Methods and systems for providing group calls with reduced setup times

• US 6,564,049 B1
• Filed: 05/10/1999
• Issued: 05/13/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ericsson, Inc. (Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson)
• Original Assignee: Ericsson, Inc. (Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson)
• Inventors: Dailey, Timothy E.
• Primary Examiner(s): APPIAH, CHARLES NANA
• Application Number:
  US09/309,005
• Time in Patent Office: 1,464 Days
• Field of Search: 455/517, 455/518, 455/519, 455/520, 455/509, 455/414, 455/416, 455/426, 455/450, 455/451, 455/452, 455/459, 370/259, 370/260, 370/261, 370/338, 370/401
• US Class Current: 455/416
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/10 Push-to-Talk [PTT] or Push-On-Call services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 Connection setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/45 for Push-to-Talk [PTT] or Push-to-Talk over cellular [PoC] services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/18 Processing of user or subscriber data, e.g. subscribed services, user preferences or user profiles; Transfer of user or subscriber data

Abstract

Group calls can be provided between an originating terminal and a called terminal on a radiotelephone communications system including a switching center and a plurality of radio base stations wherein each of the radio base stations defines a cell and wherein each of the originating and called terminals is in one of the cells. In particular, a group call origination message can be received from the originating terminal, and after receiving the group call origination message, a group call setup message can be sent to a radio base station defining a cell within which the called terminal is located. After sending the group call setup message, first and second traffic channels can be designated for the originating terminal to provide communications between the originating and called terminals. Related systems are also discussed.

Claims

1. A method for providing group calls between an originating terminal and a called terminal on a radiotelephone communications system including a switching center and a plurality of radio base stations wherein each of the radio base stations defines a cell and wherein each of the originating and called terminals is in one of the cells, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving a group call origination message from the originating terminal;

after receiving the group call origination message, sending a group call setup message to a radio base station defining a cell within which the called terminal is located;

after sending the group call setup message, designating a first traffic channel for the originating terminal;

after sending the group call setup message, designating a second traffic channel for the called terminal; and

after designating the first and second digital traffic channels, providing communications between the originating and called terminals;

wherein the step of designating a second digital traffic channel is preceded by the steps of;

after sending the group call setup message, generating at the radio base station defining the cell within which the called terminal is located a second group call origination message; and

sending the second group call origination message to the switching center.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the called terminal is one of a plurality of called terminals and each of the plurality of called terminals is in one of the cells:

wherein the step of sending the group call setup message comprises sending the group call setup message to radio base stations defining cells within which each of the called terminals is located;

wherein the step of designating a second traffic channel comprises designating a plurality of second traffic channels for each of the called terminals; and

wherein the step of providing communications comprises providing communications between the originating terminal and each of the plurality of called terminals.

3. A method according to claim 1 wherein the step of receiving the group call origination message is preceded by the steps of:

receiving a log-in message from the called terminal through the radio base station defining the cell within which the called terminal is located; and

updating a database, responsive to the log-in-message, for the called terminal identifying the radio base station defining the cell within which the called terminal is located, wherein the step of sending the group call setup message comprises sending the group call setup message for the called terminal only to the radio base station defining the cell within which the called terminal is located as defined in the database.

4. A method according to claim 3 wherein the step of receiving the log-in message comprises receiving the log-in message from the called terminal every time the called terminal is active and is moved to a new cell.

5. A method according to claim 3 wherein the step of receiving the log-in message comprises receiving the log-in message from the called mobile terminal every time the called mobile terminal is turned on in one of the cells.

6. A method according to claim 1 wherein the step of generating the second group call origination message is preceded by the steps of:

receiving a parameter update message from the called mobile terminal; and

updating a database for the called terminal, responsive to the parameter update message, to include operating parameters for the called terminal, wherein the second group call origination message comprises the operating parameters for the called terminal included in the database.

7. A method according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the originating and called terminals comprises a fixed terminal.

8. A method according to claim 1 wherein the switching center comprises a mobile switching center.

9. A method according to claim 8 wherein the mobile switching center includes a group server, a group bridge, a router, and a local area network coupled between the group server, the group bridge, and the router.

10. A method according to claim 1 wherein the originating and called terminals are in a common cell.

11. A method for providing group calls between an originating terminal and a called terminal on a radiotelephone communications system including a switching center and a plurality of radio base stations wherein each of the radio base stations defines a cell and wherein each of the originating and called terminals is in one of the cells, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving a first group call origination message from the originating terminal;

responsive to the first group call origination message, sending a group call setup message to a radio base station defining a cell within which the called terminal is located;

responsive to the group call setup message, generating at the radio base station defining the cell within which the called terminal is located a second group call origination message;

designating a first traffic channel for the originating terminal;

responsive to the second group call origination message, designating a second traffic channel for the called terminal; and

providing communications between the originating and called terminals.

