Web-IMS Convergence Architecture and Prototype

To offer Web-IMS convergent services, network operators are providing interfaces for Web servers such as Parlay X on top of IMS application servers. However, this type of architecture leads to the building of at least as many interfaces as there are IMS services opened to the Web servers. This architecture also lacks consideration on media/transport processing. This paper presents a unique and generic service-independent functional entity on the IMS network border named Web Session Controller to handle interactions both at the signaling level and at the media/transport level to control Web-IMS communications. A prototype has been developed and is described that allows new types of services to be offered, e.g., push customized Web content to IMS users.