TITLE OF THE INVENTION

METHOD, APPARATUS, SYSTEM, RELATED COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT AND DATA STRUCTURE FOR TERMINAL CAPABILITY INDICATION

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to terminal capability indication. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method, an apparatus, a system, a related computer program product and a data structure for terminal capability. Examples of the present invention may be applicable to a feature called Customized Alerting Tone (CAT) .

BACKGROUND

[0002] CAT for speech calls has been a great success all around the world. Such a service facilitates a customized tone or music to be delivered to the calling party when the called party is being alerted. When multimedia calls (video calls) were introduced in 3G, the need for CAT service also for multimedia calls was quickly recognized because of its additional visual content. For example, music clips, avatars, movie trailers and operator defined multimedia content etc. may be sent to the calling party when the called party is being alerted.

[0003] The realization of CAT e.g. for circuit switched multimedia calls is not as straight forward as it may be e.g. for plain speech calls. This is because the multimedia content in a circuit switched video call

cannot be delivered until the terminal has received indication that the peer party has answered the call and the handshake procedure between the two parties has been successfully completed. The handshake is a procedure for exchanging terminal capabilities and the procedure is executed in-band on the user plane using e.g. the H.245 protocol which is a subset of H.324M suite. The user plane must be through-connected both ways in order for this procedure to complete successfully.

[0004] The challenge of the CAT service resides in the fact that the service is operative during the alerting phase of the call, and the multimedia content can only be delivered to the terminal when the terminal has received an answer from the network. This has lead to implementations where the multimedia call is rerouted via an external CAT server, and the CAT server handles the calling network side and the called network side separately.

[0005] There have been approaches addressing the above difficulties. However, only solutions that are based on integrated service digital network (ISDN) user part/bearer independent call control (ISUP/BICC) modifications have been introduced.

[0006] One such approach (see e.g. 3 ^rd generation partnership project (3GPP) technical report (TR) 29.882 'Customized Alerting Tones (CAT) in the 3GPP CS domain' , Vl.0.0, Chapter 7, on pages 22 to 55) proposes several potential solutions for providing the multimedia (MM) CAT. In order to use the CAT server in an optimal way, i.e. to provide the CAT only during the alerting phase and then to release the CAT server resources places new requirements both on the terminal and the core network.

That is, terminals may indicate their CAT capability in the call setup. Based on this information from the user equipment (UE) , the core network may reserve the CAT resources in two different ways:

- If the CAT capability is received, the CAT resources may be temporarily connected during the alerting phase and released once the answer is received from the called party.

If the CAT capability is not received, the CAT resources may have to be connected to the call for the whole duration of the call.

[0007] The deployment of the CAT capability to control the CAT server resource usage may be favorable as long as the CAT server is connected to the same MSC where the calling party access interface is located. However, this may not always be the case because the CAT service is a called party service, and is thus triggered from the gateway MSC based on subscription information received from a Home Location Register (HLR) .

[0008] The originating mobile switching center (O-MSC) , where the calling party access is located, may not always be the gateway MSC which means that the call must be routed to a separate gateway MSC (GMSC) from where the CAT service may be invoked. In order for the GMSC to optimally connect the CAT resources to the call, the GMSC would need the calling UE CAT capability information as described above. However, the signaling between the originating MSC and gateway MSC is usually ISUP/BICC and is e.g. not under 3GPP standardization control. As ISUP/BICC are established protocols in most of the networks in the world, an update to transport the UE CAT capability information to these protocols may not be

feas ible .

[0009] Fig. 1 shows the connection to a CAT server in case a UE does not support e.g. CAT capability indication .

[0010] As shown in Fig. 1, a communication network 100 may comprise a UE 101 (referred to as "UE-A" in Fig. 1) and a network (not shown) . In turn, the network may comprise an O-MSC 1021, a HLR 1022, a G-MSC 1023 and a CAT server 1024. Furthermore, in case of Fig. 1, the O- MSC 1021 and the G-MSC are constituted by the same entity.

[0011] In message 1, the UE 101 transmits, to the O-MSC 1021/G-MSC 1023, a setup call indicating lack of CAT capability.

[0012] In message 2, the HLR 1022 transmits, to the O-MSC 1021/G-MSC 1023, a send routing information (SRI) acknowledgement indicating a CAT subscription.

[0013] In message 3, the O-MSC 1021/G-MSC 1023 transmits, to the called party (e.g. another UE not shown), a setup call .

[0014] In other words, the call (message 1) is routed to the CAT server 1024 in an alerting phase when the called party is non-occupied. The CAT server 1024 routes the call (message 3) further to the called party either directly or e.g. via the G-MSC 1023. In both cases, the CAT server 1024 remains in the call throughout the call until the call is released.

