IMS Session Control via Extended Event Notifications

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Solution Overview

Problem

In telecommunications networks, particularly in IMS architectures, users are limited to controlling multimedia sessions from a single designated terminal, preventing seamless session transfer and control from other terminals, which restricts user convenience in scenarios like sharing media streams across different devices.

Innovation Solution

A method utilizing an extended subscription/event notification mechanism allows users to express wishes for involvement in current application sessions from any terminal, enabling the network to notify the controlling terminal and facilitate media stream transfers or control changes based on user preferences, without requiring explicit requests.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a single terminal is designated as the controller for a multimedia session, then session control and management are simplified and reliable, but user flexibility and convenience for session transfer are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesession control reliabilityVSAvoidsession transfer convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic controller terminal selection by allowing any terminal associated with the user to request and become the controller of a multimedia session. The system dynamically transitions the controller role from one terminal to another based on user actions, rather than designating a fixed controller terminal. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining reliable session control through a defined controller selection mechanism while providing ease of operation through flexible terminal switching capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent establishes preliminary notification mechanisms where a terminal indicates its desire to be involved in a session before actually taking control. The controller terminal receives advance notification of transfer requests and can prepare for the transition, ensuring reliable handover while enabling convenient user-initiated transfers. This preliminary action allows the system to maintain control integrity while facilitating flexible session mobility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If explicit requests are required for session transfer, then session control integrity is maintained, but user convenience and responsiveness are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesession control integrityVSAvoidsession transfer responsiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a self-service mechanism where terminals automatically notify each other of involvement desires without requiring explicit controller intervention for every transfer request. The notification mechanism operates autonomously, with terminals self-managing the indication of their desire to join or take control of sessions. This maintains control integrity through automated notification while enhancing convenience by eliminating manual request procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where the controller terminal receives notifications about other terminals' desires to be involved in sessions. This feedback loop allows the controller to maintain awareness and control integrity while enabling responsive session transfers based on real-time terminal states and user preferences, resolving the contradiction between control integrity and operational responsiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Device complexity

If only the controller terminal can initiate session transfer, then session management complexity is reduced, but system versatility and adaptability are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesession management complexityVSAvoidmulti-terminal session flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes any terminal associated with the user capable of initiating session transfer and becoming the controller, rather than limiting this function to a single designated controller terminal. Each terminal gains universal capability to request control transfer, negotiate with the current controller, and take over session management. This increases system versatility while maintaining manageable complexity through standardized notification and control protocols.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the session control function across multiple terminals rather than concentrating it in one controller. Each terminal can independently initiate transfer requests and potentially become the controller, dividing the control authority among multiple capable endpoints. This segmentation enhances adaptability by allowing different terminals to take control based on situational needs while keeping individual terminal complexity low through modular control logic.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2412141B1Method and device for processing a piece of information indicative of a desire to be involved in at least one user application session
Publication Date: 2020.11.11 3G LICENSING SA
  • EP2412141B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2412141B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2412141B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for processing a piece of information indicative of a desire to be involved in at least one application session established according to the SIP protocol, in progress for a user of a telecommunication network, said at least one session being supervised by a first terminal of said user, characterized in that said method, implemented by a first supervising terminal, including the following steps: receiving (F2) an event notification related to the user, consisting of at least one piece of information indicating a level of involvement desired by a second terminal of said user; making a decision (F3) relative to the desired level of involvement; and, in the event of an affirmative decision, sending (F4) an involvement control relative to said level of involvement desired by the second terminal to the telecommunication network.