WO2015145049A1

WO2015145049A1 - Method and device for obtaining traces relative to a communication service

Info

Publication number: WO2015145049A1
Application number: PCT/FR2015/050714
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bertrand Bouvet
Original assignee: Orange
Priority date: 2014-03-27
Filing date: 2015-03-20
Publication date: 2015-10-01
Also published as: FR3019434A1

Abstract

The invention comprises a method and a device (TR) for obtaining traces relative to a communication service provided to at least one terminal (T1) associated with an identity of a user subscribed to a provider providing access to said communication service. The device sends (E2020) a registration request to a management server (101) managing the communication service. The registration request comprises: - the identity of the subscribed user indicating to the management server to register the device in association with the identity of the subscribed user, - an identification parameter of the device indicating to the management server to apply at least one management rule to the device different from a management rule applied to said at least one terminal associated with the identity of the subscribed user. The device receives (E203, E2060) at least one notification from the management server, said notification comprising at least one item of information originating from a message relating to the communication service provided to said at least one terminal associated with the identity of the subscribed user, said message having passed through the management server.

Description

Method and device for obtaining traces relating to a communication service.

The invention lies in the field of communication services and more particularly in the field of detecting problems related to a communication service.

In order to detect and analyze possible problems encountered by subscribers to a service of a communication network, an operator of the communication network must have a means of analysis of his communication network.

In order to enable an operator of a communication network, for example an IMS (Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem) based communication network, to analyze a possible problem in his communication network, the operator uses sensors that interface with the management servers of the communication network. For example, in the case of an IMS type communication network, a probe interfaces with each server of the CSCF (Call State Control Function) type. The probe records all the traffic traversing the communication network concerning the terminals of the subscribers of the operator that are registered in the CSCF server in question. The probe records for a specified duration, for example a day or a week, all the message exchanges according to specific protocols of the IMS communication network, in particular exchanges according to the SIP (Session Initiation Protocol), Diameter, DNS (Domain Name Server in English), Radius.

However, the interfacing of a probe with a management server of the communication network is often complex to achieve because the management server is a means of the communication network which is in high demand for the provision of services to the subscribers of the communication network. In addition, interfacing the probe with the management server requires specific means to implement to achieve this interfacing, including a means of communication between the probe and the server, a storage space of the data captured by the probe. ..

In addition, an operator of a communication network generally has several communication networks according to the services he wishes to provide to his subscribers. For example, the communication operator may have a fixed IP communication network offering a voice over IP service, a mobile communication network offering RCS services (for Rich Communication Suite). It is then necessary for the operator to deploy as many sensors as management server in each communication network. In addition to the cost of each probe, the operator must also provide a power supply means of the probe and a complementary cooling means.

In addition, the amount of data captured by these probes is important. Solving a problem encountered by a single subscriber to the communication network then becomes complex for the after-sales service of the operator (SAV). Indeed, the VAS must analyze a very large amount of data to identify the relevant data concerning the subscriber who has encountered a problem. In addition, the use of these probes requires the intervention of personnel trained specifically for this equipment. The invention aims to improve the state of the art.

The invention relates to a method for obtaining traces relating to a communication service provided to at least one terminal associated with an identity of a subscribed user with an access provider to said communication service. The method comprises:

a step of sending, by a tracer device, a registration request to a management server of the communication service, the registration request comprising:

the identity of the subscriber user instructing the management server to register the tracer device in association with the identity of the subscribed user, o an identification parameter of the tracer device indicating to the management server to apply to the tracer device at least one management rule different from a management rule applied to said at least one terminal associated with the identity of the subscribed user,

a step of receiving at least one notification from the management server, said notification comprising at least one piece of information coming from a message relating to the communication service provided to said at least one terminal associated with the identity of the subscribed user , said message having passed through the management server.

Correlatively, the invention relates to a device for obtaining traces relating to a communication service provided to at least one terminal associated with an identity of a subscribed user with an access provider to said communication service. The device comprises:

sending means, a registration request to a management server, the registration request comprising:

the identity of the subscribed user instructing the management server to register the device in association with the identity of the subscribed user,

an identification parameter of the device indicating to the management server to apply to the device at least one management rule different from a management rule applied to a terminal associated with the identity of the subscribed user, receiving means at least one notification from the management server, said notification comprising at least one piece of information from a message relating to the communication service provided to said at least one terminal associated with the identity of the subscribed user, said message having passed through the management server.

The invention also relates to a terminal comprising such a device for obtaining traces relating to a communication service.

When a subscribed user encounters a problem with a communication service, thanks to the method according to the invention, the access provider to the communication service can thus easily obtain the traces relating to a communication service provided to a terminal of the subscribed user. By analyzing the traces thus obtained, the access provider to the communication service can solve the problem encountered by the subscribed user.

Advantageously, the tracer device registers with the management server with the identity of the subscribed user to obtain the traces relating to the communication service provided to the terminal of the subscribed user. The plotter device can be integrated in any type of terminal: PC (for Personal Computer), tablet, telephone terminal, gateway ...

The implementation of a problem solving mechanism by the service provider of the communication service is thus easier.

With the tracer device identification parameter, the management server can distinguish the tracer device from a terminal of the subscribed user. The management server thus differently manages the tracer device and a terminal associated with the identity of the subscribed user. In this way, the tracer device does not interfere with the communication service provided by the management server to the terminals associated with the identity of the subscribed user.

The analysis of the traces relating to the communication service provided to the terminal of the subscribed user is facilitated for the access provider to the communication service because the tracer device only obtains traces relating to the subscribed user for whom it is located. is registered with the management server.

In the case where the access provider to the communication service wishes to obtain the traces relating to the communication service provided to a terminal of several subscribed users, the tracer device registers for each subscriber user identity for which the provider of access wants to get the traces.

The various embodiments or features mentioned below may be added independently or in combination with one another, to the steps of the process for obtaining traces relating to a communication service defined above.

The various modes or features of realization mentioned hereafter can be added independently or in combination with each other, to the characteristics of the device for obtaining traces relating to a communication service defined above.

