System and method for communications in a multi-platform environment

Abstract

A radio networking system includes at least a first communication port operable to facilitate communication between the radio networking system and a first communication platform. The system further includes at least a second communication port operable to facilitate communication between the radio networking system and a second communication platform. Additionally, a call control software module is operable to automatically and intelligently switch an incoming call from the first communication platform to the second communication platform which is controlled by a processor operable to execute the call control software module according to the information contained in a system configuration database. The call control software module further manages the configuration of call connections and conferencing services and supports real time user control of desired communication services.

It is claimed: 
     
         1 . A method performed by a voice over Internet protocol (VOIP) communications device, the method comprising:
 the VOIP communications device establishing a communication session utilizing the multicast IP addressing protocol with at least one communications networking system and a plurality of networked communications terminals and additional VOIP communications devices, the communication session initiated by a user of the VOIP communications device communicatively coupled with the communications networking system;   the VOIP communications device automatically creating a communication link between the VOIP communications device and at least one multicast group of networked communications terminals or additional VOIP communications devices;   the VOIP communications device communicating audio and/or multimedia data to the communications networking system;   the VOIP communications device initiating a conference call among the networked communications system, the plurality of networked communications terminals and the additional VOIP devices in which the networked communications system, the plurality of networked communications terminals, the VOIP communications device and the additional VOIP devices all communicate concurrently with other members of the same multicast group during the conference call;   the VOIP communications device receiving from the networked communications system a mix of VOIP data packets originating from the networked communications systems, the networked communications terminals and the additional VOIP devices;   the VOIP communications device reconstructing individual VOIP data streams originating from one or more of the networked communications terminals and/or VOIP devices from the mix of IP data packets received during the conference call utilizing buffering features included in the VOIP communications device.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the audio device is a headset or a microphone included in or coupled via wires or wirelessly to the VOIP communications device. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the buffering features are configured to identify the networked communications terminal or VOIP device sending data packets during the conference session and provides the IP data packets to other members of the conference group. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the VOIP communications device is programmed to recognize a DTMF key press selected from the group including * or # as a push-to-talk on or off command received from networked terminals and/or VOIP devices lacking a dedicated push-to-talk feature. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the multimedia data is at least one selected from the group including video, GPS, SMS, picture, mapping and/or graphics data. 
     
     
         6 . A method performed by a voice over Internet protocol (VOIP) communications device, the method comprising:
 the VOIP communications device establishing a communication session utilizing the multicast IP addressing protocol with at least one communications networking system and a plurality of networked communications terminals and additional VOIP communications devices, the communication session initiated by a user of the VOIP communications device communicatively coupled with the communications networking system;   the VOIP communications device automatically creating a communication link between the VOIP communications device and at least one multicast group of networked communications terminals or additional VOIP communications devices;   the VOIP communications device communicating audio and/or multimedia data to the communications networking system;   the VOIP communications device initiating a conference call among the networked communications system, the plurality of networked communications terminals and the additional VOIP devices, wherein the networked communications system, the plurality of networked communications terminals, the VOIP communications device and the additional VOIP devices all communicate concurrently with other members of the same multicast group during the conference call.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the VOIP communications device is capable of operating autonomously without requiring a central server system, allowing an unlimited number of VOIP communications devices to be connected to the same network, subject only to IP addressing limitations. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the VOIP communications device is capable of operating autonomously without requiring a central server system, such that any failure of the VOIP communications device does not interrupt communications between other multicast group networked communications terminals or additional VOIP communications devices.