Multi-Casting Communication System, Server Used for the System, and Method of Making Multi-Casting Communication

• US 20080123572A1
• Filed: 01/11/2006
• Published: 05/29/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lenovo Innovations Ltd Hong Kong (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: NEC Corporation
• Inventors: Nemori, Hideo
• Granted Patent: US 8,036,149 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/296
• 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

Abstract

It was not clear as to who is entitled to speak next in conventional conversation session.

In the multi-casting communication system, on receipt of a signal transmitted from one of mobile communication terminals with a half-duplex communication switch thereof being on, the PoC server 25 records a user of the mobile communication terminal in a subscriber list as a next speaker, if there is another mobile communication terminal presently making multi-casting communication, and further if no mobile communication terminals are recorded in the subscriber list. Thus, it is clear who speaks next.

Claims

1. A multi-casting communication system allowing a plurality of mobile communication terminals to make multi-casting communication with one another in half-duplex communication, comprising:

a plurality of mobile communication terminals each capable of making voice-communication and mail-communication with other mobile communication terminals through a base station, and each including a half-duplex communication switch; and

a controller,

wherein said controller is designed to be able to make communication with said plurality of mobile communication terminals through a network, and to allow one of said plurality of mobile communication terminals to make duplex-communication for making multi-cast communication in accordance with a predetermined rule,

on receipt of a signal transmitted from one first mobile communication terminal among said plurality of mobile communication terminals with said half-duplex communication switch being on, said controller checks whether there is a second mobile communication terminal which is presently making multi-cast communication,

if there is not said second mobile communication terminal, and further if there is not recorded one or more third mobile communication terminal in a subscriber list, said controller allows said first mobile communication terminal to make multi-casting communication,

if there is at least one of said second mobile communication terminal and said third mobile communication terminal recorded in said subscriber list, said controller records said first mobile communication terminal in said subscriber list to make reservation of making multi-casting communication for said first mobile communication terminal.

2. The multi-casting communication system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said controller updates data about communication status of each of said plurality of mobile communication terminals, records a mobile communication terminal which is to be allowed to make multi-casting communication next time or later in a subscriber list, and transmits data about communication status of a mobile communication terminal(s) recorded in said subscriber list, to said plurality of mobile communication terminals.

3. The multi-casting communication system as set forth in claim 1, wherein a priority is applied to each of said plurality of mobile communication terminals in accordance with a characteristic thereof,

said controller, when said first mobile communication terminal is to be recorded in said subscriber list, records said first mobile communication terminal and said third mobile communication terminal(s) recorded in said subscriber list in an order to be determined in accordance with said priority.

4. The multi-casting communication system as set forth in claim 3, wherein on receipt of a signal transmitted from said first mobile communication terminal with said half-duplex communication switch being on, said controller, if there is said second mobile communication terminal presently making multi-casting communication, and further if there is recorded said third mobile communication terminal in said subscriber list, compares priorities of said first and second mobile communication terminals to each other, and allows said first mobile communication terminal to make multi-casting communication in interruption, if said controller judges that said first mobile communication terminal has a priority higher than a priority of second mobile communication terminal.

5. The multi-casting communication system as set forth in claim 1, wherein a predetermined one of said plurality of mobile communication terminals is determined as a privilege user'"'"'s terminal,

a priority is applied to mobile communication terminals other than said privilege user'"'"'s terminal in accordance with a characteristic thereof,

said privilege user'"'"'s terminal is entitled to record mobile communication terminals other than said privilege user'"'"'s terminal into said subscriber list, delete mobile communication terminals other than said privilege user'"'"'s terminal out of said subscriber list, and make interruption into multi-casting communication.

6. The multi-casting communication system as set forth in claim 1, wherein on receipt of a signal transmitted from said third mobile communication terminal recorded in said subscriber list with said half-duplex communication switch being on, said controller cancels recordation of said third mobile communication terminal out of said subscriber list.

7. The multi-casting communication system as set forth in claim 3, wherein said characteristic of said mobile communication terminals is comprised of residual power of a battery of a mobile communication terminal, and a higher priority is applied to a mobile communication terminal including a battery having less residual power.