[0015] Fig. 2 shows the connection to the CAT server in case the UE supports CAT capability indication.

[0016] As shown in Fig. 2, the communication network 100 may comprise elements (UE 101, O-MSC 1021, HLR 1022, G- MSC 1023 and CAT server 1024) substantially identical to those shown in Fig. 1.

[0017] However, in contrast to the elements shown in Fig. 1, the UE 101 in Fig. 2 transmits, in the message 1 to the O-MSC 1021/G-MSC 1023, an indication of CAT capability. Messages 2 and 3 in Fig. 2 are substantially identical to messages 2 and 3 in Fig. 1.

[0018] In other words, the connection to the CAT server 1024 is established in the alerting phase when the called party is non-occupied. Thus, the CAT tone is played to the calling party until the called party answers. Then, the connection to the CAT server 1024 is released, and both the calling party (e.g. UE 101) and the called party are connected with each other.

[0019] Fig. 3 shows a deficiency in the communication network according to Figs. 1 and 2. It is to be noted that messages 1, 4 and 5 in Fig. 3 are substantially identical to messages 1, 2 and 3 in Fig. 2. In addition, as shown in Fig. 3, the message 4 (SRI acknowledgement) is performed responsive to a message 3 (SRI) .

[0020] The functionality shown in Figs. 1 and 2 is invoked depending on the CAT capability indication of the calling UE 101. A decision concerning CAT provision to the UE 101 can be made in the O-MSC 1021 if the CAT server 1024 is connected to the O-MSC 1021.

[0021] However, in most cases, the CAT server 1024 is connected to the G-MSC 1023, the G-MSC 1023 being a network element physically different from the O-MSC 1021. The connection between the O-MSC 1021 and the G-MSC 1023 (message 2, e.g. initial address message (IAM) ISUP) is e.g. based on the ISUP protocol as shown in Fig. 3.

[0022] Thus, there may be no support for CAT capability in the ISUP connection between the O-MSC 1021 and the G- MSC 1023. As a consequence, the G-MSC 1023 has no information to decide whether to make a direct connection to the CAT server 1024 or route the call to CAT server 1024 because the CAT capability of the calling UE 101 is not available to the G-MSC 1023.

[0023] In consideration of the above, it is an object of examples of the present invention to overcome one or more of the above drawbacks. In particular, the present invention provides a method, an apparatus, a system, a related computer program product and a data structure for terminal capability indication.

[0024] According to an example of the present invention, in a first aspect, this object is for example achieved by a method comprising: transmitting, in a message, network communication capability-related information comprising terminal capability information.

[0025] According to further refinements of the example of the present invention as defined under the above first aspect, the method further comprises, prior to the transmitting, holding the terminal capability information;

the method further comprises, prior to the transmitting, receiving the message;

- the message is a setup message; the message is a provide subscriber information acknowledgement message; the message is an any time interrogation mobile application part acknowledgement message;

- the transmitting is performed responsive to a request message; the request message is a provide subscriber information request message; the request message is an any time interrogation request message transmitted from a gateway mobile switching center; the network communication capability-related information is mobile station classmark 2 information;

- the terminal capability information is a customized alerting tone capability of a terminal;

- the terminal capability information is constituted by at least one unused bit of the mobile station classmark 2 information .

[0026] According to an example of the present invention, in a second aspect, this object is for example achieved by a method comprising: transmitting an any time interrogation request message from a gateway mobile switching center.

[0027] According to an example of the present invention, in a third aspect, this object is for example achieved by an apparatus comprising: a transmitter configured to transmit, in a message, network communication capability-related information comprising terminal capability information.

[0028] According to further refinements of the example of the present invention as defined under the above third aspect,

- the apparatus further comprises a memory configured to hold the terminal capability information prior to the transmitting;

- the apparatus further comprises a receiver configured to receive the message prior to the transmitting;

- the message is a setup message; the message is a provide subscriber information acknowledgement message; the message is an any time interrogation mobile application part acknowledgement message; the receiver is further configured to receive a request message, and wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit responsive to the request message received by the means for receiving; the receiver is configured to receive the request message from a gateway mobile switching center; the request message is a provide subscriber information request message; the request message is an any time interrogation request message; the apparatus is constituted by a one of a user equipment and a terminal;

- the apparatus is constituted by an originating mobile switching center; the apparatus is constituted by a home location register; the network communication capability-related information is mobile station classmark 2 information;

- the terminal capability information is a customized alerting tone capability of a terminal;

- the terminal capability information is constituted by at least one unused bit of the mobile station classmark 2

information .

