Group communication

Abstract

In order to facilitate group communication using characteristics of a prearranged group but not involving all members of the pre-arranged group, a parameter indicating that the group communication is not intended to all members of the pre-arranged group is added by an inviting group member sending a request to a group server, and the group server, in response to the parameter, is configured to not to invite all members to the group communication.

1 . An apparatus comprising:
 a communication interface for sending and receiving data;   a memory for storing instructions to control the apparatus; and   a processor coupled to the communication interface and the memory, the processor configured to, when executing the instructions stored in the memory, cause the apparatus to:
 form a message comprising a request to establish group communication to a server hosting a pre-arranged group, the request comprising:
 a predefined uniform resource identifier (URI) that identifies the pre-arranged group, the pre-arranged group comprising a predefined plurality of members at an invitation phase prior to establishing the group communication, 
 a parameter indicating that the group communication is intended for a sub-group of the pre-arranged group, the sub-group comprising less than all of the predefined plurality of members, and 
 a participant indication that indicates one or more intended members of the sub-group of the pre-arranged group; 
 
 negotiate media parameters based on characteristics of the pre-arranged group; and 
 send, via the communication interface, the message to the server for inviting the intended sub-group of the pre-arranged group. 
   
     
     
         2 . A method comprising:
 forming a message comprising a request to establish a group communication to a server hosting a pre-arranged group, the request comprising:
 a predefined uniform resource identifier (URI) that identifies the pre-arranged group, the pre-arranged group comprising a predefined plurality of members at an invitation phase prior to establishing the group communication, 
 a parameter indicating that the group communication is intended for a sub-group of the pre-arranged group, the sub-group comprising less than all of the predefined plurality of members, and 
 a participant indication that indicates one or more intended members of the sub-group of the pre-arranged group; 
   negotiate media parameters based on characteristics of the pre-arranged group; and   sending the message to the server for inviting the sub-group of the pre-arranged group.