Push-to-talk communication over two different communication networks

Abstract

Examples describe a method for push-to-talk communication between at least four communication terminals. Other examples also describe a terminal adapted to connect to a communication accessory and a communication accessory adapted to connect to two terminals of two different communication networks.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of push-to-talk communications or "PTT" ("Push to Talk"). Background Art

[0002] Push-to-talk communications, also known as push-to-talk communications, are push-to-talk bidirectional communications (not simultaneously) based on a user actuating a physical or virtual button to switch from a receive mode to a transmit mode, or vice versa. These communications use a half-duplex communication channel.

[0003] Push-to-talk communications are widely used, particularly in the context of operations by emergency services or law enforcement services.

[0004] These communications could potentially be improved. Summary of the invention

[0005] In this regard, a method for push-to-talk communication between at least four communication terminals is provided;

[0006] at least one first communication terminal and a second communication terminal adapted to exchange data streams corresponding to push-to-talk communications with each other over a first communication network using an Internet protocol;

[0007] a third communication terminal and at least one fourth communication terminal adapted to exchange data streams corresponding to push-to-talk communications with each other over a second communication network using a protocol different from the Internet Protocol;

[0008] The second terminal and the third terminal are further connected to the same communication accessory;

[0009] The method includes:

[0010] - Transmitting, by the fourth terminal, a data stream of the push-to-talk communication to the third terminal on a specific push-to-talk broadcast channel specific to the second network;

[0011] - transmitting, by the third terminal to the accessory, an audio signal corresponding to the data stream of the push-to-talk communication;

[0012] - transmitting, by the accessory to the second terminal, a signal indicating the start of a data transmission and comprising an identifier of a specific push-to-talk broadcast channel of the second network;

[0013] - identifying, by the second terminal, based on the identifier of the broadcast channel, a specific push-to-talk transmission channel of the first network associated with a specific push-to-talk broadcast channel of the second network;

[0014] - transmitting, by the accessory to the second terminal, an audio signal corresponding to the data stream of the push-to-talk communication;

[0015] - Transmitting, by the second terminal to the first terminal over a specific push-to-talk transmission channel of the first network, a data stream of a push-to-talk communication corresponding to the audio signal received from the accessory.

[0016] Optionally, the accessory includes a microphone and a speaker, and before the accessory transmits an audio signal corresponding to the data stream of the push-to-talk communication to the second terminal, the method further includes:

[0017] - converting an audio signal corresponding to a data stream of the push-to-talk communication into an audible signal broadcast by a speaker of the accessory; and then

[0018] -Converts an audible signal broadcast by a speaker and captured by an attached microphone into an audio signal.

[0019] Optionally, the identifier of the specific push-to-talk broadcast channel of the second network corresponds to a frequency of the specific push-to-talk broadcast channel.

[0020] Optionally, identifying, by the second terminal, a specific push-to-talk transmission channel of the first network associated with a specific push-to-talk broadcast channel of the second network includes:

[0021] - Selecting in a pre-established look-up table a specific Push-to-Talk transmission channel of the first network associated with an identifier of a specific Push-to-Talk broadcast channel of the second network.

[0022] The present disclosure also relates to another method for performing push-to-talk communication between at least four communication terminals;

[0023] at least one first communication terminal and a second communication terminal adapted to exchange data streams corresponding to push-to-talk communications with each other over a first communication network using an Internet protocol;

[0024] a third communication terminal and at least one fourth communication terminal adapted to exchange data streams corresponding to push-to-talk communications with each other over a second communication network using a protocol different from the Internet Protocol;

[0025] The second terminal and the third terminal are further connected to the same communication accessory;

[0026] The method includes:

[0027] - the first terminal transmits a data stream of the push-to-talk communication to the second terminal on a specific push-to-talk transmission channel of the first network;

[0028] - identifying, by the second terminal, a specific push-to-talk broadcast channel of the second network associated with a specific push-to-talk transmission channel of the first network;

[0029] - transmitting, by the second terminal to the accessory, a signal indicating the start of a data transmission and comprising an identifier of a specific push-to-talk broadcast channel of the second network;

[0030] - transmitting, by the second terminal to the accessory, an audio signal corresponding to the data stream of the push-to-talk communication;

[0031] - transmitting, by the accessory to the third terminal, a signal indicating the start of data transmission on a specific push-to-talk broadcast channel of the second network;

[0032] - transmitting, by the accessory to the third terminal, an audio signal corresponding to the data stream of the push-to-talk communication; and

[0033] - Transmitting, by the third terminal to the fourth terminal, a data stream of a push-to-talk communication corresponding to the audio signal received from the accessory, over a specific push-to-talk broadcast channel of the second network.

[0034] Furthermore, the present disclosure relates to a push-to-talk communication terminal adapted to be connected to a communication accessory;

[0035] In a first example, the terminal is configured to perform a first operation, the first operation including:

[0036] upon receiving a signal originating from the accessory indicating the start of a data transmission and including an identifier of a specific push-to-talk broadcast channel of the second network;

[0037] - identifying, based on the identifier of the broadcast channel, a specific push-to-talk transmission channel of the first network associated with a specific push-to-talk broadcast channel of the second network;

[0038] and upon receiving an audio signal originating from the accessory, wherein the audio signal corresponds to a push-to-talk communication transmitted over the second network:

[0039] - sending a data stream on the identified specific push-to-talk transmission channel of the first network, the data stream corresponding to the audio signal received from the accessory.

[0040] Optionally, the first operation further includes at least one of the following operations:

[0041] - selecting in a pre-established look-up table a specific push-to-talk transmission channel of the first network associated with an identifier of a specific push-to-talk broadcast channel of the second network;

[0042] - sending a signal indicating the start of transmission on the determined specific push-to-talk transmission channel of the first network; or

[0043] - when the audio signal of the push-to-talk communication is completed, sending a signal indicating the end of transmission on a specific push-to-talk transmission channel;

[0044] In a second example, the terminal is configured to perform a second operation, the second operation including:

[0045] After receiving the data stream of the push-to-talk communication on the specific transmission channel of the first network:

[0046] - identifying a specific push-to-talk broadcast channel of the second network associated with a specific push-to-talk transmission channel of the first network;

[0047] - sending a signal to the accessory, the signal indicating the start of data transfer and including an identifier of a specific push-to-talk broadcast channel of the second network; and

[0048] - sending to the accessory an audio signal corresponding to a data stream of the push-to-talk communication received on the specific transmission channel of the first network.

