BRIDGING TALK GROUP IN COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS

• US 20040203978A1
• Filed: 09/17/2002
• Published: 10/14/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Motorola Solutions, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Motorola, Inc. (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
• Inventors: Korneluk, Jose E., Richards, Scott H., Larson, Brian K., Wong, Chin Pan, Monks, Deborah, Jackson, Charles
• Granted Patent: US 7,181,234 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/518
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/06 Selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS]; Services to user groups; One-way selective calling services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/08 User group management
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/08 Trunked mobile radio systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/04 adapted for relaying to or from another terminal or user
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/16 Gateway arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/184 Messaging devices, e.g. message centre
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/02 Inter-networking arrangements

Abstract

A communication system (100) for bridging talk groups includes private network communication devices (102) operating within a private network system, and public network communication devices (110, 122, 112) operating within a public network system. At least one communication subsystem (104) is operable with both the private and public network systems. The communication subsystem (104) relays information between the private network communication devices (102) and the public network communication devices (110, 122, 112).

Claims

1. A communication system for bridging talkgroups, comprising:

a private network communication device operating within a private network system;

a public network communication device operating within a public network system; and

at least one portable communication subsystem device operable with both the private and public network systems, the at least one portable communication subsystem relaying information between the private network communication device and the public network communication device.

2. The communication system of claim 1, wherein the private network communication device comprises a portable radio operating within the private network system.

3. The communication system of claim 1, wherein the public network communication device comprises a portable radio operating within the public network system.

4. The communication system of claim 1, wherein the private network communication device comprises a mobile radio operating within the private network system.

5. The communication system of claim 1, wherein the public network communication device comprises a mobile radio operating within the public network system.

6. The communication system of claim 1, further comprising a recorder for recording the information relayed between the private network communication device and the public network communication device.

7. The communication system of claim 1, wherein the private and public network communication devices are wireless.

8. A method of bridging talkgroups, comprising:

transmitting a message from a radio within a private talk group over a private network;

receiving the message at a communication subsystem having both private and public network capability, the communication subsystem being either portable or mobile; and

relaying the message through the public network to a public network communication device.

9. The method of claim 8, further including the step of playing out the received message via a speaker at the communication subsystem.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the step of receiving the message at the communication subsystem further includes the steps of:

receiving the message from the private network; and

transmitting the received message to the public network via an electrical link.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the electrical link is wired or wireless.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the public network enables a call being placed to a public switched telephone line (PSTN) landline.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein the public network enables a call being placed to a wireless phone.

14. The method of claim 8, wherein the call takes place via Internet Protocol (IP).

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the call takes place via voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).

16. A method of bridging talkgroups, comprising:

transmitting a call from a portable radio within a public talk group over a public network;

receiving the call at a communication subsystem having both private and public network capability, the communication subsystem being either portable or mobile; and

relaying the call through the private network to a private network communication device.

17. The method of claim 16, further including the step of playing out the received call through a speaker at the communication subsystem.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the step of receiving the call further includes the steps of:

receiving the call from the public network; and

transmitting the received call to the private network via an electrical link.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the public network enables the call being placed from a public switched telephone network (PSTN) landline.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein the public network enables the call being placed from a wireless phone.

21. The method of claim 16, wherein the call takes place via Internet Protocol (IP).

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the call takes place via voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).

23. A communication system, comprising:

a first talk group operating over a private radio network;

a second talkgroup operating over a public radio network;

at least one communication device in the first talk group having public network capability, the at least one communication device being either portable or mobile; and

the at least one communication device relaying audio from the first talk group to the second talk group over the public network.

24. The communication system of claim 23, wherein the at least one communication device includes:

a first receiver operable in the private network; and

a first transmitter operable in the private network;

a second receiver operable in the public network; and

a second transmitter operable in the public network;

wherein audio is received from the private network at the first receiver and ported via an electrical link to the second transmitter; and

wherein audio is received from the public network at the second receiver and ported via an electrical link to the first transmitter.

25. A method of bridging talkgroups, comprising:

transmitting a call from a public communication device within a public talk group over a public network;

receiving the call at a communication subsystem having both private and public network capability, the communication subsystem being either portable or mobile; and

relaying the call through the private network to a private network communication device;

transmitting a response from the private network communication device over the private network;

receiving the response at the communication subsystem; and

relaying the response through the public network to the public network communication device.

26. A method of bridging talkgroups, comprising:

transmitting a call from a wireless communication device over both public and private networks via a portable or mobile communication subsystem; and

receiving the call at both public and private network devices.

27. The method of claim 26, further comprising the step of responding to the call from the public and private devices through the public and private networks.

28. A wireless radio communication device for use in bridging communications between private and public network systems, comprising:

a portable private radio portion operable in a private communications network;

a portable public radio portion operable in a public communications network; and

an electrical link for controlling audio between the portable public radio portion and the portable private radio portion.

29. The communication device of claim 28, wherein the electrical link between the portable private radio portion and portable public radio portion is wireless.

30. The communication device of claim 28, wherein the electrical link between the portable private radio portion and portable public radio portion is wired.

31. The communication device of claim 28, further including a speaker and microphone operatively coupled to the portable private radio portion and the portable public radio portion.

32. The communication device of claim 31, wherein the speaker and microphone operate as a remote speaker microphone.

33. The communication device of claim 32, wherein the speaker and microphone also operate in phone mode.

34. The communication device of claim 31, wherein the microphone enables communication with both private and public network systems simultaneously.

35. A communication system, comprising:

a private network communication device;

a public network communication device;

a wireless communication subsystem having both private and pubic network capability, the wireless communication subsystem being portable or mobile; and

the wireless communication subsystem providing private to public network communication and public to private network communications through private and public networks.

36. The communication system of claim 35, wherein the wireless subsystem provides simultaneous communication to both the private and public network communication devices.