WO2010140907A1

WO2010140907A1 - Method and apparatus for forming communication groups in a communication system

Info

Publication number: WO2010140907A1
Application number: PCT/PL2009/000059
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dominik Wojtaszek; Pawel Abramczuk; Thomas M. Tirpak
Original assignee: Motorola Inc
Current assignee: Motorola Solutions Inc
Priority date: 2009-06-01
Filing date: 2009-06-01
Publication date: 2010-12-09
Anticipated expiration: 2011-12-01

Abstract

A method for forming communication groups in a communication system is provided. Group membership is monitored and dynamically changed based on comparing a mobile radio unit's current status to the mobile radio unit's previous status. The current status includes current action, currently assigned task(s), and other current context attributes associated with the mobile radio unit and user while the previous status encompasses previous actions, previously assigned task(s), and other previous context attributes associated with the mobile radio uni and user. If a given threshold for the difference between the current status and the previous status is exceeded, then a separation technique is applied to move selected MUs in to and out of a communication group.

Description

Docket No. CE 19023

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING COMMUNICATION GROUPS IN A COMMUNICATION SYSTEM

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0001] The present invention relates generally to communication systems, and in particular to the formation of communication groups within a communication system.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Communication systems often utilize talk groups to communicate amongst a sub-set of users of a system. In a trunked communication system every radio has assigned to it a unique, individual identifier. Every talk group also has a unique identifier. A radio may be added to a talk group in a trunked system by adding the corresponding group identifier code to the radio. Because radio identifiers are separate from talk groups, there is no need to reprogram every radio in the system to enable a radio to participate in a talk group, and there is no inherent limit to the number of radios that can participate in a talk group.

[0003] In a conventional system (either analog or digital) the concept of a channel is used rather than a talk group. The conventional system utilizes a station (repeater) that can be configured to operate as a channel, and the selection of the channel is dependent on a communication network administrator's (or console operator's) choice. The radios operating in a conventional system have channels configured to "listen" only to the selected channel.

[0004] The disadvantage associated with current methods of formation of talk-groups in trunking radio systems is that selected talk groups are not easily changed once a system is running. Thus, system designers must plan for growth in the beginning stages of system design. The formation of initial talk groups thus Docket No. CE 19023 remains the same over time. Similarly, the users of a conventional system's dedicated channel control are limited as to the channels which they can use, and thus the other users with whom they can communicate.

[0005] It would be desirable to have a communication system with a more flexible manner of form ing communication groups, particularly in the formation talk groups and managing channel access privileges.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0006] The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views, together with the detailed description below, are incorporated in and form part of the specification, and serve to further illustrate embodiments of concepts that include the claimed invention, and explain various principles and advantages of those embodiments.

[0007] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a communication system operating in accordance with some embodiments;

[0008] FIG. 2 is a message sequence diagram for forming talk groups in accordance with some embodiments;

[0009] FIG. 3 is a flowchart depicting a method of forming talk groups in accordance with the message sequence diagram of FIG. 2;

[0010] FIG. 4 is a message sequence diagram for forming talk groups in accordance with some embodiments; and

[0011] FIG. 5 is a flowchart depicting a method of forming talk groups in accordance with the event sequence of FIG. 4. Docket No. CE 19023

[0012] Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention.

[0013] The apparatus and method components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] Briefly, the present disclosure discloses a communication system and manner of forming communication groups within the system so that a console operator is able to make faster and better decisions relating to the formation of communication groups for responding to emerging incidents occurring in the field, such as the activities of Public Safety First Responders (e.g. high stress, life- threatening situations). The various embodiments provided herein provide for monitoring the current status of a mobile radio unit and user and comparing the current status to a previous status to facilitate the formation of communication groups. The current status is based on current action, currently assigned task(s) and other current context attributes associated with the mobile radio unit and user. The previous status is based on previous actions, previously assigned tasks and previous context attributes associated with the mobile radio unit and user. A recommendation is made for the creation, combination, and/or subdivision of talk groups, based on the degree of similarity between a mobile user's current status and assigned tasks. Mobile unit users are thus provided with a greater level of Docket No. CE 19023 confidence that the communication session in which they participate specifically pertains to their assignments, duties and responsibilities. By utilizing information pertaining to mobile unit users of a communication system (e.g. location, job title, assignment), a subsequent communication group is formed from existing groups. The flexible formation of communication groups allows, for example, for information pertaining to actions taking place in a particular location to be communicated to mobile unit users currently located at that location and not to others.

