Session Continuity Operator Policy for Network Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing session mobility technologies fail to transfer sessions to another network at the operator's discretion and do not account for user intention, nor can they handle network maintenance or load balancing scenarios effectively, often resulting in unnecessary transfers and dependency on terminal manufacturers or service operators.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a session continuity operator policy is implemented, allowing for immediate or scheduled transfer of sessions between networks based on service operator policies and user preferences, using entities like MMSC-AS and SSMF to manage and control session updates, with parameters such as SC Priority and Immediate SC to facilitate seamless transitions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If session transfer is implemented based on geographical movement only, then session continuity is maintained during terminal mobility, but session transfer cannot be performed for network maintenance or load balancing purposes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic session transfer triggers that go beyond geographical movement. The system dynamically determines when session transfer should occur based on multiple conditions including network maintenance requirements, load balancing needs, and user preferences, making the session management system adaptable to various operational scenarios rather than being static and geography-only.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the session transfer decision-making process into distinct components: trigger conditions (geographical movement, network maintenance, load balancing), user preference settings, and operator policies. This segmentation allows each aspect to be independently managed and configured, resolving the contradiction by providing structured versatility without overwhelming complexity.
2Extent of automation
If session transfer is performed regardless of user intention, then network operator policies can be enforced, but user control and preference are ignored
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by obtaining user preferences and consent before executing session transfers. The system pre-configures user preferences regarding session transfer behavior and uses these pre-established preferences to guide automatic transfer decisions, ensuring that automation operates within user-defined boundaries rather than imposing transfers regardless of user intention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where user preferences are continuously considered in session transfer decisions. The system feeds back user preferences into the session management logic, allowing automatic transfer execution to be modulated by user intentions. This creates a closed-loop system where automation and user control work together rather than in opposition.
3Productivity
If session transfer is triggered by network operator policy, then network maintenance and load balancing can be performed, but transfers may occur unnecessarily or against user interest
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameters governing session transfer from purely operator-policy-driven to a multi-factor decision framework. It introduces new parameters including user preference settings, transfer reason categories (maintenance, load balancing, mobility), and user consent status. By changing these parameters, the system achieves both network operational efficiency and transfer reliability through more nuanced decision-making.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer between network operator policies and session transfer execution. This intermediary evaluates multiple factors including user preferences, transfer reasons, and policy constraints before authorizing transfers. This intermediary mechanism ensures that network maintenance and load balancing operations can proceed efficiently while filtering out unnecessary or user-contradictory transfers, thereby improving both productivity and reliability.
Data Source
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AI summary
According to the present invention, a service operator can immediately transfer an ongoing session to another network, accordingly it is capable of dealing with cases that a network is required to be temporarily stopped due to repairing/checking for the network, it is required to perform a network load balancing, it is required to more effectively perform the ongoing session, and the policy of the service operator is changed. And, according to the present invention, when the ongoing session is required to be transferred later even though it is not required to be immediately transferred, or session continuity operator policy is changed, it is capable of sending the session continuity operator policy to the terminal and then allowing the terminal to transfer the ongoing session to another network according to determination by itself.