CA2510631C - Method and system for group communications - Google Patents
Method and system for group communications Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2510631C CA2510631C CA2510631A CA2510631A CA2510631C CA 2510631 C CA2510631 C CA 2510631C CA 2510631 A CA2510631 A CA 2510631A CA 2510631 A CA2510631 A CA 2510631A CA 2510631 C CA2510631 C CA 2510631C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- session
- group
- endpoints
- protocol
- entity
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 31
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 28
- 230000000977 initiatory effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 31
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 9
- 230000011664 signaling Effects 0.000 description 8
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 5
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 5
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 4
- 230000004044 response Effects 0.000 description 4
- 238000012217 deletion Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000037430 deletion Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000004075 alteration Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000005516 engineering process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000012546 transfer Methods 0.000 description 2
- 235000018084 Garcinia livingstonei Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 240000007471 Garcinia livingstonei Species 0.000 description 1
- 230000001413 cellular effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000008859 change Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002452 interceptive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000737 periodic effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000001228 spectrum Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001360 synchronised effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
- H04L12/00—Data switching networks
- H04L12/02—Details
- H04L12/16—Arrangements for providing special services to substations
- H04L12/18—Arrangements for providing special services to substations for broadcast or conference, e.g. multicast
- H04L12/1813—Arrangements for providing special services to substations for broadcast or conference, e.g. multicast for computer conferences, e.g. chat rooms
- H04L12/1818—Conference organisation arrangements, e.g. handling schedules, setting up parameters needed by nodes to attend a conference, booking network resources, notifying involved parties
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
- H04L65/00—Network arrangements, protocols or services for supporting real-time applications in data packet communication
- H04L65/1066—Session management
- H04L65/1101—Session protocols
- H04L65/1104—Session initiation protocol [SIP]
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
- H04L65/00—Network arrangements, protocols or services for supporting real-time applications in data packet communication
- H04L65/1066—Session management
- H04L65/1101—Session protocols
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Multimedia (AREA)
- Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
- Signal Processing (AREA)
- Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
- General Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Telephonic Communication Services (AREA)
- Data Exchanges In Wide-Area Networks (AREA)
- Communication Control (AREA)
- Two-Way Televisions, Distribution Of Moving Picture Or The Like (AREA)
- Computer And Data Communications (AREA)
Abstract
A method and system for group communications between a plurality of endpoints (102, 106, 108 etc.) in a system (100) is described. The method includes the steps of: a) receiving at a group entity (104) from an initiating endpoint (102), using a transactional protocol, a first message requesting a session between a plurality of endpoints (106, 108 etc.) affiliated with a group that correlates to the group entity (104); b) causing the session to be accepted; c) causing the presence of the session to be communicated, using a broadcast protocol, to the plurality of endpoints (106, 108 etc.) affiliated with the group; and d) communicating from the group entity (104) to the initiating endpoint (102), using the transactional protocol, the acceptance of the session.
Description
METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR GROUP COMMUNICATIONS
Reference to Related Applications The present application is related to the following U.S. applications commonly owned together with this application by Motorola, Inc.:
U.S. Patent No. 7,366,780, filed December 31,2002, titled "System and Method for Controlling and Managing Sessions Between Endpoints in.a Communications System" by Keller, et at. (attorney docket no. CM05607G);
U.S. Patent No. 7,023,813, filed December 31, 2002, titled "Methods for Managing a Pool of Multicast Addresses and Allocating Addresses in a Communications System" by Newberg, et al. (attorney docket no.
CM05666G);
U.S. Patent No. 6,798,755, filed December 31, 2002, titled "Apparatus and Method for Controlling and Managing Individual Directed Sessions in a Communications System" by Lillie, et al. (attorney docket no. CM05665G);
and U.S. Patent No. 7,369,567, filed December 31, 2002, titled "Methods for Affiliating Endpoints with a Group and Determining Common Communication Capabilities for the Affiliated Endpoints" by Newberg, et al.
(attorney docket no. CM05638G).
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to group communications and more specifically to a method and system for initiating, controlling, and terminating a session between a plurality of endpoints affiliated with a group that correlates to a group entity.
Reference to Related Applications The present application is related to the following U.S. applications commonly owned together with this application by Motorola, Inc.:
U.S. Patent No. 7,366,780, filed December 31,2002, titled "System and Method for Controlling and Managing Sessions Between Endpoints in.a Communications System" by Keller, et at. (attorney docket no. CM05607G);
U.S. Patent No. 7,023,813, filed December 31, 2002, titled "Methods for Managing a Pool of Multicast Addresses and Allocating Addresses in a Communications System" by Newberg, et al. (attorney docket no.
CM05666G);
U.S. Patent No. 6,798,755, filed December 31, 2002, titled "Apparatus and Method for Controlling and Managing Individual Directed Sessions in a Communications System" by Lillie, et al. (attorney docket no. CM05665G);
and U.S. Patent No. 7,369,567, filed December 31, 2002, titled "Methods for Affiliating Endpoints with a Group and Determining Common Communication Capabilities for the Affiliated Endpoints" by Newberg, et al.
(attorney docket no. CM05638G).
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to group communications and more specifically to a method and system for initiating, controlling, and terminating a session between a plurality of endpoints affiliated with a group that correlates to a group entity.
2 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Multimedia and group communications have become an important aspect of telecommunications, and the demand for such continues to increase. For instance, the Final Report of the Public Safety Wireless Advisory Committee to the Federal Communications Committee ("FCC"), dated 1996, expressed the critical need for communication resources for multimedia. Subsequently in 1998, the FCC
established a band plan for the 764 MHz frequencies that included spectrum set aside for public safety wideband. In addition, the Internet Engineering Task Force ("IETF") has developed a suite of protocols that are designed for use in multimedia communications. These protocols include a Session Initiation Protocol ("SIP"), a Session Announcement Protocol ("SAP"), and a Session Description Protocol ("SDP").
Since its approval in early 1999 as an official standard, SIP has gained tremendous market acceptance for signaling communications services on the Internet.
As such, numerous products incorporate the SIP standard, including but not limited to SIP desktop telephones, SIP telephony servers, and personal computing ("PC") devices running SIP applications. SIP is a text-based signaling transactional protocol, similar to Hypertext Transfer Protocol ("HTTP") and Simple Mail Transfer Protocol ("SMTP"), and works in the Application layer of the Open Systems Interconnection ("OSI") communications model. A SIP message is used to initiate an interactive communications session, such as voice, video, and chat, between users (also referred to herein as callers) in a communications network. Each user is typically associated with a communications device (also referred to herein as a terminal device or an endpoint) that is connected to the network.
SIP is not only used to initiate sessions, SIP messages are also used to terminate and to modify sessions. SIP does not, however, actually define what a "session" is, e.g., which Internet Protocol ("IP") channel (addresses and ports), media codec specification, floor control channels, etc., are to be used during the session.
