Architecture and methods for inter-carrier Multi-Media Messaging

• US 7,430,284 B2
• Filed: 08/19/2004
• Issued: 09/30/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/19/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sybase 365 Incorporated (SAP SE)
• Original Assignee: Sybase 365 Incorporated (SAP SE)
• Inventors: Dudley, William H., Chu, William, Lovell, Robert C. Jr., Tsai, Kirk, Farrow, James C., Tam, Derek Hung Kit, Beggerly, Brian J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gauthier; Gerald
• Application Number:
  US10/921,223
• Publication Number:
  US 20060029192A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,503 Days
• Field of Search: 455/466, 455/456.3, 379/88.13, 379/112.07
• US Class Current: 379/88.13
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/58 Message adaptation for wireless communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/00 Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/50 for cross-charging network operators
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/55 for hybrid networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/80 Rating or billing plans; Tariff determination aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0152 General billing plans, rate plans, e.g. charge rates, numbering plans, rate centers, customer accounts
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/2026 Wireless network, e.g. GSM, PCS, TACS
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/2046 Hybrid network
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/52 Interconnection, inter-exchange, reseller billing, billing agreements between different operators, e.g. billing identifier added on the CDR in order to cross charge the other operator, inter-operator accounting, reconciliation, bill directly resellers customers
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/06 Selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS]; Services to user groups; One-way selective calling services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/12 Messaging; Mailboxes; Announcements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/18 Information format or content conversion, e.g. adaptation by the network of the transmitted or received information for the purpose of wireless delivery to users or terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/24 Accounting or billing

Abstract

Architecture and methods to provide an intermediary model for inter-carrier Multi-Media Messaging (MMS) services so that numerous wireless operators can transmit MMS messages between them. The architecture also provides for delivery, at least of notification messages, to those wireless operators who are not part of the overall inter-carrier MMS infrastructure.

Claims

1. A method for providing multimedia message service (MMS) interoperability among a plurality of carriers, comprising:

receiving an MMS message from an originating carrier, wherein the MMS message is intended for delivery to a recipient subscriber of a destination carrier;

processing the MMS message for value-added functionality, wherein said processing includes querying a carrier profile repository to access a carrier profile for the destination carrier, the carrier profile including information regarding whether or not the destination carrier is a connected MMS customer and including information regarding an MMS format acceptable to the destination carrier;

if the destination carrier is a connected MMS customer, sending the MMS message to the destination carrier; and

if the destination carrier is not a connected MMS customer, storing the MMS message for a specified period of time during which time the MMS message is available for viewing on an anonymous retrieval portal, and sending a notification message to the destination carrier to notify the recipient subscriber of the MMS message.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the carrier profile repository contains carrier profiles for a plurality of carriers.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said processing step further comprises transcoding the MMS message in accordance with the carrier profile to generate a transcoded MMS message.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the MMS message received from the originating carrier is sent to the destination carrier via an MM4 message.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the notification message is an SMS message.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the notification message is an e-mail message.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising querying a number portability database to determine an identity of a destination carrier.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising billing the originating carrier for delivery of the MMS message or the notification message to a destination carrier.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising reporting delivery of the MMS message back to the originating carrier.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said reporting step comprises reporting that the message has been read.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein said reporting step further comprises billing the originating carrier for said reporting.

12. A method for providing multimedia message service (MMS) interoperability among a plurality of carriers, comprising:

receiving an MMS message from an originating carrier, wherein the MMS message is intended for delivery to a plurality of recipient subscribers;

processing the MMS message for value-added functionality, wherein said processing includes querying a number portability database to determine an identity of a destination carrier for each recipient subscriber and further includes querying a carrier profile repository to access a carrier profile for each destination carrier that is different from the originating carrier, wherein the carrier profile includes information regarding an MMS format acceptable to the destination carrier;

if a destination carrier for a particular recipient subscriber is the same as the originating carrier, not forwarding the MMS message to that destination carrier;

if a destination carrier for a particular recipient subscriber is different than the originating carrier, forwarding the MMS message to that destination carrier for delivery and storing the MMS message for a specified period of time.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising querying a carrier profile repository to access a carrier profile for each destination carrier that is different from the originating carrier, the carrier profile including information regarding whether or not the destination carrier is a connected MMS customer;

and if the destination carrier is not a connected MMS customer, storing the MMS message for a specified period of time during which time the MMS message is available for viewing on an anonymous retrieval portal, and sending a notification message to the destination carrier to notify the recipient subscriber of the MMS message.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein said processing step further comprises transcoding the MMS message in accordance with the carrier profile to generate a transcoded MMS message for delivery to the destination carrier.

15. A system for providing multimedia message service (MMS) interoperability between a plurality of carriers, comprising:

a routing subsystem comprising means for receiving an MMS message from an originating carrier;

a number portability database, in communication with the routing subsystem and configured to determine the identity of a destination carrier to which the MMS message is intended to be sent;

a carrier profile repository, also in communication with the routing subsystem and configured to access a previously-stored carrier profile for the destination carrier, the carrier profile including information regarding an MMS format acceptable to the destination carrier, and information regarding whether or not the destination carrier is a connected MMS customer;

the routing subsystem configured to determine, based on the carrier profile, content of the MMS message received from the originating carrier, and a format of the MMS message, whether to process the MMS message for value-added functionality before notifying the destination carrier of the MMS message.