts at a power level selected to ensure a signal reception at the cell boundary without unduly interfering with reception in adjacent cells. This allows channel frequencies used in one cell to be reused in another

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74769-128D la cell geographically separated therefrom according to a predetermined plan. Thus, a large number of channels can be made available in a metropolitan area and the service provided thereby can be identical to a standard wire line telephone.

Numerous standards exist for the implementation of cellular telephone communications. These standards include the advanced mobile phone systems (AMPS), Global System for Mobile communication (GSM), and Code Division Multiple

Access (CDMA). The spread spectrum modulation technique of CDMA has significant advantages over other modulation techniques for multiple access communication systems. For example, the use of CDMA results in a much higher spectral efficiency than can be achieved using other multiple access 15 schemes.

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Although recent development efforts have enabled CDMA and other cellular systems to effectively provide point-to-point communication links between users, various public and private agencies have nonetheless continued to rely upon dedicated land mobile radio (LMR) communication networks. This results from the incapability of cellular.’systems to establish point-to-multipoint communication networks among a set of member users. For example, local law-enforcement agencies utilize LMR networks in which a closed radio communication system is established through repeater stations. Such closed LMR networks are often characterized by push-to-talk (PTT) operation, in which users depress a handset talk button or the like when desiring to broadcast voice information to other member users. However, the infeasibility of providing repeater stations over a large geographic area limits the extent to which the set of member users may be geographically dispersed.

Although both cellular and conventional land line telephone systems are capable of facilitating communication between widely separated users, dosed PTT-type communication networks have not hitherto been incorporated within either type of system. This may be due in part to the absence of a convenient mechanism for automatically joining an identified set of users into such a closed network. Moreover, even if such a mechanism were available, both types of systems are easily compromised by unauthorized third parties and are thus unsuitable for secure communication.

The conference calling capability provided by both cellular and land line carriers is also an unsuitable surrogate for a PTT-type communication network. In particular, conference calling between users within different cellular or land line systems requires some degree of prior coordination with the responsible service provider. Moreover, in many conference calling systems the information signals from the conference call participant are combined and the resultant composite signal universally provided to each such participant. This effectively precludes separately encrypting each such information signal as a means of increasing commuhication security, since the separately encrypted information signals would generally not be recoverable from the composite signal.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to incorporate a private communication network directly within a cellular and/or land line telephone system in such a way as to obviate the need for prior coordination with a telephone service provider.

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It is another object of the invention that the private communication network emulate an LMR network characterized by PTT operation.

It is yet another object of the present invention that control of the private communication network be resident within a network call manager separately connected to an existing land line telephone system.

It is a further object of the present invention that encryption techniques be capable of application within the private communication network as a means of enhancing communication security.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a private communication network through which a plurality of member users communicate using the public switched telephone network (PSTN). Each member user utilizes either a modified land line telephone directly connected to the PSTN, or uses a modified mobile telephone operatively coupled to the PSTN through a wireless communication system. The private communication network includes a network call manager having a telephone network interface for establishing a telephone connection with each of a plurality of telephone lines of the PSTN. Each of the plurality of telephone lines is associated with one of the plurality of member users.

The network call manager further includes a telephone line switch matrix, coupled to the telephone network interface, for providing an information signal received from an active member user over a selected telephone line to the remaining non-active member users. A network manager controller identifies the active member user the basis of push-to-talk (PTT) request signals received from the member users' telephones over the plurality of telephone lines. The active member user may be identified as, for example, the member user from which a PTT request signal is first received after the previously active member user has relinquished speaking privileges. Alternately, the active member user may be chosen by using predefined user priority criteria to evaluate all PTT request signals queued by the network call manager. '

The telephone set of each member user will typically be capable of both standard telephone operation, and of PTT operation over the private communication network. When configured for PTT operation, each telephone set receives and digitally processes input voice or data information from a member user. The resultant vocoder data packets, as well as any PTT request signals initiated by the member user, are then

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74769-128D supplied to a modem for reverse link transmission via the PSTN to the telephone network interface of the network call manager. The security of the PTT private network may be enhanced by configuring each telephone set for encryption of all such reverse link transmissions, as well as for corresponding decryption of the forward link information from the active member user.

According to one aspect the invention provides in a wireless communication system, a method comprising: transmitting a non-push-to-talk (non-PTT) data frame for non-PTT communication through the wireless communication system; transmitting a push-to-talk request frame subsequent to the non-PTT data frame to initiate a PTT communication through the wireless communication system; and transmitting a push-to-talk data frame subsequent to the push-to-talk request frame as part of the PTT communication through the wireless communication system.

