U.S. patent application number 11/002767 was filed with the patent office on 2005-06-30 for method and apparatus for providing push-to-talk services in a cellular communication system.
Invention is credited to Aravamudan, Murali, Iyer, Prakash R., Rajasekharan, Ajit.
Application Number | 20050143056 11/002767 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34703534 |
Filed Date | 2005-06-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050143056 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Iyer, Prakash R. ; et
al. |
June 30, 2005 |
Method and apparatus for providing push-to-talk services in a
cellular communication system
Abstract
To reduce a delay between a time that a user of an originating
mobile station (MS) requests to set up a Push-To-Talk (PTT) call
and the time that the user may begin to speak, a communication
system provides a `wake up list` of other mobile stations (MSs)
that may be awakened prior to the originating MS requesting to set
up a PTT call. To further reduce the delay, the user may begin
speaking prior to completion of the call setup. The speech is
stored and is conveyed to a called MS when the call is setup. If
the call does not get setup or a user of the called MS is not
present, the stored speech may be conveyed to the called MS as a
voice message. The stored speech, or new speech, may also be used
as an announcement of a call instead of the typical "beep" or
"chirp."
Inventors: |
Iyer, Prakash R.; (North
Andover, MA) ; Aravamudan, Murali; (Windham, NH)
; Rajasekharan, Ajit; (East Brunswick, NJ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MOTOROLA, INC.
1303 EAST ALGONQUIN ROAD
IL01/3RD
SCHAUMBURG
IL
60196
|
Family ID: |
34703534 |
Appl. No.: |
11/002767 |
Filed: |
December 2, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60533842 |
Dec 31, 2003 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
455/416 ;
455/414.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04W 4/10 20130101; H04W
76/45 20180201 |
Class at
Publication: |
455/416 ;
455/414.1 |
International
Class: |
H04Q 007/20 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method for establishing a Push-To-Talk (PTT) communication
session in a wireless communication system comprising: receiving a
request to wake up a mobile station; in response to receiving the
request to wake up a mobile station, waking up the mobile station;
and receiving a request to set up a PTT communication session with
the mobile station, wherein the request to set up a PTT
communication session is received after receipt of the request to
wake up the mobile station.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the mobile station comprises a
second mobile station and wherein receiving a request to wake up a
mobile station comprises: receiving an indication from a user of a
first mobile station of the user's desire to initiate a PTT
communication session; in response to receiving the indication,
conveying, by the first mobile station, a request to wake up the
second mobile station; and receiving, by an infrastructure, the
request to wake up the second mobile station.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein receiving an indication comprises
receiving an instruction from a user of the first mobile station to
power up the first mobile station.
4. The method of claim 2, wherein receiving an indication comprises
receiving an instruction from a user of the first mobile station to
open a phone book.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving a request to wake up a
mobile station comprises receiving, from a first mobile station, a
request to wake up a second mobile station, wherein the second
mobile station is associated with a wake up list associated with
the first mobile station.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein the wake up list comprises
information concerning one or more mobile stations that may be
awakened in anticipation of the first mobile station establishing a
Push-To-Talk communication session.
7. A method for establishing a Push-To-Talk (PTT) communication
session in a wireless communication system comprising: receiving a
request from a user of a mobile station to set up a Push-To-Talk
communication session; receiving speech from the user of the mobile
station prior to completion of the set up of the communication
session; storing the received speech to produce stored speech; and
when set up of the communication session is completed, conveying
the stored speech.
8. The method of claim 7, further comprising: prior to completion
of the set up of the communication session, terminating the setting
up of the Push-To-Talk communication session; and in response to
termination of the setting up of the communication session,
conveying the stored speech as a voice mail message.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein terminating comprises: inquiring
of the user as to whether to terminate the communication session;
and in response to the inquiry, receiving an instruction to
terminate the setting up of the Push-To-Talk communication
session.
10. The method of claim 8, wherein conveying comprises: prompting
the user for an instruction as to whether to convey a voice mail
message; in response to the prompt, receiving an instruction to
convey the stored speech as a voice mail message; and conveying the
stored speech as a voice mail message.
11. The method of claim 7, further comprising: prior to completion
of the set up of the communication session, terminating the setting
up of the Push-To-Talk communication session; and in response to
termination of the setting up of the communication session,
conveying the stored speech as a voice mail message.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein terminating comprises:
inquiring of the user as to whether to terminate the communication
session; and in response to the inquiry, receiving an instruction
to terminate the setting up of the Push-To-Talk communication
session.
13. The method of claim 7, wherein the mobile station comprises a
first mobile station, wherein the method further comprises, when
the communication session is set up, determining whether a user of
the second mobile station is present, and wherein conveying the
stored speech comprises conveying the stored speech when the user
of the second mobile station is present.
14. The method of claim 13, further comprising, when the user of
the second mobile station is not present, conveying the stored
speech as a voice mail message.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein conveying the stored speech as
a voice mail message comprises: when the user of the second mobile
station is not present, prompting the user for an instruction as to
whether to convey a voice mail message; in response to the prompt,
receiving an instruction to convey the stored speech as a voice
mail message; and conveying the stored speech as a voice mail
message.
16. A method for establishing a Push-To-Talk (PTT) communication
session in a wireless communication system, the method comprising:
receiving a request from a user of a first mobile station to set up
a PTT communication session; receiving speech from the user; and
conveying the received speech as an alert to a second mobile
station.
17. The method of claim 16, further comprising: receiving, by the
second mobile station, the conveyed speech; and playing, by the
second mobile station, the received speech as an alert.
18. The method of claim 16, wherein the step of receiving speech
comprises: receiving speech from the user of the first mobile
station prior to completion of the set up of the communication
session; storing the received speech to produce stored speech; and
wherein conveying comprises conveying the stored speech as an alert
to the second mobile station.
19. The method of claim 18, further comprising, when the
communication session is set up, determining whether a user of the
second mobile station is present, and wherein conveying the stored
speech comprises, when the user of the second mobile station is
present, conveying the stored speech as an alert to a user of the
second mobile station.
20. The method of claim 16, wherein the step of receiving speech
comprises: receiving a request from the user of the first mobile
station to reserve a floor of the communication session; and in
response to receiving the request to reserve a floor, receiving
speech from the user of the first mobile station.
21. The method of claim 16, wherein receiving speech from the user
comprises: when the communication session is set up, determining
whether a user of the second mobile station is present; when the
user of the second mobile station is present, notifying the user of
the first mobile station to begin speaking; and in response to the
notification, receiving speech from the user of the first mobile
station.
22. A control switch comprising a processor that receives a request
to wake up a mobile station, in response to receiving the request
to wake up a mobile station, wakes up the mobile station, and
receives a request to set up a Push-To-Talk (PTT) communication
session with the mobile station, wherein the request to wake up a
mobile station is received prior to receipt of the request to set
up a PTT communication session with the mobile station.
