Allocating speaking turns to mobile units communicating on a direct mode channel

Abstract: A method and a mobile unit for allocating speech items to mobile units (RU1, RU2, RU3) communicating on a direct mode channel (DM). In the method, a transmission of a first mobile unit (RU1) is sent during the speech item of that mobile unit on the direct mode channel, a second mobile unit (RU2) takes the speaking turn, and the transmission of the second mobile unit (RU2) is sent during the speech item of the second mobile unit on the direct mode channel. In the method, mobile units (RU1, RU2, RU3) communicating on said direct mode channel are directed to operate in such a way that the first mobile unit (RU1) is given the priority to start a speech item or request a speaking turn after the termination of the speech item of the second mobile unit (RU2) before the other mobile units (RU3) communicating on the direct mode channel.

Description: This application claims priority of application No. 955857, filed in Finland on 5 December 1995. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a method for allocating speaking turns to mobile units communicating on a direct mode channel. The method comprises the steps of: sending a transmission of a speech item by a first mobile unit during the speaking turn of the first mobile unit on the direct mode channel, a second mobile unit taking the speaking turn, sending a transmission of a speech item by the second mobile unit during the speaking turn of the second mobile unit on the direct mode channel. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The method of the invention is specifically designed for use in PMR (Private Mobile Radio or Professional Mobile Radio) networks, i.e. trunked networks, which are typically corporate networks or public authority networks wherein all channels are shared by one or more user organizations. In such networks, the subscribers have individual subscriber numbers and also group numbers indicating the communication group or subscriber group the subscriber belongs to. Hence calls intended for subscribers in a specific group can be switched to members of that group. The invention is suitable for use in mobile communications systems with digital as well as analog radio paths. Analog mobile communications systems are described for example in MPT 1327, A Signalling Standard for Trunked Private Land Mobile Radio Systems, January 1988, revised and reprinted November 1991, and MPT 1343, Performance Specification, January 1988, revised and reprinted September 1991, both published by the United Kingdom Department of Trade and Industry, Radiocommunications Agency. A group call is one of the essential functions of a private mobile radio system. A group call is used for example in all kinds of operations involving more than one participant, particularly when an entire group must be constantly aware of the progression of events. A group call is a conference call in which all participants can speak in turn and hear one another. In group calls the entire group is called by a common number. A single radio unit, e.g. a mobile unit or a radiotelephone, that is, a subscriber station, may belong to several groups programmed into the radio unit. The programming may be fixed, but it may also be changed by the user of the mobile unit. The system stores information on the base stations related to each group number. The group call may cover one, several or all base stations within the service area of the mobile exchange or several mobile exchanges. When a group call is set up, a traffic channel is allocated at all base stations related to the group, and each of these base stations transmits a group call message comprising the group number and information on the allocated traffic channel. If the mobile unit recognizes the group number included in the group call message, it will switch to the traffic channel indicated in the group call message. Hence, in principle the mobile unit is always available for a group call if it is located within the predetermined operational area of the group and if it is not already engaged in another group call. In addition to system channels in mobile radio systems, the radio system may employ direct mode channels, i.e. the operation is in direct mode. Subscriber stations communicating in the direct mode do not communicate directly with the radio network or its base stations. Direct mode channels are FDMA frequencies or TDMA time slots on which radiotelephones or other units can communicate outside the system directly with one another, or via repeater stations either with the system base stations or with other mobile units. Direct mode channels are typically used in situations where for example a number of hand portables communicate with one another at a distance from the base station not allowing the system channels to be used. Another important utility for direct mode channels is in adding capacity when traffic in the system rapidly increases (for example in an incident) in a part of the system service area, for example in a spot-like part thereof. A direct mode channel is termed a simplex channel or simplex connection. A direct mode channel is a channel that is typically not available for system use at all. It may for example be a channel having a channel spacing equal to that of a mobile communications system, e.g. 12.5 kHz or 25 kHz. Of the radiotelephones communicating on a direct mode channel, the sender has tuned his transmitter to the channel and transmits speech or data information. The other radiotelephones that are using direct mode channels have tuned their receivers to the same channel and will hear the transmission directly. Operation on a direct mode channel may employ analog modulation or digital modulation. A radiotelephone transmitting on a channel may also send signalling information, such as information on user rights and priorities or information on the group communicating on the channel, or data traffic. A direct mode channel may employ encryption or transmit clear speech. In group call traffic typical to PMR systems, there is a need to provide a normal 'free space' feature, since usually two parties are communicating and the others only want to listen. In that case, it would