Short message distribution center

• US 8,265,673 B2
• Filed: 12/02/2011
• Issued: 09/11/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/11/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: TeleCommunication Systems Inc (Comtech Telecommunications Corporation)
• Original Assignee: TeleCommunication Systems Inc (Comtech Telecommunications Corporation)
• Inventors: Smith, Richard A., Dewey, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran, Pablo N
• Application Number:
  US13/373,840
• Publication Number:
  US 20120088530A1
• Time in Patent Office: 284 Days
• Field of Search: 455/466, 455/461, 455/412.1, 455/412.2, 455/413, 455/414.1, 455/415, 455/432.3, 455/456.5, 455/463, 455512-514
• US Class Current: 455/466
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 49/90 Buffering arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/226 Delivery according to priorities
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/58 Message adaptation for wireless communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/2016 Call initiation by network rather than by subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/205 Broadcasting broadcasting in packet switching networks H04L12/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/18 wireless networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42382 Text-based messaging services in telephone networks such as PSTN/ISDN, e.g. User-to-User Signalling or Short Message Service for fixed networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4872 Non-interactive information services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/184 Messaging devices, e.g. message centre

Abstract

A message distribution center (MDC) is interposed between content providers and a wireless carrier to subjectively examine and direct messages via SMTP based on desired rules (e.g., non-peak hours, paying subscribers only, etc.) using standard SMTP Gateway and other well-known protocols. The MDC includes a queue for each subscriber. A provider is informed through conventional SMTP protocol messages when a short message has been accepted. If the carrier has specifically disallowed service for a particular MIN, the content provider is informed through an SMTP interchange that the recipient is invalid. An MDC provides a single mechanism for interacting with subscribers of multiple carriers, regardless of each carrier'"'"'s underlying infrastructure. An MDC can protect a carrier'"'"'s SS7 network by intelligently throttling messages and configuring network friendly message delivery parameters. A content provider preferably communicates with the MDC using SMTP protocol messages. The MDC preferably communicates with wireless carriers using RMI/SMPP techniques.

Claims

1. A message distribution center, comprising:

a communicator, at an intermediary message distribution center (MDC), in communication with a plurality of subscriber queues storing SMS messages associated with SMS enabled source devices, including one of said plurality of subscriber queues storing a given Short Messaging System (SMS) message, before delivery to a wireless carrier'"'"'s subscriber message delivery network; and

an automatic deletion module, at said intermediary MDC, to trigger automatic deletion of an SMS message from at least one of said plurality of subscriber queues when a maximum threshold associated with said one of said plurality of subscriber queues is exceeded, said maximum threshold being determined according to a delivery statistic.

2. The message distribution center according to claim 1, further comprising:

an assignment module to individually assign each of said plurality of subscriber queues a maximum number of SMS messages that each of said plurality of subscriber queues can store.

3. The message distribution center according to claim 1, further comprising:

at least one of an RMI communication interface and an SMPP communication interface to transmit said queued SMS message.

4. The message distribution center according to claim 1, wherein:

said plurality of subscriber queues each correspond to a different subscriber in said wireless carrier'"'"'s subscriber message delivery network.

5. The message distribution center according to claim 1, wherein:

each of said plurality of subscriber queues operates in a first in-first out fashion.

6. The message distribution center according to claim 1, wherein:

said wireless carrier'"'"'s subscriber message delivery network is a wireless intelligent network (WIN).

7. A method of delivering a short message with a message distribution center, comprising:

communicating, at an intermediary message distribution center (MDC), with a plurality of subscriber queues storing SMS messages associated with SMS enabled source devices, including one of said plurality of subscriber queues storing a given Short Messaging System (SMS) message, before delivery to a wireless carrier'"'"'s subscriber message delivery network; and

triggering, at said intermediary MDC, automatic deletion of an SMS message from at least one of said plurality of subscriber queues when a maximum threshold associated with said one of said plurality of subscriber queues is exceeded, said maximum threshold being determined according to a delivery statistic.

8. The method of delivering a short message with a message distribution center according to claim 7, further comprising:

individually assigning to each of said plurality of subscriber queues, with an assignment module, a maximum number of SMS messages that each of said plurality of subscriber queues can store.

9. The method of delivering a short message with a message distribution center according to claim 7, further comprising:

transmitting said queued SMS message with at least one of an RMI communication interface and an SMPP communication interface.

10. The method of delivering a short message with a message distribution center according to claim 7, wherein:

said plurality of subscriber queues each corresponding to a different subscriber device in said wireless carrier'"'"'s subscriber message delivery network.

11. The method of delivering a short message with a message distribution center according to claim 7, further comprising:

operating each of said plurality of subscriber queues in a first in-first out fashion.

12. The method of delivering a short message with a message distribution center according to claim 7, wherein:

said wireless carrier'"'"'s subscriber message delivery network is a wireless intelligent network (WIN).