[0015] It will be appreciated that the method of forming communication groups may be performed in a processor within the various components of the communication system coupled to other processing circuitry, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a digital signal processor (DSP), or the like, or various combinations thereof, as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill. Memory devices may further be provisioned with routines and algorithms for forming the talk groups.

[0016] It will further be appreciated that mobile radio units may refer to subscriber devices, such as portable two-way radios and/or vehicular adapted two- way radios, messaging devices, cellular or mobile phones, personal digital assistants, personal assignments pads, personal computers equipped for wireless operation or equivalents thereof, provided such units are arranged and constructed for operation in accordance with the various inventive concepts and principles embodied in exemplary communication systems and methods for forming talk groups as provided by the various embodiments to be described herein.

[0017] The principles and concepts discussed and described herein may be particularly applicable to communication units, devices, and systems providing or facilitating voice communications services or data or messaging services over wide area networks (WANs), such as two-way systems and devices, various cellular phone systems including analog and digital cellular, CDMA (code Docket No. CE 19023 division multiple access) and variants thereof, TETRA (TErestrial Trunked Radio), APCO P25 (Association of Public Safety Communications Officials Project 25, GSM (Global System for Mobile communications), GPRS (General Packet Radio System), 2.5 G and 3G systems such as UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunication Service) systems, 4G systems such as LTE (Long Term Evolution), integrated digital enhanced networks and variants or evolutions thereof.

[0018] FIG. 1 is a block diagram a communication system 100 operating in accordance with various embodiments of the invention. Communication system 100 is preferably a public safety communications system, such as a two-way system operating under protocols governed by the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials (APCO) P25 system, Terrestrial Trunk Radio (TETRA) system, or a smaller more localized communication system, such as an iDEN system manufactured by Motorola, Inc. Communication system 100 provides connectivity between mobile radio users 102 who communicate via mobile radio units 104. The mobile radio users 102 may also be referred to as field operatives, and may be for example police personnel, fire rescue personnel or other individuals communicating using mobile two-way radio devices. In accordance with an embodiment, the mobile radio users 102 form communication groups, for example talk groups, and the formation of these communication groups is controlled via a console operator 106 managing a console 108, such as a dispatch console, in conjunction with data acquired via a task database 110.

Communication system 100 provides the ability to analyze and dynamically adapt communication groups based the current status associated with the mobile radio units 104 and users 102 and the previous status associated with the mobile radio units and users. The current status is based on current action, currently assigned task(s) and other current context attributes associated with the mobile radio unit 104 and user 102. The previous status is based on previous actions, previously assigned tasks and previous context attributes associated with the mobile radio Docket No. CEl 9023 unit 104 and user 102. Each user 102 has at least one task. Task database 1 10 stores the previous status information and receives and stores updates to the current status information. The manner in which the groups are managed is based on a comparison of the current status to the previous status. The communication system 100 is not required to produce a perfect match between the current status and previous status. A given difference threshold is permitted so as to allow less important parameters to have less impact. For example, the action and assigned task parameters may carry more importance than the other context attributes. The threshold(s) are set based on simple rule-based operations which can be maintained within console 108 or within database 110 using a comparison engine or the like. The threshold used in the comparison of current status to previous status may be also set based on the type of call coming in to the console. Thus, various combinations of actions/tasks and context attributes can be predetermined and stored as thresholds for different types of incoming calls. For example, console 108 receives a call (i.e. telephone out of the network) and based on number called, for example a 911 call, the console determines thresholds for actions, tasks and context attributes (or combinations thereof), then initiates the announcement to the initial communication group.

