Title of Invention	A WIRELESS COMMUNICATION DEVICE AND NETWORK CONTROLLER FOR AFFILIATION WITH ASSOCIATED GROUPS AND METHOD THEREOF
Abstract	A wireless communication device (100) corresponding infrastructure (102) and method select a list of request groups for affilition from a list of associated groups(106,110). The list of requested groups is seal to a network infrastructure (102) where it is processed according to a set of rules.A final the of groups for affilitation in shade and the network,infrastructure is configured to support the listed groups.The final list may alto be real to the wireless communication device(100).

Title of Invention

A WIRELESS COMMUNICATION DEVICE AND NETWORK CONTROLLER FOR AFFILIATION WITH ASSOCIATED GROUPS AND METHOD THEREOF

Abstract

A wireless communication device (100) corresponding infrastructure (102) and method select a list of request groups for affilition from a list of associated groups(106,110). The list of requested groups is seal to a network infrastructure (102) where it is processed according to a set of rules.A final the of groups for affilitation in shade and the network,infrastructure is configured to support the listed groups.The final list may alto be real to the wireless communication device(100).

Full Text	WO 2004/080090 PCT/US2004/004101 1 A WIRELESS COMMUNICATION DEVICE AND NETWORK CONTROLLER FOR AFFILIATION WITH ASSOCIATED GROUPS AND METHOD THEREOF 5 FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates in general to communication systems, and more specifically to a method and apparatus for affiliation with associated groups by a wireless communication device. 10 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION There currently exist in the market wireless communication devices capable of "instant communication" between devices without requiring dialing the phone number of the other wireless communication device. An example of 15 this is the Nextel™ system in the United States and iDEN™ wireless communication devices from Motorola™. In such devices, it is possible to arrange a number of users into a unit or group for ease of operation in using the instant communication feature. When the wireless communication device is a member of a particular group it is said to be "associated" with that group. A 20 wireless communication device may be associated with one or more groups. When the wireless communication device is programmed to operate within one WO 2004/080090 PCT/US2004/004101 2 of its associated groups, that is, to be able to select a user from that group and commence instant communication, the wireless communication device is said to be "affiliated" with that group. Currently, with one exception noted below, the wireless communication device may only be affiliated with one group with 5 which it is associated. In addition, in the example of the Nextel system, the user of a wireless communication device with group communication capability has no formal way of knowing what groups the wireless communication device belongs to, leaving that to word of mouth and other informal means. The exception to single group affiliations mentioned above is the case in some 10 utility-oriented applications where a 'super group' may be configured by a system operator where the super group is a joining of one or more existing groups. Similar to the above case, however, the wireless communication device may only be affiliated with one of these super groups at a time and only if previously configured by the system operator. 15 Clearly a need exists for a method and apparatus for improved affiliation with associated groups. WO 2004/080090 PCT/US2004/004101 3 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views and which together with the detailed description below are incorporated in and form 5 part of the specification, serve to further illustrate various embodiments and to explain various principles and advantages all in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 1 depicts, in a simplified and representative form, a block diagram of a communications system supporting group communication; 10 FIG. 2 depicts, in a simplified and representative form, a block diagram of a wireless communication device in accordance with the current invention; FIG. 3 depicts, in a simplified and representative form, a block diagram of a network controller in accordance with the current invention; FIG. 4 depicts, in a simplified and representative form, group selection 15 on a wireless communication device in accordance with the current invention; FIG. 5 depicts, in a simplified and representative form, application of rules for creation of a list of affiliated devices in accordance with the current invention. FIG. 6 depicts, in a simplified and representative form, a descriptive list 20 related to the list of affiliated groups; FIG. 7 depicts, in a simplified and representative form, a flow chart for a wireless communication device in accordance with the current invention; WO 2004/080090 PCT/US2004/004101 4 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In overview, the present disclosure concerns wireless communication devices and a network controller that provide group communication service and 5 more particularly such service to a user thereof. More particularly various inventive concepts and principles embodied in the methods and apparatus for the selection of groups and rules associated with the selection are discussed. The wireless communication devices and network controllers of particular interest are those constructed to allow users to communicate in a mode 10 commonly known as "instant communication" or sometimes referred to as "walkie-talkie mode." When so enabled, the wireless communication device can be used to select another particular wireless communication device, and thereby its user, and press a "talk" button. Communication with the selected particular wireless communication device may then commence without the need 15 for dialing a telephone number, but rather by simply pressing the talk button to talk and releasing it to listen. A concept of "group call" may also be supported whereby a user of the wireless communication device may simultaneously communicate with multiple users as a group. The wireless communication device of the user may belong to more than one group. 20 While the concept of the group used in connection with the instant communication feature offers a convenience to the user, the need to shift between groups limits its usefulness. There are situations where the user of the wireless communication device may need or desire to have instant WO 2004/080090 PCT/US2004/004101 5 communication with members of separate groups. This might be the ease when on a job site and the need to be in touch with a co-worker on one group is high but when a family situation requires that communication be maintained with a family member whose wireless communication device belongs to a second 5 group. Another purpose for communicating with multiple groups would be to allow a work group to exist in smaller, more efficient units, but when required for a large project or emergency situation, the work group could be easily united with another work group or work groups, allowing for more efficient operation. As further discussed below, various inventive principals and combinations 10 thereof are advantageously employed to allow the user of the wireless communication device greater flexibility in both discovering available groups and selecting from those groups to enable multiple group communication. The instant disclosure is provided to further explain in an enabling fashion the best modes of making and using various embodiments in accordance with 15 the present invention. The disclosure is further offered to enhance an understanding and appreciation for the inventive principles and advantages thereof, rather than to limit in any manner the invention. 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. 