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`NOVATEL EXHIBIT 1026
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`

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`FOR THE PURPOSES OF INFORMATION ONLY
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`Codes used to identify States party to the PCT on the front pages of pamphlets publishing international applications under the PCT.
`
`Albania
`Annenia
`Austria
`Australia
`Azerbaijan
`Bosnia and Herzegovina
`Barbados
`Belgium
`Burkina Faso
`Bulgaria
`Benin
`Brazil
`Belarus
`Canada
`Central African Republic
`Congo
`Switzerland
`Cote d’Ivoire
`Cameroon
`China
`Cuba
`Czech Republic
`Gennany
`Denmark
`Estonia
`
`ES
`FI
`FR
`GA
`GB
`GE
`GH
`GN
`GR
`HU
`IE
`IL
`IS
`IT
`JP
`KE
`KG
`KP
`
`KR
`KZ
`LC
`LI
`LK
`LR
`
`Spain
`Finland
`France
`Gabon
`United Kingdom
`Georgia
`Ghana
`Guinea
`Greece
`Hungary
`Ireland
`Israel
`Iceland
`Italy
`Japan
`Kenya
`Kyrgyzstan
`Democratic People's
`Republic of Korea
`Republic of Korea
`Kazakstan
`Saint Lucia
`Liechtenstein
`Sri Lanka
`Liberia
`
`LS
`L'I‘
`LU
`LV
`MC
`MD
`MG
`MK
`
`ML
`MN
`MR
`MW
`MX
`NE
`NL
`NO
`NZ
`PL
`PT
`R0
`RU
`SD
`SE
`SG
`
`Lesotho
`Lithuania
`Luxembourg
`Latvia
`Monaco
`Republic of Moldova
`Madagascar
`The former Yugoslav
`Republic of Macedonia
`Mali
`Mongolia
`Mauritania
`Malawi
`Mexico
`Niger
`Netherlands
`Norway
`New Zealand
`Poland
`Portugal
`Romania
`Russian Federation
`Sudan
`Sweden
`Singapore
`
`SI
`SK
`SN
`SZ
`TD
`TG
`TJ
`TM
`TR
`TT
`UA
`UG
`US
`UZ
`VN
`YU
`ZW
`
`Slovenia
`Slovakia
`Senegal
`Swaziland
`Chad
`Togo
`Tajikistan
`Turkmenistan
`Turkey
`Trinidad and Tobago
`Ukraine
`Uganda
`United States of America
`Uzbekistan
`Viet Nam
`Yugoslavia
`Zimbabwe
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`WO 99/49680
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`PCT/US99/06429
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`WIRELESS TELEMETRY METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR
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`COMMUNICATING WITH OR CONTROLLING INTELLIGENT DEVICES
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`The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for remotely monitoring
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`and controlling via a wireless network various devices deployed in homes and businesses.
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`RELATED APPLICATIONS
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`This application claims priority under U.S. law to United States provisional patent
`
`application 60/079,215, filed March 24, 1998, which application is hereby incorporated in
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`10
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`its entirety by this reference.
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`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
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`Numerous systems exist for automated, remote monitoring of various appliances,
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`including electric utility meters and the like. For instance, systems exist that couple
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`15
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`utility meters to remotely located databases via the wired Public Switched Telephone
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`Network (“PSTN”) so that the meters can be more efficiently and cheaply read remotely.
`Typically, such meter reading systems couple a database to a gateway that interfaces with
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`the meter and, in many cases, other devices in a particular facility or portion thereof.
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`These systems, however, are generally one way, sending data from the meter to the
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`20
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`central processor.
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`Moreover, even when the system provides
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`for
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`two-way or duplex data
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`communication that allows commands and other data to be down or up loaded to or from
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`the gateway, a complete call must be made between the central processor and the
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`gateway. Such calls are expensive, since they involve the full architecture of the PSTN in
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`25
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`delivering the data, even when the amount of data delivered is relatively small. Also. the
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`data or commands must be sent to or from a relatively intelligent central processor to
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`which few persons will have access. This means, for instance, that customers at whose
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`premises gateways are located cannot themselves send data (including commands for
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`devices within the premises) to the gateway via the PSTN.
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`Systems exist that use short bursts of radio transmission to control and receive data
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`from remote power distribution control terminals. For instance, a company called ITRON
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`owns a U.S. Patent No. 5,475,867 to Blum on such a system, albeit a system that uses
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`supplemental controllers for expanding the fairly limited geographical range of the basic
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`5
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`system. This system, however, would be expensive to deploy and operate since an
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`essentially new architecture would need to be deployed.
