Floor control templates for use in push-to-talk applications

• US 7,761,110 B2
• Filed: 05/31/2006
• Issued: 07/20/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: Asthana, Aseem, Vadlakonda, Sravan, Chotai, Ashish, Shaffer, Shmuel, Ha, Binh Don
• Primary Examiner(s): Urban; Edward
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hannon; Christian A
• Application Number:
  US11/443,894
• Publication Number:
  US 20070281723A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,511 Days
• Field of Search: 455/404.1, 455/414.1, 455/414.3, 455/507, 455/509, 455/510, 455/512, 455/518, 370/236, 370/230, 370/282
• US Class Current: 455/519
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/4061 Push-to services, e.g. push-to-talk or push-to-video
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/45 for Push-to-Talk [PTT] or Push-to-Talk over cellular [PoC] services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]

Abstract

A processor-implemented method of operation for managing a push-to-talk (PTT) session involving a plurality of participants includes applying a first floor control algorithm at a PTT server. The first floor control algorithm being selected from a plurality of algorithms that arbitrate among talk requests received from the participants. The method further includes changing, during the PTT session, from the first floor control algorithm to a second floor control algorithm at the PPT server. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b).

Claims

1. A processor-implemented method of operation for managing a push-to-talk (PTT) session involving a plurality of participants, comprising:

applying a first floor control algorithm that corresponds to a first floor control template at a PTT server, the first floor control template being selected from a plurality of floor control templates, each of which arbitrate among talk requests received from the participants; and

during the PTT session, changing from the first floor control algorithm to a second floor control algorithm at the PPT server, the second floor control algorithm corresponding to a second floor control template;

during the PTT session, changing from the second floor control algorithm to a third floor control algorithm applied at the PTT server, the third floor control algorithm corresponding to a third floor control template;

wherein application of either the first or second floor control algorithm grants only one participant associated with a corresponding endpoint device permission to transmit speech from the corresponding endpoint device directly to a remaining group of the participants, endpoint devices associated with the remaining group of the participants not being permitted to transmit speech, and further wherein either the second or the third floor control algorithm comprises a distributed floor control algorithm that functions as an overlay to the first floor control algorithm, the distributed floor control algorithm distributing floor control among a plurality of servers that select local arbitration winners for corresponding groups of the participants, the PTT server selecting the one participant from the local arbitration winners.

2. The processor-implemented method of claim 1 further comprising initiating the PTT session.

3. The processor-implemented method of claim 1 wherein the either the second or third floor control algorithms includes a buffered talk burst algorithm that buffers each of the talk requests, with each request being granted in a received order.

4. The processor-implemented method of claim 1 wherein the either the second or third floor control algorithms includes a variable-sized talk burst algorithm that allows a predetermined, variable talk burst time to be assigned to each of the participants.

5. The processor-implemented method of claim 1 wherein the either the second or third floor control algorithms includes a group-based algorithm that allows a predetermined priority level to be assigned to each of a plurality of groups that the participants are associated with, a higher priority assignment providing for an increased chance of floor access in an arbitration contest.

6. The processor-implemented method of claim 1 wherein the either the second or third floor control algorithms includes a barge-in algorithm that allows a designated participant to barge-in at any time to become the one participant with permission to transmit speech.

7. The processor-implemented method of claim 1 wherein the either the second or third floor control algorithms includes a weighted-fair queue algorithm that places a denied talk request into a weighted-fair queue based on a relative priority of a losing participant associated with the denied talk request, a floor grant indication being sent to a losing participant who is at highest priority position in the weighted fair queue when the floor becomes available.

8. A computer readable memory encoded with a computer program product for conducting a push-to-talk (PTT) session involving participants associated with one or more groups, when executed, the computer program being operable to:

during the PTT session, apply a first floor control algorithm at a PTT server that arbitrates among talk requests received from the participants;

during the PTT session, apply a second floor control algorithm at the PTT server responsive to input received from a graphical user interface (GUI), the input being generated in response to selection of a first icon that corresponds to the second floor control algorithm, the selection being made by a user from a listing of available floor control algorithms presented to the user via the GUI, the second floor control algorithm comprising a distributed floor control algorithm that functions as an overlay to the first floor control algorithm, the distributed floor control algorithm distributing floor control among a plurality of servers that select local arbitration winners for corresponding groups of the participants, the PTT server selecting the one participant from the local arbitration winners;

wherein application of either the first or second floor control algorithm grants only one participant associated with a corresponding endpoint device permission to transmit speech from the corresponding endpoint device directly to a remaining group of the participants, endpoint devices associated with the remaining group of the participants not being permitted to transmit speech.

9. The computer-readable memory of claim 8, wherein execution of the computer program is further operable to initiate the PTT session.

10. The computer-readable memory of claim 8, wherein the first floor control algorithm comprises a predetermined default floor control algorithm.

11. The computer-readable memory of claim 8, wherein execution of the computer program is further operable to:

during the PTT session, change from the second floor control algorithm to a third floor control algorithm applied at the PTT server, the third floor control algorithm being applied responsive to additional input received from the GUI, the additional input being generated in response to selection of a second icon that corresponds to the third floor control algorithm.

12. The computer-readable memory of claim 8, wherein the listing of available floor control algorithms includes a buffered talk burst algorithm that buffers each of the talk requests, with each request being granted in the order received.

13. The computer-readable memory of claim 8, wherein the listing of available floor control algorithms includes a variable-sized talk burst algorithm that allows a predetermined, variable talk burst time to be assigned to each of the participants.

14. The computer-readable memory of claim 8, wherein the listing of available floor control algorithms includes a barge-in algorithm that allows a designated participant to barge-in at any time to become the one participant with permission to transmit speech.

