Abstract:
A method for supporting session continuity for a terminal in a server including generating a session continuity operator policy, under a state that a first terminal is performing a session with a second terminal through a first network, and the generated session continuity operator policy supports multimedia sessions for both voice data and non-voice data and includes operator policy parameters indicating whether only voice data, only non-voice data, or both voice and non-voice data is to be transferred to a second network; sending the generated session continuity operator policy to the first terminal; receiving a session invite message from the first terminal via a target network in response to the first terminal having received the generated session continuity operator policy; and sending a session re-invite message to the second terminal so as to achieve session continuity via said second network after receiving the session invite message from the first terminal.

Description:
This application is the National Phase of PCT/KR2008/003394 filed on Jun. 16, 2008, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/951,902 filed on Jul. 25, 2007, and under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) to Patent Application No. 10-2008-0011365, filed in the Republic of Korea on Feb. 4, 2008, the contents of which are hereby expressly incorporated by reference into the present application. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to session mobility, more particularly, to a technology which is capable of transferring a session to another network and maintaining the same. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Session mobility means transfer of a session performed via a first network to a second network when a terminal is required to change its access to the second network from a current first network due to a change of a geographical position while performing the session with an external entity via the first network. As such, the transfer of the session without discontinuity is referred to as session continuity. 
     The session continuity may be implemented, for example, by allowing a terminal performing a session via a WLAN to perform the session via a UTRAN/GERAN when the terminal is moved to the UTRAN/GERAN due to a change of a geographical position or the like. 
     The session continuity will be described in detail with reference to  FIG. 1  hereafter. 
       FIG. 1  is an exemplary view showing session continuity in accordance with the related art. Referring to  FIG. 1 , a UE-a is located in coverage of a WLAN and performs a session with a UE-b for sending of voice data and non-voice data via the WLAN (S 11 ). 
     Hereafter, the UE-a geographically moves to coverage of a UTRAN/GERAN (S 12 ). 
     The UE-a sends a CS SETUP message to an MGCF via a CS domain of the UTkAN/GERAN so as to maintain the session for voice even if the UE-a is to be located in the coverage of the UTRAN/GERAN (S 13 ). 
     The MGCF receives the CS SETUP message and then sends an INVITE request having a VDN as a URI (INVITE R-URI=VDN) to an application server (AS) (S 14 ). 
     The application server (AS) receives the message and then sends a re-INVITE to the UE-b so as to re-establish the session for voice with the UE-b (S 15 ). 
     Likewise, the UE-a sends the INVITE request having a VDI as the URI (ex., INVITE R-URI=VDI) together with a Replaces header to the application server (AS) so as to maintain the session for non-voice data even if the UE-a is to be located in the coverage of the UTRAN/GERAN (S 16 ). 
     The application server (AS) receives the message and then sends a re-INVITE to the UE-b so as to re-establish the session for non-voice data with the UE-b (S 17 ). 
     By the procedures, the UE-a can continuously maintain the session with the UE-b. 
     In the aforementioned related art, the session continuity is supported only when the terminal is geographically moved. That is, in the related art, the session continuity is supported only when a radio environment of the terminal is changed or a usable radio resource thereof is changed. 
     However, the aforementioned related art cannot propose a solution for a case that a first network is required to be temporarily stopped due to maintenance by a service operator or a case that terminals are required to be moved to a second network due to a load balancing or the like. 
     Also, the aforementioned related art has a drawback that it supports session transfer regardless of a terminal user&#39;s intention. That is, in case that the second network charges more, the session is transferred regardless of the user&#39;s intention. There is another drawback that whether or not the session transfer is supported depends on a manufacturer of a terminal or a service operator. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to transfer an ongoing session to another network when it required by a service operator. 
     Further, it is another object of the present invention to perform session transfer according to a user&#39;s intention. 
     To achieve the objects of the present invention, there is provided a method for supporting session continuity for a terminal in a server, the method comprising, sending a session continuity operator policy to a first terminal under a state that the first terminal is performing a session via an original network with a second terminal for sending one or more of voice and non-voice data; receiving a session invite message from the terminal via a target network; and sending a session invite message to the second terminal so as to transfer the session to the target network, in response to receipt of the session invite message. 