According to another aspect the invention provides a computer-readable medium having stored thereon computerexecutable instructions, comprising: a first set of instructions for generating a first non-push-to-talk (nonPTT) data packet for non-PTT communication; a second set of instructions for generating a push-to-talk request packet subsequent to the first non-PTT data packet to initiate a PTT communication; and a third set of instructions for generating a push-to-talk data packet subsequent to the push-to-talk request packet as part of the PTT communication.

According to another aspect the invention provides a dual-mode mobile station capable of voice communications through a wireless communication network in a normal nonpush-to-talk communication operation and a push-to-talk

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4a communication operation, comprising: a switch operative to generate push-to-talk signals for push-to-talk communication operation; a processor coupled to the switch, operative in push-to-talk communication operation to generate push-totalk requests and push-to-talk data packets based on at least one of said push-to-talk signals; and a transmitter coupled to the processor, operative in push-to-talk communication operation to send the push-to-talk requests and the push-to-talk data packets to the wireless communication network to initiate a push-to-talk communication through the wireless communication network, and operative in normal non-push-to-talk communication operation to send non-push-to-talk voice data through the wireless communication network.

According to another aspect the invention provides a method for dual mode communications in a telephone system, the method comprising: in a normal non-push-to-talk communication operation, transmitting non-push-to-talk data through the telephone system; and in a push-to-talk private network communication operation: sending a push-to-talk request for initiating a push-to-talk communication in a private network, wherein the private network is accessed via a public switching telephone network that is part of the telephone system; and transmitting a push-to-talk data packet to at least one other user in the private network.

According to another aspect the invention provides a mobile station for communicating through a wireless communication network, comprising: first means for transmitting signals in a normal non-push-to-talk communication operation to a public switching telephone network; and second means for transmitting signals in a push-to-talk private network communication operation,

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4b wherein the second means generates push-to-talk request packets and push-to-talk data packets.

According to another aspect the invention provides a mobile station operative for communicating through a wireless communication network, comprising: switching means for switching between a normal non-push-to-talk operating mode and a point-to-multipoint push-to-talk private network operating mode; and second means for generating point-tomultipoint private network request signals in the point-tomultipoint push-to-talk private network operating mode.

According to another aspect the invention provides a network call manager for use in a wireless communication system comprising a plurality of wireless stations, wherein each wireless station transmits signals via a respective reverse link and receives signals via a respective forward link, and wherein at least some of the wireless stations are members of at least one private network, the network call manager comprising: a network controller that, for wireless stations operating in a normal non-push-to-talk communication mode, is operative to process and route data packets transmitted within the wireless communication system; and a push-to-talk controller that, for wireless stations operating in a push-to-talk private network communication mode, is operative to process and route pushto-talk requests and private network data packets via the forward and reverse links of the wireless stations, such that, for each private network, private network data packets received via the reverse link of an active one of the wireless stations belonging to the private network are transmitted on the respective forward links of each of the non-active wireless stations belonging to the private network.

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4c

According to another aspect the invention provides a wireless communication system, comprising: a network call manager for facilitating private communications simultaneously among a plurality of mobile users, at least some of said plurality of mobile users being members of a private network, the network call manager comprising: means for receiving a point-to-point transmission comprising a plurality of voice data packets and a point-to-multipoint transmission comprising a plurality of private network data packets; means for directing point-to-point transmissions; means for receiving a request for a point-to-multipoint transmission to the private network; means for directing the point-to-multipoint private network data packets to the private network in response to the request; and a private network of mobile stations operative to transmit point-topoint transmissions in a non-push-to-talk communication mode and point-to-multipoint transmissions in a push-to-talk communication mode.

According to another aspect the invention provides an apparatus for providing push-to-talk (PTT) communications in a PTT communication mode and non-push-to-talk (non-PTT) communications in a non-PTT communication mode, comprising: means for generating vocoder frames; means for generating a push-to-talk (PTT) request frame in the PTT communication mode; means for interleaving the PTT request frame with the vocoder frames in the PTT communication mode; and means for transmitting over a wireless communication channel: the vocoder frames in the non-PTT communication mode; and the interleaved PTT request frame and the vocoder frames in the PTT communication mode.

