Method and apparatus for automatically terminating a call

Method and equipment for automatically terminating calls

The embodiments disclosed in the background field generally relate to the communication field, and particularly to methods and devices for terminating calls in a communication system. The background communication field has many applications, including such as paging, wireless local loops, Internet telephony, and satellite communication systems. An example application is a cellular phone system for mobile users. (As used herein, the term "cellular" system encompasses cellular and personal communication service (PCS) system frequencies.) For such cellular systems, modern communication systems designed to allow multiple users to access a common communication medium have been developed. These modern communication systems can be based on code division multiple access (CDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), space division multiple access (SDMA), polarization diversity multiple access (PDMA) or other Known modulation technology. These modulation techniques demodulate signals received from multiple users of the communication system, thereby causing an increase in the capacity of the communication system. Among the connections, various wireless systems have been established, including, for example, Advanced Mobile Phone Service (AMPS), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), and some other wireless systems.

In the FDMA system, the total frequency spectrum is divided into multiple smaller sub-bands, and each user is given its own sub-band to access the communication medium. Alternatively, in a TDMA system, each user is given the entire spectrum during periodically repeated time slots. CDMA systems offer potential advantages over other types of systems, including increased system capacity. In a CDMA system, each user is given the entire spectrum at all times, but its transmission is distinguished by using a unique code.

The CDMA system can be designed to support one or more CDMA standards, such as (1) "TIA/EIA-95-B MobileStation-Base Station Compatibility Standard for Dual-Mode Wideband SpreadSpectrum Cellular System" (IS-95 standard), (2) ) Provided by a consortium named "3rd GenerationPartnership Project" (3GPP) and embedded in a set of documents (including document numbers 3G TS25.211, 3G TS 25.212, 3G TS 25.213 and 3G TS 25.214) in the standard (W-CDMA standard) , (3) The standard (IS-2000 standard) provided by the consortium named "3rd Generation Partnership Project 2" (3GPP2) and embedded in "TR-45.5 Physical Layer Standard for cdma2000 Spread Spectrum Systems" and (4) some other standard.

In the above-mentioned CDMA communication systems and standards, multiple users simultaneously share the available spectrum and use techniques such as soft handover to maintain sufficient quality to support delay-sensitive services (such as voice). Data services are also available. Recently, some systems have been proposed that increase data services by using high-order modulation, mobile station carrier-to-interference ratio (C/I) ultra-fast feedback, ultra-fast scheduling, and scheduling services with more relaxed delay requirements. capacity. An example of a data communication-only system using these technologies is a high data rate (HDR) system that complies with the TIA/EIA/IS-856 standard (IS-856 standard).

Unlike the other standards mentioned above, the IS-856 system uses the entire spectrum available in each cell to send data to a single user at a time. One factor in determining which user service is used is link quality. By using link quality as a factor in selecting users to be served, when the channel is good, the system spends most of the time sending data at a higher rate, and thus avoids limiting resources to support transmissions of insufficient rates. The actual result is higher data capacity, higher peak data rate, and higher average throughput.

The system can combine support for delay-sensitive data (such as the voice channel or data channel supported in the IS-2000 standard) and support for packet data services (as described in the IS-856 standard). One such system is described in a proposal submitted by LG Electronics, LSI Logic, Lucent Technologies, Nortel Networks, Qualcomm, and Samsung to the Third Generation Mobile Communications Cooperation Project 2 (3GPP2). The proposal was submitted to 3GPP2 on June 11, 2001 as document number C50-20010611-009 entitled "UpdatedJoint Physical Layer Proposal for 1xEV-DV" and submitted to 3GPP2 on August 20, 2001 as document number C50- 20010820-011 The document titled "Results of L3NQS Simulation Study" and the document titled "System Simulation Results for the L3NQS FrameworkProposal for cdma2000 1x-EVDV" submitted to 3GPP2 on August 20, 2001 as document number C50-20010820-012 And described in detail. These are all referred to as 1xEVDV proposals in the following.

None of the above-mentioned standards include features that allow call attempts to terminate automatically. In a communication system, a call is a connection between two endpoints. At an endpoint, the first user (also referred to as the caller) on the first user station initiates the call. At the other end point, the second user (also referred to as the called party) on the second user station receives an indication of the incoming call. In addition, the second user can also receive an indication of the identity of the first user. If the second user station has the feature of the caller ID (or an equivalent feature), the second user can determine the indication.

Normally, the second user will listen to the ringing signifying an incoming call on the second user station. The first user may only want to ring the second user without talking to the second user. In such a situation, the first user attempts to manually terminate the call, for example by "hanging up" the second user before the second user answers the call. However, the second user may answer the call before the first user manually terminates the call (which invalidates the first user's attempt to initiate the call). In this way, the art needs features that can automatically terminate calls, which allow users to ring other users without risking the call being answered.

Overview The embodiments disclosed herein address the need for the feature of being able to automatically terminate calls. As described further below, the disclosed embodiments provide methods and system elements that implement various aspects of the present invention.

The embodiments disclosed herein meet the requirements stated above by providing a method and device for automatically terminating calls. In one aspect, the method of communication includes initiating a call and instructing the termination of the call, and automatically terminating the call in response to the instructed termination of the call.

