CN104717222A - Method and equipment for achieving multimedia communication - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention discloses a method and equipment for achieving multimedia communication. The method and equipment are used for providing access to multimedia service for a communication device (302) which is connected to a special network in a multimedia gateway (300) which is connected to a multimedia service network (304). The multimedia gateway can comprise a device database (316), a communication unit (312) and a logical unit (314). Service identifiers are correlated with the multimedia gateway, and the service identifiers are effective in the multimedia gateway. When a session request is received, it is represented that one or more devices in the special network use the service identifiers to establish a session with capacity of each of the one or more devices. Therefore, no independent service identifier of a selected device is needed. If the session request is a session invitation of an incoming request, then the one or more devices are selected according to the session capacity requirements.

Description

Realize the method and apparatus of multimedia communication

Technical field

The present invention relates generally to the method and apparatus realizing multimedia communication for the multimedia gateway by being connected to multimedia service network.Then the dissimilar communicator that can be in device, the particularly household network being connected to dedicated network provides the access to multimedia service.

Background technology

Have now various communicator, they can use IP (Internet Protocol), such as fixing or mobile computer and phone to carry out packet-based multimedia communication.Multimedia service usually needs to transmit and carrys out the coded data of presentation medium with combination in different formats.Term " multimedia " will be used for generally representing that any media by using packet-based IP (Internet Protocol) transmission technology to transmit are selected in this manual.Multimedia service relates to the packet switching communication of the data representing the dissimilar media such as such as audio frequency, video, image, text, document, animation.

Third generation partner program (3GPP) developed be called " IP Multimedia System " (IMS) network architecture as the open standard for the treatment of multimedia service in packet domain and session.IMS is for more or less irrelevantly realizing with used access technology the service transmitted based on IP and being not limited to the platform of any special services.Therefore, IMS network controls Multimedia session, but is not used in actual transmission payload data, payload data by Access Network and any intermediate transport networks, comprise internet and carry out route.

Fig. 1 is for being provided the exemplary diagram of the basic network topology of multimedia service to show by IMS service network.In the communication session S relating to one or more multimedia service, mobile terminal A is connected to radio access network 100, and communicates with the fixed terminal B being connected to another Access Network 102.The middle backbone network (not shown) of this Access Network 100 and 102 of link can also be there is.

IMS network 104 is connected to radio access network 100, and process is for the session of terminal A, and wherein network 100,104 is generally an operator and owns.In this example, corresponding IMS network 106 GC group connector B process session, and two IMS network 104 and 106 can be controlled by different operators.Or two communication terminals certainly can be connected to same Access Network and/or can belong to same IMS network.Terminal A also can with server communication, such as, to download some media from content supplier.In addition, if terminal is just roamed at interviewed Access Network, then multimedia service is processed by " ownership " IMS network of terminal, IMS network that namely it is registered as subscriber wherein.

Session S shown in Fig. 1, by the specific node administration in each IMS network, is generally called " session management node " 108 here.These nodes generally include S-CSCF (service call conversation control function), I-CSCF (enquiry call conversation control function) and P-CSCF (Proxy Call Session Control Function).Each IMS network 104,106 also comprises the one or more application servers 110 for realizing various multimedia service.In addition, major database parts HSS (home subscriber server) 112 wherein also store subscriber data and authorization data and information on services.IMS network 106 is substantially similar to network 104.The various specific functions of shown network components 108-112 are generally known in the art, do not need here to further describe to understand context of the present invention.Certainly, IMS network 104,106 comprises other nodes many and function, for simplicity, not shown here.

Be called the specification of " SIP " (session initiation protocol according to standard I ETF RFC 3261) for the treatment of the session in IMS network.SIP is the application layer control protocol for signaling, to create and the general session processed by packet-switched logic.Therefore, SIP standard can be used for setting up and control IP multimedia communication by IMS system and terminal.SIP itself does not provide multimedia service, but makes other agreement or application can be used for the actual one group of primitive realizing this kind of service can to use.Such as, when have invoked certain application program, definition is called the message of " invitation " in SIP, so as in process of establishing initiation session.

In SIP, use the Additional Agreement being called " Session Description Protocol SDP ", for describing Multimedia session by SDP message, SDP message can be used as self-contained body and embeds in sip message.Therefore, SDP can by terminal for providing the information relevant with preference with their certain capabilities, to consult peace treaty the fixing on IP address and port that will use which session parameter, specifically codec and media in upcoming Multimedia session, this is well-known in the art.Above-mentioned " SIP invitation " message comprises SDP message, wherein has the information about other messaging parameter needed for one or more required codecs (encoder/decoder) and upcoming session.

According to 3GPP, require reserved communication terminal Internet access IMS SIM or " ISIM " (IMS user identification module) application program of access IMS network, to provide necessary authentication and subscriber data to the operator of IMS network.Now, IMS enabled terminals access IMS network is only allowed.

