U.S. patent application number 14/600323 was filed with the patent office on 2015-05-21 for uninterruptable group communication sessions within a wireless communications system.
The applicant listed for this patent is QUALCOMM Incorporated. Invention is credited to Ashutosh Aggarwal, Hamsini Bhaskaran, Beth Ann Brewer.
Application Number | 20150140980 14/600323 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42827181 |
Filed Date | 2015-05-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150140980 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Brewer; Beth Ann ; et
al. |
May 21, 2015 |
UNINTERRUPTABLE GROUP COMMUNICATION SESSIONS WITHIN A WIRELESS
COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM
Abstract
A call request message is sent from an access terminal to an
application server in order to request initiation of a group
communication session to a communication group and to request that
an allocation of the floor to the given access terminal for the
duration of the given group communication session remain
uninterrupted by call targets of the session. The application
server announces the session, and sends a floor-grant to the access
terminal after the session is accepted by at least one target. The
access terminal forwards media to the application server which is
then forwarded to the at least one target. The floor is not
transferred away from the access terminal during the session. For
example, floor requests are suppressed at the at least one target,
or floor requests are sent by the at least one target but are then
ignored or denied by the application server.
Inventors: |
Brewer; Beth Ann;
(Canyonlake, TX) ; Bhaskaran; Hamsini; (San Diego,
CA) ; Aggarwal; Ashutosh; (San Diego, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
QUALCOMM Incorporated |
SanDiego |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
42827181 |
Appl. No.: |
14/600323 |
Filed: |
January 20, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
12751565 |
Mar 31, 2010 |
8938498 |
|
|
14600323 |
|
|
|
|
61166611 |
Apr 3, 2009 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
455/416 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04W 4/06 20130101; H04M
3/567 20130101; H04L 12/189 20130101; H04M 3/566 20130101; H04L
12/1822 20130101; H04W 76/45 20180201 |
Class at
Publication: |
455/416 |
International
Class: |
H04W 4/06 20060101
H04W004/06; H04L 12/18 20060101 H04L012/18; H04M 3/56 20060101
H04M003/56 |
Claims
1. A method of conducting a group communication session arbitrated
by an application server within a wireless communications system,
comprising: receiving a call request message, from a given access
terminal, that requests initiation of a given group communication
session to a communication group and that further requests that an
allocation of a floor to the given access terminal for a duration
of the given group communication session remain uninterrupted by
other members of the communication group; sending an announce
message for announcing the given group communication session to the
communication group; receiving at least one acceptance message from
at least one member of the communication group that indicates an
acceptance of the announced given group communication session;
sending, in response to the at least one received acceptance
message, a floor-grant message to the given access terminal
indicating that the given access terminal has obtained the floor
and can begin forwarding media for transmission to the at least one
other member of the communication group; and receiving and
forwarding media from the given access terminal to the at least one
other member of the communication group for the duration of the
given group communication session without the floor being
transferred from the given access terminal to the at least one
other member of the communication group.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving a
floor-request message that requests the floor of the given group
communication session from an access terminal other than the given
access terminal; and not granting the received floor-request
message such that the given access terminal retains the floor.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein not granting the received
floor-request message such that the given access terminal retains
the floor comprises performing the not granting operations even if
the requesting access terminal has a higher preemption rank than
the given access terminal.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the received call request message
contains a header-portion with a special value that is expected to
indicate, to the application server, that the given access terminal
desires the given group communication session to be uninterrupted
by the other members of the communication group for the duration of
the given group communication session.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the header-portion with the
special value within the call request message corresponds to a
Diffserv Code Point (DSCP) value.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein sending the announce message for
announcing the given group communication session to the
communication group comprises: configuring the announce message for
announcing the given group communication session to the
communication group, the announce message configured to indicate,
to target members of the communication group, that the given group
communication session will not permit the floor to be re-allocated
away from an originator of the given group communication session
such that the given group communication session will remain
uninterrupted by the target members of the communication group; and
transmitting the configured announce message.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein configuring the announce message
for announcing the given group communication session to the
communication group comprises configuring a header-portion of the
announce message with a special value that is expected to indicate,
to the target members of the communication group, that the given
group communication session will be uninterrupted by the target
members of the communication group for the duration of the given
group communication session.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein configuring the header-portion of
the announce message with the special value comprises configuring a
Diffserv Code Point (DSCP) value of the header-portion of the
announce message with the special value.
9. A method of conducting a group communication session arbitrated
by an application server within a wireless communications system,
comprising: receiving an announce message at a given access
terminal for announcing a given group communication session
associated with a communication group, the received announce
message configured to indicate that the given group communication
session will not permit a floor to be re-allocated away from an
originator of the given group communication session such that the
given group communication session will remain uninterrupted by
other members of the communication group; sending an acceptance
message if the given access terminal determines to join the
announced given group communication session; and receiving media
from the originator for a duration of the given group communication
session without the floor being transferred from the originator to
another member of the communication group.
10. The method of claim 9, further comprising: receiving a request
from a user of the given access terminal to attempt to obtain the
floor for the given group communication session; and suppressing
the request such that a floor-request message for the floor of the
given group communication session is not transmitted from the given
access terminal.
11. The method of claim 9, wherein the received announce message
contains a header-portion with a special value that is expected to
indicate, to the given access terminal, that the given group
communication session will not permit the floor to be re-allocated
away from the originator of the given group communication session
such that the given group communication session will remain
uninterrupted by the other members of the communication group.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the header-portion with the
special value within the announce message corresponds to a Diffserv
Code Point (DSCP) value.
13. An application server configured to arbitrate a group
communication session within a wireless communications system,
comprising a processor configured with processor-executable
instructions to perform operations comprising: receiving a call
request message, from a given access terminal, that requests
initiation of a given group communication session to a
communication group and that further requests that an allocation of
a floor to the given access terminal for a duration of the given
group communication session remain uninterrupted by other members
of the communication group; sending an announce message for
announcing the given group communication session to the
communication group; receiving at least one acceptance message from
at least one member of the communication group that indicates an
acceptance of the announced given group communication session;
sending, in response to the at least one received acceptance
message, a floor-grant message to the given access terminal
indicating that the given access terminal has obtained the floor
and can begin forwarding media for transmission to the at least one
other member of the communication group; and receiving and
forwarding media from the given access terminal to the at least one
other member of the communication group for the duration of the
given group communication session without the floor being
transferred from the given access terminal to the at least one
other member of the communication group.
