Patent ID: 8443091
Filing Date: 2013-05-14
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method in an application server for providing different services and performing service changes in a multimedia communication system that includes the application server and a plurality of multimedia clients, the method comprising the steps of: receiving by the application server on a session signaling channel, a first request message from a first multimedia client inviting at least a second multimedia client to be part of a multimedia session, the first request message including an indication of all media types supported by the first multimedia client, the supported media types of the first multimedia client including at least a first media type and a second media type supported by the application server; sending on the session signaling channel from the application server to the second multimedia client, a second request message inviting the second multimedia client to be part of the multimedia session; receiving by the application server on the session signaling channel, a response message from the second multimedia client, the response message including an indication of all media types supported by the second multimedia client, the supported media types of the second multimedia client including at least the first media type and the second media type supported by the application server; receiving by the application server on a media control channel that is distinct from the session signaling channel, a media burst request from the first multimedia client requesting to transmit toward the second multimedia client, a media stream comprising media of the first and second media types; comparing by the application server, the requested first and second media types with the supported media types for the second multimedia client to verify that the requested first and second media types are supported by the second multimedia client; sending on the media control channel from the application server to the first multimedia client, a first grant allowing transmission of the first and second media types; receiving by the application server, a first media burst from the first multimedia client, the first media burst comprising media of the first media type; retransmitting by the application server, the first media burst to the second multimedia client; receiving by the application server, a second media burst from the first multimedia client, the second media burst comprising media of the second media type; retransmitting by the application server, the second media burst to the second multimedia client; during the multimedia session, receiving by the application server on the media control channel, a service change request from the first multimedia client requesting to transmit to the second multimedia client, a media burst comprising a new media type not included in the first grant; comparing by the application server, the requested new media type with the supported media types for the second multimedia client to verify that the requested new media type is supported by the second multimedia client; sending on the media control channel from the application server to the first multimedia client, a second grant allowing transmission of the requested new media type; receiving by the application server from the first media client, a new media burst from the first multimedia client, the new media burst comprising media of the new media type; and retransmitting the new media stream from the application server to the second multimedia client.