METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING ENHANCED SMS/EMS/MMS

• US 20100304766A1
• Filed: 06/02/2009
• Published: 12/02/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/02/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: GOYAL, Amitabh
• Granted Patent: US 9,130,779 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/466
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/212 using filtering or selective blocking
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/234 for tracking messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/58 Message adaptation for wireless communication

Abstract

A system and various methods provide enhanced SMS/MMS/EMS messaging services. In an embodiment, a delivery confirmation of a SMS/MMS/EMS message is provided to the originating sender'"'"'s communication device. In another embodiment, a read receipt of a SMS/MMS/EMS message is provided to the originating sender'"'"'s communication device. In other embodiments, a sender is provided with the ability to delete a previously sent and received SMS/MMS/EMS message from a recipient'"'"'s communication device or recall/replace a previously sent and received SMS/MMS/EMS message with a new SMS/MMS/EMS message. In another embodiment, a sender is provided with the ability to send a SMS/MMS/EMS message that will automatically be deleted upon the occurrence of an expiration event. In other embodiments, a recipient may block, re-route or restrict the use of SMS/MMS/EMS message.

Claims

1. A method for providing enhanced short messaging service, comprising:

receiving a short message service message from a sender'"'"'s communication device via a short message service center;

storing the received message in local memory;

examining the received message to determine if the enhanced short messaging service has been selected by the sender; and

performing the enhanced short messaging service.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the enhanced short messaging service is a request to provide a read receipt and wherein said examining the received short message service message comprises determining if a read receipt flag is set in the message header, the method further comprising:

displaying the message to a recipient;

generating the read receipt; and

transmitting the read receipt to the sender'"'"'s communication device.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising requesting confirmation of a read receipt from the recipient, wherein the read receipt is generated only if the recipient confirms the read receipt.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the enhanced short messaging service is a request to delete a previously received message and wherein said examining the received short message service message comprises determining if a delete request flag is set in the message header, the method further comprising:

parsing the message for information identifying the previously received message;

searching for the previously received message in a local memory;

determining if the previously received message has been displayed to the recipient; and

deleting the previously received message from the local memory if the previously received message has not been displayed to the recipient.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the information identifying the previously received message comprises an identifier of the sender'"'"'s communication device, date and time the previously received message was sent, and keywords contained in the previously received message payload.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising storing a new message in place of the deleted previously received message in local memory.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the enhanced short messaging service is a request to delete the received message upon occurrence of an expiration event and wherein said examining the received short message service message comprises determining if a self destruct flag is set in the message header, the method further comprising:

setting a self destruct monitoring flag if a message is received with a self destruct flag set;

determining on a periodic basis whether the self destruct monitoring flag is set;

selecting a message stored in local memory if the self destruct monitoring flag is set;

parsing the selected message to determine the expiration event for the selected message;

deleting the selected message if the expiration event has occurred; and

resetting the self destruct monitoring flag if no other messages with self destruct flags set are stored in memory.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the step of storing the received message in local memory stores the received message in a separate memory location designated for self destructing messages if the self destruct flag is set.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the expiration event is a predetermined date and time.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the expiration event is a predetermined period of time after the message is received.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the enhanced short messaging service is a request to prevent display of the received message in a certain location and wherein said examining the received short message service message comprises determining if a privacy flag is set in the message header, the method further comprising:

receiving a request to display the received message;

retrieving a current location of the recipient'"'"'s communication device;

comparing the current location of the recipient'"'"'s communication device with restricted locations specified by the sender; and

displaying the message only when the current location is not equal to a restricted location.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising deleting the received message from local memory.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the enhanced short messaging service is a request to delete the received message after the received message is displayed and wherein said examining the received short message service message comprises determining if a delete after reading flag is set in the message header, the method further comprising:

receiving a request to display the received message;

displaying the received message; and

deleting the received message after displaying if the delete after reading flag is set.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the enhanced short messaging service is a request to prevent the recipient from forwarding the received message and wherein said examining the received short message service message comprises determining if a prevent forwarding flag is set in the message header, the method further comprising:

receiving a request to forward the received message; and

displaying a notice to the recipient indicating the sender'"'"'s request to prevent forwarding of the received message if the prevent forwarding flag is set.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising deleting the received message from local memory.

82. The short message service center server of claim 81, wherein the processor is configured with software instructions to perform further steps comprising:

storing a new message in place of the deleted previously received message in local memory.

16. A method for providing enhanced short messaging service, comprising:

receiving a short message service message from a sender'"'"'s communication device;

storing the received message in local memory;

examining the received message to determine if the enhanced short messaging service has been selected by the sender; and

performing the enhanced short messaging service.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the enhanced short messaging service is a request to delete a previously received message and wherein said examining the received short message service message comprises determining if a delete request flag is set in the message header, the method further comprising:

parsing the message for information identifying the previously received message;

searching for the previously received message in a local memory; and

deleting the previously received message from the local memory.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the information identifying the previously received message comprises an identifier of the sender'"'"'s communication device, date and time that the previously received message was sent, and a keyword contained in the previously received message payload.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising storing a new message in place of the deleted previously received message in local memory.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein the enhanced short messaging service is a request to delete the received message upon occurrence of an expiration event and wherein said examining the received short message service message comprises determining if a self destruct flag is set in the message header, the method further comprising:

setting a self destruct monitoring flag if a message is received with a self destruct flag set;

determining on a periodic basis whether the self destruct monitoring flag is set;

selecting a message stored in local memory if the self destruct monitoring flag is set;

parsing the selected message to determine the expiration event for the selected message;

deleting the selected message if the expiration event has occurred; and

resetting the self destruct monitoring flag if no other messages with self destruct flags set are stored in memory.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the expiration event is a predetermined date and time.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein the expiration event is a predetermined period of time after the message is received.