20 It is further understood that the use of relational terms, if any, such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like are used solely to distinguish one from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. WO 2004/080090 PCT/US2004/004101 6 Much, of the inventive functionality and many of the inventive principles • are best implemented with or in software programs or instructions and integrated circuits (ICs) such as application specific ICs. It is expected that one of ordinary skill, notwithstanding possibly significant effort and many design 5 choices motivated by, for example, available time, current technology, and economic considerations, 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. Therefore, in the interest of brevity and minimization of any risk of obscuring fee principles and concepts in 10 accordance to the present invention, further discussion of such software and ICs, if any, will be limited to the essentials with respect to the principles and concepts of the preferred embodiments. Referring to FIG. 1, a simplified and representative form of a block diagram of a communications system supporting group communication is 15 discussed. A wireless communication device 100 is designed and constructed to support group communications. The wireless communication device 100 is operable to communicate wirelessly to a network infrastructure 102 managed in some part by a network controller 104. The wireless communication device 100 is shown in this example as a member of a first group A 106 comprising a 20 plurality of members as shown in a representative case by group A membership 108, for example persons from work team. The wireless communication device 100 is shown as also being a member of a second group, group B 110 comprising a plurality of members as shown in a representative case by group B WO 2004/080090 PCT/US2004/004101 7 membership 112, for example persons from an immediate family. The wireless communication device 100 is depicted as the only mutual member of the two groups, but this is not a necessary condition. The wireless communication device 100 corresponds to the label "Owner*' in group A membership 108 and 5 group B membership 112. All groups of which the wireless communication device 100 is a member are called the associated groups for the wireless communication device. The portion of groups to which the wireless communication device 100 is actually enabled for instant communication at any given time are called the affiliated 10 groups for the wireless communication device. Note that the terms 'associated groups' and 'affiliated groups' are used frequently in the following descriptions and claims and are always used in the context as defined above. The wireless communication device 100 is similar in form and function to any of a number of commercial devices such as a Motorola model i95, further 15 enhanced by the current invention. The network infrastructure 102 is a commercially available wireless communication network, as might be exemplified by a Motorola iDEN network as sold to and deployed by the Nextel Corporation, further enhanced by the current invention. The network controller 104, a consitituent part of the network infrastructure, may be any of a number of 20 commercially available servers, such as a Sun Microsystems™ server running the Solaris operating system comprising volatile and non-volatile memory and further programmed to incorporate the current invention. WO 2004/080090 PCT/US2004/004101 8 Referring to FIG.2, a block diagram of a wireless communication device 200 arranged and constructed to request group affiliation will be discussed and described. The wireless communication device includes a controller 202 that is known and typically comprised of a one or more microprocessors and digital 5 signal processors available from various manufacturers such as Motorola. The controller 202 is coupled to and controls both a receiver 204 and transmitter 206 that operate as controlled by the controller 202 to receive and transmit various messages, including control messages such as channel allocation and group information and traffic messages such as voice messages or text messages. 10 The controller 202 is also shown coupled to a memory 208. The memory in addition to including program memory 210, often in the form of object code that is executed by the controller to perform general control of the wireless communication device as well as user interface functions related to keypad and display operation, includes various databases and lists including group lists 212 15 and wireless communication device configuration 214 information. The controller 202 is further coupled to a user interface 216 including a keypad 218, display 220, and audio circuitry 222. All the elements of the user interface 216 are typical of a cellular telephone and are commonly available. In operation, when indicated by a user that a change in group affiliation is 20 requested the controller 202 will retrieve from the group list memory 212 a list of groups with which the wireless communication device 200 is currently known to be associated. The list of associated groups is displayed and the user of the wireless communication device is able to select from the list to create a WO 2004/080090 PCT/US2004/004101 9 list of requested affiliation groups. In the representative case being used for illustration, there may be three categories of a associated groups: mandatory or compulsory groups, optional groups and automatic or preset groups. Mandatory or compulsory groups are those that are required for affiliation. This may be the 5 case wherein the wireless communication device 200 is actually owned by a corporation and expects the user thereof to always have an affilation with one or more work associated groups. Optional groups are those mat the user may choose to affiliate with and are not otherwise included unless requested. Automatic or preset groups are those which will be included unless they are 10 specifically excluded by the user at the time the list of requested affiliation groups is created. This may be the case when a user is so likely to affiliate with a given group on an ongoing basis that the selection is made automatic or preset, such as a home or family group. The controller 202 may act to limit the number of selections that the user 15 may pick, based on criteria such as but not limited to, the grade of service the wireless communication device is subscribed to or the model of wireless communication device. An exemplary process for selecting the list of requested affiliation groups from the list of associated groups is covered in more detail in the discussion of FIG. 4. 20 . The controller 202, being coupled to the transmitter 206 is able to send the list of requested affiliation groups to a network controller 104. The list of requested affiliation groups is processed at the network controller 104, as described hi greater detail in the discussion of FIG. 3, resulting in a list of WO 2004/080090 PCTYUS2004/004101 10 affiliated groups. The wireless communication device 200 will be configured in the network infrastructure 102 by the network controller 104 to allow instant and group communication with the groups as affiliated. The network controller 104 may send the list of affiliated groups to the wireless communication device 5 200, via the receiver 204. The controller 202 may then use the list to configure the wireless communication device for operation using the list of affiliated groups particularly, but not limited to, the display of the new configuration of affiliated groups when selections are made for instant communication with individuals and for group communication. The list of affilated groups may 10 contain as d escribed above manditory or compulsory groups, optional groups and those automatic or preset groups which were not specifically excluded. The network controller 104 may include in the list of affiliated groups further information by way of a descriptive message, wherein the descriptive message comprises information regarding a difference between the list of a affiliated 15 groups and the list of requested affiliation groups. Differences between the lists may be the result of the application of rules at the network controller 104 with respect to mandatory or compulsory groups, automatic or preset groups and any further limits in the number of allowable affiliation groups that may be applied by the network controller. The controller 202, by storing such information in 20 the memory 208, in conjunction with the user interface 216 is able to display not only the list of associated groups as described above, but also such information regarding group affiliation as may be of interest to the user, WO 2004/080090 PCT/US2004/004101 11 including but not limited to the list of requested affiliation groups, the list of affilated groups and the descriptive message. It is likely in some exemplary embodiments that the controller 202 would be required to configure more than the display of the list to effect the new list of 5 affiliated groups. In mis case, it may be beneficial for the controller 202 when a new list of affilated groups is received to not simply disaffiliate all groups before installing the new list, but to check for changes from the current configuration and only implement the changes. This may reduce the time required for such reconfiguration and may reduce or eliminate the time that the 10 wireless communication device is not available for incoming and outgoing group call activity. In an exemplary embodiment with respect to the list of associated groups it is envisioned that the wireless communication device 200 would be operable to receive the list of associated groups over the air from the network controller 15 104 or an authenticated source. The list of associated groups may also be created on the wireless communication device 200 itself using the user interface 216 under the direction of the controller 202. This process for instantiating the list of associated groups either manually or wirelessly often referred to as discovery. 