Method and apparatus for group calls in a wireless CDMA system based on dedicated codes

A base transceiver system for use in a wireless code division multiple access communication system comprising at least one subscriber unit and a controller, wherein the base transceiver system is coupled to the controller and in wireless communication with the at least one subscriber unit, the base transceiver system comprising:

• a memory comprising at least one dedicated inbound code and at least one dedicated outbound code;
• a receiver, operably coupled to the memory, that receives an inbound group call signal based on one of the at least one dedicated inbound code and that provides a detection signal when the inbound group call signal is detected;
• and
• a transmitter, coupled to the memory and the detector, that re-transmits the inbound group call signal as an outbound group call signal based on one of the at least one dedicated outbound code responsive to the detection signal.

A base transceiver system for use in a wireless code division multiple access communication system comprising at least one subscriber unit and a controller, wherein the base transceiver system is coupled to the controller and in wireless communication with the at least one subscriber unit, the base transceiver system comprising:

• a memory comprising at least one dedicated inbound code and at least one dedicated outbound code;
• a receiver, operably coupled to the memory, that receives an inbound group call signal based on one of the at least one dedicated inbound code and that provides a detection signal when the inbound group call signal is detected;
• means, coupled to receiver, for conveying the inbound group call signal, responsive to the detection signal, to the controller coupled to the base transceiver system;
• and
• means, coupled to the receiver, for conveying, to the controller and responsive to the detection signal, a first message that the inbound group call signal was received based on the one of the at least one dedicated inbound code.

A controller for use in a wireless code division multiple access communication system comprising a plurality of base transceiver systems in wireless communication with a plurality of subscriber units, wherein the controller is coupled to the plurality of base transceiver systems, the controller comprising:

• means for receiving, from a first base transceiver system of the plurality of base transceiver systems, an inbound group call signal;
• means for receiving, from the first base transceiver system, a first message that the inbound group call signal was received based on one of at least one dedicated inbound code;
• means, coupled to the means for receiving the inbound group call signal, for conveying to at least one base transceiver system of the plurality of base transceiver systems the inbound group call signal as an outbound group call signal;
• and
• means, coupled to the means for receiving the first message, for conveying to the at least one base transceiver system a second message that the outbound group call signal is to be transmitted based on one of at least one dedicated outbound code.

In a wireless code division multiple access communication system comprising at least one base transceiver system coupled to a controller and in wireless communication with at least one subscriber unit, a method for a subscriber unit of the at least one subscriber unit to participate in a communication, the method comprising steps of:

• storing at least one dedicated outbound code;
• receiving, via an input device, a request for a group call;
• retrieving, responsive to the request, a dedicated inbound code;
• and
• transmitting, responsive to the request, an inbound group call signal based on the dedicated inbound code.

In a wireless code division multiple access communication system comprising at least one base transceiver system coupled to a controller and in wireless communication with at least one subscriber unit, a method for the at least one base transceiver system to facilitate a communication, the method comprising steps of:

• receiving an inbound group call signal based on a dedicated inbound code;
• detecting that the inbound group call signal has been received;
• and
• transmitting the inbound group call signal as an outbound group call signal based on a dedicated outbound code responsive to the step of detecting.

In a wireless code division multiple access communication system comprising at least one base transceiver system coupled to a controller and in wireless communication with at least one subscriber unit, a method for the at least one base transceiver system to facilitate a communication, the method comprising steps of:

• receiving an inbound group call signal based on a dedicated inbound code;
• detecting that the inbound group call signal has been received;
• conveying the inbound group call signal, responsive to the step of detecting, to the controller;
• and
• conveying, to the controller and responsive to the step of detecting, a first message that the inbound group call signal was received based on the dedicated inbound code.

In a wireless code division multiple access communication system comprising a controller coupled to a plurality of base transceiver system, the plurality of base transceiver systems in wireless communication with at least one subscriber unit, a method for the controller to facilitate a communication, the method comprising steps of:

• receiving, from a first base transceiver system of the plurality of base transceiver systems, an inbound group call signal;
• receiving, from the first base transceiver system, a first message that the inbound group call signal was received based on a dedicated inbound code;
• conveying, to at least one base transceiver system of the plurality of base transceiver systems, the inbound group call signal as an outbound group call signal;
• and
• conveying, to the at least one base transceiver system, a second message that the outbound group call signal is to be transmitted based on a dedicated outbound code.