Abstract: A digital network based communications system that establishes communications sessions to communicate via a simulated circuit-switch environment. Exemplary embodiments communicate between a first communications station (104) and a second communications station (106) using Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) techniques. Calls are setup (700), maintained and torn down (800) using Session Initiation Protocol and Session Description Protocol messages. Call modes are able to be changed between duplex and simplex without disconnection. Duplex calls are also able to be interrupted with a request for a simplex call. A receiver (104) engaged in a duplex call can receive a request for a simplex call, accept the simplex call or send a response message, and then resume the duplex call, all while maintaining the duplex call data communications session.

Abstract: A method is provided for authenticating a wireless device with a fixed station. A first authentication request is received from the wireless device when the wireless device detects that the fixed station is in close proximity, and a second authentication request is received from the fixed station when the fixed station detects that the wireless device is in close proximity. The first authentication request includes a first unique identifier for identifying the wireless device and a second unique identifier for identifying the fixed station, and the second authentication request includes the second unique identifier.

Abstract: A method (50) of arbitrating the selection of engines between a local engine (24 or 124) and a network-based engine (36 or 136) in a mobile communication network for voice recognition or text conversion can include the step of determining at least one factor among an available bandwidth on a given channel (90), a signal quality on the given channel (94), a latency indication (58), a desired application need (62, 66, or 70), a cost factor (92), a background environment indication (84), and a number of unsuccessful attempts on the given channel and the step of automatically selecting (74) one among the local engine and the network-based engine based upon the at least one factor determined when performing at least one among voice recognition and text conversion.

Abstract: A system and method of retrieving dispatch call information from a dedicated database by using interconnect call information. Interconnect call information from an interconnect communication system is obtained. The information identifies a target dispatch subscriber unit in a dispatch communication system. A request is received from a source dispatch subscriber unit. The request includes the interconnect call information. The interconnect call information identifying the target dispatch subscriber unit is extracted from the request. The interconnect call information of the target dispatch subscriber is related to unique dispatch call connection information of the target dispatch subscriber in a dedicated database. The unique dispatch call connection information concerning the target dispatch subscriber unit from the dedicated database in the dispatch communication system is retrieved using the extracted interconnect call information from the request.

Abstract: An electronic device such as a radio communication device (900) includes a modality manager (112) which can select input and/or output modalities (102-110) based on available bandwidth and associated cost savings to the end user. The modality manager (112) adaptively selects the modality and also can keep track of changes in operating conditions and make changes to the current modality based on the changing conditions. By having a modality manager (112) the end user is not burdened with making determinations as to which one or more modalities (102-110) are best used in a given situation.

Abstract: A method of operating a wireless communication system (101) including initiating (S402) a call from a first communications unit (120) to a second communications unit (130), embedding (S404) a push-to-listen control protocol configuration in a data packet (140) responsive to the call initiation, transmitting (S406) the data packet (140) from the first communications unit (120) to the second communications unit (130), configuring (S412) the second communications unit (130) based on the push-to-listen control protocol configuration and transmitting (S418) an automatic reconnect from the second communications unit (130) to the first communications unit (120) responsive to configuration of the second communications unit (130).

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for transmitting non-voice data over a dispatch voice channel of a wireless network. A request is received from a user of a first wireless device to transfer non-voice data, and a private call request is transmitted to the wireless network. The private call request includes information indicating image transfer over dispatch voice channel mode. A call grant message is received from the wireless network and indicates a first dispatch voice channel that has been allocated to the first wireless device. The non-voice data is transmitted from the first wireless device to the second wireless device via the first dispatch voice channel. Also provided are systems and methods for temporarily interrupting the transmission of non-voice data via a dispatch voice channel so as to transmit voice data via the dispatch voice channel.

Abstract: A mobile communication device capable of engaging in dispatch calling receives an initial dispatch call burst (404). The initial dispatch call burst is buffered (410) in a buffer memory (208) of the mobile communication device, and an alert (410) is given to the user of the mobile communication device. When the user accepts the dispatch call (412), the mobile communication device plays (414) the buffered initial dispatch call burst over an earpiece (214) or speaker of the mobile communication device. The mobile communication device therefore permits dispatch cal operation in mobile communication devices without a loudspeaker, as well as with those that are equipped with a loudspeaker, but operated in a quiet mode.

Abstract: A system, method and computer readable medium for facilitating call setup on a wireless device is disclosed. The method on a push-to-talk wireless device includes receiving a talk request from a user of the wireless device. The method further includes receiving and storing audio in memory. The method further includes initiating a connection setup procedure with a wireless network and receiving a message from the wireless network indicating establishment of a connection. The method further includes transmitting to the wireless network the audio stored in the memory of the wireless device, wherein the step of receiving audio from the user occurs before the step of receiving a message from the wireless network.

Abstract: A user who desires to establish a temporary talk group first requests a temporary group identifier, then the user specifies the talk group membership and a validity period. The temporary talk group can be set up using a mobile communication device, or by use of a computer which connects with a service provider's server over the Internet.