CN1977558B - Technique for distributing content data - Google Patents

Abstract

A technique for distributing content data in a first domain to a plurality of network components communicating in a second domain is provided, wherein the network components have addresses in both the first domain and the second domain. Content data for distribution in the first domain is received together with addresses of the network components in the first domain that have been derived from the addresses of the network components in the second domain. Thereafter, the content data is distributed to the network components via the first domain using the first domain addresses.

Description

The technology that is used for distributing content data

Technical field

The present invention relates to communication.More specifically, the present invention relates to a kind of with the technology of the content data distribution in first territory to the one or more network elements that in second territory, communicate.

Background technology

The development of mobile communication equipment allows the user to exchange increasing amount of content data, for example audio frequency, video and multimedia file.Yet when participation has the meeting more than two participants (perhaps other for example composite service communications of any communicate configuration), the performance of these content-datas of exchange just is restricted for mobile communication equipment (or other network elements).Only if meeting is between two communication equipments, to carry out, otherwise just can not (perhaps can not satisfactorily) content-data be sent to different participants simultaneously in the session.For example, although two communication device users of speaking mutually through a circuit switching (CS) territory can exchange video data through a packet switching (PS) territory simultaneously, the user can not send to identical video data a plurality of users.Therefore, communication equipment must sequentially send to content-data each participant of conference session, is a kind of configuration that unnecessary data is professional and lose time that produces.

Therefore, be to be understood that still a kind of improvement technology that be used for distributing content data of needs to one or more network elements that communicate with one another.

Summary of the invention

The present invention communicates the content data distribution in first territory in second territory or the method for a plurality of network elements of communicating by letter is implemented with a kind of, and wherein this network element has the address in first territory and second territory.This method may further comprise the steps: from the network element received content data that first territory, are used to distribute; The address of network element in first territory that reception is derived from the address of network element second territory, and use first domain addresses content data distribution to be arrived network element through first territory.In a kind of distortion, second domain addresses is resolved to (or being associated with) and in first territory, is equal to or compatible address.

According to the configuration of expectation, this method also comprises the step of the address of network element in first territory that the concentrated area storage is derived from second domain addresses.This address can be the address of each element, and perhaps they are addresses (causing content-data to be distributed to each network element associated therewith so that transmit content-data to group address) of network element group.If this address is stored on server or other memory devices; Then this method based on current network element of just in second territory, communicating by letter (for example also comprises; Participate in a conference session or other sessions, data are sent in the various network element and/or are received in these sessions) step of the network element address list of renewal centralized stores.With this device, content-data only is distributed to those current participant theres (this also can comprise new participant) of participating in communication.

Concentrated area memory address when the communication in second territory begins.In addition, perhaps alternatively, can be by the network element request in second territory (for example, session begins protocol message) back memory address (for example, when network element be made the request of beginning content distribution processor).In addition, if the address is stored in the server, then this method comprises through the server contact home location register to confirm the step of the address of network element in second territory.For the ease of address acquisition and minimize data traffic, this method also comprises the step of the pointer of the address that produces centralized stores in some instances.

Through the address in second territory is provided to address resolver, can produce first domain addresses of centralized stores.Address resolver is changed, changes, is perhaps associated the appropriate address in second domain addresses and first territory.After the address in deriving first domain addresses (for example for one group of network element of communicating by letter), they can be stored by the concentrated area.In addition, the pointer of organizing to first domain addresses (for example, to they memory locations) of centralized stores can be produced.

In addition, perhaps replacedly, this method also comprises the step (so that for example, can transmit content-data that dispense request with pointer and institute will distribute distributing content data sooner subsequently thereby receive network element) of reception pointer.The use of pointer can also guarantee that most of current addresses tabulation in first territory is used to the distribution of content-data, as following further explanation.

