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`US 20040117859Al
`
`(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication
`Ohel
`
`(10) Pub. No.: US 2004/0117859 Al
`Jun. 17, 2004
`( 43) Pub. Date:
`
`(54) MULTIPLE CHANNEL DATA RECORDER
`AND METHOD FOR RECORDING DATA ON
`MULTIPLE CHANNELS
`
`(52) U.S. Cl. .............................. 725/146; 725/90; 725/62;
`725/63; 725/118; 725/116
`
`(76)
`
`Inventor: Hagai Ohel, Coconut Creek, FL (US)
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`Correspondence Address:
`LERNER AND GREENBERG, P.A.
`POST OFFICE BOX 2480
`HOLLYWOOD, FL 33022-2480 (US)
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`10/320,948
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Dec. 16, 2002
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51)
`
`Int. CI.7 .............................. H04N 7/16; H04N 5/91;
`H04N 7 /173; H04N 7 /20;
`H04N 7/08
`
`A multiple channel data recorder and a method for recording
`data on multiple wireless communications channels includes
`a transceiver, a display, and a processor programmed to
`selectively record the user's transmission for playback by at
`least one of the user and another user and, if another new
`transmission starts to be received by the user during the
`user's transmission, to continue transmitting the user's
`transmission and to record the new transmission at least
`from a beginning of the new transmission for playback, or
`to stop transmitting the user's transmission and to start
`recording at least a remainder of the user's transmission at
`least from the beginning of the new transmission for play(cid:173)
`back, and to receive the new transmission by the user.
`
`100
`AWAIT NEW
`TRANSMISSION
`
`200
`ANY USER BEGINS
`TO TRANSMIT
`
`a---i~
`
`400
`USER
`TRANSMITS
`
`YES
`
`700A
`
`RECORD
`TRANSMISSION
`
`MAKE RECORDED
`TRANSMISSION AVAILABLE
`AT ANY TIME
`
`Motorola Solutions, Inc., Ex1004, p. 1
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jun. 17, 2004 Sheet 1 of 2
`
`US 2004/0117859 Al
`
`100
`AWAIT NEW
`TRANSMISSION _ _,_
`
`200
`ANY USER BEGINS
`TO TRANSMIT
`
`400
`USER
`TRANSMITS
`
`YES
`
`700A
`
`RECORD
`TRANSMISSION
`
`RECORD
`TRANSMISSION
`
`800
`
`YES
`MAKE RECORDED
`~ - - - - - - - - - - - i TRANSMISSION AVAILABLE M - - - - _ _ _ ,
`AT ANY TIME
`
`1000
`
`FIG. 1
`
`Motorola Solutions, Inc., Ex1004, p. 2
`
`

`

`23
`
`(
`7
`
`2
`SIMPLEX 1
`3
`SIMPLEX 2
`4
`GSM,
`- 5
`CDMA
`
`6
`
`7
`
`8
`
`TDMA
`
`APCO
`
`TETRA
`
`PROCESSOR
`
`10
`MEMORY
`
`11
`SPEAKER
`
`9
`
`DISPLAY
`
`1
`
`13
`
`I
`ACTIVE
`rm ~
`□
`L.:J ~1t---_
`□ □ll-- INACTIVE
`□
`®®®
`@@@) FUNCTIONS
`
`14
`
`1
`
`21
`
`12
`
`MIC
`
`FIG.2
`
`""C
`
`I")
`
`I")
`
`~ .... ~ = ....
`~ "Cl -....
`~ ....
`.... 0 =
`~
`O' -....
`~ ....
`.... 0 =
`~ = ?
`
`'"""'
`~-..J
`N
`0
`0
`,i;;..
`
`'JJ. =(cid:173)~
`~ ....
`N
`0 ....,
`N
`
`d
`'JJ.