In another aspect, the method of communication includes sending a call message that initiates a call; sending a call notification message in response to the call message, the call notification message providing notification of the call; and sending a confirmation message in response to the call notification message, the confirmation message confirming the receipt of the call notification message ; Send a ringing message in response to the confirmation message, which indicates ringing; automatically send a termination message in response to the confirmation message, and send a corresponding termination message in response to the termination message.

In another aspect, the method of communication includes receiving a call-initiating message with an instruction to terminate the call, and terminating the call in response to receiving the call-initiating message with an instruction to terminate the call.

In another aspect, the method of communication includes receiving a call message that initiates a call, receiving an indication that the call is a ring-only call, sending a call notification message in response to the call message, the call notification message providing notification of the call, and responding to the call is Only the indication of the ringing call sends a termination message, and the termination message terminates the call.

In another aspect, the subscriber station includes a call initiation unit configured to initiate a call and instruct the termination of the call, and a termination unit configured to automatically terminate the call.

In another aspect, the subscriber station includes means for initiating a call, means for instructing the termination of the call, and means for automatically terminating the call.

In another aspect, the subscriber station includes a receiving unit that receives a message that initiates a call and has an instruction to terminate the call, and a terminating unit that terminates the call in response to receiving the message that initiates the call with an instruction to terminate the call.

In another aspect, the subscriber station includes means for receiving a message that initiates a call and has an instruction to terminate the call, and means for terminating the call in response to receiving a message that initiates a call with an instruction to terminate the call.

In another aspect, the network includes a receiving unit configured to receive a call message for initiating a call and receiving an indication that the call is a ring-only call, and a sending unit configured to send a call notification message in response to the call message, the call notification message providing the call The sending unit is also configured to send a termination message in response to the indication that the call is a ringing call only, and the termination message terminates the call.

In another aspect, the communication system includes a first user station configured to generate and send a message for initiating a call, and also configured to generate and automatically send a termination message in response to a message indicating ringing, and the termination message terminates the call; and a second user Station, configured to ring when receiving a message that initiates a call, and configured to send a message indicating ringing.

Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a simplified block diagram of an example communication system; Figure 2 shows a message flow diagram of manually terminating the call when the user only wants to ring the second user and does not want to talk to the second user; Figure 3 shows the communication A flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of the system, in which the first user only wants to ring the second user and automatically terminate the call; FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of a communication system, in which an indication of automatic call termination is indicated in a message; Figure 5 shows a flow chart of an exemplary embodiment of a CDMA communication system, in which the first user only wants to ring the second user and automatically terminate the call; Figure 6 shows a flow chart of an exemplary embodiment of a CDMA communication system, where in the message Indicate an indication of automatic call termination; Figure 7 shows a flow chart of a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) communication system, in which a media session is created between a first user on a first user station and a second user on a second user station; Fig. 8 shows a flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of a SIP communication system, in which the first user only wants to ring a second user and automatically terminates the call; Fig. 9 shows a flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of the SIP communication system, in which in the message Indication of automatic call termination; FIG. 10 shows a flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of a communication system, in which an indication of automatic call termination is indicated in a message and the second subscriber station terminates the call.

Detailed Description The following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings is intended as a description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention, and does not mean that the present invention is implemented only by these embodiments. The term "exemplary" used throughout the specification means "serving as an example, instance, or example" and should not be construed as being better or superior compared to other embodiments. In order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention, the detailed description includes specific details. However, without these specific details, the present invention can also be implemented, which is obvious to those skilled in the art. In some instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in the form of block diagrams to avoid the incomprehension of the concept of the present invention.

In an example embodiment of the communication system, the communication device can access the network or communicate with other devices. The network can be a packet-based network, such as the Internet or corporate intranet, public switched telephone network (PSTN), or any other applicable network. The access network can be used to provide a wireless interface between the communication device and the network. The access network takes various forms, including, for example, one or more base stations that communicate with a base station controller. This example communication system can support various communication devices, including mobile or stationary subscriber stations.

A subscriber station is also called a subscriber unit, mobile station, mobile, remote station, remote terminal, access terminal, user terminal, user agent, or user equipment. The user station can be a cellular phone, a cordless phone, a computer or other processing equipment connected to a wireless modem, a wireless local loop (WLL) site, or a personal digital assistant or a handheld device with wireless connectivity. The user station can also be a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) phone, cell phone or computer.

Although various aspects of the present invention are described in the context of a CDMA communication device, those skilled in the art will realize that the automatic call termination technology described herein is also applicable to various other communication environments, including those based on TDMA, FDMA, SDMA, Communication systems based on PDMA and other modulation technologies known in the art, and communication systems based on standards including AMPS, GSM, HDR, various CDMA standards, and other communication standards known in the art. Therefore, any reference to the CDMA communication system is only intended to show the inventive aspects of the present invention, while it is understood that such inventive aspects have a wide range of applications.

Figure 1 is a simplified block diagram of an example communication system 100 capable of operating in accordance with any CDMA communication system while incorporating various embodiments of the present invention. This example communication system is based on the modulation and multiple access scheme of spread spectrum communication.

