Enhanced handling of system information messages when moving from dual transfer mode to packet transfer mode

A system comprising:

• a base station configured to provide at least one system information signal, in order to provide the mobile terminal system information necessary to perform a transition in an uninterrupted manner from a dual transfer mode, wherein a packet switched connection and circuit switched connection are used together to send and receive information on each of said connections, to a single mode wherein packets are transferred;
• and
• a mobile terminal, responsive to the system information, and configured to employ the system information to transition from the dual transfer mode to the single mode in the uninterrupted manner, if and only if the apparatus receives a channel release message saying to perform the transition in the uninterrupted manner, otherwise transitioning from the dual transfer mode to the single mode in an interrupted manner;
• wherein the channel release message says that the received system information is insufficient to perform the transition in the uninterrupted manner, if and only if a certain amount of time has expired from a release indication without the mobile terminal reporting receipt of sufficient system information to perform the transition in the uninterrupted manner.

An apparatus comprising:

• a first element, configured to provide to a mobile terminal at least minimum system information necessary to perform a transition in an uninterrupted manner from a dual transfer mode, wherein a packet switched connection and circuit switched connection are used together to send and receive information on each of said connections, to a single mode wherein packets are transferred;
• a second element, configured to provide a release indication signal which starts a timer;
• and
• a third element, configured to provide a channel release message to transition the mobile terminal from the dual transfer mode to the single mode in the uninterrupted manner only if the apparatus is informed that the mobile terminal has received said minimum system information before the timer has expired, otherwise transitioning from the dual transfer mode to the single mode in an interrupted manner.

An apparatus, comprising:

• means for providing to a mobile terminal at least minimum system information necessary to perform a transition in an uninterrupted manner from a dual transfer mode, wherein a packet switched connection and circuit switched connection are used together to send and receive information on each of said connections, to a single mode wherein packets are transferred;
• means for providing a release indication signal which starts a timer;
• and
• means for providing a channel release message to transition the mobile terminal from the dual transfer mode to the single mode in the uninterrupted manner only if the apparatus is informed that the mobile terminal has received said minimum system information before the timer has expired, otherwise transitioning from the dual transfer mode to the single mode in an interrupted manner.

An apparatus comprising:

• means for operating in a dual transfer mode, in which a packet switched connection and circuit switched connection are used together simultaneously for sending and receiving information on each of said connections,
• means for receiving a release indication, in order to notify that the circuit switched connection will be released,
• means for receiving system information necessary to perform an uninterrupted transition from the dual transfer mode to a single mode in which packets are transferred,
• means for receiving a channel release message indicating whether the received system information is sufficient to perform the transition in an uninterrupted manner, and
• means for employing the system information to transition from the dual transfer mode to the single mode in the uninterrupted manner if the channel release message says that the received system information is sufficient, otherwise transitioning from the dual transfer mode to the single mode in an interrupted manner.

A computer readable medium encoded with a software data structure sufficient for:

• operating in a dual transfer mode, in which a packet switched connection and circuit switched connection are used together simultaneously for sending and receiving information on each of said connections,
• receiving a release indication, in order to notify that the circuit switched connection will be released,
• receiving system information necessary to perform an uninterrupted transition from the dual transfer mode to a single mode in which packets are transferred,
• receiving a channel release message indicating whether the received system information is sufficient to perform the transition in an uninterrupted manner, and
• employing the system information to transition from the dual transfer mode to the single mode in the uninterrupted manner if the channel release message says that the received system information is sufficient, otherwise transitioning from the dual transfer mode to the single mode in an interrupted manner.

A method, comprising:

• providing to a mobile terminal at least minimum system information necessary to perform a transition in an uninterrupted manner from a dual transfer mode, wherein a packet switched connection and circuit switched connection are used together to send and receive information on each of said connections, to a single mode wherein packets are transferred;
• providing a release indication signal which starts a timer;
• and
• providing a channel release message to transition the mobile terminal from the dual transfer mode to the single mode in the uninterrupted manner only if being informed that the mobile terminal has received said minimum system information before the timer has expired, otherwise transitioning from the dual transfer mode to the single mode in an interrupted manner.