be desirable that these two subscribers who took part in the communication be able to finish their dialogue before a third party can interrupt the communication with his speech item. In prior art approaches, no solution to the above problem has been provided for the operation of mobile units communicating on a direct mode channel. WO 94/17642 A (Nokia Telecommunications Oy) relates to a method for assigning in a mobile exchange speech items simultaneously requested by subscribers belonging to the same group call group through interfaces to a mobile exchange. The solution disclosed in this reference involves an entire mobile communications system comprising one or more mobile exchanges, base stations relating thereto, and mobile stations connected to the base stations. The reference does not disclose a direct mode channel repeater or any other repeater, or any parameters to be used in the repeater. WO 95/24655 A (Nokia Telecommunications Oy) relates to a method for controlling a subscriber station operating on a direct mode channel in a radio system comprising a radio network with at least one base station and subscriber stations, the radio system further comprising at least one repeater station which forwards traffic between said at least one base station and the subscriber stations operating on the direct mode channel. The reference discloses a mobile communications system having a base station, subscriber stations connected thereto, and a repeater station which forwards traffic between said base station and the subscriber stations operating on a (separate) direct mode channel. The main idea of this reference is to maintain at the repeater station a database storing the identifiers of those subscriber stations, i.e. mobile stations, which operate on direct mode channels within the coverage area of said repeater station. WO-A-93 07723 (Nokia Telecommunications) discloses a method for realising a group call in a digital radio network wherein a plurality of mobile subscribers participating in the group call roam within the area of at least one base station. According to the method, subscribers participating in the group call are guided one by one to talk on the same radio channel. To be able to handle the traffic in a controlled manner at all times without the subscribers congesting the radio channel by talking simultaneously, the base station is informed of the subscriber's desire to speak after said subscriber has indicated his desire to speak with predetermined signalling, the next speaker is selected at the base station on the basis of a predetermined algorithm, and the base station transmits an indication of a turn to speak to the subscriber which at the time is the next speaker. The problem with the prior art solutions is that there is no system for direct mode channels that would prioritize the start of speech items of mobile units participating in a group call in such a way that for instance two subscribers that just recently participated in communication would be given an opportunity to finish their dialogue before a speaking turn is given to a third subscriber. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The description below employs the following terms: A recent user is the same as the user that spoke before the quitting user. A quitting user means a user quitting his speaking turn, i.e. terminating his speech item. It is an object of the present invention to solve the problems related with the prior art solutions. Thus the purpose of the invention is to implement recent user priority in a group call in direct mode communication. This means favouring the recent user in a group call on a direct mode channel. This novel method for allocating speaking turns to mobile units communicating on a direct mode channel is achieved with the method of the invention, which is characterized in that it further comprises the step of: directing mobile units communicating on said direct mode channel to operate in such a way that the first mobile unit is given priority to start transmitting a speech item or to request a speaking turn after the termination of the speech item of the second mobile unit before the other mobile units communicating on said direct mode channel. A second embodiment of the invention relates to a method for allocating speaking turns to mobile units communicating on a direct mode channel, the method comprising the steps of: sending a transmission of a speech item by a first mobile unit during the speaking turn of the first mobile unit on the direct mode channel, a second mobile unit taking the speaking turn, sending a transmission of a speech item by the second mobile unit during the speaking turn of the second mobile unit on the direct mode channel. This method in accordance with the second embodiment of the invention is characterized in that it further comprises the steps of: sending from the second mobile unit on the direct mode channel priority information indicating which mobile user(s) is(are) prioritized to have the next speaking turn on the direct mode channel, in response to said priority information, said mobile unit indicated to be prioritized taking the next speaking turn, sending the transmission of said so-prioritized mobile unit during said next speaking turn. The invention further relates to a mobile unit suitable for communicating on a direct mode channel on which at least also a second mobile unit and other mobile units communicate, comprising memory means, a transceiver and a control unit for controlling the operation of said mobile unit. The mobile unit of the invention is characterized in that it comprises controller means for controlling said mobile unit to operate in such a way that after the termination of a speech item of the second mobile unit, said mobile unit gets the priority to start transmitting a speech item or request a speaking turn before the other mobile units communicating on said direct mode channel. The invention is based on the idea of recent user priority in such a way that such a speaker will get a new speaking turn faster than any other mobile unit communicating on the direct mode channel. The object is that the speaker preceding the quitting speaker will get a speaking turn, if he so wishes, immediately