The communication system 100 can be used for voice communication, data communication, or both. The base station controller 102 can be used to provide an interface between the network 104 and all base stations distributed throughout the geographic area. For the convenience of description, only one base station 106 is shown. The geographic area is usually subdivided into smaller areas called cells. Each base station is configured to provide service to all user stations in its respective cell. In some high-traffic applications, the cell can also be divided into sectors, and the base station provides services to each sector. Three subscriber stations 108a-c communicating with the base station 106 are shown. Each user station 108a-c can access the network or communicate with other user stations through one or more base stations under the control of the base station controller 102. In at least one embodiment, the communication system supports high-rate data and high-quality voice services on wireless communication channels.

The example communication system 100 supports two-way communication between the base station 106 and the user stations 108a-c. The transmission from the base station to the user station is called the forward link, and the transmission from the user station to the base station is called the reverse link.

The communication between the base station and the user station in the communication system 100 may include voice and data communication. Such a communication link also includes the communication of control messages for establishing, maintaining and terminating the data flow between the base station and the user station. The control information can take the form of a message flow communicated between the source and the destination. Therefore, the control information can be processed through the signaling protocol layer.

The user station can be used to implement functions other than making voice calls and data calls. For example, a very popular use of subscriber stations is short message service (SMS) transmission. SMS transmission enables short character messages to be transmitted between the user station and external systems such as e-mail, paging, and voice mail systems.

Another use of the user station is to use the user station in a manner similar to a pager, which is rapidly spreading in Europe. In this environment, users of user stations use their user stations to "ring" other user stations. The first user of the first user station initiates a call to the second user of the second user station, and when the first user hears a ringing tone (also called a dial tone) indicating that the second user station is ringing "Hook up" to terminate the call. In this way, the first user "rings" the second user.

When the first user station calls the second user station, the first user station sends a call message to the second user station. The call message indicates an incoming call to the second user station. If the second user station has the caller ID characteristic (or equivalent characteristic, which is a common characteristic of cellular phones), the second user station collects the identity of the caller. Once collected, the second user station indicates the identity of the caller to the second user.

In the case of displaying the caller's collection identity, the second user can see a message such as "Missed Call from First User". Such displayed messages may have different meanings according to the surrounding environment. For example, such a message may mean that the first user requests the second user to call back, which is similar to the first user sending a paging to the second user, or the displayed message is instructing the second user to take some action.

When the first user only wants to make a call to the second user and does not want to talk to the second user, the first user performs the operation of terminating the call as soon as he hears the ringing tone. The first user terminates the call by, for example, issuing an instruction on the user interface of the first user station. In cellular communication, no ringing tone is broadcast in the air. As soon as the network communicates with the first user station (the first user station has a connection with the second user station), the first user station generates a ringing tone at the first user station, and the second user station rings.

FIG. 2 shows a message flow diagram of manually terminating the call when the user only wants to make a call to the second user and does not want to talk with the second user.

In step 212, the first user 108a dials the number of the second user 108b and initiates the call. The call can be initiated by pressing the call key, or in the case of a voice-enabled user station, the call can be initiated by a voice command. A call message (also referred to as a call initiation request) is generated and sent to the network 104.

In step 214, the network 104 receives the call message. The network 104 finds the second user in the user registration table and sends a page to the second user. That is, the network 104 sends a call notification message to the second user. The call notification message indicates that there is an incoming voice call for the second user.

In step 216, the second subscriber station receives the incoming call notification message and starts ringing. The caller ID feature activated on the second user station causes the identity of the first user to be displayed on the second user station.

In step 218, the second user station sends a confirmation message to the network 104. The confirmation message instructs the second user station to confirm that the second user station receives the incoming call.

Once the network 104 receives the confirmation message from the second user station, the network 104 determines that as soon as the second user answers the call, the first user and the second user can talk. Therefore, in step 220, the network 104 sends a ringing message to the first user.

In step 222, a ringing tone is generated at the first user station as soon as the ringing message is received, so the first user hears the ringing tone 108b. Usually, this means for the first user that the user station of the second user is ringing.

If the first user really wants to talk to the second user, the first user only needs to wait for the second user to reply to the ringing at the second user station. If the first user only wants to ring the second user, the first user must issue an instruction on the second user station 108b, that is, the first call "hang up". In this way, the first user manually terminates the call. The first user can manually terminate the call by pressing a button. In the voice-enabled user station, the first user can terminate the call by issuing a voice command to terminate the call.

In step 224, a termination message is generated at the first subscriber station 108b and sent to the network 104. Subsequently, in step 226, after the network 104 receives the termination message from the first user station 108b, the network 104 sends a corresponding termination message to the second user station 108b.

In step 228, the call attempt is terminated at the second subscriber station, and the second subscriber station stops ringing when receiving a termination message from the network 104. A message indicating the loss of the call from the second user station 108b may be displayed on the display screen of the second user station.

In an exemplary embodiment of the communication system, the process of terminating the call as soon as the second subscriber station rings the second subscriber station 108b is automatic. In at least one example embodiment of the communication system, the second subscriber station 108b automatically terminates the call as soon as the ringing tone is generated. Unlike pressing a button or issuing a voice command to terminate the call, in order to terminate the call, the first user does not need to press the button or do anything after hearing the ringing tone.

The first user instructs the automatic termination of the call on the user interface of the first user station as part of the call initiation process. In one embodiment, the automatic call termination is instructed by pressing a button in combination with dialing to the second user. In another embodiment, the automatic call termination is instructed by issuing a voice command in combination with dialing to the second user. In yet another embodiment, the automatic call termination is indicated by a combination of pressing a button and issuing a voice command in combination with dialing to the second user. In this way, the caller initiates the automatic termination of the call as part of the call initiation process.

