IMS Session Transfer and Resumption via Indicators
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current IPTV systems lack efficient mechanisms for resuming or transferring multimedia sessions between different terminals, especially those connected to IMS gateways or with their own IMS software stacks, which limits user flexibility in continuing media playback across different devices within the same household or outside.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a method and system that allows for resuming, transferring, or copying IMS sessions by transmitting indicators to the IMS network, which enables seamless media delivery between terminals, including the use of session transfer or copy indicators to manage resource allocation and session replication, allowing users to pause and resume media playback on different terminals without pre-allocating bandwidth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pre-bandwidth allocation is used for session transfer, then media delivery reliability is improved, but system complexity and resource waste increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-allocating bandwidth resources before session transfer occurs. The system pre-reserves necessary bandwidth on the network path, ensuring that when a session needs to be transferred between terminals, the required resources are already in place. This eliminates the need for complex real-time resource negotiation during session transfer, thereby improving reliability while managing complexity through advance preparation rather than reactive allocation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism through the use of a session management server that mediates between the first terminal and second terminal. This server handles the complex tasks of bandwidth allocation, session state management, and resource coordination. By centralizing these functions in an intermediary component, the system achieves reliable media delivery without requiring complex direct coordination between terminals, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and system complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If session transfer between terminals is enabled, then user flexibility is improved, but network resource allocation efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by implementing a flexible session transfer mechanism that can adapt to different user scenarios. The system dynamically allocates and releases bandwidth resources based on actual session transfer needs rather than maintaining fixed reservations. When a session is transferred from the first terminal to the second terminal, the system dynamically adjusts network resource allocation, ensuring efficient use of bandwidth while enabling user flexibility to access media from different terminals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements discarding and recovering by releasing network resources when sessions are terminated or transferred. The system discards (releases) pre-allocated bandwidth when a session ends or when transfer is complete, and recovers these resources for future use. This mechanism prevents resource exhaustion and improves allocation efficiency while maintaining the ability to transfer sessions between terminals, thus resolving the contradiction between user flexibility and resource allocation efficiency.
3Stability of the object's composition
If session resumption is implemented, then media playback continuity is improved, but network infrastructure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies copying by creating a copy of the session state and metadata at the session management server. When a user wants to resume playback on a different terminal, the system copies the necessary session information (playback position, buffer state, bandwidth parameters) to enable seamless resumption. This copying mechanism maintains media playback continuity without requiring complex real-time synchronization, as the session state is replicated and can be restored on the new terminal independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses preliminary action by pre-establishing session state information and buffering mechanisms before the actual resumption occurs. The system pre-allocates bandwidth and maintains session metadata in advance, so when resumption is needed, the infrastructure is already prepared. This advance preparation simplifies the resumption process and maintains playback continuity without requiring complex real-time infrastructure changes, thus resolving the contradiction between stability and infrastructure complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for resuming, transferring or copying an IMS session associated with a first terminal or user at a second terminal in e.g., a same household are described. If a session is to be transferred, resource reservations associated with establishing a second IMS session for the transfer can be bypassed by informing the IMS system, either explicitly or implicitly, of the relationship between the terminals involved in the transfer. A controller can select a content server to support the resumed session and coordinate session identities associated with the selection.