20 Referring to FIG. 3, a block diagram of a network controller in accordance with the current invention is discussed and described. The network controller 300 is arranged and constructed for supporting group affiliations of wireless communication devices and is comprised of a processor 302 coupled to WO 2004/080090 PCT/US2004/004101 12 both a receiver 304 and transmitter 306 suitable for sending and receiving messages with the wireless communication device 200. The transmitter and receiver may be part of the larger infrastructure of the network infrastructure 102 and may be further coupled to other elements of the network infrastructure 5 102 such as a switch, routers, billing systems and the like. The processor 302 is further coupled to a memory 308. The memory includes group lists 310, where lists of associated and affiliated groups are stored, as well as membership information for the individual wireless communication device 200 memberships in those associated groups. The memory 308 also includes program memory 10 312 wherein object code for operating the network controller resides. The object code in the program memory is responsible for, among other things, application of rules in the creation of a list of affiliated, groups and instructions on how to accomplish reconfiguration of the network infrastructure 102 to accommodate the list of affiliated groups after creation. The memory 308 also 15 includes rules 314 which are applied in the processing of a list of requested affiliations to create a list of affiliations. The rules 314 may include information regarding application of mandatory or compulsory groups, automatic or preset groups and limits on the number of groups allowed. The memory 308 may also include memory 316 for storing information regarding configuration of the 20 wireless communication device with respect to current affiliations. This may be helpful in determining what changes are being requested over the current configuration of associated groups. WO 2004/080090 PCT/US2004/004101 13 A list of requested affiliation groups is received from a wireless communication device 200. The processor 302 may apply the rules 314 to determine the final composition of the list of affiliated groups. An exemplary application of rules in this manner is covered in detail in the discussion of FIG. 5 5. The processor 302 is further operable to configure the wireless communication device 200 as a member of the groups according to the list of affiliated groups thereby insuring that the wireless communication device has an opportunity to participate in group communication according to the list of 10 affiliated groups, for example, setting the network infrastructure 102 to allow the wireless communication device 200 to initiate instant communication with a wireless communication device that is a member of any of the groups in the list of affiliated groups. In the configuration process, the processor 302 adds and removes affiliations as requested, to configure the wireless communication 15 device as a member of the groups according to the list of affiliated groups. The configuration process may be done any of several ways, including but not limited to removing all current affiliations before configuring to the newly created list of affiliation groups, changing only the groups affected, as in disaffiliating the groups no longer to be included and adding groups to be newly 20 affiliated, while leaving unchanged those that are configured before and after the updated list of affiliated groups is applied. WO 2004/080090 PCT/US2004/004101 14 The processor 3 02 is then able, via the transmitter, to send the list of affiliated groups to the wireless communication device 200 which may use the information as discussed above. The processor 302, in the application of the rules to develop the list of 5 affiliated groups from the list of requested affiliation groups may create a descriptive message comprising information regarding any differences between the lists. An exemplary depiction of such a list is shown and discussed further in the discussion of FIG. 6. If a descriptive list is created, it may be provided to the wireless communication device 200 via the transmitter for use as described 10 above and may be part of the list of affiliated groups or sent as a separate message. An additional capability of the network controller 300 under the direction of the processor 302 is to send via the transmitter 306 a list of the groups to which the wireless communication device 200 is currently configured 15 as a member. This list may be used by the wireless communication device 200 to inform the user of the wireless communication device about the groups to which membership applies, particularly as relates to the s election p rocess for creating the list of requested affiliation groups, as described above. Referring to FIG. 4 a depiction of a group selection process 400 on a 20 wireless communication device in accordance with the current invention is discussed and described. The wireless communication device 200 obtains a list of associated groups 402, either wirelessly from the network controller 300 or via the user interface 216 when entered by a user. In the example shown the list WO 2004/080090 PCT/US2004/004101 15 of associated groups 402 has five entries representing various groups to which the wireless communication device 200 belongs as a member. Through a selection process, which may involve the user interface 216 in an interactive manner, a list of requested affiliation groups 404 is created. In the exemplary 5 case shown, the user has selected the groups 'Home' at position 1 and 'Bowling' at position 2. The user has specifically excluded the group 'Customers' designated in this example, by 'X-Customer' in position 3. The dashed lines ( ) of position 4 indicate that the selection of groups into the list of requested affiliation groups 404 is limited to 3. 10 Referring to FIG. 5 a depiction of the application of rules for creation of a list of affiliated devices in accordance with the current invention is discussed and described. A list of associated groups 500 is present on a wireless communication device 200. A group selection process 502 is applied to create a list of requested affiliation groups 504. The list of requested affiliation groups 15 is sent 506 to a network controller 300. The list of affiliated devices 508 is created by the application of rules in the following manner in this exemplary and representative case. A list of mandatory or compulsory groups 510 is consulted and found to contain one group, Work, which must be included 512 in the list of affiliated devices 508, thereby accounting for item 1 of the list to be 20 Work. Following next, the list of requested groups 504 is consulted and the group Home is included 514 and the group Bowling is included 516. The list of automatic or preset groups 518 is consulted and the group Friends is included 520. When the group Customers is attempted to be added 522 it is overridden WO 2004/080090 PCT/US2004/004101 16 by the specific exclusion of Customers 524 as noted from the list of requested affiliations 504. Customers is therefore not included in the list of affiliated groups 508. Lastly, in this example case, a check of any limit on the number of allowable groups is made and found to be set at five, denoted by the dashed line 5 ( ) in position 6. The limit has not been exceeded in this case and the final list of four stands as 1. Work, 2. Home, 3. Bowling, 4. Friends. This case of rules application in the creation of the list of affiliated groups is purely for explanatory purposes. It is expected that other sequences for and specific application of rules as well as other sets rules themselves would be applicable in 10 other embodiments. Referring to FIG. 6 a simplified and representative form of a descriptive list related to the list of affiliated groups is discussed and described. The application of rules as discussed in the description of FIG. 5 resulted in a list of affiliated groups 508. The descriptive list 600 related to the creation of the list 15 of affiliated groups 508 may be created in conjunction with that creation process. In this exemplary case, a reason for inclusion of each group on the list is given and a reason for exclusion of a group which may have been expected to have been included is shown. Also in this exemplary case, a limit of five groups is shown as designated by the dashed lines at position 6. 