after the termination of the speech item of the quitting speaker, so that no other speaker/mobile unit gets a speaking turn before such a recent user. The basis of the invention lies in the idea that the priority of the speaker preceding the quitting speaker (to get the next speaking turn) is increased in such a way that a speaking turn is granted to him more easily than to the others. Recent user priority can also be implemented beyond several speech items in such a way that the procedure favours not only the previous speaker but also the one(s) preceding him. The idea of the invention is that the second mobile unit that took a speaking turn after the speech item of the first mobile unit and that terminates its speech item, i.e. is quitting its speaking turn, adds to its transmission information on the fact that the speaker preceding the quitting speaker, i.e. the first mobile unit, is prioritized to have the next speaking turn. In response to this information, the first mobile unit may, if it so desires, take the next speaking turn without the other (third) mobile units on the direct mode channel that desire speaking turns disturbing it by transmitting their speech items. It is obvious that the recent user priority may be granted either to the immediately preceding, i.e. first, mobile unit or to several recent users. It is an advantage of the method and radio unit of the invention that they eliminate the problems with the prior art solutions, i.e. they enable the speaker preceding the quitting speaker to be favoured when the next speech item is assigned on a direct mode channel. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be explained in closer detail in the following with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a schematic view of a situation where subscribers participate in a group call on a direct mode channel, Figure 2 shows communication of radio units in accordance with the invention on a direct mode channel, Figures 3a and 3b are flow charts illustrating the operation of a mobile unit seeking a transmission turn, Figures 4a and 4b are flow charts illustrating the method in accordance with the invention, Figure 5 is a block diagram of a mobile unit in accordance with the invention, communicating on a direct mode channel. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Figure 1 is a schematic view of a situation where subscribers participate in a group call. Subscribers S1, S2, S3, using their mobile units to which the present invention relates, belong to the same group call G1; the other subscribers participating in this group call are not shown. The group call is conducted on a direct mode channel DM. Subscribers S1 and S2 participate in the group call by speaking in turns, thus making a dialogue. In accordance with the invention, both speaking subscribers S1 and S2 primarily assign speaking turns to one another in such a way that the dialogue conducted by these two subscribers can be completed. Subscriber S3 would like to have a speaking turn, but in accordance with the invention the speaking turns are assigned between subscribers S1 and S2 only. Hence, subscriber S3 is prevented from getting a speaking turn until the dialogue between subscribers S1 and S2 is over and the previous speaker has terminated his speech item. Arrow 10 in the figure denotes the exchange of speech items between subscribers S1 and S2, in which in accordance with the invention the quitting subscriber S1 inserts into the transmission of his speech item information on the fact that the speaker S2 preceding the quitting speaker S1 is prioritized to have the next speech item. In response to this information, the previous speaker S2 may, if he so desires, take the next speaking turn without the other (third) mobile units S3 on the direct mode channel that desire to speak disturbing it by transmitting their speaking turn requests or speech items. Figure 2 illustrates communication of radio units RU1, RU2, RU3 in accordance with the invention on a direct mpde channel DM. The radio units may be mobile units or any other entities provided with a radio apparatus that are capable of communicating on a direct mode channel. The radio units may also be repeater stations of mobile communications systems. The invention operates in principle as described in connection with Figure 1. The method of the invention can be implemented for example in the following ways: 1.) The counter of the mobile unit increments upwards in each case after a new speech item; this will be explained in connection with Figure 3, and 2.) Explicit addressing by means of which the quitting speaker expressly indicates the subscriber(s) who is(are) entitled to have the next speaking turn on the direct mode channel; this will be explained in connection with Figure 4. Figures 3a and 3b show flow diagrams of the method of the invention. Herein a recent user priority counter incorporated into the mobile units is used. By this means the mobile unit keeps a record of how many speaking turns have been taken after said mobile unit had a speaking turn. This method operates in such a way that the mobile unit terminating its speech item adds to its transmission information on how many recent users are favoured when the next speech item is assigned. In this embodiment of the invention, i.e. the counter alternative, the procedure is such that whenever a mobile unit quits a speaking turn, i.e. stops speaking and possibly stops pressing the PTT (push-to-talk) switch, it resets its priority counter (cf. Figure 5) to the initial value, e.g. 1. The value of the counter is incremented whenever another mobile unit takes the speaking turn and starts speaking. It is also possible to increment the counter in response to a message informing the mobile unit that another mobile unit has quitted its speaking turn. Namely, as the mobile unit terminates its speech item, i.e. quits its speaking turn, it informs the other mobile units of this fact in its transmission. The transmission of the mobile unit may also include a command to other mobile units to take a speaking turn in such a way that the command only gives a priority to a speaking turn to those mobile units whose priority counter has a given value, for example 1, or 2 if