IMS Registration via Access Network Identifier

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Solution Overview

Problem

In IMS-based communication systems, users face disruptions and usability issues when switching between different access networks, such as WLAN and GSM/UMTS, due to the need for multiple registrations and the complexity of managing IP addresses and user identities.

Innovation Solution

A method for multiple registration of multimodal communication terminals involves generating and transmitting a registration message with an access network identifier to the service control unit, allowing seamless switching between access networks using the SIP signaling protocol, without requiring multiple Private User Identities or deleting existing registrations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a mobile communication terminal changes access technology from WLAN to GSM/UMTS, then the terminal can use different access networks, but it necessitates a change of the associated IP-based communication system and requires multiple registrations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess network switching capabilityVSAvoidregistration management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal registration mechanism where a single registration procedure handles multiple access networks (WLAN, GSM, UMTS). The service control unit maintains a mapping between the terminal's permanent identifier and multiple temporary identifiers (IP addresses) associated with different access networks, eliminating the need for separate registration procedures for each access technology.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The service control unit acts as an intermediary between the terminal and the network infrastructure. It manages the complexity of multiple registrations by maintaining internal mappings between permanent and temporary identifiers, shielding the terminal from the complexity of managing multiple registrations across different access networks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If multiple registrations are performed for different access networks, then seamless switching is enabled, but it requires managing multiple IP addresses and user identities

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseamless access network switchingVSAvoidIP address and identity management

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The service control unit automatically manages the allocation and mapping of temporary identifiers (IP addresses) to the terminal's permanent identifier. When the terminal switches access networks, the service control unit self-services by receiving the new temporary identifier, updating its internal mappings, and maintaining the permanent identifier as the stable reference point, eliminating manual management of multiple IP addresses and identities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If a new registration replaces an existing registration under the same SIP-URI, then address conflicts are avoided, but communication connections may be erroneously sent to invalid IP addresses during transition

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaddress conflict avoidanceVSAvoidcommunication disruption during network switching

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The service control unit performs preliminary actions by maintaining a mapping between the permanent identifier and multiple temporary identifiers before the terminal switches access networks. When a new registration arrives, the unit proactively updates the mapping to include the new temporary identifier while retaining the old one temporarily, ensuring that incoming connections are routed correctly during the transition period before the old IP address becomes invalid.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Reliability

If separate independent access networks are used for different mobile transmission technologies, then each technology has dedicated infrastructure, but it requires multiple IP-based communication systems and complicates service management

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvededicated network infrastructureVSAvoidmultiple IP-based communication systems

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple IP-based communication systems into a single unified IMS-based communication system. The service control unit consolidates the management of temporary identifiers from different access networks (WLAN, GSM, UMTS) into a single mapping structure keyed by the permanent identifier, allowing the terminal to access services through any network using the same communication system infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS8457046B2Method for multiple registration of a multimodal communication terminal

Publication Date: 2013.06.04 SIEMENS AG

AI summary

For multiple registration of a multimodal communication terminal (MKE) via at least one access network in an IMS-based service communication system in a mobile and/or convergent communication system, where the multimodal communication terminal (MKE) is registered for at least one communication service via a first access network (WIAN) in at least one service control unit in the IMS-based service communication system (S-CSCF), a registration message with an access network identifier (ZK) is produced and is transmitted to the at least one service control unit (S-CSCF) in the IMS-based service communication system. The at least one service control unit evaluates the access network identifier (ZK) and takes it as a basis for performing further registration of the multimodal communication terminal in the IMS-based service communication system (S-CSCF).