U.S. patent application number 14/560995 was filed with the patent office on 2015-03-26 for providing supplemental content to an ims user during registration.
The applicant listed for this patent is Alcatel-Lucent USA Inc.. Invention is credited to Yigang Cai, Suzann Hua.
Application Number | 20150088987 14/560995 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40088896 |
Filed Date | 2015-03-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150088987 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cai; Yigang ; et
al. |
March 26, 2015 |
PROVIDING SUPPLEMENTAL CONTENT TO AN IMS USER DURING
REGISTRATION
Abstract
IMS networks and methods are disclosed for providing
supplemental content to a user of a communication device during
registration. When a communication device attempts to register with
an IMS network, the IMS network receives a register request message
from the communication device, and processes the register request
message to register the communication device. The IMS network also
identifies supplemental content to provide to the communication
device, such as account information, weather content, news,
location information, advertisements, etc. The IMS network
generates a register response message, and embeds or otherwise
includes the supplemental content in the register response message.
The IMS network then transmits the register response message to the
communication device. Responsive to receiving the register response
message, the communication device identifies the supplemental
content in the register response message, and provides the
supplemental content to the user.
Inventors: |
Cai; Yigang; (Naperville,
IL) ; Hua; Suzann; (Lisle, IL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Alcatel-Lucent USA Inc. |
Murray Hill |
NJ |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
40088896 |
Appl. No.: |
14/560995 |
Filed: |
December 4, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11756335 |
May 31, 2007 |
8935407 |
|
|
14560995 |
|
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|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
709/203 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04W 4/24 20130101; H04M
15/70 20130101; H04W 8/08 20130101; H04W 60/04 20130101; H04L 65/40
20130101; H04L 65/1016 20130101; H04W 8/04 20130101; H04L 65/1073
20130101; H04L 65/1006 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
709/203 |
International
Class: |
H04W 60/04 20060101
H04W060/04; H04L 29/06 20060101 H04L029/06; H04W 4/24 20060101
H04W004/24; H04M 15/00 20060101 H04M015/00; H04W 8/04 20060101
H04W008/04; H04W 8/08 20060101 H04W008/08 |
Claims
1. An apparatus comprising: a registration server for a network;
the registration server configured to receive a register request
from a mobile device to register with the network, and to
automatically provide supplemental content to the mobile device
during the registration process for presentation of the
supplemental content to an end user.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: the registration server is
configured to identify the supplemental content responsive to
receiving the register request from the mobile device, to embed the
supplemental content in a register response, and to transmit the
register response to the mobile device.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein: the registration server is
configured to process a subscriber profile for the end user to
identify the supplemental content requested by the end user during
the registration process.
4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein: the registration server is
configured to process the register request to identify content
criteria defining a type of supplemental content requested by the
end user during the registration process, and to identify the
supplemental content based on the content criteria.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: the supplemental content
comprises a prepaid account balance for the end user.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: the supplemental content
comprises postpaid usage for the end user during a present
month.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: the register request comprises
a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) message.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: the registration server is
implemented in a Home Subscriber Server (HSS).
9. A method of registering a mobile device with a network, the
method comprising: receiving, in a registration server of the
network, a register request from the mobile device to register with
the network; and automatically providing supplemental content to
the mobile device during the registration process for presentation
of the supplemental content to an end user.
10. The method of claim 9 wherein automatically providing the
supplemental content to the mobile device comprises: identifying
the supplemental content responsive to receiving the register
request from the mobile device; embedding the supplemental content
in a register response; and transmitting the register response to
the mobile device.
11. The method of claim 10 wherein identifying the supplemental
content comprises: processing a subscriber profile for the end user
to identify the supplemental content requested by the end user
during the registration process.
12. The method of claim 10 wherein identifying the supplemental
content comprises: processing the register request to identify
content criteria defining a type of supplemental content requested
by the end user during the registration process; and identifying
the supplemental content based on the content criteria.
13. The method of claim 9 wherein: the supplemental content
comprises a prepaid account balance for the end user.
14. The method of claim 9 wherein: the supplemental content
comprises postpaid usage for the end user during a present
month.
15. The method of claim 9 wherein: the register request comprises a
Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) message.
16. An apparatus comprising: a mobile device configured to register
with a network, the mobile device comprising: a processing system
configured to transmit a register request to a registration server
of the network through a network interface, and to receive a
register response from the registration server that includes
supplemental content embedded by the registration server; the
processing system is configured to provide the supplemental content
to an end user through a user interface.
