Abstract: Systems and methods for button-independent dispatch communications are provided. A dispatch station monitors a microphone input to determine whether it provides voice information. When the input provides voice information, the dispatch station then determines whether the floor of the dispatch communication is open. When the floor is open, the dispatch station seizes the floor and transmits the voice information. When the floor is not open, the dispatch station can store the voice information and transmit it once the dispatch station is able to seize the floor.

Abstract: Systems and methods for allocating traffic and associated control channels are provided. A downlink traffic control message can include an identification of a downlink traffic channel and an identification of an associated uplink control channel. An uplink traffic control message can include an identification of an uplink traffic channel and an identification of an associated downlink control channel in a frame subsequent to the frame of the uplink traffic channel. The associated control channels can be a feedback channel, which can provide power control information, retransmission request information, channel quality indication information and/or the like.

Abstract: A system and method of transmitting multimedia data related to an event to the wireless communication units of the event attendees. The multimedia data may be broadcasted on a plurality of channels. For example, multimedia data generated from different cameras across the event venue may be placed on multiple channels. Attendees using mobile communication units may tune to any channel in order to view the event performances from the perspective of the selected camera. Also disclosed is a method of provisioning a mobile communication unit for receiving wireless communication services at an event. In this regard, a user purchases or rents a mobile communication unit containing a unique identifier residing in a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag. The user also purchases for receiving wireless communication services for a particular event. A provisioning device at the event venue reads the identifier from the RFID tag to provision the mobile communication unit for receiving wireless communication services.

Abstract: A frequency reuse scheme that provides high spectral efficiency and reduced interference in areas where cell sites overlap is provided. Three frequencies are allocated per cell site, with each sector employing two frequencies, one frequency being transmitted at a higher power and the second frequency being transmitted at a lower power. The higher power frequency in one sector differs from the higher power frequency employed in the other two sectors, and the lower power frequency used in one sector differs from the lower power frequency used in the other two sectors.

Abstract: A system and method for determining the location of a base transceiver station (BTS) are provided. A personal BTS can determine its location using information transmitted by neighboring BTSs or from mobile station transmissions to neighboring BTSs. If the personal BTS cannot determine its location using information from neighboring BTSs or from mobile station transmissions, the personal BTS can contact a cellular network operator to request that a technician come out to verify the location.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring dispatch communications are provided. A console receives signaling and/or media streams for two or more dispatch talk groups. The console alternatively outputs the two or more media streams. In response to a suspension command, the console will continue to output the current media stream, until a suspension cancel command has been received. The console will skip to a next media stream, out of a group of media streams, in response to receipt of a next media stream command.

Abstract: A method and computer-readable medium for performing predictive name completion, categorizing call lists and accessing dispatch ID numbers in a database for dispatch dialers is provided. The method for performing predictive name completion includes recognizing a portion of a dispatch ID input by a user; determining a name associated with a dispatch ID, based on the portion of the dispatch ID input by the user, and displaying the name. The method for categorizing call lists includes determining a type of each of a plurality of the dispatch calls; and placing each of the plurality of dispatch calls in one of a plurality of categorized lists, based on the type of each of the plurality of dispatch calls. The method for accessing dispatch ID numbers in a database includes establishing a mirror database including the dispatch ID numbers; and searching the mirror database for particular dispatch ID numbers.

Abstract: A method and system for private wireless network communications is provided. A private wireless network controller is coupled to a Private Branch Exchange (PBX), a private base transceiver station, and a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). The private base transceiver station is coupled to a wireless macro network. The private wireless network controller and private base transceiver station allow connection of interconnect and dispatch wireless calls, which originate on the private wireless network, to other mobile stations on the private wireless network, to terminals connected to the PBX, to mobile stations on wireless macro networks, and to terminals coupled to the PSTN.

Abstract: Systems and methods of supporting groups that include non-communication address objects are provided. The non-communication address objects can be, for example, items on a shopping list or items on a task list. An application server can receive an unstructured list of non-communication address objects and generate a structured list. The application server sends a request to a group server to create a group that includes non-communication address objects. The group server generates a globally unique group identification and then distributes the globally unique group identification to members of the group.

