FI120995B - A method for establishing a communication connection, a connection attribute database, and a terminal or other network element using connection attributes - Google Patents

Description

A method for establishing a communication connection, a connection attribute database, and a terminal or other network element using connection attributes

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to establishing a communication connection in a telecommunication network between terminals so that the connection method is selectable when there are several connection methods supported by the terminals. The invention further relates to IP (internet protocol) connections and ENUM (tElephone NUmber Mapping) queries.

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Technology background

In the early days of telecommunications, call was the only means of communication between the communication parties. After the invention of the fax, the method of communication may have been to send a fax instead of a call.

The emergence of cellular networks enabled calls not only within the cellular network but also from the cellular network to the fixed network and vice versa. In addition, mobile networks made it possible to send a new method of communication, that is, SMS.

The Internet brought with it e-mail and file downloads from 20 Internet terminals. If the parties to the communication have voice over internet protocol (VoIP) telephones, they can call and talk to each other over the Internet.

Today, various types of telecommunications networks are being merged. The IP protocol known from the Internet is becoming more widespread in backbone networks, which can simultaneously transmit traffic over a fixed network, a mobile network, and the Internet as IP packets.

E.164 is a standard for national and international telephone numbers developed by the ITU (international telecommunications union). The standard is commonly used in all telecommunication. The E.164 number refers to 30 E.164 standard telephone numbers, which are fixed or mobile.

The E.164 number can be converted to an IP address. This topic is covered in particular in IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force) document RFC 3761. Converting an E.164 number to an IP address includes 35 three steps that can be called: 1) creating a complete domain name, 2) an ENUM query, and 3 ) DNS query.

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In the first step, the order of the individual digits of the E.164 number is reversed, the other characters are deleted, and each number character is separated from the other digits by a period. Finally, the root code 'e164.arpa' is added at the end.

5 For example, the E.164 number +358501234567 is converted in the ENUM conversion to the following string: 7.6.5.4.3.2.1.0.5.8.5.3.e164.arpa.

The string is called a fully qualified domain name (FQDN).

Figure 1 shows an example of an ENUM query and a DNS query.

The ENUM query uses the FQDN obtained in the first step to search the ENUM database. The query produces one or more naming authority pointer (NAPTR) records.

Assume that the terminals 101 and 102 are VolP telephones and that the user of the terminal 101 wants to make a VolP call.

Initially, the terminal (or network element) 101 converts the E.164 number of the VoIP call recipient to an FQDN. Specifically, the E.164 number of the recipient is converted to the FQDN 103 of the terminal 102 held by the recipient. The terminal 101 then transmits the FQDN 103 through the communication network 20 104 to the ENUM database server 105. The server 105 uses the FQDN 103 as a search key or more NAPTR records 106 which it sends over the communication network 104 to the terminal 101.

Suppose FQDN 103 is the one mentioned above: 25 7.6.5.4.3.2.1,0.5.8.5.3.e164.arpa.

In this case, for example, the FQDN 103 provides the following three NAPTR records from the ENUM database: sip: ville.virtanen@pulinakaista.fi e-mail: ville.virtanen@elisa.fi 30 tel: +358501234567

The first NAPTR record indicates that the terminal 102 supports the session initiation protocol (SIP), which is an important, but not the only prerequisite for a VoIP call or video connection.

The latter two NAPTR records indicate that the recipient-35 (Ville Virtanen) can be emailed and that the recipient can be reached from a telephone number.

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Since it was previously assumed that the user of the terminal 101 wants to make a VolP call, the first NAPTR record is used in the DNS query. Specifically, the terminal 101 reads the domain name 107, i.e. 5 pulinakaista.fi, from the NAPTR record and sends the domain name 107 via the communication network 104 to the DNS server 108, whereupon the DNS server transmits the IP address 109 corresponding to the domain name 107 to the terminal 101. The IP address 109 indicates the IP address of the recipient SIP server from which the IP address of the terminal 102 can be retrieved. After the search, the user can make a VoIP call to the terminal 102 on the terminal 101.

Thus, in the prior art, the ENUM database contains certain information needed to establish a communication connection, such as domain names, E.164 numbers, and communication protocol information. The NAPTR-15 records above provide the communication protocol information as follows.

The first NAPTR record contains the entry "sip:" so the communication protocol is SIP.

The second NAPTR record contains the entry "e-mail", which suggests that the communication protocol is MailTo.

20 The third NAPTR record contains the entry '' tel: +358 ... '' from which it can be concluded that the E.164 number in question is a Finnish telephone number. The Finnish numbering plan also allows the operator associated with the E.164 number to be deduced.

The domain names and E.164 numbers 25 in the ENUM database can be called network addresses.

The first problem with the prior art is that sometimes only incomplete or unreliable information is available from the communication protocol associated with the network address. For this reason, the communication connection may fail.

Another problem with the prior art is that the user of the terminal considering the communication connection, or the "initiator", does not know which (one or more) of the network addresses the recipient is currently able to reach.

WO 2006/113217 A1 provides one solution to another 35 prior art problems.

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WO 2006/113217 A1 discloses a method in which the so-called the presence information is retrieved from a server connected to the communication network. The server retrieves the recipient's presence information from the presence database.

5 The presence database contains an entry for each web address of the recipient, where each web address is either a domain name or an E.164 number. An entry indicates whether the recipient is currently reachable through a specific network address.

In relation to the above recipient (Ville Virtanen), the presence-10 database could contain the following entries; sip: ville.virtanen@pulinakaista.fi - Unavailable e-mail: ville.virtanen - Available tel: +358501234567 - Unavailable These entries indicate that the recipient is currently only reachable by email, ie ville.virtanen @ via elisa.fi.