specifically the two preceding speakers are to be given the right to speak, i.e. they are to be favoured. Naturally said quitting message may include any priority parameter value, depending on how recent or remote preceding mobile unit is to be favoured. In the method, the mobile unit of the quitting user indicates to the other mobile units how many recent users are favoured. Typically only one recent user/mobile unit is favoured. The method, however, also makes it possible to favour several preceding mobile units. It is to be noted that the information included in the transmission of the quitting speaker on how many recent users are favoured may also be a direct mode channel-specific parameter. When a recent user wishes to speak after the termination of the speech item, this must be indicated to the mobile unit even before the termination of the speech item of the quitting speaker. One way of indicating this is to press a PTT (push-to-talk) switch in the mobile unit whose user wishes to have the next speaking turn. A mobile unit seeking a transmission turn stores information on how many speaking turns have been taken after it last sent its transmission as a speech item to the group call in question. If specifically this mobile unit transmitted the previous speech item, the recent user counter parameter of said mobile unit is 1. The transmission location is calculated using the start location of the first random access frame and the recent user counter of the mobile unit that attempts to transmit. The mobile unit may start the transmission if any preceding transmission locations have not been used. This is ascertained by the mobile unit by receiving an acknowledgement message from the quitting mobile unit. If there is no acknowledgement from the quitting mobile unit or if the acknowledgement is negative, the mobile unit starts sending a request for a speaking turn in the normal way (first try) . The flow charts shown in Figures 3a and 3b illustrate the operation 301 of a mobile unit RU seeking a transmission turn. The mobile unit receives 302 communication on a direct mode channel. Simultaneously, the mobile unit RU monitors 303 whether the speech item of the recent user/subscriber is ending. If the speech item does not terminate, the operation of the mobile unit will revert to the preceding step 302, in which the mobile unit is receiving communication. If, on the other hand, the speech item terminates, the mobile unit RU checks 305 whether its user has requested a speaking turn. If this is not the case 306, the mobile unit RU awaits 307 the speech item of the user or start of communication. In the next step 310, it is examined whether the user has requested a speaking turn, and if he has, 315, the execution of the method proceeds to step 316, in which it is checked whether the recent user priority is invoked or activated. If, on the other hand, it has been found in step 310 that the user has not 311 requested a speaking turn, it is checked in the next step 312 whether communication starts. If not, the execution of the method returns 313 to step 307, in which the user's speech item or start of communication is awaited. If, on the other hand, communication starts, the recent user counter is incremented upwards by one step. If in step 310 the user had requested 315 a speaking turn, the method goes on to step 316, in which it is examined whether the recent user priority in accordance with the invention is invoked or activated. If not, the method proceeds to step 317, in which the first start location is set to be the same as the transmission location of the first request for a speaking turn, added with the number of recent users. This first start location may also be set to be higher than the above, i.e. higher than the transmission location of the first request for a speaking turn added with the number of recent users. Thereafter step 318 takes the method to the normal first try procedure. If, on the other hand, it has been found in step 316 that the recent user priority in accordance with the invention is invoked or activated 319, the method proceeds to step 320. This step examines whether the number of recent users is higher than or equal to the value of the recent user counter. If not, the execution of the method proceeds to step 317 wherefrom the method passes on in step 318 to the first try procedure. If, on the other hand, the number of recent users is higher 322 than the value of the recent user counter in step 320, the transmission location of the request for a speaking turn is set in step 323 to be the transmission location of the first request for a speaking turn added with the value of the recent user counter. Thereafter in step 325 the next transmission location is awaited. After that, the transmission location of the request for a speaking turn is examined in step 326. If the location is not correct 327, the method proceeds to step 324, in which it is examined whether communication starts. If, on the other hand, the transmission location is correct, a request for a speaking turn is sent in step 330 using the reserved transmission location, whereafter it is examined in step 331 whether a positive acknowledgement from the quitting mobile unit RU has arrived. If this is not the case 332, the execution of the method proceeds to step 317, in which the first try start location is set. If, on the other hand, the acknowledgement from the quitting mobile unit RU is positive, the method proceeds to step 333, in which the mobile unit is sending its transmission. Thereafter the method proceeds to step 334, in which it is checked whether a speech item termination request arrives from the user. If there is no speech item termination request, 335, from the user, the execution of the method returns to step 333, in which communication is sent. If, on the other hand, a speech item termination request arrives from the user, the execution of the method is continued from step 336 in which the mobile unit quitting the speaking turn sends to other mobile units communicating on the direct mode channel priority information with which the other mobile units are informed that they may attempt to have the next speaking turn if their recent user counter has the value 1. This value is exemplary