ATCF for IMS Service Continuity Feature Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems face challenges in determining and communicating the support of IMS Service Continuity features for user equipment (UE) in a serving network without relying on pre-configured databases, which can be cumbersome and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an Access Transfer Control Function (ATCF) within the serving network that stores and provides information on IMS Service Continuity features supported by Mobile Switching Center (MSC) servers, allowing it to determine and indicate available features during UE registration, thereby eliminating the need for pre-configured databases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pre-configured databases are used to store IMS Service Continuity feature information, then the SCC AS can determine feature support, but the system complexity and maintenance burden increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the feature information storage function from the SCC AS by introducing a separate ATCF entity. The ATCF stores and manages IMS Service Continuity feature information in a database, while the SCC AS only needs to query this information during registration. This separation reduces the complexity and maintenance burden on the SCC AS while ensuring reliable feature information availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The ATCF acts as an intermediary between the UE and the SCC AS for feature information management. During UE registration, the ATCF provides feature information to the SCC AS, which then uses this information to determine service continuity support. This intermediary approach simplifies the SCC AS functionality while maintaining comprehensive feature information availability.
2Measurement precision
If the SCC AS queries all MSC servers to determine feature support, then accurate feature information is obtained, but the registration process time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ATCF pre-stores IMS Service Continuity feature information in its database before any UE registration occurs. This preliminary action eliminates the need for real-time queries to multiple MSC servers during the registration process, significantly reducing registration time while maintaining accurate feature information through the pre-collected data.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of querying multiple MSC servers during registration, the system uses a copy of the feature information stored in the ATCF's database. This copy mechanism provides accurate feature support information without the time penalty of real-time multiple server queries, as the ATCF has already collected and stored this information in advance.
3Adaptability or versatility
If extensive feature information is stored in the SCC AS, then all service continuity features can be supported, but the storage and maintenance complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the information management functionality by creating a separate ATCF entity dedicated to storing and managing extensive IMS Service Continuity feature information. The SCC AS focuses on service control while the ATCF handles information management. This segmentation allows comprehensive feature support without overloading the SCC AS with storage and maintenance complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The ATCF serves as an intermediary that manages the extensive feature information database, freeing the SCC AS from direct information management responsibilities. The ATCF retrieves and provides feature information to the SCC AS as needed, enabling comprehensive service continuity feature support while centralizing information management complexity in a dedicated entity.
Data Source
AI summary
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of operating a node of a communications network that is configured to provide an IP Multimedia Subsystem Access Transfer Control Function. The method comprises storing information regarding IMS Service Continuity features that are supported by Mobile Switching Center servers within the network. Upon receipt of a message requesting IMS registration of a user equipment using the information to determine the IMS Service Continuity features that may be available to the user equipment, and, for any IMS Service Continuity features that may be available, including an indication that the IMS Service Continuity feature may be available in the message, and forwarding the message towards a Service Centralization and Continuity Application Server.