23. The method of claim 16, wherein the enhanced short messaging service is a request to prevent display of the received message in a certain location and wherein said examining the received short message service message comprises determining if a privacy flag is set in the message header, the method further comprising:

receiving an indication that a recipient'"'"'s communication device to which the received message is addressed is available;

transmitting a request to the recipient'"'"'s communication device for current location information of the recipient'"'"'s communication device;

receiving current location information from the recipient'"'"'s communication device;

comparing the current location of the recipient'"'"'s communication device with restricted locations specified by the sender; and

forwarding the received message only when the received current location is not equal to a restricted location.

24. A method for providing enhanced short messaging service, comprising:

receiving a short message service message from a sender'"'"'s communication device via a short message service center;

appending an expiration event to the received message;

storing the appended received message in local memory;

determining on a periodic basis whether the expiration event appended to received messages has occurred;

selecting a message stored in local memory;

parsing the selected message to determine the expiration event appended to the selected message; and

deleting the selected message if the expiration event has occurred.

25. The method of 24, wherein the expiration event is selected by a recipient and wherein appending the expiration event is individually appended upon instruction of a recipient.

26. A method for providing enhanced short messaging service, comprising:

receiving a short message service message;

storing the received message in local memory;

retrieving a restrictions table from local memory, the restrictions table including at least a list of selected communication device identifiers;

retrieving an identifier of the sender'"'"'s communication device from received message header;

comparing the identifier of the sender'"'"'s communication device with selected communication device identifiers contained in the restrictions table; and

performing the enhanced short messaging service if the retrieved identifier of the sender'"'"'s communication device matches any of the selected communication device identifiers contained in the restrictions table.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein:

the enhanced short messaging service prevents receipt of messages from selected sender communication devices; and

the method further comprises deleting the received message from local memory.

28. The method of claim 26, wherein:

the enhanced short messaging service prevents forwarding of messages from selected sender communication devices; and

the method further comprises deleting the received message from local memory.

29. The method of claim 26, wherein:

the enhanced short messaging service re-routes the received message; and

the method further comprises;

retrieving a re-routed recipient communication device identifier associated with the identifier of the sender'"'"'s communication device from the retrieved restrictions table; and

changing a unique identifier of a recipient'"'"'s communication device in the received message header to the retrieved re-routed recipient communication device identifier.

30. The method of claim 29, further comprising:

storing in local memory the received message with the retrieved re-routed recipient communication device identifier changed in the received message header.

31. The method of claim 29, further comprising:

transmitting the received message with the retrieved re-routed recipient communication device identifier changed in the received message header.

32. A method for providing enhanced short messaging service, comprising:

receiving a short message service message;

storing the received message in local memory;

retrieving a restrictions table from local memory, the restrictions table containing locations and times at which a short message is not to be received;

retrieving one or both of a current location and a current time;

comparing the retrieved current location or current time to entries in the retrieved restrictions table; and

performing the enhanced short messaging service only if the retrieved current location or current time does not match any of the entries in the retrieved restrictions table.

33. The method of claim 32 wherein the enhanced short messaging service restricts receipt of messages and wherein the method further comprises:

alerting a recipient of the received message only if the retrieved current location does not match any of the entries within the retrieved restrictions table.

34. The method of claim 32 wherein the enhanced short messaging service restricts receipt of messages and wherein the method further comprises:

alerting a recipient of the received message only if the retrieved current time does not match any of the entries within the retrieved restrictions table.

35. The method of claim 32 wherein the enhanced short messaging service restricts receipt of messages and wherein the method further comprises:

alerting a recipient of the received message only if the retrieved current location and current time do not match correlated entries within the retrieved restrictions table.

36. The method of claim 32 wherein the enhanced short messaging service restricts receipt of messages and wherein the method further comprises:

forwarding the received message to a recipient'"'"'s communication device only if the retrieved current location does not match any of the entries within the retrieved restrictions table.

37. The method of claim 32 wherein the enhanced short messaging service restricts receipt of messages and wherein the method further comprises:

forwarding the received message to a recipient'"'"'s communication device only if the retrieved current time does not match any of the entries within the retrieved restrictions table.

38. The method of claim 32 wherein the enhanced short messaging service restricts receipt of messages and wherein the method further comprises:

forwarding the received message to a recipient'"'"'s communication device only if the retrieved current location and current time do not match correlated entries within the retrieved restrictions table.

39. A communication device capable of providing enhanced short message service, comprising:

means for receiving a short message service message from a sender'"'"'s communication device via a short message service center;

means for storing the received message in local memory;

means for examining the received message to determine if the enhanced short messaging service has been selected by the sender; and

means for performing the enhanced short messaging service.

40. The communication device of claim 39, wherein the enhanced short messaging service provides a read receipt and wherein said means for examining the received short message service message comprises means for determining if a read receipt flag is set in the received message header, the communication device further comprising:

means for displaying the message to a recipient;

means for generating the read receipt; and

means for transmitting the read receipt to the sender'"'"'s communication device.

41. The communication device of claim 40, further comprising means for requesting confirmation of the read receipt from a recipient, wherein the read receipt is generated only if the recipient confirms the read receipt.

