RUGGEDIZED CASE OR SLEEVE FOR PROVIDING PUSH-TO-TALK (PTT) FUNCTIONS

• US 20130337859A1
• Filed: 06/13/2013
• Published: 12/19/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/2012
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Kodiak Networks (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Kodiak Networks (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
• Inventors: Patel, Krishnakant M., Vempati, Brahmananda R., Narayanan, Anand, Ayyasamy, Ravi, Morton, Gregory J.
• Application Number:
  US13/917,561
• Publication Number:
  US 20130337859A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/518
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3888 Arrangements for carrying or protecting transceivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/10 Push-to-Talk [PTT] or Push-On-Call services

Abstract

A ruggedized case or sleeve for a handset, wherein the case or sleeve communicates with the handset to provide or support Push-to-Talk (PTT) functions on the handset, thereby converting the handset into a PTT-enabled handset, without requiring any hardware changes to the handset. The case or sleeve includes a dedicated PTT button for invoking the PTT functions on the handset.

Claims

1. An apparatus for providing advanced voice services (AVS) in a wireless network, comprising:

a case or sleeve for enclosing a handset, wherein the case or sleeve communicates with the handset to provide or support Push-to-Talk (PTT) functions on the handset, thereby converting the handset into a PTT-enabled handset, without requiring any hardware changes to the handset.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the case or sleeve includes a dedicated PTT button for invoking the PTT functions on the handset.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the case or sleeve is a ruggedized case or sleeve that protects the handset from damage.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the case or sleeve includes a dedicated emergency button for signaling one or more recipients via the handset of a distress situation.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the case or sleeve includes one or more microphones coupled to the handset.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the case or sleeve includes one or more speakers coupled to the handset.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the case or sleeve includes a dock connector coupled to the handset.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the case or sleeve provides Direct Mode Communications capability for the handset.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein, when the handset detects that it is of out-of-coverage, the handset automatically switches to the Direct Mode Communications capability provided by the case or sleeve.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the case or sleeve includes a thumb-wheel that allows a user to change channels on the handset.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the case or sleeve includes a battery for powering the handset.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the case or sleeve includes a battery for powering the case or sleeve.

13. A method of providing advanced voice services (AVS) in a wireless network, comprising:

providing a case or sleeve for enclosing a handset, wherein the case or sleeve communicates with the handset to provide or support Push-to-Talk (PTT) functions on the handset, thereby converting the handset into a PTT-enabled handset, without requiring any hardware changes to the handset.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the case or sleeve includes a dedicated PTT button for invoking the PTT functions on the handset.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the case or sleeve is a ruggedized case or sleeve that protects the handset from damage.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the case or sleeve includes a dedicated emergency button for signaling one or more recipients via the handset of a distress situation.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein the case or sleeve includes one or more microphones coupled to the handset.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein the case or sleeve includes one or more speakers coupled to the handset.

19. The method of claim 13, wherein the case or sleeve includes a dock connector coupled to the handset.

20. The method of claim 13, wherein the case or sleeve provides Direct Mode Communications capability for the handset.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein, when the handset detects that it is of out-of-coverage, the handset automatically switches to the Direct Mode Communications capability provided by the case or sleeve.

22. The method of claim 13, wherein the case or sleeve includes a thumb-wheel that allows a user to change channels on the handset.

23. The method of claim 13, wherein the case or sleeve includes a battery for powering the handset.

24. The method of claim 13, wherein the case or sleeve includes a battery for powering the case or sleeve.