Method and arrangement for multimedia communication

• US 20050147118A1
• Filed: 02/11/2002
• Published: 07/07/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/19/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Original Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Inventors: Jonsson, Bjorn
• Granted Patent: US 7,710,945 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/465
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1069 Session establishment or de-establishment
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1094 Inter-user-equipment sessions transfer or sharing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2201/50 Telephonic communication in combination with video communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/158 Call-type dependent routing
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/2066 Call type detection of indication, e.g. voice or fax, mobile of fixed, PSTN or IP
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/00 Arrangements for interconnection between switching centres
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/0093 signalling arrangements in networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/12 for working between exchanges having different types of switching equipment, e.g. power-driven and step by step or decimal and non-decimal

Abstract

Users, who have simultaneous access to a plurality of terminal devices, can enter into a multimedia, multiterminal user session. In a negotiation phase users agree on which media to use in a multimedia session and select the most appropriate types of terminal devices that support the selected media. Each terminal device is connected to one of a plurality of interworking communications networks. A network node (130) that is reached through any of the plurality of interworking networks manages creation and supervision of sub-sessions involving the selected terminal devices such that each type of terminal device carry at least one selected media. A versatile and media rich communication is obtained in which terminal devices currently available at a local environment are efficiently used.

Claims

1. A method for establishing a user multimedia session between a first and a second end users, each end user having access to a respective plurality of end user systems, each end user system being connected to a respective communications network, comprising the steps of:

storing data for each end user system of each respective plurality of end user systems at a respective storage unit, said data at least relating to the capabilities of each end user system,

first user initiating at the first one of said plurality of end user systems transmission of a communication invitation to at least one of a second user'"'"'s plurality of end user systems, the invitation further determining initial requirements on media capabilities for communication,

in dependence of said initial requirements and said storage data, negotiating with the respective party for selection of end user systems having appropriate media capabilities, and

determining network addresses for selected end user systems for establishment of sub-sessions between the user systems and a network node

Interconnecting at the network node said sub-sessions for creation of a multimedia user session.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein that at least one storage unit is located at its associated plurality of end user systems.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein that said step of storing data comprises registering said data at the respective plurality of end user systems and transferring the data for storage at said storage unit.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein that said registering is partly made through end user manual operations at an end user system.

5. The method of claim 3 wherein that the step of registering comprises said end user system connecting over a short range wireless communication system to at least another end user system and polls said data related to the another end user system.

6. The method of claim 3 wherein that said transfer comprises communicating said data over a wireless network′

.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein that said step of establishing communication is postponed due to at least one condition for communication not being satisfied.

9. The method of claim 8 in which said condition relates to failure at a time to identify and select a said corresponding media enabled end user system, wherein that the availability of such a corresponding system is determined at a later time.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein that said availability is automatically determined at an end user system.

7. The method of claim 7 wherein that:

the step of negotiation involves determining a supportive service implemented at a service node,

said step of establishing comprises creation of further sub-sessions between the service node and said network node, and

said interconnecting includes interconnection of said further sub-sessions and said sub-sessions such that the multimedia user session is in support of said service.

11. An end user system for controlling the creation of a multimedia session, the system having processing and storage means, input means, means for presentation of information, and means for connecting to a communications network, comprising:

means for registering data pertaining to a plurality of identified end user systems determined to belong to an environment of the end user system,

means for interaction with a network node for negotiating a selection of media,

means for selection of identified end user systems corresponding to the selection of media, and

means for transmitting a request to establish a sub-session between each of the selected end user systems and a network node, said request including said selection of identified end user systems.

means at the network node for interconnection of said sub-sessions to form a multimedia user session.

12. The end user system of claim 11 further comprising means for automatic detection of end user systems within a physical environment and means for polling the detected systems for said data.

13. The end user system of claim 12 wherein that said means for detection and polling comprises a short-range wireless communication system connecting to each of said end user systems.

14. A network node connected to at least a communications network for management of a multimedia user session, comprising:

means for receiving a request for communication with identified end users,

means for transmitting invitation messages to said identified end users,

means for retrieving from a storage location data that relates to at least a plurality of end user systems associated with a said identified end user,

means for negotiating with said identified end users in dependence of said stored data selection of media and corresponding media enabled end user systems,

means for determining network addresses for selected end user systems and for establishment of sub-sessions between the end user systems and a network node and

means for interconnection of said sub-sessions to form a multimedia user session.