IP Telephony Roaming Termination via SIP

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile telephony users incur exorbitant roaming charges when traveling outside their native service area, as non-native cellular service providers charge premium rates for international call termination.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a system that routes telephony communications through an Internet Protocol (IP) telephony system, using Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) to redirect calls via a data network, thereby avoiding traditional cellular channels and minimizing roaming fees.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If telephony communications are routed through traditional cellular channels when roaming, then call connectivity is maintained, but exorbitant roaming charges are incurred

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecall connectivityVSAvoidroaming charges

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an IP telephony system as an intermediary to route calls. Instead of directly routing through expensive non-native cellular providers, the system uses SIP-based IP networks as a mediator to establish calls, thereby avoiding premium roaming charges while maintaining connectivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the traditional cellular telephony mechanism with an IP-based data network mechanism. By substituting the cellular channel with a data network connection using SIP protocol, the system eliminates the need to pay traditional cellular roaming fees while achieving the same communication function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Loss of energy

If data network connections are used to route telephony communications, then roaming charges are minimized, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveroaming chargesVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the mobile device multi-functional by enabling it to operate both as a traditional cellular device and an IP-based softphone. The device can switch between cellular and data network modes, making the system versatile and capable of handling both conventional and cost-saving communication paths

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically detects when the device is roaming and autonomously switches to using data network connections for call routing. The mobile device and IP telephony system work together to self-manage the routing decision, eliminating the need for manual user configuration while reducing roaming charges

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS8862109B2Systems and methods for terminating telephony communications to mobile telephony devices via a non-native telephony service provider

Publication Date: 2014.10.14 VONAGE AMERICA LLC

AI summary

Systems and methods for terminating telephony communications to a mobile telephony device that is roaming outside of its native service area make use of a mobile roaming termination service. The mobile roaming termination service causes the native mobile telephony service provider that provides service to the mobile telephony device to forward incoming telephony communications directed the native telephone number of the mobile telephony device to a forwarding access number. The mobile roaming termination service receives telephony communications directed to the forwarding access number, and then terminates the telephony communication to the mobile telephony device via any one of multiple different methods. The mobile telephony service provider can be instructed to implement and cancel call forwarding instructions by dialing a special character string on the mobile telephony device.