Service Delivery Platform Abstraction for Legacy IMS Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
The IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) architecture is complex, inflexible, and costly to deploy, with interoperability challenges across infrastructure vendors, making it difficult to provide IMS services on networks that do not initially support these functions, and existing solutions are hindered by high costs and complexity, limiting its adoption.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for providing telco functions and IMS services on a network that may not initially support them, using a Service Delivery Platform (SDP) that abstracts underlying network resources, allowing applications to access network capabilities independently of the underlying technologies, enabling incremental deployment and integration with legacy networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If full IMS deployment is implemented, then interoperability and service quality are improved, but deployment cost and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the IMS deployment into optional functional components (dialog management, presence, messaging, conferencing, etc.) that can be selectively implemented based on service needs. This allows operators to deploy only the necessary functions rather than implementing the complete IMS architecture, thereby reducing deployment complexity and cost while maintaining adequate interoperability for the targeted services.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent advocates for partial IMS deployment implementing only the essential functions required for specific services rather than full IMS deployment. This partial action approach enables operators to gain the necessary interoperability and service quality for particular use cases without incurring the full cost and complexity of complete IMS implementation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If IMS services are deployed on legacy networks, then service availability is improved, but network complexity and integration challenges increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a service layer as an intermediary between legacy network elements and IMS services. This service layer abstracts the underlying network complexity and provides a unified interface for delivering IMS services over legacy IP networks. By placing this intermediary layer, the system enables service availability on legacy networks without directly exposing the complexity of network integration to the service consumers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical network integration approaches with software-based service layer mechanisms. Instead of modifying physical network infrastructure, the solution uses software components that run on existing legacy networks to provide IMS services, thereby reducing the physical complexity of network integration while maintaining service availability.
3Ease of manufacture
If incremental deployment approach is used, then deployment cost is reduced, but service interoperability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments IMS services into discrete, independently deployable functions that can be implemented incrementally. Each service component (dialog management, presence, messaging, etc.) can be deployed separately based on business needs, allowing cost-effective incremental deployment while maintaining interoperability through standardized interfaces between components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a universal service layer that provides multi-functional capabilities for delivering various IMS services over legacy networks. This universal layer ensures that incremental deployment of individual services maintains interoperability by providing consistent service-oriented interfaces, allowing different service components to interoperate seamlessly even when deployed at different rates.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for providing services such as provided by Internet Protocol (IP) Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) with an IP network that is not the IMS. According to one embodiment, a system for providing communication services can comprise a communication network, one or more subsystems communicatively coupled with the network and adapted to provide one or more telco functions, and one or more applications communicatively coupled with the network and adapted to utilize the telco functions.