[0029] According to an example of the present invention, in a fourth aspect, this object is for example achieved by an apparatus comprising: a transmitter configured to transmit an any time interrogation request message, the apparatus being a gateway mobile switching center.

[0030] According to an example of the present invention, in a fifth aspect, this object is for example achieved by an apparatus comprising: means for transmitting, in a message, network communication capability-related information comprising terminal capability information.

[0031] According to further refinements of the example of the present invention as defined under the above fifth aspect,

- the apparatus further comprises means for holding the terminal capability information prior to the transmitting;

- the apparatus further comprises means for receiving the message prior to the transmitting;

- the message is a setup message; the message is a provide subscriber information acknowledgement message; the message is an any time interrogation mobile application part acknowledgement message; the means for receiving is further configured to receive a request message, and wherein the means for transmitting is configured to transmit responsive to the request message received by the means for receiving;

- the means for receiving is configured to receive the request message from a gateway mobile switching center;

the request message is a provide subscriber information request message; the request message is an any time interrogation request message; the apparatus is constituted by a one of a user equipment and a terminal;

- the apparatus is constituted by an originating mobile switching center; the apparatus is constituted by a home location register; the network communication capability-related information is mobile station classmark 2 information;

- the terminal capability information is a customized alerting tone capability of a terminal;

- the terminal capability information is constituted by at least one unused bit of the mobile station classmark 2 information .

[0032] According to an example of the present invention, in a sixth aspect, this object is for example achieved by an apparatus comprising: means for transmitting an any time interrogation request message, the apparatus being a gateway mobile switching center.

[0033] According to further refinements of the example of the present invention as defined under the above third to sixth aspects,

- at least one, or more of means for transmitting, means for receiving, means for holding, a transmitter, a receiver, a memory and the apparatus is implemented as a chipset or module.

[0034] According to an example of the present invention, in a seventh aspect, this object is for example achieved

by a system comprising: a user equipment according to the above first or third aspect; an originating mobile switching center according to the above first or third aspect; a gateway mobile switching center according to the above second or fourth aspect; and a home location register according to the above first or third aspect.

[0035] According to an example of the present invention, in an eighth aspect, this object is for example achieved by a data structure comprising: means for conveying, in a message, an information element related to a network communication capability comprising terminal capability information.

[0036] According to further refinements of the example of the present invention as defined under the above eighth aspect,

- the message is one of a setup message, a provide subscriber information acknowledgement message and an any time interrogation mobile application part acknowledgement message;

- the information element is a mobile station classmark 2 information element;

- the terminal capability information is a customized alerting tone capability of a terminal;

- the terminal capability information is constituted by at least one unused bit of the mobile station classmark 2 information element.

[0037] According to an example of the present invention, in a ninth aspect, this object is for example achieved by a computer program product comprising code means for

performing a method comprising: transmitting, in a message, network communication capability-related information comprising terminal capability information.

[0038] According to an example of the present invention, in a tenth aspect, this object is for example achieved by a computer program product comprising code means for performing a method comprising: transmitting an any time interrogation request message from a gateway mobile switching center.

[0039] In this connection, it has to be pointed out that examples of the present invention enable one or more of the following:

- Providing the G-MSC with the CAT capability of a calling party without changing the ISUP/BICC signaling or the protocols between visited MSC (V-MSC) and G-MSC.

Coping with deficiencies arising when the calling party and the called party are situated in different networks, i.e. belong to different MSCs.

- Coping with the fact that the interface between GMSC and VMSC is based on ISUP/BICC protocols not being under 3GPP standardization control.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] Embodiments of the present invention are described herein below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0041] Fig. 1 shows the connection to the CAT server in case the UE does not support e.g. CAT capability indication;

[0042] Fig. 2 shows the connection to the CAT server in case the UE supports e.g. CAT capability indication;

[0043] Fig. 3 shows a deficiency in the communication network according to Figs. 1 and 2 ;

[0044] Fig. 4 shows an exemplary structure of a network in which an example of the present invention may be applied;

[0045] Fig. 5 shows a method according to an example of the present invention;

[0046] Fig. 6 shows an apparatus (e.g. a UE, an O-MSC and a G-MSC) according to an example of the present invention; and

[0047] Fig. 7 shows a data structure according to an example of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0048] Embodiments of the present invention are described herein below by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings .

[0049] It is to be noted that for this description, the terms "setup message, provide subscriber information acknowledgement message, any time interrogation acknowledgement message; CLASSMARK 2 information element; CAT capability; and any time interrogation message, provide subscriber information message) " are examples for "message; network communication capability-related information; terminal capability information; and request message", respectively, without restricting the latter-

named terms to the special technical or implementation details imposed to the first-named terms.

