System and Method for Short Code Directory

• US 20080070558A1
• Filed: 09/17/2007
• Published: 03/20/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/18/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Sybase 365 Incorporated (SAP SE)
• Original Assignee: Sybase 365 Incorporated (SAP SE)
• Inventors: Lovell, Robert C.
• Application Number:
  US11/856,447
• Publication Number:
  US 20080070558A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/414.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/4557 Directories for hybrid networks, e.g. including telephone numbers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1016 IP multimedia subsystem [IMS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13098 Mobile subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13103 Memory
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1313 Metering, billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13216 Code signals, frame structure
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/00 Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor

Abstract

A service that leverages established wireless messaging paradigms such as, possibly inter alia, Short Message Service, Multimedia Message Service, and IP Multimedia Subsystem to yield an infrastructure that (1) supports a comprehensive Common Short Code directory that seamlessly spans or crosses the disparate ‘islands’ of national/regional Short Code information and that offers, possibly among other things, a full-featured search capability and (2) allows a Mobile Subscriber to seamlessly employ their Wireless Device to interact with same. The service may optionally leverage the capabilities of a centrally-located Value-Added Service Provider.

Claims

1. A method of managing common short codes (CSCs), comprising:

accumulating common short code (CSC) data from a plurality of nationally disparate CSC Administrators, and arranging and storing the same in a database;

receiving a search request related to a CSC;

querying the database for information related to the CSC; and

generating and sending a reply message related to the CSC based on information retrieved from the database.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the CSC data includes a country identification.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the CSC data includes an identification of a CSC Administrator.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the CSC data includes a function of a given CSC.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the function comprises at least one of search and sports.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the search request is sent wirelessly.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the search request is sent as a short message service (SMS) message.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the search request is sent as a multimedia service (MMS) message.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising processing a keyword received as part of the search request.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein a wildcard is received as part of the search request.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising making at least a portion of content of the reply message available via channel that is different from a channel via which the search request was sent.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the search request is sent via the short message service (SMS) and the content of the reply message is made available via the world wide web (WWW).

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising hosting and managing a quick list of CSCs for a user.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising alerting a user when, in response to previously supplied user information, a CSC becomes newly-available.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising billing a user for CSC management service.

16. A method of managing a short code directory, comprising:

arranging communications with a plurality of nationally disparate Common Short Code (CSC) Administrators;

obtaining from the nationally disparate CSC Administrators information about short codes being respectively managed by the nationally disparate CSC Administrators;

aggregating the information about the short codes in a database; and

providing access to the information about the short codes via queries received from third parties.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the information about the short codes includes a country identification and a function of a given short code.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising processing a keyword received as part of a search request.

19. The method of claim 16, further comprising responding the queries over a channel that is different from a channel over which the queries were received.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the queries are sent via the short message service (SMS) and responses to the queries are made available via the world wide web (WWW).