This is described by content carried in the SIP messages. SIP conveys information about the protocol used to describe the session through multipurpose Internet mail extensions (MIME), widely used in web and e-mail services to describe content (HTML, audio, video, etc.). The most common protocol used to describe sessions is
Multimedia and group communications have become an important aspect of telecommunications, and the demand for such continues to increase. For instance, the Final Report of the Public Safety Wireless Advisory Committee to the Federal Communications Committee ("FCC"), dated 1996, expressed the critical need for communication resources for multimedia. Subsequently in 1998, the FCC
established a band plan for the 764 MHz frequencies that included spectrum set aside for public safety wideband. In addition, the Internet Engineering Task Force ("IETF") has developed a suite of protocols that are designed for use in multimedia communications. These protocols include a Session Initiation Protocol ("SIP"), a Session Announcement Protocol ("SAP"), and a Session Description Protocol ("SDP").
Since its approval in early 1999 as an official standard, SIP has gained tremendous market acceptance for signaling communications services on the Internet.
As such, numerous products incorporate the SIP standard, including but not limited to SIP desktop telephones, SIP telephony servers, and personal computing ("PC") devices running SIP applications. SIP is a text-based signaling transactional protocol, similar to Hypertext Transfer Protocol ("HTTP") and Simple Mail Transfer Protocol ("SMTP"), and works in the Application layer of the Open Systems Interconnection ("OSI") communications model. A SIP message is used to initiate an interactive communications session, such as voice, video, and chat, between users (also referred to herein as callers) in a communications network. Each user is typically associated with a communications device (also referred to herein as a terminal device or an endpoint) that is connected to the network.
SIP is not only used to initiate sessions, SIP messages are also used to terminate and to modify sessions. SIP does not, however, actually define what a "session" is, e.g., which Internet Protocol ("IP") channel (addresses and ports), media codec specification, floor control channels, etc., are to be used during the session.
This is described by content carried in the SIP messages. SIP conveys information about the protocol used to describe the session through multipurpose Internet mail extensions (MIME), widely used in web and e-mail services to describe content (HTML, audio, video, etc.). The most common protocol used to describe sessions is
3 SDP, described in the IETF Request for Comments [RFC]2327. SIP can also be used to negotiate a common format for describing sessions, so that other protocols besides SDP can be used.
SIP is based on the request-response paradigm. Thus, to initiate a session, a caller who is associated with an initiating endpoint sends a request (called an INVITE) addressed to the user, associated with a recipient endpoint, that the caller wants to talk to. In SIP, addresses are Uniform Resource Locators ("URLs").
SIP
defines a URL format that is very similar to the popular mailto URL. For instance, if the user's e-mail address is janedoe@company.com, the SIP URL would be sip:janedoe@company.com. Once the user has been located and the session description delivered, SIP is used to convey the response to the session initiation (accept, reject, etc.). If accepted (via a SIP OK), the session is now active, wherein a SIP ACK is then sent from the initiating endpoint to the recipient endpoint.
In SIP, a successful INVITE/OK/ACK exchange creates a SIP control dialog (also referred to as a SIP dialog, a call leg or a SIP transaction). Once a session is active, SIP can be used to modify the session as well. To modify a session, the initiating endpoint simply re-initiates the session, sending the same message as the original, but with a new session description. For this reason, modification of sessions (which includes things like adding and removing audio streams, adding video, changing codecs, hold and mute) are easily supported with SIP, so long as the session description protocol can support them (SDP supports all of the above).
Finally, SIP
can be used to terminate the session. Sending a SIP BYE message performs this function.
SIP is good for controlling media sessions and for establishing media sessions between an initiating endpoint and one recipient endpoint or a small group of recipient endpoints. However, SIP is not readily scalable for establishing media sessions between an initiating endpoint and a large group of recipient endpoints. This is because in standard SIP, three messages (INVITE/OK/ACK) must be sent between the initiating endpoint and each recipient endpoint in a given group. If a group is particularly large, this excessive messaging could cause bandwidth and timing problems, which is not desirable for communications that are time sensitive, e.g., as in the area of public safety.
SIP is based on the request-response paradigm. Thus, to initiate a session, a caller who is associated with an initiating endpoint sends a request (called an INVITE) addressed to the user, associated with a recipient endpoint, that the caller wants to talk to. In SIP, addresses are Uniform Resource Locators ("URLs").
SIP
defines a URL format that is very similar to the popular mailto URL. For instance, if the user's e-mail address is janedoe@company.com, the SIP URL would be sip:janedoe@company.com. Once the user has been located and the session description delivered, SIP is used to convey the response to the session initiation (accept, reject, etc.). If accepted (via a SIP OK), the session is now active, wherein a SIP ACK is then sent from the initiating endpoint to the recipient endpoint.
In SIP, a successful INVITE/OK/ACK exchange creates a SIP control dialog (also referred to as a SIP dialog, a call leg or a SIP transaction). Once a session is active, SIP can be used to modify the session as well. To modify a session, the initiating endpoint simply re-initiates the session, sending the same message as the original, but with a new session description. For this reason, modification of sessions (which includes things like adding and removing audio streams, adding video, changing codecs, hold and mute) are easily supported with SIP, so long as the session description protocol can support them (SDP supports all of the above).
Finally, SIP
can be used to terminate the session. Sending a SIP BYE message performs this function.
SIP is good for controlling media sessions and for establishing media sessions between an initiating endpoint and one recipient endpoint or a small group of recipient endpoints. However, SIP is not readily scalable for establishing media sessions between an initiating endpoint and a large group of recipient endpoints. This is because in standard SIP, three messages (INVITE/OK/ACK) must be sent between the initiating endpoint and each recipient endpoint in a given group. If a group is particularly large, this excessive messaging could cause bandwidth and timing problems, which is not desirable for communications that are time sensitive, e.g., as in the area of public safety.
4 SAP, on the other hand, is a broadcast protocol that is defined in RFC2974.
SAP is used by a session directory server, referred to as a SAP announcer, to announce multicast based conferences, wherein, for instance, multimedia files (usually audio and video streams) are sent to multiple users at the same time somewhat as radio and TV programs are broadcast over airwaves. Although SAP is scalable for large group communications, a shortcoming of how SAP is currently implemented is that it has a low update or announcement rate that does not support dynamically assigned sessions.
Thus, there exists a need for a method and a system architecture that supports dynamically assigned sessions for group communication between a plurality of endpoints and that is scalable for any size group and overcomes the bandwidth and timing problems in the current art.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
A preferred embodiment of the invention is now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures in which:
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a system that uses a method for group communications in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a plurality of endpoints affiliated with a group that correlates to a given group entity, in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for establishing group communications between a plurality of endpoints in a system, in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an endpoint initiating a session with a plurality of endpoints affiliated with a group via the group entity correlating to this group, in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating SAP announcements being sent to the endpoints affiliated with the group, in accordance with the present invention, to communicate the presence of the session;
FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating the group entity communicating the acceptance of the session to the initiating endpoint, in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating the group entity terminating the session, in accordance with the present invention; and FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an endpoint affiliated with the group terminating the session, in accordance with the present invention.
