Hierarchical data collection network supporting packetized voice communications among wireless terminals and telephones

A packet voice processing circuit comprising:

• a processor for processing voice to detect a lack of voice activity for at least a predefined period of time;
• an interface for transmitting voice data packets via a packet network, each of the voice data packets comprising digital voice data and an associated group identifier;
• the processor changing the group identifier if a lack of voice activity for at least the predefined period of time is detected;
• and
• the processor leaving the group identifier unchanged, if a lack of voice activity for at least the predefined period of time is not detected.

A method of processing voice packets received over a packet network, the method comprising:

• receiving, at a communication device, digital voice data packets communicated via the packet network, each of the digital voice data packets comprising digital voice data and an associated group identifier;
• queuing the digital voice data from the received digital voice data packets;
• monitoring the group identifier associated with the queued digital voice data to detect a change in group identifier;
• stopping the processing of queued digital voice data in the communication device for a predetermined amount of time, when a change in group identifier is detected;
• and
• continuing processing of queued digital voice data, otherwise.

A method of processing voice for communication over a packet network, the method comprising:

• monitoring voice in a communication device to detect a lack of voice activity for at least a predefined period of time;
• assigning a different group identifier to digital voice data upon detecting a lack of voice for at least the predefined period of time;
• refraining from assigning a different group identifier to the digital voice data, if a lack of voice for at least the predefined period of time is not detected;
• packetizing the digital voice data and the assigned group identifier, in the communication device, to produce digital voice data packets;
• and
• transmitting the digital voice data packets via the packet network.

A method of processing voice for communication over a packet network, the method comprising:

• monitoring voice, in a communication device, to detect a lack of speech for at least a predefined period of time;
• processing digital voice data and an identifier, in the communication device, to produce digital voice packets for transmission via the packet network;
• changing the processing of the digital voice data and the identifier, if a lack of speech for at least the predefined period of time is detected;
• and
• refraining from changing the processing of the digital voice data and the identifier, otherwise.