of favouring the speaker that had a speaking turn immediately before the quitting subscriber. It is naturally also possible to set the priority parameter at some other value, which would mean that another recent user or more than one recent users are favoured. Figures 4a and 4b are flow charts illustrating a method in accordance with another embodiment of the invention, using explicit addressing when a quitting speaker assigns speech items to mobile units about to have the next speaking turn. In this embodiment, the procedure is such that when a mobile unit receives from its user an indication of the fact that the user wants to have the next speaking turn, the mobile unit stores the identifier of the recent user (mobile unit). When the user then terminates his speech item, the mobile unit sends in its transmission a prompt to the recent user. In response to this prompt, the recent user may take the speaking turn if he so wishes. In this method, the user terminating his speech item, i.e. the quitting user, i.e. mobile unit RU, unequivocally indicates the address of the recent user(s). When the recent user wishes to speak after the speech item, this has to be indicated to the mobile unit RU already before the termination of the speech item. In Figure 4, this indication is shown in step 408, in which it is checked whether the user has requested a speaking turn. If the recent user wishes to have a speaking turn, he can signal his wish for example by pressing his PTT switch. If the address of the mobile unit RU is the same as the one stated as the address of the preceding mobile unit RU (recent user) in the transmission of the speech item of the quitting mobile unit RU, the mobile unit RU may avail of the possibility for a request for a speaking turn reserved for the preceding mobile unit. The transmission location is counted using the start location of the first random access frame. If there is no acknowledgement from the quitting mobile unit RU or if the acknowledgement is negative, the mobile unit RU starts the request for a speaking turn in the normal way in accordance with the first try procedure explained above. In the flow charts of Figures 4a and 4b, steps 401-415 correspond to steps 301-319 shown in Figures 3a and 3b. The method proceeds to step 416 shown in Figures 4a and 4b if it has been found in step 412 that the above-explained recent user priority is invoked or activated in the mobile unit that spoke during the preceding speaking turn. In such a case, it is examined in step 416 whether the address of the recent user is the same as the address of the mobile unit itself. If this is not the case, the execution of the method proceeds 417 to step 413, which has been explained as step 317 in the flow chart of Figure 3a. If, on the other hand, the address of the recent user is the same as the address of the mobile unit itself, the execution of the method proceeds to step 418, in which the mobile unit sends a request for a speaking turn to the quitting mobile unit which sent a message indicating the termination of its transmission. As a next step, the mobile unit desiring a speaking turn monitors in step 419 whether a positive acknowledgement to the request for a speaking turn made by the mobile unit desiring to speak arrives from the quitting mobile unit. If the acknowledgement is negative 420 or if no acknowledgement arrives, the execution of the method proceeds to step 413 explained above, and from there further to the first try procedure. If, on the other hand, the acknowledgement from the quitting mobile unit is positive, the execution of the method proceeds to step 421, in which the mobile unit stores the address of the preceding (quitting) speaker and starts transmitting, i.e. takes the speaking turn. As long as the user of that mobile unit does not give 423 a speech item termination request, i.e. release the PTT switch, said mobile unit sends its transmission, i.e. holds its speaking turn. When a speech item termination request arrives from the user of the mobile unit, i.e. when the user releases the PTT switch, the mobile unit sends 424 to the other mobile units communicating on the direct mode channel the priority information by adding to its transmission the address of the recent user, if the recent user priority is invoked or activated. In operating in accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the procedure is such that said priority information is speech item identifier information indicating the identifier of one or more preceding speech items whose speakers are prioritized to have the next speaking turn. Herein said speech item identifier information is compared in the mobile units that have received said priority information with the information stored in the mobile unit on the identifiers of the speech items that said mobile unit has had. If said comparison shows that the mobile unit is prioritized to have the next speaking turn and the user of said mobile unit has indicated his desire to have the next speaking turn, said mobile unit takes said next speaking turn, unless another mobile unit indicated to be prioritized has reserved said next speaking turn previously. Figure 5 is a block diagram of a mobile unit 500, i.e. a radiotelephone used by a subscriber, a mobile unit, or a subscriber station, communicating on a direct mode channel. The task of transceiver (TX/RX) 501 is to tune to the radio channel used in each case. The transceiver 501 incorporates an antenna 502 connected to a radio path RP. Normally radio frequencies between 60 MHz and 1000 MHz are employed (VHF and UHF ranges), even though other frequencies may be used as well. Analog modulation may be used in the radio path RP, the mode of modulation normally being phase modulation. Also other modes of modulation may be used. A voice-frequency subcarrier (FFSK), for example, may be employed for transmission of signalling. The radio path may also be conveyed digitally. The mobile unit may adapt to and communicate on the uplink and downlink frequencies of the direct mode channel. User interface 505 comprises electroacoustic transducer means, typically an earphone 506 and a microphone 507, and possibly keys pertaining to initiating and terminating a call and to selection. Since