WO2008076523A2

WO2008076523A2 - Method and system for managing presence information in a communication network

Info

Publication number: WO2008076523A2
Application number: PCT/US2007/082593
Authority: WO
Inventors: Aseem Sethi
Original assignee: Motorola Inc
Current assignee: Motorola Solutions Inc
Priority date: 2006-12-18
Filing date: 2007-10-26
Publication date: 2008-06-26
Anticipated expiration: 2009-06-18
Also published as: WO2008076523A3

Abstract

A method and system for managing presence information in a communication network (100) is provided. The method includes receiving (304) the presence information from at least one client of a set of clients at a protocol server (102). The presence information is associated with the at least one client of the set of clients is unique. Further, the method includes storing (306) the presence information of the at least one client of the set of clients in the protocol server. Moreover the method includes providing (308) the presence information of the at least one client of the set of clients to at least one client of a remaining set of clients by the protocol server. The remaining set of clients being the set of clients other than the at least one client of the set of clients.

Description

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MANAGING PRESENCE INFORMATION IN A

COMMUNICATION NETWORK

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention generally relates to communication networks, and more particularly, to a method and system for managing presence information in a communication network.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] With an increase in the need for communication, communication networks are becoming increasingly popular today. A communications network enables communication devices to communicate with each other. Communication devices are important tools for transmitting and receiving data and information. Such devices are commonly used to transmit and receive voice and speech data over a distance. Examples of a communication device can include a computer, a mobile phone, a smart phone, a fixed-line phone, a pager, and a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA). Exchange of voice and speech data between multiple communication devices is generally carried out via, for example, a Base Transceiver Station (BTS). A communication device that is communicably coupled with the BTS can be referred to as a client.

[0003] In a communication network, a protocol server, for example, a

Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server/proxy manages clients' connections. The protocol server can assign Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, subnet masks, default routers and other IP parameters to a client when the client associates with the DHCP server. Presence information pertaining to clients, assigned by the protocol server, is communicated to a presence protocol. Typically, a presence protocol monitors the presence information relating to a client in the communication network. The presence information includes information related to the status of the client that conveys ability and willingness of the client to communicate with other clients in the communication network. The presence information includes, but is not limited to, a Domain Name System (DNS) name, an Internet Protocol (IP) address, information of a client, security-related parameters, down-time information, and information relating to a provider.

[0004] However, presence services are piggybacked on a Call Control

Protocol (CCP) in existing presence protocols. To request notification pertaining to other clients, the client sends a subscribe message with a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) of a presence entity. The URI is a compact string of characters, used to identify the presence entity. To initiate a communication session via the CCP, a client has to search for the IP addresses of the other clients. For example, a client makes a request pertaining to a notification relating to other clients' presence information from a presence protocol by using the SIP. The response time of the presence protocol is high due to the process of searching for the IP addresses of the other clients.

[0005] Therefore, a need exists for a method and system for managing presence services in the communication network that do not piggyback on a CCP. In addition, the method and system may be such that the response time of the presence services is reduced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0006] The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views, and which, together with the detailed description below, are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to further illustrate various embodiments and explain various principles and advantages, all in accordance with the present invention.

[0007] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary communication network, where various embodiments of the present invention can be practiced;

[0008] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of a protocol server, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0009] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for managing presence services in a communication network, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0010] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for managing presence services in a communication network, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; and

[0011] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for managing the association of a client with a network service, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated, relative to other elements, to help in improving an understanding of the embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] Before describing in detail the particular method and system for managing presence information in a communication network, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, it should be observed that the present invention resides primarily in combinations of method steps related to the method and system for managing presence information in the communication network. Accordingly, the apparatus components and method steps have been represented, where appropriate, by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent for an understanding of the present invention, so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those with ordinary skill in the art, having the benefit of the description herein.

