I 1111111111111111 11111 1111111111 lllll 111111111111111 111111111111111 IIII IIII
`US007324802B2
`
`c12) United States Patent
`Jennings
`
`(IO) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 7,324,802 B2
`Jan.29,2008
`
`(54) METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MANAGING
`COMMUNICATION IN EMERGENCY
`COMMUNICATION SYSTEM
`
`.............. 455/404.1
`9/2005 Yang et al.
`2005/0197096 Al*
`2005/0215229 Al*
`9/2005 Cheng ..................... 455/404.1
`2005/0233726 Al* 10/2005 Katsube et al. .......... 455/404.1
`
`(75)
`
`Inventor: Cullen Jennings, San Jose, CA (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc., San Jose, CA
`(US)
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 113 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 11/039,569
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Jan. 20, 2005
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Arinc, "ARINC Demo Shows How Police, Fire, EMS, and Authori(cid:173)
`ties Can All Communicate" (from ARINC News), Mar. 23, 2004
`(Release: Apr. 1966), 2 pages.
`(www.9lldispatch.com), "Typical Public Safety Comm Centers",
`updated Sep. 3, 2003, 5 pages.
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Primary Examiner-Lester G. Kincaid
`Assistant Examiner-Diego Herrera
`(7 4) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Trellis Intellectual Property
`Law Group, PC
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`US 2006/0160522 Al
`
`Jul. 20, 2006
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`(2006.01)
`H04M 11104
`(52) U.S. Cl. ................................................... 455/404.1
`(58) Field of Classification Search .............. 455/404.1
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5,245,332 A *
`5,740,533 A *
`5,864,762 A *
`6,249,231 Bl*
`2005/0170808 Al*
`
`9/1993 Katzenstein ............. 340/10.52
`4/ 1998 Lin ........................... 340/7.42
`1/1999 Childress et al. ........... 455/509
`6/2001 Uchida ...................... 340/7.52
`8/2005 Hamilton ................. 455/404.1
`
`A method and system for managing communication in an
`emergency communication network is described. The emer(cid:173)
`gency communication network receives a plurality of radio
`messages from a plurality of channels. The incoming radio
`messages sometimes overlap in time. Incoming radio mes(cid:173)
`sages can be prioritized and played back on the basis of the
`priority and the time of receipt. In case of overlap of the
`incoming radio messages in time, the radio message with the
`highest priority is played first, while the remaining radio
`messages are stored in a queue. The queue is formed again
`on the basis of priority. The stored radio messages are played
`subsequent to the completion of the radio message with the
`higher priority.
`
`21 Claims, 5 Drawing Sheets
`
`Start
`
`Receive the first radio message on the
`first channel
`
`302
`
`Store the radio
`messages that is not
`being played in the
`queue according to the
`priority
`
`Play the radio
`message with
`highest priority
`
`314
`
`Keep playing the
`radio message being
`played
`
`Stop
`
`Motorola Solutions, Inc., Ex1001, p. 1
`
`

`

`User
`
`106
`
`106
`
`User
`
`106
`
`User
`
`106
`
`User
`
`106
`
`User
`
`Emergen
`mmunic
`syste
`
`104
`
`[:]
`
`User
`
`/
`
`100
`
`User
`
`IP Phone
`
`106
`
`106
`
`FIG. 1
`
`e .
`00 .
`
`~
`~
`~
`
`~ = ~
`
`~
`~
`?
`N
`~\,Ci
`N
`0
`0
`QO
`
`106
`
`User
`
`[:]
`
`('D
`('D
`
`rJJ =(cid:173)
`.....
`....
`0 ....
