Abstract: A first communication device (18-22) provides a request for the establishment of a group communication to a communication infrastructure (12-14). The request includes a subject matter identifier and may further include a limitation identifier. Based on the subject matter identifier, and the limitation identifier, the communication infrastructure identifies at least one communication device. Having identified the at least one communication device, the communication infrastructure provides a response to the first communication device. The response identifies the at least one communication device and requests feedback as to whether the first communication device desires to establish the group communication with the identified at least one communication device. The first communication device then provides feedback to the communication infrastructure indicating how the group communication should be processed. Based on this feedback, the communication infrastructure processes the group communication.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring and processing environmental conditions within a wireless communication system is accomplished when a subscriber (22), or group of subscribers, sense an environmental condition or conditions. Upon sensing the particular environmental condition (28) or conditions, the subscriber (or communication device) provides the information about the sensed environmental condition to infrastructure equipment over the wireless communication path. Once the infrastructure equipment receives the information about the sensed environmental condition, it processes it. The processing includes storing the information, averaging the information, predicting future environmental conditions, generating warning signals based on the levels of the environmental condition, and providing feedback to an individual communication device or a group of communication devices.

Abstract: A template instruction is sent to a communication unit (101), either by a supervisor communication unit (112) or a communication resource controller (108). The template instruction includes a template (205), an enforcement level indication (206), and a supervisor communication unit address (207). The communication unit configures itself to operate in a first mode of operation specified by the template, and attempts to operate the communication unit in a second mode of operation that conflicts with the first mode of operation are detected. Based on the enforcement level specified, a predetermined course of action is effected by the communication unit.

Abstract: Communication services can be controlled within geographic areas (126) by a communication resource controller (101). This occurs, when the communication resource controller (101) receives the location of a particular communication unit (102, 103) and a particular service request. Having this information, the communication resource controller (101) accesses a database (124) and determines whether that particular service request is restricted in the area that the unit is located. If the service is restricted in that area, the communication unit's (102, 103) request is denied.

Abstract: In a radio communication system, a method of establishing access to a secondary communication resource includes the steps of identifying a need for such a resource, and requesting access to that resource while still engaged in a first communication. In particular, a first communication unit, being presently engaged in a first communication on a primary communication resource, allows the user to identify a present need for a secondary communication resource for the secondary communication resource. The communication unit is further made capable of requesting, during the first communication, access to the secondary communication resource.

Abstract: Geographic relationship between communication units (102, 103) within a communication system (100) can be achieved when a first communication unit transmits its location information. Upon receiving this location information, a second communication unit determines its location information. Having this information, the second communication unit then determines a geographic relationship between the two units and subsequently displays this information both visually and audibly.

Abstract: Geographic information may be automatically transmitted to communication units (102, 103) by a communication resource controller (101). The communication resource controller (101) upon receiving location coordinates, accesses a data base (124) to determine localized geographic dependent information. Having retrieved this information, the communication resource controller (101) transmits this information to the communication units (102, 103). Upon receipt of this information, the communication units (102, 103) determine whether it is pertinent to them. If the information is pertinent, the communication units (102, 103) display the information.

Abstract: Within a communication system (100), a communication can be switched from a system mode of operation to a direct mode of operation when the distance relationship between the units (102, 103) involved in the communication is obtained. Having obtained the distance relationship between the units (102, 103), that distance is compared with a predetermined threshold. When the distance relationship is favorable with respect to the threshold, the communication is transferred to a direct mode of operation. If however the distance relationship is unfavorable to the threshold, the communication stays on the system communication resource.

Abstract: Information regarding available services from a RF communication system (101) is transmitted by the RF communication system on an RF communication resource(109). The information is received by at least one communication unit (108). The at least one communication unit (108) determines, from the information, the available services. The at least one communication unit (108) displays an indication of the available services on a display (206) for a user.

Abstract: Alternate communication services may be provided in a communication system 100 based on the geographic location of a target communication unit. When a service request, which identifies the target communication unit and a particular service, is received by a communication resource controller (101), the communication resource controller (101) ascertains the location of a target communication unit and determines whether the target unit is located within a predefined area. If the target unit (102, 103) is located within the predefined area, the communication resource controller (101) determines whether the particular service requested is prohibited in the predefined area. If the service is prohibited, an alternate service is made available to the initiating communication unit.