[0049] Optionally, the second operation may further include the following operations:

[0050] - Selecting in a pre-established lookup table a specific Push-to-Talk broadcast channel of the second network that is associated with a specific Push-to-Talk transmission channel of the first network.

[0051] Optionally, the terminal is configured to perform a first operation and a second operation.

[0052] The present disclosure also relates to a communication accessory adapted to be connected to a communication terminal of a first communication network and a communication terminal of a second communication network,

[0053] The communication terminals of the first network are configured to exchange data streams corresponding to push-to-talk communications over the first communication network using Internet protocol.

[0054] In a first example, the accessory is configured to perform the following operations:

[0055] After receiving an audio signal corresponding to a data stream of a push-to-talk communication originating from a communication terminal of the second network transmitted on a specific broadcast channel of the second network:

[0056] - sending a signal to a communication terminal of the first network, the signal indicating the start of a data transmission and comprising an identifier of a specific Push-to-Talk broadcast channel of the second network.

[0057] In the second example, the accessory is configured to perform the following operations:

[0058] After receiving a signal originating from a communication terminal of the first network indicating the start of a data transmission and comprising an identifier of a specific push-to-talk broadcast channel of the second network:

[0059] - sending a signal to a communication terminal of the second network, the signal indicating the start of data transmission and comprising an identifier of a specific Push-to-Talk broadcast channel of the second network.

[0060] Optionally, the accessory is configured to:

[0061] After receiving an audio signal corresponding to a data stream of a push-to-talk communication originating from a communication terminal of the second network transmitted on a specific broadcast channel of the second network:

[0062] - sending a signal to a communication terminal of the first network, the signal indicating the start of a data transmission and comprising an identifier of a specific push-to-talk broadcast channel of the second network;

[0063] And the attachment is further configured to perform the following operations:

[0064] After receiving a signal originating from a communication terminal of the first network indicating the start of a data transmission and comprising an identifier of a specific push-to-talk broadcast channel of the second network:

[0065] - sending a signal to a communication terminal of the second network, the signal indicating the start of data transmission and comprising an identifier of a specific Push-to-Talk broadcast channel of the second network.

[0066] The present application also relates to a computer program product, comprising instructions for implementing any one of the methods disclosed in the present disclosure when the program is executed by at least one processor.

[0067] Finally, the present application relates to a computer-readable non-transitory storage medium, which stores a program for implementing any one of the methods disclosed in the present disclosure when the program is executed by at least one processor.

[0068] Thus, according to its different variants, the present disclosure enables two groups of push-to-talk communication terminals belonging to different communication networks to communicate together, so that from the perspective of the users of the two communication group terminals, they are a single communication group. In particular, the electronic architecture of the terminals and the network are not modified to implement the technical solution. The configuration of the communication accessories of the terminals and the communication system can be modified and is sufficient to implement the operation, so that the proposed technical solution is cheap and almost uncomplicated to implement. In particular, existing terminals do not need to be adjusted structurally or functionally, and existing terminals can be used. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0069] Other features, details and advantages will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and analyzing the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0070] [ Figure 1 ] schematically shows an example of a communication system.

[0071] [ Figure 2 ] schematically illustrates an example of an attachment according to the present disclosure.

[0072] [ Figure 3 ] schematically illustrates an example of a terminal according to the present disclosure.

[0073] [ Figure 4 ] schematically illustrates an example of a method for performing push-to-talk communication between at least four communication terminals.

[0074] [ Figure 5 ] schematically shows Figure 4 A communication diagram of an example of a push-to-talk communication method between at least four communication terminals shown in FIG.

[0075] [ Figure 6 ] schematically illustrates another example of a method for performing push-to-talk communication between at least four communication terminals.

[0076] [ Figure 7 ] schematically shows Figure 6 A communication diagram of an example of a push-to-talk communication method between at least four communication terminals shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0077] Reference now Figure 1 An example of a communication system 1 is described in which a push-to-talk communication method can be implemented, a first example of which refers to Figure 4 Description, second example reference Figure 6 Description. A system 1 enables the exchange of data streams between communication terminals corresponding to push-to-talk communication, in particular using a communication accessory.

[0078] The "communication terminal" or "terminal" referred to in the present disclosure refers to a communication device configured to communicate with other communication terminals on a communication network. Therefore, a "push-to-talk communication terminal" refers to a communication terminal configured to implement push-to-talk communication.

[0079] For example, the communication terminal may correspond to a computer, a telephone, an intercom. Thus, the communication terminal may correspond to a fixed device such as a personal computer, or a mobile device such as a mobile phone.

[0080] A "communication network" or "network" as referred to in this disclosure refers to an interconnected system that enables data exchange between different devices belonging to the network.

[0081] A “data stream” or “flow” referred to in the present disclosure refers to at least two consecutive data packets.

[0082] What the applicant refers to as "push-to-talk communication" refers to non-simultaneous two-way communication based on a user actuating a physical or virtual button or an equivalent computer command to switch from a receive mode to a transmit mode. These push-to-talk communications or push-to-talk transmissions (hereinafter referred to as PTT) use half-duplex communication channels. These half-duplex communication channels are so-called push-to-talk transmission channels, push-to-talk broadcast channels or push-to-talk communication channels. In particular, in the present disclosure, when it consists of a communication channel using a first communication network, it refers to a push-to-talk transmission channel, and when it consists of a channel using a second communication network, it refers to a push-to-talk broadcast channel. The first communication network and the second communication network will be described in detail later.

[0083] The inventors have noticed that an agent who has to communicate and coordinate using a Push-to-Talk communication channel does not always have access to a communication terminal that allows communication on the network of an open Push-to-Talk communication channel. Thus, the agent under consideration may have access to a specific terminal that allows communication on a first communication network, while the communication channel on which he / she wishes to communicate is open on a second communication network different from the first communication network. Therefore, the operator's specific communication terminal does not enable him / her to communicate on this communication channel.