`
`Ul
`
`d r.,;_
`-....l w
`
`N
`~
`
`00 = N = N
`
`Motorola Solutions, Inc., Ex1001, p. 2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan.29,2008
`
`Sheet 2 of 5
`
`US 7,324,802 B2
`
`Start
`
`Receiving the first radio message on
`the first channel
`
`Receiving the overlapping second
`radio message on the second channel
`
`Playing the radio message having
`higher priority between the first and
`second radio message
`
`Storing the radio message having the
`lower priority between the first and the
`second radio message
`
`Playing the stored radio message
`subsequent to playing of the radio
`message
`
`202
`
`204
`
`206
`
`208
`
`210
`
`Stop
`
`FIG. 2
`
`Motorola Solutions, Inc., Ex1001, p. 3
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan.29,2008
`
`Sheet 3 of 5
`
`US 7,324,802 B2
`
`Start
`
`Receive the first radio message on the
`first channel
`
`302
`
`Receive the second radio message on
`the second channel
`
`Yes
`
`Calculate the priorities
`
`~
`304
`
`No
`
`306
`
`308
`
`Play the incoming
`radio messages on
`the basis of time of
`receipt
`
`Identify the radio message
`with the, highest priority
`
`312
`
`Play the radio
`message with
`highest priority
`
`314
`
`Keep playing the
`radio message being
`played
`
`No
`
`322
`
`320
`
`Store the radio
`messages that is not
`being played in the
`queue according to the
`priority
`
`316
`
`playtim
`ssage b
`is over?
`
`Play the stored radio
`message with the highest
`priority
`
`Stop
`
`FIG. 3
`
`Motorola Solutions, Inc., Ex1001, p. 4
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan.29,2008
`
`Sheet 4 of 5
`
`US 7,324,802 B2
`
`N
`0
`~ CD
`E
`I-
`
`~
`
`■
`
`(9 -LL
`
`Q)
`(.)
`C:
`Q)
`:J
`C"'
`Q)
`en
`0)
`C:
`'>i
`co
`a..
`
`Cf)
`
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`co
`..c
`(.)
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`\ I
`
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`ro
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`(.)
`
`N
`Q)
`C:
`C
`co
`..c
`(.)
`
`V
`0
`V
`
`Motorola Solutions, Inc., Ex1001, p. 5
`
`

`

`Receiver module
`
`~
`p
`
`Emergency communication system
`
`508
`,-J Central conferencing system
`Prioritizing module
`
`Alert module
`
`I
`
`~ 512
`
`Storage module
`
`~ 510
`
`Sender module
`
`t"'\- 514
`
`e .
`00 .
`
`~
`~
`~
`
`~ = ~
`
`~
`~
`?
`N
`~\,Ci
`N
`0
`0
`QO
`
`('D
`('D
`
`rJJ =(cid:173)
`.....
`Ul
`0 ....
`
`Ul
`
`d r.,;_
`-....l w
`
`N
`~
`
`00 = N = N
`
`~
`502
`
`504
`~
`
`102
`
`Player module
`
`-
`, ....
`
`..
`-
`
`_, L,., Priority calculator
`
`516
`506 j
`
`Comparison
`module
`\._
`
`' 518
`
`FIG. 5
`
`Motorola Solutions, Inc., Ex1001, p. 6
`
`

`

`US 7,324,802 B2
`
`1
`METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MANAGING
`COMMUNICATION IN EMERGENCY
`COMMUNICATION SYSTEM
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`15
`
`1. Field of Invention
`This invention relates in general to wireless connnunica(cid:173)
`tion systems. More specifically, the invention relates to
`methods and systems for managing connnunication in an 10
`emergency connnunication system.
`2. Description of the Background Art
`Emergency communication systems are used by emer(cid:173)
`gency service providers such as the fire department, the
`police force, and hospitals. Each emergency connnunication
`system supports a plurality of connnunication channels,
`wherein each channel may be dedicated to a group/locality/
`unit. For example, the fire department can allocate one
`channel to every school, or other public places such as
`shopping malls, so as to enable effective connnunication
`during an emergency.
`This allocation of dedicated channels to different entities
`results in the possibility of multiple messages being received
`in the form of radio messages on different channels at one
`time. The receipt of multiple radio messages at one time
`creates confusion for an operator who needs to reply/act on
`each incoming radio message. To avoid this confusion, the
`operator mutes all the channels except one, so as to clearly
`follow one channel. This results in the operator being able to
`follow the channel that is not a muted channel, while the
`message on the muted channels is lost.
`Alternatively, the operator hears overlapping messages.
