Master PTT Server Merging Active Group Calls

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in merging active group calls without disrupting ongoing communications or losing status and queue information, particularly in scenarios where multiple Push to Talk (PTT) groups need to be temporarily combined for incident response.

Innovation Solution

A method and system where a master PTT server coordinates the merging of active group calls by sending invite messages to involved PTT servers, processing pending media requests, and maintaining participant information, ensuring that only active participants in the merged group can communicate, thus preserving the status and queue information of the original calls.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple PTT groups are merged using existing session merging methods, then communication coverage is expanded, but status information and queue information of active group calls are lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication coverageVSAvoidstatus information and queue information
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The master PTT server acts as an intermediary that receives status information and queue information from participating PTT servers during the merging process. This intermediary role allows the system to expand communication coverage by merging multiple PTT groups while preserving critical call state data through centralized collection and management at the master server level.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by collecting and preserving status information and queue information from active group calls before the merging operation completes. The master PTT server proactively gathers this data from participating servers in advance, ensuring that no information is lost during the transition to the merged call state.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If all members of PTT groups are invited to merged group calls, then group consolidation is achieved, but communication disruption occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegroup consolidationVSAvoidcommunication continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies local quality by differentiating between active participants and non-active members during the merging process. Only active participants in the original group calls are invited to join the merged group call, while non-active members are excluded. This selective approach achieves group consolidation without causing unnecessary communication disruptions to members who are not currently engaged.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs partial action by inviting only the necessary subset of members (active participants) rather than all possible members. This partial invitation strategy achieves sufficient group consolidation for incident response while maintaining communication continuity by avoiding unnecessary interruptions to non-active members.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Speed

If pending media requests are not processed during merging, then merging speed is improved, but communication efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemerging speedVSAvoidcommunication efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The master PTT server performs preliminary action by processing pending media requests from participating group calls before finalizing the merged group call establishment. This advance processing ensures that no media transmission opportunities are lost during the merging transition, maintaining communication efficiency while achieving relatively fast merging through parallel processing of requests.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system maintains continuity of useful action by ensuring that pending media requests are processed without interruption during the merging process. The master PTT server continues to handle media transmission requests from active participants throughout the merging operation, preventing any gap in communication functionality and maintaining overall system productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentEP3314848B1Merging active group calls
Publication Date: 2019.08.07 BLACKBERRY LTD
  • EP3314848B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3314848B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3314848B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A method for merging active group calls includes receiving, at a first Push to Talk (PTT) server, a request to merge a first and a second active group call. A first and a second group of PTT clients participate in the first and the second active group call, respectively. The first PTT server may send a first invite message to a first group PTT server which hosts the first group call. In response to the first invite message, the first PTT server may receive a first response message. The first PTT server may send a second invite message to a second group PTT server which hosts the second group call. In response to the second invite message, the first PTT server may receive a second response message. The first PTT server may host a merged PTT group call which includes the first and the second group of PTT clients.