Transmit channel request messaging for half-duplex voice communications systems
First Claim
1. A method of messaging during an active half-duplex session between a plurality of user devices capable of walkie-talkie-like functionality, the method comprising:
- a first user device of said plurality of user devices while in a receiving in half-duplex (RHD) mode for an active half-duplex session, transmitting a transmit channel request message (TCRM) to a network;
the network forwarding the TCRM to a second user device of said plurality of user devices while the second user device is in a transmitting in half-duplex (THD) mode for the active half-duplex session; and
the second user device receiving the TCRM.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method, system, and device are provided for transmit channel request messaging in wireless half-duplex voice communication systems. A new transmit channel request message (TCRM) is provided and sent over a logical control channel from a receiving device capable of walkie-talkie-like functionality, during an active half-duplex session, to a transmitting device capable of walkie-talkie-like functionality, indicating that the transmit channel is requested. In some embodiments, the invention provides for the display of information on the transmitting device user interface (UI) indicating, during an active session, that another user wishes to talk. The TCRM includes an indication that another device has requested the transmit channel and preferably includes an identification of the device which sent the transmit channel request message. In some embodiments, a qualifier flag in the TCRM is used to specify what, if any, extended functionality in respect of the TCRM is to be performed.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method of messaging during an active half-duplex session between a plurality of user devices capable of walkie-talkie-like functionality, the method comprising:
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a first user device of said plurality of user devices while in a receiving in half-duplex (RHD) mode for an active half-duplex session, transmitting a transmit channel request message (TCRM) to a network;
the network forwarding the TCRM to a second user device of said plurality of user devices while the second user device is in a transmitting in half-duplex (THD) mode for the active half-duplex session; and
the second user device receiving the TCRM. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A user device capable of walkie-talkie-like functionality adapted to participate in an active half-duplex session, the user device comprising:
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means for receiving an external input requesting the user device to transmit an outgoing TCRM message;
means for transmitting the outgoing TCRM to a wireless network responsive to the request;
means for receiving an incoming TCRM message from the wireless network while the user device is in transmit half-duplex mode; and
means for generating a user-detectable notification in response to receiving the incoming TCRM message. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23)
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21. A network adapted to facilitate an active half-duplex session involving an RHD device capable of walkie-talkie-like functionality and a THD device capable of walkie-talkie-like functionality, the network comprising:
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a message processing element adapted to forward a TCRM from the RHD device to the THD device by;
i) receiving the TCRM over an input channel from the RHD device;
ii) processing the TCRM to identify from the TCRM the identity of the THD device; and
iii) transmitting the TCRM over an output channel to the THD device.
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24. A memory for storing data for access by a THD device of a network, comprising:
a data structure stored in said memory, said data structure being a TCRM and comprising an identification of an RHD device.
Specification