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 permits an originating PTT subscriber to be able to elect to transmit a voice message that will be stored by the PTT system for a later delivery to the designated recipient. A communication application server receives the voice message via packets and upon recognizing a predetermined code stores the voice message for later delivery to the designated recipient. The server then transmits a status update message to the mobile terminals of the originating subscriber and the designated recipient causing the respective status of each to be modified with indicia indicating that a voice message from the originating subscriber awaits delivery to the designated recipient. Upon the election of the designated recipient, the stored voice message from the originating subscriber is requested to be played.

Abstract: A push-to-talk (PTT) communication system provides a destination subscriber (called party) with a flexible incoming call management feature in which an initial voice message associated with the initial PTT incoming call to the called party is temporarily stored at the communication application server and is not transmitted to the called party's mobile terminal. The called party is informed of an incoming call by an alert message from the communication application server causing the called party's mobile terminal to provide an alert. The called party may elect one of several options upon being alerted of an incoming call including transmitting a signal requesting the voice message be played.

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: 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: Coupling together two or more communication systems that use different signaling protocols requires a protocol converter. A protocol converter is provided that includes interfaces to communications systems to be coupled together mimics the operation of the communications systems each interface is coupled to providing a seamless coupling between the systems.