Patent ID: 12250615

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the presently disclosed subject matter. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the presently disclosed subject matter may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the presently disclosed subject matter.

In the drawings and descriptions set forth, identical reference numerals indicate those components that are common to different embodiments or configurations.

Unless specifically stated otherwise, as apparent from the following discussions, it is appreciated that throughout the specification discussions utilizing terms such as “obtaining”, “performing”, “selecting”, “bursting”, “activating”, “predicting”, “initiating” or the like, include actions and/or processes, including, inter alia, actions and/or processes of a computer, that manipulate and/or transform data into other data, said data represented as physical quantities, e.g. such as electronic quantities, and/or said data representing the physical objects. The terms “computer”, “processor”, “processing circuitry” and “controller” should be expansively construed to cover any kind of electronic device with data processing capabilities, including, by way of non-limiting example, a personal desktop/laptop computer, a server, a computing system, a communication device, a smartphone, a tablet computer, a smart television, a processor (e.g. digital signal processor (DSP), a microcontroller, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), etc.), a group of multiple physical machines sharing performance of various tasks, virtual servers co-residing on a single physical machine, any other electronic computing device, and/or any combination thereof.

As used herein, the phrase “for example,” “such as”, “for instance” and variants thereof describe non-limiting embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter. Reference in the specification to “one case”, “some cases”, “other cases” or variants thereof means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment(s) is included in at least one embodiment of the presently disclosed subject matter. Thus the appearance of the phrase “one case”, “some cases”, “other cases” or variants thereof does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment(s).

It is appreciated that, unless specifically stated otherwise, certain features of the presently disclosed subject matter, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the presently disclosed subject matter, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination.

In embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter, fewer, more and/or different stages than those shown inFIGS.4to6may be executed.FIGS.1to3illustrate a general schematic of the system architecture in accordance with an embodiment of the presently disclosed subject matter. Each module inFIGS.2and3can be made up of any combination of software, hardware and/or firmware that performs the functions as defined and explained herein. The modules inFIGS.2and3may be centralized in one location or dispersed over more than one location. In other embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter, the system may comprise fewer, more, and/or different modules than those shown inFIGS.2and3.

Any reference in the specification to a method should be applied mutatis mutandis to a system capable of executing the method and should be applied mutatis mutandis to a non-transitory computer readable medium that stores instructions that once executed by a computer result in the execution of the method.

Any reference in the specification to a system should be applied mutatis mutandis to a method that may be executed by the system and should be applied mutatis mutandis to a non-transitory computer readable medium that stores instructions that may be executed by the system.

Any reference in the specification to a non-transitory computer readable medium should be applied mutatis mutandis to a system capable of executing the instructions stored in the non-transitory computer readable medium and should be applied mutatis mutandis to method that may be executed by a computer that reads the instructions stored in the non-transitory computer readable medium.

Bearing this is mind, attention is now drawn toFIG.1, a schematic illustration of one example of a communications system100for group communications between communication devices110over a communications network120, in accordance with the presently disclosed subject matter.

In accordance with the presently disclosed subject matter, communications system100includes communications network120. In some cases, communications network120can be a mobile communications network. In some cases, the mobile communications network can be a cellular communications network. In some cases, the mobile communications network can be a radio communications network.

Communications system100further includes communication devices110that are connected to the communications network120. Each communication device110is capable of transmitting and receiving communications on a communications line over the communications network120. A communication that is transmitted by a given communication device110can be, for example, a video communication, a voice communication, or a text communication.

In some cases, as illustrated inFIG.1, the communication devices110can be User Equipment (UE) endpoints110. In some cases, UE endpoints110are capable of transmitting and receiving Push-to-Talk (PTT) communications. In some cases, the PTT communications can be transmitted and received over a cellular communications network120, e.g. using a Push-to-Talk over Cellular (PoC) protocol (e.g., session initiation protocol (SIP), real-time transport protocol (RTP), etc.). In some cases, a PTT app can be installed on each of the UE endpoints110, wherein the UE endpoints110can utilize the PTT app to transmit and receive PTT communications over communications network120. In some cases, the communication devices110can be radios that are capable of communicating over a radio communications network120, e.g. to transmit and receive PTT communications.

Communications system100further comprises a server130. Server130can be configured to manage the broadcasting of communications over communications network120. Specifically, a user of a given communication device110can begin transmitting a communication to other communication devices110in communications system100only upon being allowed to do so by server130. It is to be noted that server130can be a plurality of servers that are adapted to independently or cooperatively process data.

