TECHNICAL FIELD OF INVENTION
The invention generally relates to rendering of content. More particularly, the
invention relates to rendering real time content on a called device, without involving network
operator.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
When a phone call is made from a caller to a callee and the call is set up between a
caller device and a callee device, a forward indication, e.g. ringtone is provided on the callee
device, and a backward indication, e.g. ring back tone is sent to the caller device. A number
of improvements are possible for the basic ringtone and ring back tone. For example some
handsets/devices provide the option of selecting a specific ringtone for incoming calls from
one or more contacts saved in the address book on the handset. These ringtones may also
include videos, for example watch tones that handset owners can create or download and
apply to the contacts in their address book.
Various solutions are further available that enhance user-experience by enabling the
caller to transmit video as streamed ring tone(s) to the callee. In one solution, real time early
media is transmitted over a network before call setup between two terminals which are
adapted to communicate over the network. As such, an application server is configured to
allow transmission of real time early media in a forward and/or backward direction between
the two terminals. When early media is used to supplement a ringtone or ringback tone then
early media is sent along with a ringtone alert or a ringback tone alert. Real time early media
refers to early media that has not been pre-recorded on an application or a media server.
Examples of media include image, sound, and video.
In another solution, a reference to a resource containing real-time or near-real-time
information relating to the caller, or information deduced using the real-time or near-realtime
information; or the real-time or near-real-time information, is transmitted with a
connection establishment request to called device to provide a called user with information
on the caller. The information in the resource or the received information is displayed on the
called device before the requested connection is established so that the called user can make a
decision whether or not to answer the call.
In another solution, a call recipient is allowed to see who is calling on an incoming
video call so as to make a decision to accept or decline the incoming video call. To this end, a
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call is received on a recipient user device. In response to the received call, various options are
presented on the recipient user device such as preview call. Upon receiving a selection of a
preview call option, a two way media session is established for the call. Thereafter, the
recipient user device's ability to send video corresponding to the call is disabled and signal is
sent to a caller user device to present the following caller options: allow and decline. Upon
receiving a selection of the allow option on the caller user device, a video is captured and sent
to the recipient user device.
In another solution, a real-time call announcement is provided to a called device.
Accordingly, a called device begins receiving call announcement media without having first
engaged in session setup signaling to set up a session through which it receives the call
announcement media. In normal operation, the device would disregard such incoming media,
since no session has been set up for receiving the media. However, in this solution, the device
will also receive at about the same time a call setup request that seeks setup of the underlying
call, and the device will treat its receipt of that call setup request as a key to allow playout of
the call announcement media even though no session has been set up for receipt of the call
announcement media. The called device will then play out the call announcement media as an
announcement for the call.
In one another solution, while initiating a video call via a video calling application, a
live video feed of a caller is sent along with the video call request and the callee can view the
live video feed of the caller along with the incoming video call.
The above solutions enable viewing of a video of a caller in an incoming call so that a
callee can make a decision to accept or decline the incoming call. However, these solutions
necessitate controlling of the call (voice or video) to send the video of the caller. As such
these solutions are wholly dependent upon a network operator. Further, the video of the caller
is transmitted irrespective of a state of the called device, leading to wastage of network
resources.
Hence, there is a need to provide a solution that overcomes these deficiencies.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
In accordance with the purposes of the invention, the present invention as embodied
and broadly described herein, relates to rendering real time content on a called device,
without involving network operator.
Accordingly, an application in a calling device detects a placement of a call from the
calling device to a called device via a first communication mode. Upon detecting, the
application in the calling device transmits a call initiation trigger to a server via a second
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communication mode during the call-setup phase of the call. The first communication mode
is independent of the second communication mode. Upon receiving the call initiation trigger,
the server determines if a call reception trigger is received from the called device in response
to the call initiation trigger during the call-setup phase.
The call reception trigger is transmitted by an application in the called device during a
call set-up phase upon detection of a receipt of the call. To this end, the application in the
called device determines a state of the called device during the call set-up phase. The state is
one of an availability of the called device to receive content via a second communication
mode and an unavailability of the called device to receive content via the second
communication mode. If the state is determined to be available, the call reception trigger
indicates a start trigger. If the state is determined to be unavailable, the call reception trigger
indicates a stop trigger. The server receives the call reception trigger and accordingly
transmits a response trigger to the calling device.
If the response trigger is a start trigger, the application in the calling device captures
and streams real time content to the server during a ringing phase of the call via a second
communication mode. The sever then receives and transmits the real time content to the
called device such that the real time content is rendered on the called device during the
ringing phase. However, if the response trigger is a stop trigger, the application in the calling
device prevents the capturing and streaming of real time content to the server during a ringing
phase of the call.
Further, during the streaming of the real time content, a decline option is provided on
both the called device and the calling device. Upon receiving a selection of the decline
option, the application terminates the streaming of the real time content.
The advantages of the present invention include, but are not limited to capturing and
streaming of the real time content by the calling device during ringing phase of the call, i.e.,
at the time of ringing. Thus, the real time content is captured and streamed via the second
communication mode in parallel to the call being established via the first communication
mode. As such, the call controlling is purely independent of the transmitting of the real time
content. This completely eliminates the dependency on the network operator.
Further, the real time content is transmitted only upon receiving an indication that the
called device is available to receive the real time content. Thus, an optimization in network
resource allocation is achieved. In addition, both the caller and the callee are provided with
the option to terminate the streaming of real time content. This enhances user-experience
considerably.
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Further, the real time content is directly captured and streamed to the called device by
the calling device via the server. This eliminates the need for storing any pre-recorded video,
thereby optimizing memory space on the devices. This further enhances user-experience
considerably as callee is able to view the real time emotions of the caller.
The aspects as detailed above and other aspects as well as advantages of the same will
be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with
the accompanying drawings and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
To further clarify the advantages and features of the invention, a more particular
description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof,
which is illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict
only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of
its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail
with the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 illustrates an exemplary method implemented by a calling party device for
rendering a real time content on a called device, in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention.
Figure 2 illustrates an exemplary method implemented by a server for rendering a
real time content on the called device, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 3 illustrates an exemplary method implemented by a called device for
rendering a real time content, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 4 illustrates an exemplary calling device implementing the method as
described in Figure 1, in accordance with the embodiment of the invention.
Figure 5 illustrates an exemplary server coupled with a calling device and a called
device and implementing the method as described in Figure 2, in accordance with the
embodiment of the invention.
