IP Telephony Roaming Location Update Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing IP telephony systems do not effectively support call forwarding services for roaming mobile telephony devices, as they do not maintain network connectivity when transitioning between different wireless networks and macro cells, leading to disruptions in communication.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for managing network connectivity by determining the status of a telephony device's access to an IP telephony system, sending location update signals to public land mobile networks, and disabling macro communication capabilities when the device is in data communication with the IP system, ensuring seamless service continuity during roaming.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a mobile telephony device transitions between different wireless networks and macro cells, then the device can maintain coverage and service, but the IP telephony system loses track of the device's network location, causing communication disruptions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication continuityVSAvoidnetwork roaming capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the mobile device periodically sends location update signals to the IP telephony system when transitioning between networks. The system receives these signals and updates the device's network location information, ensuring continuous tracking and maintaining communication reliability during roaming operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs preliminary action by having the mobile device proactively send location update signals before communication disruptions occur. The system anticipates network transitions and maintains updated location information in advance, preventing loss of connectivity when the device moves between different wireless networks and macro cells.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If the mobile device uses macro communication capabilities to roam between networks, then network coverage is maintained, but data communication with the IP telephony system is interrupted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork roaming capabilityVSAvoiddata communication continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where the mobile device maintains a persistent data communication channel with the IP telephony system through dedicated signaling. This intermediary communication path allows location updates and control messages to be exchanged independently of the macro communication channels, ensuring data communication continuity even during network transitions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the communication functions by separating macro communication (for network roaming and coverage) from data communication (for maintaining IP telephony connectivity). The device can simultaneously engage in macro communication for roaming while maintaining dedicated data communication channels for reliable IP telephony system interaction, allowing both functions to operate independently without interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If the IP telephony system continuously tracks the mobile device's location across networks, then service reliability is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveroaming service reliabilityVSAvoidlocation tracking system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service by requiring the mobile device to actively send location update signals to the IP telephony system during network transitions. Rather than the system continuously monitoring and tracking the device, the device itself performs the location update function, reducing the complexity of the tracking system while maintaining reliable service through device-initiated updates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS9686668B2Method and apparatus for intra-network roaming for IP telephony network

Publication Date: 2017.06.20 VONAGE AMERICA LLC

AI summary

A method of operating an internet-based telephony system comprises (1) determining that a telephony device associated with a customer of the internet-based telephony system has access to service of the internet-based telephony system; (2) sending a first location update signal to a public land mobile network associated with the customer; (3) receiving an indication that the public land mobile network associated with the customer no longer considers the internet-based telephony system as being the network visited by the telephony device associated with the customer; (4) determining the telephony device associated with the customer and the internet-based telephony system are in data communication, and (5) sending a second location update signal to the public land mobile network associated with the customer to register again the internet-based telephony system as the network visited by the telephony device associated with the customer.