Mobile device, system and method for enhanced channel allocation when radio resource connection is released while in dual transfer mode
A mobile device, system, and method are disclosed for use in a wireless communication system during the mobile device's transition from a dual mode, in which a packet switched connection and circuit switched connection are used together, to a single mode in which packets are transferred. When the circuit switched connection is released, packet resources are allocated by converting timeslots used for circuit switched connection traffic into timeslots used for packet data traffic. Also included is a new alert signal within an existing message to the mobile device during the circuit switched connection release phase, before completion of the circuit switched connection release phase, in order to inform the mobile device that the converting step will occur after release of the circuit switched connection.
1. A system comprising:
a mobile device equipped to function in dual transfer mode wherein a packet switched connection and circuit switched connection are used together,
a signaling unit configured to signal initiation of release of the circuit switched connection between the mobile device and a network,
a conversion element in the network, responsive to the initiation of release, and configured to convert a timeslot used for circuit switched connection traffic into a timeslot used for packet data traffic for a mobile device, and
an alert element, responsive to the initiation of release, and configured to provide an alert signal to the mobile device, while the mobile device is in the dual transfer mode, to inform to the mobile device about the converting that will occur after release of the circuited switched connection,
wherein the alert signal is included in a release indication, or in a channel release, instead of in a packet timeslot reconfigure message;
wherein the conversion element is configured to keep in packet transfer mode timeslots already used for packet data traffic, wherein the conversion element is further configured to add more timeslots that are to be used for packet data traffic, and
wherein the conversion element is further configured to deallocate the timeslots that were used for circuit switched traffic.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein an initial allocation of radio resources during the dual transfer mode includes at least one full radio resource timeslot, or includes a half radio resource timeslot joined with packet data.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the alert signal is indicative of reconfigured downlink and uplink packet resources.
4. The system of claim 1 , further comprising an alert element for alerting the mobile device, during a circuit switched connection release phase but before completion of said circuit switched connection release phase, that the converting will occur after release of the circuit switched connection.
5. A method comprising:
functioning in dual transfer mode, wherein a packet switched connection and circuit switched connection are used together,
initiating release of the circuit switched connection,
converting a timeslot used for circuit switched connection traffic into a timeslot used for packet data traffic for a mobile device, and
providing an alert, in response to initiating release of the circuit switched connection to a mobile device, while the mobile device is in dual transfer mode, about the converting step that will occur after release of the circuit switched connection,
wherein the alert is included in a release indication, or in a channel release, instead of in a packet timeslot reconfigure message,
wherein the converting keeps in packet transfer mode timeslots already for packet data traffic,
wherein the converting adds more timeslots that are to be used for packet data traffic, and
wherein the converting de-allocates the timeslots that were used for circuit switched traffic.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein an initial allocation of radio resources during dual transfer mode includes at least one full radio resource timeslot, or includes a half radio resource timeslot joined with packet data.
7. The method of claim 5 , wherein the alert occurs after the initiating step, and wherein the alert indicates reconfigured downlink and uplink packet resources.
8. The method of claim 5 , further comprising alerting a mobile device, during a circuit switched connection release phase but before completion of said circuit switched connection release phase, that the converting step will occur after release of the circuit switched connection.
9. An apparatus comprising:
a conversion element in the network, responsive to initiation of release during dual transfer mode of a circuit switched connection between a mobile device and said network, said conversion element being configured to convert a timeslot used for circuit switched connection traffic into a timeslot used for packet data traffic; and
an alert element, responsive to the initiation of release, and configured to provide an alert signal to the mobile device, while the mobile device is in the dual transfer mode, to inform the mobile device about the converting that will occur after release of the circuit switched connection,
wherein the alert is included in a release indication, or in a channel release, instead of in a packet timeslot reconfigure message;
wherein the conversion element is configured to keep in packet transfer mode timeslots already used for packet data traffic,
wherein the conversion element is further configured to add more timeslots that are to be used for packet data traffic, and
wherein the conversion element is further configured to deallocate the timeslots that were used for circuit switched traffic.
10. A computer readable medium encoded with a software data structure, the computer readable medium having executable codes embedded therein, the codes, when executed, adapted for:
operating the dual transfer mode, wherein a packet switched connection and the circuit switched connection are used together,
initiating release of the circuit switched connection during the dual transfer mode,
converting a timeslot used for circuit switched connection traffic into a timeslot used for packet data traffic for a mobile device, and
providing an alert, in response to initiating release of the circuit switched connection, a mobile device, while the mobile device is in the dual transfer mode, about the converting that will occur after release of the circuit switched connection,
wherein the alert is included in a release indication, or in a channel release, instead of in a packet timeslot reconfigure message;
wherein the converting keeps in packet transfer mode timeslots already used for packet data traffic,
wherein the converting adds more timeslots that are to be used for packet data traffic, and
wherein the converting de-allocates the timeslots that were used for circuit switched traffic.
11. An apparatus comprising:
a signaling unit configured to signal initiation of release of a circuit switched connection between the apparatus and a network, and
a central processing element, responsive to an alert signal received from the network while the apparatus is in dual transfer mode, wherein the alert signal is included in a release indication, or in a channel release, instead of in a packet timeslot reconfigure message and provided in response to the initiation of release, and said central processing element being configured to prepare to receive and process timeslots that are converted by the network from use with circuit switched connection traffic into timeslots used for packet data traffic,
wherein in the dual transfer mode a packet switched connection and circuit switched connection are used together,
wherein the central processing element is configured to keep in packet transfer mode timeslots already used for packet data traffic,
wherein the central processing element is further configured to add more timeslots that are to be used for packet data traffic, and
wherein the central processing element is further configured to deallocate the timeslots that were used for circuit switched traffic.
12. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein an initial allocation of radio resources during the dual transfer mode includes at least one full radio resource timeslot, or includes a half radio resource timeslot joined with packet data.
13. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the alert signal is indicative of reconfigured downlink and uplink packet resources.
14. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the alert signal is received during a circuit switched connection release phase but before completion of said circuit switched connection release phase.
15. An apparatus comprising:
means for signaling initiation of release of a circuit switched connection between the apparatus and a network, and
means for preparing to receive and process timeslots, responsive to an alert signal received from the network while the apparatus is in dual transfer mode, wherein the alert signal is included in a release indication, or in a channel release, instead of in a packet timeslot reconfigure message and provided in response to the initiation of release, and said timeslots being converted by the network from use with circuit switched connection traffic into timeslots used for packet data traffic,
wherein in the dual transfer mode a packet switched connection and circuit switched connection are used together,
wherein the means for preparing is configured to keep in packet transfer mode timeslots already used for packet data traffic,
wherein the means for preparing is further configured to add more timeslots that are to be used for packet data traffic, and
wherein the means for preparing is further configured to deallocate the timeslots that were used for circuit switched traffic.
16. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein an initial allocation of radio resources during the dual transfer mode includes at least one full radio resource timeslot, or includes a half radio resource timeslot joined with packet data.