AI Session Update via SMF Intermediary in RAN

The patent introduces a session management function (SMF) as an intermediary component that mediates between the radio access network (RAN) and the core network. The SMF receives AI session update requests from the RAN, processes them through standardized session management procedures, and coordinates with the AI network element. This intermediary approach ensures service continuity by using established session management mechanisms while avoiding direct complex interactions between RAN and AI services, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and system complexity.

The patent establishes that the session management context is pre-configured and maintained in the SMF before AI session updates are needed. When an AI session update request arrives, the SMF can immediately process it using pre-established session management contexts and procedures, rather than creating these structures on-demand. This preliminary preparation reduces processing time while maintaining the multi-function processing architecture that ensures update reliability.

The patent implements a universal session management function (SMF) that handles session management for multiple types of services including AI services, voice services, and data services. The SMF uses a standardized session management interface and procedure that can accommodate different service types without requiring service-specific session management logic. This multi-functional approach allows AI services to be deployed as independent network functions with high flexibility while the session management complexity is consolidated and standardized in the SMF, reducing overall system complexity.