Exchange of location information using a wireless communication device

• US 8,750,915 B2
• Filed: 01/05/2010
• Issued: 06/10/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/05/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Shuman, Mohammed Ataur
• Primary Examiner(s): GESESSE, TILAHUN
• Application Number:
  US12/652,469
• Publication Number:
  US 20110165905A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,617 Days
• Field of Search: 455/456.1, 455/456.2, 455/456.3, 455/517, 455/518, 455/519, 455/416
• US Class Current: 455/519
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/10 Push-to-Talk [PTT] or Push-On-Call services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/00 Locating users or terminals or network equipment for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/40 for selective distribution or broadcast

Abstract

Exemplary techniques for sending data packages that can include geographic information during group communication sessions between wireless telecommunication devices, such as push-to-talk communication sessions, are disclosed. In an embodiment the data packages are wirelessly transmitted by a communication device to a group communication server and then sent to other group members.

Claims

1. A system for communicating geographical location data to one or more wireless devices that are members of a communication group of a plurality of wireless devices on a wireless network, comprising:

at least one requesting wireless device that is a member of the communication group, the at least one requesting wireless device selectively in communication with the wireless network and configured to request geographical location data of at least one other member of the communication group via a preferred mechanism for receiving geographical location data; and

a group communication server that supports group communications over a half-duplex communication channel between wireless devices that are members of the communication group, the group communication server configured to selectively receive at least a request for the geographical location data of the at least one other member of the communication group from the at least one requesting wireless device, obtain the geographical location data of the at least one other member of the communication group, and transmit the geographical location data of the at least one other member of the communication group to the at least one requesting wireless device via the preferred mechanism of the requesting wireless device for receiving geographical location data.

2. A group communication server method, comprising:

storing, in memory, first geographical location data for a first wireless device;

receiving a flag from the first wireless device indicating a preferred mechanism for receiving geographical location data;

receiving, from a second wireless device, a group communication channel setup request over a half-duplex communication channel, the request including information that identifies the second wireless device; and

sending second geographical location data for the second wireless device to the first wireless device via the preferred mechanism.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein sending second geographical location data for the second wireless device to the first wireless device via the preferred mechanism comprises:

sending the second geographical location data for the second wireless device to the first wireless device by embedding the second geographical location data within a floor grant message.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein receiving a group communication channel setup request comprises:

receiving a group communication channel setup request that includes a request for the second geographical location data of the second wireless device.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein receiving a group communication channel setup request comprises:

receiving a group communication channel setup request that includes the first geographical location data for the first wireless device.

6. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

receiving the first geographical location data for the first wireless device via an established group communication channel; and

sending the first geographical location data for the first wireless device to the second wireless device via the established group communication channel.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein receiving the first geographical location data for the first wireless device comprises:

receiving a floor request from the first wireless device;

sending a floor grant message to the first wireless device; and

receiving the first geographical location data for the first wireless device after sending the floor grant message.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the first geographical location data is received through a floor control mechanism used for sharing both the first geographical location data and voice data.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the first geographical location data is received through a floor control mechanism used solely for sharing the first geographical location data.

10. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

sending the group communication channel setup request to the second wireless device, the group communication channel setup request including the first geographical location data for the first wireless device.

11. The method of claim 2, wherein sending second geographical location data for the second wireless device to the first wireless device via the preferred mechanism comprises sending an INVITE message to the first wireless device indicating that a group communication channel has been opened.

12. A group communication server, comprising:

a processor coupled to a transceiver and configured with software instructions to perform operations comprising;

receiving a flag from an originating device indicating a preferred mechanism for receiving geographical location data;

receiving a group communication channel setup request from the originating device over a half-duplex communication channel;

sending the group communication channel setup request to a target device with a request for target geographical location data for the target device embedded within the group communication channel setup request;

receiving a group communication channel acknowledgement signal from the target device, with the target geographical location data for the target device embedded within the group communication channel acknowledgement signal;

sending a signal indicating that a group communication channel has been established to the originating device; and

sending the target geographical location data for the target device to the originating device via the preferred mechanism.

13. The group communication server of claim 12, wherein the processor is configured with software instructions to perform operations further comprising:

receiving, via the group communication channel, originating geographical location data for the originating device; and

sending the originating geographical location data for the originating device to the target device.

14. The group communication server of claim 13, wherein the processor is configured with software instructions to perform operations such that receiving, via the group communication channel, originating geographical location data for the originating device comprises:

receiving a floor request from the originating device;

sending a floor grant message to the originating device; and

receiving the originating geographical location data for the originating device after sending the floor grant message.

15. The group communication server of claim 14, wherein the processor is configured with software instructions to perform operations such that the originating geographical location data is received through a floor control mechanism used for sharing both the originating geographical location data and voice data.

16. The group communication server of claim 14, wherein the processor is configured with software instructions to perform operations such that the originating geographical location data is received through a floor control mechanism used solely for sharing the originating geographical location data.

17. The group communication server of claim 13, wherein the processor is configured with software instructions to perform operations such that sending the originating geographical location data for the originating device to the target device comprises sending the originating geographical location data for the originating device to the target device based on a flag of the target device indicating a preferred mechanism for receiving the originating geographical location data.

18. The group communication server of claim 12, wherein the processor is configured with software instructions to perform operations further comprising:

receiving originating geographical location data for the originating device from the originating device embedded within a floor request message.