ISIM application program is arranged on Universal Integrated Circuit Card (UICC) usually, is similar to well-known GSM terminal SIM card.The terminal being equipped with ISIM is called " IMS is enable " terminal.ISIM wherein also stores and is called the IMS private identity of " IMPI " and is called at least one IMS public identities of " IMPU ", is that IMS network is known both them.IMPI is used for authentication and open to third party, and IMPU can by anyone for identifying subscriber and/or their equipment when participating in IMS service, similar to e-mail address or telephone number.Object is, each IMPU associates with IMS service configuration file.

Although IMS concept is mainly understood to the multimedia service realizing mobile IP terminal, it independently can use with access technology, as mentioned above.At ETSI (ETSI), be called that the work group of TISPAN (telecommunications of high-level network and Internet service and agreement) is current is occupied in the work adopting IMS in fixed.Also wish now to use such as conventional LAN (local area network (LAN)) equipment and agreement to provide this kind of service based on IMS for the various IP terminals being connected to local or dedicated network, particularly household or office network environment.General terms " dedicated network " will be used for representing any this kind of network in the following description, comprise LAN, WAN (wide area network) and WLAN (WLAN (wireless local area network)).In addition, term " device " will be used for any terminal can carrying out IP communication in dedicated network.

Dedicated network can comprise fixing or radio communication device, and they are not that IMS is enable, but they may be " SIP are enable ", and other communicator in dedicated network can neither IMS be enable, neither SIP enable.Such as, this kind of simple mechanism can comprise landline telephone and cordless telephone, and the so-called STB (Set Top Box) of PC and television set.A large amount of this kind of existing " apparatus for household use " makes desirable to provide for the interworking solution between non-IMS device and IMS network, to expand the market of multimedia service.

In order to provide IMS service to the non-IMS enabled communication devices being such as connected to special household or office network, define the multimedia gateway being called " Home IMS Gateway HIG ", it can represent connected any communicator and serve as IMS enabled terminals.Such Home IMS Gateway is described in the earlier patents application PCT/EP2005/055248 of applicant.HIG wherein also comprises for enable but carry out the SIP " back-to-back user agent " (B2BUA) of intercommunication between non-IMS enabled device and IMS network at SIP.B2BUA is equipped with ISIM application program, and represents SIP device process IMS signaling, and all signalings about SIP device are all associated with the corresponding IMPI in ISIM application program.Such as, SIP enabled device can send to HIG " SIP registration " message only comprising SIP mark.Then, HIG is IMS process conveniently, message conversion is become to comprise " IMS registration " message of IMPI and IMPU.

Fig. 2 shows and uses a kind of typical case of HIG, and special or " family expenses " environment 200 shown in it, as home dwelling or office, it is included in the multiple different IP communicators linked together in dedicated network 202.As shown here, these devices can comprise telephone, cordless telephone, television set, server and people's computer, and it are simply called " device " below.

Dedicated network 202 comprises conventional residential gateway RGW 204, and it is connected to outside Access Network 206, provides media M to the communication link of device in network 202.Although here do not specifically illustrate, but RGW 204 generally includes NAT (network address translation) and firewall functionality, and comprising local DHCP (DHCP) server that private ip addresses is provided to device, this is well-known in the art.

Dedicated network 202 wherein also comprises the HIG 208 of the connection being provided to IMS network, shows the IMS core 212 for comprising HSS 212 here.HIG 208 is equipped with the interface of the dissimilar device carrying out Signal transmissions for operative installations specific protocol.In patent application PCT/EP2005/055248, describe the basic functional architecture of HIG in detail, comprise various interface, protocol conversion and gateway function.But these configuration details do not need here to further describe to understand the present invention.In fact, described HIG is functional be can be used as isolated node or realizes in IMS enabled terminals in RGW, even.But, be considered to independently functional unit in this manual, irrelevant with realization.

In HIG 208, for each storaging mark information 214 of device in network 202, generally include above-mentioned IMPU, it is effective for access IMS core 210, also same identification information is stored in HSS 212 as subscriber information 216 in IMS core 210, as illustrated in the drawing.Patent application PCT/EP2005/055248 outlines the various combination that how can use IMPI and IMPU in this context.Like this, distribute effective IMS mark that such as comprises IMPU to each device in network 202, it associates with its local ip address.Identification information 214 is stored in the ISIM application program realized in HIG 208 usually.

Therefore, when the device in network 202 uses the agreement in its limit of power to send the request of IMS service, HIG 208 identifies this device by its local ip address, and the IMS that retrieval associates with that device identifies 214.Then, convertible the received service request of HIG, and IMS mark 214 establishment representing this device use retrieval is effectively asked (such as " SIP invitation ") based on the IMS of SIP.Then, by correspondingly transmitting suitable sip message with IMS core 210, HIG 208 will set up session for this device.

In a similar manner, relate to the incoming call of IMS service, it may for one of device or general for private home or office device, can represent this device use the IMS associated with device to identify 214 to set up by HIG.Then called device is routed the call to transmit media M by RGW 204.Like this, device 202 is considered as IMS enabled device by IMS core, and device will use HIG 208 as the agency accessing the service provided by IMS network.

