Roaming Network Entity Protocol Translation for Supplementary Services

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users face challenges in accessing supplementary services while roaming between networks with different radio access technologies (RAT) and core networks, as these networks use distinct methods and protocols for invoking and providing these services, leading to inconsistencies and limitations in service availability.

Innovation Solution

A network entity with a receiver, converter, and output is implemented to receive an invocation message from a mobile device in a transport protocol supported by the visiting network, extract the message, and send it to the home network using the protocol used by the home network for invoking supplementary services, allowing seamless access to supplementary services across different networks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If users roam between networks with different RAT and CN, then service coverage is extended, but supplementary service invocation becomes inconsistent and limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice coverageVSAvoidsupplementary service invocation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary entity (the home network or a roaming management system) that mediates between the mobile device and the visited network. This intermediary translates supplementary service invocation messages between different network protocols, enabling seamless service access across networks with different RAT and CN without requiring changes to the user interface or device functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If different core networks use different transport mechanisms and call flow sequences, then network-specific optimization is achieved, but interoperability of supplementary services deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork-specific optimizationVSAvoidsupplementary service interoperability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs parameter changes by dynamically adjusting protocol parameters and message formats based on the target network type. The system identifies whether the visited network uses 3GPP or 3GPP2 protocols and相应地 modifies the invocation message parameters, transport mechanism, and call flow sequence to match the target network's expectations, thereby ensuring reliable interoperability while maintaining network-specific optimizations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2224760B1Network entity, method and system for invocation of supplementary services across different networks
Publication Date: 2013.07.17 BLACKBERRY LTD
  • EP2224760B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2224760B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2224760B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A network entity, method and system for providing supplementary services to a mobile device while roaming. The network entity comprises a receiver, a converter and an output. The receiver is for receiving a first message from a mobile device being provided roaming service by a first network, the first message being in a transport protocol supported by the first network and having embedded therein an invocation message for invocation of at least one supplementary service offered by a second network. The converter is for extracting the invocation message from the first message. The output is for sending the invocation message to the second network using a protocol used by the second network to invoke supplementary services.