Abstract: In one implementation, systems and processes are provide for local cross muting between two or more dispatch consoles in a dispatch center. Sound is received from a microphone of a first console. The first console generates an outgoing media signal from the received sound and a supplementary outgoing data. The supplementary outgoing data may be an identification number for the first console or a duplicate media signal from the first console. The first console sends the outgoing media signal to a forwarding device and sends the supplementary outgoing signal to a second console.

Abstract: In one implementation, systems and processes are provide for local cross muting between two or more dispatch consoles in a dispatch center. Sound is received from a microphone of a first console. The first console generates an outgoing media signal from the received sound and a supplementary outgoing data. The supplementary outgoing data may be an identification number for the first console or a duplicate media signal from the first console. The first console sends the outgoing media signal to a forwarding device and sends the supplementary outgoing signal to a second console.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a method includes obtaining, at a client included in a push-to-talk (PTT) system, a plurality of talk bursts including at least a first talk burst and a second talk burst, the first talk burst being associated with a first source included in the PTT system, the second talk burst being associated with a second source included in the PTT system, wherein the plurality of talk bursts are obtained at approximately a first time. The method also includes identifying the first source as a source of interest and determining, after identifying the first source as the source of interest, an identity of the first source. Finally, the method includes processing the first talk burst as having a priority over the second talk burst.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a method includes obtaining, at a client included in a push-to-talk (PTT) system, a plurality of talk bursts including at least a first talk burst and a second talk burst, the first talk burst being associated with a first source included in the PTT system, the second talk burst being associated with a second source included in the PTT system, wherein the plurality of talk bursts are obtained at approximately a first time. The method also includes identifying the first source as a source of interest and determining, after identifying the first source as the source of interest, an identity of the first source. Finally, the method includes processing the first talk burst as having a priority over the second talk burst.

Abstract: A method for managing virtual talk groups includes facilitating communications from a plurality of endpoints via an interoperability system. The plurality of endpoints comprises endpoints of different communication networks. The method includes configuring a virtual talk group comprising a first group of the plurality of endpoints and assigning to at least one endpoint of the first group of the plurality of endpoints of the virtual talk group functionality with respect to the interoperability system based on a relative priority of the at least one endpoint to other endpoints of the first group of the plurality of endpoints.

Abstract: A method for providing an indication of a communication includes facilitating communications between a plurality of endpoints within each of a plurality of virtual talk groups. The method also includes monitoring the communications between the plurality of endpoints within each of the plurality of virtual talk groups. The method further includes, upon detecting a first communication within a first virtual talk group of the plurality of virtual talk groups, activating a first indicator. The first indicator indicates the detection of the first communication. The method also includes, upon the occurrence of a first deactivating event, deactivating the first indicator.

Abstract: A method for communicating media based on location of media source includes receiving communications from a plurality of endpoints. Each communication comprises a media message and location information identifying a location of its transmitting endpoint. The method includes receiving a selection of a geographical area and comparing the location information of each communication with the selected geographical area. The method also includes presenting to a user each message received from each endpoint of the plurality of endpoints located within the selected geographical area.

Abstract: A method for providing interoperable communications with dynamic event area allocation includes facilitating communications of a plurality of virtual talk groups, each virtual talk group including a plurality of endpoints of different communication networks communicating using a respective communication protocol. The method includes receiving notice of an event comprising an event location and creating an event area based on the event location. The method also includes associating an event virtual talk group with the event for communications regarding the event. The method also includes modifying the event area based on at least one location parameter associated with the event.

Abstract: A method for providing a push-to-talk proxy media service includes receiving a plurality of monitored push-to-talk communication streams over a high bandwidth connection and mixing the plurality of monitored push-to-talk communication streams into a mixed communication stream. The method also includes transmitting the mixed communication stream to a user endpoint over a low bandwidth connection.

Abstract: A method for providing interoperable communications with congestion management includes facilitating communications of a plurality of virtual talk groups. Each virtual talk group comprises a plurality of endpoints of different communication networks communicating using a respective communication channel. The method includes detecting, for a first virtual talk group of the plurality of virtual talk groups, a congestion event and, in response to detecting the congestion event, forming from the first virtual talk group one or more subgroups, each subgroup comprising at least two endpoints from the first virtual talk group. The method also includes assigning to each subgroup a respective alternate communication protocol for use by the plurality of endpoints of the subgroup.