     Further, to achieve the objects of the present invention, there is provided a method for transferring a session, the method comprising, receiving a session continuity operator policy while performing a session with a target terminal through an access to an original network; and determining whether the session is to be immediately transferred to a target network by checking a parameter in the session continuity operator policy. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an exemplary view showing session continuity in accordance with the related art; 
         FIG. 2  is an exemplary view showing one example of session transfer; 
         FIG. 3  is an exemplary view showing another example of session transfer; 
         FIG. 4  is an exemplary view showing still another example of session transfer; 
         FIG. 5  is an exemplary view showing yet still another example of session transfer; 
         FIG. 6  is an exemplary view showing yet still another example of session transfer; 
         FIG. 7  is an exemplary view showing support for session continuity in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is an exemplary view showing support for session continuity in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is an exemplary view showing parameters of a session continuity operator policy; and 
         FIG. 10  is a block diagram showing configurations of a UE and an MMSC-AS in accordance with the first and second embodiments of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     There is an exemplary UE (User Equipment) in accompanying drawings, however the UE may be referred to as terms such as a terminal, an ME (Mobile Equipment), etc. And, the UE may be implemented as a portable device such as a notebook, a mobile phone, a PDA, a smart phone, a multimedia device, etc, or as an unportable device such as a PC or a vehicle-mounted device. 
     Hereafter, prior to description of main characteristics of the present invention, the kind of transfer (or move) of session will be described with reference to  FIGS. 2 to 6 , for better understanding. 
     (1) Combined Session Update: 
     If a UE-a is transceiving voice data and non-voice data to/from a UE-B via a first network, namely, an original network is moved to a second network, namely, a target network, the voice data and the non-voice data are to be transceived via the target network the same as being transceived via the original network. 
     The combined session update may be implemented by three cases as follows. 
     1) A first case is a PS to CS+PS session update, referring to  FIG. 2 . That is, a single session is divided into a CS-based session for voice data and a PS-based session for non-voice data to be performed, if a UE-a is sending the voice data and the non-voice data on the single session via an original network, e.g., a PS (Packet Switching) domain such as a WLAN is moved to a target network, e.g., a mobile communication network (e.g., UTRAN/GERAN). This is called as a PS to CS+PS. In the first case, for the transfer (or move) of the session, the UE-a should send a call setup message (or a call originating message) (e.g., SETUP message) via a CS domain of the UTRAN/GERAN, and send a session invite message (or session initiation request message) (e.g., SIP-based INVITE message) via a PS domain of the UTRAN/GERAN. 
     2) A second case is a PS to PS update, referring to  FIG. 3 . That is, a single session is maintained. In more detail, voice data and non-voice data are transceived on a single session via a PS (Packet Switching) domain, if a UE-a is sending the voice data and the non-voice data on the single session via an original network, e.g., the PS domain such as a WLAN is moved to a target network, e.g., a mobile communication network (e.g., UTRAN/GERAN) (or, in case that the UE-a is sending the voice data and the non-voice data on the single session via the PS of the UTRAN/GERAN is moved to the WLAN). This is called as a PS to PS. In the second case, for the session update, the UE-a sends a session invite message (or session initiation request message) (e.g., SIP-based INVITE message) only via the PS domain of the target network. 
     3) A third case is a CS+PS to PS update, referring to  FIG. 4 , that is, opposite to the first case. That is, two sessions are combined into a single PS domain-based session and performed in a target network if a UE-a is performing with at least two sessions, which includes a CS domain-based session for voice data and a PS domain-based session for non-voice data via an original network, e.g., UTRAN/GERAN, is moved to a target network, e.g., a PS domain such as a WLAN. This is called as a CS+PS to PS. In the third case, for the session update, the UE-a sends one session invite message (or session initiation request message) (e.g., SIP-based INVITE message) via the target network. 
     (2) Separate (Split) Session Update with Dropping: 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , if transceiving for any one of voice data and non-voice data is not supported in a target network or a user or operator does not desire to support sending for a specific data in the target network when a UE-a is sending the voice data and non-voice data via an original network is moved to the target network, the sending for the any one data is stopped and the sending for another data is performed via the target network. 
     (3) Separate (Split) Session Update: 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , any one of voice data and non-voice data is sent via a target network while another one thereof is sent as it is via an original network when a UE-a is sending the voice data and the non-voice data via the original network is moved to the target network. 
     Hereafter, main characteristics in accordance with embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to  FIGS. 7 and 9 . Here, technical details unrelated to the main characteristics of the present invention will not be described but referred to contents of a standard document 3GPP 23.893V0.1.0. Therefore, even if the details are not disclosed in this specification, those skilled in the art can understand the present invention through the aforementioned standard document. 
     Each entity shown in the accompanying  FIGS. 7 and 8  will be described for better understanding. 
     1) SSMF abbreviated from Session Split/Merger Function performs an operation by a B2BUA (Back-to-back user agent), as an IMS-based application server for managing (separating or combining) sessions for session continuity. 
