IMS-AS Direct UDM Interface for 4G-5G Service Provisioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current techniques for providing Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) services in both 4G and 5G networks require maintaining two types of Home Subscriber Servers (HSS), leading to resource consumption and additional communications between HSS and Unified Data Management (UDM) devices.

Innovation Solution

A network device, such as an IMS Application Server (IMS-AS), establishes a direct communication interface with a UDM device, enabling the IMS-AS to request and receive IMS service information, thereby facilitating the provisioning of IMS services without the need for intermediate HSS queries.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If dual HSS configurations are maintained for 4G and 5G networks, then compatibility with both network types is achieved, but resource consumption increases and device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with 4G and 5G networksVSAvoiddual HSS configurations

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the 4G HSS and 5G UDM functions into a single integrated network device. The HSS is configured to communicate with both the IMS-AS directly and the UDM, allowing one device to serve both 4G and 5G network requirements without maintaining separate dual configurations, thereby reducing device complexity while preserving compatibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The HSS is designed with multi-functional capability to communicate with different network elements (IMS-AS and UDM) using different interface types (S1 interface for 4G compatibility and service-based interface for 5G integration). This universal design allows a single device to handle both 4G and 5G network requirements without requiring separate dedicated devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If dual HSS configurations are maintained for 4G and 5G networks, then network compatibility is ensured, but computing resources are consumed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork compatibilityVSAvoidcomputing resources

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the computational resources of dual HSS configurations into a single shared HSS that serves both 4G and 5G networks. By consolidating the infrastructure, the system reduces redundant computing resources while maintaining the ability to support both network types through intelligent interface management and unified data handling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If HSS queries are used to obtain IMS service information, then service provisioning is achieved, but communication overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveIMS service provisioningVSAvoidcommunication overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the UDM function as a separate entity that can be directly queried by the IMS-AS for IMS service information. This extraction eliminates the need for the IMS-AS to route queries through the HSS, removing an unnecessary intermediate step and reducing communication overhead while maintaining the ability to provision IMS services efficiently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The HSS acts as an intermediary that the IMS-AS queries using the S1 interface to obtain information about the UDM. This intermediary approach allows the IMS-AS to discover and subsequently directly communicate with the UDM, optimizing the balance between initial service discovery and ongoing efficient communication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12218986B2Systems and methods for facilitating provisioning of internet protocol multimedia subsystem services

Publication Date: 2025.02.04 VERIZON PATENT & LICENSING INC

AI summary

In some implementations, a network device (e.g., an Internet protocol multimedia subsystem (IMS) application server (IMS-AS) may receive, via a first communication interface, from a call session control function (CSCF) device, a request to register for an Internet protocol multimedia subsystem (IMS) service. The network device may provide via a second communication interface between the network device and a unified data management (UDM) device, and to the UDM device, a request for IMS service information associated with the IMS service. The network device may receive based on providing the request for IMS service information, via the second communication interface, and from the UDM device, IMS service information. The network device may cause, based on the IMS service information, the IMS service to be provided to a user device associated with the request to register for the IMS service.