Provision of short message services

• US 20020183081A1
• Filed: 05/31/2001
• Published: 12/05/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Original Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Inventors: Elizondo Alvarez, Alejandro A.
• Granted Patent: US 6,917,813 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/466
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/184 Messaging devices, e.g. message centre

Abstract

This invention relates to a method and apparatus to provide Short Message Services (SMS) provisioning when different SS7 signaling networks are in use. The method can be used when mobile units are roaming in a SS7 network different than the MS home network, and when the MS is roaming inside or outside of its SS7 type of network.

The HLR, which includes a memory for storing a database of point code schemes and country codes, also stores all location data for the MSC including the SMS Address and the MSCIN. The HLR analyzes the SMS Address to determine the nationality of the MSC. The HLR compares the MSC'"'"'s REGNOT point code and MSCIN country code with the country code in the MC'"'"'s SMSREQ calling party address to determine whether the MC and MSC point codes are the same. If they are the same, the smsreq is populated with the common point code from the SMS Address. If not the same, the smsreq is populated with the MSCIN parameter.

Claims

1. A method for Short Message Services (SMS) provisioning in a system including a Home Location Register (HLR), a Message Center (MC), and a Mobile Switching Center (MSC) including a Mobile Switching Center point code scheme, comprising the steps of:

storing location data for said MSC in said HLR;

receiving a request from said MC to deliver a SMS message to said MSC;

determining a MC point code scheme for said MC;

comparing the MC point code scheme with the MSC point code scheme;

populating said SMS message with the MSC point code scheme if the MSC and MC point code schemes are the same; and

delivering said SMS message from said MC to said MSC.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said HLR has a database including at least one country code and at least one corresponding point code scheme.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said point code scheme is specified according to American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standard-41.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein said point code scheme is specified according to International Telecommunication Union (ITU) standard Q.700.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the step of comparing the MC point code scheme with the MSC point code scheme occurs in said database in said HLR.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of determining the MC point code scheme further includes the step of determining a nationality of the MC.

14. The node of claim 13 wherein the node is a Home Location Register (HLR).

2. A method for Short Message Services (SMS) provisioning in a system including a Home Location Register (HLR), a Message Center (MC), a Mobile Switching Center (MSC), including a Mobile Switching Center point code scheme, comprising the steps of:

storing location data for said MSC in said HLR, wherein said location data includes at least one Mobile Switching Center Identification Number (MSCIN) parameter;

receiving a request from said MC to deliver a SMS message to said MSC;

determining a MC point code scheme for said MC;

comparing the MC point code scheme with the MSC point code scheme;

populating said SMS message with the MSC point code scheme if the MSC and MC point code schemes are the same;

otherwise, populating said SMS message with the MSCIN parameter; and

delivering said SMS message from said MC to said MSC.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the MSCIN parameter is in Global Title Address (GTA) format.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said GTA format uses an E.212 identifier.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein said GTA format uses an E.164 identifier.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein said GTA format uses a combination of said E.212 and E.164 identifiers.

3. A method for Short Message Services (SMS) provisioning in a system including a Home Location Register (HLR), a Message Center (MC), a Mobile Switching Center (MSC), including a Mobile Switching Center point code scheme, comprising the steps of:

storing location data for said MSC, wherein said location data includes a SMS address in said HLR and wherein said location data does not contain a MSCIN parameter;

receiving a request from said MC to deliver a SMS message to said MSC;

determining a MC point code scheme for said MC;

comparing the MC point code scheme with the MSC point code scheme;

populating said SMS message with the MSC point code scheme if the MSC and MC point code schemes are the same; and

delivering said SMS message from said MC to said MSC.

13. A node for determining whether a Message Center (MC) and a Mobile Switching Center (MSC) share a common point code, comprising:

a memory including a database having a plurality of point code schemes and a corresponding plurality of country codes.