23. The control switch of claim 22, wherein receiving a request to
wake up a mobile station comprises receiving, from a first mobile
station, a request to wake up a second mobile station, wherein the
second mobile station is associated with a wake up list associated
with the first mobile station.
24. The control switch of claim 23, wherein the wake up list
comprises information concerning one or more mobile stations that
may be awakened in anticipation of the first mobile station
establishing a Push-To-Talk communication session.
25. The control switch of claim 24, further comprising at least one
memory device coupled to the process and in which is maintained the
wake up list.
26. The control switch of claim 22, further comprising, in response
to receiving a request to set up a Push-To-Talk (PTT) communication
session, establishing the requested PTT communication session.
27. A mobile station that receives an indication from a user of the
mobile station of the user's desire to initiate a Push-To-Talk
(PTT) communication session, in response to receiving the
indication, conveys a request to wake up another mobile station,
and subsequent to receiving the indication from the user of the
user's desire to initiate a Push-To-Talk (PTT) communication
session, and receives an instruction from the user to set up a PTT
communication session.
28. The mobile station of claim 27, wherein the mobile station
receives an indication by receiving an instruction from the user of
the mobile station to power up the first mobile station.
29. The mobile station of claim 27, wherein the mobile station
receives an indication by receiving an instruction from the user of
the mobile station to open a phone book.
30. The mobile station of claim 27, wherein the another mobile
station is associated with a wake up list associated with the
mobile station.
31. The mobile station of claim 27, wherein the mobile station
comprises at least one memory device that is coupled to the
processor and in which is maintained the wake up list.
32. A mobile station that receives a request from a user of the
mobile station to set up a Push-To-Talk communication session,
receives speech from the user of the mobile station prior to
completion of the set up of the communication session, stores the
received speech to produce stored speech and, when set up of the
communication session is completed, conveys the stored speech.
33. The mobile station of claim 32, wherein the mobile station,
prior to completion of the set up of the communication session,
terminates the setting up of the Push-To-Talk communication session
and, in response to terminating of the setting up of the
communication session, conveys the stored speech as a voice mail
message.
34. The mobile station of claim 33, wherein the mobile station
further inquires of the user as to whether to terminate the
communication session and, in response to the inquiry, receives an
instruction to terminate the setting up of the Push-To-Talk
communication session.
35. The mobile station of claim 33, wherein the mobile station
conveys the stored speech by prompting the user for an instruction
as to whether to convey a voice mail message, in response to the
prompt, receiving an instruction to convey the stored speech as a
voice mail message, and conveying the stored speech as a voice mail
message.
36. The mobile station of claim 32, wherein the mobile station
further, prior to completion of the set up of the communication
session, terminates the setting up of the Push-To-Talk
communication session and, in response to terminating the setting
up of the communication session, conveys the stored speech as a
voice mail message.
37. The mobile station of claim 36, wherein the mobile station
terminates the setting up of the communication session by inquiring
of the user as to whether to terminate the Push-To-Talk
communication session and, in response to the inquiry, receives an
instruction to terminate the setting up of the Push-To-Talk
communication session.
38. The mobile station of claim 32, wherein the mobile station
comprises a first mobile station, wherein, when the communication
session is set up, the first mobile station determines whether a
user of a second mobile station is present, and wherein the first
mobile station conveys the stored speech when the user of the
second mobile station is present.
39. The mobile station of claim 38, wherein the first mobile
station conveys the stored speech as a voice mail message when the
user of the second mobile station is not present.
40. The mobile station of claim 39, wherein the first mobile
station conveys the stored speech as a voice mail message by, when
the user of the second mobile station is not present, prompting the
user for an instruction as to whether to convey a voice mail
message, in response to the prompt, receiving an instruction to
convey the stored speech as a voice mail message, and conveying the
stored speech as a voice mail message.
41. A mobile station that receives a request from a user of the
mobile station to set up a PTT communication session, receives
speech from the user, and conveys the received speech as an alert
to another mobile station.
42. The mobile station of claim 41, wherein the mobile station
comprises a first mobile station, the another mobile station
comprises a second mobile station, and the wherein the first mobile
station further receives speech from a third mobile station and
plays the received speech as an alert.
43. The mobile station of claim 41, wherein the mobile station
receives the speech from the user prior to completion of the set up
of the communication session, stores the received speech to produce
stored speech, and wherein the mobile station conveys the received
speech by conveying the stored speech as an alert.
44. The mobile station of claim 43, wherein, when the communication
session is set up, the mobile station determines whether a user of
the another mobile station is present, and wherein the mobile
station conveys the received speech by, when the user of the
another mobile station is present, conveying the stored speech as
an alert to the another mobile station.
45. The mobile station of claim 41, wherein the mobile station
receives speech by receiving a request from the user of the first
mobile station to reserve a floor of the communication session and,
in response to receiving the request to reserve a floor, receiving
speech from the user.
46. The mobile station of claim 41, wherein the mobile station
receives speech from the user by, when the communication session is
set up, determining whether a user of the another mobile station is
present, when the user of the another mobile station is present,
notifying the user of the mobile station to begin speaking and, in
response to the notification, receiving speech from the user of the
mobile station
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE(S) TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)
[0001] The present application claims priority from provisional
application Ser. No. 60/533,842, entitled "METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR
PROVIDING PUSH-TO-TALK SERVICES IN A CELLULAR COMMUNICATION
SYSTEM," filed Dec. 31, 2003, which is commonly owned and
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to cellular
communication systems, and, in particular, to provision of
Push-To-Talk communication services in an interconnect cellular
communication system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Recently it has been proposed to add dispatch capabilities
to Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) communications systems,
such as a cdma2000 communication system. Unlike the interconnect
services provided by today's cellular systems, dispatch services
have been traditionally provided by two-way radio systems.
Traditional dispatch services typically allow for instant access by
a mobile station originating a call to a target mobile station. For
example, a dispatch group call service enables a user to
communicate with a group of people simultaneously and
instantaneously, typically by depressing a Push-To-Talk (PTT) key.
Using a cellular system, such a call could not occur
instantaneously since either telephone numbers would need to be
dialed for a three-way call or arrangements would need to be made
to setup a conference call. A dispatch point-to-point call service
enables a user to communicate with another user quickly and
spontaneously, again typically by depressing a PTT key. This
feature is ideal for two people who are working together but are
unable to speak with one another directly such as two people
working in concert but in different parts of a building. Where a
wireless telephone call may be more appropriate for a conversation,
short messages between two people as they work are better
facilitated by the dispatch point-to-point call service.
[0004] Low delay is a critical factor in any dispatch call. For
example, setup delay that is acceptable for a typical interconnect
voice call can be unacceptable for dispatch services which rely on
a very fast connection being made to the called party. Accordingly,
dispatch services provide an instant access call setup. However, a
problem in implementing a dispatch system in a cellular
communication system is that the average time that it takes a user
to navigate a phone book appearing on a display screen of a
cellular phone, select an entry, and then set up a PTT phone call
is anything but instantaneous.