In one embodiment of the method, the ENUM database server sends a request to the presence server. The request contains all of the recipient's network addresses found in the ENUM database.

20 Upon request, the presence server retrieves the recipient's web addresses and associated "" Available "or" Unavailable "entries from the presence database. Then, in response to the request, the presence server sends the recipient's network addresses and their annotations to the ENUM database server.

The ENUM database server forms a subset of the 25 web addresses of the recipient, such that the subset contains the web addresses associated with an "" available "entry. According to the example above, the subset of web addresses of the recipient (Ville Virtanen) would contain one web address, i.e. ville.virtanen@elisa.fi.

Finally, the ENUM database server sends a subset of the recipient's network 30 addresses to the terminal that the user is trying to reach the recipient.

However, the ENUM database and the method of WO 2006/113217 A1 do not solve all relevant problems.

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A third problem with the prior art is that the originator may not know what kind of communication connection is possible with the recipient's terminal.

In the early days of fixed networks, calling to a fixed-line telephone number 5 was the only possible connection. Currently, at least the following connection methods are available: E.164 call, VoIP call, data connection, video call, email, fax, and instant messaging. Sending text messages and multimedia messaging service (MMS) are some examples of instant messaging. Specifically for data, video and instant messaging 10, there are a variety of different types of connection.

Of course, the initiator can try out the connection methods. Once the originator knows that the recipient's terminal supports SIP, the originator may attempt to make a video call to the recipient's terminal. However, support for the SIP protocol does not guarantee that a communication connection to the recipient's terminal 15 can be established or that the communication connection is functioning properly.

Experimenting with connection methods takes time, and unsuccessful connection attempts and poor communication connections frustrate the initiator. Telecommunication network billing systems are generally such that low-level communications are also charged. 20 Unreliable connection methods reduce user interest in the services provided by the telecommunications network. Therefore, unreliable connection methods are detrimental to the business of network operators, service operators and service providers.

A technical problem with the invention is that the terminal 25 of the telecommunication network is incapable of indicating to its user which communication methods are actually possible with a particular terminal or terminals.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the invention is solving the above problems.

Another aspect of the invention is the so-called. compiling connection attributes into a connection attribute database. Connection attributes describing the capabilities of a particular terminal include at least one of the following information: access network type, connection speed, QoS (quality of service) class, connection cost, 35 terminal feature sets, or communications application information such as communication application name and version number.

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Access network refers to the network to which the terminal is currently connected and through which the terminal user can be reached. The terminal may be simultaneously connected to multiple access networks. The aforementioned connection attributes '' maximum connection speed '' and '' QoS class '' 5 may differ from one access network to another.

Certain types of communication applications are only available on certain access networks. Sometimes establishing a communication connection between terminals requires the terminals to use a communication application of the same name.

Another aspect of the invention is the distribution of the connection attribute information from the connection attribute database to the terminal devices so that each terminal is able to indicate to its user which connection methods to other terminals are actually possible.

The connection assignment information can be distributed in a push service type 15 to all terminals belonging to the same group. Alternatively, connection assignment information may be transmitted to the terminal in response to a connection assignment request initiated by the terminal.

Each possible connection method is defined by at least one connection attribute obtained from the connection attribute database. Generally, multiple connection attributes 20 define a single connection method.

Another aspect of the invention is that in addition to the connection attributes describing the properties of the terminal equipment, other connection attributes related to the user, such as address information, can be stored in the connection attribute database.

A connection attribute database is a centralized or distributed database. If the 25 connection attributes database is distributed, its parts may be owned by different network or service operators.

Another aspect of the invention is finding the correct connection attribute database, or a distributed portion thereof, when certain connection attributes are to be delivered to a terminal.

The invention comprises: 1) a method of establishing a communication connection in a telecommunication network between the initiator and the recipient's terminals, 2) a connection attribute database for improving the recipient's accessibility, and 3) a terminal device and 4) a network element using access attribute information stored in the connection attribute database.

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List of figures

In the following, the invention will be described in more detail with reference to the following schematic figures, of which Figure 1 shows a known ENUM query and DNS query, Figure 2A shows an example of a connection selection window, Figure 2B shows an example of a connection selection menu, Figure 3 illustrates an embodiment of the invention Figure 4B illustrates a further embodiment of a method for establishing a communication connection, Figure 4B illustrates additional steps related to the ENUM query, Figure 4C illustrates two additional steps for establishing a connection attribute query which are alternate to each other, Figure 4D illustrates a further embodiment of the connection attribute database; FIG. 5B illustrates an embodiment of the invention where the connection assignment request is from an ENUM database server, FIG. Figure 5D illustrates an embodiment of the invention where the connection assignment request is from a server providing a push service, Figure 5D illustrates an embodiment of the invention wherein the server containing the connection attribute database is a push server, Figure 6 shows a connection device using a connection attribute, Figure 8 shows a network using connection attributes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

To utilize the invention, the user needs a suitable terminal. A terminal means a device comprising at least 30 communication means, connection assignment processing means and a display. Connection assignment processing tools are missing from known terminals, but can be added to most different types of terminals. The type of terminal is, for example, one of the following: a mobile station, a PDA (personal digital assistant), a desktop computer or a laptop.

8 The terminal must include communication means to be able to receive connection attributes for other terminals and to be able to send its own connection attributes to the connection attribute database.

The terminal must include connection attribute processing means in order to be able to handle its own connection attributes as well as connection attributes for other terminals and to be able to deduce connection methods based on the connection attributes it processes.

The terminal must include a display to be able to present the connection methods to the terminal user. The display can display various types of user interface elements such as windows, icons, menus and options.

Figure 2A shows an example of a window for selecting a connection method. The user terminal displays a window 201 with six icons on its touch screen. Of these icons, the description texts of the three icons 202-204 are in bold, while the descriptions of the other icons are in italics.

