Application Server Signaling Routing Across Multiple Core Networks

Solution Overview

Problem

The current IMS architecture requires double recording of user profile information across fixed and mobile networks, leading to increased input time and storage costs, and can cause call loops due to the lack of direct interaction between application servers in different networks.

Innovation Solution

A processing method that allows a single application server to transmit and receive signaling messages across multiple network cores by determining the destination terminal's connected core network and routing messages accordingly, eliminating the need for duplicate information recording and facilitating direct message transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If user profile information is recorded in both first network core and second network core, then service functionality can be rendered by each core network independently, but data entry time and storage resources increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice functionality renderingVSAvoiddata entry time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The application server is designed to handle multiple network cores (both first network core and second network core) through a unified interface. It can receive signaling messages from any network core, determine the target terminal's location, and route messages appropriately, eliminating the need for separate service logic in each network core.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent consolidates service functionality into a single application server that serves multiple network cores. Instead of having separate application servers or duplicate profile information in each network core, the system merges these functions into one centralized component that interacts with both network cores.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If user profile information is recorded in both first network core and second network core, then service functionality can be rendered by each core network independently, but storage resources increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice functionality renderingVSAvoidstorage resources

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The application server is designed to handle multiple network cores (both first network core and second network core) through a unified interface. It can receive signaling messages from any network core, determine the target terminal's location, and route messages appropriately, eliminating the need for separate service logic in each network core.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent consolidates service functionality into a single application server that serves multiple network cores. Instead of having separate application servers or duplicate profile information in each network core, the system merges these functions into one centralized component that interacts with both network cores.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If signaling messages are transmitted between application servers in different networks, then service coordination is possible, but call loops occur due to lack of direct interaction mechanism

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice coordinationVSAvoidcall loop prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The application server acts as an intermediary between different network cores. When a signaling message needs to be transmitted to a terminal in another network core, the application server receives the message from the originating network core, determines the target network core based on terminal identifier, and routes the message through the appropriate communication link, preventing call loops by providing a controlled interaction mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a feedback mechanism where the application server tracks the routing of signaling messages between network cores. By maintaining awareness of message flow and terminal location, the application server can prevent loops by ensuring messages are routed only to their intended destination network core and not back to the originating core.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3178252B1Processing of signalling messages in a system comprising several core networks

Publication Date: 2022.09.21 ORANGE SA

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AI summary

The invention relates to a processing method, implemented by an application server (AS) capable of transmitting and receiving signalling messages via a first communication link (L1) established with a first core network (CR1). According to the invention, the processing method is suitable for obtaining, depending on a first received signalling message, a second signalling message comprising an identifier of a destination terminal, in order to determine, depending on said identifier, if the destination terminal is connected to a second core network (CR2) and to transmit the second message via a second communication link established with the second core network (CR2). The invention also relates to a method for managing a signalling message, capable of receiving, via the second link, the second signalling message, and transmitting it to the destination terminal. The invention relates to an application server (AS) and to a server (S-CSCF) of a core network (CR2) implementing the processing and managing methods respectively.