     2) eDTF is an entity having a domain transfer function proposed from a R7 VCC (Voice Call Continuity). 
     3) MMSC-AS abbreviated from Multimedia Session Continuity Application Server is a server for managing sessions for session continuity. The MMSC-AS may include the SSMF and the eDTF. Functions of the SSMF and the eDTF may be included in one or more entities. 
       FIG. 7  is an exemplary view showing support for session continuity in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. And,  FIG. 9  is an exemplary view showing parameters of a session continuity operator policy (or a session transfer operator policy). 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , the first embodiment of the present invention is characterized that a session continuity operator policy or a session transfer operator policy shown in  FIG. 9  is sent to a UE-a  110  so as to allow a session of the UE-a  110  to be immediately transferred to another network. Hereafter, it will be described in detail. 
     1) UE-a  110  is performing a session for sending voice and non-voice data via an original network, e.g., WLAN, a network according to an IEEE 802.16 standard, or else PS with a UE-b  120  (S 110 ). 
     2) When it is required to immediately transfer (or move) the session of the UE-a  110  to another network, an MMSC-AS  420  sends the session continuity operator policy (or, session transfer operator policy) to the UE-a  110  (S 120 ). Here, the session continuity operator policy (or, session transfer operator policy) may be sent from the MMSC AS or an SSMF or eDTF, i.e., logical entities of the MMSC AS. 
     Here, the transfer of the session is required when the network is required to be temporarily stopped due to repairing/checking for the network, when it is required to perform a network load balancing, when the UE-a  110  is required to more effectively perform the ongoing session, when the policy of the service operator is changed, or the like. 
     And, cases that the MMSC-AS  420  sends the session continuity operator policies will be described as follows. First, when receiving raw data (e.g., information related to radio environment information, radio signal power, a load balancing policy, a network maintenance (or network checking) or the like for the UE-a  110 ), the MMSC-AS  420  generates the session continuity operator policy based on the raw information and then determines whether the session of the UE-a  110  is required to be transferred or not. And then, if the session is required to be transferred, the session continuity operator policy is sent to the UE-a  110 . Second, when directly receiving the session continuity operator policy from an external entity, the MMSC-AS  420  transfers the session continuity operator policy to the UE-a  110 . Third, the MMSC-AS  420  collects information related to radio environment information, radio signal power, the load balancing policy, the network maintenance (or network checking) or the like for the UE-a  110  by itself, and generates the session continuity operator policy based on the collected information. And, the MMSC-AS  420  determines whether the session of the UE-a  110  is required to be transferred or not, and then sends the session continuity operator policy to the UE-a  110  if the session is required to be transferred. 
     The session continuity operator policy, as shown in  FIG. 9 , includes at least one of an SC Policy Type parameter, an immediate SC parameter, an SC Priority parameter, a Preferred SC Access/Domain parameter, an SC Type parameter, an SC Composition parameter and an SC Expire Timer parameter. Here, in the first embodiment, an SC Restriction parameter shown in the session continuity operator policy is not used so as to allow the ongoing session to be immediately transferred to another network. And, in order to allow the ongoing session to be immediately transferred to another network, the SC Priority parameter in the session continuity operator policy may be set as ‘Should (High)’, and the immediate SC parameter may be set as 1 (the session transfer can be implemented with only the SC Priority parameter without the immediate SC parameter). Meanwhile, the SC Type parameter of the session continuity operator policy may include an indication for indicating which kind of the session transfer should be performed by the UE-a  110 . That is, the SC Type parameter may include the indication for allowing the UE-a  110  to perform the PS to CS+PS update of the combined session update. In  FIG. 9 , there is a value of the parameter as an example of the indication. However, it is merely exemplary, and the value can be expressed as various values. For example, the value of 11 may indicate the PS to PS update, 12 indicates the PS to PS+CS update, 21 indicates the PS+CS to PS update, 33 indicates the separate session update and 44 indicates the separate session update with dropping. Such dynamic session continuity operator policy may include the SC Policy Type so as to be discriminated from a general operator policy and also include the Timer parameter so as to maintain the policy for a specific time. 
     3) The UE-a  110  receives the session continuity operator policy and checks the parameter included in the session continuity operator policy (S 130 ). Here, the UE-a  110  receives the session continuity operator policy from the MMSC-AS  420  via an OMA DM interface, a Ut interface or a VI Reference Point specified in a TR 23.893 standard document. 
     4) Then, the UE-a  110  changes its access from a WLAN  210  to a target network such as a UTRAN/GERAN  310  or a 3GPP, as shown in the drawing, when the target network is usable, according to the parameter included in the session continuity operator policy (S 140 ). 
