CHANNEL SUMMARY FOR A NEW MEMBER WHEN JOINING A SPEAKING GROUP

Abstract

Device (400), comprising: a wide-area network transceiver (WAN) (401) that communicates with a large number of users in a specific talkgroup / on a specific channel; where the WAN transceiver (401) receives a request from a new user to join the specific talkgroup / channel; where the WAN transceiver (401) provides the new user with a talkgroup / channel summary over a private channel; where the WAN transceiver (401) ultimately communicates with the multitude of users and the new user in the specific talkgroup / on the specific channel; a natural language processor that receives and aggregates speech transmissions from the WAN transceiver (401), the speech transmissions originating from the multitude of users who are part of the special talkgroup / channel; where the speech group / channel aggregation is based on aggregation; characterized by, that the WAN transceiver (401) receives sensor data from the multitude of users who are part of the specific talkgroup / channel; and where the speech group / channel summary is additionally based on the sensor data.

Description

Background of the invention

[0001] Tablets, laptops, telephones (for example, cellular phones or satellite phones), mobile (in-vehicle) or portable (personal) two-way radios, and other communication devices are now commonplace for users such as first responders (including firefighters, police officers, and paramedics, among others), and they provide such users and others with immediate access to increasingly valuable additional information and sources, such as vehicle histories, arrest records, outstanding warrants, health information, real-time traffic information, or other situational information, as well as any other information that may help the user determine whether an action should be taken based on better information, or find a way to clarify a situation, among other possibilities.

[0002] Many such communication devices also include electronic digital assistants (or occasionally referred to as "virtual partners"), or provide access to them, which can provide their user with valuable information automatically (for example, without further user input) or semi-automatically (for example, with some further user input).The valuable information provided to the user can be based on explicit requests for such information made by the user via an input (for example, such as a parsed natural language input or a manipulation of an electronic touch interface associated with an explicit request), whereby the electronic digital assistant can responsively provide such requested valuable information, or it can be based on any other set of information from one or more contexts or triggers, whereby the electronic digital assistant can proactively provide such valuable information to the user without any explicit request from the user.

[0003] Some existing examples are electronic digital assistants such as Siri, supplied by Apple, Inc. ® and Google Now, supplied by Google, Inc. ®, i.e. software applications that run on underlying electronic hardware, which are capable of understanding natural language and can perform electronic tasks in response to user voice input, among other additional or alternative types of input.These electronic digital assistants can perform tasks such as capturing and storing a voice dictation for future reference and retrieval, reading aloud a received text message or email, generating a reply to a text message or email, looking up requested telephone numbers and initiating a telephone call to a requested contact, generating calendar appointments and providing appointment reminders, warning users of nearby dangers such as traffic accidents or environmental hazards, and providing many other types of information in a reactive or proactive manner.

[0004] Modern two-way radio systems support talkgroup creation, allowing a radio to be a member of any combination of talkgroups. As a member of a talkgroup, a radio can receive transmissions from and to all members of that talkgroup. Transmissions and receptions with radios outside of an assigned talkgroup are generally not possible. For example, a radio assigned to an ambulance can be a member of both a fire and rescue talkgroup and a law enforcement talkgroup. Therefore, the radio can communicate with all members of both the fire and rescue talkgroup and the law enforcement talkgroup.

[0005] Often, when a new member joins an existing talkgroup that is actively discussing certain topics (for example, an event), the new member will feel left behind in the ongoing discussion due to a lack of prior knowledge of the previous discussion or topic. Asking talkgroup members about previous discussions would be a waste of time, consume bandwidth, and interrupt the ongoing discussion. Therefore, it would be beneficial if a new talkgroup member could be provided with a summary of what was discussed in the talkgroup before they joined. US 2009 / 0157709 A1 discloses communication between a large number of users via a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) or IP telephony application.A new participant in the conversation can receive a summary of the current or previous conversation. Brief description of the multiple views of the drawings

[0006] The accompanying illustrations, in which the same reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements in the individual views, are included in the description together with the following detailed description and form a part thereof, serving to further illustrate embodiments and explain various principles and advantages according to the present invention. Fig. Figure 1 illustrates an operating environment for the present invention. Fig. Figure 2 shows an exemplary communication system that includes a personal network and a digital assistant. Fig. 3 is a more detailed view of a personal network made up of Fig. 2. Fig. Figure 4 illustrates a digital assistant that provides a history of what has been discussed or experienced by users of a talk group. Fig. 5 is a flowchart that illustrates the operation of the device. Fig. 4 shows. Fig. 6 is a flowchart that shows the operation of the device. Fig. 4 shows.

[0007] Experts will recognize that elements in the figures are illustrated for the sake of simplicity and clarity and are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions and / or relative positioning of some elements in the figures may be exaggerated compared to other elements to help improve the understanding of different embodiments of the present invention. Likewise, common but well-understood elements that are useful or necessary for an economically viable embodiment are often omitted to allow a less cluttered view of these different embodiments of the present invention.Furthermore, it should be clear that certain actions and / or steps may be described or presented in a specific order of their occurrence, while experts will understand that such specificity regarding the order is not actually necessary. Detailed description

[0008] To address the aforementioned need, a method and a device are provided here for making available a summary of what is and / or has been discussed or experienced by members of a discussion group. Upon a new member joining a discussion group, or immediately before joining, the new member is placed on a private channel to provide them with information about previous discussions / experiences of discussion group members. Preferably, this prior knowledge is conveyed to the user audibly, for example, through the use of a digital assistant.