8. The multi-casting communication system as set forth in claim 3, wherein said characteristic of said mobile communication terminals is comprised of a sensitivity of an antenna of a mobile communication terminal, and a higher priority is applied to a mobile communication terminal including an antenna having a lower sensitivity.

9. The multi-casting communication system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said controller is comprised of a first server and a second server capable of making communication with said first server,

wherein said first server is designed to be able to make communication with said plurality of mobile communication terminals through a network, and to allow one of said plurality of mobile communication terminals to make duplex-communication for making multi-cast communication in accordance with a predetermined rule,

on receipt of a signal transmitted from one first mobile communication terminal among said plurality of mobile communication terminals with said half-duplex communication switch being on, said first server checks whether there is a second mobile communication terminal which is presently making multi-cast communication,

if there is not said second mobile communication terminal, and further if there is not recorded one or more third mobile communication terminal in a subscriber list, said first server allows said first mobile communication terminal to make multi-casting communication,

if there is at least one of said second mobile communication terminal and said third mobile communication terminal recorded in said subscriber list, said first server records said first mobile communication terminal in said subscriber list to make reservation of making multi-casting communication for said first mobile communication terminal, and

said second server updates data about communication status of each of said plurality of mobile communication terminals, records a mobile communication terminal which is to be allowed to make multi-casting communication next time or later in a subscriber list, and transmits data about communication status of a mobile communication terminal(s) recorded in said subscriber list, to said plurality of mobile communication terminals.

10. The multi-casting communication system as set forth in claim 1, further comprising an administrator capable of making communication with said plurality of mobile communication terminals through said controller, and administrating said plurality of mobile communication terminals as a group for making multi-cast communication.

11. The multi-casting communication system as set forth in claim 9, further comprising an administrator capable of making communication with said plurality of mobile communication terminals through said first server, and administrating said plurality of mobile communication terminals as a group for making multi-cast communication.

12. The multi-casting communication system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said mobile communication terminal is comprised of a mobile phone.

13. A server used in a multi-casting communication system allowing a plurality of mobile communication terminals to make multi-casting communication with one another in half-duplex communication, each of said mobile communication terminals being capable of making voice-communication and mail-communication with other mobile communication terminals through a base station, and including a half-duplex communication switch,

said server being designed to be able to make communication with said plurality of mobile communication terminals through a network, and to allow one of said plurality of mobile communication terminals to make duplex-communication for making multi-cast communication in accordance with a predetermined rule,

on receipt of a signal transmitted from one first mobile communication terminal among said plurality of mobile communication terminals with said half-duplex communication switch being on, said server checking whether there is a second mobile communication terminal which is presently making multi-cast communication,

if there is not said second mobile communication terminal, and further if there is not recorded one or more third mobile communication terminal in a subscriber list, said server allowing said first mobile communication terminal to make multi-casting communication, and

if there is at least one of said second mobile communication terminal and said third mobile communication terminal recorded in said subscriber list, said server recording said first mobile communication terminal in said subscriber list to make reservation of making multi-casting communication for said first mobile communication terminal.

14. The server as set forth in claim 13, wherein said server updates data about communication status of each of said plurality of mobile communication terminals, records a mobile communication terminal which is to be allowed to make multi-casting communication next time or later in a subscriber list, and transmits data about communication status of a mobile communication terminal(s) recorded in said subscriber list, to said plurality of mobile communication terminals.

15. The server as set forth in claim 13, wherein a priority is applied to each of said plurality of mobile communication terminals in accordance with a characteristic thereof,

said server, when said first mobile communication terminal is to be recorded in said subscriber list, records said first mobile communication terminal and said third mobile communication terminal(s) recorded in said subscriber list in an order to be determined in accordance with said priority.

16. The server as set forth in claim 13, wherein on receipt of a signal transmitted from said first mobile communication terminal with said half-duplex communication switch being on, said server, if there is said second mobile communication terminal presently making multi-casting communication, and further if there is recorded said third mobile communication terminal in said subscriber list, compares priorities of said first and second mobile communication terminals to each other, and allows said first mobile communication terminal to make multi-casting communication in interruption, if said server judges that said first mobile communication terminal has a priority higher than a priority of second mobile communication terminal.

