Service provision in a communication system

• US 20060087982A1
• Filed: 12/15/2004
• Published: 04/27/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/25/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Inventors: Paavonen, Tapio, Kuure, Pekka
• Granted Patent: US 7,623,469 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/252
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0806 for initial configuration or provisioning, e.g. plug-and-play
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/5054 Automatic deployment of services triggered by the service manager, e.g. service implementation by automatic configuration of network components
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1016 IP multimedia subsystem [IMS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/4061 Push-to services, e.g. push-to-talk or push-to-video
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/025 for remote control or remote monitoring of applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/24 Negotiation of communication capabilities
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/08 User group management
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/10 Push-to-Talk [PTT] or Push-On-Call services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/14 using user query or user detection
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/16 Discovering, processing access restriction or access information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/45 for Push-to-Talk [PTT] or Push-to-Talk over cellular [PoC] services

Abstract

A method enables obtaining parameters relating to a service provided in a communication system. The method comprises storing a first set of parameters relating to a service, the first set of parameters being valid when the service is controlled by a first network. The method further comprises determining whether a second set of parameters is needed, the second set of parameters relating to said service and being valid when said service is controlled by a second network. The method further comprises obtaining the second set of parameters, when needed. A communication device is configured to execute the method.

Claims

1. A method for obtaining parameters relating to a service provided in a communication system, the method comprising:

storing a first set of parameters relating to a service, wherein the first set of parameters is valid when the service is controlled by a first network;

determining whether a second set of parameters is needed, wherein the second set of parameters relating to said service is valid when said service is controlled by a second network; and

obtaining the second set of parameters, if the second set of parameters is determined to be needed.

2. A method according to claim 1, the step of storing comprises storing the first set of parameters which includes at least one parameter corresponding to at least one parameter of the second set of parameters.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the step of determining comprises determining whether the service is controlled by the first network or by the second network.

4. A method according to claim 3, further comprising using the first set of parameters to establish a party of the service, if the service is controlled by the first network.

5. A method according to claim 3, further comprising using at least one of the parameters of the second set of parameters in establishing a party of the service, when the service is controlled by the second network.

6. A method according to claim 4, wherein becoming the party of the service comprises at least one of requesting the service, joining the service or being invited to become a party of the service.

7. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the step of determining comprises comparing a network identifier of the network controlling the service with a network identifier of a user identity of a user becoming a party of the service.

8. A method according to claim 7, wherein the step of obtaining comprises obtaining the second set of parameters, when the network identifier of the network controlling the service is different from the network identifier of the user identity of the user becoming the party of the service.

9. A method according to claim 1, wherein the step of determining comprises comparing a network identifier of the network controlling the service with a network identifier of the first network.

10. A method according to claim 9, wherein the step of obtaining comprises obtaining the second set of parameters, when it is determined the network identifier of the network controlling the service is different from the first network.

11. A method according to claim 7, wherein the step of determining comprises comparing domain parts of uniform resource identifiers (URI).

12. A method according to claim 1, wherein the step of determining further comprises determining the type of the service provided.

13. A method according to claim 1, wherein the step of obtaining comprises at least one of negotiating the second set of parameters, requesting the second set of parameters or receiving the second set of parameters.

14. A method according to claim 1, further comprising storing at least one second set of parameters.

15. A method according to claim 14, wherein the step of storing the at least one second set of parameters comprises storing parameters that relate to service sessions participated in by a user.

16. A method according to claim 14, wherein the step of obtaining comprises verifying whether the at least one second set of parameters stored includes a second set of parameters relating to the network controlling the service, when it is determined the second set of parameters is needed.

17. A method according to claim 1, wherein the step of storing comprises storing the first set of parameters relating to the service, wherein the first set of parameters is valid when the service is controlled by a home network.

18. A method according to claims 1, further comprising receiving the first set of parameters via an over-the-air interface.

19. A method according to claim 18, wherein the step of receiving comprises receiving the first set of parameters using at least one of cell broadcast, short message service, unstructured supplementary services data, general user datagram protocol transport service, hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) and synchronization markup language (SyncML).

20. A method according to any of claims 1, wherein the step of receiving comprises receiving the first set of parameters by at least one of entering parameters during device manufacturing, entering parameters manually, entering parameters electronically and using a pre-configured identity module.

21. A method according to claim 18, wherein the step of receiving comprises receiving the first set of parameters from a home network.

22. A method according to claim 21, wherein the step of receiving comprises receiving the first set of parameters from the home network when either of the service is subscribed or when parameters of the service change.

23. A method according to claim 1, wherein obtaining said parameters comprises obtaining parameters relating to at least one of a service supported by a server in a session initiation protocol controlled network, a service supported by a server in an Internet multimedia subsystem, a multiparty conferencing service and a push-to-talk over cellular service.

24. A method according to claim 1, wherein obtaining said parameters comprises obtaining at least one of a timer parameter, a parameter for automatic login, a parameter supporting simultaneous sessions, and a parameter supporting a pre-established session.

25. A method according to claims 1, further comprising discarding the second set of parameters after a termination of a service session in which the second set of parameters is related.

