`
`
`
`11111111111110111111010 1111111 IIIIi1121,11111,1,1111111111111111111111110111111
`
`(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2003/0142654 Al
`Jul. 31, 2003
`Chambers et al.
`(43) Pub. Date:
`
`(54) METHOD AND DEVICE FOR PROVIDING A
`COMMUNICATION SESSION
`
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`
` 370/338; 370/400; 370/328;
`370/252
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Michael J. Chambers, Erlangen (DE);
`Pierluigi Pugliese, Vaterstetten (DE)
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`Correspondence Address:
`HITT GAINES P.C.
`P.O. BOX 832570
`RICHARDSON, TX 75083 (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Agere Systems Inc., Allentown, PA (US)
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`10/348,244
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Jan. 21, 2003
`
`(30)
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`Jan. 29, 2002
`
`(EP)
`
` EP 02002167.1
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51) Int. C1.7
`
`42
`
`44
`
`46
`
`48
`
`50
`
`52
`
`54
`
`HO4Q 7/24
`
`START
`
`CREATE INITIAL
`MEMBER LIST
`
`REQUEST IP ADDRESS
`
`SEND MESSAGE
`
`RECEIVE INVITATION
`
`ACTIVATE GPRS
`SESSION
`
`REPLY TO INVITATION
`MESSAGE
`
`RECEIVE REPLY
`
`MARK ACTIVE
`
`A method and device for providing a communication or chat
`session with a plurality of users, in particular for mobile
`radio networks according to Global System for Mobile
`communication (GSM) or Universal Mobile Telecommuni-
`cations System (UMTS) standards. A first user starts a
`General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) session requesting an
`Internet Protocol (IP) address at the network. The first user
`then sends an initiation message including the IP address to
`a plurality of other users which preferably are selected from
`a mobile station's telephone book. Addressed users also
`request IP addresses at the respective networks and send a
`reply including the respective IP address via GPRS to the
`first user. After receiving at least one reply, the first user
`activates a chat session and all participants can exchange
`messages, preferably text and images, via GPRS or another
`packet switched service.
`
`64
`
`UPDATE
`LIST
`
`CHAT SESSION ACTIVE
`
`TRANSMIT
`UPDATED LIST
`
`62
`
`68
`
`70
`
`SEND DATA
`
`117
`END
`
`66
`
`Apple Inc.
`Ex. 1006 - Page 1
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jul. 31, 2003 Sheet 1 of 2
`
`US 2003/0142654 Al
`
`36
`
`STATIONARY
`
`PHONE
`
`37
`
`GMSC
`
`COMPUTER
`
`SECOND
`GATEWAY
`GPRS
`SUPPORT
`NODE
`
`11
`
`GPRS
`
`14
`
`BASE STATION
`CONTROLLER
`
`22
`
`20
`
`10
`
`18
`
`16
`
`FIRST
`GATEWAY
`GPRS
`SUPPORT
`NODE
`
`13
`
`r )
`
`12
`
`FIRST BASE
`TRANSCEIVING
`STATION
`
`SECOND BASE
`TRANSCEIVING
`STATION
`
`Dom
`luau
`MUM
`99911
`
`31
`
`32
`
`.....-.***.
`
`33
`
`34
`
`35
`
`FIGURE 1
`
`Apple Inc.
`Ex. 1006 - Page 2
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jul. 31, 2003 Sheet 2 of 2
`
`US 2003/0142654 Al
`
`42
`
`44
`
`46
`
`48
`
`50
`
`CREATE INITIAL
`MEMBER LIST
`
`REQUEST IP ADDRESS
`
`SEND MESSAGE
`
`RECEIVE INVITATION
`MESSAGE
`
`52
`
`ACCEPT
`INVITATION
`MESSAGE?
`
`Y
`ACTIVATE GPRS
`SESSION
`
`MESSAGE
`
`-A REPLY TO INVITATION
`4
`
`54
`
`56
`
`58
`
`60
`
`61
`
`62
`
`68
`
`70
`
`RECEIVE REPLY
`
`MARK ACTIVE
`
`64
`
`UPDATE
`LIST
`
`Y
`CHAT SESSION ACTIVE I
`
`TRANSMIT
`UPDATED LIST
`
`...