According to another aspect the invention provides a computer-readable medium tangibly embodying a program of machine-readable instructions executable by a digital

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4d processing apparatus to perform a method for enabling pushto-talk (PTT) communications in a PTT communication mode and non-push-to-talk (non-PTT) communications in a non-PTT communication mode, the method comprising operations of: generating vocoder frames; generating at least one PTT request frame in the PTT communication mode; interleaving the at least one PTT request frame with the vocoder frames in the PTT communication mode; and transmitting over a wireless communication channel: the vocoder frames in the non-PTT communication mode; and the interleaved at least one PTT request frame and the vocoder frames in the PTT communication mode.

According to another aspect the invention provides a method for enabling push-to-talk (PTT) communications among a group of talk request capable telephone sets, the method comprising: generating vocoder frames; generating at least one PTT request frame in a PTT communication mode; interleaving the at least one PTT request frame with the vocoder frames in the PTT communication mode; and transmitting over a wireless communication channel: the vocoder frames in a non-PTT communication mode; and the interleaved at least one PTT request frame and the vocoder frames in the PTT communication mode.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Additional objects and features of the invention will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description and appended claims when taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustratively represents the elements of an exemplary telephone system within which may be established a PTT point-to-multipoint private communication network of the present invention;

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4e

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary network call manager of the PTT private network of the present invention;

FIG. 3A shows a block diagram of a land line PTT dual-mode telephone comprised of a transmit section and a receive section;

FIG. 3B depicts the land line dual mode PTT telephone of FIG. 3A as modified to facilitate encrypted communication within a PTT private network;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an AMPS dual-mode PTT telephone ;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a CDMA cellular telephone configured for use within a PTT private network of the present invention;

FIG. 6 provides a functional block diagram of a network call manager designed for employment within a PTT private network in which signaling is effected using analog tones; and

FIG. 7 shows a land line telephone configured for communication with a network call manager using analog tones .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

I. Structure of PTT Private Network

FIG. 1 illustratively represents the elements of an exemplary telephone system within which may be established a PTT point-to-multipoint private communication network (PTT private network) of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, the exemplary

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74769-128D telephone system includes a public switched telephone network (PSTN) 10, a CDMA cellular communication system 14 and an analog (AMPS) cellular communication system 18. The CDMA system 14 provides service to CDMA-compatible mobile radiotelephones (CDMA mobiles) 22 and 24, while the AMPS system 18 facilitates communication with users of AMPS-compatible mobile radiotelephones (AMPS mobiles”) 28 and 30. A network call manager 40, connected through a plurality of T1 channels 44 to the. PSTN 10, operates as described hereinafter to create a private communication network among a corresponding plurality of member users within the exemplary telephone system of FIG. 1.

The private. communication network may include member users serviced by one or both of the CDMA and AMPS cellular systems 14 and 18, and/or may include one or more member users directly connected to the PSTN 10 through modified land line telephones such as the telephone 48. Although CDMA and AMPS cellular systems are shown as being incorporated within the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, it is to be understood that the teachings of the present invention are pertinent to other cellular air interface standards as well for example Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) and Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA). A brief description of the constituent elements of the CDMA and AMPS cellular communication systems 14 and 18 shown in HG. 1 will be provided prior to discussion of the operative principles of the present invention.

The CDMA cellular communication system 14 includes a plurality of cells, two of which are identified in FIG. 1 as including cell-sites (i.e., base stations) 56 and 58. Each cell may be partitioned into a number of sectors, where communication with CDMA mobiles 22 and 24 within a given sector is handled by a cell-site transceiver providing radio coverage over the sector. The base stations 56 and 58 operate to receive and transmit the signals enabling a radio transceiver within each CDMA mobile to communicate with the PSTN 10. In the CDMA system 14, data packets are used in the over-the-air exchange of information between the base stations 56 and 58 and the CDMA mobiles 22 and 24.

Telephone calls are routed by the cell-site base stations 56 and 58 between the CDMA mobiles 22 and 24 and a CDMA mobile switching center (MSC) 60, which will typically be located within a mobile telephone switching office (not shown). The primary purpose of the MSC 60 is to provide voice path connections between the CDMA mobiles 22 and 24 and the PSTN 10. To this end the MSC 60 performs functions such as, rating data

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74769-128D between a MSC modems 62 and CDMA mobiles 22 and 24 by way of the appropriate CDMA base station 56 or 58. The MSC 60 also performs other tasks, including paging of a CDMA mobile when a call is received from the PSTN 10 and switching calls to available PSTN lines via a plurality of Tl channels 64. A set of MSC modems 62 serves to /.convert the digital information signals received from the CDMA mobiles 22 and 24 to analog signals suitable for transmission over the PSTN 10, and likewise converts analog signals from the PSTN 10 to digital signals subsequently provided to the CDMA mobiles 22 and 24.

