System and method for location based push-to-talk
First Claim
1. A method of conducting communications, said method comprising:
- establishing a push-to-talk group comprising a plurality of members, each member having a communication device for communicating through a communication network;
providing means for identifying locations of said members;
initiating a first push-to-talk communication by one member directed to the other members of the group;
determining the locations of the members at the time of the first communication;
selectively transmitting the first communication only to members that are presently located within a pre-designated location; and
establishing a time period for conducting communications between members of the push-to-talk group, wherein expiration of the time period corresponds to termination of the group defined for receiving the push-to-talk communications.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method are provided for establishing location-based push-to-talk communication groups. A location determining application is incorporated within a communication network for members of a push-to-talk group. This application may include global positioning satellite technology incorporated in mobile communication devices carried by the members, a triangulation application incorporated at a communications server, or an RFID application associated with the members. Location data obtained on the members is maintained in a database that is accessible to a communications server facilitating communication between the members. When a member initiates a push-to-talk communication, other members of the group are contacted based upon their locations. The communication can be selectively transmitted to either those within a pre-designated location, or outside of the pre-designated location.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A method of conducting communications, said method comprising:
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establishing a push-to-talk group comprising a plurality of members, each member having a communication device for communicating through a communication network; providing means for identifying locations of said members; initiating a first push-to-talk communication by one member directed to the other members of the group; determining the locations of the members at the time of the first communication; selectively transmitting the first communication only to members that are presently located within a pre-designated location; and establishing a time period for conducting communications between members of the push-to-talk group, wherein expiration of the time period corresponds to termination of the group defined for receiving the push-to-talk communications. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method of conducting communications, said method comprising:
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establishing a push-to-talk group comprising a plurality of members, each member having a communication device for communicating through a communication network; providing means for identifying locations of said members; initiating a first push-to-talk communication by one member directed to the other members of the group; determining the locations of the members at the time of the first communication; transmitting the first communication only to those members not within a pre-designated location; and wherein said means for identifying includes at least one of a triangulation application incorporated at a communications server for tracking locations of the communication devices and an RFID application incorporated at the pre-designated location. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An apparatus for facilitating communications between members of a push-to-talk group communicating through a communications network, said apparatus comprising:
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a communication server including a processor and a communications interface for communicating with a plurality of communication devices carried by the members; programming instructions executed by said processor, said programming instructions including means for establishing active members of the push-to-talk group based upon geographic locations of the members; a location determining application communicating with said processor for providing data inputs reflective of member locations; a time period application for establishing a time period for conducting communications between members, wherein expiration of the time period corresponds to termination of the group defined for receiving the communications; and wherein a push-to-talk communication initiated by a member to other members is selectively transmitted only to those other members that are presently located at a pre-designated location. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
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Specification