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`Several companies, such as CellNet Data, Greenland and possibly ITRON, are
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`trialing meter
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`reading systems that use two-way paging, which provides broader
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`geographic coverage. While such a system eliminates the trouble and expense of setting
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`10
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`up a separate call each time data must be up or downloaded, paging messages provide
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`limited payload for data, thereby limiting the potential for controlling and updating the
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`gateway. Also,
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`it is unclear whether such systems will allow users to send data and
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`commands to or receive data from the gateway directly and without the need to go
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`through a central processor or control center, which limits the flexibility of the system for
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`15
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`users wishing to receive data about their facilities and remotely control various devices at
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`the facility.
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`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
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`The present invention overcomes the above problems by providing a system and
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`20 method for gathering and sending data over an existing wireless network remotely to
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`control and monitor various gateways and the devices coupled to those gateways. A
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`system according to the present invention uses multiple gateways that communicate ov.er
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`a wireless communications network capable of carrying digital data.
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`The wireless
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`communications network allows the gateway to send data and receive commands directly
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`25
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`from the customer, which could own or manage the facility in which the gateway is
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`located. The customer can send and receive such data via a mobile station or a fixed
`
`terminal. Simultaneously or independently, data and commands may be up and down
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`loaded to or from a control center coupled to the wireless network. Thus, the present
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`invention provides a system and methods for providing customers a virtual direct
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`-2-
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`PCT/US99/06429
`W0 99/4»9680
`connection for routing messages to a gateway from a mobile station or fixed terminal, or
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`vice versa.
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`The present
`
`invention uses multiple control and reporting gateways that are
`
`deployed in homes, businesses and other facilities. These gateways are configured to
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`5
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`collect data, such as data describing use of electric power or other utilities by the
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`particular facility at which they are located or data describing the status of various sensors
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`after arming of a security system. Also, gateways may be coupled to various devices
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`within the facility in order to control the devices. For instance, gateways may control the
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`lights within a facility according to a pre-programmed pattern that the user may change by
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`10
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`communicating new commands via the present
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`invention.
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`Or, gateways may be
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`configured remotely to receive commands and data, which allows remote control over the
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`devices (e.g., home appliances or electronics) with which the gateway may communicate.
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`Each uniquely addressable gateway includes a transceiver capable of communicating
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`over a wireless network.
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`15
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`In one embodiment of the present invention, a monitoring and control system may
`be provided that receives data from gateways on an essentially real time basis and can
`
`send data (including commands) to such gateways at any time over a wireless network.
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`This allows for essentially real time monitoring of the facility at which the gateway is
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`located. Preferably, the wireless network will be a GSM (“Global System for Mobile”)
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`20
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`communications network capable of providing Short Messaging Services (“SMS”). SMS
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`messages allow users of the network and the gateways to send and receive packets of data
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`(about 160 characters) without setting up an actual call connection. Receiving terminals,
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`whether mobile stations, such as handsets or pagers, or fixed terminals, like computer
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`workstations, reassemble one or multiple related SMS message packets into readable
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`25
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`messages, such as an e-mail or page.
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`In another embodiment, the present invention provides a method for uploading a
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`large data file via the wireless network. For such larger files, an actual circuit—switched
`call is made from the gateway to a central processor coupled to the wireless network’s
`
`switch or MSC.
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`The central processor includes a controller with a communications
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`-3-
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`processor and database server. The communications processor sets up a session with the
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`gateway during which the gateway can upload the file via the wireless network.
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`In a
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`wireless network, large files of digital data from the gateway may be moved from the
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`MSC to a destination via the Inter-Working Function (“IWF”). The central processor can
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`5
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`be co-resident with the MSC or coupled to it via another network connection, such as the
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`PSTN or a wireless connection.
`
`An example use for this embodiment involves a program by which the gateway
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`periodically polls the devices it connects to for energy usage rates. Each poll generates a
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`message that is about 100 bytes long. Rather than forwarding each message via the
`wireless network to the customer or a database, the gateway aggregates all reads for a
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`10
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`particular time period and then uploads the entire file to the central processor via the IWF.
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`A customer may access the central database in order to determine energy or device
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`utilization at the customer’s facility. The database can be coupled to a control system that
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`regularly downloads data and commands to the gateways. In that event, the customer can
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`.15
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`also pass instructions to the control system to forward desired commands or new data to
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`the gateway in order to control the devices coupled to it.
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`An alternative embodiment of the invention takes advantage of the architecture
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`and protocols of the GPRS or General Packet Radio System to deliver data from and
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`commands to gateways.
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`The GPRS protocol provides an architecture and various
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`20
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`interface layers (both hardware and software) for implementing a packet data system
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`across existing wireless networks, regardless of the type of wireless protocol (e.g.,
`TDMA, CDMA, GSM) used by those networks.
