Broadcast dispatch chatroom

• US 20070037599A1
• Filed: 06/19/2006
• Published: 02/15/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nextel Communications (Deutsche Telekom AG)
• Original Assignee: Nextel Communications (Deutsche Telekom AG)
• Inventors: Martin, David, Vu, Trinh, Tillet, Dan, Szuszczewicz, Karalyn
• Granted Patent: US 7,738,897 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/521
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1813 for computer conferences, e.g. chat rooms instant messaging H04L51/04; protocols for multimedia communication H04L65/1101; arrangements for multi-party communication H04L65/403; telephonic conference arrangements H04M3/56; television conference systems H04N7/15
• 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 76/40 for selective distribution or broadcast
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/08 Trunked mobile radio systems

Abstract

A method and system for conducting a dispatch multi-party communication session is disclosed. In accordance with an embodiment of a method of the present invention, the method includes establishing a dispatch multi-party communication session in a dispatch network, conducting a first portion of the session in a broadcast mode, and conducting a second portion of the session in an open mode. In accordance with an embodiment of a system of the present invention, the system includes the dispatch network wherein the network establishes a dispatch multi-party communication session and wherein the network conducts the first portion of the session in the broadcast mode and the second portion of the session in the open mode.

Claims

1. A method for conducting a dispatch multi-party communication session, comprising the acts of:

establishing a dispatch multi-party communication session in a dispatch network;

conducting a first portion of the session in a broadcast mode; and

conducting a second portion of the session in an open mode.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the dispatch multi-party communication session is a public chatroom.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the dispatch multi-party communication session is an ad-hoc chatroom.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising the acts of:

identifying the dispatch multi-party communication session to a subscriber of the dispatch network;

receiving a join request at the dispatch network from the subscriber in response to the act of identifying the dispatch multi-party communication session to the subscriber; and

joining the subscriber to the dispatch multi-party communication session in response to the received join request.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising the acts of:

receiving an invitation to join the dispatch multi-party communication session directed to a called party at the dispatch network;

transmitting the invitation to the called party by the dispatch network;

receiving an acceptance to join the dispatch multi-party communication session from the called party at the dispatch network in response to the invitation; and

joining the called party to the dispatch multi-party communication session by the dispatch network.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising the act of conducting a question and answer session in the open mode.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising the act of presenting a presentation in the broadcast mode.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising the act of designating a chairperson for the dispatch multi-party communication session.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising the act of switching from the broadcast mode to the open mode by the chairperson.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the act of switching from the broadcast mode to the open mode includes the act of operating a soft key.

11. The method of claim 8 wherein the chairperson may speak in the session during both the broadcast mode and the open mode.

12. The method of claim 1 further comprising the act of assigning a priority to each of a plurality of participants that request to speak during the open mode.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the act of assigning the priority is performed by a chairperson of the dispatch multi-party communication session.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein the act of assigning the priority is performed by a server that supports the session.

15. The method of claim 12 further comprising the act of displaying the priority to each of the plurality of participants that request to speak during the open mode.

16. The method of claim 1 further comprising the act of switching from the broadcast mode to the open mode after expiration of a defined time limit for the broadcast mode.

17. The method of claim 1 wherein the dispatch multi-party communication session is a closed chatroom.

18. A system for conducting a dispatch multi-party communication session, comprising:

a dispatch network, wherein the dispatch network establishes a dispatch multi-party communication session and wherein the network conducts a first portion of the session in a broadcast mode and a second portion of the session in an open mode.

19. The system of claim 18 wherein the network assigns a priority to each of a plurality of participants that request to speak during the open mode

20. The system of claim 19 wherein the network provides the priority to each of the plurality of participants that request to speak during the open mode

21. The system of claim 18 wherein the network establishes the dispatch multi-party communication session as a public chatroom.

22. The system of claim 18 wherein the network establishes the dispatch multi-party communication session as an ad-hoc chatroom.

23. The system of claim 18 wherein the network establishes the dispatch multi-party communication session as a closed chatroom.

24. The system of claim 18 wherein the dispatch network includes a timer and wherein the network switches from the broadcast mode to the open mode after a defined time limit expires in the timer.