IMS Device Discovery and Session Association
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Solution Overview
Problem
In IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) networks, maintaining stateful connections across administrative domains for multimedia services is costly and operationally challenging, especially with the need for multiple stateful connections for a large number of subscribers, and existing handoff technologies do not efficiently manage the transition of services between different network devices and access technologies.
Innovation Solution
The system enables device discovery within IMS networks, allowing a serving node to determine whether to associate additional user endpoints with an existing IMS session based on policies, including business relationships and technical specifications, and directs content to these devices while maintaining the original handset within the session, using protocols like Universal Plug and Play, Jini, and Bluetooth for discovery and trans-coding media resources as needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple stateful connections are maintained for a large number of subscribers across administrative domains, then service coverage and accessibility are improved, but network cost and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the stateful connection management by introducing an IP-MGW that maintains stateful connections at the media gateway level, while the IMS network can operate with reduced stateful connections. This segmentation allows service coverage to be maintained through the IP-MGW's connection state while reducing the operational complexity in the core IMS domain.
Solution Approach 2:
The IP-MGW acts as an intermediary between the IMS network and external networks, maintaining stateful connections locally rather than requiring them across administrative domains. This intermediary approach enables service coverage to be provided through the IP-MGW's connection management while reducing the number of stateful connections needed in the broader network.
2Stability of the object's composition
If handoff technologies are used to manage service transitions between different network devices and access technologies, then service continuity is improved, but system complexity and transition efficiency worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service handoff capabilities where the IP-MGW autonomously manages service transitions between different access technologies and network devices. The IP-MGW maintains connection state locally and can independently perform handoffs, eliminating the need for complex centralized handoff management systems and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining service continuity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If device discovery and dynamic association are implemented in IMS networks, then service flexibility and user experience are improved, but network control complexity and resource management burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The IP-MGW serves as an intermediary that handles device discovery and dynamic association locally, absorbing the control complexity rather than propagating it to the core IMS network. The IP-MGW can dynamically associate discovered devices with services while maintaining connection state, providing service flexibility without increasing network control complexity in the IMS domain.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of associating multiple user endpoints (UEs) with a single IMS session in an IMS network having a serving node for controlling at least one IMS session for a user and at least a first access network for providing access to UEs. The method involves associating a first UE with the user and with an IMS session; discovering a second UE in a proximity of the first UE; discovering information about the second UE; communicating the information about the second UE to the serving node; the serving node utilizing computer-implemented policy logic to determine whether to associate the second UE with the user and the IMS session; and if the policy logic determines that the second UE is to be associated, the serving node associating the second UE with the IMS session while retaining the association with the first UE.