Method and apparatus for establishing group communications between subscribers affiliated with terrestrial and satellite communication systems
First Claim
1. A method for establishing group communications between subscribers affiliated with a terrestrial communication system and subscribers affiliated with a satellite communication system, the method comprising the steps of:
- a) initiating, by a terrestrial controller, a group communication in response to a request from a subscriber affiliated with the terrestrial communication system;
b) providing, by the terrestrial controller, an indication of the group communication to a systems interface, wherein the indication includes an identity of at least one subscriber that is to be a participant in the group communication;
c) determining, by the systems interface, whether the at least one subscriber is affiliated with the satellite communication system;
d) when the at least one subscriber is affiliated with the satellite communication system, requesting, by the systems interface, a separate satellite communication link for each of the at least one subscriber affiliated with the satellite communication system; and
e) when the satellite communication link is established, arbitrating, by the systems interface, satellite transmissions of the at least one subscriber.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Group communications between subscribers (20, 22) affiliated with a terrestrial communication system (12, 14) and subscribers (46, 48) affiliated with a satellite communication system (10) is begun when a subscriber has initiated a group communication request. The request is provided, via a controller (i.e., a terrestrial system controller or satellite system controller depending on which communication system the requesting subscriber is affiliated with), to a systems interface (36). Upon receiving the request, the systems interface determines whether subscribers that are identified to participate in the group communication are located in the terrestrial system and/or the satellite system. If the group of subscribers have members in both communication systems, the systems interface establishes satellite communication links for each subscriber affiliated with the satellite communication system and establishes a terrestrial communication link for subscribers affiliated with a terrestrial communication system. Once the communication links are established, the systems interface arbitrates transmissions of the group of subscribers. The arbitration of transmissions insures that each subscriber in the group of subscribers receives the transmission.
19 Citations
32 Claims
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1. A method for establishing group communications between subscribers affiliated with a terrestrial communication system and subscribers affiliated with a satellite communication system, the method comprising the steps of:
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a) initiating, by a terrestrial controller, a group communication in response to a request from a subscriber affiliated with the terrestrial communication system; b) providing, by the terrestrial controller, an indication of the group communication to a systems interface, wherein the indication includes an identity of at least one subscriber that is to be a participant in the group communication; c) determining, by the systems interface, whether the at least one subscriber is affiliated with the satellite communication system; d) when the at least one subscriber is affiliated with the satellite communication system, requesting, by the systems interface, a separate satellite communication link for each of the at least one subscriber affiliated with the satellite communication system; and e) when the satellite communication link is established, arbitrating, by the systems interface, satellite transmissions of the at least one subscriber. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for establishing group communications between subscribers affiliated with a terrestrial communication system and subscribers affiliated with a satellite communication system, the method comprising the steps of:
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a) receiving a group communication request from a subscriber; b) determining an identity of each subscriber of a group of subscribers based on the group communication request, wherein each subscriber of the group of subscribers is to be part of a group communication; c) establishing a terrestrial communication link for subscribers of the group of subscribers that are affiliated with the terrestrial communication system; d) establishing a separate satellite communication link for each subscriber of the group of subscribers that is affiliated with the satellite communication system; and e) arbitrating transmissions of the group of subscribers. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for establishing group communications between subscribers affiliated with a terrestrial communication system and subscribers affiliated with a satellite communication system, the method comprising the steps of:
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a) initiating a group communication in response to a request received from a subscriber, wherein the request identifies a group of subscribers; b) determining whether at least one subscriber of the group of subscribers is affiliated with the satellite communication system; c) when the at least one subscriber is affiliated with the satellite communication system, establishing a separate satellite communication link for each of the at least one subscriber affiliated with the satellite communication system; and d) when the satellite communication link is established, arbitrating transmissions of the group of subscribers. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A systems interface comprising:
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an activity detection circuit operably coupled to detect active transmissions on a terrestrial communication link and on a plurality of satellite communication links by subscribers affiliated with respective terrestrial and satellite communication systems involved in a group communication; a controller operably coupled to the activity detection circuit, wherein the controller receives an indication of a group communication request and facilitates establishment of the group communication by establishing the terrestrial communication link and the plurality of satellite communication links; and a communications switch operably coupled to the controller, the terrestrial communication link, and the plurality of satellite communication links, wherein the switch arbitrates transmissions on the terrestrial communication link and the plurality of satellite communication links based on a control signal from the controller. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27)
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28. A systems interface comprising:
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a processing unit; and a memory operably coupled to the processing unit, wherein the memory stores programming instructions that, when executed by the processing unit, cause the processing unit to (a) receive a group communication request from a subscriber;
(b) determine identity of each subscriber of a group of subscribers based on the group communication request, wherein each subscriber of the group of subscribers is to be part of a group communication;
(c) establish a terrestrial communication link for subscribers of the group of subscribers that are affiliated with the terrestrial communication system;
(d) establish a separate satellite communication link for each subscriber of the group of subscribers that is affiliated with the satellite communication system; and
(e) arbitrate transmissions of the group of subscribers. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32)
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Specification