Method and apparatus for selective message service blocking

• US 8,620,362 B2
• Filed: 12/18/2009
• Issued: 12/31/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: WSOU Investments, LLC (WSOU Holdings, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Alcatel-Lucent SA (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Malone, III, Bernard L., Goldman, Stuart O.
• Primary Examiner(s): MEHRA, INDER P
• Application Number:
  US12/641,874
• Publication Number:
  US 20110151896A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,474 Days
• Field of Search: 455/412.1, 455/412.2, 455/413, 455/414.1, 455415-416, 455/433, 455/440, 455/445, 455/466, 455/502, 709/206, 370/254, 370/432
• US Class Current: 455/466
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/212 using filtering or selective blocking
• 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 3/436 Arrangements for screening incoming calls , i.e. evaluating the characteristics of a call before deciding whether to answer it based on the calling party profile H04M3/42059; based on location H04M3/42348; based on presence H04M3/42365; diversion H04M3/54
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/12 Messaging; Mailboxes; Announcements

Abstract

A method of processing message service requests to a subscriber'"'"'s communication device in a communication network is provided. The method includes receiving a message service request from a sender at a network element, wherein the message service request includes a message and is directed to the directory number of the communication device; accessing a centralized database that stores message service blocking data for the subscriber; retrieving the message service blocking data for the subscriber; and analyzing the data retrieved from the centralized database and determining whether the message service request should be permitted or denied.

Claims

1. A method of processing message service requests to a subscriber'"'"'s communication device in a communication network, the method comprising:

receiving a message service request from a sender at a network element, wherein the message service request includes a message and is directed to the directory number of the communication device;

accessing a centralized database that stores message service blocking data for the subscriber, wherein the message service blocking data includes permitted sender directory numbers data and blocked sender directory numbers data;

retrieving the message service blocking data for the subscriber;

analyzing the data retrieved from the centralized database and determining whether the message service request should be permitted or denied; and

automatically adding a directory number to which the subscriber has sent a message to the permitted sender directory numbers data.

2. The method defined in claim 1, wherein the message service blocking data retrieved from the centralized database includes the following types of data:

directory number data for the subscriber;

authorization/authentication information for the subscriber; and

message service blocking activation data.

3. The method defined in claim 1, further comprising:

sending a message service rejection notification to the sender when the message service request is denied.

4. The method defined in claim 1, further comprising:

forwarding the message to the subscriber when the message service request is permitted.

5. The method defined in claim 1, wherein the message service comprises one or more of the following types of message services:

short message service (SMS), enhanced message service (EMS), and multimedia message service (MMS).

6. The method defined in claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a request from an entity requesting permitted senders directory number data;

authorizing the entity to receive permitted senders directory number data; and

sending the entity permitted senders directory number data.

7. An apparatus for processing message service requests to a subscriber'"'"'s communication device in a communication network, the apparatus comprising:

a receiver that is operative to receive a message service request from a sender at a network element, wherein the message service request includes a message and is directed to the directory number of the communication device;

a centralized database that stores message service blocking data for the subscriber, wherein the message service blocking data includes permitted sender directory numbers data and blocked sender directory numbers data; and

at least one processor that is operative to;

access the centralized database;

retrieve the message service blocking data for the subscriber;

analyze the the data retrieved from the centralized database and determining whether the message service request should be permitted or denied;

automatically add a directory number to which the subscriber has sent a message to the permitted sender directory numbers data.

8. The apparatus defined in claim 7, wherein the message service blocking data retrieved from the centralized database includes the following types of data:

directory number data for the subscriber;

authorization/authentication information for the subscriber; and

message service blocking activation data.

9. The apparatus defined in claim 7, further comprising:

a transmitter that is operative to send a message service rejection notification to the sender when the message service request is denied.

10. The apparatus defined in claim 7, further comprising:

a transmitter that is operative to forward the message to the subscriber when the message service request is permitted.

11. The apparatus defined in claim 7, wherein the message service comprises one or more of the following types of message services:

short message service (SMS), enhanced message service (EMS), and multimedia message service (MMS).

12. The apparatus defined in claim 7, wherein:

the receiver is further operative to receive a request from an entity requesting permitted senders directory number data;

the at least one processor is further operative to authorize the entity to receive permitted senders directory number data; and

the apparatus further comprises;

a transmitter that is operative to send the entity permitted senders directory number data.

13. A system for processing message service requests to a subscriber'"'"'s communication device in a communication network, the system comprising:

a centralized database that stores message service blocking data for the subscriber, wherein the message service blocking data includes permitted sender directory numbers data and blocked sender directory numbers data; and

a network element that is operative to;

receive a message service request from a sender, wherein the message service request includes a message and is directed to the directory number of the communication device;

access the centralized database;

retrieve the message service blocking data for the subscriber;

analyze the data retrieved from the centralized database and determine whether the message service request should be permitted or denied; and

automatically add a directory number to which the subscriber has sent a message to the permitted sender directory numbers data.

14. The system defined in claim 13, wherein the message service blocking data stored in the centralized database includes the following types of data:

directory number data for the subscriber;

authorization/authentication information for the subscriber; and

message service blocking activation data.

15. The system defined in claim 13, wherein the network element is further operative to send a message service rejection notification to the sender when the message service request is denied.

16. The system defined in claim 13, wherein the network element is further operative to forward the message to the subscriber when the message service request is permitted.

17. The system defined in claim 13, wherein the message service comprises one or more of the following types of message services:

short message service (SMS), enhanced message service (EMS), and multimedia message service (MMS).

18. The system defined in claim 13, wherein the network element is further operative to:

receive a request from an entity requesting permitted senders directory number data;

authorize the entity to receive permitted senders directory number data; and

send the entity permitted senders directory number data.

19. A method of setting up selective message service blocking for a subscriber, the method comprising:

establishing an account arrangement with the user by using one or more of the following types of authentication/authorization mechanisms;

user name, account number, and password, wherein the subscriber'"'"'s account in a centralized database can only be administered by a valid user, wherein the followinq types of data are received from the subscriber and stored in the centralized database;

one or more directory numbers associated with the subscriber'"'"'s communication devices;

the subscriber'"'"'s authentication/authorization information;

whether the subscriber has elected to not receive any short message service messages without a prior business arrangement with the sender;

the specific directory numbers from which the subscriber does not wish to receive short message service message;

receiving from the subscriber one or more short message service blocking rules and storing the short message service blocking rules in the centralized database, which is in communication with a short message service center; and

automatically adding a directory number to which the subscriber has sent a message to permitted sender directory numbers data stored in the centralized database.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the directory number for a communication device of the subscriber is entered in a separate list in the centralized database, wherein the separate list is accessible by other authorized parties to check.