Figure 6 illustrates an exemplary called device implementing the method as described
in Figure 3, in accordance with the embodiment of the invention.
Figure 7 illustrates an exemplary network environment that facilitates rendering of
real time content on a called device, in accordance with an embodiment of present invention.
Figures 8-10 illustrate an exemplary flow diagram for rendering a real time content
on a called device, in accordance with the embodiment of present invention.
6
It may be noted that to the extent possible, like reference numerals have been used to
represent like elements in the drawings. Further, those of ordinary skill in the art will
appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and may not have been
necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the
drawings may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of
aspects of the invention. Furthermore, one or more elements may have been represented in
the drawings by conventional symbols, and the drawings may show only those specific
details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the invention so as not to
obscure the drawings with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the
art having the benefits of the description herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention,
reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific
language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no
limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended from the illustrated drawings. Any
alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and further applications of the
principles of the invention as illustrated therein can be contemplated that would normally
occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.
It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing general description
and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory of the invention and are
not intended to be restrictive thereof. Throughout the patent specification, a convention
employed is that in the appended drawings, like numerals denote like components.
Reference throughout this specification to “an embodiment”, “another embodiment”
or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in
connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention.
Thus, the appearances of the phrase “in an embodiment”, “in another embodiment” and
similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the
same embodiment.
The terms "comprises", "comprising", or any other variations thereof, are intended to
cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process or method that comprises a list of steps
does not include only those steps but may include other steps not expressly listed or inherent
to such process or method. Similarly, one or more devices or sub-systems or elements or
structures proceeded by "comprises... a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the
existence of other devices or other sub-systems.
7
Various embodiments of the invention will be described below in detail with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
Figures 1a to 1c illustrate an exemplary method 100 implemented by a calling device
for rendering a real time content on a called device, in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention.
Referring to Figure 1a, at step 101, a placement of a call to the called device via a
first communication mode is detected.
At step 102, a call initiation trigger is transmitted to a server during a call-setup phase
of the call. The call initiation trigger includes information of the call. The call initiation
trigger is transmitted via a second communication mode.
At step 103, a response trigger from the server is received during the call-setup phase.
The trigger is received in response to the call initiation trigger. The response trigger is
received via the second communication mode.
At step 104, a determination is made if the trigger is one of a start trigger and a stop
trigger.
Based on the determination that the trigger is start trigger, at step 105, real time
content is captured and sent to the server during a ringing phase of the call via the second
communication mode such that said real time content is rendered on the called device during
the ringing phase. The real time content includes at least one of audio, video, and multimedia.
Based on the determination that the trigger is stop trigger, capturing of the real time
content is prevented.
Further, the first communication mode is independent of the second communication
mode. The first communication mode is one of a non-data communication mode and a data
communication mode. The second communication mode is a data communication mode.
Further, the following are rendered on a display unit of the calling device upon
capturing and streaming of the real time content: (a) the streaming real time content; (b)
details of a called user associated with the called device; (c) an action icon, the action icon
being a call processing icon; and (d) a decline option. The decline option is independent of
the action icon and is displayed by a way of visual representation such as an icon and a
button. The decline option is adapted to be selected by a user to prevent further transmission
(i.e., capturing and streaming) of real time content.
Referring to Figure 1b, upon capturing and streaming the real time content at step
105, a further trigger is received from the server via the second communication mode at step
106. The further trigger is indicative of discontinuing streaming of the real time content.
8
At step 107, the capturing and streaming of the real time content to the server is
terminated.
Referring to Figure 1c, upon capturing and streaming the real time content at step
105, a user-input indicative of selection of one of the decline option and the action icon is
received at step 108.
At step 109, in response to the user-input, the capturing and streaming of the real time
content to the server is terminated.
Figures 2a and 2b illustrates an exemplary method 200 implemented by a server for
rendering a real time content on a called device, in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention.
Referring to Figure 2a, at step 201, a call initiation trigger from a calling device is
received. The call initiation trigger is indicative of a placement of call from the calling device
to a called device and includes information of the call. The call initiation trigger is received
during a call-setup phase of the call.
At step 202, a determination is made about a receipt of a call reception trigger from
the called device in response to the call initiation trigger.
Based on the determination, at step 203, a response trigger is transmitted to the calling
device. The response trigger can be one of a start trigger, a first stop trigger, and a second
stop trigger. Accordingly, the start trigger is transmitted at step 203 upon receipt of the call
reception trigger being indicative of availability of the called device to receive content. The
first stop trigger is transmitted at step 203 upon receipt of the call reception trigger being
indicative of unavailability of the called device to receive content. The second stop trigger is
transmitted at step 203 upon non-receipt of the call reception trigger.
Upon transmitting the start trigger at step 203, real time content is received from the
calling device at step 204 during a ringing phase of the call.
At step 205, the real time content is transmitted/ provided to the called device during
the ringing phase such that said real time content is rendered on the called device during the
ringing phase
Further, at step 202, a determination is also made to determine whether the call
reception trigger from the called device is received within a predetermined time from the
reception of the call initiation trigger from calling device.
Referring to Figure 2b, upon transmitting the real time content at step 205, a further
trigger is received from the called device at step 206. The further trigger indicates
discontinuing of the streaming of real time content.
9
At step 207, the stop trigger is transmitted to the calling device indicative of the
further trigger such that further transmission of the real time content is prevented.
Figures 3a and 3b illustrates an exemplary method 300 implemented on a called
device for rendering real time content, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Referring to Figure 3a, at step 301, a receipt of a call from a calling device via a first
communication mode is detected.
At step 302, a state of the called device during a call set-up phase of the call is
determined. The state is one of an availability of the called device to receive content via a
second communication mode and an unavailability of the called device to receive content via
the second communication mode.
At step 303, a call reception trigger is transmitted to the server via the second
communication mode based on the determined state during the call set-up phase. The call
reception trigger is one of a start trigger and a busy trigger. The start trigger is indicative of
availability of the called device to receive content. The busy trigger is indicative of
unavailability of the called device to receive content.
When the call reception trigger is the start trigger, then at step 304, real time content
is received from the server via the second communication mode during a ringing phase of the
call. The real time content is being captured and streamed by the calling device.
At step 305, the real time content is rendered on a display unit by the called device. In
addition to the real time content, the following are also displayed on the display unit: (a)
details of a calling user associated with the calling device; (b) an action icon, the action icon
being a call processing icon; and (c) a decline option. The decline option is independent of
the action icon and is displayed by a way of visual representation such as an icon and a
button. The decline option is adapted to be selected by a user to prevent further reception of
real time content.
