Protocol Mapping Server for REST-SIP Interoperability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Computing devices operating under different communication protocols, such as RESTful HTTP for printer services and SIP for telephony signaling, face challenges in interoperability, particularly in transferring documents across different service domains.

Innovation Solution

A server-based protocol mapping function that translates communication between a first communication protocol used by a computing device in the printer service domain to a second communication protocol used by a computing device in the telephony signaling service domain, enabling the transfer of documents through a packet-switched session.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If devices use different communication protocols (RESTful HTTP for printer services, SIP for telephony signaling), then each device can operate within its own service domain, but interoperability between different service domains becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotocol compatibilityVSAvoidmapping system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a protocol mapping system that acts as an intermediary between devices using different communication protocols. The mapping system translates RESTful HTTP requests from printer service domain into SIP messages in the telephony signaling domain, enabling interoperability without requiring changes to the endpoint devices. This mediator approach resolves the contradiction by adding translation complexity only in the mapping system rather than in every communicating device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The protocol mapping system implements universal translation capabilities that can handle multiple protocol combinations and service domains. By creating a universal mapping layer that understands both RESTful HTTP and SIP protocols, the system enables any device using these protocols to communicate regardless of their native protocol preferences, thus improving adaptability without requiring each device to support multiple protocols directly.

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If a protocol mapping system is introduced to enable communication between different protocols, then interoperability is achieved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecross-domain communication capabilityVSAvoidprotocol mapping overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mapping system serves as a specialized intermediary component that handles protocol translation centrally. Rather than embedding complex multi-protocol support in every device, the patent concentrates the translation logic in a dedicated mapping system that can be optimized and maintained separately, thus managing complexity in a controlled manner while achieving cross-domain communication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the communication system into distinct functional layers: the native protocol layer (RESTful HTTP or SIP), the protocol mapping layer (translation functionality), and the application layer (printer services or telephony services). This segmentation allows each layer to be developed, optimized, and maintained independently, reducing overall system complexity while enabling versatile communication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If document transfer is implemented across different service domains, then electronic printing capability is enhanced, but communication overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectronic printing efficiencyVSAvoidprotocol translation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The protocol mapping system performs preliminary translation of communication protocols before document transfer begins. By pre-establishing the translation mappings and preparing the communication channels in advance, the system minimizes translation overhead during the actual document transfer process, thus improving electronic printing efficiency without significant time loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The mapping system maintains continuous translation sessions for document transfer operations, keeping the protocol translation context active throughout the transfer process. This continuity eliminates the need for repeated translation setup and teardown, reducing communication overhead and improving the overall efficiency of electronic printing across service domains.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentEP2592811B1System and Method for Communication Protocol Mapping
Publication Date: 2015.12.09 BLACKBERRY LTD
  • EP2592811B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2592811B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2592811B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided are systems and methods for communication protocol mapping. A first computing device uses a first communication protocol while a second computing device uses a second communication protocol. In some implementations, the first communication protocol and the second communication protocol are for different service domains. In accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure, a server is configured to map communication between the different service domains. In some implementations, the first communication protocol is a protocol conforming to Representational State Transfer 'REST' and the second communication protocol is a Session Initiation Protocol 'SIP'. In accordance with another embodiment of the disclosure, a server is configured to map communication between the protocol conforming to REST and SIP, regardless of whether different service domains are involved.