Short message distribution center

• US 20110047225A1
• Filed: 08/16/2010
• Published: 02/24/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/11/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TeleCommunication Systems Inc (Comtech Telecommunications Corporation)
• Original Assignee: TeleCommunication Systems Inc (Comtech Telecommunications Corporation)
• Inventors: Dewey, Michael, Smith, Richard A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,073,477 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/206
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 49/90 Buffering arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/226 Delivery according to priorities
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/58 Message adaptation for wireless communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/2016 Call initiation by network rather than by subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/205 Broadcasting broadcasting in packet switching networks H04L12/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/18 wireless networks
• 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 3/4872 Non-interactive information services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/184 Messaging devices, e.g. message centre

Abstract

A message distribution center (MDC) is interposed between content providers and a wireless carrier to subjectively examine and direct messages via SMTP based on desired rules (e.g., non-peak hours, paying subscribers only, etc.) using standard SMTP Gateway and other well-known protocols. The MDC includes an individual queue for each subscriber, and the provider is informed through conventional SMTP protocol messages that the short message has been accepted. If the carrier has specifically disallowed service for a particular MIN (e.g., in the case of churning), then the content provider is informed through an SMTP interchange that the recipient is invalid. An MDC provides a single mechanism for interacting with subscribers of multiple carriers, regardless of each carrier'"'"'s underlying infrastructure. For the carrier, an MDC can protect their SS7 network by intelligently throttling messages and configuring message delivery parameters to be more network friendly. An MDC can receive outside a relevant wireless network recipient handset presence information. In the disclosed embodiment, a content provider communicates with the MDC using SMTP protocol messages, and the MDC communicates with wireless carriers preferably using RMI/SMPP techniques.

Claims

1. A message distribution center interposed between a source of a short message and a wireless network including an intended recipient of said short message, said message distribution center comprising:

an SMTP protocol communication channel to receive said short message from said source of said short message;

a plurality of subscriber queues each corresponding to a different subscriber in said wireless network, said short message being placed in at least one of said plurality of subscriber queues before delivery to said wireless network; and

a communication channel to communicate said short message to said wireless network.

2-16. -16. (canceled)