Message transmission system and method

• US 20040259531A1
• Filed: 07/19/2004
• Published: 12/23/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/25/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Empower Interactive Group Ltd. (MasterCard Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Empower Interactive Group Ltd. (MasterCard Incorporated)
• Inventors: Saltmarsh, Chris, Wood, Ian
• Application Number:
  US10/482,582
• Publication Number:
  US 20040259531A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/412.1
• 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 88/184 Messaging devices, e.g. message centre
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/02 Inter-networking arrangements

Abstract

A method and system for routing a message to an application via a mobile telecommunications network in which mobile devices are assigned globally unique identifiers. At least one globally unique virtual mobile identifier is assigned to the application. A request for location information for the virtual mobile identifier is received from a component in the mobile telecommunications network. Routing information corresponding to a predefined static connection point to the application is supplied in response to the request to allow the message to be delivered to the application.

Claims

1-146. -146. (Canceled).

147. A method of routing a message to an application via a mobile telecommunications network in which mobile devices are assigned globally unique identifiers, comprising:

assigning at least one globally unique virtual mobile identifier to the application;

receiving a request for location information for the virtual mobile identifier; and

supplying routing information corresponding to a predefined static connection point to the application in response to the request.

148. A method according to claim 147, wherein said virtual mobile identifier corresponds to an MSISDN number for the application.

149. A method according to claim 147, wherein the location information is stored in at least one location network element containing location information for a plurality of mobile devices.

150. A method according to claim 147, wherein the mobile network has a first network element that stores location information for mobile devices connected to the network, and a second network element containing location information corresponding to the application.

151. A method according to claim 147, wherein the location information is stored in a plurality of physically separate network elements.

152. A method according to claim 151, wherein the plurality of physically separate network elements are connected by a data transfer link separate to the mobile network.

153. A method according to claim 147, wherein the predefined connection point to the mobile network is provided via a network element providing a static connection between a mobile switching centre (MSC) and an application.

154. A method according to claim 153, wherein the static connection of the application to the mobile network does not pass over the air interface.

155. A method according to claim 153, wherein the connection of the application to the network element providing a static connection between an MSC and an application is over an Internet Protocol (IP) network.

156. A method according to claim 153, wherein the static connection of the application to the mobile network bypasses a Short Message Service Centre (SMSC) for messages directed to the application.

157. A method according to claim 153, wherein the application is connected to the mobile network via a plurality of network elements each providing a static connection between an MSC and the application.

158. A method according to claim 157, wherein the plurality of network elements providing a static connection between an MSC and an application are interconnected by a data transfer link separate to the mobile network.

159. A method according to claim 153, wherein at least one location network element contains location information for the application and at least one switch network element provides a static connection between an MSC and an application, and wherein the at least one location network element and the at least one switch network element are interconnected by a data transfer link separate to the mobile network.

160. A method according to claim 147, wherein the routing information supplied in response to a request for information is selected based on at least one condition other than the location of the application.

161. A method according to claim 147, wherein the routing information is dynamically compiled in response to a request.

162. A method according to claim 147, including updating or modifying routing information to be supplied based on a measure of application availability.

163. A method according to claim 147, wherein the routing information provided is based on a combination of at least two criteria.

164. A method according to claim 152, wherein the data transfer link comprises an Internet Protocol (IP) network.

166. A computer readable medium comprising instructions for performing a method according to claim 147.

165. A method for providing routing information across a mobile network for at least one application comprising:

storing at least one globally unique identifier;

storing an identifier of at least one application assigned to the at least one globally unique identifier;

storing location information for the at least one application via at least one predefined connection point; and

responding to requests for location information for the globally unique identifier by supplying routing information for the assigned application.