`Certain GPRS protocols
`for
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`implementing this architecture are described in the following documents, each of which is
`
`incorporated in its entirety by this reference: (1) GPRS MS-SGSN LLC, GSM 04.64
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`25
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`(ETSI No. TS 101 351); (2) GPRS MS-SGSN SNDCP, GSM 04.65 (ETSI No. TS 101
`
`297); (3) IW PLMN GPRS-PDN GSM 09.60 (ETSI No. EN 301 347); (4) GPRS PDN.
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`GSM 09.61 (ETSI No. TS 101 348); and (5) Digital Cellular Telecommunications System
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`(Phase 2+): GPRS Project scheduling and open issues, GSM 10.60.
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`The present invention implements a GPRS over a wireless network, such as a
`
`GSM network.
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`Such a network uses base station controllers to route voice
`
`communications to the existing wireless system infrastructure, such as MSCS, HLRS and
`
`the like.
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`In a GPRS capable network, however, the handshakes generated by wireless
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`U1
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`devices inform the base stations that a particular transaction is a packet data transaction;
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`in turn, the base stations so inform their base station controller, which can then route the
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`packet data to a support node rather than an MSC and its supporting infrastructure. The
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`support node may communicate with other public wireless or wired networks or with an
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`IP (internet protocol) network. By, for instance, repackaging the wireless data message
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`10
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`into an internet packet, the support node interfaces more easily between the base stations
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`and the IP network than existing wireless systems. This protocol may result in not only
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`higher data transmission rates (i.e, larger data payloads than the limited SMS packets), but
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`also in faster data delivery since data transfer does not require signalling to set up
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`connections among network elements.
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`15
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`Whether using GSM short messaging services or GPRS messages to deliver data to
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`and from multiple gateways located throughout a particular region, the present invention
`
`performs the following processes:
`
`0 Formatting messages for wireless delivery to and from particular or groups of
`
`gateways.
`
`In an SMS implementation,
`
`this may be accomplished at
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`the
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`20
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`gateway, which formulates messages to other terminals into a short message
`
`format, or, if the message is destined to a particular gateway, at the originating
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`terminal.
`
`In a GPRS implementation, the support node places messages in
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`varying formats depending on which network over which they will be
`
`transmitted and appropriate to that network. Additionally, as packet data
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`25
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`messages are transferred among network elements in the GPRS, information is
`
`added or substracted from the message header depending on the particular
`
`stage of intra-network transfer.
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`0 Transmitting the message from the gateway to a network element or vice versa.
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`The Short Messaging Service Control center handles this functionality, since it
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`-5-
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`is programmed to identify and route SMS messages to their appropriate
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`destination.
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`In the GPRS implementation, transmission is accomplished by
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`first having the base station controllers forward packet data messages to a
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`support node router, which routes the messages to their desired destination.
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`5
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`0 Delivering messages to the user directly or to a central processor for storing
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`and processing. In either implementation, messages may be delivered via an IP
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`network or other public or private communications network.
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`0 Routing commands or data to one or groups of gateways. The commands or
`
`data can be formulated at and sent out by the central processor over either the
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`10
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`GPRS or SMS implementation. However, because each gateway is uniquely
`
`addressable through, for instance, a phone number, IP address, or similar
`
`identifier,
`
`the customer can formulate messages or commands that will be
`
`routed directly from the customer’s mobile station or fixed terminal to the
`
`gateway.
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`'15
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`The present invention accordingly aims to achieve at least one, multiple or all of
`
`the following objectives:
`
`To provide a system and method for monitoring in real
`
`time and for
`
`controlling remotely located gateways;
`
`To provide a method for allowing customers to remotely monitor and
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`20
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`control devices located in the customer’s facility that communicate with a
`
`gateway;
`
`To provide a method for allowing customers to receive monitoring
`
`information about activities at their facility via a mobile station or a fixed terminal;
`
`To additionally provide a method that allows customers to control
`
`the
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`25
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`gateway and devices coupled to the gateway from their mobile station or a fixed
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`terminal communicating over the wireless network;
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`To provide a method for customers to forward commands and data to a
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`central processor for delivery to the gateway;
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`WO 99/49680
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`PCT/US99/06429
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`To take advantage of the short messaging service capability of a deployed
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`GSM network to more efficiently provide remote monitoring and control of
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`multiple distributed gateways;
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`To provide a central processor for receiving monitoring messages from
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`5
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`remotely located gateways and aggregating those messages to track activities at the
`
`facility associated with a particular gateway; and
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`To provide methods for customers to access data stored at the central
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`processor.
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`Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become
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`l0
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`apparent upon reading the rest of this document.
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`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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`Figure 1 shows a block diagram of a system according to the present invention
`
`that implements various methods for receiving and sending data from and to a selected
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`15
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`gateway.
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`Figure 2 shows a simplified block diagram of the system shown in Figure 1, with
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`labels indicating the functionality of various system components.
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`Figure 3 shows a block diagram of one embodiment of the system shown in
`
`Figure l detailing the method and system components used to route SMS messages.