[0014] In this document, the terms 'comprises,' 'comprising,' or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements that are not expressly listed or inherent in such a process, method, article or apparatus. An element proceeded by 'comprises ... a' does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article or apparatus that comprises the element. The term 'another,' as used in this document, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms 'includes' and/or 'having', as used herein, are defined as comprising. [0015] For an embodiment, a method for managing presence information in a communication network is provided. The method includes receiving the presence information at a protocol server from at least one client of a set of clients. Each client of the set of clients has unique presence information. Further, the method includes storing the presence information of the at east one client of the set of clients in the protocol server. Furthermore, the method includes providing the presence information of the at least one client of the set of clients to at least one client of a remaining set of clients by the protocol server. The remaining set of clients includes the set of clients apart from the at least one client of the set of clients.

[0016] For another embodiment, a protocol server is provided. The protocol server includes a transceiver. The transceiver is configured to receive presence information from at least one client of a set of clients at a protocol server. The transceiver is also configured to distribute the presence information of the at least one client of the set of clients to at least one client of a remaining set of clients. The remaining set of clients is the set of clients apart from at least one client of the set of clients. The protocol server also includes a memory, which is configured to store the presence information of the at least one client of the set of clients.

[0017] For yet another embodiment, a Base Transceiver Station (BTS) is provided. The BTS includes a transceiver, which is configured to receive presence information from at least one client of a set of clients at a protocol server. The transceiver is also configured to distribute the presence information of the at least one client of the set of clients to at least one client of a remaining set of clients. The remaining set of clients includes the set of clients apart from the at least one client of the set of clients. The BTS also includes a memory, which is configured to store the presence information of the at least one client of the set of clients.

[0018] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary communication network 100, where various embodiments of the present invention can be practiced. The communication network 100 can include a protocol server, a plurality of base stations, and a plurality of communication devices. Example of the protocol server includes, but is not limited to, a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server. Examples of the computational devices include, but are not limited to, a computer, a mobile phone, a smart phone, a fixed- line phone, a pager, and a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA). For the purpose of this description, the communication network 100 is shown to include a protocol server 102, a Base Transceiver Station (BTS) 104, a BTS 106, a computer 108, a mobile device 110, a mobile device 112, and a computer 114. The protocol server 102 is associated with the BTS 104, the BTS 106, the computer 108 and the mobile device 110. The protocol server 102 establishes an association with the mobile device 112 and the computer 114 via the BTS 104 and the BTS 106, respectively. The computational devices and base stations associated with the protocol server 102 will hereinafter be referred to as clients. For an embodiment, application servers can publish their network services via the protocol server 102. A client subscribed for accessing the application servers will be notified by the protocol server 102 about presence information of the application server. Examples of the application server include, but are not limited to, a File Transfer Protocol (FTP) server, a Secure Copy Protocol (SCP) server, a Simple File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) server, and a Trivial File Transfer Protocol (TFTP) server. [0019] A client broadcasts a discover message to locate available protocol servers, to establish an association with a protocol server. The protocol server, for example, the protocol server 102, which has available configuration parameters, transmits an offer message to the client in response to the discover message. The client then sends a request message to the protocol server 102, making a request for the offered configuration parameters. The request message is also send by the client to the protocol server 102, to confirm the previously allocated configuration parameters. For example, if the client prefers to retain the previously provided configuration parameters of the protocol server 102, in the case of a system reboot, the client can broadcast a request message to the protocol server 102. Further, the request message can be transmitted by the client to the protocol server 102, to extend the expired lease of the protocol server 102. The association is completed when the protocol server 102 transmits the acknowledge message to the client, along with the configuration parameters.

[0020] The protocol server 102 notifies the client by means of a presence tuple, along with an offer and an acknowledge message. The presence tuple includes status information, an optional communication address, and an optional 'other presence' markup. The protocol server 102 can provide a presence tuple that includes information such as presence information of the network service, IP address of the associated entities, and port number of Network Time Protocol (NTP) request. The presence information can include a Domain Name System (DNS) name, an Internet Protocol (IP) address, information pertaining to a client, a security-related parameter, down-time information, and information relating to a provider. For an embodiment, a BTS can provide a presence tuple to a client, which includes information such as BTS presence information, subscriber presence information, and any security-related parameters. Network services such as NTP can provide a presence tuple that includes information such as NTP presence information, provider presence information, down time, and the port number of an NTP request.