in a trunked system and especially on a direct mode channel communication in a radio path RP is advantageously simplex, the handset usually also has a push-to-talk (PTT) switch, which has to be pressed during the speech item. The push-to-talk switch is not shown in Figure 7. The task of control unit 503 is to control the operation of the mobile unit. The control unit 503 has access to the user interface 505 wherefrom it obtains impulses for the initiation and termination of a call, for instance. The control unit 503 may also give to the user audio signals or visual signals related to operation of the radiotelephone and/or mobile radio system through the user interface 505. The control unit 503 is connected to the transceiver TX/RX 501. The channel used by the transceiver is determined by the control unit 503, which means that the transceiver 501 tunes to the channel, i.e. radio frequency, determined by the control unit 503 and to a suitable time slot. The mobile unit of the invention is capable of tuning to a direct mode channel and to the uplink and downlink channels (frequencies) of system channels and also to a desired time slot on the channel. The transceiver 501 is also switched on under the control of the control unit 503. The control unit 503 receives and sends signalling messages through the transceiver 501. A mobile unit 500 in accordance with the invention, communicating on a direct mode channel, may for instance be used in a radio system comprising a radio network with at least one base station and subscriber stations and possibly one or more repeater/gateway stations transmitting communication between at least one base station and subscriber stations communicating on the direct mode channel. Said mobile unit communicating on a direct mode channel comprises memory means 510, a transceiver 501 and a control unit 503 for controlling the operation of the mobile unit. A mobile unit RU1, RU2; 500 (Figure 5) in accordance with the invention comprises: controller means 516 for controlling the mobile unit RU1 to operate in such a way that it gets the priority to start a speech item or request a speaking turn after the termination of the speech item of a second mobile unit RU2 before the other mobile units RU3 communicating on the direct mode channel. The mobile unit in accordance with the invention is characterized in that said controller means 516 for controlling the mobile unit RU1 to operate are adapted to give the first mobile unit RU1 the priority to start a speech item or request a speaking turn immediately after the termination of said speech item of the second mobile unit RU2 within a predetermined time period. The mobile unit RU1; 500 (Figure 5) of the invention further comprises: adder means 517 for adding information to the transmission of the mobile unit RU1 when the mobile unit RU1 quits its previous speaking turn, the information indicating that the mobile unit RU1 wishes to have the priority to start a speech item or request a speaking turn immediately after the termination of the speech item of the second mobile unit RU2 that took the next speaking turn. The mobile unit of the invention further comprises transmitter means 511 for sending priority information indicating which mobile unit(s) is(are) prioritized to request the next speaking turn on the direct mode channel. The mobile unit of the invention further comprises a priority counter 512. The value shown by the counter indicates the number of speaking turns taken by other mobile units after the speech item of said mobile unit. In the mobile unit of the invention, said transmitter means are adapted to insert into said priority information said priority parameter value, indicating how many recent speakers are favoured. The mobile unit of the invention further comprises comparator means 513 for comparing 320 the value of the priority parameter included in the priority information received by said mobile unit with the value stored in the mobile unit's priority counter 512, and in response to said comparison, if said comparison shows that said mobile unit is prioritized to have the next speaking turn, directing said mobile unit to take the next speaking turn, unless another mobile unit indicated to be prioritized has reserved said next speaking turn previously. Furthermore, said transmitter means 511 in said mobile unit are adapted to insert into said priority information the identifier of the mobile unit that had the previous speaking turn, in response to which said preceding mobile unit takes the next speaking turn. The mobile unit of the invention further comprises speech item initiating means 514 responsive to the identifier of the first mobile unit included in the priority information sent by the second mobile unit RU2, in order for said mobile unit to take the next speaking turn. The mobile unit of the invention is further characterized in that said transmitter means 511 are adapted to include in said priority information speech item identifier information indicating the identifier(s) of the preceding speech item(s) whose speakers are prioritized to have the next speaking turn. The mobile unit of the invention further comprises comparator means 515 for comparing the speech item identifier information included in the priority information received by said mobile unit with the information stored in said mobile unit on the identifiers of the speaking turns that said mobile unit has had, and in response to said comparison, if said comparison shows that said mobile unit is prioritized to have the next speaking turn, directing said mobile unit to have the next speaking turn, unless another mobile unit indicated to be prioritized has reserved said next speaking turn previously. The drawings and the description pertaining to them are only intended to illustrate the idea of the invention. The method and mobile unit in accordance with the invention for allocating speech items to mobile units communicating on a direct mode channel may vary in their details within the scope of the claims. Even though the invention has been explained in the above mainly in the context of PMR mobile units, the invention may be used in connection with other radiotelephones or other mobile units or mobile telephones as well.

