Method for changing between a packet-oriented PTT session and a circuit-oriented telephone connection between at least two radio communication appliances, associated radio communication appliance, network component and radio communication system

• US 20090176461A1
• Filed: 03/04/2009
• Published: 07/09/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Siemens AG
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Kautz, Olaf, Schwagmann, Norbert, Laumen, Josef
• Granted Patent: US 8,462,771 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/90.200
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/5692 Selection among different networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/10 Push-to-Talk [PTT] or Push-On-Call services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 Connection setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/45 for Push-to-Talk [PTT] or Push-to-Talk over cellular [PoC] services
• 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

To change between a packet-oriented PTT session (PC) and a circuit-oriented telephone connection (TC) as selectable communication connections between at least one first connected radio communication appliance (UE1) and at least one second connected radio communication appliance (UE2) in a radio communication system (FC), a first of these two communication connections (PC) is selected and set up by at least one connected radio communication appliance (UE1) and/or by at least one control unit (PTTS1) in the radio network in the radio communication system (FC). A change is made from this first communication connection (PC), which has been set up, to the second communication connection (TC) under the control of a radio communication appliance (UE1) which is connected to the first communication connection (PC) and/or under the control of that control unit (PTTS1) in the radio network in the radio communication system (FC) which is connected to the first communication connection (PC) by activating the second communication connection (TC) while the first communication connection (PC) still exists.

Claims

1. A method for changing between a packet-oriented PTT session (PC) and a circuit-oriented telephone connection (TC) as selectable communication connections between at least one first connected radio communication appliance (UE1) and at least one second connected radio communication appliance (UE2) in a radio communication system (FC), where a first of these two communication connections (PC, TC) is selected and set up by at least one connected radio communication appliance (UE1) and/or by at least one control unit (PTTS1) in the radio network in the radio communication system (FC), and where a change is made from this first communication connection (PC), which has already been set up, to the second communication connection (TC) under the control of a radio communication appliance (UE1) which is connected to the first communication connection (PC) and/or under the control of that control unit (PTTS1) in the radio network in the radio communication system (FC) which is connected to the first communication connection (PC) by activating the second communication connection (TC) while the first communication connection (PC) still exists.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1,

characterized

in that the first radio communication appliance (UE1) uses the first communication connection (PC), which has already been set up, to send the second radio communication appliance (UE2) at least one control signal (IS2) which is used to notify the second radio communication appliance (UE2) of the need for the first radio communication appliance (UE1) to change from the first communication connection (PC), which has already been set up, to the second communication connection (TC).

3. The method as claimed in claim 1,

characterized

in that the first and/or the second radio communication appliance (UE1) connected to the first communication connection (PC), which has already been set up, sends that control unit (PTTS1) which is responsible for the first communication connection (PC), which has been set up, at least one control signal (IS2*) which is used to notify this control unit (PTTS1) of the need for the first and/or the second radio communication appliance (UE1) to change from the first communication connection (PC) to the second communication connection (TC).

4. The method as claimed in claim 1,

characterized

in that the first and/or second radio communication appliance (UE1) connected to the first communication connection (PC), which has already been set up, sends that control unit (MSC1) which is responsible for the second communication connection (TC), which needs to be set up, at least one control signal (IS1) which is used to notify this control unit (MSC1) of the need for the first and/or the second radio communication appliance (UE1) to change from the first communication connection (PC) to the second communication connection (TC).

5. The method as claimed in claim 1,

characterized

in that the control unit (PTTS1) connected to the first communication connection (PC), which has already been set up, sends the control signal (SM1) relating to the need for the first and/or the second radio communication appliance (UE1) to change to that control unit (MSC1) which is responsible for activating and setting up the second communication connection (TC).

6. The method as claimed in claim 2,

characterized

in that the control signal (IS2) has inserted into it one or more address parameters (PN1, PN2) for that radio communication appliance (UE2), connected to the first communication connection, to which the need to change is directed and/or for that radio communication appliance (UE1), connected to the first communication connection, from which the need to change issues, and/or at least one identification parameter (P1) for distinguishing the first communication connection (PC), which has already been set up, for the second communication connection (TC), which needs to be set up.

7. The method as claimed in claim 6,

characterized

in that the identification parameter (P1) in the control signal (IS2) is used to associate the first communication connection (PC), which has already been set up, with the second communication connection (TC), which is yet to be set up, so that an explicit link is brought about between the first communication connection (PC), which has already been set up, and the required, second communication connection (TC).

8. The method as claimed in claim 1,

characterized

in that the first communication connection (PC), which has been set up, is cleared down and terminated after the second communication connection (TC) has been activated.

9. The method as claimed in claim 1,

characterized

in that, after it has been activated, the second communication connection (TC) is set up and maintained in parallel with the first communication connection (PC), which has already been set up.

10. The method as claimed in claim 1,

characterized

in that the control unit (PTTS1) used for the packet-oriented PTT session (PC) is a PTT server.

11. The method as claimed in claim 1,

characterized

in that the control unit (MSC1) used for the circuit-oriented telephone connection (TC) is an MSC switching unit.

12. A radio communication appliance (UE1, UE2) having a control unit (ST1) for carrying out the method as claimed in claim 1.

13. A network component (PTTS1, MSC1) having a control unit (SVS) for carrying out the method as claimed in claim 1.

14. A radio communication system (FC) having a first group (G1) of network components for selecting and providing a packet-oriented PTT session (PC) and also having a second group (G2) of network components for selecting and providing a circuit-oriented telephone connection (TC) as selectable communication connections between at least one first connected radio communication appliance (UE1) and at least one second connected radio communication appliance (UE2) in a radio communication system (FC), the two groups of network components each having control means for carrying out the method as claimed in claim 1.