Session Transfer Node for Network Service Continuity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Terminals in serving communication networks experience low quality of service due to long delay times and complex routings when session transfer requests are routed from the serving communication network to the home communication network for processing, leading to potential voice call interruptions and data transfer disruptions.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a session transfer node within the serving communication network to route signaling data between access networks, allowing for direct transfer of sessions from one access network to another without relying solely on the home communication network, thereby reducing latency and improving service continuity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If session transfer requests are routed from serving communication network to home communication network for processing, then service continuity can be maintained across networks, but delay time increases and routing becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice continuityVSAvoiddelay time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a local session management entity in the serving communication network that acts as an intermediary between the terminal and the home communication network. This local entity can process session transfer requests locally without requiring all requests to be routed to the home network, thereby reducing delay time while maintaining service continuity through the intermediary's coordination capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the session management functionality by separating local session management tasks from home network session management. The serving communication network handles local session transfers independently, while the home network retains overall session control. This segmentation allows local requests to be processed faster without compromising overall service continuity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice continuityVSAvoidrouting complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The local session management entity serves as an intermediary that simplifies routing by handling session transfer requests locally. This intermediary abstracts the complexity from the overall system architecture, as it manages local session transfers without requiring direct complex routing to the home network for every request, thereby reducing routing complexity while maintaining service continuity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments routing complexity by creating independent local session management in the serving network. This segmentation allows local session transfers to be routed through simpler local paths rather than requiring complex end-to-end routing through the home network, reducing overall routing complexity while preserving service continuity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If sessions are transferred between access networks via home communication network, then service continuity is ensured, but quality of service deteriorates due to long delays

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice continuityVSAvoidquality of service

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by establishing local session management capability in the serving communication network before session transfers are needed. This local entity is pre-configured to handle session transfers, enabling faster response times and improved quality of service when transfers are required, while still ensuring service continuity through coordinated interaction with the home network.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The local session management entity acts as an intermediary that improves quality of service by reducing the time and complexity of session transfers. This intermediary provides a more direct and efficient path for session transfers compared to routing through the home network, thereby enhancing ease of operation and quality of service while maintaining service continuity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2790441B1Methods and devices for improving session continuity

Publication Date: 2018.06.20 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)

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AI summary

A method for improving session continuity for a terminal (204') in a serving communication network (202') distinct from a home communication network (200') of the terminal (204'), wherein the serving communication network (202') comprises a session transfer node (208') for transferring sessions each comprising signaling data and media data from a first access network (210') of the serving communication network (202') to a second access network (212') of the serving communication network (202') comprises the following: Routing signaling data of a session of the terminal (204') between the first access network (210') and the home communication network (200') via the session transfer node (208') in the serving communication network (202'), receiving a session transfer request requesting the transfer of the session from the first access network (210') to the second access network (212') for the terminal (204'), and transferring the session from the first access network (210') to the second access network (212'), and routing the signaling data of the session of the terminal (204') between the second access network (210') and the home communication network (200') via the session transfer node (208').