Referring to Figure 3b, upon rendering the real time content at step 305, a user-input
indicative of selection of one of the decline option and the action icon is received at step 306.
At step 307, a further trigger is transmitted to the server. The further trigger is
indicative of discontinuing streaming of the real time content.
Figure 4 illustrates an exemplary calling device 400 for rendering a real time content
on a called device, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The calling device
400 is any electronic device capable of making and receiving a voice call over a
communication network and capable of communicating over data communication mode and
non-data communication mode. Examples of the calling device 400 include, but are not
10
limited to, smart phone, laptop, tablet, an enhanced general packet radio service (EGPRS)
enabled mobile phone, Personal Digital Assistance (PDA), and smart wearable devices such
as smart watch.
Referring to Figure 4, the calling device 400 performs the method 100 described in
conjunctions with Figures 1a-1c. The calling device 400 comprises a detecting unit 401, a
trigger transmitting unit 402, a trigger receiving unit 403, a control unit 404, content
streaming unit 405, and a display unit 406.
The detecting unit 401 detects a placement of a call to the called device via a first
communication mode. As such, the trigger transmitting unit 402 transmits a call initiation
trigger to a server during a call-setup phase of the call. The call initiation trigger includes
information of the call. In response to the call initiation trigger, the trigger receiving unit 403
receives a response trigger from the server during the call-setup phase. As would be
understood, the call-setup phase precedes the establishment of a call and includes all of the
steps necessary to establish the call between a calling device and a called device.
Thereafter, the control unit 404 determines if said trigger is one of a start trigger and a
stop trigger. Upon determining the trigger is a start trigger, the control unit 404
instructs/invokes the content streaming unit 405 to capture and stream real time content to the
server during a ringing phase of the call via a second communication mode such that said real
time content is rendered on the called device during the ringing phase. In an example, the
content streaming unit 405 is an image/video capturing unit. As such, the control unit 404
may invoke the content streaming unit 405, i.e. the image/video capturing unit, to capture the
content in real time at the time of ringing-phase of the call. In an example, the content is a
real time video of the calling party/user. However, upon determining the trigger is a stop
trigger, the control unit 404 prevents the calling device to capture and stream the real time
content. As would be understood, the ringing phase indicates the establishment of a call and
includes providing a forward indication, e.g. ringtone on a callee device, and a backward
indication, e.g. ring back tone to a caller device.
Further, the control unit 404 instructs the content streaming unit 405 to display the
captured content on the display unit 406.
Further, the calling device 400 may include a memory 407 to store data generated by
the various units during operation of the calling device 400. The memory 407 may include a
random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), and/or other type of memory to
store data and instructions that may be used by the above units. In one implementation, the
memory 407 also includes an application 408 for enabling the calling device 400 to perform
11
aforesaid functions. In one implementation, the application 408 can include plurality of
modules for performing different functions. In another implementation, the application 408
can include one module for performing different functions. In such implementations, the
detecting unit 401, the trigger transmitting unit 402, the trigger receiving unit 403, and the
control unit 404 can be part of the application 408. In one example, the application 408 may
be a pre-installed application or pre-loaded application at time of manufacturing of the calling
device 400. In another example, the application 408 may be downloaded from the server by a
user. In an alternative implementation, the functionalities provided by the application 408
may be implemented via an inbuilt dedicated module such as the detecting unit 401, the
trigger transmitting unit 402, the trigger receiving unit 403, and the control unit 404 in the
calling device 400, as illustrated in the figure. The application 408 may include one or more
of routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc., which perform particular
tasks, functions or implement particular abstract data types. The memory 407 may also
include other data that stores, amongst other things, login ids, passwords, and data processed,
received, and generated by the application 408.
Further, in one implementation, the detecting unit 401, the trigger transmitting unit
402, the trigger receiving unit 403, and the control unit 404 can be software modules. In one
implementation, the detecting unit 401, the trigger transmitting unit 402, the trigger receiving
unit 403, and the control unit 404 can be hardware modules. In one implementation, the
detecting unit 401, the trigger transmitting unit 402, the trigger receiving unit 403, and the
control unit 404 can be combination of software and hardware modules. In one
implementation, a single unit can perform functions of any combination of the units from the
detecting unit 401, the trigger transmitting unit 402, the trigger receiving unit 403, and the
control unit 404.
The calling device 400 may further include a processor (not shown in the figure). The
processor can be a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics-processing unit (GPU), or both.
The memory 407 may store instructions necessary for functioning of the calling device 400
and executed by the processor. In one implementation, detecting unit 401, the trigger
transmitting unit 402, the trigger receiving unit 403, and the control unit 404 can be integral
to the processor. In one implementation, any one of the detecting unit 401, the trigger
transmitting unit 402, the trigger receiving unit 403, and the control unit 404 can be internal
to the processor. In one implementation, all of the detecting unit 401, the trigger transmitting
12
unit 402, the trigger receiving unit 403, and the control unit 404 can be external to the
processor.
Although specific units/modules have been illustrated in the figure and described
above, it should be understood that the calling device 400 may include other hardware
modules or software module or combinations as may be required for performing various
functions.
Figure 5 illustrates an exemplary server 500 coupled with a calling device and a
called device for rendering a real time content on a called device, in accordance with an
embodiment of the invention. In accordance with said embodiment, the server 500 is a
network operator independent server that performs the method 200 described in conjunctions
with Figure 2. In other words, the server 500 serves subscribers of the network operator
without requiring any trigger/signal from the network operator. Further, the server 500 is
implemented as a backend server hosting an application, such as application 408, for
providing ability to caller party to stream real time multimedia information to the called party
at the time of ringing. In an implementation, the server 500 may be implemented as a cloud
based server. The server 500 includes a trigger receiving unit 501, a control unit 502, a
trigger transmitting unit 503, a content receiving unit 504, and a content transmitting unit
505.
In accordance with the invention, the trigger receiving unit 501 receives a call
initiation trigger from a calling device. The call initiation trigger indicative of a placement of
call from the calling device to a called device and includes information of the call, and said
call initiation trigger being received during a call-setup phase of the call. As would be
understood, the call-setup phase precedes the establishment of a call and includes all of the
steps necessary to establish the call between a calling device and a called device.