14. The application server of claim 13, wherein the processor is
configured with processor-executable instructions to perform
operations further comprising: receiving a floor-request message
that requests the floor of the given group communication session
from an access terminal other than the given access terminal; and
not granting the received floor-request message such that the given
access terminal retains the floor.
15. The application server of claim 14, wherein the processor is
configured with processor-executable instructions to perform
operations such that not granting the received floor-request
message such that the given access terminal retains the floor
comprises performing the not granting operations even if the
requesting access terminal has a higher preemption rank than the
given access terminal.
16. The application server of claim 13, wherein the received call
request message contains a header-portion with a special value that
is expected to indicate, to the application server, that the given
access terminal desires the given group communication session to be
uninterrupted by the other members of the communication group for
the duration of the given group communication session.
17. The application server of claim 16, wherein the header-portion
with the special value within the call request message corresponds
to a Diffserv Code Point (DSCP) value.
18. The application server of claim 13, wherein the processor is
configured with processor-executable instructions to perform
operations such that sending the announce message for announcing
the given group communication session to the communication group
comprises: configuring the announce message for announcing the
given group communication session to the communication group, the
announce message configured to indicate, to target members of the
communication group, that the given group communication session
will not permit the floor to be re-allocated away from an
originator of the given group communication session such that the
given group communication session will remain uninterrupted by the
target members of the communication group; and transmitting the
configured announce message.
19. The application server of claim 18, wherein the processor is
configured with processor-executable instructions to perform
operations such that configuring the announce message for
announcing the given group communication session to the
communication group comprises configuring a header-portion of the
announce message with a special value that is expected to indicate,
to the target members of the communication group, that the given
group communication session will be uninterrupted by the target
members of the communication group for the duration of the given
group communication session.
20. The application server of claim 19, wherein the processor is
configured with processor-executable instructions to perform
operations such that configuring the header-portion of the announce
message comprises configuring a Diffserv Code Point (DSCP) value of
the header-portion of the announce message with the special
value.
21. An access terminal configured to participate in a group
communication session arbitrated by an application server within a
wireless communications system, comprising a processor configured
with processor-executable instructions to perform operations
comprising: receiving an announce message for announcing a given
group communication session associated with a communication group,
the received announce message configured to indicate that the given
group communication session will not permit a floor to be
re-allocated away from an originator of the given group
communication session such that the given group communication
session will remain uninterrupted by other members of the
communication group; sending an acceptance message if the access
terminal determines to join the announced given group communication
session; and receiving media from the originator for a duration of
the given group communication session without the floor being
transferred from the originator to another member of the
communication group.
22. The access terminal of claim 21, wherein the processor is
configured with processor-executable instructions to perform
operations further comprising: receiving a request from a user of
the access terminal to attempt to obtain the floor for the given
group communication session; and suppressing the request such that
a floor-request message for the floor of the given group
communication session is not transmitted from the access
terminal.
23. The access terminal of claim 21, wherein the received announce
message contains a header-portion with a special value that is
expected to indicate, to the access terminal, that the given group
communication session will not permit the floor to be re-allocated
away from the originator of the given group communication session
such that the given group communication session will remain
uninterrupted by the other members of the communication group.
24. The access terminal of claim 23, wherein the header-portion
with the special value within the announce message corresponds to a
Diffserv Code Point (DSCP) value.
Description
CLAIM OF PRIORITY UNDER 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119
[0001] The present application for patent claims priority to
Provisional Application No. 61/166,611, entitled "UNINTERRUPTABLE
GROUP COMMUNICATION SESSIONS WITHIN A WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS
SYSTEM", filed Apr. 3, 2009, which is assigned to the assignee
hereof and hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein in its
entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The invention relates to uninterruptable group communication
sessions within a wireless communications system.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Wireless communication systems have developed through
various generations, including a first-generation analog wireless
phone service (1G), a second-generation (2G) digital wireless phone
service (including interim 2.5G and 2.75G networks) and a
third-generation (3G) high speed data/Internet-capable wireless
service. There are presently many different types of wireless
communication systems in use, including Cellular and Personal
Communications Service (PCS) systems. Examples of known cellular
systems include the cellular Analog Advanced Mobile Phone System
(AMPS), and digital cellular systems based on Code Division
Multiple Access (CDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA),
Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), the Global System for Mobile
access (GSM) variation of TDMA, and newer hybrid digital
communication systems using both TDMA and CDMA technologies.
[0006] The method for providing CDMA mobile communications was
standardized in the United States by the Telecommunications
Industry Association/Electronic Industries Association in
TIA/EIA/IS-95-A entitled "Mobile Station-Base Station Compatibility
Standard for Dual-Mode Wideband Spread Spectrum Cellular System,"
referred to herein as IS-95. Combined AMPS & CDMA systems are
described in TIA/EIA Standard IS-98. Other communications systems
are described in the IMT-2000/UM, or International Mobile
Telecommunications System 2000/Universal Mobile Telecommunications
System, standards covering what are referred to as wideband CDMA
(WCDMA), CDMA2000 (such as CDMA2000 1xEV-DO standards, for example)
or TD-SCDMA.
[0007] In wireless communication systems, mobile stations,
handsets, or access terminals (AT) receive signals from fixed
position base stations (also referred to as cell sites or cells)
that support communication links or service within particular
geographic regions adjacent to or surrounding the base stations.
Base stations provide entry points to an access network (AN)/radio
access network (RAN), which is generally a packet data network
using standard Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) based
protocols that support methods for differentiating traffic based on
Quality of Service (QoS) requirements. Therefore, the base stations
generally interact with ATs through an over the air interface and
with the AN through Internet Protocol (IP) network data
packets.
