IMS Request Timer Configuration for Faster Session Setup

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing telecommunications networks face challenges in adapting SIP session and transaction timeout timers to specific network conditions, leading to suboptimal user experience and unnecessary network load due to mismatched request timeout intervals.

Innovation Solution

The method involves storing and applying request timer information on user equipment, configurable by the network operator, to adapt request timeout intervals to the specific network conditions, using mechanisms like OTA for remote configuration, ensuring timely responses and improved user experience.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional SIP timers (e.g., B timer set to 128 seconds) are used for session timeout control, then network reliability is improved, but user experience deteriorates due to unacceptably long session timeout periods

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesession timeout control reliabilityVSAvoidsession timeout duration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the timeout timer value adjustable rather than fixed. The system dynamically adapts the timeout duration based on network conditions and service requirements, allowing optimization between reliability and user experience. The timer can be configured differently for various network scenarios and service types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of timeout duration from a fixed conventional value (128 seconds) to configurable values that can be optimized for specific network conditions. By modifying this parameter, the system achieves both improved user experience (shorter timeouts) and maintained reliability (appropriate timeout values for each scenario).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If fixed timeout intervals are applied in telecommunications networks, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different network conditions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetimeout control mechanism complexityVSAvoidnetwork condition adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from static fixed timeout intervals to dynamic configurable intervals. The timeout values can be adapted to different network conditions, architectures, and service types while maintaining relatively simple device implementation through centralized configuration management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables parameter changes by allowing timeout intervals to be configured based on network-specific requirements. Different network operators and service types can optimize their timeout parameters without requiring complex adaptive algorithms in each device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If standardized SIP timer values are used across all networks, then ease of operation is improved, but network load increases due to mismatched timeout intervals causing unnecessary retries

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetimer configuration simplicityVSAvoidnetwork load
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes network energy efficiency by adjusting timeout parameters to match actual network conditions. Properly configured timeout values prevent unnecessary retry attempts and reduce network traffic, thereby reducing overall network load and energy consumption while maintaining ease of operation through centralized configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3456021B1Method for improved handling of an IMS (internet multimedia subsystem) conversational service of a user equipment being connected to a telecommunications network comprising or being associated to an IMS network, system for improved handling of an IMS conversational service, telecommunications network, user equipment, program and computer program product
Publication Date: 2026.01.14 DEUTSCHE TELEKOM AG
  • EP3456021B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for improved handling of an IMS (Internet Multimedia Subsystem) conversational service of a user equipment being connected to a telecommunications network comprising or being associated to an IMS network, wherein the user equipment comprises a memory entity for storing a request timer information being related to a request timeout time interval, wherein the user equipment applies the request timer information by means of attempting to register to the IMS network and/or to initiate the IMS conversational service while the request timeout time interval has not expired, wherein the method comprises the following steps: - in a first step, the request timer information is stored in the memory entity of the user equipment, - in a second step, subsequent to the first step, the request timer information is applied by the user equipment while the user equipment attempts to register to the IMS network and/or to initiate the IMS conversational service.