Thereafter, the control unit 502 determines a receipt of a call reception trigger from
the called device in response to the call initiation trigger during the call-setup phase. Based
on said determination, the control unit 502 instructs the trigger transmitting unit 503 to
transmit one of: (a) start trigger; (b) a first stop trigger; and (c) a second stop trigger.
Accordingly, the trigger transmitting unit 503 transmits the start trigger upon receipt of the
call reception trigger being indicative of availability of the called device to receive content.
The trigger transmitting unit 503 transmits the first stop trigger upon receipt of the call
reception trigger being indicative of unavailability of the called device to receive content. The
13
trigger transmitting unit 503 transmits the second stop trigger upon non-receipt of the call
reception trigger.
Upon transmitting the start trigger, the content receiving unit 504 receives a real time
content from the calling device during a ringing phase of the call, and the content transmitting
unit 505 transmits the real time content to the called device during the ringing phase such that
said real time content is rendered on the called device during the ringing phase. As would be
understood, the ringing phase indicates the establishment of a call and includes providing a
forward indication, e.g. ringtone on a callee device, and a backward indication, e.g. ring back
tone to a caller device.
The server 500 may further include a memory 506. The memory 506 may be a main
memory, a static memory, or a dynamic memory. The memory 506 may include, but does not
limit itself to computer readable storage media such as various types of volatile and nonvolatile
storage media, including but not limited to random access memory, read-only
memory, programmable read-only memory, electrically programmable read-only memory,
electrically erasable read-only memory, flash memory, magnetic tape or disk, optical media
and the like. In one example, the memory 506 includes a cache or random access memory for
the control unit 502. In alternative examples, the memory 506 is separate from the control
unit 502, such as a cache memory of a processor, the system memory, or other memory. The
memory 506 may be an external storage device or database for storing data. Examples
include a hard drive, compact disc ("CD"), digital video disc ("DVD"), memory card,
memory stick, floppy disc, universal serial bus ("USB") memory device, or any other device
operative to store data. The memory 506 is operable to store instructions executable by the
control unit 502. The functions, acts or tasks illustrated in the figures or described may be
performed by the control unit 502 executing the instructions stored in the memory 506. The
functions, acts or tasks are independent of the particular type of instructions set, storage
media, processor or processing strategy and may be performed by software, hardware,
integrated circuits, firm-ware, micro-code and the like, operating alone or in combination.
Likewise, processing strategies may include multiprocessing, multitasking, parallel
processing and the like.
The server 500 interacts with the calling device and the called device via a
communication mode. The communication mode is a data communication mode only. Said
data communication mode may include wired networks, wireless networks, Ethernet AVB
networks, or combinations thereof.
14
In an alternative example, dedicated hardware implementations, such as application
specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arrays and other hardware devices, can be
constructed to implement various parts of the server 500.
The present invention can be implemented on a variety of electronic and computing
systems. For instance, one or more examples described may implement functions using two
or more specific interconnected hardware modules or devices with related control and data
signals that can be communicated between and through the modules, or as portions of an
application-specific integrated circuit. Accordingly, the server 500 encompasses software,
firmware, and hardware implementations.
Any one or more of the methods or logic as described may be implemented in part by
software programs executable by a computing system. Further, in a non-limited example,
implementations can include distributed processing, component/object distributed processing
and parallel processing. Alternatively, virtual computing system processing can be
constructed to implement various parts of the server 500.
The server 500 is not limited to operation with any particular standards and protocols.
For example, standards for Internet and other packet switched network transmission (e.g.,
TCP/IP, UDP/IP, HTML, and HTTP) may be used. Such standards are periodically
superseded by faster or more efficient equivalents having essentially the same functions.
Accordingly, replacement standards and protocols having the same or similar functions as
those disclosed are considered equivalents thereof.
Although specific units/modules have been illustrated in the figure and described
above, it should be understood that the server 500 may include other hardware modules or
software module or combinations as may be required for performing various functions.
Figure 6 illustrates an exemplary called device 600, in accordance with an
embodiment of the invention. The called device 600 is any electronic device capable of
making and receiving a voice call over a voice communication network and capable of
communicating over data communication mode and non-data communication mode.
Examples of the called device 600 include smart phone, laptop, tablet, an enhanced general
packet radio service (EGPRS) enabled mobile phone, Personal Digital Assistance (PDA), and
smart wearable devices such as smart watch.
Referring to Figure 6, the called device 600 performs the method 300 described in
conjunctions with Figure 3. The called device 600 comprises a detecting unit 601, a control
unit 602, a trigger transmitting unit 603, a content receiving unit 604, rendering unit 605 and
a display unit 606.
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In accordance with the invention, the detecting unit 601 detects receipt of a call from a
calling device via a first communication mode. Thereafter, the control unit 602 determines a
state of the called device 600 during a call set-up phase of the call. The state is one of an
availability of the called device to receive content via a second communication mode and an
unavailability of the called device to receive content via the second communication mode. As
would be understood, the call-setup phase precedes the establishment of a call and includes
all of the steps necessary to establish the call between a calling device and a called device.
Upon determining the state of the called device 600, the control unit 602 instructs the
trigger transmitting unit 603 to transmit a call reception trigger to the server via the second
communication mode based on the determined state during the call set-up phase. The call
reception trigger is one of a start trigger when the state of the called device 600 is available
and a busy trigger when the state of the called device 600 is unavailable. The unavailability
can be due to various factors such as the called device 600 being busy due to an ongoing-call,
network congestion, prior-settings, user-preference, non-existence of the second
communication mode, etc.
Upon transmitting the call reception trigger as the start trigger, the content receiving
unit 604 receives real time content from the server via the second communication mode
during a ringing phase of the call. The real time content being captured and streamed by the
calling device. The rendering unit 605 then renders the real time content on the display unit
606. As would be understood, the ringing phase indicates the establishment of a call and
includes providing a forward indication, e.g. ringtone on a callee device, and a backward
indication, e.g. ring back tone to a caller device. In an example, the rendering unit 605 can be
a media content player to play/display the real time content.
