SIP Session Transcoding for IMS and IETF Protocol Compatibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

IMS architecture based on SIP protocol from 3GPP is incompatible with SIP protocol from IETF, leading to conflicts between Smartphone applications and inability to interact within the same SIP session, resulting in non-functional operations such as incorrect call management.

Innovation Solution

An intermediate device implements a SIP session transcoding method that smooths differences between SIP IETF and SIP 3GPP protocols, ensuring compatibility and convergence of sessions, acting as a SIP client to the network and a Web server to client devices, facilitating access to IMS architectures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If SIP IETF protocol is used on client devices, then compatibility with web browsers and HTTP interfaces is improved, but interoperability with IMS architecture using SIP 3GPP protocol deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompatibility with web browsersVSAvoidinteroperability with IMS architecture
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A transcoding device is introduced as an intermediary between client devices using SIP IETF protocol and the IMS architecture using SIP 3GPP protocol. The device translates SIP IETF messages to SIP 3GPP messages and vice versa, enabling seamless communication while maintaining protocol compatibility on both sides.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The transcoding device dynamically changes protocol parameters by mapping SIP IETF headers and message formats to their corresponding SIP 3GPP equivalents. This includes transforming message structures, authentication mechanisms, and session management parameters to ensure interoperability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple SIP applications are installed on the same device, then application versatility is improved, but conflicts between applications deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication versatilityVSAvoidapplication compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple SIP applications on the same client device are merged into a single unified SIP session managed by the transcoding device. The device consolidates authentication and session management for all applications, eliminating conflicts while preserving individual application functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The transcoding device provides universal session management capabilities that serve multiple SIP applications simultaneously. It acts as a common interface that all applications can use, providing consistent authentication, session establishment, and teardown functions regardless of which application initiates the session.

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

3Reliability

If SIP protocol translation is implemented, then protocol interoperability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotocol interoperabilityVSAvoidtranscoding device complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The transcoding device segments the protocol translation function into distinct modules: SIP IETF message reception, message parsing and analysis, protocol transformation engine, and SIP 3GPP message transmission. This modular architecture simplifies implementation and maintenance while ensuring reliable interoperability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP1995930B1Method for transcoding SIP sessions
Publication Date: 2010.09.15 SOC FR DU RADIOTELEPHONE SFR
  • EP1995930B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1995930B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The method involves interpreting an interface message to update an output state of a client device e.g. mobile terminal. An Internet protocol (IP) tunnel creation step is performed between a client authentication step of a transcoding device and a transcoding device authentication step of session initiation protocol (SIP) type session of a SIP server, when strong authentication is desired. The tunnel is established by a gateway device for accessing Internet protocol multimedia subsystem (IMS) access infrastructure using an integrated subscriber identity module (SIM) card of a network.