DESC:FORM 2
The Patent Act 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
The Patent Rules, 2005

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(SEE SECTION 10 AND RULE 13)

TITLE OF THE INVENTION
“Device and Method for converging Circuit Switched and packet switched calls at the User Equipment”

APPLICANTS:

Name Nationality Address
SAMSUNG R&D Institute India - Bangalore Private Limited India # 2870, Orion Building, Bagmane Constellation Business Park, Outer Ring Road, Doddanekundi Circle, Marathahalli Post,Bangalore-560 037, India

The following specification particularly describes and ascertains the nature of this invention and the manner in which it is to be performed:-

TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The embodiments herein relate to telecommunication networks and, more particularly, to support merging of Circuit Switched (CS) and Packet Switched (PS) calls in a User Equipment (UE), in the telecommunication networks.

BACKGROUND
[002] Mobile communications has become very popular and an essential part of everyday life. Mobile communication, which was started as a simple point-to-point communication, now offers a one-to-many communication and video communication technologies. The existing mobile communication systems use different communication technologies for sending and receiving data between User Equipments (UE). Two such technologies that are being widely used are Circuit Switching (CS) and Packet Switching (PS).
[003] In CS, two network nodes establish a communication channel. This channel provides a full bandwidth and remains connected throughout the communication session. For example, when a call is made from one point to another, switches within the telephone exchanges create a continuous wire circuit for as long as the call lasts. In PS, the data being transmitted from one point to another is broken into packets. These packets are transmitted through the network independently, shared by multiple simultaneous communication process.
[004] In the existing telecommunication systems, a user can attend to a voice call over Circuit Switched network and Packet Switched network using VoIP, independently, at a time. However, in these systems, a conference call i.e. a call in which 2 or more calls are merged; is possible only if all the calls are originated on CS domain or on the PS domain. Disadvantage of the existing communication systems is that they do not permit/support merging of two or more calls on different domains.

OBJECT OF INVENTION
[005] An object of the embodiments herein is to merge calls generated on different domains i.e. Circuit Switching (CS) and packet Switching (PS) domains.