Further, the called device 600 may include a memory 607 to store data generated by
the various units during operation of the called device 600. The memory 607 may include a
random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), and/or other type of memory to
store data and instructions that may be used by the above units. In one implementation, the
memory 607 also includes an application 608 for enabling the called device 600 to perform
aforesaid functions. In one implementation, the application 608 can include plurality of
modules for performing different functions. In another implementation, the application 608
can include one module for performing different functions. In such implementations, the
detecting unit 601, the control unit 602, the trigger transmitting unit 603, and the content
receiving unit 604 can be part of the application 608. In one example, the application 608
may be a pre-installed application or pre-loaded application at time of manufacturing of the
16
called device 600. In another example, the application 608 may be downloaded from the
server by a user. In an alternative implementation, the functionalities provided by the
application 608 may be implemented via an inbuilt dedicated module in the called device
600. The application 608 may include one or more of routines, programs, objects,
components, data structures, etc., which perform particular tasks, functions or implement
particular abstract data types. The memory 607 may also include other data that stores,
amongst other things, login ids, passwords, and data processed, received, and generated by
the application 608.
Further, in one implementation, the detecting unit 601, the control unit 602, the
trigger transmitting unit 603, and the content receiving unit 604 can be software modules. In
one implementation, the detecting unit 601, the control unit 602, the trigger transmitting unit
603, and the content receiving unit 604 can be hardware modules. In one implementation, the
detecting unit 601, the control unit 602, the trigger transmitting unit 603, and the content
receiving unit 604 can be combination of software and hardware modules. In one
implementation, a single unit can perform functions of any combination of the units from the
detecting unit 601, the control unit 602, the trigger transmitting unit 603, and the content
receiving unit 604.
The called device 600 may further include a processor (not shown in the figure). The
processor can be a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics-processing unit (GPU), or both.
The memory 607 may store instructions necessary for functioning of the called device 600
and executed by the processor. In one implementation, the detecting unit 601, the control unit
602, the trigger transmitting unit 603, and the content receiving unit 604 can be integral to the
processor. In one implementation, any one of the detecting unit 601, the control unit 602, the
trigger transmitting unit 603, and the content receiving unit 604 can be internal to the
processor. In one implementation, all of the detecting unit 601, the control unit 602, the
trigger transmitting unit 603, and the content receiving unit 604 can be external to the
processor.
Although specific units/modules have been illustrated in the figure and described
above, it should be understood that the called device 600 may include other hardware
modules or software module or combinations as may be required for performing various
functions.
Figures 7 to 10 illustrate network environment and corresponding flow diagrams of
the invention, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Those skilled in the art
17
will appreciate that the flow diagrams are exemplary in nature; there could be many more
situations wherein the concepts of present invention could be utilized to achieve one or more
advantages of the present invention. The exemplary flow diagrams described hereinafter
implement the present invention through an application available in user devices of both
calling party and called party. The application be a pre-installed application or can be an
external application requiring download and installation.
Figure 7 illustrates an exemplary network environment 700 that facilitates providing
of real time content to a called device at time of ringing without involving network operator,
in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In such embodiment, a calling
device 701 and a called device 702 communicate with each other over network 703 to
establish a voice call. The network 703 can be traditional voice communication network such
PSTN and mobile communication network to establish voice call. The network 703 can be
data communication network to establish voice call over data via applications. Examples of
such data communication network include but not limited to, wired networks such LAN and
WAN; and wireless networks such as cloud, Wi-Fi, Internet, and Bluetooth. Examples of
such applications include, but not limited to, video calling applications and chat applications.
The calling device 701 and the called device 702 include components as illustrated and
described in reference to Figures 4 and 6 above respectively. Examples of the calling device
701 and the called device 702 include, but not limited to, smart phone, laptop, tablet, an
enhanced general packet radio service (EGPRS) enabled mobile phone, Personal Digital
Assistance (PDA), and smart wearable devices such as smart watch.
In accordance with the invention, the calling device 701 initiates a call to the called
device 702 over the network 703. Typically, a first network component (not shown in the
figure) in the network 701 receives outgoing call initiated from the calling device 701 to
establish a voice communications link between the calling device 701 and the called device
702. The first network component routes the call attempt to a second network component in
the network 701 for establishing the communications link between the calling device 701 and
the called device 702. Examples of the first network component and second network
component include, but do not limit themselves to, a mobile switching centre (MSC), a base
station subsystem (BSS), a radio access network (RAN), a telephone exchange, and a
telephone switch, associated with the calling device 701 and the called device 702. The
second network component is either the same as the first network component or one of
multiple network components excluding the first network component.
18
Further, the calling device 701 and the called device 702 are communicatively
coupled with a server 704 over a wireless network 705 such as cloud, Wi-Fi, Internet, and
Bluetooth and mobile data. Thus, the communication between the calling device 701 and the
called device 702 is independent and different from the communication with the server 704.
As such, the communication between the calling device 701 and the called device 702 is via
first communication mode (represented by solid arrow) whereas the communication between
the calling device 701 and the server 704; and between the called device 702 and the server
704 is via second communication mode (represented by dashed arrow). The server 704
includes components as illustrated and described in reference to Figure 5 above.
Further, the server 704 is independent of a network operator of the network 703.
Examples of such network operator include, but not limited to, a telephone exchange and
telephone switch in a PSTN and a mobile switching centre (MSC) in a mobile
communication network. In other words, the server 704 is independent of the first network
component and the second network component. As such, the server 704 serves subscribers of
the network operator without requiring any trigger/signal from the network operator or either
of the first network component and the second network component.
The server 704 is a backend server hosting an application for enabling the calling
device 701 to provide/stream real time content to the called device 702 at the time of ringing.
As such, an application 706 is available in both the calling device 701 as the application 408
and in the called device 702 as the application 608. In one example, the application 706 may
be a pre-installed application or pre-loaded application at time of manufacturing of the calling
device 701 and the called device 702. In another example, the application 706 may be
downloaded from the server 704 by users of the calling device 701 and the called device 702.
Referring to Figure 8, an exemplary flow diagram 800 is illustrated for registering
with the server 704 through the application 706, in accordance with an embodiment of
present invention.
At step 801, user of the calling device 701 creates an account via the application 706
at the server 704. Accordingly, the user registers a mobile number or Mobile Station
International Subscriber Directory Number (MSISDN) of the calling device 701 with the
server 704, as known in the art.
Thereafter, the server 704 stores the MSISDN of the calling device 701 and
authenticates the calling device 701 as known in the art. In one example, the server 704 sends
a one-time password (OTP) to the calling device 701 for authentication of the calling device
701.
19
At step 802, user of the called device 702 creates an account via the application 706 at
the server 704. Accordingly, the user registers a mobile number or Mobile Station
International Subscriber Directory Number (MSISDN) of the called device 702 with the
server 704, as known in the art.