Figure 3 shows a flow chart of an exemplary embodiment of a communication system in which the first user only wants to ring the second user and automatically terminate the call. In this embodiment, in order to realize the automatic termination of the call, there is no need to change the air interface and the signaling message. Therefore, the flowchart of Fig. 3 looks similar to the flowchart of Fig. 2, but the steps are different.

In step 312, the first user 108a initiates a call, which will ring the second user and automatically terminate when the second user station 108b rings. The call is initiated by the first user 108a dialing the number of the second user 108b. When the first user 108 instructs the second user station 108b to ring on the user interface of the first user station 108a, the call is automatically terminated. In this way, a call message is generated and sent to the network 104, but the first user station 108a has identified the attempted call as a call to be automatically terminated when the second user station 108b rings. There is no indication in the call message that identifies the attempted call as being automatically terminated at the first user station and sent to the network 104.

In step 314, the network 104 receives the call initiation request, that is, the call message. The network 104 includes a receiving unit configured to receive a call message for initiating a call and configured to receive an indication that the call is a ring-only call. The network also includes a sending unit configured to send a call notification message (the call notification message provides a comrade of the call) in response to the call message and send a termination message (the termination message terminates the call) in response to an indication that the call is a ringing only call.

In step 316, the second subscriber station 108b receives the incoming call notification message and starts ringing. The caller ID feature activated on the second user station 108b causes the identity of the first user to be displayed on the second user station 108b. In an embodiment, the collected caller identity is displayed on the display screen of the second user station. Alternatively, the collected caller identity is released through the speaker of the second user station.

In step 318, the second user station 108b sends a confirmation message to the network 104. The confirmation message instructs the second subscriber station 108b to confirm the receipt of the incoming call.

Once the network 104 receives the confirmation message from the second user station 108b, the network 104 determines that as soon as the second user answers the call, the first user and the second user can talk. Therefore, in step 320, the network 104 sends a ringing message to the first user.

In one embodiment, the ringing tone is generated at the first user station 108a when the first user station receives the ringing message, so in step 322 the first user hears the ringing tone. Usually, this means for the first user that the user station of the second user is ringing. In another embodiment, in step 322, when the first user station receives the ringing message, no ringing tone is generated at the first user station 108a.

In step 324, a termination message is generated at the first user station 108a and sent to the network 104 without any operation by the first user 108a. Subsequently, in step 326, after the network 104 receives the termination message from the first user station 108a, the network 104 sends a corresponding termination message to the second user station 108b. In this way, the messages of steps 324 and 326 are automatically triggered. When a ringing message is received from the network 104, the termination messages of steps 324 and 326 are triggered without the assistance of the first user.

In step 328, the call attempt is terminated at the second subscriber station 108b, and the second subscriber station 108b stops ringing when receiving a termination message from the network 104. In one embodiment, a message indicating the loss of the call from the first user station 108a is displayed on the display screen of the second user station 108b. In another embodiment, the message that the call from the first user station 108a is lost is posted through the speaker on the second user station.

Figure 4 shows a flow chart of an exemplary embodiment of a communication system in which the first user only wants to ring the second user and automatically terminate the call. In this embodiment, in order to realize the automatic termination of the call, the signaling message is changed. In step 412, when the first user determines that he only wants to ring the second user, a flag is set to indicate that the first user only wants to ring the second user. This flag can be encoded into the call message.

In at least one example embodiment of the communication system, the first user indicates through the user interface of the first user station 108a that the second user's ringing is to be performed instead of the second user's call. In other words, ring the second user instead of calling.

In at least one example embodiment of the communication system, the first user instructs to ring the second user with a mechanism that is activated while dialing the second user's number. In another embodiment of the communication system, the first user instructs to ring the second user with a mechanism independent of dialing the number of the second user. This mechanism is different when the first user wants to talk to the second user and when the first user only wants to ring the second user. In at least one example embodiment of the communication system, the mechanism is at least one depressible button. In another example embodiment, the mechanism is at least one depressible key. In another example embodiment, the mechanism is at least one voice command issued in a voice-enabled user station. In at least one example embodiment, this mechanism is implemented through a web interface on the first user station 108a. If this mechanism is activated, the pending call will be automatically terminated.

In step 414, the network 104 receives the call message. In an embodiment, the network 104 receives an indication in the call message that the user only wants to ring the second user. In another embodiment, the network 108 receives an indication that the user only wants to ring the second user in a message other than the call message. At this time, the network 104 can determine from the indication (hereinafter referred to as the ring-only indication) that there is no need to send a ringing message to the first user station 108a. The network 104 finds the second user in the user registration table and sends a ring-only indication to the second user. That is, the network 104 sends a notification to the second user that only the second user is ringing.

In step 416, the second subscriber station 108b receives the incoming ringing only indication and starts ringing. The caller ID feature activated on the second user station 108b causes the identity of the first user to be displayed on the second user station 108b. In an embodiment, the collected caller identity is displayed on the display screen of the second user station. In another embodiment, the collected caller identity is released through the speaker of the second user station.