According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the method further comprises a step of sending a subscription message to the management server, to at least one event relating to the subscriber's communication service, the at least one event corresponding to the message relating to the communication service that has passed through the management server.

According to this particular embodiment of the invention, thanks to the subscription message, the tracer device can specify the management server a particular type of messages to be traced. For example, the tracer device indicates that it wishes to receive only the traces relating to the messages exchanged according to a particular protocol.

According to another particular embodiment of the invention, the registration request further comprises a parameter representative of a capacity of the tracer device, the capacity indicating that the tracer device is only able to receive said notification.

This particular embodiment of the invention facilitates the implementation of a management rule applicable to the tracer device. According to this particular embodiment of the invention, the management server is aware that the tracer device is only able to receive the notification relating to the message relating to the communication service having passed through the management server. Thus, for example, the management server will not transmit to the tracer device any incoming message intended to a terminal associated with the identity of the subscribed user. For example, when the invention is implemented for a voice over IP communication service using Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) within an IMS architecture-based communication network, the management server will not transmit not to the tracer device the SIP OPTIONS or SIP INVITE type messages intended for a terminal associated with the identity of the subscribed user.

According to another particular embodiment of the invention, following the reception of the notification, the method comprises a step of opening a predetermined application associated with the identity of the subscribed user.

This particular embodiment of the invention is particularly advantageous in the case where the tracer device is used to track the communications of a subscribed user, for example in a call center or secretarial service. For example, when the notification includes a communication request message to the identity of the subscribed user, the tracer device opens a schedule management application relating to the subscribed user, or an information sheet relating to the issuer of the request for communication. In this example, this particular embodiment of the invention enables a user of the tracer device to automatically obtain information relating to the subscribed user to whom a communication request is intended.

The invention also relates to a method for managing a communication service provided by a management server to at least one terminal associated with an identity of a subscribed user with an access provider to said communication service. The management method comprises:

a step of receiving, from a tracer device, a registration request, the registration request comprising:

o the identity of the subscribed user,

o an identification parameter of the tracer device,

a step of registering the tracer device in association with the identity of the subscribed user,

a storage step in association with the registration of the tracer device identification parameter of the tracer device indicating the management server to apply to the tracer device at least one management rule different from a management rule applied to an associated terminal to the identity of the subscribed user, a step of determining at least one piece of information originating from a message relating to the communication service provided to said at least one terminal associated with the identity of the subscribed user and having passed through the management server,

a step of sending to the tracer device at least one notification comprising at least said determined information.

Correlatively, the invention relates to a management server of a communication service provided to at least one terminal associated with an identity of a subscribed user with an access provider to said communication service. The server includes:

means for receiving, from a tracer device, a registration request, the registration request comprising: o the identity of the subscribed user,

o an identification parameter of the tracer device,

means for registering the tracer device in association with the identity of the subscribed user,

storage means in association with the recording of the tracer device of the identification parameter of the tracer device indicating to the management server to apply to the tracer device at least one management rule different from a management rule applied to a terminal associated with the identity of the subscribed user, means for determining at least one piece of information originating from a message relating to the communication service provided to said at least one terminal associated with the identity of the subscribed user and having transited by the management server, means for sending to the tracer device at least one notification comprising at least said determined information.

The management method according to the invention enables the management server to provide a tracer device with traces relating to a communication service provided to at least one terminal associated with an identity of a subscribed user, that is to say any message transiting through the management server and relating to a terminal of the subscribed user. The management server can thus transmit any message necessary for the provision of the communication service to the terminal of the subscribed user and passing through the management server. Such a message may correspond to a message sent or received by a terminal of the subscribed user or to a message exchanged between an application server associated with the terminal of the subscribed user and the management server, or to a message exchanged. between another management server of a communication network and the management server, or a message exchanged between a location server of a communication network and the management server, or a message exchanged between a profile server user of a communication network and the management server, ...

Advantageously, thanks to the identification parameter of the plotter device, the management server manages differently the registered plotter device in association with the public identity of the subscribed user and a terminal of the subscribed user, so as not to disrupt the service. communicated to the terminal of the subscribed user.

The different modes or features of realization mentioned hereafter can be added independently or in combination with each other, to the steps of the method of management of a communication service defined above.

The various embodiments or features mentioned below may be added independently or in combination with each other, to the characteristics of the management server of a communication service defined above.

According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the management rule applied to the tracer device by the management server is to register the tracer device independently of a number of previously registered terminals for the identity of the subscribed user.

This particular embodiment of the invention is advantageous in the case where the number of terminals registered by the management server for an identity is limited to a maximum number records. This particular embodiment of the invention makes it possible, when the maximum number of registered terminals has already been reached, to prevent the registration of the tracer device with the identity of the subscribed user being refused or a terminal of the subscriber. previously registered subscriber user is unregistered according to the registration policy that the management server applies. This particular embodiment of the invention also makes it possible to prevent a terminal of the subscribed user from being able to register with the management server because the maximum number of registered terminals is reached after the registration of the subscriber. tracer device.

According to another particular embodiment of the invention, following a step of reception by the management server of a communication request sent by a transmitting terminal to the identity of the subscribed user or a request sent by the transmitting terminal to the identity of the subscribed user, the management rule applied to the tracer device is not to transmit to the tracer device the communication request or the state request. This particular embodiment of the invention makes it possible not to disturb the logic of the communication service provided by the management server to a terminal associated with the identity of the subscribed user. The tracer device is not a terminal of the subscribed user. The subscribed user can not use the tracer device to accept a communication request sent by a transmitting terminal to the identity of the subscribed user. Similarly, the tracer device must not provide its state to a terminal transmitting a status request message to the identity of the subscribed user.

This particular embodiment of the invention also makes it possible to optimize the use of the resources of the management server and of the communication network to which the management server belongs by not transmitting unnecessary messages.

According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the communication request or the status request is sent to the tracer device in the notification.

