Virtual network solution for SMS message exchange between GSM and ANSI (TIA/EIA 41) networks

• US 20060089165A1
• Filed: 12/08/2005
• Published: 04/27/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sybase 365 Incorporated (SAP SE)
• Original Assignee: Sybase 365 Incorporated (SAP SE)
• Inventors: Lovell, Robert C. Jr., Smith, Mark R., Ruppert, Paul R.
• Granted Patent: US 7,203,507 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/466
• 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

Systems and methods for exchanging a short message service (SMS) message between networks operating in accordance with different standards. An intermediary system operates between a first network operating in accordance with a first standard and a second network operating in accordance with a second standard. A routing information request for an SMS message is received, at the intermediary, from the first network and the intermediary sends, in response to the routing information request, an acknowledgement message to the first network. The SMS message is thereafter received at the intermediary and an acknowledgement of receipt of the SMS message is generated in the intermediary and then sent to the first network. The SMS message is then sent from the intermediary to the second network. In a preferred embodiment, the intermediary is an entity distinct from the first and second networks, but operates as a virtual MSC from the perspective of the first and second networks.

Claims

1. A method of exchanging a short message service (SMS) message between networks operating in accordance with different standards, comprising:

operating an intermediary system that operates between a first network operating in accordance with a first standard and a second network operating in accordance with a second standard;

receiving, at the intermediary, a routing information request for an SMS message from the first network;

sending, from the intermediary in response to the routing information request, an acknowledgement message to the first network;

receiving the SMS message at the intermediary;

generating, in the intermediary, an acknowledgement of receipt of the SMS message, and sending the acknowledgement of receipt to the first network; and

sending the SMS message from the intermediary to the second network,

wherein the intermediary is an entity distinct from the first and second networks, and

wherein the step of sending the acknowledgement of receipt to the first network is performed only after a response from the second network is received at the intermediary system.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first network operates in accordance with GSM standards.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the second network operates in accordance with ANSI standards.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the intermediary system emulates a mobile switching center operating in accordance with GSM standards.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the routing information request is a MAP Send Routing Information for MT SMS message in accordance with GSM standards.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising performing a GTT look up to determine to which switch the SMS message should be sent.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein when the SMS message is directed to a mobile station (MS) operating in the second network, the SMS message is routed to the intermediary system.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the intermediary operates, from the perspective of the first network, as a Mobile Switching Center (MSC), in accordance with the same standards as the standards of the first network.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the intermediary operates, from the perspective of the second network, as a Mobile Switching Center (MSC), in accordance with the same standards as the standards of the second network.

8-9. -9. (canceled)

12. A system for exchanging a short message service (SMS) message between networks operating in accordance with different standards, comprising:

an intermediary system that operates between a first network operating in accordance with a first standard and a second network operating in accordance with a second standard;

means for receiving, at the intermediary, a routing information request for an SMS message from the first network;

means for sending, from the intermediary in response to the routing information request, an acknowledgement message to the first network;

means for receiving the SMS message at the intermediary;

means for generating, in the intermediary, an acknowledgement of receipt of the SMS message, and for sending the acknowledgement of receipt to the first network; and

means for sending the SMS message from the intermediary to the second network,

wherein the intermediary is an entity distinct from the first and second networks, and

wherein sending the acknowledgement of receipt to the first network is performed only after a response from the second network is received at the intermediary system.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the first network operates in accordance with GSM standards.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the second network operates in accordance with ANSI standards.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein the intermediary system emulates a mobile switching center operating in accordance with GSM standards.

16. The system of claim 12, wherein the routing information request is a MAP Send Routing Information for MT SMS message in accordance with GSM standards.

17. The system of claim 12, further comprising means for performing a GTT look up to determine to which switch the SMS message should be sent.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein when the SMS message is directed to a mobile station (MS) operating in the second network, the SMS message is routed to the intermediary system.

21. The system of claim 12, wherein the intermediary operates, from the perspective of the first network, as a Mobile Switching Center (MSC), in accordance with the same standards as the standards of the first network.

22. The system of claim 12, wherein the intermediary operates, from the perspective of the second network, as a Mobile Switching Center (MSC), in accordance with the same standards as the standards of the second network.

19-20. -20. (canceled)

23. (canceled)

24. A method of exchanging a short message service (SMS) message between networks operating in accordance with different standards, comprising:

operating an intermediary system that operates between a first network operating in accordance with a first standard and a second network operating in accordance with a second standard;

receiving, at the intermediary, a routing information request for an SMS message from the first network;

sending, from the intermediary in response to the routing information request, an acknowledgement message to the first network;

receiving the SMS message at the intermediary;

generating, in the intermediary, an acknowledgement of receipt of the SMS message, and sending the acknowledgement of receipt to the first network; and

sending the SMS message from the intermediary to the second network,

wherein the intermediary is an entity distinct from the first and second networks, and

wherein the step of sending the acknowledgement of receipt to the first network is performed only after an acknowledgement of receipt of the SMS message is received from the second network at the intermediary system.

25. A system for exchanging a short message service (SMS) message between networks operating in accordance with different standards, comprising:

an intermediary system that operates between a first network operating in accordance with a first standard and a second network operating in accordance with a second standard;

means for receiving, at the intermediary, a routing information request for an SMS message from the first network;

means for sending, from the intermediary in response to the routing information request, an acknowledgement message to the first network;

means for receiving the SMS message at the intermediary;

means for generating, in the intermediary, an acknowledgement of receipt of the SMS message, and for sending the acknowledgement of receipt to the first network; and

means for sending the SMS message from the intermediary to the second network,

wherein the intermediary is an entity distinct from the first and second networks, and

wherein sending the acknowledgement of receipt to the first network is performed only after an acknowledgement of receipt of the SMS message is received from the second network at the intermediary system.