Application Server Mediator for Consultant Transfer Without REFER Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current consultant transfer technologies are limited by the requirement for terminals to support REFER messages, restricting the application and scope of the service, especially in non-IMS networks.
Innovation Solution
An application server forwards conversation negotiation signaling with a consultant transfer service identifier, allowing it to determine and facilitate the transfer of conversations between users without requiring terminals to support REFER messages, by extracting and recording the service code and number from call request messages and triggering the transfer based on user agreements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If consultant transfer is realized by IMS network using REFER messages, then the transfer function can be achieved, but the terminal must support REFER message capability which limits application scope
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an application server as an intermediary to mediate the consultant transfer process. Instead of requiring direct REFER message support between terminals, the application server receives service requests, manages the transfer logic, and coordinates between the service terminal, first user, and target user. This mediator approach eliminates the need for terminal REFER message capability while maintaining reliable transfer functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the IMS-specific REFER message mechanism with a universal service request/response message exchange. By substituting the specialized REFER protocol with generic SIP or HTTP-based service requests that any terminal can send, the system achieves the same consultant transfer function without requiring terminals to support the REFER extension, thereby expanding compatibility to non-IMS networks.
2Ease of operation
If terminal supports REFER message capability, then consultant transfer can be performed in IMS network, but it cannot be realized in non-IMS networks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the application server to handle multiple network types (IMS and non-IMS) through a unified service request interface. The server can process service requests from any terminal regardless of network type, perform consultant transfer operations, and manage different user scenarios (service user as caller or callee). This multi-functional design enables ease of operation across diverse network environments without requiring network-specific terminal capabilities.
3Productivity
If the service user hangs up the conversation with the target user, then the application server needs to determine whether transfer should be executed, but the determination logic becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the service terminal explicitly send a service request message to the application server before initiating the consultant transfer process. This pre-notification allows the application server to prepare the transfer logic, establish the service context, and set up the determination framework in advance. When the service user later hangs up with the target user, the application server already has the necessary context and logic ready, simplifying the real-time determination process and improving execution efficiency.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed are a consultant transfer method, application server, service terminal and system. The method includes: an application server forwarding conversation negotiation signaling between a service user and a target user, wherein the service user is a user subscribing to a consultant transfer service, and the service user is in a conversation holding state with a first user; the conversation negotiation signaling carries a consultant transfer service identifier; according to the consultant transfer service identifier, the application server determining, after receiving a conversation hang-up request from the service user, that the target user agrees to establish a conversation with the first user; the application server transferring the conversation of the first user to the target user. The present invention solves the problem in the prior art of the high limitation in the consultant transfer service, expands the application scope of the consultant transfer service, and enhances system features.