SAP is used by a session directory server, referred to as a SAP announcer, to announce multicast based conferences, wherein, for instance, multimedia files (usually audio and video streams) are sent to multiple users at the same time somewhat as radio and TV programs are broadcast over airwaves. Although SAP is scalable for large group communications, a shortcoming of how SAP is currently implemented is that it has a low update or announcement rate that does not support dynamically assigned sessions.
Thus, there exists a need for a method and a system architecture that supports dynamically assigned sessions for group communication between a plurality of endpoints and that is scalable for any size group and overcomes the bandwidth and timing problems in the current art.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
A preferred embodiment of the invention is now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures in which:
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a system that uses a method for group communications in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a plurality of endpoints affiliated with a group that correlates to a given group entity, in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for establishing group communications between a plurality of endpoints in a system, in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an endpoint initiating a session with a plurality of endpoints affiliated with a group via the group entity correlating to this group, in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating SAP announcements being sent to the endpoints affiliated with the group, in accordance with the present invention, to communicate the presence of the session;
FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating the group entity communicating the acceptance of the session to the initiating endpoint, in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating the group entity terminating the session, in accordance with the present invention; and FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an endpoint affiliated with the group terminating the session, in accordance with the present invention.
5 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements are exaggerated relative to each other.
Further, where considered appropriate, reference numerals have been repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding elements.
Fig. 1 illustrates a communications network system 100 that uses a method for group communications in a network of users, in accordance with the present invention. System 100 comprises an endpoint. 102 associated with a user 1 (not shown) and a terminal 1 binding to the network, an endpoint 106 associated with a user 2 (not shown) and a terminal 2 binding to the network, an endpoint 108 associated with a user 3 (not shown) and a terminal 3 binding to the network, an endpoint 110 associated with a user 4 (not shown) and a terminal 4 binding to the network, and a group entity 104 that represents a logical point of control for all media sessions initiated with the endpoints affiliated with group 1. Group 1, when composed, will include a plurality of users and their associated terminal devices that have a need to share information between the users affiliated with the group.
In addition, servers and other groups, if any, in the network can also affiliate with group 1. Each terminal device 1, 2, 3 and 4 may be, but is not limited to, one of the following communications devices: cellular telephones, wireless Personal Data Assistants, mobile computers, and desktop terminals.
Group entity 104 is preferably a specialized SIP entity that combines a SIP
user agent client, a SIP user agent server, and a SAP session directory into a single entity to provide a single point of control and to transform unicast SIP
signaling to broadcast SAP signaling for increased scalability and performance. Session initiation, modification, and termination are controlled by SIP messages addressed to the group entity. The group entity maintains a session directory of all active sessions within a
It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements are exaggerated relative to each other.
Further, where considered appropriate, reference numerals have been repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding elements.
Fig. 1 illustrates a communications network system 100 that uses a method for group communications in a network of users, in accordance with the present invention. System 100 comprises an endpoint. 102 associated with a user 1 (not shown) and a terminal 1 binding to the network, an endpoint 106 associated with a user 2 (not shown) and a terminal 2 binding to the network, an endpoint 108 associated with a user 3 (not shown) and a terminal 3 binding to the network, an endpoint 110 associated with a user 4 (not shown) and a terminal 4 binding to the network, and a group entity 104 that represents a logical point of control for all media sessions initiated with the endpoints affiliated with group 1. Group 1, when composed, will include a plurality of users and their associated terminal devices that have a need to share information between the users affiliated with the group.
In addition, servers and other groups, if any, in the network can also affiliate with group 1. Each terminal device 1, 2, 3 and 4 may be, but is not limited to, one of the following communications devices: cellular telephones, wireless Personal Data Assistants, mobile computers, and desktop terminals.
Group entity 104 is preferably a specialized SIP entity that combines a SIP
user agent client, a SIP user agent server, and a SAP session directory into a single entity to provide a single point of control and to transform unicast SIP
signaling to broadcast SAP signaling for increased scalability and performance. Session initiation, modification, and termination are controlled by SIP messages addressed to the group entity. The group entity maintains a session directory of all active sessions within a
6 group's context and informs affiliated endpoints of the current state of any sessions via unicast SIP signaling and broadcast SAP announcements.
System 100 is simplified for purposes of illustrating the present invention.
However, those of ordinary skill in the art will realize that system 100 may be designed to include a much larger number of users and associated terminal devices.
System 100 may be, for instance, a dispatch system for use in public safety that includes a plurality of dispatch groups of varying sizes, wherein each dispatch group has a correlating group entity for mediating sessions between a plurality of endpoints affiliated with the respective group. The dispatch system may also include additional entities not shown in Fig. 1 to further increase the system's efficiency.
These additional entities may be configured to assist the group entities in mediating sessions for group communications.
In system 100, one or more users and their corresponding terminals are made known to group entity 104 and thereby affiliated with group 1, for purposes of, e.g., group communications and media exchange, through a registration process. Fig.
illustrates endpoints 102, 106, 108 and 110 registering with group entity 104.
The registration process is illustrated in Fig. 2 by the arrow labeled 212 pointing from each endpoint to group entity 104. Registration with group entity 104 serves to provide group entity 104 with knowledge of each terminal, including, e.g., the capabilities of each terminal. Each endpoint registers with group entity 104 preferably through a SIP REGISTER message. However, those of ordinary skill in the art will realize that registration with group entity 104 maybe accomplished through any other suitable registration process.
Fig. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating a method 300 according to the present invention for establishing group communications in a system having at least one group entity and a plurality of endpoints. Method 300 comprises: step 310 of receiving in a group entity from an initiating endpoint, using a transactional protocol, a message requesting a session between a plurality of endpoints affiliated with a group that correlates to said group entity; step 320 of causing the session to be accepted; step 330 of causing the presence of the session to be communicated, using a broadcast protocol, to the plurality of endpoints affiliated with the group;
and step 340 of communicating by the group entity to the initiating endpoint the acceptance of the
System 100 is simplified for purposes of illustrating the present invention.
However, those of ordinary skill in the art will realize that system 100 may be designed to include a much larger number of users and associated terminal devices.
System 100 may be, for instance, a dispatch system for use in public safety that includes a plurality of dispatch groups of varying sizes, wherein each dispatch group has a correlating group entity for mediating sessions between a plurality of endpoints affiliated with the respective group. The dispatch system may also include additional entities not shown in Fig. 1 to further increase the system's efficiency.
These additional entities may be configured to assist the group entities in mediating sessions for group communications.
In system 100, one or more users and their corresponding terminals are made known to group entity 104 and thereby affiliated with group 1, for purposes of, e.g., group communications and media exchange, through a registration process. Fig.
illustrates endpoints 102, 106, 108 and 110 registering with group entity 104.
The registration process is illustrated in Fig. 2 by the arrow labeled 212 pointing from each endpoint to group entity 104. Registration with group entity 104 serves to provide group entity 104 with knowledge of each terminal, including, e.g., the capabilities of each terminal. Each endpoint registers with group entity 104 preferably through a SIP REGISTER message. However, those of ordinary skill in the art will realize that registration with group entity 104 maybe accomplished through any other suitable registration process.