This method can also comprise content-data and the compatible step of each end user device (or participant) of confirming which type.For example, use the address of the network element that pointer can obtain communicating by letter, and can send capability request to thereby the address that obtained so that inquire after various network elements about sending and/or the performance of reception.Therefore, before distributing content data, confirm whether content-data will be revised for any special participant.Can or can efficiently transmitting data carry out the distribution of content-data through the internet protocol multi-media unit to any other element of a plurality of recipients that identified, module etc.Content-data can be through multicast, clean culture, SMS, distributions such as MMS.

The present invention further implements the content data distribution in first territory with a kind of to the method for a plurality of network elements of just in second territory, communicating by letter, wherein network element has the address in first territory and second territory.This method comprises with content-data with the identifier of at least one address of network element in second territory and sends to transmission unit, be used for confirming network element the appropriate address in first territory and be used to use first domain addresses through first territory content data distribution to network element.For example identifier can be to have the tabulation of one or more addresses or arrive the pointer of this tabulation.

The present invention can combine to provide composite service to use; This composite service is professional (for example with circuit switching (CS) territory; Voice) and packet switching (PS) territory/internet protocol multi-media (IPMM) professional (for example content sharing) combine for example intercommunication type video conference (push-to-watch) voice and Image Sharing, a key video calling (push to view video); The voice and video fragment is shared, and also has voice and blank to share.The present invention also combines PS and PS/IPMM territory composite service to use, and this composite service for example is recreation and by saying (push to talk) and recreation and instant message.In other words, different participation network element can through for example with swap data when at least a relevant compatible agreement of video conference, audio conferencing and multimedia conferencing communicates.In some distortion, network element comprises at least one mobile communication equipment, mobile phone more precisely.In other distortion, network element is for example communication terminal, network node, the such equipment of intermediate node, intermediate node such as router etc.

Should also be understood that the present invention also implements with the computer program that comprises the program code part, be used for when this computer program moves on computer system, carry out the step of front of the present invention.According to the realization of expectation, computer program can be stored on the computer-readable recording medium.

Similarly, the present invention is also to comprise computer processor and to implement with the system of the memory of this processor coupling that wherein memory is with the one or more program codings that can carry out any aforementioned invention step.

In a relevant embodiment, the invention provides a kind of device that is used for the content data distribution in first territory a plurality of network elements of ongoing communication in second territory, wherein network element has the address in first territory and second territory.This device comprises from the content data unit of the network element received content data that first territory, are used to distribute; Selected cell, be used for receiving from the address of network element first territory that network element is derived in the address in second territory be used to use first domain addresses through first territory with the Dispatching Unit of content data distribution to network element.

The present invention also comprises another related embodiment, and promptly a kind of being used for the content data distribution in first territory device to a plurality of network elements that communicate in second territory, wherein network element has the address in first territory and second territory.This device comprises request unit; Be used for the content data are sent to transmission unit with dispense request with network element relevant identifier at least one address in second territory, be used for confirming network element the appropriate address in first territory and use first network address through first territory with content data distribution to network element.

Outside the embodiment of removal apparatus, the present invention is used for the related system of the first territory content data distribution to a plurality of network elements that in second territory, communicate, and wherein network element has the address in first territory and second territory.This system comprises address resolver, is used for confirming the address of network element first territory in the address in second territory from network element; And transmission unit, be used for from the network element received content data that are used to distribute in first territory and use first domain addresses from address resolver through first territory with content data distribution to network element.

Help understanding in the embodiments of the invention at one, possibly impel mobile communication equipment (or network element of other type) to send content-data to one group in conference session a series of incidents (in whole or in part) of participating in network element.Mobile communication equipment can be in such first territory, for example CS territory order participate in the address (it can be a part, the IPMM unit in CS territory or be integrated into mobile communication equipment) of network element in storage on the server or on the database.Replacedly, mobile communication equipment can begin the such message of agreement (SIP) message to for example session through the such agreement of for example IPMM and send to server, and server contact CS territory is used for this address then.If use sip message; Then it can comprise mobile switching centre (MSC) address; Perhaps replacedly; Be used for the home location register (HLR) of routing iinformation (for example MSC address) in order to retrieve conferencing information (it can be the independent address of each participant in the CS territory, and perhaps it is the one or more addresses that belong to the participant group) server contact.

