Patent ID: 7974650
Filing Date: 2011-07-05
Classification: H04L,H04W

Abstract:
1. A method for providing push-to-talk (PTT) communications between users in first network with users in a second network where the first and second networks utilize different communication protocols, the method comprising the steps of: utilizing first and second protocol modules of a gateway to interface with the first and second networks, respectively, the first and second protocol modules capable of receiving and transmitting messages compatible with the communication protocols used by the respective first and second networks; converting, by the gateway, PTT control messages received from one of the first and second networks into PTT control messages compatible with and transmitted to the other of the first and second networks where the PTT control messages received from the one of the first and second networks have a protocol that differs from the protocol of the PTT control messages transmitted to the other of the first and second networks; determining at the gateway node which one of the first and second networks includes a home server hosting a PTT group call for each talk group, where the home server for a PTT group call can reside in either of the first and second networks; each of the first and second protocol modules having two selectable interface functions where one interface function supports communications when the associated network includes the home server and the other interface function supports communications when the associated network does not include the home server, selecting the one interface function for use by the first protocol module and the other interface function for use by the second protocol module based on the determining step determining that the home server is contained in the first network.