The AMPS cellular communication system 18 also includes a number of cells, two of which are identified in FIG. 1 as including cell-site base stations 70 and 72. Each cell may be partitioned into a number sectors, where communication with AMPS mobiles 28 and 30 within a given sector is handled by a cell-site transceiver providing radio coverage over the sector. Telephone calls are routed by the cell-site base stations 70 and 72 between the AMPS mobiles 28 and 30 and an AMPS mobile switching center (MSC) 76, which is coupled to the PSTN 10 via a plurality of Tl channels 80.

II. Operation of PTT Private Network *

Turning now to FIG. 2, reference will be made to a block diagram of an exemplary network call manager 40 in describing operation of the PTT private network of the present invention. The manner in which the land line or cellular telephones associated with each member user are configured for cooperation with the network call manager 40 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 3-5. In what follows, communication links from the modified land line telephone 48, from the AMPS mobiles 28 and 30, and from the CDMA mobiles 22 and 24, to the network call manager 40 via the PSTN 10 are termed reverse links. The reverse link associated with the member user currently designated by the network call manager 40 as the active member user is assumed to be the only one of the reverse links carrying valid voice or data information. All other reverse links are available for use in providing signaling informatiôn to the network call manager 40. Each forward link through the PSTN 10 from the network call manager 40 to each member user carries the voice or data information provided by the active member user. As is described herein, the network call manager 40 is reconfigured upon each new identification of an active member. This reconfiguration results in the reverse link voice or data information from the newly identified active member user being provided

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74769-128D to the forward links associated with all other member users, including the forward link of the previously active member user.

The network call manager 40 includes a nétwork controller 90, within which is stored at least one list of the telephone numbers associated with the member users of a first PTT private network. When desiring to access the first PTT private network, a calling member user dials an access number identifying the first PTT private network. The network controller 90 may also store other lists of member users, each list being associated with a unique access number and defining a separate PTT private networks.

The network call manager 40 is designed to appear to the PSTN 10 as would a private branch exchange (PBX) system, and thus the call placed by the calling member user may be received over any one of the Tl channels 44. In this regard a telephone network (Tl) interface 92 is provided for forming a connection between the Tl channel 44 associated with the calling member user and one of a plurality of network manager modems 98. As is described herein, the Tl interface 92 also serves to connect various other ones of the network manager modems 98 to ones of the Tl channels 44 associated with other member users.

If the calling member user is serviced by the CDMA cellular system 14, a telephone connection is established when the network call manager modem 98’ coupled to the Tl channel 44 receiving the incoming call becomes synchronized with the one of the MSC modems 62 (FIG. 1) assigned to the call. For a calling member user having a land line telephone or AMPS cellular telephone, a similar telephone connection is established upon synchronization of an internal modem (FIGS. 3A and 4) within the member user's telephone and the network manager modem 98' receiving the incoming call. In an exemplary embodiment the network manager modems 98 comprise, for example, so-called AMPS modems especially well-suited for over-the-air information transfer.

Upon an incoming call to a PTT private network being received from a member user over one of the Tl channels 44, the Tl interface 92 uses standard techniques to determine the access riumber dialed during placement of the call. The dialed access number, which corresponds to a given PTT private network, is communicated by the Tl interface 92 to the network controller 90. The Tl interface also connects the Tl channel 44 associated with the calling member user to an available network manager modem (e.g., network manager modem 98'). Once modem synchronization has been achieved, the network controller 90 may require the railing user to furnish authentication information used for verification of the calling

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74769-128D ⁸ user’s membership in, the PTT private network identified as corresponding to the called access number. Upon confirmation of such membership, the network controller 90 may command either the ΤΊ interface 92 or a selected network manager modem 98 to initiate paging of the remaining member users of the identified PTT private network. If is noted that in alternate embodiments the T1 interface 92 may comprise an El interface, or various other digital or ”PBX-type interfaces.

Upon a first of the other member users of the identified PTT private network answering a network page (i.e., a telephone call) issued by the calling network manager modems 98, or by the T1 interface 92, a modem synchronization process similar of the type described above again occurs. In particular, if the called member user is serviced by an AMPS or land line telephone, modem synchronization occurs between the modem internal to the called member user's telephone (FIGS. 3A and 4) and one of the network manager modems 98. If the called member user is serviced by the CDMA cellular system 14, modem synchronization occurs between the calling network manager modem 98 and one of ‘the MSC modems 62 (FIG. 1). It is to be understood that the MSC modems 62 need not be physically proximate the MSC 60, but may be located elsewhere within the telephone system infrastructure.

