Roaming Service Access Control via Class of Service Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current carrier telecommunication systems lack the ability to control access to communication services for roaming users on a granular level, only allowing or denying access to the entirety of the roaming coverage area without providing more refined control over service offerings.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method and system that allows carriers to control individual services for roaming users based on location and telecommunication system capability, using a Class of Service (COS) designator and Operator Determined Barring (ODB) service designators to restrict or allow specific services, enabling carriers to manage access more precisely.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If carriers allow or deny user access to the entirety of the roaming coverage area, then service control is simplified, but granular control over individual services is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the roaming service control into multiple Class of Service (COS) categories, where each COS represents a distinct service type (e.g., voice, data, messaging). The home network can independently control access to each COS category through separate COS designators, enabling granular service-level control while maintaining overall system simplicity. This segmentation allows carriers to permit certain services during roaming while restricting others based on specific COS policies.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension of service control by adding the COS category classification layer between the binary allow/deny decision and individual services. Instead of controlling access at the service level directly, the system controls access at the COS category level, which then maps to specific services. This dimensional transformation enables more nuanced control without increasing operational complexity proportionally.
2Reliability
If carriers restrict services based on network capability information, then service compatibility is improved, but control flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the home network pre-determine COS designators and service restrictions based on anticipated roaming scenarios and network capabilities. The home network sends COS information and service designators to the visited network in advance of actual service requests, allowing the visited network to make compatibility decisions based on pre-established policies rather than real-time negotiations, thus improving both compatibility and flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The COS designator acts as an intermediary between network capability information and service access decisions. Instead of directly mapping network capabilities to service restrictions, the system uses COS categories as an intermediate layer that translates capability information into service-level control policies. This intermediary enables more flexible control by allowing multiple service configurations within the same COS category.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If carriers implement detailed service control mechanisms, then fraud reduction is enhanced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the home network to autonomously configure and send COS designators and service restrictions to the visited network without requiring complex real-time authentication or approval mechanisms for each service request. The visited network simply enforces the pre-configured COS policies, reducing the need for complex inter-carrier negotiation systems while maintaining strong fraud prevention capabilities through granular service control.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and corresponding apparatus and system of controlling access to communication services by a roaming wireless device (118) are described. The method includes receiving a request for roaming wireless device (118) service information related to a roaming user and determining which services the user has access to for the requesting system (116), if the user is determined to have access to the requesting system (116). The method also comprises transmitting user service information concerning the services to which the user has access. The apparatus comprises a memory, a communication system, and a processor. The memory stores: 1) user information comprises a class of service (COS) identifier (302) and 2) COS restriction information. The processing system, coupled with the communication system and the memory, generates a reply message (206) based on comparing information in a service request message (200) received by the communication system with the stored information in the memory.