External Application Server Integrating with PBX Media Server
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Solution Overview
Problem
Accessing and manipulating media streams in a PBX environment is challenging, as existing methods either limit application actions or break PBX features and increase resource usage and latency.
Innovation Solution
An external application server establishes a CTI channel with the PBX to register for events and receive tokens for media streams, allowing external services to be integrated without updating the PBX, enabling new features and services to be provided to communication sessions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional PBX services are used to access media streams, then the system is simple and reliable, but the application actions on media streams are limited to existing PBX services
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a media server as an intermediary component between the PBX and external applications. The media server receives media streams from the PBX and delivers them to external applications, enabling new media processing capabilities without modifying the PBX itself. This mediator architecture allows the PBX to remain simple while external applications gain enhanced media manipulation abilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is divided into distinct functional segments: the PBX handles call control and routing, while the media server handles media stream processing and delivery to external applications. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the PBX for reliability and the media server for versatility - while avoiding the complexity of integrating all functions into a single system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a control API with virtual station registration is used, then applications can access media streams, but the application is limited to actions that can be performed via a station interface
Solution Approach 1:
The media server acts as an intermediary that receives media streams from the PBX and delivers them to external applications through standard media protocols. This eliminates the need for applications to implement complex station interface requirements, as the media server handles the media processing and delivery using conventional techniques that applications can easily work with.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a call is split into two halves to manage media, then media can be managed externally, but twice as many PBX resources are required and additional call latency is introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The media server serves as a mediator that receives complete media streams from the PBX and processes them externally. This approach allows external media management without splitting calls, as the media server handles the entire media stream rather than requiring separate call halves. The PBX maintains full call control while the media server independently processes media, avoiding the resource multiplication and latency issues of call splitting.
Data Source
AI summary
A solution is provided that integrates external services with existing PBX services to provide new features to the PBX without having to update the PBX. To provide the external services, an external application server establishes a Computer Telephone Integration (CTI) channel with the PBX in order to register for one or more events that occur for a communication session controlled by the PBX. When one of the events occurs, the PBX sends a token containing information regarding the communication session and a media server associated with the communication session. The external application server uses the information in the token to provide an external service, via an external application, to a media stream of the communication session. In one embodiment, the media stream may be sent to that external application that provides the service to the communication session.