20 Referring to FIG. 7 a simplified and representative form of a flow jchart for a wireless communication device in accordance with the current invention is discussed and described. A wireless communication device 200 is powered on, is registered with a network infrastructure 102 and is in normal operation 700 WO 2004/080090 PCT/US2004/004101 17 and may be configured to support a current list of affiliated groups. A list of groups is received 702 and the list is tested 704 to determine whether the list is a list of affiliated groups or a list of associated groups. If a list of associated groups, the branch 'Associated' is followed from step 704. At the convenience 5 of the user, for example, when a new set of affiliated groups is desired, the list of associated groups is displayed and a selection of a list of requested affiliation groups is created 706. The list is tested at 708 to determine if a limit to the number of selectable groups has been exceeded. If such a limit has been exceeded the user may be returned to step 706 following the Yes branch from 10 708. If the limit has not been exceeded, the No branch from 708 is followed and the list of requested affiliation groups is sent 710 to the network controller 300. Operation of the wireless communication device continues without change in affiliated groups at step 700 pending a response from the network controller. 15 Upon receipt of a list at step 702, the list is again tested at 704 to determine the type of list. For the sake of example, the list is found to be a list of affiliated groups being a portion of the list of requested affiliation groups as described above, and the branch Affiliated from 704 is followed. The list is examined for content and the wireless communication device is configured for 20 operation 712 using the list of affiliated groups. The wireless communication device is returned to operation 700, having been thus configured. Anytime following step 712, a user may display the current list of affiliated groups 714. An optional addition to the list of affiliated groups is a descriptive message. A WO 2004/080090 PCT/US2004/004101 18 test is made 716 to determine if the descriptive message is present. If so, the Yes branch from 716 is followed and the descriptive message may be displayed at step 718. Following step 718 the display may remain as shown or returned to a default display 720. If at step 716 it is determined that no descriptive message 5 is present, the No branch from 716 is followed and the display may remain as shown or returned to a default display 720. The processes, apparatus, and methods, discussed above, and the inventive principles thereof are intended to and will alleviate problems associated with group affiliation. Using these principles of discovery, selection 10 and affiliation of groups will both simplify and expand the usefulness of instant communication in wireless communication devices capable of such communication. The user of the wireless communication device is no longer required to have a priori knowledge of associated groups to be able to participate with 15 them. Further, the prior art limit of a single group affiliation or single pre- selected set of groups is no longer a barrier to a user desiring to have the opportunity for instant communication with members of more than one group. Various embodiments of methods, systems, and apparatus for managing affiliation among associated groups so as to facilitate and provide for instant 20 communication have been discussed and described. The disclosure extends to the constituent elements or equipment comprising such systems and specifically the methods employed thereby and therein. Using the inventive principles and concepts disclosed herein advantageously allows or provides for expanded WO 2004/080090 PCT/US2004/004101 19 capabilities in the selection of one or more affiliated groups from a list of associated groups, the use of rules for creation of the list of affiliated groups and expanded messages for users of wireless communication devices capable of supporting instant communication which will be beneficial to users and system 5 providers alike. This disclosure is intended to explain how to fashion and use various embodiments in accordance with the invention rather than to limit the true, intended, and fair scope and spirit thereof. The foregoing description is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. 10 Modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodimen(s) was chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such 15 modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims, as may be amended during the pendency of this application for patent, and all equivalents thereof, when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled. 20 WO 2004/080090 PCT/US2004/004101 20 CLAIMS What is claimed is: 1 A wireless communication device arranged and constructed to request a 5 group affiliation comprising: a user interface coupled and responsive to a controller operable to enable selection from a list of associated groups a list of requested affiliation groups and; a transmitter coupled and responsive to the controller capable of sending 10 the list of requested affiliation groups to a network controller. 2 A network controller arranged and constructed for supporting group affiliations of wireless communication devices, the network controller comprising: 15 a receiver operable to receive a list of requested affiliation groups from a wireless communication device; and a processor operable to process, according to a set of rules, the list of requested affiliation groups to create a list of affiliated groups further operable to configure the wireless communication device as a member of the groups 20 according to the list of affiliated groups thereby insuring that the wireless communication device has an opportunity to participate in group communication according to the list of affiliated groups. O 2004/080090 PCT/US2004/004101 21 3 The network controller of claim 2 further comprising: a transmitter, coupled and responsive to the processor, capable of sending the list of affiliated groups to the wireless communication device. 5 4 The network controller of claim 3 wherein the transmitter, responsive to the processor, is further capable of sending to the wireless communication device a list of associated groups, the list of associated groups being the list of groups from which the wireless communication device may choose to affiliate. 10 5. The network controller of claim 2 wherein the processor adds and removes affiliations as requested, to configure the wireless communication device as a member of the groups according to the list of affiliated groups. 6. A method for a wireless communication device to request a group 15 affiliation comprising: selecting from a list of associated groups to create a list of requested affiliation groups and; sending the list of requested affiliation groups to a network infrastructure. 20 7. The method of claim 6 further comprising: WO 2004/080090 PCT/US2004/004101 22 receiving from the network infrastructure a list of affiliated groups, the list of affiliated groups comprising a portion of the list of requested affiliation groups. 5 8. The method of claim 7 further comprising: configuring the wireless communication device for operation using the list of affiliated groups. 9. The method of claim 7 wherein the list of affiliated groups further 10 comprises one of a compulsory affiliated group, a compulsory affiliated group being that which must be included in the list of affiliated groups, and a preset affiliated group, a preset affiliated group being that which is included when not specifically excluded in the list of requested affiliation groups. 15 10. The method of claim 6 wherein the selecting step further comprises: enforcing a limit a number of groups in the list of requested affiliation groups. 20 A wireless communication device (100) corresponding infrastructure (102) and method select a list of request groups for affilition from a list of associated groups(106,110). The list of requested groups is seal to a network infrastructure (102) where it is processed according to a set of rules.A final the of groups for affilitation in shade and the network,infrastructure is configured to support the listed groups.The final list may alto be real to the wireless communication device(100).

