Communication method, mobile terminal, and computer program

A communication method, a mobile terminal and a computer program are provided. According to the invention, data streaming communication is performed to the mobile terminal, a communication connection request message is received from the network infrastructure in the mobile terminal, the reception of the communication connection request is indicated to a user of the mobile terminal, a first mode change command generated by the user is received in the mobile terminal, suspension of the data streaming communication is requested for on the basis of the first mode change command, and the communication connection is accepted on the basis of the first mode change command.

FIELD

The invention relates to a communication method in a wireless telecommunications system, a mobile terminal in a wireless telecommunications system, and a computer program for executing a computer process in a wireless telecommunications system.

BACKGROUND

As the data communication capacity and the capabilities of the wireless telecommunications system have increased dramatically and a great variety of digital services have become available to users, the information flow to a mobile terminal may in some cases exceed the limits of the user and/or the limits of the user interface. As an example, such a situation may occur when a service involving data streaming communication is in progress, and simultaneously, a communication connection requiring the user's attention and/or the user interface is requested.

Therefore, it is useful to consider techniques to handle such situations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to provide an improved method, mobile terminal and computer program.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a communication method in a wireless telecommunications system including a network infrastructure connected to at least one server for providing data streaming communication where a data stream is communicated from the server to a mobile terminal over a radio interface provided by the network infrastructure, the method including: performing data streaming communication to the mobile terminal; receiving a communication connection request message from the network infrastructure in the mobile terminal; indicating reception of the communication connection request to a user of the mobile terminal; receiving in the mobile terminal a first mode change command generated by the user; requesting for suspension of the data streaming communication on the basis of the first mode change command; and accepting the communication connection on the basis of the first mode change command.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a mobile terminal of a wireless telecommunications system including a network infrastructure connected to at least one server for providing data streaming communication where a data stream is communicated from the server to a mobile terminal over a radio interface provided by the network infrastructure, the mobile terminal including: a communicating unit for performing data streaming communication to the mobile terminal; a message receiving unit for receiving a communication connection request message from the network infrastructure; an indicating device connected to the message receiving unit, for indicating reception of the communication connection request message to the user of the mobile terminal; a command receiving device for receiving a first mode change command generated by the user; a data streaming control unit operationally connected to the command receive device and the communicating unit, for requesting for suspension of the data streaming communication on the basis of the first mode change command; and a communication connection control unit operationally connected to the command receive device, for accepting the communication connection on the basis of the first mode change command.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a computer program embodied on a computer readable medium, for executing a computer process in a wireless telecommunications system including a network infrastructure connected to at least one server for providing services for mobile terminals by using the network infrastructure, the computer process including: performing a data streaming communication to the mobile terminal; receiving a communication connection request message from the network infrastructure in the mobile terminal; indicating reception of the communication connection request to a user of the mobile terminal; receiving in the mobile terminal a first mode change command generated by the user; requesting for suspension of the data streaming communication on the basis of the first mode change command; and accepting the communication connection on the basis of the first mode change command.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are described in the dependent claims.

The method, mobile terminal and computer program of the invention provide several advantages. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the data streaming communication is interrupted automatically when a communication connection is accepted. As a result, the end user is not required to take separate actions to accept the communication connection and interrupt the data streaming communication, thus simplifying a shift from using the data streaming service to using the communication connection. Furthermore, in some embodiments, neither is the end user required to take separate actions to resume from using the communication connection back to using the data streaming service.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1illustrates an example of a wireless telecommunications system, which provides an example of a framework to which the present solution may be applied.

The wireless telecommunications system may be divided into a network infrastructure (IS)100and at least one mobile terminal (MT)102.

The mobile terminal102may also be called user equipment, a user terminal, or a mobile phone. The mobile terminal102comprises at least a radio modem, which provides a radio communication link between the mobile terminal102and the network infrastructure100.

The network infrastructure100includes terrestrial network elements and may be divided into a core network110(CN) and a radio access network104(RAN) connected to the core network110.

The core network110provides a combination of exchanges and transmission equipment which together, form a basis for telecommunications network services.

The core network110may include a packet-switched domain122B (PSD) for providing packet-switched telecommunications services for the mobile terminal102. In the example, the packet-switched domain122B includes an SGSN114(Serving GPRS Support Node) connected to the radio access network104.

