US5873023A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus in a messaging system for implementing a group call
Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC
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Filing: 1996-11-19
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Granted: 1999-02-16
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Expires: 2016-11-19
Abstract
Abstract A messaging system implements a group call in a controller (110, 120) by receiving (306) first and second messages intended for first and second recipients and determining (416) that the first and second messages are identical to one another. In response to making that determination, the controller transmits (522) the first and second messages as a single group call message.
Inventors
- 👤 W Garland Phillips
- 👤 Eric Jon Robert Wesley
- 👤 Alain Charles Briancon
- 👤 Jeffrey David Couts
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 15:47
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04W; H04W88/00; H04W88/18; H04W88/185
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
62 words
A method in a messaging system for implementing a group call, the method comprising in a controller the steps of: receiving first and second messages intended for first and second recipients; determining that the first and second messages are identical to one another; and transmitting the first and second messages as a single group call message, in response to the determining step.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
62 words
A method in a messaging system for implementing a group call, the method comprising in a controller the steps of: receiving first and second messages intended for first and second recipients; determining that the first and second messages are identical to one another; and transmitting the first and second messages as a single group call message, in response to the determining step.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising before the transmitting step the steps of: waiting for a predetermined time after the determining step to detect whether additional messages identical to the first and second messages are received; and combining such additional messages into the single group call message.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the transmitting step comprises the step of forming the single group call message in accordance with a messaging protocol which includes a dynamic group address mode capability.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising in the controller the steps of: receiving an interswitch command for triggering a dynamic group call; and sending the dynamic group call in response to the interswitch command.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
62 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of providing selection controls for allowing an operator of the messaging system to specify criteria to be met before a message is considered for transmission as a group call message; and skipping the transmitting step in response to at least one of the first and second messages failing to meet the criteria specified.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising in the controller the step of sending an acknowledgment to another controller in the messaging system, the acknowledgment indicating that at least one of the first and second messages was transmitted in a single group call message, in response to the transmitting step.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
96 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising in the controller the steps of calculating, in response to the determining step, a first transmission capacity required to transmit the first and second messages as individual messages and a second transmission capacity required to transmit the first and second messages as the single group call message; and skipping the step of transmitting the first and second messages as a single group call message, and instead transmitting the first and second messages as individual messages, in response to the second transmission capacity being greater than the first transmission capacity.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
60 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the determining step comprises the steps of: calculating first and second hash indexes from attributes of the first and second messages; comparing the first and second hash indexes; and defining the first and second messages to be group call candidates in response to the first and second hash indexes being equal to one another.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 8, wherein the determining step further comprises the step of comparing predetermined portions of the first and second messages, in response to the first and second messages being defined to be group call candidates.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 8, wherein the determining step further comprises the step of storing in a memory of the controller at a location defined by a hash index a count of pending messages corresponding to the hash index.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 8, wherein the determining step further comprises the step of storing in a memory of the controller a pending message and a corresponding hash index.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
82 words
A controller in a messaging system for implementing a group call, the controller comprising: a communication interface for receiving first and second messages intended for first and second recipients; a processing system coupled to the communication interface for determining that the first and second messages are identical to one another; and a transmitter interface for transmitting the first and second messages as a single group call message, in response to determining that the first and second messages are identical to one another.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
82 words
A controller in a messaging system for implementing a group call, the controller comprising: a communication interface for receiving first and second messages intended for first and second recipients; a processing system coupled to the communication interface for determining that the first and second messages are identical to one another; and a transmitter interface for transmitting the first and second messages as a single group call message, in response to determining that the first and second messages are identical to one another.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
55 words
The controller of claim 12, wherein the processing system is programmed to: wait for a predetermined time after determining that the first and second messages are identical to one another to detect whether additional messages identical to the first and second messages are received; and combine such additional messages into the single group call message.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
The controller of claim 12, wherein the processing system is programmed to form the single group call message in accordance with a messaging protocol which includes a dynamic group address mode capability.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
73 words
The controller of claim 12, wherein the processing system is programmed to: provide selection controls for allowing an operator of the messaging system to specify criteria to be met before a message is considered for transmission as a group call message; and skip transmitting the first and second messages as a single group call message, in response to at least one of the first and second messages failing to meet the criteria specified.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
58 words
The controller of claim 12, wherein the processing system is programmed to send an acknowledgment to another controller in the messaging system, the acknowledgment indicating that at least one of the first and second messages was transmitted in a single group call message, in response to transmitting the first and second messages as a single group call message.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
101 words
The controller of claim 12, wherein the processing system is programmed to: calculate, in response to determining that the first and second messages are identical to one another, a first transmission capacity required to transmit the first and second messages as individual messages and a second transmission capacity required to transmit the first and second messages as the single group call message; and skip transmitting the first and second messages as a single group call message, and instead transmit the first and second messages as individual messages, in response to the second transmission capacity being greater than the first transmission capacity.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
59 words
The controller of claim 12, wherein the processing system is programmed to: calculate first and second hash indexes from attributes of the first and second messages; compare the first and second hash indexes; and define the first and second messages to be group call candidates in response to the first and second hash indexes being equal to one another.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
37 words
The controller of claim 18, wherein the processing system is further programmed to compare predetermined portions of the first and second messages, in response to the first and second messages being defined to be group call candidates.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
38 words
The controller of claim 18, wherein the processing system is further programmed to store in a memory of the controller at a location defined by a hash index a count of pending messages corresponding to the hash index.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
28 words
The controller of claim 18, wherein the processing system is further programmed to store in a memory of the controller a pending message and a corresponding hash index.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-02-15 | 2002-08-17 | 2003-02-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-02-15 | 2006-08-17 | 2007-02-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-02-15 | 2010-08-17 | 2011-02-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |