Communication device for determining participants in a net within a group communication network

• US 20020061761A1
• Filed: 11/28/2001
• Published: 05/23/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Douglas M. Crockett, Eric Rosen, Mark Maggenti
• Original Assignee: Douglas M. Crockett, Eric Rosen, Mark Maggenti
• Inventors: Maggenti, Mark, Rosen, Eric, Crockett, Douglas M.
• Application Number:
  US09/997,166
• Publication Number:
  US 20020061761A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/518
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0428 wherein the data content is protected, e.g. by encrypting or encapsulating the payload
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0442 wherein the sending and receiving network entities apply asymmetric encryption, i.e. different keys for encryption and decryption cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for public-key encryption H04L9/30
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/065 for group communications cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for key management involving conference or group key H04L9/0833
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1046 Call controllers; Call servers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/403 Arrangements for multi-party communication, e.g. for conferences data switching systems for conference H04L12/18; arrangements for connecting several subscribers to a common circuit, i.e. affording conference facilities H04M3/56; television conferencing systems H04N7/15
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/4061 Push-to services, e.g. push-to-talk or push-to-video
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/10 Push-to-Talk [PTT] or Push-On-Call services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/45 for Push-to-Talk [PTT] or Push-to-Talk over cellular [PoC] services

Abstract

A method and apparatus for determining participants in a net within a group communication network includes the steps of sending a message to a controller, the message being for determining whether the communication device is a participant in the net, and listing the communication device as a participant in the net if the controller sends a response to the message within a predetermined time period. In one aspect, the communication device is a push-to-talk (PTT) device.

Claims

1. In a communication device, a method for determining participants in a net within a group communication network, the method comprising:

sending a message to a controller, the message being for determining whether the communication device is a participant in the net; and

listing the communication device as a participant in the net if the controller sends a response to the message within a predetermined time period.

2. The method of claim 1, further including transitioning the communication device to an inactive state if the controller does not send a response to the message within a predetermined time period.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the message includes information identifying the communication device.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the message includes a message identifier.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the response includes information identifying the message identifier.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the response includes information indicating that the response corresponds to the message.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the response includes information indicating whether the communication device is a participant in the net.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the sending includes sending the message through a push-to-talk (PTT) device.

9. In a communication device, a computer-readable medium embodying a method for determining participants in a net within a group communication network, the method comprising:

sending a message to a controller, the message being for determining whether the communication device is a participant in the net; and

listing the communication device as a participant in the net if the controller sends a response to the message within a predetermined time period.

10. The computer-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the method further includes transitioning the communication device to an inactive state if the controller does not send a response to the message within a predetermined time period.

11. The computer-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the message includes information identifying the communication device.

12. The computer-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the message includes a message identifier.

13. The computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein the response includes information identifying the message identifier.

14. The computer-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the response includes information indicating that the response corresponds to the message.

15. The computer-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the response includes information indicating whether the communication device is a participant in the net.

16. The computer-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the sending includes sending the message through a push-to-talk (PTT) device.

18. The communication device of claim 17, further including means for transitioning the communication device to an inactive state if the controller does not send a response to the message within a predetermined time period.

19. The communication device of claim 17, wherein the message includes information identifying the communication device.

20. The communication device of claim 17, wherein the message includes a message identifier.

21. The communication device of claim 20, wherein the response includes information identifying the message identifier.

22. The communication device of claim 17, wherein the response includes information indicating that the response corresponds to the message.

23. The communication device of claim 17, wherein the response includes information indicating whether the communication device is a participant in the net.

24. The communication device of claim 17, wherein the sending includes sending the message through a push-to-talk (PTT) device.

26. The communication device of claim 25, wherein the processor further is capable of transitioning the communication device to an inactive state if the controller does not send a response to the message within a predetermined time period.

27. The communication device of claim 25, wherein the message includes information identifying the communication device.

28. The communication device of claim 25, wherein the message includes a message identifier.

29. The communication device of claim 28, wherein the response includes information identifying the message identifier.

30. The communication device of claim 25, wherein the response includes information indicating that the response corresponds to the message.

31. The communication device of claim 25, wherein the response includes information indicating whether the communication device is a participant in the net.

32. The communication device of claim 25, wherein the sending includes sending the message through a push-to-talk (PTT) device.

33. The communication device of claim 25, wherein the communication device is a push-to-talk (PTT) device.

17. A communication device for determining participants in a net within a group communication network, the method comprising:

means for sending a message to a controller, the message being for determining whether the communication device is a participant in the net; and

means for listing the communication device as a participant in the net if the controller sends a response to the message within a predetermined time period.

25. A communication device for determining participants in a net within in a group communication network, the communication device comprising:

a memory unit for storing information about participants in the net;

a transmitter to send a message to a controller;

a receiver to receive a response from the controller; and

a processor communicatively coupled to the receiver, the transmitter, and the memory unit, the processor being capable of;

sending a message to a controller, the message being for determining whether the communication device is a participant in the net; and

listing the communication device as a participant in the net if the controller sends a response to the message within a predetermined time period.