Mobile network having IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) entities and solutions for providing simplification of operations and compatibility between different IMS entities

Abstract

An IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) architecture for IP multimedia services is provided with a given user equipment (UE); a gateway support node (GGSN) configured to handle packet transmission to / from the given UE; and a proxy call session control function (P-CSCF) configured to serve as a first contact point of the UE and provide session management services, including establishing a packet data protocol (PDP) context for IMS related signaling, registration, and other procedures for IMS sessions. The P-CSCF is also configured to perform the following: storing identification information from the given UE during registration in memory; receiving a SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) message from the given UE; comparing identity in the SIP message with the identification information stored with a link to a Policy Decision Function (PDF); and using the same PDF for all operations of the given UE, when the identity in the SIP messages matches the identification information stored in memory.

Description

[0001] This application makes reference to, incorporates the same herein, and claims all benefits accruing under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.120 from a provisional application earlier filed in the United States Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO) on Feb. 10, 2003 and assigned Serial No. 60 / 445,807.[0002] 1. Technical Field[0003] The present invention relates to mobile networks including different IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) entities, and more particularly, relates to solutions for providing simplification of required policy control operations and compatibility between IMS entities based on different release specifications within mobile networks.[0004] 2. Related Art[0005] Modern mobile networks such as those networks standardized by 3GPP (3.sup.rd Generation Partnership Project) specifications including all GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) and 3.sup.rd generations of GSM networks, are seamless integration of digital cellular networks and personal communications systems to provide t...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The patent text discusses the challenges of providing compatibility between different functional entities in a mobile network, especially when new functionality or features are introduced. The technical effect of the patent is to provide a solution for simplifying policy control operations and compatibility between different IMS entities in mobile networks."

Problems solved by technology

However, challenges remain when providing equipment interoperability and compatibility between various functional entities in a given 3GPP specification, each time new functionality or new feature is introduced and / or existing functionality is modified and, hence, a new Release of a given specification is introduced.

Some sets of binding information may be sent to wrong PDFs, which leads to reject decisions.

Furthermore, when several IMS sessions use the same PDP (Packet Data Protocol, e.g., IP) context, the GGSN cannot handle a modification request for some but not all IMS sessions within a single PDP (Packet Data Protocol, e.g., IP) context.

Moreover, even if the functional entities are based on the same specification release, complicated operations are required at the GGSN and at the PDF to control the PDP context modifications initiated by multiple sessions and to manage the interoperation between the common PDP context and the different sessions policy controlled by separate PDFs.

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