Intelligent delivery agent for short message distribution center

• US 20010041579A1
• Filed: 04/11/2001
• Published: 11/15/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 04/11/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TeleCommunication Systems Inc (Comtech Telecommunications Corporation)
• Original Assignee: TeleCommunication Systems Inc (Comtech Telecommunications Corporation)
• Inventors: Dewey, Michael, Smith, Richard A.
• Granted Patent: US 6,839,562 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/466
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/50 Queue scheduling
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/00 User-to-user messaging in packet-switching networks, transmitted according to store-and-forward or real-time protocols, e.g. e-mail
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/214 using selective forwarding
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/58 Message adaptation for wireless communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/54 Presence management, e.g. monitoring or registration for receipt of user log-on information, or the connection status of the users
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/56 Provisioning of proxy services store-and-forward switching systems in data switching networks H04L12/54
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/28 Timers or timing mechanisms used in protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/2016 Call initiation by network rather than by subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/205 Broadcasting broadcasting in packet switching networks H04L12/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/18 wireless networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42382 Text-based messaging services in telephone networks such as PSTN/ISDN, e.g. User-to-User Signalling or Short Message Service for fixed networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4872 Non-interactive information services
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/5322 for recording text messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/533 Voice mail systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/53316 Messaging centre selected by message originator
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/12 for working between exchanges having different types of switching equipment, e.g. power-driven and step by step or decimal and non-decimal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/12 Messaging; Mailboxes; Announcements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/14 Short messaging services, e.g. short message services [SMS] or unstructured supplementary service data [USSD]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/005 Discovery of network devices, e.g. terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/16 Gateway arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/184 : Messaging devices, e.g. message centre

Abstract

A message distribution center (MDC) and Intelligent Delivery Agent are implemented in a wireless Internet gateway interposed between content providers and a wireless carrier to subjectively examine and direct messages via SMTP based on desired rules (e.g., non-peak hours, paying subscribers only, etc.) using standard SMTP Gateway and other well-known protocols. The MDC includes an individual queue for each subscriber, and the provider is informed through conventional SMTP protocol messages that the short message has been accepted. If the carrier has specifically disallowed service for a particular MIN (e.g., in the case of churning), then the content provider is informed through an SMTP interchange that the recipient is invalid. An MDC provides a single mechanism for interacting with subscribers of multiple carriers, regardless of each carrier'"'"'s underlying infrastructure. For the carrier, an MDC can protect their SS7 network by intelligently throttling messages and configuring message delivery parameters to be more network friendly. An MDC can receive outside a relevant wireless network recipient handset presence information. In the disclosed embodiment, a content provider communicates with the MDC using SMTP protocol messages, and the MDC communicates with wireless carriers preferably using RMI/SMPP techniques.

Claims

1. A method of providing cross-carrier messaging, comprising:

intercepting a short message from a sending subscriber of a first wireless carrier intended for transmission over an Internet;

storing said intercepted short message in an individual subscriber queue located in a gateway;

determining a destination of said short message based on a mobile identification number (MIN); and

automatically delivering said short message to said receiving subscriber of a second wireless carrier different from said first wireless carrier without transmission over said Internet;

whereby said short message is transmitted between different wireless carriers without requiring transmission over an Internet.

2. The method of providing cross-carrier messaging according to

claim 1

, wherein:

said short message is transmitted to said second wireless carrier using RMI protocols.

3. The method of providing cross-carrier messaging according to

claim 1

, wherein:

said short message is transmitted to said second wireless carrier using SMPP protocols.

4. A method of automatically delivering a short message to a mobile device, comprising:

determining when said mobile device has powered up by inspecting SS7 data from a home location register relating to said mobile device; and

automatically delivering said short message to said mobile device when said mobile device has powered up based on information obtained from said inspection of SS7 data.

5. A method of automatically delivering a short message to a mobile device, comprising:

determining when said mobile device has powered up by inspecting delivery receipt data from a short message servicing center relating to said mobile device; and

automatically delivering said short message to said mobile device when said mobile device has powered up based on information obtained from said inspection of said delivery receipt data.

6. Apparatus for providing cross-carrier messaging, comprising:

means for intercepting a short message from a sending subscriber of a first wireless carrier intended for transmission over an Internet;

means for storing said intercepted short message in an individual subscriber queue located in a gateway;

means for determining a destination of said short message based on a mobile identification number (MIN); and

means for automatically delivering said short message to said receiving subscriber of a second wireless carrier different from said first wireless carrier without transmission over said Internet;

whereby said short message is transmitted between different wireless carriers without requiring transmission over an Internet.

7. The apparatus for providing cross-carrier messaging according to

claim 6

, wherein:

said means for automatically delivering said short message transmits said short message to said second wireless carrier using RMI protocols.

8. The apparatus for providing cross-carrier messaging according to

claim 6

, wherein:

said means for automatically delivering said short message transmits said short message to said second wireless carrier using SMPP protocols.

9. Apparatus for automatically delivering a short message to a mobile device, comprising:

means for determining when said mobile device has powered up by inspecting SS7 data from a home location register relating to said mobile device; and

means for automatically delivering said short message to said mobile device when said mobile device has powered up based on information obtained from said inspection of SS7 data.

10. Apparatus for automatically delivering a short message to a mobile device, comprising:

means for determining when said mobile device has powered up by inspecting delivery receipt data from a short message servicing center relating to said mobile device; and

means for automatically delivering said short message to said mobile device when said mobile device has powered up based on information obtained from said inspection of said delivery receipt data.