[0008] In wireless telecommunication systems, Push-to-talk (PTT)
capabilities are becoming popular with service sectors and
consumers. PTT can support a "dispatch" voice service that operates
over standard commercial wireless infrastructures, such as CDMA,
FDMA, TDMA, GSM, etc. In a dispatch model, communication between
endpoints (ATs) occurs within virtual groups, wherein the voice of
one "talker" is transmitted to one or more "listeners." A single
instance of this type of communication is commonly referred to as a
dispatch call, or simply a PTT call. A PTT call is an instantiation
of a group, which defines the characteristics of a call. A group in
essence is defined by a member list and associated information,
such as group name or group identification.
[0009] Conventionally, data packets within a wireless communication
network have been configured to be sent to a single destination or
access terminal. A transmission of data to a single destination is
referred to as "unicast". As mobile communications have increased,
the ability to transmit given data concurrently to multiple access
terminals has become more important. Accordingly, protocols have
been adopted to support concurrent data transmissions of the same
packet or message to multiple destinations or target access
terminals. A "broadcast" refers to a transmission of data packets
to all destinations or access terminals (e.g., within a given cell,
served by a given service provider, etc.), while a "multicast"
refers to a transmission of data packets to a given group of
destinations or access terminals. In an example, the given group of
destinations or "multicast group" may include more than one and
less than all of possible destinations or access terminals (e.g.,
within a given group, served by a given service provider, etc.).
However, it is at least possible in certain situations that the
multicast group comprises only one access terminal, similar to a
unicast, or alternatively that the multicast group comprises all
access terminals (e.g., within a given cell, etc.), similar to a
broadcast.
[0010] In addition to various transmission schemes (e.g., unicast,
multicast, broadcast) that may be used, generally, a PTT or PTT
over Cellular (PoC) call corresponds to a server mediated
communication between two or more identified access terminals,
regardless of the various configurations used to conduct the PTT
calls. Further, conventionally, a PTT calls are initiated and
maintained by a physical interaction at the access terminal (e.g.,
pressing and holding a key).
SUMMARY
[0011] A call request message is sent from an access terminal to an
application server in order to request initiation of a group
communication session to a communication group and to request that
an allocation of the floor to the given access terminal for the
duration of the given group communication session remain
uninterrupted by call targets of the session. The application
server announces the session, and sends a floor-grant to the access
terminal after the session is accepted by at least one target. The
access terminal forwards media to the application server which is
then forwarded to the at least one target. The floor is not
transferred away from the access terminal during the session. For
example, floor requests are suppressed at the at least one target,
or floor requests are sent by the at least one target but are then
ignored or denied by the application server.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] A more complete appreciation of embodiments of the invention
and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily
obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the
following detailed description when considered in connection with
the accompanying drawings which are presented solely for
illustration and not limitation of the invention, and in which:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a wireless network architecture that
supports access terminals and access networks in accordance with at
least one embodiment of the invention.
[0014] FIG. 2A illustrates the carrier network according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 2B illustrates an example of the wireless communication
100 of FIG. 1 in more detail.
[0016] FIG. 3 is an illustration of an access terminal in
accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention.
[0017] FIG. 4 illustrates a half-duplex group communication session
privilege configuration process in accordance with an embodiment of
the invention.
[0018] FIG. 5 illustrates an uninterruptable half-duplex group
communication session in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] Aspects of the invention are disclosed in the following
description and related drawings directed to specific embodiments
of the invention. Alternate embodiments may be devised without
departing from the scope of the invention. Additionally, well-known
elements of the invention will not be described in detail or will
be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of the
invention.
[0020] The words "exemplary" and/or "example" are used herein to
mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any
embodiment described herein as "exemplary" and/or "example" is not
necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other
embodiments. Likewise, the term "embodiments of the invention" does
not require that all embodiments of the invention include the
discussed feature, advantage or mode of operation.
[0021] Further, many embodiments are described in terms of
sequences of actions to be performed by, for example, elements of a
computing device. It will be recognized that various actions
described herein can be performed by specific circuits (e.g.,
application specific integrated circuits (ASICs)), by program
instructions being executed by one or more processors, or by a
combination of both. Additionally, these sequence of actions
described herein can be considered to be embodied entirely within
any form of computer readable storage medium having stored therein
a corresponding set of computer instructions that upon execution
would cause an associated processor to perform the functionality
described herein. Thus, the various aspects of the invention may be
embodied in a number of different forms, all of which have been
contemplated to be within the scope of the claimed subject matter.
In addition, for each of the embodiments described herein, the
corresponding form of any such embodiments may be described herein
as, for example, "logic configured to" perform the described
action.
[0022] A High Data Rate (HDR) subscriber station, referred to
herein as an access terminal (AT), may be mobile or stationary, and
may communicate with one or more HDR base stations, referred to
herein as modem pool transceivers (MPTs) or base stations (BS). An
access terminal transmits and receives data packets through one or
more modem pool transceivers to an HDR base station controller,
referred to as a modem pool controller (MPC), base station
controller (BSC) and/or packet control function (PCF). Modem pool
transceivers and modem pool controllers are parts of a network
called an access network. An access network transports data packets
between multiple access terminals.
[0023] The access network may be further connected to additional
networks outside the access network, such as a corporate intranet
or the Internet, and may transport data packets between each access
terminal and such outside networks. An access terminal that has
established an active traffic channel connection with one or more
modem pool transceivers is called an active access terminal, and is
said to be in a traffic state. An access terminal that is in the
process of establishing an active traffic channel connection with
one or more modem pool transceivers is said to be in a connection
setup state. An access terminal may be any data device that
communicates through a wireless channel or through a wired channel,
for example using fiber optic or coaxial cables. An access terminal
may further be any of a number of types of devices including but
not limited to PC card, compact flash, external or internal modem,
or wireless or wireline phone. The communication link through which
the access terminal sends signals to the modem pool transceiver is
called a reverse link or traffic channel. The communication link
through which a modem pool transceiver sends signals to an access
terminal is called a forward link or traffic channel. As used
herein the term traffic channel can refer to either a forward or
reverse traffic channel.
