Establishing communication pathways between infrastructure devices in a group communication system implemented over a wide area network

• US 8,116,230 B2
• Filed: 07/31/2008
• Issued: 02/14/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Motorola Solutions, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Motorola Solutions, Inc.
• Inventors: LoGalbo, Robert D., Hiben, Bradley M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Banks Harold, Marsha D
• Assistant Examiner(s): HASSAN, SAAD K
• Application Number:
  US12/183,890
• Publication Number:
  US 20100027443A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,293 Days
• Field of Search: 370/254, 370/255, 455517-519
• US Class Current: 370/254
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/189 in combination with wireless systems selective distribution or broadcast in wireless communication networks H04W4/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1895 for short real-time information, e.g. alarms, notifications, alerts, updates
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/30 Resource management for broadcast services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/06 Registration at serving network Location Register, VLR or user mobility server
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/186 Processing of subscriber group data
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 80/04 Network layer protocols, e.g. mobile IP [Internet Protocol]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/08 Trunked mobile radio systems

Abstract

A method and apparatus is provided for establishing communication pathways between infrastructure devices in a wide area communication network prior to transmission of a group message packet by a source wireless communication device (WCD). In one implementation, the infrastructure devices (IDs) can include a home ID of the source WCD, a first ID and a second ID. A home steward module (HSM) of the source WCD generates a distribution list (DL) for communications from the source WCD to a first communication group (CG), and communicates it to an envoy packet duplicator module (EPDM) located at the first ID. The first CG includes, for example, a first destination WCD. A first network socket of the EPDM is communicated from the HSM to a second envoy module (located at the second ID) for the first destination WCD. The HSM maps a second network socket for the second envoy module to an identifier of the first destination WCD, and communicates this mapping to the EPDM. A first communication connection can then be established between the first network socket and the second network socket.

Claims

1. A method for establishing communication pathways between infrastructure devices in a wide area communication network, the infrastructure devices comprising a home infrastructure device of a source wireless communication device (WCD), a first infrastructure device and a second infrastructure device, the method comprising:

generating, at a home steward module of the source WCD, a destination WCD distribution list for communications from the source WCD to a first communication group comprising the source WCD and a first destination WCD, and communicating the destination WCD distribution list to an envoy packet duplicator module located at the first infrastructure device, the source WCD communicating through a first envoy module, both of which are located at the first infrastructure device, prior to a direct link being established for the source WCD from the first infrastructure device to the second infrastructure device;

communicating, from the home steward module, a first network socket of the envoy packet duplicator module to a second envoy module for the first destination WCD that is located at the second infrastructure device;

generating, at the home steward module, a first mapping comprising a second network socket for the second envoy module mapped to a first destination WCD identifier of the first destination WCD, and communicating the first mapping to the envoy packet duplicator module; and

establishing, prior to transmission of a group message packet to the first communication group by the source WCD, a first communication connection between the first network socket and the second network socket,

wherein the first communication connection traverses the Internet and at least one of a firewall or Network Address Translator is present along the first communication connection such that the envoy packet duplicator module and the second envoy module are each protected from the Internet by the at least one of the firewall or Network Address Translator,

wherein the envoy packet duplicator module shares the first network socket with the first envoy module and is able to establish a link to the second envoy module upon receiving the second network socket before duplicating and sending packets to the first destination WCD through the second network socket.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the wide area communication network further comprises an intermediary server, and further comprising:

regularly communicating steward module identifiers and corresponding network sockets from each steward module in the wide area communication network to the intermediary server, wherein the steward modules in the wide area communication network comprise the home steward module, a second steward module located at the second infrastructure device, and other steward modules; and

maintaining a first table at the intermediary server that maps each of the steward module identifiers to a corresponding network socket for a corresponding one of the steward modules.

