System and method for multiple simultaneous communication groups in wireless system

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to wireless telecommunications, and more particularly - to a system and method for supporting multiple simultaneous group communications among communicating devices on a wireless network.

BACKGROUND

Technological development has made mobile telephones or wireless communications devices inexpensive and accordingly ubiquitous. As wireless telecommunication devices are manufactured with greater processing capability and memory, they also become more multifunctional and include many features including direct radio communication capability between two or a group of individual handsets. This ability to direct radio communication is generally known as a sign of "push to talk» (push-to-talk) (PTT) or "portable radio", which provides the user with a handset the ability to communicate with the device from a predefined set of members of the group, without having to dial the phone number destination.

In one embodiment of PTT wireless telecommunication device such as a handset, it uses one single frequency for both the uplink and the downlink communication with the remote receiver, whereas the normal wireless communication a wireless telephone uses two frequencies for supporting communication with the server, one for outgoing and one for incoming calls. PTT system requires the person who is speaking, press during the call, and then release it when done. Any listener in the group can then press their button to respond. In this mode of action, the system determines the direction in which the signal propagates. In a typical configuration, when a user makes a call to the receiving party or group of parties taking with the use of PTT, the handset user is primarily a request to the remote server. Remote north certify that no other party is not using the communication channel, and the channel is available, then assigns a channel to the user. The message is received by the server, and the server duplicates the message for each and every receiving party. After the message is sent to each receiving party, the channel is released and ready for use by other parties.

In one type of PTT existing cellular technology connects devices recipient group PTT. On the contrary, radio transceiver in the normal style "portable radio" will only work if radio stations are within a certain distance from each other, the condition to be able to remote communication within the feedforward signal. Cellular communication systems using sign PTT, can communicate anywhere within a service area defined by their service provider, which is typically a large urban area, or even in the whole country.

Normally, when communication through the PTT feature existing systems one wireless device is part of a liaison group PTT, and a user on one wireless device can communicate simultaneously with multiple groups of communication PTT. Further, despite the fact that an incoming PTT message is reproduced on the wireless device, the user can not interrupt the current talker. Thus, the present invention is primarily directed to such a system and method to give a wireless device to simultaneously monitor multiple PTT communication groups.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The system and method of the present invention provide a wireless device to simultaneously monitor multiple PTT communication groups and interrupted by incoming PTT communication PTT communication of higher priority. The system and method also allow the server to support multiple PTT communication groups, where one or more PTT communication groups are designated as basic groups or PTT communication is established at least for a prioritization of each communication group.

In one embodiment, the method provides a wireless device comprising an audio device and a display device to control multiple PTT communications on a wireless network. The method includes the steps of subscribing to multiple communication group PTT selecting at least the primary communication group PTT, receiving and playing at least one communication PTT server PTT, wherein at least one bond PTT is from either the primary communication group PTT or minor liaison group PTT and if the link RTT of non-core group communication PTT played on the audio device, and accepted communication PTT from the main group PTT interruption PTT of the non-core group communication PTT and playback adopted due PTT from the main liaison group PTT on the audio device.

In yet another embodiment, a method for a PTT communication server for delivery of multiple PTT communications to user devices. The method includes the steps of receiving a subscription to multiple communication group PTT receiving selection of the main group communication PTT receiving at least one communication PTT first user device, wherein at least one bond PTT is a basic communication PTT or minor connection PTT a designated PTT group, and if the non-primary PTT communication is transmitted to the second user device designated PTT group and adopted by the main link PTT interrupt transmission minor PTT communication and transmitting the received primary PTT communication to the second user device.

In another embodiment, an apparatus monitors multiple PTT communications on a wireless telecommunication network. The apparatus includes a transceiver for transmitting and receiving communication PTT from a remote server, a storage device for storing information on multiple groups regard PTT, a display portion for displaying the ad activity concerning communication PTT, user interface device for reproducing the received communication PTT, interface PTT for receiving a request PTT user, and a controller for determining which PTT communications to be reproduced by the user interface device.

In another embodiment, the system allows multiple PTT communications among wireless devices in a wireless network. The system includes a server in communication with the wireless communication network, the server selectively support multiple PTT communication with a user device through multiple channels, and a user device capable of communicating with the server through a wireless communication network, the UE simultaneously receives a PTT communication from a plurality of groups of PTT communication, while the user device interrupts playing due PTT, if accepted by the main PTT communication with the server.

