Methods and system for fast session establishment between equipment using H.324 and related telecommunications protocols

• US 7,139,279 B2
• Filed: 12/09/2003
• Issued: 11/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: RPX Corporation
• Original Assignee: Dilithium Networks
• Inventors: Myers, David, Wong, Albert, Jabri, Marwan A., Southeren, Craig, Jongbloed, Robert, Jack, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Pham, Chi
• Assistant Examiner(s): ABELSON, RONALD B
• Application Number:
  US10/732,917
• Publication Number:
  US 20040174817A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,078 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 370/410
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1069 Session establishment or de-establishment
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1104 Session initiation protocol [SIP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1106 Call signalling protocols; H.323 and related
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/80 Responding to QoS
• 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 2207/20 hybrid systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/563 User guidance or feature selection
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/567 Multimedia conference systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/006 Networks other than PSTN/ISDN providing telephone service, e.g. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) , including next generation networks with a packet-switched transport layer H04L65/00 takes precedence; aspects not specific to the type of network H04M3/00; special services in those networks H04M3/42
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/126 Interworking of session control protocols

Abstract

Methods of establishing multimedia telecommunication (a multimedia “call”) between equipment (“terminals”). More particularly, the invention provides methods for reducing the time required to establish calls between terminals that implement the ITU-T H.324 Recommendation and other Standards and Recommendations derived from or related to this such as the 3G-324M recommendation developed and adopted by the Third Generation Partnership Projects (3GPP and 3GPP2). More specifically, it relates to (i) a method and apparatus for concatenating the H.245 messages that are required to pass between the terminals at the start of the call to establish the capabilities of both terminals and agree on the type and format of media and data to be exchanged (ii) a method and apparatus for using non-standard H.245 messages or standard H.245 messages with non-standard fields to accelerate such establishment and (iii) a method and apparatus of informing each terminal of the capabilities of the other and proposing the type and format of media and data to be exchanged by means of any user-defined fields that are inserted in the call signaling protocol that is used for bearer establishment prior to the start of the H.324 stage of the call.

Claims

1. A method of initiating a call between users with reduced call set-up times using one or more telecommunication networks, the method being provided between at least a pair of H.324-like terminals coupled to the one or more telecommunication networks, the method comprising:

transmitting a call signaling message from a first terminal to a second terminal through a telecommunication network to initiate a call;

establishing a bearer channel between the first terminal and the second terminal once the call signaling message has been received by the second terminal;

determining a common mobile level for operation;

providing one or more custom Non-Standard H.245 messages or custom Non-Standard fields in standard messages, the one or more custom H.245 messages or custom Non-Standard fields being associated with one or more set up parameters for an initial predetermined mode of operation;

transmitting the one or more custom Non-Standard H.245 messages or custom Non-Standard fields in standard messages from the first terminal to the second terminal;

transmitting a custom Non-Standard response message associated with the one or more custom Non-Standard H.245 messages or custom Non-Standard fields from the second terminal to the first terminal;

processing the one or more custom H.245 messages or custom Non-Standard fields during a predetermined time period; and

establishing the initial predetermined mode of operation between the first terminal and the second terminal through the bearer channel based upon at least one or more of the custom H.245 messages or custom Non-Standard fields and

transmitting media including at least one of video, audio, or data on a logical channel, the media associated with the initial predetermined mode of operation from the first terminal to the second terminal, wherein transmitting is performed prior to completing a standard H.245 Open Logical Channel procedure associated with the logical channel.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the one or more custom Non-Standard H.245 messages are represented themselves as one or more Non-Standard Capabilities embedded in a H.245 terminal capability set request message.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein one or more user preferences, either coded or explicit, are provided in one of the custom Non-Standard H.245 messages.

65. The method of claim 1 wherein the standard H.245 Open Logical Channel procedure comprises sending an H.245 Open Logical Channel Request from the first terminal to the second terminal and receiving, at the first terminal, an H.245 Open Logical Channel Response from the second terminal.

