Signaling Architecture for Decomposed Service Network Elements Operable with IMS

• US 20090003358A1
• Filed: 06/27/2007
• Published: 01/01/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Inventors: Son, Giyeong, Preiss, Bruno R., Lewis, Allan D.
• Granted Patent: US 8,559,446 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/401
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/58 Message adaptation for wireless communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1016 IP multimedia subsystem [IMS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/104 in the network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1043 Gateway controllers, e.g. media gateway control protocol [MGCP] controllers

Abstract

In one embodiment, a service gateway decomposition method is described that is operable in an Internet Protocol (IP) Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) environment. A service gateway controller (SGC) is provided for effectuating a signaling interface with respect to at least one remote services server. One or more service gateways (SGWs) are provided for effectuating a message transport interface with respect to the remote services server, wherein the SGC and SGWs are interfaced together using a suitable signaling architecture.

Claims

1. A service gateway decomposition method operable in an Internet Protocol (IP) Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) environment, comprising:

providing a service gateway controller (SGC) operable to effectuate a signaling interface with respect to at least one remote services server;

providing a plurality of service gateways (SGWs) for effectuating a message transport interface with respect to said at least one remote services server; and

interfacing said SGC with said plurality of SGWs using a signaling architecture for controlling a message path over said IMS environment between said at least one remote services server and a service client associated therewith.

2. The service gateway decomposition method as recited in claim 1, wherein said signaling architecture is implemented using Session Initiation Protocol (SIP)-based messaging.

3. The service gateway decomposition method as recited in claim 2, wherein said SIP-based messaging involves H.248/MEGACO payload.

4. The service gateway decomposition method as recited in claim 2, wherein said SIP-based messaging involves MGCP payload.

5. The service gateway decomposition method as recited in claim 1, wherein said SIP-based messaging involves SIP payload.

6. The service gateway decomposition method as recited in claim 1, wherein said signaling architecture is implemented using H.248-based messaging.

7. The service gateway decomposition method as recited in claim 1, wherein said signaling architecture is implemented using Media Gateway Control Protocol (MGCP)-based messaging.

8. The service gateway decomposition method as recited in claim 1, wherein said message path is operable to transport a data item comprising one of an email message, a calendar event, a meeting notification, an address entry, a journal entry, a personal reminder, and an Instant Message (IM).

9. The service gateway decomposition method as recited in claim 1, wherein at least one of said SGC and said SGWs is addressable using one of a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) Uniform Resource Identifier (URI), a resource name, an Internet Protocol (IP) address, a host name, and a service name.

10. The service gateway decomposition method as recited in claim 1, wherein said SGC comprises a logically centralized SGC representing a plurality of SGCs.

11. A service gateway controller (SGC) operable in an Internet Protocol (IP) Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network environment, comprising:

means for effectuating a signaling interface with respect to at least one remote services server;

means for effectuating a signaling interface with respect to a service client executing on a mobile communications device, wherein said service client is associated with said at least one remote services server; and

means for effectuating a signaling interface with respect to one or more service gateways (SGWs) to control a message path over said IMS network environment between said at least one remote services server and said service client associated therewith.

12. The SGC as recited in claim 11, wherein said means for effectuating a signaling interface with respect to said one or more SGWs is operable based on Session Initiation Protocol (SIP)-based messaging.

13. The SGC as recited in claim 12, wherein said SIP-based messaging involves H.248/MEGACO payload.

14. The SGC as recited in claim 12, wherein said SIP-based messaging involves MGCP payload.

15. The SGC as recited in claim 12, wherein said SIP-based messaging involves SIP payload.

16. The SGC as recited in claim 11, wherein said means for effectuating a signaling interface with respect to said one or more SGWs is operable based on H.248-based messaging.

17. The SGC as recited in claim 11, wherein said means for effectuating a signaling interface with respect to said one or more SGWs is operable based on Media Gateway Control Protocol (MGCP)-based messaging.

18. The SGC as recited in claim 11, wherein said message path is operable to transport a data item comprising one of an email message, a calendar event, a meeting notification, an address entry, a journal entry, a personal reminder, and an Instant Message (IM).

19. A service gateway (SGW) node operable in association with an Internet Protocol (IP) Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network environment, comprising:

means for effectuating a message transport interface with respect to at least one remote services server;

means for effectuating a message transport interface with respect to a service client executing on a mobile communications device, wherein said service client is associated with said at least one remote services server; and

means for effectuating a signaling interface with respect to one or more service gateway controllers (SGCs) operable to control a message path over said IMS network environment between said at least one remote services server and said service client associated therewith.

20. The SGW node as recited in claim 19, wherein said means for effectuating a signaling interface with respect to said one or more SGCs is operable based on Session Initiation Protocol (SIP)-based messaging.

21. The SGW node as recited in claim 20, wherein said SIP-based messaging involves H.248/MEGACO payload.

22. The SGW node as recited in claim 20, wherein said SIP-based messaging involves MGCP payload.

23. The SGW node as recited in claim 20, wherein said SIP-based messaging involves SIP payload.

24. The SGW node as recited in claim 19, wherein said means for effectuating a signaling interface with respect to said one or more SGCs is operable based on H.248-based messaging.

25. The SGW node as recited in claim 19, wherein said means for effectuating a signaling interface with respect to said one or more SGCs is operable based on Media Gateway Control Protocol (MGCP)-based messaging.

26. The SGW node as recited in claim 19, wherein said message path is operable to transport a data item comprising one of an email message, a calendar event, a meeting notification, an address entry, a journal entry, a personal reminder, and an Instant Message (IM).

27. A computer-readable medium having program code thereon for execution by a processor of a network node operable in association with an Internet Protocol (IP) Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network environment, comprising:

instructions for effectuating a signaling interface with respect to at least one remote services server;

instructions for effectuating a signaling interface with respect to a service client executing on a mobile communications device, wherein said service client is associated with said at least one remote services server; and

instructions for effectuating a signaling interface with respect to one or more service gateways (SGWs) to control a message path over said IMS network environment between said at least one remote services server and said service client associated therewith.

28. A computer-readable medium having program code thereon for execution by a processor of a network node operable in association with an Internet Protocol (IP) Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network environment, comprising:

instructions for effectuating a message transport interface with respect to at least one remote services server;

instructions for effectuating a message transport interface with respect to a service client executing on a mobile communications device, wherein said service client is associated with said at least one remote services server; and

instructions for effectuating a signaling interface with respect to one or more service gateway controllers (SGCs) operable to control a message path over said IMS network environment between said at least one remote services server and said service client associated therewith.