Subscriber Profile Synchronization Across IP and Cellular Domains

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current Fixed Mobile Convergence (FMC) solutions fail to synchronize subscriber profile data across IP and cellular domains effectively, leading to inconsistent service behaviors and requiring manual updates in both domains, which is impractical and exposes service control limitations.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for synchronizing subscriber feature data across multiple domains using a computer program product that executes instructions on a processor, utilizing a convergence gateway and application server to translate and update subscriber profiles between IP and cellular domains, ensuring contemporaneous changes across both networks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If subscriber profiles are maintained on separate domains (IP and cellular) without synchronization, then each domain can operate independently with its own service control, but the subscriber profile data becomes inconsistent across domains requiring manual updates in both domains

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice control independenceVSAvoidmanual profile updates
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a synchronization server as an intermediary component that receives subscriber profile data from one domain and automatically propagates it to the other domain. This mediator resolves the contradiction by enabling automatic data consistency while preserving domain independence, eliminating the need for manual updates in both domains.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If complete reliance is placed on an application server in the IP domain for service control, then service control transparency is achieved, but the system complexity increases and cellular network capabilities are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice control transparencyVSAvoidsystem architecture complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the service control architecture by maintaining separate application servers in both IP and cellular domains, each handling service control locally. The synchronization server coordinates between these segmented components, achieving transparency without requiring complete reliance on a single application server, thus reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the advantages of both approaches by combining local service control capabilities in each domain with a synchronization mechanism. This allows each domain to maintain its service control transparency while the synchronization server ensures consistency, avoiding the complexity of complete centralization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If manual updates of subscriber profiles in both domains are required, then domain independence is maintained, but user convenience deteriorates and service consistency cannot be guaranteed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedomain independenceVSAvoidprofile update efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The synchronization server implements self-service by automatically detecting profile changes in one domain and propagating them to the other domain without user intervention. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining domain independence while dramatically improving profile update efficiency, as the system serves itself rather than requiring manual user action.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2119066B1Methods, systems, and computer program products for synchronizing subscriber feature data across multiple domains
Publication Date: 2016.09.21 GENBAND US LLC
  • EP2119066B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2119066B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP2119066B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

Methods, systems, and computer program products for synchronizing a subscriber profile in a plurality of domains is described. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving a profile update request message from an application server to modify an Internet protocol (IP) domain subscriber profile. The profile update request message is forwarded to a home location register (HLR). A cellular domain subscriber profile is modified in accordance with the profile update request message. Similarly, an updated subscriber profile data is received from the HLR. The updated subscriber profile data is converted in the IP domain. The converted updated subscriber profile data is sent to the application server.