SRVCC Handover for Video Media Bearer Allocation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing procedures for handover of telecommunications sessions from Circuit Switched (CS) to Packet Switched (PS) access networks with Single Radio Voice Call Continuity (SRVCC) only handle voice/audio media, failing to specify how to handle other media types such as video or data media.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for performing handover of telecommunications sessions from a CS access network to a PS access network, including determining the presence of data media and allocating appropriate bearers for both data and audio media, if present, to enable seamless transfer of sessions with SRVCC, involving network servers and User Equipment (UE) configured to process handover commands and manage media bearers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If existing SRVCC handover procedures are used, then voice/audio media can be transferred from CS to PS access networks, but data media such as video cannot be handled

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemedia type supportVSAvoidhandover completeness
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the media handling into separate audio media bearers and data media bearers. The handover procedure is divided into distinct steps: determining audio media presence (step 604), determining data media presence (step 604), allocating audio bearers (step 607), and allocating data bearers (step 607). This segmentation allows each media type to be handled according to its specific requirements, resolving the contradiction between supporting multiple media types and ensuring reliable handover.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic determination and allocation steps that adapt the handover procedure based on the actual media present in the session. The network server dynamically determines whether audio media and data media are present (step 604) and dynamically allocates appropriate bearers (steps 607) based on this determination. This dynamic approach allows the system to handle various media combinations (voice-only, video-only, voice+video) reliably, improving both adaptability and handover completeness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If handover procedures are extended to support data media, then media type support is improved, but procedure complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemedia type supportVSAvoidhandover procedure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal handover procedure that handles multiple media types through a unified framework. The network server performs a single determination step (604) that identifies both audio and data media presence, and a single allocation step (607) that provisions both audio bearers and data bearers. This multi-functional approach allows the same procedure to handle voice-only, video-only, and voice+video scenarios without requiring separate specialized procedures, thus improving adaptability while controlling complexity.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary determination of media presence (step 604) and preliminary allocation of bearers (step 607) before the actual handover execution. By determining what media are present and pre-allocating the necessary bearers in advance, the procedure simplifies the actual handover execution phase. This preliminary action prevents complexity during the critical handover moment while still supporting multiple media types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2807856B1Single radio voice call continuity handover of calls with video media from a circuit switched access network
Publication Date: 2018.05.30 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP2807856B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2807856B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2807856B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A method is provided of performing a handover with Single Radio Voice Call Continuity, SRVCC, of a telecommunications session from a User Equipment, UE accessing an IP Multimedia Subsystem, IMS, network via a Circuit Switched, CS, access network to a target Packet Switched, PS, access network. The method includes receiving a handover request from the CS access network to transfer the session and determining that the telecommunications session comprises data media in addition to, or without, any audio media. The ability to perform the handover with SRVCC for the data media is determined. Bearer resources for the session when handed over to the PS access network are allocated, including a data media bearer and, if there is any audio media in the session an audio media bearer. The session is transferred from the CS to the target PS access network.