The present systems and methods are useful because they provide a wireless communication device to simultaneously control multiple groups PTT communication, and, in addition, provide a wireless communication device the ability to interrupt the incoming message the PTT switch to transmit a high priority message PTT to other members of the same communication group PTT. The system is particularly useful where the required priority of the message, such as the chain of command in the armed forces or emergency.

Other advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent after reviewing the brief description set forth below drawings, detailed description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates one exemplary embodiment of a communication network used according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of a wireless device in one exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 3 - diagram showing the interaction between the server and the wireless devices within a sequence of communication operations PTT.

FIG. 4 - a diagram illustrating a wireless device, which controls many of the liaison group PTT.

FIG. 5 - a block diagram of a method for an exemplary embodiment of a sequence of operations the user subscription.

FIG. 6 - a block diagram of a method for an exemplary embodiment of a flowchart subscription server.

FIG. 7 - block-diagram of a method for an exemplary embodiment of the processing server message.

FIG. 8 - a flowchart of a method for an exemplary embodiment of the processing messages of the user.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In this specification, the terms "communication device," "wireless device," "wireless device," "PTT communication device," "handheld device" and "handset" are used interchangeably and are used interchangeably, the terms "channels" and "group." The term "application" as used herein is intended to encompass executable and nonexecutable software files, raw data, aggregated data, program inserts and other code segments. Moreover, identical reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the several types, and objects in the singular encompass the plural reference unless the description is not otherwise specified.

In a review of the system and method provide a wireless device to simultaneously monitor multiple communication group PTT. The system and method also provide one or more servers or devices allow communication ability to support multiple communication group PTT, where one or more groups of PTT communication designated as major groups PTT communication or otherwise endowed with priority over other communication PTT.

FIG. 1 depicts a communication network 100 used according to the present invention. The communication network 100 includes one or more communication towers 106, each of which is connected to the base station 110 (BS) and serving users with communication device 102. Communication device 102 can be cellular telephones, pagers, personal digital assistants (PDA), laptop computers, or other hand-held, stationary, or portable communication devices that communicate "push to talk» (push-to-talk) (PTT). The commands and data input by each user are transmitted as digital data on a mast 106 connection. Communication between the user using the communication device 102 and the mast 106 communication may be based on different technologies, such as code division multiple access channels (CDMA), multiple access with time division multiplexing (TDMA), multiple access, frequency division multiplexing (FDMA ), global system for mobile communications (GSM), or other protocols that may be used in a wireless communications network or a data network. The data from each user is sent from the communication tower 106 to a base station 110 (BS) and sent to the switching center 114 (MSC) mobile communication, which can be connected to the public switched telephone network 118 public (PSTN) network 120 and Internet. MSC 114 may be connected to a server 116 that supports the PTT feature in the communications network 100. Optionally, the server 116 may be part of the MSC 114. During communication PTT, wireless communication device 102 sends and receives audio data to the designated link, and control data are sent and received through the data channel. The server may also suppress transmission of PTT communication to a particular wireless device upon request from such a device.

In one embodiment, server 116 includes an application that supports the PTT feature and is capable of supporting multiple PTT communication groups for each communication device 102, where one of the PTT communication group is designated as the primary PTT communication group. Communication from the primary PTT communication group may interrupt the communication of minority groups PTT communication devices within the group. Using the basic group PTT communication can also be limited to a limited group of users. All members of the core group PTT communication can control the communication group, but, typically, only a few will be able to transmit the communication to all members.

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram 200 of a wireless handset 102. The wireless handset 102 includes a controller 202, a storage unit 204, display unit 206, external interface unit 208, a user interface unit 212, the control unit 210 activating "push to talk» (push-to -talk), transceiver 214 and antenna 216. The controller 202 can be hardware, software, or a combination thereof. The controller 202 is capable of sending a request for transmission of the message the main PTT communication server 116 when the cordless handset 102 produces an incoming message due PTT. Display unit 206 may display graphical images or information about the incoming PTT communication to the user. An external interface unit 208 controls hardware, such as speaker, microphone, and display unit, used for communication with the user. UI unit 212 controls hardware, such as a keyboard 210 and a block activation "push to talk» (push-to-talk). Transceiver 214 transmits and receives radio signals to and from the communication tower 106. The controller 202 interprets commands and data received from the user and the network 100. Voice communication is received from a member of the core group communication PTT, can interrupt a minor audio communication, which is reproduced on the loudspeaker device. Wireless handset 102 is able to control multiple groups of PTT communication, and may also request that the connection of a particular group PTT communication suppressed or volume is significantly reduced, such that the non-primary connection could still be heard faintly in the background of the basic communication.