[0009] The private channel can include a channel with a different frequency, timeslot, or talkgroup ID than the talkgroup the new user wishes to join. Additionally, the private channel preferably includes a single downlink user (i.e., the new user), although other users may be present on the channel.

[0010] The digital assistant summarizes previous conversations and data collected regarding members and contexts of the talkgroup (such as sensor data, CAD event data, body camera data), and informs the new member about what past / current talkgroup users discussed and / or experienced during a predetermined period before the new user joined (for example, 2 hours prior). Once this background information is established, the new user is added to the talkgroup and removed from the private channel. The digital assistant can then introduce the new user to the existing talkgroup members.

[0011] Reference is now made to the drawings, where the same reference symbols denote the same components; Fig. Figure 1 illustrates an operating environment for the present invention. As shown, a public safety officer 101 is equipped with devices that determine various physical conditions and environmental conditions surrounding the public safety officer. These conditions are generally reported back to a dispatch operator so that appropriate action can be taken. For example, future police officers may have a sensor that detects when a weapon is drawn. Upon detection that an officer has drawn their weapon, a notification can be sent back to the dispatch operator so that, for example, other officers in the area can be informed of the situation.

[0012] The plan is for the public safety officer to have an array of devices stored on a shelf, available to the officer at the start of a shift. The officer selects the devices from the shelf and forms a personal area network (PAN) with the devices that accompany them throughout their shift. For example, the officer might pick up a weapon detection sensor, a body camera, a wireless microphone, a smartwatch, a police radio, smart handcuffs, a man-on-the-ground sensor, etc. All devices picked up by the officer can be configured to form a PAN by associating (pairing) them with each other, with wireless communication taking place between the devices. At least one device will be configured with a digital assistant.

[0013] A process called bonding is typically used to identify specific devices and thus enable control over which devices are allowed to connect to each other when the PAN is formed. Once bonded, devices can establish a connection without user intervention. A bond is created through a process called "pairing." The pairing process is typically triggered by a specific request from the user via a user interface on the device to create a bond.

[0014] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, Public Safety Officer 101 has an order for equipment to be used during the officer's shift. For example, the officer may be issued a two-way radio 102 and a camera 104 for use during their shift. Other equipment may also be issued. As shown in Figure 101, Public Safety Officer 101 has an order for equipment to be used during the officer's shift. For example, the officer may be issued a two-way radio 102 and a camera 104 for use during their shift. Fig. As shown in Figure 1, Officer 101 will preferably wear the devices during a shift by attaching them to their clothing. These devices form a PAN throughout the officer's entire shift.

[0015] Fig. Figure 2 shows an exemplary communication system 200 containing PANs generated as described above. The system 200 includes one or more radio access networks (RANs) 202, a public safety core network 204, a hub (PAN master device) 102, local devices (slave devices serving as smart accessories / sensors) 212, a computer 214, and communication links 218, 224, and 232. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the hub 102 and the devices 212 form a PAN 240, with communication links 232 between the devices 212 and the hub 102, which contain a short-range communication system protocol, such as a Bluetooth communication system protocol. Each officer has an associated PAN 240. Thus, Figure 2 illustrates Fig. 2 multiple PANs 240, which are associated with multiple officers.

[0016] The RAN 202 contains typical RAN elements, such as base stations, base station controllers (BSCs), routers, switches, and the like, arranged, interconnected, and programmed to provide a wireless service to user equipment (for example, the Hub 102 and the like) in a manner familiar to professionals in the relevant field. The RAN 202 can implement a direct-mode, conventional, or trunked land mobile radio (LMR) standard or protocol, such as the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) Digital Mobile Radio (DMR), a Project 25 (P25) standard defined by the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials International (APCO), Terrestrial Trunked Radio (TETRA), or other LMR radio protocols or standards.In other embodiments, the RAN 202 can implement a protocol according to LTE (Long Term Evolution), LTE-Advance, or 5G with multimedia broadcast multi-cast services (MBMS) or single-site point-to-multipoint (SC-PTM), over which an application according to Open Mobile Alliance (OMA), push-to-talk (PTT) over cellular (OMA-PoC), voice over IP (VoIP), LTE Direct, LTE device-to-device, or PTT over IP (PoIP) can be implemented. In still other embodiments, the RAN 202 can implement a Wi-Fi protocol, possibly according to an IEEE 802.11 standard (for example, 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g), or a WiMAX protocol, possibly operating according to an IEEE 802.16 standard.

[0017] The Public Safety Core Network 204 may contain one or more packet switching networks and / or one or more switching networks, and it generally provides all necessary computing and communication needs for one or more public safety agencies, transmitting all necessary data and communications related to public safety.

