Apparatus and method for directing a communication session to a communication device of a group of devices having a common registration identity

Abstract

An apparatus, and an associated method, for directing communications of a communication session to a selected communication device, or devices, of a group of commonly-registered devices. A device-direction policy is created and stored at a network entity. The policy identifies preferred devices to which communications of a communication session are to be provided. A SIP Invite, or other communication-session initiation message, is provided to the network entity. The network entity detects the message, accesses the policy, and forwards on the message in accordance with the policy.

1 . Apparatus for a communication device of a first device group comprised of at least one communication device, said apparatus comprising:
 a device direction policy setter configured to set at the communication device a device direction policy associated with the first device group that identifies device-direction handling of communication sessions of selected media types; and   a memory element configured to store the device direction policy.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said device direction policy setter is further configured to set the device direction policy responsive to network-generated instructions. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said device direction policy setter is further configured to set the device direction policy responsive to device-provided instructions. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said device direction policy setter is further configured to set user preference information. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein said user preference information comprises a device-identifying information. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the user preference information further comprises media feature tags that identify communication-device-supported media capabilities. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a policy message generator configured to generate messages including a policy message that identifies the device direction policy. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the device direction policy comprises a plurality of entries, each entry associated with at least one selected media type. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the device direction policy further comprises identification of device-direction handling of modifications of communication sessions. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a message generator configured to generate a policy message that further identifies the device direction policy pursuant to communication session modification. 
   
   
       11 . A method in a communication device of a first device group comprised of at least one communication device for facilitating communication, said method comprising:
 setting a device direction policy associated with the first device group that identifies device-direction handling of communication sessions of selected media types; and   storing the device direction policy.   
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising:
 generating a message that identifies the device direction policy.   
   
   
       13 . An apparatus for a communication network element that operates pursuant to a communication session that includes at least one media type, said apparatus comprising:
 a detector configured to detect a request for initiation of the communication session;   a memory element coupled to the detector, the memory element configured to store a device direction policy that identifies device-direction handling of communication sessions of selected media types; and   a request forwarder coupled to the memory element, the request forwarder configured to forward the request for initiation in conformity with the device direction policy.   
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein said detector is configured to detect a SIP, Session Initiation Protocol, Invitation message. 
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the SIP, Session Initiation Protocol, Invitation message comprises identification of at least one media type of the communication session. 
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 13  further comprising a filter configured to filter each media type from a message. 
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein said memory element is configured to store a device-selected device direction policy which includes the user preference information. 
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein said memory element is configured to store a network-selected device direction policy. 
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the device direction policy comprises a plurality of entries, each entry associated with at least one selected media type. 
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the device direction policy further comprises identification of device-direction handling of modifications of communication sessions. 
   
   
       21 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein said detector is further configured to detect a request for modification of the communication session. 
   
   
       22 . The apparatus of  claim 21  wherein said request forwarder is further configured to forward the request for modification. 
   
   
       23 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein said message generator is further configured to generate a SIP INVITE for transmission in conformity with a device direction policy. 
   
   
       24 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein said message generator is further configured to generate a SIP BYE to terminate an old session whose media type message is redirected to a new session. 
   
   
       25 . A method for facilitating communication pursuant to a communication session by way of a communication network, said method comprising:
 detecting a request for initiation of the communication session;   accessing a device direction policy that identifies device-direction handling of communication sessions of selected media types; and   forwarding the request for initiation in conformity with the device direction policy.