[0019] Additionally, communication groups are monitored and can be modified as the current status associated with a mobile radio user 102 changes over time.

[0020] Based on the result of the comparison of current status to previous status, a recommendation is generated for the creation, combination or subdivision of communication groups, into subsequent communication group 114. Membership within a communication group is based on one or more of: inputs from the console operator 106, inputs from the console operator in conjunction with inputs from the task database 1 10; and inputs from the task database and the comparison engine located within the task database 1 10. Docket No. CE 19023

[0021] As mentioned previously, the current status includes the current action, currently assigned task(s), and other current context attributes, and the previous status includes previous actions, previously assigned tasks, and other previous context attributes. Non-limiting examples of actions, assigned tasks, and other context attributes follow.

[0022] The term action refers to deeds or functions performed by a public safety entity (e.g., police) or a business (e.g., airport) within which the communication system 100 is implemented. Actions may include, but are not limited to, responding to a high speed chase, responding to a car accident, responding to a call for medical intervention or hazardous contamination spill.

[0023] An example of an assigned task within communication system 100 can be the role assignment of users 102. Role assignments are preferably a direct translation of a job title in a workplace environment, such as: a patroller, a detective, a chief, etc.

[0024] Examples of context attributes include but are not limited to: task- related context attributes such as task owner, assigned resources, planned/actual schedule, task precedence, task history, etc. Examples of user-related context attributes include, but are not limited to, geographic location, active communication groups, proximate users, available communication resources, other available resources, etc. Other examples of context attributes also include, but are not limited to, detailed information pertaining to one or more of: location of the mobile user, confirmation sent in by the mobile user to the console, mobile unit type, and time of day the action or confirmation is being analyzed. The location may refer to proximity of the mobile radio user 102 to a point (latitude and longitude); an area identified by coordinates or estimated time of arrival of the mobile radio user 102 to a point. Confirmation refers to all mobile radio units 104 that declare availability. For example, confirmation may be achieved via a button press on the mobile radio unit 104, voice confirmation from the field Docket No. CE 19023 operative, etc. Context attributes can also include the user's means of transportation: none, horse, mounted, bike, car, truck, fire truck, etc.

[0025] Examples of action/task/context combinations might include: a police force (task) in a car (context attribute/ unit type) responding to a hot pursuit (action) on highway A (context attribute/location) presses Push-to-talk (PTT) button (context attribute /confirmation) at noon (context attribute/time); a fire rescue force (task) responding to a car accident (action); or an emergency rescue force (task) responding to a call for medical intervention or hazardous contamination spill (action) at location Y at 12pm (context attributes).

[0026] Looking at an example of a facility operation, for example an airport facility, the task assignment may be broken down into police, fire, electrical, human resources, construction, parking, and ground transportation to name a few. A console operator may send a command to the electrical department indicating a power outage on the third floor of the airport. The subsequent communication group may be based on two or more electricians (task) using portable radios (context/unit type) responding to a power outage (context/action) on the third floor (context/location) pressing PTT (context/confirmation) at 8 p.m. (context/time). The STG would continue until communication ends and reverts back to the ITG.

[0027] The threshold(s) used in the comparison of current status information to previous status information may be implemented based on quantitative context attributes and/or qualitative context attributes. Examples of quantitative context attributes may include, but are not limited to, location and distance from a reference location. The latter may be calculated as a shortest-path (meters), Manhattan distance (meters, traversing only on streets arranged in a grid pattern), travel time (minutes) using the fastest available means, etc. For qualitative context attributes, one may calculate distance in terms of the semantic distance in WordNet (http://wordnet.princeton.edu/), i.e., the number of nodes between two Docket No. CE 19023 words, or through the use of other types of computational linguistics. For example, the word "burglary" is directly linked to "felony" and "housebreaking" in WordNet; therefore, its semantic distance is one. Considering terms with a semantic distance of two from "burglary" would also include: "crime", "capture", "racketeering", "bribery", "larceny", "extortion", and "home invasion".

