FR3033112B1 - SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PUSH-TO-TALK (PTT) COMMUNICATION BETWEEN SEVERAL USERS OF A WIRELESS TELEPHONY NETWORK - Google Patents

Abstract

Communication system in PTT (“Push-to-talk”) mode between several users of a wireless telephone network, comprising a PTT server, which comprises: - a user database; - an auditor test module; - a message priority test module; - a channel test module; - a regular communication test module; - a geolocation and mapping test module; - a test module for automatic creation of groups.

Description

System and method for push-to-talk (PTT) communication between multiple users of a wireless telephone network

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a communication system in PTT mode ("push-to-talk") between several users of a wireless telephony network. It also relates to the corresponding PTT communication method.

STATE OF THE PRIOR ART

[0002] There are a large number of computer applications that make it possible to connect two or more individuals to one another by voice. Fewer are those that allow exchanges in direct flow (or "streaming") between several individuals because quickly we arrive at an inability to dialogue. To overcome this problem, current applications use the microphone deactivation technique for all users throughout a speaker's intervention. This technique is used to easily manage message flows. On the other hand, this becomes very restricted when several users are on the same channel because one has to be very concentrated in order to seize the opportunity to speak by continuously pressing on the proposed microphone.

Also known is the patent application FR2886804 which describes a telecommunication system in PTT mode ("Push-to-talk": this acronym is commonly used in French for this type of communication) between several users of a wireless telephone network. This system comprises a management module able to determine the participation and participation rights of the participants in a PTT session according to a level of quality of the telecommunication service used by each user in order to participate in the PTT session, and a level of telecommunication quality of service required to participate in this pre-defined PTT session.

The document FR2997812 relates to a call initialization method for a mobile terminal comprising PTT type applications comprising several steps for each user of the mobile terminal connected to an IP-WAN modem. The first step starts when the IP-WAN modem is started. This step is an IP-WAN connection procedure. The second step begins when the PTT client is active and has obtained the IP address of the PTT server, the PTT client is able to trigger a SIP registration procedure with the PTT server on the default IP-WAN carrier . The third step is triggered when the PTT client performs a call group affiliation procedure with the PTT server on the default IP-WAN bearer. The last step begins as soon as the call group affiliation procedure is performed. An SIP "INVITE" procedure is executed to reserve RTP (Information Flow Control Protocol) resources at the application level on the PTT server side and the client side so as to allow the RTP session to rise.

The application U S2014348066 describes a system and a method for providing advanced voice services in a wireless communication network. More specifically, this application proposes a method and a framework for achieving a FAMC ("Fully Acknowledged Mode Communication") among telecommunication systems in PoC mode (PoC: Push-to-talk). -over-Cellular, current acronym in French). A call disposition according to the recognized mode of communication falls into the category of telecommunication systems in PTT mode when all members are available.

The communication systems mentioned relate, in general, the possibility for a set of individuals to communicate through a PTT communication system. However, such a system does not allow

Yan_PTT-EN create groups of participants. These systems include an unlimited number of users, and can be overloaded.

To overcome these disadvantages, the invention provides different technical means.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

First, a first object of the invention is to provide a method and a communication system in PTT mode for optimizing the management of groups so as to avoid interference between users.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method and a communication system in PTT mode for active and scalable management of groups of user groups.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method and a communication system in PTT mode for management so as to prevent the dialogue between users is destructured.

To do this, the invention provides a communication system in PTT mode ("push-to-talk") between several users of a wireless telephony network, including a PTT server may be in wired connection or non-wired with a plurality of user modules adapted to the PTT mode, said server comprising: - a user database; - a test module auditors; a message priority test module; - a channel test module; - a regular communication test module; - a geolocation and mapping module; - an automatic group creation module, designed to create targeted groups based on the tests performed by the test modules.