19. The group communication server of claim 12, wherein the processor is configured with software instructions to perform operations such that receiving a group communication channel setup request from an originating device over a half-duplex communication channel comprises:

receiving the group communication channel setup request from the originating device over the half-duplex communication channel, with originating geographical location data for the originating device embedded within the group communication channel setup request.

20. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium having stored thereon processor executable instructions configured to cause a processor to perform operations, comprising:

receiving a flag from an originating wireless device indicating a preferred mechanism for receiving geographical location data;

establishing a half-duplex group communication channel between a target wireless device and the originating wireless device;

receiving target geographical location data for the target wireless device via the half-duplex group communication channel; and

sending the target geographical location data for the target wireless device to the originating wireless device via the preferred mechanism.

21. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 20, wherein the stored processor executable instructions are configured to cause the processor to perform operations such that receiving target geographical location data for the target wireless device via the half-duplex group communication channel comprises:

receiving a floor request from the target wireless device;

sending a floor grant message to the target wireless device; and

receiving the target geographical location data for the target wireless device after sending the floor grant message.

22. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 21, wherein the stored processor executable instructions are configured to cause the processor to perform operations such that the target geographical location data is received through a floor control mechanism used for sharing both the target geographical location data and voice data.

23. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 21, wherein the stored processor executable instructions are configured to cause the processor to perform operations such that the target geographical location data is received through a floor control mechanism used solely for sharing the target geographical location data.

24. A group communication server, comprising:

means for receiving a flag from a target wireless device indicating a preferred mechanism for receiving geographical location data;

means for establishing a half-duplex group communication channel between the target wireless device and an originating wireless device;

means for receiving originating geographical location data for the originating wireless device via the half-duplex group communication channel; and

means for sending the originating geographical location data for the originating wireless device to the target wireless device via the preferred mechanism.

25. A wireless device, comprising:

a transceiver;

a memory; and

a processor coupled to the transceiver and the memory and configured with software instructions to perform operations comprising;

storing originating geographical location data for the wireless device in the memory;

sending a flag to a group communication server indicating a preferred mechanism for receiving geographical location data;

sending, via a wireless signal, a group communication channel setup request to the group communication server, with information that identifies a target device and the originating geographical location data for the wireless device embedded within the group communication channel setup request;

receiving a signal over a half-duplex group communication channel indicating that a group communication channel has been established; and

receiving target geographical location data for the target device via the preferred mechanism.

26. The wireless device of claim 25, wherein the processor is configured with software instructions to perform operations further comprising:

displaying the target geographical location data for the target device.

27. The wireless device of claim 25, wherein the processor is configured with software instructions to perform operations such that receiving target geographical location data for the target device via the preferred mechanism comprises:

receiving, via the group communication channel, the target geographical location data for the target device; and

displaying the target geographical location data for the target device.

28. The wireless device of claim 25, wherein the processor is configured with software instructions to perform operations such that receiving target geographical location data for the target device via the preferred mechanism comprises:

receiving a signal indicating that the target device has a floor, with the target geographical location data for the target device embedded within the signal indicating that the target device has the floor.

29. The wireless device of claim 25, wherein the processor is configured with software instructions to perform operations such that receiving a signal over a half-duplex group communication channel indicating that a group communication channel has been established comprises receiving an INVITE message indicating that the group communication channel has been opened.

30. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium having stored thereon processor executable instructions configured to cause a processor to perform operations comprising:

sending a flag to a group communication server indicating a preferred mechanism for receiving geographical location data;

sending a group communication channel setup request to the group communication server over a half-duplex communication channel, with information that identifies a target wireless device embedded within the group communication channel setup request; and

receiving target geographical location data for the target wireless device from the group communication server via the preferred mechanism.

31. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 30, wherein the stored processor executable instructions are configured to cause the processor to perform operations further comprising:

sending a floor request message to the group communication server, with geographic coordinates indicative of a location of an originating wireless device embedded within the floor request message.

32. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 30, wherein the stored processor executable instructions are configured to cause the processor to perform operations further comprising:

displaying a request for originating geographical location data of an originating wireless device;

receiving input authorizing the request for the originating geographical location data of the originating wireless device; and

sending the originating geographical location data of the originating wireless device to the group communication server.

33. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 30, wherein the stored processor executable instructions are configured to cause the processor to perform operations further comprising displaying when the target wireless device currently has a floor.

34. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 30, wherein the stored processor executable instructions are configured to cause the processor to perform operations such that receiving target geographical location data for the target wireless device from the group communication server via the preferred mechanism comprises receiving the target geographical location data for the target wireless device when the target wireless device has a floor.

35. A wireless device, comprising:

means for sending a flag to a group communication server indicating a preferred mechanism for receiving geographical location data;

means for maintaining a group communication channel over a half-duplex communication channel established between the wireless device and a remote wireless device;

means for receiving geographical location data for the remote wireless device from the group communication server via the preferred mechanism; and

means for displaying the geographical location data.

36. The wireless device of claim 35, further comprising:

means for receiving a signal indicating that the remote wireless device has a floor; and

means for modifying a displayed icon that represents the geographical location data.

37. The wireless device of claim 35, wherein means for receiving geographical location data for the remote wireless device from the group communication server via the preferred mechanism comprises:

means for receiving the geographical location data for the remote wireless device via the group communication channel.

38. The wireless device of claim 37, wherein means for receiving the geographical location data for the remote wireless device via the group communication channel comprises means for receiving the geographical location data for the remote wireless device when the remote wireless device has a floor.