12. A method according to claim 11 wherein the step of designating the first traffic channel is performed after the step of sending the group call setup message.

13. A method according to claim 11 wherein the called terminal is one of a plurality of called terminals and each of the plurality of called terminals is in one of the cells:

wherein the step of sending the group call setup message comprises sending the group call setup message to radio base stations defining cells within which each of the called terminals is located;

wherein the step of designating a second traffic channel comprises designating a plurality of second digital traffic channels for each of the called terminals; and

wherein the step of providing communications comprises providing communications between the originating terminal and each of the plurality of called terminals.

14. A method according to claim 11 wherein the step of receiving the group call origination message is preceded by the steps of:

receiving a log-in message from the called terminal through the radio base station defining the cell within which the called terminal is located; and

updating a database, responsive to the log-in-message, for the called terminal identifying the radio base station defining the cell within which the called terminal is located, wherein the step of sending the group call setup message comprises sending the group call setup message for the called terminal only to the radio base station defining the cell within which the called terminal is located as defined in the database.

15. A method according to claim 14 wherein the step of receiving the log-in message comprises receiving the log-in message from the called terminal every time the called terminal is active and is moved to a new cell.

16. A method according to claim 14 wherein the step of receiving the log-in message comprises receiving the log-in message from the called mobile terminal every time the called mobile terminal is turned on in one of the cells.

17. A method according to claim 11 wherein the step of generating the second group call origination message is preceded by the steps of:

receiving a parameter update message from the called mobile terminal, and

updating a database for the called terminal, responsive to the parameter update message, to include operating parameters for the called terminal, wherein the second group call origination message comprises the operating parameters for the called terminal included in the database.

18. A method according to claim 11 wherein at least one of the originating and called terminals comprises a fixed terminal.

19. A method according to claim 11 wherein the switching center comprises a mobile switching center.

20. A method according to claim 19 wherein the mobile switching center includes a group server, a group bridge, a router, and a local area network coupled between the group server, the group bridge, and the router.

21. A method according to claim 11 wherein the originating and called terminals are in a common cell.

22. A method for providing group calls between an originating terminal and a called terminal on a radiotelephone communications system including a switching center and a plurality of radio base stations wherein each-of the radio base stations defines a cell and wherein each of the originating and called terminals is in one of the cells, the method comprising the- steps of:

receiving a log-in message from the called terminal through the radio base station defining the cell within which the called terminal is located;

updating a database, responsive to the log-in-message, for the called terminal identifying the radio base station defining the cell within which the called terminal is located;

receiving a group call origination message from the originating terminal;

after receiving the group call origination message, sending a group call setup message for the called terminal only to the radio base station defining a cell within which the called terminal is located as defined in the database;

designating a first traffic channel for the originating terminal;

after sending the group call setup message, designating a second traffic channel for the called terminal; and

after designating the first and second traffic channels, providing communications between the originating and called terminals;

wherein the step of designating a second traffic channel is preceded by the steps of;

after sending the group call setup message, generating at the radio base station defining the cell within which the called terminal is located a second group call origination message; and

sending the second group call origination message to the switching center.

23. A method according to claim 22 wherein the step of designating the first traffic channel is performed after the step of sending the group call setup message.

24. A method according to claim 22 wherein the step of receiving the log-in message comprises receiving the log-in message from the called terminal every time the called terminal is active and is moved to a new cell.

25. A method according to claim 22 wherein the step of receiving the log-in message comprises receiving the log-in message from the called mobile terminal every time the called mobile terminal is turned on in one of the cells.

26. A method according to claim 22 wherein the called terminal is one of a plurality of called terminals and each of the plurality of called terminals is in one of the cells:

wherein the step of sending the group call setup message comprises sending the group call setup message to radio base stations defining cells within which each of the called terminals is located;

wherein the step of designating a second traffic channel comprises designating a plurality of second traffic channels for each of the called terminals; and

wherein the step of providing communications comprises providing communications between the originating terminal and each of the plurality of called terminals.

27. A method according to claim 22 wherein the switching center comprises a mobile switching center.

28. A method according to claim 27 wherein the mobile switching center includes a group server, a group bridge, a router, and a local area network coupled between the group server, the group bridge, and the router.