The core network110may include a circuit-switched domain122A (SSD) for providing circuit-switched telecommunications services for the mobile terminal102. In the example, the circuit-switched domain122A is represented by an MSC112(Mobile Switching Center) connected to the radio access network104.

The radio access network104provides radio resources for the telecommunication services. In the example, the radio access network104includes a UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network108(UTRAN) and a GSM EDGE (Enhanced Data rates for Global Evolution) Radio Access Network106(GERAN). The radio access network104is responsible of an infrastructure part of the radio interface118A,118B between the network infrastructure100and the mobile terminal102.

The UTRAN108represents a third generation radio access technology and is typically implemented with Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) radio access technology. The radio interface118B provided by the UTRAN is called Uu.

The UTRAN108typically comprises Radio Network Controllers (RNC) and Node B's. The structure of the UTRAN108is known to one skilled in the art and only details relevant to the present solution are described in detail.

The GERAN106is typically implemented with Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) radio access technology. The GERAN106may include GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) and GSM based systems, such as GSM/EDGE system (Enhanced Data rates for Global Evolution), GPRS system (General Packet Radio Service), and/or and E-GPRS system (Enhanced GPRS). The radio interface118A provided by the GERAN is called Um.

The GERAN106typically comprises base stations and base station controllers. The structure of the GERAN106is known to one skilled in the art and only details relevant to the present solution are described in detail.

The network infrastructure100is connected to a server116which provides a data streaming communication service where a data stream120is communicated from the server116to the mobile terminal102over the radio interface118A,118B. The server116may be located in the wireless telecommunications system or it may be connected to the wireless telecommunications system over an external network, such as the Internet.

The data packets of the data stream120may be stored in the server116or routed via the server116. When the data stream120is routed via the server116, the source of the data stream120may be another server or a real-time source, such as a video camera, an audio player, and/or a broadcasting system.

The server116and the mobile terminal102may utilize standardized protocols, such as an RTSP (Real Time Streaming Protocol), in the data streaming communication. The RTSP is an application-level protocol for the delivery of real-time data. The RTSP establishes and controls either one or more time-synchronised streams of continuous media.

The data stream120is typically a flow of information bits, which may be delivered continuously or in separate data packets. The data rate associated with the data stream120may depend e.g. on the capacity of the network infrastructure100, the capacity of the mobile terminal102, the characteristics of the service and/or the prevailing load of the wireless telecommunications system.

In an embodiment of the invention, the data stream120delivers a real-time streaming service, such as a video streaming service and/or a voice streaming service. In such a case, it is typical that the contents of the service require active attention from the user. The user may not be willing to lose any of the contents if the service session is interrupted. Furthermore, it may be possible that the communication of the data stream120may not be initiated from the beginning. Such a situation may occur if the service provides a data stream120which includes live data feeds, such as those originating from real-time audio and/or video broadcast.

The data stream120may be communicated to the radio access network104through the circuit-switched domain122A and/or the packet-switched domain122B, depending e.g. on the characteristics of the data streaming communication service and the properties of the wireless telecommunications system. The choice of the domain is not, however, critical from the point of view of the present solution.

The data stream120may be communicated from the radio access network104to the mobile terminal102through the UTRAN104and/or the GERAN, depending e.g. on the characteristics of the radio access network104, the characteristics of the mobile terminal102, and the requirements of the data streaming communication service. The choice of the radio access technology used for delivering the data stream120to the mobile terminal is not, however, a critical detail from the point of view of the present solution.

With reference toFIG. 2, the server218directs the data stream220into the network infrastructure216, which transmits the data stream220to the mobile terminal200over the radio interface118A,118B.

A communicating unit202(CU) comprised by the mobile terminal200receives the data stream220.

The communicating unit202may include a radio receiver for receiving a radio signal carrying the data stream220. Furthermore, the communicating unit202may include processing devices, such as a digital computer and software, for processing the bits of the data stream220and implementing communication protocols, such as the RTSP.

