IMS Network Identity Mapping for Third-Party Service Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current IMS architectural models do not facilitate seamless integration of third-party Internet services with IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) networks, as they require a direct business relationship between end users and IMS operators for IMS user identifier allocation, leading to resource overburden and lack of dynamic identity management.
Innovation Solution
The IMS network dynamically allocates temporary IMS user identities to users of third-party Internet services from a reserved pool, allowing these users to access IMS services without a direct business relationship with the IMS operator, with the IMS network managing the mapping between third-party user IDs and IMS user IDs for efficient resource utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the IMS network requires a direct business relationship between end users and IMS operators for IMS user identifier allocation, then user identity management is simplified, but third-party Internet services cannot be seamlessly integrated and resource overburden occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a third-party service provider as an intermediary entity that acts as a mediator between end users and the IMS network. The service provider obtains IMS user identifiers from the IMS operator and manages them on behalf of multiple users, eliminating the need for each user to have a direct business relationship with the IMS operator. This intermediary structure enables seamless integration of third-party services while simplifying individual user identity management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the identity management function by separating the allocation of IMS user identifiers from the service provision function. The IMS operator allocates identifiers to service providers, who then manage these identifiers for their respective users. This segmentation allows the IMS network to maintain control over identifier allocation while enabling third-party services to independently manage their user bases without direct IMS operator involvement for each user.
2Reliability
If permanent HSS user profiles are created for every IMS user, then authentication and authorization are ensured, but network resources are overconsumed when users of third-party services are not direct IMS subscribers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a virtual user profile copying mechanism where the service provider's HSS profile contains the necessary authentication and authorization information that is then copied or referenced for individual users. Instead of creating separate permanent HSS profiles for each user of a third-party service, the system uses the service provider's profile as a template or reference, significantly reducing the quantity of HSS resources consumed while maintaining authentication reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables dynamic creation and disposal of user profiles based on service usage. When users access third-party services, temporary or dynamic profiles are created in the HSS as needed, and these profiles are discarded or recovered when no longer required. This approach ensures authentication reliability only when necessary, rather than maintaining permanent profiles for all potential users, thus optimizing network resource utilization.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of enabling users of a third party Internet service, who are not necessarily subscribers of an IP Multimedia Subsystem, IMS, network, to access services provided by the IMS network. The method comprises registering a user with said third party Internet service via the Internet using an Internet service identity of the user, and sending to the user, from said third party Internet service and via the Internet, IMS network access information. The access information is then used to register the user with the IMS network, wherein, following IMS registration, the user is able to access IMS network services.