42. The communication device of claim 39, wherein the enhanced short messaging service allows a sender to delete a previously received message and wherein said means for examining the received short message service message comprises means for determining if a delete request flag is set in the message header, the communication device further comprising:

means for parsing the message for information identifying the previously received message;

means for searching for the previously received message in a local memory;

means for determining if the previously received message has been displayed to the recipient; and

means for deleting the previously received message from the local memory if the previously received message has not been displayed to the recipient.

43. The communication device of claim 42, wherein the information identifying the previously received message comprises an identifier of the sender'"'"'s communication device, date and time the previously received message was sent, and keywords contained in the previously received message payload.

44. The communication device of claim 43, further comprising means for storing a new message in place of the deleted previously received message in local memory.

45. The communication device of claim 39, wherein the enhanced short messaging service allows a sender to delete the received message upon occurrence of an expiration event and wherein said means for examining the received short message service message comprises means for determining if a self destruct flag is set in the message header, the communication device further comprising:

means for setting a self destruct monitoring flag if a message is received with a self destruct flag set;

means for determining on a periodic basis whether the self destruct monitoring flag is set;

means for selecting a message stored in local memory if the self destruct monitoring flag is set;

means for parsing the selected message to determine the expiration event for the selected message;

means for deleting the selected message if the expiration event has occurred; and

means for resetting the self destruct monitoring flag if no other messages with self destruct flags set are stored in memory.

46. The communication device of claim 45, wherein the means for storing the received message in local memory further comprises means for storing the received message in a separate memory location designated for self destructing messages if the self destruct flag is set.

47. The communication device of claim 39, wherein the enhanced short messaging service allows the sender to prevent display of the received message in a certain location and wherein said means for examining the received short message service message comprises means for determining if a privacy flag is set in the message header, the communication device further comprising:

means for receiving a request to display the received message;

means for retrieving a current location of the recipient'"'"'s communication device;

means for comparing the current location of the recipient'"'"'s communication device with restricted locations specified by the sender; and

means for displaying the message only when the current location is not equal to a restricted location.

48. The communication device of claim 47, further comprising means for deleting the received message from local memory.

49. A short message service center server capable of providing enhanced short messaging service, comprising:

means for receiving a short message service message from a sender'"'"'s communication device;

means for storing the received message in local memory;

means for examining the received message to determine if the enhanced short messaging service has been selected by the sender; and

means for performing the enhanced short messaging service.

50. The short message service center server of claim 49, wherein the enhanced short messaging service allows a sender to delete a previously received message and wherein said means for examining the received short message service message comprises means for determining if a delete request flag is set in the message header, the short message service center server further comprising:

means for parsing the message for information identifying the previously received message;

means for searching for the previously received message in a local memory; and

means for deleting the previously received message from the local memory.

51. The short message service center server of claim 50, further comprising means for storing a new message in place of the deleted previously received message in local memory.

52. The short message service center server of claim 49, wherein the enhanced short messaging service allows a sender to delete the received message upon occurrence of an expiration event and wherein said means for examining the received short message service message comprises means for determining if a self destruct flag is set in the message header, the short message service center server further comprising:

means for setting a self destruct monitoring flag if a message is received with a self destruct flag set;

means for determining on a periodic basis whether the self destruct monitoring flag is set;

means for selecting a message stored in local memory if the self destruct monitoring flag is set;

means for parsing the selected message to determine the expiration event for the selected message;

means for deleting the selected message if the expiration event has occurred; and

means for resetting the self destruct monitoring flag if no other messages with self destruct flags set are stored in memory.

53. The short message service center server of claim 49, wherein the enhanced short messaging service allows a sender to prevent display of the received message in a certain location and wherein said means for examining the received short message service message comprises means for determining if a privacy flag is set in the message header, the short message service center server further comprising:

means for receiving an indication that a recipient'"'"'s communication device to which the received message is addressed is available;

means for transmitting a request to the recipient'"'"'s communication device for current location information of the recipient'"'"'s communication device;

means for receiving current location information from the recipient'"'"'s communication device;

means for comparing the current location of the recipient'"'"'s communication device with restricted locations specified by the sender; and

means for forwarding the received message only when the received current location is not equal to a restricted location.

54. A communication device capable of providing enhanced short messaging service, comprising:

means for receiving a short message service message from a sender'"'"'s communication device via a short message service center;

means for appending an expiration event to the received message;

means for storing the appended received message in local memory;

means for determining on a periodic basis whether the expiration event appended to received messages has occurred;

means for selecting a message stored in local memory;

means for parsing the selected message to determine the expiration event appended to the selected message; and

means for deleting the selected message if the expiration event has occurred.

55. The communication device of 54, wherein the expiration event is selected by a recipient and wherein the means for appending the expiration event individually appends expiration events to received messages upon instruction of a recipient.

56. A communication device for providing enhanced short messaging service, comprising:

means for receiving a short message service message;

means for storing the received message in local memory;

means for retrieving a restrictions table from local memory, the restrictions table including at least a list of selected communication device identifiers;

means for retrieving an identifier of the sender'"'"'s communication device from received message header;

means for comparing the identifier of the sender'"'"'s communication device with selected communication device identifiers contained in the restrictions table; and

means for performing the enhanced short messaging service if the retrieved identifier of the sender'"'"'s communication device matches any of the selected communication device identifiers contained in the restrictions table.