[0024] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of one exemplary
embodiment of a wireless system 100 in accordance with at least one
embodiment of the invention. System 100 can contain access
terminals, such as cellular telephone 102, in communication across
an air interface 104 with an access network or radio access network
(RAN) 120 that can connect the access terminal 102 to network
equipment providing data connectivity between a packet switched
data network (e.g., an intranet, the Internet, and/or carrier
network 126) and the access terminals 102, 108, 110, 112. As shown
here, the access terminal can be a cellular telephone 102, a
personal digital assistant 108, a pager 110, which is shown here as
a two-way text pager, or even a separate computer platform 112 that
has a wireless communication portal. Embodiments of the invention
can thus be realized on any form of access terminal including a
wireless communication portal or having wireless communication
capabilities, including without limitation, wireless modems, PCMCIA
cards, personal computers, telephones, or any combination or
sub-combination thereof. Further, as used herein, the terms "access
terminal", "wireless device", "client device", "mobile terminal"
and variations thereof may be used interchangeably.
[0025] Referring back to FIG. 1, the components of the wireless
network 100 and interrelation of the elements of the exemplary
embodiments of the invention are not limited to the configuration
illustrated. System 100 is merely exemplary and can include any
system that allows remote access terminals, such as wireless client
computing devices 102, 108, 110, 112 to communicate over-the-air
between and among each other and/or between and among components
connected via the air interface 104 and RAN 120, including, without
limitation, carrier network 126, the Internet, and/or other remote
servers.
[0026] The RAN 120 controls messages (typically sent as data
packets) sent to a base station controller/packet control function
(BSC/PCF) 122. The BSC/PCF 122 is responsible for signaling,
establishing, and tearing down bearer channels (i.e., data
channels) between a packet data service node 100 ("PDSN") and the
access terminals 102/108/110/112. If link layer encryption is
enabled, the BSC/PCF 122 also encrypts the content before
forwarding it over the air interface 104. The function of the
BSC/PCF 122 is well-known in the art and will not be discussed
further for the sake of brevity. The carrier network 126 may
communicate with the BSC/PCF 122 by a network, the Internet and/or
a public switched telephone network (PSTN). Alternatively, the
BSC/PCF 122 may connect directly to the Internet or external
network. Typically, the network or Internet connection between the
carrier network 126 and the BSC/PCF 122 transfers data, and the
PSTN transfers voice information. The BSC/PCF 122 can be connected
to multiple base stations (BS) or modem pool transceivers (MPT)
124. In a similar manner to the carrier network, the BSC/PCF 122 is
typically connected to the MPT/BS 124 by a network, the Internet
and/or PSTN for data transfer and/or voice information. The MPT/BS
124 can broadcast data messages wirelessly to the access terminals,
such as cellular telephone 102. The MPT/BS 124, BSC/PCF 122 and
other components may form the RAN 120, as is known in the art.
However, alternate configurations may also be used and the
invention is not limited to the configuration illustrated. For
example, in another embodiment the functionality of the BSC/PCF 122
and one or more of the MPT/BS 124 may be collapsed into a single
"hybrid" module having the functionality of both the BSC/PCF 122
and the MPT/BS 124.
[0027] FIG. 2A illustrates the carrier network 126 according to an
embodiment of the present invention. In the embodiment of FIG. 2A,
the carrier network 126 includes a packet data serving node (PDSN)
160, a broadcast serving node (BSN) 165, an application server 170
and an Internet 175. However, application server 170 and other
components may be located outside the carrier network in
alternative embodiments. The PDSN 160 provides access to the
Internet 175, intranets and/or remote servers (e.g., application
server 170) for mobile stations (e.g., access terminals, such as
102, 108, 110, 112 from FIG. 1) utilizing, for example, a cdma2000
Radio Access Network (RAN) (e.g., RAN 120 of FIG. 1). Acting as an
access gateway, the PDSN 160 may provide simple IP and mobile IP
access, foreign agent support, and packet transport. The PDSN 160
can act as a client for Authentication, Authorization, and
Accounting (AAA) servers and other supporting infrastructure and
provides mobile stations with a gateway to the IP network as is
known in the art. As shown in FIG. 2A, the PDSN 160 may communicate
with the RAN 120 (e.g., the BSC/PCF 122) via a conventional A10
connection. The A10 connection is well-known in the art and will
not be described further for the sake of brevity.
[0028] Referring to FIG. 2A, the broadcast serving node (BSN) 165
may be configured to support multicast and broadcast services. The
BSN 165 will be described in greater detail below. The BSN 165
communicates with the RAN 120 (e.g., the BSC/PCF 122) via a
broadcast (BC) A10 connection, and with the application server 170
via the Internet 175. The BCA10 connection is used to transfer
multicast and/or broadcast messaging. Accordingly, the application
server 170 sends unicast messaging to the PDSN 160 via the Internet
175, and sends multicast messaging to the BSN 165 via the Internet
175.
[0029] Generally, as will be described in greater detail below, the
RAN 120 transmits multicast messages, received from the BSN 165 via
the BCA10 connection, over a broadcast channel (BCH) of the air
interface 104 to one or more access terminals 200.
[0030] FIG. 2B illustrates an example of the wireless communication
100 of FIG. 1 in more detail. In particular, referring to FIG. 2B,
ATs 1 . . . N are shown as connecting to the RAN 120 at locations
serviced by different packet data network end-points. Accordingly,
ATs 1 and 3 connect to the RAN 120 at a portion served by a first
packet data network end-point 162 (e.g., which may correspond to
PDSN 160, BSN 165, a home agent (HA), a foreign agent (FA), etc.).
