Associated device discovery in IMS networks

Abstract

A method of associating multiple user endpoints (UEs) with a single IMS session in an IMS network having a serving node for controlling at least one IMS session for a user and at least a first access network for providing access to UEs. The method involves associating a first UE with the user and with an IMS session; discovering a second UE in a proximity of the first UE; discovering information about the second UE; communicating the information about the second UE to the serving node; the serving node utilizing computer-implemented policy logic to determine whether to associate the second UE with the user and the IMS session; and if the policy logic determines that the second UE is to be associated, the serving node associating the second UE with the IMS session while retaining the association with the first UE.

1 . In an IMS network having a serving node for controlling at least one IMS session for a user and at least a first access network for providing access to user endpoints (UEs), a method of associating multiple UEs with a single IMS session, the method comprising: 
 associating a first UE with the user and with an IMS session;    discovering a second UE in a proximity of the first UE;    discovering information about the second UE;    communicating the information about the second UE to the serving node;    the serving node utilizing computer-implemented policy logic to determine whether to associate the second UE with the user and the IMS session; and    if the policy logic determines that the second UE is to be associated, the serving node associating the second UE with the IMS session while retaining the association with the first UE.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , the method further comprising the serving node causing an application server to utilize the second UE within the IMS session.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the serving node causes the application server to utilize the second UE via the first access network via the first UE.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the application server is a media server associated with the IMS session, the method further comprising: 
 the media server transmitting real-time streaming media to the first UE; and    the first UE relaying the real-time streaming media to the second UE.    
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the serving node determines that the second UE is to be associated with the user, the method further comprising: 
 the serving node obtaining a network address of the second UE; and    establishing an alternative network via a second access network connection to the second UE that does not involve the first UE.    
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the application server utilizes the second UE by transmitting content to the second UE via the alternative network connection.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the application server is a media server associated with the IMS session, and the media server transmits real-time streaming media to the second UE via the alternative network connection.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein, after the serving node has associated the second UE with the IMS session, an application server under control of the IMS session utilizes the first and second UEs concurrently within the IMS session.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second UE is discovered as a result of a search message broadcast by the first UE.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second UE is discovered as a result of an advertising message transmitted from the second UE.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second UE is discovered by at least one of the Universal Plug and Play, Jini, RFID, and Bluetooth discovery mechanisms.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 the serving node determining that the content to be delivered to the second UE requires trans-coding; and    the serving node directing a media resource control function to establish a trans-coding session.    
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the media resource control function transmits trans-coded real-time streaming content to the first UE for relay to the second UE.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising: 
 the serving node determining that the content to be delivered to the second UE requires trans-coding;    the serving node directing a media resource control function to establish a trans-coding session; and    the media resource control function transmitting real-time streaming content to the second UE via the alternative network connection.    
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the trans-coding alters at least one of the color resolution and the spatial resolution of the content to be delivered.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the determination whether to associate the second UE with the user and the IMS session is based in part on user choice.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the computer-implemented policy logic includes rules that depend on at least one of: 
 (i) a business relationship between the user and a provider of telecommunication services;    (ii) a business relationship between the user and an owner or operator of the second UE device; and    (iii) a technical specification of the second UE.    
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the serving node associates the second UE with the IMS session, the method further comprising the serving node terminating the association of the second UE with the IMS session.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the termination of the association with the second UE is triggered by the second UE becoming unavailable.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the termination of the association with the second UE is triggered by the second UE leaving the proximity of the first UE, the serving node maintaining session continuity with the first UE.