Session-Based Call Service Provisioning for Lower Signaling Overhead

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing telecommunications systems lack the ability to dynamically configure call services on a per-session basis, leading to inefficient resource use and increased signaling requirements as all calls are routed through application servers, even when services are not required.

Innovation Solution

A method where a user device sends service preferences before initiating a call, allowing the network to dynamically provision services based on session parameters, and a server or data store manages these preferences to activate services only when needed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If all calls are routed via the application server to ensure service availability, then service reliability is improved, but signaling requirements and resource use increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice availabilityVSAvoidsignaling requirements and resource use
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by making service routing decisions at the session level rather than universally for all calls. The system dynamically determines whether each individual session requires application server routing based on service preferences, allowing some calls to use direct routing while others use application server routing, thus optimizing resource usage while maintaining reliability where needed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamics by enabling flexible, session-based service provisioning where routing paths can change based on real-time service preferences. The system dynamically activates or deactivates application server routing for each session based on the user's specified preferences, rather than using a static all-or-nothing approach

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If services are pre-configured for all subscribers, then service provisioning is simplified, but flexibility to activate services only when needed is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice provisioningVSAvoidsession-specific service activation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having users pre-configure their service preferences in advance, specifying which services they want activated for different session types. This preliminary configuration is stored and then automatically applied during session establishment, combining the ease of preconfiguration with the flexibility of session-specific activation without requiring manual updates

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service by allowing users to autonomously configure their own service preferences without manual intervention from network operators. Users can independently specify which services should be activated for their sessions, and the system automatically applies these preferences, eliminating the need for manual provisioning updates

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4239977B1Methods of initiating telecommunications sessions and devices, servers and computer software for performing the methods
Publication Date: 2025.07.30 VODAFONE GROUP SERVICES LTD
  • EP4239977B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4239977B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4239977B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method of initiating a telecommunications session is provided, the method comprising: sending a first message to a server, the first message comprising service preferences for a telecommunications session and one or more session parameters for identifying the telecommunications session; and initiating the telecommunications session by sending a second message to the telecommunications network, wherein the service preferences are associated with the session parameters so that the telecommunications network is able to fulfil one or more services specified in the service preferences, based on the session parameters.