Selective review of bundled messages sent from a wireless communication device

Claim of priority under 35 USC 119

This patent application was filed on September 24, 2007, entitled "Systems and Methods for Selectively Reviewing Bundled Messages from Wireless Communication Devices" and was assigned to the assignee of the invention, herein by reference. Claim priority over provisional application 60 / 974,840, which is all clearly incorporated.

Background of the invention

[1. Field of invention] The present invention relates to a point-to-point or point-to-multipoint wireless communication system. More specifically, the present invention relates to a system and method for selectively reviewing messages bundled during transmission from a wireless communication device.

[2. Explanation of related technologies] There is a wireless telecommunications service that provides quick communication from one to one, or one to many, commonly referred to as the "Push to Talk" (PTT) feature. A particular PTT group is usually set up by the carrier. A PTT communication connection typically activates a half-duplex link between the speaker and each member device of the group, a single button push on the wireless device. Initiated by, once the button is released, the device can receive incoming PTT transmissions. In some configurations, the PTT speaker is spoken by other group members while the speaker is speaking. Has a "speaking right" that cannot be done. Once the speaker releases the PTT button, any other individual member of the group can also use their PTT button and have their own speaking right.

In PTT communications, it is desirable to minimize call setup time, otherwise latency can prolong the call, or one or more target mobile devices are available for PTT calls. When you do not have sufficient resources, it may cause an erroneous voice permission. When PTT systems utilize existing cellular network infrastructure, existing call signaling methods based on standard traffic channel setups are often too slow for fully responsive PTT communication systems.

Therefore, it is beneficial to provide systems and methods that facilitate PTT communication setup with target wireless communication devices when there is temporal sensitivity of communication. The system and method should be able to send multiple messages as quickly as possible, thereby facilitating the PTT communication setup without compromising the resources of the wireless communication device or base station. As such, the present invention is primarily directed to providing such systems and methods that facilitate communication from target wireless communication devices.

In an embodiment of the invention, a wireless communication device selectively bundles resource-requesting messages and transfers them in an access channel communication packet to another computer device on the wireless communication network, such as a base station. Includes systems, methods, and computer devices that allow sending, which aids in time-sensitive communications. Typically, bundled messages are sent in response to a request sent to a wireless communication device in order to respond to a particular event, such as setting up a push-to-talk call. In order to review the bundled messages and check the availability of the requested resource, the access channel communication packet contains one or more bundled messages before using the resource. The receiving computer device determines whether or not it contains data indicating that.

<figref num="1">FIG. 1 is a representative diagram of a wireless network having a designated PTT group of wireless telecommunications devices communicating with group communication servers and other computer devices through the wireless network.</figref><figref num="2">FIG. 2 is a representative diagram of one embodiment of a wireless network in a typical cellular telecommunications configuration that allows a group communication server to control calls between PTT group member wireless telecommunications devices.</figref><figref num="3">FIG. 3 is a typical block diagram illustrating a computer platform of a wireless communication device having a PTT function.</figref><figref num="4">FIG. 4 is a call flow diagram of one embodiment of a base station controller with a modified acknowledgment packet header for a target wireless device responding to an incoming PTT setup request.</figref><figref num="5">FIG. 5A is a flowchart of one embodiment of requesting resources from the target wireless device to the base station controller and changing the access channel communication packet header. FIG. 5B is a flowchart of one embodiment of the target wireless communication device interacting with the base station in FIG. 5A.</figref>

Detailed description of the invention

In this description, the terms "communication device", "wireless device", "wireless calling device", "PTT calling device", "handheld device", "mobile device", and "handset" are used interchangeably. The terms "call" and "communication" are also used interchangeably. The term "application" as used herein is intended to include executable and non-executable software files, raw data, aggregated data, patches, and other code segments. The term "exemplary" means that the disclosed element or embodiment is merely exemplary and does not indicate any preference of the user. Further, in this description, unless otherwise stated, the same number refers to the same element in several respects, and the articles "one" and "that" include multiple references. ..