29. A method for providing group calls between an originating terminal and a called terminal on a radiotelephone communications system including a switching center and a plurality of radio base stations wherein each of the radio base stations defines a cell and wherein each of the originating and called terminals is in one of the cells, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving a log-in message from the called terminal through the radio base station defining the cell within which the called terminal is located;

updating a database, responsive to the log-in-message, for the called terminal identifying the radio base station defining the cell within which the called terminal is located;

receiving a group call origination message from the originating terminal;

after receiving the group call origination message, sending a group call setup message for the called terminal only to the radio base station defining a cell within which the called terminal is located as defined in the database;

designating a first traffic channel for the originating terminal;

after sending the group call setup message, designating a second traffic channel for the called terminal; and

after designating the first and second traffic channels, providing communications between the originating and called terminals;

wherein the step of generating the second group call origination message is preceded by the steps of;

receiving a parameter update message from the called mobile terminal; and

updating a database for the called terminal, responsive to the parameter update message, to include operating parameters for the called terminal, wherein the second group call origination message comprises the operating parameters for the called terminal included in the database.

30. A method according to claim 29 wherein at least one of the originating and called terminals comprises a fixed terminal.

31. A method according to claim 29 wherein the originating and called terminals are in a common cell.

32. A communications system providing group calls between an originating terminal and a called terminal, the system comprising:

a first radio base station defining a first cell within which the originating terminal is located wherein a group call origination message is received at the first radio base station from the originating terminal;

a switching center coupled to the first radio base station wherein the switching center generates a group call setup message responsive to receipt of the group call origination message at the first radio base station;

a second radio base station coupled to the switching center wherein the second radio base station defines a second cell within which the called terminal is located wherein the group call setup message is received at the second radio base station, and wherein after receiving the group call setup message at the second radio base station first and second traffic channels are designated for the originating and called terminals so that communications are provided between the originating and called terminals;

wherein before designating the second traffic channel, the second radio base station generates a second group call origination message and sends the second group call origination message to the switching center.

33. A communications system according to claim 32 wherein the called terminal is one of at least two called terminals, the communications system further comprising:

a third radio base station coupled to the switching center wherein the third radio base station defines a third cell within which a second called terminal is located, wherein the group call setup message is received at the third radio base station, and wherein a third traffic channel is designated for the second called terminal so that communications are provided between the originating and first and second called terminals.

34. A communications system according to claim 32 wherein before receiving the group call origination message from the originating mobile station at the first radio base station, a log-in message is received from the called terminal at the second radio base station, and wherein the switching center comprises a database that is updated responsive to receipt of the log-in message to identify the radio base station defining the cell within which the called terminal is located, and wherein the group call setup message for the called terminal is only sent to the second radio base station defining the cell within which the called terminal is located as defined in the database.

35. A communications system according to claim 34 wherein the log-in message is received from the called terminal every time the called terminal is active and is moved to a new cell.

36. A communications system according to claim 32 wherein at least one of the originating and called terminals comprises a fixed terminal.

37. A communications system according to claim 32 wherein the switching center comprises a mobile switching center.

38. A communications system according to claim 37 wherein the mobile switching center includes a group server, a group bridge, a router, and a local area network coupled between the group server, the group bridge, and the router.

39. A communications system providing group calls between an originating terminal and a called terminal, the system comprising:

a first radio base station defining a first cell within which the called terminal is located wherein the first radio base station receives a log-in message from the called terminal when the called terminal enters the first cell;

a switching control center coupled to the first radio base station wherein the switching control center comprises a database that is updated for the called terminal responsive to receipt of the log-in message identifying the radio base station defining the cell within which the called terminal is located; and

a second radio base station coupled to the switching center wherein the second radio base station defines a second cell within which the originating terminal is located wherein the second radio base station receives a group call origination message from the originating terminal, wherein after receiving the group call origination message, a group call setup message for the called terminal is sent only to the first radio base station defining the first cell within which the called terminal is located as defined in the database, wherein a first and second traffic channels are designated for the originating and called terminals so that communications are provided between the originating and called terminals;

a second group call origination message is generated by the first terminal and sent to the switching center after the group call setup message is generated and before the first traffic channel is designated.

40. A communications system according to claim 39 wherein the first and second traffic channels are designated after sending the group call setup message.

41. A communications system according to claim 39 wherein the log-in message is received from the called terminal every time the called terminal is active and is moved to a new cell.

42. A communications system according to claim 39 wherein the called terminal is one of at least two called terminals, the communications system further comprising:

a third radio base station coupled to the switching center wherein the third radio base station defines a third cell within which the second called terminal is located, wherein the group call setup message is received at the third radio base station, and wherein a third traffic channel is designated for the second called terminal so that communications are provided between the originating and the first and second called terminals.

43. A communications system according to claim 39 wherein at least one of the originating and called terminals comprises a fixed terminal.

44. A communications system according to claim 39 wherein the switching center comprises a mobile switching center.

45. A communications system according to claim 44 wherein the mobile switching center includes a group server, a group bridge, a router, and a local area network coupled between the group server, the group bridge, and the router.