17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein: the processing system is
configured to filter the supplemental content based on filter
criteria, and to provide the filtered supplemental content to the
end user through the user interface.
18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein: the processing system is
configured to provide a portion of the supplemental content to the
end user based on the filter criteria.
19. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein: the processing system is
configured to control a duration of time that the supplemental
content is provided to the end user.
20. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein: the processing system is
configured to provide an alert when the supplemental content is
first provided to the end user.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This non-provisional patent application is a continuation of
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/756,335 filed on May 31, 2007,
which is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The invention is related to the field of communication
networks and, in particular, to IMS networks that provide
supplemental content, such as account information, weather, news,
or advertisements, to an IMS user when the communication device of
the user registers with the IMS network.
[0004] 2. Statement of the Problem
[0005] One type of communication network gaining popularity is an
IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network. As set forth in the 3.sup.rd
Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), IMS provides a common core
network having access-agnostic network architecture for converged
networks. The access network between a communication device and the
IMS network may be a cellular network, a WLAN (e.g., a WiFi or a
WiMAX network), an Ethernet network, or another type of access
network. The IMS architecture is initially defined by the 3GPP to
provide multimedia services to communication devices over an
Internet Protocol (IP) network, as IP networks have become the most
cost savings bearer network to transmit video, voice, and data.
Service providers are accepting this architecture in next
generation network evolution.
[0006] Before a communication device receives service from the IMS
network, the communication device attempts to register with the IMS
network. To register according to 3GPP standards, the communication
device transmits a register request message, such as a SIP REGISTER
message, to a Serving-Call Session Control Function (S-CSCF) in the
IMS network. Responsive to the register request message, the S-CSCF
generates an authentication request message, such as a Diameter
Multimedia Authentication Request (MAR) message, and transmits the
authentication request message to a Home Subscriber Server (HSS).
The HSS then authenticates the communication device, such as
through the AKA authentication method. If the communication device
is authenticated, then the S-CSCF generates a subscriber profile
request message, such as a Diameter Server Assignment Request (SAR)
message, and transmits the subscriber profile request message to
the HSS. Responsive to the subscriber profile request message, the
HSS identifies the subscriber profile for the user of the
communication device. The HSS then transmits a response message,
such as a Diameter Server Assignment Answer (SAA) message, to the
S-CSCF that includes the subscriber profile for the user of the
communication device. The S-CSCF then transmits a register response
message, such as a SIP 200 OK message, that includes information
that the communication device may use to communicate with the IMS
network. For instance, the register response message may include a
security key or encryption key used for communication. The register
response message may include other information such as a time and
date which the communication device may use to synchronize a
locally stored time and date, signal strength information if the
communication device is mobile, etc. At this point, the
communication device is registered with the IMS network and is
ready for communication.
[0007] After registration is finished, the communication device may
display certain content to the user. For instance, a typical
communication device may display a name or logo for the service
provider, a time and date, signal strength, battery power, etc. If
the user wants to view supplemental content, such as a weather
report, news, advertisements, etc, then the user has to manually
execute a data application on the communication device to request
the supplemental content from the IMS network. One such data
application is a web-based application that is adapted to access an
application server in the IMS network and request content from the
application server. One problem with retrieving supplemental
content in this manner is that the user has to go through the
hassle of manually retrieving the supplemental content. Another
problem is that the user may have to subscribe to a special content
service at an added cost in order to access the supplemental
content. Further, the process of having the communication device
transmit a request for supplemental content to the IMS network and
having the IMS network transmit the supplemental content to the
communication device increases traffic in the IMS network. It may
be desirable in IMS networks to provide alternative methods of
providing supplemental content to the user of a communication
device.
SUMMARY OF THE SOLUTION
[0008] Embodiments of the invention solve the above and other
related problems by providing supplemental content to a user of a
communication device during the registration process. When the
communication device transmits a register request message to an IMS
network as provided herein, the IMS network identifies supplemental
content to provide to the user, and embeds the supplemental content
in a subsequent registration response message that is transmitted
to the communication device. The communication device may then
display or otherwise provide the supplemental content to the
user.
