Subscriber identity module (SIM) enabling advanced voice services (AVS) including push-to-talk, push-to-conference and push-to-message on wireless handsets and networks
A Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) that stores the logic and data for providing advanced voice services (AVS) including Push-to-Talk (P2T), Push-to-Conference (P2C), Upgrade to Conference (upgrade from P2T to P2C), Push-to-Message (P2M) and group SMS (Short Message Service), on wireless handsets and networks. When inserted into a handset, the AVS functionality is available for use on the handset, wherein the functionality includes menu displays for the handset, as well as user interaction with the menu displays. The SIM also stores logic and data for providing presence and availability functions on the handset. In addition, the SIM stores the logic and data for providing contact and group management on the handset.
1. An apparatus for providing advanced voice services (AVS) that comprise Push-To-Talk (P2T) in a wireless network, comprising:
a handset for communicating with the wireless network in order to provide the advanced voice services,
wherein the wireless network is used for making calls to and from the handset, and the calls are initiated by call setup and in-band signaling within the wireless network and voice frames for the calls are switched to and from the handset across bearer paths in the wireless network,
wherein a real-time exchange interfaces to at least one mobile switching center in the wireless network to provide advanced voice services therein,
wherein the real-time exchange and the handset that provides the advanced voice services communicate with each other using the call setup and in-band signaling within the wireless network, such that at least one mobile switching center routes an originating leg of the advanced voice services to the real-time exchange, the real-time exchange initiates one or more terminating legs of the advanced voice services through at least one mobile switching center, and the real-time exchange switches the voice frames for the advanced voice services for the originating and terminating legs across the bearer paths and through at least one mobile switching center in the wireless network, and
wherein the handset includes a subscriber identity module (SIM) that stores software for performing the advanced voice services and data for providing the advanced voice services on the handset, the handset accesses the software from the SIM, and the software includes menu displays for the advanced voice services, as well as user interaction with the menu displays.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the advanced voice services further comprise Push-to-Conference (P2C), Upgrade to Conference, Push-to-Message (P2M) or Group SMS (Short Message Service).
3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the SIM stores software and data for providing presence and availability functions on the handset.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the presence and availability functions allow a user to select among availability state options, including Logout, Available, and Do Not Disturb.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the SIM stores software and data for providing groups and contacts management for the advanced voice services.
6. The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the groups and contacts management allow a user to add, modify or delete members and groups.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the SIM determines the handset's capabilities, and loads functionality necessary to support the advanced voice services features on the handset.
8. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the functionality includes menu displays for the handset, as well as user interaction with the menu displays.
9. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the functionality includes 1:1 Conference Calls, 1:Many Conference Calls, Dynamic Conference Calls, 1:1 Messaging, or 1:Many Messaging.
10. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the SIM answers calls, determines the call is an advanced voice services call and answers the advanced voice services call.
11. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the SIM provides floor control for Push-to-Talk calls.
12. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the SIM provides Short Message Service (SMS) destination control based on a type of subscriber.
13. A method of providing advanced voice services that comprise Push-To-Talk (P2T) in a wireless network, comprising:
communicating with the wireless network using a handset in order to provide the advanced voice services,
wherein the wireless network is used for making calls to and from the handset, and the calls are initiated by call setup and in-band signaling within the wireless network and voice frames for the calls are switched to and from the handset across bearer paths in the wireless network,
wherein a real-time exchange interfaces to at least one mobile switching center in the wireless network to provide advanced voice services therein,
wherein the real-time exchange and the handset that provides the advanced voice services communicate with each other using the call setup and in-band signaling within the wireless network, such that at least one mobile switching center routes an originating leg of the advanced voice services to the real-time exchange, the real-time exchange initiates one or more terminating legs of the advanced voice services through at least one mobile switching center, and the real-time exchange switches the voice frames for the advanced voice services for the originating and terminating legs across the bearer paths and through at least one mobile switching center in the wireless network, and
wherein the handset includes a subscriber identity module (SIM) that stores software for performing the advanced voice services and data for providing the advanced voice services on the handset, the handset accesses the software from the SIM, and the software includes menu displays for the advanced voice services, as well as user interaction with the menu displays.
14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the advanced voice services further comprise Push-to-Conference (P2C), Upgrade to Conference, Push-to-Message (P2M) or Group SMS (Short Message Service).
15. The method of claim 13 , wherein the SIM stores software and data for providing presence and availability functions on the handset.
16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the presence and availability functions allow a user to select among availability state options, including Logout, Available, and Do Not Disturb.
17. The method of claim 13 , wherein the SIM stores software and data for providing groups and contacts management for the advanced voice services.
18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the groups and contacts management allow a user to add, modify or delete members and groups.
19. The method of claim 13 , wherein the SIM determines the handset's capabilities, and loads functionality necessary to support the advanced voice services features on the handset.
20. The method of claim 19 , wherein the functionality includes menu displays for the handset, as well as user interaction with the menu displays.
21. The method of claim 20 , wherein the functionality includes 1:1 Conference Calls, 1:Many Conference Calls, Dynamic Conference Calls, 1:1Messaging, or 1:Many Messaging.
22. The method of claim 13 , wherein the SIM answers calls, determines the call is an advanced voice services call and answers the advanced voice services call.
23. The method of claim 13 , wherein the SIM provides floor control for Push-to-Talk calls.
24. The method of claim 13 , wherein the SIM provides Short Message Service (SMS) destination control based on a type of subscriber.