US 8,427,996 B2 · Method for selecting a channel in a multi-channel communication system

Abstract

A method for selecting a channel for group communications in a conventional multi-channel communication system comprises receiving, for a plurality of channels in the multi-channel communication system, a talkgroup assignment list for the channels that identifies a set of talkgroups assigned to use the corresponding channels. A subscriber unit receives talkgroup assignment lists for multiple different channels, determines a desired talkgroup, and selects a channel assigned to the desired talkgroup using the received talkgroup assignment. The talkgroup assignment list is developed for at least one channel in the multi-channel communication system and identifies a set of talkgroups assigned to use the corresponding channel. The list is transmitted for the channel to a subscriber unit and is used by the subscriber unit to register with the system and affiliate with a talkgroup supported by the channel in the conventional multi-channel communication system.

Claims12

Dependent claims

A method for selecting a channel for group communications in a conventional multi-channel communication system, the method comprising:

at a subscriber unit associated with a first talkgroup in the conventional multi-channel communication system:
receiving talkgroup assignment list over a channel as a broadcast or multicast messages for each of a plurality of different channels in the multi-channel communication system, the talkgroup assignment list comprising a first channel identifier and a talkgroup associated with the first channel, the talkgroup assignment list additionally comprising a second channel identifier and a second and a third talkgroup associated with the second channel, the talkgroup assignment list additionally comprising a third channel identifier and a fourth talkgroup associated with the third channel;
determining a desired talkgroup;
selecting a channel assigned to the desired talkgroup using the received talkgroup assignment lists, wherein the selected channel is used for communicating with the desired talkgroup;
a first talkgroup assignment list for a first channel having a coverage area in which the subscriber unit is currently geographically located;
and
a second talkgroup assignment list for an adjacent channel to the first channel.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method for selecting a channel in a multi-channel communication system

Life of this patent

Method for selecting a channel in a multi-channel communication system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims12