Associated device discovery in IMS networks

Abstract

A method of associating multiple user endpoints (UEs) with a single IMS session in an IMS network having a serving node for controlling at least one IMS session for a user and at least a first access network for providing access to UEs. The method involves associating a first UE with the user and with an IMS session; discovering a second UE in a proximity of the first UE; discovering information about the second UE; communicating the information about the second UE to the serving node; the serving node utilizing computer-implemented policy logic to determine whether to associate the second UE with the user and the IMS session; and if the policy logic determines that the second UE is to be associated, the serving node associating the second UE with the IMS session while retaining the association with the first UE.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §120 to the following applications, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety: [0002] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 166407, filed on Jun. 24, 2005, entitled Method and System For Provisioning IMS Networks With Virtual Service Organizations Having Distinct Service Logic; [0003] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 282924, filed Nov. 18, 2005, entitled IMS Networks with AVS Sessions with Multiple Access Networks. [0004] This application is related to U.S. patent application entitled “Digital Home Networks Having a Control Point Located on a Wide Area Network” filed on even date herewith.BACKGROUND [0005] 1. Field of the Invention [0006] The invention generally relates to IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) networks and, more specifically, to IMS users that use (perhaps multiple) discovered user endpoint devices. [0007] 2. Di...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0054] Other aspects include one or more of the following features. The method further includes the serving node causing an application server to utilize the second UE within the IMS session. The serving node causes the application server to utilize the second UE via the first access network and the first UE. The application server is a media server associated with the IMS session, and the media server transmits real-time streaming media to the first UE; and the first UE relays the real-time streaming media to the second UE. The serving node determines that the second UE is to be associated with the user, obtains a network address of the second UE and establishes an alternative network via a second access network connection to the second UE that does not involve the first UE. The application server utilizes the second UE by transmitting content to the second UE via the alternative network connection. The application server is a media server associated with the IMS session, and the media server transmits real-time streaming media to the second UE via the alternative network connection. After the serving node has associated the second UE with the IMS session, an application server under control of the IMS session utilizes the first and second UEs concurrently within the IMS session. The second UE is discovered as a result of a search message broadcast by the first UE or an advertising message transmitted from the second UE. The second UE is discovered by at least one of the Universal Plug and Play, Jini, RFID, and Bluetooth discovery mechanisms. The serving node determines that the content to be delivered to the second UE requires trans-coding and the serving node directs a media resource control function to establish a trans-coding session. The media resource control function transmits trans-coded real-time streaming content to the first UE for relay to the second UE. The serving node determines that the content to be delivered to the second UE requires trans-coding and directs a media resource control function to establish a trans-coding session, and the media resource control function transmits real-time streaming content to the second UE via the alternative network connection. The trans-coding alters at least one of the color resolution and the spatial resolution of the content to be delivered. The determination whether to associate the second UE with the user and the IMS session is based in part on user choice. The computer-implemented policy logic that determine whether to associate the second UE with the user and the IMS session includes rules that depend on at least one of: (i) a business relationship between the user and a provider of telecommunication services; (ii) a business relationship between the user and an owner or operator of the second UE device; and (iii) a technical specification of the second UE. The serving node associates the second UE with the IMS session and the serving node later terminates the association of the second UE with the IMS session. The termination of the association with the second UE is triggered by the second UE becoming unavailable or by the second UE leaving the proximity of the first UE, the serving node maintaining session continuity with the first UE.

Problems solved by technology

Such stateful connections that cross administrative domains have high networking costs and are difficult to maintain operationally.

However, the availability of network coverage supporting multimedia services is highly uneven.

In some areas several networks may be available simultaneously that could be used by a handset, whereas in other regions there may be insufficient coverage to support a given network service.

A handset, however, has an inherent disadvantage since its form factor is generally not suitable for long term use as a display device.

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