Presence Server Cross-Network Status Synchronization

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Solution Overview

Problem

In heterogeneous communication environments, users face inefficiencies as status information across different network systems is not synchronized, leading to missed calls and busy signals not being transmitted across devices of the same user, especially when using different network technologies like landline and mobile networks.

Innovation Solution

A method where the usage status of a telecommunications terminal in one network system is transmitted to a connection device in another network system, allowing for real-time synchronization of status information across different network technologies, enabling busy signals and call waiting functions to be shared across all connected devices of the same user.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If status information is not synchronized across different network systems, then device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but communication reliability deteriorates and information loss increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a presence server as an intermediary component that coordinates status information across different network systems (GSM, UMTS, IP-based networks). The presence server receives usage status from one terminal and transmits it to other terminals, acting as a mediator that enables cross-network status synchronization without requiring direct integration between heterogeneous network systems, thus maintaining communication reliability while limiting system complexity growth.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The presence server implements universal functionality by handling multiple network technologies (GSM, UMTS, IP networks) through a single platform. It provides unified presence information management that works across different network domains, allowing the same server infrastructure to serve multiple network types without requiring separate specialized systems for each network technology.

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

2Loss of information

If usage status is transmitted across network systems, then information completeness is improved, but loss of time increases due to additional transmission steps

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestatus information completenessVSAvoidstatus synchronization time
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by continuously monitoring and maintaining presence information in the presence server before actual communication attempts. Usage status is proactively transmitted to the presence server and cached there, so that when a call or message is initiated, the status information is already available and can be quickly retrieved without requiring real-time queries during the communication establishment process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where terminals continuously report their usage status to the presence server, which then updates and redistributes this information to other terminals. This feedback loop ensures that status information remains current and accurate across all network systems, with the presence server acting as the central feedback coordinator that maintains information consistency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3603041B1Method for operating a communication system, telecommunication apparatus and computer program product
Publication Date: 2024.03.06 UNIFY BETEILIGUNGSVERWALTUNG GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3603041B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3603041B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3603041B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

If telecommunication devices in a group are associated with different network technologies, a use status of one telecommunication terminal of the group is nevertheless transmitted to a second telecommunication terminal of the group. By way of example, a busy signal is thus output by one device of the group even if the telephone call is conducted using another telecommunication terminal of the group.