Communication device for entering and exiting a net within a group communication network

• US 20020086665A1
• Filed: 11/07/2001
• Published: 07/04/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• 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.
• Granted Patent: US 6,965,767 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/416
• 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 entering a net within a group communication network provides for requesting a current list of available nets that the communication device may join from a controller and, after receiving the current list of available nets from the controller, selecting a net from the current list of available nets. The method and apparatus further allows the communication device to send a request to the controller for joining the selected net, which may be followed by receiving a response from the controller that the communication device has been added to the list of current participants in the selected net. In another aspect of the invention, a method and apparatus for exiting a net within a group communication network provides for sending a request to the controller for exiting the net, receiving a response from the controller that the communication device has been removed from the list of current participants in the net, and exiting the net.

Claims

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

requesting a current list of available nets that the communication device may join a controller for;

receiving the current list of available nets from the controller;

selecting a net from the current list of available nets;

sending a request to the controller for joining the selected net; and

receiving a response from the controller that the communication device has been added to the list of current participants in the selected net.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein after receiving the current list of available nets, the communication device further including updating its list of nets that it may join.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the sending the request includes sending a push-to-talk (PTT) request to the controller.

4. In a communication device, a method for exiting a net within a group communication network, the method comprising:

sending a request to the controller for exiting the net;

receiving a response from the controller that the communication device has been removed from the list of current participants in the net; and

exiting the net.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein after exiting the net, the communication device releases its communication connection with the controller.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein if the communication device is engaged in a group call before sending the request to the controller for exiting the net, the method further including notifying the other participants in the net that the communication device is exiting the net.

7. In a communication device, a computer-readable medium embodying a method for entering a net within a group communication network, the method comprising:

requesting a current list of available nets that the communication device may join a controller for;

receiving the current list of available nets from the controller;

selecting a net from the current list of available nets;

sending a request to the controller for joining the selected net; and

receiving a response from the controller that the communication device has been added to the list of current participants in the selected net.

8. In a communication device, a computer-readable medium embodying a method for exiting a net within a group communication network, the method comprising:

sending a request to the controller for exiting the net;

receiving a response from the controller that the communication device has been deleted from the list of current participants in the net; and

exiting the net.

9. A communication device for entering a net within a group communication network, comprising:

means for requesting a current list of available nets that the communication device may join a controller for;

means for receiving the current list of available nets from the controller;

means for selecting a net from the current list of available nets;

means for sending a request to the controller for joining the selected net; and

means for receiving a response from the controller that the communication device has been added to the list of current participants in the selected net.

10. A communication device for exiting a net within a group communication network, comprising:

means for sending a request to the controller for exiting the net;

means for receiving a response from the controller that the communication device has been deleted from the list of current participants in the net; and

means for exiting the net.

11. A communication device for entering a net within a group communication network, the communication device comprising:

a memory unit;

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;

requesting a current list of available nets that the communication device may join a controller for;

requesting a controller for a current list of available nets that the communication device may join;

receiving the current list of available nets from the controller;

selecting a net from the current list of available nets;

sending a request to the controller for joining the selected net; and

receiving a response from the controller that the communication device has been added to the list of current participants in the selected net.

12. The communication device of claim 11, wherein the communication device is a push-to-talk (PTT) device.

14. The communication device of claim 11, wherein the communication device is a push-to-talk (PTT) device.

13. A communication device for exiting a net within a group communication network, the communication device comprising:

a memory unit;

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 request to the controller for exiting the net;

receiving a response from the controller that the communication device has been deleted from the list of current participants in the net; and

exiting the net.