[0005] In the proposals for implementation of dispatch in a CDMA
system, it typically takes approximately 3-4 seconds to initiate a
PTT phone call by a user of an originating cellular phone, that is,
to depress a PTT key after getting to the cellular phone's phone
book. Upon the user selecting an entry and depressing the PTT key,
the cellular phone conveys a call origination message to the
infrastructure identifying one or more cellular phones or a
talkgroup associated with the selected entry. In response to
receiving the call origination message, the infrastructure conveys
a paging message to the one or more identified cellular phones or
to one or more cellular phones associated with the identified
talkgroup. In response to receiving the page, each called cellular
phone wakes up and conveys a page response back to the
infrastructure. A PTT phone call is then set up. This process of
waking up a called cellular phone and establishing a PTT phone call
may take another 3-4 seconds. In addition, the user of the
originating cellular phone is not permitted to speak until
receiving a Talk Permit Tone (TPT), which is not conveyed to the
user until traffic channels are established between the
infrastructure and the one or more called cellular phones. As a
result, 9-10 seconds may expire between a time that the user of the
originating cellular phone determines to initiate a PTT phone call
and a time that the user is permitted to speak.
[0006] Therefore, a need exists for a method and apparatus that
reduces a delay before conversation may be initiated in a PTT phone
call in a cellular communication system.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a wireless communication system
in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a Packet Data Control Switch of
FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a mobile station of FIG. 1 in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0010] FIG. 4 is a logic flow diagram of a method executed by the
communication system of FIG. 1 in establishing a Push-to-Talk (PTT)
phone call in accordance with various embodiments of the present
invention.
[0011] FIG. 5A is a logic flow diagram of a method executed by the
communication system of FIG. 1 in setting up a PTT phone call in
accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 5B is a continuation of the logic flow diagram of FIG.
5A depicting a method executed by the communication system of FIG.
1 in setting up a PTT phone call in accordance with another
embodiment of the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 6A is a logic flow diagram of a method executed by the
communication system of FIG. 1 in conveying a voice alert to a
called MS in accordance with another embodiment of the present
invention.
[0014] FIG. 6B is a continuation of the logic flow diagram of FIG.
6A depicting a method executed by the communication system of FIG.
1 in conveying a voice alert to a called MS in accordance with
another embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0015] To address the need for a method and an apparatus that
reduces a delay before conversation is initiated in a PTT phone
call, a communication system is provided that provides, in
association with an originating mobile station (MS), a `wake up`
list of other mobile stations (MSs) that may be awakened prior to
the originating MS requesting to set up a PTT call. To further
reduce the delay, the user may begin speaking prior to completion
of the call setup. The speech is stored and is conveyed to a called
MS when the call is setup. If the call does not get setup or a user
of the called MS is not present, the stored speech may be conveyed
to the called MS as a voice message. The stored speech, or new
speech, may also be used as an announcement of a call instead of
the typical "beep" or "chirp."
[0016] Generally, an embodiment of the present invention
encompasses a method for establishing a Push-To-Talk (PTT)
communication session in a wireless communication system. The
method includes receiving a request to wake up a mobile station, in
response to receiving the request to wake up a mobile station,
waking up the mobile station, and receiving a request to set up a
PTT communication session with the mobile station, wherein the
request to set up a PTT communication session is received after
receipt of the request to wake up the mobile station.
[0017] Another embodiment of the present invention encompasses a
method for establishing a PTT communication session in a wireless
communication system. The method includes receiving a request from
a user of a mobile station to set up a PTT communication session,
receiving speech from the user of the mobile station prior to
completion of the set up of the communication session, storing the
received speech to produce stored speech, and, when set up of the
communication session is completed, conveying the stored
speech.
[0018] Yet another embodiment of the present invention encompasses
a method for establishing a PTT communication session in a wireless
communication system. The method includes receiving a request from
a user of a first mobile station to set up a PTT communication
session, receiving speech from the user, and conveying the received
speech as an alert to a second mobile station.
[0019] Still another embodiment of the present invention
encompasses a control switch comprising a processor that receives a
request to wake up a mobile station, in response to receiving the
request to wake up a mobile station, wakes up the mobile station,
and receives a request to set up a PTT communication session with
the mobile station, wherein the request to wake up a mobile station
is received prior to receipt of the request to set up a PTT
communication session with the mobile station.
[0020] Yet another embodiment of the present invention encompasses
a mobile station that receives an indication from a user of the
mobile station of the user's desire to initiate a PTT communication
session, in response to receiving the indication, conveys a request
to wake up another mobile station, and subsequent to receiving the
indication from the user of the user's desire to initiate a
Push-To-Talk (PTT) communication session, and receives an
instruction from the user to set up a PTT communication
session.
[0021] Still another embodiment of the present invention
encompasses a mobile station that receives a request from a user of
the mobile station to set up a PTT communication session, receives
speech from the user of the mobile station prior to completion of
the set up of the communication session, stores the received speech
to produce stored speech and, when set up of the communication
session is completed, and conveys the stored speech.
[0022] Yet another embodiment of the present invention encompasses
a mobile station that receives a request from a user of the mobile
station to set up a PTT communication session, receives speech from
the user, and conveys the received speech as an alert to another
mobile station.
[0023] The present invention may be more fully described with
reference to FIGS. 1-6B. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a wireless
communication system 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention. Communication system 100 includes multiple Base
Station Systems (BSSs) 110, 120, 130 (three shown). Each BSS of the
multiple BSSs 110, 120, 130 includes a respective Base Transceiver
Station (BTS) 112, 122, 132 that is operably coupled to a
respective Base Station Controller (BSC) 114, 124, 134. Each BSS of
the multiple BSSs 110, 120, 130 is operably coupled to a respective
Packet Data Service Node (PDSN) of multiple PDSNs 116, 126, 136.
Although not shown, communication system 100 may further include a
Packet Control Function (PCF) or a Packet Control Unit (PCU)
included in each BSC 114, 124, 134 or interposed between each such
BSC and a respective PDSN 116, 126, 136. Each BSS of the multiple
BSSs 110, 120, 130 is further coupled to a respective Mobile
Switching Center (MSC) of multiple MSCs 118, 128, 138. However,
those who are of ordinary skill in the art realize that one or more
of BSSs 110, 120, and 130 may share a PDSN and/or an MSC, rather
than being coupled to a separate PDSN and MSC, without departing
from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
[0024] Communication system 100 further comprises multiple mobile
stations (MSs) 102, 103, 104 (three shown) that are each a member
of a talkgroup 105. Each MS of the multiple MSs 102-104 is in
wireless communication with a respective BSS of the multiple BSSs
110, 120, 130. Each BSS 110, 120, 130 provides communications
services to a respective MS 102-104 via a respective air interface
106, 107, 108 that includes a forward link and a reverse link. Each
forward link includes a paging channel, at least one forward link
control channel, and at least one forward link traffic channel.