[0084] The system 1 according to the present disclosure proposes a technical solution to this problem by creating a communication gateway between two push-to-talk communication channels belonging to two different communication networks. In this way, users of a communication terminal communicating on an open communication channel on a first communication network also communicate on an open communication channel of a second communication network. As described below, the system 1 proposes the use of a communication accessory connected to a communication terminal of the first network and a communication terminal of the second network to transmit push-to-talk communications from one network to another. The accessory acts as a relay between the two communication channels and also transmits different signals related to call management between the participating communication terminals of the two communication channels.

[0085] System 1 includes at least four communication terminals, such as Figure 1 As shown in Figures 10a to 10d.

[0086] Among the at least four communication terminals, at least one first terminal 10a and a second terminal 10b are configured to exchange data streams corresponding to push-to-talk communications with each other on a first network using an Internet protocol. In particular, the Internet protocol is defined in standard RFC 791. Networks using the Internet protocol are generally referred to as "IP networks", which are well known to those skilled in the art. At least one first terminal 10a and a second terminal 10b form a first group of communication terminals, which are configured to exchange push-to-talk communications with each other on the first network.

[0087] Among the at least four communication terminals, the third terminal 10c and at least one fourth terminal 10d are configured to exchange data streams corresponding to push-to-talk communication with each other on a second network using a protocol, and the protocol is different from the Internet protocol. In some examples, the second network may correspond to a network using a radio protocol. For example, the radio protocol may correspond to a digital mobile radio (DMR) protocol. In particular, the digital mobile radio protocol is defined in the standard TS102 361 of ETSI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute), particularly in parts 1 to 4. In the same manner as the Internet protocol, the mobile radio protocol (DMR) is well known to those skilled in the art. The third terminal 10c and at least one fourth terminal 10d form a second group of communication terminals, which are configured to exchange push-to-talk communication with each other on a second network different from the first network.

[0088] Thus, the described communication system 1 comprises at least four terminals, divided into two groups of terminals, each group of terminals comprising at least two different terminals. Each group of terminals is configured to exchange data streams corresponding to push-to-talk communications on a respective network. Figure 1 In the example shown, each group of communication terminals includes two terminals, but it should be understood that each of these groups may include more terminals.

[0089] The communication system 1 further comprises a communication accessory 20. The communication accessory 20 is connected on the one hand to a terminal adapted to exchange data streams on a first network and on the other hand to another terminal adapted to exchange data streams on a second network. Figure 1 In the example of FIG. 1 , the communication accessory 20 is connected to the second terminal 10 b and the third terminal 10 c .

[0090] In the present application, a communication accessory refers to a device different from a communication terminal, which is suitable for exchanging analog or digital audio signals with at least one connected communication terminal.

[0091] Therefore, when a specific terminal and the communication accessory 20 are connected, a shared communication protocol is established between the specific terminal and the communication accessory 20 .

[0092] The communication accessory 20 may also be applied to:

[0093] 1) Converting audible signals into analog or digital audio signals; and

[0094] 2) Convert analog or digital audio signals into audible signals.

[0095] In some examples, for example, the communication accessory 20 may correspond to a combination of a microphone and a speaker that are remote from each other. Visually, the communication accessory may look like a "handheld speaker microphone," i.e., a lightweight, small-sized housing that is typically placed on the user's chest or shoulder and connected by a cable to a terminal that is typically bulkier, heavier, and carried with a belt.

[0096] In some examples, communication accessory 20 can include microphone 21 adapted to convert audible signals into analog or digital audio signals.

[0097] In some examples, accessory 20 can include a speaker 22 that is suitable for converting analog or digital audio signals into audible signals.

[0098] In some examples, the communication accessory 20 may include a connection interface 23 that enables it to be connected to at least one communication terminal 10 .

[0099] In some examples, for example, the connection interface 23 may include a wireless interface configured to handle wireless communication protocols, such as the Bluetooth communication protocol or the Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication protocol. In particular, the Bluetooth and Bluetooth Low Energy communication protocols are defined in the standard IEEE 802.15.4.

[0100] In some examples, for example, connection interface 23 may include a wired interface configured to handle a wired communication protocol, such as a Universal Serial Bus ("Universal Serie Bus") communication protocol, commonly referred to as a USB protocol.

[0101] Exemplary accessories include a microphone 21, a speaker 22, and a connection interface 23, such as Figure 2 shown.

[0102] exist Figure 1 In the examples shown, the accessory 20 is connected to one or more terminals, for example, when it is connected to the second terminal 10b and the third terminal 10c, the relevant terminal may also include a connection interface 13, allowing a connection to be established with the connection interface 23 of the accessory, thereby connecting to the accessory 20. In these examples, a shared communication protocol is implemented between the accessory 20 and the terminal 10 connected thereto.

[0103] In some examples, the connection interface 13 of a terminal may include a wireless interface configured to handle a wireless communication protocol, such as a Bluetooth communication protocol or a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication protocol.

[0104] In some examples, the connection interface 13 of a terminal may include a wired interface configured to process a wired communication protocol, such as a Universal Serial Bus communication protocol.

[0105] In some examples, the terminal 10, especially the second terminal 10b, may include a memory 11 configured to store a lookup table between the push-to-talk transmission channel of the first network and the push-to-talk broadcast channel of the second network. These examples will be described in detail later.

[0106] Figure 3 An example of a communication terminal 10 including a memory 11 and a connection interface 13 is schematically shown.

[0107] The described system 1 enables the communication of two groups of push-to-talk terminals belonging to two different networks in a simple manner, without modifying the electronic architecture of the terminals, i.e. without modifying the hardware of any terminal. More specifically, the described system 1 allows two push-to-talk communication groups belonging to two different and a priori incompatible networks to be associated in a way that is transparent to the user, so as to form the same communication group, while solving specific problems related to the voice management of push-to-talk communications. In particular, when a user of a communication terminal belonging to a communication group on a first network is making a call, the user of the communication terminal belonging to another communication group on a second network cannot make a call. Therefore, the transmission of data streams to the two groups of terminals is reserved for the user of the first group until his / her data transmission ends. This can be achieved by cleverly using a communication annex connected to a terminal of the first network and a terminal of the second network, which acts as a relay by sending a signal indicating the start of data transmission (i.e., a signal indicating the start of a call) from one network to another network.