[0028] Formation of, or changes to, talk groups based on the comparison of current status to previous status can be made using a variety of separation techniques or combinations thereof including, but not limited to, those listed in the following Table:

[0029] The methods by which the group members are separated and changed may be based on an input from the console operator 106 or cue from the task database 110 to the console operator. In the preferred embodiment of supplying console operator inputs, the console operator 106 has a geographical representation of MU placement on a display of the console 108, and using Docket No. CE 19023 pointing devices, such as a mouse keyboard, and the like, selects units. The task database approach alters group membership based on comparing current status information and previous status information. Depending on how close the match is, based on a predetermined threshold, the database 1 10 proposes potential communication group changes to the console operator.

[0030] The separation method creates multiple groups from a set of mobile units (MUs). In one embodiment, a group administrator or other authorized person can change the set of available separation methods during operation of the systems. In another embodiment, the communication system 100 uses predefined rules to change the active separation methods, based on the system state (critical, emergency, normal operation etc.). As an example, an artificial intelligence (AI) system or other expert system with a knowledge database can select the best MUs for a given context. As another example, task database 1 10 utilizes a simple rule- based operation (if context = burglary AND context = location Y) then provide console operator with a map of the closest MUs to select.

[0031] Referring back to FIG. 1, an example of forming talk groups within the communication system 100 is provided. An initial talk group (ITG) 1 12 comprising two or more mobile radio units 104 and users 102 is specified at the time when the system is deployed. Console operator 106 sends out an announcement indicating an event occurring in the field and requesting that the MUsI 04 within ITG 1 12 respond as to availability. As MU users 102 respond to the announcement, the task database 110 is updated with the current status of each MU 104 within ITG 112. The task database 110 not only receives information pertaining to the current status of the MUs 104 and the users 102 but also contains information pertaining to previous status associated with the MUs as well as the MU users. A comparison between the current status information and the previous status information is made and compared to a given threshold to determine group membership of the MUs. A subsequent talk group (STG) is achieved via a Docket No. CE 19023 separation method, e.g., one of the techniques previous table, programmed into the system during the provisioning stage.

[0032] Overall, the method of forming STGs from an ITG can be summarized as: (1) compare current status of the MUs assigned to an ITG to a previous status; (2) if a given threshold for the difference between the current status and the previous status is exceeded, then select a STG separation method; and (3) apply the selected STG method.

[0033] Communication system 100 can further provide a manual override by the field operative 102 to override group changes. Additionally, the group membership automatically reverts back to the ITG when: context for the current action expires, console operator preempts, communication ends or other overriding means. Expiration of the context occurs when a set of logic rules defining a given task assignment no longer apply, i.e., yield a "True" answer.

[0034] FIG. 2 depicts a message sequence diagram for forming subsequent talk groups from an initial talk group in accordance with some embodiments. The sequence 200 begins with console operator 106 sending a voice or data command 202 to foπn an initial talk group 112. Mobile units receive the command 204. The mobile radio units 104 communicate with the task database 110, confirming that each has joined the ITG and providing their current status information to the task database 110. The task database 110 forwards 208 the current status information to the console, and the console creates a map 210 of the mobile users based on the current status information. The console operator 106 then selects users for the subsequent talk group (STG) that is suited to the current existing or emerging incident. The console notifies 212 the database 1 10 of the selected MUs. The dispatch console 108 also sends a command 214 to the selected MUs to move to the STG. The selected MUs move to the STG 216. The selected MUs begin to roam 218 within the STG and send a confirmation 220 to the task database 110 Docket No. CEl 9023 that the STG has been formed. The task database 110 then sends an update 222 to the dispatch console 108 that the STG is formed and communicating.