The communicating unit202may further include elements, such as software and a transmitter, to implement data transfer connections, such as HSDPA (High-Speed Downlink Packet Access) operating on top of the UTRAN platform. The HSDPA provides efficient downlink data streaming communication and involves bi-directional signalling between the network infrastructure216and the mobile terminal200. The signalling in the downlink direction may deliver information on the characteristics, such as coding and modulation characteristics, of data packets transmitted from the network infrastructure216. The signalling in the uplink direction may include channel information and information about whether or not received data packets were decoded successfully.

While the data streaming communication between the mobile terminal200and the server218is in progress, a communication connection request message222may be generated in the network infrastructure216and transmitted to the mobile terminal200over the radio interface118A,118B. The communication connection request message222typically informs the mobile terminal200of a need to contact the network infrastructure216to establish a communication connection. Such a communication connection may be e.g. a voice call connection to a far end device (FED)236, such as another mobile terminal or a phone terminal of a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). The communication connection may be based on circuit-switched or packet-switched communication.

A message receiving unit204(MRU) of the mobile terminal200receives the communication connection request message222. The message receiving unit204may be implemented with a radio receiver, which receives the radio signal carrying the communication connection request message222. Furthermore, the message receiving unit204may include a digital computer and software for processing the radio signal and for extracting the communication connection request message222from the radio signal.

The communication connection request message may relate to an incoming voice call, an incoming data call, an incoming fax, and/or an incoming data packet connection request, for example. The incoming data call may be based, for example, on a PoC (Push to talk over Cellular) service used in the GPRS mobile terminals. In an embodiment, the communication connection request message222may be a “SETUP” message of the GSM system, which “SETUP” message indicates that a circuit-switched call has arrived at the mobile terminal200.

The message receiving unit204generates an indication signal254indicating that the communication connection request message222has been received at the mobile terminal200, and delivers the indication signal254to an indicating device (IND)206connected to the message receiving unit204. The indication signal254may include information, such as the phone number, on the far end device236from which the communication connection request was originated.

The indicating device206indicates the reception of the communication connection request message222to the user of the mobile terminal200.

The indicating device206is typically comprised by a user interface of the mobile terminal200.

The indicating device206may include a display, which visually indicates the reception of the communication connection request message222by using lights, alphanumeric symbols, and/or graphics. The display may show the information contents, such as the phone number, of the indication signal254to the user.

The indicating device206may also include an acoustic indication device, such as a buzzer or a loudspeaker, which generates a sound as an indication of the reception of the communication connection request message222at the mobile terminal200.

The indicating device206may also include a mechanical indicator which indicates the reception of the communication connection request message222at the mobile terminal200as mechanical vibration.

As a result of the reception of the communication connection request message200being indicated to the user, the user may take action to accept the communication connection. In such a case, the user may generate a first mode change command224, which is received in a command receive device (CRD)208.

The command receive device208is typically comprised by the user interface of the mobile terminal200.

The command receive device208may include a mechanical switch, such as a key, which converts a touch of the user into an electric signal. In an embodiment of the invention, the mechanical switch is a selection key for accepting incoming calls.

The command receive device208may be comprised by a touch screen, which includes a section dedicated to receiving the first mode change command224.

The command receive device208may further include a voice activation decoder, which converts an acoustic first mode change command224into the first mode change command230in electric form.

The mobile terminal200includes a data streaming control unit210(DSCU) operationally connected to the command receive device208and the communicating unit202.

The data streaming control unit210requests for suspension of the data streaming communication on the basis of the first mode change command224. The suspension of the data streaming communication interrupts the communication of the data stream220.

When the data streaming control unit210is connected operationally to the command receive device208, one or more functional units passing indication of the reception of the first mode change command224may exist between the command receive device208and the data streaming control unit210.

In an embodiment of the invention, the data streaming control unit210generates a transmission suspension message228on the basis of the first mode change command224, and transmits the transmission suspension message to the server218over the radio interface118A,118B provided by the network infrastructure216. The transmission suspension message228informs the server218to suspend the transmission of the data stream220.

The transmission suspension message228may include, for example, an RTSP PAUSE command, which temporarily halts the data stream220without releasing any other resources of the server218.

The data streaming control unit210may further deliver a receive suspension signal226to the communicating unit202. The communicating unit202suspends the reception of the data stream220after receiving the receive suspension signal226.

