Media binding to coordinate quality of service requirements for media flows in a multimedia session with IP bearer resources

• US 20020120749A1
• Filed: 11/05/2001
• Published: 08/29/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/06/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Original Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Inventors: Foti, George, Surdila, Sorin, Oyama, Johnson, Widegren, Ina B., Williams, Brian C.
• Granted Patent: US 7,546,376 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/227
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/14 Charging , metering or billing arrangements for data wireline or wireless communications
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1439 time-based
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/10 Flow control; Congestion control
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/2425 for supporting services specification, e.g. SLA
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/2491 Mapping quality of service [QoS] requirements between different networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1016 IP multimedia subsystem [IMS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/103 in the network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/104 in the network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1069 Session establishment or de-establishment
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1104 Session initiation protocol [SIP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/65 Network streaming protocols, e.g. real-time transport protocol [RTP] or real-time control protocol [RTCP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/80 Responding to QoS
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/14 Session management for real-time applications in data packet communications networks H04L65/1066
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/61 taking into account QoS or priority requirements
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/00 Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/41 Billing record details, i.e. parameters, identifiers, structure of call data record [CDR]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/55 for hybrid networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/56 for VoIP communications
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/57 : for integrated multimedia messaging subsystem [IMS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/8016 : based on quality of service [QoS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/8228 : Session based
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0164 : Billing record, e.g. Call Data Record [CDR], Toll Ticket[TT], Automatic Message Accounting [AMA], Call Line Identifier [CLI], details, i.e. parameters, identifiers, structure
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/202 : VoIP; Packet switched telephony
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/204 : UMTS; GPRS
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/208 : IMS, i.e. Integrated Multimedia messaging Subsystem
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/22 : Bandwidth or usage-sensitve billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/32 : Involving wireless systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/44 : Charging/billing arrangements for connection made over different networks, e.g. wireless and PSTN, ISDN, etc.
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/7414 : QoS
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/7833 : Session based
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/02 : Traffic management, e.g. flow control or congestion control
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/15 : Setup of multiple wireless link connections
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/04 : Registration at HLR or HSS [Home Subscriber Server]

Abstract

Using session signaling, a multimedia session with plural media data streams is initiated between the mobile terminal and a remote host coupled to a packet data network. The mobile terminal is coupled to the packet data network and to a multimedia system that provides multimedia session services by way of an access point. A plurality of packet access bearers is established between the mobile terminal and the access point to transport corresponding ones of the media data streams between the mobile terminal and the access points. The media binding information is created for each media data stream. The media binding information associates each media data stream in the session to one of the media packet access bearers and is used to provide session-based control of each of the media packet access bearers. Different example techniques for generating/providing the media information are disclosed.

Claims

1. A method for setting up a multimedia session involving a mobile terminal, comprising:

using session signaling, initiating a multimedia session with plural media data streams between the mobile terminal and a remote host coupled to a packet data network, the mobile terminal being coupled to the packet data network and to a multimedia system that provides multimedia session services by way of an access point;

establishing a plurality of media packet access bearers to transport corresponding ones of the media data streams between the mobile terminal and the access point;

creating media binding information for each media data stream; and

using the media binding information to associate each media data stream in the session to one of the media packet access bearers to provide session-based control of each of the media packet access bearers.

2. The method in claim 1, wherein multiple media data streams share a same media packet access bearer and multiple media binding information elements are associated with the shared media packet bearer.

3. The method in claim 1, wherein the media binding information corresponding to one of the media data streams identifies the multimedia session and the one media data stream.

4. The method in claim 3, wherein local media binding information is generated for each media data stream for use in a local domain of the mobile terminal and local media binding information is generated for each media data stream for use in a local domain of the remote host.

5. The method in claim 3, wherein the media binding information generated for each media data stream is used in a local domain of the mobile terminal and in a local domain of the remote host.

6. The method in claim 3, wherein the media binding information is included in a message portion of the session signaling included with the media definition.

