Universal short code administration facility

• US 8,423,059 B2
• Filed: 02/03/2011
• Issued: 04/16/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/2003
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sybase 365 Incorporated (SAP SE)
• Original Assignee: Sybase 365 Incorporated (SAP SE)
• Inventors: Sweatman, Phillip J., Lovell, Robert C., Chava, Venkatesh, Zimmern, Christian
• Primary Examiner(s): Kincaid, Lester
• Assistant Examiner(s): HERRERA, DIEGO D
• Application Number:
  US13/020,434
• Publication Number:
  US 20110195728A1
• Time in Patent Office: 803 Days
• Field of Search: 455/466
• US Class Current: 455/466
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/12 Messaging; Mailboxes; Announcements
• 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 8/26 Network addressing or numbering for mobility support
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/184 Messaging devices, e.g. message centre

Abstract

Systems and methods for assigning short codes to provide uniformity among wireless carriers. In the systems and methods, a Universal Short Code (USC) Administrator maintains a list of short codes and their lease status so that SMS messages sent to a particular short code may be routed to the proper holder of the short code. A network facilitator is in communication with both the USC Administrator and at least one wireless carrier to route the SMS message to the proper holder of the short code. The short code may be leased for a specified period of time so that the short code can be reassigned after expiration of the lease.

Claims

1. In a messaging intermediary, a server-based method for routing a Short Message Service (SMS) message addressed to a Universal Short Code (USC) to an Application Provider (AP), the server-based method comprising:

receiving the SMS message from a wireless carrier, the SMS message having the USC as its destination address, the SMS message having been sent by a Mobile Subscriber to the wireless carrier;

processing aspects of the SMS message including at least using information received from a USC administrator to identify from the USC the AP associated with the USC; and

sending aspects of the SMS message to the identified AP,

wherein the information received from the USC administrator comprises information regarding the temporary association of respective USCs to APs.

2. The server-based method according to claim 1, wherein the processing step further includes issuing a routing request, comprising the USC, and receiving a routing response, comprising an indicia of the AP associated with the USC.

3. The server-based method according to claim 2, wherein the routing request is issued to, and the routing response is received from, an entity external to the messaging intermediary.

4. The server-based method of claim 1, wherein the information received from the USC administrator is received over a secure transmission control protocol/internet protocol (TCP/IP) connection.

5. In a messaging intermediary, a processor-based system on a server configured to route a Short Message Service (SMS) message addressed to a Universal Short Code (USC) to an Application Provider (AP), the processor-based system comprising:

a first interface configured to receive the SMS message from a wireless carrier, the SMS message having the USC as its destination address, the SMS message having been sent by a Mobile Subscriber to the wireless carrier;

application logic configured to process aspects of the SMS message including at least using information received from a USC administrator to identify from the USC the AP associated with the USC; and

a second interface configured to send aspects of the SMS message to the identified AP,

wherein the information received from the USC administrator comprises information regarding the temporary association of respective USCs to APs.

6. The processor-based system according to claim 5, wherein the application logic is further configured to issue a routing request, comprising the USC, and to receive a routing response, comprising an indicia of the AP associated with the USC.

7. The processor-based system according to claim 6, wherein the routing request is issued to, and the routing response is received from, an entity external to the messaging intermediary.

8. The processor-based system of claim 5, wherein the information received from the USC administrator is received over a secure transmission control protocol/internet protocol (TCP/IP) connection.

9. A computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer readable medium having computer program logic recorded thereon for enabling a processor to route a Short Message Service (SMS) message addressed to a Universal Short Code (USC) to an Application Provider (AP), the computer program logic configured to:

enable the processor to receive the SMS message from a wireless carrier, the SMS message having the USC as its destination address, the SMS message having been sent by a Mobile Subscriber to the wireless carrier;

enable the processor to identify, from the USC using at least information received from a USC administrator, the AP associated with the USC; and

enable the processor to send aspects of the SMS message to the identified AP,

wherein the information received from the USC administrator comprises information regarding the temporary association of respective USCs to APs.

10. The computer program logic according to claim 9, further configured to issue a routing request, comprising the USC, and receive a routing response, comprising an indicia of the AP associated with the USC.

11. The computer program logic according to claim 10, wherein the routing request is issued to, and the routing response is received from, an entity external to the messaging intermediary.

12. The computer program logic according to claim 9, wherein the information received from the USC administrator is received over a secure transmission control protocol/internet protocol (TCP/IP) connection.