3. The method according to claim 2, further comprising:

storing, at the home steward module, a group table comprising a plurality of entries, wherein each entry in the group table is associated with and identified by a communication group identifier (CGI), wherein a first entry in the group table comprises a list of destination WCD identifiers for destination WCDs belonging to the first communication group identified by the CGI, wherein each of the destination wireless client device identifiers is mapped to a corresponding destination steward module identifier;

communicating, from the source WCD to the first envoy module, a report message that includes a source WCD identifier for the source WCD and a home steward module identifier for the home steward module;

communicating, from the source WCD to the first envoy module, a CGI that identifies the first communication group that the source WCD is associated with;

communicating, from the first envoy module to the intermediary server, a message that includes (1) the home steward module identifier for the home steward module of the source WCD, (2) a request for a home steward network socket for the home steward module, and (3) a request for establishment of a communication pathway with the home steward module;

determining, at the intermediary server based on the first table, the home steward network socket for the home steward module;

communicating the home steward network socket for the home steward module from the intermediary server to the first envoy module of the source WCD; and

communicating the CGI from the first envoy module of the source WCD to the home steward module of the source WCD, and matching, at the home steward module, the CGI to the first entry in the group table.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the step of generating, at a home steward module for the source WCD, a destination WCD distribution list, further comprises:

generating, at the home steward module based on the first entry from the group table, the destination WCD distribution list for communications from the source WCD to the first communication group, wherein the destination WCD distribution list comprises;

a list of destination WCDs identifiers for each destination WCD, in the first communication group identified by the CGI.

5. The method according to claim 4, further comprising:

communicating, from the home steward module to the intermediary server, (1) a list of destination steward module identifiers for each of the destination WCDs, (2) a request for network sockets corresponding to each steward module identified by the destination steward module identifiers for each of the destination WCDs, and (3) a request for establishment of a communication pathway with each of the home steward modules corresponding to the destination steward module identifiers;

communicating, from the intermediary server to the home steward module, a first mapping table comprising an entry for each destination steward module of each of the destination WCDs, each entry comprising (1) a destination steward module identifier for each destination steward module of each of the destination WCDs, and (2) a corresponding network socket of each destination steward module mapped to the corresponding destination steward module identifier; and

generating, at the home steward module based on the first mapping table, a group mapping table comprising a plurality of entries, wherein each entry comprises a destination WCD identifier for each destination WCD mapped to a corresponding destination steward module identifier and a network socket for the corresponding destination steward module.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the step of communicating the destination WCD distribution list to an envoy packet duplicator module located at the first infrastructure device, comprises:

communicating the destination WCD distribution list from the home steward module to the first envoy module for the source WCD; and

communicating the destination WCD distribution list from the first envoy module to the envoy packet duplicator module located at the first infrastructure device.

7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising:

communicating, from the first envoy module to the home steward module of the source WCD, the first network socket of the envoy packet duplicator module.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the step of communicating, from the home steward module, a first network socket of the envoy packet duplicator module to the second envoy module for the first destination WCD, comprises:

communicating, from the home steward module to the second steward module, which is associated with the first destination WCD, the first network socket of the envoy packet duplicator; and

communicating the first network socket from the second steward module to the second envoy module for the first destination WCD, wherein the first destination WCD is associated with the second envoy module.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the step of generating a first mapping at the home steward module for the source WCD, wherein the first mapping comprises the second network socket for the second envoy module mapped to the first wireless client device identifier of the first destination WCD, and communicating the first mapping to the first envoy module, comprises:

communicating, from the second steward module to the home steward module for the source WCD, the second network socket of the second envoy module for the first destination WCD;

determining, at the home steward module for the source WCD, that (1) the second network socket of the second envoy module maps to a third network socket for the second steward module, (2) that the third network socket for the second steward module maps to a first destination WCD identifier for the first destination WCD and (3) that the second network socket of the second envoy module maps to the first destination wireless client device identifier for the first destination WCD;

generating the first mapping at the home steward module for the source WCD, wherein the first mapping comprises the second network socket for the second envoy module mapped to the first wireless client device identifier of the first destination WCD;

communicating the first mapping from the home steward module to the first envoy module; and

communicating the first mapping from the first envoy module to the envoy packet duplicator module, and storing the first mapping at the envoy packet duplicator module.

