A METHOOD AND ARRANGEMET FOR H.323 SERVICES CONFIGURATION BY MOBILE WIRELESS TERMINALS

Abstract: In a communication system wherein mobile telephones utilise H.323 communications access, H.323 service configuration is allowed by a WAP gateway associated with a combined GSM base station and H.323 gateway. The WAP gateway communicates by HTTP with a web server to provide a HTML based interface for H.323 service configuration by the mobile telephone user.

Description: A METHOD AND ARRANGEMENT FOR H . 323 SERVICES CONFIGURATION BY MOBILE WIRELESS TERMINALS FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention is related to a network that combines Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Generic Packet Radio Service (GPRS) and Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) with fixed data networks, based on protocols such as H 323 or Session initiation Protocol (SIP) In particular, the present invention is related to a means and method allowing easy user configuration of services provided by such networks THE PROBLEM AREAS The H 323 standard as disclosed by ITU-T Recommendation H 323, 02/98, "Packet- based multimedia communications system", specifies signalling and transport for multimedia traffic over a packet switched network The GSM specifies signalling and media transport for cellular wireless user terminals connected via a radio link Other protocols, such as SIP disclosed by _Handley, M , Schulzrinne, H , Schooler E , Rosenberg J , "SIP, Session Initiation Protocol", Internet Engineering Task Force, RFC 2543, March 1999, and Media Gateway Control Protocol (MGCP) disclosed by Arango, M , A Dugan, I Elliott, C Huitema, S Pickett, "Media Gateway Control Protocol (MGCP), work in progress" may be used instead of H 323 The UMTS, for which a description can be found at the URL (Internet Universal Address Locator) http //www umts-forum org/, and the GPRS, for which a description can be found at the URL http //www etsi org/smg/work/gprs_spec htm, can also be used A combined GSM and H 323 network will be of particular interest to companies or organisations that already have a LAN with H 323 and users with cellular phones By adding a combined GSM base station and H 323 gateway, such organisations could give GSM users access to the H 323 network (see fig 1) One advantage of such a network is that it gives users of wireless terminals the ability to make their calls over a network which could be priced lower than the public switched telephone network (PSTN) When the calling and called parties are communicating by means of the same base station or LAN (i e in-house calling), the call will be carried solely on the corporate LAN If the destination is outside the range of the base station or LAN, a wide area network (WAN) or the Internet could be used to carry the call Another advantage of such a network is that it gives GSM users access to H 323 services By the term services, as used hereinafter, is meant "extra logic" which is added to a call An example of "extra logic" is call forwarding, whereby a call may be re-routed to a network destination other the one specified by the calling party Another example of a service is short number dialling, enabling a user to use fewer digits when a call is made inside a closed user group Such services as mentioned above must be configured For the service examples above, in the case of call forwarding a destination for the re-routed call must be specified, and for short numbers a destination corresponding to a short number must be specified The use of a service such as call forwarding may be described by the following example 1) A user makes a call 2) The call is received by a server (a gatekeeper in H 323, a SIP server in SIP) 3) The server collects the destination number and uses this information to check in the users profile base to see if this user has a call forwarding service active 4) If the call forwarding service is active, the destination number is changed to the forwarding number, and the call is then routed through the network according to the new destination number The never version including annexes of the H 323 protocol includes support for H 450 services Although the support for H 450 services or any other types of services is not widespread in H 323 networks today, services on top of H 323 will probably be very common in the future The H 323 protocol, however, does not include a protocol for user configuration of services Examples of configuring a service are • Configuring a call-forwarding number • Configuring a call find-me service list A call find-me service gives the users the possibility to have a prioritised list of numbers according to which a call is forwarded to when there is no answer Assume that the office phone of a user is placed first on the list, then the number of cellular, and finally the number of the receptionist phone If a caller tries to call the user at her/his office, and she/he does not answer the phone after a specific number of "rings", then the call is forwarded to the cellular Assume then, at the time when the call is forwarded to her/his cellular phone, that the user is in a meeting and does not want to receive calls on her/his cellular phone and has switched off the cellular phone Then the call is forwarded to the receptionist • Configuring a voice e-mail service, voice mail box, "call me back", or more advanced servers like fax-reply (sends a fax to those trying to call a user on a specific number). When GSM users are given access to services implemented on top of H.323, the problem arises that, for these users, it is difficult to configure such services. The reason for this is that typical H.323 users generally are connected to the H.323 network via their desktop personal computers (PCs). Any service on top of H.323 is therefore typically configured through an HTML based "web page" interface, such as a "web browser". Whilst PCs today are able to communicate by means of a wide range of protocols, cellular phones can make use of only a limited number of different protocols. Consequently, the problem persists for the majority of the users of cellular phones since only very few cellular phones have means for accessing such "web pages". Today, it is quite common that companies and organisations have a local web site which is often used to inform members or employees about different company related news. The use of "web" (i.e. Internet / intranet) technology to spread company information works fine when all users have a "networked desktop", and are most of the time at their respective desktops. More advanced "web pages" can also be used. An example is a web page that contains "cgi" scripts or other types of scripts. With scripts, pages can be made that will take user inputs. Simple queries like "do you like your job: Yes/No" can be included in the web pages. These information pages and queries may also readily become available to H.323 users who use their PC's to access the H.323 network by using a typical web