15. The computer-readable memory of claim 8, wherein the listing of available floor control algorithms includes a weighted-fair queue algorithm that places a denied talk request into a weighted-fair queue based on a relative priority of an losing participant associated with the denied talk request, a floor grant indication being sent to a losing participant who is at highest priority position in the weighted fair queue when the floor becomes available.

16. The computer-readable memory of claim 8, wherein the listing of available floor control algorithms includes a group-based algorithm that allows a predetermined priority level to be assigned to each of the one or more groups that the participants are associated with, a higher priority assignment providing for an increased chance of floor access in an arbitration contest.

17. An Internet protocol (IP) phone operable to participate in a push-to-talk (PTT) group session via transmissions to/from a PTT server, comprising:

a display;

a plurality of softkey buttons;

a program that runs on the IP phone to produce a graphical user interface (GUI) that integrates the display and the softkey buttons such that, in one mode, at least one of the softkey buttons is operable to allow a user to select a first floor control template that corresponds to a first floor control algorithm from among a list of available floor control templates displayed on the display, selection of the first floor control template resulting in a first transmission to the PTT server that causes the PTT server to apply the first floor control algorithm to the PTT group session, the GUI further providing the user with an option to replace the first floor control algorithm with a second floor control algorithm selected from the list of available floor control templates displayed on the display, the second floor control algorithm corresponding to a second floor control template, selection of the second floor control template resulting in a second transmission to the PTT server that causes the PTT server to apply the second floor control algorithm to the PTT group session, the second floor control algorithm comprising a distributed floor control algorithm that functions as an overlay to the first floor control algorithm, the distributed floor control algorithm distributing floor control among a plurality of servers that select local arbitration winners for corresponding groups of the participants, the PTT server selecting the one participant from the local arbitration winners, and

wherein application of either the first or second floor control algorithm grants only one participant associated with a corresponding endpoint device permission to transmit speech directly from the corresponding endpoint device to a remaining group of the participants, endpoint devices associated with the remaining group of the participants not being permitted to transmit speech.

18. The IP phone of claim 17, wherein in a second mode, at least one of the softkey buttons is operable to allow a user to display the list of available floor control templates on the display.

19. The IP phone of claim 17, wherein the list of available floor control templates includes a template that corresponds to a buffered talk burst algorithm that buffers each talk request received by the PTT server from a participant of the PTT group session, such that each talk request is granted in a received order.

20. The IP phone of claim 17, wherein the list of available floor control templates includes a template that corresponds to a variable-sized talk burst algorithm that allows a predetermined, variable talk burst time to be assigned to each participant to the PTT group session.

21. The IP phone of claim 17, wherein the list of available floor control templates includes a template that corresponds to a group-based algorithm that allows a predetermined, priority level to be assigned to each of a plurality of groups that participants to the PTT group session are associated with, a higher priority assignment providing for an increased chance of floor access in an arbitration contest.

22. The IP phone of claim 17, wherein the list of available floor control templates includes a template that corresponds to a weighted-fair queue algorithm that places a denied talk request into a weighted-fair queue based on a relative priority of an losing participant associated with the denied talk request, a floor grant indication being sent to a losing participant who is at highest priority position in the weighted fair queue when the floor becomes available.

23. A processor-implemented method of operation for managing a push-to-talk (PTT) group session involving a plurality of participants, comprising:

receiving, at a PTT server, input from a communication device associated with a first participant, the input being generated in response to selection of a first floor control template that corresponds to a first floor control algorithm, the selection being made by a moderator from a listing of available floor control templates presented to the moderator via a user interface;

applying, responsive to the input, the first floor control algorithm at the PTT server;

receiving, at the PTT server, additional input from the communication device associated with the first participant, the additional input being generated in response to selection of a second floor control template from the listing of available floor control templates, the second floor control template corresponding to a second floor control algorithm, the second floor control algorithm comprising a distributed floor control algorithm that functions as an overlay to the first floor control algorithm, the distributed floor control algorithm distributing floor control among a plurality of servers that select local arbitration winners for corresponding groups of the participants, the PTT server selecting the one participant from the local arbitration winners;

applying, responsive to the additional input, the second floor control algorithm at the PTT server;

wherein application of either the first or second floor control algorithm grants only one participant associated with a corresponding endpoint device permission to transmit speech to a remaining group of the participants, endpoint devices associated with the remaining group of the participants not being permitted to transmit speech.

24. The processor-implemented method of claim 23 wherein the user interface comprises a graphical user interface.

25. The processor-implemented method of claim 23 wherein the user interface comprises a telephony user interface.

26. The processor-implemented method of claim 23 wherein the second floor control algorithm includes a variable-sized talk burst algorithm that allows a predetermined, variable talk burst time to be assigned to each of the participants.

27. The processor-implemented method of claim 23 wherein the second floor control algorithm includes a group-based algorithm that allows a predetermined, priority level to be assigned to each of a plurality of groups that the participants are associated with, a higher priority assignment providing for an increased chance of obtaining the floor in an arbitration contest.

28. The processor-implemented method of claim 23 wherein the second floor control algorithm includes a buffered talk burst algorithm that buffers each of the talk requests, with each request being granted in the order received.

29. The processor-implemented method of claim 23 wherein the second floor control algorithm includes a barge-in algorithm that allows a designated participant to barge-in at any time to become the one participant with permission to transmit speech.

30. The processor-implemented method of claim 23 wherein the second floor control algorithm includes a weighted-fair queue algorithm that places a denied talk request into a weighted-fair queue based on a relative priority of a losing participant associated with the denied talk request, a floor grant indication being sent to a losing participant who is at highest priority position in the weighted fair queue when the floor becomes available.