WebRTC Gateway Server for Charging Session Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
WebRTC technology lacks tools for implementing charging solutions in customer service interactions, making it difficult to determine and manage connection costs between service providers and customers.
Innovation Solution
A method and communication system that utilize WebRTC technology to establish communication sessions, including generating charging data records through the public switched telephone network, and using a connection management server to associate and manage identifiers for voice and data connections, enabling the carriage of real-time video, video files, and chat application data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If WebRTC technology is used for direct peer-to-peer communication, then ease of operation and user experience are improved, but the ability to implement charging solutions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a server as an intermediary between WebRTC peers to enable charging functionality. The server receives charging requests from either peer, generates charging data records, and manages the charging process without disrupting the direct peer-to-peer media flow. This mediator approach allows WebRTC to maintain its simplicity while gaining enterprise-grade charging capabilities through the server's coordination.
2Device complexity
If direct peer-to-peer WebRTC communication is implemented, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to manage and authenticate connections deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The server acts as a trusted intermediary that handles authentication, authorization, and connection management tasks. It verifies user credentials, manages session states, and coordinates charging processes, thereby providing reliable connection management without increasing the complexity of peer devices. The server centralizes these control functions while peers maintain simple WebRTC client implementations.
3Productivity
If WebRTC enables simplified communication establishment, then productivity is improved, but the ability to generate charging data deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by establishing the WebRTC connection quickly for immediate communication, while simultaneously or subsequently initiating charging data generation through the server. The server collects necessary charging information (duration, data volume, participant identifiers) during and after the communication session, ensuring charging data is captured without delaying the productive peer-to-peer connection establishment.
Data Source
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Figure 2
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for establishing a communication session. First, the communication session is initiated by a server (100). Next, a first connection request (215) is generated for a voice call between a first WebRTC device (105) and a second WebRTC device (110) over a WebRTC gateway device (115). A second connection request (220) comprising an identifier of first WebRTC device (105) is generated towards a connection management server (120). Next, an inquiry to the connection management server (120) by the second WebRTC device (110) is generated for determining (235) if a connection request is received from the first WebRTC device (105), and in that case the communication session comprising both the first connection for the voice call and a second connection is established.