IMS Browser User Switching Without Restart

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current IPTV systems require the browser to be restarted when switching between users within a family subscription, adversely affecting user experience.

Innovation Solution

A method and terminal for providing IPTV services to multiple users of an IMS network, where a group private user identity is associated with individual public user identities, allowing seamless user switching without restarting the browser, while maintaining IMS network registration and controlling user access through a portal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the browser restarts when switching users, then the full functionality of the IMS network is maintained, but the user experience is adversely affected

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveIMS network functionalityVSAvoiduser experience
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments user identification into two parts: a group-level identifier (group public user identity) that remains constant across all family members, and individual identifiers (individual public user identities) that are loaded dynamically. This segmentation allows the browser to maintain its group registration while supporting multiple users without restarting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary action by pre-loading individual user profiles and authentication information into the browser before they are needed. When a user switches accounts, the browser already has the necessary user data cached, eliminating the need for restart and reducing switching time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Device complexity

If a single browser is used for multiple users, then device complexity is reduced, but user-specific service personalization is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebrowser configurationVSAvoiduser-specific service personalization
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements universality by designing a single browser that can serve multiple users through a unified registration mechanism. The browser maintains one group registration with the IMS network but can dynamically load and switch between multiple individual user profiles, enabling one device to provide personalized services for all family members.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses a nested structure where individual user profiles are contained within the group subscription framework. Each user profile contains user-specific settings and preferences, while all profiles share the common group registration and authentication infrastructure, creating a nested organization of user data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Adaptability or versatility

If individual users are registered separately, then user-specific services can be provided, but the provisioning process becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser-specific servicesVSAvoidprovisioning process
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the registration process by having the entire family group register once as a single unit with the IMS network. This single group registration establishes the foundation for all individual user services, eliminating the need for separate registration procedures for each family member and significantly simplifying provisioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses copying by creating individual user profiles as copies of the group registration framework. Each user profile is a template that can be instantiated with specific user data without requiring separate infrastructure setup, allowing rapid provisioning of new users by simply loading their individual profiles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP2281391B1Method and terminal for providing IPTV to multiple IMS users
Publication Date: 2014.09.24 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP2281391B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2281391B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2281391B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method and terminal for providing Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) and other communication services to a group of users, such as a family, using an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network. A group private user identity is associated with a group public user identity and with a plurality of individual public user identities, each of which is associated with a different user in the group. Utilizing the group private User ID and the group public User ID, a browser registers a group subscription with the IMS network. When an individual user enters an identifier such as a PIN, the individual is then registered with the IMS network, while maintaining the group registration with the IMS network and the IPTV network. Individual users can be changed without having to restart the browser.