Communication device for providing an efficient dormant mode for a group communication network

• US 6,912,401 B2
• Filed: 02/12/2002
• Issued: 06/28/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Maggenti, Mark, Rosen, Eric
• Primary Examiner(s): Trinh, Sonny
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bhattacharya, Sam
• Application Number:
  US10/075,821
• Publication Number:
  US 20020172169A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,232 Days
• Field of Search: 455/422.1, 455/517, 455/518, 455/528, 455/560, 370/312, 370/352
• US Class Current: 455/518
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/2044 Group features, e.g. closed user group
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/5027 Dropping a party from a conference
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/5072 Multiple active speakers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42 Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers specially adapted for wireless communication networks H04W4/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42382 Text-based messaging services in telephone networks such as PSTN/ISDN, e.g. User-to-User Signalling or Short Message Service for fixed networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/56 Arrangements for connecting several subscribers to a common circuit, i.e. affording conference facilities video conference systems H04N7/15
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/568 audio processing specific to telephonic conferencing, e.g. spatial distribution, mixing of participants echo suppression in two-way loud-speaking telephone systems H04M9/02; sound field processing per se H04S7/30
• 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 4/10 Push-to-Talk [PTT] or Push-On-Call services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0216 using a pre-established activity schedule, e.g. traffic indication frame
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0254 detecting a user operation or a tactile contact or a motion of the device
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/45 for Push-to-Talk [PTT] or Push-to-Talk over cellular [PoC] services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/22 Processing or transfer of terminal data, e.g. status or physical capabilities
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A method and apparatus for providing an efficient dormant mode for push-to-talk communication devices in a group communication network provides for determining whether the communication device has been inactive for a predetermined first time period and, if so, causing the communication device to enter a control-hold mode, wherein the communication device maintains its dedicated traffic channel. The method further includes the steps of determining whether the communication device has been in the control-hold mode for a predetermined second time period and, if so, causing the communication device to enter a dormant mode, wherein the communication device releases its dedicated traffic channel. The method and apparatus further provides for causing the communication device to cache its service configuration state before entering the dormant mode.

Claims

1. In a communication device operating in a group communication network, a method for putting the communication device into a dormant mode, the method comprising:

determining whether the communication device has been inactive for a predetermined first time period;

if it is determined that the communication device has been inactive for the predetermined first time period, causing the communication device to enter a control-hold mode, wherein the communication device maintains its dedicated traffic channel;

determining whether the communication device has been in the control-hold mode for a predetermined second time period; and

if it is determined that the communication device has been in the control-hold mode for the predetermined second time period, causing the communication device to enter a dormant mode, wherein the communication device releases its dedicated traffic channel.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein if it is determined that the communication device has not been in the control-hold mode for the predetermined second time period, further including:

causing the communication device to return to an active mode, wherein the communication device maintains its dedicated traffic channel, if the communication device receives media or the communication device requests a group call.

3. In a communication device operating in a group communication network, a computer-readable medium embodying a method putting the communication device into a dormant mode, the method comprising:

determining whether the communication device has been inactive for a predetermined first time period;

if it is determined that the communication device has been inactive for the predetermined first time period, causing the communication device to enter a control-hold mode, wherein the communication device maintains its dedicated traffic channel;

determining whether the communication device has been in the control-hold mode for a predetermined second time period; and

if it is determined that the communication device has been in the control-hold mode for the predetermined second time period, causing the communication device to enter a dormant mode, wherein the communication device releases its dedicated traffic channel.

4. The computer-readable medium of claim 3, wherein if it is determined that the communication device has not been in the control-hold mode for the predetermined second time period, the method further including:

causing the communication device to return to an active mode, wherein the communication device maintains its dedicated traffic channel, if the communication device receives media or the communication device requests a group call.

5. A communication device operating in a group communication network, comprising:

means for determining whether the communication device has been inactive for a predetermined first time period;

means for, if it is determined that the communication device has been inactive for the predetermined first time period, causing the communication device to enter a control-hold mode, wherein the communication device maintains its dedicated traffic channel;

means for determining whether the communication device has been in the control-hold mode for a predetermined second time period; and

means for, if it is determined that the communication device has been in the control-hold mode for the predetermined second time period, causing the communication device to enter a dormant mode, wherein the communication device releases its dedicated traffic channel.

6. The communication device of claim 5, wherein if it is determined that the communication device has not been in the control-hold mode for the predetermined second time period, further including:

means for causing the communication device to return to the active mode, wherein the communication device maintains its dedicated traffic channel, if the communication device receives media or the communication device requests a group call.

7. A communication device for providing a dormant mode, comprising:

a receiver to receive information over the network;

a transmitter to transmit information over the network; and

a processor communicatively coupled to the receiver and the transmitter, the processor being capable of;

determining whether the communication device has been inactive for a predetermined first time period;

if it is determined that the communication device has been inactive for the predetermined first time period, causing the communication device to enter a control-hold mode, wherein the communication device maintains its dedicated traffic channel;

determining whether the communication device has been in the control-hold mode for a predetermined second time period; and

if it is determined that the communication device has been in the control-hold mode for the predetermined second time period, causing the communication device to enter a dormant mode, wherein the communication device releases its dedicated traffic channel.

8. The communication device of claim 7, wherein if it is determined that the communication device has not been in the control-hold mode for the predetermined second time period, the processor further being capable of:

causing the communication device to return to an active mode, wherein the communication device maintains its dedicated traffic channel, if the communication device receives media or the communication device requests a group call.