Third Party IMS Application Server Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cellular communication networks lack the ability for third-party entities to offer dedicated wireless services without requiring a significant infrastructure investment, limiting customization and control over Quality-of-Service (QoS) and billing parameters.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a third-party IMS application server within the existing infrastructure of a wireless communications carrier, allowing third-party entities to provide customized services such as voice, video, and instant messaging, with control over QoS and billing, by integrating with the carrier's IMS Core and Evolved Packet Core (EPC) infrastructure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If third-party entities implement a full EPC or IMS system to offer dedicated wireless services, then they gain full control over QoS and billing parameters, but infrastructure costs and device complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the IMS system into modular components, allowing third-party entities to implement only the necessary application server functions rather than deploying a complete EPC or IMS system. This segmentation enables selective deployment of service-specific functionality while leveraging shared infrastructure components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal platform where a single IMS infrastructure can serve multiple purposes - supporting both carrier services and third-party services simultaneously. The system provides multi-functionality by allowing the same core network to deliver different service types (voice, video, messaging) with customized QoS and billing for different service providers.
2Adaptability or versatility
If third-party entities deploy independent infrastructure to provide customized services, then they achieve service customization and control, but infrastructure investment and deployment costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges third-party service functionality with the carrier's existing IMS infrastructure, combining resources to avoid duplicate investments. Third-party application servers are integrated into the carrier's network architecture, sharing common components such as signaling pathways, database access, and network resources while maintaining service independence.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary IMS core that mediates between third-party application servers and the underlying network infrastructure. This intermediary layer provides standardized interfaces and protocols, enabling third-party entities to offer customized services without direct infrastructure investment while maintaining control over service-specific parameters.
3Quantity of substance
If third-party entities integrate with existing carrier infrastructure, then infrastructure costs are reduced, but control over service parameters and QoS may be limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by allowing different levels of control at different layers of the system architecture. Third-party entities maintain full control over service-specific parameters (QoS, billing, service logic) at the application server layer, while the carrier manages network-wide parameters. This localized control enables customization without requiring end-to-end infrastructure ownership.
Data Source
AI summary
A telecommunications service provider provides a telecommunications infrastructure that is based in part on an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS). The provider may have various IMS application servers to support different services for subscribers of the provider, such as messaging, voice communications, presence, etc. In addition, third parties may provide their own IMS application servers for the same services or for different services. Subscribers of the provider are routed to the provider-supported application servers, while subscribers of the third parties are routed to application servers of the third parties. This allows third parties to implement and control their own services, while also leveraging the existing infrastructure of the provider.