Video Gateway for 3G Multimedia Call Interoperability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users with 3G user equipment face difficulties in making multimedia calls to devices without video capabilities or outside 3G coverage, leading to a decrease in the utilization of multimedia services and features, as existing systems often prompt users to switch to voice calls, making the multimedia call process cumbersome and less appealing.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a video gateway that sets up a multimedia connection between a 3G user equipment and a voice connection to a non-capable user equipment, forwarding audio between these connections to maintain the multimedia call without disconnecting, and negotiating alternative media formats for video transmission, allowing additional multimedia services to be provided during the call.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the system prompts users to switch to voice calls when multimedia calls cannot be established, then call connectivity is ensured, but user experience deteriorates and multimedia service utilization decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a video gateway as an intermediary component that mediates between 3G user equipment attempting multimedia calls and 2G user equipment or networks. The video gateway receives multimedia call requests, establishes voice connections with non-capable devices, and forwards audio bidirectionally, thereby enabling seamless call connectivity without requiring user intervention to switch call types.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the system maintains multimedia call protocols for all calls, then multimedia service utilization increases, but system complexity increases for handling incompatible devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the call handling process into distinct functional components: the video gateway handles multimedia protocol processing and audio forwarding, while the core network handles standard voice call routing. This segmentation allows the system to maintain multimedia capabilities where needed while using simpler voice protocols where appropriate, reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The video gateway acts as an intermediary that translates between multimedia call protocols and standard voice call protocols. It receives multimedia call requests from 3G equipment, establishes voice connections with 2G equipment, and performs audio forwarding, thereby enabling protocol compatibility without requiring the entire system to support complex multimedia protocols.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the system establishes voice connections through video gateway, then compatibility with non-multimedia devices improves, but call setup time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The video gateway performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing voice connection pathways and maintaining readiness to handle multimedia call requests. When a multimedia call request arrives, the gateway can quickly establish the voice connection component while simultaneously handling audio forwarding, reducing the overall call setup time compared to sequential processing.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a system and method for setting up communication between a first and a second user equipment in a mobile radio communications system, wherein said first user equipment is attempting a multimedia call to said second user equipment. The method is characterized by the steps of: receiving a multimedia call request in a video gateway relating to said multimedia call; sending a voice call request from said video gateway towards said second user equipment in order to set up a voice connection between the video gateway and said second user equipment; setting up a multimedia connection between the video gateway and said first user equipment; and forwarding audio, received over said multimedia connection, onto said voice connection and forwarding audio, received over said voice connection, onto said multimedia connection.