But this process entails must be the IMS mark of each device allocative efficiency in dedicated network 202 in HIG, comprises necessary authorization data.IMS network operator distributes IMS mark usually, and they also must be registered as the subscriber information be stored in HSS 212 in the ims network.Whenever adding a device to network, new IMS mark must be distributed to it.Therefore, when local environment and dedicated network 202 are added or removed a device, the IMS mark set up two positions 208,212 must be modified in.

This slightly flexibly solution undesirable administrative burden is applied with to user and IMS operator, and user should how to process IMS mark such as IMPU neither be very clear.In addition, IMS network may become a large amount of IMS mark and reservation that are loaded with and must manage.Therefore, wish flexibly a kind of and easily solution provide access to IMS service for non-IMS enabled device.

Summary of the invention

In general object of the present invention is avoid or at least reduce above-described problem.More particularly, the object of the invention is can avoid distributing separately IMS mark to each device in dedicated network.

These objects and other object obtain according to the method for following accompanying independent claim and multimedia service gateway by providing.

At the multimedia gateway by being connected with multimedia service network for the communicator being connected to dedicated network provides in the inventive method to the access of multimedia service, initial reception session request.Then, respond this session request, at least one device represented in dedicated network uses the effective service identifiers associated with multimedia gateway also to use the ability of at least one device described, in negotiations process, set up session.

In the first example, session request can be the session invitation of the incoming request to dedicated network, then from described communicator, selects at least one device described according to the Capability Requirement of session.By the session parameter of advising in received session invitation to indicate Capability Requirement, then the device capability in session parameter and dedicated network is compared, to select at least one device described.Can from the facility database in the multimedia network Central Shanxi Plain or the ability by carrying out indexing unit to device request unit ability.Device capability can refer to following at least one item: at least one media codec, transmission speed ability and memory capacity.

Session invitation can be " SIP invitation " message, and the session parameter of suggestion can be included in the SDP message in embedding " SIP invitation " message.Also can select at least one device described according to pre-defined rule or strategy.Multiple device also can be selected for session, for receiving different combined medium stream or for receiving identical Media Stream on institute's screening device simultaneously.

Can be that some people in dedicated network and/or device distribute independent service identifiers in the multimedia network Central Shanxi Plain, make to represent described people and/or device and use the independent service identifiers of its correspondence and ability to set up Multimedia session.

In the second example, session request about the striking out request of the request unit from dedicated network, then can use the ability of this request unit when setting up session.Can from the facility database in the multimedia network Central Shanxi Plain ability of retrieval request device.

Session specific information can be stored in session mapping table, and this table can be used for other signaling associated with the session.Session specific information can comprise definition the calling ID of session, the local ip address of at least one device described and selected port, the reserved port of home gateway of dedicated network and the IP address of remote parties.The service identifiers associated with multimedia gateway can comprise IMPU.

The present device of the access to multimedia service is provided to comprise in the multimedia network Central Shanxi Plain being connected to multimedia service network for the communicator for being connected to dedicated network: for receiving the parts of session request; And use the effective service identifiers associated with multimedia gateway also to use the ability of at least one device described in negotiations process, set up the parts of session for responding described session request at least one device represented in dedicated network.

When session request is the session invitation to the incoming request of dedicated network, this equipment also comprises the logical block being suitable for selecting at least one device described from the described communicator dedicated network according to the Capability Requirement of session.By the session parameter of advising in received session invitation to indicate Capability Requirement, then logical block also can be suitable for the ability of the device in described session parameter and dedicated network to compare, to select at least one device described.

Logical block also can be suitable for from the facility database in the multimedia network Central Shanxi Plain or by retrieving described device capability to device capability described in device request.Described device capability can refer to following at least one item: at least one media codec, transmission speed ability and memory capacity.Session invitation can be " SIP invitation " message, and the session parameter of suggestion can be included in the SDP message in embedding " SIP invitation " message.

Logical block also can be suitable for selecting at least one device described according to pre-defined rule or strategy.Logical block also can be suitable for selecting multiple device for session, for receiving different combined medium stream or for receiving identical Media Stream on institute's screening device simultaneously.

This equipment also can comprise the parts for performing following operation: be that some people in dedicated network and/or device distribute independent service identifiers in the multimedia network Central Shanxi Plain, makes to represent described people and/or device uses the independent service identifiers of its correspondence to set up Multimedia session.

When the striking out request of session request about the request unit from dedicated network, this equipment also can comprise the parts of the ability for using request unit when setting up session.This equipment also can comprise the parts of the ability for retrieving described request device in the facility database from the multimedia network Central Shanxi Plain.

This equipment also can comprise the parts for session specific information being stored in session mapping table, and session mapping table can be used for other signaling associated with the session.Session specific information can comprise definition the calling ID of session, the local ip address of at least one device described and selected port, the reserved port of home gateway of dedicated network and the IP address of remote parties.The service identifiers associated with multimedia gateway can comprise IMPU.

Other possibility characteristic sum beneficial effect of the present invention is described in the following detailed description.