SUMMARY
[006] Accordingly the invention provides a method for handling calls in a communication network. In this method, a first call with a second UE is established by a first User Equipment (UE), wherein the first call is one of a circuit-switched call and a packet-switched call. The UE further establishes a second call with a third UE, while the first call is active, wherein the second call is one of a circuit-switched call and a packet-switched call. The first UE, upon receiving a user input to merge the first call and the second call, merges locally, the first call and the second call, in response to receiving the user input.
[007] Accordingly the invention provides a first User Equipment (UE) for handling calls in a communication network. The first UE is configured for establishing a first call with a second UE, wherein the first call is one of a circuit-switched call and a packet-switched call. The first UE further establishes a second call with a third UE, while the first call is in progress, wherein the second call is one of a circuit-switched call and a packet-switched call. The first UE, upon receiving a user input to merge the first call and the second call, merges locally, the first call and the second call, in response to the user input.
[008] Accordingly the invention provides a method for handling calls in a communication network. In this method, a first User Equipment (UE) establishes a first call with a second UE, wherein the first call is one of a circuit-switched call and a packet-switched call. The first UE further establishes a second call with a third UE, while the first call is active, wherein the second call is one of a circuit-switched call and a packet-switched call. A user-selectable menu to select one of a merging operation to merge the first call and the second call and a swapping operation to swap the first call and the second call is provided to the user of the first UE. Further, the first UE performs one of the merging operation or the swapping operation, locally, based on a received user selection.
[009] These and other aspects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating preferred embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0010] The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following detailed description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of the communication network, as disclosed in the embodiments herein;
[0012] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram that shows components of a User Equipment (UE) of the communication network, as disclosed in the embodiments herein;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram that depicts steps involved in the process of selecting an action to be triggered, based on the first and second calls being established, by the UE of the communication network, as disclosed in the embodiments herein;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram that depicts steps involved in the process of merging at least two calls by the UE in the communication network, as disclosed in the embodiments herein;
[0015] FIGS. 5a, 5b, and 5c illustrate example implementation of the communication system, wherein calls originated from same or different domains are merged by the UE in the communication system, as disclosed in the embodiments herein; and
[0016] FIG. 6 illustrates example implementation of the communication system, wherein calls originated from different domains are swapped by the UE in the communication system, as disclosed in the embodiments herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0017] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0018] The embodiments herein disclose a mechanism for merging or swapping calls originated from same or different domains. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 through 6, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments.
[0019] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of the communication network, as disclosed in the embodiments herein. The communication network 100 comprises of a User Equipment (UE) 101, a second UE 102.a, and a third UE 102.b. It is to be noted that though the communication network 100 depicted in Figure. 1 hosts only one UE and two communication devices, the number of UEs and Communication devices can vary according to implementation standards, requirements, and/or one or more other related factors. Further, the UE 101 and the communication devices 102 can be any device that can be configured to establish communication with at least two other devices in the communication network 100, through a suitable communication channel. For example, the UE 101 and the communication device 102 can be a mobile phone with a Voice and/or VOIP call support. The UE 101 can be further configured to handle communication/calls received from different domains. Here, the term “domains” may refer to Circuit Switched (CS) networks, Packet Switched (PS) networks or any such domain. It is to be noted that for the ease of understanding, the working of the communication network 100 is explained in terms of CS and PS domains, throughout the specification. However, this is not intended to limit the functionality of the communication network 100 to the aforementioned domains.
[0020] The UE 101 can be configured to establish a first call with a second UE 102.a in the communication network, wherein the first call is originated from a CS or PS domain. The UE 101 can be further configured to establish a second call request with a third UE 102.b, when the first call is in progress; wherein the second call is initiated by the UE 101 or by the third UE 102.b. The UE 101 can be further configured to provide an option for the user to trigger at least one action, based on the first call and the second call. In various embodiments, the actions supported by the UE 101 are merging of the first call and the second call, hold one call till the other call is finished/terminated/put on hold, or ending one call while only the other call is being selected to be handled by the UE 101. In a different scenario, the UE 101 can act as the communication device 102 and establish communication with another UE 101.