[0035] In an alternative embodiment, which will be described by another message sequence diagram of FIG. 4, an STG separation technique running on the console 108 automatically identifies the set of MUs from which to form one or more STGs. Comparing FIG. 4 with FIG. 2, one will note that the separation is performed automatically, as opposed to a manual selection made by the console operator 106. Whether manual selection by an operator or automatic selection or a combination of both manual and automatic, a comparison is made of current status and previous status to determine group membership for the incident needing attention.

[0036] Method 300 of FIG. 3 summarizes a sequence of steps for forming talk groups in a communication system as seen in FIG. 2. Beginning at step 302 an initial talk group (ITG) is formed (see 202 to 206 of FIG. 2). Moving to step 304 a map of MUs within the ITG is created and displayed on the console 108, based on current status information from mobile radio units and users. Previously stored status information associated with the mobile radio units and users is available for comparison. The comparison and decision as to which MUs to select is made by the console operator. At 306, MUs are selected from the map, based on the comparison. The task database is informed of the selection of MUs at 308. A command is sent from the console to the selected MUs to form new talk groups at 310. The MUs move into subsequent talk group(s) at 312 and confirm the formation of STGs at 314.

[0037] FIG. 4 depicts another message sequence diagram for forming subsequent talk groups in accordance with some embodiments. Sequence 400 begins with console operator 106 transmitting a voice or data command 402 to form an initial talk group 112. The command includes an action indication which is a pre-stored (previously defined) action that indicates to subscribers that Docket No. CE 19023 something "special" happens - not a typical call. In some embodiments, the console operator 106 would verbally indicate the action during the announcement For other embodiments where an operator is not actually speaking, the mobile radio units 104 would provide a non-verbal cue to the user (field operative) 102. Mobile radio units 104 receive the command and form the ITG 404. The mobile radio units 104 confirm 406 to the task database 1 10 that each has joined the ITG and provide their current status information to the database. The task database 1 10 notifies the console of the formation of the ITG 408. The console operator sends a voice or data announcements to the ITG inquiring as to who is available to join in the action (X) at a particular location (Y) 410. The announcement is propagated to all MUs within the ITG 412 and is received as an announcement at each MU 414. One or more MUs may respond to indicate their availability, for example by pressing a push-to-talk button, or other indicator, and the indication is sent from the MUs to the database 416. The database then updates the console with the information pertaining to which MUs within the ITG are available 418. The console makes a selection of MUs from the available MUs by the comparing the current status to a previously stored status and comparing any differences to a threshold associated with the current action. The console then sends command to the selected MUs that they are to roam to a subsequent talk group (STG) 420. The available MUs roam 422 until the STG if formed 424. A confirmation indicating that the available MUs have moved to the STG is sent at 426.

[0038] FIG. 5 is a method of forming subsequent talk groups in accordance with the event sequence diagram of FIG. 4. Initial talk group(s) are formed at 502 (such as shown by 402-406 of FlG. 4). An area of interest is provided from the console to the database at 504. The database provides a list of MUs within the area of interest to the console at 506. A command is sent to the ITG inquiring as to availability of MUs. The MUs indicate their availability to the database at 510, such as by pressing a PTT button or other indicator. The database notifies the console as to MU availability 512. The MU responses are consolidated at the Docket No. CE 19023 console at 514 and MUs are selected based on a comparison of context and task to a threshold associated with the current action. The console establishes STG membership at 516, and a command is sent form the console to the selected MUs at 518 to move to the STG. Selected MUs are moved from the ITG to the STG at 520 and a confirmation is sent at 522 confirmations the establishment of the STG.

