IPTV Control Server Session Transfer Across Domains
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing IPTV session transfer mechanisms are limited to transferring sessions between terminals served by the same IPTV control server, preventing seamless session transfer across different IPTV control servers or IMS subscriptions, which hinders user flexibility, especially when trying to transfer content from a home terminal to a mobile device.
Innovation Solution
An IPTV Control Server system that includes a downstream interface for initializing sessions with terminals, an upstream interface for managing content provider sessions, and a control server interface for communicating with other control servers, allowing it to request and provide state information for session transfers across different servers, along with the option to generate bookmarking information for session continuity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If session transfer is implemented between terminals served by the same IPTV control server, then session transfer functionality is achieved, but user flexibility across different servers/subscriptions is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a session information database as an intermediary component that stores session state information and makes it accessible across different IPTV control servers. This mediator enables the first server to transfer session information to the second server without direct peer-to-peer communication, resolving the contradiction by adding a centralized storage mechanism that simplifies cross-server interactions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the session management system into separate components: the IPTV control server that handles signaling, the session information database that stores state data, and the content delivery network that provides content. This segmentation allows each component to operate independently while maintaining defined interfaces, enabling flexible session transfer across servers without increasing overall system complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional session transfer methods are used within a single IPTV control server, then implementation is simple, but session transfer across different IPTV control servers or IMS subscriptions is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The session information database is designed as a universal storage mechanism that can serve multiple IPTV control servers and support different IMS subscriptions. By creating a multi-functional database that can store and retrieve session information for any server, the system enables cross-server session transfer without requiring separate implementation for each server pair, thus reducing overall implementation complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the session information database as a mediator between different IPTV control servers. Instead of implementing complex direct communication protocols between servers, the database serves as a common interface that both servers can access, simplifying the implementation of cross-server session transfer while maintaining security and control.
3Reliability
If the second IPTV control server does not have session information, then it cannot control the session, but requesting and transferring state information adds communication overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by maintaining session state information in the session information database before actual session transfer occurs. When a user requests to transfer a session, the information is already prepared and stored, allowing for rapid retrieval and transfer without real-time communication delays between servers, thus reducing session transfer time while ensuring reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a copying mechanism where session state information is replicated from the first IPTV control server to the session information database, and then to the second server. This copying approach ensures that the receiving server has complete session information for reliable control, while the replication process is optimized to minimize time loss through efficient data transmission and storage.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for transferring a session between IPTV Control Servers, or between IMS subscriptions, allows the IPTV Control Servers involved in the transfer to connect to each other and facilitate a transfer of session transfer information. This session transfer information allows the recipient of the transfer to connect to the same content distribution network and resume the session using the same content servers where appropriate.