26. A computer readable medium comprising computer program code means for performing the steps according to claim 1 when the program is run on a computing means.

27. A communication device for becoming a party of a service provided in a communication system, the communication device configured to:

store a first set of parameters relating to a service, wherein the first set of parameters is valid when the service is controlled by a first network;

determine whether a second set of parameters is needed, wherein the second set of parameters relating to said service is valid when said service is controlled by a second network; and

obtain the second set of parameters, if the second set of parameters is determined to be needed.

28. A communication device for becoming a party of a service provided in a communication system, the communication device comprising:

storing means for storing a first set of parameters relating to a service, wherein the first set of parameters is valid when the service is controlled by a first network;

determining means for determining whether a second set of parameters is needed, wherein the second set of parameters relating to said service is valid when said service is controlled by a second network; and

obtaining means for obtaining the second set of parameters, if the second set of parameters is determined to be needed.

29. A communication device for becoming a party of a service provided in a communication system, the communication device comprising:

memory for storing a first set of parameters relating to a service, wherein the first set of parameters is valid when the service is controlled by a first network;

processor for determining whether a second set of parameters is needed, wherein the second set of parameters relating to said service is valid when said service is controlled by a second network; and

transceiver for obtaining the second set of parameters, if the second set of parameters is determined to be needed.

30. A method for controlling provision of a service provided in a communication system, the method comprising:

receiving a request for providing a service to a user of a client, wherein the service is controlled by a network of the communication system that uses at least one controlling network dependent parameter;

verifying whether the user of the client belongs to a network controlling provision of the service;

determining whether the client needs a set of parameters, that relate to the service, when the user of the client belongs to a network other than the network controlling the provision of the service and;

providing the set of parameters, if it is determined the client needs to be provided with the set of parameters.

31. A method according to claim 30, wherein the step of verifying comprises comparing a network identification of the network controlling the provision of the service with a network identification of the user of the client.

32. A method according to claim 30, wherein the step of determining comprises determining the type of the service provided.

33. A method according to claim 30, further comprising storing user information relating to provided service sessions.

34. A method according to claim 33, wherein the step of determining further comprises determining whether user information relating to the user of the client is stored.

35. A method according to claim 34, wherein the step of providing comprises providing the set of parameters, when it is determined the user information relating to the user of the client is not stored.

36. A method according to claim 30, wherein the step of providing the set of parameters comprises negotiating the set of parameters with the client.

37. A method according to claim 30, wherein the step of providing the set of parameters comprises transmitting the set of parameters to the client.

38. A method according to claim 30, wherein the step of receiving comprises receiving at least one of a request from the user of the client to initiate the service to other users, a request to invite the user of the client to become a party of the service and a request from the user of the client to join the service initiated by another user.

39. A method according to claim 30, wherein controlling provision of said service comprises controlling a provision of at least one of a service supported by a server in a session initiation protocol controlled network, a service supported by a server in the Internet multimedia subsystem, a multiparty conferencing service and a push-to-talk over cellular service.

40. A method according to claim 30, wherein providing said parameters comprises providing at least one of a timer parameter, a parameter for automatic login, a parameter supporting simultaneous sessions, and a parameter supporting a pre-established session.

41. A computer readable medium comprising a computer program code means for performing the steps according to claim 30 when the computer program is run on a computing means.

42. A controller network entity for controlling provision of a service provided in a communication system, the controller network entity configured to:

receive a request for providing a service to a user of a client, the service being controlled by a network of the communication system that uses at least one controlling network dependent parameter;

verify that the user of the client belongs to a network controlling provision of the service;

determine whether the client needs to be provided with a set of parameters that relate to the service, when it is verified the user of the client belongs to a network other than the network controlling a provision of the service and;

provide the set of parameters, if it is determined the client needs to be provided with the set of parameters.

43. A controller network entity for controlling provision of a service provided in a communication system, the controller network entity comprising:

receiving means for receiving a request for providing a service to a user of a client, the service being controlled by a network of the communication system that uses at least one controlling network dependent parameter;

verifying means for verifying whether the user of the client belongs to a network controlling provision of the service;

determining means for determining whether the client needs to be provided with a set of parameters, that relate to the service, when it is verified the user of the client belongs to a network other than the network controlling the provision of the service and;

providing means for providing the set of parameters, if it is determined the client needs to be provided with the set of parameters.

44. A communication system configured to:

provide a service, the service being controlled by a network of the communication system using at least one controlling network dependent parameter;

provide a first set of parameters, wherein the first set of parameters is valid when the service is controlled by a first network;

determine whether a second set of parameters that relate to said service is needed, wherein the second set of parameters relating to said service are valid when said service is controlled by a second network; and

provide the second set of parameters, if it is determined the second set of parameters is needed.

45. A communication system comprising:

a server for providing a service, the service being controlled by a network of the communication system using at least one controlling network dependent parameter;

parameter providing means for providing a first set of parameters, wherein the first set of parameters is valid when the service is controlled by a first network;

determining means for determining whether a second set of parameters is needed, wherein the second set of parameters relating to said service is valid when said service is controlled by a second network; and

parameter providing means for providing the second set of parameters, if it is determined the second set of parameters is needed.