Abstract: A method and application server for handling a supplementary services message in a communication network. A subscriber's Home Location Register (HLR) sends an Interrogation marker to the subscriber's Mobile-services Switching Center/Visitor Location Register (MSC/VLR) instructing the MSC/VLR to forward all supplementary services messages from the subscriber to the HLR. When the subscriber's user terminal sends a supplementary services message to the MSC/VLR requesting a supplementary service, the MSC/VLR forwards the message to the subscriber's HLR. The HLR retrieves an address of an IP Multimedia Application Server associated with the subscriber, and sends the supplementary services message to the addressed Application Server for handling the supplementary services request.

Abstract: Being aware of a loss of signalling bearer transport through an IP Connectivity Access Network is an important issue. Therefore, the present invention relies on amending the Policing and Charging Control model with means to provide the IMS infrastructure with subscriptions to and notifications about signalling session events detected on the signalling IP flow transported through the bearer layer. To this end, a P-CSCF, or AF included therein, is amended to allow the establishment of a signalling session for subscription to notification of bearer level events for a signalling IP flow. Apart from that, new processing rules are required at the AF and PCRF for handling the signalling session, the notification of events and the termination of the signalling session.

Abstract: A method of operating a Call Session Control Function node within an IP Multimedia Subsystem network. The method comprises establishing a first session corresponding to a first IP Multimedia Subsystem communication service using a first Application Server, receiving a request for a further session corresponding to a further IP Multimedia Subsystem communication service, and forwarding said request to a further Application Server. Said further Application Server is additionally notified that said first communication service is ongoing and of the nature of said first session.

Abstract: A method of registering or deregistering a user to or from an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network. A SIP Application Server (SIP-AS) performs a registration or deregistration with the IMS network on a user's behalf. The registration or deregistration is performed over one of the following interfaces: a Service Control Interface (ISC) with a Serving Call State Control Function (S-CSCF), a Gm interface with a Proxy CSCF (P-CSCF), or an Ma interface with an Interrogating CSCF (I-CSCF).

Abstract: A method of initiating an IP Multimedia Sub-system communication for a user that is not registered a priori with the IP Multimedia Subsystem. The method comprises receiving a communication request from said user at a Session Initiation Protocol Application Server via an interface to an external network or receiving an internally or externally generated stimulus requiring the establishment of an IP Multimedia Subsystem communication, allocating a Serving Call/State Control Function to the user, forwarding a SIP request from the Application Server to the allocated Serving Call/State Control Function, and establishing the requested communication.

Abstract: The present invention proposes a solution for providing IMS services and in particular mid-call services to users having circuit-switched controlled terminals and being not adapted to provide IMS services to the users. In particular, it is proposed to introduce a new node type called Mobile Access Gateway Control Function (MAGCF). This new node combines the logical functionality of a cellular switching center and the logical functionality of packet-based logic. The invention discusses a concept of the MAGCF handling mid-calls, which comprises identification of the received mid-call request, generating in accordance to the identified mid-call a corresponding message, tracking the status of the performed mid-calls.

Abstract: A method is disclosed of providing an XML Document Manager Server function to an XML Document Manager Client (2-1). The XML Document Manager Server function is enabled by a database component for storing at least one XML document and a logic component for causing at least one operation to be performed on one or more of the at least one XML documents. In the method, the logic component is provided by a first network entity (60-1), with which the XML Document Manager Client (2-1) communicates directly or indirectly to receive the XML Document Manager Server function, and the database component is provided by a second network entity (70) different to the first network entity (60-1).

Abstract: A method of reserving credit for a mobile subscriber in respect of an IP multimedia service. The method comprises, following initial registration of the subscriber to the IP Multimedia service but prior to invocation of an IP Multimedia service, using the early session establishment procedure to reserve a credit amount at a charging control node and to notify an IP Multimedia Serving Element of the credit reservation, whereupon, at invocation of said IP multimedia service, the IP Multimedia Serving Element is able to proceed immediately with the session establishment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing location information for subscribers connected to a packet-switched mobile access network in connection with emergency calls made over a multimedia service network. An emergency request is received at the multimedia service network from a subscriber (A) containing the calling number of the subscriber. In response thereto, a media gateway control function in the multimedia service network sends a location query including said calling number to a mobile positioning centre in the mobile access network, which then can retrieve location information for the subscriber. After receiving location information from the mobile positioning centre, the media gateway control function selects an emergency centre and sends a location indication for the subscriber thereto in a circuit-switched control message for initiating an emergency call, according to prevailing standards.

Abstract: A method of distributing application server addresses in an IP Multimedia Subsystem. Upon allocation of an application server to a subscriber, the allocated or another application server sends at least one application server address to a Home Subscriber Server (HSS). The HSS stores the address(es) in association with the subscriber identity and sends the address(es) to a Serving Call/Session State Control Function (S-CSCF) allocated to the subscriber. The S-CSCF caches the address(es) in association with the subscriber identity and uses the address(es) to send subscriber-related messages to the allocated application server.