[0021] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of the protocol server 102, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The protocol server 102 includes a transceiver 202, a memory 204, and a processor 206. The transceiver 202 is configured to receive presence information from at least one client of a set of clients. Examples of the at least one client include, but are not limited to, BTSs and computational devices. The presence information of the at least one client of the set of clients is communicated to the memory 204 by the transceiver 202. The memory 204 is configured to store the presence information relating the at least one client of the set of clients received by the transceiver 202.

[0022] The transceiver 202 is configured to distribute the stored presence information of the at least one client of the set of clients to at least one client of a remaining set of clients. At least one client of the remaining set of clients includes the clients associated with the protocol server 102, apart from at least one client of the set of clients. The transceiver 202 is also configured to receive a request for a network service such as the NTP service from the at least one client of the set of clients. The NTP service synchronizes the clocks of the clients over the communication network 100. The NTP service follows a hierarchical system for synchronizing these clocks. The BTS clock is synchronized directly by the NTP service. Further, the clients associated with the BTS get their clocks synchronized by the NTP service via the BTS. The transceiver 202 communicates the request to the processor 206. The processor 206 is configured to determine whether that the at least one client of the set of clients is in a subscriber list of the network service. The subscriber list includes the presence information pertaining to the clients associated with the network service at some point of time. For example, if the client was associated with the network service via a protocol server 102, then the client will be in the subscriber list of the network service.

[0023] When at least this one client of the set of clients is in the subscriber list, the transceiver 202 transmits a renew request to at least this one client of the set of clients. The renew request informs the at least one client of the set of clients to renew an association with the network service. The at least one client of the set of clients then associates with the network service with the same Vendor Specific Options (VSO) as earlier. The VSOs are used by the at least one client of the set of clients to selectively enable or disable a particular service/application availability to the protocol server 102. For example, a VSO can be used to control whether the computers associated with the protocol server 102 send a release message pertaining to their current lease to the protocol server 102 when shutdown occurs. Some specifications are needed to be defined to define a VSO. These specifications include, but are not limited to, an option name, a description of the option, the option type (IP address, for instance), minimum and maximum allowed values of the option (if the option is in a string), minimum and maximum allowed length of the option (if the option is an IP address, a string, a binary or an array). [0024] If the at least one client of the set of clients is not in the subscriber list of the network service, the transceiver 202 transmits the presence information pertaining to the network service to the at least one client of the set of clients.

[0025] For an embodiment, the protocol server 102 enables an association of at least one client of the set of clients with at least one client of the remaining set of clients. This association enables the protocol server 102 to enables the protocol server to provide the presence information to at least one client of the remaining set of clients. For example, in a mobile communication network, the at least one client of the remaining set of clients can retrieve presentity of at least one subscribed client of the set of clients. The presentity is the presence availability record of the client. For example, the presentity includes the user status, such as online, offline, away, and the like.

[0026] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for managing presence services in the communication network 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The method shows the different steps involved in managing presence services in the communication network 100. To describe the flow diagram, reference will be made to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, although it will be understood by a person ordinarily skilled in the art that the flow diagram can be implemented with reference to any other suitable embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] The method for managing presence services in the communication network 100 is initiated at step 302. At step 304, the protocol server 102 receives the presence information of the at least one client of the set of clients via the transceiver 202. Each of the clients of the set of clients has unique presence information associated with it. At step 306, the protocol server 102 stores the presence information of the at least one client of the set of clients in the memory 204. The presence information of all the associated clients stored in the memory 204 is communicated to the processor 206. At step 308, the protocol server 102 provides the presence information pertaining to the at least one client of the set of clients to at least one client of a remaining set of clients via the transceiver 202. The remaining set of clients is the set of clients apart from at least one client of the set of clients. At least one client of the remaining set of clients is able to establish a communication session with the at least one client of the set of clients by using the presence information pertaining to the at least one client of the set of clients. Thereafter, the method terminates at step 310.