Each reverse link includes a reverse link access channel, at least
one reverse link control channel, and at least one reverse link
traffic channel.
[0025] Each MSC 118, 128, 138 further connects to a public network,
such as a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) or a Public Switched
Telephone Network (PSTN) 160, thereby providing a circuit switched
network for a communication session involving any one or more of
MSs 102-104. Each PDSN 116, 126, 136 further connects to an
Internet Protocol (IP) network 140, thereby providing a packet
switched network for a communication session involving any one or
more of MSs 102-104. Communication system 100 further includes a
Location Database 142, an Active Directory 144, a Packet Data
Control Switch 146, and a Presence Server 148 that are each
operably coupled to IP network 140. Through IP network 140, each
PDSN 116, 126, 136, and thereby each BSS 110, 120, 130 and MS
102-104, is able to access Location Database 142, Active Directory
144, and Packet Data Control Switch 146. Communication system 100
further includes an external IP network 170, such as the Internet,
that is operably coupled to IP network 140. BSSs 110, 120, and 130,
PDSNs 116, 126, and 136, MSCs 118, 128, and 138, IP network 140,
Location Database 142, Active Directory 144, and Packet Data
Control Switch 146 are collectively referred to herein as an
infrastructure 150 of communication system 100.
[0026] Location Database 142 maintains a record of a mobile
identifier (mobile ID) associated with each MS 102-104 active in
communication system 100 and further maintains and tracks
provisioning and mobility information with respect to each such MS,
including registration of the MS when the MS activates in
communication system 100. Among the information maintained in
Location Database 142 is a location of each MS 102-104 active in
communication system 100, such as a BSS serving the MS. Location
Database 142 may be implemented in a Home Location Register (HLR)
or a Visited Location Register (VLR) as known in the art, or a
combination of a HLR and a VLR, or a combination of one or more
HLRs and/or VLRs.
[0027] Active Directory 144, also known as a Group Call Registry
("GCR"), comprises a database system containing the talkgroup, or
user group, data. Active Directory 144 maintains a definition of
all talkgroups, such as talkgroup 105, in the system 100, including
a talkgroup identifier (talkgroup ID) that is uniquely associated
with each talkgroup and, in association with the talkgroup ID, a
list of mobile identifiers (mobile IDs) that are uniquely
associated with MSs, such as MSs 102-104, that are members of the
talkgroup. When an inquiry to Active Directory 144 specifies a
talkgroup identifier, that is, requests a definition of a specified
talkgroup, in response the directory provides a list of mobile IDs
associated with the members of the specified talkgroup. For
example, in response to an inquiry specifying a talkgroup ID
associated with talkgroup 105, Active Directory 144 may provide the
mobile IDs associated with MSs 102-104.
[0028] Packet Data Control Switch 146 comprises a Push-to-Talk
(PTT) server that implements group call logic. Preferably, Packet
Data Control Switch 146 operates as described in U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 09/721,329, filed Nov. 22, 2000, and entitled
"System and Method of Servicing Mobile Communications with a Proxy
Switch," which application is assigned to the assignee of the
present application and is hereby incorporated herein in its
entirety. Packet Data Control Switch 146 detects a group call
initiation by a respective member of a talkgroup, such as one of
MSs 102-104 with respect to talkgroup 105, and automatically
attempts to connect all of the members of the group in a group
call.
[0029] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of Packet Data Control Switch 146
in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Packet
Data Control Switch 146 includes a processor 202, such as one or
more microprocessors, microcontrollers, digital signal processors
(DSPs), combinations thereof or such other devices known to those
having ordinary skill in the art. Packet Data Control Switch 146
further includes at least one memory device 204 associated with
processor 202, such as random access memory (RAM), dynamic random
access memory (DRAM), and/or read only memory (ROM) or equivalents
thereof, that store data and programs, such as group call programs,
that may be executed by the processor and that allow the Packet
Data Control Switch to perform all functions necessary to operate
in communication system 100.
[0030] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a mobile station (MS), such as
MSs 102-104, in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention. Each MS of the multiple MSs 102-104 includes a user
interface 302 coupled to a processor 306, such as one or more
microprocessors, microcontrollers, digital signal processors
(DSPs), combinations thereof or such other devices known to those
having ordinary skill in the art. Each MS further includes at least
one memory device 308 associated with processor 306, such as random
access memory (RAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), and/or
read only memory (ROM) or equivalents thereof, that store data and
programs that may be executed by the processor and that allow the
MS to perform all functions necessary to operate in communication
system 100.
[0031] User interface 302 provides a user of the MS with the
capability of interacting with the MS, including inputting
instructions into the MS. In one embodiment of the present
invention, user interface 302 includes a display screen 304 and a
keypad that includes multiple keys, including a Push-to-Talk (PTT)
key, that may be used by a user of the MS to input instructions
into the MS. In another embodiment of the present invention,
display screen 304 comprises a touch screen that is able to
determine a position (i.e., an X-coordinate and a Y-coordinate) of
a user's touch on the touch screen and convey the position data to
processor 306. Based on the position data, processor 306 then
translates the user's touch into an instruction. Preferably,
display screen 304 may display a "keypad" screen that comprises
multiple softkeys, such as softkeys corresponding to keys on a
conventional cellular telephone keypad and further including a PTT
softkey.
[0032] The at least one memory device 308 maintains a mobile ID
that is uniquely associated with the MS. The at least one memory
device 308 further maintains a phone book comprising identifiers
associated with MSs and/or talkgroups, such as mobile identifiers
(mobile IDs) that are each uniquely associated with an MS and
talkgroup identifiers (mobile IDs) that are each uniquely
associated with a talkgroup, that may be engaged in a PTT
communication session. The mobile IDs may be preprogrammed into the
at least one memory device 308 or may be added to the at least one
memory device by a user of the MS. When the MS is a member of a
talkgroup, such as talkgroup 105, the at least one memory device
308 may further store, in association with the talkgroup, a
talkgroup ID and an associated list of mobile IDs, wherein each
mobile ID in the list of mobile IDs corresponds to an MS that is a
member of the talkgroup.
[0033] Communication system 100 further maintains a `wake up list`
in association with each MS of the multiple MSs 102-104 included in
the communication system. Each wake up list may be stored in the at
least one memory device 308 of a corresponding MS or may be stored
in infrastructure 150, and in particular in the at least one memory
device 204 of Packet Data Control Switch 146. In one embodiment of
the present invention, each wake up list comprises a list of mobile
IDs associated with each MS that may be awakened by communication
system 100 in response to receipt, by infrastructure 150, of a wake
up request from the corresponding MS. In another embodiment of the
present invention, each wake up list may comprise a list of
talkgroup IDs associated with talkgroups whose members may be
awakened by communication system 100 in response to receipt, by
infrastructure 150, of a wake up request from the corresponding MS.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, each wake up
list may comprise a list of a combination of mobile IDs and
talkgroup IDs. When the wake up list is stored in infrastructure
150, the wake up list further comprises the mobile ID of the MS
corresponding to the wake up list.
