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

• US 7,013,156 B2
• Filed: 03/10/2004
• Issued: 03/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sybase 365 Incorporated (SAP SE)
• Original Assignee: Mobile 365 Incorporated (SAP SE)
• Inventors: Lovell, Robert C. Jr., Smith, Mark R., Ruppert, Paul R.
• Primary Examiner(s): MENDIRATTA, VISHU K
• Application Number:
  US10/796,043
• Publication Number:
  US 20040180678A1
• Time in Patent Office: 734 Days
• Field of Search: 455/466, 455/412.1, 455/412.2, 455/417, 455/550.1, 455/432.2, 455/432.3, 455/433, 455/435.2, 455/445, 455/552.1, 709/206, 709/238, 370/352, 370/355, 370/401, 370/395, 370/328
• 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 system for exchanging a short message service (SMS) message between networks operating in accordance with different standards, comprising:

an intermediary network system connected simultaneously to a first network operating in accordance with a first standard and a second network operating in accordance with a second standard, the intermediary comprising an intermediary gateway providing an SS7 interface on one side thereof and an IP interface on another side thereof, the intermediary gateway being in communication with a home location register (HLR), mobile switching center/visitor location register (MSC/VLR) and short message service center (SMSC) of the second network;

the intermediary gateway comprising an intermediary Location Register, an intermediary Transmitting Station, and an intermediary Receiving Station, each of which substantially emulate, respectively, HLR functionality, GSM SMSC functionality and MSC functionality,

wherein the GSM SMSC functionality comprises sending appropriately timed acknowledgement messages to a GSM-compliant network when the SMS message is being exchanged with an ANSI-compliant network.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein an acknowledgement of receipt to the first network is sent only after a response from the second network is received at the intermediary network system.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein an acknowledgement of receipt to the first network is sent only after an acknowledgement of receipt of the SMS message is received from the second network at the intermediary network system.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the intermediary is operable to send a MAP Send Routing Information for MT SMS messages in accordance with GSM standards.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising means for performing a GTT look up to determine to which mobile switching center the SMS message should be sent.

6. The system of claim 5, 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.

7. The system 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.

8. The system 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.