When the calling network manager modem 98 achieves such synchronization, it produces a CONNECT signal which is detected by the network controller 90. The network controller 90 may then instruct the called network manager modem 98’ to send a CONNECT signal to the member user originally dialing the access number of the identified PTT private network. The network controller may also periodically send each authenticated participating member user of the PTT private network a list, to be displayed at each authenticated user's phone, of the other current participating member users.

A PTT controller 104 is provided for according speaking or data transmission privileges among the two or more member users joined to the identified PTT private network. In particular, thé PTT controller 104 is responsive to PTT request signals (PTT requests) generated by the land line or cellular telephones associated with the member users of the identified PTT private network. Each PTT request is generated at a member user's telephone either in response to manual engagement of a PTT switch, or in response to detected voice activity of the member user. A PTT request from a given member user is detected by the modem 98 assigned thereto, which provides the PTT signal to the PTT controller 104.

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In an exemplary embodiment the PTT controller 104 designates as the currently active member user the one from which the first PTT request is received subsequent to network speaking privileges being released by a previously active member user. Network speaking privileges are relinquished by the previously active member user, in the case of manual PTT signaling, upon releasing engagement of the PTT switch of the speaker's telephone. In the case of voice-activated PTT signaling, network speaking privileges are relinquished upon the occurrence of a pause of predetermined duration.

In an alternate embodiment, PTT requests received prior to relinquishment of. network speaking privileges by the currently active member user are queued. When the currently active member user subsequently relinquishes network speaking privileges, the queued PTT requests are evaluated in accordance with predefined criteria to determine the next currently active member user. Such predefined criteria could include, for example, member user priority as well as order of receipt of the queued requests.

The network call manager 40 may employ yet other techniques for selecting a new active member user on the basis of the received PTT requests. For example, each member user of a given PTT private network may be assigned a relative level of priority within the network. In this case when a PTT request is received from a member user of higher priority than the currently active member user, the network call manager 40 preempts the currently active member user and grants network speaking privileges to the higher priority member user. It is also possible that each member user would be allowed to alter its priority within prescribed limits known to the network call manager 40 as a means of obtaining network speaking privileges under urgent circumstances.

After a new active member user has been identified by the PTT controller 104 on the basis of the received PTT requests, the PTT controller 104 configures a multicast switch 110 to accept the reverse link voice or data information exclusively from the modem 98 associated with the currently active member user. That is, the reverse link information from each of the other modems 98, each of which has been assigned to one of the remaining (i.e., non-active) member users, is ignored by the multicast switch 110. The PTT controller also configures the multicast switch 110 to provide the reverse link information accepted from the newly identified active member user to the modems 98 associated with each non-active member user. Because PTT requests are transmitted only on the reverse

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74769-128D links of non-active member users, such PTT requests advantageously do not interfere with the receipt of reverse link information from the active member user.

Although the forward links of each PIT private network are nominally used to carry voice or data information, froih the active member user to all other member users, the network controller 104 may also transmit system status information over the forward links during pauses or gaps in information transmission by the active member user. In an exemplary embodiment this system status information includes the following:

(i) eligible member users (phone number, name, priority) of a given PTT private network, (ii) member users (phone number, name, priority) currently joined to the given PTT private network, (iii) the currently active member user (phone number, name, priority), and (iv) the queue of member users (phone number, name, priority, order of request) who have provided PTT requests to the PTT controller 90.

This network status information is received and displayed by the telephones associated with the member users. The following section provides a description of particular implementation of PTT dual-mode telephones suitable for use within a PTT private network of the invention.

III. Land Line and Cellular PTT Dual-Mode Telephones

Referring now to FIG. 3A, a block diagram is shown of a land line PTT dual-mode telephone comprised of a transmit section 140 and a receive section 142. The transmit section 140 of dual-mode telephone of FIG. 3A is configured for standard telephone operation when input switch 148 is thrown to pole 150, thereby coupling input microphone 154 to the PSTN 10. The input switch 148 is thrown to pole 158 when it is desired to configure the transmit section 140 for PTT operation within à PTT private network. Similarly, the receive section 142 is set for standard telephone operation when receive switch 162 is thrown to pole 168, and is set for PTT operation when receive switch 162 is thrown to pole 166.

