Method and apparatus for providing dispatch services in a cordless telephone communication system

A method for providing dispatch services comprising steps of:

• receiving a message informing of a release of the traffic bearer by a first communication unit;
• transmitting a message to a second communication unit informing of the release of the traffic bearer in response to receiving the message informing of the release of the traffic bearer;
• reserving the traffic bearer for a predetermined time period in response to receiving the message informing of the release of the traffic bearer;
• when no request to transmit on the traffic bearer is received during the predetermined time period, releasing the traffic bearer;
• and
• when a request to transmit on the traffic bearer is received during the predetermined time period from the second communication unit, transmitting permission to transmit in the traffic bearer to the second communication unit.

In a cordless telephone system comprising a plurality of communication units, a method for engaging a first communication unit of the plurality of communication units in a dispatch call with a second communication unit of the plurality of communication units, the method comprising steps of:

• transmitting a request to set up a dispatch call, wherein the request identifies a traffic bearer for the dispatch communication;
• receiving an authorization to engage in a dispatch communication on the traffic bearer in response to transmitting the request;
• and
• transmitting on the traffic bearer in response to receiving the authorization.

In a cordless telephone system comprising a plurality of communication units, a method for engaging a communication unit of the plurality of communication units in a dispatch communication, the method comprising steps of:

• listening to a dummy bearer allocated for paging messages;
• receiving a paging message identifying a traffic bearer that is reserved for a dispatch communication;
• and
• listening to the traffic bearer in response to receiving the paging message.

A cordless communication system comprising:

• a plurality of portable parts comprising:
• a first portable part of the plurality of portable parts that transmits a request to set up a dispatch call, wherein the request identifies a traffic bearer for the dispatch communication, receives an authorization to engage in a dispatch communication on the traffic bearer in response to transmitting the request, and transmits on the traffic bearer in response to receiving the authorization;
• a second portable part that listens to a dummy bearer allocated for paging messages, receives a paging message identifying the traffic bearer, and listens to the traffic bearer in response to receiving the paging message;
• and
• a fixed part in wireless communication with each portable part of the plurality of portable parts that receives the request to set up a dispatch communication from the first portable part, transmits the paging message to the second portable that identifies the traffic bearer, transmits a confirmation message to the first portable part that authorizes the first portable part to transmit on the traffic bearer, and transmits a message via the traffic bearer confirming the use of the traffic bearer for the dispatch communication