APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONVERSATIONAL-STYLE PUSH-TO-TALK

1 . A method for providing a conversational-style user experience in a simplex based session over a real-time communication network, the method comprising:

establishing the simplex based session between a first UE and a second UE by the real-time communication network; and

while receiving a first media stream from the first UE, if the second UE has a first priority equal to the first UE, executing a first Reciprocal pre-emptive priority (Reciprocal-PP) interruption of the first UE by the second UE, wherein floor control is granted to the second UE such that the first UE is reconfigured to receive a second media stream from the second UE; and

while receiving the second media stream from the second UE, if the first UE has a second priority equal to the second UE, executing a second Reciprocal-PP interruption of the second UE by the first UE, wherein floor control is granted to the first UE such that the second UE is reconfigured to receive a third media stream from the first UE.

2 . The method of claim 1 wherein the executing the first Reciprocal-PP interruption comprises:

making a first pre-emptive user request for interrupting the first UE to the real-time communication network by the second UE;

sending a first floor control revoke message to the first UE by the real-time communication network;

sending a first floor control release message to the real-time communication network by the first UE;

substantially simultaneously sending a first floor control grant message to the second UE and a first floor taken message to the first UE by the real-time communication network; and

sending the second media stream to the first UE over the real-time communication network by the second UE.

3 . The method of claim 2 wherein the executing the second Reciprocal-PP interruption comprises:

making a second pre-emptive user request for interrupting the second UE to the real-time communication network by the first UE;

sending a second floor control revoke message to the second UE by the real-time communication network;

sending a second floor control release message to the real-time communication network by the second UE;

substantially simultaneously sending a second floor control grant message to the first UE and a second floor taken message to the second UE by the real-time communication network; and

sending the third media stream to the second UE over the real-time communication network by the first UE.

4 . The method of claim 1 wherein if the first priority is lower than the second priority, denying the first Reciprocal-PP interruption of the first UE by the real-time communication network, and wherein if the second priority is lower than the first priority, denying the second Reciprocal-PP interruption of the second UE by the real-time communication network.

5 . The method of claim 3 wherein the real-time communication network is a Push-to-Talk over Cellular (PoC) system and wherein the simplex based session is a Push-to-Talk (PTT) session.

6 . The method of claim 5 wherein the PoC system includes a PoC server for handling messages and media between the first UE and the second UE, and wherein the first UE and the second UE each include:

a PoC client for communicating with the PoC server; and

a user interface for providing user input to the PoC system and for providing PoC system output to a user.

7 . The method of claim 6 wherein the Reciprocal-PP interruptions are configured based on an assignment selected from the group consisting of: a global assignment over the PoC system, an individual assignment for each PoC client, a group assignment for a group of pre-arranged groups of PoC clients, a 1:1 Ad Hoc assignment, and a group Ad Hoc assignment.

8 . The method of claim 6 wherein the PoC server and the PoC client communicate over a PoC-3 interface.

9 . The method of claim 8 wherein the messages and media are transmitted over an access network and an IP core.

10 . The method of claim 9 wherein the access network is selected from the group consisting of: a generic packet radio service (GPRS) network, an edge network, a universal mobile telecommunications systems (UMTS) network, a code division multiple access (CDMA) network, a worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WIMAX) network, a wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) network, and a local area network (LAN).

11 . The method of claim 1 wherein the first media stream, the second media stream, and the third media stream are selected from the group consisting of: audio data, text data, image data, and video data.

12 . The method of claim 1 wherein the simplex based service is a voice-over-IP (VoIP) session.

13 . The method of claim 1 wherein the Reciprocal-PP interruption is interoperable with a standard selected from the group consisting of: Open Mobile Alliance (OMA) PoC version 1 and OMA PoC version 2.

14 . The method of claim 1 wherein the first Reciprocal-PP interruption and the second Reciprocal-PP interruption are denied for a time interval, wherein the time interval is in the range of approximately 500 to 5000 milliseconds (ms).

15 . The method of claim 14 wherein the time interval is in the range of approximately 1000 to 4000 ms.