During PTT operation, voice information from microphone 154 is coupled by switch 148 to a codec 172. The codec 172 is disposed to transform this analog voice information, or data information from a peripheral device (not shown) coupled to switch 148, into a pulse code modulated (PCM)

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74769-128D waveform provided to a vocoder 176. In an exemplary embodiment the vocoder 176 is realized in conformance with ΕΙΑ/ΊΊΑ standard IS-96A, and operates to convert the input PCM waveform. into a sequence of vocoder data packets. These vocoder data packets are supplied to a first input of a microprocessor 178, which also has a second input’, coupled to a PTT processor 184 and an output coupled to a modem 180. When a PTT switch 188 is engaged by the associated member user, the PTT processor 184 provides PTT data packets to the second input of the microprocessor 178. The microprocessor 178 then interleaves the PTT data packets with the vocoder data packets and provides the result to modem 180, which becomes synchronized with one of the network manager modems 98 during PTT operation. Although the PTT processor 184 is depicted as being functionally distinct from the microprocessor 178, both of these functional elements may be incorporated within a single microprocessor unit

The receive section 142 includes a modem, demodulator 192, which also becomes synchronized with a companion network manager modem 98 within the network call manager 40 during PTT mode operation. The vocoder data packets generated by the second modem 192 in response to forward link information from its companion network manager modem 98 are provided to a receive section IS-96A vocoder 196, which in turn produces a PCM signal from the received vocoder data packets for use by a receive section codec 200. The analog output from the codec 200 is then applied to a conventional telephone speaker 204. It should be noted that the functions performed by codecs 172 and 200 may be performed by a single device. Similarly the encoding function of vocoder 176 may be combmed with the decoding function of vocoder 196 in a single device.

As is indicated by FIG. 3A, certain information received from the network manager unit 40 by the receive section 142 may be provided to microprocessor 178 via signal line 212. This information may include various network status data (e.g., identities of other participating member users, currently active member user) to be provided by the microprocessor 178 to a conventional display 214 (e.g!, LCD screen).

FIG. 3B depicts the land line dual mode PTT telephone of FIG. 3A as modified to facilitate encrypted communication within a PTT private network. Specifically, an alternate transmit section 140’ for the telephone of FIG. 3A includes an encryption module 210 interposed between the IS-96A vocoder 176 and the microprocessor 178. In an exemplary embodiment the encryption module 210 operates to encrypt the vocoder data packets in accordance with an industry standard algorithm such as, for example, the

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Data Encryption Standard (DES). Similarly, an alternate receive section 142’ is seen to include a decryption module 214 for removing encryption from the vocoder data packets produced by the second modem 192. It should again be noted that the functions performed by codecs 172 and 200 may be 5 performed by a single device. Similarly the encoding function of vocoder 176 may be combined with the decoding function of vocoder 196 in a single device. Furthermore the functions of encryption module 210 and decryption module 214 may also be combined into a single device. The land line and cellular telephones associated with all of the member users of a 10 given PTT private network capable of participating in encrypted communication will be similarly configured with encryption and decryption modules of like type.

When the user of the land line telephone of FIG. 3B has been designated as the currently active member user, the microprocessor 178 will 15 generate an encryption identification number (I.D.) for transmission to the network call manager 40. The encryption I.D. is associated with a particular key used in decryption of the encrypted information produced by the encryption module 210. The network call manager 40 multicasts the encryption I.D. to each of the telephones associated with the remaining 20 non-active (i.e., non-speaking) member users, each of which includes a decryption module similar to the decryption module 214. Each decryption module will typically include a look-up table identifying the decryption key associated with each encryption I.D. Each non-active member user is thus able to decrypt the encrypted information from the currently active member 25 user upon receipt of the encryption I.D. provided thereby.

Turning now to FIG. 4, a block diagram is provided depicting an AMPS dual-mode PTT telephone comprised of a transmit section 240 and a receive section 242. The transmit section 240 of the AMPS dual-mode PTT telephone of FIG. 4 is configured for standard telephone operation when 30 input switch 248 is thrown to pole 250, thereby coupling input microphone 254 to the an AMPS transmitter 255. The input switch 248 is thrown to pole 258 when it is desired to configure the transmit section 240 for PTT operation within a PTT private network. Similarly, the receive section 242 is set for standard telephone operation when receive switch 262 35 is thrown to pole 266, and is set for PTT operation when receive switch 262 is thrown to pole 268.

