IMS Subscriber Profile Access Network Information Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
In current IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) networks, access network information is not forwarded to the Serving-Call Session Control Function (S-CSCF) and Home Subscriber Server (HSS) during registration, preventing the utilization of this information for providing additional services or features.
Innovation Solution
Forwarding access network information from the Proxy-Call Session Control Function (P-CSCF) to the S-CSCF and/or HSS during registration and storing it in the user's subscriber profile, allowing these nodes to use this information for service provision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If access network information is collected from communication devices during registration, then service capabilities are enhanced, but network complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the P-CSCF as an intermediary component that collects access network information from communication devices and forwards it to the S-CSCF and HSS. This mediator handles the complexity of information collection and distribution, allowing the network to gain enhanced service capabilities without significantly increasing the complexity of individual network elements. The P-CSCF acts as a buffer that manages the flow of access network information through the registration process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the existing registration process multi-functional by having it serve both its traditional authentication purpose and the additional function of collecting and distributing access network information. The registration messages are enhanced to include access network information fields, allowing a single process to achieve multiple objectives: user authentication and access network information collection, thereby enhancing service capabilities without adding separate complex systems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If access network information is forwarded to S-CSCF and HSS during registration, then service provision is enhanced, but information processing load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs access network information collection during the initial registration process, which is a preliminary action that occurs before service provision begins. By gathering this information upfront during registration, the system avoids the need for separate information collection processes later, reducing overall information processing load while enabling enhanced service provision. The access network information is prepared and made available in advance when needed for service delivery.
3Adaptability or versatility
If access network information is stored in subscriber profile, then service features are expanded, but data storage requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential access network information (such as access network identifier and type) that is necessary for providing enhanced services, rather than storing all possible device or network data. This selective extraction approach enables service feature expansion while minimizing the increase in data storage requirements. The system takes out only the specific information elements needed for services like location identification and roaming detection, avoiding unnecessary data storage overhead.
Data Source
AI summary
IMS networks and methods are disclosed for storing information on the access network of a user in a subscriber profile for the user. When a communication device of a user attempts to register with an IMS network, a P-CSCF receives a register request message from the communication device, and identifies access network information for the user. The P-CSCF then transmits another register request message to an S-CSCF that includes the access network information, and the S-CSCF in turn forwards the access network information to an HSS. The HSS then stores the access network information in the subscriber profile for the user. Nodes in the IMS network that retrieve the subscriber profile may acquire the access network information to provide services based on the access network information.