`
`SEND DATA
`
`END
`
`FIGURE 2
`
`66
`
`Apple Inc.
`Ex. 1006 - Page 3
`
`

`

`US 2003/0142654 Al
`
`Jul. 31, 2003
`
`1
`
`METHOD AND DEVICE FOR PROVIDING A
`COMMUNICATION SESSION
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO FOREIGN
`APPLICATION
`
`[0001] This application claims the benefit of EP Patent
`Application No. 02002167.1 entitled "Method and Device
`for Providing a Communication Session" to Michael J.
`Chambers, et al., filed on Jan. 29, 2002, which is incorpo-
`rated herein by reference.
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0002] The present invention is directed, in general, to
`communication systems and, more specifically, a method
`and device for providing a communication session in a
`communications system.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0003] The increase of competition between network
`operators of communications systems and the increase of
`telecommunication users particularly in the field of mobile
`communication has attributed to a nearly unappeasable
`demand for new and improved communication services. In
`today's information society, the interest in telecommunica-
`tions in general and, in particular, digital mobile radio
`telecommunication is increasing for all types of text, speech
`or data transmission. Recently, exchanging text messages
`has especially become very popular.
`
`[0004] Subscribers, or users, of Global System for Mobile
`communication (GSM) networks frequently use the GSM
`short message service (SMS) to communicate with their peer
`group. Presently, a user sends a SMS-message by selecting
`a respective menu item on a mobile phone, entering text,
`entering a telephone number of a recipient and sending the
`text using the SMS. On most mobile telephones, this pro-
`cedure has to be repeated for each designated recipient even
`though the user may transmit the same text. Typically, the
`user reads a received SMS-message through a similar long
`and complicated procedure.
`
`[0005] Though sending and receiving SMS-messages is
`popular, there are several deficiencies associated with the
`present operation. For example, the user cannot simulta-
`neously see a received SMS-message and the text to be sent.
`Additionally, the user cannot send and receive a SMS-
`message simultaneously. A user, therefore, may have to
`remember the content of the received SMS-message to send
`a response. Even with these deficiencies, the cost of SMS
`can be expensive with a typical cost for transmitting a
`SMS-message at about 0.2 Euro.
`
`[0006] Another deficiency associated with SMS is the
`restriction of 160 characters for each SMS-message. Addi-
`tionally, the user may not receive a confirmation that the
`SMS-message was received or read by the recipient. Also,
`sending and receiving SMS-messages may be slowed since
`SMS-messages are routed via a server in a network back-
`bone of a GSM-network. The server may slow the process
`by buffering or storing the SMS-message before being
`transmitted to the recipient.
`
`[0007] The above mentioned deficiencies can make cor-
`respondence via SMS-messages disadvantageous not only
`for users but also for a network operator. This is especially
`
`true when the correspondence includes the exchange of
`several subsequent SMS-messages between the users. The
`disadvantages may increase when more than two users try to
`communicate via SMS. Essentially, a simultaneous
`exchange of text is not possible.
`
`[0008] Accordingly, what is needed in the art are improve-
`ments for communicating via text messages especially for
`sending and receiving text messages between multiple users.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0009] To address the above-discussed deficiencies of the
`prior art, the present invention furnishes a method for
`providing a communication session with at least a first and
`second user of a communications system including at least
`a first and second terminal assigned to the first and second
`user, respectively. In one embodiment, the method includes
`transmitting an initiation message from the first terminal to
`the second terminal with the initiation message including a
`first address assigned to the first terminal. After receiving the
`initiation message, the second terminal transmits a first reply
`to the initiation message, which is received by the first
`terminal.
`
`[0010] When the first user or initiator wants to start the
`communication session, the user first selects one or more
`other users, together defining a selected group of users.
