Composition Session Identifiers for Collective Multimedia Stream Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing IMS architectures lack the ability to manage and control associated multimedia sessions originating from different sources, which are combined by the end-user to create personalized experiences, necessitating network intervention for pausing or managing bandwidth, as they are unaware of these sessions and cannot collectively manage resources.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that utilize a composition session identifier (PSCID) for network-centric management of associated sessions, allowing the network element to control and manipulate sessions as a group, including pausing, replaying, or diverting data streams, and optimizing resource use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the network element manages each multimedia session independently without awareness of their associations, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to collectively manage and manipulate associated sessions (e.g., pausing, bandwidth control) is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to collectively manage associated sessionsVSAvoidnetwork element complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a hierarchical session management structure where a composition session (outer layer) contains multiple associated multimedia sessions (inner layers). The composition session identifier (PSCID) nests the identifiers of individual multimedia sessions, allowing the network element to manage groups of sessions through a single parent session object. This nested structure enables collective manipulation of associated sessions without requiring the network element to track each session independently, thus providing adaptability while controlling complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Productivity

If all end-user display equipment is connected directly to the Home Media Server for consuming enriched services, then the service delivery capability is improved, but the device complexity and processing requirements of the server increase substantially

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice delivery capabilityVSAvoidHome Media Server complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the session management functionality by introducing a composition session layer that groups related multimedia sessions. Instead of the Home Media Server managing all individual multimedia sessions directly, the system segments management responsibilities by creating a parent composition session that orchestrates multiple child sessions. This segmentation reduces the processing burden on the server while maintaining the ability to deliver enriched services to multiple end-user devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If the network element is made aware of associated multimedia sessions through composition session identifiers, then the ability to manipulate streams (pausing, bandwidth management) is improved, but the information management complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestream manipulation capabilityVSAvoidinformation management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces the composition session identifier (PSCID) as an intermediary that mediates between the network element and multiple associated multimedia sessions. The PSCID acts as a unique key that links the network element to groups of related sessions without requiring the element to maintain complex relationships between individual sessions. This intermediary simplifies information management by providing a single reference point for controlling multiple streams, enabling easy pausing, resumption, and bandwidth management of associated sessions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3944587B1Managing associated sessions in a network
Publication Date: 2025.11.26 KONINK KPN NV
  • EP3944587B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3944587B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3944587B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method and a system for managing associated sessions in a network is described, wherein the network comprises a network element configured for managing associated sessions between the network and user equipment. The method comprises the steps of providing a composition session identifier for associating sessions in a network; exchanging the composition session identifier between a user equipment and the network element; and associating two or more sessions with the composition session identifier by exchanging the composition session identifier