The first packet data network end-point 162 in turn connects, via
the routing unit 188, to the Internet 175 and/or to one or more of
an authentication, authorization and accounting (AAA) server 182, a
provisioning server 184, an Internet Protocol (IP) Multimedia
Subsystem (IMS)/Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) Registration
Server 186 and/or the application server 170. ATs 2 and 5 . . . N
connect to the RAN 120 at a portion served by a second packet data
network end-point 164 (e.g., which may correspond to PDSN 160, BSN
165, FA, HA, etc.). Similar to the first packet data network
end-point 162, the second packet data network end-point 164 in turn
connects, via the routing unit 188, to the Internet 175 and/or to
one or more of the AAA server 182, a provisioning server 184, an
IMS/SIP Registration Server 186 and/or the application server 170.
AT 4 connects directly to the Internet 175, and through the
Internet 175 can then connect to any of the system components
described above.
[0031] Referring to FIG. 2B, ATs 1, 3 and 5 . . . N are illustrated
as wireless cell-phones, AT 2 is illustrated as a wireless
tablet-PC and AT 4 is illustrated as a wired desktop station.
However, in other embodiments, it will be appreciated that the
wireless communication system 100 can connect to any type of AT,
and the examples illustrated in FIG. 2B are not intended to limit
the types of ATs that may be implemented within the system. Also,
while the AAA 182, the provisioning server 184, the IMS/SIP
registration server 186 and the application server 170 are each
illustrated as structurally separate servers, one or more of these
servers may be consolidated in at least one embodiment of the
invention.
[0032] Further, referring to FIG. 2B, the application server 170 is
illustrated as including a plurality of media control complexes
(MCCs) 1 . . . N 170B, and a plurality of regional dispatchers 1 .
. . N 170A. Collectively, the regional dispatchers 170A and MCCs
170B are included within the application server 170, which in at
least one embodiment can correspond to a distributed network of
servers that collectively functions to arbitrate communication
sessions (e.g., half-duplex group communication sessions via IP
unicasting and/or IP multicasting protocols) within the wireless
communication system 100. For example, because the communication
sessions arbitrated by the application server 170 can theoretically
take place between ATs located anywhere within the system 100,
multiple regional dispatchers 170A and MCCs are distributed to
reduce latency for the arbitrated communication sessions (e.g., so
that a MCC in North America is not relaying media back-and-forth
between session participants located in China). Thus, when
reference is made to the application server 170, it will be
appreciated that the associated functionality can be enforced by
one or more of the regional dispatchers 170A and/or one or more of
the MCCs 170B. The regional dispatchers 170A are generally
responsible for any functionality related to establishing a
communication session (e.g., handling signaling messages between
the ATs, scheduling and/or sending announce messages, etc.),
whereas the MCCs 170B are responsible for hosting the communication
session for the duration of the call instance, including conducting
an in-call signaling and an actual exchange of media during an
arbitrated communication session. Accordingly, in another
embodiment of the invention, the MCCs 170B may be referred to as
PTT application servers and/or PTT media-distribution servers,
assuming the arbitrated communication sessions correspond to PTT
calls.
[0033] Referring to FIG. 3, an access terminal 200, (here a
wireless device), such as a cellular telephone, has a platform 202
that can receive and execute software applications, data and/or
commands transmitted from the RAN 120 that may ultimately come from
the carrier network 126, the Internet and/or other remote servers
and networks. The platform 202 can include a transceiver 206
operably coupled to an application specific integrated circuit
("ASIC" 208), or other processor, microprocessor, logic circuit, or
other data processing device. The ASIC 208 or other processor
executes the application programming interface ("API`) 210 layer
that interfaces with any resident programs in the memory 212 of the
wireless device. The memory 212 can be comprised of read-only or
random-access memory (RAM and ROM), EEPROM, flash cards, or any
memory common to computer platforms. The platform 202 also can
include a local database 214 that can hold applications not
actively used in memory 212. The local database 214 is typically a
flash memory cell, but can be any secondary storage device as known
in the art, such as magnetic media, EEPROM, optical media, tape,
soft or hard disk, or the like. The internal platform 202
components can also be operably coupled to external devices such as
antenna 222, display 224, push-to-talk button 228 and keypad 226
among other components, as is known in the art.
[0034] Accordingly, an embodiment of the invention can include an
access terminal including the ability to perform the functions
described herein. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the
art, the various logic elements can be embodied in discrete
elements, software modules executed on a processor or any
combination of software and hardware to achieve the functionality
disclosed herein. For example, ASIC 208, memory 212, API 210 and
local database 214 may all be used cooperatively to load, store and
execute the various functions disclosed herein and thus the logic
to perform these functions may be distributed over various
elements. Alternatively, the functionality could be incorporated
into one discrete component. Therefore, the features of the access
terminal in FIG. 3 are to be considered merely illustrative and the
invention is not limited to the illustrated features or
arrangement.
[0035] The wireless communication between the access terminal 102
and the RAN 120 can be based on different technologies, such as
code division multiple access (CDMA), WCDMA, time division multiple
access (TDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA),
Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM), the Global
System for Mobile Communications (GSM), or other protocols that may
be used in a wireless communications network or a data
communications network. The data communication is typically between
the client device 102, MPT/BS 124, and BSC/PCF 122. The BSC/PCF 122
can be connected to multiple data networks such as the carrier
network 126, PSTN, the Internet, a virtual private network, and the
like, thus allowing the access terminal 102 access to a broader
communication network. As discussed in the foregoing and known in
the art, voice transmission and/or data can be transmitted to the
access terminals from the RAN using a variety of networks and
configurations. Accordingly, the illustrations provided herein are
not intended to limit the embodiments of the invention and are
merely to aid in the description of aspects of embodiments of the
invention.
[0036] In a conventional half-duplex group communication session,
the application server 170 grants the floor to one group member at
a time, and forwards media from the current floor-holder to each
other group member that has joined the session. The media may be
forwarded by the application server 170 based on Internet Protocol
(IP) unicasting protocols (e.g., the RAN 120 is instructed to
transmit the forwarded media on a downlink dedicated channel to
separately to each target AT), IP multicasting protocols (e.g., the
RAN 120 is instructed to transmit the forwarded media on a downlink
shared channel in at least one sector of the wireless
communications system 100 potentially to multiple target ATs within
the at least one sector at the same time) or a combination thereof.