Fig. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating a method 300 according to the present invention for establishing group communications in a system having at least one group entity and a plurality of endpoints. Method 300 comprises: step 310 of receiving in a group entity from an initiating endpoint, using a transactional protocol, a message requesting a session between a plurality of endpoints affiliated with a group that correlates to said group entity; step 320 of causing the session to be accepted; step 330 of causing the presence of the session to be communicated, using a broadcast protocol, to the plurality of endpoints affiliated with the group;
and step 340 of communicating by the group entity to the initiating endpoint the acceptance of the
7 session using the transactional protocol. The details of steps 310 through 340 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described by reference to Figs. 4-6.
Fig. 4 illustrates endpoint 102 initiating, via group entity 104, a session with the endpoints affiliated with group 1, in accordance with the present invention. To initiate the session, initiating endpoint 102 preferably sends a SIP INVITE
message addressed to group entity 104, as illustrated by arrow 412 from endpoint 102 to group entity 104. A session description is carried in the payload of the SIP INVITE
message and is used to describe any requested session parameters. Typically, the session description for a given group communication contains any one of a single media stream, multiple media streams, or multiple synchronized media streams (e.g., QuickTime). For instance, the session description could indicate that the user desires to start a session with an H.263 video stream and an IMBE audio stream. In such a case, the SIP INVITE would initiate the establishment of a single multimedia stream within a group communication, wherein preferably each media stream is established through a unique SIP call leg. Alternatively, a single SIP call maybe used to establish both media streams.
A suitable tag-value type or schema-based protocol is used for describing session parameters. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a SDP
packet is used for session descriptions. The SDP packet may, for instance, describe all of the media streams that correspond to the same session. The session description for each stream may also be bundled into the same SDP packet to make it easier for the endpoints to associate the streams together to logically form a single session.
Moreover, one of the advantages of using SDP for session descriptions is that this protocol may be extended to carry new information specific to sessions in a given system.
Once group entity 104 receives the SIP INVITE 412, group entity 104 will cause the session to be accepted or declined. Group entity 104 will coordinate with any other entity in the system, as needed, to make this determination. If group entity 104 accepts the session, a set of session parameters must first be selected (resolved).
Again, group entity 104 will coordinate with any other entity in the system, as needed, to cause a suitable set of session parameters to be selected.
Fig. 4 illustrates endpoint 102 initiating, via group entity 104, a session with the endpoints affiliated with group 1, in accordance with the present invention. To initiate the session, initiating endpoint 102 preferably sends a SIP INVITE
message addressed to group entity 104, as illustrated by arrow 412 from endpoint 102 to group entity 104. A session description is carried in the payload of the SIP INVITE
message and is used to describe any requested session parameters. Typically, the session description for a given group communication contains any one of a single media stream, multiple media streams, or multiple synchronized media streams (e.g., QuickTime). For instance, the session description could indicate that the user desires to start a session with an H.263 video stream and an IMBE audio stream. In such a case, the SIP INVITE would initiate the establishment of a single multimedia stream within a group communication, wherein preferably each media stream is established through a unique SIP call leg. Alternatively, a single SIP call maybe used to establish both media streams.
A suitable tag-value type or schema-based protocol is used for describing session parameters. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a SDP
packet is used for session descriptions. The SDP packet may, for instance, describe all of the media streams that correspond to the same session. The session description for each stream may also be bundled into the same SDP packet to make it easier for the endpoints to associate the streams together to logically form a single session.
Moreover, one of the advantages of using SDP for session descriptions is that this protocol may be extended to carry new information specific to sessions in a given system.
Once group entity 104 receives the SIP INVITE 412, group entity 104 will cause the session to be accepted or declined. Group entity 104 will coordinate with any other entity in the system, as needed, to make this determination. If group entity 104 accepts the session, a set of session parameters must first be selected (resolved).
Again, group entity 104 will coordinate with any other entity in the system, as needed, to cause a suitable set of session parameters to be selected.
8 PCT/US2003/040698 As stated above, SIP INVITE 412 may contain requested parameters. In this case, the set of selected session parameters is preferably, but not necessarily, at least a subset of the requested parameters if all of the requested parameters cannot be accommodated. However, whether INVITE 412 contains requested parameters or not, group entity 104 may be configured to cause session parameters to be selected as a function of a number of factors, including but not limited to: (1) available system resources such as the available bandwidth, the available media resources, e.g., transcoding, policies, e.g., this group always uses high resolution video, and critical users; (2) a capabilities list for all of the endpoints affiliated with group 1, which is made available through the registration process described above; and (3) one or more sets default parameters known to group entity 104. At a minimum, if the session is accepted, the required data and possible control channels are established.
Thereafter, group entity 104 causes the set of selected session parameters to be entered into a SAP session directory. Conversely, if group entity 104 declines the session (not illustrated), group entity 104 communicates this to the initiating endpoint preferably by sending an error message using the transactional protocol, e.g.
SIP.
Assuming group entity 104 accepts the session initiated by the SIP INVITE
412 from endpoint 102, the presence of the session would then need to be communicated to the endpoints affiliated with group 1. Fig. 5 illustrates group entity 104 using a broadcast protocol to communicate the presence of the session and the selected session parameters to endpoints 106, 108 and 110. Group agent 104 transmits SAP announcements to endpoints 102, 106, 108 and 110 (arrows 514) on an assigned multicast channel using Internet Protocol ("IP") multicast. Each group in the system, preferably but not necessarily, has a unique multicast address for signaling, which may be selected by group entity 104.
The SAP announcements can be constructed to carry the identification of the group for which the announcement is intended as well as a session description.
Specialized media control information can be identified through specialized media types in this session. Separating media control information from session control signaling improves functional layering within the system. Preferably, each SAP
announcement carries in its payload an SDP packet describing the selected session parameters. Traditionally, in accordance with the standard, SAP announcements are
Thereafter, group entity 104 causes the set of selected session parameters to be entered into a SAP session directory. Conversely, if group entity 104 declines the session (not illustrated), group entity 104 communicates this to the initiating endpoint preferably by sending an error message using the transactional protocol, e.g.
SIP.
Assuming group entity 104 accepts the session initiated by the SIP INVITE
412 from endpoint 102, the presence of the session would then need to be communicated to the endpoints affiliated with group 1. Fig. 5 illustrates group entity 104 using a broadcast protocol to communicate the presence of the session and the selected session parameters to endpoints 106, 108 and 110. Group agent 104 transmits SAP announcements to endpoints 102, 106, 108 and 110 (arrows 514) on an assigned multicast channel using Internet Protocol ("IP") multicast. Each group in the system, preferably but not necessarily, has a unique multicast address for signaling, which may be selected by group entity 104.
The SAP announcements can be constructed to carry the identification of the group for which the announcement is intended as well as a session description.
Specialized media control information can be identified through specialized media types in this session. Separating media control information from session control signaling improves functional layering within the system. Preferably, each SAP
announcement carries in its payload an SDP packet describing the selected session parameters. Traditionally, in accordance with the standard, SAP announcements are
9 sent out on a relatively long periodic basis to announce sessions that will be taking place at some time in the future, much like an active TV Guide instructing someone to tune in to channel 7 at 8:00PM on June 23rd to see a particular program.