Abstract: A method and system for conducting a dispatch multi-party communication session is disclosed. In accordance with an embodiment of a method of the present invention, the method includes establishing a dispatch multi-party communication session in a dispatch network, conducting a first portion of the session in a broadcast mode, and conducting a second portion of the session in an open mode. In accordance with an embodiment of a system of the present invention, the system includes the dispatch network wherein the network establishes a dispatch multi-party communication session and wherein the network conducts the first portion of the session in the broadcast mode and the second portion of the session in the open mode.

Abstract: Systems and methods for supporting group communications are provided. A group list management server (GLMS) stores communications group definitions in documents, such as extensible mark-up language (XML) documents. The communications group can include communication addresses for different types of communication applications, including electronic mail, voice telephone, data, instant messaging, voice dispatch, short messaging service (SMS), and multimedia service (MMS). Various methods for managing communications groups and features provided for communications groups are provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods for prepaid dispatch communications are provided. The system includes a dispatch prepaid server that monitors an amount of prepaid services purchased for a dispatch station. The dispatch prepaid server provides provisioning information to a location register related to dispatch prepaid services. The location register provides an identification of the dispatch prepaid server to a dispatch processor. The dispatch processor monitors the duration of a call for the dispatch station and provides call duration information to the dispatch prepaid server.

Abstract: Systems and methods for communications between networks that support dispatch communication services are provided. A server is coupled to at least two networks that provide dispatch communications, one of which employs an inactivity timer. When the server determines that the inactivity timer for a dispatch call is about to expire due to, for example, no bearer packets being transmitted, the server will request the floor of the call. The server will then transmit bearer packets for a predetermined amount of time, and then release the floor.

Abstract: A cellular communications network architecture is disclosed. The architecture includes a mobile switching office, a first base transceiver station in communication with the mobile switching office via a first communications link, and a second base transceiver station in communication with the mobile switching office via a second communications link. A first optical switch is in communication with the first base transceiver station via a third communications link and a second optical switch is in communication with the second base transceiver station via a fourth communications link. A fiber optic communications link couples the first optical switch with the second optical switch. The first optical switch is physically located separate from the first base transceiver station and the second optical switch is physically located separate from the second base transceiver station.

Abstract: A method and computer-readable medium for displaying group call status information and participant status information for a group call are provided. Users participating in a dispatch group session (call) are provided with details about the group itself (group status) and the users participating in the group (participant status). When changes are made to the group call, the group call status information and the participant status information may be updated and displayed in real time.

Abstract: A system and method for handoff are provided. A mobile station performs a make-before-break handoff of a control channel between a serving and target base station and a break-before-make handoff of a traffic channel between the serving and target base stations. The traffic channel handoff is performed after the control channel handoff has completed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for creating temporary dispatch talk groups are provided. A console receives a request to create a temporary dispatch talk group. The temporary dispatch talk group includes at least two existing talk groups. The console accesses a group database in a publicly-accessible wireless network. The temporary dispatch talk group is created in the group database, along with an identification of the lifetime of the temporary dispatch talk group. A temporary dispatch talk group identifier is provided to at least one member of the temporary dispatch talk group. A talk group call for the temporary dispatch talk group can then be initiated using the temporary dispatch talk group identifier.

Abstract: An inter-working network facilitating PTT communications among roaming subscribers spanning a plurality of disparate dispatch networks includes a signaling controller, a media gateway, a system for facilitating the monetization of inter-carrier dispatch communications and a group management server. The signaling controller and media gateway generate dispatch call records for dispatch sessions facilitated through the inter-working network. The system includes a billing accumulator and a settlement entity. The billing accumulator is interfaced with the inter-working network and includes logic to receive and store the dispatch call data records from the inter-working architecture. The settlement entity is interfaced with the billing accumulator, and includes settlement logic for converting each stored dispatch call data record to a billing record for each of at least two of the dispatch networks. The group management server is interfaced with group management servers in each of the dispatch networks.

Abstract: A communication module capable of simultaneously providing communication and positioning information is provided. The communication module includes a processor with an integrated positioning receiver. The processor transmits and receives communication information, such as interconnect voice, dispatch voice, or data, using a first transceiver. The integrated positioning receiver is coupled to a second transceiver to transmit positioning information.

Abstract: A system and method for translating dispatch communications between networks which operate according to different dispatch communication formats are provided. A communication system includes a dispatch translation network that translates dispatch communications between different dispatch communication networks. The dispatch translation network includes two or more dispatch translation gateways coupled to dispatch communication networks, the dispatch translation gateways perform signaling protocol and media translation for dispatch communications between the dispatch communication networks.