MSC based routing of SMS alerts

• US 7,747,239 B1
• Filed: 09/15/2006
• Issued: 06/29/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cingular Wireless II LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cingular Wireless II LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Sennett, DeWayne Allan, Daly, Brian Kevin
• Primary Examiner(s): Harper; Vincent P
• Assistant Examiner(s): Irace; Michael
• Application Number:
  US11/532,382
• Time in Patent Office: 1,383 Days
• Field of Search: 455/404.2, 455/414.1, 455/414.3, 455/432.3
• US Class Current: 455/404.1
• 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 4/14 Short messaging services, e.g. short message services [SMS] or unstructured supplementary service data [USSD]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/90 Services for handling of emergency or hazardous situations, e.g. earthquake and tsunami warning systems [ETWS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/50 for emergency connections

Abstract

SMS based alert messages are routed to subscribers via a Mobile Switching Center (MSC) such that SMS alert messages can be provided to specific cell sites. Also, SMS alert message can be provided to all subscribers registered in a specific cell site, including roamers. When an MSC receives one alert message, it routes that one message to all subscribers known to the MSC. In an example embodiment, an emergency alert message along with an indication of the alert area is received by an emergency alert server. MSCs capable of facilitating cellular coverage for the alert area are determined. Cell ID (cell sites) associated with the MSC are determined, and the alert message is routed to subscribers currently registered in the cell ID.

Claims

1. A method for routing a short message service (SMS) alert, the method comprising:

receiving an indication of an alert for a geographic alert area;

determining mobile switching centers (MSCs) capable of facilitating cellular coverage for the alert area;

determining a cell ID for each determined MSC;

for each determined MSC, searching a database of registered subscribers, the database located in a visitor location register, to determine currently registered subscribers in a respective cell ID;

providing, to each determined currently registered subscriber, an SMS based alert message indicative of the alert;

for each determined cell ID, determining characteristics of cellular coverage for a respective cell site; and

distributing the characteristics to an emergency command entity.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein at least one of the currently registered subscribers is a roaming subscriber.

8. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the geographic alert area is dynamically defined, the method further comprising:

searching a database of cell locations to determine a cell site, in accordance with the latitude and longitude of the cell site, within the boundaries of the dynamically defined alert area.

9. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the geographic alert area is statically defined in accordance with a geographic code reference, the method further comprising:

searching a database of statically defined geographic code references to determine a cell site associated with the statically defined alert area.

3. A system for routing a short message service (SMS) alert, the system comprising:

an input/output portion configured to;

receive an indication of an alert for a geographic alert area;

provide, to currently registered subscribers in cell IDs within the alert area, an SMS based alert message indicative of the alert; and

distribute an indication of cell site characteristics to an emergency command entity; and

a processing portion configured to;

determine mobile switching centers (MSCs) capable of facilitating cellular coverage for the alert area;

determine a cell ID for each determined MSC;

for each determined MSC, search a database of registered subscribers, the database located in a visitor location register, to determine currently registered subscribers in a respective cell; and

for each determined cell ID, determining characteristics of cellular coverage for a respective cell site.

4. A system in accordance with claim 3, wherein at least one of the currently registered subscribers is a roaming subscriber.

5. A system in accordance with claim 3, comprising at least one of an emergency alert server, an emergency alert system message to cell site mapping server, a visitor location register, and a mobile switching center.

6. A tangible computer-readable storage medium comprising computer-executable instructions for routing a short message service (SMS) alert, the computer-executable instructions for:

receiving an indication of an alert for a geographic alert area;

determining mobile switching centers (MSCs) capable of facilitating cellular coverage for the alert area;

determining a cell ID for each determined MSC;

for each determined MSC, searching a database of registered subscribers, the database located in a visitor location register, to determine currently registered subscribers in a respective cell ID; and

providing, to each determined currently registered subscriber, an SMS based alert message indicative of the alert; and

for each determined cell ID, determining characteristics of cellular coverage for a respective cell site, and distributing an indication of the characteristics to an emergency command entity.

7. A computer-readable medium in accordance with claim 6, wherein at least one of the currently registered subscribers is a roaming subscriber.