Iridium Satellite LLC

Nextel Communications Inc.

Daniel Tillet

Garrett Chandler

Luis Jordan

Josh Miner

Ojas Thakor Choksi

Karalyn M Szuszczewicz

Joel Thompson

Steven Haigh

In one implementation, a communication device comprising one or more processors is configured to participate in a plurality of talkgroups. The one or more processors are configured to receive a communication transmitted from a satellite constellation indicating that a first priority talkgroup has been assigned for the communication device and to receive one or more signal transmitted from the satellite constellation via a control channel indicating that the first priority talkgroup is active, in response to which the one or more processors may determine that the first priority talkgroup has been assigned for the communication device and that the first priority talkgroup is active. Consequently, the one or more processors may set the communication device to the first priority talkgroup such that the communication device starts receiving communications via the first priority talkgroup.

Priority talkgroups

An instruction to enter a scanning mode may be received at a communication device. The communication device may participate in several talkgroups. A determination may be made that at least one of the talkgroups is active. In response, the communication device may be set to a first active talkgroup. A determination may be made that a predetermined time has passed since the communication device was set to the first active talkgroup. In response, a determination also may be made that at least a second one of the talkgroups, other than the first active talkgroup, is active. In response, the communication device may be set to the second active talkgroup.

Scanning talkgroups

In one implementation, information specifying a geographic area for a talkgroup may be received. In addition, information specifying that the talkgroup is a 'warm' talkgroup may be received. In response to the receipt of the information specifying that the talkgroup is a 'warm' talkgroup, a satellite constellation may be controlled to continuously light up a control channel in the geographic area for the talkgroup. A request to instantiate the talkgroup via the control channel may be received. In response thereto, the satellite constellation may be controlled to continuously light up a traffic channel in the geographic area for the talkgroup. Subsequently, the talkgroup may be determined to be inactive. In response thereto, the satellite constellation may be controlled to stop continuously lighting up the traffic channel in the geographic area while continuing to continuously light up the control channel in the geographic area.

Instantiating talkgroups

A request to provide a sharecode is received from a first communication device associated with a first organization, and the sharecode is provided. Thereafter, the sharecode and a talkgroup sharing parameter are received from a second communication device associated with a second organization. The talkgroup sharing parameter identifies a talkgroup associated with the second organization to be shared with the first organization. An indication that one or more devices associated with the first organization are permitted to participate in the talkgroup associated with the second organization then is provided to the first communication device associated with the first organization. Thereafter, a request is received from the first communication device associated with the first organization to add a device associated with the first organization to the talkgroup associated with the second organization, and a device associated with the first organization is added to the talkgroup associated with the second organization.

Sharing a talkgroup

In one implementation, information indicating that a communication device is requesting to enter a dedicated transmission mode in a talkgroup may be received. In addition, information indicating a first position of the communication device may be received. A satellite constellation may be controlled to establish a first channel for communications for the talkgroup within a first beam that has a coverage area including the first position of the communication device. Further, a potential second position of the communication device may be determined. The satellite constellation may be controlled to establish a second channel for communications for the talkgroup within a second beam that has a coverage area including the potential second position of the communication device.

Position-based communication

A subscriber unit including an interface and a processor to transmit a first request to a wireless communication system by way of the interface to request a communication session in a first communication mode with one or more users; communicate with the one or more users by way of the interface in the communication session and in the first communication mode; transmit, while in the communication session, a second request to the wireless communication system by way of the interface to switch the first communication mode to a different second communication mode; and communicate with the one or more users by way of the interface in the communication session and in the second communication mode.

Subscriber unit capable of switching between full-duplex and half-duplex modes during an on-going session

A wireless communication system is disclosed comprising a call controller to establish a communication session in a first communication mode between two or more users; receive a request from at least one of the users to switch the first communication mode of the communication session to a second communication mode; and switch the first communication mode of the communication session to the second communication mode. The first and second communication mode may respectively comprise half-duplex and full-duplex modes, or vice-versa. Other disclosed embodiments relate to a call controller for to setup multiple communication mode sessions in a wireless communication system, and a subscriber unit able to request and accept a switch to a different communication mode in an ongoing communication session.

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McLean, VA, United States of America

Daniel Tillet