15 The user terminal supports all six connection modes shown in window 201, but the recipient terminal only supports connection methods associated with icons 202-204. The icons 202-204 thus indicate possible connection methods to the recipient's terminal, from which the user can select the most suitable connection method by touching the icon.

The user may also be provided with an opportunity to explore the connection methods associated with the icons 202-204. This will allow the user to see the connection attributes associated with a particular connection method, and the user to evaluate whether the available connection method meets his or her expectations?

Instead of a touch screen, the terminal may use a display pointing to, for example, a mouse.

Utilization of the invention is not limited to certain types of displays or display pointing devices.

Figure 2B shows an example of a menu for selecting a connection method. Suppose a mobile user has keyed in 30 recipient numbers, such as 0501234567, and then pressed a mobile key that initiates a communication connection.

The mobile station then displays options 207-209 in menu 206 for possible connection methods to the recipient's terminal number 35 0501234567. The mobile station user can choose to make a GSM call with option 207 or a VoIP call with option 208 or a video call with option 209? 9 There are advantages and disadvantages to these methods of communication that the user weighs in making the choice.

VoIP calling has the advantage of free communication and has the disadvantage of blackouts. The existence of coverage areas is due to the fact that, for the time being, the establishment of a VoIP call between the terminals requires that the terminals have access to either a fixed network or an access point in the WLAN. For this reason, a VoIP call is rarely selectable in mobile communications, but in Figure 2B it is nonetheless selectable.

10 The advantage of a GSM call over a VoIP call is its wide coverage because GSM networks cover a very wide geographical area. The disadvantage of a GSP call compared to a VoIP call is its cost.

The advantage of video calling over VoIP and GSM is the added value of video. The disadvantage of a video call is the high cost and the fact that a relatively few mobile stations include a video call feature. Since the menu 206 includes a video call option 209, the recipient mobile station includes a video call feature, i.e., a video call is possible.

After the user has made his / her choice, the mobile station dials the call of the selected 20 to the mobile station of the recipient.

The invention involves several embodiments.

Figure 3 illustrates an embodiment of the invention in which a communication link is established between the terminal 303 of the initiator 302 and the terminal 305 of the receiver 304 in the communication network 301.

The communication network 301 includes at least one core network and at least one access network. It is also possible that the backbone network and the access network are the same network. The originator terminal 303 communicates with the same type of access network or different type of access network as the recipient terminal 305.

In general, there are several different types of access networks.

Some examples of access network types include GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) and WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network). The communication network 301 preferably supports the IP protocol.

The communication network 301 receives the connection assignment request 306 initiated by the initiator 302.

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The communication network then forwards the connection attribute query to the connection attribute database 307 and obtains the connection attributes 309 of the recipient 304 from the connection attribute database 307 using the data set 308 expressed by the connection attribute query 306.

Each connection method by which the recipient 304 is reachable is determined by at least one connection attribute. In other words, each connection type that may be selected by the initiator 302 at the terminal 303 is determined by at least one connection attribute included in the recipient's connection attributes 309. However, it should be noted that the individual connection method may not be solely determined by the connection attributes 309 of the recipient 304.

Also, the terminal 303 in the possession of the initiator 302 has connection attributes which affect the connection methods.

By way of example, the situation is described where the recipient terminal 305 has a maximum connection rate of 128 kbit / s and the initiator 15 terminal has a maximum connection rate of 64 kbit / s. In this case, the maximum connection speed for each possible connection method is 64 kbit / s.

The data set 308 detected by connection attribute query 306 may include the recipient's E.164 number used as a search key for searching the connection attribute database 307. Additionally or alternatively, the data set 308 may include at least one of the following data items: a) an address in the connection attribute database 307, b) a recipient's E.164 number with a prefix for the intelligent network service, or c) other contact information associated with the recipient.

Preferably, the connection methods of the invention include at least one of the following communication methods: call to an E.164 number, VoIP call, data connection, video connection, email, fax, or instant messaging.

In many embodiments of the invention, the communication network 301 transmits the connection attributes 309 from the database 307 to the initiator terminal 303. The communication network 301 then receives the choice 310 transmitted from the initiator terminal 303 regarding the connection method 30 and establishes the communication terminal 303.

Figure 3 thus shows two terminals. Depending on the connection method, it is also possible to establish a communication connection 311 between more than 35 two terminals. An example is a group call.

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It is typical of the invention that the communication connection 311 can be established to the terminal 305 of the receiver 304 by at least two different communication methods.

In addition to the terminal 305, the receiver 304 could have at least one other terminal. It is then possible for the receiver 304 to be reachable via at least two different terminals.

FIG. 4A illustrates a method for establishing a communication connection in a telecommunication network between the initiating terminal and the receiving terminal, i.e. between the terminals 10 in their possession.

The method implements the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 3 and the embodiments of the invention shown in Figures 5A-5C below.

The method comprises the following steps in a telecommunications network: receiving a connection attribute request initiated by an initiator 401, transmitting a connection attribute query 402 to a connection attribute database, obtaining a connection set from the access attribute database, connection speed, QoS class, connection cost, terminal feature set, communication application information.

Communicating the connection attributes 404 to the originator terminal, receiving a selection transmitted from the originator terminal 405, the selection applying to the connection definitions defined by the connection attributes, and establishing a communication connection 406 between the originator terminal and the recipient terminal.

30 In one embodiment of the invention, at step 401, said connection assignment request 306 is sent from a terminal 303 in the possession of the originator 302. In this case, the originator 302 or the terminal 303 must know where the connection assignment request 306 should be sent.

The process thus comprises at least six steps 401-406.

