IMS Application Server Unicast Media Routing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems, such as LocationFreeTV and Slingbox, do not allow users to remotely order media delivery to a terminal other than the one currently in use, which results in quality of service and scalability issues when routing media through a home Set-Top-Box.
Innovation Solution
An application server within an IP Multimedia Subsystem network that receives requests to deliver unicast media to a second client terminal, using Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) messages with a media Universal Resource Locator, and Real Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP) for controlling media delivery, enabling secure and scalable media routing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If media is routed through a home Set-Top-Box for remote delivery, then existing systems can provide remote media access, but quality of service and scalability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the media routing function from the home STB by introducing a dedicated media delivery server in the network infrastructure. This server directly routes media between content sources and remote terminals, removing the home STB from the media path while it retains only control functions. This extraction resolves the contradiction by enabling remote access without compromising QoS through the home STB bottleneck.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a media delivery server as an intermediary component in the network architecture. This server acts as a mediator between content sources and remote terminals, handling media routing and delivery independently of the home STB. The intermediary enables scalable remote media access while maintaining QoS through dedicated network infrastructure.
2Ease of operation
If media is routed through a home Set-Top-Box for remote delivery, then existing systems can provide remote media access, but scalability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the media delivery function from individual home STBs and centralizes it in network-based media delivery servers. This architectural change enables scalable media distribution as multiple servers can handle increasing loads without requiring proportional increases in home STB capabilities or bandwidth through individual home networks.
Solution Approach 2:
The media delivery server provides universal media delivery capability to multiple remote terminals simultaneously, rather than being constrained to a single home STB. This multi-functionality enables the system to scale by serving multiple users and locations through shared network infrastructure.
3Reliability
If SIP protocol is used for session establishment, then QoS control and charging mechanisms are improved, but integration with video-oriented control commands becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control functions by separating QoS management (handled by SIP in the IMS core) from video control commands (handled by RTSP at the application layer). This segmentation allows each protocol to operate in its optimal domain without requiring complex integration, as the media delivery server bridges the two protocols cleanly.
Solution Approach 2:
The media delivery server acts as an intermediary that translates between SIP signaling from the IMS network and RTSP commands for video control. This intermediary layer resolves the complexity of protocol integration by providing a clear interface between the QoS-controlled SIP session and the video-oriented RTSP commands.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of ordering the delivery of a unicast media stream to a second client terminal coupled to an IP Multimedia Subsystem network is described. The method comprises first sending a unicast media order from a first client terminal to an application server of said IP Multimedia Subsystem network. A Session Initiation Protocol INVITE message is then sent from the application server to said second client in response to receipt of said order, the INVITE message containing a media Universal Resource Locator identifying a media source. The Universal Resource Locator is used to exchange Real Time Streaming Protocol signalling between the second client terminal and the application server to initiate and control delivery of the media.