Thereafter, the server 704 stores the MSISDN of the called device 702 and
authenticates the called device 702 as known in the art. In one example, the server 704 sends
a one-time password (OTP) to the called device 702 for authentication of the called device
702.
As would be understood from the above, the implementation of the above invention
necessitates both the calling device 701 and the called device 702 to create an account with
the server 704 via the application 706.
Upon authentication of the calling device 701, the application 706 obtains a contact
list of the calling device 701 and saves contacts present in the contact list at the server 704.
Similarly, upon authentication of the called device 702, the application 706 obtains a contact
list of the called device 702 and saves contacts present in the contact list at the server 704.
Likewise, the application 706 in mobile devices of contacts saves contact list at the server
704. This enables the server 704 to identify contacts having the application 706 in their
respective mobile devices. Thereafter, the application 706 in all devices including the devices
(701,702) receives information of the identified contacts from the server 704 when a data
connection is available between the devices and the server 704. This enables the application
706 and the server 704 to send and receive trigger from devices having the application 706.
At this stage, the registration of the calling device 701 & the called device 702 with the server
704 is completed.
Further, the server 704 stores details of the calling device 701 and the called device
702 in a database (not shown in the figure), in their corresponding accounts, as known in the
art. In one example, the database can be external to the server 704. In another example, the
database can be internal to the server 704.
Though the registration process is illustrated in two sequential steps, it would be
understood that either of the steps can be performed at any time independent of each other.
Referring to Figures 9a, 9b, and 10, an exemplary flow diagram 900 is illustrated for
providing real time content to a called device at time of ringing without involving network
operator, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Referring to Figure 9a, at step 901, the calling device 701 initiates or places a call to
the called device 702. The call will be directed over the network 703 over the first
20
communication mode and independent of the server 704. The call can be initiated either by
dialling a number on the calling device 702 or via applications such as chat application and
video calling application, as known in the art.
At step 902, the application 706 in the calling device 701 detects the placement of the
call and transmits a call initiation trigger to the server 704 over the network 705. The call
initiation trigger is indicative of the call and includes information of a call from the calling
device 701 to the called device 702 such as calling party number, called party number, date of
the call, and time-stamp of the call. The call initiation trigger is transmitted via the second
communication mode to the server 704. The call initiation trigger may also include a query to
the server 704 to confirm if the call according to the details of the call is received by the
called device 702. In one example, such a call initiation trigger can be sent by the calling
device 701 using a message frame, as known in the art.
Further, the transmission of the call initiation trigger is independent of the call being
established with the called device 702. In other words, the application 706 may transmit the
call initiation trigger during a call setup phase irrespective of the first network component
receiving the call. In one example, the application 706 transmits the call initiation trigger
after an elapse of predetermined time such as 2 seconds from placement of the call. In
another example, the application 706 transmits the call initiation trigger simultaneously with
the placement of the outgoing call. As would be understood, the call-setup phase precedes the
establishment of the call between the calling device 701 and the called device 702, and
includes all of the steps necessary to establish the call
Accordingly, the application 706 determines existence or availability of data
connection/second communication mode in the calling device 701 with the server 704.
Examples of the data connection include, but are not limited to, Wi-Fi, LAN data, and mobile
data. As would be understood, the existence or availability of second communication mode in
a device is availability of capability in the device to communicate data over the data
connection, although the data connection may or may not be active in the device at the time
of sending the data. In case the second communication mode exists, the application 706
delivers the call initiation trigger to the server 704 via the data connection. If the data
connection is not active, the application 706 activates the data connection and transmits the
request trigger. In case data connection does not exist, the application 706 remains inactive
and as such further steps as described below are not followed. In such case, the call is
established, and forward and backward indications are provided to respect devices as known
in the art.
21
At step 903, upon receiving the call initiation trigger, the server 704 determines if a
call reception trigger is received from the called device 702. The call reception trigger is one
of a start trigger and a busy trigger. The start trigger is indicative of availability of the called
device 702 to receive content via the second communication mode. The busy trigger is
indicative of unavailability of the called device 702 to receive content via the second
communication mode. The unavailability can be due to various factors such as called device
702 being busy due to an ongoing-call, network congestion, prior-settings, user-preference,
non-existence of the second communication mode, etc.
Thus, the application 706 in the called device 702 determines a state of the called
device 702 as being available or unavailable. The application 706 in the called device 702
determines the state by monitoring the above mentioned factors in a manner as known in the
art. Based on the determination, the application 706 sends the call reception trigger as one of
the start trigger and the busy trigger to the server 704. The call reception trigger includes
calling party number, called party number, date of the call, and time-stamp of the call. The
call reception trigger is transmitted via the second communication mode. In one example, the
application 706 in the called device 702 can send the call reception trigger using a message
frame, as known in the art. The message frame may include a single character indicative of
availability or unavailability of the called device 702.
Further, the transmission of the call reception trigger is independent of the call being
established with the called device 704. In other words, the application 706 may transmit the
call initiation trigger during the call setup phase irrespective of the first/second network
component receiving the call. In one example, the application 706 transmits the call initiation
trigger after an elapse of predetermined time such as 2 seconds from reception of the
incoming call. In another example, the application 706 transmits the call initiation trigger
simultaneously with the reception of the incoming call.
Accordingly, in one implementation, the application 706 determines existence or
availability of data connection/second communication mode in the called device 702 with the
server 704. Examples of the data connection include, but are not limited to, Wi-Fi, LAN data,
and mobile data. As would be understood, the existence or availability of second
communication mode in a device is availability of capability in the device to communicate
data over the data connection, although the data connection may or may not be active in the
device at the time of sending the data. In case the second communication mode exists, the
application 706 delivers the request trigger to the server 704 via the data connection and
control flows are described below from step 904. If the data connection is not active, the
22
application 706 activates the data connection and transmits the request trigger. In case data
connection does not exist, the application 706 remains inactive and the control flows are
described in Figure 10.
At step 904, the application in the called device 702 transmits the call reception
trigger as the start trigger (represented by dashed lines). As such, the server 704 determines
the receipt of the call reception trigger at step 903. Consequently, at step 905, the server 704
transmits a start response trigger to the calling device 701 indicative of the availability of the
called device 702 to receive the content. The start trigger may include details of the call such
as calling party number, called party number, date of the call and time-stamp of the call. The
start response trigger is sent over the second communication mode.