35 The method may be supplemented by additional steps if necessary.

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Figure 4B illustrates the additional steps associated with the ENUM query that are performed before the method step 401, if necessary, that is, the additional steps are performed before the connection assignment request 306 initiated by the initiator 302. The details of the ENUM query are described above in Figure 1.

The method comprises the steps of: receiving an ENUM query sent from a 407 initiator terminal regarding the recipient's contact information, forwarding the 408 ENUM query to the ENUM database, and 10 obtaining the recipient contact information from the 409 ENUM database in response to the ENUM query.

More specifically, in step 409, the ENUM database provides the recipient's contact information in one or more NAPTR records. Preferably, the data set 308 15 detected by the connection assignment request 306 shown in Figure 3 includes the recipient information item obtained in step 409. This data element is thus derived from the NAPTR record read from the ENUM database.

The data item contains some of the recipient related contact information that is used in step 403. In other words, the information item retrieves the recipient connection attributes from the connection attribute database in step 403.

Figure 4C shows two additional steps involved in setting up a connection assignment query, which are alternatives to each other.

The method comprises the step of: transmitting the contact information of the 410 recipient to a terminal owned by the originator for generating the connection assignment query.

Thus, step 410 is required when the terminal 303 generates a connection assignment request 306.

Alternatively, the method comprises the step of: generating a connection attribute request 411 in a communication network.

In step 411, instead of the terminal 303, another network element connectable to the network 301 forms a connection attribute request 306. Some examples of such network elements include the Intelligent Network server and the IMS (IP multimedia subsystem) server.

Both step 410 and step 411 are performed after step 409 and 35 before step 401.

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Figure 4D shows additional steps associated with updating the connection attribute database. Updating the connection attribute database is related to the fact that the more carefully the database is kept up to date, the more useful information is available from the database.

5 Updating the connection attribute database is also related to the fact that the more carefully the database is kept up to date, the more the database is loaded with the data network. In practice, it may be impossible for the terminals of the global telecommunications network to send their connection attributes to the connection attribute database, for example, every 10 minutes. Even if the terminals would send their connection attributes every minute, the connection attribute database would not be a real time database in the true sense of the word.

In order to reduce the load on the communication network, updating the connection attribute database is ad hoc.

For an ad hoc update, the method comprises the following steps performed in response to a connection attribute request: transmitting a connection attribute update request 412 to a recipient terminal, and receiving a connection attribute update 413 and transmitting the update 414 to the access attribute database in response to the connection attribute update request.

Since steps 412 through 414 are executed in response to a connection assignment query, they are executed after step 401 and before step 403.

Once steps 412 through 414 are completed, in step 403, the connection attribute-25 database provides the recipient's newly updated connection attributes. In this case, the connection methods presented by the initiator 302's terminal 303 are real, that is, both the terminal 303 and the terminal 305 support the disclosed connection methods.

Figure 4E shows a second embodiment of the method. Figure 3 shows that the connection attributes 309 are transmitted to the terminal 303 of the initiator 302, or alternatively the connection attributes 309 can be transmitted to the network element which performs the connection mode deduction on the terminal 303. In this case, it is assumed that the network element also has access attributes of the initiator terminal 303.

Another embodiment of the method differs from the 35 embodiment shown in Figure 4A in that step 404 is omitted.

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In another embodiment of the method, the same steps 401 to 403 are performed as in Figure 4A. After step 403, the communication attributes 415 are transmitted to the network element in the telecommunication network, and 5 the connection modalities determined based on the connection attributes 416 are transmitted from the network element to the terminal.

The terminal is the terminal in the possession of the originator. Connection identity information is information that enables the terminal device to present connection methods to its user, the initiator.

After step 416, in another embodiment of the method, the same steps 405 and 406 are performed as in Figure 4A.

The following Figures 5A-5C illustrate the process steps shown in Figures 4A-4C.

For the connection mode selection 310 and the communication connection 15 311, the embodiments are similar to those of FIG. 3, so the selection 310, the communication connection 311, the receiver 304 and the terminal 305 used by the recipient are omitted from FIGS. 5A-5D.

FIG. 5A illustrates an embodiment of the invention where an ENUM query is performed and the connection assignment request 306 is originated from the initiator 20 302's terminal 303.

Initially, the terminal 303 in the possession of the initiator 302 sends an ENUM request 502 to the ENUM database server 501. In response to the ENUM request 502, the ENUM database server 501 retrieves the contact information of the recipient and transmits them to the terminal 303 of the initiator 302. use.

The recipient contact information sent by the ENUM database server 501 includes one or more NAPTR records. One of the NAPTR records contains the network address of the connection attribute database 307.

The terminal 303 then generates the connection assignment request 306 and sends the connection assignment request 306 to the network address of the connection assignment database 307 obtained from the ENUM database server 501.

In other words, in Fig. 5A, the process steps 407-410 of Figs. 4B and 4C are performed.

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When the connection attributes 309 are retrieved from the connection attribute database 307, they are delivered to the terminal 303. The connection attributes 309 are omitted from Figure 5A.

FIG. 5B illustrates an embodiment of the invention in which the connection attribute-5 query 506 originates from the intelligent network server 503. The intelligent network server 503 can be utilized in the method of the invention, for example in the following manner.

Initiator 302 uses a terminal 303 to enter a prefix before the E-164 number of the recipient's terminal.

10 The originator then calls 504 to the recipient's E.164 number, prefixed. Due to the prefix, the call 504 is routed to the intelligent network service 503 in the communication network 301.

In response to the call 504, the intelligent network service 503 generates a connection attribute request 306 and sends it to the connection attribute database 307.

Use of the intelligent network server 503 or the IMS subsystem is one alternative to performing the method step 411 shown in Figure 4C.