`However, in this case, there is a possibility of interference in
`the overlapping messages, resulting in garbled connnunica(cid:173)
`tion, which may not be of any use. In such a situation, no
`message being connnunicated can be used or retrieved.
`Hence, conventional techniques are unable to effectively
`manage the messages being received in all the situations in
`an emergency connnunication system. Additionally, the
`absence of prioritization of incoming data results in the loss
`of messages.
`
`2
`ing at least one second radio message on channels other than
`the first channel from amongst the plurality of channels,
`wherein the second radio message overlaps with the first
`radio message in time; (iii) playing the radio message with
`a higher priority between the first and second radio message;
`(iv) storing at least one radio message with a lower priority
`between the first and second radio message; and (v) playing
`the stored radio message subsequent to the completion of the
`playing of the radio message with the higher priority.
`In another embodiment, the invention provides an emer-
`gency connnunication system for managing connnunication.
`The emergency communication system receives radio mes(cid:173)
`sages from a plurality of channels. The emergency connnu(cid:173)
`nication system comprises (i) a receiver module for receiv-
`ing a plurality of radio messages on the plurality of channels,
`(ii) a player module for playing a received radio message
`with the highest priority, (iii) a central conferencing system
`that comprises: (a) a prioritizing module for prioritizing the
`received plurality of radio messages based on a predefined
`20 parameter; (b) a sender module for sending a radio message
`for playing, based on the associated priority; and ( c) a
`storage medium for storing the radio messages in a queue,
`based on the associated priority.
`In yet another embodiment, the invention provides an
`25 apparatus for managing connnunication in an emergency
`connnunication system. The emergency connnunication sys(cid:173)
`tem receives radio messages on a plurality of channels. The
`apparatus comprises (i) a processing system including a
`processor coupled to a display and user input device; (ii) a
`30 machine-readable medium, including instructions execut(cid:173)
`able by the processor comprising (a) one or more instruc(cid:173)
`tions for receiving a first radio message on a first channel
`from amongst the plurality of channels; (b) one or more
`instructions for receiving at least one second radio message
`35 on a second channel from amongst the plurality of channels,
`the second radio message overlapping with the first radio
`message in time; ( c) one or more instructions for playing the
`radio message with the highest priority, the priority of the
`received radio messages being determined, based on at least
`40 one predefined parameter; ( d) one or more instructions for
`storing at least one radio message with a lower priority; and
`( e) one or more instructions for playing the stored radio
`message subsequent to the completion of the playing of the
`radio message with a higher priority.
`In further embodiments, the invention provides a central
`conferencing system for managing a plurality of radio
`messages received by an emergency communication system.
`The emergency communication system receives the radio
`messages on a plurality of channels and comprises a player
`50 for playing the radio messages. The central conferencing
`system comprises: (i) a prioritizing module for prioritizing
`the received radio messages, based on at least one predefined
`parameter; (ii) a sender module for sending the radio mes(cid:173)
`sage with the highest priority to the player for playing; (iii)
`55 a storage module for storing the radio messages from
`amongst the plurality of radio messages that are not being
`played; and (iv) an alert module to inform a user regarding
`the time of receipt of a radio message, while playing the
`radio message.
`invention provides a
`the
`In further embodiments,
`machine-readable medium, including instructions execut(cid:173)
`able by the processor comprising: (i) one or more instruc(cid:173)
`tions for receiving a first radio message on a first channel
`from amongst the plurality of channels; (ii) one or more
`instructions for receiving at least one second radio message
`on a second channel from amongst the plurality of channels,
`wherein the second radio message overlaps with the first
`
`SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE
`INVENTION
`
`45
`
`Various embodiments of the invention provide for storing
`and replaying audio or other emergency radio connnunica(cid:173)
`tion information so that information that would be obscured
`or otherwise unheard can be made intelligible to a listener.
`For example, if incoming radio messages overlap in time the
`message audio portions can be prioritized and played back
`on the basis of the priority and the time of receipt. In case
`of overlap of the incoming radio messages in time, the radio
`message with the highest priority is played first, while the
`remaining radio messages are stored in a queue. The queue
`is formed again on the basis of priority. The stored radio
`messages are played subsequent to the completion of the
`radio message with the higher priority. Selection, storing and
`playback of audio segments can be wholly automated or can
`be directed with attention to user settings and controls. Other 60
`features are provided.