Referencing drawings in which the same numbers represent the same elements throughout, Figure 1 is one of PTT groups 12, such as wireless phone 14, smart pager 16, and personal digital assistant (PDA) 18. An embodiment of a system 10 having a group communication server 32 for the above wireless telecommunications device and another wireless telecommunications device through the wireless network 20 is illustrated. In system 10, each of the wireless telecommunications devices 14, 16 and 18 may selectively communicate directly with a target set of one or more of the other wireless telecommunications devices through the wireless network 20. It is possible. For example, the target set for mobile phone 14 can be all devices in communication group 12, such as pager 16 and PDA 18, or a subset thereof.

In this embodiment, at least a group telecommunications computer device that exists on the server-side LAN 30 and is shown here as server 32 to indicate that the wireless device is present on the wireless network 20, i.e. accessible. A wireless telecommunications device (such as a mobile phone 14) sends a flag through the wireless network 20. The group communication computer device 32 can share this information with a set of target wireless telecommunications devices specified by the first wireless telecommunications device, or resides on the server-side LAN 30 or is accessed through the wireless network 20. You can also share this with other possible computer devices. The group communication computer device 32 may have an attached or accessible database 34 for storing group identification data for the wireless device. It should be understood that the number of computer components present on the server-side LAN 30, through the wireless network 20, or generally through the Internet is not limited.

Direct communication, such as PTT communication, can be established through half-duplex channels between communication wireless telecommunications devices 14, 16, 18 and one or more other wireless telecommunications devices in the target set. Also, if at least one wireless telecommunications device in the target set informs the group communication computer device 32 of their presence on the wireless network 20, the group communication computer device 32 is requested with the target set. Direct communication can be bridged.

When no (or at least one) wireless telecommunications device in the target set informs the group telecommunications computer device 32 of their presence on the wireless network 20, the group telecommunications computer device 32 is wireless telecommunications. Communication devices 14, 16 and 18 can also be informed that direct communication to target set 12 cannot be bridged. Further, although the group communication computer device 32 is shown to have a database 34 to which the group identification data is attached, the group communication computer device 32 can have the group identification data existing on it. , All memory functions described herein can be performed.

In summary, the system through the wireless communication network 20 by a group communication server 32 configured to receive a request to establish group communication with at least one target wireless communication device (such as a mobile phone 14). 10 selectively communicates with wireless communication devices 14, 16 and 18 for group communication, and the group communication server 32 performs incoming group communication to at least one target wireless communication device through the wireless communication network 20. Send a request to indicate. Through the access channel from at least one target wireless communication device that receives a request to establish group communication from the group communication server 32, the intermediate computer device (such as base station controller 64 in FIG. 2) communicates with the access channel. Receive the packet. The access communication packet indicates whether or not a bundled message is present in the packet, such as a message indicating a resource for group communication to at least one wireless communication device 14. By bundling messages, other computer devices (such as base station 60) do not have to look at all the messages sent by the wireless communication device for the bundled messages. 16 and 18 can quickly send a message indicating their ability to handle incoming communications.

Group communications can be graphic media such as pictures in voice, applications, JPEGs, TIFs, and the like, or audio files such as MP3, MP4, WAV, and the like. The medium can be a streaming medium, such as multimedia applications (PowerPoint, MOV files, and the like). Also, group communication is typically a half-duplex audio conference between members of communication group 12.

Figure 2 shows a typical group with a set of group communication computer devices (group communication servers) 32 that control communication between wireless communication devices of set group members (devices 70, 72, 74, 76) in a PTT system. FIG. 6 is a representative diagram of one embodiment of a wireless network in a cellular telecommunications configuration. Wireless networks are merely exemplary and can include any system, which allows remote modules to include, but are not limited to, wireless network carriers and / or servers between and / or between wireless networks. Wireless communication between the components of network 20. A series of group communication servers 32 are connected to the group communication server LAN50. The wireless phone can use the data service option to request a packet data session from the group communication server 32.