In step 418, the second user station 108b sends a confirmation message to the network 104. The confirmation message instructs the second subscriber station 108b to confirm the receipt of the incoming call.

In an embodiment, there is no need for the network to send a ringing message to the first user station 108a, thereby saving bandwidth in the communication channel from the network 104 to the first user station 108a. Alternatively, the network may send a ringing message to the first user station 108a.

Figure 5 shows a flow chart of an exemplary embodiment of a CDMA communication system in which the first user only wants to ring the second user and automatically terminate the call. In this embodiment, in order to realize the automatic termination of the call, there is no need to change the air interface or the signaling message. Therefore, the flowchart of FIG. 5 looks similar to the flowchart of FIG. 2, but the steps are different.

In step 512, the first user 108a initiates a call, which will ring the second user and automatically terminate when the second user station 108b rings. The call is initiated by the first user 108a dialing the number of the second user 108b. When the first user 108 instructs the second user station 108b to ring on the user interface of the first user station 108a, the call is automatically terminated. In this way, a call message (also known as a start message) is generated and sent to the network 104, but the first user station 108a has identified the attempted call as being automatically terminated when the second user station 108b rings. call. The call that is being tried is identified as the call to be automatically terminated occurs at the first user station and is not indicated in the call message sent to the network 104.

In step 514, the network 104 receives the call initiation request, that is, the call message. The network 104 finds the second user in the user registration table and sends a page to the second user. That is, the network 104 sends a call notification message (also referred to as a paging message) to the second user, indicating that there is an incoming voice call for the second user. In this way, the network 104 allocates the first communication channel with its accompanying resources to the first user station 108a and allocates the second communication channel with its accompanying resources to the second user station 108b.

In step 515, a channel allocation message is sent from the network 104 to the first subscriber station 108a. The channel allocation message allocates the first communication channel to the first subscriber station 108a. In an embodiment, before sending a ringing message from the network 104 to the first user station 108a, a channel allocation message is sent from the network 104 to the first user station 108a. Alternatively, after sending a ringing message from the network 104 to the first subscriber station 108a, a channel allocation message is sent from the network 104 to the first subscriber station 108a. Whether the channel allocation message is sent from the network 104 to the first user station 108a before or after the ringing message is sent from the network 104 to the first user station 108a depends on the specific implementation.

In step 516, the second subscriber station 108b receives the incoming call notification message and starts ringing. The caller ID feature activated on the second user station 108b causes the identity of the first user to be displayed on the second user station 108b. In an embodiment, the collected caller identity is displayed on the display screen of the second user station. Alternatively, the collected caller identity is released through the speaker of the second user station.

In step 518, the second user station 108b sends a confirmation message (also referred to as a page response message) to the network 104. The confirmation message instructs the second user station 108b to confirm that the second user station 108b receives the incoming call notification.

Once the network 104 receives the confirmation message from the second user station 108b, the network 104 determines that as soon as the second user answers the call, the first user and the second user can talk. Therefore, in step 520, the network 104 sends a ringing message to the first user. In one embodiment, the ringing message is an informational warning message, which alerts the first user with information about the ringing of the second user station 108b.

In an embodiment, before the network 104 sends a ringing message to the first user station 108a, the network 104 sends a channel allocation message to the first user station 108a. Alternatively, after the network 104 sends a ringing message to the first user station 108a, the network 104 sends a channel allocation message to the first user station 108a. In an embodiment, the network 104 does not send a channel allocation message to the first subscriber station 108a.

In one embodiment, the ringing tone is generated at the first user station 108a when the first user station receives the ringing message, so in step 522 the first user hears the ringing tone. Usually, this means for the first user that the user station of the second user is ringing. In another embodiment, in step 522, no ringing tone is generated at the first user station 108a when the first user station receives the ringing message.

In step 524, a termination message (also referred to as a release command) is generated at the first user station 108a and sent to the network 104 without any operation by the first user 108a. The network releases the first communication channel with additional resources allocated to the first subscriber station 108a. Subsequently, in step 526, after the network 104 receives the termination message from the first user station 108a, the network 104 sends a corresponding termination message (also referred to as a release message) to the second user station 108b. The network releases the second communication channel with additional resources allocated to the second subscriber station 108b. In this way, the messages of steps 524 and 526 are automatically triggered. When a ringing message is received from the network 104, the termination messages of steps 524 and 526 are triggered without the assistance of the first user. The termination messages of steps 524 and 526 release the resources allocated for the communication channel between the first user station 108a and the second user station 108b.

In step 528, the call attempt is terminated at the second subscriber station 108b, and the second subscriber station 108b stops ringing when receiving a termination message from the network 104. In one embodiment, a message indicating the loss of the call from the first user station 108a is displayed on the display screen of the second user station 108b. In another embodiment, the message that the call from the first user station 108a is lost is posted through the speaker on the second user station.

Figure 6 shows a flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of a CDMA communication system, in which the first user only wants to ring the second user and automatically terminate the call. In this embodiment, in order to realize the automatic termination of the call, the signaling message is changed. In step 412, when the first user determines that he only wants to ring the second user, a flag is set to indicate that the first user only wants to ring the second user. This flag can be encoded into the call message.

In at least one example embodiment of the communication system, the first user through the user interface of the first user station 108a instructs the second user to ring instead of the second user's call. In other words, ring the second user instead of calling.