Accompanying drawing explanation

Also in more detail the present invention is described, in accompanying drawing with reference to accompanying drawing by preferred embodiment now:

Fig. 1 is the schematic diagram for transmitting multimedia conventional network architecture between two communication terminals.

Fig. 2 is the schematic diagram of being accessed the household network of multimedia service according to prior art by local " Home IMS Gateway HIG ".

Fig. 3 be according to an embodiment for setting up the Multimedia session of incoming call time the block diagram of multimedia gateway.

Fig. 4 be according to another embodiment for setting up the Multimedia session of outbound call time Fig. 3 shown in the block diagram of multimedia gateway.

Fig. 5 uses multimedia gateway to set up the flow chart of the step of Multimedia session according to another embodiment.

Fig. 6 be according to another embodiment as the part of process shown in Fig. 5 for selecting the flow chart of the step of a device.

Embodiment

In brief, the present invention identifies the multimedia communication of any IP communicator realizing being connected to dedicated network by the share service associated with multimedia gateway.Therefore, in multimedia service network, effective share service mark visits service network by multimedia gateway for the device represented in dedicated network.By share service mark is used for the multiple devices being connected to dedicated network, just do not need to distribute specific service identifiers separately to obtain the access right to multimedia service to each device.Thus, be enough to multimedia service network registration multimedia gateway and identify to cater to the multiple devices in dedicated network, this will reduce the registrating number in service network.In the following detailed description of the embodiment of the present invention, other advantage will become fully aware of.

In this manual, multimedia gateway will be called the HIG (Home IMS Gateway) being connected to IMS (IP Multimedia System) network.But the present invention is not limited to these concrete terms substantially, be also not limited to any concrete protocol and standard hereafter mentioned.

Multimedia gateway when Fig. 3 to illustrate according to an embodiment for setting up the Multimedia session of incoming call and HIG 300.Similar to Fig. 2, HIG 300 is multiple devices 302 in dedicated network and the gateway between showing here for the multimedia service network of IMS network 304.Assuming that shown device 302 is that non-IMS is enable, just as the one described above for fig. 2, but the present invention does not get rid of the device yet using IMS enable.HIG 300 is equipped with the agreement and interface that are suitable for each institute jockey.

HIG 300 has IMS mark, and it is effective in IMS network 304, and stored therein as the reservation in HSS306, as illustrated with the dotted box.According to Current standards, required IMS mark comprises IMPI/IMPU combination, but the present invention is generally not limited to this aspect.HSS 306 also stores the subscriber and authorization data (not shown) that to identify with IMS and associate.Thus, HIG 300 registers as the subscriber being equivalent to any IMS enabled communication terminal to IMS network 304, makes IMS network that HIG is considered as single IMS terminal.Then, register once all non-IMS enabled device all carry out this locality to HIG, the mark of HIG just can be used to arrive them.

Device 302 in dedicated network is also connected to general networks gateway RGW 308, and gateway RGW 308 is connected to again Access Network 310, to transmit media.HIG 300 comprises: communication unit 312, for transmitting signaling message with IMS network 304; And logical block 314, for identifying and selecting the device for multimedia communication in dedicated network.HIG 300 also comprises facility database 316, wherein comprise about 302 with its local identities, local ip address, current state and the information relevant relative to the ability of multimedia communication, be schematically shown as D1, D2, D3... here.

Then, such as the appropriate device for Multimedia session can be selected according to the character of session by operative installations database 316.Set up gradually when facility database 316 enters dedicated network at device and carries out this locality registration to HIG.Non-IMS device can use the suitable agreements such as such as UPnP (UPnP) or SIP or be convenient to automatic other any appropriate ways of registering and register to HIG 300 according to type of device.Facility database 316 can according to following structural allocation:

Device ID	Local ip address	State	Ability
				Device 1	IP address (1)	Available	Audio frequency=codec x...
Device 2	IP address (2)	Busy	Video=codec y...
				Etc.

At first row, for each device specifies local identities, such as it can be the UUID (universal unique identifier) of UPnP device, the SIP URI (URL(uniform resource locator)) of SIP device or host name can be the non-SIP of its IP address and the FQDN (fully qualified domain name) of non-UPnP device.Secondary series comprises the local ip address of each device temporarily distributed by RGW as mentioned above.At the 3rd row, for each device specifies a state, such as can with, unavailable, busy etc.In the end row, are each device specific capability, generally include one or more codec, and can comprise transmission speed ability and memory capacity.

Describe in the case of an incoming call for the device in dedicated network sets up the process of Multimedia session referring now to the step 3:1-3:8 shown in Fig. 3.Communication unit 312 in first step 3:1, HIG 300 receives the session invitation of the public identity part that IMS that sent from the opposing party as IMS enabled terminals (not shown), that be sent to HIG identifies from IMS network 304.This session invitation comprising suggestion session parameter, such as codec, and " SIP invitation " message normally with the SDP message comprising this information.