Upon receiving the start trigger, the application 706 in the calling device 701 captures
real time content at step 906 during a ringing phase of the call. As described earlier, upon
receiving the start trigger, the content streaming unit captures the real time content. As such
the control unit may invoke the content streaming unit to capture the content in real time at
the ringing-phase of the call. In an example, the content is a real time video of the calling
party/user. As would be understood, the ringing phase indicates the establishment of the call
between the calling device 701 and the called device 702.
At step 907, the application 706 in the calling device 701 streams the real time content
to the server 704 during the ringing phase. Further, the application 706 in the calling device
701 displays the real time content on the display unit along with the details a called user and
an action icon. In one implementation, the application 706 displays the real time content by
superimposing the real time content on backward indication provided on the called device
702. In one implementation, the application 706 renders the real time content by interrupting
the backward indication.
At step 908, the server receives the real time content and transmits the real time
content to the called device 702 during the ringing phase.
Thus, referring to Figure 9b, at step 909a, the application 706 in the called device 702
renders the real time content during the ringing phase and at step 909b, the call is established
between the calling device 701 and the called device702. In one implementation, the
application 706 renders the real time content by superimposing the real time content on
forward indication provided on the called device 702. In one implementation, the application
706 renders the real time content by interrupting the forward indication. It would be
understood, the call establishment indicates that a call has been completed between the
23
calling device and the called device, and not the calling user and the called user are in
conversation over the call.
At steps 910 & 911, the application 706 in the calling device 701 and called device
702 provide decline option on display units of the calling device 701 and called device 702.
The decline option is presented along with the details of a called user/calling user and the
action icon. The action icon is a call processing icon to accept/reject/terminate the
incoming/outgoing call. The decline option in the calling device 701 is an option adapted to
be selected by the calling user to prevent further transmission (i.e., capturing and streaming)
of real time content prior to acceptance/rejection of the incoming call by the called user or
termination of the outgoing call by the calling user using the action icon. The decline option
in the called device 702 is an option adapted to be selected by the called user to prevent
further reception of real time content prior to acceptance/rejection of the incoming call by the
called user or termination of the outgoing call by the calling user using the action icon. Thus,
the decline option is independent of the action icon.
Thus, in one event, the calling user can select the decline option or the action icon at
the calling device 701 indicating termination of the call prior to beginning of conversation
between the calling user and the called user over the call established at step 909b.
Consequently, at step 912, upon receiving the selection of the decline option or the action
icon at the calling device 701, the application 706 in the calling device 701 terminates the
capturing of the real time content & no further transmission of content is made from the
calling device 701 to the server 704.
In another event, the called user can select the decline option or the action icon at the
called device 702 indicating rejection of the call prior to beginning of conversation between
the calling user and the called user over the call established at step 909b. As such, at step 913,
upon receiving the selection of the decline option or the action icon at the called device 702,
the application 706 in the called device 702 transmits a stop trigger indicative of
terminating/discontinuing the transmission of the real time content.
At step 914, the server 704 transmits a stop trigger to the calling device 701
(represented by dashed lines).
At step 915, upon receiving the stop trigger, the application 706 in the calling device
701 prevents the capturing of the real time content and terminates/stops streaming of the real
time content.
In another event, at step 916, the called user can select the action icon at the called
device 702 indicating acceptance of the call and beginning a conversation with the calling
24
user over the call established at step 909b. Consequently, at step 917, the application 706 in
the calling device 701 terminates the capturing of the real time content & no further
transmission of content is made from the calling device 701 to the server 704. The steps 912
to 917 are represented by dashed lines to indicate any of the above described events can take
place independent of each other
Referring to Figure 10, at step 1001, the calling device 701 initiates or places a call to
the called device 702, as described at step 901.
At step 1002, the application 706 in the calling device 701 detects the placement of
the call and transmits a call initiation trigger to the server 704 over the network 705, as
described at step 902.
At step 1003, upon receiving the call initiation trigger, the server 704 determines if a
call reception trigger is received from the called device 702, as described at step 903.
If at step 1004, the application in the called device 702 transmits the call reception
trigger as the busy trigger (represented by dashed lines), the server 704 determines the receipt
of the call reception trigger at step 1003, as described earlier. However, if at step 1004, the
application in the called device 702 does not transmit the call reception trigger due to various
factors such as network congestion and non-existence of the second communication mode,
the server 704 determines a non-receipt of the call reception trigger. In addition, the server
704 determines the non-receipt of the call reception trigger if the call reception trigger is not
received within a predetermined time. In an example, the server 704 starts a timer to count
elapse of the predetermined time. In one example, the predetermined time is 5 milliseconds.
In either of the case, i.e., reception of the call reception trigger as busy trigger and
non-receipt of the call reception trigger itself, the server 704 transmits a stop trigger to the
calling device 701 at step 1005. Upon receiving the stop trigger, the application 706 in the
calling device 701 prevents capturing of the real time content at step 1006 & no transmission
of content is made from the calling device 701 to the server 704. Consequently, a normal call
is established at step 1007, as described at step 909b.
Thus, the present invention enables capturing and streaming of real time content by a
calling device in parallel to a call being established between the calling device and a called
device. As such, the call controlling is purely independent of the transmitting of the real time
content, thereby completely eliminating the dependency on the network operator.
Further, the real time content is transmitted only upon receiving an indication that the
called device is available to receive the real time content. Thus, an optimization in network
resource allocation is achieved. In addition, both the caller and the callee are provided with
25
the option to terminate the streaming real time content. This enhances user-experience
considerably.
While certain present preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated
and described herein, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. Clearly,
the invention may be otherwise variously embodied, and practiced within the scope of the
following claims.

We Claim:
1. A method for rendering a real time content on a called device, said method
comprising:
 detecting, by a detection unit of a calling device, a placement of a call to the
called device via a first communication mode;
 transmitting, by a trigger transmitting unit of the calling device, a call
initiation trigger to a server during a call-setup phase of the call, the call
initiation trigger including information of the call;
 receiving, by a trigger receiving unit of the calling device, a response trigger
from the server during the call-setup phase, said trigger being in response to
the call initiation trigger;
 determining, by a control unit of the calling device, said trigger is one of a
start trigger and a stop trigger; and
 capturing and streaming, by a content streaming unit of the calling device, a
real time content to the server during a ringing phase of the call via a second
communication mode when the trigger is start trigger such that said real time
content is rendered on the called device during the ringing phase.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first communication mode is
independent of the second communication mode, the first communication mode being
one of a non-data communication mode and a data communication mode and the
second communication mode being a data communication mode.
3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the call initiation trigger is transmitted via
the second communication mode.