[0034] Preferably, communication system 100 is a Code Division
Multiple Access (CDMA) communication system, in which communication
channels of a forward link or a reverse link, such as access
channels, control channels, paging channels, and traffic channels,
comprise orthogonal codes, such as Walsh Codes, that are
transmitted in a same frequency bandwidth. However, those who are
of ordinary skill in the art realize that communication system 100
may operate in accordance with any wireless telecommunication
system, such as but not limited to a Global System for Mobile
Communications (GSM) communication system, a Universal Mobile
Telecommunication System (UMTS) communication system, a Time
Division Multiple Access (TDMA) communication system, a Frequency
Division Multiple Access (FDMA) communication system, or an
Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDM) communication
system.
[0035] Referring now to FIG. 4, a logic flow diagram 400 is
provided that illustrates an establishment of a Push-to-Talk (PTT)
call in accordance with various embodiments of the present
invention. A PTT call may be set up by any MS 102-104 in
communication system 100 with any other MS or user, or any group of
MSs or users, in the communication system. For example, any
PTT-capable MS 102-104 in communication system 100 may set up a PTT
call with any other PTT-capable MS in the communication system. By
way of another example, any member of a talkgroup, such any one of
MSs 102-104 with respect to talkgroup 105, may originate a PTT call
with any one or more of the other members of the talkgroup.
[0036] Logic flow diagram 400 begins (402) when a first,
originating MS, such as MS 102, conveys (404) a `wake up request`
to infrastructure 150. The wake up request comprises a request to
wake up at least a second MS, such as one or more of MSs 103 and
104, in communication system 100. Originating MS 102 conveys the
wake up request to infrastructure 150 prior to a user of MS 102
conveying, to the infrastructure, a request to set up a
Push-To-Talk (PTT) communication session.
[0037] In one embodiment of the present invention, originating MS
102 conveys the wake up request in response to receiving an
indication from a user of the originating MS of the user's desire
to initiate a PTT communication session. Those who are of ordinary
skill in the art realize that a variety of actions of the user of
MS 102 may be construed to be an indication of the user's desire to
initiate a PTT communication session. For example, originating MS
102 may convey the wake up request in response to the user
instructing MS 102 to open the phone book maintained in the at
least one memory device 308 of the originating MS 102. By way of
another example, originating MS 102 may convey the wake up request
in response to receiving a power up instruction from the user of
the MS, such as when a user of the MS opens a clamshell-design MS
or depresses a power up key in user interface 302.
[0038] In response to receiving (406) the wake up request,
infrastructure 150, and in particular control switch 146, wakes up
(408) at least one MS 103, 104 included in the wake up list
associated with originating MS to produce at least one awakened MS.
When the `wake up list` is maintained in the originating MS, the MS
may convey the wake up list to infrastructure 150 as part of the
`wake up request.` When the `wake up list` is maintained in
infrastructure 150, the wake up request may include a mobile ID
associated with originating MS 102 and may request that system 100
wake up all MSs associated with the `wake up list` corresponding to
the originating MS's mobile ID.
[0039] In one embodiment of the present invention, step 408 may
then comprise the following steps. In response to receiving the
wake up request, control switch 146 determines a location of each
MS 103, 104 associated with the wake up list by reference to
Location Database 142. Control switch 146 then instructs each BSS
120, 130 servicing an MS associated with the `wake up list` to
broadcast a paging message to the `wake up list` MS(s) serviced by
the BSS. In response to receiving the instruction from control
switch 146, each BSS 120, 130 serving an MS associated with the
wake up list broadcasts a paging message via a paging channel in a
respective air interface 107, 108.
[0040] Each paging message broadcast by a BSS 120, 130 identifies
each MS that is associated with the wake up list and serviced by
the BSS. In one embodiment of the present invention, the paging
message may include the mobile IDs associated with each such MS. In
another embodiment of the present invention, when the wake up list
comprises all members of a talkgroup, such as talkgroup 105, the
paging message may comprise a talkgroup ID associated with the
talkgroup in addition to, or instead of, the mobile IDs. In
response to receiving the paging message, each MS 103, 104
determines that it is an intended recipient of the paging message,
wakes up, and conveys a paging response back to control switch 146
indicating that the MS is awake.
[0041] If the user has not already so instructed originating MS
102, the user may then instruct originating MS 102 to open the
phone book comprising MSs and/or talkgroups that may be engaged in
a PTT communication session. The instruction may be input into
originating MS 102 concurrent with infrastructure 150 waking up the
MSs 103, 104 associated with the wake up list. In response to
receiving the instruction from the user, originating MS 102
retrieves the phone book from the one or more memory devices 308 of
the MS and displays the phone book on display screen 304 of user
interface 302. The user of originating MS 102 may then select one
or more MSs and/or talkgroups from the displayed phone book and
instructs MS 102, by depressing an appropriate key or touching an
appropriate softkey in user interface 302 of the MS, to set up a
PTT communication session with the selected one or more MSs and/or
talkgroups. In response to receiving the instruction, originating
MS 102 conveys (410) a request, such as a call origination message,
to infrastructure 150 to set up a PTT communication session with
the selected one or more MSs and/or talkgroups.
[0042] In response to receiving (412) the request to set up the PTT
communication session, communication system 100 proceeds to set up
(414) the requested PTT communication session. The procedure for
setting up a PTT communication session is well-known in the art and
will not be described in detail here, except that when the set up
procedure engaged in by communication system 100 includes an MS
103, 104 that is associated with the wake up list, the
communication system need not engage in a process of waking up the
called MS as the called MS has already been awakened, or is in the
process of being awakened, by infrastructure 150 in response to the
receipt by the infrastructure of the wake up request. As a result,
communication system 100 provides for an expedited set up of the
PTT communication session.
[0043] As part of the call setup procedure, communication system
100 establishes a traffic channel in air interface 106 between
originating MS 102 and infrastructure 150 for conveyance of voice
traffic. Further, as part of the call setup procedure,
infrastructure 150 further establishes a traffic channel between
infrastructure 150 and each of the at least one awakened and called
MS 103, 104 in a respective air interface 107, 108 associated with
the MS. In response to the establishment of the traffic channels in
the air interface 106 corresponding to MS 102 and an air interface
107, 108 corresponding to the at least one called MS 103, 104, the
user of originating MS 102 is then notified (416) that he or she
may commence speaking. Logic flow diagram 400 then ends (418).