7. The method in claim 6, wherein the session signaling is based on Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) and the message portion is Session Description Protocol (SDP), and wherein the media binding information is included in the SDP for the multimedia session.

8. The method in claim 7, wherein the media binding information is an SDP extension.

9. The method in claim 6, wherein if a parameter of one of the media data streams changes, the corresponding media binding identifier changes.

10. The method in claim 1, wherein the media binding information for one of the media data streams includes a session identifier identifying the session and a media data stream identifier corresponding to the one media data stream.

11. The method in claim 10, wherein the session identifier is carried in the session signaling and the media data stream identifier is generated by one or more nodes involved at the session level in the session signaling.

12. The method in claim 11, wherein the one or more nodes includes one or more of the mobile terminal, the access point, the multimedia system, and the remote host.

13. The method in claim 11, wherein the one or more nodes use a predetermined procedure for determining the media data stream identifier.

14. The method in claim 11, wherein the session identifier is included in session authorization signaling and the media data stream identifier for the corresponding media data stream is added to the session identifier to generate the media binding information for that media data stream.

15. The method in claim 11, wherein if a parameter of one of the media data streams changes, the corresponding session identifier changes, or if a parameter of one of the media data streams changes, the corresponding media data stream identifier changes.

17. The method in claim 16, further comprising:

providing session-based control of each of the GPRS bearers using the media binding information.

18. The method in claim 16, wherein the media binding information corresponding to one of the media data streams identifies the multimedia session and the one media data stream.

19. The method in claim 18, wherein local media binding information is generated for each media data stream for use in a local domain of the mobile terminal and local media binding information is generated for each media data stream for use in a local domain of the remote host.

20. The method in claim 18, wherein the media binding information generated for each media data stream is used in a local domain of the mobile terminal and in a local domain of the remote host.

21. The method in claim 16, wherein the session signaling is session initiation protocol (SIP) signaling and the message portion is Session Description Protocol (SDP), and wherein the media binding information is included in the SDP for the multimedia session.

22. The method in claim 21, wherein the media binding information is included in the SDP as an SDP extension.

23. The method in claim 16, wherein multiple media data streams share a same media packet access bearer and multiple media binding information elements are associated with the shared media packet bearer.

25. The method in claim 24, wherein the media binding information corresponding to one of the media data streams includes a session identifier identifying the session and a media data stream identifier corresponding to the one media stream.

26. The method in claim 25, wherein the session identifier is carried in session authorization signaling and the media data stream identifier is generated by one or more nodes involved at the session level.

27. The method in claim 26, wherein the one or more nodes includes one or more of the mobile terminal, the access point, the multimedia system, and the remote host.

28. The method in claim 26, wherein the one or more nodes use a predetermined procedure for determining the media data stream identifier.

29. The method in claim 26, wherein the session identifier is included in the session signaling and the media flow identifier for the corresponding media flow is added to the session identifier to generate the media binding information for that media flow.

30. The method in claim 25, wherein the session identifier is a session authorization token and the media stream identifier is added to the session authorization token to generate a complete token that identifies the session and the corresponding individual GPRS bearer.

31. The method in claim 25, wherein the session signaling is session initiation protocol (SIP) signaling employing Session Description Protocol (SDP) to define the media flows in the multimedia session, and wherein the media flow identifier is a number corresponding to a sequential number of the media definitions in the SDP for this multimedia session.

16. A method for use in setting up a multimedia session between a mobile terminal and a remote host, comprising:

using session signaling, initiating a multimedia session with plural media data streams between the mobile terminal and a remote host coupled to a packet data network, the mobile terminal being coupled to the packet data network and to a multimedia system that provides multimedia session services by way of General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) network;

receiving media binding information for each of the plurality of media data streams as a part of the session signaling;

requesting a GPRS bearer for each media data stream and associating the corresponding media binding information to each GPRS bearer; and

transporting the media data streams using corresponding ones of the GPRS bearers.

