Abstract: A method for extending the connection time of talkgroup radios in a talkgroup conversation based on historical talkgroup statistics is provided. A talkgroup conversation request intended for a talkgroup is received from a first mobile unit. A group call grant message is sent to radios that are members of the talkgroup. The group call grant message initiates the talkgroup conversation with a first talkgroup call and includes an extended connection time value. Once it is determined that the first talkgroup call has ended, all radios that are members of the talkgroup are kept in a connected state. An extended connection timer utilizing the extended connection time value is started. Upon expiration of the extended connection timer, all radios that are members of the talkgroup are set to an idle state.

Abstract: A method and talkgroup server for extending a battery life in a subscriber unit is provided. A time sync at a triple TSBK boundary is maintained, the triple TSBK boundary being associated with a talkgroup. The triple TSBK window is calculated based on the time sync and configuration data. A talkgroup call request is granted for the talkgroup using a talkgroup call grant. A first transmission of the talkgroup call grant is targeted in the triple TSBK window associated with the talkgroup.

Abstract: A device, system and method for determining a prioritized list of communication groups is provided. A computing device monitors current call statistics of a plurality of communication groups, the communication device assigned to the plurality of communication groups. The computing device, based on a comparison of the current call statistics with historical call statistics of the plurality of communication groups, generates a prioritized list of the plurality of communication groups. The computing device transmits, to the communication device, the prioritized list. The communication device may render the list for selection of a communication group, and/or automatically change to a highest priority communication group of the prioritized list, and/or when bandwidth of a current site is unavailable to communicate on the highest priority communication group, roam to a site with available bandwidth to change to a highest priority communication group in the prioritized list.

Abstract: A method for extending the connection time of talkgroup radios in a talkgroup conversation based on historical talkgroup statistics is provided. A talkgroup conversation request intended for a talkgroup is received from a first mobile unit. A group call grant message is sent to radios that are members of the talkgroup. The group call grant message initiates the talkgroup conversation with a first talkgroup call and includes an extended connection time value. Once it is determined that the first talkgroup call has ended, all radios that are members of the talkgroup are kept in a connected state. An extended connection timer utilizing the extended connection time value is started. Upon expiration of the extended connection timer, all radios that are members of the talkgroup are set to an idle state.

Abstract: A process for dispatcher monitoring of an electronic digital assistant (EDA) in a group-based mobile radio system includes first receiving, at a radio controller from a mobile radio, a request to establish an EDA call for interacting with an EDA. Identifying one of (i) a primary talkgroup to which the mobile radio is affiliated and (ii) an agency to which the mobile radio belongs. Selecting or creating an EDA talkgroup, different from the primary talkgroup, through which the mobile radio may interact with the EDA. Identifying one or more, but less than all, dispatch consoles that are (i) subscribed to monitor the primary talkgroup of the mobile radio or (ii) a member of a same agency as the mobile radio. Adding the EDA, mobile radio, and identified dispatch consoles to the EDA talkgroup. And causing the EDA call to be established.

Abstract: Systems and methods for allocating radio frequency spectrum. One example system includes a spectrum broker server including a communications interface and an electronic processor. The electronic processor is configured to determine an available radio frequency spectrum allocation. The electronic processor is configured to receive a spectrum request for the available radio frequency spectrum allocation at the communications interface, wherein the spectrum request is associated with a spectrum-consuming entity. The electronic processor is configured to receive, from a plurality of validation nodes, a plurality of votes based on the spectrum request. The electronic processor is configured to determine whether to grant the spectrum request based on the plurality of votes. The electronic processor is configured to, responsive to determining to grant the spectrum request, allocate the available radio frequency spectrum allocation to the spectrum-consuming entity.

Abstract: A device, system and method for throttling network usage of a mobile communication device is provided. A mobile communication device comprises: a communication unit configured to wirelessly communicate over a network; a memory storing one or more applications that use the communication unit to communicate via the network; and a controller communicatively coupled to the communication unit and the memory. The controller receives, via the communication unit, network data indicative of current network usage. The controller dynamically throttle usage of the communication unit by the one or more applications according to the network data.

Abstract: A method and subscriber unit provide mission critical talkgroup service while minimizing truncation and delay when at least one member talkgroup radio is on a Broadband LTE (Long Term Evolution) system. A dual-mode subscriber unit preferably obtains LMR coverage map data to predict the entry point and remaining duration for when the subscriber unit will operate in the backup LTE system. The subscriber unit falls back to the LTE system when the subscriber unit is out of the coverage area of the LMR system. Because the subscriber unit set the connected state prior to using the LTE network and continuously optimizes RRC mode parameters, audio truncation and call delay are greatly reduced without draining the battery of the subscriber unit.

Abstract: A method for extending the connection time of talkgroup radios in a talkgroup conversation based on historical talkgroup statistics is provided. A talkgroup conversation request intended for a talkgroup is received from a first mobile unit. A group call grant message is sent to radios that are members of the talkgroup. The group call grant message initiates the talkgroup conversation with a first talkgroup call and includes an extended connection time value. Once it is determined that the first talkgroup call has ended, all radios that are members of the talkgroup are kept in a connected state. An extended connection timer utilizing the extended connection time value is started. Upon expiration of the extended connection timer, all radios that are members of the talkgroup are set to an idle state.