[0021] In an embodiment, the first UE 101 in the communication network 100 is a Dual SIM Dual Active (DSDA) type UE. In this scenario, the first UE 101 can be configured to receive/make a CS call on a Second SIM when another CS call on first SIM is ongoing, by placing the ongoing CS call on the first SIM on hold. In another scenario, the first UE 101 can be configured to receive/make a CS call on first SIM when another CS call on second SIM is ongoing, by placing the CS call on the second SIM on hold.
[0022] Similarly, if the first UE 101 of a different type, the first UE 101 can be configured to receive/make a Voice over LTE (VoLTE) call when a CS call is ongoing; by placing the ongoing CS call on hold. The first UE 101 can be further configured to receive/make a VoLTE call when a VoLTE call is ongoing, by placing the ongoing VoLTE call on hold.
[0023] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram that shows components of a User Equipment (UE) of the communication network, as disclosed in the embodiments herein. The UE 101 comprises of a transmitter 201, a receiver 202, and a mixing module 203.
[0024] The transmitter 201 can be configured to transmit voice or text or data packet to at least one communication device 102 that has established communication with the UE 101, based on the type of communication that exists between the UE 101 and the communication device 102. For example, if the UE 101 has established a voice call with the communication device 102, then the transmitter 201 in the UE 101 would be transmitting voice data to the communication device 102, using a circuit switching framework. In another example, if the UE 101 has established an IP call with the communication device 102, then the transmitter 201 in the UE 101 would be transmitting data to the communication device 102, using a packet switching framework.
[0025] The receiver 202 can be configured to receive data in a suitable format from at least one communication device 102, and output the received data using a speaker associated with the UE 101, to the user. In an embodiment, if two or more calls are merged to form a conference call, the receiver outputs data received from all communication devices 102 that are part of the conference call.
[0026] The mixing module 203 can be configured to collect at least one input pertaining to at least one action to be triggered, with respect to the first call and a second call the UE 101 has established with the second UE 102.a and the third UE 102.b, respectively. In various embodiments, the action is merging or swapping of the first and second calls. The mixing module 203 can be further configured to collect data that needs to be transmitted to at least one communication device 102 that has established communication with the UE 101, and provide the collected data to the transmitter 201. In an embodiment, consider that the UE 101 is communicating with only one communication device 102. In this case, the mixing module 203 can collect the data to be transmitted to the communication device 102, from at least one input module (for example a microphone) of the UE 101, and provide the collected data to the transmitter 201, which in turn is transmitted to the communication device 102, by the transmitter 201. In another embodiment, consider that the UE 101 is in conference call with a second UE 102.a (A) and a third UE 102.b (B) (i.e. the first and second calls have been merged). In this scenario, the mixing module 203 initially collects data from A and B. In an embodiment, the terms ‘data’ herein refers to voice data. Further, the mixing module 203 generates different streams of outputs, and the appropriate stream is transmitted to corresponding communication device 102, through the transmitter 201. In an example implementation scenario, voice engines of application side (i.e. the voice engine that handles CS voice calls) and modem side (i.e. the voice engine that handles an IP call) can constitute the mixing module 203; such that the data collected by the voice engines are exchanged each other, which enables mixing of the data.
[0027] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram that depicts steps involved in the process of selecting an action to be triggered, based on the first and second calls being established, by the UE of the communication network, as disclosed in the embodiments herein. In an embodiment, the action referred herein is an in-call action, wherein the in-call action is triggered by the UE 101 when at least one call is in progress, with at least one communication device 102.
[0028] The UE 101 establishes (302) a first call with a second UE 102.a, wherein the first call is in a first domain. The first call may be triggered by the UE 101 or by the second UE 102.a. While the first call is in progress, the UE 101 establishes (304) a second call with a third UE 102.b. In an embodiment, the second call is initiated by the UE 101, while the first call is in progress. In another embodiment, the second call is initiated by the third UE 102.b, by sending a call request to the UE 101 while the first call between the UE 101 and the second UE 102.a is in progress. In another embodiment, the first and second calls are in the same domain.
[0029] The UE 101, while or after establishing the second call (while the first call is still in progress), identifies (306) an action to be performed in terms of the first call and the second call. In an embodiment, the UE 101 automatically identifies the action to be performed, based on at least one criteria pre-configured by the user. In another embodiment, the UE 101 allows the user to select the action to be triggered, by providing at least one suitable option using a suitable user interface of the UE 101.
[0030] In various embodiments, the actions that can be performed are holding one call, merging the first and second calls, or ending one call. Based on the selection made, of the available options, the UE triggers corresponding procedures. If the selected action is holding one call, then the corresponding procedure is triggered (310) by the UE 101. If the selected action is merging of the first call and the second call, then the corresponding procedure is triggered (312) by the UE 101. If the selected action is ending one call, then the corresponding procedure is triggered (314) by the UE 101. The various actions in method 300 may be performed in the order presented, in a different order or simultaneously. Further, in some embodiments, some actions listed in FIG. 3 may be omitted.
