Geocasting Proxy Enabler Architecture for IMS Network Scalability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing geomessaging systems face challenges in scalability and integration with advanced telecommunication networks, particularly in providing efficient and redundant services for mobile clients across large geographical areas and in supporting call and session control mechanisms within IMS-based networks.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of a geomessaging register and proxy enabler architecture that facilitates the registration of mobile clients, identifies appropriate service enablers, and manages location updates, enabling seamless handovers and efficient message distribution across multiple service enablers, while decoupling application servers from internal geomessaging architecture complexities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a monolithic geomessaging enabler is used, then the system is simple to implement, but it lacks scalability and redundancy for large geographical areas

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of implementationVSAvoidscalability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the monolithic geomessaging enabler into multiple distributed service enablers (SE1, SE2, SE3, etc.), each responsible for specific geographical areas. This segmentation enables the system to scale horizontally by adding more service enablers to cover larger geographical regions while maintaining the core geomessaging functionality in each unit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a new hierarchical dimension by adding the geomessaging register layer above the distributed service enablers. This creates a two-layer architecture where service enablers handle local geomessaging operations and the register provides global coordination, enabling scalability without increasing complexity at the service enabler level.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple service enablers are deployed for scalability, then the system can cover larger areas, but the architecture becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovescalabilityVSAvoidarchitectural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The geomessaging register acts as an intermediary between application servers and multiple service enablers. It receives registration information from service enablers, maintains a mapping between geographical areas and service enablers, and routes messages to the appropriate service enabler, thereby simplifying the architecture by centralizing coordination functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The geomessaging register provides universal functionality by serving all service enablers with a unified interface for registration, message routing, and client location tracking. This multi-functional component handles diverse operations (registration, message forwarding, location updates) through a single architectural element, reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If the geomessaging system integrates with IMS networks, then service reliability improves, but integration complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice reliabilityVSAvoidintegration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Service enablers automatically register themselves with the geomessaging register by providing their contact information and geographical coverage areas. The system performs self-configuration and self-registration without requiring manual IMS network integration, reducing integration complexity while maintaining reliability through automated service discovery and registration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Productivity

If application servers directly interface with multiple service enablers, then message distribution is efficient, but the system loses modularity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemessage distribution efficiencyVSAvoidcoupling complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The geomessaging register serves as an intermediary that receives message distribution requests from application servers and automatically routes them to the appropriate service enablers based on the target geographical area. This maintains message distribution efficiency by enabling direct communication paths while preserving modularity by preventing direct coupling between application servers and multiple service enablers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3059985B1Advanced geocasting methods in mobile communication networks, and network nodes therefor
Publication Date: 2018.12.26 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP3059985B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3059985B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3059985B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a method performed by a network node (60) for providing a network service in a communication network (50) covering a geographical area for a plurality of mobile clients (40). The network node (60), hereinafter referred to as "proxy enabler" (60), receiving, from an application server (10), a request specifying a distribution target area. The Proxy enabler (60) queries a network node (30), hereinafter referred to as "geomessaging register" (30), for obtaining information about an appropriate service enabler (20) for handling a request associated with the specified distribution target area. The Proxy enabler (60) communicates with the appropriate service enabler (20) in order for the received request to be handled by said appropriate service enabler (20).