Provision of short message services

• US 6,917,813 B2
• Filed: 05/31/2001
• Issued: 07/12/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Original Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Inventors: Elizondo, Alejandro A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran, CongVan
• Application Number:
  US09/872,877
• Publication Number:
  US 20020183081A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,503 Days
• Field of Search: 455/466, 455/433, 455/435.1, 455/435.2, 455/439, 455/432.2, 455/43, 455/412.1, 455/412.2, 455/404.2, 455/414.2, 455/414.3, 455/432.1, 455/432.3, 455/461, 455/445, 455/426, 455/419, 455/415, 455/435, 455/1, 370/401, 370/353, 370/356
• 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 in a Home Location Register for Short Message Services (SMS) provisioning in a system including a Message Center (MC), and a Mobile Switching Center-Visitor Location Register (MSC-VLR), the method comprising the steps of:

receiving a Registration Notification (REGNOT) message, containing address information associated with a mobile station (MS), from the MSC-VLR,

storing a SMS address and Mobile Switching Center Identification (MSCIN) of the MS;

comparing a country code in the MSCIN with a country code in a calling party address of the MC;

determining whether the MC and the MSC share a common point code scheme;

selectively populating a SMS Request Return Result (smsreq) relative to said REGNOT message with a common point code from the SMS address if the MSC and MC share the same point code schemes or populating said smsreq with the MSCIN if the MSC and MC do not share the same point code scheme; and

forwarding said smsreq to said MC.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the MSCIN parameter is in Global Title Address (GTA) format.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said GTA format uses an E.212 identifier.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein said GTA format uses an E.164 identifier.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein said GTA format uses a combination of said E.212 and E.164 identifiers.

6. 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.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said point code scheme is specified according to American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standard-41.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein said point code scheme is specified according to International Telecommunication Union (ITU) standard Q.700.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein the step of comparing the MC point code scheme with the MSC point code scheme occurs in said database in said HLR.

10. 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.

11. A home location register (HLR) in a system further comprising a Messaging center (MC), a Mobile Switching Center, the HLR comprising:

a database for storing a Short Message Service address and Mobile Switching Center Identification (MSCIN) of a Mobile Station;

receiver means for receiving a request from said Messaging Center to deliver a SMS message to said MSC and for receiving a Registration Notification (REGNOT) message from the MSC-VLR containing address information associated with a mobile station (MS),

means for comparing a country code in the MSCIN with a country code in a calling party address of the MC;

means for determining whether the MC and the MSC share a common point code scheme;

means for selectively populating a SMS request response (smsreq) relative to said REGNOT message with a common point code from the SMS address if the MSC and MC share the same point code schemes or populating said smsreq with the MSCIN if the MSC and MC do not share the same point code scheme; and

means for forwarding said smsreq to said MC.