[0018] For narrowband LMR wireless systems, the Core Network 204 operates in either a conventional or a trunked radio configuration. In each configuration, a multitude of communication devices are divided into separate groups (talkgroups) of communication devices. In a conventional narrowband system, each communication device in a group is selected for a specific radio channel (frequency or frequency and time slot) for communications associated with that communication device's group. Thus, each group is served by one channel, and multiple groups can share the same single frequency (in which case, in some embodiments, group IDs may be included in the group data to distinguish between groups using the same shared frequency).

[0019] In contrast, a trunked radio system and its communication devices utilize a pool of traffic channels for a virtually unlimited number of groups of communication devices (for example, talkgroups). Thus, all groups are served by all channels. The trunked radio system operates in such a way that it takes advantage of the probability that not all groups will require a traffic channel for communication at the same time. In one embodiment, if a member of a group requests a call on a control or wait channel where all communication devices at a location are idle, awaiting new call notifications, a call controller allocates a separate traffic channel for the requested group call, and all group members move from the allocated control or wait channel to the allocated traffic channel for the group call.In another embodiment, when a member of a group requests a call from a control or hold channel, the call controller can convert the control or hold channel, on which the communication devices were inactive, into a traffic channel for the call, and it can instruct all communication devices not participating in the new call to move to a newly assigned control or hold channel selected from the pool of available channels. With a given number of channels, a much larger number of groups can be accommodated in a trunked radio system compared to a conventional radio system.

[0020] Group calls can be conducted between wireless and / or wired participants according to either a narrowband or broadband protocol or standard. Group members for group calls can be defined statically or dynamically. In a first example, this means that a user or administrator acting on behalf of the user can display a list of group participants to the switching and / or wireless network (for example, at a call controller, PTT server, zone controller, mobile management entity (MME), base station controller (BSC), mobile switching center (MSC), site controller, push-to-talk controller, or other network device) at the time of the call or prior to the call.Group members (for example, communication devices) could be designated in the network by the user or an agent, and they could then be assigned some kind of group identity or identifier. Then, at a future point, an originating user in a group could trigger a signal to be sent, indicating that they wish to establish a communication session (for example, joining a group call with a specific talkgroup ID) with any of the predetermined participants in the defined group. In another example, communication devices could dynamically join (and also leave) a group, possibly based on user input, and the wired and / or wireless network could track group membership and route new group calls according to the current group membership.

[0021] The hub 102 serves as a PAN master device and can take the form of any suitable computing and communication device configured to participate in wireless communication with the RAN 202 over the air interface, as is known to those skilled in the relevant technical field. Furthermore, the one or more hubs 102 are also configured to participate in wired and / or wireless communication with one or more local devices 212 via the communication link 232. The hub 102 is configured to determine when to forward information via the RANs 202 based on a combination of inputs from devices 212. In one embodiment, all information received from sensors 212 is forwarded to the computer 214 via the RAN 202.In another embodiment, the hub 102 filters the transmitted information, and only high-priority information is sent back to the computer 214.

[0022] It should also be noted that one or more of the communication links 218, 224 could include one or more wireless communication links and / or one or more wired communication links.

[0023] Devices 212 and Hub 102 can include any device capable of forming a PAN. For example, Devices 212 can include a weapon draw sensor, a body temperature sensor, an accelerometer, a heart rate sensor, a respiratory rate sensor, a camera, a GPS receiver capable of determining the location of the user device, smart handcuffs, a clock, a calendar, environmental sensors (for example, a thermometer capable of determining ambient temperature, a humidity detector, a detector for the presence of distributed chemicals, a radiation detector, etc.), an accelerometer, a biometric sensor (for example, a wristband), a barometer, a speech recognition circuit, a gunshot detector, and so on. Some examples follow:

[0024] A sensor-enabled holster 212 can be provided that carries and / or provides status information regarding a weapon or other object that is normally housed in the user's sensor-enabled holster 212. The sensor-enabled holster 212 can detect a change in the status (presence or absence) and / or an action (removal) relating to the weapon that is normally housed in the sensor-enabled holster 212. The detected change in status and / or action can be reported to the portable radio 102 via its short-range transceiver. In some embodiments, the sensor-enabled holster can also detect whether the first responder's hand is resting on the weapon, even if it has not yet been removed from the holster, and provide such information to the portable radio 102. Other possibilities also exist.

[0025] A biometric sensor 212 (for example, a biometric wristband) can be provided to track an activity of the user or a health status of the user 101, and it can include one or more motion sensors (such as an accelerometer, a magnetometer and / or a gyroscope) that can periodically or intermittently provide the portable radio device 102 with information regarding orientation, direction, steps, acceleration and / or speed, as well as information regarding health, such as recorded heart rate and / or recorded respiratory rate and / or recorded body temperature of the user 101, possibly accompanied by other information.