[0039] In an example of the method of FIG. 5 in conjunction with the system of FIG. 1, consider a console operator 106 specifying an area of "hot pursuit." The task database 110 subsequently responds with a list of MUs in the "hot pursuit" area. The console operator sends a command (either voice or data), to the MUs 104 within the ITG 1 12, inquiring as to who is available for "hot pursuit". The command is transmitted to all users of the ITG 1 12. The users, then indicate their availability for "hot pursuit," for example by pressing a PTT button other other indicator. This availability information is communicated to the database, along with other current status information, such as time when the user accepted the invitation to join the "hot pursuit." The dispatch console 108 consolidates the MU responses and establishes the membership of the STG.

[0040] The above embodiments can be applied to trunked and conventional systems. The only additional step required in a conventional system, is that the console 108 send a request to MUs that are not selected for group membership to mute while the MUs selected to respond to an incident communicate. The channel upon which the MUs communicate in the conventional system provides the equivalent of the initial talk group of FIG. 1. In a conventional system, since the selected MUs are already on-channel there is no need to roam to a subsequent talk group, as is the case with the trunking system. Like the trunking system, subsequent changes to the communication group occur only when a given threshold for the difference between previous status information and the current status information is exceeded. For a conventional system, the number of simultaneous actions is limited to one action, as opposed to the trunking system where the number of actions that can be handled is limited only to total number of Docket No. CE 19023 channels. Thus, the dynamic formation of communication groups in either conventional systems or trunked systems has been achieved.

[0041] In accordance with the various embodiments, the technique of forming communication groups dynamically updates group membership on an on-going basis. On an ongoing basis, the data relating to a mobile radio user's current status (e.g., location, recent data sent, call content, buddies contacted, etc.) are compared to characteristics of the previous status. For example assigned task(s) for the user (e.g., an assignment to "patrol car chase 12567" may be described in terms of speed, locations on the route, incident location, IDs of other operative assigned to this incident). On an ongoing basis, when the communication system identifies that there is a sufficient difference between the user's current status and the user's previous status, the technique triggers revision of his/her communication group(s), for example, as follows: a) If the current status matches another previously stored status (i.e., a different currently existing communication group), the user is automatically (or with a simple confirmation prompt) added to that group; b) If the current status has a task that matches none of the tasks previously assigned under a previous status, the user is removed from the group and identified as "reserve" for the console; c) If within a given communication group, statistically different sub-groups are identified (i.e., with existing Cluster Analysis techniques from Data Mining), multiple communication groups may be formed based on similarity of current status; d) If the current status of a sufficiently large number of members of a communication group does not match their previously assigned tasks, then the communication group is cancelled (or given the relative lowest resource priority).

Examples of a communication system implementing the communication group method of forming communication groups follow: Docket No. CE 19023 a) Officer A is assigned to patrol Millennium Park in Chicago; current status indicates that she is near Buckingham Fountain; she is automatically moved from talk group "MP" to "BF". b) Officer B is assigned to provide surveillance for a Rally in Daley Plaza in Chicago; current status indicates that he is in a fast-food restaurant on Lake Street; his status is set to "reserve", and he is removed from group "RDP". c) Officers C, D, E, and F, are assigned to investigate a Crime Scene in Neighborhood 789; Officers C and D are traveling together in a patrol car at 1000 W. Randolph; Officer E is on horse-back at 1000 W. Taylor; and Officer F is in a patrol car at 1000 S. Halsted. Officers C and D remain in talk group "CSN"; Officers E and F are put in talk group "CSN-2", which subsequently is joined to talk group "UIC-SAFETY", which is shared by UIC Campus Security. d) Officers G, H, and J are assigned to talk group 1-90 Cook County; for a period of 30 minutes, only one of them is within 0.5 miles of 1-90, and nobody is moving; the talk group is cancelled.

These examples are but a few provided to illustrate the implementation of the system and method of forming communication groups.