FIG. 3 - schematic diagram 300 representing interactions between the server 304 (also known as group communication server) 302 and wireless devices during a sequence of operations PTT communication. Communication does not occur between an initiating wireless device 302 and the server 304 as long as the user does not activate the PTT button. The wireless device 302 may be part of one or more PTT communication groups. In the example of FIG. 3, the wireless device 302 belongs to two groups, 314 and 316, PTT. The wireless device 302 can control the two groups and to keep in touch with each group separately and independently. Typically, the user can start the PTT communication with members of the target group PTT. The wireless device 302 sends the information about the target group, PTT and PTT communication channel request to the server 304. Upon receiving the PTT communication channel request and information about the target group PTT server 304 checks the availability of the communication channel PTT, the designated target group PTT, and provides PTT communication channel initiating user 302, if the PTT communication channel is available. After the PTT communication channel is provided by the originating wireless device 302 initiating wireless device 302 can transmit audio communication to the target group through 314 PTT server 304. Upon receiving the user audio communication server 304 identifies the members 306-308 314 PTT communication group, which initiates user 302 wants to send audio communication. The server 304 also broadcasts the audio communication and the image code to each member of the group 306-308 314 communications PTT. It should be noted that data other than audio communication can also be sent in a PTT communication, such as video and / or audio data. Wireless devices 310-312, which is a member of another group of 316 Communications PTT, for which the wireless device 302 is a member, will not accept any audio communication with the wireless device 302, which are aimed at a group of 314 communication PTT.

FIG. 4 - a diagram 400 illustrating the wireless device 402, which controls many of the liaison group PTT. The wireless device 402 may elect to monitor more than one group communication PTT, where the group is the primary PTT communication group communication. When the PTT communication adopted one minor group 414, PTT and played on the wireless device 402, the server 404 may receive PTT communication from a core group of 416 PTT. The server 404 makes sure that the PTT communication is derived from the primary PTT group, and that the sound relationship that is sent is now on the wireless device 402 is not the primary audio communication PTT, then the server 404 interrupts the current non-core audio PTT communication and sends the main audio PTT communication from the primary PTT group 416 to the wireless device 402. If the server 404 is transmitted primary PTT communication to the wireless device 402 and take other PTT communication, basic or non-intended for the same wireless device 402, the server 404 does not interrupt the transmission of the main communication PTT, instead of the server 404 sends the information of an incoming PTT communication to the wireless device 402. The information is sent via the data channel. The information may include information about the sender and the communication group PTT. After receiving information from the server 404, the wireless device 402 may request that the primary PTT communication was interrupted and set off non-core connection PTT.

The wireless device 402 may also make a request to temporarily stop connections from the control group PTT. For example, wireless device 402 may send a request to the server 404 to hold him from the control group of 416 connections PTT. Upon receiving the request, the server 404 deletes the wireless device 402 from the list of active participation of the group 416, PTT and then wireless device 402 will not receive any communication from the group of 416 PTT. Since the connection of the PTT group 416 will not be transmitted to the wireless device 402. However, the activity of ad server 404 will not be affected by the removal request, 402 Communications will continue to take them. The user may be returned to the active participation list after a certain time period, if the stop request is associated with a period of time. Users can also return to the list of active participation by an additional inquiry.

The wireless device 402 may also make a request to a full stop control connections from the group PTT. In this case, the wireless device 402 is removed from the active participation of the group PTT. Users on the wireless device 402 can then restore the control group of 416 PTT via selection request.

FIG. 5 - a block diagram of a method 500 for a sequence of operations the user selection. The user can subscribe to multiple groups of PTT, the first time you sign for a sign of communication PTT, and he can then modify your subscription by adding and removing different groups of PTT. Once a user has subscribed to a particular group PTT, its information is added to the master list for the group PTT. The main list of lists of all subscribers of the list, which may or may not be controlling PTT group in specific day.

