Home Gateway POS Data Service Mode Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Delays and errors in IP networks cause unreliable connections between Point of Sale (POS) devices and remote banking centers, leading to unsuccessful payments due to unavoidable delays, packet loss, and jitter in Voice over IP (VoIP) systems.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a home gateway that uses SIP signaling and SDP negotiation with a softswitch to quickly switch the Digital Signal Processor (DSP) from voice mode to POS data service mode upon detecting a configured POS access code, bypassing unreliable answer tones and ensuring a reliable connection by managing jitter buffers and media formats.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the gateway uses RTP packets to detect the answer tone sent by the remote end, then the POS data service can be enabled over IP network, but delays are unavoidable when the gateway receives the answer tone and switches the DSP to POS data service mode

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovePOS data service capabilityVSAvoidconnection establishment delay
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The gateway proactively sends a detection tone before receiving the answer tone, and prepares the DSP for mode switching in advance. This preliminary action reduces the time required for connection establishment by having the system ready to switch modes before the answer tone is fully received and processed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The gateway implements a mechanism to compensate for the inevitable delay by sending the detection tone early and using a timer-based approach to trigger the DSP mode switch. This cushioning approach ensures that the connection is established promptly despite the inherent delays in RTP packet transmission and answer tone detection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Reliability

If the gateway detects the answer tone from the remote end, then the POS data service mode can be activated, but packet loss and jitter may cause detection errors and prevent the DSP from switching to POS data service mode

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection establishment reliabilityVSAvoidpacket loss and jitter
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The gateway implements a feedback mechanism where it sends a detection tone and waits for the answer tone in response. By using a timer-based approach and sending the detection tone proactively, the system can determine whether the connection is established successfully. If no answer tone is received within the expected time frame, the gateway can retry or report the connection failure, thereby improving reliability despite packet loss and jitter.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The gateway sends the detection tone before receiving the answer tone and prepares for mode switching in advance. This preliminary action allows the system to detect connection establishment more reliably by having the detection mechanism ready and active before the answer tone arrives, reducing the impact of packet loss and jitter on detection accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2352268B1Method, equipment and system for carrying a point of sale (POS) data service over an IP network
Publication Date: 2017.12.06 HUAWEI DEVICE CO LTD
  • EP2352268B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2352268B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2352268B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method, device, and system for carrying a Point of Sale (POS) data service over an IP network are disclosed. The method includes: by a home gateway, receiving a number dialed by a user at a POS; when determining that the number dialed at the POS is a POS access code according to configuration information, setting up a call link with a softswitch through Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) signaling interactions and performing Session Description Protocol (SDP) negotiation with the softswitch; switching a Digital Signal Processor (DSP) inside the home gateway from a normal voice mode to a POS data service mode; and performing POS negotiation with a Network Access Server (NAS) of a banking center and transferring data services exchanged between the POS and the banking center after successful negotiation. With the present invention, a reliable connection can be quickly set up between the POS and a remote banking center.