According to another particular embodiment of the invention, following a step of reception by the management server of a registration request from a terminal of the subscribed user, the management method comprises a step of sending by the management server to the terminal of the subscribed user a response message to the registration request in which a contact address of the tracer device is not inserted.

This particular embodiment of the invention allows a terminal of the subscribed user not to see the registration of the tracer device in association with the identity of the subscribed user. Thus, the signaling relating to the use of the communication service by the terminal of the subscribed user is not affected by the registration of the tracer device with the management server.

According to another particular embodiment of the invention, following a step of reception by the management server of a message from the tracer device, the management rule applied to the tracer device is to reject the message received if the message received is neither a registration request nor a subscription message. This particular embodiment of the invention makes it possible to disregard the messages sent by the tracer device which are neither registration requests nor subscription messages. Thus, the operation of the management server is not disturbed in the case where the tracer device erroneously sends a message to the management server.

According to another particular embodiment of the invention, following the step of reception by the management server of a message from the tracer device, the received message being neither a registration request nor a message underwriting, the management method comprises a step of sending by the management server to the tracer device an error message.

This particular embodiment of the invention makes it possible to indicate to the tracer device that the message it has sent has not been taken into account.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, the various steps of the process for obtaining traces relating to a communication service and the various steps of the method of managing a communication service are implemented by program instructions. computers.

Accordingly, the invention also relates to computer programs on an information carrier, these programs being capable of being implemented respectively in a terminal or more generally in a computer, these programs respectively comprising instructions adapted to the implementation of the various steps of the process for obtaining traces relating to a communication service and the method of managing a communication service that have just been described.

These programs can use any programming language, and be in the form of source code, object code, or intermediate code between source code and object code, such as in a partially compiled form, or in any other form desirable shape.

The invention also relates to a computer-readable information medium, comprising instructions of a computer program as mentioned above.

The information carrier may be any entity or device capable of storing the program. For example, the medium may comprise storage means, such as a ROM, for example a CD ROM or a microelectronic circuit ROM, or a magnetic or electronic recording means, for example a USB key or a hard disk .

On the other hand, the information medium may be a transmissible medium such as an electrical or optical signal, which may be conveyed via an electrical or optical cable, by radio or by other means. The program according to the invention can be downloaded in particular on an Internet type network.

Alternatively, the information carrier may be an integrated circuit in which the program is incorporated, the circuit being adapted to execute or to be used in the execution of the method for obtaining traces relating to a communication service or the method of management of a communication service in question.

The advantages of the computer program comprising instructions adapted to the implementation of the various steps of the process for obtaining traces relating to a communication service and the computer program comprising instructions adapted to the implementation of implementation of the various steps of the method of managing a communication service are identical to those presented in relation to the process for obtaining traces relating to a communication service and to those presented in connection with the method of managing a service communication device according to any one of the particular embodiments mentioned above.

Other advantages and characteristics of the invention will emerge more clearly on reading the following description of particular embodiments of the invention, given by way of simple illustrative and non-limiting examples, and the appended drawings, among which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an implementation environment of the invention according to a particular embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates steps of the process for obtaining traces relating to a communication service and the method of managing a communication service according to a particular embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 3A schematically illustrates steps of the process for obtaining traces relating to a communication service and the method of managing a communication service according to another particular embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 3B schematically illustrates steps of the process for obtaining traces relating to a communication service and the method of management of a communication service according to another particular embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 4 illustrates a device able to implement the process for obtaining traces relating to a communication service according to any one particular embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 5 illustrates a device able to implement the method of managing a communication service according to any one of the particular embodiments of the invention.

Figure 1 illustrates an implementation environment of the invention according to a particular embodiment of the invention.

The environment comprises a communication network 100 of a communication operator OP1. The communication network 100 corresponds for example to an IP communication network (for Internet Protocol in English) that can be implemented by an IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem) type architecture. The communication network 100 may correspond to several communication networks of different communication operators interconnected by access points (not shown). According to another particular embodiment of the invention, the communication network 100 can be implemented by a RCS type architecture.

The communication network 1 00 comprises in particular: an HSS server (for Home Subscriber Server in English), which stores the profile data of a subscribed user in the communication network 100 corresponding to a communication service provided by the communication operator OP1,

an SLF server (for Server Locator Function in English), which makes it possible to determine on which HSS server the profile data of a user subscribed to the communication network 100 are stored, in the case where the communication network 100 comprises several HSS servers ,

a P-CSCF server (for Proxy Call State Control Function in English) corresponding to the point of entry of the IMS communication network 100 of a terminal wishing to communicate on the communication network 1 00,

an S-CSCF server (Serving Call Stat Control Function in English), which makes it possible to control signaling and sessions according to the SIP (Session Initiation Protocol),

an l-CSCF server (for Interrogating Call State Control Function in English), which makes it possible to interrogate the HSS server to know the S-CSCF server which will support the terminals of a user subscribed to the communication network 100.

an AS server (for Application Server in English), which makes it possible to implement services or functionalities associated with the communication service provided to a user by the operator OP1 of the communication network 100,

- A DNS server (for Domain Name Server in English), which allows in particular to store a table of correspondence between the name of a server and its IP address.

The functions of the servers P-SCCF, l-CSCF and S-CSCF can be grouped together in the same server 101.

Terminals T1, T2 of a user U 1 subscriber to the communication operator OP1 are connected to the communication network 100. The terminals T1 and T2 can be any type of terminal for communicating via the communication network 100, by example to establish a telephone or videophone communication. Terminals T1 and T2 can correspond to a mobile phone, a smartphone (smart phone in English), a tablet, a television connected to a communication network, a personal computer.

In the embodiment of the invention described here, the terminal T1 and the terminal T2 are associated with the same public identity Id1. The public identity Id1 corresponds, for example, to the telephone number provided to the user U1 by the communication operator OP1.

