Messaging Resource Function IMS Messaging
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) Application Servers face complexity in implementing messaging support due to the need to handle the Message Session Relay Protocol (MSRP) stack, making it difficult to create and manage new IMS servers with messaging capabilities.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a Messaging Resource Function (MsgRF) that establishes Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) and MSRP sessions between User Equipment (UE) and Application Servers, allowing for the exchange of content through these sessions, simplifying the messaging process by acting as an intermediary and managing MSRP sessions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If IMS Application Servers implement MSRP stack directly, then messaging functionality is achieved, but device complexity and difficulty of creation and management increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the MSRP stack implementation from the Application Server and places it in a dedicated Messaging Resource Function (MsgRF) node. This separation allows the AS to provide messaging support without directly implementing the complex MSRP protocol stack, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining messaging functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The MsgRF node acts as an intermediary between the Application Server and the MSRP session. The AS communicates with the MsgRF using simplified protocols, and the MsgRF handles the complex MSRP interactions with UEs. This intermediary approach resolves the contradiction by providing messaging capability to the AS without requiring direct MSRP implementation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If IMS Application Servers handle all MSRP session management, then complete messaging control is achieved, but ease of operation and management deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts MSRP session management responsibilities from the Application Server and consolidates them in the MsgRF node. The AS retains high-level messaging control through simplified interfaces, while the MsgRF handles the operational complexity of MSRP session establishment, maintenance, and teardown, thereby improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The MsgRF node autonomously manages MSRP sessions, including establishing sessions with UEs, maintaining session state, and coordinating with the AS. This self-service capability relieves the AS from direct MSRP session management overhead while preserving messaging control capability.
3Ease of manufacture
If a dedicated Messaging Resource Function is introduced, then ease of manufacture and deployment improves, but device complexity of the overall system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the messaging functionality into distinct components: the MsgRF node dedicated to MSRP session management and the AS dedicated to application logic. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured and deployed independently with well-defined interfaces, improving ease of manufacture despite the increased system architecture complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The MsgRF node is designed as a universal component that can serve multiple Application Servers and handle various types of messaging sessions. This multi-functionality amortizes the complexity across multiple deployments, making the overall system easier to manufacture and deploy by reusing the same MsgRF infrastructure for different messaging scenarios.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of exchanging content between a User Equipment, UE, and an Application Server, AS, of an IP Multimedia Subsystem, IMS, or between the UE and a peer UE. The method comprises establishing a Session Initiation Protocol, SIP, session between said messaging resource function and the AS; establishing a Message Session Relay Protocol, MSRP, session between the UE and a messaging resource function of the IMS; and exchanging content between the first mentioned UE and the messaging resource function in messages sent over the established MSRP session.