[0108] Afterwards, refer to Figure 4 , describes an example of a method 100 for push-to-talk communication between at least four communication terminals. This includes a method for communication between the communication terminals 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d of the exemplary system 1 described above, which are divided into two groups. Thus, the accessory 20 is connected to the second terminal 10b and the third terminal 10c. Figure 5 A communication diagram illustrating different operations of the method 100 is also schematically shown in order to facilitate understanding of the reference Figure 4 Method 100 is described.

[0109] In addition, it should be noted that Figure 4 This is only a schematic diagram of an exemplary method 100, which illustrates different operations that may be included in the method and described later through blocks. In this regard, unless otherwise specified, the schematic diagram does not reflect any order between the operations. In other words, reference Figure 4 The operations described are not necessarily implemented one after the other in sequence. Figure 4In addition, an operation of method 100 may be implemented multiple times before implementing another operation of method 100. Therefore, unless otherwise specified, the frequency of implementation of each operation of method 100 is specific and not necessarily related to the implementation of other operations.

[0110] like Figure 4 As shown, the method 100 includes an operation 110 of transmitting a data stream of a push-to-talk communication from the fourth terminal 10d to the third terminal 10c. The push-to-talk communication is performed on a specific broadcast channel of the second communication network.

[0111] like Figure 4 As shown, method 100 includes an operation 120 of transmitting an audio signal by the third terminal 10c to the accessory 20. The audio signal corresponds to a data stream of a push-to-talk communication sent by the fourth terminal 10d to the third terminal 10c, the data stream being formatted to be readable by the communication accessory 20. The audio signal is sent according to a shared connection protocol between the third terminal 10c and the accessory 20 for connecting them.

[0112] like Figure 4 As shown, the method 100 includes an operation 130, in which the accessory 20 transmits a signal to the second terminal 10b, the signal indicating the start of data transmission and including an identifier of a specific push-to-talk broadcast channel of the second network. In the operation 130, the accessory 20 indicates to the second terminal 10b that there is communication on the specific broadcast channel of the second network.

[0113] In some examples, the identifier of the specific push-to-talk broadcast channel of the second network can correspond to the frequency of the specific push-to-talk broadcast channel. In particular, when the second network uses a radio protocol, the identifier can correspond to the frequency of the radio protocol of the specific push-to-talk broadcast channel, such as the carrier frequency of the specific push-to-talk broadcast channel.

[0114] like Figure 4 As shown, the method 100 includes an operation 140 of identifying, by the second terminal 10b, a specific push-to-talk transmission channel of the first network associated with a specific push-to-talk broadcast channel of the second network according to an identifier of the channel. In the operation 140, the second terminal 10b links the specific broadcast channel of the second network with the specific transmission channel corresponding to the first network.

[0115] like Figure 4 As shown, the method 100 includes an operation 150 of transmitting, by the accessory 20, an audio signal corresponding to a data stream of a push-to-talk communication transmitted on the second network to the second terminal 10b. Thus, the accessory 20 transmits an audio signal corresponding to the push-to-talk communication to the second terminal 10b using the first network, and the push-to-talk communication is sent by the fourth terminal 10d to the third terminal 10c using the second network.

[0116] like Figure 4 As shown, the method 100 includes an operation 160 of transmitting, by the second terminal 10b to the first terminal 10a, a data stream of a push-to-talk communication corresponding to an audio signal received from the accessory 20. The data stream is transmitted on a specific push-to-talk transmission channel of the first network.

[0117] Thus, the method 100 according to the present disclosure enables a user transmitting a push-to-talk communication on a communication channel of a communication network other than an IP network to communicate with a communication terminal connected to a corresponding communication channel of the IP network, while ensuring management of calls specific to the push-to-talk communication between users. It should be remembered that in push-to-talk communication, when one terminal is communicating on a specific channel, other terminals connected to the specific channel cannot transmit.

[0118] Optionally, other operations may be integrated into the method 100 and described later in this disclosure. Unless otherwise stated, these operations may be integrated into the method 100 in conjunction with each other.

[0119] In some examples, operation 140 of identifying, by the second terminal 10b, a specific push-to-talk transmission channel of the first network associated with a specific push-to-talk broadcast channel of the second network may include:

[0120] - Selecting 141 in a pre-established look-up table a specific Push-to-Talk transmission channel of the first network associated with an identifier of a specific Push-to-Talk broadcast channel of the second network.

[0121] In these examples, the second terminal 10b can have a memory 11 that is configured to store a lookup table that associates the push-to-talk transmission channel of the first network with an identifier of the push-to-talk broadcast channel of the second network. Thus, upon receiving the identifier of the push-to-talk broadcast channel of the second network, the second terminal 10b can identify which transmission channel of the first network the identifier corresponds to. As a result, it will be able to transmit the audio signal of the push-to-talk communication received from the accessory 20 on the corresponding channel of the first network.

[0122] In some examples, after operation 140 of identifying a particular push-to-talk transmission channel, the method may further include:

[0123] - An operation 142 of transmitting, by the second terminal 10b, a signal indicating the start of transmission on a specific push-to-talk transmission channel of the first network.

[0124] Operation 142 allows a specific channel of the first network to be reserved for the second terminal 2b in the transmission. In the case of sending a signal on a specific push-to-talk transmission channel of the first network, the signal is transmitted in particular to the first terminal 10a, such as Figure 5shown.

[0125] In some examples where the accessory 20 includes a microphone 21 and a speaker 22, prior to operation 150 of transmitting the audio signal from the accessory 20 to the second terminal 10b, the method 100 may further include:

[0126] - an operation 148 of converting an audio signal corresponding to the data stream of the push-to-talk communication into an audible signal broadcast by a speaker of accessory 20; and then

[0127] - An operation 149 of converting the audible signal broadcast by the loudspeaker 22 and captured by the microphone 21 of the accessory 20 into an audio signal.

[0128] In these examples, this consists in transmitting, on the second network, an audible signal of a Push-to-Talk communication broadcast to the first network, by cleverly using the accessory 20 connected to both networks as a broadcaster of the Push-to-Talk communication via its loudspeaker 22, and, for the user of the accessory 20, as a recorder of the Push-to-Talk communication broadcast by the loudspeaker 22 to the users of the first network via the microphone 21. Thus, from the point of view of the user of the first terminal 10a, when the user of the fourth terminal 10d is talking on a specific broadcast channel of the second network, he / she hears the conversation of the user of the fourth terminal 10d on the corresponding specific transmission channel of the first network, but this conversation is transmitted to him / her via the second terminal 10b, which is also connected to this specific transmission channel, and is sent to him / her in a completely transparent manner. More generally, each user of a terminal connected to a specific broadcast channel of the first network or to a specific transmission channel of the second network hears the user of the fourth terminal 10d in a transparent manner and cannot speak, since each of these channels is reserved for him / her according to the Push-to-Talk communication principle.

