A new UPnP architecture for distributed video voice over IP

Abstract

In this paper we present a novel approach to video telephony where we are able to exploit the benefits of the Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) protocol: self-configuration, discovery and control of available devices connected to the network. At the time being, UPnP does not deal with Video Voice over IP (VVoIP) applications. Integrating a signaling protocol like the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) with UPnP allows interaction between the videophone and other UPnP compliant devices, like a TV set or a media server. This interaction, for example, makes it feasible to display the caller's image on the television screen, thus allowing the user to relax on the sofa and naturally converse. Another interesting scenario is the one where the user sends to the conversation partner a set of still pictures or short video clips acquired from a UPnP media server already available in the home premises. An advantage of this distributed approach is its cost effectiveness, since it allows to reuse existing UPnP devices also in the context of video telephony. The integration between SIP and UPnP has been achieved introducing a new UPnP device, the VVoIP device, which is a SIP User Agent able to interoperate with standard UPnP MediaServers and MediaRenderers.

Socio-technical aspects of video phones

“…As with standard cell phones, the user could be anywhere when the mobile video phone rings. Attending a call on a mobile phone does not make the caller worry about his visual appearance or his current activity [11], [12]. A mobile video would give the user little choice whether he would like to be seen or avoid being seen and disclose him to outsiders [11], [12].…”

On the Design of a SIP-Based Binding Middleware for Next Generation Home Network Services

“…Service Discovery Protocols, e.g., UPnP SSDP, DPWS ws-discovery, Apple Bonjour, are better at dynamically discovering and identify devices in local networks. Particularly, this has driven many researches on how to combine SIP for interpersonal communication with UPnP as a de-facto AV home protocol [30,3]. [30] is especially relevant since it splits the VoIP device into a SIP phone, a UPnP Media Server and a UPnP Media Renderer.…”

“…Particularly, this has driven many researches on how to combine SIP for interpersonal communication with UPnP as a de-facto AV home protocol [30,3]. [30] is especially relevant since it splits the VoIP device into a SIP phone, a UPnP Media Server and a UPnP Media Renderer. However, the link is tightly made with only one device control protocol, the paper does not make the reader perceive the code modularity of a framework written in the C language and it finally fails at controlling real legacy UPnP devices that would have provide HTTP streams that are incompatible with the SIP defacto RTP choice.…”

Networked Appliances: Manipulation of 3D Multimedia Streams

“…We also see considerable efforts within traditional networks where multimedia solutions on the Internet have seen widespread adoption, which include voice over IP [15,16], IP TV [17], and peer-to-peer content distribution models from organisations such as the BBC with their iPlayer (previously iMP) implementation. Research initiatives are also well underway to make television more life-like and many argue that 3D is the next logical step.…”