Method and Arrangement for Enabling a Multimedia Communication Session

• US 20090010247A1
• Filed: 11/15/2004
• Published: 01/08/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/15/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Original Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Inventors: Stille, Mats
• Granted Patent: US 8,730,942 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/352
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/103 in the network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/104 in the network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/0055 Transmission or use of information for re-establishing the radio link
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/14 Reselecting a network or an air interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/20 Manipulation of established connections
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

A method and arrangement for enabling multimedia during an ongoing circuit-switched call between a first mobile terminal and a second terminal, wherein the first terminal uses a first access having constraints by not admitting simultaneous packet-switched and circuit-switched communication. A change of connection is detected from the first access to a second access having no such constraints by admitting simultaneous packet-switched and circuit-switched communication. A capability query is then sent to the second terminal in response to said detection. When the requested capabilities are received from the second terminal, possible multimedia applications and/or services are indicated to the user according to the received capabilities.

Claims

1. A method of enabling simultaneous packet-switched communication of multimedia during an ongoing circuit-switched call between a first mobile terminal and a second terminal, when the first terminal changes from a first communication access having constraints by not admitting simultaneous packet-switched and circuit-switched communication, to a second communication access not having said constraints by admitting simultaneous packet-switched and circuit-switched communication, characterised by the following steps, executed by the first mobile terminal:

detecting that the first mobile terminal has made a change of connection from said first communication access to said second communication access,

sending a capability query automatically to the second terminal in response to detecting said change of connection,

receiving capabilities from the second terminal, and

indicating possible multimedia applications and/or services to the user of the first mobile terminal, according to the capabilities received from the second terminal.

2. A method according to claim 1, characterised in that the first communication access involves connection with a first access network having said access constraints, and the second communication access involves connection to a second access network lacking said access constraints.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the packet-switched communication includes at least one media stream with data for video, text, game and/or images.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the circuit-switched call is a voice call.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein a PDP context is established for the first terminal after said change of connection, but before the step of sending a capability query.

6. A method according to claim 1, characterised in that the possible multimedia applications and/or services are indicated to the user by displaying corresponding icons or the like on the screen, or by generating an audio message such as a voice prompt.

7. A method according to claim 1, characterised in that the capabilities of the first terminal are included in the capability query to the second terminal.

8. A mobile terminal adapted for enabling simultaneous packet-switched communication of multimedia during an ongoing circuit-switched call with another terminal, when the mobile terminal changes from a first communication access having constraints by not admitting simultaneous packet-switched and circuit-switched communication, to a second communication access not having said constraints by admitting simultaneous packet-switched and circuit-switched communication characterised by:

means for detecting that the mobile terminal has made a change of connection from said first communication access to said second communication access,

means for sending a capability query automatically to the other terminal in response to detecting said change of connection,

means for receiving capabilities from the other terminal, and

means for indicating possible multimedia applications and/or services to the user of the mobile terminal according to the capabilities received from the other terminal.

9. A mobile terminal according to claim 8, characterised in that the detecting means is adapted to detect a change of connection from a first access network having said access constraints to a second access network lacking said access constraints.

10. A mobile terminal according to claim 8, characterised in that the mobile terminal is adapted to establish a PDP context after said change of connection, but before sending a capability query.

11. A mobile terminal according to claim 8, characterised in that said indicating means is adapted to indicate the possible multimedia applications and/or services by displaying corresponding icons or the like on the screen, or by generating an audio message such as a voice prompt.

12. A mobile terminal according to claim 8, characterised in that said means for sending the capability query is adapted to include the mobile terminal'"'"'s own capabilities therein.