16 . A method for providing a conversational-style user experience in a simplex based session over a real-time communication network, the method comprising:

establishing the simplex based session between a first UE and a second UE by the real-time communication network; and

while receiving a first media stream from the first UE, if the second UE has a permission to pre-emptively interrupt, executing a first Reciprocal pre-emptive priority (Reciprocal-PP) interruption of the first UE by the second UE, wherein floor control is granted to the second UE such that the first UE is reconfigured to receive a second media stream from the second UE; and

while receiving the second media stream from the second UE, if the first UE has the permission to pre-emptively interrupt, executing a second Reciprocal-PP interruption of the second UE by the first UE, wherein floor control is granted to the first UE such that the second UE is reconfigured to receive a third media stream from the first UE.

17 . The method of claim 16 wherein the executing the first Reciprocal-PP interruption comprises:

making a first pre-emptive user request for interrupting the first UE to the real-time communication network by the second UE;

sending a first floor control revoke message to the first UE by the real-time communication network;

sending a first floor control release message to the real-time communication network by the first UE;

substantially simultaneously sending a first floor control grant message to the second UE and a first floor taken message to the first UE by the real-time communication network; and

sending the second media stream to the first UE over the real-time communication network by the second UE.

18 . The method of claim 17 wherein the executing the second Reciprocal-PP interruption comprises:

making a second pre-emptive user request for interrupting the second UE to the real-time communication network by the first UE;

sending a second floor control revoke message to the second UE by the real-time communication network;

sending a second floor control release message to the real-time communication network by the second UE;

substantially simultaneously sending a second floor control grant message to the first UE and a second floor taken message to the second UE by the real-time communication network; and

sending the third media stream to the second UE over the real-time communication network by the first UE.

19 . The method of claim 16 wherein,

if the second UE does not have the permission to pre-emptively interrupt the first UE, sending a first floor control deny message to the second UE by the real-time communication network, and wherein if the first UE does not have the permission to pre-emptively interrupt the second UE, sending a second floor control deny message to the first UE by the real-time communication network.

20 . The method of claim 16 wherein the real-time communication network is a Push-to-Talk over Cellular (PoC) system and wherein the simplex based session is a Push-to-Talk (PTT) session.

21 . The method of claim 20 wherein the PoC system includes a PoC server for handling messages and media between the first UE and the second UE.

22 . The method of claim 21 wherein the first UE and the second UE each include:

a PoC client for communicating with the PoC server; and

a user interface for providing user input to the PoC system and for providing PoC system output to a user.

23 . The method of claim 22 wherein the Reciprocal-PP interruptions are configured based on an assignment selected from the group consisting of: a global assignment over the PoC system, an individual assignment for each PoC client, a group assignment for a group of pre-arranged groups of PoC clients, a 1:1 Ad Hoc assignment, and a group Ad Hoc assignment.

24 . The method of claim 22 wherein the PoC server and the PoC client communicate over a PoC-3 interface.

25 . The method of claim 24 wherein the messages and media are transmitted over an access network and an IP core.

26 . The method of claim 25 wherein the access network is selected from the group consisting of: a generic packet radio service (GPRS) network, an edge network, a universal mobile telecommunications systems (UMTS) network, a code division multiple access (CDMA) network, a worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WIMAX) network, a wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) network, and a local area network (LAN).

27 . The method of claim 16 wherein the first media stream, the second media stream, and the third media stream are selected from the group consisting of: audio data, text data, image data, and video data.

28 . The method of claim 16 wherein the simplex based service is a voice-over-IP (VoIP) session.

29 . The method of claim 16 wherein the first Reciprocal-PP interruption and the second Reciprocal-PP interruption are denied for a time interval, wherein the time interval is in the range of approximately 500 to 5000 milliseconds (ms).

30 . The method of claim 29 wherein the time interval is in the range of approximately 1000 to 4000 ms.