browser. The Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) is intended to give users of cellular telephones and similar terminals access to a broader range of services. The main goal of the WAP protocol specification is to give GSM users access to information on the Internet. WAP is based on HTTP with optimisations for using with from a cellular phone. One of the main features of WAP is that it is easy to design an Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) to WAP gateway and Hypertext Mark-up Language (HTML) to Wireless Mark-up Language (WML) (the WAP equivalent of the HTML). Such a gateway is described in "WAP White Paper ", June 99, found at the URL http://www.wapforum.org/what/WAP_white_pages.pdf . KNOWN SOLUTIONS AND PROBLEMS WITH THESE. Because today there are virtually none, or maybe very few, existing H.323 networks of general availability with services, the following known solutions are still not available to users today. Further, any available solutions today are only adaptations of what is already in use in PSTN or GSM networks. One such solution for enabling wireless users to configure their H.323 services is to have the configuration handled by a third person. The communication with the third person could be either via ordinary mail or ordinary telephone calls. This solution will require significant amounts of human resources, and works in the same way as when configuring PSTN services available today. The user calls the telephone operator and gives instructions to enable forwarding of all calls to a different number. Another such solution is to have an interactive voice responder for configuring H.323 services. This will free human resources. Yet another such solution is use of e-mail with a specific format which could also be accepted to handle service configuration automatically. This method is often used for configuring a voice-mail service, or booking theatre tickets The problem with the solutions described above is that they require at least two interfaces to enable the user to perform service configuration; one for the typical H.323 users (web-interface) and another for the GSM users. This will add complexity to the system. OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION. Accordingly, it is object of the present invention to provide a common interface for service configuration for end-users who access the H.323 network from PCs and users who access the H.323 network from cellular phones. A further object of the present invention is to obviate the limitations related to configuration of services that cellular terminal users experience, as compared to H.323 end-points. These and other objects are met by arrangement and method according to the appended patent claims. BRIEF DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION. The present invention proposes an arrangement and method whereby both a Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) server or a WAP gateway, and a web server is added in the network. The WAP server and the WAP gateway exploit implementations of the WAP protocol specification, the main goal of which is to give GSM users access to information on the Internet. WAP is based on HTTP with optimisations for cellular phones. In the solution according to the present invention, the web server and the WAP server or WAP gateway are used to give PC users and as well as cellular users the same possibilities for configuring their respective services. In an aspect of the present invention, the web sever and the WAP server or WAP gateway will make use of the same interface for changing the users profile in a database. In further aspect of the present invention, the configuration code of the WAP server can be used by the web server, and vice versa. In yet another aspect of the present invention the arrangement is simplified by locating the WAP gateway proximal to the GSM base station/ H.323 gateway. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS. Fig.1 is a schematic representation of a PRIOR ART communications system allowing GSM users access to a H.323 network. Fig. 2 is a schematic drawing illustrating a solution for a communications arrangement with GSM and H.323 according to the present invention. Fig. 3 is a schematic drawing illustrating another solution for a communications arrangement with GSM and H.323 according to the present invention. Fig. 4 is a message sequence diagram illustrating an example of a configuration method activity in the arrangement of fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a message sequence diagram illustrating an example of a configuration method activity in the arrangement of fig. 3. Fig. 6 is a message sequence diagram illustrating another example of a configuration method activity in an arrangement according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS. In the following descriptions, only H.323 and GSM will be used as examples for explaining the present invention. Further, in an aspect of the present invention, the present invention utilises the Wireless Application Protocol (WAP). Now, with reference to fig. 2, the present invention will be explained in more detail by way of example. According to the solution of fig. 2, an arrangement according to the present invention includes a WAP server, a web server, a common configuration module and a user profile database. The arrangement enables user profile editing by means of a typical H.323 endpoint as well as a cellular telephone. To explain the invention, another solution for an arrangement according to the present invention is shown in fig. 3. The present invention utilises the Wireless Application Protocol (WAP). Accordingly, in the arrangement shown in fig. 3 is included a unit combining a GSM base station / H.323 gateway and a WAP gateway, wherein the WAP gateway is located proximal to the combined GSM base station and H.323 gateway, the arrangement further including a web server, a configuration module, a H.323 network, a user profile database accessible from the configuration module and the H.323 network, and at least one typical H.323 endpoint on a PC. From fig. 3 it can also be seen how a typical H.323 end-point with a web browser provided can use a web browser to communicate with the web server which provides the service configuration. The GSM user will communicate with the same or a similar web server by using a mobile phone provided with WAP and a WAP gateway. From fig. 3 can also be seen how the H.323 network in the arrangement example shown may be enabled to utilise the stored user profile to determine the user service profile. Although the database is illustrated as located outside the H.323 network, it could as well be part of the H.323 network. In fig. 4 is shown an example of a method for communicating configuration information in the arrangement shown in fig. 2. The cellular terminal communicates to the WAP server the desire to amend the services configuration data. Upon the appropriate response from the WAP server, new configuration data is sent from the