ENUM-Based Call Routing Bypassing IMS Core

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) systems face challenges in efficiently routing traffic and providing value-added services, particularly in scenarios where calls do not involve IMS subscriber endpoints or IMS-based applications, as they often require bypassing the IMS core, leading to inefficiencies in service invocation and routing.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a system that includes a serving call session control function (S-CSCF), interrogating call session control function (I-CSCF), proxy call session control function (P-CSCF), and a telephone number mapping server (ENUM) to determine the appropriate routing path for calls, either through the IMS core or bypassing it, based on the presence of IMS subscribers and applications, utilizing infrastructure ENUM for network routing mechanisms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If calls are routed through the IMS core for all types of traffic, then IMS services can be provided to all calls, but routing efficiency deteriorates for non-IMS related calls

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice coverageVSAvoidrouting efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments call routing into two distinct paths: IMS core routing for IMS-related calls and alternative routing for non-IMS calls. The ENUM server acts as a segmentation point that divides incoming calls based on their type, directing them to appropriate routing paths. This resolves the contradiction by providing selective service coverage only where needed while maintaining high routing efficiency for non-IMS traffic.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different routing qualities are applied to different call types. IMS-related calls receive the full service quality of core routing with access to all IMS services, while non-IMS calls receive optimized direct routing without unnecessary core processing. This local differentiation of routing quality resolves the contradiction between comprehensive service coverage and routing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If the IMS core processes all calls, then service control is centralized and consistent, but system complexity and processing overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice control consistencyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts non-IMS calls from the IMS core processing path and routes them through an alternative path. This removal of unnecessary calls from the core system reduces processing overhead and system complexity while maintaining centralized service control for actual IMS-related calls. The ENUM server performs the extraction by identifying and separating non-IMS traffic before it reaches the core.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The ENUM server performs preliminary routing determination before calls enter the IMS core. By pre-identifying non-IMS calls and routing them away in advance, the system avoids the complexity of processing these calls through the core while maintaining consistent service control for IMS calls that do require core processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If routing decisions are made without infrastructure ENUM, then routing can be simplified, but routing precision and service appropriateness deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverouting mechanism simplicityVSAvoidrouting accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The ENUM server acts as an intermediary component that provides precise routing decisions without significantly complicating the overall routing mechanism. It mediates between the simple alternative routing path and the IMS core, making accurate routing determinations based on ENUM lookups. This intermediary approach maintains routing simplicity while improving routing accuracy through infrastructure ENUM.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP1932081B1Routing calls in a network
Publication Date: 2015.04.29 VERIZON PATENT & LICENSING INC
  • EP1932081B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1932081B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1932081B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method includes receiving a telephone number mapping query associated with a call. The method may also include generating routing information based on the query and forwarding the routing information to a control device. The routing information may indicate that processing associated with routing the call is to bypass a core portion (Fig. 1, 102, 104, 106) of an Internet multimedia subsystem (Fig. 1) when a calling party associated with the call does not invoke and IMS service, the called party associated with the call does not invoke and IMS service and the called party is not an IMS subscriber.