17. The server as set forth in claim 13, wherein on receipt of a signal transmitted from said third mobile communication terminal recorded in said subscriber list with said half-duplex communication switch being on, said server cancels recordation of said third mobile communication terminal out of said subscriber list.

18. The server as set forth in claim 13, wherein said server is comprised of a first server and a second server capable of making communication with said first server,

wherein said first server is designed to be able to make communication with said plurality of mobile communication terminals through a network, and to allow one of said plurality of mobile communication terminals to make duplex-communication for making multi-cast communication in accordance with a predetermined rule,

on receipt of a signal transmitted from one first mobile communication terminal among said plurality of mobile communication terminals with said half-duplex communication switch being on, said first server checks whether there is a second mobile communication terminal which is presently making multi-cast communication,

if there is not said second mobile communication terminal, and further if there is not recorded one or more third mobile communication terminal in a subscriber list, said first server allows said first mobile communication terminal to make multi-casting communication,

if there is at least one of said second mobile communication terminal and said third mobile communication terminal recorded in said subscriber list, said first server records said first mobile communication terminal in said subscriber list to make reservation of making multi-casting communication for said first mobile communication terminal, and

said second server updates data about communication status of each of said plurality of mobile communication terminals, records a mobile communication terminal which is to be allowed to make multi-casting communication next time or later in a subscriber list, and transmits data about communication status of a mobile communication terminal(s) recorded in said subscriber list, to said plurality of mobile communication terminals.

19. A method of making multi-casting communication in a multi-casting communication system allowing a plurality of mobile communication terminals to make multi-casting communication with one another through a server in half-duplex communication, each of said mobile communication terminals being capable of making voice-communication and mail-communication with other mobile communication terminals through a base station, and including a half-duplex communication switch, comprising:

said server allowing one of said plurality of mobile communication terminals to make duplex-communication for making multi-cast communication in accordance with a predetermined rule;

on receipt of a signal transmitted from one first mobile communication terminal among said plurality of mobile communication terminals with said half-duplex communication switch being on, said server checking whether there is a second mobile communication terminal which is presently making multi-cast communication;

if there is not said second mobile communication terminal, and further if there is not recorded one or more third mobile communication terminal in a subscriber list, said server allowing said first mobile communication terminal to make multi-casting communication; and

if there is at least one of said second mobile communication terminal and said third mobile communication terminal recorded in said subscriber list, said server recording said first mobile communication terminal in said subscriber list to make reservation of making multi-casting communication for said first mobile communication terminal.

20. The method as set forth in claim 19, further comprising:

said server updating data about communication status of each of said plurality of mobile communication terminals;

said server recording a mobile communication terminal which is to be allowed to make multi-casting communication next time or later in a subscriber list; and

said server transmitting data about communication status of a mobile communication terminal(s) recorded in said subscriber list, to said plurality of mobile communication terminals.

21. The method as set forth in claim 19, wherein a priority is applied to each of said plurality of mobile communication terminals in accordance with a characteristic thereof,

in recording said first mobile communication terminal in said subscriber list, said first mobile communication terminal and said third mobile communication terminal(s) recorded in said subscriber list are recorded in an order to be determined in accordance with said priority.

22. The method as set forth in claim 21, further comprising, on receipt of a signal transmitted from said first mobile communication terminal with said half-duplex communication switch being on, said server, if there is said second mobile communication terminal presently making multi-casting communication, and further if there is recorded said third mobile communication terminal in said subscriber list, comparing priorities of said first and second mobile communication terminals to each other, and allowing said first mobile communication terminal to make multi-casting communication in interruption, if said server judges that said first mobile communication terminal has a priority higher than a priority of second mobile communication terminal.