[0026] An accelerometer 212 can be provided to measure acceleration. Single- and multi-axis models are available to capture the magnitude and direction of acceleration as a vector quantity, and these can be used to detect orientation, acceleration, shock, and fall. A gyroscope is a device for measuring or guiding orientation based on the principles of conservation of angular momentum. One type of gyroscope, a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) gyroscope, uses lithographically constructed versions of a tuning fork and / or vibrating wheel and / or resonating solid to measure orientation. Other types of gyroscopes could also be used.A magnetometer is a device used to measure the strength and / or direction of the magnetic field near the device, and it can be used to determine the direction in which a person or device is facing.

[0027] A heart rate sensor 212 can be provided and use electrical contacts to the skin to monitor an electrocardiographic signal (ECG) of its wearer, or it can use infrared light and an imaging device to optically detect a pulse rate of its wearer, among other possibilities.

[0028] A respiratory rate sensor 212 can be provided to monitor a respiratory rate. The respiratory rate sensor may incorporate the use of differential capacitive circuits or capacitive transducers to measure chest displacement and thus respiratory rates. In other embodiments, a respiratory sensor may monitor the periodicity of air expelled from the mouth and / or nose (for example, using a humidity sensor, a temperature sensor, a capnometer, or a spirometer) to measure a respiratory rate. Other possibilities also exist.

[0029] A body temperature sensor 212 can be provided, and it contains an electronic digital or analog sensor that measures skin temperature, using, for example, a negative temperature coefficient (NTC) thermistor or a resistive temperature detector (RTD), it may contain an infrared thermal scanner module, and / or it may contain an ingestible temperature sensor that transmits an internally measured body temperature via a short-range wireless connection, among other possibilities.

[0030] Computer 214 comprises, or is part of, a computer-assisted dispatch center staffed by an operator who provides necessary dispatch operations. For example, Computer 214 typically includes a graphical user interface that provides the dispatch operator with necessary information about public safety officers. As discussed above, much of this information originates from Devices 212, which provide information to Hub 102, which forwards the information to RAN 202, and finally to Computer 214. Computer 214 includes a virtual partner (for example, a microprocessor acting as the virtual partner) configured to receive sensor data from Sensors 212 and track relevant information. For example, for each user of the system, Computer 214 can track the user's current talkgroup along with sensor data for that user.Any speech transmissions can also be analyzed. This information can be used to compile a summary for each speech group. The information is preferably stored in a database 264.

[0031] In light of the foregoing, Computer 214 is also configured with a natural language processing (NLP) machine, which is configured to determine the intent and / or content of any radio voice transmissions received from users. The NLP machine can also analyze verbal requests and / or statements received from any user and provide responses to the verbal requests and / or take other actions in response to the verbal statements. It should be noted that any communication between users of the talkgroup is monitored by the NLP machine in order to determine the content of the radio voice transmissions.

[0032] Fig. Figure 3 shows a different view of a personal network 240 from Fig. 2. The personal network comprises a very local network, with a range of, for example, 10 feet. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 3, various devices 212 are attached to the clothing used by a public safety officer. In this particular example, a biosensor is arranged in a police vest, a voice detector is arranged in a police microphone, smart handcuffs 212 are normally arranged in a handcuff pouch (not shown), a weapon draw sensor is arranged in a holster, and a camera 212 is provided.

[0033] Devices 212 and Hub 102 form a PAN 240. PAN 240 preferably comprises a Bluetooth PAN. Devices 212 and Hub 102 are considered Bluetooth devices in the sense that they operate using Bluetooth, a short-range wireless communication technology operating in the 2.4 GHz band, commercially available from the Bluetooth Special Interest Group. Devices 212 and Hub 102 are connected ad-hoc via Bluetooth technology, forming a PAN. Hub 102 acts as the master device, while Devices 212 act as slave devices.

[0034] Hub 102 provides the officer with information and / or forwards local status alarm messages describing each sensor state / triggering event to computer 214 via a wide-area network (e.g., RAN core network). In other embodiments of the invention, Hub 102 can forward the local status alarms for each sensor to mobile and stationary colleagues (shift supervisors, colleagues in the field, etc.) or to the public via social media. The RAN core network preferably comprises a network that uses a public safety radio protocol.

[0035] As discussed above, Hub 102 may intend to join a talkgroup to communicate with or listen to its members. As described here, a communication link in a two-way system that transmits speech over a traffic channel to a group of members is referred to as a "talkgroup" or "group." A two-way system comprises a multitude of talkgroups, and it is possible for a radio to be a member of any combination of talkgroups.

[0036] Accordingly, a Hub 102 can perform a scan of a list of control channels to find the active control channel for the system. The Hub 102 can listen on the active control channel for a voice channel assignment that corresponds to a designated talkgroup from the multitude of talkgroups. The core network is able to distinguish each Hub 102 by means of an authentication certificate and a public key assigned to that specific Hub 102. In some embodiments, all talkgroups are assigned to the same voice channel. Alternatively, each talkgroup from the multitude can be assigned to a different voice channel. A subset of the multitude of talkgroups can also share a voice channel.

