Floor control in a communications system

Abstract

A method ( 400 ) of implementing floor control in a communications system ( 100 ). The method can include receiving a random symbol from each of a plurality of communication devices ( 104, 106, 108, 110, 112 ) or network nodes ( 204, 206, 208, 210, 212 ). From the plurality of random symbols, a random symbol that satisfies a criteria can be identified. Floor ownership can be granted to a selected one of the communication devices associated with the identified random symbol or from which the identified random symbol was received.

1 . A method of implementing floor control in a communications system, comprising:
 receiving a random symbol from each of a plurality of communication devices;   from the plurality of random symbols, identifying a random symbol that satisfies a criteria; and   granting floor ownership to a selected one of the communication devices from which the identified random symbol was received.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising identifying a priority level associated with the random symbol, wherein granting floor ownership comprises granting floor ownership to a selected one of the communication devices from which the identified random symbol and identified priority level was received. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein identifying the random symbol comprises identifying the random symbol after expiration of a defined period. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein receiving the random symbols comprises receiving a respective data stream from each of the plurality of communication devices, each respective data stream comprising a corresponding one of the random symbols and media. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 generating a floor request comprising a random symbol; and   communicating the floor request to at least one of the plurality of communication devices.   
   
   
       6 . A method of implementing floor control in a communications system, comprising:
 receiving a random symbol from each of a plurality of network nodes;   from the plurality of random symbols, identifying a random symbol that satisfies a criteria; and   granting floor ownership to a communication device associated with the identified random symbol.   
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising identifying a priority level associated with the random symbol, wherein granting floor ownership comprises granting floor ownership to a communication device associated with the identified random symbol and identified priority level. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein identifying the random symbol comprises identifying the random symbol after expiration of a defined period. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein receiving the random symbols comprises receiving a respective data stream from each of the plurality of network nodes, each respective data streams comprising a corresponding one of the random symbols and media. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 receiving a data stream communicated from the selected communication device; and   responsive to communication of the data stream being terminated, terminating the floor ownership granted to the selected communication device.   
   
   
       11 . A communication device, comprising:
 a transceiver that receives a random symbol from each of a plurality of other communication devices; and   a floor control application that, from the plurality of random symbols, identifies a random symbol that satisfies a criteria, and grants floor ownership to a selected one of the other communication devices from which the identified random symbol was received.   
   
   
       12 . The communication device of  claim 11 , wherein the floor control application identifies a priority level associated with the random symbol and grants floor ownership to a selected one of the other communication devices from which the identified random symbol and identified priority level was received. 
   
   
       13 . The communication device of  claim 11 , wherein the floor control application identifies the random symbol after expiration of a defined period. 
   
   
       14 . The communication device of  claim 11 , wherein the transceiver receives a respective data stream from each of the plurality of other communication devices, each respective data streams comprising a corresponding one of the random symbols and media. 
   
   
       15 . The communication device of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the transceiver receives a data stream communicated from the selected communication device; and   responsive to communication of the data stream being terminated, the floor control application terminates the floor ownership granted to the selected communication device.   
   
   
       16 . A network node, comprising:
 a network adapter that receives a random symbol from each of a plurality of other network nodes; and   a floor control application that, from the plurality of random symbols, identifies a random symbol that satisfies a criteria, and grants floor ownership to a communication device associated with the identified random symbol.   
   
   
       17 . The network node of  claim 16 , wherein the floor control application identifies a priority level associated with the random symbol. 
   
   
       18 . The network node of  claim 16 , wherein the floor control application identifies the random symbol after expiration of a defined period. 
   
   
       19 . The network node of  claim 16 , wherein the network adapter receives a respective data stream from each of the plurality of other network nodes, each respective data streams comprising a corresponding one of the random symbols and media. 
   
   
       20 . The communication device of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 a transceiver that receives a data stream from a communication device;   wherein:   the floor control application generates a floor request comprising a random symbol; and   the network adapter communicates the floor request to at least one of the other network nodes.