Session Handling Entity Correlation Identity Prevents Media Stream Forking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems face challenges in efficiently managing communication sessions across multiple devices with both circuit switched (CS) and packet switched (PS) access technologies, leading to issues with call termination and media stream forking, especially when devices are reachable via multiple access networks simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A session handling entity and method that utilize a correlation identity to register user devices, allowing the application server to determine the number of registered devices and their access technologies, and initiate communication with each device only once, preventing forking and ensuring media streams are delivered to the correct device via appropriate access technologies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If forking is used to implement parallel ringing to reach users via multiple devices and access networks, then the ability to deliver communication to multiple destinations is improved, but duplicate connections and media stream forking occur when the same device is reachable via both CS and PS access
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a correlation identity as an intermediary element that links CS and PS access records to the same user device. This correlation identity acts as a mediator that enables the application server to identify when CS and PS records refer to the same device, allowing selective forking to avoid duplicate connections while maintaining the ability to reach multiple destinations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the application server receives correlation identities from the session handling entity and uses this information to determine whether to fork calls to multiple devices. The server feedbacks the correlation identity information back to control the forking decision, ensuring that if a device is reachable via both CS and PS, only one access is used to avoid duplicates.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple devices with the same user identity are registered to receive communication, then the coverage of communication delivery is improved, but parallel ringing and duplicate connections occur
Solution Approach 1:
The correlation identity serves as a mediator that simplifies the management of multiple devices with the same user identity. Instead of managing each device independently and risking parallel ringing, the correlation identity groups CS and PS records that refer to the same device, enabling the application server to make informed forking decisions and reducing the complexity of call termination management.
3Measurement precision
If correlation identity is transmitted to application server as part of registration procedure, then the ability to determine registered devices and their access technologies is improved, but additional signaling overhead is introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by transmitting the correlation identity during the registration procedure itself, before any communication session needs to be established. This allows the application server to pre-store the correlation identity information and be ready to make accurate forking decisions when calls arrive, avoiding the need for additional signaling later in the call flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The correlation identity transmission during registration serves multiple functions: it enables the application server to identify device-access relationships, determines which records should be forked, and provides the basis for selective calling. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate signaling messages later, offsetting the initial signaling overhead.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a session handling entity and an application server (AS) in a communication system, the session handling entity (S-CSCF) is obtaining, from a register entity, a correlation identity for a registering private user identity of a user, transmitting the correlation identity as part of a registration procedure to the application server, and the application server initiates, based on a received session request associated with the user, at least one session request towards corresponding number of devices of the user wherein the application server is configured to check the correlation identity to ensure that not more than one session request is initiated for each device of the user.