Yan_PTT-EN

The invention also provides a method of communication in PTT mode ("push-to-talk") between several users of a wireless telephony network, this method implementing: a plurality of terminals that can be used under the user control for speaking during a PTT session; a PTT server connected to each of the terminals via a wireless access network, this server being able to manage the establishment and the progress of a PTT transfer between the users; the method comprising the following steps: a step of determining a list of listeners according to the channel, the range and the geographical coordinates; a step, performed by a message priority determination module, making it possible to calculate the priority of the messages according to the broadcast channel, the favorites, the group members, the number of active persons, the statistics on the last exchanges and geolocation relative to the sender of the message; - A broadcast step of the message, by a broadcast module, live or deferred according to the priority level established.

According to another aspect of the invention, the method comprises a step of automatic group creation comprising the following steps: - a test step, by a regular communication test module between a plurality of users of a PTT server, for detecting possible regular exchanges between a plurality of users; a step of testing using a thematic channel by a plurality of users, performed by a channel test module of the PTT server; a step of testing the presence of a group on the channel concerned, performed by a group presence test module of the PTT server; a step of automatically generating one or more groups, using an automatic group creation module, each group being targeted according to the tests previously carried out.

Yan_PTT-EN

The system and the method according to the invention do not deactivate the microphone to solve the flow management problem. A user can talk at any time by having several speaking mechanisms at his disposal. To ensure this function, the system according to the invention has a "robot animator" to manage the flow of messages by providing two modes of dissemination: direct and deferred. The delivery mode is determined automatically by this robot based on the broadcast channel, the number of active users (who speak), the network saturation level, and the priority of the messages. The "robot animator" can also automatically identify candidates for a local informant / facilitator mission.

To be able to intelligently manage voice streams, the robot also relies on a system for automatic detection of newsgroups on all channels. This system detects the presence of a bidirectional or multidirectional dialogue. Upon detecting a dialog, the system automatically creates a newsgroup by adding participants to that dialog in the group. The construction of the group guarantees additional privileges such as message prioritization and postage to the geographical perimeter to ensure continuity of dialogue even if the members move in the opposite direction.

The use of geolocation is already introduced by some voice transmission applications. However, this use is limited to a few basic features such as being able to find users "around me" to add them to his list of favorites and then send them voice messages, or to share his position with his friends / favorites on a map. The perimeter is circular to the GPS coordinates of the user. The system incorporates a mapping module that, depending on the channel or service, provides a multi-form maximum listening perimeter defined by the system / service administrator using a map. The user can then graphically reduce this optimal range to optimize its

Yan_PTT-EN exchanges according to the cartography / topography of the places. Finally, this zone is automatically reduced in proportion in case of network saturation.

The system and the method according to the invention make it possible to exploit all these technologies in the context of a user network with a high potential for simultaneous users. As soon as a user connects to the system, he is able to exchange with all other users of the system that he probably does not know most. To reduce or even prevent the risk of unstructured dialogue without a facilitator, several mechanisms are implemented. These mechanisms are based on three key points: speaking and messaging, geographic perimeter and automatic focus group detection.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

All the details of implementation are given in the description which follows, supplemented by Figures 1 to 3, presented solely for purposes of non-limiting examples, and wherein: - Figure 1 is a functional diagram illustrating certain steps the method according to the invention in connection with speaking and broadcasting voice messages; FIG. 2 is a functional flowchart illustrating other steps of the method according to the invention, this time in connection with the detection and the creation of groups; FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of an exemplary PTT communication system according to the invention.

Yan_PTT-EN

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a method and a system for designing a geographic social voice and thematic network that relies on a "secure" cloud infrastructure preferably. The initial purpose of this system is to replicate the behavior of radio communication equipment used by cibists and radio amateurs around the world. Innovation in this system is based on three components making this kind of network smarter and more responsive. The first component is a message flow management system that offers several modes of speaking and a distribution adapted to each interlocutor. The second component is a geolocation system coupled with a mapping engine providing optimal management of the scope of broadcast / reception of messages. The third component is an automatic detection system and focus group management. As soon as the user speaks, Γ "Robotic Animator" or broadcast module, begins his calculations to detect the most appropriate mode of dissemination for each of the users concerned. The system mainly provides two broadcasting modes: the first is a direct broadcast of the audio message with zero or low offset. This mode is used in the absence of listening saturation for the listener and to prioritize the messages of the group to which it belongs.