[0050] Fig. 4 shows an exemplary structure of a network in which an example of the present invention may be applied.

[0051] As shown in Fig. 4, a communication network 200 may comprise a UE 201 (referred to as "UE-A" in Fig. 4) and a network (not shown) . In turn, the network may comprise an O-MSC 2021, a HLR 2022, a G-MSC 2023 and a CAT server 2024.

[0052] It is to be noted that the exemplary structure shown in Fig. 4 is based on an IAM ISUP connection between the O-MSC 2021 and the G-MSC 2023, to which exemplary structure the present invention is not to be restricted to. Examples of the present invention may be applicable to any protocol incompatibility such as the one described in conjunction with Fig. 3.

[0053] In message 1, e.g. the UE 201 may transmit a setup message indicating the CAT capability of the UE 201 e.g. to the O-MSC 2021.

[0054] In message 2, e.g. the O-MSC 2021 may transmit e.g. an IAM (being an ISUP call setup message which includes the dialed number "called party address" and other parameters concerning calling and called subscriber and routing of the call to the correct called subscriber) to the G-MSC 2023.

[0055] In message 3, e.g. the G-MSC 1023 may transmit an SRI to the calling party's HLR 2022. For example, SRI is a MAP message between the G-MSC 2023 and the HLR 2022. In

other words, when a calling subscriber (e.g. UE 201) dials a number, the UE 201 may use the subscriber MS-ISDN number. The G-MSC 2023 has to determine where the called party is located (e.g. under which visiting MSC) .

[0056] In message 4, e.g. the HLR 2022 may transmit an SRI acknowledgement to the G-MSC 2023. The HLR 2022 may have information concerning the question under which V- MSC the called subscriber is located (e.g. so-called roaming) . The HLR 2022 may inquiry the V-MSC for a number (e.g. MS roaming Number (MSRN)) by which the called subscriber can be reached. By means of the SRI acknowledgement, this MSRN may be transmitted to the G- MSC 2023 which may use this number for routing the call to the correct V-MSC. The information about the B- subscribers supplementary services may also be included in the SRI acknowledgement.

[0057] In message 5, e.g. the G-MSC 2023 may establish a setup connection to the called party (not shown) .

[0058] In message 6, e.g. the G-MSC 2023 may transmit an ATI MAP message to query the HLR 2022 concerning the CAT capability of the calling party (e.g. UE 201) .

[0059] In message 7, e.g. the HLR 2022 may request subscriber information from the O-MSC 2021 by sending a PSI message.

[0060] In message 8, e.g. the O-MSC 2021 may insert the

CAT capability of the calling party (e.g. UE 201) to the

PSI acknowledgement and may transmit the PSI acknowledgement back to the HLR 2022.

[0061] In message 9, e.g. the HLR 2022 may transmit an ATI acknowledgement containing the CAT capability of the calling party (e.g. UE 201) to the G-MSC 2023.

[0062] Fig. 5 shows a method according to an example of the present invention for terminal capability indication. Signaling between elements is indicated in horizontal direction, while time aspects between signaling may be reflected in the vertical arrangement of the signaling sequence as well as in the sequence numbers. It is to be noted that the time aspects indicated in Fig. 5 do not necessarily restrict any one of the method steps shown to the step sequence outlined. This applies in particular to method steps that are functionally disjunctive with each other. Within Fig. 5, for ease of description, means or portions which may provide main functionalities are depicted with solid functional blocks or arrows and a normal font, while means or portions which may provide optional functions are depicted with dashed functional blocks or arrows and an italic font.

[0063] As shown in Fig. 5, the communication system 200 may comprise the UE 201 and a network 202 which in turn may comprise the O-MSC 2021, The HLR 2022 and the G-MSC 2023. It is to be noted that for the ease of understanding the examples of the present invention, the step sequence numbers Sl to S9 shown in Fig. 5 correspond to the message sequence numbers 1 to 9 shown in Fig. 4, to which descriptive simplification the present invention is not restricted. Furthermore, the HLR 2022 and the G- MSC 2023 may also be disposed as an integral entity, as indicated by the dashed box surrounding the functional blocks of the HLR 2022/G-MSC 2023.

[0064] As an optional preparatory measure, e.g. the UE 201 may perform in step SO, prior to the transmitting, holding terminal capability information (e.g. CAT capability of the UE 201) .

[0065] For example, in step Sl, the UE 201 may perform transmitting, in a message (e.g. setup msg) , network communication capability-related information (e.g. CLASSMARK 2) comprising terminal capability information (e.g. CAT capability of the UE 201) . In an optional step Sl-O, e.g. the O-MSC 2021 may perform receiving the message transmitted.

[0066] Then, in optional steps S2 to S5, the O-MSC 2021, the HLR 2022 and the G-MSC 2023 may perform preparations for setup with a called UE. Optional steps S2 to S5 may be substantially identical or similar to messages 2 to 5 shown in Fig. 4.

[0067] In step S6, e.g. the G-MSC 2023 may perform transmitting a request message such as an ATI message.

[0068] In an optional step S6-1, e.g. the HLR 2022 may perform, prior to the transmitting, receiving the request message (e.g. an ATI message) transmitted e.g. by the G- MSC 2023 in step S6.

[0069] In a further optional step S7, e.g. the O-MSC 2021 may perform, prior to the transmitting, receiving a request message (e.g. a PSI message) transmitted e.g. by the HLR 2022 in optional step S7-0.

[0070] For example, in step S8, the O-MSC 2021 may perform transmitting, in a message (e.g. PSI acknowledgement message) , the network communication

capability-related information (e.g. CLASSMARK 2) comprising the terminal capability information (e.g. CAT capability of the UE 201) . The transmitting of the message performed by the O-MSC 2021 may be performed responsive to the request message (e.g. PSI message) received e.g. from the HLR 2022. In an optional step S8- 0, e.g. the HLR 2022 may perform receiving the message transmitted.

[0071] And, for example, in step S9, the HLR 2022 may perform transmitting, in a message (e.g. ATI acknowledgement message) , the network communication capability-related information (e.g. CLASSMARK 2) comprising the terminal capability information (e.g. CAT capability of the UE 201) . The transmitting of the message performed by the HLR 2022 may be performed responsive to the request message (e.g. ATI message) received e.g. from the G-MSC 2023. In an optional step S9-0, e.g. the G-MSC 2023 may perform receiving the message transmitted.

[0072] As for further refinements of the method according to an example of the present invention, the above- described message transmitted may be a setup message (e.g. in case of the UE 201), a provide subscriber information acknowledgement message (e.g. in case of the O-MSC 2021) or an any time interrogation mobile application part acknowledgement message (e.g. in case of the HLR 2022) . In addition, the above-described request message received may be a provide subscriber information request message (e.g. in case of the O-MSC 2021) or an any time interrogation request message (e.g. in case of the HLR 2022) .

[0073] Furthermore, the above-described network communication capability-related information may be mobile station classmark 2 information, and the terminal capability information may be a customized alerting tone capability of a terminal (e.g. the UE 201) . In this context, the terminal capability information may be constituted by at least one unused bit of the mobile station classmark 2 information.

[0074] Fig. 6 shows embodiments of respective apparatuses (e.g. UE 201, O-MSC 2021, HLR 2022 and G-MSC 2023) for terminal capability indication according to examples of the present invention. Within Fig. 6, for ease of description, means or portions which may provide main functionalities are depicted with solid functional blocks or arrows and a normal font, while means or portions which may provide optional functions are depicted with dashed functional blocks or arrows and an italic font.

[0075] The UE 201 may comprise a CPU (or core functionality CF) 2011, a memory (or optional means for holding) 2012, a transmitter (or means for transmitting) 2013 and an optional receiver (or means for receiving) 2014.

[0076] The O-MSC 2021 may comprise a CPU (or core functionality CF) 20211, a memory 20212, a transmitter (or means for transmitting) 20213 and an optional receiver (or means for receiving) 20214.

[0077] Likewise, the HLR 2022 may comprise a CPU (or core functionality CF) 20221, a memory 20222, a transmitter (or means for transmitting) 20223 and an optional receiver (or means for receiving) 20224. Similarly, the G-MSC 2023 may comprise a CPU (or core functionality CF)

20231, a memory 20232, a transmitter (or means for transmitting) 20233 and an optional receiver (or means for receiving) 20234.

[0078] Furthermore, it is to be noted that the CPUs 20221 and 20231 of the HLR 2022 and the G-MSC 2023 may be disposed as separate entities (as shown in Fig. 6) or may alternatively be disposed as an integral entity. As indicated by the dashed extensions of the functional blocks of the CPUs 201, 20211, 20221 and 20231, the means for holding (or memories) 2012, 20212, 20222 and 20232 may be functionalities running on the CPUs 201, 20211, 20221 and 20231 or may alternatively be separate functional entities or means.