Then, at next step 3:2, the session parameter of suggestion is submitted to logical block 314, at next step 3:3, it performs " mapping " operate by the information in the parameter of advising in such as SDP and facility database 316 being compared.After considering in database 316 for the various information of device 302, such as carry out the most appropriate device of one of choice device as coming session, as long as the current state of that device is shown for available relative to the ability of device and the media formats of suggestion.Or, such as, the UPnP protocol of simple IP device can be used directly to device request ability, instead of from database 316, retrieve them in step 3:3.If this process is used for indexing unit ability, then do not need them to be stored in database 316.

Database 316 also can comprise priority instruction, makes the user in dedicated network can be such as calling party according to medium type and/or who, on specific device, preferably receive some calling.Such as, user preferably can receive the calling from certain party on the phone being positioned at his/her private chamber, and would rather receive other calling on the phone of another opener placement.Or this kind of priority can be defined as rule or the strategy that regulation selects operation in logical block 314.

More than one device can also be selected for session.Such as, may wish to receive different combined medium stream on differing devices, to obtain optimal play out quality.Phase homogeneous turbulence can also be received on the device of diverse location simultaneously, etc.Will for only selecting a device but for simplicity, below describe.In general, any rule or strategy all may be defined as the algorithm etc. for choice device preferably realized in logical block 314.Therefore, the present invention provides greater flexibility in this respect.

After selecting a device, at next step 3:4, command communication unit 312 represents institute's screening device and uses the IMS of HIG mark to set up Multimedia session for IMS network 304.In this step, logical block 314 also submits the capacity data of institute's screening device that will use in process of establishing to communication unit 312.

At next step 3:5, communication unit 312 communicates with RGW 308 now, to be typically institute's screening device setting up communication link.One or more Media Streams that it is such as session via inner UPnP control point that this step can comprise are retained in port open in the NAT/ fire compartment wall of RGW 308.Then, generally as shown in next step 3:6, communication unit 312 such as correspondingly exchanges conventional signaling messages with IMS network according to SIP, to represent institute's screening device and calling party sets up session.In process of establishing, communication unit 312 is used in the share I MS mark of the HIG that above-mentioned steps 3:4 receives and the capacity data of institute's screening device and responds in the RGW IP address that step 3:5 receives and port the session invitation received at first in step 3:1, and these parameters can be supplied to IMS network 304 in the SDP message in the suitable sip response message of embedding.When responding, communication unit 312 also provides the public IP address of RGW 308 and selected port as the communication center of coming session, and they also provide in sdp.After completing the session establishment with remote parties, communication unit receives the IP address of remote parties.

The IP address of the remote parties in RGW 308 and reserved port also associate with the local ip address of institute screening device by communication unit 312, can find it at previous steps 3:3 in database 316.This IP address is to also associating with the calling ID of definition session, and it provides usually in the session invitation message first received " SIP invitation ".This session specific information is stored in the session mapping table of HIG 300, and this table can be used for other signaling relevant to this session.Session mapping table can have following structure:

At first row, define IMS session by caller-marking and call identification.Secondary series comprises the public IP address of remote parties.In addition, selected by the RGW that the 3rd row comprise as asked in above-mentioned steps 3:5/reserved port.At the 4th row, the local ip address of specified device and local port wherein.In the end row, for institute's screening device specifies local identities, it can be such as UUID, SIP URI or FQDN, namely substantially from the information of first row in the above-mentioned table of facility database 316.

Next, in step 3:7, communication unit 312 asks the reserved port mappings in the open NAT of RGW, comprises the final parameters of consulting such as the IP address of such as remote parties.Finally, session can be started in step 3:8, and by NAT, any incoming media is mapped to local ip address and the port of institute's screening device in RGW 308.

As mentioned above, the process of the device of the coming session selecting incoming call can be performed according to different rules and strategy, will be described in more detail below.In addition, shall also be noted that except HIG 300 IMS mark except, the present invention do not get rid of also use some people and/or personal device independent IMS mark, term " personal device " represents that this device has its IMS defined in HIG and identifies, such as, comprise independent IMPU.People can also be allowed on any device in the private network independent IMPU to be used for communication.Therefore, independent IMS mark thus can by HIG for representing corresponding personal device or people to set up Multimedia session.

Nature Link is identified to that IMS the one or more personal devices associated by the incoming call being sent to independent IMS mark.Such as, kinsfolk can have IMS independent with his/her and identifies one or more personal device of associating and identify with the share I MS of HIG the common device associated.For the incoming call being sent to share I MS mark, personal device also can serve as common device, select option is included as device.

Like this, in definable dedicated network, the different subset of device is to specify the selection of device, and in HIG, registers this kind of device subset by its user.The calling being sent to the IMS mark of HIG will cause selecting a device from one group of common device, and the calling being sent to independent IMS mark represents the personal device selecting association.More than one device can identify with independent IMS and associate.In addition, specific device not only can serve as common device but also can serve as personal device relative to incoming call.