When the connection attributes 309 are retrieved from the connection attribute database 307, they can be delivered to the terminal 303 either directly or via the smart network server 503. The connection attributes 309 are omitted from Figure 5B.

FIG. 5C illustrates an embodiment of the invention wherein the connection assignment request 306 is from a server providing a push service, in short, from a push server 503.

Push server 503 transmits connection attribute request 306 via communication network 301 to connection attribute database 307. In response to connection attribute-25 query 306, push server 503 obtains connection attributes 309 read from connection attribute database 307.

The push server 503 then forwards the received connection attributes 309 through the communication network 301 to the terminal 303.

Using push server 503 is another alternative to performing method step 411 shown in Figure 4C.

FIG. 5D illustrates an embodiment of the invention wherein the server containing the connection attribute database 307 is a push server 503. In the above embodiments, it is assumed that the connection attribute database 307 is located on a server that can be accessed via the communication network 301.

In Figure 5D, it is assumed that the connection attribute database 307 is located on the push server 503.

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Initiator 302 may be presumed to have authorized push server 503 to send connection attributes. Thus, as authorized by the initiator 302, the push server 503 transmits the connection attributes 309 through the communication network 301 to the initiator terminal 303.

5 The connection assignment request 306 associated with connection attributes 309 is generated within the push server 503, for example, in the following situations. The terminal 305 is logged on to the communication network 301, the terminal 305 is logged off from the communication network 301, the communication application is installed on the terminal 305, and the communication application is removed from the terminal 305.

The above situations affect the means by which the terminal 305 in the possession of the recipient 304 and the terminal 303 in the originator can communicate with each other.

It is conceivable that the push server generates a connection assignment request so that the initiator 302 receives updated connection attributes 309 of the recipient 304 15 to its terminal 303 as soon as the recipient's terminal encounters one of the aforementioned conditions affecting the connection methods. In order for the initiator to receive updated connection attributes 309 of the recipient 304 in his terminal 303, the originator must notify the push server 503 that he is interested in the connection attributes of the recipient 304. In the same 20 notifications, the originator may indicate an interest in the contact attributes of one or more other recipients.

If the communication network 301 includes multiple access networks, the terminal 305 may be logged on to at least two access networks simultaneously. If the terminal 305 is simultaneously logged on to, for example, the GSM network and the WLAN, the initiator 302 may contact its terminal 303 with the terminal 305 via either access network.

It is possible that push server 503 transmits information other than connection attributes 309 such as the recipient's presence information. However, with respect to the invention, it is essential that the push server 503 transmits at least connection attribute information. As with the presence service, it is also necessary in the service provided by the push server 503 to configure user groups so that connection attribute information is transmitted between members of each user group. For example, family members can form a group, whereby connection attribute information is transmitted between 35 family members. Similarly, team members can form their own group.

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Figure 6 shows a connection attribute database. The purpose of the database 601 is to improve the accessibility of the recipient from the terminal 603 of the communications network 602 in the originator's possession. Improved recipient accessibility means that another user (originator) of the telecommunication network 602 can investigate the connection methods and possibly select one of them.

Database 601 includes connection attribute information 604 for the users of the terminals, the connection attributes 605 of the recipient included in connection attribute information 604.

The connection attribute information 604 is arranged such that connection attributes 605 are retrieved from the database 601 in response to the access attribute request 606 addressed to the recipient.

The connection attributes 605 include at least one of the following terminal-specific connection attributes associated with the recipient: access -15 network type, connection speed, QoS class, connection cost, terminal feature set, communication application information.

In addition, database 601 communicates with telecommunication network 602 such that connection attributes 605 are transferable via telecommunication network 602 to terminal 603 in the originator's possession.

20 The connection attributes 605 are described in more detail below. Thus, the connection attributes are terminal-specific information such that each terminal of the recipient is associated with certain connection attributes.

Some terminals are able to access more than one access network at the same time. In addition, some terminals are able to use more than one connection simultaneously, or more than one communication application at a time. Therefore, the connection attributes are terminal, access network, connection and / or communication application specific information.

The type of access network is, for example, a GSM network, another mobile communications network, a WLAN, or another access network. When the recipient's access network type is WLAN and the originator access network type is WLAN, free connection is often possible. This is one reason to record the type of access network used by the recipient in database 601. In addition, the connection rate, QoS class and cost of connection included in the attributes are at least partially dependent on the type of access network, or more specifically, the network characteristics.

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The connection speed included in the connection attributes describes the connection speed that may be established. The connection rate includes at least one of the following information: minimum rate, maximum rate, or remaining capacity when part of the communication capacity 5 of the recipient terminal is already in use. Minimum speed indicates which data rate the recipient's terminal requires at least. Maximum speed indicates the maximum data rate the recipient's terminal is capable of.

The QoS (quality of service) class included in the connection attributes describes the quality of the connection to be established. The QoS class represents at least one of the following 10: Access Network QoS Class, Terminal QoS Class, Terminal Connection-specific, or Communication Application-Specific QoS Class. A QoS class stored in the connection attribute database can include all of the above QoS classes. Alternatively, the QoS class stored in the connection attribute database includes the weakest class: the 15 access network QoS class, the terminal QoS class, or the terminal dedicated or communication application specific QoS class.

The simplest way to indicate the cost of a connection is when the connection is free or when the connection is at a fixed price. For example, when a connection is at a fixed price, a local call charge is added to the final price.

20 A set of terminal features describes the technical features of a terminal, such as: screen resolution, processor power, memory capacity, keyboard, and accessories. The keyboard may be a mechanical keyboard or a touch-sensitive keyboard. The most common types of keyboards are the QVVERTY keyboard and the numeric keypad. Examples of terminal accessories 25 include a camera, a headset, a mouse, and a joystick. The camera can be a video camera or a still image camera. Further, the set of terminal features preferably includes information about the operating system of the terminal.