The user can choose which of its subscribed PTT groups he wants to control the specific day. The sequence of selections is preferably performed every time the wireless device is on, but it can be activated by the user at any time. When the user wants to select PTT groups to monitor, the wireless device sends a selection request to the server, step 502, and receives the list of subscribed PTT groups from the server, step 504. The subscription list may be resident on the server or alternatively on several servers. After receiving the list of available PTT groups, the wireless displays it to the user device, step 506. The user can then select which PTT groups he wants to monitor. User selection is received by the wireless device, step 508. Selection of the user can include the PTT groups, which have been established as basic PTT groups during the sequence of operations the user subscription. Once the user has selected a group PTT, he Well elaet control, the wireless device sends to the server selection. After selecting the PTT groups, which the user wants to monitor, the user will then receive all the communications from these selected PTT groups. Activities in groups of PTT, which the user has subscribed, but not chosen for the control will not be sent to the wireless device.

In an alternative embodiment, the list of subscribed PTT groups may be located resident on the wireless device and is not necessary that the wireless device requests and receives a list from the server. Power on the wireless device displays a list of the user. Once the user makes a selection, the wireless device sends a request to select a server, and the server will add a wireless device in the list of the active participation of a selected group of PTT. When the user selects multiple PTT groups to control the wireless devices are sent to the server a request for selection for each selected group PTT.

The server maintains a list of active participation for each group PTT. When the wireless device is active and the user has selected PTT group to control, the wireless device will be added to the list of active participation of the group PTT. When the wireless device is turned off or the user decides to no longer supervise a group of PTT, the wireless device is removed from the list of active participation. Alternatively, the server may allow the user to be constantly present in the list of the active participation of the group PTT, and the user will not be removed from the list of active participation every time the wireless device is turned off.

The user may also specify one or more basic groups PTT at each time when it is controlling a plurality PTT groups. If the user chose to control multiple groups of PTT, and the user can set some of them as the main groups of PTT. It may also rank these PTT groups in a priority order. For example, a user may prefer to control the PTT group with members of his family, PTT group with your friends and the PTT group with his colleagues, and the user can rank the PTT group of his colleagues the highest priority, followed by the PTT group of his family members, and then, followed by PTT group of his friends. User, in this case, can control all three groups, but the connection from his colleagues will interrupt the connection from his family members and friends. For example, if the user is listening to the conversation of his friends in the PTT group of friends and accepted a message from his boss, talking with his friends will be reset, muted or moved to the background in favor of messages from his boss.

FIG. 6 - a block diagram of a method for selecting a sequence of operations of the server 600. The server receives the request message with the choice of the wireless device user, step 602. The server checks the message, prepares the list of PTT groups signed the user and sends it to the user, step 604. When the user's selection received, step 606, the server adds the user to each of the selected PTT groups, step 608.

FIG. 7 - block-diagram of a method for processing a sequence of operations 700 the server message. The server receives a message intended for the user, step 702, and checks whether it is sending any PTT communication to the user, step 704. If the user is not receiving any PTT communication, ie there is no transfer of PTT communication to the user, the server sends the newly adopted Us PTT user, step 706. If the server is sending PTT communication to the user, the server checks whether it is sent basic PTT communication, step 708. If the server is already busy sending the primary PTT communication to the user, the server will not interrupt the transfer. The server will only send information on newly received PTT communication, the main or minor, the user, step 710. The information may include the identity of the sender's identity PTT group, and other pertinent information.

After receiving information about incoming PTT communication user can decide whether to switch to a new PTT communication, step 720. If the requested handoff, then the server terminates the current PTT communication to the user, step 722, and transmits the new PTT communication to a wireless device user stage 724. After the transfer of the new PTT communication server resumes transmission interrupted PTT communication user, if it is still going on, block 718.

On the other hand, if the server is not sending the primary PTT communication to the user, the server checks whether the newly arrived primary PTT communication PTT communication, step 712. If the incoming PTT communication is a minor, the server sends its information to the user, step 710, and monitors wishes whether any user to switch to a new connection PTT, as described above. If the incoming PTT communication is the primary link, the server interrupts occurring at the moment the transfer of non-primary PTT communication to the user, step 714, and transmits the primary PTT communication to the user, step 716. After transmitting the primary PTT communication server resumes the transmission of the previous minor PTT communication to the user, block 718, if the non-primary PTT communication is still active.

Alternatively, if the server is transmitting a minor PTT communication to the user and accepted by the primary PTT communication, directed by the same user, the server can reduce the volume of non-essential communications PTT, which is broadcast to the target user, and then sends Incoming PTT communication over the non-essential communications PTT. User, in this case, will hear the main PTT communication with the minor weakened due PTT.