The second mode consists of a delayed broadcast where a reception offset is accepted within the limit of a value defined by the system. If this system estimates that the broadcast offset exceeds this value, it uses the contextual information available at the time of the intervention to optimize the exchanges and reduce this offset (by accelerating for example listening playback to catch up). To optimize this shift and to choose the message broadcast mode, the broadcast module calculates the priority of the message for each of its receivers / listeners. The priority of a message is calculated from several parameters:

Yan_PTT-EN a) Auditor related information such as: Is the message sender in his favorites list, is there a group detected between the sender and receiver of the sender? message, how far is the message sender from the receiver, are both members of a group, b) information related to the broadcast channel, for example: is the message speaks on a thematic channel or discussion channel, c) information related to attendance, number of active users on the broadcast channel and trade statistics.

At the end of each message, the speaker hears a validation note that indicates that his message has been taken into account (transmitted or cached). The listener hears a double characteristic note at the end of each message. The second note is more serious than the first one if the message was cut due to a broadcast / reception problem. The second note is sharper than the first if the entire message has been broadcast.

The statistics collected by the dissemination module also allow to designate one or more users as a candidate (s) for a mission informant / local animator in a specific geographical area. After the agreement of the user, it will be added to the list of candidates. Users in this same geographical area can vote for their favorite future informant. The elected representative will be encouraged to disseminate various information related to his town or city (events, works, accidents, natural disasters, etc.) or start discussions on topics that may be of interest to local users.

According to this architecture, the same message can be broadcast live to a user and deferred to another user according to the priority of this message for each of them, except for all members of a group under discussion automatically detected by the system: the messages are then distributed with the highest priority to favor the real time. The system

Yan_PTT-FR relies on a secure cloud infrastructure where databases are distributed across multiple servers to distribute the load and to ensure that all these very expensive calculations can be done in real time. Geographical Perimeter [0023] The user can only chat at the instant "t" within a given geographical area at several levels: [0024] Default level: The applicable geographical area is determined by the coordinates geolocation (GPS, Relay, ISP) of the user. The user can intervene proportionally to the geographic borders using a three states cursor: neighborhood, local or maximum. Maximal best matches the borders of the map applicable by the user. A user has the ability to indicate to the system another geographical position in order to place himself virtually in one position while in another. This method is useful for example for a user on the move to stay virtually at his place of residence with his usual contacts.

[0025] Advanced level: The geographical area can be determined / manually drawn on a map by the user to reduce / optimize the current map. This zone can be multiform: circular, polygon, border of a city, a department or France for example. There may be one or more non-overlapping channels per channel set by the channel administrator to accurately determine the maximum range of their channel. A simple user can in any case determine its range on a map using predefined and adjustable forms. For example, a user may determine a circle on the map where the center of that circle represents the user's geographic position and the diameter of the circle represents its maximum range. This zone can be memorized by the system as the user's favorite zone.

Yan_PTT-EN

Automatic level: The range in this level is adjusted automatically by the system. This automatic adjustment is used especially in the case of saturation. To manage this case, the system uses several procedures: a) Depending on the affluence, the servers reduce the geographical area limiting then the number of users likely to dialogue at the same time, b) A user can speak only during a limit time X determined in seconds. This limited time is reduced in case of numerous exchanges. C) If the exchanges are numerous, deferred broadcasting is accepted provided that the diffusion delay does not exceed a limit value. In this case, the system uses the flow management robot to optimize exchanges.

This geolocation feature allows the user to listen to the conversations finely adapted to his choice of the moment, such as a tourist thematic channel that is automatically activated when approaching a registered city, geographical area determined by a pedestrian circuit that he wishes to undertake or exclusion of urban areas with which the subscriber does not wish to exchange. This cartographic system allows all combinatorics.

Automatic detection of newsgroups [0028] An exchange analysis system makes it possible to detect a newsgroup that is established between two or more users. This system analyzes the exchanges on a channel and in a determined range. This analysis is based on several parameters such as the number of interventions by the user, the delay between his interventions, the total number of people active on the channel and in the same scope.