31 . A method for providing a conversational-style user experience in a push-to-talk (PTT) session over a real-time communication network, the real-time communication network incorporating a right-to-send procedure, the method comprising:

establishing the PTT session between a first user equipment (UE) and a second UE by the real-time communication network wherein a lazy-lock implementation is enabled;

while receiving a first media stream from the first UE, if the second UE has a first priority equal to the first UE, executing a Reciprocal pre-emptive priority (Reciprocal-PP) interruption of the first UE by the second UE utilizing the lazy-lock implementation wherein floor control is granted to the second UE such that the first UE is reconfigured to receive a second media stream from the second UE; and

while receiving the second media stream from the second UE, if the first UE has a second priority equal to the second UE, executing the Reciprocal-PP interruption of the second UE by the first UE utilizing the lazy-lock implementation, wherein floor control is granted to the first UE such that the second UE is reconfigured to receive a third media stream from the first UE.

32 . The method of claim 31 wherein the executing the first Reciprocal-PP interruption comprises:

making a first pre-emptive user request for interrupting the first UE to the real-time communication network by the second UE;

sending the second media stream to the real-time communications network by the second UE before receiving a floor control grant message from the real-time communications network in accordance with the lazy-lock implementation;

sending a first floor control revoke message to the first UE by the real-time communication network;

sending a first floor control release message to the real-time communication network by the first UE;

substantially simultaneously sending a first floor control grant message to the second UE and a first floor taken message to the first UE by the real-time communication network; and

sending the second media stream to the first UE by the real-time communication network.

33 . The method of claim 32 wherein the executing the second Reciprocal-PP interruption comprises:

making a second pre-emptive user request for interrupting the second UE to the real-time communication network by the first UE;

sending the third media stream to the real-time communications network by the first UE before receiving a floor control grant message from the real-time communications network in accordance with the lazy-lock implementation;

sending a second floor control revoke message to the second UE by the real-time communication network;

sending a second floor control release message to the real-time communication network by the second UE;

substantially simultaneously sending a second floor control grant message to the first UE and a second floor taken message to the second UE by the real-time communication network; and

sending the third media stream to the second UE by the real-time communication network.

34 . The method of claim 31 wherein if the first priority is lower than the second priority, denying the first Reciprocal-PP interruption of the first UE by the real-time communication network, and wherein if the second priority is lower than the first priority, denying the second Reciprocal-PP interruption of the second UE by the real-time communication network.

35 . The method of claim 32 wherein the first Reciprocal-PP interruption and the second Reciprocal-PP interruption require a permission.

36 . The method of claim 32 wherein the first Reciprocal-PP interruption and the second Reciprocal-PP interruption are denied for a time interval, wherein the time interval is in the range of approximately 500 to 5000 milliseconds (ms).

37 . The method of claim 36 wherein the time interval is in the range of approximately 1000 to 4000 ms.

38 . The method of claim 33 wherein the real-time communication network is a Push-to-Talk over Cellular (PoC) system and wherein the simplex based session is a Push-to-Talk (PTT) session.

39 . The method of claim 38 wherein the PoC system includes a PoC server for handling messages and media between the first UE and the second UE, and wherein the first UE and the second UE each include:

a PoC client for communicating with the PoC server; and

a user interface for providing user input to the PoC system and for providing PoC system output to a user.

40 . The method of claim 39 wherein the Reciprocal-PP interruptions are configured based on an assignment selected from the group consisting of: a global assignment over the PoC system, an individual assignment for each PoC client, a group assignment for a group of pre-arranged groups of PoC clients, a 1:1 Ad Hoc assignment, and a group Ad Hoc assignment.

41 . The method of claim 39 wherein the PoC server and the PoC client communicate over a PoC-3 interface.

42 . The method of claim 41 wherein the messages and media are transmitted over an access network and an IP core.

43 . The method of claim 42 wherein the access network is selected from the group consisting of: a generic packet radio service (GPRS) network, an edge network, a universal mobile telecommunications systems (UMTS) network, a code division multiple access (CDMA) network, a worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WIMAX) network, a wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) network, and a local area network (LAN).

44 . The method of claim 31 wherein the first media stream, the second media stream, and the third media stream are selected from the group consisting of: audio data, text data, image data, and video data.