[0031] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram that depicts steps involved in the process of merging at least two calls by the UE in the communication network, as disclosed in the embodiments herein. The merging of the calls is explained by considering a scenario in which the UE 101 has established communication with the second UE 102.a and the third UE 102b, and that the UE 101 has merged the first call and the second call to generate a conference call.
[0032] When the conference call is in progress, the UE 101collects (402 & 404) data (i.e. voice data) from the transmitters of the second UE 102a and the third UE 102.b, in no particular order. The first call and the second call can be in the same or different domains. For example, the first call can be in CS domain and the second call can be in PS domain, or vice-versa. In other examples, the first and second calls can be in the CS domain, or in the PS domain. The UE 101 can merge the calls, regardless the domain the calls are generated from. In an embodiment, the receiver 202 of the UE 101 combines the data received from the second UE 102.a and the third UE 102b, and generates (406) an output of the UE 101, which can be provided to the user, using a suitable output module (for example, speaker of the UE 101). The output generated by the receiver 202 is then provided to the mixing module 203.
[0033] The mixing module 203 collects input from an input module (for example microphone of the UE 101). The mixing module 203 also collects the output for the UE 101, generated by the receiver 202, wherein the output for the UE comprises of data collected from the second UE 102.a and the third UE 102.b. Based on the collected data, the mixing module generates different streams of outputs for the second UE 102.a and the third UE 102.b. In order to do this, the mixing module 203 initially separates data from the second UE 102.a and the third UE 102.b, by processing the data collected from the receiver 202.
[0034] While generating (408) the output for the second UE 102.a, the mixing module 203 combines the data received from the third UE 102.b and the voice input from user of the UE 101. The generated output is then transmitted to the receiver of the second UE 102.a, through a suitable channel.
[0035] Similarly, while generating (410) the output for the third UE 102.b, the mixing module 203 combines the data received from the second UE 102.a and the voice input from user of the UE 101. The generated output is then transmitted to the receiver of the third UE 102.b, through a suitable channel.
[0036] The various actions in method 400 may be performed in the order presented, in a different order or simultaneously. Further, in some embodiments, some actions listed in FIG. 4 may be omitted.
[0037] FIGS. 5a, 5b, and 5c illustrate example implementation of the communication system, wherein calls originated from same or different domains are merged by the UE in the communication system, as disclosed in the embodiments herein. It is to be noted that the User Interface (UI) as depicted in these figures are for example purpose only, and can vary.
Scenario 1: Illustration of merging of a CS call and a PS call
[0038] In this scenario (as depicted in Fig. 5a), assume that the second UE 102.a (referred to as ‘User A’) has established a PS call (Skype call for example) with the UE 101. The receiver 202 of the UE 101 receives data transmitted by the transmitter of User A. The mixing module 203 of the UE 101 collects inputs from the microphone, and transmits to the User A, using the transmitter 201.
[0039] Upon receiving a second call (a CS call) from the third UE 102b (referred to as User B), the UE 101 puts the first call on hold. In this case, the communication channels to and from the User A are temporarily blocked by the UE 101, while the transmitter 201, receiver 202, and the mixing module 203 of the UE processes the data from and to the User B.
[0040] Once the merge option is selected, either automatically or based on manual real-time inputs collected from the user, the UE 101 merges the first call and the second call, to generate the conference call. In this process, the receiver 202 of the UE 101 collects data from both User A and User B, combines the collected data, and provides as output of the UE 101 to the user.
[0041] Further, the mixing module 203 collects the combined output generated by the receiver 202. The mixing module 203 also collects the inputs provided by the user of the UE 101. At this stage, the mixing module 203 has data from UE 101, User A, and user B. Using this data, the mixing module 203 generates different streams of output, for user A and User B. The mixing module 203 generates output for User A by combining data from User B and the UE 101. The mixing module 203 generates output for User B by combining data from User A and the UE 101. The generated outputs are then transmitted to respective communication devices, through respective channels.
Scenario 2: Illustration of merging of a PS call and a PS call
[0042] In this scenario (as depicted in Fig. 5b), assume that the second UE 102.a (referred to as ‘User A’) has established a PS call (Skype call for example) with the UE 101. The receiver 202 of the UE 101 receives data transmitted by the transmitter of User A. The mixing module 203 of the UE 101 collects inputs from the microphone, and transmits to the User A, using the transmitter 201.
[0043] Upon receiving a second call (a PS call-Viber) from the third UE 102b (referred to as User B), the UE 101 puts the first call on hold. In this case, the communication channels to and from the User A are temporarily blocked by the UE 101, while the transmitter 201, receiver 202, and the mixing module 203 of the UE processes the data from and to the User B.
[0044] Once the merge option is selected, either automatically or based on manual real-time inputs collected from the user, the UE 101 merges the first call and the second call, to generate the conference call. In this process, the receiver 202 of the UE 101 collects data from both User A and User B, combines the collected data, and provides as output of the UE 101 to the user.