If the group has been detected on a discussion channel, it will be created by the system and the participating members of the discussion will be added to this group automatically. If the system detects exchanges that persist beyond a certain time calculated according to the number of users on a channel

Yan_PTT-EN thematic, the system intervenes: before the voice of one of the members of the group, the system signals to the user (voice or written message) that he must encourage his interlocutors to switch to "private" mode (a), or to point to a non-thematic channel of discussion that he proposes (b). a) A "PRIVATE" function makes it possible to isolate the group detected from the other listeners of the channel, which then reduces the number of users of the channel. This also gives the group an important attribute: the predetermined geographical perimeter is lifted. b) The system manages a large number of non-thematic channels to which users can be redirected, similar to what exists in the world of radio broadcasting.

[0030] The detection of newsgroups also makes it possible to avoid message exchange conflicts that may occur in a group. For example: A means B and C; B means A; It means A but B does not hear C and vice versa because one is not in range of the other. In this case, thanks to the module of automatic creation of group, A, B and C will be added in the same group and will be able to leave the geographical perimeter.

The method and system of the invention allow users who do not necessarily know each other and who participate in a discussion that interests them to be detected automatically as a discussion group. The automatic building of a group guarantees a direct diffusion of the interventions (with a null or weak shift) to all the members of the group to ensure coherent exchanges. In addition, this allows users to maintain their discussion even if they move beyond the previously defined applicable map.

Yan_PTT-EN

Speaker modes [0032] Press To Talk (PTT) mode: The user presses the microphone to speak. This is the default mode used by the system.

The "Speak To Talk" (STT) mode: This mode guarantees the concept of hands-free, the microphone is triggered and stops at the voice with a sensitivity set by the user. In this mode, the message is transmitted with a delay of "x" seconds to allow the user to hang up.

The "Command To Talk" (CTT) mode: This mode also ensures the concept of hands-free and it relies on voice recognition to detect a "Break" key to trigger or stop the microphone.

Yan_PTT-EN

Claims (1)

Anspruch [en] A PTT communication system ("Push-to-talk") between several: ilisateurs of a wireless telephony network, comprising a plurality of terminals usable under the control of users to speak during a call. PTT session; a PTT server capable of being in wired or wireless connection with a plurality of user modules adapted to the PTT mode, said server comprising: a user database; a channel test module; a regular communication test module; a geolocation and mapping module; an automatic group creation module, designed to create target groups based on the tests performed by the test modules, characterized in that the server includes an auditors test module, to determine a list of listeners according to the channel, scope and geographic coordinates; a message priority test module, to determine the priority of the messages according to the broadcast channel, favorites, group members, number of active people, statistics on the latest exchanges and geolocation with respect to emitter of the message; a broadcast module, for broadcasting a live or deferred message, according to the priority level established. A method of communication in PTT mode ("push-to-talk") between several ilisators of a wireless telephony network, this method implementing: a plurality of terminals that can be used under the control of users to speak during a call; a PTT session; a PTT server connected to each of the terminals via a wireless access network, this server being able to manage the establishment and the progress of a PTT transfer between the users; method being characterized in that it comprises the following steps: a step of determining a list of listeners according to the channel, the range and the geographical coordinates; a step, performed by a message priority determining module, for calculating the priority of the messages according to the broadcast channel, favorites, group members, the number of active persons, statistics on the last exchanges and geolocation relative to the sender of the message; a broadcast step of the message, by a broadcast module, live or deferred according to the priority level established. . A method of push-to-talk (PTT) communication between multiple users of a wireless telephony network according to claim 2, comprising by Ilers an automatic group creation step comprising the steps of: a test step by a regular communication test module between a plurality of users of a PTT server, in order to detect possible regular exchanges between a plurality of users; a test step of using a thematic channel by a plurality of users, performed by a channel test module of the PTT server; a step of testing the presence of a group on the channel concerned, performed by a group presence test module of the PTT server; a step of automatically generating one or more groups or joining an existing group, using an automatic group creation module, each group being targeted according to the tests previously performed.