However, in accordance with the present invention, SAP announcements are sent contemporaneously with the start of a session and are preferably repeated to increase the probability of the endpoints receiving them in a short time window. A
reliable multicast technology may alternatively be used to verify receipt of the SAP
announcements. Moreover, the SAP announcements are periodically multicast for the life of the session.
The acceptance of the session must also be communicated to the initiating endpoint using the transactional protocol. Fig. 6 illustrates group entity 104 communicating the presence of the session and the selected session parameters to initiating endpoint 102. Group entity 104 preferably acknowledges the acceptance of the session by sending a SIP OK (illustrated by arrow 616) to endpoint 102.
This SIP
15.. OK preferably carries in its payload a SDP packet that describes the selected session parameters. In response, endpoint 102 sends a SIP ACK. At this point, the session INVITE/OK/ACK transaction is complete, and all endpoints 102, 106, 108 and 110, affiliated with group 1, have been notified of the session and the selected session parameters. Although Figs. 5 and 6 illustrates the preferred embodiment, wherein SAP announcements are sent out prior to group entity 104 communicating the acceptance of the session to the initiating endpoint 102, those of ordinary skill in the art will realize that these two steps may occur in the reverse order.
Once a session is established according to the present invention, users of the system may desire to have one or more of the following termination requests implemented: a request by any of the endpoints to terminate the session for all endpoints in the session; a request by any of the endpoints joined to the session to leave the session, while the session remains active; or a request by any of the endpoints to end only a SIP control dialog (i.e., a call leg) between the endpoint and the system that is no longer needed, while the session remains active. The session or a particular call leg may also be terminated automatically by the system where, for instance, the session or call leg has been idle for a predetermined amount of time or at the expiration of a hang-timer in the system. Such termination requests are communicated, in accordance with the present invention, preferably by transmitting a SIP BYE message.
Figs. 7 illustrates group entity 104 terminating the media session established between the endpoints affiliated with group 1, in accordance with the present 5 invention. To terminate the session, group entity 104 sends a SIP BYE
(illustrated by arrow 712) to endpoint 102, which has at least one SIP call leg in place.
Group entity 104 may terminate the session, for instance, in response to the expiration of a system timer. This BYE message indicates that the request is to terminate the session for all endpoints, including all corresponding call legs. To communicate the session
However, in accordance with the present invention, SAP announcements are sent contemporaneously with the start of a session and are preferably repeated to increase the probability of the endpoints receiving them in a short time window. A
reliable multicast technology may alternatively be used to verify receipt of the SAP
announcements. Moreover, the SAP announcements are periodically multicast for the life of the session.
The acceptance of the session must also be communicated to the initiating endpoint using the transactional protocol. Fig. 6 illustrates group entity 104 communicating the presence of the session and the selected session parameters to initiating endpoint 102. Group entity 104 preferably acknowledges the acceptance of the session by sending a SIP OK (illustrated by arrow 616) to endpoint 102.
This SIP
15.. OK preferably carries in its payload a SDP packet that describes the selected session parameters. In response, endpoint 102 sends a SIP ACK. At this point, the session INVITE/OK/ACK transaction is complete, and all endpoints 102, 106, 108 and 110, affiliated with group 1, have been notified of the session and the selected session parameters. Although Figs. 5 and 6 illustrates the preferred embodiment, wherein SAP announcements are sent out prior to group entity 104 communicating the acceptance of the session to the initiating endpoint 102, those of ordinary skill in the art will realize that these two steps may occur in the reverse order.
Once a session is established according to the present invention, users of the system may desire to have one or more of the following termination requests implemented: a request by any of the endpoints to terminate the session for all endpoints in the session; a request by any of the endpoints joined to the session to leave the session, while the session remains active; or a request by any of the endpoints to end only a SIP control dialog (i.e., a call leg) between the endpoint and the system that is no longer needed, while the session remains active. The session or a particular call leg may also be terminated automatically by the system where, for instance, the session or call leg has been idle for a predetermined amount of time or at the expiration of a hang-timer in the system. Such termination requests are communicated, in accordance with the present invention, preferably by transmitting a SIP BYE message.
Figs. 7 illustrates group entity 104 terminating the media session established between the endpoints affiliated with group 1, in accordance with the present 5 invention. To terminate the session, group entity 104 sends a SIP BYE
(illustrated by arrow 712) to endpoint 102, which has at least one SIP call leg in place.
Group entity 104 may terminate the session, for instance, in response to the expiration of a system timer. This BYE message indicates that the request is to terminate the session for all endpoints, including all corresponding call legs. To communicate the session
10 termination to endpoints 106, 108 and 110, group entity 104 preferably immediately sends out SAP announcements (also referred to as "deletion announcements") to these endpoints (illustrated by arrows 714). These deletion announcements are preferably repeated to increase the probability of the endpoints receiving them in a short time window. A reliable multicast technology may alternatively be used to verify receipt of the SAP announcements. Endpoint 102 then sends a SIP OK to group entity 104 (arrow 716) to complete the session termination.
Any one of the endpoints affiliated with group 1 may also terminate the established session. Fig. 8 illustrates endpoint 110 terminating the session, in accordance with the present invention. Such an implementation of the present invention may be useful, for instance, where an officer initiates a session from his vehicle to a dispatch endpoint and several other endpoints in a group and then leaves his vehicle. Another user, e.g., a dispatcher, might want to end the session rather than require the officer to return to the vehicle to end the session. To terminate the session, endpoint 110 must first establish a SIP call dialog with group entity 104 through the use of a standard SIP INVITE/OK/ACK transaction (illustrated respectively by arrows 812, 814 and 816). Once this SIP call dialog with group entity 104 is in place, endpoint 110 may end the session in a similar manner discussed above by reference to Fig. 7 illustrating endpoint 102 terminating the session. Specifically, endpoint 110 would first send a SIP BYE message to group entity 104 (as illustrated by arrow 818).
Group entity 104 would then send SAP deletion announcements to endpoints 106 and 108 (arrows 822) that were receiving broadcast announcements. However, since initiating endpoint has a SIP control dialog in place with endpoint 102, this endpoint
Any one of the endpoints affiliated with group 1 may also terminate the established session. Fig. 8 illustrates endpoint 110 terminating the session, in accordance with the present invention. Such an implementation of the present invention may be useful, for instance, where an officer initiates a session from his vehicle to a dispatch endpoint and several other endpoints in a group and then leaves his vehicle. Another user, e.g., a dispatcher, might want to end the session rather than require the officer to return to the vehicle to end the session. To terminate the session, endpoint 110 must first establish a SIP call dialog with group entity 104 through the use of a standard SIP INVITE/OK/ACK transaction (illustrated respectively by arrows 812, 814 and 816). Once this SIP call dialog with group entity 104 is in place, endpoint 110 may end the session in a similar manner discussed above by reference to Fig. 7 illustrating endpoint 102 terminating the session. Specifically, endpoint 110 would first send a SIP BYE message to group entity 104 (as illustrated by arrow 818).
