System and Method for Event Driven Operations in a Communications System

Abstract

A system and method for event driven operations in a communications system. A method for communications subsystem operation includes detecting an occurrence of an event initiated by a user, accessing a database to retrieve information related to the user and the event, establishing a connection with an application, and performing an operation with the application through the connection. The application is based on the event and the information, and the operation is based on the event.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of operating an internet protocol (IP) multimedia subsystem (IMS), the method comprising:
 assigning a proxy call session control function (CSCF) of the IMS to serve as an initial point of contact for a downstream user;   detecting, by an application server of the IMS, an occurrence of an event initiated by a downstream user and communicated to the IMS by a service provider through the proxy CSCF;   accessing, by the application server of the IMS, a database to retrieve information related to the downstream user and the event;   establishing, by the application server of the IMS, a connection with an upstream application of a non-service provider upstream customer in accordance with the event and the information;   performing, by the application server of the IMS, an operation with the upstream application through the connection and in accordance with the event and the information;   regulating, by an interrogating CSCF of the IMS, a flow of data between the downstream user and the upstream application; and   performing, by a serving CSCF of the IMS, session state maintenance and session control services for the downstream user.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein detecting the occurrence of the event comprises detecting a registration message from the service provider with which the downstream user is attempting to register. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the service provider is different from a home service provider of the downstream user. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein detecting the occurrence of the event comprises receiving positional information regarding the downstream user. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the positional information is provided by a presence server. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein detecting the occurrence of the event comprises detecting a connection establishment message from the downstream user, detecting a search for information from the downstream user, detecting a time marker on a transmission made by the downstream user, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein performing the operation comprises:
 forwarding the information to the upstream application; and   receiving a response from the upstream application.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein performing the operation further comprises forwarding the response to the downstream user. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the information is forwarded over the connection. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein performing the operation comprises:
 forwarding the information to the upstream application; and   serving as a conduit for messages between the upstream application and the downstream user.   
     
     
         11 . An internet protocol (IP) multimedia subsystem (IMS) comprising:
 an application server configured for:
 detecting an occurrence of an event initiated by a downstream user, wherein the IMS is coupled to the downstream user via a service provider; 
 retrieving information related to the downstream user and the event; 
 establishing a connection with an upstream application of a non-service provider upstream customer in accordance with the event and the information; and 
 performing an operation with the upstream application through the connection and in accordance with the event and the information; and 
   a proxy call session control function (CSCF) coupled to the application server, the proxy CSCF configured for serving as an initial point of contact for the downstream user;   an interrogating CSCF coupled to the application server, the interrogating CSCF configured for regulating a flow of data between the downstream user and the upstream application; and   a serving CSCF coupled to the application server, the serving CSCF configured for maintaining session state and performing session control services for the downstream user.   
     
     
         12 . The IMS of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a subscriber server coupled to the application server, the subscriber server configured for providing subscriber information for the downstream user; and   a presence server coupled to the application server, the presence server configured for providing state information related to the downstream user.   
     
     
         13 . The IMS of  claim 12 , wherein the application server configured for detecting the occurrence of the event comprises the application server configured for receiving positional information regarding the downstream user. 
     
     
         14 . The IMS of  claim 13 , wherein the presence server is configured for providing the positional information. 
     
     
         15 . The IMS of  claim 11 , wherein the application server configured for detecting the occurrence of the event comprises the application server configured for detecting a registration message from the service provider with which the downstream user is attempting to register. 
     
     
         16 . The IMS of  claim 11 , wherein the service provider is different from a home service provider of the downstream user. 
     
     
         17 . The IMS of  claim 11 , wherein the application server configured for detecting the occurrence of the event comprises the application server configured for detecting a connection establishment message from the downstream user, detecting a search for information from the downstream user, detecting a time marker on a transmission made by the downstream user, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         18 . The IMS of  claim 11 , wherein the application server configured for performing the operation comprises the application server configured for:
 forwarding the information to the upstream application; and   receiving a response from the upstream application.   
     
     
         19 . The IMS of  claim 18 , wherein the application server configured for performing the operation further comprises the application server configured for forwarding the response to the downstream user. 
     
     
         20 . The IMS of  claim 18 , wherein the application server is configured for forwarding the information over the connection. 
     
     
         21 . The IMS of  claim 11 , wherein the application server configured for performing the operation comprises the application server configured for:
 forwarding the information to the upstream application; and   serving as a conduit for messages between the upstream application and the downstream user.