[0079] The CPUs 20x1 (wherein x = 1, 21, 22 and 23) may respectively be configured to process various data inputs and to control the functions of the memories 20x2, the means for transmitting 202x3 and the optional means for receiving 20x4. The memories 20x2 may respectively serve e.g. for storing code means for carrying out e.g. the respective method according to an example of the present invention, when run e.g. on the CPUs 20x1. It is to be noted that the means for transmitting 20x3 and the optional means for receiving 20x4 may alternatively be provided as respective integral transceivers. It is further to be noted that the transmitters/receivers may be implemented i) as physical transmitters/receivers for transceiving e.g. via the air interface (e.g. in case of transmitting between the UE 201 and the O-MSC 2021), ii) as routing entities e.g. for transmitting/receiving data packets e.g. in a PS (packet switched) network (e.g. between the O-MSC 2021 and the HLR 2022 or between the HLR 2022 and the G-MSC 2023 when disposed as separate network entities) , iii) as functionalities for

writing/reading information into/from a given memory area (e.g. in case of shared/common CPUs or memories e.g. of HLR 2022 and the G-MSC 2023 when disposed as an integral network entity), or iv) as any suitable combination of i) to iii) .

[0080] Furthermore, as indicated by the dashed connections between the functional blocks of the HLR 2022 and the G-MSC 2023, it is to be noted that the HLR 2022 and the G-MSC 2023 may also be implemented as an integral/combined entity, as mentioned above. In that case, the CPUs 20221, 20231, the memories 20222, 20232, the means for transmitting 20223, 20233 and the optional means for receiving 20224, 20234 may respectively be common and/or shared resources.

[0081] Optionally, e.g. the means for holding 2012 of the UE 201 may perform, prior to a transmitting performed by the means for transmitting 2013 of the UE 201, holding terminal capability information (e.g. CAT capability of the UE 201) .

[0082] For example, e.g. the means for transmitting 2013 of the UE 201 may perform transmitting, in a message (e.g. setup msg) , network communication capability- related information (e.g. CLASSMARK 2) comprising terminal capability information (e.g. CAT capability of the UE 201) . Optionally, e.g. the means for receiving 20214 of the O-MSC 2021 may perform receiving the message transmitted.

[0083] Then, the O-MSC 2021, the HLR 2022 and the G-MSC 2023 may perform optional preparations for setup with a called UE. Those functionalities performed may be substantially identical or similar to messages 2 to 5

shown in Fig . 4 .

[0084] E.g. the means for transmitting 20233 of the G-MSC 2023 may perform transmitting a request message such as an ATI message.

[0085] Optionally, e.g. the means for receiving 20224 of the HLR 2022 may perform, prior to the transmitting performed by the means for transmitting 20223 of the HLR 2022, receiving the request message (e.g. an ATI message) transmitted by the means for transmitting 20233 of the G- MSC 2023.

[0086] Also optionally, e.g. the means for receiving 20214 of the O-MSC 2021 may perform, prior to the transmitting performed by the means for transmitting 20213 of the O-MSC 2021, receiving a request message (e.g. a PSI message) transmitted optionally by the means for transmitting 20223 of the HLR 2022.

[0087] For example, the means for transmitting 20213 of the O-MSC 2021 may perform transmitting, in a message (e.g. PSI acknowledgement message), the network communication capability-related information (e.g. CLASSMARK 2) comprising the terminal capability information (e.g. CAT capability of the UE 201) . The transmitting of the message performed by the means for transmitting 20213 of the O-MSC 2021 may be performed responsive to the request message (e.g. PSI message) received e.g. from the optional means for receiving 20214 of the HLR 2022. Optionally, e.g. the means for receiving 20224 of the HLR 2022 may perform receiving the message transmitted.

[0088] And, for example, the means for transmitting 20223 of the HLR 2022 may perform transmitting, in a message (e.g. ATI acknowledgement message), the network communication capability-related information (e.g. CLASSMARK 2) comprising the terminal capability information (e.g. CAT capability of the UE 201) . The transmitting of the message performed by the means for transmitting 20223 of the HLR 2022 may be performed responsive to the request message (e.g. ATI message) received e.g. from the optional means for receiving 20234 of the G-MSC 2023. Optionally, e.g. the means for receiving 20234 of the G-MSC 2023 may perform receiving the message transmitted.

[0089] As for further refinements of the apparatus according to an example of the present invention, the above-described message transmitted by the means for transmitting 2013; 20213; 20223 may be a setup message (e.g. in case of the UE 201), a provide subscriber information acknowledgement message (e.g. in case of the O-MSC 2021) or an any time interrogation mobile application part acknowledgement message (e.g. in case of the HLR 2022) . In addition, the above-described request message received by the means for receiving 20214; 20224 may be a provide subscriber information request message (e.g. in case of the O-MSC 2021) or an any time interrogation request message (e.g. in case of the HLR 2022) .