If multiple device support as the ability (comparing with the step 3:3 in above-mentioned example) of advising in Incoming session invitation of specifying in the SDP message of " SIP invitation ", then can consider the other factors for choice device.Such as, user can be asked to carry out point device being used in incoming call via certain user interface, be not here further described.Can also allow all device receipt of call, the i.e. multiple device ring that meet Capability Requirement, make to select " being answered " and the first device accepting this calling for communicating.As mentioned above, also can in HIG definition device priority, regulation device selection.Such as, if register user in HIG, then should select his/her associated apparatus relative to ability in the conceived case, and if user does not register at present, then calling should be sent to voice mail function etc.

If do not have single assembly can support the Capability Requirement of incoming call, but two or more devices will at least meet the minimum requirements of required ability together, then the heterogeneity of the Media Stream of calling can be correspondingly sent to these devices by HIG.Such as, television equipment can support required Video Codec, and telephone device can support required audio codec.Then, can video conference be set up, wherein television equipment display of visually composition, and telephone device transmitting audio frequency composition.The Definition of Division that also media can be flow to different device is preference.When divided media streams are used, the nat port receiving it maps by each media component.Should know from the example provided above and see, when the rule that definition device is selected or strategy, the present invention provide the user great flexibility.

The process of the Multimedia session of the non-IMS enabled device 400 comprised in dedicated network is set up when being described in outbound call referring now to the step 4:1-4:8 shown in Fig. 4.The parts participated in are substantially same as shown in Figure 3, therefore reuse identical label here.Communication unit 312 in first step 4:1, HIG 300 receives from device 400 and is sent to remote parties, session request as IMS enabled terminals or content server.According to the agreement in the ability of that device 400 provide receive request.

At next step 4:2, logical block 314 is submitted in this request, then at next step 4:3, the ability of logical block 314 indexing unit 400 from facility database 316, identification information and local ip address.At next step 4:4, logical block 314 command communication unit 312 use the IMS of HIG to be designated session that institute's screening device is established to IMS network 304.In this step, logical block 314 also submits the capacity data of institute's screening device that will use in process of establishing to communication unit 312.The local ip address of institute's screening device is also submitted in step 4:4.

But, if device 400 identifies with independent IMS, namely personal device associate, then communication unit 312 can use that IMS identify replace HIG IMS mark.Or user can indicate and the share I MS of HIG should be used to identify in the session request of step 4:1.What like this, preferably determined to use IMS to identify by user.

At next step 4:5, communication unit 312 communicates with RGW 308 now, usually to set up the communication link of institute's screening device.This step is substantially similar to the step 3:5 in previous example, and the one or more different media flows comprised for session are retained in port open in the NAT/ fire compartment wall of RGW 308.RGW also provides its public IP address in Access Network side.Then, the reserved port of RGW also associates with the local ip address of device 400.This information also by with provide during session establishment, the calling ID that defines session associates, and is stored in the session mapping table of HIG 300, as described in previous example.

General as shown in next step 4:6, then communication unit 312 such as correspondingly exchanges conventional signaling messages with IMS network according to SIP, to represent institute's screening device and calling party sets up session.In process of establishing, communication unit 312 be used in above-mentioned steps 4:4 receive HIG IMS mark and device 400 capacity data and step 4:5 receive RGW public IP address and port to send session invitation, as " SIP invitation ", these parameters can embedding " SIP invitation " message SDP message in be supplied to IMS network 304.Communication unit 312 also provides public IP address and the reserved port of RGW 308, usually provides together with ability in SDP message, as the communication center of coming session.After completing the session establishment with remote parties, communication unit have received the IP address of remote parties, and session mapping table is correspondingly updated, as described in the previous example.

Next, in step 4:7, communication unit 312 asks the reserved port mappings in the open NAT of RGW, comprises the final parameters of consulting such as the IP address of such as remote parties.Finally, can session be started in step 4:8, and now in RGW 308, by NAT, any incoming media can be mapped to local ip address and the port of device 400.In addition, the calling ID provided during the session establishment of step 4:6 is stored in the session mapping table of HIG 300, as in previous example.

Fig. 5 illustrates according to the flow chart of another embodiment for using the multimedia gateway in dedicated network and multimedia service network (being generally IMS network) to set up the different step of Multimedia session.Generally multimedia gateway as above for the HIG 300 as described in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 in perform shown in process.Assuming that, in multimedia service network efficient multimedia gateway define single IMS and identify.

At first step 500, receive session request, in this manual it be for such as in the step 3:1 of Fig. 3 from the Incoming session invitation of external parties or such as in the step 4:1 of Fig. 4 from the general terms of the out session request of interior arrangement.In next step 502, determine that received session request is about incoming call or outbound call.In the case of an incoming call, determine required ability in next step 504, they usually show by reception session request such as " SIP invitation " message SDP message in advised session parameter, such as comprise at least one codec.

In next step 506, select the suitable and available device of the minimum requirements at least meeting required ability alternatively according to pre-defined rule or strategy, as above described in the step 3:3 of Fig. 3.As previously described, can realize in the multimedia network Central Shanxi Plain for selecting the device selection algorithm operated.Such as, if the device not meeting required ability is completely available, then can selects the device with " quite " ability, then in session establishment process subsequently, new session parameter can be consulted with calling party.Likely, negotiable can be used by calling party and institute screening device new session parameters, such as comprise at least one alternative codec.Such as, otherwise may need to get rid of certain Media component in produced session, if can not arrange Video Codec, then advised video conference may cause pure audio call.