[0129] In an example including operations 148 and 149, before the converting operation 149 and after the operation 140 of identifying the specific push-to-talk transmission channel, the method may further include the following operations:

[0130] An operation 143 of transmitting, by the second terminal 10b to the accessory, a command for activating the microphone 21 .

[0131] Operation 143 allows notifying accessory 20 that it should use microphone 21 to capture sound and then transmit the sound on a specific transmission channel of the first network.

[0132] In the example where method 100 includes operation 142, operation 143 is advantageously implemented after step 142 so that messages initially recorded by microphone 21 of accessory 20, i.e., messages from push-to-talk communications transmitted on the second network and broadcast by loudspeaker 22, can be directly transmitted on a specific push-to-talk transmission channel of the first network.

[0133] In some examples, the method 100 may further include operation 170, when the audio signal of the push-to-talk communication is completed, the second terminal 10b transmits a signal indicating the end of the transmission on the specific push-to-talk transmission channel. In the case of sending on the specific push-to-talk transmission channel of the first network, the signal is particularly transmitted to the first terminal 10a, such as Figure 5 Operation 170 allows clearing a specific push-to-talk transmission channel from the transmission, so that other users of the specific push-to-talk transmission channel, in particular the user of the first terminal 1a in the exemplary system 1, can talk on the channel.

[0134] Of course, the operation of the described method 100 is envisioned to be performed in real time, so that once the user of the fourth terminal 10d makes a call on a specific broadcast channel of the second network, a transmission start signal can be transmitted from the attachment 20 to the second terminal 10b almost simultaneously, and the second terminal 10b can reserve the specific transmission channel of the first network for the call of the user of the fourth terminal 10d.

[0135] Afterwards, refer to Figure 6 , describes another example of a method 200 for performing push-to-talk communication between at least four communication terminals. This includes reference Figure 4 The method described above is a mirror image of the method described above, i.e. the push-to-talk communication is now transmitted from the IP first communication network to the second communication network. Therefore, it also includes a communication method between the communication terminals 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d of the exemplary system 1, the accessory 20 being connected to the second terminal 10b and the third terminal 10c. For the sake of brevity, the reference will not be described again. Figure 4 The elements described in method 100, and in Figure 6 The elements of method 200 are used again. Figure 7 A communication diagram illustrating different operations of the method 200 is schematically shown in order to facilitate understanding. Figure 6 The method is schematically illustrated in .

[0136] In addition, it should be noted that Figure 6 This is only a schematic diagram of an exemplary method 200, which illustrates different operations that may be included in the method and described later in the document through blocks. In this regard, the diagram does not reflect any order between operations unless such order is explicitly stated in this disclosure. In other words, reference Figure 6 The operations described are not implemented one by one, but can be performed in the same way as Figure 6 In addition, one operation of method 200 may be implemented multiple times before implementing another operation of method 200. Therefore, unless otherwise specified, the frequency of implementation of each operation of method 200 is specific and not necessarily related to the implementation of other operations.

[0137] like Figure 6 As shown, the method 200 includes operation 210, in which the first terminal 10a transmits a data stream of the push-to-talk communication to the second terminal 10b on a specific push-to-talk transmission channel of the first network.

[0138] like Figure 6 As shown, the method 200 includes an operation 220 of identifying, by the second terminal 10b, a specific push-to-talk broadcast channel of the second network associated with a specific push-to-talk transmission channel of the first channel. The second terminal 2b knows on which specific push-to-talk transmission channel of the first network the push-to-talk communication originating from the first terminal 10a is transmitted. Thus, for example, it is able to identify the specific push-to-talk broadcast channel of the second network corresponding to the specific push-to-talk broadcast channel of the first network based on a pre-established lookup table (an example of which has been described above).

[0139] like Figure 6 As shown, method 200 includes an operation 230 of transmitting a signal by second terminal 10b to accessory 20, the signal indicating the start of data transmission and including an identifier of a specific push-to-talk broadcast channel of the second network. In this way, accessory 20 can reserve a specific push-to-talk broadcast channel in transmission.

[0140] like Figure 6 As shown, the method 200 includes an operation 240 of transmitting, by the second terminal 10b to the accessory 20, an audio signal corresponding to a data stream of the push-to-talk communication received from the first terminal 10a.

[0141] like Figure 6 As shown, the method 200 comprises an operation 250 of transmitting, by the accessory 20, a signal to the third terminal 10c, the signal indicating the start of data transmission on a specific push-to-talk broadcast channel of the second network. This operation allows indicating to the third terminal 10c that there will be a data stream of an audio signal, which corresponds to a push-to-talk communication, transmitted on a specific push-to-talk communication channel of the second network, so that the third terminal 10d can reserve this channel in the transmission for future transmission of this signal.

[0142] like Figure 6 As shown, the method 200 includes an operation 260 of transmitting, by the accessory 20, an audio signal corresponding to a data stream of a push-to-talk communication transmitted on the first network to the third terminal 10c. Thus, the accessory 20 transmits an audio signal corresponding to the push-to-talk communication, which is sent by the first terminal 10a to the second terminal 10b using the first network, to the third terminal 10c using the second network.

[0143] like Figure 7As shown, the method 200 includes operation 270 of transmitting, by the third terminal 10c, a data stream of a push-to-talk communication corresponding to an audio signal received from the accessory 20 to the fourth terminal 10d over a specific push-to-talk broadcast channel of the second network.

[0144] Therefore, according to the method 200 of the present disclosure, a user transmitting push-to-talk communication on a communication channel of an IP network is enabled to communicate with a communication terminal connected to a corresponding communication channel belonging to a network different from the IP network, while ensuring call management between users specific to push-to-talk communication.

[0145] Optionally, other operations may be integrated into the method 200 and described later in this disclosure. Unless otherwise stated, these operations may be integrated into the method 200 in conjunction with each other.