[0044] Preferably, originating MS notifies the user that he or she
may commence speaking by playing a Talk Permit Tone (TPT) to the
user of originating MS 102. In one embodiment of the present
invention, upon establishing a traffic channel to at least one
called MS 103, 104, infrastructure 150, in particular control
switch 146, conveys the TPT to originating MS 102 and the
originating MS plays the TPT to the user of the MS. In another
embodiment of the present invention, upon establishing a traffic
channel to at least one called MS 103, 104, infrastructure 150, in
particular control switch 146, conveys an instruction to play a TPT
to the originating MS. In response to receiving the instruction,
originating MS 102 retrieves a digitally stored TPT from the at
least one memory device 308 of the MS and converts the TPT to an
audio signal that is then played to the user of the MS. Upon
receiving the TPT, the user of originating MS may then begin
speaking by first depressing a PTT key, or touching a PTT softkey,
of the MS's user interface 302.
[0045] By providing a `wake up list` of MSs, such as MSs 103 and
104, that may be awakened by communication system 100 prior to an
originating MS requesting to set up the PTT communication session,
an amount of time incurred in setting up a PTT communication
session and the delay before a user of the originating MS may begin
to speak is reduced. As the MSs on the `wake up list` are awakened
prior to an originating MS requesting to set up the PTT
communication session, communication system 100 need not engage in
a process of waking up such called MSs in response to the receipt
by infrastructure 150 of the request to set up the PTT
communication session. As a result, communication system 100
provides for an expedited set up of the PTT communication session.
Since the setup delay and the time that the user may first begin
speaking are important marketing features of a PTT communication
system, any reduction of setup delay and time until a user may
begin speaking increases the marketability of PTT services offered
by an operator of a communication system, such as communication
system 100.
[0046] To further reduce the delay between a time that a user of an
originating MS, such as MS 102, requests to set up a PTT
communication session and the time that the user may then begin to
speak, communication stem 100 may further permit the user to begin
speaking prior to completion of the setup of the PTT communication
session, or call. Referring now to FIGS. 5A and 5B, a logic flow
diagram 500 is provided that illustrates an establishment of a
Push-to-Talk (PTT) communication session in accordance with another
embodiment of the present invention. Logic flow diagram 500 begins
(502) when user of a first, originating MS, such as MS 102,
depresses a PTT key or touches a PTT softkey of user interface 302
of the MS. In response to the user depressing or touching the PTT
key or softkey, MS 102 (504) conveys a request to the
infrastructure to set up a PTT communication session and further
reserves a floor of the communication session being set up until
such a reservation is terminated, for example, when the user of MS
102 determines to relinquish the floor by releasing the PTT key or
when infrastructure 100 terminates the user's reservation. Unless
otherwise specified herein, each function performed by any one of
MSs 102-104 is performed by a respective processor 306 of the
MS.
[0047] In response to receiving the request, communication system
100 proceeds to set up the requested PTT communication session by
allocating traffic channels in air interface in air interface 106
between originating MS 102 and infrastructure 150 for conveyance of
voice traffic. Further, as part of the call setup procedure,
infrastructure 150 pages each called MS, such as MS 103, that is, a
`callee.` Upon receiving a page response from a paged MS, that is,
MS 103, infrastructure 150 further establishes a traffic channel
between the infrastructure and the responding MS 103 in a
corresponding air interface 107. When the setup of a PTT
communication session with the called MS is complete,
infrastructure 150 so informs originating MS 102, preferably by
conveying a setup complete message to the MS.
[0048] In one embodiment of the present invention, communication
system 100 may permit the user of originating MS to begin speaking
while the PTT call is being setup. In such an embodiment, while the
call setup is in progress (506), MS 102 notifies (508) the user
that that he or she may commence speaking. For example, MS 102 may
notify the user that a call setup is in progress or MS 102 may
merely notify the user that the user may begin talking, for example
by playing a conventional notification such as a Talk Permit Tone
(TPT). Preferably, the notification may be stored in the at least
one memory device 308 of MS 102 and is retrieved from the at least
one memory device by the MS and played to the user. Upon receiving
the notification that he or she may begin talking, the user of
originating MS 102 may then begin (510) speaking and may continue
speaking until the user's reservation of the floor of the
communication session is terminated (514), for example, by the user
releasing the PTT key or softkey or by infrastructure 150
terminating the user's reservation of the floor. When the user of
MS 102 begins speaking prior to completion of the setup of the
communication session, MS 102 stores (512) the user's speech in a
speech buffer 310 included in the at least one memory device 308 of
the MS.
[0049] When, at step 510, the user of MS 102 began speaking prior
to completion of call setup and, at step 514, the user's
reservation of the floor of the communication session is
terminated, MS 102 then determines (516) whether the call setup is
complete. When, at step 516, MS 102 determines that the setup is
complete, the MS notifies (518) the user of the MS that the call
setup is complete, preferably by displaying an audio and/or visual
cue, via user interface 302 of the MS, corresponding to a call
setup complete message that is stored in the at least one memory
device 308 of the MS. Infrastructure 150 further determines (520)
whether the user of the called MS, that is, MS 103, is present and
so informs MS 102. In one embodiment of the present invention,
infrastructure 150 may determine whether the user of the called MS
is present based on whether the called MS is registered in system
100, for example, by reference to Location Database 142 or by
reference to a Presence Server (not shown) located in
infrastructure 150 and coupled to IP network 140. In another
embodiment of the present invention, infrastructure 150 may
determine whether the user of called MS 103 is present based on
whether the user of the called MS has answered the call.
[0050] When the PTT communication session is set up and the user of
the called MS is present, infrastructure 150 informs MS 102, and MS
102 notifies (522) the user of MS 102 of the presence of the called
party, preferably by displaying an audio and/or visual cue that is
stored in the in the at least one memory device 308 of MS 102 and
displayed via user interface 302 of the MS. The speech stored in
buffer 310 of MS 102 is then conveyed (524) by MS 102 to MS 103 and
the communication session proceeds as a conventional PTT
communication session, wherein the user of MS 102 may continue
speaking (526) until MS 102's reservation of the floor of the
communication session is terminated. Logic flow 500 then ends
(554).
[0051] When, at step 516, MS 102 determines that the call setup is
complete and, at step 520, infrastructure 150 determines that the
user of the called MS, that is, MS 103, is not present, MS 102
notifies (528) the user of MS 102 that the called party is not
present and prompts the user of MS 102 to leave a voice message for
the called MS, such as one or more of a voice message comprising
the speech stored in buffer 310 or a voice message comprising new
speech. Preferably, the notification and prompt are stored in the
at least one memory device 308 of MS 102 and displayed by MS 102
via user interface 302 of the MS.