`Selection input in the first terminal includes selecting one or
`more users from a phone book or manually typing one or
`more subscriber identifications or telephone numbers. When
`all chosen participants are selected, the initiation message,
`e.g., a SMS-message, including at least the first address of
`the first user is sent to each member of the group. Each
`member receiving the initiation message is enabled to decide
`whether to participate in the offered communication session.
`If so, the user requests an address and sends a reply
`including the address to the initiator. When receiving the
`reply the initiator terminal will automatically mark this
`replying user as active. With the first received reply, the
`session also becomes automatically active.
`
`In another aspect, the present invention provides a
`[0011]
`method for transmitting a circuit switched message from a
`first terminal assigned to a first user of a communications
`system to second and third terminals having second and
`third users. This method includes providing via the first
`terminal an input by the first user for the circuit switched
`message and defining a group of users. The method further
`includes selecting a subscriber number for the second and
`third terminals and transmitting the message to the second
`and third terminals.
`
`In yet another aspect, the present invention pro-
`[0012]
`vides a device for use with a communications system
`including a means for storing an initiator address, a means
`for transmitting an initiation message to receiving terminals
`wherein the initiation message includes the initiator address
`and a means for receiving a reply message from the receiv-
`ing terminals.
`
`In yet still another aspect, the present invention
`[0013]
`furnishes a telecommunications network providing packet
`data protocol addressed service including a plurality of base
`transceiving stations, a plurality of base station controllers,
`at least a serving packet radio service support node and a
`device. The device includes a means for storing an initiator
`
`Apple Inc.
`Ex. 1006 - Page 4
`
`

`

`US 2003/0142654 Al
`
`Jul. 31, 2003
`
`2
`
`address, a means for transmitting an initiation message to a
`receiving device wherein the initiation message includes the
`initiator address and a means for receiving a reply message
`from the receiving device.
`
`[0014] The communication session initiated or provided
`by the present invention allows the users to exchange data,
`e.g., text or images, in a simple and inexpensive manner. In
`particular, the exchanged data can be received and transmit-
`ted simultaneously. Furthermore a communication session in
`real time may be enabled.
`
`[0015] Therefore, the principles of the present invention
`serve several purposes such as providing a method and
`device for providing a communication session with
`improved capabilities in addition to avoiding the aforemen-
`tioned disadvantages. A further object of the present inven-
`tion is to provide a method and device which is suitable for
`a communication session with a plurality of users. Addi-
`tionally, an object of the present invention is to provide a
`method and device which enables exchanging a large
`amount of data, e.g., text and/or images, in a convenient,
`inexpensive and fast manner. Another objective of the
`present invention is to provide a method and device which
`can be implemented in already existing communications
`systems, e.g., in GSM or Universal Mobile Telecommuni-
`cations System (UMTS) networks. The present invention
`also has an objective to provide a method and device for
`providing a communication session wherein users with
`mobile and wirebound terminals can participate.
`
`[0016] The foregoing has outlined, rather broadly, pre-
`ferred and alternative features of the present invention so
`that those skilled in the art may better understand the
`detailed description of the invention that follows. Additional
`features of the invention will be described hereinafter that
`form the subject of the claims of the invention. Those skilled
`in the art should appreciate that they can readily use the
`disclosed conception and specific embodiment as a basis for
`designing or modifying other structures for carrying out the
`same purposes of the present invention. Those skilled in the
`art should also realize that such equivalent constructions do
`not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention in its
`broadest form.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0017] For a more complete understanding of the present
`invention, reference is now made to the following descrip-
`tions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,
`in which:
`
`[0018] FIG. 1 illustrates a network diagram of an embodi-
`ment of a portion of a system architecture of a communi-
`cations system constructed in accordance with the principles
`of the present invention; and
`
`[0019] FIG. 2 illustrates a flow diagram of a preferred
`embodiment of a method of providing a communication
`session in accordance with the principles of the of the
`present invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`[0020] Referring initially to FIG. 1, illustrated is a net-
`work diagram of an embodiment of a portion of a system
`architecture of a communications system, generally desig-
`nated 1, constructed in accordance with the principles of the
`
`present invention. The communications system 1 includes a
`first and a second cell 11, 13, a base station controller 14, a
`serving General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) support node
`16, a first and a second gateway GPRS support node 18, 20,
`a gateway mobile switching centre (GMSC) 22, a stationary
`telephone 36 and a computer 37. The first cell 11 includes a
`first base transceiving station 10 and mobile phones 31, 32,
`33. The second cell 13 includes a second base transceiving
`station 12 and mobile phones 34, 35. One skilled in the
`pertinent art will understand that the aforementioned com-
`ponents are merely an exemplary portion of a telecommu-
`nications network with an operating network typically com-
`prising a large plurality of each of these components.