Group entity 104 would then send SAP deletion announcements to endpoints 106 and 108 (arrows 822) that were receiving broadcast announcements. However, since initiating endpoint has a SIP control dialog in place with endpoint 102, this endpoint
11 is notified of the session termination via a SIP BYE request (arrow 824), wherein endpoint 102 responds with a SIP OK (arrow 826). Finally, the session termination is completed by group entity 104 sending a SIP OK message to endpoint 110 (arrow 828).
Furthermore, an established session can be modified by any of the endpoints affiliated with group 1. For instance, one or more endpoints may wish to change session parameters such as bit rates, codecs, encryption, etc., or may wish to add or remove media streams. An endpoint preferably modifies a session by sending a SIP
RE-INVITE message addressed to the appropriate group that contains a SDP
packet in its payload that describes the modified session parameters. For endpoints that do not have a call leg already in place, i.e., receiving only broadcast announcements, the endpoint must first establish a SIP control dialog through a typical SIP
INVITE/OK/ACK transaction. Thereafter, the group entity notifies all endpoints with a SIP dialog in place of the modified session parameters through SIP signaling and notifies the other endpoints in the group of the modified session parameters through repeated SAP announcements.
While the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art. The invention, in its broader aspects, is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus, and illustrative examples shown and described, wherein SIP, SAP and SDP protocols were used to implement the present invention. Various alterations, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description, which include but are not limited to implementing the present invention using other transactional, broadcast or session description protocols. In addition, the present invention does not preclude the use of standard SIP devices, such as telephones. Thus, it should be understood that the invention is not limited by the foregoing description, but embraces all such alterations, modifications and variations in accordance with the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
Furthermore, an established session can be modified by any of the endpoints affiliated with group 1. For instance, one or more endpoints may wish to change session parameters such as bit rates, codecs, encryption, etc., or may wish to add or remove media streams. An endpoint preferably modifies a session by sending a SIP
RE-INVITE message addressed to the appropriate group that contains a SDP
packet in its payload that describes the modified session parameters. For endpoints that do not have a call leg already in place, i.e., receiving only broadcast announcements, the endpoint must first establish a SIP control dialog through a typical SIP
INVITE/OK/ACK transaction. Thereafter, the group entity notifies all endpoints with a SIP dialog in place of the modified session parameters through SIP signaling and notifies the other endpoints in the group of the modified session parameters through repeated SAP announcements.
While the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art. The invention, in its broader aspects, is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus, and illustrative examples shown and described, wherein SIP, SAP and SDP protocols were used to implement the present invention. Various alterations, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description, which include but are not limited to implementing the present invention using other transactional, broadcast or session description protocols. In addition, the present invention does not preclude the use of standard SIP devices, such as telephones. Thus, it should be understood that the invention is not limited by the foregoing description, but embraces all such alterations, modifications and variations in accordance with the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
Claims (10)
1. In a system having at least one group entity and a plurality of endpoints, a method comprising the steps of:
a) receiving at a group entity from an initiating endpoint, using a transactional protocol, a first message requesting an initiation of a session between a plurality of endpoints affiliated with a group that correlates to said group entity;
b) determining at the group entity whether the session is to be accepted or declined and if the session is declined communicating from the group entity to the initiating endpoint, using the transactional protocol, that the session was declined, and if the session is accepted in order to start the session, performing steps c) and d);
c) upon the acceptance and start of the session, causing the presence of said session to be communicated, using a broadcast protocol, to the plurality of endpoints affiliated with said group; and d) communicating from said group entity to said initiating endpoint, using said transactional protocol, the acceptance of said session.
a) receiving at a group entity from an initiating endpoint, using a transactional protocol, a first message requesting an initiation of a session between a plurality of endpoints affiliated with a group that correlates to said group entity;
b) determining at the group entity whether the session is to be accepted or declined and if the session is declined communicating from the group entity to the initiating endpoint, using the transactional protocol, that the session was declined, and if the session is accepted in order to start the session, performing steps c) and d);
c) upon the acceptance and start of the session, causing the presence of said session to be communicated, using a broadcast protocol, to the plurality of endpoints affiliated with said group; and d) communicating from said group entity to said initiating endpoint, using said transactional protocol, the acceptance of said session.
2. The method according to Claim 1 further comprising the step of receiving at said group entity from any one of the plurality of endpoints affiliated with said group, using said transactional protocol, at least one subsequent message requesting that said session is to be modified.
3. The method according to Claim 1 further comprising the step of causing said session to be terminated using said transactional protocol.
4. The method according to Claim 3, wherein said group entity sends a subsequent message to any one of the plurality of endpoints affiliated with said group to cause said session to be terminated.
5. The method according to Claim 3, wherein said group entity receives at least one subsequent message from any one of the plurality of endpoints affiliated with said group to cause said session to be terminated.
6. The method according to Claim 1 further comprising the step of causing a set of session parameters to be selected before the session is accepted, wherein said set of session parameters is selected as a function of one of the set of:
available system resources;
capabilities of each endpoint affiliated with said group; and at least one set of default parameters.
available system resources;
capabilities of each endpoint affiliated with said group; and at least one set of default parameters.
7. The method according to Claim 6, wherein said set of requested parameters is described using a Session Description Protocol (SDP).
8. The method according to Claim 1, wherein said transactional protocol is a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP).
9. The method according to Claim 1, wherein said broadcast protocol is a Session Announcement Protocol (SAP), and the presence of the session is communicated, using SAP announcements, to the plurality of endpoints affiliated with said group.
10. A communications network system comprising:
a plurality of endpoints operatively networked together, each said endpoint configured for communicating using a transactional protocol and further configured for receiving communications using a broadcast protocol, and at least one group entity operatively coupled to the system and configured for receiving from an initiating endpoint, using a transactional protocol, a first message requesting an initiation of a session between a plurality of endpoints affiliated with a group that correlates to said group entity, causing said session to be accepted in order to start the session, upon the acceptance and start of the session causing the presence of said session to be communicated, using a broadcast protocol, to the plurality of endpoints affiliated with said group, and communicating from said group entity to said initiating endpoint, using said transactional protocol, the acceptance of said session.
