VoIP Border Element Selection via ENUM Policy Server

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Solution Overview

Problem

VoIP service providers face challenges in selecting the optimal peered border element for routing communication sessions between geographically disparate networks, leading to inefficiencies in session establishment and quality of service.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that involve receiving a SIP message, querying an ENUM database to identify peered VoIP border elements, and selecting a preferred border element based on geographic location and routing metrics, using an inter-region mapping database and policy server to determine the closest and capable peered border element for session routing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple peered border elements are deployed at different geographic locations, then the reliability and availability of VoIP communication sessions are improved, but the complexity of selecting the optimal border element increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication session reliabilityVSAvoidborder element selection complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a policy server as an intermediary component that centralizes the border element selection logic. The policy server receives SIP messages, queries the ENUM database, and determines the optimal peered border element based on pre-configured routing metrics. This mediator approach resolves the contradiction by handling the selection complexity centrally while maintaining high reliability through multiple geographically distributed border elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring routing metrics and border element capabilities in the policy server and ENUM database before actual communication sessions occur. The inter-region mapping database pre-stores distance and routing information between border elements, enabling fast selection without real-time computation complexity during session establishment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If border elements are located at different geographic locations, then the coverage and accessibility of the VoIP network are improved, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring the optimal routing path increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork coverageVSAvoidrouting path detection

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex real-time routing detection and measurement mechanisms with a database-driven approach. Instead of dynamically measuring routing paths between geographically dispersed border elements, the system substitutes this with pre-computed routing metrics stored in the inter-region mapping database, which are queried by the policy server to determine optimal paths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The ENUM database and inter-region mapping database automatically maintain routing information and border element capabilities without requiring external detection mechanisms. The system serves itself by having the policy server query pre-configured data structures that contain all necessary routing intelligence, eliminating the need for complex real-time path detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If a policy server and ENUM database are used to select peered border elements, then the quality of service and session establishment efficiency are improved, but the device complexity and infrastructure requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesession establishment efficiencyVSAvoidsystem infrastructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The policy server performs multiple functions including receiving SIP messages, querying the ENUM database, determining optimal border elements, and routing sessions. The ENUM database serves dual purposes by storing both border element location information and routing metrics. This multi-functionality approach improves productivity by consolidating selection logic while managing infrastructure complexity through shared components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary configuration of routing metrics, border element capabilities, and inter-region mappings before session establishment. This pre-computation approach enables fast session setup by eliminating real-time complex calculations, improving productivity while the initial configuration complexity is established once rather than repeatedly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS9124603B2Methods and apparatus to select a peered voice over internet protocol (VoIP) border element

Publication Date: 2015.09.01 SBC KNOWLEDGE VENTURES LP

AI summary

Methods and apparatus to select a peered voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) border element are disclosed. An example method comprises receiving a session initiation protocol (SIP) message that includes an identifier representative of a location of a voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) access border element, querying a telephone number mapping (ENUM) database to identify two or more peered VoIP border elements, and selecting a one of the two or more peered VoIP border elements based on the identifier.