The last connection set describes the communication application-30 information. Communication application refers to an application capable of communicating over a communication network with another network element. Communication application information indicates the type of communication application and / or the identification (name and version number) of the communication application. Several communication applications may be installed on the terminal, the information of which is included in the communication application data.

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Database 601 may include a user interface through which users can update their connection attributes, but the database update is preferably automated such that the user terminals send update attribute information updates to the database without user intervention.

In addition, or alternatively, one or more network elements other than the terminal sends updates to the database regarding connection assignment information.

The updating of the database 601 is preferably performed by means of a network element of the access network. The network element detects when a terminal logs on to the telecommunication network through the access network. Similarly, the 10 network elements detect when the terminal logs out of the access network. In these situations, the network element updates the connection attributes of the terminal to the connection attribute database 601. In particular, the connection attributes to be updated include the access network type, the maximum connection speed, and the QoS class.

6 and 3, it can be seen that the database 601 15 corresponds to the connection attribute database 307 shown in Figure 3 and the communication network 602 corresponds to the communication network 301 shown in Figure 3.

The operation of the database 601 is in itself irrelevant to where the connection assignment request 606 originates. Generally, it is transmitted from a terminal device owned by the initiator, or from another terminal 20, an intelligent network server, an IMS subsystem server, a push service server, or another network element communicating over a telecommunications network 602.

Database 601 may be used by only one network operator or service operator. If the operator operates in only one country, the entire database 601 is preferably hosted on a single server.

If the operator is operating in multiple countries or if the database 601 is used by at least two operators, the database 601 probably needs to be distributed. The database may be distributed such that a single server is located in each country, or that each operator manages a single server, where the operator's own subscriber connection information is located.

In particular, the embodiments of the invention shown in Figures 4B and 5A are suitable for the case where database 601 is distributed.

Alternatively, it is possible to split the database 601 into two or more parts for different types of connection attribute information.

35 20

The following connection assignment information is dynamic information associated with the mobile terminal: access network type, connection speed, and QoS class. Specifically, when the recipient terminal 305 is a mobile terminal, the above connection assignment information must be updated to the connection assignment database 5 quite often.

The following connection attribute information is static in nature: the terminal property set and the communication application information. Static data needs to be updated much less frequently than dynamic data. Database 601 can be distributed so that dynamic data is in its own part and static data in its own part.

Generally speaking, the processing of parts of a distributed database may be different. By way of example, mention is made of a case where a dynamic link attribute portion of the database 601 is updated by network elements in the access networks and a 15 601 domain portion of the static connection attribute portion of the database is updated by users to create

Internet user interface to database 601.

No hash of the database 601 or any combination of hashes is excluded.

Thus, an update of the database 601 can be arranged via the Internet 20 interface. For example, the Internet user interface is such that the user first selects the manufacturer of his terminal device from the menu, after which a new menu is opened containing the manufacturer's terminal models. Particularly for mobile stations, the terminal model accurately identifies a set of terminal features included in connection attributes 605.

Each GSM and UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunication System) mobile station has a unique IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) code. The IMEI code contains sections, one section indicating the model of the mobile station and another section indicating the version number of the mobile software. Thus, based on the IMEI code, the set of terminal features included in the connection 30 attributes 605 can be quite easily and reliably deduced.

Updating of database 601 can be arranged using the IMEI code as follows. When the mobile station in the GSM or GPRS (general packet radio service) network performs a location update, the mobile station 35 transmits its own IMEI code to either the MSC or SGSN network element.

21

Since the mobile station model can be deduced from the IMEI code and the model determines a set of terminal properties, the set of terminal properties associated with a particular E.164 number can be stored in a database by the 601 access network (GSM or GPRS network). Thus, this database update 5 does not require any activity on the part of the user.

A MAC address is an address used in Ethernet networks that identifies a terminal. The MAC address is used, for example, in WLAN networks. The MAC address can be used as a lookup key when the "access network type" information included in connection attributes 605 is updated as a result of logging on or logging out to the telecommunications network. The MAC address is necessary especially when the E.164 number of the terminal is not transmitted to the network element of the access network.

For reading and updating connection attributes 605 stored in database 601, connection attributes 605 preferably include an E.164 number, and additionally connection attributes 605 preferably contain at least one IMEI-15 code or MAC address.

Additionally, connection attributes 605 may include at least one mailing address.

The mailing address contained in connection attributes 605 is, for example, the recipient's home address, vacation home address, or workplace address. When 20 initiators see the recipient's mailing address on the display of the terminal they are using, they can send mail to the recipient.

Using connection attributes 605 applies not only to establishing a communication connection, but also to viewing connection attributes 605 and viewing connection methods. Thus, the user can view telephone numbers, 25 other web addresses, or mail addresses associated with the connection methods. In this respect, database 601 may thus correspond to the use of known SMS-based contact services.

In addition, in one embodiment of the invention, the initiator may send an e-letter (electronic letter) to the recipient. For example, Finland Post offers an e-letter service. When the initiator uses the e-Letter service, he / she 30 sends the letter in a specific file format to the web address of the server providing the e-Letter service. Then, the letter sent by the originator on the server is printed on paper and placed in an envelope, whereupon the mail delivers the envelope to the recipient. In addition to letters, this embodiment of the invention is suitable for mailing postcards and invoices to 35 recipients.

22

Figure 7 shows a terminal using connection attributes. The connection attributes can be assumed to originate from the connection attribute database. The terminal 701 includes at least a display 702, a communication means 703 and a connection assignment processing means 704.

