Soft Preemption in Push-to-Talk Group Calls

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current push-to-talk (PTT) communication systems in public safety settings do not allow for simultaneous speaking by the current talker and a preemptor in a group call, limiting communication efficiency during critical incidents.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a soft preemption method in PTT systems, where a call controller establishes a full-duplex private call between the current talker and the preemptor while maintaining a half-duplex mode for the rest of the group, allowing both to speak simultaneously.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If hard preemption is implemented in PTT group calls, then the preemptor can take control of the communication channel, but the current talker is forced to forfeit the floor and communication continuity is disrupted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication efficiencyVSAvoidcommunication continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the communication mode between half-duplex and full-duplex based on the preemption state. When preemption occurs, the system transitions from a single talker half-duplex mode to a dual-talker full-duplex mode, allowing both the preemptor and current talker to communicate simultaneously without forcing either to forfeit the floor

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different communication qualities to different participants in the group call. The preemptor and current talker are granted full-duplex communication capability while other group members maintain half-duplex access, allowing simultaneous speech from the two authorized talkers without disrupting the overall group call structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If full-duplex mode is established between talker and preemptor, then simultaneous speaking is enabled, but system complexity increases due to mode switching

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimultaneous speaking capabilityVSAvoidcommunication mode management

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces a full-duplex private call as an intermediary communication channel between the talker and preemptor. This private full-duplex channel is established within the context of the existing half-duplex group call, allowing simultaneous speech without requiring the entire group call to switch to full-duplex mode, thus limiting complexity to only the affected participants

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10555136B1Soft preemption for a push-to-talk group

Publication Date: 2020.02.04 MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

Methods and systems for managing a radio communication group call. One system includes a call controller configured to be communicatively coupled to a first communication device, a second communication device and a third communication device. The call controller includes an electronic processor configured to establish a half-duplex group call between the first communication device, the second communication device, and the third communication device. The processor receives, from the second communication device, an audio signal and receives, from the first communication device, a soft preemption talk request. The electronic processor establishes, in response to receiving the soft preemption talk request, a full-duplex private call between the first communication device and the second communication device and transmits audio of the full-duplex private call to the third communication device.