A rugged, ergonomic integrated telecommunications handset includes an electronic controller that interoperates and controls the universal remote control (URC), which connects to multiple radios simultaneously. The controller downloads options which are implemented by the controller. The handset has an ability to vibrate in a silent mode, and has a memory capacity, as well as GPS capacity. Ergonomically, the handset has a pair of side arrays of protruding ribs, which enhance gripping, preventing the handset from falling out of the user's hands, even if the user has gloves on in inclement weather conditions in the field. While compatible with the latest radio system software defined dual net and dual channel radio equipment, the handset is also backward compatible with single radios or with two or more separate radios, and may communicate using Bluetooth.

A rugged, ergonomic integrated telecommunications handset includes an electronic controller that interoperates and controls the universal remote control (URC), which connects to multiple radios simultaneously. The controller downloads options which are implemented by the controller. The handset has an ability to vibrate in a silent mode, and has a memory capacity, as well as GPS capacity. Ergonomically, the handset has a pair of side arrays of protruding ribs, which enhance gripping, preventing the handset from falling out of the user's hands, even if the user has gloves on in inclement weather conditions in the field. While compatible with the latest radio system software defined dual net and dual channel radio equipment, the handset is also backward compatible with single radios or with two or more separate radios, and may communicate using Bluetooth.

Embodiments of an audio distribution module and system provide a compact and rugged audio switching device including a radio control unit in communication with an operator control panel. In various embodiments, an audio switching fabric is included with audio relays for directing the transmission and receipt of audio content between a headset in communication with the operator control panel and one or more radios in communication with the radio control unit, facilitating transmission and receipt of audio communications between the radio(s) and the headset.

A communication system comprises a communication device and a server system. The communication system obtains permission to perform a function related to the communication device from a user, performs a predetermined process of obtaining permission to perform a predetermined function from the user, if the predetermined function that the user does not permit the server system to perform is added as the function, performs the function that the user permits the server system to perform in advance, if an instruction for performing the function that the user permits the server system to perform in advance is inputted into a voice control device with a voice, after the predetermined process is performed and in a state where the permission to perform the predetermined function is not obtained from the user, and performs a process corresponding to the function.

A communication system comprises a communication device and a server system. The communication system obtains permission to perform a function related to the communication device from a user, performs a predetermined process of obtaining permission to perform a predetermined function from the user, if the predetermined function that the user does not permit the server system to perform is added as the function, performs the function that the user permits the server system to perform in advance, if an instruction for performing the function that the user permits the server system to perform in advance is inputted into a voice control device with a voice, after the predetermined process is performed and in a state where the permission to perform the predetermined function is not obtained from the user, and performs a process corresponding to the function.

A radio device includes a storage unit, a group call control unit, and a cipher key generation unit. The storage unit is configured to store therein a plurality of primary cipher keys, a plurality of pieces of device information, and a plurality of pieces of group information. The group call control unit is configured to perform a group call with radio devices belonging to a first group using a primary cipher key. The cipher key generation unit is configured to generate a secondary cipher key that is different from the primary cipher key when one or more radio devices belonging to the first group are selected during the group call. The group call control unit performs a temporary group call with the selected radio devices by switching the primary cipher key to the secondary cipher key.

A radio device includes a storage unit, a group call control unit, and a cipher key generation unit. The storage unit is configured to store therein a plurality of primary cipher keys, a plurality of pieces of device information, and a plurality of pieces of group information. The group call control unit is configured to perform a group call with radio devices belonging to a first group using a primary cipher key. The cipher key generation unit is configured to generate a secondary cipher key that is different from the primary cipher key when one or more radio devices belonging to the first group are selected during the group call. The group call control unit performs a temporary group call with the selected radio devices by switching the primary cipher key to the secondary cipher key.

A method and apparatus for displaying and controlling user interface elements is provided herein. During operation, when a user interface element is expanded and covers other user interface elements, the expanded user interface element will have embedded text or user interface elements (e.g., buttons) that show what is covered, and/or allow quick access to various functions for what is covered. Hovering over the text or embedded user interface elements, or clicking on them engages the covered user interface element.

A method and apparatus for displaying and controlling user interface elements is provided herein. During operation, when a user interface element is expanded and covers other user interface elements, the expanded user interface element will have embedded text or user interface elements (e.g., buttons) that show what is covered, and/or allow quick access to various functions for what is covered. Hovering over the text or embedded user interface elements, or clicking on them engages the covered user interface element.

A system and method for communicating data comprises a group of radios intercommunicating data through a channel using a time division multiple access having a plurality of timeslots. The system further comprises a first radio of the group of radios selecting a data communication selection, said first radio communicating a request control signal to a leader radio of the group of radios. When a request control acknowledge signal is received from a leader radio at the first radio, suspending time division multiple access intercommunicating data within the group of radios using the plurality of timeslots and communicating data through the channel.