The group communication server 32 is connected to a packet data service node (PDSN) of a wireless service provider such as PSDN52 and / or a broadcast serving node 53, which is shown here to be present on the carrier network 54. Each PSDN52 or BSN53 can interface with base station controller 64 of base station 60 through packet control function (PCF) 62. The PCF62 is typically located in base station 60. The carrier network 54 controls messages sent to the messaging service controller (MSC) 58 (generally in the form of data packets). The carrier network 54 communicates with the MSC58 via the network, the Internet, and / or POTS (Plain Ordinary Telephone System). Typically, the network or internet connection between carrier network 54 and MSC58 transfers data, and POTS transfers voice information. The MSC58 can be connected to one or more base stations 60. In a manner similar to carrier networks, MSC58 is typically referred to by the network and / or the Internet for data transfer and by POTS for voice information (sometimes referred to as "branch-to-source"). ) Connected to Base Transceiver Station (BTS) 66. The BTS66 will eventually broadcast the message to wireless devices such as cellular phones 70, 72, 74, 76 by short messaging service (SMS) or other technically known wireless methods. And receive messages wirelessly from wireless devices. It should be noted that carrier boundaries and / or PTT operator network boundaries do not suppress or prohibit data sharing as described herein.

Cellular phones and mobile telecommunications devices, such as the wireless phone 14, have been manufactured to provide increased computer processing power and are becoming comparable to personal computers and handheld PDAs. These "smart" cellular phones allow software developers to generate software applications that can be downloaded and run on the processor of the wireless device. Wireless devices like the cellular phone 14 can download many types of applications, such as web pages, applets, MIDlets, games, and data. In wireless devices with communication group 12 designated (Figure 1), wireless communication devices can connect directly with other members of the set and engage in voice and data communication. However, all such direct communication occurs through the group communication server 32, i.e. under the control of the group communication server 32. Not all data packets of the device need to travel through the group communication computer device 32 itself, but the group communication computer device 32 must ultimately be able to control communication. The reason is that the group communication computer device 32 can recognize and / or retrieve the identifiers of the members of the communication group, or is typically the only server-side that directs the identifiers of the members of the communication group 12 to another computer device. Because it is 30 components.

FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of a wireless telecommunications device that is a mobile phone 14 with a target set of devices, i.e. a mobile phone 14 with a PTT button 78 that opens direct communication to other members of the communication group 12. It is a figure. The wireless device 14 is also shown to include a graphic display 80 for the user of the wireless device 14. The wireless device 14 comprises a computer platform 82 that handles voice and data packets and receives and executes software applications transmitted through the wireless network 20 to provide group communication. Computer platform 82 includes, among other components, application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC) 84, or other processors, microprocessors, logic circuits, programmable gate arrays, or other data processing devices. .. ASIC84 was installed when the wireless device was manufactured and is usually not upgradeable. The ASIC84 or other processor may execute an application programming interface (API) layer 86 that includes the existing application environment and include an operating system loaded on the ASIC84. The existing application environment interfaces with any existing program in memory 88 of the wireless device. An example of an existing application environment is the "Binary Runtime Environment for Wireless" (BREW) (R) software developed by QUALCOMM® for wireless device platforms.

As shown here, the wireless device may be a mobile phone 14 with a graphic display 80, but is technically known, such as a personal digital assistant (PDA) or a pager with a graphic display 80. It can be any wireless device with such a computer platform 82, or even an independent computer platform 82 that has a wireless communication portal or may otherwise have a wired connection to a network or the Internet. You may. In addition, memory 88 can include read-only memory or random access memory (RAM and ROM), EPROM, EEPROM, flash card®, or any memory common to computer platforms. Computer platform 82 may also include a local database 90 for storage of software applications that are not actively used in memory 88. The local database 90 typically consists of one or more flash memory cells, but is technically known, such as magnetic media, EPROM, EEPROM, optical media, tape, or software or hard disk. It can be any secondary or tertiary storage device, such as.