The environment of FIG. 1 also comprises a terminal TE of another user U2. The terminal TE can be any type of terminal that makes it possible to communicate via the communication network 100. In the example described here, the terminal TE is connected to the communication network 100. The terminal TE is associated with a public identity Id2 supplied to the terminal. U2 user by the communication operator OP1. According to another example, the user U2 can be subscribed to a communication operator OP2 different from the communication operator OP1. In this example, in order to establish communications with a terminal connected to the communication network 100, the terminal TE registers with the communication network (no represented) of the communication operator OP2 with the public identity Id2. The communication network of the communication operator OP2 interconnects with the communication network 100 via interconnection servers (not shown).

According to a particular embodiment of the invention, when the user U1 encounters a problem with the operation of a communication service provided by the communication operator OP1, a terminal TR, as represented in FIG. implement the process for obtaining traces relating to the communication service provided to the user U1. The terminal TR communicates with the server S-CSCF which implements the management method of a communication service. The operator assistance service OP1 thus has information to solve the problem encountered by the user U1.

According to another particular embodiment of the invention, the method for obtaining traces relating to the communication service and the method of managing a communication service may be implemented in the case of a secretarial service or call centers. Thanks to the invention, from the tracking of communications relating to a public identity registered with the communication operator OP, a user of the terminal TR can obtain information relating to a user calling the public identity Id1 and provide, for example an appointment making or information providing service to the calling user.

The invention is described here in the case of an IMS communication network architecture using the SIP protocol to implement the session establishment phases of a VoIP communication service for example. The invention is also applicable to any type of network architecture using other types of protocols. For example, the invention applies to the case of a communication service using the WebRTC protocol on an IP network architecture. FIG. 2 schematically illustrates steps of the process for obtaining traces relating to a communication service and the method of managing a communication service according to a particular embodiment of the invention.

During a step E200, in a known manner, the terminal T1 of the user U1 registers with the communication network 100 of FIG. For this, during the step E200, the terminal T1 sends a SIP REG ISTER message to the P-CSCF server. The SIP REGISTER message comprises in particular the public identity Id1 associated with the terminal T1 and the user U1.

Following the authentication of the terminal T1 by the communication network 1 00, the S-CSCF server sends the terminal T1 a SIP message 200 OK during a step E201 to confirm the registration of the terminal T1 with the communication network 1 00. The SIP message 200 OK contains in particular the list of terminals registered with the communication network 1 00 and associated with the public identity Id1.

In the particular embodiment described here, the S-CSCF server allows a maximum number of terminals to register for each public identity, this maximum number being for example equal to 2. In the example described here, the terminal T1 is the first terminal associated with the public identity Id1 to register with the communication network. The number of terminals registered for the public identity Id1 is then equal to 1.

During a step E2020, the terminal TR registers with the communication network 100 for the public identity Id1. For this, during the step E2020, the terminal TR sends to the P-CSCF server a registration request, for example in the form of a SIP REG ISTER message comprising in particular:

in an IP Multimedia Public Identity (IMPU) data field, the public identity Id1,

in a data field AoC (for Adress Of Contact in English): the IP address of the terminal TR, the port number of the terminal TR used to communicate via the communication network 100, and a list of characteristics, called Feature Tag. The list of characteristics includes in particular an identification parameter of the terminal TR, for example the value "plotter".

The identification parameter of the terminal TR tells the server S-CSCF to manage the terminal TR differently from the terminals of the user U1 associated with the public identity Id1. Thus, the terminal identification parameter TR tells the server S-CSCF to apply to the terminal TR at least one management rule different from a management rule applied to the terminal T1.

In step E2020:

the P-CSCF server receives the registration request sent by the terminal TR, the P-CSCF server transmits the registration request to the server l-CSCF,

the l-CSCF server then interrogates the SLF server to obtain the address of the HSS server hosting the data of the user U1,

the l-CSCF server then interrogates the HSS server hosting the user U1 data to obtain the name of the S-CSCF server managing the signaling relating to the user U1, here it is the S-CSCF server assigned to the terminal T1 when registering the terminal T1 during the step E200,

the l-CSCF server transmits the registration request to the S-CSCF server assigned to the terminal T1.

According to another particular embodiment of the invention, the terminal T1 has not yet registered with the communication network 100 when the terminal TR registers. The S-CSCF server assigned to the TR terminal is chosen by the HSS server. Subsequently, when registering the terminal T1, the server HSS will send back to the server l-CSCF the S-CSCF server assigned to the terminal TR.

Thus, whether the terminal TR registers before or after the recording of the terminal T1, the terminal TR and the terminal T1 will be managed by the same server S-CSCF.

In step E2020, the S-CSCF server receives the registration request sent by the terminal TR.

During a step E2021, the server S-CSCF stores the terminal TR in association with the public identity Id1. From the identification parameter of the terminal TR included in the request When the registration is sent by the terminal TR, the server S-CSCF detects that it must apply to the terminal TR a management rule different from a management rule applied to the terminal T1 of the user U1.

According to one particular embodiment of the invention, during step E2021, the management rule relating to the recording of the terminal TR implies that the server S-CSCF registers the terminal TR independently of the number of terminals already registered in association with the public identity Id1. According to this management rule relating to the registration of the terminal TR, during the step E2021, the server S-CSCF does not increment the number of terminals registered in association with the public identity Id1.

During a step E2022, the S-CSCF server stores in association with the record of the terminal TR, the identification parameter of the terminal TR.

According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the registration request sent by the terminal TR comprises a parameter representative of a capacity of the terminal TR. The capacity indicates that the terminal TR is only able to receive notifications. Such a capacity is for example inserted in the request for registration in the "Allow" field of a header of the SIP REG ISTER message, the "Allow" field being assigned the value "NOTIFY".

According to this particular embodiment of the invention, the server S-CSCF stores the capacity of the terminal TR in association with the recording of the terminal TR. Thus the S-CSCF server knows that when receiving messages to the public identity Id1, the terminal TR will not be able to process these messages. This particular embodiment of the invention makes it possible to prevent the S-CSCF server from transmitting all the messages transiting through the S-CSCF server relating to the operation of the communication service associated with the public identity Id1. Thus, the terminal TR is not taken into account in the operation of the communication service. The terminal TR receives only notifications relating to the messages relating to the communication service.