The terminal 701 is adapted to: receive connection attributes 706 transmitted by the communication means 703 over the communication network 705, the connection attributes including at least one of the following terminal-specific connection attributes: access network type, connection speed, QoS class, connection price, from connection attributes 706, accessing means for accessing the recipient associated with the connection attributes, to create user interface elements 15 for connection modes 704, to display interface elements on display 702, to receive user selection of terminal 701 for terminal 701 in connection attribute processing means 704.

The configuration of the communication means 703 depends in particular on the intended use of the terminal 701. If the terminal is a desktop computer, the communication means 703 includes, for example, a modem or an ADSL (Asymmetric digital subscriber line) adapter. If the terminal 701 is 25 mobile stations, the communication means 703 includes at least one radio part. Alternatively, the terminal 701 is, for example, a laptop or PDA.

The communication means 703 may, for example, include a GSM radio part and a WLAN radio part. In general, the terminal 701 is capable of communicating with the communication means 703 in the communication network 704 through at least one access network.

Specifically, the size of the display 702 affects which user interface elements may be presented to the user of the terminal 701. Windows, icons, menus and options are typical user interface elements. The icons and options must be large enough for the user to use them, ie 35 to choose the connection method.

23

Figures 2A and 2B illustrate the user interface elements created by the connection assignment processing means 704 and the associated connection methods determined by the connection assignment processing means 704 on the basis of the received connection attributes 706.

An example of the operation of the means 704 in FIG. 2A and connection assignment processing is shown below.

Let's say the recipient has a communication application called "Messenger", version 3.4. In other words, the identification of the communication application is "Messenger 3.4".

10 Assume that a newer version of the same communication application, "Messenger 4.1", which supports all the features of "Messenger 3.4" is installed on the terminal 701.

Let's also assume that "Messenger 3.4" does not support all features of "Messenger 4.1".

15, the connection attribute processing means 704 infer from the connection attribute "Messenger 3.4" associated with the recipient and the connection attribute "Messenger 4.1" associated with the terminal 701 that a connection method is possible in which the "Messenger 4.1" application operates in "Messenger 3.4" - mode. Thus, the connection attribute handler creates an icon 20 204 in the window 201 that contains the text "" Messenger 3.4 ".

In addition, the connection attribute processing means creates an icon in the window 205 with the text "" "Messenger 4.1" in italics, since this connection format is not available between the terminal 701 and the terminal used by the recipient.

Figure 3 also illustrates the operation of the terminal 701, since the terminal 701 corresponds to the terminal 303 of the originator and shown in Figure 3, and the communication network 705 corresponds to the communication network 301 shown in Figure 3.

As mentioned above, the terminal 701 is adapted to perform a user choice operation 30. Preferably, this operation is one of the following operations: displaying the connection attributes associated with the selected user interface element, establishing a communication connection over a telecommunications network to a specific terminal of the recipient, sending an e-mail (e-mail) to the recipient.

35 The invention relates to two embodiments for receiving connection numbers 706.

24

In the first embodiment, the terminal 701 is adapted to receive connection attributes 706 in response to a connection attribute request initiated by the terminal. It is possible that the terminal sends a connection assignment request directly to the server where the connection attribute database is stored. In this case, the terminal 701 or its user must know the network address of the server.

Figures 5A-5C show other alternatives for the user of the terminal 701 to initiate a connection assignment request. The terminal 701 corresponds to the terminal 303 shown in Figs. 5A-5C.

In another embodiment, connection attributes 706 are transmitted from a push service. Figure 5D illustrates the operation of the push service. The terminal 701 corresponds to the terminal 303 shown in Figs. 5D.

The terminal 701 is preferably adapted to transmit its own connection attributes to the connection attribute database by means of the communication means, the own connection attributes defining the connection methods by which the terminal user can be reached. The connection attribute database is omitted from Figure 7.

When the terminal 701 is able to send its own connection attributes to the connection attribute database, users of other terminals can better reach the user of terminal 701.

The terminal 701 is preferably adapted to transmit its own connection attributes in at least one of the following situations: the terminal is logged on to the communication network, the terminal is logged off from the communication network, the communication application is installed on the terminal, the communication application is removed from the terminal.

Figure 8 shows a network element using connection attributes.

The connection attributes can be assumed to originate from the connection attribute database. Network element 801 includes at least communication means 802 and connection attribute processing means 803.

The network element 801 is adapted to: 30 receive connection attributes 805 transmitted through the communication means 802, the communication attributes including at least one of the following terminal-specific connection attributes: access network type, maximum connection speed, connection mode information 806 for accessing the connection attribute recipient and transmitting connection mode information 806 to the 5 terminal devices 807 in the originator's possession.

The terminal 807 may be presumed to include means for forming user interface elements associated with connection mode data 806. When the terminal 807 displays the user interface elements on its display, the initiator may select the most interesting connection method among them.

Thus, the terminal 807 includes, in addition to or instead of the connection assignment processing means 704 of the terminal 701 shown in Fig. 7, the aforementioned means by which it forms the access elements associated with the connection mode data 806.

The following properties of the network element are optional.

The network element 801 is adapted to receive communication attributes 808 transmitted from the terminal 807 and communicating with the terminal 807 by means of communication means 802.

The network element 801 is adapted to transmit the communication attributes 808 of the terminal 807 via the communication means 802 via the communication network 204 to the connection attribute database, such as the database 601 shown in FIG.

The connection attributes 808 transmitted by the network element 801 do not necessarily originate from the terminal 807, but the communication attributes 808 concerning the terminal 807 are deduced by the network element 801.

The network element 801 is preferably a network element of the access network. In this case, the network element 801 communicates with the terminal 807 when the terminal logs in to the access network through it or when the terminal logs out of the access network through it.