`N
`0
`0
`~
`0
`'"""'
`'"""'
`-..J
`00
`Ul
`\0
`
`>
`'"""'
`
`Motorola Solutions, Inc., Ex1004, p. 3
`
`

`

`US 2004/0117859 Al
`
`Jun. 17,2004
`
`1
`
`MULTIPLE CHANNEL DATA RECORDER AND
`METHOD FOR RECORDING DATA ON MULTIPLE
`CHANNELS
`
`of the European Union, for example, in comparison, com(cid:173)
`municate using the Terrestrial Trunked Radio standard, also
`referred to as the TETRA standard.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
`
`[0002] The invention lies in the field of electronic record(cid:173)
`ing of data. The invention relates to a multiple channel data
`recorder and method for recording data on multiple chan(cid:173)
`nels.
`
`[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
`
`[0004] Presently, multi-party communication, in particu(cid:173)
`lar, voice communication, typically occurs over a single
`communications channel. With such communication, a first
`party can talk to a second party and, while the first party
`remains talking, all other parties on that communication
`channel are muted until the first party finishes the message.
`This kind of communication is typical for walkie-talkie
`units, for example.
`
`[0005] Alternatively, there can be a superior party that has
`the ability to talk over any first party currently talking on a
`multi-party channel. A common example of such commu(cid:173)
`nication exists with public safety communications such as
`police and fire/rescue. In an example where police are
`communicating with one another, when a first officer is
`talking over the dispatch channel, all other officers tuned
`into that channel can hear the first officer and cannot talk
`until the first officer completes the communication. How(cid:173)
`ever, if a police dispatcher begins talking, the first officer's
`transmission is cut off and the dispatcher's communication
`is transmitted over the dispatch channel instead of the first
`officer's transmission. This feature is referred to herein as
`overtalk. In some instances of overtalk, the first officer
`would not know that the dispatcher was talking until that
`officer's transmit button was released, which, then, would
`enable the audio reception speaker on that officer's unit and
`play the remaining portion of dispatcher's communication,
`if any. During such communication, the first officer's mes(cid:173)
`sage, cut off by the dispatcher's interruption, is entirely lost.
`In other words, no part of the cut off message remains for
`anyone to listen to, whether concurrently or at a later time.
`It is also possible to lose communications data when the first
`officer's zeal for continuing communication in spite of the
`dispatcher's overtalk prevented the first officer from entirely
`hearing the dispatcher's message. Presently, multi-party
`communication systems are not able to capture any of these
`"lost" communications.
`
`[0006] These kinds of multi-party communications exist
`with both mobile and portable communication devices. As
`set forth herein, a "mobile" communication device is one
`that is mounted in a moving object, such as a car or other
`vehicle, such as an ambulance, or even in a robot. In
`contrast, as set forth herein, a "portable" communication
`device is one that a single person can easily carry, such as a
`cell phone or walkie-talkie.
`
`[0008] With respect to cellular communications, in the
`United States, principally the Code Division Multiple
`Access (CDMA), the Advanced Mobile Phone System
`(AMPS), and the Global System for Mobile Communication
`(GSM) standards are used. In comparison, the GSM stan(cid:173)
`dard is primarily used in the European Union and elsewhere.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0009] Accordingly, the invention provides a multiple
`channel data recorder and method for recording data on
`multiple channels that overcome the hereinafore-mentioned
`disadvantages of the heretofore-known devices and methods
`of this general type and that prevent loss of communications
`during overtalk.
`
`[0010] With the foregoing and other objects in view, there
`is provided, in accordance with the invention, a method for
`recording data on multiple wireless communications chan(cid:173)
`nels, including the steps of selectively recording the user's
`transmission for playback by at least one of the user and
`another user, and, if another new wireless transmission starts
`to be received by the user during the user's transmission,
`then performing one of continuing transmission of the user's
`transmission and recording the new wireless transmission at
`least from a beginning of the new wireless transmission for
`playback by at least one of the user and another user, and
`stopping transmission of the user's transmission and at least
`starting to record at least a remainder of the user's trans(cid:173)
`mission at least from the beginning of the new wireless
`transmission for playback by at least one of the user and
`another user, and receiving the new wireless transmission by
`the user.