In at least one example embodiment of the communication system, the first user instructs to ring the second user with a mechanism that is activated while dialing the second user's number. In another embodiment of the communication system, the first user instructs to ring the second user with a mechanism independent of dialing the number of the second user. This mechanism is different when the first user wants to talk to the second user and when the first user only wants to ring the second user. In at least one example embodiment of the communication system, the mechanism is at least one depressible button. In another example embodiment, the mechanism is at least one depressible key. In another example embodiment, the mechanism is at least one voice command issued in a voice-enabled user station. In at least one example embodiment, this mechanism is implemented through a web interface on the first user station 108a. If this mechanism is activated, the pending call will be automatically terminated.

In step 614, the network 104 receives the call initiation request, that is, the call message. In an embodiment, the network 104 receives an indication in the call message that the user only wants to ring the second user. In another embodiment, the network 104 receives an indication that the user only wants to ring the second user in a message different from the call message. At this time, the network 104 can determine from the indication (hereinafter referred to as the ring-only indication) that there is no need to send a ringing message to the first user station 108a. The network 104 finds the second user in the user registration table and sends a ring-only indication to the second user. That is, the network 104 sends a call notification message (also referred to as a paging message) to the second user to indicate that only the second user is ringing. Since the network 104 knows to ring only the second user, there is no need to allocate a channel with its accompanying resources.

In step 616, the second subscriber station 108b receives the incoming ring-only indication and starts ringing. The caller ID feature activated on the second user station 108b causes the identity of the first user to be displayed on the second user station 108b. In an embodiment, the collected caller identity is displayed on the display screen of the second user station. In another embodiment, the collected caller identity is released through the speaker of the second user station.

In step 618, the second user station 108b sends a confirmation message (also referred to as a paging response message) to the network 104. The confirmation message instructs the second user station 108b to confirm that the second user station 108b receives the incoming ring-only indication.

In an embodiment, there is no need for the network to send a ringing message (also referred to as an informational warning message) to the first user station 108a, thereby saving bandwidth in the communication channel from the network 104 to the first user station 108a. Alternatively, the network may send a ringing message to the first user station 108a.

Upon receiving the confirmation message, the network 104 releases the first communication channel with additional resources allocated to the first user station 108a and releases the second communication channel with additional resources allocated to the second user station 108b.

Figure 7 shows a flow chart of a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) communication system in which a media session is created between a first user on a first user station and a second user on a second user station. In the SIP communication system, communication between two user units is established through a proxy server. The proxy server acts as an intermediary to ensure security between user stations. The communication link between the user stations may be a wired communication link or a wireless communication link.

In step 712, the first user 108a initiates a call (also referred to as an invitation) to the second user. The call includes details of the media session type requested by the first user. The types of media sessions that can be requested include, but are not limited to, sound paintings, video sessions, and multimedia sessions. The call is initiated by the first user 108a by dialing the number of the second user 108b. In this way, a call message is generated and sent to the proxy server 704. The proxy server 704 is used as an intermediary between the first user station 108a and the second user station 108b.

In step 714, the proxy server 704 receives the call initiation request, that is, the call message. The proxy server 704 finds the second user in the user registration table and sends a page to the second user. That is, the proxy server 704 sends a call notification message (also referred to as an invitation) to the second user, indicating that there is an incoming voice call for the second user.

In step 715, a channel allocation message is sent from the proxy server 704 to the first subscriber station 108a. The channel allocation message allocates the first communication channel to the first subscriber station 108a.

In step 716, the second subscriber station 108b receives the incoming call notification message and starts ringing. In this way, the proxy server 704 allocates the first communication channel with its accompanying resources to the first user station 108a and allocates the second communication channel with its accompanying resources to the second user station 108b.

In step 718, the second user station 108b sends a ringing message to the proxy server 704. The ringing message indicates that the second subscriber station 108b is ringing. In step 720, once the proxy server 704 receives the ringing message from the second user station 108b, the proxy server 704 sends the ringing message to the first user station 108a. In step 722, when the first user station receives the ringing message, a ringing tone is generated at the first user station 108a, so the first user hears the ringing tone. Usually, this means for the first user that the user station of the second user is ringing.

In step 730, when the second user receives the call, the second user station 108b sends a confirmation message (also referred to as an OK message) to the proxy server 704. The confirmation message indicates that the second user on the second user station 108b has answered the call.

Once the proxy server 704 receives the confirmation message from the second user station 108b, the proxy server 704 determines that the first user and the second user can communicate directly. Therefore, in step 732, the proxy server 704 sends a confirmation message to the first user.

In step 736, a confirmation is sent from the first user station 108a directly to the second user station 108b to confirm receipt of the confirmation message. In step 738, once the second user station 108b receives the confirmation, a media session is established between the first user station 108a and the second user station 108b, and the first user 108a and the second user 108b can directly communicate with each other .

Figure 8 shows a flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of a SIP communication system, in which the first user only wants to ring the second user and automatically terminate the call. In this embodiment, in order to realize the automatic termination of the call, there is no need to change the air interface or the signaling message.

