Abstract: Methods and apparatus for efficient data distribution to a group of users. In an aspect, a method is provided for distributing information. The method includes detecting one or more requests for the information, determining whether the information is to be broadcast, and transmitting the information in a broadcast transmission based on the determination. In another aspect, an apparatus is provided for distributing information. The apparatus includes a detector configured to detect one or more requests for the information, a determination module configured to determine whether the information is to be broadcast, and a transmitter configured to transmit the information in a broadcast transmission based on the determination.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing secure end-to-end communications over a wireless network. Audio transmissions are encrypted at the sending wireless device before being transmitted over the wireless network. Encrypted audio messages received from the wireless network are decrypted at the receiving wireless device, and then played to a user. The encryption and decryption are performed by a memory resident applet at the wireless device, and the user may selectively download a newer version of an applet with a different encryption algorithm from a server.

Abstract: A system and method for minimizing latency for direct group communications, such as push-to-talk (PTT) calls, among a group of wireless telecommunication devices on a wireless telecommunication network. The wireless telecommunication device has a dormant state without an open dedicated traffic channel for communications therefrom and an active state in which the wireless devices opens a dedicated traffic channel for an outgoing communication from the wireless telecommunication device, to include a direct communication stream. Either the wireless telecommunication device or an intermittent communication server for group communication streams can buffer the initial communication data of a group communication stream while the sending and/or receiving wireless telecommunication device changes from a dormant state to an active state with an open dedicated traffic channel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing transmission overhead in a wireless communication system. In one embodiment, the apparatus is directed to a communication device comprising a processor for transmitting a data origination message, the data origination message initiating a data communication with a receiving station. Information needed to construct datagrams are also transmitted by the apparatus to the receiving station. The receiving station receives the data origination message and the information needed to construct datagrams and configures a packet data generator for sending datagrams to a destination device. Data network header information is constructed from information provided by the information needed to construct datagrams.

Abstract: A methods and apparatus for providing privacy of user identity and characteristics in a communication system. A public key and a private key is generated, corresponding to a transceiver. The public key is transmitted to a wireless communication device. The wireless communication device encrypts one or more an initial messages using the public key and transmits the one or more encrypted initial messages to the transceiver. The transceiver receives the one or more encrypted initial messages and decrypts it using the private key. The transceiver may then allocate resources to initiate a desired communication between said wireless communication device and a second communication device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing perceived latency in a group communication network provides for receiving a request from a user of a communication device wishing to initiate a group call, receiving media from the user before completely processing the request, and buffering the received media for later transmission.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing privacy of user identity and characteristics in a communication system. A public key and a private key is generated, corresponding to a transceiver. The public key is transmitted to a wireless communication device. The wireless communication device encrypts one or more an initial messages using the public key and transmits the one or more encrypted initial messages to the transceiver. The transceiver receives the one or more encrypted initial messages and decrypts it using the private key. The transceiver may then allocate resources to initiate a desired communication between said wireless communication device and a second communication device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for displaying identity information of a last speaker in a push-to-talk (PTT) system. A wireless communication device receives PTT communications and identification information of PTT speakers from a remote server. The wireless communication device displays the identification information of at least the last speaker while playing the PTT communication from a current speaker.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for automatically reconfiguring a wireless communication network provides for receiving information from at least one node indicating a change in the network and automatically reconfiguring the network based on the received information. In another embodiment, a method for automatically reconfiguring a wireless communication network, including at least one node that includes wireless infrastructure resources, includes determining availability of a resource at a node operating in the network and automatically configuring the network based on the availability of the resource such that the network operates properly and/or efficiently.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for arbitrating between a first communication device having floor control in a group communication network and a second communication device competing for floor control provides receiving a floor-control request from the second communication device, comparing respective priority levels of the first communication device and the second communication device, and granting floor control to the second communication device if the second communication device has a higher or equal priority level. In one embodiment, the controller receives the request for floor control from a push-to-talk (PTT) device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing security in a group communication network provides for receiving an encryption key, encrypting media for transmission to a controller using the received encryption key, the encrypted media being directed to another communication device, and communicating the encrypted media to the controller. In one embodiment, the communicating includes wireless communication. The method and apparatus further provides for receiving encrypted media from a controller and blocking the encrypted media if the communication device is not enabled to receive encrypted-media transmission, or if the media is not encrypted based on an encryption key previously specified by the communication device. In another aspect, the communication device is a push-to-talk (PTT) device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing latency in a group communication network provides for a significant reduction in the actual total dormancy wakeup time and the PTT latency by exchanging group call signaling even when mobiles are dormant and no traffic channel is active. The method and apparatus provides for exchanging the group call signaling through the use of the short data burst (SDB) message signaling. The method and apparatus provides for re-establishing dedicated traffic channels for the talker mobile and the dormant listener mobiles advantageously in parallel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing perceived latency in a group communication network provides for receiving a request from a user of a communication device wishing to initiate a group call, receiving media from the user before completely processing the request, and buffering the received media for later transmission.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing privacy of user identity and characteristics in a communication system. A public key and a private key is generated, corresponding to a transceiver. The public key is transmitted to a wireless communication device. The wireless communication device encrypts one or more an initial messages using the public key and transmits the one or more encrypted initial messages to the transceiver. The transceiver receives the one or more encrypted initial messages and decrypts it using the private key. The transceiver may then allocate resources to initiate a desired communication between said wireless communication device and a second communication device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing privacy of user identity and characteristics in a communication system. A public key and a private key is generated, corresponding to a transceiver. The public key is transmitted to a wireless communication device. The wireless communication device encrypts one or more an initial messages using the public key and transmits the one or more encrypted initial messages to the transceiver. The transceiver receives the one or more encrypted initial messages and decrypts it using the private key. The transceiver may then allocate resources to initiate a desired communication between said wireless communication device and a second communication device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for entering a net within a group communication network provides for requesting a current list of available nets that the communication device may join from a controller and, after receiving the current list of available nets from the controller, selecting a net from the current list of available nets. The method and apparatus further allows the communication device to send a request to the controller for joining the selected net, which may be followed by receiving a response from the controller that the communication device has been added to the list of current participants in the selected net. In another aspect of the invention, a method and apparatus for exiting a net within a group communication network provides for sending a request to the controller for exiting the net, receiving a response from the controller that the communication device has been removed from the list of current participants in the net, and exiting the net.

