Service Capability Discovery for VoLTE Synchronization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current VoLTE deployments face challenges in managing services like Communication Waiting, particularly in multi-SIM and multi-device scenarios, due to the limitations of the 'terminal based' method, necessitating a solution that provides backwards compatibility and supports both 'terminal based' and 'network based' approaches to ensure seamless service management across devices and networks.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for discovering and synchronizing service capabilities between radio terminals and networks by exchanging messages using SIP protocol, where radio terminals and networks mutually determine support for the 'network based' method, allowing optimal service invocation and user profile updates for seamless service usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the 'terminal based' method is used for Communication Waiting service, then device autonomy and simplicity are improved, but service management capability in multi-device and multi-SIM scenarios deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice autonomyVSAvoidservice management capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary capability discovery and synchronization mechanism that mediates between the terminal-based simplicity and network-based coordination. The terminal and network exchange capability information through standardized signaling to determine which entity (terminal or network) should manage the Communication Waiting service in multi-device scenarios, thus resolving the contradiction by allowing adaptive selection of management mode.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic capability synchronization where the terminal and network continuously exchange and update capability information. The system can dynamically adapt between terminal-based and network-based management approaches depending on the detected capability support and service scenario, allowing the architecture to be flexible rather than static.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If capability synchronization mechanism is implemented, then service compatibility and reliability are improved, but signaling overhead and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice compatibilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing capability discovery and synchronization during the initial service setup or registration phase. The terminal and network exchange capability information in advance before actual service operation, so that compatibility issues are resolved beforehand rather than during service execution, reducing runtime complexity while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of capability information representation and exchange format to optimize the balance between completeness and overhead. By standardizing the capability synchronization messages and using efficient information encoding, the system achieves reliable capability matching while minimizing signaling overhead and processing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3007402B1Method and system for discovering and synchronizing service capabilities
Publication Date: 2018.01.10 VODAFONE GMBH
  • EP3007402B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3007402B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3007402B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In a cellular communication system a radio terminal registers a network based service, e.g. a Communication Waiting supplementary service. By transmitting a register request comprising a corresponding option tag, the radio terminal explores whether the network supports the requested network based service. In that case a user profile associated with the requesting radio terminal is updated and the radio terminal may henceforth use that service.