Full Text

WO 2004/080090 PCT/US2004/004101
1
A WIRELESS COMMUNICATION DEVICE AND NETWORK
CONTROLLER FOR AFFILIATION WITH ASSOCIATED GROUPS
AND METHOD THEREOF
5
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates in general to communication systems, and more
specifically to a method and apparatus for affiliation with associated groups by
a wireless communication device.
10
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There currently exist in the market wireless communication devices
capable of "instant communication" between devices without requiring dialing
the phone number of the other wireless communication device. An example of
15 this is the Nextel™ system in the United States and iDEN™ wireless
communication devices from Motorola™. In such devices, it is possible to
arrange a number of users into a unit or group for ease of operation in using the
instant communication feature. When the wireless communication device is a
member of a particular group it is said to be "associated" with that group. A
20 wireless communication device may be associated with one or more groups.
When the wireless communication device is programmed to operate within one

WO 2004/080090 PCT/US2004/004101
2
of its associated groups, that is, to be able to select a user from that group and
commence instant communication, the wireless communication device is said to
be "affiliated" with that group. Currently, with one exception noted below, the
wireless communication device may only be affiliated with one group with
5 which it is associated. In addition, in the example of the Nextel system, the
user of a wireless communication device with group communication capability
has no formal way of knowing what groups the wireless communication device
belongs to, leaving that to word of mouth and other informal means. The
exception to single group affiliations mentioned above is the case in some
10 utility-oriented applications where a 'super group' may be configured by a
system operator where the super group is a joining of one or more existing
groups. Similar to the above case, however, the wireless communication device
may only be affiliated with one of these super groups at a time and only if
previously configured by the system operator.
15 Clearly a need exists for a method and apparatus for improved affiliation
with associated groups.

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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to
identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views and
which together with the detailed description below are incorporated in and form
5 part of the specification, serve to further illustrate various embodiments and to
explain various principles and advantages all in accordance with the present
invention.
FIG. 1 depicts, in a simplified and representative form, a block diagram
of a communications system supporting group communication;
10 FIG. 2 depicts, in a simplified and representative form, a block diagram
of a wireless communication device in accordance with the current invention;
FIG. 3 depicts, in a simplified and representative form, a block diagram
of a network controller in accordance with the current invention;
FIG. 4 depicts, in a simplified and representative form, group selection
15 on a wireless communication device in accordance with the current invention;
FIG. 5 depicts, in a simplified and representative form, application of
rules for creation of a list of affiliated devices in accordance with the current
invention.
FIG. 6 depicts, in a simplified and representative form, a descriptive list
20 related to the list of affiliated groups;
FIG. 7 depicts, in a simplified and representative form, a flow chart for a
wireless communication device in accordance with the current invention;

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
In overview, the present disclosure concerns wireless communication
devices and a network controller that provide group communication service and
5 more particularly such service to a user thereof. More particularly various
inventive concepts and principles embodied in the methods and apparatus for
the selection of groups and rules associated with the selection are discussed.
The wireless communication devices and network controllers of particular
interest are those constructed to allow users to communicate in a mode
10 commonly known as "instant communication" or sometimes referred to as
"walkie-talkie mode." When so enabled, the wireless communication device
can be used to select another particular wireless communication device, and
thereby its user, and press a "talk" button. Communication with the selected
particular wireless communication device may then commence without the need
15 for dialing a telephone number, but rather by simply pressing the talk button to
talk and releasing it to listen. A concept of "group call" may also be supported
whereby a user of the wireless communication device may simultaneously
communicate with multiple users as a group. The wireless communication
device of the user may belong to more than one group.
20 While the concept of the group used in connection with the instant
communication feature offers a convenience to the user, the need to shift
between groups limits its usefulness. There are situations where the user of the
wireless communication device may need or desire to have instant

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communication with members of separate groups. This might be the ease when
on a job site and the need to be in touch with a co-worker on one group is high
but when a family situation requires that communication be maintained with a
family member whose wireless communication device belongs to a second
5 group. Another purpose for communicating with multiple groups would be to
allow a work group to exist in smaller, more efficient units, but when required
for a large project or emergency situation, the work group could be easily united
with another work group or work groups, allowing for more efficient operation.
As further discussed below, various inventive principals and combinations
10 thereof are advantageously employed to allow the user of the wireless
communication device greater flexibility in both discovering available groups
and selecting from those groups to enable multiple group communication.
The instant disclosure is provided to further explain in an enabling fashion
the best modes of making and using various embodiments in accordance with
15 the present invention. The disclosure is further offered to enhance an
understanding and appreciation for the inventive principles and advantages
thereof, rather than to limit in any manner the invention. 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.
20 It is further understood that the use of relational terms, if any, such as
first and second, top and bottom, and the like are used solely to distinguish one
from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any
actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions.

WO 2004/080090 PCT/US2004/004101
6
Much, of the inventive functionality and many of the inventive principles •
are best implemented with or in software programs or instructions and
integrated circuits (ICs) such as application specific ICs. It is expected that one
of ordinary skill, notwithstanding possibly significant effort and many design
5 choices motivated by, for example, available time, current technology, and
economic considerations, 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. Therefore, in the interest of
brevity and minimization of any risk of obscuring fee principles and concepts in
10 accordance to the present invention, further discussion of such software and
ICs, if any, will be limited to the essentials with respect to the principles and
concepts of the preferred embodiments.
Referring to FIG. 1, a simplified and representative form of a block
diagram of a communications system supporting group communication is
15 discussed. A wireless communication device 100 is designed and constructed
to support group communications. The wireless communication device 100 is
operable to communicate wirelessly to a network infrastructure 102 managed in
some part by a network controller 104. The wireless communication device
100 is shown in this example as a member of a first group A 106 comprising a
20 plurality of members as shown in a representative case by group A membership
108, for example persons from work team. The wireless communication device
100 is shown as also being a member of a second group, group B 110
comprising a plurality of members as shown in a representative case by group B

WO 2004/080090 PCT/US2004/004101
7
membership 112, for example persons from an immediate family. The wireless
communication device 100 is depicted as the only mutual member of the two
groups, but this is not a necessary condition. The wireless communication
device 100 corresponds to the label "Owner*' in group A membership 108 and
5 group B membership 112.
All groups of which the wireless communication device 100 is a member
are called the associated groups for the wireless communication device. The
portion of groups to which the wireless communication device 100 is actually
enabled for instant communication at any given time are called the affiliated
10 groups for the wireless communication device. Note that the terms 'associated
groups' and 'affiliated groups' are used frequently in the following descriptions
and claims and are always used in the context as defined above.
The wireless communication device 100 is similar in form and function to
any of a number of commercial devices such as a Motorola model i95, further
15 enhanced by the current invention. The network infrastructure 102 is a
commercially available wireless communication network, as might be
exemplified by a Motorola iDEN network as sold to and deployed by the Nextel
Corporation, further enhanced by the current invention. The network controller
104, a consitituent part of the network infrastructure, may be any of a number of
20 commercially available servers, such as a Sun Microsystems™ server running
the Solaris operating system comprising volatile and non-volatile memory and
further programmed to incorporate the current invention.

