Method for transmitting/receiving caller image information in mobile telecommunications system

1. A method for transmitting/receiving caller image information in a mobile telecommunications system, comprising the steps of:

a calling user element setting up a voice data channel with a called user element corresponding to a call origination if the call origination is detected;

the calling user element forming a data path different from the voice data channel for a transmission of caller image information with the called user element after setting up the voice data channel; and

the calling user element transmitting the caller image information to the called user element over the formed data path so that caller image information is transferred to the called user element before a call connection with the calling user element is established.

2. The method as set forth in claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:

the calling user element transmitting a data path disconnection message to the called user element to disconnect the data path after completing transmission of the caller image information; and

the called user element disconnecting the data path by transmitting a radio bearer reconfigure message to a network in response to the transmitted data path disconnection message.

3. The method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the caller image information includes character image data and still image data.

4. The method as set forth in claim 1 , further comprising the step of:

the calling user element selecting the caller image information associated with an originating signal before the call origination has occurred.

5. The method as set forth in claim 4 , wherein the selecting step further includes the calling user element changing its operation mode to a caller image information selection mode if a caller image information selection mode key is entered; and

the calling user element selecting the caller image information associated with the originating signal in the caller image information selection mode according to a user's selection.

6. A method for transmitting/receiving caller image information in a mobile telecommunications system, comprising the steps of:

a calling user element selecting caller image information associated with a call originating signal;

the calling user element setting up a voice data channel with a called user element corresponding to a call origination upon detecting the call origination signal after selecting the caller image information;

the calling user element forming a data path for a transmission of the caller image information with the called user element after setting up the voice data channel; and

the calling user element transmitting the caller image information to the called user element over the formed data path so that caller image information is transferred to the called user element before a call connection with the calling user element is established.

7. The method as set forth in claim 6 , further comprising the steps of:

the calling user element transmitting a data path disconnection message to the called user element to disconnect the data path after completing transmission of the caller image information; and

the called user element disconnecting the data path by transmitting a radio bearer reconfigure message to a network in response to the transmitted data path disconnection message.

8. The method as set forth in claim 6 , wherein the caller image information includes character image data and still image data.

9. The method as set forth in claim 6 , wherein the selecting step includes the steps of:

the calling user element changing its operation mode to a caller image information selection mode if a caller image information selection mode key is entered; and

the calling user element selecting the caller image information associated with the originating signal in the caller image information selection mode according to a user's selection.

10. A method for transmitting caller image information in a mobile telecommunications system, comprising the steps of:

selecting caller image information when a call origination occurs;

setting up a voice data channel with a called user element corresponding to the call origination upon detecting an originating signal after selecting the caller image information;

forming a data path for a transmission of the caller image information with the called user element after setting up the voice data channel; and

transmitting the caller image information to the called user element over the formed data path so that caller image information is transferred to the called user element before a call connection with the calling user element is established.

11. The method as set forth in claim 10 , further comprising the step of:

transmitting a data path disconnection message to the called user element to disconnect the data path after completing transmission of the caller image information.

12. The method as set forth in claim 10 , wherein the caller image information includes character image data and still image data.

13. The method as set forth in claim 10 , wherein the selecting step includes the steps of:

changing a current operation mode to a caller image information selection mode if a caller image information selection mode key is entered; and

selecting the caller image information associated with the originating signal in the caller image information selection mode according to a user's selection.

14. A method for transmitting/receiving caller image information in a mobile telecommunications system, comprising the steps of:

setting up a voice data channel between a calling user element where an originating signal is detected and a called user element corresponding to the originating signal;

the calling user element determining whether the voice data channel has a capacity sufficient to additively transmit caller image information after the voice data channel is set up; and

the calling user element transmitting the caller image information to the called user element over the voice data channel if the voice data channel is determined to have the capacity sufficient to additively transmit the caller image information so that caller image information is transferred to the called user element before a call connection with the calling user element is established.

15. The method as set forth in claim 14 , further comprising the steps of:

the calling user element forming a data path for transmission of the caller image information with the called user element if the voice data channel is determined not to have capacity sufficient to additively transmit the caller image information; and

the calling user element transmitting the caller image information to the called user element over the data path.

16. The method as set forth in claim 15 , further comprising the steps of:

the calling user element transmitting a data path disconnection message to the called user element to disconnect the data path after completing transmission of the caller image information; and

the called user element disconnecting the data path by transmitting a radio bearer reconfigure message to a network in response to the transmitted data path disconnection message.

17. The method as set forth in claim 14 , wherein the caller image information includes character image data and still image data.

18. The method as set forth in claim 14 , further comprising the step of:

the calling user element selecting the caller image information associated with the originating signal before the originating signal is generated.

19. The method as set forth in claim 18 , wherein the selecting step includes the steps of:

the calling user element changing its operation mode to a caller image information selection mode if a caller image information selection mode key is entered; and

the calling user element selecting the caller image information associated with the originating signal in the caller image information selection mode according to a user's selection.