`In one embodiment, the invention provides a method of
`managing communication in an emergency connnunication
`system. The emergency communication system receives
`radio messages from a plurality of channels. The method
`comprises (i) receiving a first radio message on a first
`channel from amongst the plurality of channels; (ii) receiv-
`
`65
`
`Motorola Solutions, Inc., Ex1001, p. 7
`
`

`

`US 7,324,802 B2
`
`3
`radio message in time; (iii) one or more instructions for
`playing the radio message with the highest priority, the
`priority of the received radio message being determined,
`based on at least one predefined parameter, (iv) one or more
`instructions for storing at least one radio message with a
`lower priority; and (v) one or more instructions for playing
`the stored radio messages subsequent to completing the
`playing of the radio message with the higher priority.
`These provisions, together with the various ancillary
`provisions and features that will become apparent to those 10
`skilled in the art, as the following description proceeds, are
`attained by devices, assemblies, systems, and methods of
`embodiments of the invention, the various embodiments
`thereof being shown with reference to the accompanying
`drawings, by way of example only, wherein:
`
`4
`suitable link or device, or in any suitable format such as via
`wireless devices, the Internet, Voice-over-IP (VoIP), tele(cid:173)
`phones, or any other communication device. The data type
`of the messages can be, for example, text, audio or video
`format.
`In various embodiments of the invention, a plurality of
`radio messages is simultaneously received by emergency
`communication system 102 from separate users 106. The
`simultaneous receipt of the plurality of radio messages
`results in the radio messages overlapping in time. The
`overlapping of radio messages in time results in loss of a part
`of the radio messages due to interference in incoming radio
`messages or the manual muting of the radio channels.
`In such cases, the invention avoids loss of the radio
`15 messages by enabling an appropriate coordination between
`the various channels communicating the radio messages. In
`particular, emergency communication system 102 plays a
`single radio message at one time and stores the remaining
`radio messages, thereby avoiding loss of the remaining radio
`20 messages. In various embodiments of the invention, emer(cid:173)
`gency communication system 102 resolves the overlap of
`radio messages, based upon a predefined priority. The radio
`message with the highest priority is played and the remain(cid:173)
`ing radio messages are stored in a queue, based on their
`25 priority. The stored radio messages are subsequently played.
`FIG. 2 illustrates a flowchart depicting an overview of a
`method for managing communication in an emergency
`communication system, in accordance with an embodiment
`30 of the invention. At step 202, first radio message is received
`on a first radio channel. At step 204, second radio message
`is received on a second radio channel. The second radio
`message overlaps with the first radio message in time. At
`step 206, the radio message with the higher priority between
`35 the first and second radio messages is played. At step 208,
`the radio message with the lower priority between the first
`and second radio messages is stored. At step 210, stored
`radio message is played when no is being played, or when
`the radio message being played is lower in priority than the
`40 stored radio message.
`FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart depicting a detailed method
`for managing communication in emergency communication
`system 102, in accordance with an embodiment of the
`invention. At step 302, emergency communication system
`45 102 receives a first radio message on a first channel. At step
`304, emergency communication system 102 receives at least
`one second radio message on channels other than the first
`channel. At step 306, a check is performed to verify if the
`second radio message overlaps with the first radio message
`50 in time. If no overlapping has been identified between the
`first and second radio messages, each of the received radio
`message is played, based on the time of receipt, as shown at
`step 308.
`However, in case overlapping is identified at step 306,
`55 step 310 is performed. At step 310, a priority is calculated
`for each of the incoming radio messages. In accordance with
`an embodiment of the invention, the priority can be calcu(cid:173)
`lated by using at least one pre-defined parameter. The
`pre-defined parameter can be, for example, the type of radio
`60 messages, the size of the radio messages, the bandwidth
`requirement, the channel from which radio messages are
`received, or any possible combination thereof. At step 312,
`a check is performed to identify the radio message with the
`highest priority. The radio message with the highest priority
`is played at step 314 while the remaining radio messages are
`stored in a queue at step 316. The storage is based on the
`priority calculated at step 310.