[0146] In some examples, the operation 220 of identifying, by the second terminal 10b, a specific push-to-talk broadcast channel of the second network associated with a specific push-to-talk transmission channel of the first network may include:

[0147] - Selecting 221 a specific Push-to-Talk broadcast channel of the second network which is associated with a specific Push-to-Talk transmission channel of the first network in a pre-established look-up table.

[0148] In these examples, the second terminal 10b can have a memory 11 configured to store a lookup table associating a push-to-talk transmission channel of the first network with a push-to-talk broadcast channel of the second network. Thus, during reception of a data stream on the push-to-talk transmission channel of the first network, the second terminal 10b can identify to which broadcast channel in the second network the data stream should be transmitted. Thus, the second terminal 10b will be able to transmit to the accessory 20 a transmission start signal associated with an identifier of a particular push-to-talk broadcast channel of the second network.

[0149] In some examples, the method 200 may include an operation 252 of transmitting, by the third terminal 10c, a signal on a specific push-to-talk broadcast channel of the second network, the signal indicating the start of data transmission. Operation 252 allows the specific channel of the second network to be reserved for the second terminal 2b in transmission. In the case of sending on the specific push-to-talk broadcast channel of the second network, the signal is particularly transmitted to the fourth terminal 10d, such as Figure 7 shown.

[0150] In some examples where the accessory 20 includes a microphone 21 and a speaker 22, prior to operation 260 of transmitting the audio signal from the accessory 20 to the third terminal 10c, the method 200 may further include:

[0151] - an operation 258 of converting an audio signal corresponding to the data stream of the push-to-talk communication into an audible signal broadcast by a speaker of accessory 20; and then

[0152] - An operation 259 of converting the audible signal broadcast by the speaker 22 and captured by the microphone 21 of the accessory 20 into an audio signal.

[0153] In these examples, this includes transmitting an audible signal of a push-to-talk communication broadcast over a first network to a second network, using an accessory 20 connected to both networks as a broadcaster of the push-to-talk communication via its speaker 22, and for a user of the accessory 20, acting as a recorder of the push-to-talk communication broadcast by the speaker 22 to users of the second network via a microphone 21.

[0154] In an example including operations 258 and 259, before the switching operation 259 and after the operation 250 in which the accessory 20 transmits a signal indicating the start of data transmission to the third terminal 10c, the method may further include:

[0155] An operation 253 of transmitting, by the third terminal 10 c , to the accessory 20 , a command for activating the microphone 21 .

[0156] Operation 253 allows notifying accessory 20 that the sound thus recorded should be captured using microphone 21 and then transmitted on a specific broadcast channel of the second network.

[0157] In the example where method 200 includes operation 252, operation 253 is advantageously implemented after step 252 so that messages initially recorded by microphone 21 of accessory 20, i.e., messages from push-to-talk communications transmitted on the first network and broadcast by speaker 22, can be transmitted directly on a specific push-to-talk broadcast channel of the second network.

[0158] In some examples, the method 200 may further include an operation 280 for transmitting, from the third terminal 10c, a signal indicating the end of transmission on the specific push-to-talk broadcast channel when the audio signal of the push-to-talk communication is completed. In the case of transmitting on the specific push-to-talk broadcast channel of the second network, the signal is particularly transmitted to the fourth terminal 10d, such as Figure 7 Thus, operation 280 allows clearing a particular push-to-talk broadcast channel to enable other users of the channel, in particular the user of the fourth terminal 1d in the exemplary system 1, to talk on the channel.

[0159] As with method 100, the operation of method 200 is envisioned to be performed in real time so that once a user of the first terminal 10a is talking on a particular transmission channel, a transmission start signal can be almost simultaneously transmitted from the attachment 20 to the third terminal 10c, which can reserve a particular broadcast channel of the second network for the call by the user of the first terminal 10a.

[0160] Furthermore, the present disclosure encompasses a push-to-talk communication terminal 10 adapted to be connected to a communication accessory 20. The push-to-talk communication terminal described below corresponds to the second terminal 10b in the above-described methods 100 and 200. Therefore, the operations performed by the terminal 10 described below will be the same as those described in reference to the present invention. Figure 4 and Figure 6 The corresponding operations described in methods 100 and 200 have the same references.

[0161] The push-to-talk communication terminal 10 may include a memory 11 configured to store a lookup table between a push-to-talk transmission channel of a first network using an Internet protocol and a push-to-talk broadcast channel of a second network using a protocol different from the Internet protocol.

[0162] In a first example, the terminal 10 may be configured to perform the following first operation:

[0163] Upon receipt of a signal originating from Annex 20 indicating the start of data transmission and comprising an identifier of a specific push-to-talk broadcast channel of the second network:

[0164] - determining 140 a specific Push-to-Talk transmission channel of the first network associated with a specific Push-to-Talk broadcast channel of the second network based on the identifier of the broadcast channel;

[0165] and upon receiving an audio signal originating from accessory 20 corresponding to a push-to-talk communication transmitted over the second network;

[0166] - sending 160 a data stream of a push-to-talk communication on the determined specific push-to-talk transmission channel of the first network, the data stream of the push-to-talk communication corresponding to the audio signal received from the accessory.

[0167] In the first example, the terminal 10 may also be configured to perform at least one of the following first operations:

[0168] - selecting 141 in a pre-established look-up table a specific Push-to-Talk transmission channel of the first network associated with an identifier of a specific Push-to-Talk broadcast channel of the second network;

[0169] - sending 142 a signal indicating the start of transmission on the determined specific push-to-talk transmission channel of the first network;

[0170] - sending 143 a command to record from microphone 21 of accessory 20 to accessory 20; or

[0171] - When the audio signal of the push-to-talk communication is complete, sending 170 a signal indicating the end of the transmission on the specific push-to-talk transmission channel.

[0172] It should be understood that the first example corresponds to operations performed by the terminal 10 in the context of the method 100 .