The data streaming control unit210may be implemented with a computer and a computer program for executing computer processes. The data streaming control unit210may further be connected to a transmitter of the mobile terminal200in order to realize the radio signal transmission when communicating the transmission suspension message228to the network infrastructure200.

The mobile terminal200further includes a communication connection control unit212operationally connected to the command receive device208.

The communication connection control unit212accepts the communication connection on the basis of the first mode change command224. When the communication connection is accepted, procedures, such as call establishment procedures, to establish the communication connection may be initiated in the mobile terminal200. In an embodiment, the communication connection control unit212transmits a communication connection acceptance message242to the network infrastructure216on the basis of the first mode change command. The communication connection acceptance message242informs an infrastructure network element, such as the MSC and/or the SGSN, to switch on the communication connection between the mobile terminal200and the far end device236. As an example, if the communication connection is a GSM circuit switched call, the network infrastructure216sends a “SETUP” message to the mobile terminal200. When accepting the incoming call, the mobile terminal200sends a “CONNECT” message to the network infrastructure216.

When the communication connection control unit212is connected operationally to the command receive device208, one or more functional units passing indication of reception of the first mode change command224may exist between the command receive device208and the communication connection control unit212.

In an embodiment of the invention, the command receive device208converts the first mode change command224into an electric form and delivers the first mode change command230in electric form into the data streaming control unit210connected to the command receive device208. The data streaming control unit210receives the first mode change command230in electric form and suspends the data streaming communication on the basis of the first mode change command230.

In an embodiment of the invention, the command receive device208converts the first mode change command224into an electric form and delivers the first mode change command240in electric form into the communication connection control unit212connected to the command receive device208. The communication connection control unit212receives the first mode change command240in electric form and accepts the communication connection after receiving the first mode change command240.

The communication connection control unit212may be implemented with, for example, a digital computer and a computer program for processing software. The communication connection control unit212may be connected to a radio transmitter of the mobile terminal200in order to provide radio resources for transmitting the communication connection acceptance message242to the network infrastructure216.

In an embodiment of the invention, the data streaming control unit210is connected to the communication connection control unit212. The existence of the communication connection acceptance message242may be indicated with an indication signal264to the data streaming control unit210in order to inform the data streaming control unit210that a communication connection establishment procedure has been initiated. Based on the indication signal264, the data streaming control unit210may initiate a data streaming suspension procedure, which may include generating the transmission suspension message228and transmitting the transmission suspension message228to the server218over the radio interface118A,118B.

In an embodiment of the invention, the data streaming control unit210generates the transmission suspension message228and informs the communication connection control unit212that such a transmission suspension message228exists by issuing an indication signal262. Based on the indication signal262, the communication connection control unit212accepts the communication connection by initiating the communication connection establishment procedure including, for example, transmitting the communication connection acceptance message242to the network infrastructure216. The transmission suspension message228is then transmitted to the server218over the radio interface118A,118B.

In an embodiment of the invention, the mobile terminal200includes a data streaming radio connection control unit (DSRCCU)214operationally connected to the command receive device208, for generating a connection suspension message238on the basis of the first mode change command224. The connection suspension message238is transmitted to the network infrastructure216.

The first mode change command224may generate an electric signal234in the command receive unit208, which electric signal234is delivered to the data streaming radio connection control unit214. The electric signal234may initiate the generation and transmission of the connection suspension message238.

The connection suspension message238may request the network infrastructure216to release a radio connection to provide the data streaming communication. The connection suspension message238releases, for example, the DPDCH (Dedicated Physical Data Channel) and DPCCH (Dedicated Physical Control Channel) used in the HSDPA communication. In such a case, the communication connection may be provided, for example, by the GERAN domain of the mobile terminal200.

The data streaming radio connection control unit214may be implemented with a digital processor and a computer program for executing a computer process. The data streaming radio connection control unit214may be connected to a transmitter of the mobile terminal200, which transmitter establishes the radio connection required for transmitting the connection suspension message238to the network infrastructure216.