[0009] For instance, the IMS network may embed account information
in the registration response message, and the communication device
may display the account information to the user upon power up of
the device. For a prepaid user, the account information may include
a balance remaining in the account and an expiration date. For a
postpaid user, the account information may include the number of
minutes used during the present month. The IMS network may
alternatively or additionally embed other information in the
registration response message, such as a weather report, news,
location information, advertisements, etc. Because the supplemental
content is embedded in the registration response message, the user
of communication device does not have to manually retrieve the
supplemental content or subscribe to a special content service to
retrieve the supplemental content. The supplemental content is
automatically provided to the communication device in the
registration response message. Further, automatically providing the
supplemental content in the registration response message results
in less traffic in the IMS network as compared to the process of
requesting the content through a data application in the
communication device, and having the IMS network transmit the
content to the communication device responsive to the request.
[0010] In one embodiment, a communication device of a user attempts
to register with an IMS network. The IMS network receives a
register request message from the communication device, and
processes the register request message to register the
communication device with the IMS network. Responsive to
registering the communication device, the IMS network also
identifies supplemental content to provide to the communication
device, such as account information, weather content, news content,
location information, advertisements, etc. The IMS network
generates a register response message, and embeds or otherwise
includes the supplemental content in the register response message.
The IMS network then transmits the register response message to the
communication device.
[0011] Responsive to receiving the register response message, the
communication device processes the register response message to
identify the supplemental content included in the register response
message. The communication device then provides (i.e., displays)
the supplemental content to the user of the communication device.
The supplemental content is automatically provided to the user upon
registration, so the user does not have to manually locate and
retrieve the supplemental content.
[0012] The invention may include other exemplary embodiments
described below.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The same reference number represents the same element or
same type of element on all drawings.
[0014] FIG. 1 illustrates an IMS network in an exemplary embodiment
of the invention.
[0015] FIG. 2 illustrates a communication device in an exemplary
embodiment of the invention.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a method of operating a
communication device during registration with an IMS network to
provide supplemental content to a user in an exemplary embodiment
of the invention.
[0017] FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a method of operating an
IMS network to provide supplemental content to a user of a
communication device during registration in an exemplary embodiment
of the invention.
[0018] FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a method of operating an
IMS network to provide supplemental content to a user of a
communication device during re-registration in an exemplary
embodiment of the invention.
[0019] FIG. 6 illustrates an IMS network in another exemplary
embodiment of the invention.
[0020] FIG. 7 is a message diagram illustrating messaging used to
provide supplemental content to a mobile device during registration
with an IMS network in an exemplary embodiment of the
invention.
[0021] FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary screen of a mobile device
displaying supplemental content in an exemplary embodiment of the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0022] FIGS. 1-8 and the following description depict specific
exemplary embodiments of the invention to teach those skilled in
the art how to make and use the invention. For the purpose of
teaching inventive principles, some conventional aspects of the
invention have been simplified or omitted. Those skilled in the art
will appreciate variations from these embodiments that fall within
the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art will
appreciate that the features described below can be combined in
various ways to form multiple variations of the invention. As a
result, the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments
described below, but only by the claims and their equivalents.
[0023] FIG. 1 illustrates an IMS network 100 in an exemplary
embodiment of the invention. IMS network 100 includes a
registration system 102 and a supplemental content server 104.
Registration system 102 comprises any server(s), function(s), or
other system adapted to register a communication device with IMS
network 100 and provide supplemental content to the communication
device. Registration system 102 may be implemented in a
Serving-Call Session Control Function (S-CSCF) 132, a Home
Subscriber Server (HSS) 134, or a combination of the two as
illustrated in FIG. 1. Registration system 102 may alternatively be
implemented in other nodes in IMS network 100 that are not
illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0024] Supplemental content server 104 comprises any server(s),
function(s), or other system adapted to store supplemental content.
One example of supplemental content server 104 comprises a billing
system adapted to store information on an account for user 121,
such as a prepaid account or a postpaid account. Another example of
supplemental content server 104 comprises an Application Server
(AS) adapted to store information on weather, news, advertisements,
etc. Supplemental content comprises any data, information, or other
content that is automatically provided to a user of a communication
device upon registration, and that is associated with the user or
specifically requested from the IMS network by the user. Examples
of supplemental content include account information for an account
of the user in the IMS network, weather content, news content
(i.e., local news, national news, international news, sports, etc),
location information, advertisements, etc. Supplemental content as
described herein is not traditionally provided to a communication
device by an IMS network during registration. As stated in the
Background, an IMS network may traditionally provide time and date
information to a communication device during registration so that
the communication device may synchronize its internal time and
date. The communication device may then display the time and date
to the user, but the displayed time and date represents the
internal time and date of the communication device. The time and
date is not associated with the user or specifically requested from
the IMS network by the user. Also, mobile devices may receive
signal strength information from the IMS network during
registration (although the signal strength information may be
determined by the mobile device). The signal strength information
represents the strength of the signal being received by the
communication device, and is not associated with the user of the
communication device or specifically requested by the user as this
information is provided to every mobile device regardless of the
user. Thus, the supplemental content as described herein is not
presently provided to users of communication devices.