`
`65
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary environment in which the
`invention operates, in accordance with an embodiment of
`the invention.
`FIG. 2 illustrates a flowchart depicting an overview of a
`method for managing communication in an emergency
`communication system, in accordance with an embodiment
`of the invention.
`FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart depicting a detailed method
`for managing communication in an emergency communica(cid:173)
`tion system, in accordance with an embodiment of the
`invention.
`FIG. 4 illustrates a working example of the emergency
`communication system in case of the receipt of radio mes(cid:173)
`sages overlapping in time, in accordance with an embodi(cid:173)
`ment of the invention.
`FIG. 5 depicts an emergency communication system, in
`accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
`OF THE INVENTION
`
`The invention provides methods, systems and a computer
`program product for managing communication in an emer(cid:173)
`gency communication system. The emergency communica(cid:173)
`tion system is a dedicated system used by emergency service
`providers, handling emergency cases relating to fire, police
`and hospitals. The emergency communication system has to
`be reliable and should provide expeditious means for com(cid:173)
`munication during an emergency. The invention provides
`methods, systems and a computer program product to enable
`effective communication during an emergency so that each
`communication packet of radio message is delivered to its
`destination without any loss of information.
`FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary environment in which the
`in accordance with an exemplary
`invention operates,
`embodiment of the invention. In accordance with an
`embodiment of the invention, an emergency communication
`system 102 is connected to dispatchers 104 belonging to the
`emergency teams. Emergency communication system 102
`includes a communication sub-system for sending and
`receiving messages. Dispatchers 104 are the operators who
`handle the communication for the emergency teams and
`respond to emergency messages received from a plurality of
`users 106. Emergency communication system 102 receives
`messages on a plurality of communication channels. The
`connection of emergency communication system 102 with
`plurality of users 106 can be a wired or wireless connection
`and may not be bounded by any geographical constraints.
`The messages can be received from users 106 from any
`
`Motorola Solutions, Inc., Ex1001, p. 8
`
`

`

`US 7,324,802 B2
`
`5
`While the radio message with the highest priority is being
`played, a periodic check is performed at step 318 to verify
`if the playtime of the radio message with the higher priority
`is over. In case the playtime for the highest priority radio
`message is over, step 320 is performed. At step 320, the
`stored radio message with the highest priority is played. In
`case the play time for the radio message with the highest
`priority is not over, the playing of the radio message is
`continued, as shown at step 322.
`However, in case a new radio message is received on any 10
`of the plurality of chamiels, while the radio message with the
`highest priority is being played, steps 302 to 316 are
`performed. According to these steps, new radio message is
`played, in case the priority of the new received radio
`message is higher than the one being played. Otherwise, the 15
`new radio message is stored in the queue and played, based
`on the priority, once the playtime of the radio message being
`played is over.
`FIG. 4 illustrates a working example of communication
`by using emergency communication system 102, in accor- 20
`dance with an embodiment of the invention. In accordance
`with an embodiment of the invention, radio messages 402,
`in the form of data packets are routed to emergency com(cid:173)
`munication system 102 through a plurality of chamiels 404.
`As shown in FIG. 4, the x-axis corresponds to time. Hence, 25
`overlapping on the x-axis corresponds to an overlap in time.
`The first incoming radio message packet is A, followed by
`B, C, D, E and F. Each radio message packet has an
`associated priority assigned to it on the basis of at least one
`of the pre-defined parameters, as described earlier in con- 30
`junction with FIG. 3. Each radio message 402 is received on
`a particular chamiel, which is supported by emergency
`communication system 102.
