System and Method for Routing Short Message Service Special Number Messages to Local Special Number Answering Points

• US 20080045250A1
• Filed: 05/29/2007
• Published: 02/21/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/02/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intrado Life & Safety Incorporated
• Original Assignee: West Corporation
• Inventors: Hwang, Kuen-Yih
• Granted Patent: US 8,204,520 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/466
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/214 using selective forwarding
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/48 Message addressing, e.g. address format or anonymous messages, aliases
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/58 Message adaptation for wireless communication
• 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 4/90 Services for handling of emergency or hazardous situations, e.g. earthquake and tsunami warning systems [ETWS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/50 for emergency connections

Abstract

A system and method that overrides the initial destination number of an SMS message based on the destination number in the message itself. The communications device, a serving MSC or STP checks the destination address and overwrites the default SMSC address with a local special number service center address when it detects a special number destination address recognized anywhere in the world (e.g., 9-1-1, 1-1-2, 1-1-0, etc.). The message is then delivered to a local special number service center. The special number service center then delivers the message to an answering point, which then communicates with the caller.

Claims

1. A method for routing special numbers short message service (SMS) messages originating with an SMS-enabled wireless device comprising:

screening an SMS message for a special number;

substituting an address of a special message center for an address of a short message service center assigned to the SMS-enabled wireless communications device;

routing the message to the special message center; and

forwarding the message to an answering point.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein screening an SMS message for a special number comprises said SMS-enabled wireless device screening the SMS message for a special number.

3. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein screening an SMS message for a special number comprises a mobile switching center screening the SMS message for a special number.

4. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein screening an SMS message for a special number comprises a signaling transfer point screening the SMS message for a special number.

5. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein forwarding the message to an answering point comprises:

determining an answering point proximal to said SMS-enabled wireless communications device; and

forwarding the message to the determined answering point.

6. An emergency message center comprising:

an interface configured to send and receive messages from a network;

a routing database; and

a processor connected to said interface and said routing database;

said processor being configured to receive routing request messages from said interface, query said routing database using one or more parameters from said message, and send routing information obtained responsive to the query through said interface.

7. An emergency message center in accordance with claim 6 wherein said processor is further configured to store information regarding said routing request.

8. An emergency message center in accordance with claim 7 further comprising:

a PSAP interface connected to said processor and a data network and configured to receive requests for further information regarding said routing request and wherein said processor is further configured to retrieve the stored information regarding said routing request and transmit said stored information regarding said routing request via said PSAP interface.

9. An emergency message center in accordance with claim 6 wherein said routing request comprises an emergency message and wherein said processor is further configured to determine one of a plurality of PSAP'"'"'s as a destination PSAP for the emergency message, substitute an address of the destination PSAP in the emergency message and forward the message to the destination PSAP.

10. An emergency message center in accordance with claim 9 wherein said routing request comprises an emergency message and wherein said determination is based on location.

11. An emergency message center in accordance with claim 9 wherein said routing request comprises an emergency message and wherein said determination is based on language.