During a step E203, the server S-CSCF sends to the terminal TR a SIP message 200OK confirming registration of the terminal TR. According to a particular embodiment of the invention, concerning the recording duration of the terminal TR, the management rule applied by the server S-CSCF is to provide a value greater than the value of the recording duration of the terminal T1 . For example, the value of the recording time of the terminal T1 included in an "Expires" field of the SIP message 200 OK sent during the step E201 is 3600 seconds. The value of the recording time of the terminal TR included in an "Expires" field of the SIP message 200 OK sent during the step E203 is 7200 seconds. The SIP message 200OK sent by the S-CSCF server is received by the terminal TR during the step E203. According to this particular embodiment of the invention, the terminal TR does not need to re-register subsequently as frequently as a conventional terminal, such as the terminal T1.

In a step E2023, the S-CSCF server determines at least one information from a message relating to the communication service provided to a terminal associated with the public identity Id1 and having passed through the server S-CSCF. The terminal ΤΊ is registered in association with the public identity Id1 in the server S-CSCF. The S-CSCF server determines the contact address of the terminal T1 which was included in the SIP REG ISTER message sent by the terminal T1 during the step E200.

During a step E2060, the S-CSCF server sends a notification to the terminal TR comprising the contact address of the terminal T1, as well as the remaining recording time of the terminal T1, for example 2000 seconds. For example, the notification is sent as a SIP NOTIFY message.

As a variant, the contact address of the terminal T1 may be sent to the terminal TR in the SIP message 200OK sent during the step E203.

According to the variant used, during step E2060 or E203, the terminal TR receives the notification of an item of information, here the contact address of the terminal T1, coming from a message (SIP REGISTER message sent during the step E200) relating to the communication service provided to a terminal associated with the public identity Id1 and having passed through the server S-CSCF.

The receipt of the notification by the terminal TR is acknowledged by the terminal TR by sending a SIP message 200 OK to the server S-CSCF (non-step E2061).

In this particular embodiment of the invention, the determination step E2023 is triggered by the storage by the server S-CSCF of the identification parameter of the terminal TR.

According to another particular embodiment of the invention, the determination step E2023 is triggered by the reception, during a step E204, of a subscription message to at least one event relating to the communication service of the user U 1. Such an event corresponds to a message relating to the communication service provided to a terminal of the user U1 and having passed through the server S-CSCF. In the step E204, the terminal TR sends to the server S-CSCF a subscription message to at least one event relating to the communication service of the user U1. For example, the subscription message is sent in the form of a SIP SUBSCRIBE message comprising in particular, in a SIP header, the public identity Id1, for example in the FROM field of this header, and in an Event Package field the list of the types of messages. events to which the TR terminal wishes to subscribe. For example, the terminal TR may wish to receive a notification relating to U1 user communication service messages conforming to a specific protocol, such as the SIP protocol, or the Diameter protocol used for the messages exchanged between the servers setting implement the communication service, or the DNS protocol used to communicate with the DNS server shown in Figure 1.

Following the reception of the subscription message by the server S-CSCF during the step E204, the server S-CSCF sends to the terminal TR during a step E205 an acknowledgment SIP message 200 OK comprising in the field " Expires "the duration of the subscription of the terminal TR, for example 3600 seconds.

Following the reception of the subscription message by the server S-CSCF during the step E204, the server S-CSCF determines during the step E2023, the messages relating to the communication service of the user U 1 having transited by the S-CSCF server and conform to the types events that the TR terminal has subscribed to. In step E2060, the S-CSCF server sends the terminal TR a notification comprising at least one information from such a message.

According to any of the embodiments, following step E2060, the terminal TR sends to the server S-CSCF, during a step E2061, an acknowledgment SIP message 200OK indicating that the terminal TR has received the notification. In the remainder of the description, for the sake of clarity, the acknowledgment message sent by the terminal TR following receipt of a notification is not shown.

According to any one of the embodiments, the step E2023 is implemented continuously. The server S-CSCF determines each event relating to the communication service associated with the public identity Id1, that is to say each passage by the server S-CSCF of a message relating to the public identity Id1. If necessary, the S-CSCF server determines whether the event corresponds to an event type to which the terminal TR has subscribed.

In the case where the terminal TR has not indicated any type of particular events, the S-CSCF server determines all the types of events relating to the communication service associated with the public identity Id1.

The remainder of the description considers the case where the terminal TR has subscribed to the events relating to the SIP protocol.

During a step E2001, the terminal T2 registers with the communication network 100 by sending to the P-CSCF server a SIP REGISTER message. The SIP REGISTER message comprises in particular the public identity Id1 associated with the terminal T2 and the user U1.

During the step E2001, the SIP REG ISTER message is transmitted by the P-CSCF server to the S-CSCF server. The server S-CSCF stores the terminal T2 in association with the public identity Id1 and increments by 1 the number of terminals registered in association with the public identity Id1. The number of terminals registered in association with the public identity Id1 is then equal to 2.

Following authentication of the terminal T2 by the communication network 100, during a step E2004, the S-CSCF server sends the terminal T2 a SIP message 200 OK to confirm the registration of the terminal T2 with the communication network 1 00. The SIP message 200 OK contains in particular the list of terminals registered with the communication network 1 00 and associated with the public identity Id1.

According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the S-CSCF server does not insert the terminal TR in the list of registered terminals in association with the public identity Id1 included in the SIP message 200OK. According to this particular embodiment of the invention, this list includes the contact address of the terminals T1 and T2.

In a particular embodiment of the invention according to which the terminal T2 registers with the communication network 100 before the recording of the terminal TR, when the terminal TR sends its registration request, the server S-CSCF determines that the maximum number of records for public identity Id1 is reached. With the identification parameter of the terminal TR included in the registration request issued by the terminal TR, the server S- CSCF determines that it must register the terminal TR independently of the number of terminals previously registered in association with the public identity Id1.