`In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, radio
`message A is played as soon as it is received on chamiel 1. 35
`Thereafter, radio message B is played since it does not
`overlap in time with radio message A. While radio message
`B is being played, radio message C is received. After
`computation and comparison of the priorities of B and C, it
`is found that the priority of radio message B is higher. 40
`Hence, radio message C is stored in the queue. At this point
`of time, radio message C is the only radio message in the
`queue. As soon as radio message B is completed, radio
`message C is played. While radio message C is being played,
`radio messages D and E are received. Radio messages D and 45
`E are lower in priority than radio message C, so they are
`stored in the queue, based on the priority. In accordance with
`an embodiment of the invention, the priority of radio mes(cid:173)
`sage E is higher than that of radio message D, and hence, is
`stored accordingly in the queue. As soon as radio message 50
`C is completed, stored radio message E is played, since it is
`highest in priority among the stored radio messages. Radio
`message D is still in the queue. As soon as radio message E
`is completed, stored radio message D is played. However,
`while playing radio message D, radio message F is received. 55
`Radio message F is found to be higher in priority than radio
`message D, which is being played. Therefore, the playing of
`radio message D is terminated after a portion of D, i.e., Dl,
`has been played and radio message F is played. The part of
`the radio message D that could not be played, i.e., D2, is 60
`resumed after the completion of the playing of radio mes(cid:173)
`sage F. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention,
`a user is informed about the time of receipt of a radio
`message, while playing the radio message.
`FIG. 5 depicts an emergency communication system, in 65
`accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
`In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, an
`
`6
`emergency communication system comprises a receiver
`module 502, a player module 504, and a central conferenc(cid:173)
`ing system 506. Receiver module 502 receives the radio
`messages from plurality of channels 404. In various embodi(cid:173)
`ments of the invention, receiver module 502 is a radio
`receiver.
`Central conferencing system 506 manages the incoming
`messages and avoids any losses in the messages due to
`overlap in time. Central conferencing system 506 further
`includes a prioritizing module 508, a storage module 510, an
`alert module 512, and a sender module 514. Prioritizing
`module 508 prioritizes the incoming messages, based on at
`least one of the pre-defined parameters, as stated above.
`Prioritizing module 508 further includes a priority calculator
`516 and a comparison module 518. Priority calculator 516
`calculates the priority of each of the received radio mes(cid:173)
`sages. Comparison module 518 compares the priorities of
`the incoming radio messages, to identify the radio message
`with the highest priority. The identified radio message is
`played while the remaining received radio messages are
`stored in storage module 510 in a queue. The queue is also
`based on the priority of the radio messages being stored. In
`an embodiment of the invention, comparison module 518
`can be a software module. In another embodiment of the
`invention, comparison module 518 can be a hardware mod(cid:173)
`ule such as a comparator circuit.
`This storage prevents any losses in the radio messages due
`to overlapping of messages in time. In various embodiments,
`storage module 510 can be a memory device such as a
`random access memory, read only memory, hard disk, and
`optical storage device. Alert module 512 generates alerts to
`inform the operator about the time of receipt of a radio
`message while playing radio message. The alerts can be in
`the form of audio, video, or as text display. Sender module
`514 sends the radio messages for playing. The inputs to
`sender module 514 come from comparison module 518.
`In an embodiment of the invention, central conferencing
`system 506 includes a computer in which various modules
`reside. The computer includes a processor, a display unit and
`a memory. The various modules of central conferencing
`system 506 can be implemented as a software module,
`hardware modules, or the combination thereof. In an
`embodiment of the invention, alerts regarding the time
`receipts are displayed on the display unit of the computer.
`Player module 504 plays the radio message that is directly
`received on the plurality of channels, or is sent by sender
`module 514. In various embodiments of the invention,
`player module 504 is implemented as a hardware module. In
`an embodiment, player module 504 can be an audio player
`or an audio-video player.
`The embodiments of the invention have the advantage
`that the plurality of radio messages is effectively managed.
`The invention prevents the loss of radio messages that would
`otherwise be lost if the operator of a conventional emer(cid:173)
`gency communication system muted one of the channels in
`the case of overlap in the incoming radio messages. The
`invention provides a means for pausing and replaying the
`lower priority message in the case of a clash of incoming
`radio messages, thereby increasing the reliability of the
`emergency communication system.
