IMS GRUU Validation via S-CSCF Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

IMS networks face challenges in validating Globally-Routable User Agent Uniform Resource Identifiers (GRUU) effectively, which are crucial for distinguishing between users sharing the same public user identity and ensuring accurate message routing.

Innovation Solution

The method involves an S-CSCF and P-CSCF with validating units that determine the generating manner of the GRUU, validating it against stored validity information, and replacing or adding public user identities as necessary to ensure valid GRUU usage, thereby facilitating accurate service processing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple users share the same public user identity, then user registration and service provision can be simplified, but message routing accuracy and user distinction become problematic

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser registration flexibilityVSAvoiduser distinction accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the public user identity into two parts: the public user identity itself and the GRUU (Globally Routable User Agent URI). The GRUU acts as a unique identifier within the same public user identity group, allowing the system to distinguish between multiple users sharing the same public identity while maintaining the simplicity of public user identity registration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The GRUU serves as an intermediary element between the public user identity and the actual user routing. It is introduced as an additional identifier that mediates the routing process, enabling accurate message delivery to the correct user while preserving the simplified public user identity registration mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If GRUU validation is implemented to ensure accurate routing, then message delivery reliability improves, but network complexity and processing overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemessage routing accuracyVSAvoidvalidation processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary validation of the GRUU format and structure before routing messages. The validation checks whether the GRUU follows the correct URI syntax and contains the necessary components (user agent part, domain name). This preliminary action prevents routing errors and ensures reliability while keeping the validation logic centralized and manageable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the S-CSCF (Serving CSCF) validates the GRUU and provides feedback to the P-CSCF (Proxy CSCF) and other network elements. This feedback loop ensures that only valid GRUUs are processed further, maintaining routing accuracy while allowing for centralized validation management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Manufacturing precision

If the IMS network validates GRUU against stored validity information, then service processing accuracy improves, but system response time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice processing accuracyVSAvoidvalidation processing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial validation by checking only the essential aspects of the GRUU (format correctness, presence of required components) rather than performing comprehensive validation. This partial action approach maintains sufficient service processing accuracy while significantly reducing the validation processing time and system response delay.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP1981246B1A method, apparatus and system for checking the validity for globally routable user agent uri
Publication Date: 2011.05.11 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP1981246B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1981246B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1981246B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method for checking the validity for globally-routable user agent uniform resource identifier (GRUU) includes the following steps. A serving-call session control function entity (S-CSCF) receives a service request or a service response containing a GRUU to an IMS network side. The S-CSCF validates the GRUU. Furthermore, an apparatus and a system for checking validity of the GRUU are further provided. The method, apparatus, and system of the present invention solve the problem about how the IMS network side checks the validity of the GRUU which is not defined in the prior art.