45 . The method of claim 31 wherein the simplex based service is a voice-over-IP (VoIP) session.

46 . A method for providing a conversational-style user experience in a push-to-talk (PTT) session over a real-time communication network, the real-time communication network incorporating a right-to-send procedure, the method comprising:

establishing the PTT session between a first user equipment (UE) and a second UE by the real-time communication network wherein a lazy-lock implementation is enabled;

while receiving a first media stream from the first UE, if the second UE has a first priority equal to the first UE, executing a Reciprocal pre-emptive priority (Reciprocal-PP) interruption of the first UE by the second UE utilizing the lazy-lock implementation wherein floor control is granted to the second UE such that the first UE is reconfigured to receive a second media stream from the second UE; and

while receiving the second media stream from the second UE, if the first UE has a second priority equal to the second UE, executing the Reciprocal-PP interruption of the second UE by the first UE utilizing the lazy-lock implementation, wherein floor control is granted to the first UE such that the second UE is reconfigured to receive a third media stream from the first UE.

47 . The method of claim 46 wherein the executing the first Reciprocal-PP interruption comprises:

sending the second media stream to the real-time communications network by the second UE;

determining whether to grant floor control to the second UE by a PoC server triggered by reception of the second media stream in accordance with the lazy-lock implementation;

if floor control is granted, sending the second media stream to the first UE by the real-time communication network; and

if floor control is denied, dropping the second media stream.

48 . The method of claim 47 wherein the executing the second Reciprocal-PP interruption comprises:

sending the third media stream to the real-time communications network by the first UE;

determining whether to grant floor control to the first UE by the PoC server triggered by reception of the third media stream in accordance with the lazy-lock implementation;

if floor control is granted, sending the third media stream to the second UE by the real-time communication network; and

if floor control is denied, dropping the third media stream.

49 . The method of claim 46 wherein if the first priority is lower than the second priority, denying the first Reciprocal-PP interruption of the first UE by the real-time communication network, and wherein if the second priority is lower than the first priority, denying the second Reciprocal-PP interruption of the second UE by the real-time communication network.

50 . The method of claim 47 wherein the first Reciprocal-PP interruption and the second Reciprocal-PP interruption require a permission.

51 . The method of claim 47 wherein the first Reciprocal-PP interruption and the second Reciprocal-PP interruption are denied for a time interval, wherein the time interval is in the range of approximately 500 to 5000 milliseconds (ms).

52 . The method of claim 51 wherein the time interval is in the range of approximately 1000 to 4000 ms.

53 . The method of claim 48 wherein the real-time communication network is a Push-to-Talk over Cellular (PoC) system and wherein the simplex based session is a Push-to-Talk (PTT) session.

54 . The method of claim 53 wherein the PoC system includes a PoC server for handling messages and media between the first UE and the second UE, and wherein the first UE and the second UE each include:

a PoC client for communicating with the PoC server; and

a user interface for providing user input to the PoC system and for providing PoC system output to a user.

55 . The method of claim 54 wherein the Reciprocal-PP interruptions are configured based on an assignment selected from the group consisting of: a global assignment over the PoC system, an individual assignment for each PoC client, a group assignment for a group of pre-arranged groups of PoC clients, a 1:1 Ad Hoc assignment, and a group Ad Hoc assignment.

56 . The method of claim 54 wherein the PoC server and the PoC client communicate over a PoC-3 interface.

57 . The method of claim 56 wherein the messages and media are transmitted over an access network and an IP core.

58 . The method of claim 57 wherein the access network is selected from the group consisting of: a generic packet radio service (GPRS) network, an edge network, a universal mobile telecommunications systems (UMTS) network, a code division multiple access (CDMA) network, a worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WIMAX) network, a wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) network, and a local area network (LAN).

59 . The method of claim 46 wherein the first media stream, the second media stream, and the third media stream are selected from the group consisting of: audio data, text data, image data, and video data.

60 . The method of claim 46 wherein the simplex based service is a voice-over-IP (VoIP) session.