`
`[0021] The communications system 1 may be a packet
`switched service system such as with a General Packet
`Radio Service (GPRS). In a preferred embodiment, the
`communications system 1 or at least a portion of it may be
`a digital system including Global System for Mobile Com-
`munication (GSM) network or a Universal Mobile Telecom-
`munications System (UMTS) network. Of course in other
`embodiments the communications system 1 may be another
`protocol based communications network that is text mes-
`saging enabled.
`
`[0022] The first and second cell 11, 13, may be cells within
`a communications system such as a GSM or UMTS network
`that employ the first base transceiving station 10 and the
`second base transceiving station 12 to serve the respective
`mobile phones 31, 32, 33, 34, 35. The first and second base
`transceiving station 10, 12, may be conventional base trans-
`ceivers of a GSM or UMTS network which provide, for
`example, a wireless/wireline protocol conversion for data
`from/to the mobile phones 31, 32, 33, 34, 35. The first and
`second base transceiving stations 10, 12, may be wirelined
`coupled to the base station controller 14 and wirelessly
`coupled to the respective mobile phones 31, 32, 33, 34, 35,
`for example, via radio channels.
`
`[0023] The mobile phones 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, may be
`capable of employing a packet switched service such as
`GPRS. Preferably, each one of the mobile phones 31, 32, 33,
`34, 35, are capable of operating within a GSM or UMTS
`network. Of course, one skilled in the art will understand
`that other terminals capable of operating within a GSM or
`UMTS network may also be used instead of or in addition
`to the mobile phones 31, 32, 33, 34, 35. The mobile phones
`31, 32, 33, 34, 35, may be conventional phones which
`include, for example, a keypad and a display. When using a
`telephone having a 10-button keyboard with multiple char-
`acter occupancy, user convenience may be largely improved
`when a word recognition software or method adapted to
`such a 10-button keyboard is provided.
`
`In some embodiments, the display of each mobile
`[0024]
`phone 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, may be divided into two portions
`to allow entering its own text, or text to be transmitted, using
`a first portion and displaying incoming text in a second
`portion. For example, a top portion of the display may be
`used to enter text to be transmitted and a lower portion of the
`display may be used to display incoming text. When no text
`to be transmitted is being displayed, the whole screen may
`be used to display incoming text.
`
`[0025] The base station controller 14, the GPRS 16, the
`first and second gateway GPRS supports nodes 18, 20, and
`the GMSC 22 may be conventional devices that are inter-
`
`Apple Inc.
`Ex. 1006 - Page 5
`
`

`

`US 2003/0142654 Al
`
`Jul. 31, 2003
`
`3
`
`coupled to provide a network backbone that is GPRS
`enabled. Preferably, the network backbone employs an Inter-
`net Protocol (IP) or a Wireless Application Protocol (WAP).
`The stationary phone 36 and the computer 37 may be a
`conventional telephone and computer which is wirebound
`connected to the communications system 1 via the GMSC
`22.
`
`[0026] Turning now to FIG. 2, illustrated is a flow dia-
`gram of a preferred embodiment of a method of providing a
`communication session constructed in accordance with the
`principles of the present invention. The method may be
`easily implemented in an existing communications system,
`(e.g., a network according to GSM or UMTS) and for clarity
`purposes, will be described referencing the communications
`system 1 of FIG. 1. The method starts in a step 42 with an
`intent to initiate a communication session.