In the particular embodiment of the invention according to which the terminal T2 registers with the communication network 100 after the recording of the terminal TR or after sending by the terminal TR the subscription message sent during the step E204, the S-CSCF server determines, during a step E2002, the passage of the SIP REG ISTER message relating to the communication service associated with the public identity Id1 and sent by the terminal T2. In step E2002, the S-CSCF server sends the terminal TR a notification including information from this message. For example, the notification is sent as a SIP NOTIFY message. According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the notification comprises the SIP REGISTER message sent by the terminal T2 during the step E2001.

Following step E2004, the S-CSCF server determines, during a step E2005, the passage of the SIP message 200OK relating to the communication service associated with the public identity Id1 and sent to the terminal T2. In step E2005, the S-CSCF server sends the terminal TR a notification including the SIP message 200OK sent during the step E2004.

According to a particular embodiment of the invention, during a step E2007, the server S-CSCF receives from the terminal TR a message, for example a SIP message State request OPTIONS terminals associated with the identity public Id1. During step E2007, the S-CSCF server determines that the message received from the terminal TR is not a registration message or a subscription message. The S-CSCF server rejects the message from the terminal TR. Since the terminal TR is not a terminal of the user U 1, the server S-CSCF must not process messages from the terminal TR, which could disturb the communication service provided to the terminals of the user U1. This particular embodiment of the invention also makes it possible to prevent a malicious user of the terminal TR from interfering with the provision of the communication service to the terminals of the user U1, or even to hack the user's communication service. U1.

As a variant of this particular embodiment of the invention, during a step E2008, the server S-CSCF sends to the terminal TR an error message indicating to the terminal TR that the message received during the step E2007 does not has not been taken into account. The user of the terminal TR is thus informed of the error.

FIG. 3A schematically illustrates steps of the process for obtaining traces relating to a communication service and the method of managing a communication service according to another particular embodiment of the invention.

In this particular embodiment of the invention, the terminal T1 is registered with the communication network 100. The terminal TR has registered with the communication network 100 in a manner similar to its recording described in connection with FIG. the TR terminal subscribed to SIP protocol, Diameter protocol and DNS protocol events. During a step E207, the terminal TE sends a communication request to the public identity Id1, in the form of a SIP INVITE message. The communication request is received by the l-CSCF server during step E207. During the step E207, the I-CSCF server sends a SIP 100 Trying message to the terminal TE indicating to the terminal TE that its communication request is being processed.

During a step E208, the l-CSCF server communicates with the SLF server via the Diameter protocol to obtain the address of the HSS server hosting the data of the user associated with the public identity Id1.

During a step E209, the l-CSCF server communicates with the HSS server via the Diameter protocol to obtain the name of the S-CSCF server managing the terminals of the user associated with the public identity Id1 and registered in the network. communication 100.

During a step E210, the l-CSCF server communicates with the DNS server via the protocol

DNS to obtain the IP address of the S-CSCF server managing the terminals of the user associated with the public identity Id1 and registered in the communication network 100.

During a step E21 1, the l-CSCF server transmits the communication request to the server

S-CSCF managing the terminals of the user associated with the public identity Id1 and registered in the communication network 100.

During the step E21 1, the S-CSCF server receives the communication request sent by the terminal TE to the public identity Id1 and determines the passage of the SIP INVITE message sent by the server l-CSCF and relating to the communication service associated with the public identity Id1.

During a step E212, the S-CSCF server sends the terminal TR a notification comprising this SIP INVITE message.

During a step E213, the S-CSCF server sends to the l-CSCF server a SIP 100 Trying message indicating that the communication request has been received. The S-CSCF server determines the passage of the SIP 100 Trying message relating to the communication service associated with the public identity Id1.

During a step E214, the S-CSCF server sends the terminal TR a notification including the SIP message 100 Trying.

During a step E215, the S-CSCF server interrogates the DNS server according to the DNS protocol, by sending a Query DNS request, in order to obtain the IP address of the AS application server hosting the functionalities. the communication service associated with the public identity Id1. During the step E215, the S-CSCF server determines the passage of the query Query DNS relating to the communication service associated with the public identity Id1 and, during a step E216, sends to the terminal TR a notification comprising this DNS query.

During a step E217, the S-CSCF server receives, via the DNS protocol, a response from the DNS server including the IP address of the application server AS. During step E217, the S-CSCF server determines the passage of this response to the DNS query relating to the communication service associated with the public identity Id1 and during a step E218, sends to the terminal TR a notification including this answer. During a step E219, the server S-CSCF sends the application server AS the communication request. During the step E219, the S-CSCF server determines the passage of the SIP INVITE message sent to the application server AS and relating to the communication service associated with the public identity Id1. During a step E220, the S-CSCF server sends the terminal TR a notification comprising the SIP INVITE message sent to the application server AS.

During a step E221, the S-CSCF server receives a SIP 100 Trying message from the application server AS indicating that the application server AS has received the communication request. During the step E221, the S-CSCF server determines the passage of the SIP message 100 Trying sent by the application server AS and relating to the communication service associated with the public identity Id1. During a step E222, the S-CSCF server sends a notification comprising the SIP 100 Trying message sent by the application server AS.

During a step E223, the application server AS triggers the functionalities implemented upon receipt by the latter of a communication request and associated with the communication service provided to the user associated with the public identity Id1 . In step E223, the application server AS sends back to the server S-CSCF a SIP message INVITE which contains the communication request for the public identity Id1.

During the step E223, the S-CSCF server determines the passage of the SIP INVITE message returned by the application server AS and sends to the terminal TR during a step E224, a notification comprising the SIP INVITE message returned by the AS application server.

During a step E225, the S-CSCF server sends a SIP 100 Trying message to the application server AS indicating that the S-CSCF server has received the SIP INVITE message returned by the application server AS. During the step E225, the S-CSCF server determines the passage of the SIP 100 Trying message sent to the application server AS and sends to the terminal TR during a step E226, a notification comprising the SIP message 100 Trying sent to the AS application server.