[0052] In response to the notification and prompt, the user may
terminate (530) the call or may convey (532) any speech stored in
buffer 310 of MS 102 or new speech as a voice message by selecting
an appropriate icon, key, or softkey in user interface 302 of the
MS. In response to receiving an instruction to convey the stored
speech to the called MS as a voice mail message, originating MS 102
conveys the speech stored in buffer 310 of MS 102 to a memory
location in infrastructure 150 at is associated with MS 103, where
the stored speech is recorded as a voice message for MS 103. In
response to receiving an instruction to convey a new speech message
to the called MS as a voice mail message, originating MS 102
prompts the user of the originating MS for a new speech message via
an audio and/or visual prompt that is stored in the at least one
memory device 308 of originating MS 102 and is displayed on display
screen 304 of user interface 302 of the MS. In response to the
prompt, the user of originating MS 102 inputs into the MS, and the
originating MS receives from the user, a new speech message.
Originating MS 102 then conveys the new speech message to the
memory location in infrastructure 150 at is associated with MS 103,
where the stored speech is recorded as a voice message for MS 103.
Logic flow 500 then ends (554).
[0053] When, at step 516, MS 102 determines that the call setup is
not complete, and infrastructure 105 determines (534) that a
predetermined time period has not yet expired and/or a
predetermined number of unsuccessful attempts to set up the call
have not yet occurred, such as a predetermined number of
unsuccessful attempts to page called MS 103 or a predetermined
number of unsuccessful attempts to establish traffic channels to
called MS 103, communication system 100, and in particular
originating MS 102, notifies (536) the user of MS 102 that a call
setup is in progress. Communication system 100, preferably
originating MS 102 or control switch 146 via MS 102, also inquires
(538) of the user of MS 102, via a text message or an icon
displayed on display screen 304 of user interface 302 of MS 102 and
that is stored in the at least one memory device 308 of the MS, as
to whether to terminate and/or continue efforts to set up the
call.
[0054] In response to the inquiry, originating MS 102 may receive
(540), from the user of the MS, an instruction to terminate efforts
to set up the call or to continue efforts to set up the call, or
may receive no response, which may be interpreted as an instruction
to continue to set up the call. When the user does not elect, at
step 540, to terminate efforts to set up the call, that is, when
the user elects to continue with efforts to set up the call or
fails to elect to terminate efforts to set up the call, logic flow
diagram 500 proceeds to step 516. When the user elects, at step
540, to terminate efforts to set up the call, MS 102 prompts (542)
the user of MS 102 to leave a voice message, such as one of more of
a voice message comprising the speech stored in buffer 310 of MS
102 or a voice message comprising new speech, for the called party.
Preferably the prompt is stored in the at least one memory device
308 of MS 102 and displayed by MS 102 via user interface 302 of the
MS.
[0055] Upon determining, at step 516, that the call setup is not
complete, and after, at step 534, expiration of the predetermined
time period and/or after occurrence of the predetermined number of
unsuccessful attempts to set up the call, infrastructure 150 may
terminate (546) the efforts to establish the call, for example, may
cease paging called MS 103 or may cease attempting to establish
traffic channels to the MS. In response to terminating efforts to
establish the call, infrastructure 150 informs MS 102 of a
connection failure. MS 102, in turn, notifies (548) the user of the
MS of the connection failure and prompts (550) the user to leave a
voice message for the called party, such as a voice message
comprising the speech stored in buffer 310 or a voice message
comprising new speech. Preferably the notification and prompt are
stored in the at least one memory device 308 of MS 102 and
displayed by the MS via user interface 302 of the MS.
[0056] In response to the prompt at step 542 or step 550, the user
of MS 102 may convey (544, 552) the speech stored in buffer 310 of
MS 102 or new speech as a voice message by selecting an appropriate
icon, key, or softkey in user interface 302 of the MS. In response
to receiving an instruction to convey the stored speech to the
called MS, that is, MS 103, as a voice mail message, originating MS
102 conveys the speech stored in buffer 310 of MS 102 to a memory
location in infrastructure 150 at is associated with MS 103, where
the stored speech is recorded as a voice message for MS 103. In
response to receiving an instruction to convey a new speech message
to the called MS as a voice mail message, originating MS 102
prompts the user of the originating MS for a new speech message via
an audio and/or visual prompt that is stored in the at least one
memory device 308 of originating MS 102 and is displayed on display
screen 304 of user interface 302 of the MS. In response to the
prompt for a new speech message, the user of originating MS 102
inputs into the MS, and MS 102 receives from the user, a new speech
message. Originating MS 102 then conveys the new speech message to
the memory location in infrastructure 150 that is associated with
MS 103, where the stored speech is recorded as a voice message for
MS 103. Logic flow 500 then ends (554).
[0057] In yet another embodiment of the present invention,
communication system 100 the user of originating MS might not begin
speaking until the PT call is setup. In such an embodiment, when,
at step 506, the call is set up, infrastructure 150 determines
(520) whether the user of the called MS, such as MS 103, is present
and so informs MS 102. When the PTT communication session is set up
and the user of the called MS is present, logic flow diagram 500
then proceeds to step 522 as is described above. When the PT
communication session is set up and the user of the called MS is
not present, logic flow diagram 500 then proceeds to step 528 as is
described above.
[0058] By permitting the user of originating MS 102 to begin
speaking prior to completion of the setup of the call, a delay
between a time that the user of the originating MS determines to
initiate a PTT phone call and the time that the user may then begin
to speak is reduced. Since the user may be permitted to begin
speaking prior to completion of the setup of the call, the speech
input by the user into originating MS 102 is stored in a buffer 310
of the MS. When the call is setup and the user of the called MS,
such as MS 103, is present, the stored speech is then conveyed to
the called MS. Since speech compression algorithms compress a
length of speech received by an originating mobile station such
that it consumes, and is transmitted in, a shorter interval than
the spoken interval, which speech is then decompressed by a
receiving mobile station to fill the original spoken interval, the
stored speech may be conveyed to called MS 103, decompressed, and
played out with minimal disruption to the subsequent conversation.
If attempts to set up the call are unsuccessful and the call is not
set up or the call is set up but the user of called MS 103 is not
present or determines to not accept the call, the stored speech may
then be conveyed to the called MS as a voice message.
[0059] The stored speech, or new speech, may also be used as an
alert that is played to a user of a called MS. That is, typically,
when a called MS, such as MS 103 or MS 104, is woken up by
infrastructure 150 and a traffic channel is established to the
called MS as part of a PTT communication session, a "beep" or a
"chirp" is played by the called MS to a user of the called MS.
However, in another embodiment of the present invention, when a
called MS 103, 104 is woken up by infrastructure 150 and a traffic
channel is established to the called MS, an announcement comprising
a spoken message from originating MS 102 may be conveyed to a user
of the called MS. By providing an announcement comprising a spoken
message from the originating MS to a user of the called MS, can
choose to ignore the call, queue the call without listening to the
audio message, queue the call after listening to the audio message,
or answer the call.
