Identifying a domain for delivery of message service information

• US 9,729,351 B2
• Filed: 08/06/2010
• Issued: 08/08/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 08/10/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Song, Osok, Griot, Miguel
• Primary Examiner(s): Mesfin, Yemane
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chen, Peter
• Application Number:
  US12/851,679
• Publication Number:
  US 20110188448A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,559 Days
• Field of Search: 370328, 370338, 370352, 4554351, 455466
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/00 User-to-user messaging in packet-switching networks, transmitted according to store-and-forward or real-time protocols, e.g. e-mail
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/222 using geographical location information, e.g. messages transmitted or received in proximity of a certain spot or area
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1016 IP multimedia subsystem [IMS]
• 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 48/17 Selecting a data network PoA [Point of Attachment]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 60/005 Multiple registrations, e.g. multihoming

Abstract

An indication is used to control how message service information is routed over different domains. For example, an access terminal may be configured with an indication that indicates that a message service is preferred to be invoked over an IP domain or that the message service is not be invoked over the IP domain. The access terminal then delivers message service information based on the value of the indication. In some cases, a network entity generates the indication and sends the indication to the access terminal. In some cases, a domain for delivery of message service information is selected based on a domain that was selected for particular type of traffic.

Claims

1. A method of communication, comprising:

determining that message service information is to be sent by an access terminal subsequent to the access terminal storing an indication that indicates whether a message service originated by the access terminal is preferred to be invoked over an Internet Protocol (IP) domain or that the message service is not to be invoked over the IP domain;

identifying a domain for delivering the message service information based on the indication stored at the access terminal, wherein the domain for delivering the message service information is identified when the access terminal originates the message service, wherein identifying the domain comprises;

determining whether the message service information can be delivered over non-access stratum (NAS) signaling in response to the stored indication indicating that the message service is not to be invoked over the IP domain, wherein determining whether the message service information can be delivered over NAS signaling comprises;

attempting a combined Evolved Packet System (EPS) and International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) attach procedure; and

determining the message service information can be delivered over NAS signaling if the combined EPS and IMSI attach is successful; and

sending the message service information from the access terminal over the identified domain.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the message service comprises Short Message Service (SMS).

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the IP domain comprises an IMS domain.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein identifying the domain comprises determining whether the message service information can be delivered over IMS signaling in response to the indication stored at the access terminal indicating that the message service is preferred to be invoked over the IP domain.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein determining whether the message service information can be delivered over IMS signaling comprises determining whether the access terminal is registered to an IMS in response to the access terminal having a current communication attachment with a network.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein determining whether the message service information can be delivered over IMS signaling comprises performing an attach procedure with the network and then attempting to register the access terminal to an IMS in response to the access terminal not having a current communication attachment with a network.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the attach procedure comprises an EPS-only attach procedure.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the attach procedure comprises a combined EPS and IMSI attach procedure.

9. The method of claim 4, wherein identifying the domain comprises determining whether the message service information can be delivered over NAS signaling in response to determining that the message service information cannot be delivered over IMS signaling.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein determining whether the message service information can be delivered over NAS signaling comprises determining whether an IMSI attach procedure has previously succeeded in response to the access terminal having a current communication attachment with an Evolved-UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network (RAN).

11. The method of claim 9, wherein determining whether the message service information can be delivered over NAS signaling comprises:

determining whether the access terminal has a current communication attachment with an Evolved-UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network (RAN); and

attempting a combined Tracking Area Update (TAU) for Short Message Service (SMS) in response to determining that the access terminal has a current communication attachment with the Evolved-UMTS Terrestrial RAN and that an IMSI attach procedure was not previously attempted.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein determining whether the message service information can be delivered over NAS signaling comprises attempting a combined EPS and IMSI attach procedure and determining whether the attach procedure was successful in response to the access terminal not having a current communication attachment with an Evolved-UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network (RAN).

13. The method of claim 4, wherein identifying the domain comprises selecting NAS over circuit switch signaling in response to determining that the access terminal has a current communication attachment with a UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network (RAN) and that the message service information cannot be delivered over IMS signaling.

14. The method of claim 4, wherein identifying the domain comprises attempting a CDMA 1x registration to deliver the message service information over an S102 interface in response to determining that the message service information cannot be delivered over IMS signaling.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein determining whether the message service information can be delivered over NAS signaling comprises attempting a combined Tracking Area Update (TAU) for Short Message Service (SMS) in response to determining that the access terminal has a current communication attachment with an Evolved-UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network (RAN) and that an IMSI attach procedure was not previously attempted.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein identifying the domain comprises selecting NAS over circuit switch signaling in response to the access terminal having a current communication attachment with a UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network and the stored indication indicating that the message service is not to be invoked over the IP domain.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein identifying the domain comprises attempting a CDMA 1x registration to deliver the message service information over an S102 interface in response to the stored indication indicating that the message service is not to be invoked over the IP domain.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein identifying the domain comprises determining whether the message service information can be delivered over IMS signaling based on whether an IMSI attach procedure has previously succeeded in response to the stored indication indicating that the message service is preferred to be invoked over the IP domain.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the access terminal does not have a current communication attachment with a network when the domain for delivering the message service information is identified.

20. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving the indication from a home public and mobile network (HPLMN) operator; and

storing the indication at the access terminal, wherein the indication indicates the HPLMN operator prefers whether the message service originated by the access terminal is invoked over the IP domain or that the message service is not to be invoked over the IP domain.

21. The method of claim 1, wherein:

determining whether the message service information can be delivered over NAS signaling comprises;

determining the message service information cannot be delivered over NAS signaling if the combined EPS and IMSI attach fails; and

the method further comprises;

determining the message service information is not to be sent based on the determination that the message service information cannot be delivered over NAS and the stored indication indicating that the message service information is not to be invoked over IMS signaling.

22. An apparatus for communication, comprising:

a memory configured to store an indication that indicates whether a message service originated by an access terminal is preferred to be invoked over an Internet Protocol (IP) domain or that the message service is not to be invoked over the IP domain;

a communication processor configured to determine that message service information is to be sent by the access terminal subsequent to storing the indication in the memory; and

a message service processor configured to identify a domain for delivering the message service information based on the indication stored in the memory, wherein the message service processor is configured to identify the domain for delivering the message service information when the access terminal originates the message service, and wherein the message service processor is further configured to send the message service information from the access terminal over the identified domain, wherein the message service processor is configured to identify the domain by;

determining whether the message service information can be delivered over non-access stratum (NAS) signaling in response to the stored indication indicating that the message service is not to be invoked over the IP domain, wherein determining whether the message service information can be delivered over NAS signaling comprises;

attempting a combined Evolved Packet System (EPS) and International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) attach procedure; and

determining the message service information can be delivered over NAS signaling if the combined EPS and IMSI attach is successful.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the message service comprises Short Message Service (SMS).

24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the IP domain comprises an IMS domain.

25. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the message service processor is further configured to identify the domain by determining whether the message service information can be delivered over IMS signaling in response to the stored indication indicating that the message service is preferred to be invoked over the IP domain.

26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the message service processor is further configured to identify the domain by determining whether the message service information can be delivered over NAS signaling in response to determining that the message service information cannot be delivered over IMS signaling.

27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the message service processor is further configured to determine whether the message service information can be delivered over NAS signaling by attempting a combined Tracking Area Update (TAU) for Short Message Service (SMS) in response to determining that the access terminal has a current communication attachment with an Evolved-UMTS Terrestrial RAN and that an IMSI attach procedure was not previously attempted.

28. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the message service processor is further configured to identify the domain by attempting a CDMA 1x registration to deliver the message service information over an S102 interface in response to determining that the message service information cannot be delivered over IMS signaling.

29. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the message service processor is further configured to identify the domain by determining whether the message service information can be delivered over IMS signaling based on whether an IMSI attach procedure has previously succeeded in response to the stored indication indicating that the message service is preferred to be invoked over the IP domain.

30. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the message service processor is integrated with the access terminal.

31. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the access terminal does not have a current communication attachment with a network when the domain for delivering the message service information is identified.

32. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the message service processor is further configured to determine whether the message service information can be delivered over NAS signaling by attempting a combined Tracking Area Update (TAU) for Short Message Service (SMS) in response to determining that the access terminal has a current communication attachment with an Evolved-UMTS Terrestrial RAN and that an IMSI attach procedure was not previously attempted.

36. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the means for identifying the domain comprises means for determining whether the message service information can be delivered over IMS signaling in response to the indication stored at the access terminal indicating that the message service is preferred to be invoked over the IP domain.

37. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the means for identifying the domain comprises means for determining whether the message service information can be delivered over NAS signaling in response to determining that the message service information cannot be delivered over IMS signaling.

38. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the means for determining whether the message service information can be delivered over NAS signaling comprises means for attempting a combined Tracking Area Update (TAU) for Short Message Service (SMS) in response to determining that the access terminal has a current communication attachment with an Evolved-UMTS Terrestrial RAN and that an IMSI attach procedure was not previously attempted.

39. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the means for identifying the domain comprises means for attempting a CDMA 1x registration to deliver the message service information over an S102 interface in response to determining that the message service information cannot be delivered over IMS signaling.