`
`[0011]
`In accordance with another mode of the invention,
`the selective recording is carried out by determining, upon
`initiation of a user's wireless transmission, if another wire(cid:173)
`less transmission is being received already by the user and,
`if so, recording the user's transmission for playback by at
`least one of the user and another user, and, if not, beginning
`transmission of the user's transmission.
`
`[0012]
`In accordance with a further mode of the invention,
`there is a determination, upon initiation of a user's wireless
`transmission on a given communications link, if another
`wireless transmission is being received already by the user
`on the same or a different communications link. The com(cid:173)
`munications link can be a link including a communications
`channel and/or a communications network.
`
`[0013]
`In accordance with an added mode of the inven(cid:173)
`tion, the continuing transmission step is carried out by
`continuing transmission of the user's transmission and
`simultaneously recording the new wireless transmission at
`least from a beginning of the new wireless transmission for
`playback by at least one of the user and another user.
`
`[0007] Various communications networks exist through(cid:173)
`out the world, and these networks are standardized, but are
`not all compatible. For example, in the United States, public
`safety entities communicate through radio using the Asso(cid:173)
`ciation of Public Safety Communications Officials standard,
`also referred to as the APCO standard. Public safety entities
`
`[0014]
`In accordance with an additional mode of the
`invention, the stopping, starting, and receiving steps are
`carried out by immediately stopping transmission of the
`user's transmission and immediately starting to record at
`least a remainder of the user's transmission at least from the
`beginning of the new wireless transmission for playback by
`
`Motorola Solutions, Inc., Ex1004, p. 4
`
`

`

`US 2004/0117859 Al
`
`Jun. 17,2004
`
`2
`
`at least one of the user and another user, and simultaneously
`immediately receiving the new wireless transmission by the
`user.
`
`[0015]
`In accordance with yet another mode of the inven(cid:173)
`tion, at least one of the recording steps is carried out by
`digitally storing the recorded transmission in a memory. The
`recorded transmission can be stored in any format, includ(cid:173)
`ing, but not limited to, mp3, wav, wma, real audio, quick(cid:173)
`time, avi, mpeg, bmp, jpeg, gif, divx, and raw digital data,
`for example. The digital recording can be carried out by
`writing the digitally recorded transmission on an external
`writing media, which can include, for example, a hardware
`memory device or an external storage media. The recording
`can be carried out by storing the recorded transmission in a
`memory located at a place of origin of the transmission, at
`a place of reception of the transmission, or both.
`
`[0016]
`In accordance with yet a further mode of the
`invention, the user's transmission and/or the new wireless
`transmission can be digital data, including, but not limited to
`code, an audio signal, an image, and a video stream.
`
`[0017]
`In accordance with yet an added mode of the
`invention, at least one of the recorded transmissions is
`played back after the new wireless transmission and/or after
`the user's transmission has ended. Playback can begin from
`a starting point of a recorded transmission and/or from a
`user-selected point of time within a recorded transmission.
`
`[0018]
`In accordance with yet an additional mode of the
`invention, a processor can be used to carry out the step of
`recording the user's transmission and can be used to for later
`transmission and/or playback by the user and/or another
`user.
`
`[0019]
`In accordance with again another mode of the
`invention, a processor can be used to carry out the steps of
`stopping of the user's transmission and starting the record(cid:173)
`ing of at least the remainder of the user's transmission at
`least from the beginning of the new wireless transmission
`for later transmission and/or playback the user and/or
`another user.
`
`[0020]
`In accordance with again a further mode of the
`invention, at least one of the recording steps can be carried
`out by substantially eliminating dead air within the recorded
`transmissions.
`
`[0021]
`In accordance with again an added mode of the
`invention, at least one of the recording steps can be carried
`out by compressing at least one of the recorded transmis(cid:173)
`sions and dead air within the recorded transmissions.