[0037] As described above, it often happens that when a new member joins an existing talkgroup actively discussing a particular topic (for example, an event), the new member feels left out of the ongoing discussion due to a lack of prior knowledge of the previous discussion / topic. Joining an existing talkgroup can be initiated by a command center dispatcher, initiated by the new user themselves (for example, by turning the channel knob to the correct channel to join the talkgroup), a request for assistance from a team member to change the channel can be made, or a voice command can be used to instruct a digital assistant to switch the channel to a specific talkgroup.Questioning members of the discussion group about previous discussions would be a waste of time, it occupies bandwidth, and it interrupts the ongoing discussion.

[0038] Therefore, upon a new member joining a talkgroup, or immediately before the new member joins the talkgroup (for example, immediately after a user turns the channel button), the new member can be placed on a private channel (not used by the talkgroup) (for example, upon request) in order to build up prior knowledge regarding the users who are currently using the talkgroup.

[0039] The amount of prior knowledge provided to the new user can be based on what the new user already knows about the individuals using the channel. For example, sensor data from the new user can be used to determine what the user already knows, and only new information can be provided. Thus, if, for example, the new user already knows the name of the suspect being discussed in the talk group, then this information will not be provided as part of the summary.

[0040] Preferably, the necessary background information is provided to the new user audibly via a digital assistant. The digital assistant can scan existing talkgroup members, their conversations, sensor data, job functions, job scope, recorded schedules, chat history, email logs, etc., and provide the user with a summary of the existing members in the talkgroup.

[0041] The digital assistant summarizes previous conversations and sensor data, and updates the new member regarding what the current user discussed and / or experienced in the talkgroup over a predetermined period before the new user joined (for example, two hours prior). Alternatively, if the new user rejoins the talkgroup, the predetermined period can be determined from the time the new user left. The digital assistant can provide the summary by understanding the content of previous conversations (via natural language processing) and any sensor data (video, audio, accelerometer, etc.).

[0042] Any part of a conversation, video, image, audio content, etc., previously captured by a sensor from a previous user of the talkgroup, can be shared directly or summarized in natural language for delivery by the digital assistant. The digital assistant can also provide a demographic summary (for example, job title, age, or rank of a majority of team members) of the talkgroup members. During the knowledge base building process, the user can submit any request related to this knowledge base to the digital assistant at any time, and the digital assistant can respond based on the knowledge gathered from the talkgroup.

[0043] Once the necessary background information is established, the new user is added to the talkgroup, and the private channel can be closed. The threshold for the amount of data made available to the new user on the private channel can be based on the new user's professional experience, job function or scope, rank, background, and / or knowledge of the event related to the discussion topic in the talkgroup. For example, if a mechanic joins the talkgroup, the information provided to the mechanic can be of a technical nature (for example, that a police car has broken down).

[0044] As an example of the above, consider a talkgroup set up for users assigned to a specific event (for example, a bank robbery). During the investigation, conversations and sensor data might indicate that Officer Dave has approached a suspect and that a foot pursuit is underway (as determined, for example, by an accelerometer and Dave's voice communication with other talkgroup members). The suspect may have escaped in a blue Ford pickup truck. When a new user joins the talkgroup, this information can be made available to them. For example, the digital assistant might state that "the current talkgroup is being used by officers investigating a bank robbery at 123 Main Street at 5:23 AM. Officer Dave has been pursuing a suspect who escaped in a blue Ford pickup truck."Officer Dave fired his weapon once. The suspect is male, between 20 and 30 years old, has brown hair... etc. ... You will now join the talkgroup. The digital assistant can display any portion of a video clip of Officer Dave pursuing the suspect on the new user's device (for example, a head-mounted display, smartphone, or smartwatch), and it can display a photograph of the suspect. The digital assistant can ask or discuss with the new user whether any further details are needed. The new user can initiate the request to the digital assistant and request further elaboration (for example, the user can ask, "What is the license plate number of the blue Ford?"). The digital assistant will respond to or answer the user's request in conversation, based on prior knowledge gathered from the talkgroup.

[0045] The digital assistant will analyze the results of any queries and statements made by the new user against the conversation analysis of the discussion group. The digital assistant will then prompt the user to automatically transfer these to the discussion group. After the digital assistant has transferred the user to the discussion group, the private channel, which was created for the purpose of gaining prior knowledge, can be maintained for a certain period of time. During this time, the digital assistant will make a determination based on the level of trust, only if the new user wishes to gain more prior knowledge. If the duration exceeds a certain limit, the digital assistant will close the private channel.

[0046] In light of the above, Fig. Figure 4 shows a schematic diagram illustrating a device 400 for notifying a user regarding the history of a talkgroup (that is, the history of users who occupy or have occupied the talkgroup). In one embodiment, the device is configured within the computer 214, but in alternative embodiments, the device may be configured within the core network 204 of the public safety system, or in multiple computer devices in a cloud computer cluster (not shown), or in any other communication device that is integrated into Fig. 2 is not illustrated, and / or it can be a distributed communication device across two or more units.