During PTT operation, voice information from microphone 254 is coupled by switch 248 to a codec 272. The codec 272 is disposed to transform this analog voice information into a pulse code modulated (PCM) waveform

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74769-128D ¹³ provided to an IS-96A vocoder 276. The resultant vocoder data packets may then optionally be encrypted by an encryption module 278. When encryption is not desired, the vocoder data, packets are supplied to a microprocessor 279 for interleaving with PTT packets from a PTT processor 284. Again, PTT packets are generated by PTT processor 284 in response to engagement of the PTT switch 288. ' The resulting interleaved vocoder data and PTT packets are then processed by a transmit path modem 280 and provided to the AMPS transmitter 255 for transmission to the AMPS base station 70 or 72. In an alternate embodiment, data information from a peripheral device (not shown) may be supplied to the encryption module 278 or directly to the microprocessor 279.

The receive section 242 includes an AMPS receiver 291 for receiving forward link information provided by the network ' call manager 40. The analog output from the AMPS receiver 291 is coupled to a receive path modem 292, which becomes synchronized with a network manager modem 98 during PTT mode operation. The vocoder data packets generated by the receive path modem 292 are provided to a decryption module 294 during periods of encrypted PTT private communication. When encryption is not being effected, the vocoder data packets are processed by a receive section vocoder 296 operative to produce a PCM signal for use by a receive section codec 300. The analog output from the codec 300 is then applied to a conventional telephone speaker 304. When encryption is in effect, private network status information and the like received from the network manager unit 40 is decrypted and provided to microprocessor 178 via signal line 212'.

As was discussed with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B, it should again be noted that the functions performed by codecs 272 and 300 may be performed by a single device. Similarly the encoding function of vocoder 276 may be combined with the decoding function of vocoder 296 in a single device. Furthermore the functions of encryption module 278 and decryption module 294 may also be combined into a single device.

FIG. 5 provides a block diagram of a CDMA cellular telephone configured for use within a PTT private network. The CDMA cellular telephone of FIG. 5 is comprised of a CDMA transmit section 340 and a CDMA receive section 342. During PTT operation, voice information from microphone 354 is provided to a codec 372 disposed to produce a pulse code modulated (PCM) waveform. The PCM waveform is provided to a vocoder 376, which in turn generates vocoder data packets for optional encryption within an encryption module 378. When encryption is not

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74769-128D ¹⁴ desired, the vocoder data packets are supplied to a microprocessor 379 for interleaving with PTT packets from a PTT processor 384. Again, PTT packets are generated by PTT processor 384 in response¹ to engagement of the PTT switch 388. The resulting interleaved vocoder data and PTT packets are then provided by the microprocessor 379 to the CDMA transmitter 355.

The CDMA receive section 342 includes a CDMA receiver 392, which générâtes vocoder data packets in response to forward link information from the network call manager 40. The vocoder data packets are provided to a decryption module 394 during periods of encrypted PTT private communication. When encryption is not in effect, the vocoder data packets are processed by a CDMA receive section vocoder 396 operative to produce a PCM signal for use by a CDMA receive section codec 400. The analog output from the CDMA receive section codec 400 is then applied to a conventional telephone speaker 404. The functions of codecs 372 and 400 may be performed within a single device, as may the functions of vocoders 376 and 396 may also be performed within a single device. Furthermore the functions of encryption module 378 and decryption module 394 may also be combined into a single device.

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III. Analog PTT Private Network

FIG. 6 provides a functional block diagram of a network call manager 450 designed for employment within a PTT private network in which signaling is effected using analog tones. The network call manager 450 includes a network controller 490, within which is stored one or more lists of the telephone numbers associated with the member users of corresponding PTT private networks. When desiring to access a given PTT private network, a calling member user dials an access number identifying the given PTT private network.

The network call manager 450 is designed to appear to the PSTN 10 as would a private branch exchange (PBX) system, and thus the call placed by the calling member user may be received by the T1 channel 44 associated with any one of a plurality of network manager tone detectors 498. The tone detector 498' receiving the incoming call impresses a detection signal upon its output line 500’, which is sensed by the network controller 490. The network controller 490 then begins to scrutinize the tone sequence detected by the called network manager tone detector 498' in order to authenticate the calling PTT user. Once the dialed access number has been recognized by the network controller 490 and the member users of the associated PTT private network identified, the network controller 490 initiates paging of the

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74769-128D ¹⁵ member users of the identified PTT private network over the remaining T1 channels 44 using standard telephone network procedures. Upon sensing that a first of the other member users of the identified PTT private network answers a network call, the network controller 490 sends a CONNECT signal 5 in the forms of tones to the member user originally dialing the access number of the identified PTT private network -' thereby indicating to the calling member user that at least one other member user has joined the identified PTT private network.

