Abstract: A communications system includes a first PTT network, and a second PTT network having a plurality of interoperability gateways. A method for routing a PTT call terminated at the second PTT network includes receiving a PTT call request from the first PTT network, the PTT call request identifying a target subscriber unit on the second PTT network and forwarding the PTT call request to a first interoperability gateway. If the target is located in a region served by a second PTT interoperability gateway, then a redirect message, including an identifier of the second PTT interoperability gateway, is received and the PTT call request is redirected to the second PTT interoperability gateway. An identifier of the target and an identifier of the second PTT interoperability gateway are stored in a cache for directing subsequent PTT calls to the same target to the corresponding second interoperability gateway.

Abstract: System and method for reducing call setup time of a dispatch communication. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a message from an originating dispatch device intended for a target dispatch device. The message may be inspected by a base transceiver station for a call request announcement. The method may further include determining if a radio resource is available for the target dispatch device. According to an additional embodiment of the invention, a call request acknowledgement message may be transmitted to the originating dispatch device after a period of time to ensure a guaranteed talk permit. The call request announcement may also be transmitted to the target dispatch device after the period of time.

Abstract: A communications system includes a first PTT network, and a second PTT network having a plurality of interoperability gateways. A method for efficiently selecting an interoperability gateway for PTT calls terminated at the second PTT network includes receiving a PTT call request from the first PTT network, the PTT call request identifying a target subscriber unit on the second PTT network and forwarding the PTT call request to a first interoperability gateway. Notification is received if the request has succeeded, and the notification includes an identification of the target and a second interoperability gateway. This information is stored in cache for directing subsequent PTT calls to the same target to the corresponding second interoperability gateway. In one embodiment, the first PTT network is an iDEN network and the second PTT network is a HPPTT network and the PTT call is a HPPTT call.

Abstract: A system and method of conducting a dispatch multi-party communication session is disclosed. In accordance with an embodiment of a method of the present invention, the method includes establishing a dispatch multi-party communication session in a dispatch network and identifying the dispatch multi-party communication session to a subscriber of the dispatch network. A join request is received at the dispatch network from the subscriber in response to identifying the dispatch multi-party communication session and the subscriber is joined to the session in response to the received join request. In accordance with an embodiment of a system of the present invention, the system includes a dispatch network wherein the network establishes a dispatch multi-party communication session and identifies the dispatch multi-party communication session to a subscriber of the dispatch network.

Abstract: In an embodiment of a method of the present invention, the method includes the acts of establishing a dispatch multi-party call between a set of communication devices and establishing a sidebar communication between a subset of the set of communication devices. The set of communication devices participate in the dispatch multi-party call and only the subset of communication devices participate in the sidebar communication. In an embodiment of a system of the present invention, the system includes a dispatch network and a set of communication devices in communication with the dispatch network. The dispatch network establishes a dispatch multi-party call between the set of communication devices and a sidebar communication between a subset of the set of communication devices, wherein the set of communication devices participate in the dispatch multi-party call and only the subset of communication devices participate in the sidebar communication.

Abstract: A method and system for conducting a dispatch multi-party communication session is disclosed. In accordance with an embodiment of a method of the present invention, the method includes establishing a dispatch multi-party communication session in a dispatch network, conducting a first portion of the session in a broadcast mode, and conducting a second portion of the session in an open mode. In accordance with an embodiment of a system of the present invention, the system includes the dispatch network wherein the network establishes a dispatch multi-party communication session and wherein the network conducts the first portion of the session in the broadcast mode and the second portion of the session in the open mode.

Abstract: A system and method for allocating service provider network resources for supporting dispatch multi-party calls is disclosed. In an embodiment of a method of the present invention, the method includes receiving a requirement at the service provider network for supporting a dispatch multi-party call having a projected number of participants. An amount of network resources required to support the projected number of participants is determined. A portion of the amount of network resources required to support the projected number of participants in the dispatch multi-party call is dedicated to the dispatch multi-party call in the service provider network. In an embodiment of a system of the present invention, the system includes a media server having resources for supporting a dispatch multi-party call having a projected number of participants in a service provider network.

Abstract: A system and method of establishing a multi-party dispatch communication session is disclosed. In accordance with an embodiment of a method of the present invention, the method includes receiving an invitation to join a multi-party dispatch communication session directed to a called party at a dispatch network. The invitation is transmitted to the called party by the dispatch network and an option is provided to the called party to either accept the invitation, decline the invitation, or defer the invitation. In accordance with an embodiment of a system of the present invention, the system includes a dispatch network where the network transmits an invitation option to a plurality of called parties to either accept an invitation to join a multi-party dispatch communication session, decline the invitation, or defer the invitation. The dispatch network establishes a multi-party dispatch communication session between a set of the plurality of called parties that accept the invitation.

Abstract: A system and method for allocating service provider network resources for supporting dispatch multi-party calls is disclosed. In an embodiment of a method of the present invention, the method includes receiving a requirement at the service provider network for supporting a dispatch multi-party call having a projected number of participants. An amount of network resources required to support the projected number of participants is determined. A portion of the amount of network resources required to support the projected number of participants in the dispatch multi-party call is dedicated to the dispatch multi-party call in the service provider network. In an embodiment of a system of the present invention, the system includes a media server having resources for supporting a dispatch multi-party call having a projected number of participants in a service provider network.

Abstract: A system and method of conducting a dispatch multi-party communication session is disclosed. In accordance with an embodiment of a method of the present invention, the method includes establishing a dispatch multi-party communication session in a dispatch network and identifying the dispatch multi-party communication session to a subscriber of the dispatch network. A join request is received at the dispatch network from the subscriber in response to identifying the dispatch multi-party communication session and the subscriber is joined to the session in response to the received join request. In accordance with an embodiment of a system of the present invention, the system includes a dispatch network wherein the network establishes a dispatch multi-party communication session and identifies the dispatch multi-party communication session to a subscriber of the dispatch network.

Abstract: In an embodiment of a method of the present invention, the method includes the acts of establishing a dispatch multi-party call between a set of communication devices and establishing a sidebar communication between a subset of the set of communication devices. The set of communication devices participate in the dispatch multi-party call and only the subset of communication devices participate in the sidebar communication. In an embodiment of a system of the present invention, the system includes a dispatch network and a set of communication devices in communication with the dispatch network. The dispatch network establishes a dispatch multi-party call between the set of communication devices and a sidebar communication between a subset of the set of communication devices, wherein the set of communication devices participate in the dispatch multi-party call and only the subset of communication devices participate in the sidebar communication.