Patent ID: 9001741
Filing Date: 2015-04-07
Classification: H04L,H04W

Abstract:
1. A method for providing access to IMS services, wherein the method is carried out by a radio access network (RAN) that provides service in at least one coverage area, the method comprising: a first RAN component sending a registration message to an IMS network in order to register the first RAN component with the IMS network, wherein the IMS registration message provides an IP address at which to register the first RAN component; the first RAN component receiving a service request from a first access terminal, wherein the first RAN component is a serving RAN component for the first access terminal; and in response to receiving the service request, the first RAN component engaging in an IMS service on behalf of the first access terminal, wherein engaging in the IMS service on behalf of the first access terminal comprises sending the IMS network a first initiation message for a session event, wherein the first initiation message comprises: (i) a field that identifies the first access terminal and (ii) a field that includes an IP address of a second RAN component that serves a target access terminal; wherein the first initiation message indicates to the IMS network to initiate the session event with a transmission of a second initiation message to the IP address of the second RAN component, wherein the second initiation message comprises a field that that identifies the target access terminal.