A user of a given communication device110can transmit a communication only after he/she activates the given communication device110to transmit the communication and the server130permits the transmission of the communication. In some cases, a user of a given communication device110can activate the given communication device110to transmit a PTT communication by performing one of the following actions: (a) pressing a PTT button that is located on or associated with the given communication device110, or (b) toggling or otherwise activating a physical PTT switch (e.g., a hand-held switch, a foot switch, etc.) that is located on or associated with the given communication device110. It is to be noted that any manner in which the user of a given communication device110activates the given communication device110to transmit a communication is covered by the present disclosure.

Communications system100can be associated with one or more groups (not shown), each group of the groups including two or more group members. In some cases, the groups can be PTT groups. The respective group members in each group are users of communication devices110in communications system100. In some cases, the group members in a respective group are entrusted with a specific mission or missions. In some cases, the group members in a respective group are organization members of at least one organization.

Attention is now drawn toFIG.2, a block diagram schematically illustrating one example of a communication device110in communications system100, in accordance with the presently disclosed subject matter.

In accordance with the presently disclosed subject matter, communication device110comprises a network interface210that is configured to connect the communication device110to communications network120, through which the communication device110can communicate with other communication devices110in communications system100and with the server130. The network interface210can be configured to enable the communication device110to send data and receive data sent thereto through communications network120.

Communication device110can further comprise or be otherwise associated with a data repository220(e.g. a database, a storage system, a memory including Read Only Memory—ROM, Random Access Memory—RAM, or any other type of memory, etc.) configured to store data. The data stored can include, for example, one or more of: (a) records associated with personnel in at least one organization, (b) data regarding policies or rules of at least one organization, or (c) historical data of one or more previous communications transmitted or received by the communication device110. In some cases, data repository220can be further configured to enable retrieval and/or update and/or deletion of the stored data. It is to be noted that in some cases, data repository220can be distributed.

Communication device110further comprises a processing circuitry230. Processing circuitry230can be one or more processing units (e.g. central processing units), microprocessors, microcontrollers (e.g. microcontroller units (MCUs)) or any other computing devices or modules, including multiple and/or parallel and/or distributed processing units, which are adapted to independently or cooperatively process data for controlling relevant communication device110resources and for enabling operations related to communication device110resources.

Processing circuitry230can be configured to include an event information obtaining module240, and, optionally, an actions performance module250.

Processing circuitry230can be configured, e.g. using event information obtaining module240, to obtain event information regarding one or more events that are captured at the communication device110, e.g. by a sensor that is mounted on or situated in the communication device110. For the purposes of this disclosure, the event information is not based on the following event: activation of the communication device110by a user of the communication device110to transmit a communication, e.g. by the user activating a PTT button that is situated on or otherwise associated with the communication device110, as detailed earlier herein, inter alia with reference toFIG.1.

In some cases, one or more actions can be performed based on the event information, automatically and without involvement of a user of the communication device110, in response to the user activating the communication device110to transmit a communication.

In some cases, processing circuitry230can be further configured, e.g. using actions performance module250, to perform at least one of the one or more actions based on the event information, as detailed further herein, inter alia with reference toFIG.4. Additionally, or alternatively, in some cases, server130can be configured to perform at least one of the one or more actions based on the event information, as detailed further herein, inter alia with reference toFIGS.3and5.

Attention is now drawn toFIG.3, a block diagram schematically illustrating one example of a server130in a communications system100, in accordance with the presently disclosed subject matter.

In accordance with the presently disclosed subject matter, server130can be configured to include a server network interface310that is configured to connect the server130to a communications network120, through which the server130can communicate with the communication devices110in communications system100. The server network interface310can be configured to enable server130to send data and receive data sent thereto through communications network120.

Server130can further comprise or be otherwise associated with a server data repository320(e.g. a database, a storage system, a memory including Read Only Memory—ROM, Random Access Memory—RAM, or any other type of memory, etc.) configured to store data. The data stored can include, for example, one or more of: (a) records associated with personnel in at least one organization, (b) data regarding policies or rules of at least one organization, or (c) historical data of one or more previous communications transmitted or received by one or more of the communication devices110. In some cases, server data repository320can be further configured to enable retrieval and/or update and/or deletion of the stored data. It is to be noted that in some cases, server data repository320can be distributed.