[0090] Furthermore, the above-described network communication capability-related information may be mobile station classmark 2 information, and the terminal capability information may be a customized alerting tone capability of a terminal (e.g. the UE 201) . In this context, the terminal capability information may be

constituted by at least one unused bit of the mobile station classmark 2 information.

[0091] Fig. 7 shows a data structure according to an example of the present invention. As an example, to which the present invention is not to be restricted to, Fig. 7 shows the mobile station (MS) classmark 2 information element (see e.g. 3GPP technical specification (TS) 24.008, V8.1.0, Chapter 10.5.1.6, on pages 343 to 346) .

[0092] The data structure according to an example of the present invention may comprise means for conveying (e.g. unused bit positions 301-a to 301-c) , in a message (e.g. setup msg, PSI acknowledgement message, ATI acknowledgement message), an information element 300 related to a network communication capability (e.g. CLASSMARK 2 information element) comprising terminal capability information (e.g. CAT capability of the UE 201) .

[0093] As for further refinements of the data structure according to an example of the present invention, the message may be a setup message, a provide subscriber information acknowledgement message or an any time interrogation mobile application part acknowledgement message. In addition, the information element may be a mobile station classmark 2 information element. Furthermore, the terminal capability information may be a customized alerting tone capability of a terminal (e.g. UE 201) . Finally, the terminal capability information may be constituted by at least one unused bit of the mobile station classmark 2 information element.

[0094] Furthermore, at least one of, or more of the means for transmitting 2013; 20213; 20224, means for receiving

20214; 20224; 202324, means for holding 2012 or the UE 201, the O-MSC 2021, the HLR 2022 and/or the G-MSC 2023, or the respective functionalities carried out, may be implemented as a chipset or module.

[0095] Finally, the present invention also relates to a system which may comprise the above-described UE 201, the above-described O-MSC 2021, the above-described G-MSC 2023 configured to send the request message, and the above-described HLR 2022.

[0096] Without being restricted to the details following in this section, the embodiment of the present invention may be summarized as follows:

This invention may use a method based on MAP protocol to convey the terminal CAT capability of the calling subscriber to the CAT service that controls the connections between the gateway MSC and CAT server.

In other words, a new method is introduced by means of which the terminal CAT capability can be transported to the gateway MSC without changing the ISUP/BICC signaling.

Due to the fact that multimedia content in a circuit switched video call cannot be delivered until the terminal has received indication that the peer party has answered the call and the handshake procedure between the two parties has been successfully completed, it is necessary to inform GMSC the CAT capability of a calling party.

One previous solution works when caller and called are in the same network. However, it is going to be problematic when they are located in different networks (MSCs) . Since the interface between GMSC and VMSC is based on ISUP/BICC

protocols which are not under 3GPP standardization control, it is not easy to change these protocols in order to solve this problem.

This invention proposes a solution to provide GMSC the CAT capability of a calling party without changing the ISUP/BICC signaling. The CAT capability, carried e.g. by one of the unused bits of MS Classmark 2 information, is delivered to GMSC via VMSC and HLR so that the protocols between VMSC and GMSC are not impacted on.

The CAT content is provided by a CAT server which is connected to the GMSC. The CAT service is located either in the GMSC or in an external application server (e.g. gsmSCF) . When the called party has a subscription for the CAT service then his/her incoming calls are triggered to the CAT service from the gateway MSC after the CAT subscription information has been retrieved from the Home Location Register (HLR) . This invention introduces a method whereby the calling party CAT capability is queried from the originating MSC via the HLR using the MAP protocol Any Time Interrogation procedure. Once the calling party CAT capability is known by the CAT service, it is possible to reserve the CAT server resources in an optimal way for both new Rel-8 terminals with updated CAT capability and for pre Rel-8 multimedia capable terminals. This method does not require any new ITU-T standardisation and can be handled within 3GPP standardisation scope.

To sum up, it has not been suggested how the CAT capability indication may be sent by the UE 201. In one example of the present invention, the CAT capability indication may be sent in one of the unused bits of the MS Classmark 2 information. Once the CAT service is

invoked in the G-MSC, the service logic queries the CAT capability of the calling party by sending an Any-Time- Interrogation (ATI) MAP operation (e.g. message 6 in Fig. 4) to the calling subscriber's HLR. The HLR will ask subscriber information from the originating MSC where the subscriber is located using the MAP operation Provide- Subscriber-Information (PSI) (e.g. message 7 in Fig. 4) . Originating MSC inserts the calling subscriber's Classmark 2 information to the PSI_ack and returns it to the HLR (e.g. message 8 in Fig. 4) . HLR maps the PSI ack information to the ATI_ack and sends it to the GMSC (e.g. message 9 in Fig. 4) . The CAT service logic is now able to select the correct connection method towards the CAT server. If the CAT capability is TRUE then the method described in figure 2 is used. Otherwise connection method may follow the logic described in Fig. 1.