WO 2004/080090 PCT/US2004/004101
8
Referring to FIG.2, a block diagram of a wireless communication device
200 arranged and constructed to request group affiliation will be discussed and
described. The wireless communication device includes a controller 202 that is
known and typically comprised of a one or more microprocessors and digital
5 signal processors available from various manufacturers such as Motorola. The
controller 202 is coupled to and controls both a receiver 204 and transmitter 206
that operate as controlled by the controller 202 to receive and transmit various
messages, including control messages such as channel allocation and group
information and traffic messages such as voice messages or text messages.
10 The controller 202 is also shown coupled to a memory 208. The memory
in addition to including program memory 210, often in the form of object code
that is executed by the controller to perform general control of the wireless
communication device as well as user interface functions related to keypad and
display operation, includes various databases and lists including group lists 212
15 and wireless communication device configuration 214 information.
The controller 202 is further coupled to a user interface 216 including a
keypad 218, display 220, and audio circuitry 222. All the elements of the user
interface 216 are typical of a cellular telephone and are commonly available.
In operation, when indicated by a user that a change in group affiliation is
20 requested the controller 202 will retrieve from the group list memory 212 a list
of groups with which the wireless communication device 200 is currently
known to be associated. The list of associated groups is displayed and the user
of the wireless communication device is able to select from the list to create a

WO 2004/080090 PCT/US2004/004101
9
list of requested affiliation groups. In the representative case being used for
illustration, there may be three categories of a associated groups: mandatory or
compulsory groups, optional groups and automatic or preset groups. Mandatory
or compulsory groups are those that are required for affiliation. This may be the
5 case wherein the wireless communication device 200 is actually owned by a
corporation and expects the user thereof to always have an affilation with one or
more work associated groups. Optional groups are those mat the user may
choose to affiliate with and are not otherwise included unless requested.
Automatic or preset groups are those which will be included unless they are
10 specifically excluded by the user at the time the list of requested affiliation
groups is created. This may be the case when a user is so likely to affiliate with
a given group on an ongoing basis that the selection is made automatic or
preset, such as a home or family group.
The controller 202 may act to limit the number of selections that the user
15 may pick, based on criteria such as but not limited to, the grade of service the
wireless communication device is subscribed to or the model of wireless
communication device. An exemplary process for selecting the list of
requested affiliation groups from the list of associated groups is covered in more
detail in the discussion of FIG. 4.
20 . The controller 202, being coupled to the transmitter 206 is able to send the
list of requested affiliation groups to a network controller 104. The list of
requested affiliation groups is processed at the network controller 104, as
described hi greater detail in the discussion of FIG. 3, resulting in a list of

WO 2004/080090 PCTYUS2004/004101
10
affiliated groups. The wireless communication device 200 will be configured in
the network infrastructure 102 by the network controller 104 to allow instant
and group communication with the groups as affiliated. The network controller
104 may send the list of affiliated groups to the wireless communication device
5 200, via the receiver 204. The controller 202 may then use the list to configure
the wireless communication device for operation using the list of affiliated
groups particularly, but not limited to, the display of the new configuration of
affiliated groups when selections are made for instant communication with
individuals and for group communication. The list of affilated groups may
10 contain as d escribed above manditory or compulsory groups, optional groups
and those automatic or preset groups which were not specifically excluded.
The network controller 104 may include in the list of affiliated groups further
information by way of a descriptive message, wherein the descriptive message
comprises information regarding a difference between the list of a affiliated
15 groups and the list of requested affiliation groups. Differences between the lists
may be the result of the application of rules at the network controller 104 with
respect to mandatory or compulsory groups, automatic or preset groups and any
further limits in the number of allowable affiliation groups that may be applied
by the network controller. The controller 202, by storing such information in
20 the memory 208, in conjunction with the user interface 216 is able to display
not only the list of associated groups as described above, but also such
information regarding group affiliation as may be of interest to the user,

WO 2004/080090 PCT/US2004/004101
11
including but not limited to the list of requested affiliation groups, the list of
affilated groups and the descriptive message.
It is likely in some exemplary embodiments that the controller 202 would
be required to configure more than the display of the list to effect the new list of
5 affiliated groups. In mis case, it may be beneficial for the controller 202 when a
new list of affilated groups is received to not simply disaffiliate all groups
before installing the new list, but to check for changes from the current
configuration and only implement the changes. This may reduce the time
required for such reconfiguration and may reduce or eliminate the time that the
10 wireless communication device is not available for incoming and outgoing
group call activity.
In an exemplary embodiment with respect to the list of associated groups
it is envisioned that the wireless communication device 200 would be operable
to receive the list of associated groups over the air from the network controller
15 104 or an authenticated source. The list of associated groups may also be
created on the wireless communication device 200 itself using the user interface
216 under the direction of the controller 202. This process for instantiating the
list of associated groups either manually or wirelessly often referred to as
discovery.
20 Referring to FIG. 3, a block diagram of a network controller in
accordance with the current invention is discussed and described. The network
controller 300 is arranged and constructed for supporting group affiliations of
wireless communication devices and is comprised of a processor 302 coupled to

WO 2004/080090 PCT/US2004/004101
12
both a receiver 304 and transmitter 306 suitable for sending and receiving
messages with the wireless communication device 200. The transmitter and
receiver may be part of the larger infrastructure of the network infrastructure
102 and may be further coupled to other elements of the network infrastructure
5 102 such as a switch, routers, billing systems and the like. The processor 302 is
further coupled to a memory 308. The memory includes group lists 310, where
lists of associated and affiliated groups are stored, as well as membership
information for the individual wireless communication device 200 memberships
in those associated groups. The memory 308 also includes program memory
10 312 wherein object code for operating the network controller resides. The
object code in the program memory is responsible for, among other things,
application of rules in the creation of a list of affiliated, groups and instructions
on how to accomplish reconfiguration of the network infrastructure 102 to
accommodate the list of affiliated groups after creation. The memory 308 also
15 includes rules 314 which are applied in the processing of a list of requested
affiliations to create a list of affiliations. The rules 314 may include information
regarding application of mandatory or compulsory groups, automatic or preset
groups and limits on the number of groups allowed. The memory 308 may also
include memory 316 for storing information regarding configuration of the
20 wireless communication device with respect to current affiliations. This may be
helpful in determining what changes are being requested over the current
configuration of associated groups.

