Adaptation Proxy for Heterogeneous VoIP Server Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Integrating presence servers with standard VoIP servers is challenging due to differences in media communication capabilities and SIP protocol implementations, requiring an additional layer for seamless integration across various VoIP domains.

Innovation Solution

An adaptation proxy is introduced, comprising an SIP adaptor for message transformation, a CSTA gateway for remote call control, and a presence integrator for mapping call states to presence states, enabling interaction and integration between different VoIP domains with diverse SIP messaging formats and platforms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If presence servers and IP PBX servers are integrated directly, then service convergence is improved, but system complexity increases due to different SIP protocol implementations and media communication capabilities

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice convergenceVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an adaptation layer that acts as an intermediary between presence servers and IP PBX servers. This adaptation layer translates SIP protocol differences and mediates communication between the two heterogeneous systems, enabling service convergence without direct integration complexity. The adaptation layer handles protocol translation, message format conversion, and capability mapping between the different server types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If an adaptation layer is introduced to integrate presence servers and IP PBX servers, then interoperability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveinteroperabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the integration function into a separate adaptation layer component, distinct from the core presence server and IP PBX server systems. This segmentation isolates the complexity of protocol translation and interoperability handling to a dedicated module, allowing the main servers to remain unchanged and simplifying their deployment and maintenance while still achieving reliable interoperability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple SIP protocol implementations are supported, then versatility is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to format differences

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotocol supportVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements parameter changes by dynamically adjusting SIP message formats, headers, and body structures based on the target server type. The adaptation layer transforms messages between different SIP protocol implementations by modifying parameters such as message format, header fields, and payload structures, enabling seamless communication across multiple protocol versions and implementations without requiring manual configuration or complex operational procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2282502B1Integration of heterogenous VoIP servers such as IP-PBX and presence servers
Publication Date: 2017.05.10 ACCENTURE GLOBAL SERVICES LTD
  • EP2282502B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP2282502B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP2282502B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The application relates to the integration of heterogeneous VoIP servers such as IP-PBX servers and presence servers. The integration relates in particular to remote call control whereby a soft-phone such as a Microsoft Office Communicator client, MOC client, which is served by a SIP server such a Microsoft Office Communicator server, MOC server, remotely controls an IP phone which is served by an IP PBX. The IP PBX may not support a CSTA interface but rather another telephony API such as Java telephony API actions. Therefore a CSTA gateway (120) which is integrated in an adaptation proxy (100) translates between CSTA events and JTAPI actions. The integration furthermore relates to the interaction of heterogeneous VoIP domains which utilize dissimilar SIP message formats. Therefore a SIP adapter (160) which is integrated in said adaptation proxy (100) translates between the different SIP message formats. The integration furthermore relates to the presence information integration between different client devices served by different SIP servers, in particular when the different client devices are associated to the same user. Therefore a presence integrator (140) which is integrated in said adaptation proxy (100) maps between different state types.