[0042] Accordingly, there has been provided a communication system and method of forming communication groups that allows for dynamic changes of group membership subsequent to the deployment of the system and formation of initial talk groups to respond quickly an efficiently to incidents arising in the field. Various embodiments have been provided including one in which a human operator designates who will join the subsequent talk group. In another embodiment, a communication group separation method is used to automatically recommend the MUs that can be moved to the subsequent groups. Various separation methods have been provided that consider a variety of status parameters both current and previously stored. Hence, manual, automated or Docket No. CE 19023 semi-automated selection of MUs for the formation of communication groups from initial communication groups has been provided.

[0043] The communication system operating in accordance with the method of forming communication groups as described previously provides the ability to address which user(s) should be added to a talk group and when they should be added. By monitoring current status information and tracking previous status information a comparison of actions, assignments and context attributes can be made to determine group membership. Based on the comparison, a console operator may select units for a subsequent communication group or take a recommendation from the database as to the creation, combination, or subdivision of communcaiton groups, based on the degree of similarity between a user's assigned tasks and task-related attributes both previous assigned and current. [0044] The method of forming communication groups operating in accordance with the embodiment provides an end user, such as a console operator, with a tool to facilitate and accelerate decision making under adverse situations (e.g. high stress, life-threatening situations) occurring in the field. Mobile radio users are given a higher level of confidence that the communication in which they participate is specifically within their assignments and duties. Any two-way communication system that utilizes talk groups or channel based groupings can benefit from the context based formation of talk groups. The manner in which the groups are managed- based on a comparison of the anticipated (assigned) and observed task context of a user - provides significant advantages to the users and operators within the system. Prior systems to not monitor changes in task context attributes, with respect to assigned tasks. The method of forming communication groups also provides the advantage of determining exactly which users should be added to a talk group and when they should be added. Docket No. CE 19023

[0045] In the foregoing specification, specific embodiments have been described. However, one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present teachings. The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all the claims. The invention is defined solely by the appended claims including any amendments made during the pendency of this application and all equivalents of those claims as issued.

[0046] Moreover in this document, relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms "comprises," "comprising," "has", "having," "includes", "including," "contains", "containing" or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises, has, includes, or contains a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element preceded by "comprises a ...", "has a ...", "includes a ...", or "contains a ..." does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises, has, includes, or contains the element. The terms "a" and "an" are defined as one or more unless explicitly stated otherwise herein. The terms "substantially", "essentially", "approximately", "about" or any other version thereof, are defined as being close to as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, and in one non-limiting embodiment the term is defined Docket No. CE 19023 to be within 10%, in another embodiment within 5%, in another embodiment within 1% and in another embodiment within 0.5%. The terms "coupled" or "connected" as used herein define a connection that is not necessarily direct but may be indirect. A device or structure that is "configured" in a certain way is configured in at least that way, but may also be configured in ways that are not listed.

[0047] It will be appreciated that some embodiments may be comprised of one or more generic or specialized processors (or "processing devices") such as microprocessors, digital signal processors, customized processors and field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) and unique stored program instructions (including both software and firmware) that control the one or more processors to implement, in conjunction with certain non-processor circuits, some, most, or all of the functions of the method and system described herein. Alternatively, some or all functions could be implemented by a state machine that has no stored program instructions, or in one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), in which each function or some combinations of certain of the functions are implemented as custom logic. Of course, a combination of the two approaches could be used.

[0048] Moreover, an embodiment can be implemented as a computer- readable storage medium having computer readable code stored thereon for programming a computer (e.g., comprising a processor) to perform a method as described and claimed herein. Examples of such computer-readable storage mediums include, but are not limited to, a hard disk, a CD-ROM, an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, a ROM (Read Only Memory), a PROM (Programmable Read Only Memory), an EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) and a Flash memory. Further, it is expected that one of ordinary skill, notwithstanding possibly significant effort and many design choices motivated by, for example, available time, current technology, and economic considerations, Docket No. CE 19023 when guided by the concepts and principles disclosed herein will be readily capable of generating such software instructions and programs and ICs with minimal experimentation.