`
`[0022] With the objects of the invention in view, there is
`also provided a method for recording data on multiple
`wireless communications channels, including the steps of
`determining, upon initiation of a user's wireless transmis(cid:173)
`sion, if another wireless transmission is being received
`already by the user and, if so, recording the user's trans(cid:173)
`mission for playback by at least one of the user and another
`user, and, if not, beginning transmission of the user's trans(cid:173)
`mission and, if another new wireless transmission starts to
`be received by the user during the user's transmission,
`performing one of the steps of continuing transmission of
`the user's transmission and recording the new wireless
`transmission at least from a beginning of the new wireless
`transmission for playback by at least one of the user and
`
`another user and stopping transmission of the user's trans(cid:173)
`mission and starting to record at least a remainder of the
`user's transmission at least from the beginning of the new
`wireless transmission for playback by at least one of the user
`and another user, and receiving the new wireless transmis(cid:173)
`sion by the user.
`[0023] With the objects of the invention in view, there is
`also provided a method for recording data including at least
`one of a digital code, a digital audio signal, a digital image,
`and a digital video stream on multiple wireless communi(cid:173)
`cations channels, including the steps of determining, upon
`initiation of a user's wireless transmission, if another wire(cid:173)
`less transmission is being received already by the user and,
`if so, digitally recording the user's transmission in at least
`one memory for playback by at least one of the user and
`another user and, if not, beginning transmission of the user's
`transmission, and if another new wireless transmission starts
`to be received by the user during the user's transmission,
`performing one of the steps of continuing transmission of
`the user's transmission and simultaneously digitally record(cid:173)
`ing the new wireless transmission at least from a beginning
`of the new wireless transmission in the at least one memory
`for playback by at least one of the user and another user and
`immediately stopping transmission of the user's transmis(cid:173)
`sion and immediately starting to digitally record at least a
`remainder of the user's transmission at least from the
`beginning of the new wireless transmission in the at least
`one memory for playback by at least one of the user and
`another user, and simultaneously immediately receiving the
`new wireless transmission by the user; and playing back at
`least one of the recorded transmissions after at least one of
`the new wireless transmission has ended and the user's
`transmission has ended.
`[0024] With the objects of the invention in view, there is
`also provided a multiple channel data recorder, including at
`least one wireless communications transceiver, a display,
`and a processor connected to the at least one transceiver and
`to the display, the processor being programmed to selec(cid:173)
`tively record the user's transmission for playback by at least
`one of the user and another user, and, if another new wireless
`transmission starts to be received by the user during the
`user's transmission, the processor being programmed to one
`of continue transmitting the user's transmission and record
`the new wireless transmission at least from a beginning of
`the new wireless transmission for playback by at least one of
`the user and another user and stop transmitting the user's
`transmission and start recording at least a remainder of the
`user's transmission at least from the beginning of the new
`wireless transmission for playback by at least one of the user
`and another user, and receive the new wireless transmission
`by the user.
`[0025]
`In accordance with another feature of the inven(cid:173)
`tion, the processor is programmed to carry out the selective
`recording by determining, upon initiation of a user's wire(cid:173)
`less transmission, if another wireless transmission is being
`received already by the user and, if so, to record the user's
`transmission for playback by at least one of the user and
`another user and, if not, to begin transmitting the user's
`transmission through the at least one transceiver.
`[0026]
`In accordance with a further feature of the inven(cid:173)
`tion, the processor is programmed to carry out the recording
`of a transmission with the processor for later transmission
`and/or playback by the user and/or another user.
`
`Motorola Solutions, Inc., Ex1004, p. 5
`
`

`

`US 2004/0117859 Al
`
`Jun. 17,2004
`
`3
`
`[0027]
`In accordance with an added feature of the inven(cid:173)
`tion, the processor is programmed to carry out the stopping
`of the user's transmission and the starting of the recording
`at least a remainder of the user's transmission with the
`processor at least from the beginning of the new wireless
`transmission for at least one of later transmission and
`playback by at least one of the user and another user.
