Method and apparatus to initiate point-to-point call during shared-channel delivery of broadcast content in a wireless telephone network

A method of operating a wireless mobile station in a wireless network, comprising operations of:

• receiving operator initiation of an outgoing point-to-point call to a remote station while the mobile station is receiving broadcast content via a multi-user forward-link broadcast channel;
• responsive to the operator initiation, determining a call-handling preference and according thereto performing operations including one of the following:
• sending the network a CALL ORIGINATION message and additional messaging expressing disinterest in continued receipt of the broadcast content;
• sending the network a CALL ORIGINATION message and further messaging expressing interest in continued receipt of the broadcast content, the further messaging containing election between the point-to-point call and the broadcast content should network resources be unable to conduct both concurrently;
• waiting for signaling from the network to complete the point-to-point call.

A signal-bearing medium tangibly embodying a program of machine-readable instructions executable by a digital data processor to perform operations to manage a wireless mobile station in a wireless communications network, the operations comprising:

• receiving operator initiation of an outgoing point-to-point call to a remote station while the mobile station is receiving broadcast content via a multi-user forward-link broadcast channel;
• responsive to the operator initiation, determining a call-handling preference and according thereto performing operations including one of the following:
• sending the network a CALL ORIGINATION message and additional messaging expressing disinterest in continued receipt of the broadcast content;
• sending the network a CALL ORIGINATION message and further messaging expressing interest in continued receipt of the broadcast content, the further messaging containing election between the point-to-point call and the broadcast content should network resources be unable to conduct both concurrently;
• waiting for signaling from the network to complete the point-to-point call.

Circuitry including multiple interconnected electrically conductive elements configured to perform operations to operate a wireless mobile station in a wireless communications network, the operations comprising:

• receiving operator initiation of an outgoing point-to-point call to a remote station while the mobile station is receiving broadcast content via a multi-user forward-link broadcast channel;
• responsive to the operator initiation, determining a call-handling preference and according thereto performing operations including one of the following:
• sending the network a CALL ORIGINATION message and additional messaging expressing disinterest in continued receipt of the broadcast content;
• sending the network a CALL ORIGINATION message and further messaging expressing interest in continued receipt of the broadcast content, the further messaging containing election between the point-to-point call and the broadcast content should network resources be unable to conduct both concurrently;
• waiting for signaling from the network to complete the point-to-point call.