[0025] IMS network 100 also includes a communication device 111
being operated by a user 121. Device 111 may be a SIP-enabled
device or another type of device adapted to communicate with IMS
network 100. Device 111 may comprise a wireline device, or may
comprise a wireless device adapted to communicate with IMS network
100 through the appropriate wireless access network. The wireless
access network may comprise a WiFi network, a WiMAX network, or
another type of WLAN using protocols such as 802.11b, 802.11g, or
Bluetooth. The wireless access network may alternatively comprise a
cellular network, such as a CDMA or a GSM network.
[0026] FIG. 2 illustrates device 111 in an exemplary embodiment of
the invention. Device 111 comprises a network interface 202, a
processing system 204, and a user interface 206. Network interface
202 comprises any components or systems adapted to communicate with
IMS network 100 and/or an access network of IMS network 100.
Network interface 202 may comprise a wireline interface or a
wireless interface. Processing system 204 comprises a processor or
group of inter-operational processors adapted to operate according
to a set of instructions. The instructions may be stored on a
removable card or chip, such as a SIM card. User interface 206
comprises any components or systems adapted to receive input from a
user and/or convey content to the user, such as a keypad, a
display, a pointing device, etc.
[0027] In FIG. 1, assume that device 111 powers up. Device 111 is
programmed to register with IMS network 100 in order to receive
communication service. According to this embodiment, device 111 is
further adapted to receive supplemental content and provide the
supplemental content to user 121 during the registration
process.
[0028] FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a method 300 of
operating device 111 during registration with IMS network 100 to
provide supplemental content to user 121 in an exemplary embodiment
of the invention. The steps of method 300 will be described with
reference to IMS network 100 in FIG. 1 and device 111 in FIG. 2.
The steps of the flow chart in FIG. 3 are not all inclusive and may
include other steps not shown.
[0029] In step 302 of method 300, processing system 204 transmits a
register request message to IMS network 100 through network
interface 202. The register request message may comprise a SIP
REGISTER message or a message of another protocol. IMS network 100
operates as follows responsive to the receiving the register
request message.
[0030] FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a method 400 of
operating IMS network 100 to provide supplemental content to user
121 of device 111 during registration in an exemplary embodiment of
the invention. The steps of method 400 will be described with
reference to IMS network 100 in FIG. 1. The steps of the flow chart
in FIG. 4 are not all inclusive and may include other steps not
shown.
[0031] In step 402 of method 400, registration system 102 receives
the register request message from device 111. The register request
message may include content criteria defining the type of
supplemental content requested by user 121. For instance, user 121
may define that he/she would like to receive supplemental content
related to the weather. In another instance, user 121 may define
that device 111 can receive content in a certain format. In step
404, registration system 102 processes the register request message
to register device 111 with IMS network 100. The registering of
device 111 may include the authentication of device 111 through the
AKA authentication method or another method. Registering device 111
may further include retrieving a subscriber profile for user 121 to
identify services subscribed to by user 121.
[0032] Responsive to registering device 111, registration system
102 identifies supplemental content in supplemental content server
104 to provide to device 111 in step 406. In some embodiments,
registration system 102 may also identify supplemental content that
is stored locally in registration system 102, or in other nodes.
Registration system 102 may identify the supplemental content in
many desired ways. In one example, the subscriber profile for user
121 may indicate particular content that user 121 desires to
receive, and may also indicate where to locate such content. For
instance, if user 121 desires to receive weather content, then the
subscriber profile for user 121 may indicate as such and provide a
link to a weather server (e.g., server 104). In another example,
registration system 102 may identify that user 121 is a prepaid
user and consequently may identify account information for user
121, such as by querying a billing system (e.g., server 104). In
another example, registration system 102 may identify the
supplemental content based on content criteria that is provided by
user 121 in the register request message. The content criteria may
indicate a topic desired by user 121, such as sports. The content
criteria may indicate display capabilities of device 111, such as
size or compatible formats that are supported by user interface 206
of device 111 (see FIG. 2).