cellular terminal to the WAP server which in turn operates on the user profile database by means of the configuration module. Upon successful amendments of the data of the user profile database, an acknowledge message is communicated back to the cellular terminal. In fig. 5 is shown an example of a method for communicating configuration information in the arrangement shown in fig. 3. The cellular terminal communicates to the WAP gateway the desire to amend the services configuration data. Upon the appropriate response from the WAP gateway, new configuration data is sent from the cellular terminal to the WAP gateway. The WAP gateway then communicates the information to the web server which in turn operates on the user profile database by means of the configuration module. Upon successful amendments of the data of the user profile database, an acknowledge message is communicated back to the cellular terminal. In fig. 6 is shown an example of a method for communicating configuration information in an arrangement according to the present invention, wherein a typical PC user uses a web server to configure services. The user at the PC communicates to the web server the desire to amend the services configuration data. Upon the appropriate response from the web server, new configuration data is sent from the PC to the web server. Then, the WAP server operates on the user profile database by means of the configuration module. The WAP gateway then communicates the information to the web server which in turn operates on the user profile database by means of the configuration module. Upon successful amendment of the data of the user profile database, an acknowledge message is communicated back to the PC. ADVANTAGES By using a local WAP gateway or server, the combined GSM and H.323 network with WAP will in addition to providing means for transferring speech to H.323 and use of its services, the present invention will provide to the GSM all of the features for services configuration that are accessible from the desktop. Further, by an arrangement and method according to the present invention, a company information server can be accessed form a web browser on a PC as well as from a WAP browser on a cellular terminal.

Claims: P a t e n t c l a i m s 1 An arrangement for H 323 services configuration by mobile wireless terminals, especially for GSM mobile telephones, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n that the arrangement comprises a WAP server for communication with mobile wireless terminals, a web server for communication with H 323 endpoints, a common configuration module, and a user profile database communicable by the common configuration module, wherein the WAP server and web server are adapted to operate on the user profile database by means of the common configuration module 2 An arrangement for H 323 services configuration by mobile wireless terminals, especially for GSM mobile telephones, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n that the arrangement comprises at least one combined GSM base station / H 323 gateway, the H 323 gateway being connected with a H 323 network, and WAP gateway for communication with mobile wireless terminals, a web server communicable by WAP gateways and/or H 323 endpoints, a configuration module communicable by the web server, and a user profile database communicable by the H 323 network and the web server, wherein the user profile database is adapted to be operated on by the H 323 network and/or by the web server by means of the configuration module 3 The arrangement of claim 2, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n that the WAP gateway is proximal to the GSM base station / H 323 gateway 4 The arrangement of any one of the previous claims, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n that the mobile wireless terminal communicates by GSM / WAP 5 The arrangement of any one of the previous claims, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n that the H 323 endpoints communicate with the web server by HTTP 6 The arrangement of claim lor2, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n that the WAP gateway communicates with the web server by HTTP 7 The arrangement of claim lor2, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n that the web server provides H 323 service configuration 8 The arrangement of claim lor2, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n that H 323 service configuration is made through a browser interface 9 A method for service configuration in an arrangement according to claim 1 , c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n the following steps communicating from wireless user terminal to a WAP server a desire to amend a user profile held in the database, communicating from the WAP server to the wireless user terminal a proper response, communicating new service configuration data from the wireless user terminal to the WAP server, operating on the user profile database by the WAP server by means of the common configuration module to amend the user service profile according to the new service configuration data, and providing an acknowledge response to the wireless user terminal to confirm service configuration A method for service configuration in an arrangement according to claim 2, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n the following steps: communicating from wireless user terminal to a WAP gateway a desire to amend a user profile held in the database, communicating from the WAP gateway to the wireless user terminal a proper response, communicating new service configuration data from the wireless user terminal to the WAP gateway, communicating new service configuration data from the WAP gateway to the web server, operating on the user profile database by the web server by means of the configuration module to amend the user service profile according to the new service configuration data, and providing an acknowledge response to the wireless user terminal to confirm service configuration. 11. A method for service configuration in an arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n the following steps: communicating from a H.323 PC endpoint terminal to a web server a desire to amend a user profile held in the database, communicating from the web server to the H.323 PC endpoint a proper response, communicating new service configuration data from the H.323 PC endpoint to the web server, operating on the user profile database by the web server by means of the configuration module to amend the user service profile according to the new service configuration data, and providing an acknowledge response to the H.323 PC endpoint to confirm service configuration.

Inventors: CORNELIUSSEN BACH KNUT SNORRE, CORNELIUSSEN BACH, KNUT, SNORRE
Applicants: CORNELIUSSEN BACH KNUT SNORRE, ERICSSON TELEFON AB L M, CORNELIUSSEN BACH, KNUT, SNORRE, TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON
Application year: 2000
Main classification: H04Q7
IPC codes: H04L29, H04W4, H04W8, H04W88