`
`[0027] After initiating, an initial member list is created in
`a step 44. A user of a GPRS terminal, for example mobile
`phone 31, may start a communication session or, more
`precisely, a chat session by creating the initial member list.
`The user may be designated an initiator with the user's
`mobile phone designated an initiator terminal. Of course, in
`some embodiments, the initiator terminal may be other
`devices besides a mobile telephone. Advantageously, the
`initiator may be identified by a first address which is
`preferably a unique world-wide address.
`
`[0028] The initial member list may be a list of subscriber
`identification or telephone numbers of other chat session
`enabled GPRS mobile and fixed-line telephone users who
`will be invited to join the chat session. Selecting subscribers
`may be simplified by selecting entries from a telephone book
`of the initiator terminal. Once the initial member list
`includes all chosen users, for example, assigned to mobile
`phones 32, 33, 34, 35, stationary phone 36 and computer 37,
`a GPRS session may be activated.
`
`[0029] After creating the initial members list, an IP
`address for the initiator terminal is requested in a step 46. In
`one embodiment, the initiator terminal's IP address (first
`address) may be requested from a network and transmitted
`via a radio channel from a base transceiving station to the
`initiator terminal. Preferably, the initiator terminal's address
`is requested from a stationary part of a communications
`system or network such as a server at the backbone of the
`network. In another embodiment, the initiator terminal may
`already have an IP address. This may occur when the
`initiator's terminal is already online when the invitation
`message is ready to be sent. For example, the user's terminal
`may have been using Internet or WAP services. In this case,
`the user's terminal existing address may be used instead of
`requesting a new one.
`[0030] After requesting the IP address, an initiation or
`invitation message is sent to members of the initial member
`list in a step 48. The invitation message may preferably be
`a SMS-message that is automatically sent by the initiator
`terminal to each member of the initial member list. The
`initiator terminal's IP address, a telephone number, a chat
`session name, a greeting and a nickname of the initiator may
`be included in the invitation message. Preferably, the initia-
`tor terminal's address is requested before sending the invi-
`tation message.
`[0031] Advantageously, the SMS is available at any time
`and can be used even when an invitation message recipient
`
`has switched off his terminal. In this case, the invitation
`message may be stored by a server of a network back-bone
`and then be automatically transmitted to the corresponding
`recipients after each recipient is switched on and logs on to
`the network.
`
`[0032] After sending the invitation message, the invitation
`message is received in a step 50. The invitation message may
`be received by each member of the initial member list. For
`example, the mobile phones 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, may
`receive the invitation message from the mobile phone 31.
`
`[0033] After receiving the invitation message, a determi-
`nation is made to accept the invitation message in a first
`decisional step 52. Each member of the initial member list
`that receives the invitation message may determine to accept
`or reject the invitation message by a respective input. The
`respective input may be, for example, a keypad entry or a
`voice command. If a member rejects the invitation message,
`the method returns to step 48.
`
`If a member accepts the invitation message, a
`[0034]
`GPRS session is activated in a step 54. Upon accepting the
`invitation message, the member's or user's terminal may
`activate a GPRS session. In some embodiments, the user's
`terminal may request an IP address from the network. In
`other embodiments, the user's terminal may already have an
`IP address.
`
`[0035] After activating a GPRS session, a reply is sent to
`the invitation message in a step 56. In preferred embodi-
`ments, the user's terminal automatically replies to the invi-
`tation message upon obtaining an IP address. The user's
`terminal may send the reply to the initiator's terminal. The
`reply preferably is sent via a packet switched service such as
`GPRS. When the initiator terminal's address is an IP or a
`WAP address, then the reply is preferably sent employing IP
`or WAP. For example, the reply may be an IP message sent
`via GPRS.
`
`In a preferred embodiment, the reply includes a
`[0036]
`worldwide unique address (a second address) identifying the
`user to others. Additionally, the user's address may be
`requested from a stationary part of a communications system
`or network such as from a server at a backbone of the
`network. The user's terminal address may be requested
`before sending a reply.