24. A method for use in setting up a multimedia session between a mobile terminal and a remote host, comprising:

using session signaling, initiating a multimedia session with plural media data streams between the mobile terminal and a remote host coupled to a packet data network, the mobile terminal being coupled to the packet data network and to a multimedia system that provides multimedia session services by way of General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) network;

receiving session information including a session token at the mobile terminal;

generating media binding information for each of the plurality of media data streams using the session token and a media flow identifier corresponding to each of the media data streams;

requesting a GPRS bearer for each media data stream and associating the corresponding media binding information to each GPRS bearer; and

transporting the media data streams using corresponding ones of the GPRS bearers.

32. For use in setting up a multimedia session between the mobile terminal and a remote host using session signaling, where the multimedia session includes plural media data streams, the mobile terminal being coupled to packet data network and to a multimedia system that provides multimedia session services by way of an access point, a multimedia service controller comprising:

electronic circuitry configured to provide to at least one of the mobile terminal and the access point media binding information that individually identifies each media data stream,

wherein the media binding information is used to associate each media data stream in the session to one of plural media packet access bearers established to transport corresponding ones of the media data streams between the mobile terminal and the access point thereby permitting session-based control of each of the media packet access bearers.

33. The multimedia service controller in claim 32, wherein the multimedia service controller is a session controller.

34. The multimedia service controller in claim 32, wherein the multimedia service controller is a policy controller.

35. The multimedia service controller in claim 32, wherein the media binding information identifies the multimedia session and a corresponding one of the media data streams.

36. The multimedia service controller in claim 32, wherein the session signaling is session initiation protocol (SIP) carrying a signaling message corresponding to Session Description Protocol (SDP), and wherein the electronic circuitry is configured to include the media binding information in the SDP for the multimedia session.

37. The multimedia service controller in claim 36, wherein the media at binding information is an SDP extension.

38. The multimedia service controller in claim 35, wherein the media binding information corresponding to one of the media data streams includes a session identifier identifying the session and a media data stream identifier corresponding to the one media data stream.

39. The multimedia service controller in claim 38, wherein the session identifier is provided in the session signaling and wherein the electronic circuitry is configured to generate the media data stream identifier.

40. The multimedia service controller in claim 39, wherein the electronic circuitry is configured to use a predetermined procedure for generating the media data stream identifier.

41. The multimedia service controller in claim 40, wherein the electronic circuitry is configured to combine the session identifier and the media flow identifier to generate the media binding information for that media flow.

42. For use in setting up a multimedia session between the mobile terminal and a remote host using session signaling, where the multimedia session includes plural media data streams, the mobile terminal being coupled to packet data network and to a multimedia system that provides multimedia session services by way of an access point, the mobile terminal comprising electronic circuitry configured to perform the following tasks:

initiate the multimedia session using session signaling so that a plurality of media packet access bearers can be established to transport corresponding ones of the media data streams between the mobile terminal and the access point;

create media binding information for each media data stream; and

use the media binding information to associate each media data stream in the session to one of the media packet access bearers.

43. The mobile terminal in claim 42, wherein the media binding information corresponding to one of the media data streams includes a session identifier identifying the session and a media data stream identifier corresponding to the one media data stream.

44. The mobile terminal in claim 43, wherein the session identifier is carried in the session signaling and wherein the electronic circuitry is configured to generate the media data stream identifier.

45. The mobile terminal in claim 44, wherein the electronic circuitry is configured to use a predetermined procedure for generating the media data stream identifier.

46. The mobile terminal in claim 43, wherein the electronic circuitry is configured to combine the session identifier and the media flow identifier to generate the media binding information for that media flow.

47. The mobile terminal in claim 42, wherein the session signaling is session initiation protocol (SIP) carrying a signaling message corresponding to Session Description Protocol (SDP), and wherein the electronic circuitry is configured to determine the media binding information in the SDP for the multimedia session.

48. The mobile terminal in claim 47, wherein the media binding information is an SDP extension.