4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the response trigger is received via the
second communication mode.
5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the real time content includes at least one
of audio, video, and multimedia.
6. The method as claimed in claim 1, said method further comprising:
27
 preventing, by the control unit, capturing of the real time content when the
trigger is the stop trigger.
7. The method as claimed in claim 1, said method further comprising:
 rendering, by the control unit, on a display unit:
o the streaming real time content;
o details of a called user associated with the called device;
o an action icon, the action icon being a call processing icon; and
o a decline option, said decline option being independent of the action
icon.
8. The method as claimed in claim 7, said method further comprising:
 receiving, by the trigger receiving unit, a further trigger from the server via the
second communication mode, said further trigger being indicative of
discontinuing streaming of the real time content; and
 terminating, by the control unit, the capturing and streaming of the real time
content to the server in response to the further trigger.
9. The method as claimed in claim 7, said method further comprising:
 receiving, by the control unit, a user-input indicative of selection of one of the
decline option and the action icon; and
 terminating, by the control unit, the capturing and streaming of the real time
content to the server.
10. A method for rendering a real time content on a called device, said method
comprising:
 receiving, by a trigger receiving unit of a server, a call initiation trigger from a
calling device, said call initiation trigger indicative of a placement of call from
the calling device to a called device and including information of the call, and
said call initiation trigger being received during a call-setup phase of the call;
 determining, by a control unit of the server, a receipt of a call reception trigger
from the called device in response to the call initiation trigger during the callsetup
phase;
28
 based on said determination, transmitting to the calling device, by a trigger
transmitting unit of the server, one of:
o a start trigger upon receipt of the call reception trigger being indicative
availability of the called device to receive content;
o a first stop trigger upon receipt of the call reception trigger being
indicative of unavailability of the called device to receive content; and
o a second stop trigger upon non-receipt of the call reception trigger;
 receiving, by the server, a real time content from the calling device during a
ringing phase of the call upon transmitting the start trigger; and
 providing, by the server, the real time content to the called device during the
ringing phase such that said real time content is rendered on the called device
during the ringing phase.
11. The method as claimed in claim 10, said method further comprising:
 determining, by the control unit, a receipt of the call reception trigger from the
called device within a predetermined time from the reception of the call
initiation trigger from calling device.
12. The method as claimed in claim 10, said method further comprising:
 receiving, by the trigger receiving unit, a further trigger from the called
device, said further trigger being indicative of discontinuing streaming of the
real time content; and
 transmitting, by the trigger transmitting unit, the further trigger to the calling
device.
13. A method for rendering a real time content on a called device, said method
comprising:
 detecting, by detecting unit of the called device, a receipt of a call from a
calling device via a first communication mode;
 determining, by a control unit of the called device, a state of the called device
during a call set-up phase of the call, said state being one of an availability of
the called device to receive content via a second communication mode and an
29
unavailability of the called device to receive content via the second
communication mode;
 transmitting, by a trigger transmitting unit of the called device, a call reception
trigger to the server via the second communication mode based on the
determined state during the call set-up phase, said call reception trigger being
one of a start trigger and a busy trigger;
 receiving, by a content receiving unit of the called device, a real time content
from the server via the second communication mode during a ringing phase of
the call when the call reception trigger is the start trigger, the real time content
being captured and streamed by the calling device; and
 rendering, by rendering unit of the called device, the real time content on a
display unit.
14. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein:
a. the start trigger is indicative of availability of the called device to receive
content; and
b. the busy trigger is indicative of unavailability of the called device to receive
content.
15. The method as claimed in claim 13, said rendering further comprising:
 rendering, by the rendering unit, on the display unit:
o details of a calling user associated with the calling device;
o an action icon, the action icon being a call processing icon; and
o a decline option, said decline option being independent of the action
icon.
16. The method as claimed in claim 15, said method further comprising:
 receiving, by the control unit, a user-input indicative of selection of one of the
decline option and the action icon; and
 transmitting, by the trigger transmitting unit, a further trigger to the server,
said further trigger being indicative of discontinuing streaming of the real
time content.
30
17. A calling device for rendering a real time content on a called device, said calling
device comprising:
 a detection unit to detect a placement of a call to the called device via a first
communication mode;
 a trigger transmitting unit to transmit a call initiation trigger to a server during
a call-setup phase of the call, the call initiation trigger including information
of the call;
 a trigger receiving unit to receive a response trigger from the server during the
call-setup phase, said trigger being in response to the call initiation trigger;
 a control unit to determine said trigger is one of a start trigger and a stop
trigger; and
 a content streaming unit to capture and stream a real time content to the server
during a ringing phase of the call via a second communication mode when the
trigger is start trigger such that said real time content is rendered on the called
device during the ringing phase.
18. A server communicatively coupled with a calling device and a called device for
rendering a real time content on the called device, said server comprising:
 a trigger receiving unit to receive a call initiation trigger from a calling device,
said call initiation trigger indicative of a placement of call from the calling
device to a called device and including information of the call, and said call
initiation trigger being received during a call-setup phase of the call;
 a control unit to determine a receipt of a call reception trigger from the called
device in response to the call initiation trigger during the call-setup phase;
 a trigger transmitting unit to transmit, based on said determination, one of:
o a start trigger upon receipt of the call reception trigger being indicative
of availability of the called device to receive content;
o a first stop trigger upon receipt of the call reception trigger being
indicative of unavailability of the called device to receive content; and
o a second stop trigger upon non-receipt of the call reception trigger;
 a content receiving unit to receive a real time content from the calling device
during a ringing phase of the call upon transmitting the start trigger; and
31
 a content transmitting unit to transmit the real time content to the called device
during the ringing phase such that said real time content is rendered on the
called device during the ringing phase.
19. A called device for rendering real time content, said called device comprising:
 a detecting unit to detect receipt of a call from a calling device via a first
communication mode;
 a control unit to determine a state of the called device during a call set-up
phase of the call, said state being one of an availability of the called device to
receive content via a second communication mode and an unavailability of the
called device to receive content via the second communication mode;
 a trigger transmitting unit to transmit a call reception trigger to the server via
the second communication mode based on the determined state during the call
set-up phase, said call reception trigger being one of a start trigger and a busy
trigger;
 a content receiving unit to receive a real time content from the server via the
second communication mode during a ringing phase of the call when the call
reception trigger is the start trigger, the real time content being captured and
streamed by the calling device; and
 rendering unit to render the real time content on a display unit.