Abstract: A technique efficiently sends probe packets from a source to a target in a destination prefix over two or more paths of a computer network. According to the novel technique, the source, e.g., configured for optimized edge routing (OER), sends probe packets (probes) over all available paths (exits) to the target in the destination prefix in order to select a preferred path based on received responses to the probes, e.g., according to one or more policies. Once the preferred path is selected, the source sends probes to that target only over the preferred path until a trigger occurs, such as, e.g., an out of policy (OOP) event, a policy change, or an optional timer-based trigger. Upon being triggered, the source again probes all paths to reselect the preferred path.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for assigning floor control based upon when a floor control request was initiated are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a first request for floor control from a first endpoint and granting the floor control to the first endpoint. The method also includes receiving a second request for floor control from a second endpoint, that has approximately the same priority level as the first endpoint, and determining if the first request was initiated from the first endpoint at approximately the same time or earlier than the second request was initiated from the second endpoint. If it is determined that the first request was not initiated from the first endpoint at approximately the same time or earlier than the second request was initiated from the second endpoint, then floor control is preempted from the first endpoint and granted to the second endpoint.

Abstract: Providing virtual talk groups to an endpoint includes managing the virtual talk groups, where a virtual talk group comprises one or more members operable to participate in the virtual talk group. One or more overlapping members are identified, where an overlapping member is a member of more than one virtual talk group. Internal virtual talk groups are generated from the original virtual talk groups, where the internal virtual talk groups comprise at least a reduced number of overlapping members. One or more original virtual talk groups are provided to the endpoint using the internal virtual talk groups.

Abstract: A method for communicating media based on location of media source includes receiving communications from a plurality of endpoints. Each communication comprises a media message and location information identifying a location of its transmitting endpoint. The method includes receiving a selection of a geographical area and comparing the location information of each communication with the selected geographical area. The method also includes presenting to a user each message received from each endpoint of the plurality of endpoints located within the selected geographical area.

Abstract: A method for providing a push-to-talk communication session includes facilitating a push-to-talk communication session among a full duplex endpoint supporting simultaneous two-way communication and a plurality of half duplex endpoints. Communications are received from and transmitted to the full duplex endpoint along a two-way communications path. The method includes blocking communications received from the full duplex endpoint while one of the plurality of half duplex endpoints has floor control in the communication session and receiving from the full duplex endpoint in the two-way communications path a floor control signal comprising a request to transmit communications in the communication session. The method includes, in response to receiving the floor control signal, providing floor control to the full duplex endpoint and transmitting to the plurality of half duplex endpoints communications received from the full duplex endpoint.

Abstract: A method for communicating media based on location of media source includes receiving communications from a plurality of endpoints. Each communication comprises a media message and location information identifying a location of its transmitting endpoint. The method includes receiving a selection of a geographical area and comparing the location information of each communication with the selected geographical area. The method also includes presenting to a user each message received from each endpoint of the plurality of endpoints located within the selected geographical area.

Abstract: A technique manages targets to which probe packets are sent from a source of a computer network. The novel target management technique dynamically selects an optimal set of valid targets for a particular (monitored) prefix of the computer network. Specifically, one or more targets are selected from a pool of possible learned and configured targets to be used as representatives of the monitored prefix. Probe packets are sent from the source to the selected targets for the duration of an evaluation period. Targets that do not respond to the probe packets during the evaluation period are invalid and deselected, and if available, an unused target is selected from the pool of possible targets to replace each non-responding target for a next evaluation period. Invalid learned targets are discarded, while invalid configured targets are returned to the pool of possible targets for potential re-selection in a later evaluation period.

Abstract: A method for automatic configuration of virtual talk groups based on location of media source includes monitoring communications from a plurality of mobile endpoints. Each communication comprises a media message and location information identifying a location of its transmitting endpoint. The method includes selecting a first group of mobile endpoints of the plurality of endpoints according to virtual talk group configuration instructions based on the locations of the mobile endpoints. The method also includes configuring a first virtual talk group comprising the first group of mobile endpoints to facilitate communications among the first group of mobile endpoints. The first group of mobile endpoints comprises mobile endpoints of different communication networks.

Abstract: A method for providing interoperable communications with location information includes receiving communications from a plurality of virtual talk groups. Each virtual talk group comprises a plurality of endpoints of different communication networks. The method includes receiving from a first mobile endpoint of a first virtual talk group of the plurality of virtual talk groups a first communication. The first communication comprises a first media message and location information identifying a location of the first mobile endpoint. The method includes presenting to a user the first media message from the first mobile endpoint and the location of the first mobile endpoint.

Abstract: A technique manages paths taken by probe packets sent from a source to a target of a computer network. The novel path management technique enables each probe packet i) to be transferred onto a path of the computer network via a specific exit at the source, ii) to be returned to the source, and iii) to follow a path that closely matches the path followed by user data through the network. Specifically, one or more alternate routing tables are used by the source to select specific exits for the probe packets. Additionally, the source address of the probe packet is configured as a public address (i.e., reachable and used by actual user data traffic) to ensure that the packet is returned to the originating source and follows a path through the computer network that closely matches the path followed by user data traffic.