a plurality of endpoints operatively networked together, each said endpoint configured for communicating using a transactional protocol and further configured for receiving communications using a broadcast protocol, and at least one group entity operatively coupled to the system and configured for receiving from an initiating endpoint, using a transactional protocol, a first message requesting an initiation of a session between a plurality of endpoints affiliated with a group that correlates to said group entity, causing said session to be accepted in order to start the session, upon the acceptance and start of the session causing the presence of said session to be communicated, using a broadcast protocol, to the plurality of endpoints affiliated with said group, and communicating from said group entity to said initiating endpoint, using said transactional protocol, the acceptance of said session.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US10/334,521 US7894377B2 (en) | 2002-12-31 | 2002-12-31 | Method and system for group communications |
US10/334,521 | 2002-12-31 | ||
PCT/US2003/040698 WO2004062218A1 (en) | 2002-12-31 | 2003-12-18 | Method and system for group communications |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
CA2510631A1 CA2510631A1 (en) | 2004-07-22 |
CA2510631C true CA2510631C (en) | 2012-04-17 |
Family
ID=32655086
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
CA2510631A Expired - Fee Related CA2510631C (en) | 2002-12-31 | 2003-12-18 | Method and system for group communications |
Country Status (8)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US7894377B2 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1579644B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP4942936B2 (en) |
AU (1) | AU2003301158A1 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2510631C (en) |
IL (1) | IL169106A (en) |
TW (1) | TWI239172B (en) |
WO (1) | WO2004062218A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (35)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7366780B2 (en) * | 2002-12-31 | 2008-04-29 | Motorola, Inc. | System and method for controlling and managing sessions between endpoints in a communications system |
US6798755B2 (en) | 2002-12-31 | 2004-09-28 | Motorola, Inc. | Apparatus and method for controlling and managing individual directed sessions in a communications system |
US7023813B2 (en) * | 2002-12-31 | 2006-04-04 | Motorola, Inc. | Methods for managing a pool of multicast addresses and allocating addresses in a communications system |
US7154864B2 (en) * | 2003-02-28 | 2006-12-26 | Nokia Corporation | Method and apparatus for providing conference call announcement using SIP signalling in a communication system |
US7085244B2 (en) * | 2003-03-07 | 2006-08-01 | Nokia Corporation | Floor control language |
US7490155B1 (en) * | 2003-03-13 | 2009-02-10 | 3Com Corporation | Management and control for interactive media sessions |
US8406797B2 (en) * | 2004-08-24 | 2013-03-26 | Qualcomm Incorporated | System and method for transmitting and playing alert tones in a push-to-talk system |
US7609685B2 (en) * | 2004-09-24 | 2009-10-27 | Zyxel Communications Corp | IP telephony apparatus providing simultaneous SIP communication for multiple IP phones and method for the same |
FR2878676B1 (en) * | 2004-11-30 | 2007-02-09 | Thales Sa | MULTI-ROUTING-TOPOLOGY AND MULTIPLE-SERVICES SYSTEM |
CN100596075C (en) * | 2005-03-31 | 2010-03-24 | 株式会社日立制作所 | Method and apparatus for realizing multiuser conference service using broadcast multicast service in wireless communication system |
US7660850B2 (en) * | 2005-05-27 | 2010-02-09 | Microsoft Corporation | Supporting a serial and a parallel invitation protocol |
US7882176B2 (en) * | 2005-05-27 | 2011-02-01 | Microsoft Corporation | Establishing a multiparty session by sending invitations in parallel |
FI20055288A0 (en) * | 2005-06-06 | 2005-06-06 | Nokia Corp | Single messaging |
US20070019645A1 (en) * | 2005-07-05 | 2007-01-25 | Deepthy Menon | Method and system for multicasting data in a communication network |
US8364153B2 (en) | 2010-08-13 | 2013-01-29 | Mutualink, Inc. | Mobile interoperability workstation controller having video capabilities within an incident communications network |
US9871767B2 (en) | 2005-07-18 | 2018-01-16 | Mutualink, Inc. | Enabling ad hoc trusted connections among enclaved communication communities |
US9654200B2 (en) | 2005-07-18 | 2017-05-16 | Mutualink, Inc. | System and method for dynamic wireless aerial mesh network |
US7643445B2 (en) * | 2005-07-18 | 2010-01-05 | Mutualink, Inc. | Interoperable communications system and method of use |
US8588210B2 (en) * | 2005-07-22 | 2013-11-19 | Motorola Solutions, Inc. | Method and apparatus for floor control in a communication system |
JP2007036960A (en) * | 2005-07-29 | 2007-02-08 | Kddi Corp | Rtp communication terminal for dynamically switching session, call connecting system, and program |
US10178522B2 (en) * | 2005-08-02 | 2019-01-08 | Qualcomm Incorporated | VoIP emergency call support |
US9137770B2 (en) * | 2005-09-15 | 2015-09-15 | Qualcomm Incorporated | Emergency circuit-mode call support |
KR101066297B1 (en) * | 2005-09-30 | 2011-09-20 | 삼성전자주식회사 | Method and apparatus for providing simultaneous multi ptt over cellular multimedia service |
ATE556547T1 (en) * | 2005-10-28 | 2012-05-15 | Ericsson Telefon Ab L M | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR PUSH-TO-TALK SERVICE |
US20070253435A1 (en) * | 2006-05-01 | 2007-11-01 | Motorola, Inc. | Method for providing reliable session communication within a network |
US7761110B2 (en) * | 2006-05-31 | 2010-07-20 | Cisco Technology, Inc. | Floor control templates for use in push-to-talk applications |
US20080008157A1 (en) * | 2006-07-06 | 2008-01-10 | Edge Stephen W | Method And Apparatus For Parallel Registration And Call Establishment |
KR101250589B1 (en) * | 2006-10-02 | 2013-04-03 | 삼성전자주식회사 | PoC System And Method and Terminal Apparatus for Establishing and Managing Multimedia PoC Session to Processing Multimedia Calling Service |
US8249068B2 (en) * | 2006-10-20 | 2012-08-21 | Alcatel Lucent | Method and apparatus for establishing multicast groups |
KR20080037950A (en) * | 2006-10-27 | 2008-05-02 | 삼성전자주식회사 | Method and apparatus for transmitting/receiving data |
WO2008140391A1 (en) * | 2007-05-11 | 2008-11-20 | Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson (Publ) | Group call capability query |
US9276776B2 (en) | 2007-09-28 | 2016-03-01 | Genband Us Llc | Methods and apparatus for bandwidth management within a media over internet protocol network based on a session description |
WO2010037945A1 (en) * | 2008-09-30 | 2010-04-08 | France Telecom | Method of broadcasting data by a multicast source with broadcasting of an identifier of the broadcasting strategy in a multicast signalling channel |
WO2012116033A1 (en) | 2011-02-22 | 2012-08-30 | Mutualink Inc. | Dynamic asset marshalling within an incident communications network |
EP2811710A1 (en) * | 2013-06-04 | 2014-12-10 | Alcatel Lucent | Controlling the display of media streams |
Family Cites Families (28)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CA1337132C (en) | 1988-07-15 | 1995-09-26 | Robert Filepp | Reception system for an interactive computer network and method of operation |
JPH05308634A (en) | 1992-04-30 | 1993-11-19 | Toshiba Corp | Inter-multiple point communication system |
