Patent Application
20080146203
The present invention relates to mobile communication devices, and more particularly, to managing users in a push-to-talk group communication network.
The use of portable electronic devices and mobile communication devices has increased dramatically in recent years. Two primary means of voice communication are generally offered in mobile devices: Interconnect and dispatch. Interconnect is a communication mode by which both parties can speak at the same time. It is considered a two-way communication since both parties can talk and listen on a separate talk channel and a separate receive channel. Interconnect communication is also available for three-way calling or group call. In contrast, dispatch mode is a communication mode be which only one party can speak at a time. The other party can only listen until the first party finishes talking. In practice, a push-to-talk (PTT) key is pressed to acquire control of a talk channel. The talk channel is not released until the PTT key is released. Upon release, another participant can acquire the talk channel. Dispatch mode is also available for three-way dispatch or group dispatch.
During dispatch mode a participant outside of the group call, or the dispatch call, cannot generally acquire the talk channel for a pre-determined amount of time. In dispatch mode, the talker and the listener establish a hard physical link until an inactivity timer expires. Although the activity timer allows for a fast set up time between current users of the group call, it also sets a limit to when the talk channel can be acquired. Accordingly, a participant must either wait for the activity timer to expire, or try to call again at a later time. In a cellular network, once a base station establishes a call session between users or users of the same group (Group call), a busy signal is given to any user who is trying to reach one of the active session members. A base station will return a ‘user busy’ signal to any one if the target is already involved in an active session.
One embodiment is directed to a method for intrusive push-to-talk (PPT). The method can include receiving a request from a first mobile device to break-in an active call of a target mobile device, determining a first priority of the first mobile device during the active call, and granting the break-in if the first priority is greater than or equal to a current priority of a mobile device engaged in the active call. The step of determining a first priority can include comparing the first priority to a pre-stored priority list, or receiving priorities from mobile devices engaged in the active call. An indication can be provided when the break-in is granted. The step of granting the break-in can include sending a first message to suspend the active call, sending a second message to accept the call from the first mobile device, and connecting the first mobile device and the target mobile device in a second active call. The suspended call can be automatically reconnected upon termination of the second active call.
One embodiment is directed to a system for push-to-talk (PTT). The system can include a first mobile device that sends a request to break-in an active call of a target mobile device, and a fixed network equipment (FNE) that receives the request and arbitrates the active call of the target mobile device and the break-in of the first mobile device. The target mobile device can receive the request from the first mobile device, compare a first priority of the first mobile device to a list of priorities that identify a break-in priority for mobile devices in the active call, and grant the break-in to the active call if the first priority is greater than a second priority of a second mobile device in the active call. The target mobile device can identify which mobile device is in control of a talk channel during the active call, and evaluate a priority for break-in based on the mobile device that has control of the talk channel. The target mobile device can grant the break-in during a talk time of the target mobile device if the first priority is greater than a priority of the target mobile device.
Another embodiment is directed to a method for push-to-talk (PPT) break-in. The method can include receiving a request from a first mobile device to break-in the group call on a target mobile device already engaged in a group call, wherein the first mobile device is not a member of the group call, determining a first priority of the first mobile device with respect to the user already engaged in the group call based on a priority list, and granting the break-in if the first priority is greater than or equal to a current priority of the users already engaged in the active call, wherein the step of granting the break-in allows transparent connections and suspension to occur without user intervention. The step of granting the break-in can comprise exchanging access control protocol (ACP) messages between the first mobile device and the target mobile device. The step of granting the break-in can comprise exchanging session initiated protocol (SIP) messages between the first mobile device and the target mobile device. In one aspect, the priority list can be a user configured profile. The priority list can be stored in a secure information module (SIM) or removable card that can be moved by the users between the different phones.
The features of the system, which are believed to be novel, are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The embodiments herein, can be understood by reference to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in the several figures of which like reference numerals identify like elements, and in which:
While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the embodiments of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the method, system, and other embodiments will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward.
As required, detailed embodiments of the present method and system are disclosed herein. However, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the embodiments of the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting but rather to provide an understandable description of the embodiment herein.
The terms “a” or “an,” as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term “plurality,” as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term “another,” as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having,” as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term “coupled,” as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically.