`[0028]
`In accordance with an additional feature of the
`invention, the at least one transceiver is a plurality of
`transceivers. These transceivers can include, for example,
`any of a simplex transceiver, a CDMA transceiver, a TDMA
`transceiver, an AMPS transceiver, a GSM transceiver, an
`APCO transceiver, and a TE1RA transceiver, or any com(cid:173)
`bination thereof. The transceivers can have a single common
`antenna, a plurality of antennae, or separate antennae, or any
`combination thereof.
`[0029]
`In accordance with yet another feature of the
`invention, there is provided a bus connecting the at least one
`transceiver to the processor.
`[0030]
`In accordance with yet a further feature of the
`invention, there is provided at least one memory connected
`to the processor for storing recorded transmission data. The
`processor can be programmed to play back recorded trans(cid:173)
`mission data stored in the memory.
`[0031]
`In accordance with yet an added feature of the
`invention, there is provided a writing device connected to
`the processor for writing data on an external writing media,
`the processor being programmed to write recorded trans(cid:173)
`mission data stored in the memory on the external writing
`media.
`[0032]
`In accordance with yet an additional feature of the
`invention, there is provided at least one speaker and at least
`one microphone each respectively connected to the proces(cid:173)
`sor.
`[0033]
`In accordance with again another feature of the
`invention, the display has user-configurable display sec(cid:173)
`tions. The display can have user-configurable display sec(cid:173)
`tions. At least one of the display sections can be associated
`with each of the transceivers. Further, the display can be a
`touch-screen.
`[0034] With the objects of the invention in view, there is
`also provided a multiple channel data recorder, including at
`least one wireless communications transceiver, a display,
`and a processor connected to the at least one transceiver and
`to the display, the processor being programmed to deter(cid:173)
`mine, upon initiation of a user's wireless transmission, if
`another wireless transmission is being received already by
`the user and, if so, to record the user's transmission for
`playback by at least one of the user and another user and, if
`not, to begin transmitting the user's transmission through the
`at least one transceiver, and, if another new wireless trans(cid:173)
`mission starts to be received by the user during the user's
`transmission, the processor being programmed to one con(cid:173)
`tinue transmitting the user's transmission and record the new
`wireless transmission at least from a beginning of the new
`wireless transmission for playback by at least one of the user
`and another user and stop transmitting the user's transmis(cid:173)
`sion and start recording at least a remainder of the user's
`transmission at least from the beginning of the new wireless
`transmission for playback by at least one of the user and
`another user, and receive the new wireless transmission by
`the user.
`
`[0035] With the objects of the invention in view, there is
`also provided a multiple channel data recorder, including a
`plurality of wireless communications transceivers including
`at least one of a simplex transceiver, a CDMA transceiver,
`a TDMA transceiver, an AMPS transceiver, a GSM trans(cid:173)
`ceiver, an APCO transceiver, and a TE1RA transceiver, a
`display having user-configurable display sections, a speaker,
`a microphone, a processor connected to the transceivers, to
`the display, to the speaker, and to the microphone, at least
`one memory connected to the processor for storing recorded
`communications data, the processor being programmed to
`determine, upon initiation of a user's wireless transmission,
`if another wireless transmission is being received already by
`the user and, if so, to record the user's transmission at least
`in the memory for playback by at least one of the user and
`another user and, if not, to begin transmitting the user's
`transmission through the at least one transceiver, and if
`another new wireless transmission starts to be received by
`the user during the user's transmission, the processor being
`programmed to continue transmitting the user's transmis(cid:173)
`sion and to record the new wireless transmission at least in
`the memory at least from a beginning of the new wireless
`transmission for playback by at least one of the user and
`another user and to stop transmitting the user's transmission
`and to start recording at least a remainder of the user's
`transmission at least in the memory at least from the
`beginning of the new wireless transmission for playback by
`at least one of the user and another user, and to receive the
`new wireless transmission by the user, and to play back
`recorded communications data stored in the memory on at
`least one of the display sections, the speaker, and the
`microphone.
