Internet protocol (IP) multimedia subsystem (IMS) availability detection

• US 20030045290A1
• Filed: 07/23/2002
• Published: 03/06/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/21/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Inventors: Pyorala, Reijo, Tuohimetsa, Sakari, Latvakoski, Juhani, Karjalainen, Ilpo, Polet, Jyrki, Niskanen, Jussi
• Granted Patent: US 7,031,706 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/435.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1016 IP multimedia subsystem [IMS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/303 Terminal profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/16 Discovering, processing access restriction or access information

Abstract

A method is disclosed for providing information related to an Internet Protocol (IP) Multi-Media (IM) Subsystem (IMS) to a mobile terminal. The method includes storing the information into a memory that is readable by the mobile terminal, and reading the stored information from the memory. The memory may be at least one of a USIM, an EEPROM or a RAM. In one embodiment the information is stored during a PDP context activation procedure. A wireless communications system that operates in accordance with the method is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A method for providing information related to an Internet Protocol (IP) Multi-Media (IM) Subsystem (IMS) to a mobile terminal, comprising:

storing the information into a memory that is readable by the mobile terminal, and

reading the stored information from the memory.

2. A method as in claim 1, where the memory is at least one of a USIM, an EEPROM or a RAM.

3. A method as in claim 1, where the information is stored prior to or during a PDP Context Activation procedure.

4. A method as in claim 1, where the information is received by the mobile terminal as an information element of an Activate PDP Context Accept message that is sent from a Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) during a PDP Context Activation procedure.

5. A method as in claim 4, where the information element conveys one of:

IMS is available to the mobile terminal in the PLMN;

or

IMS is available in the PLMN, but not for the mobile terminal;

or

IMS is not available in the PLMN.

6. A method as in claim 1, where an Activate PDP Context Request message is sent from the mobile terminal to a Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) and comprises a special identifier that signals an IMS query by the mobile terminal;

and

when activating a PDP context, the SGSN includes a parameter P in place of a PDP address in an Activate PDP Context Accept message when responding to the Activate PDP Context Request message, where the value of P indicates the availability or the nonavailability of IMS to the mobile terminal.

7. A method as in claim 1, where the information is stored in an equivalent PLMN list that is downloaded to the mobile terminal.

8. A method as in claim 1, where the information is stored within an IMS Available information element in an equivalent PLMN list that is downloaded to the mobile terminal.

9. A method as in claim 1, where the information is descriptive of an access point name (APN) through which the IMS is available.

10. A method as in claim 9, where the value of the APN indicates the availability or the nonavailability of IMS to the mobile terminal.

11. A method as in claim 9, where the value of the APN is sent to the mobile terminal in a GPRS attach procedure before a PDP Context Activation procedure.

12. A method as in claim 1, where the information is descriptive of a Proxy Call State Control Function (pCSFS) address through which the IMS is available.

13. A method as in claim 12, where the value of the pCSCF indicates the availability or the nonavailability of IMS to the mobile terminal.

14. A method as in claim 12, where the value of the pCSCF is sent to the mobile terminal in a GPRS attach procedure before a PDP Context Activation procedure.

15. A method as in claim 1, where the information is received by the mobile terminal in a broadcast message sent from a Radio Access Network.

16. A wireless communications system, comprising means for providing information from a wireless network to a mobile terminal, said information being related to availability of an Internet Protocol (IP) Multi-Media (IM) Subsystem (IMS), further comprising memory means, readable by said mobile terminal, for storing said information.

17. A wireless communications system as in claim 16, where said memory comprises at least one of a USIM, an EEPROM or a RAM.

18. A wireless communications system as in claim 16, where said information is stored prior to or during a PDP Context Activation procedure.

19. A wireless communications system as in claim 16, where said information is received by said mobile terminal as an information element of an Activate PDP Context Accept message that is sent from a Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) during a PDP Context Activation procedure.

20. A wireless communications system as in claim 19, where said information element conveys one of:

IMS is available to said mobile terminal in said PLMN;

or

IMS is available in said PLMN, but not for said mobile terminal;

or

IMS is not available in said PLMN.

21. A wireless communications system as in claim 16, where an Activate PDP Context Request message is sent from said mobile terminal to a Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) and comprises a special identifier that signals an IMS query by said mobile terminal;

and

when activating a PDP context, said SGSN includes a parameter P in place of a PDP address in an Activate PDP Context Accept message when responding to said Activate PDP Context Request message, where said value of P indicates said availability or said nonavailability of IMS to said mobile terminal.

22. A wireless communications system as in claim 16, where said information is stored in an equivalent PLMN list that is downloaded to said mobile terminal.

23. A wireless communications system as in claim 16, where said information is stored within an IMS Available information element in an equivalent PLMN list that is downloaded to said mobile terminal.

24. A wireless communications system as in claim 16, where said information is descriptive of an access point name (APN) through which said IMS is available.

25. A wireless communications system as in claim 24, where said value of said APN indicates the availability or the nonavailability of UMS to said mobile terminal.

26. A wireless communications system as in claim 24, where said value of said APN is sent to said mobile terminal in a GPRS attach procedure before a PDP Context Activation procedure.

27. A wireless communications system as in claim 16, where said information is descriptive of a Proxy Call State Control Function (PCSFS) address through which said IMS is available.

28. A wireless communications system as in claim 27, where said value of said pCSCF indicates the availability or the nonavailability of IMS to said mobile terminal.

29. A wireless communications system as in claim 27, where said value of said pCSCF is sent to said mobile terminal in a GPRS attach procedure before a PDP Context Activation procedure.

30. A wireless communications system as in claim 16, where said information is received by said mobile terminal in a broadcast message sent from a Radio Access Network.

31. A method for Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) selection, comprising:

sending an inquiry from a mobile terminal to a PLMN to inquire as to the availability of an Internet Protocol (IP) Multi-Media (IM) Subsystem (IMS);

receiving a response from the PLMN at the mobile terminal, the response indicating the availability of IMS for the mobile terminal; and

registering with the IMS of a PLMN from which the mobile terminal receives a favorable response.

32. A method as in claim 31, where the response comprises at least one information element contained with a message, where the information element conveys one of:

IMS is available to the mobile terminal in the PLMN;

or

IMS is available in the PLMN, but not for the mobile terminal;

or

IMS is not available in the PLMN.