[0097] For the purpose of the present invention as described herein above, it should be noted that

- an access technology may be any technology by means of which a user equipment can access an access network (or base station, respectively) . Any present or future technology, such as WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) or WLAN (Wireless Local Access Network) , BlueTooth, Infrared, and the like may be used; although the above technologies are mostly wireless access technologies, e.g. in different radio spectra, access technology in the sense of the present invention may also imply wirebound technologies, e.g. IP based access technologies like cable networks or fixed line.

- a network may be any device, unit or means by which a station entity or other user equipment may connect to and/or utilize services offered by the access network; such services include, among others, data and/or (audio-) visual communication, data download etc.;

- generally, the present invention may be applicable in those network/user equipment environments relying on a data packet based transmission scheme according to which data are transmitted in data packets and which are, for example, based on the Internet Protocol IP. The present invention is, however, not limited thereto, and any other present or future IP or mobile IP (MIP) version, or, more generally, a protocol following similar principles as

(M) IPv4/6, is also applicable;

- a user equipment may be any device, unit or means by which a system user may experience services from an access network; methods likely to be implemented as software code portions and being run using a processor at a network element or terminal (as examples of devices, apparatuses and/or modules thereof, or as examples of entities including apparatuses and/or modules therefore) , are software code independent and can be specified using any known or future developed programming language as long as the functionality defined by the methods is preserved; - generally, any method is suitable to be implemented as software or by hardware without changing the idea of the invention in terms of the functionality implemented;

- methods and/or devices, units or means likely to be implemented as hardware components at the UE, the O-MSC, the HLR and/or the G-MSC, or any module (s) thereof, are hardware independent and can be implemented using any known or future developed hardware technology or any hybrids of these, such as MOS (Metal Oxide Semiconductor), CMOS (Complementary MOS), BiMOS (Bipolar MOS), BiCMOS (Bipolar CMOS), ECL (Emitter Coupled Logic), TTL (Transistor-Transistor Logic), etc., using for example ASIC (Application Specific IC (Integrated Circuit) ) components, FPGA (Field-programmable Gate Arrays) components, CPLD (Complex Programmable Logic

Device) components or DSP (Digital Signal Processor) components; in addition, any methods and/or devices, units or means likely to be implemented as software components may alternatively be based on any security architecture capable e.g. of authentication, authorization, keying and/or traffic protection;

- devices, units or means (e.g. UE, O-MSC, HLR and/or G- MSC) can be implemented as individual devices, units or means, but this does not exclude that they are implemented in a distributed fashion throughout the system, as long as the functionality of the device, unit or means is preserved; an apparatus may be represented by a semiconductor chip, a chipset, or a (hardware) module comprising such chip or chipset; this, however, does not exclude the possibility that a functionality of an apparatus or module, instead of being hardware implemented, be implemented as software in a (software) module such as a computer program or a computer program product comprising executable software code portions for execution/being run on a processor;

- a device may be regarded as an apparatus or as an assembly of more than one apparatus, whether functionally in cooperation with each other or functionally independently of each other but in a same device housing, for example.

[0098] Although the present invention has been described herein before with reference to particular embodiments thereof, the present invention is not limited thereto and various modification can be made thereto.

[0099] For ease of clarity, the following table provides a survey of the abbreviations used in the above description. It is to be noted that an "s" following an

abbreviation represents the plural of that abbreviation, e.g. "UEs" represents "user equipments".

3GPP 3 ^rd generation partnership project

TR/TS Technical report/technical specification

UE User equipment CAT Customized Alerting Tone:

Denotes either an audio or multimedia media played to the calling party when the called party is being alerted.

MM Multimedia :

Multimedia is usually referred to media content that contains audio, video and text. In CAT case multimedia is understood as video and audio gsmSCF GSM Service Control Function:

A kind of application server providing the subscriber services

HLR Home Location Register:

An essential component of a GSN network where subscriber subscription information and location information is stored.

MSC Mobile switching center

G-MSC Gateway MSC

O-MSC Originating MSC

CPU Central processing unit

IAM Initial address message

ISDN Integrated service digital network

ISUP ISDN user part

BICC Bearer independent call control