`Another advantage of the invention is the prioritizing of
`the inflow of messages on the basis of pre-defined param(cid:173)
`eters. This helps in the cases where some chamiels, such as
`those related to schools or other public places, are given
`higher priority than others, such as in vacated places.
`Although the invention has been discussed with respect to
`its specific embodiments, these embodiments are merely
`
`Motorola Solutions, Inc., Ex1001, p. 9
`
`

`

`US 7,324,802 B2
`
`7
`illustrative and not restrictive, of the invention. For example,
`a 'method for managing communication in an emergency
`communication system' can include any type of analysis,
`manual or automatic, to anticipate the needs of the emer(cid:173)
`gency communication system. Different embodiments of the
`invention need not include all steps, components, or func(cid:173)
`tionality provided herein. For example, an embodiment need
`not use a priority scheme. Communications can be paused,
`stored and played back according to a round-robin, random,
`last-in-first-out, first-in-first-out, or any other scheme. The
`alert function need not be present in all embodiments. Other
`features can be modified, added or deleted without departing
`from the scope of the invention.
`Although specific protocols have been used to describe
`embodiments, other embodiments can use other transmis(cid:173)
`sion protocols or standards. Use of the terms 'peer', 'client',
`and 'server' can include any type of device, operation, or
`other process. The invention can operate between any two
`processes or entities including users, devices, functional
`systems, or combinations of hardware and software. Peer(cid:173)
`to-peer networks and any other networks or systems where
`the roles of client and server are switched, change dynami(cid:173)
`cally, or are not even present, are within the scope of the
`invention.
`Any suitable programming language can be used to 25
`implement the routines of the invention including C, C++,
`Java, assembly language, etc. Different programming tech(cid:173)
`niques such as procedural or object oriented can be
`employed. The routines can execute on a single processing
`device or multiple processors. Although the steps, opera- 30
`tions, or computations may be presented in a specific order,
`this order may be changed in different embodiments. In
`some embodiments, multiple steps shown sequentially in
`this specification can be performed at the same time. The
`sequence of operations described herein can be interrupted, 35
`suspended, or otherwise controlled by another process, such
`as an operating system, kernel, etc. The routines can operate
`in an operating system environment or as stand-alone rou(cid:173)
`tines occupying all, or a substantial part, of the system
`processing.
`In the description herein for embodiments of the inven(cid:173)
`tion, numerous specific details are provided, such as
`examples of components and/or methods, to provide a
`thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention.
`One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that 45
`an embodiment of the invention can be practiced without
`one or more of the specific details, or with other apparatus,
`systems, assemblies, methods, components, materials, parts,
`and/or the like. In other instances, well-known structures,
`materials, or operations are not specifically shown or 50
`described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of embodi(cid:173)
`ments of the invention.
`Also in the description herein for embodiments of the
`invention, a portion of the disclosure recited in the specifi(cid:173)
`cation contains material, which is subject to copyright 55
`protection. Computer program source code, object code,
`instructions, text or other functional information that is
`executable by a machine may be included in an appendix,
`tables, figures or in other forms. The copyright owner has no
`objection to the facsimile reproduction of the specification 60
`as filed in the Patent and Trademark Office. Otherwise all
`copyright rights are reserved.
`A 'computer' for purposes of embodiments of the inven(cid:173)
`tion may include any processor-containing device, such as a
`mainframe computer, personal computer, laptop, notebook,
`microcomputer, server, personal data manager or 'PIM'
`(also referred to as a personal information manager), smart
`
`8
`cellular or other phone, so-called smart card, set-top box, or
`any of the like. A 'computer program' may include any
`suitable locally or remotely executable program or sequence
`of coded instructions that are to be inserted into a computer,
`well known to those skilled in the art. Stated more specifi(cid:173)
`cally, a computer program includes an organized list of
`instructions that, when executed, causes the computer to
`behave in a predetermined manner. A computer program
`contains a list of ingredients ( called variables) and a list of
`10 directions (called statements) that tell the computer what to
`do with the variables. The variables may represent numeric
`data, text, audio or graphical images. If a computer is
`employed for synchronously presenting multiple video pro(cid:173)
`gram ID streams, such as on a display screen of t