     5) Then, the UE-a  110  sends a call setup message (or, call initiating message) (e.g., SETUP message) via a CS domain of the UTRAN/GERAN  310  so as to maintain the sending for voice data, and sends a session invite message (or session initiation request message) (e.g., SIP-based INVITE message) via a PS domain of the UTRAN/GERAN  310  so as to maintain the sending for non-voice data (S 150 ). 
     6) Upon receiving the session invite message and the call setup message, the MMSC-AS  420  generates a session invite message (re-INVITE message) based on one or more of the session invite message and the call setup message and then sends to the UE-b  120  (S 160 ). 
     If the UT-b  120  sends a positive response with respect to the session invite message (re-INVITE message), the UE-a  110  may update the session with the UE-b  120 , and perform a voice session with the UE-b  120  via the CS domain of the UTRAN/GERAN  310  and perform a non-voice session with the UE-b  120  via the PS domain of the UTRAN/GERAN  310 . 
     As aforementioned, the first embodiment of the present invention is characterized that the session continuity operator policy is sent to the UE-a  110  so as to immediately transfer the session of the UE-a  110  to another network. Here, the immediate SC parameter and the SC Priority parameter of the session continuity operator policy have values for immediately transferring the session. 
     According to the first embodiment, the service operator can immediately transfer the ongoing session to another network, accordingly it is capable of dealing with the cases that the network is required to be temporarily stopped due to repairing/checking for the network, it is required to perform a network load balancing, it is required to more effectively perform the ongoing session, the policy of the service operator is changed. 
     Meanwhile,  FIG. 8  is an exemplary view showing support for session continuity in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , the second embodiment of the present invention is characterized that the session continuity operator policy is sent to the UE-a  110  and the UE-a  110  determines whether or not the ongoing session is to be transferred to another network according to a user&#39;s intention, as shown in  FIG. 9 , when the ongoing session is required to be transferred later even though it is not required to be immediately transferred, or the session continuity operator policy is changed. The second embodiment has advantages in a case that the session transfer is not required to be immediately performed, that is the network is scheduled to be temporarily stopped in the near further due to the checking/repairing for the network. Hereafter, it will be described in detail. 
     1) The UE-a  110  is performing a session with a UE-b  120  for transceiving voice and non-voice data via an original network, e.g., a WLAN, a network according to an IEEE 802.16 standard, or else PS (S 210 ). 
     2) If the ongoing session is required to be transferred later even though it is not required to be immediately transferred, or the session continuity operator policy is changed, the MMSC-AS  420  sends the session continuity operator policy to the UE-a  110 . Here, the session continuity operator policy may be sent from the shown MMSC AS or an SSMF or eDTF, i.e., logical entities of the MMSC AS. The MMSC-AS  420  may generate and send the session continuity operator policy according to raw data received from an external entity, or transfer by receiving from the external entity. Alternately, the MMSC-AS  420  may obtain data by itself and then generate the session continuity operator policy to send. Since the second embodiment is for a case that the session transfer is not immediately required, in the session continuity operator policy, the immediate SC parameter may be set as “0” and the SC Priority parameter may be set as “Should” (Medium) or “May” (Low) among the parameters shown in  FIG. 9 . Meanwhile, the session continuity operator policy may include the SC Restriction parameter. The SC Restriction parameter serves to restrict the session transfer to a specific access or domain. The UE-a  110  determines to transfer the session referring to the value of the SC Restriction parameter. 
     3) The UE-a  110  receives the session continuity operator policy and then checks a parameter included in the session continuity operator policy (S 230 ). Here, the UE-a  110  receives the session continuity operator policy from the MMSC-AS  420  through an OMA DM interface, a Ut interface or a V1 Reference Point specified in a TR 23.893 standard document. 
     4) The UE-a  110  determines whether or not the session transfer is required according to the parameter included in the session continuity operator policy. If it is determined that the session transfer is not required, the UE-a  110  updates the existing session continuity operator policy. However, if it is determined that the session transfer is required, the UE-a  110  can determine which network is appropriate for the session to be transferred to, for example, whether session transfer to a UTRAN/GERAN is appropriate or not. And, the UE-a  110  can determine the kind of the session update. 
     5) If it is determined that the session transfer is required, the UE-a  110  changes its access from the WLAN  210  to a target network such as the UTRAN/GERAN  310 , as shown (S 250 ). Alternately, the access may be changed from the WLAN  210  to a target network such as the 3GPP. 
