IMS Shared iFC Synchronization via Diameter Interfaces

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Solution Overview

Problem

The IMS standards lack mechanisms for synchronizing shared Initial Filter Criteria (iFC) sets and their identifiers across multiple HSS and S-CSCF nodes, leading to inconsistencies and inefficiencies in provisioning and updating these shared data sets, especially in networks with geo-redundancy and scalability requirements.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for synchronizing shared initial filter criteria across servers in an IMS network, where a central node acts as a shared database, using existing non-proprietary interfaces to manage user service profiles and corresponding shared iFC, ensuring high availability and persistence, and reducing processing overhead and network traffic.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If shared iFC sets are distributed across multiple HSS and S-CSCF nodes without synchronization mechanisms, then network scalability and geo-redundancy are improved, but data consistency and synchronization between nodes deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork scalabilityVSAvoiddata consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a synchronization mechanism that acts as an intermediary between distributed HSS and S-CSCF nodes. This mechanism uses standardized interfaces (Diameter Sh and Cx) to mediate data exchange and maintain consistency of shared iFC sets across nodes, resolving the contradiction between distribution and consistency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback loops where nodes report their local iFC set status to the synchronization mechanism, which then coordinates updates across the network. This feedback system ensures that when iFC sets are modified at any node, all other nodes receive and apply the same updates, maintaining data consistency while preserving network scalability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Speed

If shared iFC sets are stored locally at each S-CSCF node, then access speed and processing efficiency are improved, but network traffic and provisioning complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess speedVSAvoidnetwork traffic

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by allowing each S-CSCF node to store a local copy of the shared iFC set for fast access during call processing. However, the local quality varies - nodes maintain full copies for speed-critical operations while relying on the centralized synchronization mechanism for updates, optimizing the trade-off between access speed and network traffic.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Stability of the object's composition

If proprietary synchronization interfaces are developed to maintain consistency across nodes, then data synchronization is improved, but system complexity and vendor lock-in increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesynchronization reliabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent achieves universality by using existing, standardized Diameter interfaces (Sh and Cx) that are already widely deployed in IMS networks. These multi-functional interfaces serve both their original purposes and the additional function of synchronizing shared iFC sets, eliminating the need for proprietary synchronization protocols and reducing system complexity while maintaining synchronization reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Loss of information

If complete iFC sets are transmitted between nodes during registration, then data completeness is improved, but processing overhead and provisioning time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata completenessVSAvoidprovisioning time

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the necessary identifier information from complete iFC sets during registration procedures. Instead of transmitting entire iFC data structures between nodes, the system extracts and transmits minimal identifying information, then retrieves complete data on-demand from the local cache, significantly reducing processing overhead and provisioning time while maintaining data completeness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS9609059B2Synchronization of shared identifiers across servers in an IMS network

Publication Date: 2017.03.28 RIBBON COMMUNICATIONS OPERATING CO INC

AI summary

Methods and apparatuses, including computer program products, are described for synchronization of shared initial filter criteria in an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network. A first computing device in the IMS network transmits a registration request to a second computing device in the IMS network. The first computing device receives a response to the registration request from the second computing device, including an identifier associated with a shared initial filter criteria set stored at the first computing device. The first computing device determines whether the shared initial filter criteria set corresponding to the identifier is stored at the first computing device and transmits a retrieval request to the second computing device if the shared initial filter criteria set corresponding to the identifier is not stored. The first computing device receives the shared initial filter criteria set from the second computing device, and stores the shared initial filter criteria set.