IMS Service Policy Server Authorization Query Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) telecommunications networks lack the ability to enforce advanced service provisioning policies, such as location-based restrictions and service access limitations, making it difficult to manage service usage effectively.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced that involves performing a service authorisation query on a service policy server or application server, using information from the user authorisation query, to authorize and restrict service use based on usage policies, allowing for flexible service provisioning while enforcing specific conditions like location and access network type.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a user is registered through regular registration method with the IMS network, then the user can access services in the network, but no further usage conditions for services can be imposed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs service authorization queries during the registration process before service provisioning begins. The I-CSCF queries the HSS for user authorization data, and the S-CSCF queries application servers for service-specific authorization conditions. This preliminary authorization ensures that usage restrictions are established before services are provided, resolving the contradiction by enabling policy enforcement without requiring complex post-registration control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces authorization data as an intermediary carrier of service policy information. The HSS stores and provides user authorization data containing service-specific conditions, while application servers provide service authorization conditions. These intermediaries enable the transmission of complex usage restrictions through existing IMS signaling interfaces, allowing flexible service provisioning with enforceable policies without directly modifying the core registration mechanism.
2Reliability
If service authorization queries are performed on multiple servers (HSS and application servers), then usage restrictions can be enforced, but the registration process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes existing IMS network elements multi-functional by enabling them to handle both traditional registration tasks and new service authorization functions. The I-CSCF performs both its traditional routing function and the additional function of querying user authorization data from the HSS. The S-CSCF performs both session control and service-specific authorization queries to application servers. This multi-functionality enables comprehensive policy enforcement without adding separate dedicated authorization infrastructure, thus managing complexity while improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where application servers provide service authorization conditions back to the S-CSCF, and the HSS provides user authorization data back to the I-CSCF. This feedback loop ensures that service provisioning decisions are based on comprehensive authorization information from multiple sources. The feedback mechanism enables reliable policy enforcement by continuously verifying authorization conditions while integrating seamlessly into the existing registration workflow, preventing excessive complexity accumulation.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention is directed to a method of providing a service through a user equipment (UE) unit in an internet protocol (IP) multimedia subsystem (IMS) telecommunications network, wherein said service is provided using an application server (AS) in said telecommunications network, said method comprising a step of performing a user authorisation query on a user database server for authorizing registration of said user equipment unit in said telecommunications network, and wherein said method further comprises a step of performing a service authorisation query on a service policy server for authorizing use of said service through said user equipment unit. The invention further relates to a user database server, a service policy server, an application server, and an interrogating call session control function (I-CSCF) entity for use in the method described above.