In addition to the above embodiments and descriptions and examples of the invention, the method, connection set database, and terminal device of the invention may be implemented in other ways that will be apparent to those skilled in the art by virtue of their skill and guidance.

The invention is defined in the appended claims.

35

Claims (24)

26 A method for establishing a communication connection in a communication network between the initiator terminal and the recipient terminal, characterized in that the method comprises the steps performed in the communication network 5 for receiving (401) an initiating connection request recipient-related connection attributes from the connection attribute database, the connection attributes containing at least one of the following terminal-specific connection attributes: access network type, connection speed, QoS (quality of service) class, connection cost, terminal feature set, communication application information, transmitting (404) (405) selection sent from the initiator terminal, the selection being related to connection defined by connection attributes and establishing (406) a communication connection of choice between the initiator terminal and the recipient terminal. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the method further comprises the steps performed in response to a connection attribute request: transmitting (412) a connection attribute update request to the recipient terminal and receiving (413) an update of the connection attributes in response to the connection attribute update request 25. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the connection methods include at least one of the following connection methods: call to E.164 number, voice over internet protocol (VoIP) call, data connection, video connection, email, fax, instant messaging. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that, when the initiator and the recipient's terminal support at least two different types of communication, the communication connection is established with the recipient's terminal in a manner that they both support. 27 A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the recipient is reachable through at least two different terminals. The method of claim 1, characterized in that the data set detected by the connection attribute query contains at least one of the following data items: an address in the connection attribute database, a recipient E.164 number, a recipient E.164 number plus a prefix, and other recipient related contact information. The method of claim 1, characterized in that the method further comprises the steps of performing a connection attribute request initiated by the initiator 10: receiving (407) an ENUM (tElephone NUmber Mapping) request from the initiator terminal regarding the recipient's contact information, transmitting (408) the ENUM query to the ENUM database and retrieve (409) the recipient's contact information from the ENUM database in 15 responses to the ENUM query. A method according to claim 7, characterized in that the data set detected by the connection attribute query contains at least one information element contained in the recipient contact information obtained from the ENUM database. Method according to claims 7 and 8, characterized in that the method further comprises the step of: transmitting (410) the contact information of the recipient to the initiator terminal for generating the connection attribute query. A method according to claims 7 and 8, characterized in that the method further comprises the step of: generating (411) a connection assignment request in the communication network. Database (601) for improving recipient accessibility from a terminal (603) of a communications network (602) in the initiator, characterized in that the database (601) includes connection attribute information (604) associated with users of the communication network (602) (604), 28, the connection attribute information (604) being arranged to receive the connection attributes (605) associated with the recipient from the database (601) in response to the recipient attribution request (606), the connection attributes (605) including at least one of the , connection speed, QoS (quality of service) class, connection cost, terminal feature set, communication application information, and the database (601) communicating with the communication network (602) such that connection attributes (605) are portable via a communication network (602) 10 to a terminal (603) in the originator's possession. Database according to claim 11, characterized in that each connection method by which the recipient can be reached is determined by at least one connection attribute. A database according to claim 11, characterized in that the connection attribute request is transmitted from a terminal, an intelligent network server, an IMS (IP multimedia subsystem) server, a push service server or another network element communicating over a telecommunications network (602). A database according to claim 11, characterized in that the connection attributes (605) include at least one mail address. Database according to claim 11, characterized in that the database (601) is distributed. A terminal (701) comprising at least a display (702) and communication means (703), characterized in that the terminal (701) further comprises connection assignment processing means (704) and that the terminal (701) is adapted to receive communication means (703) 705) connection attributes transmitted through (706), connection attributes (706) including at least one of the following terminal-specific connection attributes: 30 access network type, connection speed, QoS (quality of service) class, connection cost, terminal feature set, communication application information, ), from the received connection attributes (706), the communication means by which the recipient associated with the connection attributes can be reached, to create interface elements 5 for connection modes by means of the connection attribute processing means (704), to display the interface elements on the display (702) in the processing means (704), a user selection of the terminal device (701) targeting the user interface elements and performing a user choice operation of the terminal device (701). The terminal of claim 16, characterized in that the operation is one of the following: displaying the connection attributes associated with the selected user interface element, establishing a communication connection over a telecommunications network to a specific terminal of the recipient, sending an e-mail (e-mail) to the recipient. The terminal of claim 16, characterized in that the terminal (701) is adapted to receive connection attributes (706) in response to a connection attribute request initiated by the terminal (701). The terminal of claim 16, characterized in that the connection attributes (706) are transmitted from a push service. The terminal of claim 16, characterized in that the terminal (701) is further adapted to transmit its own connection attributes 25 to the connection attribute database by means of the communication means (703), the connection attributes defining the connection methods by which the user of the terminal device (701) can be reached. The terminal of claim 20, characterized in that the terminal (701) is configured to transmit its own connection attributes in at least one of the following situations: the terminal is logged on to the communication network, the terminal is logged out of the communication network, the communications application is installed on the terminal. A network element (801) comprising at least communication means (802), characterized in that the network element (801) further comprises connection attribute processing means (803) and that the network element (801) is adapted to receive by means of communication means (802) over the communication network (804). the transmitted connection attributes (805), the connection attributes (805) 5 including at least one of the following terminal-specific connection attributes: access network type, connection speed, QoS (quality of service) class, connection cost, terminal feature set, communication application processing, 10, the connection attributes (805), the connection method information (806), by means of which the recipient associated with the connection attributes can be reached and transmit the connection method information (806) to the initiator terminal (807). A network element according to claim 22, characterized in that the network element is adapted to receive communication attributes (808) transmitted from the terminal (807) by the communication means (802). The network element according to claim 22, characterized in that the network element is adapted to transmit communication attributes (808) concerning the terminal (807) via the communication network (802) to the communication attribute database (601). 31