Communication device for providing dormant mode for a group communication network

• US 20020094831A1
• Filed: 10/17/2001
• Published: 07/18/2002
• 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:
  US10/045,119
• Publication Number:
  US 20020094831A1
• 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 providing a dormant mode for push-to-talk communication devices in a group communication network provides for determining whether a communication device has been inactive for a predetermined time period and causing the communication device to enter the dormant mode if it is determined that the communication device has been inactive for the predetermined time period.

Claims

1. In a communication device operating in a group communication network, a method for putting the communication device into a dormant mode, the method comprising:

determining whether the communication device has been inactive for a predetermined time period; and

causing the communication device to enter the dormant mode if it is determined that the communication device has been inactive for the predetermined time period.

2. The method of claim 1 further including:

maintaining sufficient connection for the communication device for sending an out-of-dormant request.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the communication device may ignore a go-dormant order.

4. The method of claim 1, further including:

informing each participating communication device in the network that the net is put in the dormant mode.

5. In a communication device operating in a group communication network, a method for putting the communication device into a dormant mode, the method comprising:

receiving a command to enter a dormant mode; and

releasing a traffic channel associated with the communication device in response to the command.

6. The method of claim 5 further including:

maintaining sufficient connection for the communication device for sending an out-of-dormant request.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the communication device may ignore a go-dormant order.

8. The method of claim 5, further including:

informing each participating communication device in the network that the net is put in the dormant mode.

9. In a communication device operating in a group communication network, a method for bringing the communication device out of a dormant mode, comprising:

receiving a floor-control request; and

bringing the communication device out of the dormant mode if the request is granted.

10. In a communication device operating in a group communication network, a computer-readable medium embodying a method for putting the communication device into a dormant mode, the method comprising:

determining whether the communication device has been inactive for a predetermined time period; and

causing the communication device to enter the dormant mode if it is determined that the communication device has been inactive for the predetermined time period.

11. In a communication device operating in a group communication network, a computer-readable medium embodying a method putting the communication device into a dormant mode, the method comprising:

receiving a command to enter a dormant mode; and

releasing a traffic channel associated with the communication device in response to the command.

12. In a communication device operating in a group communication network, a computer-readable medium embodying a method for bringing the communication device out of a dormant mode, comprising:

receiving a floor-control request; and

bringing the communication device out of the dormant mode if the request is granted.

13. A communication device for providing a dormant mode, comprising:

means for receiving a floor-control request; and

means for bringing the communication device out of the dormant mode if the request is granted.

14. A communication device for providing a dormant mode, comprising:

means for determining whether the communication device has been inactive for a predetermined time period; and

means for causing the communication device to enter the dormant mode if it is determined that the communication device has been inactive for the predetermined time period.

15. A communication device for providing a dormant mode, comprising:

means for receiving a command to enter a dormant mode; and

means for releasing a traffic channel associated with the communication device in response to the command.

16. A communication device for providing a dormant mode, comprising:

a receiver to receive information over the network;

a transmitter to transmit information over the network; and

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

determining whether the communication device has been inactive for a predetermined time period; and

causing the communication device to enter the dormant mode if it is determined that the communication device has been inactive for the predetermined time period.

17. A communication device for providing a dormant mode, comprising:

a receiver to receive information over the network;

a transmitter to transmit information over the network; and

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

receiving a command to enter a dormant mode; and

releasing a traffic channel associated with the communication device in response to the command.

18. A communication device for providing a dormant mode, comprising:

a receiver to receive information over the network;

a transmitter to transmit information over the network; and

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

receiving a floor-control request; and

bringing the communication device out of the dormant mode if the request is granted.