IP Telephony Roaming Termination via Data Network

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile users incur exorbitant roaming charges when their cellular service provider is outside their native service area, particularly for international calls, due to premium rates negotiated between carriers.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that routes telephony communications through an Internet Protocol (IP) telephony system, using Session Initiation Protocol (SIP), to terminate calls on a mobile device without incurring roaming charges by registering the device with a mobile roaming termination service and forwarding calls via a data network connection, such as Wi-Fi or cellular data, instead of relying on non-native mobile service providers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If telephony communications are routed through non-native mobile service providers when roaming, then mobile users can receive service outside their native service area, but they incur exorbitant roaming charges

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice coverage areaVSAvoidroaming charges

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an IP telephony system as an intermediary between the caller and the roaming mobile device. Instead of routing calls directly through non-native mobile service providers (which incur roaming charges), the system uses SIP-based IP telephony networks and data network connections as a mediator to terminate calls to roaming devices, thereby avoiding premium roaming fees while maintaining service availability outside the native service area

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the traditional voice channel mechanism with a data network connection mechanism. By substituting the conventional telephony routing infrastructure with IP-based data networks and SIP signaling, the system enables call termination to roaming devices through cheaper data channels rather than expensive traditional voice roaming paths

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If traditional voice channels are used for roaming calls, then call quality and reliability are maintained, but costs are significantly higher compared to data network connections

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecall termination reliabilityVSAvoidtelephony communication cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the transmission medium parameter from traditional voice channels to data network connections. By transitioning the call termination path from circuit-switched voice networks to packet-switched data networks using SIP protocol, the system achieves cost reduction while maintaining adequate call quality and reliability through the IP telephony infrastructure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS9020477B2Systems and methods for terminating telephony communications to mobile telephony devices

Publication Date: 2015.04.28 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.