39. The wireless device of claim 35, wherein means for receiving geographical location data for the remote wireless device from the group communication server via the preferred mechanism comprises:

means for receiving the geographical location data for the remote wireless device embedded within a floor grant message.

40. The wireless device of claim 35, further comprising:

means for sending the geographical location data for the wireless device via the group communication channel.

41. The wireless device of claim 35, further comprising:

means for sending a group communication channel setup request with geographical location data for the wireless device embedded within the group communication channel setup request.

42. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium having stored thereon processor executable instructions configured to cause a processor to perform operations comprising:

sending a flag to a group communication server indicating a preferred mechanism for receiving geographical location data;

sending geographical location data from a wireless device over a half-duplex communication channel to the group communication server that is configured to selectively grant access to the geographical location data from the wireless device during a group communication session by embedding the geographical location data from the wireless device within a floor control message;

sending a signal from the wireless device granting access to a specific remote wireless device to the geographical location data from the wireless device via a group communication channel opened between the wireless device and the specific remote wireless device; and

receiving geographical location data for the specific remote wireless device from the group communication server via the preferred mechanism.

43. A group communication server, comprising:

means for storing, in memory, first geographical location data for a first wireless device;

means for receiving a flag from the first wireless device indicating a preferred mechanism for receiving geographical location data;

means for receiving, from a second wireless device, a group communication channel setup request over a half-duplex communication channel, the request including information that identifies the second wireless device; and

means for sending second geographical location data for the second wireless device to the first wireless device via the preferred mechanism.

44. The group communication server of claim 43, wherein means for sending second geographical location data for the second wireless device to the first wireless device via the preferred mechanism comprises:

means for sending the second geographical location data for the second wireless device to the first wireless device by embedding the second geographical location data within a floor grant message.

45. The group communication server of claim 43, wherein means for receiving a group communication channel setup request comprises:

means for receiving a group communication channel setup request that includes a request for the second geographical location data of the second wireless device.

46. The group communication server of claim 43, wherein means for receiving a group communication channel setup request comprises:

means for receiving a group communication channel setup request that includes the first geographical location data for the first wireless device.

47. The group communication server of claim 43, further comprising:

means for receiving the first geographical location data for the first wireless device via an established group communication channel; and

means for sending the first geographical location data for the first wireless device to the second wireless device via the established group communication channel.

48. The group communication server of claim 47, wherein means for receiving the first geographical location data for the first wireless device comprises:

means for receiving a floor request from the first wireless device;

means for sending a floor grant message to the first wireless device; and

means for receiving the first geographical location data for the first wireless device after sending the floor grant message.

49. The group communication server of claim 48, wherein the first geographical location data is received through a floor control mechanism used for sharing both the first geographical location data and voice data.

50. The group communication server of claim 48, wherein the first geographical location data is received through a floor control mechanism used solely for sharing the first geographical location data.

51. The group communication server of claim 43, further comprising:

means for sending the group communication channel setup request to the second wireless device, the group communication channel setup request including the first geographical location data for the first wireless device.

52. The group communication server of claim 43, wherein means for sending second geographical location data for the second wireless device to the first wireless device via the preferred mechanism comprises means for sending an INVITE message to the first wireless device indicating that a group communication channel has been opened.

53. A group communication server, comprising:

a memory; and

a processor coupled to the memory, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations comprising;

storing, in the memory, first geographical location data for a first wireless device;

receiving a flag from the first wireless device indicating a preferred mechanism for receiving geographical location data;

receiving, from a second wireless device, a group communication channel setup request over a half-duplex communication channel, the request including information that identifies the second wireless device; and

sending second geographical location data for the second wireless device to the first wireless device via the preferred mechanism.

54. The group communication server of claim 53, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations such that sending second geographical location data for the second wireless device to the first wireless device via the preferred mechanism comprises:

sending the second geographical location data for the second wireless device to the first wireless device by embedding the second geographical location data within a floor grant message.

55. The group communication server of claim 53, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations such that receiving a group communication channel setup request comprises:

receiving a group communication channel setup request that includes a request for the second geographical location data of the second wireless device.

56. The group communication server of claim 53, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations such that receiving a group communication channel setup request comprises:

receiving a group communication channel setup request that includes the first geographical location data for the first wireless device.

57. The group communication server of claim 53, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations further comprising:

receiving the first geographical location data for the first wireless device via an established group communication channel; and

sending the first geographical location data for the first wireless device to the second wireless device via the established group communication channel.

58. The group communication server of claim 57, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations such that receiving the first geographical location data for the first wireless device comprises:

receiving a floor request from the first wireless device;

sending a floor grant message to the first wireless device; and

receiving the first geographical location data for the first wireless device after sending the floor grant message.

59. The group communication server of claim 58, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations such that the first geographical location data is received through a floor control mechanism used for sharing both the first geographical location data and voice data.

60. The group communication server of claim 58, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations such that the first geographical location data is received through a floor control mechanism used solely for sharing the first geographical location data.

61. The group communication server of claim 53, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations further comprising:

sending the group communication channel setup request to the second wireless device, the group communication channel setup request including the first geographical location data for the first wireless device.

62. The group communication server of claim 53, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations such that sending second geographical location data for the second wireless device to the first wireless device via the preferred mechanism comprises sending an INVITE message to the first wireless device indicating that a group communication channel has been opened.