In this embodiment of the wireless device, the computer platform 82 also typically includes a direct communication interface 92 capable of opening a communication channel directly from the wireless device for half-duplex voice communication in PTT calls. The direct communication interface 92 can also be part of a standard communication interface to the wireless device, typically delivering voice and data transmitted to or from the wireless device. The direct communication interface 92 typically consists of hardware as known technically.

System 10 searches for bundled messages in access channel communication packets from the target wireless communication device only when the base station controller 64 is needed, and when the base station controller 64 receives it, the base station controller 64 is requested. Provides a mechanism to check the availability of resources. If the requested resource is not available, the base station controller 64 looks at the differentiated services code point (DSCP) in the IP header of the access channel communication packet and forwards the packet to PDSN52. The group communication server 32 reads the DSCP value of the call request packet and takes appropriate action according to the value, that is, determines whether the target wireless communication devices 14, 16 and 18 are available for group communication.

In the "advanced optimized data" (EV-DO) standard for wireless communication devices, data over-signaling (DOS) messages are sent to base stations and mobiles through access channels (AC) or control channels (CC). It is defined as a transmission mechanism for delivering short application packets to and from telecommunications devices.

In one embodiment, the message is short and very sensitive to delays, so during the first call setup request, the base station controller 64 requests the request encapsulated in the DOS message wireless communication devices 14,16. , 18 and it can be sent to wireless communication devices 14, 16 and 18 through AC. In such cases, DOS messages are expected to be bundled with other messages requesting resources for upcoming PTT calls. For example, in the EV-DO standard, to require traffic channel (TCH) resources with certain quality of service (QoS) requirements, wireless communication devices 14, 16 and 18 may be used in the same access probe to the base station. You can bundle connection request and request reservation messages with DOS messages. In another example, wireless communication devices 14, 16 and 18 can bundle a "BCMCS flow registration" message with a DOS message to request a broadcast channel (BCH) resource.

In one embodiment, existing headers for access channel communication packets are used, as specified in the EV-DO standard. In particular, both the Multiflow Packet Application (MFPA) and Enhanced Multiflow Packet Application (EMFPA) DOS headers include a "reset" field. According to the standard, the reset operation can only be initiated by the base station controller 64, so this 1-bit field must always be set to 0 for DOS starting from the mobile. Here, the wireless communication devices 14, 16 and 18 set this field to 1 to request the base station controller 64 to read the bundled messages before forwarding the access channel communication packet to the PDSN52. set. When base station controller 64 receives a DOS message from wireless communication devices 14, 16 and 18, base station controller 64 must first look at the reset field and read the bundled message. To determine. When reset = 0, the base station controller 64 simply transfers the DOS payload for the PDSN 52 to the group communication server 32, either directly or indirectly, for final transmission. If reset = 1, the base station controller 64 searches the bundled messages and checks the availability of the requested resource. For example, if the BCMCS flow registration messages are bundled, the base station controller 64 checks the availability of broadcast channel resources. If resources are available, base station controller 64 simply forwards the packet to PDSN52 without changing the DSCP value. Otherwise, the base station controller 64 changes the DSCP value in the packet's IP header to a specific value that indicates the availability of the requested resource. The base station controller 64 transfers the DOS payload to the PDSN52 and is finally notified to the group communication server 32, that is, the group communication server.

In another embodiment, the base station controller 64 can search for bundled messages whenever it receives a DOS message from wireless communication devices 14, 16, 18. It does not require wireless communication devices 14, 16 and 18 to use the reset field to indicate the presence of bundled messages. However, in this case, the base station controller 64 needs to check for the presence of bundled messages for all DOS messages received from wireless communication devices 14, 16 and 18. If the message is received within a certain time distance from the reception of the DOS message, the base station controller 64 determines that the message is bundled with the DOS message.