[0028] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for managing presence services in the communication network, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. The method shows the different steps involved in managing presence services in the communication network. To describe the flow diagram, reference will be made to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. However, it will be apparent to a person ordinarily skilled in the art that the flow diagram can be implemented with reference to any other suitable embodiment of the present invention. Further, the method can have more or fewer number of steps than shown in FIG. 4.

[0029] The method for managing presence services in the communication network 100 is initiated at step 402. At step 404, the protocol server 102 associates with at least one client of the set of clients. In order to establish an association, the at least one client of the set of clients broadcasts a discover message to locate available protocol servers. The protocol server 102, with available configuration parameters, transmits an offer message in response to the discover message received. The at least one client of the set of clients then sends a request message to the protocol server 102, making a request for the offered configuration parameters. The request message is also send by the at least one client of the set of clients to the protocol server 102, to confirm the previously allocated configuration parameters. For example, in the case of a system reboot, the client can broadcast a request message to the protocol server 102 if the at least one client of the set of clients prefers to retain the previously provided configuration parameters of the protocol server 102. Further, the request message can be transmitted by the at least one client of the set of clients to the protocol server 102, to extend the expired lease of the protocol server 102. The association is completed when the protocol server 102 transmits the acknowledge message to the at least one client of the set of clients, along with the configuration parameters.

[0030] At step 406, the protocol server 102 receives the presence information pertaining to the at least one client of the set of clients when the at least one client of the set of clients is associated with the protocol server 102. At step 408, the protocol server 102 stores the presence information pertaining to at least one client of the set of clients in the memory 204. At step 410, the protocol server 102 provides the presence information pertaining to the at least one client of the set of clients to at least one client of a remaining set of clients by the protocol server 102. The remaining set of clients is the set of clients apart from at least one client of the set of clients. Thereafter, the method terminates at step 412. [0031] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for managing the association of a client with a network service. The method shows the different steps involved in managing presence services in the communication network 100. To describe the flow diagram, reference will be made to the figures described above, although it will be understood by a person ordinarily skilled in the art that the flow diagram can be implemented with reference to any other suitable embodiment of the present invention. The method is initiated at step 502. At step 504, the transceiver 202 receives a request from at least one client of the set of clients of a network service such as the NTP service. The transceiver 202 communicates the request to the processor 206. At step 506, the processor 206 checks a subscriber list of the network service. At step 508, the processor 206 determines whether the at least one client of the set of clients is present in the subscriber list of the network service. The transceiver 202 transmits the presence information pertaining to the network service to the at least client of the set of clients at step 510, if it is determined at step 508 that the client is not present in the subscriber list of the network service. The transceiver 202 transmits a renew request to the at least one client of the set of clients at the step 512, if it is determined at step 508 that the client is present in the subscriber list of the network service. The at least one client of the set of clients then associate with the network service with the same VSO as earlier. Thereafter, the method terminates at step 514.

[0032] Various embodiments, as described above, provide a method and system for managing presence information in a communication network by means of a protocol server such as a DHCP server. The protocol server is the first entity to be aware of clients logging in or logging out in the communication network. As a result, co-locating the presence protocol with the protocol server reduces the response time of presence services. For example, the response time of some emergency services, such as locating an SIP gateway, is reduced. When a network service associates with the protocol server, the protocol server transmits a renew request to the clients in the subscriber list of the network service. The client then associates with the network service with the same VSO as earlier. Further, the protocol server notifies all the clients when the protocol server receives a release message from the network service. The release message is send by an entity associated with the protocol server, to relinquish the network address and cancel the remaining lease of the association. The method enables client to client presence communication channel so that client can take action accordingly based on the presence information about other clients.