57. The communications device of claim 56, wherein the enhanced short messaging service prevents receipt of messages from selected sender communication devices, and wherein the communication device further comprises means for deleting the received message from local memory.

58. The communication device of claim 56, wherein the enhanced short messaging service re-routes the received message;

and the communication device further comprises;

means for retrieving a re-routed recipient communication device identifier associated with the identifier of the sender'"'"'s communication device from the retrieved restrictions table;

means for changing a unique identifier of a recipient'"'"'s communication device in the received message header to the retrieved re-routed recipient communication device identifier; and

means for transmitting the received message with the retrieved re-routed recipient communication device identifier changed in the received message header.

59. A short message service center server for providing enhanced short messaging service, comprising:

means for receiving a short message service message;

means for storing the received message in local memory;

means for retrieving a restrictions table from local memory, the restrictions table including at least a list of selected communication device identifiers;

means for retrieving an identifier of the sender'"'"'s communication device from received message header;

means for comparing the identifier of the sender'"'"'s communication device with selected communication device identifiers contained in the restrictions table; and

means for performing the enhanced short messaging service if the retrieved identifier of the sender'"'"'s communication device matches any of the selected communication device identifiers contained in the restrictions table.

60. The short message service center server of claim 59, wherein the enhanced short messaging service prevents forwarding of messages from selected sender communication devices, the short message service center further comprises means for deleting the received message from local memory.

61. The short message service center server of claim 59, wherein the enhanced short messaging service re-routes the received message;

and the communication device further comprises;

means for retrieving a re-routed recipient communication device identifier associated with the identifier of the sender'"'"'s communication device from the retrieved restrictions table;

means for changing a unique identifier of a recipient'"'"'s communication device in the received message header to the retrieved re-routed recipient communication device identifier; and

means for storing in local memory the received message with the retrieved re-routed recipient communication device identifier changed in the received message header.

62. A communication device capable of providing enhanced short messaging service, comprising:

means for receiving a short message service message;

means for storing the received message in local memory;

means for retrieving a restrictions table from local memory, the restrictions table containing locations and times at which a short message is not to be received;

means for retrieving one or both of a current location and a current time;

means for comparing the retrieved current location or current time to entries in the retrieved restrictions table; and

means for performing the enhanced short messaging service only if the retrieved current location or current time does not match any of the entries in the retrieved restrictions table.

63. The communication device of claim 62 wherein the enhanced short messaging service restricts receipt of messages and wherein the communication device further comprises:

means for alerting a recipient of the received message only if the retrieved current location does not match any of the entries within the retrieved restrictions table.

64. The communication device of claim 62 wherein the enhanced short messaging service restricts receipt of messages and wherein the communication device further comprises:

alerting a recipient of the received message only if the retrieved current time does not match any of the entries within the retrieved restrictions table.

65. The communication device of claim 62 wherein the enhanced short messaging service restricts receipt of messages and wherein the communication device further comprises:

alerting a recipient of the received message only if the retrieved current location and current time do not match correlated entries within the retrieved restrictions table.

66. A short message service center server capable of providing enhanced short messaging service, comprising:

means for receiving a short message service message;

means for storing the received message in local memory;

means for retrieving a restrictions table from local memory, the restrictions table containing locations and times at which a short message is not to be received;

means for retrieving one or both of a current location and a current time;

means for comparing the retrieved current location or current time to entries in the retrieved restrictions table; and

means for performing the enhanced short messaging service only if the retrieved current location or current time does not match any of the entries in the retrieved restrictions table.

67. The short message service center server of claim 66 wherein the enhanced short messaging service restricts receipt of messages and wherein the communication device further comprises:

forwarding the received message to a recipient'"'"'s communication device only if the retrieved current location does not match any of the entries within the retrieved restrictions table.

68. The short message service center server of claim 66 wherein the enhanced short messaging service restricts receipt of messages and wherein the communication device further comprises:

forwarding the received message to a recipient'"'"'s communication device only if the retrieved current time does not match any of the entries within the retrieved restrictions table.

69. The short message service center server of claim 66 wherein the enhanced short messaging service restricts receipt of messages and wherein the communication device further comprises:

forwarding the received message to a recipient'"'"'s communication device only if the retrieved current location and current time do not match correlated entries within the retrieved restrictions table.

70. A communication device capable of providing enhanced short message service, comprising:

a memory unit; and

a processor coupled to the memory unit, wherein the processor is configured with software instructions to perform steps comprising;

receiving a short message service message from a sender'"'"'s communication device via a short message service center;

storing the received message in local memory;

examining the received message to determine if the enhanced short messaging service has been selected by the sender; and

performing the enhanced short messaging service.

71. The communication device of claim 70, wherein the enhanced short messaging service provides a read receipt and wherein the processor is configured with software instructions to perform further steps comprising:

determining if a read receipt flag is set in the received message header;

displaying the message to a recipient;

generating the read receipt; and

transmitting the read receipt to the sender'"'"'s communication device.

72. The communication device of claim 71 wherein the processor is configured with software instructions to perform further steps comprising:

requesting confirmation of the read receipt from a recipient, wherein the read receipt is generated only if the recipient confirms the read receipt.

73. The communication device of claim 70, wherein the enhanced short messaging service allows a sender to delete a previously received message and wherein the processor is configured with software instructions to perform further steps comprising:

determining if a delete request flag is set in the message header;

parsing the message for information identifying the previously received message;

searching for the previously received message in a local memory;

determining if the previously received message has been displayed to the recipient; and

deleting the previously received message from the local memory if the previously received message has not been displayed to the recipient.

