S-CSCF Service Interaction Management via Unique Identifiers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for service interaction in IP multimedia subsystems, such as IMS, face limitations in managing complex service logic relationships and dependencies, leading to errors and performance issues due to the lack of effective communication and control between Application Servers (ASs) and the Serving-Call Session Control Function (S-CSCF), particularly in distributed configurations.

Innovation Solution

A method where each service logic is assigned a unique identifier, and a Service Execution History (SEH) is used to track service execution, allowing the S-CSCF to manage service interactions by inserting and storing service identifiers in SIP requests and responses, enabling proper sequencing and decision-making based on service relationships like priority, exclusion, and dependence.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a centralized SCIM is deployed to control service interactions, then service interaction management capability is improved, but deployment cost and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice interaction managementVSAvoidsystem architecture
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the service interaction management logic from the centralized SCIM and embeds it directly into the S-CSCF. The S-CSCF now maintains a local service interaction relationship database and executes service interaction control independently, removing the mandatory centralized SCIM component while preserving service interaction management capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The S-CSCF performs service interaction management autonomously by querying its local service interaction relationship database and making decisions based on service dependencies, priorities, and exclusion relationships. This self-service approach eliminates the need for external centralized control while maintaining reliable service interaction management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple independent ASs are deployed to provide diverse services, then service functionality is improved, but service interaction complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice functionalityVSAvoidservice interaction management
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a service interaction relationship database as an intermediary between multiple ASs and the S-CSCF. This database stores pre-configured service interaction relationships (dependencies, exclusions, priorities) and enables the S-CSCF to coordinate AS interactions without requiring complex direct communication between ASs, thus managing service functionality while reducing interaction complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If iFC matching is used to trigger services, then service triggering capability is improved, but service nesting and interaction control become difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice triggering efficiencyVSAvoidservice nesting control
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the service triggering function (iFC matching) with the service interaction control function into a unified process within the S-CSCF. When iFC matching triggers a service, the S-CSCF simultaneously queries the service interaction relationship database to determine if interaction control is needed, combining both functions into one streamlined operation that maintains triggering efficiency while enabling nesting control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2166712B1A method for implementing service interaction in the IP multimedia subsystem
Publication Date: 2012.12.05 YARNTON TECHNOLOGIES LLC
  • EP2166712B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2166712B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2166712B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A method for implementing service interaction in the IP multimedia subsystem is disclosed in the present invention, wherein each service logic has a unique service identifier. The method comprises the following steps: (a) a Serving-Call Session Control Function (S-CSCF) sends a session initiation protocol (SIP) request message to the service capability interaction manager (SCIM) or to the application server (AS) to which a user requests for a service; (b) after the AS or SCIM has received the request and has executed this service, it inserts the service identifier of this service into the SIP request, and returns the SIP request with the service identifier to said S-CSCF. With the present invention, most of the service interaction requirements can be satisfied.