4. A computer-readable medium including instructions for initiating a call between users with reduced call set-up times using one or more telecommunication networks, the computer-readable medium being provided between at least a pair of H.324-like terminals coupled to the one or more telecommunication networks, the computer-readable medium comprising:

one or more instructions for transmitting a call signaling message from a first terminal to a second terminal through a telecommunication network to initiate a call;

one or more instructions for establishing a bearer channel between the first terminal and the second terminal once the call signaling message has been received by the second terminal;

one or more instructions for determining a common mobile level for operation;

one or more instructions for providing one or more custom Non-Standard H.245 messages or custom Non-Standard fields in standard messages, the one or more custom H.245 messages or custom Non-Standard fields being associated with one or more set up parameters for an initial predetermined mode of operation;

one or more instructions for transmitting the one or more custom Non-Standard H.245 messages or custom Non-Standard fields in standard messages from the first terminal to the second terminal;

one or more instructions for transmitting a custom Non-Standard response message associated with the one or more custom Non-Standard H.245 messages or custom Non-Standard fields from the second terminal to the first terminal;

one or more instructions for processing the one or more custom H.245 messages or custom Non-Standard fields during a predetermined time period; and

one or more instructions for establishing the initial predetermined mode of operation between the first terminal and the second terminal through the bearer channel based upon at least one or more of the custom H.245 messages or custom Non-Standard fields and

one or more instructions for transmitting media including at least one of video, audio, or data on a logical channel, the media associated with the initial predetermined mode of operation from the first terminal to the second terminal, wherein transmitting is performed prior to completing a standard H.245 Open Logical Channel procedure associated with the logical channel.

5. The computer-readable medium of claim 4 wherein the one or more custom Non-Standard H.245 messages are represented themselves as one or more Non-Standard Capabilities embedded in a H.245 terminal capability set request message.

6. The computer-readable medium of claim 4 wherein one or more user preferences, either coded or explicit, are provided in one of the custom Non-Standard H.245 messages.

7. A method of reducing a set-up time for a call between users of one or more 3G telecommunication networks, the method being provided between at least a pair of H.324-like devices coupled to the one or more 3G telecommunication networks, the method comprising:

transmitting a call signaling message from a first device to a second device through a telecommunication network to initiate a call;

establishing a bearer channel between the first device and the second device once the call signaling message has been received by the second device;

determining a mobile level for operation;

providing one or more custom H.245 messages or custom fields in one or more standard H.245 messages, the one or more custom H.245 messages or custom fields being associated with one or more parameters for a mode of operation. wherein a content of the one or more custom H.245 messages or custom fields includes a signal that the first device is capable of performing a procedure for reducing the set-up time for the call;

transmitting the one or more custom H.245 messages or custom fields in the one or more standard H.245 messages;

processing the one or more custom H.245 messages or custom fields; and

establishing the mode of operation between the first device and the second device through the bearer channel based upon at least one or more of the one or more custom H.245 messages or custom fields.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the one or more custom H.245 messages are represented themselves as one or more Capabilities embedded in a H.245 Terminal Capability Set request message.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein one or more user preferences, either predetermined, predefined, or explicit, are provided in one of the one or more custom H.245 messages.

10. The method of claim 7 wherein the one or more custom H.245 messages or custom fields are transmitted in one or more SRP frames.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the one or more SRP frames are transmitted from the first device within a round trip cycle time prior to receiving one or more corresponding SRP acknowledgment responses from the second device.

12. The method of claim 10 further comprising using a sliding window to transmit an additional SRP frame from the first device to the second device prior to receiving a corresponding SRP acknowledgment response from the second device.

13. The method of claim 10 wherein the one or more SRP frames are associated with independent H.245 procedures, wherein the independent H.245 procedures are either standard H.245 procedures or custom H.245 procedures, and are transmitted from the first device prior to receiving one or more corresponding SRP acknowledgment responses from the second device.