[0047] Fig. Figure 4 shows these components (not all of which are required) for the Device 400 to notify a user about a past history for users of a specific talkgroup. For the sake of clarity, a graphical user interface that provides the dispatch operator with necessary information about public safety officers is not shown, as this component is not required to understand the subsequent discussion. As shown, the Device 400 may include a WAN (wide-area network) transceiver 401 (for example, a transceiver that uses a public safety communications system protocol), a natural language processor (NLP) 402, and logic circuitry 403 (which may act as a digital assistant). In other implementations, the Device 400 may include more, fewer, or different components.Regardless, all components are connected via common data buses, as is known from engineering.

[0048] The WAN Transceiver 401 can include well-known long-range transceivers that utilize any number of network system protocols. (As a professional in this technical field will recognize, a transceiver includes both a transmitter and a receiver for sending and receiving data.) For example, the WAN Transceiver 401 might be configured to utilize a next-generation cellular communications protocol operated by a cellular service provider, or a public safety protocol such as an APCO-25 network or the FirstNet broadband network. The WAN Transceiver 401 receives communications from all members of all talkgroups, as well as sensor data from all users.It should be noted that the WAN transceiver 401 is shown as part of the device, although the WAN transceiver 401 may be located in the RAN 202 (for example, in a base station of the RAN 202), with a direct connection to the device 400.

[0049] The NLP 402 protocol is a well-known circuit for intelligently and effectively analyzing and understanding human language and deriving its meaning. By utilizing NLP, automatic summarization, translation, named entity recognition, relationship analysis, sentiment analysis, speech recognition, and topic segmentation can occur.

[0050] The Logic Circuit 403 comprises a digital signal processor (DSP), a general-purpose microprocessor, a programmable logic device, or an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and it is configured to compile a summary of events that have occurred for individuals who have occupied a specific talkgroup for a predetermined duration (for example, during the last hour). The Logic Circuit 403 can act as a digital assistant / virtual partner to provide the summary to a user. For example, the logic circuit can provide the user with valuable information in an automated manner (for example, without any further user input) or in a semi-automated manner (for example, with some further user input).The valuable information that can be made available to the user can be based on explicit requests for such information made by the user via an input (for example, a parsed natural language input or a manipulation of an electronic touch interface associated with an explicit request), in which case the electronic digital assistant can respond by providing such requested valuable information, or it can be based on any other set of one or more contexts or triggers (that is, joining a conversation group), in which case the electronic digital assistant can proactively provide such valuable information to the user without any explicit request from the user.

[0051] Given the above, and as an example, computer 214 can continuously compile a history of users of traffic channel ID 4135. Hub 102 can send a request to join traffic channel 4135 by sending a request to RAN 202. RAN 202 notifies computer 214 of the request, and computer 214 can send a notification to hub 102 that a summary is available, if desired. If hub 102 requests a summary, computer 214 will instruct RAN 202 to switch hub 102 to a private channel (that is, a private communication link between the new user's hub 102 and computer 214) and provide the summary to hub 102. Hub 102 can then be added to talkgroup 4135.

[0052] A database 264 is provided. The database 264 comprises standard memory (such as RAM, ROM, etc.) and is used to store a traffic channel identification (for example, a traffic channel ID) along with a summary of what happened to individuals who occupied the traffic channel for a predetermined period of time.

[0053] It should be noted that, although the above description includes providing a summary of talkgroup activity to a user, an average person in the field of technology will recognize that the same technique can be used to provide a user with a summary of any radio channel, regardless of whether talkgroups are used or not. In this context, Fig. 4. A device is provided that includes a WAN transceiver (wide-area network) which communicates with a multitude of users in a specific talkgroup / on a specific channel. The WAN transceiver receives a request from a new user to join the specific talkgroup / channel and provides the new user with a summary of the talkgroup / channel via a private channel. Finally, the WAN transceiver communicates with the multitude of users and the new user in the specific talkgroup / on the specific channel.

[0054] A natural language processor is provided to receive and aggregate voice transmissions from the WAN transceiver. These voice transmissions originate from the numerous users who are part of the specific talkgroup / channel. The talkgroup / channel aggregation is based on these aggregated voice transmissions. Additionally, the WAN transceiver receives sensor data from the same users. The talkgroup / channel aggregation can also be based on this sensor data.

[0055] Fig. 5 is a flowchart that illustrates the operation of the device. Fig. Figure 4 shows. As stated above, the device can be made of Fig. 4. Include a computer-aided dispatch center. The logical flow in Fig. Figure 5 shows the steps (not all are required) for providing a talkgroup / channel summary for a user. The logical flow begins at step 501, where the WAN transceiver 401 receives voice transmissions from a variety of radios that are part of a specific talkgroup / channel. Logic circuit 403 then determines a talkgroup / channel summary based on the received voice transmissions, with the talkgroup / channel summary including a summary of a history of users who have participated or are participating in the talkgroup / channel (step 503). As discussed above, logic circuit 403 utilizes NLP 402 (logic circuit 403 can include NLP 402) to provide a summary of the users' history.

[0056] In step 505, WAN transceiver 401 receives a request from a new user to join the specific talkgroup / channel. Logic circuit 403 instructs WAN transceiver 401 to establish a private talkgroup / channel with the new user (step 507). Logic circuit 403 then accesses database 264 and retrieves the summary, and provides the summary, the talkgroup / channel summary, to the new user via the private talkgroup / channel (step 509). Finally, logic circuit 403 instructs WAN transceiver 401 to add the new user to the talkgroup / channel (step 511).