Abstract: In a TDM wireless communication system (100), a central controller (104) monitors the transfer of a message (108) in order to determine a system grade of service. Based on the system grade of service, the central controller dynamically allocates a lesser or greater number of wireless communication resources (105). Alternatively, a communication unit (101) can directly request additional wireless communication resources.

Abstract: A communication unit's estimated time of arrival at a target site may be determined when the location and velocity of the units has been ascertained. From this information (119), along with terrain information, an estimated time of arrival at a target site may be calculated. Having calculated the estimated time of arrival, this information is then transported to the communication units (102, 103) which is subsequently displayed to their operators.

Abstract: A source communication unit (101) transmits a voice message to a target communication unit (103) via a first wireless communication resource. In a first embodiment, the target communication unit transmits a caller data request regarding the source communication unit to a central controller (106) via a second wireless communication resource. The central controller determines and interleaves the caller data, via a third wireless communication resource, with the voice message or with a subsequent voice message. In a second embodiment, the caller data request is sent directly to the source communication unit. The source communication unit includes the caller data with a subsequent voice message transmission to the target communication unit.

Abstract: Communications may be established based on geographic location when a communication resource controller (101) transmits a communication message (119), which includes a message ID (120) a communication payload (121), and a set of geographic coordinates to a plurality of communication units (102, 103). Each of communication units (102, 103) upon receiving the communication message (119), compares its identification code (123) with the message ID (120). If a match occurs, the communication unit (102, 103) then determines its geographic location. Having obtained the geographic location, the unit determines whether its present location is within the area defined by the set of geographic coordinates and, if so, adjust its receiver to receive the communication payload (121).

Abstract: Communications may be established based on geographic location when a communication resource controller (101) transmits a communication message (119), which includes a message ID (120) and a communication payload (121), to a plurality of communication units (102, 103). Each of communication units (102, 103) upon receiving the communication message (119), compares its identification code (122) with the message ID (120). If a match occurs, the communication unit (102, 103) then determines its geographic location. Having obtained the geographic location, the unit then does a table look-up to determine, based on the message ID code, a geographic communication area (126). Having obtained this information, the unit then determines whether its present location is within the geographic communication area and if so, adjust its receiver to receive the communication payload (121).

Abstract: While participating in a group call on a first wireless communication resource 114, senior members 104-107 of a communication group 108 can initiate a semi-private call. A central controller 110 allocates a second wireless communication resource 115 for the semi-private call. Furthermore, executive members 106-107 can initiate an executive call to be established on a third wireless communication resource 116. Executive members can participate in the executive call, the semi-private call, and the group call, whereas senior members can participate in the semi-private call and the group call. Junior members 101-103, normally allowed to participate only in the group call, can be selected by senior members to temporarily participate in the group call and the semi-private call.

Abstract: A first communication unit (101) transmits, to a central controller (105), a request for a group call. The central controller allocates a first inbound (11), a second inbound (12), and an outbound (O.sub.1) wireless communication resource for use in the group call. At the central controller, primary voice signals from the first communication unit, received via the first inbound wireless communication resource, are summed (109) with interrupt voice signals from a second communication unit (102), received via the second inbound wireless communication resource, to produce summed voice signals. The summed voice signals and a busy signal (108) are transmitted via the outbound wireless communication resource, thereby allowing the second communication unit to interrupt the group call. Additionally, the central controller can allocate a third inbound communication resource (13) for use with priority interrupt voice signals which can also be summed with the primary and interrupt voice signals.

Abstract: A communication unit is improved to comprise a volume/mode selection switch, mode detector, volume level setting detector, and a processor. The mode detector and the volume level setting detector monitor the volume/mode selection switch to determine, respectively, the selected mode of operation and the volume level setting. The processor, which is operably coupled to the mode detector and the volume level setting detector, processes the mode of operation and the volume level setting based on the mode of operation selected.