Transcoding Server for PoC Interoperability
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Solution Overview
Problem
The Push to Talk Over Cellular (PoC) service faces interoperability issues due to differences in media codecs between 3GPP and 3GPP2 terminals, necessitating transcoding to enable multi-user communication sessions, but existing solutions are complex and not fully integrated into the PoC architecture.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for establishing a multi-user communication session that involves inviting users with incompatible media characteristics, setting up a transcoding session based on terminal information, and transcoding media streams to ensure compatibility, using a transcoding server to adapt media streams according to the session description.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If transcoding is implemented to enable interoperability between 3GPP and 3GPP2 terminals, then compatibility between different media codecs is improved, but system complexity increases due to the need for additional transcoding functions and protocol handling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a Transcoding Server as an intermediary component that mediates between 3GPP and 3GPP2 terminals with incompatible media codecs. The server receives media streams from one terminal type, transcodes them to the appropriate format, and forwards them to the other terminal type, enabling interoperability without requiring complex integration at the terminal level.
Solution Approach 2:
The system separates the transcoding function into a distinct, standalone server component rather than integrating it directly into the PoC terminals or core network elements. This segmentation allows the transcoding functionality to be independently managed, configured, and maintained, reducing the complexity burden on other system components.
2Ease of manufacture
If a generic transcoding framework is adopted instead of MRFC/MRFP and H.248/MGCP, then ease of implementation is improved by avoiding complex protocol specifications, but compatibility with existing IMS architecture may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The Transcoding Server is designed with a universal architecture that can handle multiple codec types and protocols through configurable interfaces. It implements standard SIP signaling and can work with various media formats, making it compatible with existing IMS architecture while avoiding the need to implement complex H.248/MGCP protocols, thus achieving both ease of implementation and architectural compatibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A method an system for establishing a multi-user communication session, having a session description, between terminals with incompatible media characteristics, in which users with terminals having incompatible media characteristics are invited to participate in the communication session. A transcoding session is set up for enabling transcoding between the incompatible media characteristics of the terminals based on information about the terminals of the users having accepted the invitation, this information comprising the media characteristics of the users' terminals. The session description is established according to the transcoding session and, during the communication session, media streams from the terminal of one user are transcoded according to the transcoding session and the transcoded media streams are transmitted according to the session description to the other users participating in the communication session, using the media characteristics of the terminals of those other users.