During the group communication session, the application server 170
may transfer the floor from one group member to another member (i)
if the current floor-holder releases the floor and a new group
member then requests the floor, (ii) if a group member with a
higher preemption rank than the current floor-holder requests the
floor while the current floor-holder is still sending media, (iii)
if the current floor-holder has held the floor for a threshold
period of time and another group-member requests the floor at least
a threshold number of time, (iv) if the group communication session
restricts floor-holders to a given period of time as floor-holder
and the current floor-holder has exceeded the given period of time
(e.g., a fail-safe timer) and/or (v) any combination thereof. As
will be appreciated, (i)-(v) are simply examples, and the floor can
be transferred away from the floor-holder for other reasons as well
(e.g., inactivity, etc.). In the case of (ii), an operator of the
application server 170 inputs preemption ranks for each of the
group members before the session is initiated, and then evaluates
the relative preemption ranks to resolve floor contention scenarios
during an active group communication session, such as whether to
oust a current floor-holder in favor of another group member in the
event of a floor-request being received while the current
floor-holder is still speaking. As will be appreciated, the use of
preemption ranks is merely one example of conventional
talker-arbitration for the group communication session.
[0037] It is generally difficult to change the preemption ranks of
the group members for specific communication sessions because the
operator of the application server 170 typically enters this
information manually. Thus, if a particular group member wishes to
make an announcement to the group but does not want to receive
feedback or pass the floor during the announcement, the group
member (i.e., call originator in this case) would either have to
(i) have a highest-possible preemption rank, (ii) request that the
application server's 170 operator temporarily or permanently raise
the call originator's preemption rank to the highest level (iii) or
else the call originator will simply have to accept that the floor
could potentially be taken away during the session. Thus, it is
difficult to conduct group communication sessions with a guarantee
that the call originator will be uninterrupted with conventional
floor-handling protocols.
[0038] Accordingly, embodiments of the invention are directed to
ensuring or guaranteeing that call originators with sufficient
privileges can conduct uninterruptable group communication sessions
without the risk that the call originators will lose the floor to
other group members before the sessions have completed. As used
herein, an "uninterruptable group communication session"
corresponds to a group communication session where the floor cannot
be transferred to a session participant other than the call
originator. For example, even if the group communication session
violates one or more operator-defined rules by permitting a
floor-holder to hold onto the floor (e.g., the current floor-holder
has had the floor too long, a number of other group-members have
been constantly requesting the floor, the current floor-holder is
inactive, etc.), an uninterruptable group communication session
will still maintain the call originator as floor-holder.
[0039] FIG. 4 illustrates a communication group privilege setting
and distribution process in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention. Referring to FIG. 4, an operator of the application
server 170 configures preemption ranks or priorities for each
member in a given communication group (e.g., a multicast group),
400. The setting of the preemption ranks in 400 is generally known
in the art, and will not be described further for the sake of
brevity.
[0040] Next, the operator of the application server 170 determines
whether to allocate an uninterruptable session privilege to any of
the group members, 405. If the operator of the application server
170 determines not to grant or allocate any group member an
uninterruptable session privilege in 405, the process of FIG. 4
ends and the configuration of FIG. 4 becomes similar to that of the
conventional art, such that the preemption ranks established in 400
control floor-handling for any group communication session
arbitrated by the application server 170 involving the given
communication group.
[0041] Otherwise, if the operator of the application server 170
determines to grant at least one group member an uninterruptable
session privilege in 405, the operator configures the at least one
group member with the uninterruptable session privilege, 410. In an
example, the configuration of 410 may involve setting an
uninterruptable session privilege parameter within a record for the
at least one group member maintained at the application server 170
to a given logic level (e.g., "1" instead of "0"), with the given
logic level setting of the uninterruptable session privilege
parameter (e.g., "1") indicating that the at least one group member
has the uninterruptable session privilege. In another example, the
configuration of 410 may involve setting a "type" field within the
record of the at least one group member to indicate that the at
least one group member has a number of certain privileges,
including but not limited to the uninterruptable session privilege.
In another example, the record could reflect the type of device
used by the at least one group member, whereby the uninterruptable
session privilege is assumed based on the type of device, such as
if the type of the at least one group member as indicated in the
record corresponds to a public safety device. In 415, the
provisioning server 184 notifies the at least one group member of
the uninterruptable session privilege (e.g., so that a multimedia
client at the at least one group member will permit specially
configured call messages to request an uninterruptable group
communication session).
[0042] FIG. 5 illustrates an uninterruptable half-duplex group
communication session in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention. Referring to FIG. 5, assume that the process of FIG. 4
has already executed and that AT 1 has been allocated the
uninterruptable session privilege in 405, 410, and that AT 1 is
notified of the uninterruptable session privilege in 415. Further,
the operations performed at AT 1 in FIG. 5 are performed at a
multimedia client 210A, where the multimedia client 210A
corresponds to an API among APIs 210 as described with respect to
AT 200 of FIG. 3. The multimedia client 210A is responsible for
managing group communication sessions at AT 1.
[0043] Accordingly, referring to FIG. 5, assume that the multimedia
client 210A of AT 1 receives a user-request to initiate an
uninterruptable session to a given communication group, 500. For
example, if the requested session corresponds to a push-to-talk
(PTT) or push-to-transfer (PTX) session, the user-request may
correspond to a user of AT 1 pressing a PTT or PTX button and
separately indicating that the PTT/PTX session is intended to be
uninterrupted. In another example, the requested session can
correspond to a full-duplex session even though full-duplex
sessions do not typically include talker-arbitration because each
call-participant is permitted to talk. However, if the full-duplex
session were specially established to be initiated in a `lecture`
mode whereby the target audience is not expected to talk and/or
interrupt the speaker or lecturer, the requested session can be
implemented as an uninterruptable half-duplex session despite being
set-up as a full-duplex session. Next, the multimedia client 210A
of AT 1 determines whether the user of AT 1 has sufficient
permission to request the uninterruptable session, 503. For
example, after AT 1 receives the notification that AT 1 is
permitted to initiate uninterruptable group communication sessions
in 415 of FIG. 4, the multimedia client 210A at AT 1 can set an
uninterruptable session privilege parameter for sessions involving
the communication group to a given logic level (e.g., "1" instead
of "0"), with the given logic level setting of the uninterruptable
session privilege parameter (e.g., "1") indicating that AT 1 has
the uninterruptable session privilege. In this example, the
determination of 503 corresponds to checking the logic level of the
uninterruptable session privilege parameter to determine if AT 1 is
permitted to request the uninterruptable group communication
session.