CA2124379C (en) | 1993-06-25 | 1998-10-27 | Thomas F. La Porta | Distributed processing architecture for control of broadband and narrowband communications networks |
US5517494A (en) | 1994-09-30 | 1996-05-14 | Apple Computer, Inc. | Method and system of multicast routing for groups with a single transmitter |
JPH11511302A (en) | 1995-06-29 | 1999-09-28 | テレフオンアクチーボラゲツト エル エム エリクソン(パブル) | Call setup server |
US6005848A (en) | 1997-10-27 | 1999-12-21 | Motorola, Inc. | Method and apparatus for a talkgroup call in a wireless CDMA system |
US6449260B1 (en) | 1998-05-01 | 2002-09-10 | Siemens Information And Communication Networks, Inc. | Multimedia automatic call distribution system |
US6301245B1 (en) | 1998-06-09 | 2001-10-09 | Unisys Corporation | Universal Messaging system providing integrated voice, data and fax messaging services to PC/web-based clients, including a large object server for efficiently distributing voice/fax messages to web-based clients |
KR20010045237A (en) | 1999-11-03 | 2001-06-05 | 오길록 | Management method of the group membership in the internet multicast applications |
US6965614B1 (en) * | 1999-11-12 | 2005-11-15 | Nortel Networks Limited | Method and system for communications between different types of devices |
US6823364B1 (en) * | 1999-12-21 | 2004-11-23 | Nortel Networks Limited | Distribution of location information in IP networks by intelligent endpoints |
US7079495B1 (en) * | 2000-01-04 | 2006-07-18 | Cisco Technology, Inc. | System and method for enabling multicast telecommunications |
EP2271170B1 (en) | 2000-03-03 | 2012-09-05 | Qualcomm Incorporated | Method and apparatus for participating in group communication services in an existing communication system |
BR0108899A (en) | 2000-03-03 | 2005-10-18 | Qualcomm Inc | Method and apparatus for participating in group communication services in an existing communication system |
US6477150B1 (en) | 2000-03-03 | 2002-11-05 | Qualcomm, Inc. | System and method for providing group communication services in an existing communication system |
US6934279B1 (en) * | 2000-03-13 | 2005-08-23 | Nortel Networks Limited | Controlling voice communications over a data network |
US20020119821A1 (en) | 2000-05-12 | 2002-08-29 | Sanjoy Sen | System and method for joining a broadband multi-user communication session |
US6845389B1 (en) * | 2000-05-12 | 2005-01-18 | Nortel Networks Limited | System and method for broadband multi-user communication sessions |
NO20010069L (en) | 2001-01-05 | 2002-07-08 | Ericsson Telefon Ab L M | Multi-user applications in multimedia networks |
US6438114B1 (en) | 2001-02-05 | 2002-08-20 | Motorola, Inc. | Method and apparatus for enabling multimedia calls using session initiation protocol |
US6990081B2 (en) * | 2001-03-27 | 2006-01-24 | Motorola, Inc. | Conference call bridge arrangement |
US7386000B2 (en) | 2001-04-17 | 2008-06-10 | Nokia Corporation | Packet mode speech communication |
FI20010979A (en) | 2001-05-09 | 2002-11-10 | Nokia Corp | Call Control Method |
US20020172165A1 (en) * | 2001-05-15 | 2002-11-21 | Eric Rosen | Communication device for reducing latency in a mobile-originated group communication request |
US20030079037A1 (en) * | 2001-10-24 | 2003-04-24 | Greg Donnelly | System and method of serving communities of interest |
US20030095510A1 (en) * | 2001-11-16 | 2003-05-22 | Motorola, Inc. | Use and management of groups defined according to a call initiation protocol |
US7366780B2 (en) | 2002-12-31 | 2008-04-29 | Motorola, Inc. | System and method for controlling and managing sessions between endpoints in a communications system |
GB0306863D0 (en) | 2003-03-25 | 2003-04-30 | Nokia Corp | Service provisioning in a communication system |
-
2002
- 2002-12-31 US US10/334,521 patent/US7894377B2/en active Active
-
2003
- 2003-12-18 WO PCT/US2003/040698 patent/WO2004062218A1/en active Application Filing
- 2003-12-18 CA CA2510631A patent/CA2510631C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2003-12-18 EP EP03814888.8A patent/EP1579644B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2003-12-18 JP JP2004565606A patent/JP4942936B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2003-12-18 AU AU2003301158A patent/AU2003301158A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2003-12-31 TW TW092137633A patent/TWI239172B/en not_active IP Right Cessation
-
2005
- 2005-06-09 IL IL169106A patent/IL169106A/en active IP Right Grant
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US7894377B2 (en) | 2011-02-22 |
AU2003301158A1 (en) | 2004-07-29 |
IL169106A0 (en) | 2007-07-04 |
CA2510631A1 (en) | 2004-07-22 |
WO2004062218A1 (en) | 2004-07-22 |
TWI239172B (en) | 2005-09-01 |
JP2006513610A (en) | 2006-04-20 |
EP1579644B1 (en) | 2015-07-01 |
US20040125802A1 (en) | 2004-07-01 |
JP4942936B2 (en) | 2012-05-30 |
IL169106A (en) | 2010-12-30 |
TW200427268A (en) | 2004-12-01 |
EP1579644A1 (en) | 2005-09-28 |
EP1579644A4 (en) | 2006-06-07 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
CA2510631C (en) | Method and system for group communications | |
US20070253435A1 (en) | Method for providing reliable session communication within a network | |
JP4391424B2 (en) | Apparatus and method for controlling and managing individually oriented sessions in a communication system | |
JP4391423B2 (en) | Control and manage sessions between end points | |
US7499719B2 (en) | Method and apparatus for mixed mode multimedia conferencing | |
US8467820B2 (en) | Push-to-talk optimization | |
EP1389862A1 (en) | Lawful interception for VoIP calls in IP based networks | |
US20030014488A1 (en) | System and method for enabling multimedia conferencing services on a real-time communications platform | |
US20020150091A1 (en) | Packet mode speech communication | |
US20070213078A1 (en) | Wireless communication method and system for supporting multicast bearer services over an ip multimedia subsystem | |
JP2006525693A (en) | Signaling method of client speed function in multimedia streaming | |
WO2006105275A2 (en) | Push to talk over cellular (half-duplex) to full-duplex voice conferencing | |
TW200425660A (en) | Methods for affiliating endpoints with a group and determining common communication capabilities for the affiliated endpoints | |
MX2007013843A (en) | Signaling quality of service (qos) parameters for a multimedia session. | |
CN1985489A (en) | Method and arrangement for providing different services in multimedia communication system | |
WO2004061600A2 (en) | Methods for managing a pool of multicast addresses and allocating addresses in a communications system | |
WO2010003385A1 (en) | A method and apparatus for controlling the multimedia conference by the application server | |
GB2408409A (en) | Speech quality control in internet protocol communications | |
US8639279B2 (en) | Method of requesting a communication session using segmented signaling messages | |
US20080208993A1 (en) | Method For Distributing New Services in an Internet Multimedia Subsystem (Ims), and a Node Adapted Therefore | |
CN101594623B (en) | Method and equipment for monitoring call made via voice over Internet protocol | |
KR20060084327A (en) | Method for transmitting data in multimedia system | |
WO2010045830A1 (en) | Method and apparatus for implementing stream media service | |
KR100748695B1 (en) | Method and system for serving different pta system by one session | |
EP1729475A1 (en) | SIP based floor control method in "Push to" over cellular services |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
EEER | Examination request | ||
MKLA | Lapsed |
Effective date: 20201218 |