[0057] As discussed above, the WAN transceiver / logic circuit can receive sensor data from a variety of radios that are part of the specific talkgroup / channel, with the step of determining the talkgroup / channel summary additionally based on received sensor data. The sensor data can include data from the group consisting of video data, images, acceleration data, and data on whether a weapon has been drawn.

[0058] Additionally, the WAN transceiver 401 / NLP 402 can receive voice transmissions from the new user, and the step to provide the talkgroup / channel summary for the new user involves providing the new user with a summary tailored to them, based on the voice transmissions received from them. For example, it may be determined that the new user knows a lot of information about the current conversation on the new talkgroup / channel. This information does not need to be provided as part of the summary.

[0059] As discussed above, the talkgroup / channel summary can include a summary of the history over a predetermined period. This predetermined period can include the time since the new user left the specific talkgroup / channel.

[0060] Additionally, the talkgroup / channel summary may include recorded audio information from voice transmissions, recorded video information, and / or recorded images taken by users who participate or have participated in the talkgroup / channel. The talkgroup / channel summary may also include information obtained from the group, including demographic information, job title, age, authority, and discussion topic.

[0061] Finally, logic circuit 403 can instruct WAN transceiver 401 to abandon the private channel after the new user has joined the special talkgroup / channel.

[0062] Fig. 6 is a flowchart that illustrates the operation of the device. Fig.Figure 4 illustrates this. The logical flow begins at step 601, where WAN transceiver 401 is used to communicate with a large number of users in a specific talkgroup / on a specific channel. Communications are primarily conversational (voice channel), but data can also be sent to users in the specific talkgroup / on the specific channel.

[0063] In step 603, WAN transceiver 401 receives a request from the new user to join the specific talkgroup / channel and provides the new user with a talkgroup / channel summary over a private channel (step 605). Finally, in step 607, WAN transceiver 401 communicates with the multitude of users and the new user in the specific talkgroup / channel.

[0064] As discussed above, the WAN transceiver 401 is used to receive voice transmissions from the multitude of users who are part of the specific talkgroup / channel, and the talkgroup / channel summary is determined based on the voice transmissions.

[0065] Additionally, the WAN transceiver 401 can receive sensor data from the multitude of users who are part of the specific talkgroup / channel, and the talkgroup / channel summary can be determined based on the sensor data.

[0066] Specific embodiments have been described in the preceding specification. However, it is clear to those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, as set out in the claims below. For example, the average person skilled in the art will recognize that the speech group / channel aggregation can be based solely on aggregated speech transmissions or solely on aggregated sensor data. Accordingly, the specification and the illustrations are to be understood in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of protection of the present teachings.

[0067] Experts will further recognize that references to specific implemented embodiments, such as "circuit," can be provided in the same way by either a general-purpose computer device (for example, a CPU) or a specialized processing device (for example, a DSP) that executes software instructions stored in non-transitory, computer-readable memory. It is also understood that the terms and expressions used herein have the ordinary technical meanings attributed to such terms and expressions by persons with experience in the technical field, as explained above, unless different specific meanings are otherwise indicated herein.

[0068] The benefits, advantages, problem solutions, and any conceivable element that leads to or enhances any benefit, advantage, or solution shall not be construed as critical, necessary, or essential features or elements of any claim or all claims. The invention is defined exclusively by the attached claims, including any amendment made during the pendency of the present application and all equivalents of such claims as published.

[0069] Furthermore, in this document, relational expressions such as first and second, above and below, and the like are to be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another, without necessarily requiring or implying any actual relationship or order between such entities or actions. The expressions "includes," "comprising," "has," "having," "include," "containing," "containing," or any variation thereof are to cover non-exclusive inclusion, so that a process, procedure, article, or device that includes, has, includes, or contains a list of elements may not only include such elements but may also include other elements not expressly listed or inherent in such processes, procedures, articles, or devices. An element that continues with "includes... a," "has..."The terms "one," "includes... one," and "contains... one" do not, without further stipulations, exclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprise, have, include, or contain the element. The terms "one" and "a" are defined as one or more unless explicitly stated otherwise herein. The terms "essentially," "essentially," "approximately," "about," or any other version thereof are defined as "being close to" as is clear to those skilled in the art, and in one non-limiting embodiment, the term is defined as being within 10%, in another embodiment within 5%, in another embodiment within 1%, and in yet another embodiment within 0.5%. The term "coupled," as used herein, is defined as "connected," although not necessarily directly and not necessarily mechanically.A device or structure that is “configured” in a certain way is configured at least in that way, but may also be configured in at least one other way not listed.

[0070] It is desired that some embodiments include one or more generic or specialized processors (or “processing devices”), such as microprocessors, digital signal processors, custom processors and freely programmable field-gate arrays (FPGAs) and unique stored program instructions (comprising both software and firmware) that control the one or more processors to implement, in conjunction with certain non-processor circuitry, some, most or all of the functions of the method and / or device described herein.Alternatively, some or all functions can be implemented by a state machine that has no stored program instructions, or in one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) where each function, or some combinations of certain functions, are implemented as custom logic. Naturally, a combination of the two approaches can be used.