74. The communication device of claim 73, wherein the information identifying the previously received message comprises an identifier of the sender'"'"'s communication device, date and time the previously received message was sent, and keywords contained in the previously received message payload.

75. The communication device of claim 70, wherein the processor is configured with software instructions to perform further steps comprising:

storing a new message in place of the deleted previously received message in local memory.

76. The communication device of claim 70, wherein the enhanced short messaging service allows a sender to delete the received message upon occurrence of an expiration event and wherein the processor is configured with software instructions to perform further steps comprising:

determining if a self destruct flag is set in the message header;

setting a self destruct monitoring flag if a message is received with a self destruct flag set;

determining on a periodic basis whether the self destruct monitoring flag is set;

selecting a message stored in local memory if the self destruct monitoring flag is set;

parsing the selected message to determine the expiration event for the selected message;

deleting the selected message if the expiration event has occurred; and

resetting the self destruct monitoring flag if no other messages with self destruct flags set are stored in memory.

77. The communication device of claim 76, wherein the processor is configured with software instructions to perform further steps comprising:

storing the received message in a separate memory location designated for self destructing messages if the self destruct flag is set.

78. The communication device of claim 70, wherein the enhanced short messaging service allows the sender to prevent display of the received message in a certain location and wherein the processor is configured with software instructions to perform further steps comprising:

determining if a privacy flag is set in the message header;

receiving a request to display the received message;

retrieving a current location of the recipient'"'"'s communication device;

comparing the current location of the recipient'"'"'s communication device with restricted locations specified by the sender; and

displaying the message only when the current location is not equal to a restricted location.

79. The communication device of claim 78, wherein the processor is configured with software instructions to perform further steps comprising:

deleting the received message from local memory.

80. A short message service center server capable of providing enhanced short messaging service, comprising:

a memory unit; and

a processor coupled to the memory unit, wherein the processor is configured with software instructions to perform steps comprising;

receiving a short message service message from a sender'"'"'s communication device;

storing the received message in local memory;

examining the received message to determine if the enhanced short messaging service has been selected by the sender; and

performing the enhanced short messaging service.

81. The short message service center server of claim 80, wherein the enhanced short messaging service allows a sender to delete a previously received message and wherein the processor is configured with software instructions to perform further steps comprising:

determining if a delete request flag is set in the message header;

parsing the message for information identifying the previously received message;

searching for the previously received message in a local memory; and

deleting the previously received message from the local memory.

83. The short message service center server of claim 80, wherein the enhanced short messaging service allows a sender to delete the received message upon occurrence of an expiration event and wherein the processor is configured with software instructions to perform further steps comprising:

determining if a self destruct flag is set in the message header;

setting a self destruct monitoring flag if a message is received with a self destruct flag set;

determining on a periodic basis whether the self destruct monitoring flag is set;

selecting a message stored in local memory if the self destruct monitoring flag is set;

parsing the selected message to determine the expiration event for the selected message;

deleting the selected message if the expiration event has occurred; and

resetting the self destruct monitoring flag if no other messages with self destruct flags set are stored in memory.

84. The short message service center server of claim 80, wherein the enhanced short messaging service allows a sender to prevent display of the received message in a certain location and wherein the processor is configured with software instructions to perform further steps comprising:

determining if a privacy flag is set in the message header;

receiving an indication that a recipient'"'"'s communication device to which the received message is addressed is available;

transmitting a request to the recipient'"'"'s communication device for current location information of the recipient'"'"'s communication device;

receiving current location information from the recipient'"'"'s communication device;

comparing the current location of the recipient'"'"'s communication device with restricted locations specified by the sender; and

forwarding the received message only when the received current location is not equal to a restricted location.

85. A communication device capable of providing enhanced short messaging service, comprising:

a memory unit; and

a processor coupled to the memory unit, wherein the processor is configured with software instructions to perform steps comprising;

receiving a short message service message from a sender'"'"'s communication device via a short message service center;

appending an expiration event to the received message;

storing the appended received message in local memory;

determining on a periodic basis whether the expiration event appended to received messages has occurred;

selecting a message stored in local memory;

parsing the selected message to determine the expiration event appended to the selected message; and

deleting the selected message if the expiration event has occurred.

86. The communication device of claim 85, wherein the expiration event is selected by a recipient and herein the processor is configured with software instructions to perform further steps comprising:

appending the expiration event individually to received messages upon instruction of a recipient.

87. A communication device for providing enhanced short messaging service, comprising:

a memory unit; and

a processor coupled to the memory unit, wherein the processor is configured with software instructions to perform steps comprising;

receiving a short message service message;

storing the received message in local memory;

retrieving a restrictions table from local memory, the restrictions table including at least a list of selected communication device identifiers;

retrieving an identifier of the sender'"'"'s communication device from received message header;

comparing the identifier of the sender'"'"'s communication device with selected communication device identifiers contained in the restrictions table; and

performing the enhanced short messaging service if the retrieved identifier of the sender'"'"'s communication device matches any of the selected communication device identifiers contained in the restrictions table.

88. The communication device of claim 87, wherein the enhanced short messaging service prevents receipt of messages from selected sender communication devices and wherein the processor is configured with software instructions to perform further steps comprising:

deleting the received message from local memory.

