IMS OCS Pointer Mechanism for Subscriber Notification Delivery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication networks lack the capability for operators or service providers to effectively push relevant information, such as account balance or promotional offers, to subscribers in a picture format.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves a method where an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) receives information about a call initiation or reception from a wireless communication device, sends this information to an Online Charging System (OCS), and then receives a pointer to a notification picture from the OCS. This pointer is then sent to the wireless communication device, which can download and display the notification picture.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If operators use traditional communication methods to send information to subscribers, then information can be transmitted, but the information cannot be displayed in picture format and user engagement is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation delivery capabilityVSAvoidinformation presentation quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the format parameter of information delivery from traditional text/SMS to picture format (MMS). The OCS sends a pointer to an MMS message containing a picture to the IMS, which then delivers it to the wireless communication device. This parameter change enables visual presentation of information such as account balance and promotional offers, directly resolving the contradiction between information delivery capability and information presentation quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of information

If the system sends detailed information to subscribers, then information completeness is improved, but communication complexity and resource usage increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation completenessVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where instead of sending the actual picture data directly from the OCS to the wireless communication device, the system sends a pointer (reference) to the MMS message containing the picture. The IMS acts as an intermediary that receives the pointer from the OCS and delivers the complete picture information to the subscriber's device. This intermediary approach maintains information completeness while simplifying the direct communication path and reducing system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12207164B2Methods, wireless communication device, IMS and OCS for sending information to communication network subscribers

Publication Date: 2025.01.21 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)

AI summary

Disclosed is a method performed by an IP Multimedia System, IMS (140), of a communication network. The method comprises receiving information of a call initiation or a call reception by a wireless communication device (110), the information comprising an ID indicative of a subscriber of the wireless communication device (110). The method further comprises sending information of the initiated or received call to an online charging system, OCS (150), the information comprising the ID indicative of the subscriber of the wireless communication device (110), receiving, from the OCS (150) and in response to the sending, a pointer referring to a notification picture, and sending the pointer to the wireless communication device (110). Hereby it is possible for an operator to send notification pictures to its subscribers. Disclosed are also methods performed by the OCS (150) and the wireless communication device (110).