63. A non-transitory processor-readable storage medium having stored thereon processor-executable software instructions configured to cause a processor to perform operations for communicating geographical location data, the operations comprising:

storing, in memory, first geographical location data for a first wireless device;

receiving a flag from the first wireless device indicating a preferred mechanism for receiving geographical location data;

receiving, from a second wireless device, a group communication channel setup request over a half-duplex communication channel, the request including information that identifies the second wireless device; and

sending second geographical location data for the second wireless device to the first wireless device via the preferred mechanism.

64. The non-transitory processor-readable storage medium of claim 63, wherein the stored processor-executable software instructions are configured to cause a processor to perform operations such that sending second geographical location data for the second wireless device to the first wireless device via the preferred mechanism comprises:

sending the second geographical location data for the second wireless device to the first wireless device by embedding the second geographical location data within a floor grant message.

65. The non-transitory processor-readable storage medium of claim 63, wherein the stored processor-executable software instructions are configured to cause a processor to perform operations such that receiving a group communication channel setup request comprises:

receiving a group communication channel setup request that includes a request for the second geographical location data of the second wireless device.

66. The non-transitory processor-readable storage medium of claim 63, wherein the stored processor-executable software instructions are configured to cause a processor to perform operations such that receiving a group communication channel setup request comprises:

receiving a group communication channel setup request that includes the first geographical location data for the first wireless device.

67. The non-transitory processor-readable storage medium of claim 63, wherein the stored processor-executable software instructions are configured to cause a processor to perform operations further comprising:

receiving the first geographical location data for the first wireless device via an established group communication channel; and

sending the first geographical location data for the first wireless device to the second wireless device via the established group communication channel.

68. The non-transitory processor-readable storage medium of claim 67, wherein the stored processor-executable software instructions are configured to cause a processor to perform operations such that receiving the first geographical location data for the first wireless device comprises:

receiving a floor request from the first wireless device;

sending a floor grant message to the first wireless device; and

receiving the first geographical location data for the first wireless device after sending the floor grant message.

69. The non-transitory processor-readable storage medium of claim 68, wherein the stored processor-executable software instructions are configured to cause a processor to perform operations such that the first geographical location data is received through a floor control mechanism used for sharing both the first geographical location data and voice data.

70. The non-transitory processor-readable storage medium of claim 68, wherein the stored processor-executable software instructions are configured to cause a processor to perform operations such that the first geographical location data is received through a floor control mechanism used solely for sharing the first geographical location data.

71. The non-transitory processor-readable storage medium of claim 63, wherein the stored processor-executable software instructions are configured to cause a processor to perform operations further comprising:

sending the group communication channel setup request to the second wireless device, the group communication channel setup request including the first geographical location data for the first wireless device.

72. The non-transitory processor-readable storage medium of claim 63, wherein the stored processor-executable software instructions are configured to cause a processor to perform operations such that sending second geographical location data for the second wireless device to the first wireless device via the preferred mechanism comprises sending an INVITE message to the first wireless device indicating that a group communication channel has been opened.

73. A method for communicating geographical location data with a group communication server, comprising:

receiving a flag from an originating device indicating a preferred mechanism for receiving geographical location data;

receiving a group communication channel setup request from the originating device over a half-duplex communication channel;

sending the group communication channel setup request to a target device with a request for target geographical location data for the target device embedded within the group communication channel setup request;

receiving a group communication channel acknowledgement signal from the target device, with the target geographical location data for the target device embedded within the group communication channel acknowledgement signal;

sending a signal indicating that a group communication channel has been established to the originating device; and

sending the target geographical location data for the target device to the originating device via the preferred mechanism.

74. The method of claim 73, further comprising:

receiving, via the group communication channel, originating geographical location data for the originating device; and

sending the originating geographical location data for the originating device to the target device.

75. The method of claim 74, wherein receiving, via the group communication channel, originating geographical location data for the originating device comprises:

receiving a floor request from the originating device;

sending a floor grant message to the originating device; and

receiving the originating geographical location data for the originating device after sending the floor grant message.

76. The method of claim 75, wherein the originating geographical location data is received through a floor control mechanism used for sharing both the originating geographical location data and voice data.

77. The method of claim 75, wherein the originating geographical location data is received through a floor control mechanism used solely for sharing the originating geographical location data.

78. The method of claim 74, wherein sending the originating geographical location data for the originating device to the target device comprises sending the originating geographical location data for the originating device to the target device based on a flag of the target device indicating a preferred mechanism for receiving the originating geographical location data.

79. The method of claim 73, further comprising:

receiving originating geographical location data for the originating device from the originating device embedded within a floor request message.

80. The method of claim 73, wherein receiving a group communication channel setup request from an originating device over a half-duplex communication channel comprises:

receiving the group communication channel setup request from the originating device over the half-duplex communication channel, with the originating geographical location data for the originating device embedded within the group communication channel setup request.

81. A non-transitory processor-readable storage medium having stored thereon processor-executable instructions configured to cause a processor to perform operations comprising:

receiving a flag from an originating device indicating a preferred mechanism for receiving geographical location data;

receiving a group communication channel setup request from the originating device over a half-duplex communication channel;

sending the group communication channel setup request to a target device with a request for target geographical location data for the target device embedded within the group communication channel setup request;

receiving a group communication channel acknowledgement signal from the target device, with the target geographical location data for the target device embedded within the group communication channel acknowledgement signal;

sending a signal indicating that a group communication channel has been established to the originating device; and

sending the target geographical location data for the target device to the originating device via the preferred mechanism.