89. The communication device of claim 87, wherein the enhanced short messaging service re-routes the received message and wherein the processor is configured with software instructions to perform further steps comprising:

retrieving a re-routed recipient communication device identifier associated with the identifier of the sender'"'"'s communication device from the retrieved restrictions table;

changing a unique identifier of a recipient'"'"'s communication device in the received message header to the retrieved re-routed recipient communication device identifier; and

transmitting the received message with the retrieved re-routed recipient communication device identifier changed in the received message header.

90. A short message service center server for providing enhanced short messaging service, comprising:

a memory unit; and

a processor coupled to the memory unit, wherein the processor is configured with software instructions to perform steps comprising;

receiving a short message service message;

storing the received message in local memory;

retrieving a restrictions table from local memory, the restrictions table including at least a list of selected communication device identifiers;

retrieving an identifier of the sender'"'"'s communication device from received message header;

comparing the identifier of the sender'"'"'s communication device with selected communication device identifiers contained in the restrictions table; and

performing the enhanced short messaging service if the retrieved identifier of the sender'"'"'s communication device matches any of the selected communication device identifiers contained in the restrictions table.

91. The short message service center server of claim 90, wherein the enhanced short messaging service prevents forwarding of messages from selected sender communication devices and wherein the processor is configured with software instructions to perform further steps comprising:

deleting the received message from local memory.

92. The short message service center server of claim 90, wherein the enhanced short messaging service re-routes the received message and wherein the processor is configured with software instructions to perform further steps comprising:

retrieving a re-routed recipient communication device identifier associated with the identifier of the sender'"'"'s communication device from the retrieved restrictions table;

changing a unique identifier of a recipient'"'"'s communication device in the received message header to the retrieved re-routed recipient communication device identifier; and

storing in local memory the received message with the retrieved re-routed recipient communication device identifier changed in the received message header.

93. A communication device for providing enhanced short messaging service, comprising:

a memory unit; and

a processor coupled to the memory unit, wherein the processor is configured with software instructions to perform steps comprising;

receiving a short message service message;

storing the received message in local memory;

retrieving a restrictions table from local memory, the restrictions table containing locations and times at which a short message is not to be received;

retrieving one or both of a current location and a current time;

comparing the retrieved current location or current time to entries in the retrieved restrictions table; and

performing the enhanced short messaging service only if the retrieved current location or current time does not match any of the entries in the retrieved restrictions table.

94. The communication device of claim 93, wherein the enhanced short messaging service restricts receipt of messages and wherein the processor is configured with software instructions to perform further steps comprising:

alerting a recipient of the received message only if the retrieved current location does not match any of the entries within the retrieved restrictions table.

95. The communication device of claim 93, wherein the enhanced short messaging service restricts receipt of messages and wherein the processor is configured with software instructions to perform further steps comprising:

alerting a recipient of the received message only if the retrieved current time does not match any of the entries within the retrieved restrictions table.

96. The communication device of claim 93, wherein the enhanced short messaging service restricts receipt of messages and wherein the processor is configured with software instructions to perform further steps comprising:

alerting a recipient of the received message only if the retrieved current location and current time do not match correlated entries within the retrieved restrictions table.

97. A short message service center server capable of providing enhanced short messaging service, comprising:

a memory unit; and

a processor coupled to the memory unit, wherein the processor is configured with software instructions to perform steps comprising;

receiving a short message service message;

storing the received message in local memory;

retrieving a restrictions table from local memory, the restrictions table containing locations and times at which a short message is not to be received;

retrieving one or both of a current location and a current time;

comparing the retrieved current location or current time to entries in the retrieved restrictions table; and

performing the enhanced short messaging service only if the retrieved current location or current time does not match any of the entries in the retrieved restrictions table.

98. The short message service center server of claim 97, wherein the enhanced short messaging service restricts receipt of messages and wherein the processor is configured with software instructions to perform further steps comprising:

forwarding the received message to a recipient'"'"'s communication device only if the retrieved current location does not match any of the entries within the retrieved restrictions table.

99. The short message service center server of claim 97, wherein the enhanced short messaging service restricts receipt of messages and wherein the processor is configured with software instructions to perform further steps comprising:

forwarding the received message to a recipient'"'"'s communication device only if the retrieved current time does not match any of the entries within the retrieved restrictions table.

100. The short message service center server of claim 97, wherein the enhanced short messaging service restricts receipt of messages and wherein the processor is configured with software instructions to perform further steps comprising:

forwarding the received message to a recipient'"'"'s communication device only if the retrieved current location and current time do not match correlated entries within the retrieved restrictions table.

101. A tangible storage medium having stored thereon processor-executable software instructions configured to cause a processor to perform steps comprising:

receiving a short message service message from a sender'"'"'s communication device via a short message service center;

storing the received message in local memory;

examining the received message to determine if the enhanced short messaging service has been selected by the sender; and

performing the enhanced short messaging service.

102. The tangible storage medium of claim 101, wherein the enhanced short messaging service provides a read receipt and wherein the tangible storage medium has processor-executable software instructions configured to cause a processor to perform further steps comprising:

displaying the message to a recipient;

generating the read receipt; and

transmitting the read receipt to the sender'"'"'s communication device.

103. The tangible storage medium of claim 102, wherein the tangible storage medium has processor-executable software instructions configured to cause a processor to perform further steps comprising:

requesting confirmation of a read receipt from the recipient, wherein the read receipt is generated only if the recipient confirms the read receipt.