It should be noted that the first mode change command224activates the data streaming control unit210to request for suspending the data streaming communication, and the communication connection control unit212to accept the communication connection. The timing of the request for the suspension and the acceptance of the communication connection depends on the embodiment. In an embodiment, the request for suspension is generated prior to accepting the communication connection in order to prevent the data streaming communication and the communication connection from overlapping temporarily.

The communication connection may be released either by the near end device, i.e. the mobile terminal200, or the far end device236.

In the near end release case, the user may generate a second mode change command244in the command receive device208, which second mode change command244may be converted into a second mode change command232,246in an electric form by the command receive device208.

In an embodiment of the invention, the communication connection control unit212receives the second mode change command232and releases the communication connection on the basis of the second mode change command232. The communication connection control unit212transmits a communication connection release message250to the network infrastructure216, which communication connection release message250initiates communication connection release procedures in the network infrastructure216and the far end device236. For example in the case of a GSM circuit switched call, the mobile terminal200sends successive “DISCONNECT” and “RELEASE” messages to the network infrastructure216.

In an embodiment of the invention, the data streaming control unit210receives the second mode change command246and requests for continuation of the data streaming communication on the basis of the second mode change command246. The data streaming control unit210may transmit a data stream continuation request message248, such as an RSTP PLAY message, to the server218to inform the server218to continue the transmission of the data stream220.

It should be noted that the second mode change command244activates the data streaming control unit210to request for continuation of the data streaming communication, and the communication connection control unit212to release the communication connection. The timings of the request for continuation and the release of the communication connection depend on the embodiment. In an embodiment, the request for continuation is generated after releasing the communication connection in order to prevent the data streaming and the communication connection from overlapping temporarily.

In an embodiment of the invention, the communication connection is released either by the far end device236or the network infrastructure216. In such a case, the network infrastructure generates a communication connection release message252and transmits the communication connection release message252to the message receiving unit204. The message receiving unit204receives the communication connection release message252.

In an embodiment of the invention, the data streaming control unit210is connected to the message receiving unit204, and the data streaming control unit210requests for continuation of the data streaming communication on the basis of the communication connection release message252. The message receiving unit204may inform the data streaming control unit210by issuing an information signal260that the communication connection release message252has been received. After receiving the information signal260, the data streaming control unit210may request for continuation of the data stream communication by, for example, transmitting the continuation request message248to the server218. In this embodiment, the reception of the communication connection release message252automatically initiates the request for continuation of the data streaming communication.

In an embodiment of the invention, the reception of the communication connection release message252may be indicated to the user by the indicating device206. In such a case, information on the reception of the communication connection release message252is included in the indication signal254.

The indication of the reception of the communication connection release message252may cause the user to generate a third mode change command258, which third mode change command258is received by the command receive device208. The reception of the third mode change command258results in generating the third mode change command256in an electric form, which third mode change command256is delivered to the data streaming control unit210. The data streaming control unit210may request for continuation of the data streaming communication on the basis of the third mode change command256.

With reference toFIG. 3, an example of a mobile terminal (MT)300includes a radio modem302, a computer (CMP)310, a memory unit312(MEM), and a user interface314(UI).

The radio modem302is responsible for the mobile terminal part of the radio interface118A,118B between the mobile terminal300and the network infrastructure100. The radio modem302performs tasks such as transmission and reception of radio signals with the network infrastructure100, controlling the radio resources, and signalling.

The radio modem302typically includes an antenna304, radio frequency parts306and base band parts308. The operation and structure of the aforementioned radio modem parts are known one skilled in the art.

In an embodiment of the invention, the mobile terminal300includes a plurality of radio modems302, each radio modem302supporting different radio access technologies, such as the GSM and the WCDMA. The plurality of radio modems may use shared resources, such as some of the radio frequency parts306.

The radio modem302provides a radio connection to carry the data stream220from the network infrastructure100to the mobile terminal300.

The radio modem302may further provide the radio connection required for the communication connection between the mobile terminal300and the far end device236via the network infrastructure100.

The radio modem302may perform tasks related to the communicating unit202, the data streaming control unit210, the communication connection control unit212, the data streaming radio connection control unit214, and the message receiving unit204. These tasks typically involve communication over the radio interface118A,118B.

The memory unit312may include computer programs which include instructions to execute computer processes in the computer310.