Abstract: An apparatus to form a group of communication devices over a distributed network is claimed. A first node establishes a first channel with a first communication device. At least one second node establishes at least one second channel with at least one second communication device. A controller electrically connected to the first node and the at least one second node comprises a database module. The database module comprises identification information of each of the communication devices of the group. The controller is dynamically configurable such that any single communication device of the group is capable of sending packet data through its respective channel to the other communication devices of the group.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing an efficient dormant mode for push-to-talk communication devices in a group communication network provides for determining whether the communication device has been inactive for a predetermined first time period and, if so, causing the communication device to enter a control-hold mode, wherein the communication device maintains its dedicated traffic channel. The method further includes the steps of determining whether the communication device has been in the control-hold mode for a predetermined second time period and, if so, causing the communication device to enter a dormant mode, wherein the communication device releases its dedicated traffic channel. The method and apparatus further provides for causing the communication device to cache its service configuration state before entering the dormant mode.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing an efficient dormant mode for push-to-talk communication devices in a group communication network provides for determining whether the net has been inactive for a predetermined first time period and, if so, causing each member of the net to enter a control-hold mode, wherein each member of the net maintains its dedicated traffic channel. The method further includes the steps of determining whether each member of the net has been in the control-hold mode for a predetermined second time period and, if so, causing each member of the net to enter a dormant mode, wherein each member of the net releases its dedicated traffic channel. The method and apparatus further provides for causing each member of the net to cache its service configuration state before entering the dormant mode.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for joining a user to a call in a group communication network provides for receiving an indication from a user who wishes to initiate a group call and sending a request to a server to add the user to the group call if the group call is in progress. The method and apparatus also provides for receiving a response from the server indicating that the group call is in progress, alerting the user of being added to the group call, and receiving media from the server after a traffic channel is re-established. The method and apparatus also provides for a significant reduction in the actual total dormancy wakeup time and latency by exchanging group call signaling even when mobiles are dormant and no traffic channel is active.