`
`[0036] With the objects of the invention in view, there is
`also provided a multiple channel data recording system,
`including at least two multiple channel data recorders each
`having at least one wireless communications transceiver, a
`display, and a processor connected to the at least one
`transceiver and to the display, the processor being pro(cid:173)
`grammed to selectively record the user's transmission for
`playback by at least one of the user and another user and, if
`another new wireless transmission starts to be received by
`the first user from the second user during the first user's
`transmission, the processor being programmed to continue
`transmitting the first user's transmission and to record the
`second user's transmission at least from a beginning of the
`second user's transmission for playback by at least one of
`the first user and the second user and to stop transmitting the
`first user's transmission and to start recording at least a
`remainder of the first user's transmission at least from the
`beginning of the second user's transmission for playback by
`at least one of the first user and the second user, and to
`receive the second user's transmission by the first user.
`
`[0037] Other features that are considered as characteristic
`for the invention are set forth in the appended claims.
`
`[0038] Although the invention is illustrated and described
`herein as embodied in a multiple channel data recorder and
`method for recording data on multiple channels, it is,
`nevertheless, not intended to be limited to the details shown
`because various modifications and structural changes may
`be made therein without departing from the spirit of the
`invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of
`the claims.
`
`Motorola Solutions, Inc., Ex1004, p. 6
`
`

`

`US 2004/0117859 Al
`
`Jun. 17,2004
`
`4
`
`[0039] The construction and method of operation of the
`invention, together with additional objects and advantages
`thereof, will be best understood from the description of the
`preferred embodiments when read in connection with the
`accompanying drawings.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0040] FIG. 1 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary
`embodiment of the method according to the invention; and
`[0041] FIG. 2 is block circuit diagram of an exemplary
`embodiment of a communications unit according to the
`invention.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`[0042] With the present invention, a user has the ability to
`preserve all electronically communicated data, including,
`but not limited to, voice, code, pictures, and video, that
`previously would have been lost when a first transmitting
`entity was talked over by a second transmitting entity or
`when a second transmitting entity tried to communicate
`while a first entity was already transmitting. The invention
`also permits the user to play back any conversation, includ(cid:173)
`ing the user's current conversation.
`[0043]
`In each embodiment of the method according to the
`invention, transmission between users and reception by
`users may be periodic and/or random. Accordingly, each
`separate communications unit under the method is available
`to transmit and/or receive at any time. The general method
`for such communication will be described in conjunction
`with the flow chart illustrated in FIG. 1.
`[0044] When neither transmitting nor receiving, a com(cid:173)
`munications unit according to the invention awaits receipt of
`any transmission from another user or waits the sending of
`a transmission by the user over any of a number of com(cid:173)
`munications links. See step 100. A communications link can
`be on a given channel, on multiple channels, through a given
`communications network, and/or through many different
`communications networks. Therefore, the link, as it is
`referred to herein, can take any form of electronic commu(cid:173)
`nication and/or be on any kind of electronic communications
`network. Explanations of some example electronic commu(cid:173)
`nications channels and/or networks used by the invention
`will be given in more detail below.
`[0045] To begin the communications process, one of the
`users of the method according to the invention decides to
`transmit a new message. See step 200. This example of the
`transmitting user will be referred to below as "the user." In
`this context, the message to be transmitted can take any form
`of electronic communication. For example, the message can
`be an audio representation of a voice or a digital image, such
`as a still picture or video stream. The message can also be
`any kind of code. The communications unit applying the
`method according to the invention can be programmed to
`start recording at any time or to record a time stamp at any
`time. This means that the unit can record upon receipt of any
`communication, upon start of a new transmission, or any
`combination thereof. Control of recording according to the
`invention, therefore, is selective. Selective recording, at it is
`referred to herein, can include any recording method. It
`specifically can include performing a determination, upon
`
`initiation of a user's wireless transmission, if another wire(cid:173)
`less transmission is being received already by the user or if
`the user is transmitting and, if so, recording the user's
`transmission and/or the other wireless transmission being
`received for playback by at least one of the user and another
`user, and, if not, beginning transmission of the user's trans(cid:173)
`mission. Optionally, the recording can also be entirely
`user-configurable.
