Methods, systems, and computer program products for delivering messaging service messages

• US 7,319,857 B2
• Filed: 05/05/2005
• Issued: 01/15/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tekelec Global, Inc. (Oracle Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Tekelec
• Inventors: Marsico, Peter J., Baldwin, Patricia A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran; CongVan
• Application Number:
  US11/122,987
• Publication Number:
  US 20060068762A1
• Time in Patent Office: 985 Days
• Field of Search: 455/412.1, 455/412.2, 455/418, 455/419, 455/561.1, 455/561.2
• US Class Current: 455/412.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/58 Message adaptation for wireless communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/568 Storing data temporarily at an intermediate stage, e.g. caching
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/12 Messaging; Mailboxes; Announcements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/08 Mobility data transfer
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/10 between location register and external networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/184 Messaging devices, e.g. message centre

Abstract

A messaging service subscriber caching (MSSC) function caches mobile subscriber location information obtained from intercepted mobility management signaling messages. The MSSC function intercepts messaging service messages that are destined for a messaging service center and performs a first delivery attempt using the cached subscriber location information.

Claims

1. A method for messaging service message delivery, the method comprising:

(a) at a subscriber location database separate from a network location register, caching mobile subscriber location information based on messages sent to or from the location register; and

(b) at a messaging service subscriber caching (MSSC) function;

(i) receiving a messaging service message;

(ii) querying the subscriber location database;

(iii) obtaining mobile subscriber location information from the cached mobile subscriber location information; and

(iv) attempting to deliver the messaging service message based on the mobile subscriber location information obtained from the cached mobile subscriber location information.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the network location register comprises a home location register (HLR).

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the network location register comprises a home subscriber server (HSS).

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the MSSC function is located at a network routing node.

5. The method of claim 1 comprising, in response to failing to deliver the messaging service message, querying the network location register for mobile subscriber location and availability information.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein attempting to deliver the messaging service message includes sending the messaging service message to a mobile switching center (MSC) believed to be serving a destination mobile subscriber.

6. A method for messaging service message delivery, the method comprising:

(a) at a subscriber location database separate from a network location register, caching mobile subscriber location information based on messages sent to or from the location register; and

(b) at a messaging service subscriber caching (MSSC) function;

(i) receiving a messaging service message;

(ii) querying the subscriber location database;

(iii) obtaining mobile subscriber location information;

(iv) attempting to deliver the messaging service message based on the mobile subscriber location information;

(v) in response to failing to deliver the messaging service message, querying the network location register for mobile subscriber location and availability information; and

(vi) in response to receiving information indicating unavailability of the mobile subscriber, forwarding the messaging service message to a store and forward message processing system.

8. A method for messaging service message delivery, the method comprising:

(a) at a subscriber location database separate from a network location register, caching mobile subscriber location information based on messages sent to or from the location register; and

(b) at a messaging service subscriber caching (MSSC) function;

(i) receiving a messaging service message;

(ii) querying in the subscriber location database;

(iii) obtaining mobile subscriber location information; and

(iv) attempting to deliver the messaging service message based on the mobile subscriber location information, wherein attempting to deliver the messaging service message includes sending the messaging service message to a mobile switching center (MSC) believed to be serving a destination mobile subscriber;

(v) caching the messaging service message;

(vi) receiving a response from the MSC indicating failure of delivery of the messaging service message; and

(vii) in response to receiving the notification, forwarding the messaging service message to a mobile terminating short message service center (MT-SMSC).

9. A method for providing subscriber location information associated with the delivery of messaging service messages, the method comprising:

(a) at a subscriber location database separate from a network location register, caching mobile subscriber location information based on messages sent to or from the location register;

(b) at a messaging service center;

(i) receiving a messaging service message addressed to a message recipient;

(ii) formulating a network location register query, requesting location information associated with the message recipient; and

(iii) transmitting the query; and

(c) at a messaging service subscriber caching (MSSC) function;

(i) intercepting the query;

(ii) extracting the message recipient location information from the subscriber location database; and

(iii) providing the message recipient location information to the messaging service center.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the network location register comprises a home location register (HLR).

11. The method of claim 9 wherein the network location register comprises a home subscriber server (HSS).

12. The method of claim 9 where the messaging service center comprises a short message service center (SMSC).

13. The method of claim 9 where a message service center comprises a session initiation protocol (SIP) message server.

14. The method of claim 9 wherein the MSSC function is located at a network routing node.

15. A method for delivering a messaging service message to a messaging service subscriber capable of receiving the message via a plurality of networks:

(a) at a subscriber location database separate from a network location register, caching mobile subscriber location information associated with a plurality of networks based on messages sent to or from location registers in the networks; and

(b) at an interworking messaging service subscriber caching (MSSC) function;

(i) receiving a messaging service message;

(ii) querying the subscriber location database;

(iii) obtaining mobile subscriber location information associated with at least one of the networks;

(iv) selecting at least one of the networks; and

(v) attempting to deliver the message to the at least one selected network using the mobile subscriber location information.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein a network location register comprises a home location register (HLR).