Server130further comprises a server processing circuitry330. Server processing circuitry330can be one or more processing units (e.g. central processing units), microprocessors, microcontrollers (e.g. microcontroller units (MCUs)) or any other computing devices or modules, including multiple and/or parallel and/or distributed processing units, which are adapted to independently or cooperatively process data for controlling relevant server130resources and for enabling operations related to server130resources.

Server processing circuitry330can be configured to include a server event information obtaining module340. In some cases, server processing circuitry330can be further configured to include a server actions performance module350. Additionally, or alternatively, in some cases, server processing circuitry330can be further configured to include a group prediction module360and a group initiation module370.

Server processing circuitry330can be configured, e.g. using server event information obtaining module340, to obtain event information regarding one or more events that are associated with a given communication device110in the communications system100. In some cases, one or more of the events can be captured by the given communication device110, e.g. by a sensor that is mounted on or situated in the given communication device110, as detailed further herein, inter alia with reference toFIGS.5and6. For the purposes of this disclosure, the event information is not based on the following event: activation of the given communication device110by a user of the given communication device110to transmit a communication, e.g. by the user activating a PTT button that is situated on or otherwise associated with the given communication device110, as detailed earlier herein, inter alia with reference toFIG.1.

In some cases, server processing circuitry330can be configured, e.g. using server actions performance module350, to perform at least one action based on the event information that is associated with the given communication device110, in response to the user of the given communication device110activating the given communication device110to transmit a communication, as detailed further herein, inter alia with reference toFIG.5.

Additionally, or alternatively, in some cases, server processing circuitry330can be configured, e.g. using group prediction module360, to predict, based on the event information associated with the given communication device110, one or more groups (e.g., PTT groups) with which the given communication device110is expected to communicate, as detailed further herein, inter alia with reference toFIG.6.

Furthermore, server processing circuitry330can be configured, e.g. using group initiation module370, to initiate the groups (e.g., PTT groups) with which the given communication device110is expected to communicate, based on the prediction, and not responsive to a user of the given communication device110activating the given communication device110to transmit a communication (e.g., PTT communication) to the groups (e.g., PTT groups), as detailed further herein, inter alia with reference toFIG.6.

Attention is now drawn toFIG.4, a flowchart illustrating one example of a sequence of operations performed by a given communication device110in a communications system100for facilitating a transmission of a given communication by the given communication device110, in accordance with the presently disclosed subject matter.

In accordance with the presently disclosed subject matter, processing circuitry230of the given communication device110can be configured, e.g. using event information obtaining module240, to obtain event information regarding one or more events that are captured at the given communication device110, the events not including activation of the given communication device110by a user of the given communication device110to transmit the given communication (block404). The events can be captured prior to, concurrent with, or following an activation of the given communication device110to transmit the given communication.

In some cases, the given communication device110can be a User Equipment (UE) endpoint.

In some cases, the user of the given communication device110can activate the given communication device110to transmit a given PTT communication by activating a PTT button that is situated on or otherwise associated with the given communication device110. As detailed earlier herein, inter alia with reference toFIG.1, any manner in which the user of the given communication device110activates the given communication device110to transmit a communication is covered by the present disclosure.

In some cases, the events that are captured at the given communication device110can include one or more of the following: (a) one or more predetermined sounds, e.g. a sound of gunfire, (b) audible content having a first decibel level greater than a predefined second decibel level; (c) a predetermined word or combination of words; or (d) human or other speech uttered at a first rate that is higher than a predefined second rate.

In some cases, processing circuitry230can be configured, e.g. using actions performance module250, to perform one or more actions based on the obtained event information, automatically and without involvement of the user of the given communication device110, in response to the user activating the given communication device110to transmit the given communication (block408).

In some cases, the actions performed by processing circuitry230based on the event information can include selecting the groups (e.g., PTT groups) to which to transmit the given communication, each group of the groups including the user of the given communication device110and one or more other users of a corresponding one or more other communication devices110that communicate over communications network120. In this manner, the user of the given communication device110can transmit the given communication without selecting the groups to which to transmit the given communication, thereby reducing an amount of time required for the user to transmit the given communication, in response to the event information. In some cases, the given communication can be a video communication, a voice communication, or a text communication.

In some cases, processing circuitry230can be further configured to obtain additional information, different than the event information, and wherein at least one of the actions can be performed also based on the additional information.

In some cases, at least some of the additional information can be obtained from one or more external sources, including, inter alia, server130. Additionally, or alternatively, in some cases, at least some of the additional information can be stored in data repository220of the given communication device110.

