Method of dynamically controlling the number of data streams traveling through a network architecture

1. A method of communication between at least one first communications terminal of a first communications network and at least one second communications terminal of a second communications network, said first and said second communications networks being of a different network type and being interconnected via an interface device, said method comprising:

dynamically calculating a maximum bit rate value of data streams that can be in transit between the first and second networks taking account of bit rates observed in the first and second networks;

processing a request for admission of a new data stream between the first and second terminals, said interface device being configured to execute said processing taking account of the result produced in said calculation step; and

if, based on the dynamic calculation, at least one of said networks does not have resources available to execute the request, handing over said new data stream to a mobile communications network distinct from said first and second networks.

2. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said processing step includes dynamically analyzing at least one availability criterion associated with each of said networks such that:

if each network is available to receive said new data stream, a communication tunnel is reserved via said interface device rated as a function of the bit rate necessary to support said new data stream between said first terminal and said second terminal; and

if at least one of said networks is not available, said new data stream is handed over to a mobile communications network distinct from said first and second networks.

3. A method according to claim 2 , wherein said step of reserving said communication tunnel includes at least one preliminary step of dynamically calculating a maximum bit rate of said new data stream as a function of at least one parameter representing a coding-decoding operation applied to said stream.

4. A method according to claim 3 , wherein said at least one preliminary dynamic calculation step is a function of at least one parameter representing a type of coder-decoder used by said first terminal to process said stream.

5. A method according to claim 3 , wherein said at least one preliminary dynamic calculation step is a function of at least one parameter representing a mode of operation of a coder-decoder used by said first terminal to process said stream.

6. A method according to claim 2 , wherein said second communications network is a wide area network including a virtual communications channel a first end of which is connected to said interface device and a second end of which is connected to a collection and routing unit, and said dynamic analysis step is a step of said interface device verifying a possibility of adding said new data stream to said virtual channel.

7. A method according to claim 6 , wherein when said first communications terminal sends an outgoing call request, it sends said interface device via an access point a solicitation message carrying a request for reservation of resources, so that if said request for reservation of resources for sending a data stream via said access point cannot be met, a step of at least one other access point to which said communications terminal can be connected automatically sending a resource solicitation message is initiated.

8. A method according to claim 7 , further comprising a step of adding said new data stream to a management table for the streams of said first network and a step of said interface device verifying a possibility of adding said data stream to said second network, so that if said possibility is established, a step is executed of adding said new data stream to a management table for the streams of said device.

9. A method according to claim 2 , wherein said first communications network is a wireless local area network comprising a plurality of access points and said dynamic analysis step is a step of at least one access point verifying a possibility of adding said new data stream to said first network between said interface device and said access point.

10. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said first terminal conforms to the Unlicensed Mobile Access (UMA) standard and said data stream is a UMA voice stream.

11. A system of communication between at least one first communications terminal of a first communications network and at least one second communications terminal of a second communications network, said first and said second communications networks being of a different network type and being interconnected via an interface device, said system comprising:

means for dynamically calculating a maximum bit rate of data streams that can be in transit between said first and second networks taking account of the bit rate observed in the first and second communications networks; and

means for processing a request for admission of a new data stream between the first and second terminals, said processing taking account of the result produced by said calculation means; and

means for handing over said new data stream to a mobile communications network distinct from said first and second networks, if, based on the dynamic calculation, at least one of said networks does not have resources available to execute the request.

12. A communications system according to claim 11 , wherein said first communications terminal conforms to the UMA standard.

13. A computer program product stored on a non-transitory computer-readable information medium, comprising code instructions for executing, when executed by a processor, a method of communication between at least one first communications terminal of a first communications network and at least one second communications terminal of a second communications network, said first and said second communications networks being of a different network type and being interconnected via an interface device, said method comprising:

dynamically calculating a maximum bit rate value of data streams that can be in transit between the first and second networks taking account of bit rates observed in the first and second networks;

processing a request for admission of a new data stream between the first and second terminals, said interface device being configured to execute said processing taking account of the result produced in said calculation step; and

if, based on the dynamic calculation, at least one of said networks does not have resources available to execute the request, handing over said new data stream to a mobile communications network distinct from said first and second networks.

14. A method of communication between at least one first communications terminal of a first communications network, said first communications network being a wireless local area network, and at least one second communications terminal of a second communications network, said second communications network being a wide area network, said first network and said second network being interconnected via an interface device, said method comprising:

dynamically calculating a maximum bit rate value of data streams that can be in transit between the first and second networks taking account of bit rates observed in the first and second networks; and

processing a request for admission of a new data stream between the first and second terminals, said interface device being configured to execute said processing taking account of the result produced in said calculation step, said processing including:

dynamically analyzing at least one availability criterion associated with each of said networks such that:

if each network is available to receive said new data stream, a communication tunnel is reserved via said interface device rated as a function of the bit rate necessary to support said new data stream between said first terminal and said second terminal; and

if, based on the dynamic calculation, at least one of said networks does not have resources available to execute the request, said new data stream is handed over to a mobile communications network distinct from said first and second networks.