Abstract: Method and system for controlling a plurality of communication devices. One system includes a server for a communication system in which each of a plurality of communication devices is affiliated with at least one talk group among a plurality of talk groups. The server includes an electronic processor configured to determine whether each communication device of the plurality of communication devices is in a connected state. The electronic processor is further configured to determine that at least one talk group does not include any communication devices affiliated with the at least one talk group that are in the connected state. The electronic processor is further configured to place at least one communication device affiliated with the at least one talk group in an artificially-connected state based on at least one characteristic of the communication devices affiliated with the at least one talk group.

Abstract: Method and system for controlling a plurality of communication devices. One system includes a server for a communication system in which each of a plurality of communication devices is affiliated with at least one talk group among a plurality of talk groups. The server includes an electronic processor configured to determine whether each communication device of the plurality of communication devices is in a connected state. The electronic processor is further configured to determine that at least one talk group does not include any communication devices affiliated with the at least one talk group that are in the connected state. The electronic processor is further configured to place at least one communication device affiliated with the at least one talk group in an artificially-connected state based on at least one characteristic of the communication devices affiliated with the at least one talk group.

Abstract: A method for providing presence notification for PTT chat group communications includes a server receiving, from a communication device of a member of a chat group, a session initiation message to start a session for the PTT chat group. The session initiation message includes a member-selected priority. The server generates an event notification message that includes an indication that the chat group is active and has been assigned a priority, and sends the event notification message to communication devices of at least some of the other chat group members. Additionally, where a group priority has been assigned to the chat group, the group priority is assigned to the session. Otherwise, the member-selected priority is assigned to the session.

Abstract: A method for providing presence notification for PTT chat group communications includes a server receiving, from a communication device of a member of a chat group, a session initiation message to start a session for the PTT chat group. The session initiation message includes a member-selected priority. The server generates an event notification message that includes an indication that the chat group is active and has been assigned a priority, and sends the event notification message to communication devices of at least some of the other chat group members. Additionally, where a group priority has been assigned to the chat group, the group priority is assigned to the session. Otherwise, the member-selected priority is assigned to the session.

Abstract: The present invention addresses the need for an apparatus and method of determining the reliability of a first signal (e.g., 116) received by a given base site (e.g., 126) without requiring the reception of additional signals (e.g., 110 and 112) by the given base site (126). The present invention provides both a method and apparatus in which another base site (e.g., 122) receives the additional signals (110 and 112) required to determine the reliability of the first signal (116). Upon determining that the first signal (116) is unreliable, the other base site (122) notifies the given base site (126) that the first signal (116) is unreliable.