10. The method according to claim 7, wherein a second destination WCD is initially associated with the first infrastructure device and has a third steward module assigned thereto, wherein a third envoy module is located at a third infrastructure device, and further comprising:

establishing a second communication connection, prior to transmission of a group message packet to the first communication by the source WCD, between the first network socket of the envoy packet duplicator module and a fourth network socket of the third envoy module for second destination WCD.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the step of establishing a second communication connection between the first network socket of the envoy packet duplicator module and the fourth network socket of the third envoy module for the second destination WCD, wherein the third envoy module is located at the third infrastructure device, comprises:

communicating, the first network socket of the envoy packet duplicator from the home steward module for source WCD to the third steward module for the second destination WCD, the third steward module located at the first infrastructure device;

communicating, from the third steward module to the third envoy module for the second destination WCD, the first network socket of envoy packet duplicator module, wherein the third envoy module located at the third infrastructure device;

communicating, from the third steward module to the home steward module for the source WCD, a fourth network socket of the third envoy module for the second destination WCD;

determining, at the home steward module for the source WCD, that (1) the fourth network socket of the third envoy module maps to a fifth network socket for the third steward module, (2) that the fifth network socket for the third steward module maps to a second destination wireless client device identifier for second destination WCD and (3) that the fourth network socket of the third envoy module maps to the second destination wireless client device identifier for the second destination WCD;

generating a second mapping at the home steward module for the source WCD, wherein the second mapping comprises the fourth network socket of the third envoy module mapped to the second destination wireless client device identifier for the second destination WCD;

communicating the second mapping from the home steward module to the first envoy module for source WCD;

communicating the second mapping from the first envoy module to the envoy packet duplicator module, and storing the second mapping at the envoy packet duplicator module; and

establishing the second communication connection between the first network socket of the envoy packet duplicator module and the fourth network socket of the third envoy module for the second destination WCD, wherein the third envoy module is located at the third infrastructure device.

12. The method according to claim 2, further comprising:

storing, at the source WCD, a destination WCD identifier table comprising a list of destination WCD identifiers for destination WCDs of the first communication group that the source WCD is associated with;

storing, at the home steward module, a second group table comprising;

a list of WCD identifiers for each WCD in the network mapped to corresponding steward module identifiers for each of the WCDs;

communicating, from the source WCD to the first envoy module, a report message that includes a source WCD identifier for the source WCD and a home steward module identifier for the home steward module;

communicating, from the source WCD to the first envoy module, the destination WCD identifier table;

communicating, from the first envoy module to the intermediary server, a message that includes (1) the home steward module identifier for the home steward module of the source WCD, (2) a request for a home steward network socket for the home steward module, and (3) a request for establishment of a communication pathway with the home steward module;

determining, at the intermediary server based on the first table, the home steward network socket for the home steward module;

communicating the home steward network socket for the home steward module from the intermediary server to the first envoy module of the source WCD; and

communicating, from the first envoy module of the source WCD to the home steward module of the source WCD, the destination WCD identifier table comprising the list of destination WCD identifiers for destination WCDs of the first communication group.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the step of generating, at a home steward module for the source WCD, a destination WCD distribution list, comprises:

generating, at the home steward module based on the destination WCD identifier table, the WCD distribution list including identifiers for destination WCDs.