When step 502 is outbound calls, in next step 508, identify the originating devices in dedicated network, and retrieve its ability and local ip address, as above described in the step 4:3 of Fig. 4.

In next step 510, such as, determine whether selected or originating devices will as " individual " device according to the user of device.As mentioned above, preferably determined what IMS mark to be used for session by user.Be assigned with independent effective IMS mark may to this device, or user can indicate and the share I MS of HIG should be used to identify or effective IMS that his/her is independent identifies in session request.If device is personal device in this special session, then in next step 512, by the conventional process of establishing between multimedia gateway and multimedia service network, the selected or originating devices of representative uses that independent IMS mark to set up session.

On the other hand, if selected or originating devices is not personal device, the i.e. not device of the effective mark of IMS separately in multimedia service network in step 510, then in the end shown in step 514, use the IMS of multimedia gateway mark to set up session.

Fig. 6 illustrates according to the flow chart of another embodiment as the demonstration program of the device of a part (specifically step 506) the selection incoming call of process shown in Fig. 5.Assuming that, required ability is identified to upcoming session, as in above-mentioned steps 504.At first step 600, the storage capacity of device potential in required ability and dedicated network is compared, as described in for the map operation in the step 3:3 of Fig. 3.Or in the comparison through step 600, the device in dedicated network can provide its ability according to request, instead of they is stored in facility database.

In next step 602, also determine the appropriate device of the minimum requirements at least meeting required ability according to pre-defined rule or strategy (if any), as mentioned above.In next step 604, such as, by checking the state of instruction in the 3rd row of said apparatus database structure, determine that discussed device is current further and whether can use.Here, different alternatives is available, and such as, when the state of determined appropriate device is designated as " doing ", device selection algorithm can specify that incoming call should wait at least scheduled time slot, until this device becomes available again.

If find that the device considered is available in step 604, then last by its select be used for upcoming session, as indicated by a final step 606, and such as according to the step 510-514 of Fig. 5, session establishment can be proceeded to institute's screening device.

Compared with the previous known application of the HIG described in background parts, in the device carrying out incoming multimedia calls alternatively based on pre-defined rule and strategy is selected, the invention provides great flexibility.Wherein also can select the heterogeneity of multiple device receiving media for receiving, or for receiving identical media.The present invention also makes the service identifiers of the terminal definitions be necessary in multimedia service network, is specially the minimizing of the quantity of IMPU.Therefore, Virtual network operator is by benefiting from the less public identities of management, as the subscriber of IMPU and association thereof and authorization data.

Other beneficial effect comprises and adds confidentiality, because use the device of share service mark to be that other device of dedicated network outside is not recognizable.In other words, Virtual network operator or other user cannot detect each device identification and attribute thereof and activity.Also can make human configuration, be included in the effort of calling mechanism in multimedia service network and minimize.Therefore, user can use share service to identify and create the dedicated network with " hiding " device, and these " are hidden " device and do not register separately in multimedia service network.

Can also introduce interim visitor in the private network, and not relate to multimedia service network, then, interim visitor can use HIG and service identifiers thereof to obtain access right to the multimedia service that multimedia service network provides.Completely determined whether to allow visiting device to access multimedia service by this way by dedicated network user.

Although describe the present invention with reference to concrete example embodiment, this description is general only for illustration of concept of the present invention, and is not appreciated that and limits the scope of the invention.Such as, adopt the concept of IMS and HIG in the whole text when describing above embodiment, but, other standard any and network components of realizing multimedia communication can be adopted in essence.The present invention is defined by appended claims.

Claims (30)

1. one kind by the multimedia gateway in dedicated network for the device being connected to described dedicated network provides the method for the access to multimedia service, described multimedia gateway is connected to multimedia service network, and to have to the registration of described multimedia service network and effective share service identifies in described multimedia service network, it is shared that described share service is identified at inside the Pass described multimedia network with regard to described device, and described method comprises the following steps performed by described multimedia gateway:

-be received in described dedicated network described device in the session request carrying out communicating between at least one device with remote parties, and

-respond described session request, represent at least one device described in described dedicated network, in negotiations process, use the described share service of described multimedia gateway to identify and use the ability of at least one device described, in described negotiations process, set up session with described remote parties, and do not need each device at least one device described to register respectively towards described multimedia service network.

2. the method for claim 1, wherein said session request is the session invitation of the incoming request to described dedicated network, and from the described device being connected to described dedicated network, selects at least one device described according to the Capability Requirement of described session.

3. method as claimed in claim 2, the session parameter wherein passing through to advise in received session invitation indicates described Capability Requirement, and the ability of described session parameter with the described device being connected to described dedicated network is compared, to select at least one device described.