[0044] In 503, assume that the multimedia client 210A of AT 1
determines AT 1 to have sufficient permission to request initiation
for the uninterruptable group communication session. Accordingly,
the multimedia client 210A of AT 1 configures a call message to
request initiation of an uninterruptable group communication
session, 506. For example, the configuration of 506 may correspond
to generating a standard call message and then modifying one or
more fields of the standard call message to convey, to the
application server 170, that AT 1 is attempting to initiate an
uninterruptable session. In an example, the modified field of the
call message may correspond to a Diffserv Code Point (DSCP) value
in a header portion of the call message being set to a
pre-established value that the application server 170 knows to
interpret as a request for an uninterruptable session.
[0045] After the configuration of 506, AT 1 transmits the
configured call message to the RAN 120 (not shown), that forwards
the configured call message to a given regional dispatcher 170A of
the application server 170, 509. The application server 170
acknowledges receipt of the call message by transmitting an ACK
message back to AT 1, 512. The regional dispatcher 170A evaluates
the call message and determines whether AT 1 belongs to the
communication group to which AT 1 is attempting to communicate,
515. It may be assumed that AT 1 belongs to the communication group
in 515, and the regional dispatcher 170A then locates each of
target ATs 2 . . . N (e.g., the regional dispatcher 170A determines
if the target ATs are registered with the application server 170,
and if so, obtains their respective IP addresses), 518, selects a
vocoder for the communication session, 521 and selects one of the
plurality of MCCs 170B to handle the communication session, 524.
The regional dispatcher 170A then generates an announce message to
announce the communication session to the target ATs 2 . . . N, and
configures the announce message to indicate, to the target ATs 2 .
. . N, that the communication session is an uninterruptable
communication session, 527. In an example, similar to the
configured call message from 506, the announce message can be
configured to include a pre-established DSCP value in a header
portion that target ATs 2 . . . N will interpret as being
indicative of an uninterruptable group communication session. The
regional dispatcher 170A then forwards the configured announce
message to the RAN 120 (not shown) for transmission to ATs 2 . . .
N, 530.
[0046] While not shown explicitly in FIG. 5, it will be appreciated
that the multimedia client 210A of AT 1 itself enforces whether the
user of AT 1 has sufficient privileges to request initiation of the
uninterruptable group communication session (e.g., at 503). In an
alternative embodiment, the enforcement can be performed at the
application server 170, in which case a decision block could be
added after block 509 and before 527 to confirm that AT 1 has
sufficient privileges to request the uninterruptable group
communication session, and if not, the application server 170 would
simply ignore the call message and would not announce the call.
[0047] Next, assume that target ATs 2 . . . N receive the
configured announce message from 530 and that at least one of
target ATs 2 . . . N determine to accept the announced call, 533.
For example, each of target ATs 2 . . . N that is not currently
busy (e.g., engaged in another call) determines to accept the call
in 533. Alternatively, in another example, announcements for
uninterruptable group communication sessions can force target ATs
to drop a current session, if present, and to accept the
uninterruptable group communication session. In this example, the
target ATs 2 . . . N as well as the call originator AT 1 can also
be forced to reject any subsequent announce messages for other
communication sessions during the duration of the uninterruptable
group communication session.
[0048] Accordingly, each target AT that determines to accept the
announced call sends an announce ACK (accept) message to the
regional dispatcher 170A, 536, and notifies a multimedia session
user interface (UI) of the target ATs to notify users thereof to
expect incoming uninterruptable group communication session media,
539. Also, because the communication session is uninterruptable, in
an example, any attempts by users of ATs 2 . . . N to request the
floor are suppressed by the multimedia clients 210A at ATs 2 . . .
N, 542, such that floor-request messages are not sent to the
regional dispatcher 170A by the target ATs 2 . . . N. In another
example, the floor-requests can be suppressed differently, such as
by logic contained at the RAN 120 and/or the application server
170.
[0049] Upon receiving the announce ACK (accept) message from a
first of ATs 2 . . . N ("first responder"), the regional dispatcher
170A sends a floor-grant message to AT 1, 545, to prompt a user of
AT 1 to begin buffering media for eventual transmission to the
application server 170 for forwarding to the target ATs 2 . . . N.
AT 1 receives the floor-grant message from the regional dispatcher
170A and acknowledges receipt of the floor-grant message with an
ACK message, 548. The multimedia client 210A then instructs AT 1 to
play a tone to inform a user of AT 1 to begin inputting media
(e.g., voice data), and the multimedia client 210A buffers the
media input by the user of AT 1, 551. Upon receiving the
floor-grant ACK from AT 1, the regional dispatcher 170A instructs
the MCC 170B selected in 524 to begin hosting the communication
session as an uninterruptable session, 554. Accordingly, the MCC
170B will ignore the relative preemption ranks of the ATs
participating in the communication session, and will maintain AT 1
as floor-holder throughout the communication session, 557. In other
words, if the MCC 170B receives any floor-requests from ATs 2 . . .
N during the uninterruptable group communication session, the MCC
170B will deny the floor-requests and the MCC 170B will not revoke
the floor from the current floor-holder irrespective of whether
maintaining the floor with the current floor-holder violates one or
more rules (e.g., such as how long a floor-holder is typically
permitted to hold onto the floor, etc.). The MCC 170B then sends
media control unit (MCU) information to call originator (and
current floor-holder) AT 1 as well as target ATs 2 . . . N, 560.