`
`In some embodiments, the user's terminal may
`[0037]
`already have an IP address. This may occur when the user's
`terminal is already online when the invitation message was
`received. For example, the user's terminal may have been
`using Internet or WAP services. If the user's terminal already
`has an IP address, the existing IP address may be used
`instead of requesting a new one. After sending the reply, the
`reply is received in a step 58. The initiator's terminal may
`receive the reply from the user's terminal. As mentioned
`above, the reply may be sent via GPRS.
`
`[0038] After receiving the reply, the replying user or
`member is marked as active in a step 60. In a preferred
`embodiment, the initiator terminal may mark a member
`active upon receiving a reply to the invitation message from
`the member or the chat session is activated by the initiator
`terminal. When the chat session is activated by the initiator
`terminal, an additional server, such as a stationary server in
`a network backbone, is not needed to store or assign
`messages to the members once the chat session is active.
`
`Apple Inc.
`Ex. 1006 - Page 6
`
`

`

`US 2003/0142654 Al
`
`Jul. 31, 2003
`
`4
`
`[0039] A determination is then made if the reply is a first
`reply in a second decisional step 61. If the reply is the first
`reply, the chat session becomes active in a step 62. At any
`time during an active chat session the initiator can invite
`other users to join the session. For this purpose, the initiator
`may transmit a new invitation message. The other users may
`join the chat session as described above.
`
`[0040] During the chat session, an active member may
`leave the chat session by sending a "LEAVE" message to the
`initiator. The initiator's terminal may then automatically
`remove the leaving member from an active list and send
`each remaining active member an updated list. This leaving
`member is now set to be inactive and is not sent any more
`chat messages for the existing chat session. Preferably, the
`GPRS session of this member that left is now deactivated.
`
`[0041] An inactive member may decide to join or rejoin a
`still active chat session by activating a GPRS session if one
`is not active. The inactive member may then send a "JOIN"
`message which includes his IP address to the initiator. The
`initiator may either accept or reject the join request. If
`rejected, the initiator sends a "JOIN REJECT" message to
`the
`inactive member who is requesting. The "JOIN
`REJECT" message may also include text.
`
`[0042]
`If the initiator accepts the join request, the joining
`member is set to the active state and an updated active
`member list is sent to all active members including the
`joining member. When the joining member receives the
`active member list, the member knows that his request was
`accepted.
`
`[0043] Once the chat session is active, data is sent in a step
`68. Any of the active members can send data. In a preferred
`embodiment, the data may be chat text. The chat text may be
`text packed into a chat message and sent to all other active
`members using a packet switched service employing an IP.
`In other embodiments, the data may be other data including
`digital data such as images or digitized sounds.
`
`[0044] When chat text is received by another member, the
`text is extracted, prefixed with the senders nickname which
`can be recognized such as by the source IP address and
`displayed. The display of each terminal may be divided into
`two portions and text to be transmitted may be entered using
`the top half of the display. The lower half may be used to
`display incoming text. When no text to be transmitted is
`being displayed, the whole screen may be used to display
`incoming text.
`
`[0045] After sending data, the communication session
`ends in a step 70. The amount of chat text sent between
`active members may vary before the communication session
`ends. Additionally, the number of active members may vary
`before or when the communication session ends.
`
`[0046]
`In one embodiment, the chat session may be ter-
`minated by the initiator sending a "TERMINATE" message
`to all active members. In some embodiments, the initiator
`may choose to pass the initiator status to another active
`member instead of terminating the session. If the initiator
`wants to pass on the initiator status, a message may be sent
`to a chosen active member. If the chosen active member
`accepts the initiator status, the chat session remains active
`with the chosen active member's terminal acting as server.
`The chosen active member may later terminate the chat
`session or pass the initiator status.
`
`[0047] Returning now to the second decisional step 61, if
`the reply is not the first reply, then the active members list
`is updated in a step 64. In some embodiments, the initiator's
`terminal may automatically update the active members list
`when, for example, a second reply to the invitation message
`is received. This updated active members list includes the IP
`addresses, the nicknames and the telephone numbers of each
`active member.