Claims: A method for allocating speaking turns to mobile units (RU1, RU2, RU3) communicating on a direct mode channel (DM), the method comprising the steps of: sending a transmission of a speech item by a first mobile unit (RU1) during the speaking turn of the first mobile unit on the direct mode channel, a second mobile unit (RU2) taking the speaking turn, sending a transmission of a speech item by the second mobile unit (RU2) during the speaking turn of the second mobile unit on the direct mode channel, the method being characterized in that it further comprises the steps of: directing mobile units (RU1, RU2, RU3) communicating on said direct mode channel to operate in such a way that the first mobile unit (RU1) is given priority to start transmitting a speech item or to request a speaking turn after the termination of the speech item of the second mobile unit (RU2) before the other mobile units (RU3) communicating on said direct mode channel. A method as claimed in claim 1, characterized by directing the mobile units (RU1, RU2, RU3) communicating on the direct mode channel to operate in such a way that the first mobile unit (RU1) is given priority to start transmitting a speech item or to request a speaking turn after the termination of the speech item of the second mobile unit (RU2) before the other mobile units (RU3) communicating on said direct mode channel by giving only the first mobile unit (RU1) the right to start transmitting a speech item or to request a speaking turn immediately after the termination of said speech item of the second mobile unit (RU2) within a predetermined time period. A method as claimed in claim 1, characterized by directing the mobile units (RU1, RU2, RU3) communicating on said direct mode channel to operate in such a manner that after the termination of the speech item of the second mobile unit (RU2), the first mobile unit (RU1) is given priority to start transmitting a speech item or to request a speaking turn before the other mobile units (RU3) communicating on said direct mode channel in such a way that when the first mobile unit (RU1) quits its previous speaking turn, the first mobile unit (RU1) adds to its transmission information to the effect that the first mobile unit (RU1) wants to have priority to start transmitting a speech item or to request a speaking turn immediately after the termination of the speech item of the second mobile unit (RU2) that took the next speaking turn. A method for allocating speaking turns to mobile units (RU1, RU2, RU3) communicating on a direct mode channel (DM), the method comprising the steps of: sending a transmission of a speech item by a first mobile unit (RU1) during the speaking turn of the first mobile unit on the direct mode channel, a second mobile unit (RU2) taking the speaking turn, sending a transmission of a speech item by the second mobile unit (RU2) during the speaking turn of the second mobile unit on the direct mode channel, the method being characterized in that it further comprises the steps of: sending from the second mobile unit (RU2) on the direct mode channel priority information indicating which mobile user(s) (RU1) is(are) prioritized to have the next speaking turn on the direct mode channel, in response to said priority information, said mobile unit (RU1) indicated to be prioritized taking the next speaking turn, sending the transmission of said so-prioritized mobile unit (RU1) during said next speaking turn. A method as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that the method further comprises the steps of: said priority information being a priority parameter value indicating how many recent users are favoured, comparing, in the mobile units (RU1, RU3) that received said priority information, said priority parameter value with the value of a priority counter (512) maintained in these mobile units (RU1, RU3), said priority counter value indicating the number of speaking turns that other mobile units have had after the last speech item of that mobile unit, and if said comparison shows that one of the mobile units that received said priority information is prioritized to have the next speaking turn and the user of that mobile unit has indicated his wish to have the next speaking turn, said mobile unit taking said next speaking turn, unless another mobile unit indicated to be prioritized has reserved said next speaking turn previously. A method as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that the method further comprises the steps of: maintaining (323-328) in the mobile unit (RU1, RU3) said priority counter (512) such that its value indicates the number of speaking turns that other mobile units have had after the last speech item of that mobile unit, resetting the priority counter to its initial value whenever that mobile unit terminates its speech item, in response to priority information sent by the second mobile unit (RU2), incrementing the value of said priority counter when another mobile unit terminates its speech item, and comparing the priority parameter value included in said priority information with the value stored in the priority counter of that mobile unit, and if the priority parameter value included in said priority information is the same or higher than the priority counter value of that mobile unit (RU1, RU3) and the user of that mobile unit has indicated his desire to have the next speaking turn, said mobile unit taking said next speaking turn, unless another mobile unit indicated to be prioritized has reserved said next speaking turn previously. A method as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that the method further comprises the steps of: said priority information being speech item identifier information indicating the identifier of one or more preceding speech items whose speakers are to be prioritized to have the next speaking turn, comparing said speech item identifier information in the mobile units (RU1, RU3) that received said priority information with the information stored in the mobile unit on the identifiers of the speaking turns that said mobile unit has had, and if said comparison indicates that the mobile unit is prioritized to have the next speaking turn and the user of that mobile unit has