Network Node Voice Call Device Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current communication networks lack the ability to initiate an outgoing media call from a specific User Equipment (UE) among multiple devices associated with a user, as there is no exposure available in existing APIs to specify the device for call initiation, especially when using voice instructions through a Digital Assistant.
Innovation Solution
A method is implemented where a network node receives a voice instruction from a Digital Assistant to identify and select the appropriate UE for an outgoing media call, sending an IMS identifier to an IMS node to check if the UE is registered and supports the media type, and proceeds with initiating or deciding on an alternative if it does not.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing APIs are used for call initiation, then the system maintains simplicity and compatibility, but the system cannot specify which UE should be used for outgoing calls among multiple devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary component (call session controller or application server) that mediates between the Digital Assistant's voice command and the core network. This intermediary receives the voice instruction, identifies the intended UE, determines the appropriate IMS identifier, and manages the call session setup. This allows the system to specify which UE to use without requiring changes to the core network APIs, thus improving adaptability while maintaining API simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the call initiation function into separate components: voice command processing, UE identification, IMS identifier determination, and call session management. This segmentation allows each component to handle specific tasks independently, enabling the system to specify which UE to use without complicating the overall API structure. The Digital Assistant handles voice input, the intermediary handles UE selection and IMS identifier mapping, and the core network handles call setup.
2Ease of operation
If voice instructions are processed without device identification, then the system remains simple to operate, but the system cannot determine which specific UE should initiate the call
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the system responds to voice commands by presenting available UEs to the user for selection. When a voice instruction is received, the system identifies which UEs are available, presents them to the user (either simultaneously or sequentially), and waits for user confirmation or selection. This feedback loop ensures that device selection information is not lost while maintaining ease of operation through natural voice interaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-identifying and storing the relationship between users and their available UEs before call initiation. The system maintains information about which UEs are associated with which users and their capabilities (voice call, video call, etc.). When a voice command is received, this pre-established information is quickly retrieved and used to determine the appropriate UE, eliminating the need for complex real-time device selection while preserving device selection information.
3Reliability
If the system checks UE registration and media support for each call, then call reliability is improved, but the call setup time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-checking and caching UE registration status and media capability information before actual call initiation. The intermediary component maintains up-to-date information about which UEs are registered in the IMS network and what media types they support (voice, video, etc.). When a call is requested, this pre-validated information is used to quickly determine the appropriate UE without performing time-consuming checks at call setup time, thus maintaining reliability while reducing delay.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial checking by performing essential verification (IMS registration status) while assuming certain capabilities based on device type or user profile. Instead of exhaustively verifying every possible parameter for each call, the system performs the critical check of whether the UE is registered and capable of the requested media type, then proceeds with call setup. This partial verification approach maintains sufficient reliability while minimizing call setup time.
Data Source
AI summary
A method performed by a network node, for handling an outgoing media call of a user associated with multiple User Equipment, UEs, in a communications network is provided. The network node receives (402) a request for the outgoing media call to be set up from a first UE out of the multiple UEs. The request is obtained as a voice instruction 5 from the user via a Digital Assistant, DA, device. The voice instruction comprises a personalized name associated with the first UE. The network node further identifies (403) among the multiple UEs, the first UE and its associated IP Multimedia Subsystem, IMS, identifier based on the personalized name received in the voice instruction. The network node further sends (404), to an IMS node, the identified IMS identifier of the first UE and a 10 request to whether or not the first UE is registered in the IMS node and supports media of the outgoing media call. When the first UE is registered in the IMS node and supports the media of the outgoing media call, the network node initiates (405) the outgoing media call from the first UE. When the first UE is not registered in the IMS node and/or does not support the media of the outgoing media call, the network node decides (406) how to 15 proceed with the outgoing media call.