23. The method as set forth in claim 20, wherein a predetermined one of said plurality of mobile communication terminals is determined as a privilege user'"'"'s terminal, and a priority is applied to mobile communication terminals other than said privilege user'"'"'s terminal in accordance with a characteristic thereof,

said method further comprising said privilege user'"'"'s terminal recording mobile communication terminals other than said privilege user'"'"'s terminal into said subscriber list, deleting mobile communication terminals other than said privilege user'"'"'s terminal out of said subscriber list, and making interruption into multi-casting communication.

24. The method as set forth in claim 19, further comprising, on receipt of a signal transmitted from said third mobile communication terminal recorded in said subscriber list with said half-duplex communication switch being on, said server canceling recordation of said third mobile communication terminal out of said subscriber list.

25. A program for causing a computer to carry out a method of making multi-casting communication in a multi-casting communication system allowing a plurality of mobile communication terminals to make multi-casting communication with one another through a server in half-duplex communication, each of said mobile communication terminals being capable of making voice-communication and mail-communication with other mobile communication terminals through a base station, and including a half-duplex communication switch, steps executed by said computer in accordance with said program including:

a first step of allowing one of said plurality of mobile communication terminals to make duplex-communication for making multi-cast communication in accordance with a predetermined rule;

a second step of, on receipt of a signal transmitted from one first mobile communication terminal among said plurality of mobile communication terminals with said half-duplex communication switch being on, checking whether there is a second mobile communication terminal which is presently making multi-cast communication;

a third step of, if there is not said second mobile communication terminal, and further if there is not recorded one or more third mobile communication terminal in a subscriber list, allowing said first mobile communication terminal to make multi-casting communication; and

a fourth step of, if there is at least one of said second mobile communication terminal and said third mobile communication terminal recorded in said subscriber list, recording said first mobile communication terminal in said subscriber list to make reservation of making multi-casting communication for said first mobile communication terminal.

26. The program as set forth in claim 25, wherein said steps further include:

updating data about communication status of each of said plurality of mobile communication terminals;

recording a mobile communication terminal which is to be allowed to make multi-casting communication next time or later in a subscriber list; and

transmitting data about communication status of a mobile communication terminal(s) recorded in said subscriber list, to said plurality of mobile communication terminals.

27. The program as set forth in claim 25, wherein a priority is applied to each of said plurality of mobile communication terminals in accordance with a characteristic thereof,

said first mobile communication terminal and said third mobile communication terminal(s) recorded in said subscriber list are recorded in an order to be determined in accordance with said priority in said fourth step.

28. The program as set forth in claim 27, wherein said steps further include:

on receipt of a signal transmitted from said first mobile communication terminal with said half-duplex communication switch being on, if there is said second mobile communication terminal presently making multi-casting communication, and further if there is recorded said third mobile communication terminal in said subscriber list, comparing priorities of said first and second mobile communication terminals to each other; and

allowing said first mobile communication terminal to make multi-casting communication in interruption, if said server judges that said first mobile communication terminal has a priority higher than a priority of second mobile communication terminal.

29. The program as set forth in claim 25, wherein said steps further include, on receipt of a signal transmitted from said third mobile communication terminal recorded in said subscriber list with said half-duplex communication switch being on, canceling recordation of said third mobile communication terminal out of said subscriber list.

30. A multi-casting communication system allowing a plurality of mobile communication means to make multi-casting communication with one another in half-duplex communication, comprising:

a plurality of mobile communication means each for making voice-communication and mail-communication with other mobile communication means through a base station, and each including a half-duplex communication switch; and

control means for making communication with said plurality of mobile communication means through a network, and allowing one of said plurality of mobile communication means to make duplex-communication for making multi-cast communication in accordance with a predetermined rule,

on receipt of a signal transmitted from one first mobile communication means among said plurality of mobile communication means with said half-duplex communication switch being on, said control means checks whether there is second mobile communication means which is presently making multi-cast communication,

if there is not said second mobile communication means, and further if there is not recorded one or more third mobile communication means in a subscriber list, said control means allows said first mobile communication means to make multi-casting communication,

if there is at least one of said second mobile communication means and said third mobile communication means recorded in said subscriber list, said control means records said first mobile communication means in said subscriber list to make reservation of making multi-casting communication for said first mobile communication means.