`
`[0046] Upon the user's initiation of a transm1ss10n, a
`query is conducted in step 300 to determine if the user's
`transceiver unit is already receiving a transmission from
`another different user. If the user is receiving no other
`transmission, then the user's transmission begins to directly
`transmit the user's message over the communications link.
`See step 400. If, for example, the user's unit is programmed
`to record automatically, then the user's communications unit
`could be already recording the user's message.
`
`[0047]
`It is possible for the user's transmission to be
`interrupted, for example, by a superior user, such as a
`dispatcher, who has the ability to suppress any existing
`transmission between users and, therefore, to transmit over
`or instead of the currently transmitting user(s). During the
`time period that the user's communications unit does not
`detect another transmission (see step 500), the unit continues
`to transmit the user's transmission until the user's transmis(cid:173)
`sion ends. In the context of the invention, an ending of a
`transmission can be either or both of an actual termination
`of a transmission or a sufficiently long pause during a
`transmission. See step 600. Thereafter, the user's unit returns
`to the transmission-waiting state of step 100.
`
`[0048]
`If, however, the user's communications unit detects
`a superior user's transmission during the transmission of the
`user's message, an override process is initiated and begins in
`step 700. At this point, in one embodiment of the invention,
`the user's message begins recording so that a recipient can
`receive and process (decode, hear, view, etc.) the message at
`a later point in time. In an alternative embodiment of the
`invention, the method can always be recording the user's
`message and setting a flag at the point in time when a
`superior user's transmission is detected, the flag indicating
`a point of time during the user's transmission at which the
`superior user's transmission started interrupting the user's
`transmission. This flag can also be referred to as a time(cid:173)
`stamp. Thus, at a later point in time, another user can review
`the user's entire transmission or a portion thereof, in par(cid:173)
`ticular, beginning at the time of the flag.
`
`[0049] The override process continues, during recording
`of the user's transmission, to determine if the superior user's
`transmission has ended. See step 800. If not, the user's
`transmission continues to be recorded. When the superior
`user's transmission ends, there is an inquiry, in step 900, as
`to whether or not the user's transmission has ended. If the
`user's transmission has not ended, then recording of the
`user's transmission continues, unless another superior user's
`transmission begins prior to conclusion of the user's trans(cid:173)
`mission (a condition not illustrated in FIG. 1). At this point,
`if no other user is transmitting, then, the user's transmission
`can be made available, preferably, immediately, to any user,
`including the user (see step 1000). Such transmission can be
`recorded at the user's unit and then transmitted, or any other
`or all of the other users'units can record the user's trans(cid:173)
`mission. Recording by other users'units can be accom-
`
`Motorola Solutions, Inc., Ex1004, p. 7
`
`

`

`US 2004/0117859 Al
`
`Jun. 17,2004
`
`5
`
`plished by either transmitting the user's recorded message in
`real time simultaneously with the superior user's message or
`by transmitting the user's recorded message starting after the
`end of the superior user's transmission, preferably, imme(cid:173)
`diately thereafter. Another alternative allows the user's
`transmission to be made immediately available in real time
`at the recipients unit. However, in this alternative case, the
`middle part of the user's transmission that was overwritten
`by the superior user's transmission would not have been
`heard by a recipient and, therefore, if the recipient began
`hearing the message being transmitted in real time, then the
`recipient would have missed most or all of the user's
`message already sent. Accordingly, in a preferred embodi(cid:173)
`ment, the recorded user's message is played back starting at
`the time of the flag. In other words, the user's message
`continues after the superior user's message ends as if the
`superior user never interrupted the user. As such, the recipi(cid:173)
`ent (or the user) has lost none of the user's message. In such
`an embodiment, playback of the user's recorded message
`can occur even if the user has not finished transmitting by
`providing a dynamic memory device permitting substan(cid:173)
`tially simultaneous recording and playback. It is noted that
`the queries in steps 800 and 900 can be reversed or per(cid:173)
`formed simultaneously.
`[0050] There exists an alternative to