[0173] In a second example that can be combined with the first example, the terminal 10 may be configured to perform the following second operation:

[0174] After receiving the data stream of the push-to-talk communication on the specific transmission channel of the first network:

[0175] - determining 220 a specific Push-to-Talk broadcast channel of the second network associated with a specific Push-to-Talk transmission channel of the first network;

[0176] - sending 230 a signal to accessory 20 indicating the start of data transmission and including an identifier of a specific push-to-talk broadcast channel of the second network; and

[0177] - sending 240 to the accessory 20 an audio signal corresponding to the data stream of the push-to-talk communication received on the specific transmission channel of the first network.

[0178] In the second example, the terminal 10 may also be configured to perform the following second operation:

[0179] - Selecting 221 a specific Push-to-Talk broadcast channel of the second network which is associated with a specific Push-to-Talk transmission channel of the first network in a pre-established look-up table.

[0180] It should be understood that the second example corresponds to operations performed by the terminal 10 in the context of the method 200 .

[0181] To the extent that the second example can be combined with the first example, the terminal 10 may thus implement the operations described only in the first example, the operations described only in the second example, or the operations described in both the first and second examples.

[0182] Thus, the specific configuration of the terminal 10 according to the present disclosure allows push-to-talk communications to be exchanged between two communication networks using different protocols.

[0183] The present disclosure also covers a communication accessory 20 adapted to connect to a communication terminal of a first communication network and to a communication terminal of a second communication network,

[0184] The communication terminals of the first network are configured to exchange data streams corresponding to push-to-talk communications on the first network using Internet protocol;

[0185] The communication terminals of the second network are configured to exchange data streams corresponding to the push-to-talk communication over the second network using a protocol different from the Internet Protocol.

[0186] The communication accessory 20 described below corresponds to the communication accessory 20 used in the above-mentioned methods 100 and 200. Therefore, the operations performed by the accessory 20 described below will be the same as those described in the reference 100 and 200. Figure 4 and Figure 6 The corresponding operations described in methods 100 and 200 have the same reference. It should also be noted that the communication terminal of the first network considered in conjunction with annex 20 described below corresponds to the second terminal 10b of methods 100 and 200, and the communication terminal of the second network considered in conjunction with annex below corresponds to the third terminal 10c of methods 100 and 200. The terms "first terminal" and "second terminal" are no longer used to avoid confusion with the third terminal belonging to Figure 1 Nevertheless, it is possible to use such terms instead of "communication terminal of the first network" and "communication terminal of the second network".

[0187] In a first example, accessory 20 may be configured to perform the following operations:

[0188] After receiving an audio signal corresponding to a data stream of a push-to-talk communication transmitted on a specific broadcast channel of the second network originating from a communication terminal of the second network:

[0189] - sending 130 a signal to a communication terminal of the first network, the signal indicating the start of a data transmission and comprising an identifier of a specific Push-to-Talk broadcast channel of the second network.

[0190] In a first example, the accessory 20 may also be configured to perform the following operations:

[0191] - sending 150 to the communication terminal of the first network an audio signal corresponding to the data stream of the push-to-talk communication received from the communication terminal of the second network.

[0192] In a second example, which may be combined with the first example, accessory 20 may be configured to perform the following operations:

[0193] After receiving a signal originating from a communication terminal of the first network indicating the start of a data transmission and comprising an identifier of a specific push-to-talk broadcast channel of the second network:

[0194] - sending 250 a signal to a communication terminal of the second network, the signal indicating the start of data transmission and comprising an identifier of a specific Push-to-Talk broadcast channel of the second network.

[0195] In a second example, accessory 20 may also be configured to perform the following operations:

[0196] After receiving an audio signal of a push-to-talk communication originating from a communication terminal of the first network, transmitted on a specific transmission channel of the first network:

[0197] - sending 260 to the communication terminal of the second network an audio signal corresponding to the data stream of the push-to-talk communication received from the communication terminal of the first network.

[0198] To the extent that the second example can be combined with the first example, the accessory 20 can therefore implement the operations described only in the first example, the operations described only in the second example, or the operations described in both the first and second examples.

[0199] Thus, the particular configuration of accessory 20 according to the present disclosure allows push-to-talk communications to be exchanged between two communications networks using different protocols.

[0200] Thus, according to its different variants, the present disclosure enables two groups of push-to-talk communication terminals belonging to different communication networks to communicate together, so that from the perspective of the users of the terminals of the two communication groups, there is a single communication group. In particular, the electronic architecture of the terminals and the network are not modified to implement the technical solution. The configuration of the terminals and the communication accessories of the communication system 1 can be modified and is sufficient to implement the operation, so that the proposed technical solution is cheap and almost uncomplicated to implement. In particular, existing terminals do not need to be adjusted structurally or functionally, and existing terminals can be used.

Claims

1. A method (100) for performing push-to-talk communication between at least four communication terminals; at least one first communication terminal (10a) and a second communication terminal (10d) adapted to exchange data streams corresponding to push-to-talk communication with each other over a first communication network using an Internet protocol; a third communication terminal (10c) and at least one fourth communication terminal (10d) adapted to exchange data streams corresponding to push-to-talk communication with each other over a second communication network using a protocol different from the Internet Protocol; The second communication terminal (10b) and the third communication terminal (10d) are further connected to the same communication accessory (20); The method comprises: - transmitting (110) a data stream of the push-to-talk communication by the fourth communication terminal (10d) to the third communication terminal (10c) on a specific push-to-talk broadcast channel of the second network; - transmitting (120) an audio signal corresponding to the data stream of the push-to-talk communication by the third communication terminal (10c) to the accessory (20); - transmitting (130) by the accessory (20) to the second communication terminal (10b) a signal indicating the start of a data transmission and comprising an identifier of a specific push-to-talk broadcast channel of the second network; - identifying (140), by the second communication terminal (10b) based on the identifier, a specific Push-to-Talk transmission channel of the first network associated with a specific Push-to-Talk broadcast channel of the second network; - transmitting (150) by the accessory (20) to the second communication terminal (10b) an audio signal corresponding to the data stream of the push-to-talk communication; - Transmitting (160) by the second communication terminal (10b) to the first communication terminal (10) over a specific push-to-talk transmission channel of the first network a data stream of a push-to-talk communication corresponding to the audio signal received from the accessory (20).