Initialization step another the distortion in; Relevant conferencing information can be automatically stored in the CS territory when setting up conference session, and it can be updated periodically this information (so that as long as the mobile communication equipment expectation reduces signaling delay when sending content to other participation devices) when participant adds or withdraws from conference session.

What the next one took place is that the CS territory is stored in the address of participant on the server.For example, server can be resolved these addresses in an address resolver, so that can from the CS domain addresses, derive the address in PS or other territories.The address of being resolved is stored in the server subsequently, and can send to the request mobile communication equipment to the address pointer that is produced by server through CS territory or PS territory (for example using SMS).

Ask network element to send to Dispatching Unit to content-data and pointer then, IPMM unit for example, it uses pointer searching to participate in the address of network element.In case obtain these addresses, the IPMM unit can be distributed to participant with content through clean culture in the PS territory (wherein IPMM for example use subsequently agreement such as instant message, MMS sends to each participant to content-data) or MBMS.Alternatively, IPMM unit further and content-data together or and content-data separately pointer is distributed to each participant.

Description of drawings

Graphic example embodiment is described the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is first process chart that helps understanding with embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is second process chart that helps understanding with embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 3 is the signaling time-sequence chart that helps understanding with embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 4 is the process chart of method embodiment of the present invention; With

Fig. 5 is the sketch map of apparatus of the present invention embodiment.

Embodiment

In the following description, unrestricted for explanation, illustrated detail, for example the particular order of step and different configuration etc. are understood of the present invention so that provide fully.It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention can realize with other embodiment that does not depart from these details.In addition, those skilled in the art should understand that the function of setting forth in this place can be through using the software that combines programming microprocessor or general purpose computer run and/or using application-specific IC (ASIC) to realize.Although also should be appreciated that the present invention a kind of method has been described mainly; But it also can with a kind of computer program with comprise computer processor and implement that wherein memory is encoded with one or more programs of carrying out method disclosed herein with the system of the memory of this processor coupling.

Fig. 1 illustrates the handling process Figure 100 that helps understanding with embodiment of the present invention.The a plurality of network elements 103 that are illustrated as mobile phone here 110 intercom through conference session in circuit switching (CS) territory through server 120 mutually; This server 120 is stored the address of each network element and is coupled to address resolver 130 and IP multimedia (IPMM) unit 145; This address resolver is resolved to another territory address of another territory (or derive from the address in a territory) with the address from a territory, this IP multimedia unit is through packet switching (PS) territory 165 or pass through MBMS/PS territory distributing data.

In step 105, hope that the network element 104 order CS territories 110 that content-data sent to other participation network element 103 are stored in the address of participant element in server or the database 120 in step 115.As replacement, network element 104 can begin protocol message (SIP) with session through IP multimedia (IPMM) and send to server 120, and then server 120 contact CS territories are with address acquisition.Through this distortion; Sip message comprises mobile switching centre (MSC) address; Server 120 contact home location registers (HLR) are to be used for the for example such routing iinformation in MSC address, so that server 120 retrieval conferencing informations (that is the address of participant element).

After the CS domain addresses is stored in server 120, use address resolver 130 parse addresses at step 125 server, store the address of being resolved subsequently.As E164 address situation (like what specified) by ITU (international telecommunication tissue); Address resolver 130 is used ENUM (IETF (internet engineering task group), wherein DNS (domain name system) system is used for changing number translated to the E164 electricity and becomes URL (uniform resource locator) and IP address-see RFC2916) to propose or is used similar translating mechanism to become such packet switching (territory) address such as URL or IP address to the CS address transition.In addition, the address can be that whole group individual address or they can be the independent addresses of each participant.In step 135, the pointer (being produced by server 120) that is stored in sensing the address that the quilt on the server 120 resolves sends to request network element 104 (through the CS territory or in the PS territory (for example as SMS)).

Alternatively, under the situation that the network element that has new network element participating in or participating in before stops to communicate by letter, can make amendment to address list.Can carry out this modification/renewal (no matter whether starting) periodically by network element 104.