FIG. 8 - a sequence of processing operations 800 posts of the wireless device. Upon receiving the wireless device checks whether it is incoming PTT communication, step 802. If it is an incoming PTT communication, the wireless device sets up the voice channel, receives and plays the PTT communication, step 804. If the message is not a PTT communication, the wireless device checks whether it is an informational message about the unfinished connection PTT, step 806. If the message is not a notification of PTT, the wireless device displays an error message, step 808. If the message is a notification of PTT, the wireless device displays the information message on the display device, step 810, and checks whether the user wants to request a handoff, block 812, and make a new connection PTT. If the user prefers to monitor the new link PTT, the wireless device sends a request to change the channel on the server, block 814.

The following is a description of one use scenario showing the hierarchical nature of use of the present system. Jane is a caterer who works in the department orders a large hotel. She is a staff brigadier service applications and is also responsible for the supply of food and beverages in rooms on request. However, it also interacts with other teams at the brigade (hardware, head of catering, cleaning and so on. P.), As well as management personnel of the hotel.

To enable communications teams, it is involved in three groups of communication PTT: 1) PTT group services team, 2) PTT group for all team leaders service applications, and 3) "emergency" PTT group to the entire staff. One note about the failure group PTT: foremen and managerial staff are people who only have access to "transfer" in relation to this channel, while all employees of the hotel have access to "listen."

When Jane begins to watch, it selects these channels (groups) and checks its list of priorities (emergency, other challenges, foremen, brigade service). Throughout the day the channel service team has the greatest activity, and she uses it to give directions and answer questions. At certain times during the day there is an activity in the channel team leaders to discuss the state of evening applications and last-minute changes. Despite the fact that it is involved in the discussion on foremen channel, she can see on the display device, there is activity on the channel service teams (which has a lower priority); It does note that the interview team about it, when she interrupted.

At one point in the day, Jane is on the group call with your family. It can be seen that there is activity on the channel Brigade and again makes a remark to test itself later. In the middle of her family call has a message on an emergency channel of the hotel, a short message, notifying all of the non-serious fire which has just been eliminated in the hotel kitchen. This message is briefly interrupted by a call Jane family (it is played, and breaks her family talk) and returns it to the family call when the advertisement is completed. She quickly evading from this call and switch to the channel team to join the discussion about combating the effects of fire and the influence on the evening of the application. Jane knows that she must not notify the rest of her staff about the problem; She knows that all also took the warning.

In an alternative embodiment, the invention can easily support a multiuser paging communication system in a wired network. Users may be connected to a wired network as illustrated by computing devices 122 and 124 in FIG. 1. A user at the computing device 122 may communicate with a user on the computing device 124 or wireless device 102 in a similar manner as described above.

In view of the method being executable on a computer device or a wireless device a wireless service provider, the method may be performed by a program resident located on a computer-readable medium, where the program directs a server or other computing device comprising a computer platform to perform the steps of the method. The computer-readable medium may be a memory of the server or may reside in the database of the binder. In addition, machine-readable medium may be on secondary storage media that is loadable into the computer platform of wireless communication device such as a magnetic disk or tape, optical disk, hard disk, flash memory, or other storage media as is known in the art art.

In the context of FIG. 5-8, illustrated blocks do not require or imply any particular sequence of actions. Actions may be performed sequentially or in parallel. The method, for example, may also be implemented operating portion (s) of the wireless network, such as wireless communications device or the server, to execute a sequence of machine-readable instructions. The instructions may reside in various types of carrier signals or information storage primary, secondary, or tertiary media. Carriers, for example, may comprise a RAM (random access memory, RAM) (not shown) accessible by, or residing within the components of the wireless network. Contained whether in RAM, a diskette, or other secondary storage media, instructions may be stored on a variety of computer-readable information storage media, such as DASD-storage (e.g., a traditional "hard drive" or a RAID-array (array of independent disks redundantly)) , magnetic tape, electronic read-only memory (e.g., ROM (Read Only Memory, ROM), EPROM (erasable programmable ROM, EPROM), EEPROM (electrically erasable and programmable read only memory, EEPROM), flash memory cards, an optical storage device (e.g. , CD-ROM (compact disk ROM), WORM (write once and read many), DVD (digital versatile disk, digital optical tape), punched cards, or other suitable information storage medium, including among analog and digital transmission.

Although the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to its preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art it will be understood that various changes in form and details may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in following claims. Furthermore, although elements of the invention may be described and claimed in the singular, the plural is contemplated unless limitation to the singular is explicitly set.