Method and system for provisioning IMS networks with virtual service organizations having distinct service logic

• US 20070008913A1
• Filed: 06/24/2005
• Published: 01/11/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aylus Networks Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Matrix PT LLC, North Bridge Venture Partners V-A, L.P., North Bridge Venture Partners V-B, L.P., Weston & Co. VII, LLC
• Inventors: Ganmukhi, Mahesh, Naqvi, Shamim, Wong, Ellis, Dorbala, Prasad
• Granted Patent: US 7,792,528 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/260
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1016 IP multimedia subsystem [IMS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/123 where the packet-switched network is an Internet Protocol Multimedia System-type network
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/00 Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/26 Network addressing or numbering for mobility support
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/18 Service support devices; Network management devices

Abstract

Methods and systems for provisioning IMS networks with Virtual Service Organizations (VSOs) or Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) that have distinct service logic, enabling VSOs and MVNOs to provide distinctive service experiences. Call models are provisioned so that different users can have distinct IMS service experiences. The IMS network includes a serving call state control function (S-CSCF) for providing user device session control. A database having selectable call model information associates IMS service codes with application servers (ASs) based on a user/group identity. S-CSCF logic receives a service request having a user identity, accesses the database, and instantiates a call model having filter codes that associate IMS service codes with ASs. The ASs have service logic to provide services for a corresponding IMS service code. Call models have different ASs with different service logic associated with a specified IMS service code, such that two call models will provide distinct service experience for a specified IMS service code.

Claims

1. A system for provisioning call models within an IMS network so that different users can have distinct IMS service experiences, said IMS network including a serving call state control function (S-CSCF) for providing session control for user endpoint (UE) devices, said system comprising:

a database of call model information, said call model information being selectable based on at least one of a user identity and a group identity, said database associating IMS service codes with application servers (ASs), said association based on at least one of a user identity and a group identity;

S-CSCF logic to receive a service request having a user identity or group identity and to access said database of call model information with said user identity or group identity; and

S-CSCF logic to instantiate a call model in response to receiving said call model information, each said call model having filter codes to associate IMS service codes with ASs, said ASs being responsive to service point triggers (SPTs) and each AS having service logic to provide a service for a corresponding IMS service code,

wherein at least two call models have different ASs with different service logic associated with a specified IMS service code, such that the two call models provide distinct service experience for said specified IMS service code.

2. The system of claim 1 including a home subscriber server (HSS) to provide an initial call model at UE registration and wherein the call model database provides call model information to the S-CSCF subsequent to UE registration.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the initial call model includes an IFC with at least one service code associated with a provisioning logic service application, said provisioning logic service application communicating with said call model database.

4. The system of claim 2 wherein the call model database is a separate entity from the HSS.

5. The system of claim 2 wherein the S-CSCF receives the initial call model via an HSS interface and receives the call model information via an AS interface.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the S-CSCF and at least one AS are co-located.

7. The system of claim 3 wherein the provisioning logic is implemented as an AS and the S-CSCF invokes the provisioning logic AS in response to a service request.

8. The system of claim 4 wherein the call model database is maintained by an MVNO or VSO and wherein at least one AS is maintained by an MVNO or VSO.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein the S-CSCF is maintained by an MVNO or VSO.

10. The system of claim 8 wherein the S-CSCF is maintained by an IMS network operator.

11. A method of provisioning call models within an IMS network so that different users can have distinct IMS service experiences, said IMS network including a serving call state control function (S-CSCF) for providing session control for user endpoint (UE) devices, said method comprising:

provisioning a database with call model information that is selectable based on at least one of a user identity and a group identity, said database associating IMS service codes with application servers (ASs), said association based on at least one of a user identity and a group identity;

S-CSCF logic receiving a service request having a user identity or group identity and accessing said database of call model information with said user identity or group identity; and

S-CSCF logic instantiating a call model in response to receiving said call model information, each said call model having filter codes to associate IMS service codes with application servers (ASs), said ASs being responsive to service point triggers (SPTs) and each AS having service logic to provide a service for a corresponding IMS service code,

wherein at least two call models have different ASs with different service logic associated with a specified IMS service code, such that the two call models provide distinct service experience for said specified IMS service code.

12. The method of claim 11 including a home subscriber server (HSS) providing an initial call model at UE registration and wherein the call model database provides call model information to the S-CSCF subsequent to UE registration.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the initial call model includes an IFC with at least one service code associated with a provisioning logic service application, said provisioning logic service application communicating with said call model database.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein the call model database is a separate entity from the HSS.

15. The method of claim 12 wherein the S-CSCF receives the initial call model via an HSS interface and receives the call model information via an AS interface.

16. The method of claim 11 wherein the S-CSCF and at least one AS are co-located.

17. The method of claim 13 wherein the provisioning logic is implemented as an AS and the S-CSCF invokes the provisioning logic AS in response to a service request.

18. The method of claim 14 wherein the call model database is maintained by an MVNO or VSO and wherein at least one AS is maintained by an MVNO or VSO.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the S-CSCF is maintained by an MVNO or VSO.

20. The method of claim 18 wherein the S-CSCF is maintained by an IMS network operator.