14. The method of claim 10 further comprising:

receiving one or more SRP acknowledgment responses at the first device;

identifying the one or more SRP acknowledgement responses; and

associating the identified one or more SRP acknowledgment responses with a corresponding SRP frame from the one or more SRP frames.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the one or more SRP acknowledgment responses are one or more numbered SRP acknowledgment responses.

16. The method of claim 10 further comprising:

receiving a first SRP frame of the one or more SRP frames at the second device; and

determining a capability associated with the first device based on receiving the first SRP frame.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the capability comprises a TCS capability indication.

18. The method of claim 16 wherein determining a capability comprises determining an alternative header is used in the first SRP frame.

19. The method of claim 10 further comprising repeating a transmission of the one or more SRP frames, thereby improving reliability against channel errors.

20. The method of claim 10 further comprising repeating a transmission of the one or more SRP frames after not receiving a corresponding SRP acknowledgment response in a predetermined time period.

21. The method of claim 7 further comprising transferring one or more messages to establish one or more logical channels after establishing the mode of operation.

22. The method of claim 7 further comprising transmitting media after the one or more custom H.245 messages or custom fields.

23. The method of claim 7 further comprising performing a session setup process.

24. The method of claim 7 further comprising forming a message group by concatenating the one or more custom H.245 messages and the one or more standard H.245 messages into a single SRP frame to communicate a terminal capability, a preference mode, a logical channel opening request, or a multiplexer table configuration.

25. The method of claim 24 wherein the message group comprises a Terminal Capability Set and a Master Slave Determination.

26. The method of claim 25 wherein the message group further comprises a custom message included in the Terminal Capability Set.

27. The method of claim 26 wherein the message group further comprises an Open Logical Channel request.

28. The method of claim 25 wherein the message group further comprises an Open Logical Channel request.

29. The method of claim 28 wherein the message group further comprises a Multiplexer Table Entry request.

30. The method of claim 24 wherein the message group comprises a Master Slave Determination and an Open Logical Channel request.

31. The method of claim 24 wherein the message group comprises a Terminal Capability Set and one or more custom messages.

32. The method of claim 31 wherein the message group further comprises an Open Logical Channel request.

33. The method of claim 32 wherein the message group further comprises a Multiplexer Table Entry request.

34. The method of claim 31 wherein the message group further comprises a Multiplexer Table Entry request.

35. The method of claim 7 further comprising transmitting a custom Non-Standard response message associated with the one or more custom Non-Standard H.245 messages or custom Non-Standard fields.

36. A computer-readable medium including computer executable instructions for initiating a call between users with reduced call set-up times using one or more 3G telecommunication networks, the computer-readable medium being provided between at least a pair of H.324-like devices coupled to the one or more 3G telecommunication networks, the computer-readable medium comprising:

one or more instructions for transmitting a call signaling message from a first device to a second device through a telecommunication network to initiate a call;

one or more instructions for establishing a bearer channel between the first device and the second device once the call signaling message has been received by the second device;

one or more instructions for determining a mobile level for operation;

one or more instructions for providing one or more custom H.245 messages or custom fields in one or more standard H.245 messages, the one or more custom H.245 messages or custom fields being associated with one or more parameters for a mode of operation wherein a content of the one or more custom H.245 messages or custom fields includes a signal that the first device is capable of performing a procedure for reducing the set-up time for the call;

one or more instructions for transmitting the one or more custom H.245 messages or custom fields in the one or more standard H.245 messages;

one or more instructions for processing the one or more custom H.245 messages or custom fields; and

one or more instructions for establishing the mode of operation between the first device and the second device through the bearer channel based upon at least one or more of the one or more custom H.245 messages or custom fields.

37. The computer-readable medium of claim 36 wherein the one or more custom H.245 messages are represented themselves as one or more Capabilities embedded in a H.245 Terminal Capability Set request message.