[0049] The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features are grouped together in various embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.

Claims

Docket No. CE 19023 We claim:

1. A method for forming communication groups in a communication system, comprising: comparing current status of a plurality of mobile radio units assigned to an initial communication group to previous status of the mobile radio units; if a given threshold for the difference between the current status and the previous status is exceeded, then selecting a subsequent communication group separation method; and applying a selected separation method to the initial communication group to form a subsequent communication group.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the current status comprises current action, currently assigned tasks, and current context attributes associated with the mobile radio units, and wherein the previous status comprises previous actions, previously assigned tasks, and previous context attributes associated with the mobile radio units.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the given threshold is based on at least one of: quantitative context attributes and qualitative context attributes associated with the MUs.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the communication system is a trunked two- way communication system. Docket No. CEl 9023

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the communication system is a conventional two-way communication system.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein comparing current status and previous status occurs in response to an incoming call, and the subsequent communication group is formed to respond to the incoming call.

Docket No. CE 19023

7. A method for forming talk groups in a communication system, comprising: forming an initial talk group (ITG) of mobile radio units (MUs) upon deployment of the communication system; saving the MUs current status to a database; displaying a map of the ITG MUs with the current status on a dispatch console; receiving an incoming call associated with an action at the dispatch console; sending a communication to the ITG from the dispatch console inquiring as to which mobile radio units are available to respond to the action associated with the incoming call; notifying the dispatch console as to which mobile radio units of the ITG can respond to the call; selecting mobile radio units from the ITG to respond to the incoming call based on the current status of the mobile radio units in the ITG aligning with stored previous status information associated with the mobile radio units; and forming a subsequent talk group (STG) based on the selected mobile radio units to communicate during the action.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the current status is based on current action current task and current context attributes, and the previous status is based on previous actions, previous assigned tasks and previous context attributes.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the selection of mobile radio units for the STG is made by means of the map displayed to a console operator. Docket No. CE 19023

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the selection of mobile radio units for the STG is based on a recommendation by the task database to the dispatch console.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the recommendation is based on the task database performing a comparison of the current status and previous status and determined if the comparison exceeds a predetermined threshold.

12. The method of claim 7, further comprising: automatically reverting back to the ITG in response to one or more of the following occuring: current status change; console operator preemption, communication of the STG ending.

13. The method of claim 7, wherein selecting mobile radio units further comprises selecting a separation method comprising at least one of: dividing a current group and selecting users to form a new, temporary group within which the mobile radio units roam; combining two or more groups together to form a new temporary group; muting non-seiected mobile radio units such that users of muted mobile radio units can only listen to traffic on the group; and removing non-selected members temporarily from the group.

Docket No. CE 19023

14. A communication system, comprising: a plurality of mobile radio units; a console monitoring mobile radio units (MUs) and mobile radio users; a task database containing information regarding current status and previous status associated with the MUs and the MU users; and the console, in response to an incoming call, forming at least one communication group based on the current status aligning with the previous status.

15. The communication system of claim 14, wherein the current status is based on current action, currently assigned tasks and context attributes associated with the MUs and the MU users, and the previous status is based on previous actions, previously assigned tasks and previous context attributes associated with the MUs and MU users.

16. The communication system of claim 15, wherein membership within the at least one communication group is based on: inputs from a console operator, inputs from the console operator in conjunction with inputs from the task database; and inputs from the task database and context comparison engine within the task database.

17. The communication system of claim 15, wherein the task database compares the difference between the current status and the previous status to a given threshold to determine membership within the at least one group. Docket No. CE 19023

18. The communication system of claim 17, wherein the given threshold is based on the type of incoming call received by the console.

19. The communication system of claim 14, wherein the communication system comprises a trunked two-way radio system.

20. The communication system of claim 14, wherein the communication system comprises a conventional two-way radio system.