[0045] Further, the mixing module 203 collects the combined output generated by the receiver 202. The mixing module 203 also collects the inputs provided by the user of the UE 101. At this stage, the mixing module 203 has data from UE 101, User A, and user B. Using this data, the mixing module 203 generates different streams of output, for user A and User B. The mixing module 203 generates output for User A by combining data from User B and the UE 101. The mixing module 203 generates output for User B by combining data from User A and the UE 101. The generated outputs are then transmitted to respective communication devices, through respective channels.
Scenario 3: Illustration of merging of a CS call and a CS call
[0046] In this scenario (as depicted in Fig. 5c), assume that the second UE 102.a (referred to as ‘User A’) has established a CS call with the UE 101. The receiver 202 of the UE 101 receives data transmitted by the transmitter of User A. The mixing module 203 of the UE 101 collects inputs from the microphone, and transmits to the User A, using the transmitter 201.
[0047] Upon receiving a second call (another CS call) from the third UE 102b (referred to as User B), the UE 101 puts the first call on hold. In this case, the communication channels to and from the User A are temporarily blocked by the UE 101, while the transmitter 201, receiver 202, and the mixing module 203 of the UE processes the data from and to the User B.
[0048] Once the merge option is selected, either automatically or based on manual real-time inputs collected from the user, the UE 101 merges the first call and the second call, to generate the conference call. In this process, the receiver 202 of the UE 101 collects data from both User A and User B, combines the collected data, and provides as output of the UE 101 to the user.
[0049] Further, the mixing module 203 collects the combined output generated by the receiver 202. The mixing module 203 also collects the inputs provided by the user of the UE 101. At this stage, the mixing module 203 has data from UE 101, User A, and user B. Using this data, the mixing module 203 generates different streams of output, for user A and User B. The mixing module 203 generates output for User A by combining data from User B and the UE 101. The mixing module 203 generates output for User B by combining data from User A and the UE 101. The generated outputs are then transmitted to respective communication devices, through respective channels.
[0050] FIG. 6 illustrates example implementation of the communication system, wherein calls originated from different domains are swapped by the UE in the communication system, as disclosed in the embodiments herein. In this scenario (as depicted in Fig. 6), assume that the second UE 102.a (referred to as ‘User A’) has established a PS call (Skype call for example) with the UE 101. The receiver 202 of the UE 101 receives data transmitted by the transmitter of User A. The mixing module 203 of the UE 101 collects inputs from the microphone, and transmits to the User A, using the transmitter 201.
[0051] Upon receiving a second call (a CS call) from the third UE 102b (referred to as User B), the UE 101 puts the first call on hold. In this case, the communication channels to and from the User A are temporarily blocked by the UE 101, while the transmitter 201, receiver 202, and the mixing module 203 of the UE processes the data from and to the User B.
[0052] When the Call Swap option is selected, the mixing module 203 in the UE 101 receives the data pertaining to the first and second calls. When the user swaps the first call for the second one, the mixing module 203 blocks data to and from User A, and processes data pertaining to the second call to and from User B. When the user swaps the second call for the first one, the mixing module 203 blocks data to and from User B, and processes data pertaining to the second call to and from User A.
[0053] The embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented through at least one software program running on at least one hardware device and performing network management functions to control the network elements. The network elements shown in Fig. 1 include blocks which can be at least one of a hardware device, or a combination of hardware device and software module.
[0054] The embodiments disclosed herein specify a mechanism for triggering selective action for calls from different domains. The mechanism allows merging and swapping of calls from different domains, providing a system thereof. Therefore, it is understood that the scope of protection is extended to such a system and by extension, to a computer readable means having a message therein, said computer readable means containing a program code for implementation of one or more steps of the method, when the program runs on a server or mobile device or any suitable programmable device. The method is implemented in a preferred embodiment using the system together with a software program written in, for ex. Very high speed integrated circuit Hardware Description Language (VHDL), another programming language, or implemented by one or more VHDL or several software modules being executed on at least one hardware device. The hardware device can be any kind of device which can be programmed including, for ex. any kind of a computer like a server or a personal computer, or the like, or any combination thereof, for ex. one processor and two FPGAs. The device may also include means which could be for ex. hardware means like an ASIC or a combination of hardware and software means, an ASIC and an FPGA, or at least one microprocessor and at least one memory with software modules located therein. Thus, the means are at least one hardware means or at least one hardware-cum-software means. The method embodiments described herein could be implemented in pure hardware or partly in hardware and partly in software. Alternatively, the embodiment may be implemented on different hardware devices, for ex. using a plurality of CPUs.
[0055] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the claims as described herein.