82. The non-transitory processor-readable storage medium of claim 81, wherein the stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause a processor to perform operations further comprising:

receiving, via the group communication channel, originating geographical location data for the originating device; and

sending the originating geographical location data for the originating device to the target device.

83. The non-transitory processor-readable storage medium of claim 82, wherein the stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause a processor to perform operations such that receiving, via the group communication channel, originating geographical location data for the originating device comprises:

receiving a floor request from the originating device;

sending a floor grant message to the originating device; and

receiving the originating geographical location data for the originating device after sending the floor grant message.

84. The non-transitory processor-readable storage medium of claim 83, wherein the stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause a processor to perform operations such that the originating geographical location data is received through a floor control mechanism used for sharing both the originating geographical location data and voice data.

85. The non-transitory processor-readable storage medium of claim 83, wherein the stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause a processor to perform operations such that the originating geographical location data is received through a floor control mechanism used solely for sharing the originating geographical location data.

86. The non-transitory processor-readable storage medium of claim 82, wherein the stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause a processor to perform operations such that sending the originating geographical location data for the originating device to the target device comprises sending the originating geographical location data for the originating device to the target device based on a flag of the target device indicating a preferred mechanism for receiving the originating geographical location data.

87. The non-transitory processor-readable storage medium of claim 81, wherein the stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause a processor to perform operations further comprising:

receiving originating geographical location data for the originating device from the originating device embedded within a floor request message.

88. The non-transitory processor-readable storage medium of claim 81, wherein the stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause a processor to perform operations such that receiving a group communication channel setup request from an originating device over a half-duplex communication channel comprises:

receiving the group communication channel setup request from the originating device over the half-duplex communication channel, with the originating geographical location data for the originating device embedded within the group communication channel setup request.

89. A group communication server, comprising:

means for receiving a flag from an originating device indicating a preferred mechanism for receiving geographical location data;

means for receiving a group communication channel setup request from the originating device over a half-duplex communication channel;

means for sending the group communication channel setup request to a target device with a request for target geographical location data for the target device embedded within the group communication channel setup request;

means for receiving a group communication channel acknowledgement signal from the target device, with the target geographical location data for the target device embedded within the group communication channel acknowledgement signal;

means for sending a signal indicating that a group communication channel has been established to the originating device; and

means for sending the target geographical location data for the target device to the originating device via the preferred mechanism.

90. The group communication server of claim 89, further comprising:

means for receiving, via the group communication channel, originating geographical location data for the originating device; and

means for sending the originating geographical location data for the originating device to the target device.

91. The group communication server of claim 90, means for wherein receiving, via the group communication channel, originating geographical location data for the originating device comprises:

means for receiving a floor request from the originating device;

means for sending a floor grant message to the originating device; and

means for receiving the originating geographical location data for the originating device after sending the floor grant message.

92. The group communication server of claim 91, wherein the originating geographical location data is received through a floor control mechanism used for sharing both the originating geographical location data and voice data.

93. The group communication server of claim 91, wherein the originating geographical location data is received through a floor control mechanism used solely for sharing the originating geographical location data.

94. The group communication server of claim 90, wherein means for sending the originating geographical location data for the originating device to the target device comprises means for sending the originating geographical location data for the originating device to the target device based on a flag of the target device indicating a preferred mechanism for receiving the originating geographical location data.

95. The group communication server of claim 89, further comprising:

means for receiving originating geographical location data for the originating device from the originating device embedded within a floor request message.

96. The group communication server of claim 89, wherein means for receiving a group communication channel setup request from an originating device over a half-duplex communication channel comprises:

means for receiving the group communication channel setup request from the originating device over the half-duplex communication channel, with the originating geographical location data for the originating device embedded within the group communication channel setup request.

97. A method for sending target geographical location data for a target device, comprising:

receiving a flag from an originating wireless device indicating a preferred mechanism for receiving geographical location data;

establishing a half-duplex group communication channel between a target wireless device and the originating wireless device;

receiving the target geographical location data for the target device via the half-duplex group communication channel; and

sending the target geographical location data for the target device to the originating wireless device via the preferred mechanism.

98. The method of claim 97, wherein receiving target geographical location data for the target device via the half-duplex group communication channel comprises:

receiving a floor request from the target wireless device;

sending a floor grant message to the target wireless device; and

receiving the target geographical location data for the target wireless device after sending the floor grant message.

99. The method of claim 98, wherein the target geographical location data is received through a floor control mechanism used for sharing both the target geographical location data and voice data.

100. The method of claim 98, wherein the target geographical location data is received through a floor control mechanism used solely for sharing the target geographical location data.

101. A group communication server, comprising:

a memory; and

a processor coupled to the memory, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations comprising;

receiving a flag from an originating wireless device indicating a preferred mechanism for receiving geographical location data;

establishing a half-duplex group communication channel between a target wireless device and the originating wireless device;

receiving target geographical location data for the target wireless device via the half-duplex group communication channel; and

sending the target geographical location data for the target wireless device to the originating wireless device via the preferred mechanism.

102. The group communication server of claim 101, wherein the processor is configured with software instructions to perform operations receiving target geographical location data for the target wireless device via the half-duplex group communication channel comprises:

receiving a floor request from the target wireless device;

sending a floor grant message to the target wireless device; and

receiving the target geographical location data for the target wireless device after sending the floor grant message.

103. The group communication server of claim 102, wherein the processor is configured with software instructions to perform operations the target geographical location data is received through a floor control mechanism used for sharing both the target geographical location data and voice data.