In some cases, the given communication device110and the other communication devices110in the communications system100that receive the given communication that is transmitted by the given communication device110can be used by organizational members of at least one organization. In some such cases, the additional information can include one or more of: (a) records associated with personnel in the at least one organization, or (b) data regarding policies or rules of the at least one organization.

For example, the additional information can inform, for each of the groups that are to receive the given communication, group members of the respective group that are on-duty and group members of the respective group that are off-duty. In some such cases, for example, processing circuitry230can be configured, e.g. using actions performance module250, to select only the group members that are on-duty to receive the given communication.

In some cases, the additional information can be a reading of a speed at which the given communication device110is displaced prior or concurrently to the activation of the given communication device110to transmit the given communication, wherein a speed of displacement of the given communication device110that is greater than a predetermined threshold speed may be indicative of an occurrence of an emergency situation. For example, processing circuitry230can be configured to perform an action (e.g., select the groups to receive the given communication) based on the occurrence of an event or a group of events that are captured at the given communication device110and based on the speed at which the given communication device110is displaced.

In some cases, the additional information can be a location of the given communication device110. For example, if the user of the given communication device110is an airplane technician who is present in the vicinity of a specific aircraft when activating the given communication device110to transmit the given communication, processing circuitry230can be configured, for example, to select the airplane technician's group that maintains the specific aircraft to receive the given communication, in response to one or more events that are captured at the given communication device110. On the other hand, if the airplane technician activates the given communication device110while in his office, processing circuitry230can be configured, for example, to select the airplane technician's team manager to receive the given communication, in response to the one or more events.

In some cases, the additional information can be historical data of one or more previous communications transmitted or received by the given communication device110. For example, if the user of the given communication device110selects a specific group with which to communicate each weekday morning at 9 AM, processing circuitry230can be configured, upon the user activating the given communication device110on a weekday morning at 9 AM, to automatically select the specific group, in response to one or more events that are captured at the given communication device110. As a consequence thereof, the user is saved the time required to select the specific group (he/she can simply activate the given communication device110without first selecting the specific group).

Attention is now drawn toFIG.5, a flowchart illustrating one example of a sequence of operations performed by a server130in a communications system100for facilitating a transmission of a given communication by a given communication device110in the communications system100, in accordance with the presently disclosed subject matter.

In accordance with the presently disclosed subject matter, server processing circuitry330of a server130can be configured, e.g. using server event information obtaining module340, to obtain event information regarding one or more events that are captured at the given communication device110, the events not including activation of the given communication device110by a user of the given communication device110to transmit the given communication (block504). The events can be captured prior to, concurrent with, or following an activation of the given communication device110to transmit the given communication.

In some cases, the given communication device110can be a User Equipment (UE) endpoint.

In some cases, the user of the given communication device110can activate the given communication device110to transmit a given PTT communication by activating a PTT button that is situated on or otherwise associated with the given communication device110. As detailed earlier herein, inter alia with reference toFIG.1, any manner in which the user of the given communication device110activates the given communication device110to transmit a communication is covered by the present disclosure.

In some cases, the events that are captured at the given communication device110can include one or more of the following: (a) one or more predetermined sounds, e.g. a sound of gunfire, (b) audible content having a first decibel level greater than a predefined second decibel level; (c) a predetermined word or combination of words; or (d) human or other speech uttered at a first rate that is higher than a predefined second rate.

In some cases, server processing circuitry330can be configured, e.g. using server actions performance module350, to automatically perform one or more actions based on the obtained event information, in response to the user activating the given communication device110to transmit the given communication (block508).

In some cases, the actions performed by server processing circuitry330based on the event information can include selecting the groups to which to transmit the given communication. In this manner, the user of the given communication device110can transmit the given communication without selecting the groups to which to transmit the given communication, thereby reducing an amount of time required for the user to transmit the given communication, in response to the event information. In some cases, the given communication can be a video communication, a voice communication, or a text communication.

Additionally, or alternatively, in some cases, the actions performed by server processing circuitry330based on the event information can include bursting into at least one of the groups that has been selected, e.g. by server processing circuitry330, as detailed in the previous paragraph, or by processing circuitry230of the given communication device110, as detailed earlier herein, inter alia with reference toFIG.4. In this manner, a user of the given communication device110can begin transmitting to the group members of the selected groups even if another communication device in at least one of the selected groups was in the process of transmitting a different communication at the time that the given communication device110is activated. Server processing circuitry330can be configured to perform the bursting by withdrawing the permission that it provided to the another communication device to transmit the different communication. By bursting into at least one of the groups that has been selected, using the server processing circuitry330, an amount of time required for the user of the given communication device110to transmit the given communication can be reduced, in response to the event information.