17. The method of claim 15 wherein a network location register comprises a home subscriber server (HSS).

18. The method of claim 15 wherein the interworking MSSC function is located at a network routing node.

19. The method of claim 15 including translating the received messaging service message to a signaling format compatible with each network to which delivery is required.

20. The method of claim 15 including converting a message content payload of the received messaging service message to a different media type.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein converting the message content payload comprises converting a text payload to an audio-speech payload.

22. The method of claim 15 wherein selecting at least one of the networks includes examining subscriber delivery preference information.

23. A system for messaging service message delivery, the system comprising:

(a) a subscriber location database separate from a network location register for obtaining and caching mobile subscriber location information based on messages sent to or from the network location register; and

(b) a messaging service subscriber caching (MSSC) function for receiving a message service message, for obtaining mobile subscriber location information from the cached mobile subscriber location information stored in the subscriber location database and for attempting to deliver the messaging service message based on the mobile subscriber location information obtained from the cached mobile subscriber location information stored in the subscriber location database.

24. The system of claim 23 wherein the network location register comprises a home location register (HLR).

25. The system of claim 23 wherein the network location register comprises a home subscriber server (HSS).

26. The system of claim 23 wherein the subscriber location database is co-located with a network routing node.

27. The system of claim 23 wherein the MSSC function is co-located with a network routing node.

28. The system of claim 23 wherein, in response to failing to deliver the messaging service message, the MSSC function is adapted to query a network location register for the mobile subscriber location and availability information.

29. A system for messaging service message delivery, the system comprising:

(a) a subscriber location database separate from a network location register for obtaining and storing mobile subscriber location information based on messages sent to or from the network location register; and

(b) a messaging service subscriber caching (MSSC) function for receiving a message service message, for obtaining mobile subscriber location information from the subscriber location database and for attempting to deliver the messaging service message based on the mobile subscriber location information received from the subscriber location database, and in response to failing to deliver the messaging service message, the MSSC function is adapted to query a network location register for the mobile subscriber location and availability information, and in response to failing to receive information indicating availability of the subscriber, the MSSC function is adapted to forward the messaging service message to a store and forward message processing system.

30. A system for providing subscriber location information associated with the delivery of messaging service messages, the system comprising:

(a) a subscriber location database separate from a network location register for obtaining and caching mobile subscriber location information based on messages sent to or from the network location register; and

(b) a messaging service subscriber caching (MSSC) function for;

(i) receiving a request for subscriber location information associated with the delivery of a message service message, where the request is destined for a network location register;

(ii) obtaining the requested mobile subscriber location information from the cached mobile subscriber location information stored in the subscriber location database; and

(iii) responding to the received request with the requested subscriber location information on behalf of the network location register.

31. The system of claim 30 wherein the network location register is a home location register (HLR).

32. The system of claim 30 wherein the network location register is a home subscriber server (HSS).

33. The system of claim 30 wherein the subscriber location database is co-located with a network routing node.

34. The system of claim 30 wherein the MSSC function is co-located with a network routing node.

35. A computer program product comprising computer-executable instructions embodied in a computer-readable medium for performing steps comprising:

(a) at a subscriber location database separate from a network location register, caching mobile subscriber location information based on messages sent to or from the location register; and

(b) at a messaging service subscriber caching (MSSC) function;

(i) receiving a messaging service message;

(ii) querying the subscriber location database;

(iii) obtaining mobile subscriber location information; and

(iv) attempting to deliver the messaging service message based on the mobile subscriber location information.

36. A computer program product comprising computer-executable instructions embodied in a computer-readable medium for performing steps comprising:

(a) at a subscriber location database separate from a network location register, caching mobile subscriber location information based on messages sent to or from the location register;

(b) at a messaging service center;

(i) receiving a messaging service message addressed to a message recipient;

(ii) formulating a network location register query, requesting location information associated with the message recipient; and

(iii) transmitting the query; and

(c) at a messaging service subscriber caching (MSSC) function;

(i) intercepting the query;

(ii) extracting the message recipient location information from the subscriber location database; and

(iii) providing the message recipient location information to the messaging service center.

37. A computer program product comprising computer-executable instructions embodied in a computer-readable medium for performing steps comprising:

(a) at a subscriber location database separate from a network location register, caching mobile subscriber location information associated with a plurality of networks based on messages sent to or from location registers in the networks; and

(b) at an interworking messaging service subscriber caching (MSSC) function;

(i) receiving a messaging service message;

(ii) querying the subscriber location database;

(iii) obtaining mobile subscriber location information associated with at least one of the networks;

(iv) selecting at least one of the networks; and

(v) attempting to deliver the message to the at least one selected network using the mobile subscriber location information.