104. The group communication server of claim 102, wherein the processor is configured with software instructions to perform operations the target geographical location data is received through a floor control mechanism used solely for sharing the target geographical location data.

105. A group communication server, comprising:

means for receiving a flag from an originating wireless device indicating a preferred mechanism for receiving geographical location data;

means for establishing a half-duplex group communication channel between a target wireless device and the originating wireless device;

means for receiving target geographical location data for the target wireless device via the half-duplex group communication channel; and

means for sending the target geographical location data for the target wireless device to the originating wireless device via the preferred mechanism.

106. The group communication server of claim 105, wherein means for receiving target geographical location data for the target wireless device via the half-duplex group communication channel comprises:

means for receiving a floor request from the target wireless device;

means for sending a floor grant message to the target wireless device; and

means for receiving the target geographical location data for the target wireless device after sending the floor grant message.

107. The group communication server of claim 106, wherein the target geographical location data is received through a floor control mechanism used for sharing both the target geographical location data and voice data.

108. The group communication server of claim 106, wherein the target geographical location data is received through a floor control mechanism used solely for sharing the target geographical location data.

109. A group communication server, comprising:

a memory; and

a processor coupled to the memory, wherein the processor is configured with software instructions to perform operations comprising;

receiving a flag from a target wireless device indicating a preferred mechanism for receiving geographical location data;

establishing a half-duplex group communication channel between the target wireless device and an originating wireless device;

receiving originating geographical location data for the originating wireless device via the half-duplex group communication channel; and

sending the originating geographical location data for the originating wireless device to the target wireless device via the preferred mechanism.

110. A method for sending originating geographical location data for an originating wireless device, comprising:

receiving a flag from a target wireless device indicating a preferred mechanism for receiving geographical location data;

establishing a half-duplex group communication channel between the target wireless device and the originating wireless device;

receiving the originating geographical location data for the originating wireless device via the half-duplex group communication channel; and

sending the originating geographical location data for the originating wireless device to the target wireless device via the preferred mechanism.

111. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium having stored thereon processor executable instructions configured to cause a processor to perform operations, comprising:

receiving a flag from a target wireless device indicating a preferred mechanism for receiving geographical location data;

establishing a half-duplex group communication channel between the target wireless device and an originating wireless device;

receiving originating geographical location data for the originating wireless device via the half-duplex group communication channel; and

sending the originating geographical location data for the originating wireless device to the target wireless device via the preferred mechanism.

112. A method for establishing a group communication channel on a wireless device, comprising:

storing originating geographical location data for the wireless device in memory;

sending a flag to a group communication server indicating a preferred mechanism for receiving geographical location data;

sending, via a wireless signal, a group communication channel setup request to the group communication server, with information that identifies a target device and the originating geographical location data for the wireless device embedded within the group communication channel setup request;

receiving a signal over a half-duplex group communication channel indicating that the group communication channel has been established; and

receiving target geographical location data for the target device via the preferred mechanism.

113. The method of claim 112, further comprising:

displaying the target geographical location data for the target device.

114. The method of claim 112, wherein receiving target geographical location data for the target device via the preferred mechanism comprises:

receiving, via the group communication channel, the target geographical location data for the target device; and

displaying the target geographical location data for the target device.

115. The method of claim 112, wherein receiving target geographical location data for the target device via the preferred mechanism comprises:

receiving a signal indicating that the target device has a floor, with the target geographical location data for the target device embedded within the signal indicating that the target device has the floor.

116. The method of claim 112, wherein receiving a signal over a half-duplex group communication channel indicating that a group communication channel has been established comprises receiving an INVITE message indicating that the group communication channel has been opened.

117. A wireless device, comprising:

means for storing originating geographical location data for the wireless device in memory;

means for sending a flag to a group communication server indicating a preferred mechanism for receiving geographical location data;

means for sending, via a wireless signal, a group communication channel setup request to the group communication server, with information that identifies a target device and the originating geographical location data for the wireless device embedded within the group communication channel setup request;

means for receiving a signal over a half-duplex group communication channel indicating that a group communication channel has been established; and

means for receiving target geographical location data for the target device via the preferred mechanism.

118. The wireless device of claim 117, further comprising:

means for displaying the target geographical location data for the target device.

119. The wireless device of claim 117, wherein means for receiving target geographical location data for the target device via the preferred mechanism comprises:

means for receiving, via the group communication channel, the target geographical location data for the target device; and

means for displaying the target geographical location data for the target device.

120. The wireless device of claim 117, wherein means for receiving target geographical location data for the target device via the preferred mechanism comprises:

means for receiving a signal indicating that the target device has a floor, with the target geographical location data for the target device embedded within the signal indicating that the target device has the floor.

121. The wireless device of claim 117, wherein means for receiving a signal over a half-duplex group communication channel indicating that a group communication channel has been established comprises means for receiving an INVITE message indicating that the group communication channel has been opened.

122. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium having stored thereon processor executable instructions configured to cause a processor to perform operations comprising, comprising:

storing originating geographical location data for a wireless device in memory;

sending a flag to a group communication server indicating a preferred mechanism for receiving geographical location data;

sending, via a wireless signal, a group communication channel setup request to the group communication server, with information that identifies a target device and the originating geographical location data for the wireless device embedded within the group communication channel setup request;

receiving a signal over a half-duplex group communication channel indicating that a group communication channel has been established; and

receiving target geographical location data for the target device via the preferred mechanism.

123. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 122, wherein the stored processor executable instructions are configured to cause the processor to perform operations further comprising:

displaying the target geographical location data for the target device.

124. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 122, wherein the stored processor executable instructions are configured to cause the processor to perform operations such that receiving target geographical location data for the target device via the preferred mechanism comprises:

receiving, via the group communication channel, the target geographical location data for the target device; and

displaying the target geographical location data for the target device.

125. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 122, wherein the stored processor executable instructions are configured to cause the processor to perform operations such that receiving the target geographical location data for the target device via the preferred mechanism comprises:

receiving a signal indicating that the target device has a floor, with the target geographical location data for the target device embedded within the signal indicating that the target device has the floor.

126. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 122, wherein the stored processor executable instructions are configured to cause the processor to perform operations such that receiving a signal over a half-duplex group communication channel indicating that a group communication channel has been established comprises receiving an INVITE message indicating that the group communication channel has been opened.

127. A method for receiving geographical location data on an originating wireless device, comprising:

sending a flag to a group communication server indicating a preferred mechanism for receiving geographical location data;

sending a group communication channel setup request to the group communication server over a half-duplex communication channel, with information that identifies a target wireless device embedded within the group communication channel setup request; and

receiving target geographical location data for the target wireless device from the group communication server via the preferred mechanism.

128. The method of claim 127, further comprising:

sending a floor request message to the group communication server, with geographic coordinates indicative of a location of an originating wireless device embedded within the floor request message.

129. The method of claim 127, further comprising:

displaying a request for originating geographical location data of the originating wireless device;

receiving input authorizing the request for the originating geographical location data of the originating wireless device; and

sending the originating geographical location data of the originating wireless device to the group communication server.

130. The method of claim 127, further comprising displaying when the target wireless device currently has a floor.

131. The method of claim 127, wherein receiving target geographical location data for the target wireless device from the group communication server via the preferred mechanism comprises receiving the target geographical location data for the target wireless device when the target wireless device has a floor.

132. An originating wireless device, comprising:

a transceiver;

a memory; and

a processor coupled to the transceiver and the memory, wherein the processor is configured with software instructions to perform operations comprising;

sending a flag to a group communication server indicating a preferred mechanism for receiving geographical location data;

sending a group communication channel setup request to the group communication server over a half-duplex communication channel, with information that identifies a target wireless device embedded within the group communication channel setup request; and

receiving target geographical location data for the target wireless device from the group communication server via the preferred mechanism.

133. The originating wireless device of claim 132, wherein the processor is configured with software instructions to perform operations further comprising:

sending a floor request message to the group communication server, with geographic coordinates indicative of a location of an originating wireless device embedded within the floor request message.

134. The originating wireless device of claim 132, wherein the processor is configured with software instructions to perform operations further comprising:

displaying a request for originating geographical location data of an originating wireless device;

receiving input authorizing the request for the originating geographical location data of the originating wireless device; and

sending the originating geographical location data of the originating wireless device to the group communication server.

135. The originating wireless device of claim 132, wherein the processor is configured with software instructions to perform operations further comprising displaying when the target wireless device currently has a floor.

136. The originating wireless device of claim 132, wherein the processor is configured with software instructions to perform operations such that receiving target geographical location data for the target wireless device from the group communication server via the preferred mechanism comprises receiving the target geographical location data for the target wireless device when the target wireless device has a floor.

137. An originating wireless device, comprising:

means for sending a flag to a group communication server indicating a preferred mechanism for receiving geographical location data;

means for sending a group communication channel setup request to the group communication server over a half-duplex communication channel, with information that identifies a target wireless device embedded within the group communication channel setup request; and

means for receiving target geographical location data for the target wireless device from the group communication server via the preferred mechanism.

138. The originating wireless device of claim 137, further comprising:

means for sending a floor request message to the group communication server, with geographic coordinates indicative of a location of an originating wireless device embedded within the floor request message.

139. The originating wireless device of claim 137, further comprising:

means for displaying a request for originating geographical location data of an originating wireless device;

means for receiving input authorizing the request for the originating geographical location data of the originating wireless device; and

means for sending the originating geographical location data of the originating wireless device to the group communication server.

140. The originating wireless device of claim 137, further comprising means for displaying when the target wireless device currently has a floor.

141. The originating wireless device of claim 137, wherein means for receiving target geographical location data for the target wireless device from the group communication server via the preferred mechanism comprises means for receiving the target geographical location data for the target wireless device when the target wireless device has a floor.

142. A wireless device, comprising:

a transceiver;

a memory; and

a processor coupled to the transceiver and the memory, wherein the processor is configured with software instructions to perform operations comprising;

sending a flag to a group communication server indicating a preferred mechanism for receiving geographical location data;

maintaining a group communication channel over a half-duplex communication channel established between the wireless device and a remote wireless device;

receiving geographical location data for the remote wireless device from the group communication server via the preferred mechanism; and

displaying the geographical location data.

143. The wireless device of claim 142, wherein the processor is configured with software instructions to perform operations further comprising:

receiving a signal indicating that the remote wireless device has a floor; and

modifying a displayed icon that represents the geographical location data.

144. The wireless device of claim 142, wherein the processor is configured with software instructions to perform operations such that receiving geographical location data for the remote wireless device from the group communication server via the preferred mechanism comprises:

receiving the geographical location data for the remote wireless device via the group communication channel.

145. The wireless device of claim 144, wherein the processor is configured with software instructions to perform operations such that receiving the geographical location data for the remote wireless device via the group communication channel comprises receiving the geographical location data for the remote wireless device when the remote wireless device has a floor.