A PTT controller 504 is provided for according speaking privileges 10 among the two or more member users joined to the identified PTT private network. In particular, the PTT controller 504 is responsive to PTT request signals, in the form of one or a combination of analog tones (PTT tone requests), generated by the telephones associated with the member users of the identified PTT private network. Each PTT tone request is generated at a 15 member user's telephone either in response to manual engagement of a PTT switch, or in response to detected voice activity of the member user. A PTT tone request from a given member user is detected by the tone detector 498 assigned thereto, which then provides a PTT request signal to the PTT controller 504 over one of the output lines 500. In an exemplary 20 embodiment the PTT controller 504 is operative to assign speaking privileges among requesting member users in the manner described above with reference to the PTT controller 104 (FIG. 2).

After a new active member user has been identified by the PTT controller 504 on the basis of the received PTT tone requests, the PTT 25 controller 504 configures a multicast switch 510 to accept the reverse link voice or data information exclusively from the T1 channel 44 associated with the currently active member user. That is, the reverse link information from each of the other T1 channels, each of which has been assigned to one of the remaining (i.e., non-active) member users, is not 30 multicast by the multicast switch 110. The PTT controller 504 also configures the multicast switch 504 to provide the reverse link information accepted from the newly identified active member user to thé Tl channels associated with each non-active member user. Because PTT tone requests are transmitted only on the reverse links of non-active member users, such PTT 35 tone requests advantageously do not interfere with the receipt of reverse link information from the active member user.

Although the forward links of each PTT private network are nominally used to carry voice or data information from the active member user to all other member users, the network controller 504 may also

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74769-128D ¹⁶ transmit system status information over the forward links during pauses or gaps in information transmission by the active member user. In an exemplary embodiment this system status information includes the following:

(i) eligible member users (phone number;, name, priority) of a given PTT private network, (ii) member users (phone number, name, priority) currently joined to the given PTT private network, (iii) the currently active member user (phone number, name, priority), and (iv) the queue of member users (phone number, name, priority, order of request) who have provided PTT tone requests to the PTT controller 490.

Such information could be transmitted using sequences of tones or tone combinations capable of being detected within the telephone of each member user. Various PTT private network information (i.e., member user lists, priorities) could be stored within the telephone of each member user, and specific entries retrieved for display upon receipt of the associated tone or tone combination from the network call manager 450. In this regarcl a land line telephone configured for use within a PTT private network orchestrated by the network call manager 450 is described immediately below with reference to FIG. 7.

Referring to FIG. 7, a block diagram is shown of a land line PTT telephone having transmit and receive sections 540 and 542 designed for communication using analog tones. During PTT operation, an input switch 548 is nominally set to pole 550 by PTT processor 552 so as to couple voice information from an input microphone 554 to the PSTN. However, when PTT switch 560 is engaged by the associated member user, the PTT processor 552 sets switch 548 to pole 562 and enables a tone generator 566. The allows the PTT tone requests generated by the tone generator 566 to be transmitted via the PSTN to the network call manager 450.

The receive section 542 includes a speaker 568, and an internal tone detector 570 for detecting analog tones or combinations thereof transmitted by the network call manager 450 during PTT mode operation. These tone or tone combinations may be used to convey a variety of status and control information to the PTT telephone of FIG. 7. In an exemplary embodiment this information may include:

(i) identification of the currently active member user (name, priority),

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74769-128D (ii) an indication that the member user associated with the PTT telephone has been accorded speaking privileges, (iii) notice that the speaking privileges of the member user associated with the PTT telephone are being revoked in favor of a member ) * user of higher priority, and

I (iv) identification of the member users currently joined to the PTT private network.

Each tone or tone combination will have associated therewith a character string or other message stored within a display processor 574. In 10 response to each detected tone or tone coihbination, the display processor 574 provides the associated message to an alphanumeric display 578. The control and status information enumerated above is intended to be merely exemplary, and in alternate embodiments other types of information may be provided to the PTT telephone by the network 15 manager.

The previous description of the preferred embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. The various modifications to these embodiments wjill be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be 20 applied to other embodiments without the use of the inventive faculty.

Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.