The computer and the computer program may be used to implement the communicating unit202, the data streaming control unit210, the communication connection control unit212, the data streaming radio connection control unit214, and the message receiving unit204.

The user interface314may include the command receive device208and the indicating device206. The user interface314is connected to the computer in order to enable signal exchange associated with the electric form of the first mode change command224, the second mode change command244, and the third mode change command258.

The user interface314may include a display312, a sound source316and a key318. The display312and the sound source316may be used for indicating the reception of the communication connection request message222and the communication connection release message252.

The key318may be used in producing the first mode change command224, the second mode change command244, and the third mode change command258.

With reference toFIGS. 4,5,6,7A,7B and8, a methodology according to embodiments of the invention is illustrated with flow charts.

In402, data streaming communication is performed to the mobile terminal200.

In404, a communication connection request message222is received in a mobile terminal200from a network infrastructure216.

In406, reception of the communication request message222is indicated to a user of the mobile terminal200.

In408, a first mode change command224generated by the user is received in the mobile terminal200.

In410, suspension of the data streaming communication is requested on the basis of the first mode change command224.

In412, a communication connection is accepted on the basis of the first mode change command224.

In414, the method ends.

With reference toFIG. 5, the method starts in500.

In502, a communication connection is accepted on the basis of a first mode change command224.

In504, the method divides into two cases. In the first case, the communication connection is released by a near end device, and in the second case, the communication connection is released either by a far end device236and/or the network infrastructure216.

In the first case, a second mode change command244generated by the user is received in506.

In508, the communication connection is released on the basis of the second mode change command244.

In510, continuation of the data streaming communication is requested for on the basis of the second mode change command244.

In the second case, a communication connection release message252is received from the network infrastructure216in512.

In514, the reception of the communication release message252is indicated to the user.

In516, a third mode change command258generated by the user is received.

In518, continuation of the data stream communication is requested for on the basis of the third mode change command258.

In520, the method ends in the first case and the second case.

With reference toFIG. 6, the method starts in600.

In602, a first mode change command224generated by the user is received.

In604, a transmission suspension message228is generated on the basis of the first mode change command224, the transmission suspension message228informing the server218to suspend the transmission of the data stream220.

In606, the transmission suspension message228is transmitted to the server218over the radio interface118A,118B provided by the network infrastructure216.

In608, a connection suspension message238is generated on the basis of the first mode change command224, the connection suspension message238requesting the network infrastructure216to release the radio connection providing the data streaming communication.

In610, the connection suspension message238is transmitted to the network infrastructure216.

In612, the method ends.

With reference toFIG. 7A, the method starts in700A.

In702A, a first mode change command224generated by the user is received.

In704A, a communication connection acceptance message242is generated on the basis of the first mode change command224.

In706A, suspension of the data streaming communication is requested for on the basis of a communication connection acceptance message242.

In708A, the communication connection acceptance message242is transmitted to the network infrastructure216.

In710A, the method ends.

With reference toFIG. 7B, the method starts in700B.

In702B, a first mode change command224generated by the user is received.

In704B, a transmission suspension message228is generated on the basis of the first mode change command224, the transmission suspension message228informing the server218to suspend transmission of the data stream220.

In706B, the transmission suspension message228is transmitted to the server218over the radio interface118A,118B provided by the network infrastructure216.

In708B, the communication connection is accepted on the basis of the transmission suspension message228.

In710B, the method ends.

With reference toFIG. 8, the method starts in800.

In802, a communication connection release message252is received from the network infrastructure216.

In804, continuation of the data stream communication is request for on the basis of the connection release message252.

In806, the method ends.

In an aspect, the invention provides a computer program for executing a computer process, of which embodiments are shown and described in conjunction withFIGS. 4,5,6,7A,7B and8. The computer program may be stored in the memory unit312and executed in the computer of the mobile terminal300.

The computer program may be embodied on a computer readable medium, such as a CD (Compact Disc), a hard drive, a diskette, and a portable memory unit. The computer program may further be transferred with en electric signal in a data network, such as the Internet.

Even though the invention has been described above with reference to an example according to the accompanying drawings, it is clear that the invention is not restricted thereto but it can be modified in several ways within the scope of the appended claims.