146. The wireless device of claim 142, wherein the processor is configured with software instructions to perform operations such that receiving geographical location data for the remote wireless device from the group communication server via the preferred mechanism comprises:

receiving the geographical location data for the remote wireless device embedded within a floor grant message.

147. The wireless device of claim 142, wherein the processor is configured with software instructions to perform operations further comprising:

sending the geographical location data for the wireless device via the group communication channel.

148. The wireless device of claim 142, wherein the processor is configured with software instructions to perform operations further comprising:

sending a group communication channel setup request with geographical location data for the wireless device embedded within the group communication channel setup request.

149. A method for displaying geographical location data on a wireless device, comprising:

sending a flag to a group communication server indicating a preferred mechanism for receiving geographical location data;

maintaining a group communication channel over a half-duplex communication channel established between the wireless device and a remote wireless device;

receiving geographical location data for the remote wireless device from the group communication server via the preferred mechanism; and

displaying the geographical location data.

150. The method of claim 149, further comprising:

receiving a signal indicating that the remote wireless device has a floor; and

modifying a displayed icon that represents the geographical location data.

151. The method of claim 149, wherein receiving geographical location data for the remote wireless device from the group communication server via the preferred mechanism comprises:

receiving the geographical location data for the remote wireless device via the group communication channel.

152. The method of claim 151, wherein receiving the geographical location data for the remote wireless device via the group communication channel comprises receiving the geographical location data for the remote wireless device when the remote wireless device has a floor.

153. The method of claim 149, wherein receiving geographical location data for the remote wireless device from the group communication server via the preferred mechanism comprises:

receiving the geographical location data for the remote wireless device embedded within a floor grant message.

154. The method of claim 149, further comprising:

sending the geographical location data for the wireless device via the group communication channel.

155. The method of claim 149, further comprising:

sending a group communication channel setup request with geographical location data for the wireless device embedded within the group communication channel setup request.

156. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium having stored thereon processor executable instructions configured to cause a processor to perform operations comprising:

sending a flag to a group communication server indicating a preferred mechanism for receiving geographical location data;

maintaining a group communication channel over a half-duplex communication channel established between a wireless device and a remote wireless device;

receiving geographical location data for the remote wireless device from the group communication server via the preferred mechanism; and

displaying the geographical location data.

157. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 156, wherein the stored processor executable instructions are configured to cause the processor to perform operations further comprising:

receiving a signal indicating that the remote wireless device has a floor; and

modifying a displayed icon that represents the geographical location data.

158. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 156, wherein the stored processor executable instructions are configured to cause the processor to perform operations such that receiving geographical location data for the remote wireless device from the group communication server via the preferred mechanism comprises:

receiving the geographical location data for the remote wireless device via the group communication channel.

159. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 158, wherein the stored processor executable instructions are configured to cause the processor to perform operations such that receiving the geographical location data for the remote wireless device via the group communication channel comprises receiving the geographical location data for the remote wireless device when the remote wireless device has a floor.

160. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 156, wherein the stored processor executable instructions are configured to cause the processor to perform operations such that receiving geographical location data for the remote wireless device from the group communication server via the preferred mechanism comprises:

receiving the geographical location data for the remote wireless device embedded within a floor grant message.

161. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 156, wherein the stored processor executable instructions are configured to cause the processor to perform operations further comprising:

sending the geographical location data for the wireless device via the group communication channel.

162. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 156, wherein the stored processor executable instructions are configured to cause the processor to perform operations further comprising:

sending a group communication channel setup request with geographical location data for the wireless device embedded within the group communication channel setup request.

163. A method for granting access to geographical location data with a wireless device:

sending a flag to a group communication server indicating a preferred mechanism for receiving geographical location data;

sending geographical location data from the wireless device over a half-duplex communication channel to the group communication server that is configured to selectively grant access to the geographical location data from the wireless device during a group communication session by embedding the geographical location data from the wireless device within a floor control message;

sending a signal from the wireless device granting access to a specific remote wireless device to the geographical location data from the wireless device via a group communication channel opened between the wireless device and the specific remote wireless device; and

receiving geographical location data for the specific remote wireless device from the group communication server via the preferred mechanism.

164. A wireless device, comprising:

a transceiver;

a memory; and

a processor coupled to the transceiver and the memory, wherein the processor is configured with software instructions to perform operations comprising;

sending a flag to a group communication server indicating a preferred mechanism for receiving geographical location data;

sending geographical location data from the wireless device over a half-duplex communication channel to the group communication server that is configured to selectively grant access to the geographical location data from the wireless device during a group communication session by embedding the geographical location data from the wireless device within a floor control message;

sending a signal from the wireless device granting access to a specific remote wireless device to the geographical location data from the wireless device via a group communication channel opened between the wireless device and the specific remote wireless device; and

receiving geographical location data for the specific remote wireless device from the group communication server via the preferred mechanism.

165. A wireless device, comprising:

means for sending a flag to a group communication server indicating a preferred mechanism for receiving geographical location data;

means for sending geographical location data from the wireless device over a half-duplex communication channel to the group communication server that is configured to selectively grant access to the geographical location data from the wireless device during a group communication session by embedding the geographical location data from the wireless device within a floor control message;

means for sending a signal from the wireless device granting access to a specific remote wireless device to the geographical location data from the wireless device via a group communication channel opened between the wireless device and the specific remote wireless device; and

means for receiving geographical location data for the specific remote wireless device from the group communication server via the preferred mechanism.