Composite Services Enabler for NGN Modality Synchronization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current NGN networks face challenges in seamlessly switching between different modalities of access, such as voice and visual, within a single session, leading to unsynchronized interactions and the need for separate service specifications for each modality, which complicates the delivery of composite services across multiple channels.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that enable multiple channels of access to a common session by establishing a voice channel from a visual channel, using channel servlets, a location registry, and a model servlet to synchronize state changes across all channels, allowing end users to switch modalities mid-session while maintaining synchronization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If separate service specifications are created for each modality (voice and visual), then each modality can be optimized independently, but the complexity of service delivery increases and synchronization between modalities becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemodality optimizationVSAvoidservice delivery complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The service is segmented into modality-independent core functionality and modality-specific interface layers. The common session and service logic are separated from the voice and visual channels, allowing independent optimization of each modality while maintaining a unified service core that manages synchronization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A common session object acts as an intermediary between multiple modality channels (voice, visual, etc.). This mediator coordinates state changes across different modalities, ensuring synchronization without requiring complex direct interactions between each modality pair.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If a single session is established across one modality, then the session can be maintained with consistent state, but switching to a different modality mid-session is not possible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesession state consistencyVSAvoidmodality switching capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The common session object is designed with universal functionality to support multiple modalities simultaneously. It can maintain state consistency while interfacing with different types of channels (voice, visual, etc.), enabling modality switching without creating new sessions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The session structure transitions from being modality-specific to being modality-agnostic and dynamic. The common session can adaptively accept and coordinate different modalities as they are added or removed, allowing flexible switching while preserving state consistency through centralized management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If different channels are established for each modality of access, then each channel can be optimized for its specific modality, but the channels remain unsynchronized and separate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemodality-specific optimizationVSAvoidchannel synchronization
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The common session implements feedback mechanisms that monitor state changes from any connected modality channel and propagate these changes to all other channels. This ensures all channels remain synchronized through continuous feedback loops between the central session object and individual channels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The common session serves as a mediating coordinator between multiple independent channels. It receives state changes from any channel, processes them centrally, and distributes updated state information back to all channels, ensuring synchronization without direct channel-to-channel communication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP1969803A1Initiating voice access to a session from a visual access channel to the session in a composite services delivery system
Publication Date: 2008.09.17 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION

AI summary

Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system and computer program product for deploying and delivering composite services in an NGN network. A method for establishing a voice channel of access to a session for a composite service can include establishing a visual channel of access to a session for a composite service, processing a request from the visual channel of access to establish a voice channel of access to the session for the composite service, and synchronizing changes of state for the session in a view for each of the visual channel of access and the voice channel of access to the session for the composite session. In one aspect of the embodiment, establishing a visual channel of access to a session for a composite service, further can include placing a hyperlink in the view for the visual channel of access to provide the request to establish the voice channel.