FIG. 4 is a call flow diagram of one embodiment of establishing PTT communication and group-oriented media transmission between wireless communication devices of communication group members. The communication wireless device, which is here the PTT client 132, requests to establish a direct PTT call with the target device of communication group 12, which is shown here as the PTT client 138. The call setup request can include, for example, a target user address, a group application ID, or a request to establish a group. Call setup requests may be sent with data over signaling (DOS) access channel messages. Group Communication Server (GCS) 134 performs PTT call setup functions, including finding the location of the target. In addition, GCS134 notifies the target device (PTT client 138) that a PTT call has been established with the included group media data.

The target PTT client 138 receives the incoming call announcement and verifies that it has the resources available to participate in the PTT call. As shown in the embodiments described above, the target PTT client 138 sends an acknowledgment to the GCS 134 indicating that the resource is available or unavailable by modifying the header of the access channel communication packet. Here, for illustrative purposes, it is assumed that the target PTT client 138 has available resources. Once an access channel communication packet is received from the target PTT client 138, BSC136 reviews the header to ensure that the bundled messages in it are inspected, and if not, GCS134. Before forwarding the message to, look at the DSCP in the IP header of the call acceptance message. The GCS134 determines whether the target device is available, and if so, sends a voice permit to the outgoing PTT client 132, which means that the call has been established and the PTT client 132 ( It often indicates that the user of the device can start talking (with an audible "beep"). Then, GCS134 handles PTT communication and sends PTT communication to the target device (PTT client 138).

FIG. 5A is a flowchart of one embodiment of requesting a resource from base station 60 to target wireless devices 14, 16 and 18 when the resource is unavailable, and changing the access channel communication packet header. , FIG. 5B is a flowchart of one embodiment of target wireless communication devices 14, 16 and 18 interacting with base station 60 in FIG. 5A. As shown in step 140, base station 60 receives a request from group communication server 32 to set up PTT communication for target wireless devices 14, 16 and 18, and then as shown in step 142. Sends a request to the target wireless devices 14, 16 and 18, notifying the wireless communication device of the incoming PTT call and requesting the device to acknowledge its status in order to handle the PTT call. Base station 60 waits for a DOS packet to receive a response from the target wireless communication devices 14, 16 and 18, as shown in decision 144. Then, as shown in decision 144, a decision is made as to whether the target wireless communication devices 14, 16 and 18 have responded to the request.

As shown in FIG. 5B, target wireless communication devices 14, 16 and 18 receive a request indicating the setup of PTT communication as shown in step 146 and as shown in decision 148. A decision is made as to whether a bundle of messages is needed to generate a response. In decision 148, if a bundled message is required, the access channel communication packet header will have the bundled message as shown in step 150, such as the reset bit change described earlier. It is modified to indicate that it exists and that the packet is sent to base station 60. Otherwise, in decision 148, if it is not necessary to send the bundled messages, the target wireless communication devices 14, 16 and 18 have access to indicate that there are no bundled messages, as shown in step 152. Send a channel communication packet to base station 60.

Base station 60, which is waiting for a response from target wireless devices 14, 16 and 18 and is waiting at decision 144, once an access channel communication packet is received at decision 144, as indicated by decision 154. , A decision is made as to whether the bundled messages are present in the access channel communication packet. In one embodiment, the determination is that the reset bits should be flipped by the target wireless communication devices 14, 16 and 18 to examine the messages in the packet and that resources for the PTT are probably not available. When is indicated, it is to check whether the header data of the access channel communication packet is set. If there are bundled messages in decision 154, access channel communication packets are searched for the messages, as shown in step 156. In decision 154, if the bundled messages are not shown, an appropriate acknowledgment from the target wireless communication device is finally sent to the group communication server 32. It should be noted that other computer devices and other routes of packets or messages from base station 60 to the group communication server 32 can be used in this system. In one embodiment, if the resources of the target wireless devices 14, 16 and 18 are available, an acknowledgment that the target wireless communication devices 14, 16 and 18 are ready for PTT communication is given to the group communication server 32. Will be sent to. Here, the notification is preferably sent to the group communication server 32, which grants the right to speak to the outgoing wireless communication device.