[0071] Furthermore, an embodiment can be implemented as a computer-readable storage medium containing computer-readable code stored thereon for programming a computer (which, for example, includes a processor) to perform a method described and claimed herein. Examples of such computer-readable storage media include, but are not limited to: a hard disk, a CD-ROM, an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, a ROM (read-only memory), a PROM (programmable read memory), an EPROM (erasable programmable read memory), an EE-PROM (electrically erasable programmable read memory), and flash memory.Furthermore, it can be expected that a person skilled in the art, regardless of possible considerable effort and a large selection of designs, which is justified, for example, by available time, current technology and economic considerations, guided by the concepts and principles disclosed herein, will be able to produce such software instructions, programs and ICs with minimal experimental effort.

[0072] The summary of the disclosure is provided to allow the reader to quickly grasp the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it is not intended to interpret or limit the spirit or meaning of the claims. Furthermore, it is clear from the preceding detailed description that various features in different embodiments are grouped together to streamline the disclosure. This method of disclosure should not be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly stated in each claim. Rather, as is evident from the following claims, an inventive subject matter is present in fewer than all the features of any single disclosed embodiment.Thus, the following claims are integrated into the detailed description, with each claim standing alone as a separately claimed subject matter.

Claims

[1] Device (400), comprising: a wide-area network transceiver (WAN) (401) that communicates with a large number of users in a specific talkgroup / on a specific channel; where the WAN transceiver (401) receives a request from a new user to join the specific talkgroup / channel; where the WAN transceiver (401) provides the new user with a talkgroup / channel summary over a private channel; where the WAN transceiver (401) ultimately communicates with the multitude of users and the new user in the specific talkgroup / on the specific channel; a natural language processor that receives and aggregates speech transmissions from the WAN transceiver (401), the speech transmissions originating from the multitude of users who are part of the special talkgroup / channel; where the speech group / channel summary is based on summarizing; characterized by , that the WAN transceiver (401) receives sensor data from the multitude of users who are part of the specific talkgroup / channel; and where the speech group / channel summary is additionally based on the sensor data. [2] Method for providing a talkgroup / channel summary to a user, wherein the method comprises the following steps: Receiving voice transmissions from a multitude of radio devices that are part of a specific talkgroup / channel (501); Determining a talkgroup / channel summary based on received voice transmissions (503), wherein the talkgroup / channel summary includes a summary of a history of users who have participated or are participating in the talkgroup / channel; Receiving a request from a new user to join the specific talkgroup / channel (505); Setting up a private talkgroup / channel with the new user (507); Providing the talkgroup / channel summary to the new user via the private talkgroup / channel (509); Adding the new user to the talkgroup / channel (511); characterized by the additional step: Receiving sensor data from the multitude of radio devices that are part of the specific talkgroup / channel; and where the step to determine the talkgroup / channel summary is additionally based on the received sensor data. [3] Method according to claim 2, wherein the sensor data comprise data from the group consisting of video data, images, acceleration data and data on whether a weapon has been drawn. [4] The method of claim 2, further comprising the step of: Receiving voice transmissions from the new user; and where the step to provide the talkgroup / channel summary for the new user includes providing the new user with the summary tailored to the user, based on the voice transmissions received from the new user. [5] Method according to claim 2, wherein the talkgroup / channel summary comprises a summary of the history over a predetermined period of time. [6] Method according to claim 5, wherein the predetermined time period comprises a time period since the new user left the specific talkgroup / channel. [7] Method according to claim 2, wherein the talkgroup / channel summary comprises recorded audio information of speech transmissions, recorded video information and / or recorded images taken by users who have participated or are participating in the talkgroup / channel. [8] Method according to claim 2, wherein the talkgroup / channel summary comprises information obtained from the group consisting of demographic information, job function, age, authority and a discussion topic. [9] The method of claim 2, further comprising the step of: Abandoning the private talkgroup / channel after the new user has joined the special talkgroup / channel. [10] Method for providing a talkgroup / channel summary for a new user, wherein the method comprises the following steps: Use of a wide-area network transceiver (WAN) (401) to communicate with a large number of users in a specific talkgroup / on a specific channel (601); Received, through the WAN transceiver (401), a request from the new user to join the specific talkgroup / channel (603); Use of the WAN transceiver (401) to provide the new user with the talkgroup / channel summary over a private channel (605); Finally, use of the WAN transceiver (401) to communicate with the multitude of users and the new user in the specific talkgroup / on the specific channel (607); Utilizing the WAN transceiver (401) to receive voice transmissions from the multitude of users who are part of the specific talkgroup / channel; and the speech group / channel aggregation is determined based on the speech transmissions; characterized by the additional step: Utilizing the WAN transceiver (401) to receive sensor data from the multitude of users who are part of the specific talkgroup / channel; and where the speech group / channel summary is determined based on the sensor data.

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