The term “talk channel” can be defined as a transmit communication channel that is shared amongst a plurality of mobile devices. The term “talk time” can be defined as the time between when a talk channel is acquired and when the talk channel is released. The term “hang-time” can be defined as the time between when a talk channel is released until the talk channel is again acquired. The term “PTT request” can be defined as an attempt to push to talk, either by hardware or software. The term “PTT key” can be defined as a physical button or a soft-key. The term “soft-key” can be defined as a software controlled button. The term “PTT group call” can be defined as a group call based on push-to-talk requests. The term “break-in” can be defined as disrupting an active call and acquiring the talk channel in the active call, or pre-empting a conversation. The term “priority” can be defined as a control precedence of one mobile device over another mobile device. The term “current priority” can be defined as the priority of the mobile device that has current control of the talk channel. The term “arbitrate” can be defined as negotiating control of a talk channel. The term “target mobile device” can be defined as a mobile device receiving a break-in request from another mobile device. The term “suspend” can be defined as temporarily pausing, or terminating, a call connection of an active call. The term “active call” can be defined as a call connection that is currently in progress, or occurring within an activity timer.
Broadly stated, embodiments of the invention are directed to a method and system that allows an outside user to break-in to an active call based on user-defined rules. The user-defined rules can include a list of priorities that identify which users can break-in to an active call. This allows users with a higher priority to effectively interrupt a call and pass call control resources to the mobile device with the higher priority. Moreover, the user-defined rules establishes priority of break-in for mobile devices not included in a current group call. For example, the user defined rules can be a priority list that defines which users in a call group have precedence of break-in over other users in the call-group. The priority list can be customized for each users, and may also include other users outside the current call group. In such regard, an outside user that is external to the call group can be given precedence over a user already engaged in a group call. Moreover, users can create a priority list that is stored on a mobile device. The priority list identifies other users to whom the user has assigned priorities. In one arrangement, the priority list can be a user configured profile that establishes a ranking order. For example, a parent can be ranked higher than a child for order of break-in priority.
During a group call, the mobile device can automatically check to determine if call requests from users outside the group have higher priority than members in the group call. The member can be automatically connected to the outside member if a priority of the outside member is higher. In such regard, a client device can include a prioritized list which includes not involved in a current active session. The client device can use the priority list to arbitrate between the current active session and a requested session. For example, in a circuit switched call a user having a higher priority can automatically and transparently break-in to an active session of a group call, of which the user is not a group member. The priority can also be established based on a personal profile. For example, the profile can identify if the user is on vacation or at work.
In order to break-in the call, a target mobile device can evaluate the priorities of the users in the active call and the new user attempting to break-in. The target mobile device can refer to a priority list that can be stored locally on the device. Alternatively, the mobile devices can send a priority level to the target mobile device. The priority list can also be stored in a secure information module (SIM) or removable card that can be moved by the users between the different phones. If the new user attempting to break-in the active call has a higher priority relative to a current user in the active call, the target mobile device can send an acknowledge message to infrastructure to accept the call, while it sends a suspend request message to suspend the active call. As one example, a cellular infrastructure can keep track of who is allowed to break into a call. A centralized approach of the cellular infrastructure can employ Internet Protocol (IP) based push-to-talk (PTT) Over Cellular using session initiated protocol (SIP) signaling. An indication can be provided to users in the active call, the target mobile device, and the new user if the break-in succeeds. Once the session with the new user is terminated, the suspended call can be restored allowing the original active call to continue
Referring to
Mobile devices 110-116 in the wireless communication system 100 can also connect amongst one another over a Wide Local Area Network (WLAN) 104 within an ad-hoc group. The WLAN 104 provides wireless access within a local geographical area. The mobile devices 110-116 can communicate with the WLAN 104 according to the appropriate wireless communication standard. In another arrangement, the mobile devices can communicate amongst themselves in a peer-to-peer ad-hoc network without infrastructure or WLAN support. For example, the mobile device can use short-range radio communication to engage in a group call in a peer-to-peer mode. In a typical WLAN implementation, the physical layer can use a variety of technologies such as 802.11b or 802.11g Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) technologies. The physical layer may use infrared, frequency hopping spread spectrum in the 2.4 GHz Band, or direct sequence spread spectrum in the 2.4 GHz Band, or any other suitable communication technology.