33. An apparatus for communication, comprising:

means for determining that message service information is to be sent by an access terminal subsequent to the access terminal storing an indication that indicates whether a message service originated by the access terminal is preferred to be invoked over an Internet Protocol (IP) domain or that the message service is not to be invoked over the IP domain;

means for identifying a domain for delivering the message service information based on the indication stored at the access terminal, wherein the domain for delivering the message service information is identified when the access terminal originates the message service wherein identifying the domain comprises;

determining whether the message service information can be delivered over non-access stratum (NAS) signaling in response to the stored indication indicating that the message service is not to be invoked over the IP domain, wherein determining whether the message service information can be delivered over NAS signaling comprises;

attempting a combined Evolved Packet System (EPS) and International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) attach procedure; and

determining the message service information can be delivered over NAS signaling if the combined EPS and IMSI attach is successful; and

means for sending the message service information from the access terminal over the identified domain.

34. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the message service comprises Short Message Service (SMS).

35. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the IP domain comprises an IMS domain.

40. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the means for identifying the domain comprises means for determining whether the message service information can be delivered over IMS signaling based on whether an IMSI attach procedure has previously succeeded in response to the stored indication indicating that the message service is preferred to be invoked over the IP domain.

41. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the means for identifying the domain are integrated with the access terminal.

42. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the access terminal does not have a current communication attachment with a network when the domain for delivering the message service information is identified.

43. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the means for determining whether the message service information can be delivered over NAS signaling comprises means for attempting a combined Tracking Area Update (TAU) for Short Message Service (SMS) in response to determining that the access terminal has a current communication attachment with an Evolved-UMTS Terrestrial RAN and that an IMSI attach procedure was not previously attempted.

44. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising code for causing an access terminal to:

determine that message service information is to be sent by the access terminal subsequent to the access terminal storing an indication that indicates whether a message service originated by the access terminal is preferred to be invoked over an Internet Protocol (IP) domain or that the message service is not to be invoked over the IP domain;

identify a domain for delivering the message service information based on the indication stored at the access terminal, wherein the domain for delivering the message service information is identified when the access terminal originates the message service, wherein identifying the domain comprises;

determining whether the message service information can be delivered over non-access stratum (NAS) signaling in response to the stored indication indicating that the message service is not to be invoked over the IP domain, wherein determining whether the message service information can be delivered over NAS signaling comprises;

attempting a combined Evolved Packet System (EPS) and International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) attach procedure; and

determining the message service information can be delivered over NAS signaling if the combined EPS and IMSI attach is successful; and

send the message service information over the identified domain.

45. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 44, wherein the message service comprises Short Message Service (SMS).

46. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 45, wherein the IP domain comprises an IMS domain.

47. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 44, wherein the code for causing the access terminal to identify the domain comprises code for causing the access terminal to determine whether the message service information can be delivered over IMS signaling in response to the indication stored at the access terminal indicating that the message service is preferred to be invoked over the IP domain.

48. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 47, wherein, if it is determined that the message service information cannot be delivered over IMS signaling, the code for causing the access terminal to identify the domain comprises code for causing the access terminal to determine whether the message service information can be delivered over NAS signaling in response to determining that the message service information cannot be delivered over IMS signaling.

49. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 48, wherein the code for causing the access terminal to determine whether the message service information can be delivered over NAS signaling comprises code for causing the access terminal to attempt a combined Tracking Area Update (TAU) for Short Message Service (SMS) in response to determining that the access terminal has a current communication attachment with an Evolved-UMTS Terrestrial RAN and that an IMSI attach procedure was not previously attempted.

50. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 47, wherein, if it is determined that the message service information cannot be delivered over IMS signaling, the code for causing the access terminal to identify the domain comprises code for causing the access terminal to attempt a CDMA 1x registration to deliver the message service information over an S102 interface in response to determining that the message service information cannot be delivered over IMS signaling.

51. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 44, wherein the code for causing the access terminal to identify the domain comprises code for causing the access terminal to determine whether the message service information can be delivered over IMS signaling based on whether IMSI attach procedure has previously succeeded in response to the stored indication indicating that the message service is preferred to be invoked over the IP domain.

52. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 44, wherein the non-transitory computer-readable medium is integrated with the access terminal.

53. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 44, wherein the access terminal does not have a current communication attachment with a network when the domain for delivering the message service information is identified.

54. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 44, wherein the code for causing the access terminal to determine whether the message service information can be delivered over NAS signaling comprises code for causing the access terminal to attempt a combined Tracking Area Update (TAU) for Short Message Service (SMS) in response to determining that the access terminal has a current communication attachment with an Evolved-UMTS Terrestrial RAN and that an IMSI attach procedure was not previously attempted.