Integration of IP multimedia subsystem and a push-to-talk interoperability infrastructure

• US 7,983,228 B1
• Filed: 07/14/2006
• Issued: 07/19/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nextel Communications (Deutsche Telekom AG)
• Original Assignee: Nextel Communications (Deutsche Telekom AG)
• Inventors: Choksi, Ojas T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Santiago-Cordero; Marivelisse
• Assistant Examiner(s): OBAYANJU, OMONIYI
• Application Number:
  US11/487,231
• Time in Patent Office: 1,831 Days
• Field of Search: 370/338
• US Class Current: 370/338
• 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: H04W 92/02 Inter-networking arrangements

Abstract

The present invention relates to converging a PTT Interoperability Infrastructure (PII) and an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS). In one embodiment, a common home subscriber server (HSS) and proxy call session control function (P-CSCF) are provided for both the PII and IMS. In another embodiment, a common registrar is used for both the PII and IMS. In still another embodiment, shared media element are provided for the PII and IMS. In yet another embodiment, session control element are shared between the PII and IMS.

Claims

1. A network architecture for converging a Push-To-Talk Interoperability Infrastructure (PII) network architecture and an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network architecture, comprising:

a Push-To-Talk Interoperability Infrastructure (PII) network architecture including;

a PII registrar element;

a PII session control element coupled to the PII registrar element; and

a PII media element coupled to the PII session control element;

an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network architecture including;

an IMS registrar element;

an IMS session control element coupled to the IMS registrar element; and

an IMS media element coupled to the IMS session control element;

wherein the PII network architecture registrar element, session control element, and media element are not coupled to the IMS network architecture registrar element, session control element, and media element;

a home subscriber server (HSS) containing a database of subscriber data for subscribers of the PII network architecture and the IMS network architecture coupled to the PII network architecture and the IMS network architecture, wherein the database of subscriber data is shared by the PII network architecture and the IMS network architecture; and

an edge proxy coupled to the PII network architecture and the IMS network architecture and used by both the PII network architecture and the IMS network architecture.

2. The network architecture of claim 1, wherein the edge proxy is a proxy call session control function (P-CSCF).

3. The network architecture of claim 2, wherein the P-CSCF is configured to support routing based on a call type.

4. The network architecture of claim 2, wherein the edge proxy further comprises a combined Session Border Control (SBC) and Edge Element (EE) for routing calls to wireline subscribers.

5. The network architecture of claim 4, wherein the P-CSCF is configured to support network address translation (NAT) traversal using symmetric real-time transport protocol (RTP) method.

6. The network architecture of claim 1, wherein a client-server protocol for the IMS network architecture is configured to indicate a type of call being originated by a subscriber using one or more of header fields and MIME message body.

7. The network architecture of claim 1, wherein the PII network architecture further includes a dispatch call controller that is configured to support IMS Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) enhancements for interfacing with the edge proxy.

8. The network architecture of claim 1, wherein the PII registrar element is configured to interface with the HSS to authenticate and authorize subscribers.

9. The network architecture of claim 1, wherein the PII registrar element is configured to provide the HSS with an address of the edge proxy.

10. The network architecture of claim 1, wherein the PII network architecture further includes a dispatch call controller that is configured to query the HSS for location information.