Abstract: A computer apparatus and computer-implemented apparatus for logging audio to an audio logger. Audio is transmitted from a source communication device. At least one receiving communication device receives the audio. The audio is logged to an audio logger, for example by the source communication device and the receiving communication device. A hash of the audio is computed and the hash of the audio and communication parameters related to the audio are stored in a blockchain.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing audio delay for mixed mode delivery of audio transmissions. One example system includes a communication interface communicatively coupled to a communication network, and an electronic processor. The electronic processor is coupled to the communication interface, and configured to receive, via the communication interface, a group call request for a talkgroup. The electronic processor is configured to transmit, in response to receiving the group call request, a call grant message to a plurality of subscriber units affiliated with the talkgroup. The electronic processor is configured to determine, using a machine learning algorithm, a subset of the plurality of subscriber units based on a call grant response time, and, while a transmission hold-off timer has not expired, when a call grant response has been received from each of the subscriber units of the subset, forward an audio transmission to the subset based on the group call request.

Abstract: A process for dispatcher monitoring of an electronic digital assistant (EDA) in a group-based mobile radio system includes first receiving, at a radio controller from a mobile radio, a request to establish an EDA call for interacting with an EDA. Identifying one of (i) a primary talkgroup to which the mobile radio is affiliated and (ii) an agency to which the mobile radio belongs. Selecting or creating an EDA talkgroup, different from the primary talkgroup, through which the mobile radio may interact with the EDA. Identifying one or more, but less than all, dispatch consoles that are (i) subscribed to monitor the primary talkgroup of the mobile radio or (ii) a member of a same agency as the mobile radio. Adding the EDA, mobile radio, and identified dispatch consoles to the EDA talkgroup. And causing the EDA call to be established.

Abstract: A device, system and method for preventing audio loss is provided. A device receives scheduling data, for a plurality of timeslots, indicative of when different communication types are to occur in a present voicecall, the plurality of timeslots including at least one data timeslot for transmitting data on the present voicecall. When a state of the present voicecall associated with a potential collision with the data for transmission in the at least one data timeslot is determined, the device cancels transmission of the data in the at least one data timeslot.

Abstract: A device, system and method for determining a prioritized list of communication groups is provided. A computing device monitors current call statistics of a plurality of communication groups, the communication device assigned to the plurality of communication groups. The computing device, based on a comparison of the current call statistics with historical call statistics of the plurality of communication groups, generates a prioritized list of the plurality of communication groups. The computing device transmits, to the communication device, the prioritized list. The communication device may render the list for selection of a communication group, and/or automatically change to a highest priority communication group of the prioritized list, and/or when bandwidth of a current site is unavailable to communicate on the highest priority communication group, roam to a site with available bandwidth to change to a highest priority communication group in the prioritized list.

Abstract: A device, system and method for preventing audio loss is provided. A device receives scheduling data, for a plurality of timeslots, indicative of when different communication types are to occur in a present voicecall, the plurality of timeslots including at least one data timeslot for transmitting data on the present voicecall.

Abstract: A method and device for disabling a communication device of a communication network that includes a second communication device. The communication device includes an electronic processor configured to perform an examination of a behavior of the communication device, determine, based on a result of the examination of a behavior of the communication device, a score of the communication device, and disable, in response to the score exceeding a predetermined threshold, the communication device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing audio delay for mixed mode delivery of audio transmissions. One example system includes a communication interface communicatively coupled to a communication network, and an electronic processor. The electronic processor is coupled to the communication interface, and configured to receive, via the communication interface, a group call request for a talkgroup. The electronic processor is configured to transmit, in response to receiving the group call request, a call grant message to a plurality of subscriber units affiliated with the talkgroup. The electronic processor is configured to determine, using a machine learning algorithm, a subset of the plurality of subscriber units based on a call grant response time, and, while a transmission hold-off timer has not expired, when a call grant response has been received from each of the subscriber units of the subset, forward an audio transmission to the subset based on the group call request.

Abstract: A method, device, and system for scheduling a status update in a time division multiple access (TDMA) communication system. One method includes transmitting, with a call controller, scheduling information to the each of the plurality of communication devices via an outbound time slot associated with a control channel of a local common TDMA channel to schedule the each of the plurality of communication devices to transmit the status data in a pre-determined sequence. The method also includes receiving the status data from at least one of the plurality of communication devices in the pre-determined sequence.

Abstract: A method of assigning a priority to a portable communication device in a communication system. The method includes determining an incident profile. The incident profile defines an expected timeline having a first incident stage, a first role associated with the first incident stage, a second incident stage, and a second role associated with the second incident stage. The first role is different than the second role, and the incident profile indicates a desired priority rank for the first role and the second role. The method also includes assigning a priority rank to a first portable communication device when the first portable communication device corresponds to the first role during the first incident stage, detecting a transition between the first incident stage and the second incident stage, and assigning the priority rank of the portable communication device according to the second role during the second incident stage.

Abstract: A method of assigning a priority to a portable communication device in a communication system. The method includes determining an incident profile. The incident profile defines an expected timeline having a first incident stage, a first role associated with the first incident stage, a second incident stage, and a second role associated with the second incident stage. The first role is different than the second role, and the incident profile indicates a desired priority rank for the first role and the second role. The method also includes assigning a priority rank to a first portable communication device when the first portable communication device corresponds to the first role during the first incident stage, detecting a transition between the first incident stage and the second incident stage, and assigning the priority rank of the portable communication device according to the second role during the second incident stage.