IMS Connectivity Verification for Wireless Network Switching

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current network switching methods in Wi-Fi and LTE/5G networks often result in service disruptions when terminals switch between access technologies, as they fail to ensure continuous connectivity with the IMS network, particularly when switching to Wi-Fi hotspots that cannot communicate with the IMS network.

Innovation Solution

A method and device that determine whether a target wireless access network can establish a connection with the IMS network by sending a test data packet and considering signal strength thresholds, ensuring seamless switching and maintaining IMS services by verifying connectivity before switching.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If the terminal switches to a Wi-Fi hotspot with higher signal strength, then the wireless signal quality is improved, but the terminal may lose connectivity with the IMS network if the hotspot cannot communicate with it

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewireless signal strengthVSAvoidIMS network connectivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal performs a preliminary connectivity test by sending test data packets to the IMS network through the target Wi-Fi hotspot before completing the network switch. This preliminary action verifies whether the hotspot can communicate with the IMS network, preventing service disruption after switching.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Test data packets serve as an intermediary mechanism to verify connectivity between the target Wi-Fi hotspot and the IMS network. The packets act as a test medium to determine if the communication path is valid before the terminal commits to switching networks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the terminal performs connectivity testing before switching, then the service reliability is improved, but the switching process time is increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice continuityVSAvoidnetwork switching time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal performs a partial connectivity test by sending only test data packets to verify IMS network access, rather than performing a complete network validation. This partial action is sufficient to ensure service continuity while minimizing the time added to the switching process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP3863330B1Network switching to a target wireless access network capable of establishing a connection with an IMS network

Publication Date: 2023.10.04 BEIJING XIAOMI MOBILE SOFTWARE CO LTD

Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5

AI summary

Aspects of the disclosure provide a network switching method, device, and storage medium. In an exemplary method, a terminal may determine whether a target wireless access network is capable of establishing a connection with an IP Multimedia Subsystem, IMS, network. If the target wireless access network is capable of establishing the connection with the IMS network, then a wireless access network corresponding to the terminal can be switched to the target wireless access network. In this way, even switching to the target wireless access network, the terminal can continue to use the services of the IMS network with high usability.