In step 140, request network element 104 is comprising that the content-data of the pointer that is received sends to IPMM unit 145.Then in step 150 and 155; IPMM unit 145 uses pointer searching to participate in the address of element; And, arrive network element 103 to content data distribution through clean culture in PS territory 165 or the multimedia broadcasting/multimedia service in PS territory 170 (MBMS) in step 160.

Before distribution, content-data temporarily is stored in (it can pass through Multimedia Resource Function (MRF) and accomplish) in the IPMM unit 145.The network element 104 that sends content-data can comprise the content-data in the sip message (for example SIP INFO), and content can temporarily be stored in Multimedia Resource Function center (MRFC-perhaps is coupled to the private database of MRFC).

As replacement; Request network element 104 can use corresponding sip message to notify MRFC indirectly through service call conversation control function (S-CSCF), according to the content of this message MRFC order Multimedia resource function processor (MRFP) (RFP) retrieval from request network element 104.Through this configuration, can distribute before retrieval of content data immediately, avoided the demand of intermediate store thus.In addition, MFRP can be used for reorganization and revises content-data, so that participate in the performance compatible mutually (being described below the technology that is used for confirming to participate in element function) of element 103 with each.

If by IPMM unit 145 distributing content datas, MRFC contact broadcast multicast service center (BMSC) is to be used for further content data distribution so through MBMS/PS170.MRFP sends to BMSC to the portion of content-data copy then, and content is participated in element 103 from wherein being distributed to.Alternatively, if the technical performance of known participation element (for example through IPMM unit 145, perhaps retrieve from participating in element 103, perhaps come from database), MRFP can revise data to guarantee compatibility so.

In another one distortion, IPMM unit 145 can make content-data pass through PS territory 165 to be distributed so that MRFC as content data provider and request multimedia messages center (MMSC) with through the MMS distributing content data.

Those skilled in the art also should be appreciated that through example as shown in Figure 1, can automatically trigger the storage of the conferencing information in server 120 (thereby causing when network element sends content-data to the participation element, reducing signaling delay) as long as meeting is established CS territory 110.And about this example, the master control of function described above resides in the server 120.Server 120 provides the conferencing information that is updated, and is the coordinator node between CS meeting and the PS data session.It can be the logical block that is integrated in another one unit or the module that yet those skilled in the art also should be appreciated that server 120.For example server 120 is integrated in the network element (or mobile communication equipment) of CS territory, IPMM or commands steps 105 and 140.Also should be appreciated that, send to pointer in the all-network element 103, and be not only request network element 104 at step 135 server 120.

Fig. 2 illustrates the distortion 200 of Fig. 1 example, wherein can confirm different technical performances of participating in element, so that the content-data or the business of some type are provided.These performances can be some type content data that can show or handle for each network element 103, and/or it also can comprise the information that belongs to content distribution (for example codec etc.).With Fig. 1 same characteristic features and step identical label is arranged.

When step 105 is sent content-data or subsequently, belong to the information of the characteristic of participating in element in 104 requests of step 205 request network element.In step 210; IPMM unit 145 sends capability request to participating in element 103 and from participating in element 103 reception results, and wherein the IPMM unit has used the address pointer of the participation network element 103 that request network element 104 received to retrieve the address of network element 103 in first territory.

Alternatively, in step 215, IPMM unit 145 sends to server 120 to performance information and is used for storage (for later use).According to this distortion, the next capability request that comes from IPMM unit 145 only need be sent to the participation element 103 that after nearest capability request, joins conference session.At last, in step 220, other performance informations of participating in element 103 are sent to request network element 104 or all participate in element 103 (under the situation of back, also comprising the performance of asking network element 104).

With reference to Fig. 3, the signaling time-sequence table 300 that helps understanding with embodiment of the present invention is provided.Signaling time-sequence table 300 illustrates different message, and these message can be carried out exchange between other network elements 330 of CS conference session at request network element 305, unit, CS territory 310, IPMM/PS unit 315, server 320, address resolver 325 and current participation and request network element 305.