During a step E227, the S-CSCF server sends to the P-CSCF server a SIP INVITE message which contains the communication request sent by the terminal TE to the public identity Id1 so that the P-CSCF server transfers to the T1 terminal. During the step E227, the S-CSCF server determines the passage of the SIP INVITE message sent to the P-CSCF server. During a step E228, the S-CSCF server sends the terminal TR a notification comprising the SIP INVITE message sent to the P-CSCF server.

According to the embodiment described here, the terminal TR obtains the traces related to the reception of a communication request intended for the public identity Id1. This particular embodiment of the invention describes the obtaining of traces relating to messages having passed through the S-CSCF server and linked to the communication service associated with the public identity Id1. The invention also applies to messages passing through the P-CSCF server or the l-CSCF server. The application of the invention to these servers is done directly when the features of the servers P-CSCF, I-CSCF and S-CSCF are integrated in the same equipment.

According to another particular embodiment of the invention, the communication request sent during step E207 may be a state request of the terminals associated with the identity public Id1, for example in the form of a SIP OPTIONS message. The description of this particular embodiment of the invention remains the same.

In the particular embodiment of the invention described here, the notification comprises the aforementioned message having passed through the S-CSCF server and determined by the latter. According to another particular embodiment of the invention, the notification may comprise only information included in the aforementioned message having passed through the S-CSCF server and determined by the latter, this information being representative of the content of this message. For example, the information may include the message protocol, the type of the message, the sender and the receiver of the message.

According to another particular embodiment of the invention, the notification may also include time stamp data relating to the determined message, for example the date and time of sending or receiving the message.

According to another particular embodiment of the invention, the notification comprises more than one message having passed through the server S-CSCF and determined by the latter. This particular embodiment of the invention makes it possible to limit the number of notifications to be transmitted to the terminal TR.

FIG. 3B schematically illustrates steps of the process for obtaining traces relating to a communication service and the method of managing a communication service according to another particular embodiment of the invention. In this particular embodiment of the invention, the steps E207 'to E227' are identical to the corresponding steps E207 to E227 described in relation to FIG. 3A. In this particular embodiment of the invention, the user of the terminal TR tracks the communications intended for the public identity Id1. When a communication request for the public identity Id1 is received by the communication network during a step E207 ', the server S-CSCF sends to the terminal TR during a step E212' a notification indicating the receipt of the communication request.

During a step E300, the reception of the notification by the terminal TR during the step E212 'then triggers the opening of an application relating to the public identity Id1, for example an application making appointments you. As a variant, during step E300, the terminal TR may trigger the opening of an information sheet concerning the transmitter of the communication request, in this case the terminal TE, so that the user of the terminal TR has access to information relating to the issuer of the communication request. For example, if the user of the terminal TE is a customer, the user of the terminal TR has information relating to this customer. In this variant, the public identity Id1 can correspond to a call number of a company, for example the after-sales service, and the terminal TR can correspond to a terminal of the after-sales service, to which calls to public identity id1 are redirected. The user of the terminal TR will then respond to the communication request and will automatically have information relating to the issuer of the communication request.

In the case where the invention is used for a call center service managing the appointments of several professionals, the user of the terminal TR can respond to the communication and automatically have the appointment schedule of the professional associated with the public identity Id1.

FIG. 4 illustrates a device able to implement the process for obtaining traces relating to a communication service according to a particular embodiment of the invention.

The device 40 comprises a storage module 42, for example a memory (MEM), a processing unit 43, equipped for example with a microprocessor (PROC), and driven by the computer program (PG) 41 implementing the process for obtaining traces relating to a communication service as described with reference to FIGS. 2, 3A and 3B. At initialization, the code instructions of the computer program 41 are for example loaded into memory (MEM) before being executed by the processor (PROC) of the processing unit 43. The processor of the processor unit processing 43 implements the steps of the process for obtaining traces relating to a communication service provided to at least one terminal associated with an identity of a subscribed user with an access provider to said communication service, according to the instructions of the computer program 41. The processor of the processing unit 43 implements, in particular: a step of sending a registration request to a management server of the communication service, the registration request comprising:

the identity of the subscribed user instructing the management server to record the device 40 in association with the identity of the subscribed user, o an identification parameter of the device 40 indicating to the management server to apply to the device 40 at least one management rule different from a management rule applied to said at least one terminal associated with the identity of the subscribed user,

The device 40 also comprises communication means 45 which are for example implemented by a communication module (COM). The communication module allows the device 40 to establish communications via the communication network 100 of FIG. The communication module (COM) makes it possible to receive a notification from the management server, to send a registration request to the management server, to send a subscription message to an event relating to the communication service of the subscribed user.

According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the device 40 comprises user interaction means (48), for example a user interaction module (IO). The user interaction module (IO) can correspond to a keyboard, a mouse, a touch screen. The user interaction module (IO) allows a user of the device 40 to interact with the device 40 and in particular to order the sending of a registration request of the device 40 in association with the public identity of the device. subscribed user. According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the device 40 comprises a filtering module (not shown) for filtering notifications received from the management server. For example, the device 40 may filter the notifications based on the protocol of the message included in the notification, the calling or called number of a communication request included in the notification, a parameter included in an SDP field (for Session Description Protocol in English) of a message included in the notification. Such a filtering module facilitates the establishment of visual information representing the messages included in the received notifications and used by a user of the terminal TR to solve a problem encountered by the subscribed user. The filtering module also allows a user of the terminal TR to select only certain messages for the purpose of problem solving or obtaining information.

According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the device 40 comprises display means 46 for visually reproducing information representing the content of the received notifications. The display means are implemented by a display module (AFF), for example a screen or an output to a remote display device such as a television or a screen.

The visual representation may be in the form of diagrams showing in chronological order the messages that have passed through the management server. Such a visual representation is generated by an automatic generation module (not shown) included in the device 40.

According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the device 40 is included in a server or in a terminal.

FIG. 5 illustrates a device able to implement the method of managing a communication service according to a particular embodiment of the invention.