In some cases, server processing circuitry330can be further configured to obtain additional information, different than the event information, and wherein at least one of the actions can be performed also based on the additional information.

In some cases, at least some of the additional information can be obtained from one or more external sources. Additionally, or alternatively, in some cases, at least some of the additional information can be stored in server data repository320of the server130.

In some cases, the given communication device110and the other communication devices110in the communications system100that receive the given communication that is transmitted by the given communication device110can be used by organizational members of at least one organization. In some such cases, the additional information can include one or more of: (a) records associated with personnel in the at least one organization, or (b) data regarding policies or rules of the at least one organization.

For example, the additional information can inform, for each of the groups that are to receive the given communication, group members of the respective group that are on-duty and group members of the respective group that are off-duty. In some such cases, server processing circuitry330can be configured, e.g. using server actions performance module350, to select only the group members that are on-duty to receive the given communication.

In some cases, the additional information can be a reading of a speed at which the given communication device110is displaced prior or concurrently to the activation of the given communication device110to transmit the given communication, wherein a speed of displacement of the given communication device110that is greater than a predetermined threshold speed may be indicative of an occurrence of an emergency situation. For example, server processing circuitry330can be configured to perform an action (e.g., burst into the groups that are to receive the given communication) based on the occurrence of an event or a group of events that are captured at the given communication device110and based on the speed at which the given communication device110is displaced.

In some cases, the additional information can be a location of the given communication device110. For example, if the user of the given communication device110is an airplane technician who is present in the vicinity of a specific aircraft when activating the given communication device110to transmit the given communication, server processing circuitry330can be configured, for example, to select the airplane technician's group that maintains the specific aircraft to receive the given communication, in response to one or more events that are captured at the given communication device110. On the other hand, if the airplane technician activates the given communication device110while in his office, server processing circuitry330can be configured, for example, to select the airplane technician's team manager to receive the given communication, in response to the one or more events.

In some cases, the additional information can be historical data of one or more previous communications transmitted or received by the given communication device110. For example, if the user of the given communication device110selects a specific group with which to communicate each weekday morning at 9 AM, server processing circuitry330can be configured, upon the user activating the given communication device110on a weekday morning at 9 AM, to automatically select the specific group, in response to one or more events that are captured at the given communication device110. As a consequence thereof, the user is saved the time required to select the specific group (he/she can simply activate the given communication device110without first selecting the specific group).

Attention is now drawn toFIG.6, a flowchart illustrating one example of a sequence of operations performed by a server130in a communications system100for managing group communications by a given communication device110in the communications system100, in accordance with the presently disclosed subject matter.

In accordance with the presently disclosed subject matter, in some cases, server processing circuitry330of server130can be configured, e.g. using server event information obtaining module340, to obtain event information regarding one or more events that are associated with the given communication device110, the events not including activation of the given communication device110by a user of the given communication device110to transmit a given communication (block604). The event information can be captured prior to, concurrent with, or following the activation of the given communication device110to transmit the given communication.

In some cases, the events that are associated with the given communication device110can include events that are captured at the given communication device110.

In some cases, the given communication device110can be a User Equipment (UE) endpoint.

In some cases, the user of a given communication device110can activate the given communication device110to transmit a given PTT communication by activating a PTT button that is situated on or otherwise associated with the given communication device110. As detailed earlier herein, inter alia with reference toFIG.1, any manner in which the user of the given communication device110activates the given communication device110to transmit a communication is covered by the present disclosure.

In some cases, the events can include a start of a work shift for a group that includes the user of the given communication device110. Additionally, or alternatively, in some cases, the events can be captured at the given communication device110. The captured events can include one or more of the following: (a) one or more predetermined sounds, e.g. a sound of gunfire, (b) audible content having a first decibel level greater than a predefined second decibel level; (c) a predetermined word or combination of words; or (d) human or other speech uttered at a first rate that is higher than a predefined second rate.

In some cases, server processing circuitry330can be configured, e.g. using group prediction module360, to predict, based on the obtained event information, one or more groups in communications system100with which given communication device110is expected to communicate (block608). Moreover, upon predicting the groups with which the given communication device110is expected to communicate, server processing circuitry330can be configured, e.g. using group initiation module370, to automatically initiate these groups (block612). As a result, upon a user of the given communication device110activating the given communication device110to transmit a given communication, the user can begin transmitting the given communication to group members of the predicted groups without further processing by the server130to initiate the predicted groups.