4. method as claimed in claim 3, wherein retrieves the ability of described device from the facility database in the described multimedia network Central Shanxi Plain.

5. method as claimed in claim 3, wherein by retrieving the ability of described device to the ability of device described in described device request.

6. the method according to any one of claim 3-5, the ability of wherein said device refers to following at least one item: at least one media codec, transmission speed ability and memory capacity.

7. the method according to any one of claim 3-5, wherein said session invitation is " SIP invitation " message, and the session parameter of described suggestion is included in the SDP message embedded in described " SIP invitation " message.

8. the method according to any one of claim 2-5, wherein selects at least one device described according to pre-defined rule or strategy further.

9. the method according to any one of claim 2-5, wherein selects multiple device for described session, for receiving different combined medium stream or for receiving identical Media Stream on institute's screening device simultaneously.

10. the method according to any one of claim 1-5, be wherein that some people in described dedicated network and/or device distribute independent service identifiers in the described multimedia network Central Shanxi Plain, make to represent described people and/or device and use their the independent service identifiers of correspondence and ability to set up Multimedia session.

11. the method for claim 1, wherein said session request about the striking out request of the request unit from described dedicated network, and uses the ability of described request device when setting up described session.

12. methods as claimed in claim 11, wherein retrieve the described ability of described request device from the facility database in the described multimedia network Central Shanxi Plain.

13. methods according to any one of claim 1-5,11-12, wherein session specific information be stored in session mapping table, described session mapping table can be used for the signaling relevant to described session.

14. methods as claimed in claim 13, wherein said session specific information comprises and defines the calling ID of described session, the local ip address of at least one device described and selected port, the reserved port of home gateway of described dedicated network and the IP address of remote parties.

15. methods according to any one of claim 1-5,11-12, wherein said share service mark comprises IMPU.

16. 1 kinds of multimedia network Central Shanxi Plain at dedicated network are for providing the equipment of the access to multimedia service for the device being connected to described dedicated network, described multimedia gateway is connected to multimedia service network, and to have to the registration of described multimedia service network and effective share service identifies in described multimedia service network, it is shared that described share service is identified at inside the Pass described multimedia network with regard to described device, and described equipment comprises:

-for being received in the parts carrying out the session request communicated between at least one device with remote parties in the described device in described dedicated network, and

-for respond described session request represent in described dedicated network described at least one device in negotiations process, use the described share service of described multimedia gateway to identify and use the ability of at least one device described to set up the parts of session with described remote parties in described negotiations process, and do not need each device at least one device described to register respectively towards described multimedia service network.

17. equipment as claimed in claim 16, wherein said session request is the session invitation of the incoming request to described dedicated network, and described equipment also comprises the logical block being suitable for selecting at least one device described according to the Capability Requirement of described session from the described device being connected to described dedicated network.

18. equipment as claimed in claim 17, the session parameter wherein passing through to advise in received session invitation indicates described Capability Requirement, and described logical block is also suitable for the ability of the device in described session parameter and described dedicated network to compare, to select at least one device described.

19. equipment as claimed in claim 18, wherein said logical block is also suitable for the ability retrieving the described device in described dedicated network from the facility database in the described multimedia network Central Shanxi Plain.

20. equipment as claimed in claim 18, wherein said logical block is also adapted to pass through ability to device described in described device request to retrieve the described device capability in described dedicated network.

21. equipment according to any one of claim 18-20, the ability of wherein said device refers to following at least one item: at least one media codec, transmission speed ability and memory capacity.

22. equipment according to any one of claim 18-20, wherein said session invitation is " SIP invitation " message, and the session parameter of described suggestion is included in the SDP message embedded in described " SIP invitation " message.

23. equipment according to any one of claim 17-20, wherein said logical block is also suitable for selecting at least one device described according to pre-defined rule or strategy further.

24. equipment according to any one of claim 17-20, wherein said logical block is also suitable for selecting multiple device for described session, for receiving different combined medium stream or for receiving identical Media Stream on institute's screening device simultaneously.

25. equipment according to any one of claim 16-20, also comprising the parts for performing following operation: be that some people in described dedicated network and/or device distribute independent service identifiers in the described multimedia network Central Shanxi Plain, making to represent described people and/or device uses their the independent service identifiers of correspondence to set up Multimedia session.

26. equipment as claimed in claim 16, wherein said session request is about the striking out request of the request unit from described dedicated network, and described equipment also comprises the parts of the ability for using described request device when setting up described session.

27. equipment as claimed in claim 26, also comprise the parts of the described ability for retrieving described request device in the facility database from the described multimedia network Central Shanxi Plain.

28. equipment according to any one of claim 16-20,26-27, also comprise the parts for session specific information being stored in session mapping table, described session mapping table can be used for the signaling relevant to described session.

29. equipment as claimed in claim 28, wherein said session specific information comprises and defines the calling ID of described session, the local ip address of at least one device described and selected port, the reserved port of home gateway of described dedicated network and the IP address of remote parties.

30. equipment according to any one of claim 16-20,26-27, wherein said share service mark comprises IMPU.