Message server

• US 9,107,053 B2
• Filed: 08/07/2014
• Issued: 08/11/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Multi-Tech Systems Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Multi-Tech Systems Incorporated
• Inventors: Davis, Jeffrey P., Hong, Kevin Sanh
• Primary Examiner(s): PATEL, MAHENDRA R
• Application Number:
  US14/454,078
• Publication Number:
  US 20150065181A1
• Time in Patent Office: 369 Days
• Field of Search: 455/466, 455/518, 455/412.2, 455/433, 709/246, 709/216, 709/203, 709/217
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 13/00 Thermometers specially adapted for specific purposes
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/0036 Specially adapted to detect a particular component all the other sub-groups of G01N33/0004 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/08 using communication transmission lines G08B13/19658, G08B21/0286, G08B25/016 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/066 Format adaptation, e.g. format conversion or compression
• 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 76/50 for emergency connections
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/042 Public Land Mobile systems, e.g. cellular systems

Abstract

An apparatus includes a housing, an interface, a processor and a memory. The interface is affixed to the housing and is configured for coupling to a cellular wireless network. The processor is affixed to the housing and is coupled to the interface. The memory is affixed to the housing and is coupled to the processor. The memory is configured to store a set of instructions for causing the processor to receive a first message using the interface and, in response thereto, for causing the processor to broadcast a second message using the cellular wireless network and using the interface, the second message having a transmission parameter determined by the first message and wherein the second message is compatible with a messaging service protocol.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a processor having an interface for coupling with a cellular wireless network; and

a memory coupled to the processor and having instructions stored therein for executing an algorithm, the algorithm configured to receive a first message from an I/O device, the interface configured to communicate with the I/O device, the first message having a first message protocol and configured to trigger the algorithm to monitor for and detect a predetermined condition corresponding to a trigger event associated with an alert from the I/O device, the I/O device including a sensor, and after having detected the predetermined condition, configured to send a second message using the interface and using the cellular wireless network, the second message having a second message protocol different than the first message protocol, and wherein the second message includes content determined by the trigger event of the first message and the content of the second message comprising an event type and an event location.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the I/O device includes at least one of a serial port device, an alarm device, a programmable logic controller (PLC), a key telephone system, a relay, a temperature sensor, a general purpose input/output (GPIO), or a device to receive or generate a signal that can include analog or digital data.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the predetermined condition includes an elevated temperature or presence of smoke.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the second message includes a building address.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the second message includes a notification of weather.

6. The system of claim 1 further including receiving a third message, the third message encoded in the second message protocol, the third message configured to request the processor to execute a diagnostic routine.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the second message protocol includes a short message service (SMS) message.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the processor is configured to broadcast the second message using a network of mobile devices.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the interface is in communication with a mobile switching center.

10. A method performing at a communication device, further comprising:

receiving a first message from an I/O device, the first message received using a processor coupled to an interface, the interface configured to communicate with the I/O device, the first message sent in response to detecting a predetermined condition corresponding to a trigger event associated with an alert from the I/O device, the I/O device including a sensor, the first message having a first message protocol; and

after receiving the first message, sending a wireless message using the interface, the interface coupled to a cellular wireless network, the wireless message having a second message protocol different from the first message protocol, and wherein the wireless message includes content determined by the trigger event of the first message and the content of the wireless message comprising an event type and an event location.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein receiving the first message from the I/O device includes receiving the first message from at least one of a serial port device, an alarm device, a programmable logic controller (PLC), a key telephone system, a relay, a temperature sensor, a general purpose input/output (GPIO), or a device to receive or generate a signal that can include analog or digital data.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein receiving the first message from the I/O device includes detecting an elevated temperature or presence of smoke using the I/O device.

13. The method of claim 10 wherein sending the wireless message includes sending a building address.

14. The method of claim 10 wherein sending the wireless message includes sending a notification of weather.

15. The method of claim 10 further including receiving a third message, the third message encoded in the second message protocol, the third message configured to request the processor to execute a diagnostic routine.

16. The method of claim 10 wherein sending the wireless message includes sending a short message service (SMS) message.

17. The method of claim 10 wherein sending the wireless message includes broadcasting the wireless message using a network of mobile devices.

18. The method of claim 10 wherein sending the wireless message includes communicating with a mobile switching center.

19. The method of claim 10 wherein sending the wireless message includes transferring a message between a mobile station and a short message entity, the message comprising digital content, a news alert, financial information, or multimedia content.