Call Server Network Switching for VoIP Cellular Handover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication systems face challenges in seamlessly establishing and maintaining calls between devices on different networks, such as PSTN, mobile carrier networks, and IP-based networks, due to protocol incompatibilities and network conditions, leading to complex network switching and potential congestion issues.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid mobile device with dual telephone numbers and a call server system that intelligently determines the best network for call establishment, using VoIP over IP-based data networks when available and switching to cellular when necessary, while masking the cellular number from the user and managing network status parameters to ensure call quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a mobile device uses multiple different networks (hybrid mobile device) to place and receive calls depending on location or network conditions, then the adaptability and call reliability are improved, but the device complexity and network switching complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a server as an intermediary that manages the complexity of multi-network operations. The server receives communication session establishment requests, determines the appropriate network (cellular or IP-based) based on current network conditions and device capabilities, and routes the call accordingly. This externalizes the decision-making logic from the mobile device to the server, allowing the device to support multiple networks without proportionally increasing its own complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If calls are routed through multiple different networks (PSTN, mobile carrier, IP-based), then the versatility of communication is improved, but the network switching complexity and potential congestion increase
Solution Approach 1:
The server acts as a central intermediary that manages communication session establishment across multiple networks. It receives requests from mobile devices, determines the optimal network path based on current conditions, and handles the routing logic centrally. This approach maintains network versatility while consolidating switching complexity in a single location rather than distributing it across multiple devices and network points.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of having mobile devices independently manage complex multi-network routing decisions, the patent inverts the architecture by having devices simply request communication session establishment and letting the server perform the intelligent routing. This reverses the traditional model where the endpoint device manages its own connectivity, placing the intelligence in the network infrastructure instead.
3Reliability
If the system dynamically switches between VoIP and cellular networks based on availability and quality, then the call quality and efficiency are improved, but the complexity of network management increases
Solution Approach 1:
The server serves as an intermediary that manages dynamic network switching based on real-time conditions. It monitors network availability and quality metrics, then intelligently routes calls through VoIP or cellular networks as appropriate. This centralizes the complexity of real-time network management and quality assessment in the server, allowing mobile devices to benefit from adaptive routing without implementing complex local management logic.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are techniques for establishing a communication session in a call server between communication devices. A call server receives a communication session establishment message from a communication device that has an associated VoIP telephone number. The message is indicative of the communication device wanting to place a call to a target communication device. The communication session establishment message includes the VoIP telephone number and a target communication device identifier. The call server establishes a first communication link with the device depending on the quality of a connection with an IP access point. The call server then establishes a second communication link with the target communication device. The call server may then join the first and second communication links to establish a communication session between the communication devices.