Enhanced Messaging Services

• US 20060281474A1
• Filed: 06/01/2006
• Published: 12/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/09/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Price, David, Domville, Ian
• Application Number:
  US11/421,556
• Publication Number:
  US 20060281474A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/466
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/066 Format adaptation, e.g. format conversion or compression
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/214 using selective forwarding
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/48 Message addressing, e.g. address format or anonymous messages, aliases
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/58 Message adaptation for wireless communication
• 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 40/02 Communication route or path selection, e.g. power-based or shortest path routing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/26 Network addressing or numbering for mobility support

Abstract

In 3GPP architected networks, IMS application servers offer the possibility of deploying feature-rich services to users. To enable legacy messaging services, such as SMS, to take advantage of the possibilities offered, the conventional message handling scheme is modified such that the SMS, or other message, is delivered to an application server (such as a 3GPP IMS application server) in the recipient'"'"'s home network rather than to the recipient'"'"'s currently registered MSC or SGSN. The application server is then able to handle the message to provide an enhanced service.

Claims

1. A method of enabling the provision of an enhanced messaging service in a communications network, comprising:

receiving a first routing request for an address of a network node through which a user terminal can be accessed to enable delivery of a message to the user terminal; and

providing a response to the first routing request, the response indicating an application service address instead of an address of a network node through which a user terminal can be accessed.

2. A method according to claim 1, comprising

storing an application service record in respect of the user or user terminal and wherein the application service address provided is determined from the application service record.

3. A method according to claim 1, comprising:

receiving a second routing request for an address of a network node through which a user terminal can be accessed, the second routing request being in respect to the message and comprising a flag indicating that an address of a network node through which a user terminal can be accessed should be provided in response; and

providing a response to the second routing request, the response indicating an address of a network node through which a user terminal can be accessed.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein the first routing request is received by a location register of the network.

6. A method according to claim 3, wherein the second routing request is received by a location register of the network.

8. A method according to claim 1, wherein the message is one selected from an SMS, an EMS, an MMS, a video message, an email and an instant message.

9. A method according to claim 1, wherein the network is a 3GPP network.

25. A application server according to claim 1, wherein the network is a 3GPP network.

26. Software arranged in use to perform the method of claim 1.

4. A method according to claim 4, comprising:

using the network node address provided to provide an enhanced service to a user of the user terminal in respect of the message.

7. A method according to claim 4, wherein the enhanced service is provided by an application server of the network.

10. A method of enabling the provision of an enhanced messaging service in a communications network, comprising:

receiving a message for delivery to a user terminal; and

sending a second routing request for an address of a network node through which a user terminal can be accessed, the second routing request being in respect to the message and comprising a flag indicating that an address of a network node through which a user terminal can be accessed should be provided in response;

receiving a response to the second routing request, the response indicating an address of a network node through which a user terminal can be accessed; and

using the network node address provided to provide an enhanced service to a user of the user terminal in respect of the message.

11. A method according to claim 10, wherein the second routing request is sent by an application server of the network.

12. A method according to claim 10, wherein the second routing request is sent to a location register of the network.

13. A method according to claim 10, wherein the enhanced service is provided by an application server of the network.

14. A method according to claim 10, wherein the message is one selected from an SMS, an EMS, an MMS, a video message, an email and an instant message.

15. A method according to claim 10, wherein the network is a 3GPP network.

24. A application server according to claim 10, wherein the message is one selected from an SMS, an EMS, an MMS, a video message, an email and an instant message.

27. Software arranged in use to perform the method of claim 10.

16. A location register of a communications network for enabling the provision of an enhanced messaging service, comprising:

an interface for receiving routing requests;

a processor arranged in use to provide a response to a first routing request for an address of a network node through which a user terminal can be accessed to enable delivery of a message to the user terminal, the response indicating an application service address instead of an address of a network node through which a user terminal can be accessed; and

an interface for sending the response.

17. A location register according to claim 16, comprising

a data store storing an application service record in respect of the user or user terminal and wherein the application service address provided is determined from the application service record.

18. A location register according to claim 16, wherein the processor is arranged in use to provide a response to a second routing request for an address of a network node through which a user terminal can be accessed, the second routing request being in respect to the message and comprising a flag indicating that an address of a network node through which a user terminal can be accessed should be provided in response, the response indicating an address of a network node through which a user terminal can be accessed.

19. A location register according to claim 16, wherein the location register is an HLR.

20. A location register according to claim 16, wherein the message is one selected from an SMS, an EMS, an MMS, a video message, an email and an instant message.

21. A location register according to claim 16, wherein the network is a 3GPP network.

22. An application server of a communications network for enabling the provision of an enhanced messaging service, comprising:

an interface for receiving a message for delivery to a user terminal; and

a processor arranged in use to generate a second routing request for an address of a network node through which a user terminal can be accessed, the second routing request being in respect to the message and comprising a flag indicating that an address of a network node through which a user terminal can be accessed should be provided in response;

an interface for sending the second routing request;

an interface for receiving a response to the second routing request, the response indicating an address of a network node through which a user terminal can be accessed; and

a processor arranged in use to provide an enhanced service to a user of the user terminal in respect of the message using the network node address provided.

23. A application server according to claim 22, wherein the second routing request is sent to a location register of the network.

28. A system comprising the location register of a communications network for enabling the provision of an enhanced messaging service, comprising:

an interface for receiving routing requests;

a processor arranged in use to provide a response to a first routing request for an address of a network node through which a user terminal can be accessed to enable delivery of a message to the user terminal, the response indicating an application service address instead of an address of a network node through which a user terminal can be accessed; and

an interface for sending the response;

and the application server of claim 22.