[0033] In step 408, registration system 102 generates a register
response message and embeds or otherwise includes the supplemental
content in the register response message. One example of a register
response message comprises a SIP 200 OK message with the
supplemental content embedded within. In step 410, registration
system 102 transmits the register response message to device
111.
[0034] In FIG. 3, processing system 204 receives the register
response message from registration system 102 through network
interface 202 in step 304. In step 306, processing system 204
processes the register response message to identify the
supplemental content included in the register response message. In
step 308, processing system 204 provides the supplemental content
to user 121 through user interface 206. For instance, processing
system 204 may display the supplemental content to user 121, may
play the supplemental content as audio, or may provide the content
in other ways. Processing system 204 may also control the duration
of time the supplemental content is displayed, and may provide some
kind of alerting (e.g., beeps or tones) when the supplemental
content is first displayed and/or when the supplemental content is
deleted.
[0035] Processing system 204 may filter the supplemental content
before providing the content to user 121. Processing system 204 may
store filter criteria that is defined by user 121, a network
operator, or the service provider that is used to filter the
supplemental content. Based on the filter criteria, processing
system 204 may determine whether to provide the supplemental
content in full, to provide a portion of the supplemental content,
or to not provide the supplemental content at all. In one example,
if user 121 requests to receive weather content from IMS network
100 during registration, then processing system 204 may filter the
weather content depending on the location of user 121. If user 121
is located in his/her home network, then processing system 204 may
determine not to provide the weather content to user 121. If user
121 is located in a visited network, then processing system 204 may
determine to provide the weather content to user 121.
[0036] The registration process described above occurs when device
111 is powered on or first contacts IMS network 100. After device
111 is first registered, it periodically re-registers with IMS
network 100, such as every thirty seconds, every minute, responsive
to moving, etc. During re-registration, device 111 transmits a
re-register request message to IMS network 100. Responsive to a
re-register request message, IMS network 100 operates as
follows.
[0037] FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a method 500 of
operating IMS network 100 to provide supplemental content to user
121 of device 111 during re-registration in an exemplary embodiment
of the invention. The steps of method 500 will be described with
reference to IMS network 100 in FIG. 1. The steps of the flow chart
in FIG. 5 are not all inclusive and may include other steps not
shown.
[0038] In step 502 of method 500, registration system 102 receives
the re-register request message from device 111. In step 504,
registration system 102 determines if the supplemental content
previously provided to device 111 has changed. For instance, if the
supplemental content previously provided to device 111 is
information on a baseball game, then the score of the game, the
inning of the game, etc, may have changed since the supplemental
content was last provided to device 111. Or, if the supplemental
content previously provided to device 111 is account information,
then the account balance may have changed since the supplemental
content was last provided to device 111.
[0039] If the supplemental content previously provided has changed,
then registration system 102 identifies updated supplemental
content in supplemental content server 104 to provide to device
111. Again, registration system 102 may also identify the updated
supplemental content that is stored locally in registration system
102, or in other nodes. In step 508, registration system 102
generates a re-register response message and embeds or otherwise
includes the updated supplemental content in the re-register
response message. In step 510, registration system 102 transmits
the re-register response message to device 111.
EXAMPLE
[0040] FIGS. 6-8 illustrate an example of operating an IMS network
to provide supplemental content to a user of a communication
device. FIG. 6 illustrates an IMS network 600 in an exemplary
embodiment of the invention. IMS network 600 includes a visited
network 602 and a home network 604. Visited network 602 includes a
mobile device 612, a Radio Access Network (RAN) 614, a packet
network 616, and a Proxy-CSCF (P-CSCF) 618. Mobile device 612 is
being operated by user 611. Home network 604 includes an S-CSCF
622, an Interrogate-CSCF (I-CSCF) 624, an HSS 626, a plurality of
application servers 627-629, and a billing system 630. In this
embodiment, S-CSCF 622 and HSS 626 represent a registration system
as shown in FIG. 1. IMS network 600 may include other nodes that
are not illustrated in FIG. 6 for the sake of brevity.
[0041] In FIG. 6, assume that mobile device 612 powers on or moves
into a service area of RAN 614. Mobile device 612 is programmed to
register with IMS network 600 in order to receive communication
service. In this example, IMS network 600 is adapted to provide
supplemental content to mobile device 612 during registration.