WO 2004/080090 PCT/US2004/004101
13
A list of requested affiliation groups is received from a wireless
communication device 200. The processor 302 may apply the rules 314 to
determine the final composition of the list of affiliated groups. An exemplary
application of rules in this manner is covered in detail in the discussion of FIG.
5 5.
The processor 302 is further operable to configure the wireless
communication device 200 as a member of the groups according to the list of
affiliated groups thereby insuring that the wireless communication device has an
opportunity to participate in group communication according to the list of
10 affiliated groups, for example, setting the network infrastructure 102 to allow
the wireless communication device 200 to initiate instant communication with a
wireless communication device that is a member of any of the groups in the list
of affiliated groups. In the configuration process, the processor 302 adds and
removes affiliations as requested, to configure the wireless communication
15 device as a member of the groups according to the list of affiliated groups. The
configuration process may be done any of several ways, including but not
limited to removing all current affiliations before configuring to the newly
created list of affiliation groups, changing only the groups affected, as in
disaffiliating the groups no longer to be included and adding groups to be newly
20 affiliated, while leaving unchanged those that are configured before and after
the updated list of affiliated groups is applied.

WO 2004/080090 PCT/US2004/004101
14
The processor 3 02 is then able, via the transmitter, to send the list of
affiliated groups to the wireless communication device 200 which may use the
information as discussed above.
The processor 302, in the application of the rules to develop the list of
5 affiliated groups from the list of requested affiliation groups may create a
descriptive message comprising information regarding any differences between
the lists. An exemplary depiction of such a list is shown and discussed further
in the discussion of FIG. 6. If a descriptive list is created, it may be provided to
the wireless communication device 200 via the transmitter for use as described
10 above and may be part of the list of affiliated groups or sent as a separate
message.
An additional capability of the network controller 300 under the
direction of the processor 302 is to send via the transmitter 306 a list of the
groups to which the wireless communication device 200 is currently configured
15 as a member. This list may be used by the wireless communication device 200
to inform the user of the wireless communication device about the groups to
which membership applies, particularly as relates to the s election p rocess for
creating the list of requested affiliation groups, as described above.
Referring to FIG. 4 a depiction of a group selection process 400 on a
20 wireless communication device in accordance with the current invention is
discussed and described. The wireless communication device 200 obtains a list
of associated groups 402, either wirelessly from the network controller 300 or
via the user interface 216 when entered by a user. In the example shown the list

WO 2004/080090 PCT/US2004/004101
15
of associated groups 402 has five entries representing various groups to which
the wireless communication device 200 belongs as a member. Through a
selection process, which may involve the user interface 216 in an interactive
manner, a list of requested affiliation groups 404 is created. In the exemplary
5 case shown, the user has selected the groups 'Home' at position 1 and
'Bowling' at position 2. The user has specifically excluded the group
'Customers' designated in this example, by 'X-Customer' in position 3. The
dashed lines ( ) of position 4 indicate that the selection of groups into the
list of requested affiliation groups 404 is limited to 3.
10 Referring to FIG. 5 a depiction of the application of rules for creation of
a list of affiliated devices in accordance with the current invention is discussed
and described. A list of associated groups 500 is present on a wireless
communication device 200. A group selection process 502 is applied to create a
list of requested affiliation groups 504. The list of requested affiliation groups
15 is sent 506 to a network controller 300. The list of affiliated devices 508 is
created by the application of rules in the following manner in this exemplary
and representative case. A list of mandatory or compulsory groups 510 is
consulted and found to contain one group, Work, which must be included 512 in
the list of affiliated devices 508, thereby accounting for item 1 of the list to be
20 Work. Following next, the list of requested groups 504 is consulted and the
group Home is included 514 and the group Bowling is included 516. The list of
automatic or preset groups 518 is consulted and the group Friends is included
520. When the group Customers is attempted to be added 522 it is overridden

WO 2004/080090 PCT/US2004/004101
16
by the specific exclusion of Customers 524 as noted from the list of requested
affiliations 504. Customers is therefore not included in the list of affiliated
groups 508. Lastly, in this example case, a check of any limit on the number of
allowable groups is made and found to be set at five, denoted by the dashed line
5 ( ) in position 6. The limit has not been exceeded in this case and the final
list of four stands as 1. Work, 2. Home, 3. Bowling, 4. Friends. This case of
rules application in the creation of the list of affiliated groups is purely for
explanatory purposes. It is expected that other sequences for and specific
application of rules as well as other sets rules themselves would be applicable in
10 other embodiments.
Referring to FIG. 6 a simplified and representative form of a descriptive
list related to the list of affiliated groups is discussed and described. The
application of rules as discussed in the description of FIG. 5 resulted in a list of
affiliated groups 508. The descriptive list 600 related to the creation of the list
15 of affiliated groups 508 may be created in conjunction with that creation
process. In this exemplary case, a reason for inclusion of each group on the list
is given and a reason for exclusion of a group which may have been expected to
have been included is shown. Also in this exemplary case, a limit of five
groups is shown as designated by the dashed lines at position 6.
20 Referring to FIG. 7 a simplified and representative form of a flow jchart
for a wireless communication device in accordance with the current invention is
discussed and described. A wireless communication device 200 is powered on,
is registered with a network infrastructure 102 and is in normal operation 700

WO 2004/080090 PCT/US2004/004101
17
and may be configured to support a current list of affiliated groups. A list of
groups is received 702 and the list is tested 704 to determine whether the list is a
list of affiliated groups or a list of associated groups. If a list of associated
groups, the branch 'Associated' is followed from step 704. At the convenience
5 of the user, for example, when a new set of affiliated groups is desired, the list
of associated groups is displayed and a selection of a list of requested affiliation
groups is created 706. The list is tested at 708 to determine if a limit to the
number of selectable groups has been exceeded. If such a limit has been
exceeded the user may be returned to step 706 following the Yes branch from
10 708. If the limit has not been exceeded, the No branch from 708 is followed
and the list of requested affiliation groups is sent 710 to the network controller
300. Operation of the wireless communication device continues without
change in affiliated groups at step 700 pending a response from the network
controller.
15 Upon receipt of a list at step 702, the list is again tested at 704 to
determine the type of list. For the sake of example, the list is found to be a list
of affiliated groups being a portion of the list of requested affiliation groups as
described above, and the branch Affiliated from 704 is followed. The list is
examined for content and the wireless communication device is configured for
20 operation 712 using the list of affiliated groups. The wireless communication
device is returned to operation 700, having been thus configured. Anytime
following step 712, a user may display the current list of affiliated groups 714.
An optional addition to the list of affiliated groups is a descriptive message. A