104. The tangible storage medium of claim 101, wherein the enhanced short messaging service allows a sender to delete a previously received message and wherein the tangible storage medium has processor-executable software instructions configured to cause a processor to perform further steps comprising:

determining if a delete request flag is set in the message header;

parsing the message for information identifying the previously received message;

searching for the previously received message in a local memory;

determining if the previously received message has been displayed to the recipient; and

deleting the previously received message from the local memory if the previously received message has not been displayed to the recipient.

105. The tangible storage medium of claim 104, wherein the information identifying the previously received message comprises an identifier of the sender'"'"'s communication device, date and time the previously received message was sent, and keywords contained in the previously received message payload.

106. The tangible storage medium of claim 105, wherein wherein the tangible storage medium has processor-executable software instructions configured to cause a processor to perform further steps comprising:

storing a new message in place of the deleted previously received message in local memory.

107. The tangible storage medium of claim 101, wherein the enhanced short messaging service allows a sender to delete the received message upon occurrence of an expiration event and wherein the tangible storage medium has processor-executable software instructions configured to cause a processor to perform further steps comprising:

determining if a self destruct flag is set in the message header;

setting a self destruct monitoring flag if a message is received with a self destruct flag set;

determining on a periodic basis whether the self destruct monitoring flag is set;

selecting a message stored in local memory if the self destruct monitoring flag is set;

parsing the selected message to determine the expiration event for the selected message;

deleting the selected message if the expiration event has occurred; and

resetting the self destruct monitoring flag if no other messages with self destruct flags set are stored in memory.

108. The tangible storage medium of claim 107, wherein the tangible storage medium has processor-executable software instructions configured to cause a processor to perform further steps comprising:

storing the received message in a separate memory location designated for self destructing messages if the self destruct flag is set.

109. The tangible storage medium of claim 107, wherein the expiration event is a predetermined date and time.

110. The tangible storage medium of claim 107, wherein the expiration event is a predetermined period of time after the message is received.

111. The tangible storage medium of claim 101, wherein the enhanced short messaging service allows a sender to prevent display of the received message in a certain location and wherein the tangible storage medium has processor-executable software instructions configured to cause a processor to perform further steps comprising:

determining if a privacy flag is set in the message header;

receiving a request to display the received message;

retrieving a current location of the recipient'"'"'s communication device;

comparing the current location of the recipient'"'"'s communication device with restricted locations specified by the sender; and

displaying the message only when the current location is not equal to a restricted location.

112. The tangible storage medium of claim 111, wherein the tangible storage medium has processor-executable software instructions configured to cause a processor to perform further steps comprising:

deleting the received message from local memory.

113. The tangible storage medium of claim 101, wherein the enhanced short messaging service allows a sender to delete the received message after the received message is displayed and wherein the tangible storage medium has processor-executable software instructions configured to cause a processor to perform further steps comprising:

determining if a delete after reading flag is set in the message header;

receiving a request to display the received message;

displaying the received message; and

deleting the received message after displaying if the delete after reading flag is set.

114. The tangible storage medium of claim 101, wherein the enhanced short messaging service allows a sender to prevent the recipient from forwarding the received message and wherein the tangible storage medium has processor-executable software instructions configured to cause a processor to perform further steps comprising:

determining if a prevent forwarding flag is set in the message header;

receiving a request to forward the received message; and

displaying a notice to the recipient indicating the sender'"'"'s request to prevent forwarding of the received message if the prevent forwarding flag is set.

115. The tangible storage medium of claim 114, wherein the tangible storage medium has processor-executable software instructions configured to cause a processor to perform further steps comprising:

deleting the received message from local memory.

116. A tangible storage medium having stored thereon processor-executable software instructions configured to cause a processor to perform steps comprising:

receiving a short message service message from a sender'"'"'s communication device;

storing the received message in local memory;

examining the received message to determine if the enhanced short messaging service has been selected by the sender; and

performing the enhanced short messaging service.

117. The tangible storage medium of claim 116, wherein the enhanced short messaging service allows a sender to delete a previously received message and wherein the tangible storage medium has processor-executable software instructions configured to cause a processor to perform further steps comprising:

determining if a delete request flag is set in the message header;

parsing the message for information identifying the previously received message;

searching for the previously received message in a local memory; and

deleting the previously received message from the local memory.

118. The tangible storage medium of claim 117, wherein the information identifying the previously received message comprises an identifier of the sender'"'"'s communication device, date and time that the previously received message was sent, and a keyword contained in the previously received message payload.

119. The tangible storage medium of claim 118, wherein the tangible storage medium has processor-executable software instructions configured to cause a processor to perform further steps comprising:

storing a new message in place of the deleted previously received message in local memory.

120. The tangible storage medium of claim 116, wherein the enhanced short messaging service allows a sender to delete the received message upon occurrence of an expiration event and wherein the tangible storage medium has processor-executable software instructions configured to cause a processor to perform further steps comprising:

determining if a self destruct flag is set in the message header;

setting a self destruct monitoring flag if a message is received with a self destruct flag set;

determining on a periodic basis whether the self destruct monitoring flag is set;

selecting a message stored in local memory if the self destruct monitoring flag is set;

parsing the selected message to determine the expiration event for the selected message;

deleting the selected message if the expiration event has occurred; and

resetting the self destruct monitoring flag if no other messages with self destruct flags set are stored in memory.

121. The tangible storage medium of claim 120, wherein the expiration event is a predetermined date and time.

122. The tangible storage medium of claim 120, wherein the expiration event is a predetermined period of time after the message is received.