Briefly, a mobile device 116 can include a priority list 117 that identifies an order of break-in precedence. The mobile device 116 can also include a processor 118 which grants the break-in based on the priority list 117. The wireless communication system 100 provides call handling control to allow call break-in to a conversation. The mobile devices can be ordered by a priority of break-in. The priority identifies a precedence by which mobile devices can break-in to an active call of another mobile device. An active call may be a dispatch group call between two or more mobile devices. For example, mobile device 110 can have a priority level 3 which can be the highest priority for break-in. Mobile device 112 and mobile device 114 can have a priority level 2 which is the second highest priority level. Mobile device 116 can have priority level 1 which is the lowest priority level. Notably, the number of priority levels can be more than or less than the number of priority levels shown. For instance, if mobile device 112 is in an active call with mobile device 114, then mobile device 110 can break-in to the active call. This is because, mobile device 110 has a higher priority than either mobile device 112 of mobile device 114
Referring to
At step 201, the method 200 can start. The method 200 can start in a state where at least two mobile devices are in an active call. As an example, the active call can be a PTT dispatch call over a RF communication link, a VoIP call in PoC, or an instant voice chat application. The active call can include a target mobile device and a second mobile device. The target mobile device is the mobile device that receives a break-in request.
At step 202, a request can be received from a first mobile device to break-in an active call of the target mobile device. For example, referring to
At step 204, a first priority of the first mobile device during the active call can be determined. For example, referring to
At step 206, the break-in can be granted if the priority is greater than or equal to a current priority of a mobile device engaged in the active call. For example, referring to
Upon determining the priority of the first mobile device 112, the target mobile device 116 can authorize the break-in if the priority of the first mobile device 112 is greater than or equal to the priority of the target mobile device 116 and the second mobile device 110. In order to break-in, the active call 107 is first suspended 109 to disengage the target mobile device 116 with the second mobile device 110. As an example, referring to
An indication can be provided to all parties on the active call, the target mobile device 116, and the first mobile device 112 when the break-in is granted. For example, an automated indication can be presented to the target mobile device 116 to inform the mobile device 116 that a new call is being set up with the first mobile device 112. An automated indication can also be presented to the second mobile device 110 to inform the second mobile device 110 that the active call is being temporarily suspended. After the new active call has terminated, the original active call can be restored 113 as shown in
In another arrangement, the priority of break-in can depend on which mobile device has control of the talk channel. Briefly, a mobile device has control of the talk channel when a user has acquired a transmit channel through a PTT request. For example, a user that has pressed the PTT button, and has acquired resources to transmit on the talk channel, has control of the talk channel. The user can talk while control of the talk channel is acquired, which corresponds to the talk time. During talk-time the mobile device that initiated the communication has control of the talk channel.
For example, as shown in
Referring to
Referring to
At step 252, Subscriber 1 (241) can send a PTT request to Subscriber 2 (242). At step 254, the FNE 245 can page Subscriber 2 (242). For example, the FNE 245 can search for the location of Subscriber 2 (242) in the wireless communication network 100 (See
At step 262, the FNE 245 can send an ACP message to Subscriber 2 (242) indicating that Subscriber 3 (243) wants to break-in the active call. At step 264, Subscriber 2 (242) can assess a priority of Subscriber 3 (243). For example, Subscriber 2 (242) can identify a priority of Subscriber 3 (243) from a locally stored priority list 117. As another example, Subscriber 2 (242) can send a priority level associated with the break-in request. At step 266, Subscriber 2 (242) can send an ACP message to the FNE 245 to suspend, or terminate, the currently active call (See also method 266 of
In one arrangement, the flow diagram 250 of
Where applicable, the present embodiments of the invention can be realized in hardware, software or a combination of hardware and software. Any kind of computer system or other apparatus adapted for carrying out the methods described herein are suitable. A typical combination of hardware and software can be a mobile communications device with a computer program that, when being loaded and executed, can control the mobile communications device such that it carries out the methods described herein. Portions of the present method and system may also be embedded in a computer program product, which comprises all the features enabling the implementation of the methods described herein and which when loaded in a computer system, is able to carry out these methods.
While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it will be clear that the embodiments of the invention is not so limited. Numerous modifications, changes, variations, substitutions and equivalents will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present embodiments of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