38. The computer-readable medium of claim 36 wherein one or more user preferences, either predetermined, predefined, or explicit, are provided in one of the one or more custom H.245 messages.

39. The computer-readable medium of claim 36 wherein the one or more custom H.245 messages or custom fields are transmitted in one or more SRP frames.

40. The computer-readable medium of claim 39 wherein the one or more SRP frames are transmitted from the first device within a round trip cycle time prior to receiving one or more corresponding SRP acknowledgment responses from the second device.

41. The computer-readable medium of claim 39 further comprising using a sliding window to transmit an additional SRP frame from the first device to the second device prior to receiving a corresponding SRP acknowledgment response from the second device.

42. The computer-readable medium of claim 39 wherein the one or more SRP frames are associated with independent H.245 procedures, wherein the independent H.245 procedures are either standard H.245 procedures or custom H.245 procedures and are transmitted from the first device prior to receiving one or more corresponding SRP acknowledgment responses from the second device.

43. The computer-readable medium of claim 39 further comprising:

receiving one or more SRP acknowledgment responses at the first device;

identifying the one or more SRP acknowledgement response; and

associating the identified one or more SRP acknowledgment responses with a corresponding SRP frame from the one or more SRP frames.

44. The computer-readable medium of claim 43 wherein the one or more SRP acknowledgment responses are one or more numbered SRP acknowledgment responses.

45. The computer-readable medium of claim 39 further comprising:

receiving a first SRP frame of the one or more SRP frames at the second device; and

determining a capability associated with the first device based on receiving the first SRP frame.

46. The computer-readable medium of claim 45 wherein the capability comprises a TCS capability indication.

47. The computer-readable medium of claim 45 wherein determining a capability comprises determining an alternative header is used in the first SRP frame.

48. The computer-readable medium of claim 39 further comprising repeating a transmission of the one or more SRP frames, thereby improving reliability against channel errors.

49. The computer-readable medium of claim 39 further comprising repeating a transmission of the one or more SRP frames after not receiving a corresponding SRP acknowledgment response in a predetermined time period.

50. The computer-readable medium of claim 36 further comprising transferring one or more messages to establish one or more logical channels after establishing the mode of operation.

51. The computer-readable medium of claim 36 further comprising transmitting media after the one or more custom H.245 messages or custom fields.

52. The computer-readable medium of claim 36 further comprising performing a session setup process.

53. The computer-readable medium of claim 36 further comprising forming a message group by concatenating the one or more custom H.245 messages and the one or more standard H.245 messages into a single SRP frame to communicate a terminal capability, a preference mode, a logical channel opening request, or a multiplexer table configuration.

54. The computer-readable medium of claim 53 wherein the message group comprises a Terminal Capability Set and a Master Slave Determination.

55. The computer-readable medium of claim 54 wherein the message group further comprises a custom message included in the Terminal Capability Set.

56. The computer-readable medium of claim 55 wherein the message group further comprises an Open Logical Channel request.

57. The computer-readable medium of claim 54 wherein the message group further comprises an Open Logical Channel request.

58. The computer-readable medium of claim 57 wherein the message group further comprises a Multiplexer Table Entry request.

59. The computer-readable medium of claim 53 wherein the message group comprises a Master Slave Determination and an Open Logical Channel request.

60. The computer-readable medium of claim 53 wherein the message group comprises a Terminal Capability Set and one or more custom messages.

61. The computer-readable medium of claim 60 wherein the message group further comprises an Open Logical Channel request.

62. The computer-readable medium of claim 61 wherein the message group further comprises a Multiplexer Table Entry request.

63. The computer-readable medium of claim 60 wherein the message group further comprises a Multiplexer Table Entry request.

64. The computer-readable medium of claim 36 further comprising transmitting a custom Non-Standard response message associated with the one or more custom Non-Standard H.245 messages or custom Non-Standard fields.