indicated his desire to have the next speaking turn, that mobile unit taking the next speaking turn, unless another mobile unit indicated to be prioritized has reserved said next speaking turn previously. A method as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that said priority information sent by the second mobile unit (RU2) on the mobile unit (RU1, RU3) prioritized to have the next speaking turn is the identifier of the mobile unit that had the previous speaking turn, in response to which the first mobile unit (RU1) takes the next speaking turn. A method as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that the method further comprises the steps of: inserting the identifier of the first mobile unit (RU1) into the transmission of the first mobile unit, storing the identifier of the first mobile unit (RU1) that was included in said transmission of the first mobile unit in the memory of the second mobile unit (RU2), said second mobile unit (RU2) taking the next speaking turn, sending from said second mobile unit (RU2) priority information indicating the identifier of the mobile unit that had the previous speaking turn, and in response to said identifier of the first mobile unit (RU1) included in the priority information sent by the second mobile unit (RU2), said first mobile unit taking the next speaking turn. A mobile unit (RU1) suitable for communicating on a direct mode channel on which at least also a second mobile unit (RU2) and other mobile units (RU3) communicate by each taking speaking turns during which a speech item is transmitted, comprising memory means (510), a transceiver (501) and a control unit (503) for controlling the operation of said mobile unit, characterized by said mobile unit (RU1) comprising controller means (516) for controlling said mobile unit (RU1) to operate in such a way that, when said mobile unit is communicating with said second mobile unit by each taking speaking turns during which a speech item is transmitted, after the termination of a speech item of the second mobile unit (RU2), said mobile unit (RU1) gets the priority to start transmitting a speech item or request a speaking turn before the other mobile units (RU3) communicating on said direct mode channel. A mobile unit in accordance with claim 10, characterized in that said controller means (516) for controlling said mobile unit (RU1) to operate is adapted to give said mobile unit (RU1) the priority to start transmitting a speech item or request a speaking turn immediately after the termination of said speech item of the second mobile unit (RU2) within a predetermined time period. A mobile unit in accordance with claim 10, characterized in that said mobile unit (RU1; 500) further comprises adder means (517) for adding information to the transmission of said mobile unit (RU1) when said mobile unit (RU1) quits its previous speaking turn, the information indicating that said mobile unit (RU1) wishes to have the priority to start transmitting a speech item or request a speaking turn immediately after the termination of the speech item of the second mobile unit (RU2) that took the next speaking turn. A mobile unit as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that said mobile unit further comprises transmitter means (511) for sending priority information indicating which mobile unit(s) is(are) prioritized to have the next speaking turn on the direct mode channel. A mobile unit as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that said mobile unit further comprises a priority counter (512) whose value indicates the number of speaking turns taken by other mobile units after the speech item of said mobile unit. A mobile unit as claimed in claim 13, characterized in that said transmitter means (511) is adapted to include in said priority information a priority parameter value indicating how many recent users are favoured. A mobile unit as claimed in claim 13, 14 or 15, characterized in that said mobile unit further comprises comparator means (513) for comparing (320) the value of the priority parameter included in the priority information received by said mobile unit with the value stored in said mobile unit's priority counter (512), and ip response to said comparison, if said comparison shows that said mobile unit is prioritized to have the next speaking turn, directing said mobile unit to take the next speaking turn, unless another mobile unit indicated to be prioritized has reserved said next speaking turn previously. A mobile unit as claimed in claim 13, characterized in that said transmitter means (511) is adapted to insert into said priority information the identifier of the mobile unit that had the previous speaking turn, in response to which said preceding mobile unit takes the next speaking turn. A mobile unit as claimed in claim 17, characterized in that said mobile unit further comprises speech item initiating means (514) responsive to the identifier of the first mobile unit included in the priority information sent by the second mobile unit (RU2), in order for said mobile unit to take the next speaking turn. A mobile unit as claimed in claim 13, characterized in that said transmitter means (511) is adapted to include in said priority information speech item identifier information indicating the identifier(s) of the preceding speech item(s) whose speaker(s) is(are) prioritized to have the next speaking turn. A mobile unit as claimed in claim 19, characterized in that said mobile unit further comprises comparator means (515) for comparing the speech item identifier information included in the priority information received by said mobile unit with the information stored in said mobile unit on the identifiers of the speaking turns that said mobile unit has had, and in response to said comparison, if said comparison shows that said mobile unit is prioritized to have the next speaking turn, directing said mobile unit to have the next speaking turn, unless another mobile unit indicated to be prioritized has reserved said next speaking turn previously.

Inventors: KINNUNEN KIMMO, SCHRODERUS OSMO, KINNUNEN, KIMMO, SCHRODERUS, OSMO
Applicants: NOKIA TELECOMMUNICATIONS OY
Application year: 1996
Main classification: H04B7
IPC codes: H04B1, H04M3, H04W84