Serial Group Call Session Establishment via Subset Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing push to talk (PTT) calling systems are inefficient when a user needs to communicate with only a subset of group members, as calling the entire group is wasteful and disruptive, and manually calling individuals is burdensome.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method to establish a group call session by selecting and signaling subsets of group members to join the call in stages, allowing for efficient participation and adjustment based on user needs, using techniques such as presence state, wireless operating conditions, and loading levels to optimize subset selection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the user calls the entire group, then the user can reach any potential helper, but system resources are wasted and the group is unnecessarily disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the group call establishment process into multiple stages: first establishing a pilot call with a single group member, and only if necessary, expanding to additional members. This segmentation allows the system to achieve reliable communication by testing connectivity with one member before committing resources to call the entire group, thus resolving the contradiction between ensuring reliable contact and minimizing system resource waste.
2Ease of operation
If the user calls the entire group, then communication can be established quickly, but the group is unnecessarily disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the group calling operation into a two-phase process: a simplified pilot phase calling one member, and an optional expansion phase for additional members. This segmentation maintains ease of operation by providing a simple initial call action while reducing group disruption through controlled, staged expansion only when the pilot call indicates it is necessary.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial action by establishing a pilot call with only one group member instead of calling the entire group immediately. This partial approach is sufficient to determine whether group calling is necessary, thereby reducing unnecessary disruption to the group while maintaining the option to expand if needed.
3Loss of energy
If the user calls an individual group member, then system resources are conserved, but the user burden increases due to manual identification and retry attempts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the system to automatically perform the task of identifying and selecting an appropriate group member for the pilot call, eliminating the need for the user to manually search for individual identifiers or make multiple retry attempts. The system self-selects a target member from the group, thereby reducing user burden while maintaining efficient resource usage.
4Productivity
If the system establishes a call with multiple group members simultaneously, then communication efficiency is high, but the complexity of managing the call increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the group call into a pilot call phase and an optional expansion phase, managing complexity by handling one member at a time initially. This staged approach reduces call management complexity while maintaining the ability to achieve efficient multi-member communication if needed, by expanding the call only after the pilot phase confirms necessity.
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments are described for establishing a group call session serially. After receiving a serial group call request from a remote unit (101), fixed network equipment (FNE) (201) selects a first subset of members (260) from the targeted group (250) of units and signals those members to join the group call session. Various techniques for selecting the first subset may be employed depending on what system benefits are desired. A second subset of members (270) from the targeted group of units is also selected and signaled to join the session. This second subset may be used to invite additional units in order to achieve a maximum number of group participants. Alternatively, the second subset may be used to invite a different unit (or units) to participate. This can be triggered by a user request to invite another subset to the group session, as could occur when the user is not able to resolve the particular matter at-hand with the group members of the first subset.