Push notification enablement for SIP-based networks

A client device controlled by an operating system, the operating system being configured to receive a Push notification containing an event notification, directed to a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) User Agent on the client device, over an access network, cause the SIP User agent to transition from a suspended/background state to an active state, and pass the event notification to the SIP User Agent, the client device comprising:

• processing circuitry;
• memory containing instructions executable by the processing circuitry whereby the client device is operative to:
• function as the SIP User Agent, wherein the SIP User Agent is configured to respond to the event notification by performing a registration with the SIP network;
• take, subsequent to the initial SIP registration, a decision to switch the SIP User Agent from a foreground mode to a suspended/background mode;
• and
• prior to implementing the switch, cause the SIP User Agent to send a notification to the push gateway via the SIP connection in order to alert the push gateway to the switch and to cause the push gateway to maintain the re-registration timer.

A method of managing a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) User Agent resident on a client device, the SIP User Agent having registered with a Push Provider to receive Push Notifications via an Operating System of the client device, the method comprising:

• notifying a push gateway, present in a SIP path between the SIP User Agent and the SIP network, that the SIP User Agent is registered with the Push Provider, the push gateway having an interface to a push server of the Push Provider;
• performing initial SIP registration of the SIP User Agent with the SIP network via a SIP connection extending through the push gateway;
• and
• at the client device:
• taking a decision to switch the SIP User Agent from a foreground mode to a suspended/background mode;
• and
• prior to implementing the switch, causing the SIP User Agent to send a notification to the push gateway via the SIP connection in order to alert the push gateway to the switch and to cause the push gateway to subsequently send SIP notifications to the client device via the push server.