OPTIMIZED METHODS FOR LARGE GROUP CALLING USING UNICAST AND MULTICAST TRANSPORT BEARER FOR POC

摘要

A system and method for optimizing large group calling using unicast and multicast transport bearers for Push-to-talk-over-Cellular (PoC). One or more servers interface to a wireless communications network to perform advanced voice services for mobile units therein, including the PoC call session. The servers and mobile units communicate with each other using control messages, and the servers switch voice messages between mobile units. At least one of the servers manages the PoC call session by acting as an arbitrator, and controls sending of control messages and voice messages to and from mobile units. The server performs unicast and multicast delivery of control messages and voice messages to and from mobile units, thereby enabling large group calling involving a large number of participants with optimized use of network and server resources.

主权项

1. A computer program product comprising at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing computer instructions that are translatable by a computer to perform:
provisioning an instant two-way, half-duplex voice call within a group of mobile units using a Push-to-Talk-over-Cellular (PoC) call session, wherein one or more servers and mobile units communicate with each other using control messages within a wireless communications network, and each of the mobile units has a network access type; switching voice messages between the mobile units across the wireless communications network; arbitrating the PoC call session, wherein at least one of the servers manage the PoC call session and controls sending of control messages and voice messages to and from the mobile units; and performing unicast and multicast delivery of control messages and voice messages to and from the mobile units, wherein a unicast or multicast delivery method is selected for each of the mobile units in correspondence with a respective network access type of each of the mobile units.