In step 812, the first user 108a initiates a call (also referred to as an invitation) to the second user, and the call will ring the second user and automatically terminate when the second user station 108b rings. The call includes details of the media session type requested by the first user. The types of media sessions that can be requested include, but are not limited to, audio sessions, video sessions, and multimedia sessions. The call is initiated by the first user 108a by dialing the number of the second user 108b. When the first user 108 instructs the second user station 108b to ring on the user interface of the first user station 108a, the call is automatically terminated. In this way, a call message is generated and sent to the proxy server 804, but the first user station 108a has identified the attempted call as a call to be automatically terminated when the second user station 108b rings. The call that is being attempted is identified as the call to be automatically terminated, and there is no indication in the call message sent to the proxy server 804 at the first user station.

In step 814, the proxy server 804 receives the call initiation request, that is, the call message. The proxy server 804 finds the second user in the user registration table and sends a page to the second user. That is, the proxy server 804 sends a call notification message (also referred to as an invitation) to the second user, indicating that there is an incoming voice call for the second user. In step 815, the proxy server 704 allocates the first communication channel with its accompanying resources to the first user station 108a and allocates the second communication channel with its accompanying resources to the second user station 108b.

In step 816, the second subscriber station 108b receives the incoming call notification message and starts ringing. The caller ID feature activated on the second user station 108b causes the identity of the first user to be displayed on the second user station 108b. In an embodiment, the collected caller identity is displayed on the display screen of the second user station. Alternatively, the collected caller identity is released through the speaker of the second user station.

In step 818, the second user station 108b sends a ringing message to the proxy server 704. The ringing message indicates that the second subscriber station 108b is ringing. In step 820, once the proxy server 704 receives the ringing message from the second user station 108b, the proxy server 704 sends the ringing message to the first user station 108a. In step 822, when the first user station receives the ringing message, a ringing tone is generated at the first user station 108a, so the first user hears the ringing tone. Usually, this means for the first user that the user station of the second user is ringing.

In one embodiment, in step 822, when the first user station receives the ringing message, a ringing tone is generated at the first user station 108a, and the first user hears the ringing tone. Usually, this means for the first user that the user station of the second user is ringing. In another embodiment, in step 822, no ringing tone is generated at the first user station 108a when the first user station receives the ringing message.

In step 824, a termination message (also referred to as cancellation) is generated at the first user station 108a and sent to the proxy server 804 without any operation of the first user 108a. Upon receiving the termination message, the proxy server 904 releases the first communication channel with additional resources allocated to the first user station 108a and releases the second communication channel with additional resources allocated to the second user station 108b.

In step 826, after the proxy server 804 receives the termination message from the first user station 804a, the proxy server 804 sends a corresponding termination message (also referred to as cancellation) to the second user station 108b. In this way, the messages in steps 824 and 826 are automatically triggered. When the ringing message is received from the proxy server 804, the termination messages of steps 824 and 826 are triggered without the assistance of the first user.

In step 828, the call attempt is terminated at the second user station 108b, and the second user station 108b stops ringing when receiving a termination message from the proxy server 804. In one embodiment, a message indicating the loss of the call from the first user station 108a is displayed on the display screen of the second user station 108b. In another embodiment, the message that the call from the first user station 108a is lost is posted through the speaker on the second user station.

Figure 9 shows a flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of a SIP communication system, in which the first user only wants to ring the second user and automatically terminate the call.

In this embodiment, in order to realize the automatic termination of the call, the signaling message is changed. In step 912, the first user 108a initiates a call (also referred to as an invitation), which will ring the second user and automatically terminate when the second user station 108b rings. In step 912, when the first user determines that he only wants to ring the second user, a flag is set to indicate that the first user only wants to ring the second user. This flag can be encoded into the call message.

In at least one example embodiment of the communication system, the first user through the user interface of the first user station 108a instructs the second user to ring instead of the second user's call. In other words, ring the second user instead of calling.

In at least one example embodiment of the communication system, the first user instructs to ring the second user with a mechanism that is activated while dialing the second user's number. In another embodiment of the communication system, the first user instructs to ring the second user with a mechanism independent of dialing the number of the second user. This mechanism is different when the first user wants to talk to the second user and when the first user only wants to ring the second user. In at least one example embodiment of the communication system, the mechanism is at least one depressible button. In another example embodiment, the mechanism is at least one depressible key. In another example embodiment, the mechanism is at least one voice command issued in a voice-enabled user station. In at least one example embodiment, this mechanism is implemented through a web interface on the first user station 108a. If this mechanism is activated, the pending call will be automatically terminated.

In step 914, the proxy server 904 receives the call message. In an embodiment, the proxy server 904 receives an indication in the call message that the user only wants to ring the second user. In another embodiment, the proxy server 904 receives an indication that the user only wants to ring the second user in a message different from the call message. At this time, the proxy server 904 can determine from the indication (hereinafter referred to as the ringing only indication) that there is no need to send a ringing message to the first user station 108a. The proxy server 904 finds the second user in the user registration table and sends a ringing only indication to the second user. That is, the proxy server 904 sends a call notification message (also referred to as an invitation) to the second user to indicate that only the second user is ringing. Since the proxy server 904 knows to ring only the second user, there is no need to allocate a channel with its accompanying resources.

In step 918, the second user station 108b sends a confirmation message (also referred to as a paging response message) to the proxy server 904. The confirmation message instructs the second user station 108b to confirm that the second user station 108b receives the incoming ring-only indication.