14. The method according to claim 13, further comprising:

determining, at the home steward module based on the second group table and the list of destination WCD identifiers received from the source WCD, destination steward module identifiers for each of the destination WCDs; and

communicating, from the home steward module to the intermediary server, (1) a list of destination steward module identifiers for each of the destination WCDs, (2) a request for network sockets corresponding to each steward module identified by the destination steward module identifiers for each of the destination WCDs, and (3) a request for establishment of a communication pathway with each of the home steward modules corresponding to the destination steward module identifiers;

communicating, from the intermediary server to the home steward module, a first mapping table comprising an entry for each destination steward module of each of the destination WCDs, each entry comprising (1) a destination steward module identifier for each destination steward module of each of the destination WCDs, and (2) a corresponding network socket of each destination steward module mapped to the corresponding destination steward module identifier; and

generating, at the home steward module based on the first mapping table, a group mapping table comprising a plurality of entries, wherein each entry comprises a destination WCD identifier for each destination WCD mapped to a corresponding destination steward module identifier and a network socket for the corresponding destination steward module.

15. The method according to claim 2, further comprising:

storing, at the home steward module, a simplified group table comprising;

a communication group identifier (CGI) for the first communication group, and a list of destination WCD identifiers for destination WCDs belonging to the first communication group identified by the CGI;

storing, at the intermediary server, a universal group table that maps WCD identifiers for each WCD in the network to a corresponding home steward module identifier and a corresponding network socket for each corresponding home steward module;

communicating, from the source WCD to the first envoy module, a report message that includes a source WCD identifier for the source WCD and a home steward module identifier for the home steward module;

communicating, from the source WCD to the first envoy module, the CGI that identifies the first communication group that the source WCD is associated with;

communicating, from the first envoy module to the intermediary server, a message that includes (1) the home steward module identifier for the home steward module of the source WCD, (2) a request for a home steward network socket for the home steward module, and (3) a request for establishment of a communication pathway with the home steward module;

determining, at the intermediary server based on the first table and the home steward module identifier for the home steward module, the home steward network socket for the home steward module; and

communicating the home steward network socket for the home steward module from the intermediary server to the first envoy module of the source WCD; and

communicating the CGI from the first envoy module of the source WCD to the home steward module of the source WCD, and matching, at the home steward module, the CGI to the first entry in the simplified group table.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the step of generating, at a home steward module for the source WCD, a destination WCD distribution list, comprises:

generating, at the home steward module based on the simplified group table and the CGI, a destination WCD distribution list for communications from the source WCD to the first communication group.

17. The method according to claim 16, further comprising:

communicating, from the home steward module to the intermediary server, (1) the list of destination WCD identifiers, (2) a request for destination steward module identifiers corresponding to each of the destination WCD identifiers mapped to corresponding network sockets for each of the destination steward module identifiers for each of the destination WCDs, and (3) a request for establishment of a communication pathway with each of the destination steward modules corresponding to the destination steward module identifiers;

generating a first mapping table at the intermediary server based on the universal group table and destination WCD identifiers from the home steward module, wherein the first mapping table comprises;

an entry for each destination steward module of each of the destination WCDs, each entry comprising;

a destination WCD identifier for each of the destination WCDs mapped to a corresponding destination steward module identifier for each destination steward module and a corresponding network socket of each destination steward module; and

communicating the first mapping table from the intermediary server to the home steward module.

18. The method according to claim 2, further comprising:

storing, at the source WCD, a destination WCD identifier table comprising a list of destination WCD identifiers for destination WCDs of the first communication group that the source WCD is associated with;

storing, at the home steward module, a simplified group table comprising;

a communication group identifier (CGI) for the first communication group, and a list of destination WCD identifiers for destination WCDs belonging to the first communication group identified by the CGI;

storing, at the intermediary server, a universal group table that maps WCD identifiers for each WCD in the network to a corresponding home steward module identifier and a corresponding network socket for each corresponding home steward module, and

communicating, from the source WCD to the first envoy module, a report message that includes a source WCD identifier for the source WCD and a home steward module identifier for the home steward module;

communicating, from the source WCD to the first envoy module, the destination WCD identifier table;

