Multimedia Ring Tone Playback During Active Call

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing multimedia ring tone services cannot continuously play multimedia content during a call, as they stop once the call is answered, failing to provide continuous audio or video experiences for users.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that utilize a Multimedia Resource Function (MRF) for audio mixing, where a Customized Ringing Signal-Application Server (CRS-AS) sends re-INVITE and UPDATE messages with Session Description Protocol (SDP) offers to terminals, ensuring continuous playback of multimedia ring tones by instructing the MRF to execute audio mixing processing during a call.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If the prior art method is used where the CRS server stops playing the CRS after the called party answers the call, then the call enters a normal call stage, but the multimedia ring tone cannot be played continuously during the call

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveduration of multimedia ring tone playbackVSAvoidcall stage transition
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements continuous playback of the multimedia ring tone (CRS/CAT) during the entire call duration by maintaining the audio mixing state. The MRF continues to mix the ring tone with the call audio stream even after the called party answers, ensuring the useful action of ring tone playback persists throughout the call rather than stopping at call answer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces the MRF (Media Resource Function) as an intermediary component that mediates between the CRS-AS (Customized Ringing Signal Application Server) and the terminals. The MRF performs audio mixing to combine the ring tone with the call audio stream, enabling continuous playback during the call without interfering with the normal call stage transition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the CRS server stops playing the CRS when the called party answers, then the system enters normal call stage, but the user experience of continuous multimedia content playback is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecall stage transition reliabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The MRF is designed to perform multiple functions: it handles both the ring tone playback during the ringing stage and the continuous audio mixing during the call stage. This multi-functionality allows the system to maintain reliable call stage transitions while avoiding the need for separate systems for ring tone management and call management.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The MRF acts as an intermediary that simplifies the system architecture by centralizing audio processing functions. Instead of requiring complex coordination between multiple servers to maintain continuous playback, the MRF mediates the audio streams, making the system easier to manufacture and deploy while ensuring reliable call stage transitions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Duration of action of moving object

If audio mixing processing is executed continuously during the call, then multimedia ring tone can be played continuously, but additional server resources and session update messages are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveduration of multimedia ring tone playbackVSAvoidsession management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent maintains continuous audio mixing processing during the entire call duration to ensure uninterrupted ring tone playback. The MRF continuously mixes the ring tone with the call audio stream, and the CRS-AS continuously manages the session state, ensuring the useful action of multimedia playback persists without interruption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where the CRS-AS monitors the call state and sends re-INVITE or UPDATE messages to maintain the audio mixing session. This feedback loop ensures that the session management adapts to call stage changes while maintaining continuous playback, managing the complexity through automated state monitoring and response.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2479968B1Method for playing multimedia ring tone during conversation period, server and terminal device thereof
Publication Date: 2017.06.14 HUAWEI DEVICE CO LTD
  • EP2479968B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2479968B1 patent drawingFigure 3A
  • EP2479968B1 patent drawingFigure 3B

AI summary

A method, a server and a terminal device for playing a multimedia ring tone during a call are provided according to the embodiments of the present invention, where the method includes: receiving a request flag sent by a calling terminal or a called terminal; and triggering continuous play of a multimedia ring tone during a call according to the request flag. Through the method, server and terminal device for continuously playing a multimedia ring tone during a call, a problem in the prior art that a multimedia ring tone cannot be continuously played for a user during a call is solved.