Messaging protocol/service switching methods and devices

• US 7,477,908 B2
• Filed: 12/13/2004
• Issued: 01/13/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Research In Motion Limited (Blackberry Limited)
• Inventors: Klassen, Gerhardt Dietrich, Wisebourt, Shaul S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bhattacharya; Sam
• Application Number:
  US11/008,956
• Publication Number:
  US 20060128405A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,492 Days
• Field of Search: 455/412.2, 455/414.1, 455/432.1, 455/432.2, 455/433, 455/435.1, 455/558, 455/466, 455/456.1, 455/410, 455/411
• US Class Current: 455/466
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/14 Session management for real-time applications in data packet communications networks H04L65/1066
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/18 Multiprotocol handlers, e.g. single devices capable of handling multiple protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/14 Reselecting a network or an air interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/12 Messaging; Mailboxes; Announcements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/14 Short messaging services, e.g. short message services [SMS] or unstructured supplementary service data [USSD]

Abstract

Methods, devices, and computer readable media for switching communications from a first messaging protocol/service to a second messaging protocol/service by use of messaging information being embedded in a header of a first message of the first messaging protocol/service to enable the recipient to contact the sender over the second messaging protocol/service, is provided.

Claims

1. A method of changing a mode of communication from SMS messaging to P2P messaging for communications between a first user device and a second user device, the method comprising:

communicating an SMS message having a user data header (UDH) including messaging information for P2P messaging; and

changing the mode of communication to P2P messaging using the messaging information after the communication of the SMS message and thereafter communicating using P2P messaging;

wherein said changing is executed by at least one of the first user device and the second user device.

2. The method of claim 1 for execution by the first user device, wherein:

said communicating comprises sending the SMS message from the first user device; and

said changing to P2P messaging comprises receiving a P2P message at the first user device.

3. The method of claim 1 for execution by the second user device wherein:

said communicating comprises receiving the SMS message at the second user device; and

said changing to P2P messaging comprises extracting the messaging information and transmitting a message using P2P at the second user device and thereafter communicating using P2P messaging in accordance with the messaging information.

4. The method of claim 1 for execution by the first user device and the second user device, wherein:

said communicating comprises;

a) sending the SMS message from the first user device to the second user device;

b) receiving the SMS message at the second user device;

said changing to P2P messaging comprises;

c) extracting the messaging information and sending the message using P2P from the second user device to the first user device in accordance with the messaging information; and

d) receiving the message using P2P at the first user device.

5. A method according to claim 1 further comprising before communicating:

determining from predetermined messaging protocol/service options whether messaging between the first user device and the second user device is permitted to be changed from SMS messaging to P2P messaging.

6. A method according to claim 1 wherein the messaging information comprises a PIN number for use in P2P messaging.

7. A user device adapted to change a mode of communication from SMS messaging to P2P messaging for communications with another user device by communicating an SMS message having a user data header (UDH) including messaging information for P2P messaging, and changing the mode of communication to P2P messaging using the messaging information for P2P messaging after the communicating of the SMS message and thereafter communicating using P2P messaging.

8. The user device of claim 7 comprising:

a receiver for receiving the SMS message from the another user device, the user data header (UDH) of the SMS message including messaging information for P2P messaging with the another user device;

a processing function for obtaining the messaging information from the UDH of the SMS message;

a transmitter for transmitting a message using P2P with use of the messaging information to the another user device, thereby switching to P2P messaging.

9. The user device of claim 8, wherein the processing function is farther adapted to determine from predetermined messaging protocol/service options whether messaging between the user device and the another user device is permitted to be changed from SMS messaging to P2P messaging.

10. The user device of claim 7 comprising:

a transmitter for transmitting the SMS message to the another user device, the user data header (13DM) of the SMS message including messaging information for P2P messaging with the another user device;

a receiver for receiving a message using P2P from the another user device, thereby switching to P2P messaging.

11. The user device of claim 7 comprising a transmitter, a receiver and a processing function, wherein:

the user device is adapted to initiate switching to P2P messaging by;

a) sending the SMS message to the another user device;

b) receiving a message using P2P from the another user device thereby switching to the P2P protocol;

the user device is adapted to change protocol upon initiation by another user device by;

c) receiving the SMS message from the another user device; and

d) sending a message using P2P to the another user device thereby switching to the P2P protocol.

12. The user device of claim 7 wherein the messaging information comprises a PIN number for use in P2P messaging with the another user device.

13. A computer readable medium comprising stored instructions for execution at a first user device, the instructions implementing a method of changing a mode of communication from SMS messaging to P2P messaging for communications between the first user device and a second user device, the method comprising:

communicating an SMS message having a user data header (LTDH) including messaging information for P2P messaging; and

changing the mode of communication to P2P messaging using the messaging information after the communicating of the SMS message and thereafter communicating using P2P messaging;

wherein said switching is executed by at least one of the first user device and the second user device.

14. The computer readable medium of claim 13 wherein:

said communicating comprises sending the SMS message from the first user device; and

said changing to P2P messaging comprises receiving a message using P2P at the first user device.

15. The computer readable medium of claim 13 wherein:

said communicating comprises receiving the SMS message at the second user device; and

said changing to P2P messaging comprises transmitting a message using P2P at the second user device.

16. The computer readable medium of claim 13 wherein:

said communicating comprises;

a) sending the SMS message from the first user device to the second user device;

b) receiving the SMS message at the second user device;

said changing to P2P messaging comprises;

c) sending a message using P2P from the second user device to the first user device; and

d) receiving the message using P2P at the first user device.

17. The computer readable medium of claim 16 wherein changing comprises:

the second user device obtaining the messaging information from the UDH of the SMS message; and

initiating P2P messaging between the first user device and the second user device with use of the messaging information.

18. The computer readable medium of claim 13 wherein the method further comprises before communicating:

determining from predetermined messaging protocol/service options whether messaging between the first user device and the second user device is permitted to be switched from SMS messaging to P2P messaging.

19. The computer readable medium of claim 13 wherein the messaging information comprises a PIN number for use in P2P messaging.