CLAIMS
What is claimed is:
1) A method for handling calls in a communication network, said method comprising:
establishing, by a first User Equipment (UE), a first call with a second UE, wherein the first call is one of a circuit-switched call and a packet-switched call;
establishing, by the first UE, a second call with a third UE, while the first call is active, wherein the second call is one of a circuit-switched call and a packet-switched call;
receiving, by the first UE, a user input to merge the first call and the second call; and
merging locally, by the first UE, the first call and the second call, in response to receiving the user input.
2) The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein merging locally the first call and the second call further comprises of:
receiving, by the first UE, voice data of the first call from the second UE and voice data of the second call from the third UE respectively;
receiving, by the first UE, voice data from a user of the first UE, by said UE;
mixing the voice data received from the third UE and the voice data from user of said first UE to form a first voice output to be provided to the second UE; and
mixing the voice data collected from the second UE and the voice data from user of said UE to form a second voice output to be provided to the third UE.
3) The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first call with the second UE is initiated by the first UE.
4) The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first call with the second UE is initiated by the second UE.
5) The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second call with the third UE is initiated by the first UE.
6) The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second call with the third UE is initiated by the third UE.
7) A first User Equipment (UE) for handling calls in a communication network, said first UE configured for:
establishing a first call with a second UE, wherein the first call is one of a circuit-switched call and a packet-switched call;
establishing a second call with a third UE, while said first call is in progress, wherein the second call is one of a circuit-switched call and a packet-switched call;
receiving, a user input to merge the first call and the second call; and
merging locally, the first call and the second call, in response to the user input.
8) The first UE as claimed in claim 7, wherein said UE is configured to merge said first call and said second call by:
receiving, by the first UE, voice data of the first call from the second UE and voice data of the second call from the third UE respectively;
receiving, by the first UE, voice data from a user of the first UE, by said UE;
mixing the voice data received from the third UE and the voice data from user of said UE to form a first voice output to be provided to the second UE; and
mixing the voice data collected from the second UE and the voice data from user of said UE to form a second voice output to be provided to the third UE.
9) The first UE as claimed in claim 8, wherein said first UE is configured to provide an interface between an application side voice engine and a modem side voice engine in said first UE, to collect and mix voice data to form said first voice output and said second voice output.
10) The first UE as claimed in claim 7, wherein the first UE is configured to establish the first call by initiating the first call with the second UE.
11) The first UE as claimed in claim 7, wherein the first UE is configured to establish the first call by receiving the first call from the second UE.
12) The first UE as claimed in claim 7, wherein the first UE is configured to establish the second call by initiating the second call with the third UE.
13) The first UE as claimed in claim 7, wherein the first UE is configured to establish the second call by receiving the second call from the third UE.
14) A method for handling calls in a communication network, said method comprising:
establishing, by a first User Equipment (UE), a first call with a second UE, wherein the first call is one of a circuit-switched call and a packet-switched call;
establishing, by the first UE, a second call with a third UE, while the first call is active, wherein the second call is one of a circuit-switched call and a packet-switched call;
providing a user-selectable menu to select one of a merging operation to merge the first call and the second call and a swapping operation to swap the first call and the second call; and
performing one of the merging operation or the swapping operation, locally, based on a received user selection.
15) The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the swapping operation comprises of swapping the first call and the second call, wherein swapping the first call and the second call further comprises of:
generating an output of the first UE for the first call, based on voice data collected from the second UE, while the second call is swapped for the first call; and
generating an output of the first UE for the second call, based on voice data collected from the third UE, while the first call is swapped for the second call.
Dated this 18th September 2015
Signature:
Name: Kalyan Chakravarthy

