IMS Number Portability via Home Subscriber Server Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
IMS networks lack efficient number portability solutions, requiring extensive involvement of the old network for call forwarding, which is inefficient and taxing, especially since the old network must maintain databases mapping logical and physical numbers.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that enables number portability in IMS networks by allowing callers and callees to use universal public identification numbers not associated with specific operators, bypassing the need for the old network's substantial involvement by establishing communication sessions directly between the originating and target home networks, using mechanisms like universal public identification numbers and user location functions to manage number portability information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional number portability schemes are used in IMS networks, then number portability is achieved, but the old network must maintain databases and be extensively involved in call forwarding, which increases network overhead and reduces efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the number portability function from the traditional intelligent platform and relocates it to the home subscriber server (HSS) in the IMS network. This extraction eliminates the need for the old network to maintain mapping databases and be extensively involved in call forwarding, thereby reducing network overhead while preserving number portability capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a domain location function (DLF) module as an intermediary that stores the mapping between old and new public identification numbers. This intermediary enables the new network to independently handle number portability without requiring the old network's involvement, reducing the burden on the old network while maintaining portability functionality
2Adaptability or versatility
If the old network maintains databases mapping logical and physical numbers for call forwarding, then number portability is enabled, but the burden on the old network increases and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the number portability database maintenance function from the old network and relocates it to the home subscriber server (HSS) and DLF module in the new network. This extraction eliminates the old network's burden of maintaining mapping databases, thereby improving network efficiency while preserving number portability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the new network to independently handle number portability operations through the HSS and DLF module without requiring the old network's participation. The new network performs self-service for number portability management, eliminating the need for the old network to maintain databases and forward calls, thus improving overall network efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system is disclosed for enabling number portability in a communication session between a caller and a callee in an IMS network. When a caller or callee changes her subscription from a first network to a second network, mechanisms are implemented to have the number portability information provided so that the moved caller or callee can still engage in communication sessions using her original public identification number.