Talker arbitration method and apparatus

• US 20050227722A1
• Filed: 04/08/2004
• Published: 10/13/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/08/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Motorola, Inc. (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
• Inventors: Harris, John M., Crocker, Ronald T., Fleming, Philip J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,558,589 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/518
• 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

During the course of a push-to-talk talkgroup wireless communication, decisions (21) are made regarding possible subsequent push-to-talk communication needs for the group. Based at least in part upon such decisions, a network location is identified (22) to provide talker arbitration support for this talkgroup. In one embodiment the identified network location can comprise a mobile station, such as a mobile station that comprises a member of the talkgroup. In a preferred embodiment, the talker arbitration capability is then assigned (24) to the identified network location.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

subsequent to initiation of a push-to-talk wireless communication for a talk group;

automatically considering at least one possible subsequent push-to-talk communication need of the talk group to provide at least one corresponding determination;

automatically identifying a network location to support talker arbitration for the push-to-talk communication needs of the talk group as a function, at least in part, of the corresponding determination.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the talk group comprises a first mobile station and a second mobile station.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the talk group further comprises at least a third mobile station.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein subsequent to initiation of a push-to-talk wireless communication for a talk group further comprises at least partially during a time when an active wireless channel is allocated to support the push-to-talk wireless communication.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein automatically considering at least one possible subsequent push-to-talk communication need of the talk group further comprises automatically identifying at least one target mobile station to whom a present push-to-talk wireless communication is directed.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein automatically identifying a network location to support talker arbitration for the push-to-talk communication needs of the talk group as a function, at least in part, of the corresponding determination further comprises identifying the target mobile station as the network location to support talker arbitration for the push-to-talk communication needs of the talk group.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein automatically considering at least one possible subsequent push-to-talk communication need of the talk group further comprises automatically considering at least one item of context information regarding the talk group.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein automatically considering at least one item of context information regarding the talk group further comprises automatically considering at least one of:

voice recognition results as correspond to analysis of at least a part of a push-to-talk wireless communication;

determining which mobile station of the talk group appears to likely comprise a discussion leader;

determining which mobile station of the talk group comprises an originating mobile station as regards the push-to-talk wireless communication;

user manipulation of a mobile station;

push-to-talk wireless communications historical information;

identification of a most frequent initiator of push-to-talk communications;

geographic location of at least one member of the talk group;

a presence of other concurrently used services.

the type or length of the previous push-to-talk communication

the target'"'"'s current status as being in a meeting or not as inferred, for example, from a calendar meeting schedule for the target;

the number of members in the push-to-talk group.

the RF congestion, frame erasure rate or link speed achieved

9. The method of claim 1 wherein automatically identifying a network location further comprises identifying a mobile station that comprises a member of the talk group.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein automatically identifying a network location further comprises identifying a network server.

11. The method of claim 1 and further comprising:

automatically assigning the network location to support talker arbitration for the talk group.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein automatically assigning the network location to support talker arbitration for the talk group further comprises transmitting at least one explicit message to the network location to indicate assignment of talker arbitration to the network location.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein automatically assigning the network location to support talker arbitration for the talk group further comprises transmitting a signal to the network location to indicate assignment of talker arbitration to the network location.

14. The method of claim 11 and further comprising:

intentionally delaying automatically assigning the network location to support talker arbitration for the talk group.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein intentionally delaying automatically assigning the network location to support talker arbitration for the talk group further comprises intentionally delaying, for at least a predetermined period of time, automatically assigning the network location to support talker arbitration for the talk group.

16. The method of claim 15 and further comprising:

detecting, while intentionally delaying automatically assigning the network location, a condition of interest;

automatically identifying a network location to support talker arbitration for the push-to-talk communication needs of the talk group as a function, at least in part, of the condition of interest.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein detecting a condition of interest further comprises detecting that a just-previous transmitting mobile station is seeking to initiate a subsequent push-to-talk wireless communication.

18. A method for use with a wireless push-to-talk mobile station, comprising:

participating in a push-to-talk wireless communication with a talk group;

activating talker arbitration capability for the talk group.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein activating talker arbitration capability further comprises activating talker arbitration capability in response to receiving at least a first predetermined signal.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein receiving at least a first predetermined signal further comprises receiving an explicit instruction to activate the talker arbitration capability.

21. The method of claim 19 wherein receiving at least a first predetermined signal further comprises receiving an end-of-transmission signal.

22. The method of claim 18 and further comprising deactivating the talker arbitration capability.

23. A wireless push-to-talk mobile station comprising:

a processing platform;

at least a first memory having push-to-talk talker arbitration instructions stored therein.

24. The wireless push-to-talk mobile station of claim 23 and further comprising means for activating the push-to-talk talker arbitration instructions in response to detection of at least a first predetermined condition.

25. The wireless push-to-talk mobile station of claim 23 and further comprising means for using the push-to-talk talker arbitration instructions to arbitrate at least one push-to-talk communication for a talk group that includes the wireless push-to-talk mobile station.