Abstract: A method, application server, and Serving Call/Session Control Function (S-CSCF) for allocating a SIP Application Server to a subscriber in an IP Multimedia Subsystem. A Home Subscriber Server (HSS) identifies for the subscriber, a set of provisioned initial filter criteria, which contains at least one generic SIP Application Server identity. The HSS sends the filter criteria to an S-CSCF allocated to the subscriber. The S-CSCF resolves the generic SIP Application Server identity into a plurality of application server addresses, with one of the addresses being allocated to the subscriber for use in provisioning a service to the subscriber. The S-CSCF caches the address allocated to the subscriber for subsequent use.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and application server for dynamically allocating an application server within an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS). A Serving Call/Session Control Function (S-CSCF) receives a user request and queries a central database to determine whether the user is allocated to an application server. If so, the S-CSCF forwards the request to the allocated application server. If the user is not already allocated to a server, the S-CSCF allocates the user to an application server and forwards the request to the newly allocated application server. The S-CSCF or the newly allocated application server sends a request to the central database to record the allocation.

Abstract: There is a need in the art for application servers to be able to exhibit the same behavior irrespective of the used access technology. In order to address this need the present invention provides methods and apparatuses for allowing one or more subscribers to be administratively registered.

Abstract: A Home Subscriber Server for handling IP Multimedia Subsystem subscriptions comprises means for maintaining associations between public user identities and Service Profiles, where two or more public user identities can be associated with a common Service Profile, and means for identifying to a network node all public user identities that are associated with a common Service Profile.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for obtaining location information for subscribers connected to an IP access network (300), in order to enable supply of such location information in connection with emergency calls directed to a multimedia service network (302). A request is received (3:1) at the multimedia service network from a subscriber (A) containing an IP address currently assigned to the subscriber. In response thereto, the multimedia service network sends a location query (3:2) including said IP address to the IP access network, which then can retrieve (3:3, 3:4) location information for the subscriber based on the IP address, by determining at which point of access in the IP access network the IP address is currently used. The IP access network then submits (3:5) the obtained location information to the multimedia service network in response to the location query.

Abstract: A method of negotiating a call capability between signalling points in a telecommunications system. The method comprises sending a capability preference or prioritised list of preferences from an originating signalling point to a terminating signalling point or signalling transfer point, at the Call Control level. A capability acceptance is returned from the terminating signalling point or signalling transfer point to the originating signalling point at the Call Control level, if the terminating signalling point or signalling transfer point accepts a preference sent by the originating signalling point.

Abstract: An enhanced Voice Call Continuity (VCC) application server and a method are described herein that: (1) assists in establishing an emergency call between a VCC capable User Equipment (UE) (which is located within an IMS network) and a Public Safety Access Point (PSAP); (2) assists in transitioning the emergency call from an IMS domain to a CS domain so the emergency call can be continued when the UE roams from the IMS network to a Circuit Switched (CS) network; and (3) assists the PSAP to call back the UE if the emergency call is dropped while the US is located in the CS network.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the transport of information between telecommunications nodes. In one aspect, in a telecommunication system having a first network based on a first technology and a second network based on a second technology, the second network in communication with the first network, the present invention relates to providing a message encoding format profile functionality adapted to enable transport of encoded information along at least a portion of a path of communication established between the networks, including: mapping the encoded information from a first message having a first message encoding format to a second message having a second message encoding format wherein the mapping is performed in accordance with the following steps: a) determining message User-to-User Indication information; b) determining message Length Indicator information and; c) selecting a message encoding format based on the determination of steps a) and b), above.

Abstract: A method of signalling in a telecommunications system that includes a Call Control level and a Bearer Control level, where the Call Control level includes a plurality of Media Gateway Controllers and the Bearer Control level includes a plurality of Media Gateways, each of which is controlled by a Media Gateway Controller. The method includes allocating to each Media Gateway at least one address that corresponds to one of a plurality of different addressing formats, and conveying these addresses between peer Media Gateway Controllers by encapsulating them using a Network Service Access Point addressing format.

Abstract: A method in a communication system of transferring control of a user-plane entity from a first control-plane entity to a second control-plane entity is provided. The user-plane entity sends a set of identifying parameters to the first control-plane entity, which subsequently sends the set of identifying parameters to the second control-plane entity. The second control-plane entity determines if it can control the user-plane entity. If the second control-plane entity can control the user-plane entity, then the second control-plane entity sends an indication to the user-plane entity that a change in control-plane entities has occurred and that at least some resources of the user-plane entity that were controlled by the first control-plane entity are to be controlled by the second control-plane entity. The resources may be allocated to a mobile terminal and the change in control entity may be the result of a change in location of the mobile terminal.