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 method for joining a virtual talk group includes facilitating communications of a virtual talk group. The virtual talk group includes a plurality of endpoints of different communication networks. The method also includes recording the communications of the plurality of endpoints of the virtual talk group. The method also includes adding a first endpoint to the virtual talk group and presenting the first endpoint with the recorded communications of the plurality of endpoints of the virtual talk group.

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: In one particular embodiment, surveillance information is determined from a surveillance system. The surveillance information provides information on an event being monitored by the surveillance system. It is determined if a virtual talk group should be created for the event. If so, the virtual talk group is created such that a plurality of users in the virtual talk group can communicate with each other in the virtual talk group.

Abstract: A method for providing information about a push-to-talk communication session includes facilitating a push-to-talk communication session among a plurality of endpoints and receiving from a first endpoint of the plurality of endpoints a request for floor control comprising a request to transmit communications in the communication session. The method includes, in response to receiving the request for floor control, providing to the first endpoint a signal communication indicating a status message and that the first endpoint has been granted floor control in the push-to-talk communication session.

Abstract: A method for joining a virtual talk group includes facilitating communications of a virtual talk group. The virtual talk group includes a plurality of endpoints of different communication networks. The method also includes recording the communications of the plurality of endpoints of the virtual talk group. The method also includes adding a first endpoint to the virtual talk group and presenting the first endpoint with the recorded communications of the plurality of endpoints of the virtual talk group.

Abstract: A method for managing a plurality of virtual talk groups includes forming a first virtual talk group associated with a first endpoint. The first virtual talk group includes the first endpoint and a second endpoint. The second endpoint is associated with a first function. The method also includes facilitating communications between the endpoints of the first virtual talk group. The method also includes, upon a change in a function of the first endpoint from the first function to a second function, receiving a request to add a third endpoint to the first virtual talk group. The third endpoint is associated with the second function. The method also includes adding the third endpoint to the first virtual talk group and removing the second endpoint from the first virtual talk group after the third endpoint has been added to the first virtual talk group for a first amount of time.

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: Providing announcements for communication sessions includes facilitating the communication sessions among endpoints comprising a half-duplex push-to-talk endpoint. It is established that a trigger event has occurred at the half-duplex push-to-talk endpoint, where the trigger event indicates an activity status of the half-duplex push-to-talk endpoint. One or more announcements associated with the trigger event are identified. The one or more announcements are provided to at least a subset of the endpoints.

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 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 method for providing a push-to-talk communication session using a control endpoint 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 a control endpoint separate from the full duplex endpoint, 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 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 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 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 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 communicating using position information includes communicating on a first communication network at a first location using one or more first communication parameters of the first communication network and, upon moving from the first location to a second location, receiving position information identifying the second location. The method includes adjusting the one or more first communication parameters to one or more second communication parameters based on the second location and communicating on a second communication network at the second location using the one or more second communication parameters.