2. The method (100) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that The accessory (20) includes a microphone (21) and a speaker (22), And wherein, before the accessory (20) transmits (150) an audio signal corresponding to the data stream of the push-to-talk communication to the second communication terminal (10b), the method further comprises: - converting (148) an audio signal corresponding to the data stream of the push-to-talk communication into an audible signal broadcast by a speaker (22) of the accessory (20); and then - Converting (149) an audible signal broadcast by the speaker (22) and captured by the microphone (21) of the accessory (20) into an audio signal.

3. The method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The identifier of the specific push-to-talk broadcast channel of the second network corresponds to a frequency of the specific push-to-talk broadcast channel.

4. The method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that Identifying, by the second communication terminal (10b), a specific push-to-talk transmission channel of the first network associated with a specific push-to-talk broadcast channel of the second network, comprising: - selecting (141) in a pre-established look-up table a specific Push-to-Talk transmission channel of the first network associated with an identifier of a specific Push-to-Talk broadcast channel of the second network.

5. A method (200) for performing push-to-talk communication between at least four communication terminals; at least one first communication terminal (10a) and a second communication terminal (10d) adapted to exchange data streams corresponding to push-to-talk communication with each other over a first communication network using an Internet protocol; a third communication terminal (10c) and at least one fourth communication terminal (10d) adapted to exchange data streams corresponding to push-to-talk communication with each other over a second communication network using a protocol different from the Internet Protocol; The second communication terminal (10b) and the third communication terminal (10d) are further connected to the same communication accessory (20); The method (200) comprises: - transmitting (210) a data stream of a push-to-talk communication by the first communication terminal (10a) to the second communication terminal (10b) on a specific push-to-talk transmission channel of the first network; - identifying (220), by the second communication terminal (10b), a specific Push-to-Talk broadcast channel of the second network associated with a specific Push-to-Talk transmission channel of the first network; - transmitting (230) by the second communication terminal (10b) to the accessory (20) a signal indicating the start of a data transmission and comprising an identifier of a specific push-to-talk broadcast channel of the second network; - transmitting (240) by the second communication terminal (10b) to the accessory (20) an audio signal corresponding to the data stream of the push-to-talk communication; - transmitting (250) a signal by the accessory (20) to the third communication terminal (10c), the signal indicating the start of data transmission on a specific push-to-talk broadcast channel of the second network; - transmitting, by the accessory (20), to the third communication terminal (10c), an audio signal corresponding to the data stream of the push-to-talk communication; and - transmitting, by the third communication terminal (10c) to a fourth communication terminal (10d) on a specific push-to-talk broadcast channel of the second network, a data stream of a push-to-talk communication corresponding to an audio signal received from the accessory (20).

6. A push-to-talk communication terminal (10) adapted to be connected to a communication accessory (20); The terminal (10) is configured to perform a first operation, the first operation comprising: upon receiving a signal originating from the accessory indicating the start of a data transmission and including an identifier of a specific push-to-talk broadcast channel of the second network; - identifying (140) a specific push-to-talk transmission channel of the first network associated with a specific push-to-talk broadcast channel of the second network based on the identifier; and upon receiving an audio signal originating from the accessory (20), wherein the audio signal corresponds to a push-to-talk communication transmitted over the second network: - sending (160) a data stream on the identified specific push-to-talk transmission channel of the first network, said data stream corresponding to the audio signal received from said accessory; or The terminal is configured to perform a second operation, where the second operation includes: After receiving the data stream of the push-to-talk communication on the specific transmission channel of the first network: - identifying (220) a specific push-to-talk broadcast channel of a second network associated with a specific push-to-talk transmission channel of said first network; - sending (230) a signal to the accessory, the signal indicating the start of data transmission and comprising an identifier of a specific push-to-talk broadcast channel of the second network; and - sending (240) to the accessory an audio signal corresponding to a data stream of a push-to-talk communication received on a specific transmission channel of the first network.

7. Terminal (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that: The first operation further includes at least one of the following operations: - selecting (141) in a pre-established look-up table a specific Push-to-Talk transmission channel of the first network associated with an identifier of a specific Push-to-Talk broadcast channel of the second network; - sending (142) a signal indicating the start of transmission on the determined specific push-to-talk transmission channel of the first network; or - when the audio signal of the push-to-talk communication is completed, sending (143) a signal indicating the end of transmission on the specific push-to-talk transmission channel; Or the second operation further includes: - selecting (221) in a pre-established look-up table a specific Push-to-Talk broadcast channel of a second network associated with a specific Push-to-Talk transmission channel of said first network.

8. The terminal (10) according to any one of claims 6 to 7, characterized in that: The terminal is configured to perform the first operation and the second operation.

9. A communication accessory (20) adapted to be connected to a communication terminal of a first communication network and a communication terminal of a second communication network, The communication terminals of the first network are configured to exchange data streams corresponding to push-to-talk communications on the first communication network using Internet protocol; the communication terminals of the second network being configured to exchange data streams corresponding to push-to-talk communications on the second communication network using a protocol, the protocol being different from the Internet Protocol; The attachment (20) is configured to perform the following operations: After receiving an audio signal corresponding to a data stream of a push-to-talk communication originating from a communication terminal of the second network transmitted on a specific broadcast channel of the second network: - sending (130) a signal to a communication terminal of the first network, the signal indicating the start of a data transmission and comprising an identifier of a specific push-to-talk broadcast channel of the second network; or The accessory is configured to perform the following operations: After receiving a signal originating from a communication terminal of said first network indicating the start of a data transmission and comprising an identifier of a specific push-to-talk broadcast channel of said second network: - sending (250) a signal to a communication terminal of the second network, the signal indicating the start of data transmission and comprising an identifier of a specific push-to-talk broadcast channel of the second network.

10. Communication accessory according to the preceding claim, characterized in that The accessory is configured to perform the following operations: After receiving an audio signal corresponding to a data stream of a push-to-talk communication originating from a communication terminal of the second network transmitted on a specific broadcast channel of the second network: - sending (130) a signal to a communication terminal of the first network, the signal indicating the start of a data transmission and comprising an identifier of a specific push-to-talk broadcast channel of the second network; And wherein the attachment is further configured to perform the following operations: After receiving a signal originating from a communication terminal of said first network indicating the start of a data transmission and comprising an identifier of a specific push-to-talk broadcast channel of said second network: - sending (250) a signal to a communication terminal of the second network, the signal indicating the start of data transmission and comprising an identifier of a specific push-to-talk broadcast channel of the second network.

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