     6) And, the UE-a  110  sends a call setup message (or, call initiating message)(e.g., SETUP message) via a CS domain of the UTRAN/GERAN  310  so as to maintain the sending for voice data, and sends a session invite message (or session initiation request message)(e.g., SIP-based INVITE message) via a PS domain of the UTRAN/GERAN  310  so as to maintain the sending for non-voice data (S 260 ). 
     7) Upon receiving the session invite message and the call setup message, the MMSC-AS  420  generates a session invite message (re-INVITE message) based on one or more of the session invite message and the call setup message and then sends to the UE-b  120  (S 270 ). 
     If the UT-b  120  sends a positive response with respect to the session invite message (re-INVITE message), the UE-a  110  may update the session with the UE-b  120 , and perform a voice session with the UE-b  120  via the CS domain of the UTRAN/GERAN  310  and perform a non-voice session with the UE-b  120  via the PS domain of the UTRAN/GERAN  310 . 
     As aforementioned, the second embodiment of the present invention is characterized that the UE-a  110  is informed that the session of the UE-a  110  is required to be transferred later according to the determination of the UE-a  110  using the session continuity operator policy, even though the session of the UE-a  110  is not required to be immediately transferred. The UE-a  110  can appropriately transfer the session when it is required according the determination of itself based on the session continuity operator policy. 
     The method in accordance with the present invention as so far described may be implemented by software, hardware, or any combination thereof. For example, the method in accordance with the present invention may be stored in a storage medium (e.g., internal memory, flash memory, hard disk, etc. of mobile terminal), and be implemented by codes or command words in a software program that is operable by a processor (e.g., internal microprocessor of mobile terminal). Hereafter, implementation by the hardware will be explained in detail. 
       FIG. 10  is a block diagram showing configurations of the UE and the MMSC-AS in accordance with the first and second embodiments of the present invention. 
     Upon receiving raw data (e.g., information related to radio environment information, radio signal power, the load balancing policy, the network checking or the like for the UE-a  110 ) from the external entity, the MMSC-AS  420  generates the session continuity operator policy based on the raw data or by collecting the information by itself and then sends the information to the UE-a  110 . Alternately, the MMSC-AS  420  may receive the session continuity operator policy from the external entity and then sends to the UE-a  110 . 
     The MMSC-AS  420  includes a transceiving unit  421 , a controller  422  and a storage unit  423 , as shown. 
     The transceiving unit  421  serves to receive the raw data from the external entity or receive the session continuity operator policy. 
     The controller  421  serves to generate the session continuity operator policy based on the raw data in case of receiving the raw data from the external entity through the transceiving unit  421 . Alternately, the controller  421  may generate the session continuity operator policy based on its own information. And, the controller  421  transfers the session continuity operator policy to the UE-a  110  via the transceiving unit  421  in case of receiving the session continuity operator policy from the external entity. 
     The storage unit  423  serves to store the raw data or the session continuity operator policy. 
     Meanwhile, upon receiving the session continuity operator policy from the MMSC-AS  420 , the UE-a  110  checks a parameter in the session continuity operator policy and determines whether the session transfer is immediately required or not. If it is determined that the session transfer is not immediately required, the UE-a  110  updates the existing session continuity operator policy. 
     The UE-a  110  includes a transceiving unit  111 , a controller  112  and a storage unit  113 . 
     The transceiving unit  111  serves to receive the session continuity operator policy from the MMSC-AS  420 . Here, the transceiving unit  111  receives the session continuity operator policy from the MMSC-AS  420  via an OMA DM interface, a Ut interface or an Ml Reference Point specified in a TR 23.893 standard document. 
     The controller  112  checks a parameter in the session continuity operator policy and determines whether the session transfer is immediately required or not. If it is determined that the session transfer is not immediately required, the controller  112  changes the access through the transceiving unit  111  to another network, and generates a call setup message (or, call initiating message) (e.g., SETUP message) so as to maintain the sending for voice data and generates a session invite message (or session initiation request message) (e.g., SIP-based INVITE message) so as to maintain the sending for non-voice data. 
     The storage unit  113  stores the session continuity operator policy. 
     According to the present invention, the service operator can immediately transfer the ongoing session to another network, accordingly it is capable of dealing with the cases that the network is required to be temporarily stopped due to repairing/checking for the network, it is required to perform a network load balancing, it is required to more effectively perform the ongoing session, and the policy of the service operator is changed. 
     And, according to the present invention, when the ongoing session is required to be transferred later even though it is not required to be immediately transferred, or the session continuity operator policy is changed, it is capable of sending the session continuity operator policy to the terminal and then allowing the terminal to transfer the ongoing session to another network according to determination by itself. 
     Though the present invention is disclosed with respect to preferable embodiments in the above description, it will also be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.