For example, if the event is the start of the work shift for a group that includes the user of the given communication device110, server processing circuitry330can be configured, for example, to predict that the given communication device110is expected to communicate with the other users in this group. In accordance with the prediction, server processing circuitry330can be configured to automatically initiate the group prior to the user of the given communication device110activating the given communication device110to transmit a given communication to the members of the group.

As an additional example, if the event is the capturing of audible content that is indicative of a given type of emergency, server processing circuitry330can be configured, for example, to predict that the given communication device110is expected to communicate with group members of the group that handles the given type of emergency, and to automatically initiate this group prior to the user of the given communication device110activating the given communication device110to transmit the given communication to the group members of the group.

In some cases, server processing circuitry330can be configured to obtain additional information, different than the event information, wherein the groups with which the given communication device110is expected to communicate can be predicted based on the event information and the additional information.

In some cases, at least some of the additional information can be obtained from one or more external sources. Additionally, or alternatively, in some cases, at least some of the additional information can be stored in server data repository320of the server130.

In some cases, the given communication device110and the other communication devices110in communications system100that receive the given communication that is transmitted by the given communication device110can be used by organizational members of at least one organization. In some such cases, the additional information can include one or more of: (a) records associated with personnel in the at least one organization, the records not including work shift information regarding the personnel, or (b) data regarding policies or rules of the at least one organization.

For example, the additional information can inform, for each of the groups that are expected to receive the given communication, group members of the respective group that are on-duty and group members of the respective group that are off-duty. In some such cases, server processing circuitry330can be configured, e.g. using group prediction module360, to predict that only the group members that are on-duty are expected to receive the given communication. Group initiation module370can then initiate the respective group such that only the group members that are on-duty will receive the given communication.

In some cases, the additional information can be a location of the given communication device110. For example, if the user of the given communication device110is an airplane technician that is present in the vicinity of a specific aircraft, server processing circuitry330can be configured, e.g. using group prediction module360, to predict that the airplane technician will transmit a given communication to the technician's group that is maintaining (e.g., fixing) the specific aircraft, in response to one or more events that are associated with the given communication device110. Server processing circuitry330can then be configured, e.g. using group initiation module370, to initiate the technician's group that is maintaining the specific aircraft.

On the other hand, if the airplane technician is in his/her office, server processing circuitry330can be configured, e.g. using group prediction module360, to predict that the airplane technician will transmit the given communication to the airplane technician's team manager, in response to one or more events that are associated with the given communication device110. Server processing circuitry330can then be configured, e.g. using group initiation module370, to initiate the technician's team manager for receiving communications from the airplane technician.

In some cases, the additional information can be historical data of one or more previous communications transmitted or received by the given communication device110. For example, if a user of a given communication device110selects a specific group with which to communicate each weekday morning at 9 AM, server processing circuitry330can be configured, e.g. using group prediction module360, to predict, prior to 9 AM on a weekday morning, and in response to one or more events that are associated with the given communication device110, that the user will transmit the given communication to the specific group at 9 AM. Server processing circuitry330can then be configured, e.g. using group initiation module370, to initiate the specific group prior to the activation of the given communication device110by the user of the given communication device110to transmit the given communication, e.g. prior to 9 AM on the weekday morning.

It is to be noted that, with reference toFIGS.4to6, some of the blocks can be integrated into a consolidated block or can be broken down to a few blocks and/or other blocks may be added. Furthermore, in some cases, the blocks can be performed in a different order than described herein. It is to be further noted that some of the blocks are optional. It should be also noted that whilst the flow diagrams are described also with reference to the system elements that realize them, this is by no means binding, and the blocks can be performed by elements other than those described herein.

It is to be understood that the presently disclosed subject matter is not limited in its application to the details set forth in the description contained herein or illustrated in the drawings. The presently disclosed subject matter is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Hence, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for designing other structures, methods, and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present presently disclosed subject matter.

It will also be understood that the system according to the presently disclosed subject matter can be implemented, at least partly, as a suitably programmed computer. Likewise, the presently disclosed subject matter contemplates a computer program being readable by a computer for executing the disclosed method. The presently disclosed subject matter further contemplates a machine-readable memory tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine for executing the disclosed method.