Hold Announcement Configuration in Communication Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current communication networks lack user control over HOLD announcements during media stream direction changes, particularly in bandwidth-sensitive scenarios where users may want to stop receiving certain streams without triggering network-provided announcements.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that allow users to specify, through indicators in Session Description Protocol (SDP) messages, Supplementary Service Codes (SSC), or supplementary service data, whether a HOLD announcement should be provided when changing the media stream direction, enabling users to manage announcements during communication sessions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the network provides a HOLD announcement when the direction of the media stream is changed, then the held user is notified of the hold state, but the user cannot control whether the announcement is played, causing unnecessary bandwidth consumption and user experience issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the Dynamics principle by making the HOLD announcement behavior adjustable rather than fixed. The network dynamically adapts its behavior based on user-specified preferences transmitted through SDP attributes or supplementary service codes. This allows the system to switch between providing announcements and withholding them based on real-time user choices, resolving the contradiction between notification and bandwidth conservation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements Parameter changes by modifying the HOLD announcement provision behavior based on configurable parameters. Users can specify their preference through SDP attributes (e.g., 'a=hold-announcement: yes/no') or supplementary service codes, which change the parameter controlling whether the network provides the announcement. This parameter-based control enables users to optimize bandwidth consumption according to their needs.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the network provides a HOLD announcement during media stream direction changes, then the announcement notifies the other party, but the user loses flexibility to prevent announcements in specific scenarios like video stream suspension
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies Preliminary action by allowing users to specify their HOLD announcement preferences in advance, before the actual hold operation occurs. Users can pre-configure their preferences through SDP attributes during session initialization or through supplementary service codes. When the hold operation occurs later, the network simply executes the pre-specified behavior, enabling users to maintain control flexibility across different scenarios without repeatedly making decisions.
3Reliability
If the network automatically provides HOLD announcements for all media stream direction changes, then consistent notification is provided, but users cannot differentiate between various types of direction changes (e.g., video vs. audio streams)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements Local quality by allowing users to specify different HOLD announcement preferences for different media streams or scenarios. Through SDP attributes or supplementary service codes, users can granularly control announcement behavior for specific stream types (e.g., video vs. audio). This enables scenario-specific control while maintaining reliable notification where needed, resolving the contradiction between consistency and adaptability.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and apparatus for managing a HOLD announcement in a communication network. At an Application Server, AS, a message is received from a user terminal, the message comprises of an indicator, specifying whether the AS should provide a HOLD announcement in the event of a change in direction of a media stream between the user terminal and a further node during a session. The AS stores the indicator in a memory. Upon determination that a change in direction of the media stream has occurred, the AS determines, from the indicator, whether or not to provide the HOLD announcement to the further node.