IMS Collaborative Session Control via Master-Slave Server Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 3GPP IMS-based collaborative services lack efficient synchronization and control arbitration among multiple IMS subscribers, leading to centralized control issues and limited flexibility in multimedia sharing scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that enables multimedia sharing by establishing a collaborative session between multiple communications devices, where a master application server merges control information and media descriptions from participating devices, allowing for distributed control and service coordination without requiring significant new hardware investments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If centralized control is used in IMS collaborative services, then service control is simplified, but flexibility and coordination among multiple IMS subscribers deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments control authority by designating one application server as master and others as slaves. The master application server consolidates control information from all subscribers, while slave servers handle local media descriptions and relay control to the master. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by distributing control functions across multiple servers with hierarchical roles, maintaining simplicity at the coordination level while enabling flexibility at the individual server level.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple application servers provide service control, then flexibility and coordination among subscribers improve, but synchronization and arbitration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a master application server as an intermediary that mediates between multiple slave application servers and IMS subscribers. The master server receives control information from all subscribers, performs synchronization and arbitration, then relays coordinated control to slave servers. This intermediary approach enables multiple servers to provide service control with improved flexibility while the master server manages synchronization complexity centrally.
3Adaptability or versatility
If new hardware is deployed to enhance collaborative services, then service capability improves, but implementation cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes existing application servers multi-functional by enabling them to operate in different roles (master or slave) within the collaborative service framework. Instead of deploying dedicated hardware for each function, existing servers can dynamically assume master or slave roles based on service requirements. This universality approach enhances service capability while avoiding the need for significant new hardware investments.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system and method for enabling multimedia sharing with IMS based collaborative services are provided. A method for application server operations includes receiving a first message from a first communications device (event #1), the first message including a request to initiate a collaborative session, forming the collaborative session with a second communications device (event #2), sending a second message to the first communications device (event #8), the second message confirming an establishment of the collaborative session, merging control information from the first communications device and media descriptions from the first communications device and the second communications device (block 517), and sharing media between the first communications device and the second communications device. The second communications device is specified in the first message.