WO 2004/080090 PCT/US2004/004101
18
test is made 716 to determine if the descriptive message is present. If so, the
Yes branch from 716 is followed and the descriptive message may be displayed
at step 718. Following step 718 the display may remain as shown or returned to
a default display 720. If at step 716 it is determined that no descriptive message
5 is present, the No branch from 716 is followed and the display may remain as
shown or returned to a default display 720.
The processes, apparatus, and methods, discussed above, and the
inventive principles thereof are intended to and will alleviate problems
associated with group affiliation. Using these principles of discovery, selection
10 and affiliation of groups will both simplify and expand the usefulness of instant
communication in wireless communication devices capable of such
communication.
The user of the wireless communication device is no longer required to
have a priori knowledge of associated groups to be able to participate with
15 them. Further, the prior art limit of a single group affiliation or single pre-
selected set of groups is no longer a barrier to a user desiring to have the
opportunity for instant communication with members of more than one group.
Various embodiments of methods, systems, and apparatus for managing
affiliation among associated groups so as to facilitate and provide for instant
20 communication have been discussed and described. The disclosure extends to
the constituent elements or equipment comprising such systems and specifically
the methods employed thereby and therein. Using the inventive principles and
concepts disclosed herein advantageously allows or provides for expanded

WO 2004/080090 PCT/US2004/004101
19
capabilities in the selection of one or more affiliated groups from a list of
associated groups, the use of rules for creation of the list of affiliated groups and
expanded messages for users of wireless communication devices capable of
supporting instant communication which will be beneficial to users and system
5 providers alike.
This disclosure is intended to explain how to fashion and use various
embodiments in accordance with the invention rather than to limit the true,
intended, and fair scope and spirit thereof. The foregoing description is not
intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed.
10 Modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The
embodimen(s) was chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the
principles of the invention and its practical application, and to enable one of
ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with
various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such
15 modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined
by the appended claims, as may be amended during the pendency of this
application for patent, and all equivalents thereof, when interpreted in
accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally, and equitably
entitled.
20

WO 2004/080090 PCT/US2004/004101
20
CLAIMS
What is claimed is:
1 A wireless communication device arranged and constructed to request a
5 group affiliation comprising:
a user interface coupled and responsive to a controller operable to enable
selection from a list of associated groups a list of requested affiliation groups
and;
a transmitter coupled and responsive to the controller capable of sending
10 the list of requested affiliation groups to a network controller.
2 A network controller arranged and constructed for supporting group
affiliations of wireless communication devices, the network controller
comprising:
15 a receiver operable to receive a list of requested affiliation groups from a
wireless communication device; and
a processor operable to process, according to a set of rules, the list of
requested affiliation groups to create a list of affiliated groups further operable
to configure the wireless communication device as a member of the groups
20 according to the list of affiliated groups thereby insuring that the wireless
communication device has an opportunity to participate in group
communication according to the list of affiliated groups.

O 2004/080090 PCT/US2004/004101
21
3 The network controller of claim 2 further comprising:
a transmitter, coupled and responsive to the processor, capable of
sending the list of affiliated groups to the wireless communication device.
5 4 The network controller of claim 3 wherein the transmitter, responsive to
the processor, is further capable of sending to the wireless communication
device a list of associated groups, the list of associated groups being the list of
groups from which the wireless communication device may choose to affiliate.
10 5. The network controller of claim 2 wherein the processor adds and
removes affiliations as requested, to configure the wireless communication
device as a member of the groups according to the list of affiliated groups.
6. A method for a wireless communication device to request a group
15 affiliation comprising:
selecting from a list of associated groups to create a list of requested
affiliation groups and;
sending the list of requested affiliation groups to a network
infrastructure.
20
7. The method of claim 6 further comprising:

WO 2004/080090 PCT/US2004/004101
22
receiving from the network infrastructure a list of affiliated groups, the
list of affiliated groups comprising a portion of the list of requested affiliation
groups.
5 8. The method of claim 7 further comprising:
configuring the wireless communication device for operation using the
list of affiliated groups.
9. The method of claim 7 wherein the list of affiliated groups further
10 comprises one of a compulsory affiliated group, a compulsory affiliated group
being that which must be included in the list of affiliated groups, and a preset
affiliated group, a preset affiliated group being that which is included when not
specifically excluded in the list of requested affiliation groups.
15 10. The method of claim 6 wherein the selecting step further comprises:
enforcing a limit a number of groups in the list of requested affiliation
groups.
20

A wireless communication device (100) corresponding infrastructure (102) and method select a list of request groups for affilition from a list of associated groups(106,110). The list of requested groups is seal to a network infrastructure (102) where it is processed according to a set of rules.A final the of groups for affilitation in shade and the network,infrastructure is configured to support the listed groups.The final list may alto be real to the wireless communication device(100).

Documents:

01545-kolnp-2005-abstract.pdf

01545-kolnp-2005-claims.pdf

01545-kolnp-2005-description complete.pdf

01545-kolnp-2005-drawings.pdf

01545-kolnp-2005-form 1.pdf

01545-kolnp-2005-form 3.pdf

01545-kolnp-2005-form 5.pdf

01545-kolnp-2005-international publication.pdf

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Patent Number

235037

Indian Patent Application Number

1545/KOLNP/2005

PG Journal Number

26/2009

Publication Date

26-Jun-2009

Grant Date

24-Jun-2009

Date of Filing

04-Aug-2005

Name of Patentee

MOTOROLA, INC.

Applicant Address

1303 EAST ALGONQUIN ROAD, SCHAUMBURG IL 60196

Inventors:

#	Inventor's Name	Inventor's Address
1	DROZT PETER M	3512 LAKEWOOD DRIVE, PRAIRIE GROVE, IL 60012
2	CHRISTENSEN LAURA A	737 SOUTH HIGHLAND, ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL 60012
3	FELDERMAN WILLIAM A	1310 SPRING BEACH ROAD, CARY, IL 60013

PCT International Classification Number

H04Q 7/20

PCT International Application Number

PCT/US2004/004101

PCT International Filing date

2004-02-12

PCT Conventions:

#	PCT Application Number	Date of Convention	Priority Country
1	10/377,233	2003-02-28	U.S.A.