During the CS conference session, request network element 305 sends signal 335 to unit, CS territory 310, participates in the address of network element 330 to ask its storage.Unit, CS territory 310 sends to server 320 to party information (for example, participating in the tabulation of CS domain addresses and an optional group identifier of element) through signal 340 then.Server 320 sends to address resolver 325 to signal 345 then, with the request analysis CS domain addresses Serial No. of ITU-T E164 standard (for example, according to) in the IPMM/PS territory, to use.Address resolver 325 turns back to server 320 to the address of being resolved (perhaps being combined in the individual address of a time-out when each participation element addresses with certain form) through signal 350.

Next, server 320 produces one and is stored in it and locates by the pointer of parse addresses, and sends to unit, CS territory 310 (perhaps, alternatively, server sends the address of being resolved simply and do not send pointer) to confirmation signal and pointer 355.Unit 310, CS territory is forwarded to network element 305 to affirmation through signal 360 (with to the pointer of address or the addressing pointer of server 320).Have and add anyly or delete if participate in network element 330, then signal 365 is used for notifying unit, CS territory 310.Revise to participate in the element tabulation if desired, the change of being done through signal 370 announcement servers 320 so (can require server 320 to retransmit be similar to signal 345 and 350 signal to resolve the address of new participation element).

(wherein content-data is temporarily stored in (for example, at Multimedia Resource Function (MRF)) in the IPMM/PS unit 315 to ask network element 305 usefulness signals 375 to send to IPMM/PS unit 315 to content-data and pointer then.Through signal 380, IPMM/PS unit 315 is through sending the address (or address of whole group) of pointer to server 320 request group memberships.To IPMM/PS unit 315 address is provided through signal 385 servers 320, then, through signal 390, IPMM/PS unit 315 distributing content datas are to participating in element 330.In addition, alternatively, each participates in element 315 returns signal from the reception of confirming content-data to IPMM/PS unit 315.

Top example, the CS meeting can be voice, video or multimedia conferencing.Can carry out meeting control and data processing through the Conference Calling equipment (CCD) among the MSC, special-purpose multipoint control unit (MCU) (for example being used for) or similar device based on mobile multimedia such as the such agreement of 3G.324M.Meeting also can be applied to PS and IPMM/PS meeting (for example, in the PS territory or with by voice or the video conference of saying that (push-to-talk), recreation or similar functions combine).Set up conference session (the for example Multi-Way Calling in the CS territory) through network element, perhaps all conferenced partys can both set up the central server place registration of meeting.

As described above, after receiving content-data through BMSC from each network element or when using MBMS, each participant sends affirmation alternatively.In the situation of back, BMSC returns a content recipient (for example it keep watch on and control participation element) and tabulates.But this affirmation can be used to the integrality and the performance of verification applied data communications network, and can also be used for the account relevant with network element charge (in exchange when obtaining content-data).If participating in element has registered with the received content data; So just simply their account is chargeed; If but their not registration (for example when the time) through a plurality of clean culture distributing content data; Participant will have an opportunity to refuse content-data (and therefore, participant needn't be paid for this content-data) so.

If content-data is being distributed to a large amount of participation elements, it possibly be favourable then using MBMS to be used for duplicating of content-data.If this situation, then MBMS can notify the content of participating in element related content data (SMS that for example perhaps has multicast address through the spoken message in the meeting), can register to indicate them to think the received content data so that participate in element.Replacedly, content-data can be pushed to through MBMS and participate in element (and like the step 210 and 220 among the step 160 among Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, can also distribute signaling message through MBMS).

In some distortion, content-data comprises the pointer of the other content-data that sensing will be sent out, so that each participant can be retrieved this content-data (for example from the internet).Use this configuration, each receives network element can retrieve said other content-data and its preference data transmission technology as required.In addition, the part of content-data can be stored in the server subsequently, and is not that a part of network element of conference session can be through providing the conference identifier content-data that visit is stored.

