Method and apparatus for operator messaging using voice channel signalling

A method of operator messaging within a radio communication unit accessing, upon being granted permission by a resource controller, one of a plurality of communication resources, the communication unit being capable of operating in a transmitting mode and in a receiving mode, by an operator having a unique operator code that is uniquely associated with a message, which operator code and message, along with identification codes representing each of the plurality of communication resources, are stored in a database coupled to the resource controller, the method comprising the steps of:

• while operating in the receiving mode:
• gaining access to a communication resource in order to receive a voice transmission originating from a communication unit being operated by a first operator in the transmitting mode;
• receiving, via sub-audible signals on said communication resource, at least part of an operator message uniquely associated with the first operator;
• and
• displaying said at least part of the operator message during said voice transmission.

A method of operator messaging within a radio communication resource controller, the resource controller being able to allocate, via a control resource, a plurality of communication resources among a plurality of communication units, each communication unit being operated by an operator having an operator code that is uniquely associated with an operator message, which operator code and message, along with identification codes representing each of the plurality of communication units, are stored in a database coupled to the resource controller, the method comprising the steps of, during at least a first voice transmission from a transmitting communication unit:

• receiving an identification associated with the transmitting communication unit and an operator code associated with a first operator of the transmitting communication unit;
• matching at least said received identification with one of the stored identification codes in the database;
• retrieving, responsive to said step of matching, a first operator message from the database uniquely associated with the first operator;
• and
• sending, via sub-audible signals on a granted communication resource, said first operator message to at least a receiving one of the plurality of communication units.

A radio communication resource controller, which is able to allocate, via a control resource, a plurality of communication resources among a plurality of communication units, each communication unit being operated by an operator having an operator code that is uniquely associated with an operator message, which operator code and message, along with identification codes representing each of the plurality of communication units, are stored in a database coupled to the resource controller, the resource controller comprising:

• means for receiving during at least a first transmission period, from each of a plurality of communication units participating in a communication, an operator code uniquely associated with a first operator, and an identification from a transmitting one of the plurality of participating communication units requesting access to one of the plurality of communication resources;
• means for matching at least said received identification with one of the stored identification codes in the database;
• means for retrieving, coupled to said means for matching, a previously stored operator message from the database uniquely associated with the first operator of said transmitting communication unit;
• and
• means for sending, via sub-audible signals on said requested communication resource, said previously stored operator message to at least a receiving one of the plurality of participating communication units.