[0033] It will be appreciated that the method and system for managing presence information in a communication network, described herein, may comprise one or more conventional processors and unique stored program instructions that control the one or more processors, to implement, in conjunction with certain non- processor circuits, some, most, or all of the functions of the system described herein. The non-processor circuits may include, but are not limited to, signal drivers, clock circuits, power-source circuits, and user-input devices. As such, these functions may be interpreted as steps of a method for managing presence information in a communication network differently. Alternatively, some or all the functions can be implemented by a state machine that has no stored program instructions, or in one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), in which each function, or some combinations of certain of the functions, are implemented as custom logic. Of course, a combination of the two approaches can also be used. Thus, methods and means for these functions have been described herein.

[0034] It is expected that one with ordinary skill, notwithstanding possibly significant effort and many design choices motivated by, for example, available time, current technology and economic considerations, when guided by the concepts and principles disclosed herein, will be readily capable of generating such software instructions, programs and ICs with minimal experimentation.

[0035] In the foregoing specification, the invention and its benefits and advantages have been described with reference to specific embodiments. However, one with ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that various modifications and changes can be made, without departing from the scope of the present invention, as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly, the specification and the figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention. The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as critical, required or essential features or elements of any or all the claims. The invention is defined solely by the appended claims, including any amendments made during the pendency of this application, and all equivalents of those claims, as issued.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A method for managing presence information in a communication network, the method comprising: receiving the presence information from at least one client of a set of clients at a protocol server, the presence information associated with the at least one client of the set of clients is unique; storing the presence information of the at least one client of the set of clients in the protocol server; and providing the presence information of the at least one client of the set of clients to at least one client of a remaining set of clients by the protocol server, the remaining set of clients being the set of clients other than the at least one client of the set of clients.

2. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the protocol server is a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server.

3. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the presence information from the at least one client of the set of clients is received at the protocol server when the at least one client of the set of clients establishes an association with the protocol server.

4. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the presence information of the at least one client of the set of clients is provided to the at least one client of the remaining set of clients by the protocol server when the at least one client of the remaining set of clients establishes an association with the protocol server.

5. The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising: receiving a request for a network service from the at least one client of the set of clients; and determining that the at least one client of the set of clients is in a subscriber list of the network service, wherein the subscriber list includes the presence information of the at least one client of the set of clients associated with the network service.

6. The method as recited in claim 5 further comprising transmitting a renew request to the at least one client of the set of clients when the presence information of the at least one client of the set of clients is in the subscriber list, wherein the renew request informs the at least one client of the set of clients to renew an association with the network service.

7. A protocol server comprising: a transceiver configured to: receive a presence information from at least one client of a set of clients at a protocol server; and distribute the presence information of the at least one client of the set of clients to at least one client of a remaining set of clients by the protocol server, the remaining set of clients being the set of clients other than the at least one client of the set of clients; and a memory configured to store the presence information of the at least one client of the set of clients in the protocol server.

8. The protocol server as recited in claim 7, wherein the transceiver is further configured to: receive a request for a network service from the at least one client of the set of clients; transmit a renew request to the at least one client of the set of clients; and transmit the presence information of an network service to the at least one client of the set of clients.

9. The protocol server as recited in claim 7 further comprising a processor configured to determine that the at least one client of the set of clients is in a subscriber list of the network service, wherein the subscriber list includes the presence information of the at least one client of the set of clients associated with the network

service.

10. A Base Transceiver Station (BTS) comprising: a transceiver configured to: receive a presence information from at least one client of a set of clients at a protocol server; and distribute the presence information of the at least one client of the set of clients to at least one client of a remaining set of clients by the protocol server, the remaining set of clients being the set of clients other than the at least one client of the set of clients; and a memory configured to store the presence information of the at least one client of the set of clients in the protocol server.

11. The BTS as recited in claim 14, wherein the transceiver is further configured to: receive a request for a network service from the at least one client of the set of clients; transmit a renew request to the at least one client of the set of clients; and transmit the presence information of an network service to the at least one client of the set of clients.

12. The BTS as recited in claim 14 further comprising a processor configured to determine that the at least one client of the set of clients is in a subscriber list of the network service, wherein the subscriber list includes the presence information of the

at least one client of the set of clients associated with the network service.