About Fig. 4, illustrate a kind of relating to be used for the content data distribution in first territory process flow diagram 400 to the method for a plurality of network elements that just in second territory, communicating.Similar with top diagram and execution mode, network element has the address in first territory and second territory.This method begins from the network element received content data that first territory, are used to distribute in step 410.Then, in step 420, receive the address of network element in first territory of deriving from the address of network element second territory.This method uses first domain addresses through first territory content data distribution to be arrived network element in step 430, thereby finishes.

Fig. 5 illustrates a kind of being used for the content data distribution in first territory device 500 to a plurality of network elements of just in second territory, communicating by letter, and wherein network element has the address in first territory and second territory.This device comprises content data unit 510, is used for from the network element received content data that are used to distribute in first territory; Address location 520 is used for receiving the address of network element first territory of deriving in the address in second territory from network element; With Dispatching Unit 530, be used to use first domain addresses to pass through the first territory distributing content data to network element.

Can recognize through top, the invention provides many advantages, for example between three or more participant, transmit the ability that voice, video or multimedia conferencing can carry out the instant exchange of content-data simultaneously.The user can send to all or selected participant to content-data through user-friendly interface easily.In those distortion that utilize MBMS or similar agreement, use the common transport channel in the network and on radio interface, broadcast effective content-data that transmits.

Described the present invention although contrasted specific embodiment (comprising the particular order of steps in particular system device and the distinct methods), those skilled in the art should understand that the present invention is not limited to specific embodiment described herein and illustrated.Therefore, described the present invention, should be appreciated that this only is illustrative openly although contrasted preferred embodiment.Therefore, this means that the present invention should only receive the restriction of the scope of accompanying claims.

Claims (15)

1. one kind with the method for the content data distribution in first territory (160) to the related a plurality of network elements (103) of conference session in second territory (110); Wherein network element (103) has the address in first territory (160) and second territory (110); And wherein first territory (160) are one of them in circuit commutative field and the packet-switched domain; Second territory (110) is another in circuit commutative field and the packet-switched domain, and this method may further comprise the steps:

Preserve conferencing information, said conferencing information comprises the address of the network element that conference session in second territory is related;

From network element (104) the received content data that first territory (160), are used to distribute;

The tabulation of renewal of the address in second territory of the related network element of conference session is provided;

Reception is from the address of network element (103) in first territory (160) of upgrading the tabulation derivation of the address of network element (103) second territory (110); And

During the conference session in second territory (110), use from second domain addresses upgrade first domain addresses that tabulation derives through first territory (160) with this content data distribution related network element (103) of conference session to second territory.

2. method as claimed in claim 1 further comprises the step of resolving the address in first territory (160).

3. like the method for the arbitrary claim in front, further comprise the step of the address of concentrated area storage networking element (103) in first territory (160).

4. method as claimed in claim 3 further comprises the step of upgrading the network element address of centralized stores based on the network element (103) of current communication in second territory (110).

5. method as claimed in claim 3, wherein concentrated area memory address when the communication in second territory (110) begins.

6. method as claimed in claim 3, wherein memory address after by the request of the network element (104) in second territory (110).

7. method as claimed in claim 3 further comprises producing the step of pointing to the pointer of the address of centralized stores in first territory.

8. method as claimed in claim 7 further comprises the step that this pointer is provided to the network element (104) that sends content-data.

9. method as claimed in claim 8 further comprises from the network element (104) that sends content-data receiving this pointer and the distributing content data step to network element (103).

10. method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the address of centralized stores is stored in the server (120).

11., further comprise by server (120) contact home location register to confirm the step of the address of network element (103) in second territory (110) like the method for claim 10.

12. method as claimed in claim 3, wherein at least one in the network element (103) is mobile communication equipment.

13. method as claimed in claim 3 further comprises the content-data step compatible mutually with each network element (103) of confirming which type.

14. method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the distribution of content-data is carried out by internet protocol multi-media unit (145).

15. method as claimed in claim 3, wherein each network element (103) all communicates through at least one conference protocol.

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