123. The tangible storage medium of claim 116, wherein the enhanced short messaging service allows a sender to prevent display of the received message in a certain location and wherein the tangible storage medium has processor-executable software instructions configured to cause a processor to perform further steps comprising:

determining if a privacy flag is set in the message header;

receiving an indication that a recipient'"'"'s communication device to which the received message is addressed is available;

transmitting a request to the recipient'"'"'s communication device for current location information of the recipient'"'"'s communication device;

receiving current location information from the recipient'"'"'s communication device;

comparing the current location of the recipient'"'"'s communication device with restricted locations specified by the sender; and

forwarding the received message only when the received current location is not equal to a restricted location.

124. A tangible storage medium having stored thereon processor-executable software instructions configured to cause a processor to perform steps comprising:

receiving a short message service message from a sender'"'"'s communication device via a short message service center;

appending an expiration event to the received message;

storing the appended received message in local memory;

determining on a periodic basis whether the expiration event appended to received messages has occurred;

selecting a message stored in local memory;

parsing the selected message to determine the expiration event appended to the selected message; and

deleting the selected message if the expiration event has occurred.

125. The tangible storage medium of claim 124, wherein the tangible storage medium has processor-executable software instructions configured to cause a processor to perform further steps comprising:

receiving a recipient'"'"'s selection of expiration event; and

appending the received expiration event individually to the received message.

126. A tangible storage medium having stored thereon processor-executable software instructions configured to cause a processor to perform steps comprising:

receiving a short message service message;

storing the received message in local memory;

retrieving a restrictions table from local memory, the restrictions table including at least a list of selected communication device identifiers;

retrieving an identifier of the sender'"'"'s communication device from received message header;

comparing the identifier of the sender'"'"'s communication device with selected communication device identifiers contained in the restrictions table; and

performing the enhanced short messaging service if the retrieved identifier of the sender'"'"'s communication device matches any of the selected communication device identifiers contained in the restrictions table.

127. The tangible storage medium of claim 126, wherein the enhanced short messaging service prevents receipt of messages from selected sender communication devices and wherein the tangible storage medium has processor-executable software instructions configured to cause a processor to perform further steps comprising:

deleting the received message from local memory.

128. The tangible storage medium of claim 126, wherein the enhanced short messaging service re-routes the received message and wherein the tangible storage medium has processor-executable software instructions configured to cause a processor to perform further steps comprising:

retrieving a re-routed recipient communication device identifier associated with the identifier of the sender'"'"'s communication device from the retrieved restrictions table; and

changing a unique identifier of a recipient'"'"'s communication device in the received message header to the retrieved re-routed recipient communication device identifier.

129. The tangible storage medium of claim 128, wherein the tangible storage medium has processor-executable software instructions configured to cause a processor to perform further steps comprising:

storing in local memory the received message with the retrieved re-routed recipient communication device identifier changed in the received message header.

130. The tangible storage medium of claim 128, wherein the tangible storage medium has processor-executable software instructions configured to cause a processor to perform further steps comprising:

transmitting the received message with the retrieved re-routed recipient communication device identifier changed in the received message header.

131. A tangible storage medium having stored thereon processor-executable software instructions configured to cause a processor to perform steps comprising:

receiving a short message service message;

storing the received message in local memory;

retrieving a restrictions table from local memory, the restrictions table containing locations and times at which a short message is not to be received;

retrieving one or both of a current location and a current time;

comparing the retrieved current location or current time to entries in the retrieved restrictions table; and

performing the enhanced short messaging service only if the retrieved current location or current time does not match any of the entries in the retrieved restrictions table.

132. The tangible storage medium of claim 131, wherein the enhanced short messaging service restricts receipt of messages and wherein the tangible storage medium has processor-executable software instructions configured to cause a processor to perform further steps comprising:

alerting a recipient of the received message only if the retrieved current location does not match any of the entries within the retrieved restrictions table.

133. The tangible storage medium of claim 131, wherein the enhanced short messaging service restricts receipt of messages and wherein the tangible storage medium has processor-executable software instructions configured to cause a processor to perform further steps comprising:

alerting a recipient of the received message only if the retrieved current time does not match any of the entries within the retrieved restrictions table.

134. The tangible storage medium of claim 131, wherein the enhanced short messaging service restricts receipt of messages and wherein the tangible storage medium has processor-executable software instructions configured to cause a processor to perform further steps comprising:

alerting a recipient of the received message only if the retrieved current location and current time do not match correlated entries within the retrieved restrictions table.

135. The tangible storage medium of claim 131, wherein the enhanced short messaging service restricts receipt of messages and wherein the tangible storage medium has processor-executable software instructions configured to cause a processor to perform further steps comprising:

forwarding the received message to a recipient'"'"'s communication device only if the retrieved current location does not match any of the entries within the retrieved restrictions table.

136. The tangible storage medium of claim 131, wherein the enhanced short messaging service restricts receipt of messages and wherein the tangible storage medium has processor-executable software instructions configured to cause a processor to perform further steps comprising:

forwarding the received message to a recipient'"'"'s communication device only if the retrieved current time does not match any of the entries within the retrieved restrictions table.

137. The tangible storage medium of claim 131, wherein the enhanced short messaging service restricts receipt of messages and wherein the tangible storage medium has processor-executable software instructions configured to cause a processor to perform further steps comprising:

forwarding the received message to a recipient'"'"'s communication device only if the retrieved current location and current time do not match correlated entries within the retrieved restrictions table.