IM Server Voice Bridge for Legacy Mobile Terminals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional instant messaging services require both caller and callee terminals to log into the IM server for voice communication, which is not possible with older mobile phones lacking this capability, preventing voice communication between them.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that allows a caller terminal logged into the IM server to initiate voice communication with a callee terminal not logged into the server by using identifier information, such as IMSI or MAC address, to map and establish voice communication through the Service Control Point in the switched telephone network, using protocols like H.323.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If both caller and callee terminals are required to log into the IM server for voice communication, then voice communication can be established through the IM server, but older mobile phones without IM server login capability cannot participate in voice communication
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a service control point as an intermediary component that bridges the IM server and the switched telephone network. This mediator translates IM server signaling into telephone network signaling, allowing older mobile phones without IM capabilities to participate in voice communication through the IM infrastructure. The service control point acts as a gateway that handles the complexity of inter-network communication, freeing terminal devices from dual-login requirements.
2Reliability
If the voice communication system requires IM server login for both parties, then secure and managed communication is achieved, but the system cannot support feature phones and older mobile devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the voice communication system into distinct functional domains: the IM server handles user authentication and session management for IM-capable devices, while the service control point handles translation and routing to the switched telephone network for non-IM devices. This segmentation allows each component to optimize for its specific function, enabling reliable communication establishment while supporting diverse terminal types including feature phones.
Solution Approach 2:
The service control point provides multi-functionality by serving as both an IM server interface and a telephone network gateway. It can handle communication requests from both IM-logged terminals and non-IM terminals, routing them appropriately through different protocols (H.323/SIP for IM, traditional telephony for feature phones). This universal component enables the system to maintain reliability across different terminal capabilities.
3Adaptability or versatility
If identifier information mapping is implemented to enable communication with non-logged terminals, then broader device compatibility is achieved, but additional mapping and translation mechanisms are required
Solution Approach 1:
The service control point serves as an intermediary that automatically handles identifier information mapping between IM server identifiers and telephone network identifiers. Rather than requiring complex mapping systems at the terminal level, the mediator performs the translation centrally, converting IM user identifiers to telephone numbers or vice versa, and managing the complexity of cross-network identifier reconciliation within the network infrastructure.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method is performed at a computer server for enabling voice communication between two terminals through IM service. Upon receiving a message from a remote computer, the message including an IM identifier of a callee terminal user and a mobile device identifier of the terminal, the computer system updates an entry for the callee terminal user in a database. Upon receiving a request from a caller terminal user at a caller terminal to start voice communication with the callee terminal user, the computer server identifies the entry that includes the IM identifier of the callee terminal user and sends a voice communication request to a service control point (SCP) in a switched telephone network. The SCP then returns an IP address and a port number of the callee terminal and launches a call request against the callee terminal. The computer server establishes a voice communication channel between the two terminals.