[0042] FIG. 7 is a message diagram illustrating messaging used to
provide supplemental content to mobile device 612 during
registration with IMS network 600 in an exemplary embodiment of the
invention. The message diagram illustrates SIP and Diameter
messaging used within IMS network 600. To begin, device 612
generates a SIP REGISTER message and transmits the REGISTER message
to P-CSCF 618 through RAN 614 and packet network 616. P-CSCF 618
then forwards the REGISTER message to I-CSCF 624. The REGISTER
message may include content criteria indicating the type of content
desired by user 611.
[0043] The following is an example of a REGISTER message that is
transmitted from device 612 to P-CSCF 615. The new data in the SIP
REGISTER message is indicated in bold. The new data indicates that
device 612 is able to display supplemental content, that it
supports all media types, and that the categories of interest for
user 611 are content relating to a prepaid balance, news, and
weather.
TABLE-US-00001 <<REGISTER sip:registrar.home1.net SIP/2.0
Via:SIP/2.0/UDP[5555::aaa:bbb:ccc:ddd];comp=sigcomp;branch=z9hG4bKnashds7
Max-Forwards: 70 P-Access-Network-Info: wlan-mac-addr=00BA5550EEFF
From: <sip:user1_public1@home1.net>;tag=4fa3 To:
<sip:user1_public1@home1.net> Contact:
<sip:[5555::aaa:bbb:ccc:ddd];comp=sigcomp>;expires=600000
Call-ID: apb03a0s09dkjdfglkj49111 Authorization: Digest
username="user1_private@home1.net", realm="registrar.home1.net",
nonce="", uri="sip:registrar.home1.net", response=""
Security-Client: ipsec-3gpp; alg=hmac-sha-1-96; spi-c=23456789;
spi-s=12345678; port-c=2468; port-s=1357 Require: sec-agree
Proxy-Require: sec-agree CSeq: 1 REGISTER Supported: path UE
Display Ability: Yes; MediaType=All;
category=prepaid.sub.--balance, news, weather Content-Length:
0>>
[0044] Responsive to receiving the REGISTER message, I-CSCF 624
generates a Diameter User Authentication Request (UAR) message and
transmits the UAR message to HSS 626. HSS 626 then responds to the
UAR message with a Diameter User Authentication Answer (UAA)
message. Responsive to receiving the UAA message, I-CSCF 624
selects the S-CSCF 622 to serve mobile device 612. I-CSCF 624 then
transmits the SIP REGISTER message to S-CSCF 622. Responsive to
receiving the REGISTER message, S-CSCF 622 generates a Diameter
Multimedia Authentication Request (MAR) message to continue the
process of registering device 612. S-CSCF 622 includes a private
identifier (PRID) and/or a public identifier (PUID) in the MAR
message, and transmits the MAR message to HSS 626.
[0045] HSS 626 processes the PRID in the MAR message to generate an
AKA vector based on the AKA authentication method. HSS 626 then
generates a Diameter Multimedia Authentication Answer (MAA) message
in response to the MAR message, and includes the AKA vector in the
MAA message such as in the SIP-Authenticate AVP of the MAA.
Responsive to receiving the MAA message, S-CSCF 622 transmits a SIP
401 (Challenge) message to mobile device 612 (through P-CSCF 618,
packet network 616, and RAN 614) to challenge mobile device 612 for
an authentication check. Mobile device 612 receives the 401
message, and calculates the authentication response. Mobile device
612 then generates another SIP REGISTER message and transmits the
REGISTER message back to S-CSCF 622. Responsive to receiving the
REGISTER message, S-CSCF 622 processes the authentication response
in relation to the authentication vector to determine whether
mobile device 612 is authenticated. If mobile device 612 is
authenticated, then S-CSCF 622 transmits a Diameter Server
Assignment Request (SAR) message to HSS 626 to retrieve the
subscriber profile for user 611 of mobile device 612. Responsive to
the SAR message, HSS 626 identifies the subscriber profile for user
611 based on the PUID for user 611.
[0046] HSS 626 also identifies supplemental content to provide to
user 611. In one example, assume that user 611 desires to receive
weather content, which may be indicated in the subscriber profile
of user 611. When HSS 626 determines that user 611 has requested to
receive weather content, HSS 626 may identify location information
for user 611. The location information may be obtained through GPS
information provided by mobile device 612, may be obtained based on
an access point in RAN 614 through which mobile device 612 is
communicating, or through another means. HSS 626 may then identify
one of the application servers 627-629 that stores weather content
for the location of user 611, and retrieve the weather content.
