System and method for providing group communication services in an existing communication system

A system for providing a group communication service to a plurality of communication devices, comprising:

• a first communication device for converting information signals into data packets suitable for transmission over a data network, for providing said data packets to said data network, and for receiving data packets from said data network;
• a second communication device for converting information signals into data packets suitable for transmission over said data network, for providing said data packets to said data network, and for receiving data packets from said data network;
• a third communication device for converting information signals into data packets suitable for transmission over said data network, for providing said data packets to said data network, and for receiving data packets from said data network;
• and
• a communications manager connected to said data network for providing arbitrated group communications among at least said first communication device, said second communication device, and said third communication device, wherein said first communication device comprises:
• a processor for generating a transmission privilege request for requesting an exclusive transmission privilege from said communications manager, said processor further for generating a simulated transmission privilege grant after said transmission privilege request has been generated;
• and
• an internal media buffer for storing said information signals after said simulated transmission privilege grant has been generated until a predetermined event occurs.

A method for providing a group communication service to a plurality of communication devices, comprising:

• converting information signals into data packets suitable for transmission over a data network via a first communication device;
• converting information signals into data packets suitable for transmission over the data network via a second communication device;
• converting information signals into data packets suitable for transmission over the data network via a third communication device;
• providing arbitrated group communications among at least said first communication device, said second communication device, and said third communication device;
• measuring an elapsed time in which said first communication device, said second communication device, and said third communication device have not transmitted data packets;
• and
• sending a message to said first communication device, to said second communication device, and to said third communication device to enter a dormant mode of operation if said elapsed time exceeds a predetermined time period.

A computer-readable medium embodying a method for providing a group communication service to a plurality of communication devices, the method comprising:

• converting information signals into data packets suitable for transmission over a data network via a first communication device;
• converting information signals into data packets suitable for transmission over the data network via a second communication device;
• converting information signals into data packets suitable for transmission over the data network via a third communication device;
• providing arbitrated group communications among at least said first communication device, said second communication device, and said third communication device;
• measuring an elapsed time in which said first communication device, said second communication device, and said third communication device have not transmitted data packets;
• and
• sending a message to said first communication device, to said second communication device, and to said third communication device to enter a dormant mode of operation if said elapsed time exceeds a predetermined time period.

An apparatus for providing a group communication service to a plurality of communication devices, comprising:

• means for converting information signals into data packets suitable for transmission over a data network via a first communication device;
• means for converting information signals into data packets suitable for transmission over the data network via a second communication device;
• means for converting information signals into data packets suitable for transmission over the data network via a third communication device;
• means for providing arbitrated group communications among at least said first communication device, said second communication device, and said third communication device;
• means for measuring an elapsed time in which said first communication device, said second communication device, and said third communication device have not transmitted data packets;
• and
• means for sending a message to said first communication device, to said second communication device, and to said third communication device to enter a dormant mode of operation if said elapsed time exceeds a predetermined time period.

An apparatus for providing a group communication service to a plurality of communication devices, comprising:

• a memory unit;
• a receiver;
• a transmitter;
• and
• a processor communicatively coupled to said memory unit, said receiver, said transmitter, and said processor, said processor being capable of:
• converting information signals into data packets suitable for transmission over a data network via a first communication device;
• converting information signals into data packets suitable for transmission over the data network via a second communication device;
• converting information signals into data packets suitable for transmission over the data network via a third communication device;
• providing arbitrated group communications among at least said first communication device, said second communication device, and said third communication device;
• measuring an elapsed time in which said first communication device, said second communication device, and said third communication device have not transmitted data packets;
• and
• sending a message to said first communication device, to said second communication device, and to said third communication device to enter a dormant mode of operation if said elapsed time exceeds a predetermined time period.

A method for providing a group communication service to a plurality of communication devices, comprising:

• converting information signals into data packets suitable for transmission over a data network via a first communication device;
• converting information signals into data packets suitable for transmission over the data network via a second communication device;
• converting information signals into data packets suitable for transmission over the data network via a third communication device;
• providing arbitrated group communications among at least said first communication device, said second communication device, and said third communication device;
• receiving a transmission privilege request for requesting an exclusive transmission privilege from said communications manager;
• generating a simulated transmission privilege grant after said transmission privilege request has been received;
• and
• storing said information signals after said simulated transmission privilege grant has been generated until a predetermined event occurs.

A computer-readable medium embodying a method for providing a group communication service to a plurality of communication devices, the method comprising:

• converting information signals into data packets suitable for transmission over a data network via a first communication device;
• converting information signals into data packets suitable for transmission over the data network via a second communication device;
• converting information signals into data packets suitable for transmission over the data network via a third communication device;
• providing arbitrated group communications among at least said first communication device, said second communication device, and said third communication device;
• receiving a transmission privilege request for requesting an exclusive transmission privilege from said communications manager;
• generating a simulated transmission privilege grant after said transmission privilege request has been received;
• and
• storing said information signals after said simulated transmission privilege grant has been generated until a predetermined event occurs.

An apparatus for providing a group communication service to a plurality of communication devices, comprising:

• means for converting information signals into data packets suitable for transmission over a data network via a first communication device;
• means for converting information signals into data packets suitable for transmission over the data network via a second communication device;
• means for converting information signals into data packets suitable for transmission over the data network via a third communication device;
• means for providing arbitrated group communications among at least said first communication device, said second communication device, and said third communication device;
• means for receiving a transmission privilege request for requesting an exclusive transmission privilege from said communications manager;
• means for generating a simulated transmission privilege grant after said transmission privilege request has been received;
• and
• means for storing said information signals after said simulated transmission privilege grant has been generated until a predetermined event occurs.

An apparatus for providing a group communication service to a plurality of communication devices, comprising:

• a memory unit;
• a receiver;
• a transmitter;
• and
• a processor communicatively coupled to said memory unit, said receiver, said transmitter, and said processor, said processor being capable of:
• converting information signals into data packets suitable for transmission over a data network via a first communication device;
• converting information signals into data packets suitable for transmission over the data network via a second communication device;
• converting information signals into data packets suitable for transmission over the data network via a third communication device;
• providing arbitrated group communications among at least said first communication device, said second communication device, and said third communication device;
• receiving a transmission privilege request for requesting an exclusive transmission privilege from said communications manager;
• generating a simulated transmission privilege grant after said transmission privilege request has been received;
• and
• storing said information signals after said simulated transmission privilege grant has been generated until a predetermined event occurs.