ABSTRACT
Device and method for merging or swapping calls in same or different domains, in a communication network. A first User Equipment (UE) in the communication network is configured to establish a second call while a first call is in progress; wherein the first call and the second call are in same or different domains. The UE can merge locally, upon receiving an input from a user, the first call and the second call. Similarly, the UE can swap the first call for the second call or vice-versa, based on input received from a user, while or after establishing the first call and the second call.

FIG. 3

,CLAIMS:CLAIMS
What is claimed is:
1) A method for handling calls in a communication network, said method comprising:
establishing, by a first User Equipment (UE), a first call with a second UE, wherein the first call is one of a circuit-switched call and a packet-switched call;
establishing, by the first UE, a second call with a third UE, while the first call is active, wherein the second call is one of a circuit-switched call and a packet-switched call;
receiving, by the first UE, a user input to merge the first call and the second call; and
merging locally, by the first UE, the first call and the second call, in response to receiving the user input.
2) The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein merging locally the first call and the second call further comprises of:
receiving, by the first UE, voice data of the first call from the second UE and voice data of the second call from the third UE respectively;
receiving, by the first UE, voice data from a user of the first UE, by said UE;
mixing the voice data received from the third UE and the voice data from user of said first UE to form a first voice output to be provided to the second UE; and
mixing the voice data collected from the second UE and the voice data from user of said UE to form a second voice output to be provided to the third UE.
3) The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first call with the second UE is initiated by the first UE.
4) The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first call with the second UE is initiated by the second UE.
5) The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second call with the third UE is initiated by the first UE.
6) The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second call with the third UE is initiated by the third UE.
7) A first User Equipment (UE) for handling calls in a communication network, said first UE configured for:
establishing a first call with a second UE, wherein the first call is one of a circuit-switched call and a packet-switched call;
establishing a second call with a third UE, while said first call is in progress, wherein the second call is one of a circuit-switched call and a packet-switched call;
receiving, a user input to merge the first call and the second call; and
merging locally, the first call and the second call, in response to the user input.
8) The first UE as claimed in claim 7, wherein said UE is configured to merge said first call and said second call by:
receiving, by the first UE, voice data of the first call from the second UE and voice data of the second call from the third UE respectively;
receiving, by the first UE, voice data from a user of the first UE, by said UE;
mixing the voice data received from the third UE and the voice data from user of said UE to form a first voice output to be provided to the second UE; and
mixing the voice data collected from the second UE and the voice data from user of said UE to form a second voice output to be provided to the third UE.
9) The first UE as claimed in claim 8, wherein said first UE is configured to provide an interface between an application side voice engine and a modem side voice engine in said first UE, to collect and mix voice data to form said first voice output and said second voice output.
10) The first UE as claimed in claim 7, wherein the first UE is configured to establish the first call by initiating the first call with the second UE.
11) The first UE as claimed in claim 7, wherein the first UE is configured to establish the first call by receiving the first call from the second UE.
12) The first UE as claimed in claim 7, wherein the first UE is configured to establish the second call by initiating the second call with the third UE.
13) The first UE as claimed in claim 7, wherein the first UE is configured to establish the second call by receiving the second call from the third UE.
14) A method for handling calls in a communication network, said method comprising:
establishing, by a first User Equipment (UE), a first call with a second UE, wherein the first call is one of a circuit-switched call and a packet-switched call;
establishing, by the first UE, a second call with a third UE, while the first call is active, wherein the second call is one of a circuit-switched call and a packet-switched call;
providing a user-selectable menu to select one of a merging operation to merge the first call and the second call and a swapping operation to swap the first call and the second call; and
performing one of the merging operation or the swapping operation, locally, based on a received user selection.
15) The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the swapping operation comprises of swapping the first call and the second call, wherein swapping the first call and the second call further comprises of:
generating an output of the first UE for the first call, based on voice data collected from the second UE, while the second call is swapped for the first call; and
generating an output of the first UE for the second call, based on voice data collected from the third UE, while the first call is swapped for the second call.
Dated this 18th September 2015
Signature:
Name: Kalyan Chakravarthy