communicating, from the first envoy module to the intermediary server, a message that includes (1) the home steward module identifier for the home steward module of the source WCD, (2) a request for a home steward network socket for the home steward module, and (3) a request for establishment of a communication pathway with the home steward module;

determining, at the intermediary server based on the first table and the home steward module identifier for home steward module, the home steward network socket for the home steward module; and

communicating the home steward network socket for the home steward module from the intermediary server to the first envoy module of the source WCD; and

communicating the destination WCD identifier table for the first communication group from the first envoy module of the source WCD to the home steward module of the source WCD.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the step of generating, at a home steward module for the source WCD, a destination WCD distribution list, comprises:

generating, at the home steward module, based on the destination WCD identifier table received from the source WCD, the WCD distribution list including identifiers for the destination WCDs.

20. The method according to claim 19, further comprising:

communicating, from the home steward module to the intermediary server, (1) the list of destination WCD identifiers, (2) a request for destination steward module identifiers corresponding to each of the destination WCD identifiers mapped to corresponding network sockets for each of the destination steward module identifiers for each of the destination WCDs, and (3) a request for establishment of a communication pathway with each of the home steward modules corresponding to the destination steward module identifiers;

generating a first mapping table at the intermediary server based on the universal group table and destination WCD identifiers from the home steward module, wherein the first mapping table comprises an entry for each destination steward module of each of the destination WCDs, each entry comprising;

a destination WCD identifier for each of the destination WCDs mapped to a corresponding destination steward module identifier for each destination steward module of each of the destination WCDs and a corresponding network socket of each destination steward module, and

communicating the first mapping table from the intermediary server to the home steward module.

21. The method according to claim 2, further comprising:

storing, at the source WCD, a third group table comprising;

a list of destination WCD identifiers for destination WCDs of the first communication group and corresponding destination steward module identifiers for each destination steward module of each of the destination WCDs;

communicating, from the source WCD to the first envoy module, a report message that includes a source WCD identifier for the source WCD and a home steward module identifier for the home steward module, and

communicating, from the source WCD to the first envoy module, the third group table;

communicating, from the first envoy module to the intermediary server, a message that includes (1) the home steward module identifier for the home steward module of the source WCD, (2) a request for a home steward network socket for the home steward module, and (3) a request for establishment of a communication pathway with the home steward module;

determining, at the intermediary server based on the first table, the home steward network socket for the home steward module;

communicating the home steward network socket for the home steward module from the intermediary server to the first envoy module of the source WCD; and

communicating, from the first envoy module of the source WCD to the home steward module of the source WCD, the third group table.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein the step of generating, at a home steward module for the source WCD, a destination WCD distribution list, comprises:

generating, at the home steward module based on the third group table, the WCD distribution list including identifiers for destination WCDs.

23. The method according to claim 22, further comprising:

determining, at the home steward module based on the third group table, the destination steward module identifiers for each of the destination WCDs; and

communicating, from the home steward module to the intermediary server, (1) a list of destination steward module identifiers for each of the destination WCDs, (2) a request for network sockets corresponding to each steward module identified by the destination steward module identifiers for each of the destination WCDs, and (3) a request for establishment of a communication pathway with each of the home steward modules corresponding to the destination steward module identifiers;

communicating, from the intermediary server to the home steward module, a first mapping table comprising an entry for each destination steward module of each of the destination WCDs, each entry comprising (1) a destination steward module identifier for each destination steward module of each of the destination WCDs, and (2) a corresponding network socket of each destination steward module mapped to the corresponding destination steward module identifier; and

generating, at the home steward module based on the first mapping table, a group mapping table comprising a plurality of entries, wherein each entry comprises a destination WCD identifier for each destination WCD mapped to a corresponding destination steward module identifier and a network socket for the corresponding destination steward module.

24. The method according to claim 1, wherein multicasting is used neither during establishment of the first communication connection nor during transmission of the group message packet.