SIP Session Setup Latency Reduction via Media Packet Acknowledgment

Solution Overview

Problem

Session setup latency in SIP-based communication systems is high due to bulky signaling messages, particularly over bandwidth-limited RF channels, causing delays in real-time applications.

Innovation Solution

The method involves using media packets as an acknowledgment instead of a separate acknowledgment message to reduce signaling overhead and accelerate session setup, determining the status of response messages and media packets to control the communication session setup accordingly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate acknowledgment messages are used in SIP session setup, then reliability of session establishment is improved, but session setup latency increases and signaling overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesession establishment reliabilityVSAvoidsession setup latency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the acknowledgment function with existing media packets (RTP/RTCP) that are already being transmitted during the session. Instead of sending separate ACK messages, the system utilizes the media packets themselves to carry acknowledgment information, thereby merging two functions into a single transmission and eliminating redundant signaling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The media packets (RTP/RTCP) are made multi-functional by enabling them to serve both their original purpose (media transmission) and an additional acknowledgment function. This allows the same packet to simultaneously deliver media content and confirm session establishment, reducing the need for dedicated acknowledgment messages.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If separate acknowledgment messages are used in SIP session setup, then session establishment reliability is improved, but signaling overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesession establishment reliabilityVSAvoidsignaling overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the acknowledgment function with existing media packets (RTP/RTCP) that are already being transmitted during the session. Instead of sending separate ACK messages, the system utilizes the media packets themselves to carry acknowledgment information, thereby merging two functions into a single transmission and eliminating redundant signaling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent discards the traditional separate SIP ACK message by absorbing its function into the media packet stream. The acknowledgment information is recovered and transmitted within the existing RTP/RTCP packets, eliminating the need for additional dedicated acknowledgment signaling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Reliability

If bulky SIP signaling messages are used, then session setup completeness is improved, but transmission efficiency over RF channels deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesession setup completenessVSAvoidtransmission efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the acknowledgment function with existing media packets (RTP/RTCP) that are already being transmitted during the session. Instead of sending separate ACK messages, the system utilizes the media packets themselves to carry acknowledgment information, thereby merging two functions into a single transmission and eliminating redundant signaling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The media packets (RTP/RTCP) are made multi-functional by enabling them to serve both their original purpose (media transmission) and an additional acknowledgment function. This allows the same packet to simultaneously deliver media content and confirm session establishment, reducing the need for additional signaling messages.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS8457136B2Method, apparatus, and computer program product for reducing session setup latency

Publication Date: 2013.06.04 CELLCO PARTNERSHIP INC

AI summary

An apparatus for reducing session setup latency includes a processing element. The processing element is configured to determine a status with respect to a response message made in response to an invite message associated with a communication session, determine a status with respect to media packets being communicated between nodes of a network, make a determination with respect to an acknowledgment message based at least in part on the status determination with respect to the response message and the status determination with respect to media packets, and control setup of a communication session based on the determination with respect to the acknowledgement message.