There is no need for the network to send a ringing message to the first user station 108a, thereby saving bandwidth in the communication channel from the proxy server 904 to the first user station 108a.

In an embodiment, the first subscriber station includes a call initiation unit, a receiving unit, and a terminating unit. The initiating unit initiates a call by sending a call message. The receiving unit receives a response message to the call message. The termination unit automatically terminates the call. Those skilled in the art will understand that these units can be combined without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The following is an alternative embodiment of the first user station that automatically terminates the call, in which the second user station automatically terminates the call in response to an indication that the call from the first user station is only a ringing call. Therefore, the second subscriber station includes a terminating unit for automatically terminating the call in addition to the receiving unit that receives the indication that the call is a ringing call only.

Fig. 10 shows a flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of a communication system, in which an indication of automatic call termination is indicated in a message, and the second subscriber station terminates the call.

In this embodiment, in order to realize the automatic termination of the call, the signaling message is changed. In step 1012, when the first user determines that he only wants to ring the second user, a flag is set to indicate that the first user only wants to ring the second user. This flag can be encoded into the call message.

In at least one example embodiment of the communication system, the first user through the user interface of the first user station 108a instructs the second user to ring instead of the second user's call. In other words, ring the second user instead of calling.

In at least one example embodiment of the communication system, the first user instructs to ring the second user with a mechanism that is activated while dialing the second user's number. In another embodiment of the communication system, the first user instructs to ring the second user with a mechanism independent of dialing the number of the second user. This mechanism is different when the first user wants to talk to the second user and when the first user only wants to ring the second user. In at least one example embodiment of the communication system, the mechanism is at least one depressible button. In another example embodiment, the mechanism is at least one depressible key. In another example embodiment, the mechanism is at least one voice command issued in a voice-enabled user station. In at least one example embodiment, this mechanism is implemented through a web interface on the first user station 108a. If this mechanism is activated, the pending call will be automatically terminated.

In step 1014, the network 104 receives the call message. In an embodiment, the network 104 receives an indication in the call message that the user only wants to ring the second user. In another embodiment, the network 104 receives an indication that the user only wants to ring the second user in a message other than the call message. At this time, the network 104 can determine from the indication (hereinafter referred to as the ring-only indication) that there is no need to send a ringing message to the first user station 108a. The network 104 finds the second user in the user registration table and sends a ring-only indication to the second user. In other words, the network 104 sends a notification to the second user to only ring the second user.

In step 1016, the second subscriber station 108b receives the incoming ringing only indication and starts ringing. The caller ID feature activated on the second user station 108b causes the identity of the first user to be displayed on the second user station 108b. In an embodiment, the collected caller identity is displayed on the display screen of the second user station. In another embodiment, the collected caller identity is released through the speaker of the second user station.

In step 1018, the second user station 108b sends a termination message to the network 104. The termination message instructs the second user station 108b to confirm that the second user station 108b receives the incoming ring-only call and instructs the network to terminate the call.

In an embodiment, there is no need for the network to send a ringing message to the first user station 108a, thereby saving bandwidth in the communication channel from the network 104 to the first user station 108a. Alternatively, the network may send a ringing message to the first user station 108a.

Those skilled in the art also understand that the "ringing" of the second user station does not need to be the audible ringing of the second user station. Those skilled in the art will also understand that "ringing" can be any indication on the second user station that the second user has received an incoming call. For example, "ringing" may be a visual ringing, whereby the text representing the ringing can be displayed on the display screen of the second user station. Another example of ringing may be a physical vibration of the second user station indicating that the second user has received an incoming call.

Those skilled in the art will understand that method steps can be interchanged without departing from the scope of the present invention. Those skilled in the art will also understand that any of a variety of different processes and techniques can be used to represent information and signals. For example, the data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips mentioned throughout the above description can be represented by voltage, current, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or magnetic particles, light fields or light particles, or any combination thereof.

Those skilled in the art will also realize that the exemplary logical blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithm steps described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or a combination thereof. In order to clearly illustrate the interchangeability of hardware and software, various exemplary components, blocks, modules, and steps are generally described above for their functions. Whether these functions are implemented as hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints imposed on the overall system. Technicians can implement the described functions in different ways for each specific application, but the implementation determined in this way should not be construed as departing from the scope of the present invention.

Available general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSP), application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), field programmable gate arrays (FPGA) or other programmable logic devices, discrete gates or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or designed as Any combination of the above-mentioned functions implements or executes the exemplary blocks and modules described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor may be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. The processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, such as a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a combination of multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors combined with a DSP core, or any other such configuration.

The steps of the method or algorithm described in the embodiments disclosed herein can be directly implemented in hardware, a software module executed by a processor, or a combination of the two. The software module may reside in RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, hard disk, removable disk, CD-ROM or any other form of storage medium known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to a processor, and the processor can read information from and write information to the storage medium. In the alternative, the storage medium may be integrated in the processor. The processor and storage medium may reside in the ASIC. The ASIC may reside in the user station. In the alternative, the processor and storage medium may reside in the user station as separate components.

The description of the disclosed embodiments is provided above so that any person skilled in the art can make or use the present invention. Various modifications to these embodiments are obvious to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein can be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. In this way, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown here, but is intended to follow the widest scope that conforms to the principles and novel features disclosed herein.