The MCU is a software process or instance that handles a single
instance for a call or communication session, and the MCU
information corresponds to a contact message, and includes the IP
address and port number regarding where floor-holders are to
forward media for re-transmission to the rest of the group during
the session (e.g., as in 566 below), or signaling messages such as
ACKs (e.g., as in 563 or 572 below).
[0050] AT 1 receives the MCU information from the MCC 170B, and
acknowledges receipt of the MCU information with an ACK message,
563. Also, upon receiving the MCU information from the MCC 170B,
the multimedia client 210A begins transmitting the buffered media
to the MCC 170B, 566, which in turn buffers the media forwarded
from AT 1, 569. Next, the MCC 170B waits to receive at least one
ACK from target ATs 2 . . . N to the MCU information transmitted in
560. In an example, the MCC 170B can wait for a first
MCU-information ACK from any of target ATs 2 . . . N and can then
begin forwarding the buffered media. In an alternative example, the
MCC 170B can wait for MCU-information ACKs from a given percentage
of target ATs 2 . . . N (e.g., of each target to which the announce
message was sent in 530, or of each target that accepted the call
in 536) before forwarding any of the buffered media. In another
alternative example, the MCC 170B can wait for MCU-information ACKs
from each of target ATs 2 . . . N (e.g., of each target to which
the announce message was sent in 530, or of each target that
accepted the call in 536), such that the given percentage equals
100%, before forwarding any of the buffered media (e.g., if it is
important for each target AT to receive the full media-flow). In
any case, one or more ACKs from target ATs 2 . . . N are received
at the MCC 170B in 572. When the number of MCU-information ACKs
from the target ATs 2 . . . N satisfies a given threshold (e.g., a
first MCU-information ACK is received, a MCU-information ACK is
received from each target AT to have accepted the call in 536, a
given percentage of target ATs 2 . . . N that accepted the call in
536, etc.), the MCC 170B forwards the buffered media to target ATs
2 . . . N, 575. Also, while the MCU-ACKs are illustrated as
arriving at the MCC 170B in 572, if a sufficient number of MCU-ACKs
from target ATs 2 . . . N arrive at the MCC 170B before media
begins arriving from AT 1, it will be appreciated that the
buffering of block 569 can be skipped and the MCC 170B can begin
forwarding the media to ATs 2 . . . N as soon as it is
received.
[0051] While not shown in FIG. 5, if any of target ATs 2 . . . N
send floor-request messages despite the suppression of block 542,
the MCC 170B will ignore the floor-request messages because the MCC
170B is aware that the communication session is intended to be
uninterruptable from block 554.
[0052] Accordingly, as will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill
in the art, a given call originator with sufficient privileges can
establish a group communication session that is uninterruptable
irrespective of its group preemption rank, thereby permitting the
given call originator to forward media to a communication group
without a risk of losing the floor to another group-member. Also,
while examples above are generally directed to uninterruptable
group communication sessions including audio media (e.g., voice),
other embodiments can be directed to sessions that include audio
and video or video-only.
[0053] Those of skill in the art will appreciate that information
and signals may be represented using any of a variety of different
technologies and techniques. For example, data, instructions,
commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may
be referenced throughout the above description may be represented
by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or
particles, optical fields or particles, or any combination
thereof.
[0054] Further, those of skill in the art will appreciate that the
various illustrative logical blocks, modules, circuits, and
algorithm steps described in connection with the embodiments
disclosed herein may be implemented as electronic hardware,
computer software, or combinations of both. To clearly illustrate
this interchangeability of hardware and software, various
illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have
been described above generally in terms of their functionality.
Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software
depends upon the particular application and design constraints
imposed on the overall system. Skilled artisans may implement the
described functionality in varying ways for each particular
application, but such implementation decisions should not be
interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the present
invention.
[0055] The various illustrative logical blocks, modules, and
circuits described in connection with the embodiments disclosed
herein may be implemented or performed with a general purpose
processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application
specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array
(FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or
transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination
thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A
general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in the
alternative, the processor may be any conventional processor,
controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also
be implemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a
combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of
microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a
DSP core, or any other such configuration.
[0056] The methods, sequences and/or algorithms described in
connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be embodied
directly in hardware, in a software module executed by a processor,
or in a combination of the two. A software module may reside in RAM
memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory,
registers, hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form
of storage medium known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is
coupled to the processor such that the processor can read
information from, and write information to, the storage medium. In
the alternative, the storage medium may be integral to the
processor. The processor and the storage medium may reside in an
ASIC. The ASIC may reside in a user terminal (e.g., access
terminal). In the alternative, the processor and the storage medium
may reside as discrete components in a user terminal.
[0057] In one or more exemplary embodiments, the functions
described may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or
any combination thereof. If implemented in software, the functions
may be stored on or transmitted over as one or more instructions or
code on a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media
includes both computer storage media and communication media
including any medium that facilitates transfer of a computer
program from one place to another. A storage media may be any
available media that can be accessed by a computer. By way of
example, and not limitation, such computer-readable media can
comprise RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage,
magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any
other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program
code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be
accessed by a computer. Also, any connection is properly termed a
computer-readable medium. For example, if the software is
transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using a
coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber
line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and
microwave, then the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair,
DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and
microwave are included in the definition of medium. Disk and disc,
as used herein, includes compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical
disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk and blu-ray disc
where disks usually reproduce data magnetically, while discs
reproduce data optically with lasers. Combinations of the above
should also be included within the scope of computer-readable
media.
[0058] While the foregoing disclosure shows illustrative
embodiments of the invention, it should be noted that various
changes and modifications could be made herein without departing
from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
The functions, steps and/or actions of the method claims in
accordance with the embodiments of the invention described herein
need not be performed in any particular order. Furthermore,
although elements of the invention may be described or claimed in
the singular, the plural is contemplated unless limitation to the
singular is explicitly stated.
* * * * *