The device 50 comprises a storage module 52, for example a memory (MEM), a processing unit 53, equipped for example with a microprocessor (PROC), and driven by the computer program (PG) 51 implementing the method of managing a communication service as described in relation with FIGS. 2, 3A and 3B. At initialization, the code instructions of the computer program 51 are for example loaded into memory (MEM) before being executed by the processor (PROC) of the processing unit 53. The processor of the processor unit processing 53 implements the steps of the method of managing a communication service provided by a management server to at least one terminal associated with an identity of a subscribed user with an access provider to said communication service, according to the instructions of the computer program 51. The processor of the processing unit 53 implements, in particular:

a step of receiving, from a tracer device, for example the terminal TR of FIG. 1, a registration request, the registration request comprising:

o the identity of the subscribed user,

o an identification parameter of the tracer device, a step of registering the tracer device in association with the identity of the subscribed user,

The device 50 also comprises communication means 55 which are for example implemented by a communication module (COM1). The communication module allows the device 50 to establish communications via the communication network 100 of FIG. The communication module (COM) makes it possible to send a notification to the tracer device, to receive a registration request from the tracer device, to receive a subscription message to an event relating to the communication service of the subscribed user.

According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the device 50 is included in a server.

Claims

claims

Method for obtaining traces relating to a communication service provided to at least one terminal (T1) associated with an identity of a subscribed user with an access provider to said communication service, characterized in that it comprises :

a step of sending (E2020), by a tracer device (TR), a request for registration to a management server (101) of the communication service, the registration request comprising:

o the identity of the subscribed user instructing the management server to register the tracer device in association with the identity of the subscribed user, o an identification parameter of the tracer device allowing the management server to distinguish the device tracer of a terminal of the subscribed user and indicating to the management server to apply to the tracer device at least one management rule different from a management rule applied to said at least one terminal associated with the user's identity subscriber,

a step of receiving (E203, E2060) at least one notification from the management server, said notification comprising at least one information coming from a message relating to the communication service provided to said at least one terminal associated with the identity of the subscribed user, said message having passed through the management server.

A method for obtaining traces according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a step of sending to the management server, a subscription message to at least one event relating to the communication service of the subscribed user, the at least one event corresponding to the message relating to the communication service having passed through the management server.

A process for obtaining traces according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the registration request further comprises a parameter representative of a capacity of the tracer device, the capacity indicating that the tracer device is only suitable to receive the said notification.

A method for obtaining traces according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, after receiving the notification, it comprises a step of opening a predetermined application associated with the identity of the subscribed user.

Device for obtaining traces relating to a communication service provided to at least one terminal associated with an identity of a subscribed user with an access provider to said communication service, characterized in that it comprises: means for sending a registration request to a management server, the registration request comprising:

an identification parameter of the device enabling the management server to distinguish the tracer device from a terminal of the subscribed user and indicating to the management server to apply to the device at least one management rule different from a control rule; management applied to a terminal associated with the identity of the subscribed user,

means for receiving at least one notification from the management server, said notification comprising at least one information coming from a message relating to the communication service provided to said at least one terminal associated with the identity of the subscribed user , said message having passed through the management server.

Terminal comprising a device according to claim 5.

A method of managing a communication service provided by a management server (101) to at least one terminal (T1) associated with an identity of a subscribed user with an access provider to said communication service, characterized in what he understands:

a receiving step (E2020), from a tracer device (TR), of a registration request, the registration request comprising:

o the identity of the subscribed user,

o a tracer device identification parameter allowing the management server to distinguish the tracer device from a subscriber terminal, a registration step (E2021) of the tracer device in association with the user's identity subscriber,

a storage step (E2022) in association with the tracer device registration of the tracer device identification parameter instructing the management server to apply to the tracer device at least one management rule different from a management rule applied to the tracer device; a terminal associated with the identity of the subscribed user, a step of determining (E2023) at least one piece of information originating from a message relating to the communication service provided to said at least one terminal associated with the identity of the subscriber; user subscribed and having passed through the management server, a sending step (E203, E2060) to the tracer device of at least one notification comprising at least said determined information.

Management method according to claim 7, characterized in that the management rule applied to the tracer device by the management server is to register the tracer device independently of a number of previously registered terminals for the identity of the subscribed user .

9. Management method according to any one of claims 7 or 8, characterized in that following a step of reception by the management server of a communication request transmitted by a transmitting terminal to the identity of the subscribed user or a status request from at least one terminal associated with the identity of the subscribed user transmitted by the transmitting terminal to the identity of the subscribed user, the management rule applied to the subscriber Tracer device is not to transmit to the tracer device the communication request or the status request.

10. Management method according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that following a step of reception by the management server of a registration request from a terminal of the subscribed user, it comprises a step of sending by the management server to the terminal of the subscribed user a response message to the registration request in which a contact address of the tracer device is not inserted. 1 1. Management method according to any one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that following a step of reception by the management server of a message from the tracer device, the management rule applied to the tracer device is reject the received message if the received message is neither a registration request nor a subscription message. 12. Management method according to claim 1 1, characterized in that following the step of reception by the management server of a message from the tracer device, the received message being neither a registration request, nor a subscription message, it includes a step of sending by the management server to the tracer device an error message.

13. Management server for a communication service provided to at least one terminal associated with an identity of a subscribed user with an access provider to said communication service, characterized in that it comprises:

means for receiving, from a tracer device, a registration request, the registration request comprising:

o the identity of the subscribed user,

an identification parameter of the tracer device allowing the management server to distinguish the tracer device from a terminal of the subscribed user, means for registering the tracer device in association with the identity of the subscribed user,

storage means in association with the registration of the tracer device of the tracer device identification parameter indicating to the management server to apply to the tracer device at least one management rule different from a management rule applied to an associated terminal the identity of the subscribed user, means for determining at least one piece of information originating from a message relating to the communication service provided to said at least one terminal associated with the identity of the subscribed user and having passed through the management server, means for sending the tracer device of at least one notification comprising at least said determined information.

A computer program comprising program code instructions for performing the steps of the method of obtaining traces as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, or steps of the method of managing a communication service. according to any one of claims 7 to 12, when the program is executed by a processor.