Appending database update information to voice calls from mobile devices to minimize call setup/teardown overhead

• US 6,901,252 B2
• Filed: 11/20/2001
• Issued: 05/31/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Thomson Licensing SA (Vantiva SA)
• Original Assignee: Thomson Licensing SA (Vantiva SA)
• Inventors: Litwin, Louis Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Maung, Nay
• Assistant Examiner(s): SOBUTKA, PHILIP
• Application Number:
  US09/988,516
• Publication Number:
  US 20030096601A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,288 Days
• Field of Search: 455/414, 455/466, 455/426, 455/412, 455/553, 455/414.1, 455/414.2, 455/414.3, 455/412.1
• US Class Current: 455/414.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42 Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers specially adapted for wireless communication networks H04W4/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/25 Maintenance of established connections
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/30 Connection release

Abstract

According to an aspect of the present invention, a method for providing non-voice data to a mobile device includes the step of maintaining a connection between the mobile device and a base station, when a user of the mobile device terminates a voice call provided through the base station. The non-voice data is received while the connection is maintained. The connection between the mobile device and the base station is terminated, upon performing the receiving step.

Claims

1. A method for providing non-voice data to a mobile device, comprising the steps of:

maintaining a connection between the mobile device and a base station, when a user of the mobile device terminates a voice call provided through the base station (340);

receiving the non-voice data while the connection is maintained (350) at the user'"'"'s option; and

terminating the connection between the mobile device and the base station, upon performing said receiving step (360).

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of receiving an input by the user corresponding to a frequency at which the non-voice data is to be received (335), said frequency (330) being related to time elapsed since a last said receiving of the non-voice data after a voice call is terminated, terminating a voice call before said time elapsed being followed by a termination of the connection between the mobile device and the base station.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of receiving an input by the user corresponding to a selection of items that are to be included in the non-voice data during said step of receiving the non-voice data (325), and wherein said step of receiving, the non-voice data is performed in accordance with the selection (350).

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the mobile device is a cellular phone.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the non-voice data comprises at least one of e-mail, stock quotes, weather, and news (305).

6. In a mobile device wherein non-voice data is obtained by a user of the mobile device placing a specific call to obtain the non-voice data, a method for automatically obtaining the non-voice data, the method comprising the steps of:

providing the user with an option of appending the non-voice data to an end of a voice call (305); and

automatically obtaining the non-voice data at an end of a voice call, when the option is selected by the user (350).

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said obtaining step comprises the step of

maintaining a connection between the mobile device and a base station, upon a user terminating a voice call provided through the base station (340);

receiving the non-voice data while the connection is maintained (350); and

terminating the connection between the mobile device and the base station, at a conclusion of said receiving step (360

8. The method of claim 6, further comprising the step of receiving an input by the user corresponding to a frequency at which the non-voice data is to be obtained (335), and wherein said obtaining step is performed in accordance with the frequency (350).

9. The method of claim 6, further comprising the step of receiving an input by the user corresponding to a selection of items that are to be included in the non-voice data during said obtaining step (325), and wherein said obtaining step is performed in accordance with the selection (350).

10. The method of claim 6, wherein the mobile device is a cellular phone.

11. The method of claim 6, wherein the non-voice data comprises at least one of e-mail, stock quotes, weather, and news (305).

12. A mobile device for receiving voice data and non-voice data, comprising:

means for maintaining a connection between the mobile device and a base station, when a user of the mobile device terminates a voice call provided through the base station (220);

means for receiving the non-voice data while the connection is maintained (220) at the user'"'"'s option; and

means for terminating the connection between the mobile device and the base station, upon receiving the non-voice data (220).

13. The mobile device of claim 12, further comprising means for receiving an input by the user corresponding to a frequency at which the non-voice data is to be received, said frequency (220, 330) being related to time elapsed since last receiving the non-voice data after a voice call is terminated, terminating a voice call before said time elapsed being followed by a termination of the connection between the mobile device and the base station.

14. The mobile device of claim 12, further comprising means for receiving an input by the user corresponding to a selection of items that are to be included in the non-voice data that is received by said means for receiving, and wherein means for receiving receives the non-voice data in accordance with the selection (220).

15. The mobile device of claim 12, wherein the mobile device is a cellular phone.

16. The mobile device of claim 12, wherein the non-voice data comprises at least one of e-mail, stock quotes, weather, and news (305).