[0047] In another example, assume that user 611 desires to receive
information on baseball games. When HSS 626 determines that user
611 has requested to receive information on baseball games, HSS 626
may identify one of the application servers 627-629 that stores the
appropriate sporting content, and retrieve the information on the
baseball games.
[0048] In another example, assume that user 611 has a prepaid
account with IMS network 600, and user 611 desires to receive
account information upon registration. When HSS 626 determines that
user 611 has requested to receive account information, HSS 626 may
contact billing system 630 to retrieve account information for user
611. The account information may include a present balance of the
account and an expiration date for this balance.
[0049] After identifying the supplemental content, HSS 626
generates a Diameter Server Assignment Answer (SAA) message, and
embeds the supplemental content in the SAA message. The SAA message
also includes the subscriber profile for user 611. HSS 626 then
transmits the SAA message to S-CSCF 622.
[0050] Responsive to receiving the SAA message, S-CSCF 622
generates a SIP 200 OK message, and embeds the supplemental content
in the 200 OK message. The following is an example of a 200 OK
message that is transmitted from S-CSCF 622 to device 612. The new
data in the SIP 200 OK message is indicated in bold. The
supplemental content embedded in the 200 OK message indicates that
the prepaid balance is "55.50", that the news is "Queen celebrating
her 90.sup.th birthday", and that the weather is "sunny".
TABLE-US-00002 <<SIP/2.0 200 OK Via: SIP/2.0/UDP
icscf1_p.home1.net;branch=z9hG4bK351g45.1, SIP/2.0/UDP
pcscf1.visited1.net;branch=z9hG4bK240f34.1, SIP/2.0/UDP
[5555::aaa:bbb:ccc:ddd]:1357;comp=sigcomp;branch=z9hG4bKnashds7
Path: <sip:term@pcscf1.visited1.net;1r> Service-Route:
<sip:orig@scscf1.home1.net;1r> From: To: Call-ID: Contact:
<sip:[5555::aaa:bbb:ccc:ddd]:1357;comp=sigcomp>;expires=600000
CSeq: Date: Wed, 11 July 2001 08:49:37 GMT P-Associated-URI:
<sip:user1_public2@home1.net>,
<sip:user1_public3@home1.net>,
<sip:+1-212-555-1111@home1.net;user=phone> <?xml
version="1.0" encoding="UTF 8"> <UEDisplayInfo>
<command MediaType="All", NumberOfInfo="3", Display="optional"
<name1>prepaidBalance</name1>
<value1>55.50</value1> <name2>news</name2>
<value2>Queen celebrating her 90th birthday</value2>
<name3>localWeather</name3>
<value3>Sunny</value3> </UEDisplayInfo>
Content-Length:0>>
[0051] S-CSCF 622 transmits the 200 OK message to mobile device 612
(through P-CSCF 618, packet network 616, and RAN 614). Mobile
device 612 then processes the 200 OK message to identify the
supplemental content included in the message, and displays the
supplemental content to user 611.
[0052] FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary screen 800 of mobile device
612 displaying supplemental content in an exemplary embodiment of
the invention. As with traditional mobile devices, screen 800
displays a service provider logo, a battery power indicator, a
signal strength indicator, a date and time, and operating menus.
Screen 800 additionally displays supplemental content as provided
by IMS network 600 during registration. In this embodiment, the
supplemental content comprises prepaid account information for user
611. The account information shows that user 611 has an account
balance of 55.50 units (may be indicated as a currency). The
supplemental content also comprises news content that the queen is
celebrating her 90.sup.th birthday. The supplemental content also
comprises weather content indicating that the weather forecast is
"sunny" This supplemental content was embedded in the SIP 200 OK
message transmitted from S-CSCF 622.
[0053] As is illustrated in this example, IMS network 600
effectively transmits supplemental content to mobile device 612 for
display to user 611 during the registration process. User 611 does
not have to manually request this content, as IMS network 600
automatically provides the content to mobile device 612 when it is
turned on. This feature can be valuable to service providers
operating IMS networks, and can be convenient to users that desire
to automatically receive certain content from the IMS network.
[0054] Although specific embodiments were described herein, the
scope of the invention is not limited to those specific
embodiments. The scope of the invention is defined by the following
claims and any equivalents thereof.
* * * * *