`
`[0048] After updating the list, the updated active members
`list is transmitted in a step 66. In some embodiments, the
`updated active members list may be automatically transmit-
`ted by the initiators terminal to each active member includ-
`ing the last active member who replied.
`
`[0049] While the methods disclosed herein have been
`described and shown with reference to particular steps
`performed in a particular order, it will be understood that
`these steps may be combined, subdivided, or reordered to
`form an equivalent method without departing from the
`teachings of the present invention. Accordingly, unless spe-
`cifically indicated herein, the order or grouping of the steps
`are not limitations of the present invention.
`
`[0050] Furthermore, it will be appreciated that the above-
`described embodiment of the method and device according
`to the present invention has been set forth solely by way of
`example and illustration of the principals thereof and that
`further modifications and alterations may be made therein
`without thereby departing from the spirit and scope of the
`invention.
`
`What is claimed is:
`1. A method for providing a communication session with
`at least a first and second user of a communications system
`including at least a first and second terminal assigned to said
`first and second user, respectively, comprising:
`
`transmitting an initiation message from said first terminal
`to said second terminal, said initiation message includ-
`ing a first address assigned to said first terminal;
`
`receiving said initiation message at said second terminal;
`
`transmitting a first reply to said initiation message from
`said second terminal to said first terminal; and
`
`receiving said first reply at said first terminal.
`2. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said first reply
`includes a second address assigned to said second terminal.
`3. The method as recited in claim 2 wherein at least one
`of said first address and said second address is a packet data
`protocol address.
`4. The method as recited in claim 2 wherein at least one
`of said first address and second address is an Internet
`Protocol address.
`5. The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising
`requesting said first address by said first terminal prior to
`transmitting said initiation message.
`6. The method as recited in claim 2 further comprising
`requesting said second address by said second terminal prior
`to transmitting said first reply.
`7. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said trans-
`mitting said initiation message is performed in conjunction
`with a circuit switched service.
`8. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said trans-
`mitting said initiation message is performed in conjunction
`with a short message service.
`
`Apple Inc.
`Ex. 1006 - Page 7
`
`

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`US 2003/0142654 Al
`
`Jul. 31, 2003
`
`5
`
`9. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said trans-
`mitting said first reply is performed in conjunction with a
`packet switched service.
`10. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said
`transmitting said first reply is performed in conjunction with
`a General Packet Radio Service.
`11. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said
`transmitting said first reply is performed in conjunction with
`using an Internet Protocol.
`12. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein at least one
`of said first terminal and said second terminal is selected
`from the group consisting of:
`
`a mobile station,
`
`a mobile phone,
`
`a wirebound terminal,
`
`a wirebound phone, and
`
`a computer.
`13. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said
`communications system includes a network selected from
`the group consisting of:
`
`a Global System for Mobile Communication, and
`
`a Universal Mobile Telecommunications system.
`14. The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising:
`
`activating said communication session; and
`
`marking said second terminal as active by said first
`terminal.
`15. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein at least one
`of said first and said second terminals enable at least one of
`said first and said second users to input data and said data is
`exchanged at least between said first and second terminals
`with a packet switched service after receiving said first reply
`at said first terminal.
`16. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said first
`terminal acts as a server for said communication session.
`17. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said
`communications system comprises a third terminal assigned
`to a third user, said second and third terminals forming at
`least part of a group of terminals, the method, further
`comprising:
`
`transmitting said initiation message from said first termi-
`nal to said group of terminals;
`
`receiving said initiation message at said third terminal;
`
`transmitting a second reply to said initiation message
`from said third terminal to said first terminal; and
`
`receiving said second reply at said first terminal.
`18. The method as recited in claim 17 further comprising
`said first terminal marking said second and third terminals as
`active.
`19. The method as recited in claim 18 further comprising
`creating a list of active terminals of said communication
`session.
`20. The method as recited in claim 19 further comprising
`transmitting said list of active terminals to at least one of
`said second and third terminals.
`21. The method as recited in claim 20 further comprising
`selectively enabling at least one of said second and third
`users to input data and transmitting said data to each active