Mobile device, system and method for enhanced channel allocation when radio resource connection is released while in dual transfer mode

A method comprising:

• functioning in dual transfer mode, wherein a packet switched connection and circuit switched connection are used together,
• initiating release of the circuit switched connection,
• converting a timeslot used for circuit switched connection traffic into a timeslot used for packet data traffic for a mobile device, and
• providing an alert, in response to initiating release of the circuit switched connection to a mobile device, while the mobile device is in dual transfer mode, about the converting step that will occur after release of the circuit switched connection,
• wherein the alert is included in a release indication, or in a channel release, instead of in a packet timeslot reconfigure message,
• wherein the converting keeps in packet transfer mode timeslots already for packet data traffic,
• wherein the converting adds more timeslots that are to be used for packet data traffic, and
• wherein the converting de-allocates the timeslots that were used for circuit switched traffic.

An apparatus comprising:

• a conversion element in the network, responsive to initiation of release during dual transfer mode of a circuit switched connection between a mobile device and said network, said conversion element being configured to convert a timeslot used for circuit switched connection traffic into a timeslot used for packet data traffic;
• and
• an alert element, responsive to the initiation of release, and configured to provide an alert signal to the mobile device, while the mobile device is in the dual transfer mode, to inform the mobile device about the converting that will occur after release of the circuit switched connection,
• wherein the alert is included in a release indication, or in a channel release, instead of in a packet timeslot reconfigure message;
• wherein the conversion element is configured to keep in packet transfer mode timeslots already used for packet data traffic,
• wherein the conversion element is further configured to add more timeslots that are to be used for packet data traffic, and
• wherein the conversion element is further configured to deallocate the timeslots that were used for circuit switched traffic.

A computer readable medium encoded with a software data structure, the computer readable medium having executable codes embedded therein, the codes, when executed, adapted for:

• operating the dual transfer mode, wherein a packet switched connection and the circuit switched connection are used together,
• initiating release of the circuit switched connection during the dual transfer mode,
• converting a timeslot used for circuit switched connection traffic into a timeslot used for packet data traffic for a mobile device, and
• providing an alert, in response to initiating release of the circuit switched connection, a mobile device, while the mobile device is in the dual transfer mode, about the converting that will occur after release of the circuit switched connection,
• wherein the alert is included in a release indication, or in a channel release, instead of in a packet timeslot reconfigure message;
• wherein the converting keeps in packet transfer mode timeslots already used for packet data traffic,
• wherein the converting adds more timeslots that are to be used for packet data traffic, and
• wherein the converting de-allocates the timeslots that were used for circuit switched traffic.

An apparatus comprising:

• a signaling unit configured to signal initiation of release of a circuit switched connection between the apparatus and a network, and
• a central processing element, responsive to an alert signal received from the network while the apparatus is in dual transfer mode, wherein the alert signal is included in a release indication, or in a channel release, instead of in a packet timeslot reconfigure message and provided in response to the initiation of release, and said central processing element being configured to prepare to receive and process timeslots that are converted by the network from use with circuit switched connection traffic into timeslots used for packet data traffic,
• wherein in the dual transfer mode a packet switched connection and circuit switched connection are used together,
• wherein the central processing element is configured to keep in packet transfer mode timeslots already used for packet data traffic,
• wherein the central processing element is further configured to add more timeslots that are to be used for packet data traffic, and
• wherein the central processing element is further configured to deallocate the timeslots that were used for circuit switched traffic.

An apparatus comprising:

• means for signaling initiation of release of a circuit switched connection between the apparatus and a network, and
• means for preparing to receive and process timeslots, responsive to an alert signal received from the network while the apparatus is in dual transfer mode, wherein the alert signal is included in a release indication, or in a channel release, instead of in a packet timeslot reconfigure message and provided in response to the initiation of release, and said timeslots being converted by the network from use with circuit switched connection traffic into timeslots used for packet data traffic,
• wherein in the dual transfer mode a packet switched connection and circuit switched connection are used together,
• wherein the means for preparing is configured to keep in packet transfer mode timeslots already used for packet data traffic,
• wherein the means for preparing is further configured to add more timeslots that are to be used for packet data traffic, and
• wherein the means for preparing is further configured to deallocate the timeslots that were used for circuit switched traffic.