[0060] FIG. 6 is a logic flow diagram 600 of a method executed by
communication system 100 in conveying a voice alert to a called MS
in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
Similar to logic flow diagram 500, logic flow diagram 600 begins
when user of a first, originating MS, such as MS 102, depresses a
PTT key or touches a PTT softkey of user interface 302 of the MS.
In response to the user depressing or touching the PTT key or
softkey, MS 102 (604) conveys a request to the infrastructure to
set up a PTT session and further reserves a floor of the
communication session being set up until the floor reservation is
terminated, for example, when the user of MS 102 determines to
relinquish the floor by releasing the PTT key or when
infrastructure 100 terminates the user's reservation.
[0061] In response to receiving the request, communication system
100 proceeds to set up the requested PTT communication session by
allocating traffic channels in air interface in air interface 106
between originating MS 0.102 and infrastructure 150 for conveyance
of voice traffic. Further, as part of the call setup procedure,
infrastructure 150 pages each called MS, such as MS 103, that is, a
`callee,` and upon receiving a page response from the MS, further
establishes a traffic channel between infrastructure 150 and the
responding MS 103 in a corresponding air interface 107. When the
setup of a PTT communication session with the called MS is
complete, infrastructure 150 so informs originating MS 102,
preferably by conveying a setup complete message to the MS.
[0062] Similar to logic flow diagram 500, in one embodiment of the
present invention, communication system 100 may permit the user of
originating MS to begin speaking while the PTT call is being setup.
In such an embodiment, while the call setup is in progress (606),
MS 102 notifies (608) the user that that he or she may commence
speaking. Upon receiving the notification that he or she may begin
talking, the user of originating MS may then begin (610) speaking
and may continue speaking until the user's reservation of the floor
of the communication session is terminated (614), for example, by
the user releasing the PIT key or softkey or by infrastructure 150
terminating the user's reservation of the floor. When the user of
MS 102 begins speaking prior to completion of the setup of the
communication session, MS 102 stores (612) the user's speech in a
speech buffer 310 included in the at least one memory device 308 of
the MS.
[0063] When, at step 610, the user of MS 102 began speaking prior
to completion of call setup and, at step 614, the user's
reservation of the floor of the communication session is
terminated, MS 102 then determines (616) whether the call setup is
complete. When, at step 616, MS 102 determines that the setup is
complete, the MS notifies (618) the user of the MS that the call
setup is complete, preferably by displaying an audio and/or visual
cue, via user interface 302 of the MS, corresponding to a call
setup complete message that is stored in the at least one memory
device 308 of the MS. Infrastructure 150 further determines (620)
whether the user of the called MS, such as MS 103, is present and
so informs MS 102.
[0064] When, at step 616, infrastructure 150 determines that the
PTT communication session is set up and further determines, at step
620, that the user of called MS 103 is present, MS 102 conveys
(622) the speech stored in buffer 310 to MS 103, and called MS 103
plays (624) the received speech to the user of MS 103 as an
announcement, that is, as an alert. In response to receiving the
alert, the user of MS 103 may choose to ignore the call, queue the
call without listening to the audio message, queue the call after
listening to the audio message, or answer the call. MS 103 then
conveys (626) the user's response to the alert to originating MS
102 via infrastructure 150 and logic flow 600 ends (660). When the
PTT communication session is set up and the user of the called MS
is not present, MS 102 notifies (628) the user of the MS that the
callee is not present and that the alert has been successfully
sent, and logic flow 600 ends (660).
[0065] When, at step 616, infrastructure 150 determines that the
PTT communication session is not set up, MS 102 notifies (630) the
user of MS 102 that a call setup is in progress. When attempts to
complete the call are terminated (632) prior to the call being
setup, for example, upon expiration of a predetermined time period
or after a predetermined number of unsuccessful setup attempts, the
user of originating MS 102 is notified (634) that an alert has been
successfully sent to called MS 103 and logic flow 600 ends (660).
When, at step 632, the call is setup prior to such termination, the
speech stored in buffer 310 is conveyed (636) to called MS 103, and
called MS 103 plays (638) the received speech to the user of MS 103
as an announcement, that is, an alert. Again, in response to
receiving the alert, the user of MS 103 may choose to ignore the
call, queue the call without listening to the audio message, queue
the call after listening to the audio message, or answer the call.
MS 103 then conveys (640) the user's response to the alert to
originating MS 102 via infrastructure 150 and logic flow 600 the
ends (660).
[0066] In another embodiment of the present invention, the user of
originating MS 102 might not begin speaking until the call is set
up. In such an embodiment, when the call is set up (606),
infrastructure 150 determines (642) whether the user of the called
MS, such as MS 103, is present and so informs MS 102. When the PTT
communication session is set up and the user of the called MS is
not present, the user of originating MS 102 is notified (644) that
the user of called MS 103 is not present and that an alert has been
successfully sent to the called MS. Logic flow 600 then ends
(660).
[0067] When, at step 606, the PTT communication session is set up
and the user of the called MS is present, MS 102 notifies (646,
648) the user of MS 102 that the user of called MS 103 is present
and that he or she may commence speaking. Upon receiving the
notification that he or she may begin talking, the user of
originating MS 102 may then begin (650) speaking. MS 102 conveys
(652) the speech input into MS 102 by the user of the MS to called
MS 103, and called MS 103 plays (654) the received speech to the
user of MS 103 as an announcement, that is, an alert. Again, in
response to receiving the alert, the user of MS 103 may choose to
ignore the call, queue the call without listening to the audio
message, queue the call after listening to the audio message, or
answer the call. MS 103 then conveys (656) the user's response to
the alert to originating MS 102 via infrastructure 150 and logic
flow 600 ends (660).
[0068] By using the received speech as an announcement of a call
instead of the "beep" or "chirp" is typically used to announce a
call to a user of the called MS, the user of the called MS is
provided information that allows the user to determine whether to
ignore the call, queue the call without listening to the audio
message, queue the call after listening to the audio message, or
answer the call. Thus a user of the called MS is provided greater
information on which to make a decision as to whether to accept a
call and further whether to incur the costs associated with
engaging in a wireless communication via a mobile station, which
costs may be billed based on an amount of airtime consumed by the
user.
[0069] While the present invention has been particularly shown and
described with reference to particular embodiments thereof, it will
be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may
be made and equivalents substituted for elements thereof without
departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the
claims below. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be
regarded in an illustrative rather then a restrictive sense, and
all such changes and substitutions are intended to be included
within the scope of the present invention.
[0070] Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have
been described above with regard to specific embodiments. However,
the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s)
that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or
become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical,
required, or essential feature or element of any or all the claims.
As used herein, the terms "comprises," "comprising," or any
variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion,
such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a
list of elements does not include only those elements but may
include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such
process, method, article, or apparatus. It is further understood
that the use of relational terms, if any, such as first and second,
top and bottom, and the like are used solely to distinguish one
entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily
requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between
such entities or actions.
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