Abstract: A wireless communication system 200 comprises a connectionless packet network 201 coupled to a plurality of sites 203-208 that are in location areas 260, 261. The sites join respective location area multicast addresses to receive messages from other sites in their location area. Communication units desiring to participate in talkgroup calls need only to register affiliation with a first site of the location area. Upon the first site receiving an affiliation message, it joins a payload multicast group address to receive payload for the talkgroup. In alternative embodiments, the first site sends, via the location area multicast address, either control message(s) or tunneled payload associated with the talkgroup call to secondary site(s) of the location area.

Abstract: A common services and applications agent (10) handles a number of input sources of voice and data information (11-16). These sources of voice and data information are converted (20) to session initiation protocol. The session initiation protocol for the voice and data information is provided to the communication network (40).

Abstract: A user terminal (10) initiates an internet protocol using session initiation protocol to interconnect a number of user terminals (11-13) in a conference call. Signaling connections (41, 42, and 43) are established between one user terminal and each of the plurality of user terminals. Common bearer formats are negotiated among the plurality of user terminals (113). If a common bearer format exists (115), the conference bridge is established for data (voice) transmission (127).

Abstract: A user terminal (10) using an internet protocol using session initiation protocol to interconnect a number of user terminals (11-13) in a conference call. A conference bridge (30) or user terminal (10) detects speech of one of the user terminals (203). A “babble ” timer is started (207). The speaker is allowed to continuously speak until silence is detected (217) or until the “babble” timer timers out (211).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for utilizing a distributed location register (20 or 22) within a wireless communication system (10) is accomplished by a distributed location register which receives a request for updating communication parameters of a particular communication entity, which may be a communication device, group of communication devices, or grouping of groups of communication devices, or for retrieval of communication parameters of the particular communication entity. To process the request, the distributed location register (20 or 22) interprets it to identify one of a plurality of communication service registers (28-32, 102-112, or 136-140) which stores the communication entity's communication parameters. Having identified a particular communication service register, the communication service register receives, and subsequently processes, the request to retrieve the communication parameters of interest and/or update the communication parameters of interest.

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 utilizing a distributed location register (20 or 22) within a wireless communication system (10) is accomplished by a distributed location register which receives a request for updating communication parameters of a particular communication entity, which may be a communication device, group of communication devices, or grouping of groups of communication devices, or for retrieval of communication parameters of the particular communication entity. To process the request, the distributed location register (20 or 22) interprets it to identify one of a plurality of communication service registers (28-32, 102-112, or 136-140) which stores the communication entity's communication parameters. Having identified a particular communication service register, the communication service register receives, and subsequently processes, the request to retrieve the communication parameters of interest and/or update the communication parameters of interest.

Abstract: A mobility processor (34) provides location update parameters to a subscriber unit (SU1-4). The location update parameters indicate conditions upon which the subscriber unit is to provide its location information to the mobility processor. From the location information, the mobility processor determines whether the subscriber unit has provided the location information in a manner that is consistent with the location update parameters. If the mobility processor determines that the subscriber unit did not provide the location information in a manner that is consistent with the location update parameters, the mobility processor generates a new set of location update parameters which are provided to the subscriber unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring a subscriber unit's use of a talk-around mode is accomplished when detection of a subscriber unit's selection, and subsequent deselection, of the talk-around mode occurs. Indications of the selection, and subsequent deselection, of the talk-around mode are provided to a monitoring entity (16). The monitoring entity (16) determines the subscriber unit's usage of the talk-around mode based on the indications. From the usage of the talk-around mode, an appropriate fee for such service can be obtained. Alternatively, the monitoring entity may be provided with usage information, which is used to establish the appropriate fee.

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 method and apparatus of linking communication systems of different types. Call requests are directed from a sourcing communication unit in a first communication system (101) to a gateway (114), which translates identity and call type information from the first system to at least one other system (113). Next, the gateway requests radio frequency (RF) resources from each system to support the call. After sufficient RF resources have been received, and prior to the sourcing communication unit starting a call, the gateway (114) issues call start information to each of the communication systems (101, 113). Then, the gateway (114) is operable to receive and translate a message payload from the sourcing communication unit and distribute the translated message payload to communication units in the at least one other system.

Abstract: A local resource controller (409) from among a plurality of local resource controllers, receives a service request sourced by a communication unit (411). The local resource controller (409) selects (503) any one of at least two service controllers (301, 303, 305) where the service request is to be routed. The service request is routed to the first service controller (505) via a network (307), which is coupled to the service controllers (301, 303, 305) and the plurality of local resource controllers (409).

Abstract: In a radio frequency communication system (100), infrastructure transceivers operate in a configuration mode (301-306) and an active mode (307). When in the configuration mode, a given infrastructure transceiver (106-109) derives information regarding RF operating circumstances proximal to the infrastructure transceiver. The information regarding the RF operating circumstances, information regarding the infrastructure transceiver itself, and optionally information regarding present location of the infrastructure transceiver, is transmitted to a communication system configuration server (105). In response, information regarding operation of the infrastructure transceiver is received by the infrastructure transceiver. When in the given infrastructure transceiver is in the active mode, the information regarding operation of the infrastructure transceiver is used to support communications in the RF communication system.

Abstract: A method of dynamically establishing real-time communication of incoming messages to one or more user devices presently available to an intended recipient. This is accomplished by intelligently coupling a central agent to a plurality of communication networks. The central agent, in response to a detected incoming message, identifies (i) a message recipient for whom the incoming message is destined, (ii) the known user devices associated with that recipient, and (iii) the networks servicing the identified user devices. The agent then polls all identified networks to determine which have user devices available right now and selects one or more of those to receive a message. The incoming message is then modified and transformed, in accordance with predetermined action rules, before transmitting the incoming message, in whole or in part, to the available user devices.

Abstract: In a radio frequency communication system (100), infrastructure transceivers operate in a configuration mode (301-306) and an active mode (307). When in the configuration mode, a given infrastructure transceiver (106-109) derives information regarding RF operating circumstances proximal to the infrastructure transceiver. The information regarding the RF operating circumstances, information regarding the infrastructure transceiver itself, and optionally information regarding present location of the infrastructure transceiver, is transmitted to a communication system configuration server (105). In response, information regarding operation of the infrastructure transceiver is received by the infrastructure transceiver. When in the given infrastructure transceiver is in the active mode, the information regarding operation of the infrastructure transceiver is used to support communications in the RF communication system.

Abstract: A radio communication system (100, 200) employs a method of providing communication services to a communication unit (104, 105) having a plurality of service requirements. The radio communication system (100, 200) further includes a plurality of service providers (101-103) for which the communication unit catalogues (506, 512) service attributes as part of the inventive method. Further, for each of the service requirements, the communication unit (104, 105) selects (514) one of the plurality of service providers (101-103) to facilitate that service requirement.

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: 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.