Therefore, in one embodiment, the system 10 provides a method of the invention for bundling messages sent from target wireless communication devices 14, 16 and 18 by using an accelerator channel communication packet including its header. Can be recognized. A computer device such as base station 60 receives a request to communicate with wireless computer devices 14, 16 and 17, such as a PTT call from group communication server 32. Through the access channel on the wireless communication network 20, at least one target wireless communication device 14, 16, 18 sends an access communication packet indicating the existence of bundled messages in the packet (like base station 60). N) Receive access channel communication packets on other computer devices. If the data in the access channel communication packet indicates the presence of bundled messages, other computer devices examine the packet for bundled messages.

In one embodiment, sending group communication is establishing a half-duplex voice communication broadcast channel. If the access channel communication packet contains a header containing multiple signaling bits, the method may include altering one or more of the signaling bits to indicate the presence of the bundled message. it can. In addition, wireless communication devices 14, 16 and 18 can send access channel communication packets to base station 60. The method can include disallowing group communication by the group communication server 32 when resources are not available for at least one target wireless communication device 14, 16, 18. Alternatively, the group communication server 32 can selectively ignore the display that resources are not available for group communication to at least one target and allow group communication.

In addition, the determination of availability of resources is to determine whether it is possible to establish a traffic channel to at least one target wireless communication device 14, 16 or 18 for group communication. can do. The intermediate computer device can send a request indicating an incoming group call to at least one target wireless communication device 14, 16, 18 through a control channel to at least one target wireless communication device 14, 16, 18. In one embodiment, the intermediate computer device can determine whether resources are available for the traffic channel.

Considering a method that can be performed on a mobile device or other computer platform, the method is therefore performed by a resident program on a computer-readable medium. The program instructs a mobile device or other computer device with a computer platform to perform the steps of the method. The computer-readable medium may be the memory of the server or may reside in a connectable database. In addition, computer reading into a second storage medium that can be loaded onto a wireless communication device computer platform, such as magnetic disks or tapes, optical disks, hard disks, flash memory, or other technically known storage media. Possible media can exist.

As one or more exemplary embodiments, the methods described may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented in software, a function may be stored on a computer-readable medium as one or more instructions or codes, or transmitted as one or more instructions or codes on a computer-readable medium. Good. Computer-readable media include both computer storage media and communication media, including any medium that facilitates the transfer of computer programs from one location to another. The storage medium may be any available medium accessible by the computer. By way of example, such computer readable media are RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage device, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage device, or instructions or data configurations accessible by a computer. It may include, but is not limited to, any other medium that can be used in the form to transmit or store the desired program code. Also, any connection is properly referred to as a computer-readable medium. For example, the software uses websites, servers, or coaxial cables, fiber optic cables, twisted pairs, digital subscriber lines (DSL), or other wireless technologies such as infrared, wireless, and microwave. Wireless technologies such as coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or infrared, wireless, and microwave when transmitted from a remote source are included in the definition of medium. Discs (disk and disc) such as those used herein may include compact discs (CDs), laser discs, optical discs, digital general purpose discs (DVDs), floppy® discs, and Blu-ray discs, but are generally used. Disks play data magnetically, while discs play data. Is optically reproduced by a laser. A combination of the above should also be included within the scope of computer readable media.

Various changes and detailed changes in embodiments that represent and describe the invention in connection with these preferred embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as described in the claims. Those skilled in the art will understand that they can. In addition, the components of the invention are described in the singular and claimed in the claims, but are intended for the plural unless limited to the singular are explicitly indicated.