Abstract: An apparatus in one example has: at least a first network of a first predetermined type and at least a second network of a predetermined type; at least one mobile terminal movable between the first and second networks; at least one gateway operatively coupled to each of the first and second networks; and at least one message that communicates via the gateway at least feature data of the mobile terminal from one of the first and second networks to the other of the first and second networks.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for delivering a call request to a mobile unit. A call request is received for a dual mode mobile unit that is able to access a plurality of communication networks utilizing a plurality of communication protocols. The call request is routed to a call delivery application server, which determines which of the communication networks to deliver the call request. The call request is sent to the determined communication network.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for establishing a multi-user call in a communication system. The communication system receives a call request to establish a group call with a shared group of users. The communication system determines which of the plurality of individual users should be excluded from the call and connects each of the group of included users to establish a multi-user call. The communication system preferably indicates that a unit was not currently available, for example by playing a prerecorded message, playing a tone and also preferably indicates why a unit was not available.

Abstract: In a telecommunications system (100), a method and apparatus for priority queuing of callers requesting an opportunity to speak during a push-to-talk call is disclosed. The method includes defining a group for a call in response to a user input (210, 410), assigning a priority level designation to the at least one participant (220, 420), and granting access to transmit speech in a push-to-talk call based on the priority level (270, 280, 290, 300). The apparatus includes a first server (150) and a second server (140) communicatively coupled to the first server. The second server is programmed to implement the steps given above.

Abstract: In a telecommunications system (100), a method and apparatus for buffering the initial speech of an initial speaker in a push-to-talk call is disclosed. The method includes the steps of determining at least one participant or group to call (410, 510), sending a call request to the at least one participant or group (520), determining if the at least one participant or group is registered with the telecommunications system, notifying the initial speaker to begin speaking after determining at least one participant is registered with the telecommunications system but prior to connecting all called parties, receiving and digitizing voice packets from the initial speaker, storing the digitized data packets in a storage medium and transmitting the digitized voice packets when a predetermined packet transmission triggering event occurs.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for establishing connections among members of telecommunications connections among members of a group of users. The group is identified in a setup request and a database is used to translate between the identity of the group and the identity of the members of the group. Connections are then established between a media duplicator and the individual members of the group. The media duplicator receives signals from all members of the group, combines them according to an appropriate algorithm, and transmits the combined signal to all members of the group. Advantageously, this arrangement allows frequently used group conferences to be established with a minimum of effort by the conferees.