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`20
`
`A
`
`Figure 4 shows a block diagram of an alternative embodiment of a wireless GSM
`system using the GPRS format and architecture to route data and commands to and from
`
`a gateway.
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`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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`25
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`Svstem Overview: SMS Application
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`Figure 1 shows a system 10 for implementing the methods of the present invention.
`
`System 10 monitors and controls various devices deployed in multiple facilities 12, which
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`could be a home, office building or industrial complex. Each facility 12, or portion
`
`thereof, has a gateway 20 that acts as a data collection and control device, as defined
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`wo 99/K9680
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`below. Data received from various devices within and associated with facility 12 is
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`packaged by gateway 20 for forwarding via a wireless digital communications network,
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`which may be either a cellular network or a Personal Communication System (“PCS”)
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`network. The system 10 of the present invention aims to route messages from various
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`5
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`gateways 20 to terminals. A terminal may be a fixed terminal, such as central processor
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`40, an ISDN terminal or a workstation 35 (shown in Figure 3), as well as a mobile station.
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`The phrase “mobile station” means a device for sending and receiving data over a
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`wireless network and includes, for instance, a pager 31, a handset 32 or an internet
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`communicator 34 that may be a Nokia 9000 GSM communicator capable of accessing the
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`10
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`internet via a GSM wireless network.
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`Such a network may have a number of cellular sites, each served by a tower 30
`
`holding a base station and appropriate equipment for receiving and transmitting wireless
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`voice and data messages. Those messages are routed to the appropriate terminal, such as a
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`pager 31, cellular handset 32, cellular internet communicator 34, or workstation 35, by the
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`15
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`mobile switching center (“MSC”) 36 that may be a switch provided by Nortel, Lucent,
`
`Erricson or other switch makers.
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`If the messages are Short Messaging Service (“SMS”)
`
`messages, MSC 36 receives each SMS message, determines it is an SMS and switches the
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`SMS message to a SMSC (“Short Message Service Center”) 38, which may be a platform,
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`such as one provided by Logica—Aldiscon, Inc., of Lexington Massachusetts, either co-
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`20
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`located with the MSC 36 or coupled to it via a communication link. SMSC 38 listens on a
`socket for SMS messages in order to route received SMS messages to the appropriate
`
`destination. Additionally, SMSC 38 receives outgoing SMS messages and reformats those
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`messages for transmission through the MSC 36. Typically, for instance, SMSC 38 may
`
`link to MSC 36 via a SS7 data communication link (as shown in Figure 3); SMSC 38 can
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`25
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`then route SMS messages to subscribers roaming in other wireless networks via Signal
`
`Transfer Points within the SS7 network.
`
`The term “gateway” includes any device that (a) provides a physical
`
`interface
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`between internal devices associated with a particular facility 12 and external networks
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`and, optionally, (b) may provide a platform for delivering various services to the facility
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`-8-
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`12. Thus,’ gateways 20 may couple to a remote facility 12 and may monitor, control or
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`both monitor and control various devices within the facility 12, such as lights, security
`
`sensors, an answering machine, a home computer, etc. For instance, gateway 20 may be a
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`set-top box, personal computer or other device provided with a processor, such as an Intel
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`5
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`386 or 486 processor, and communicates with various, optionally addressable, devices
`
`located throughout the facility. Gateway 20, which may be uniquely addressable, also has
`
`a wireless transceiver for sending and receiving communications via a digital wireless
`
`network.
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`Additionally, for the embodiment of the present
`
`invention that uses a GSM
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`10
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`network, gateway 20 is an integrated GSM enabled communications device programmed
`
`to format and manage data packets sent and received via the short messaging service
`
`provided by a GSM network, as described further below. Gateway 20 sends and receives
`
`SMS messages via and as part of the architecture of a GSM network. For instance,
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`gateway 20 may be a GSM device that allows transfer of data, facsimile or e-mail
`messages, but which does not have voice capability. These messages can be formulated
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`15
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`and read by a SIM or “Subscriber Identity Module” card that can be plugged in or
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`otherwise incorporated into gateway 20. Gateway 20 is programmed to generate text for
`
`an outgoing SMS message, place it in the SIM card of the gateway 20 and initiate the data
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`transfer over the GSM network. Thus, gateway 20 may use bi-directional host computer
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`_20
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`to SMSC programming code to control the SIM card interface and the automatic SMS
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`message routing application. The GSM network also delivers messages to the correct
`
`location and gateway 20 confirms the accuracy of any received message to the sender.
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`When an SMS message is received at the gateway 20, the gateway 20 reads the SMS
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`message from the SIM card and processes the contents of the SMS message as though it
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`25
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`was entered directly from a command console.
`
`Figure 3 shows the methods and components of system 10 used for formulating
`and reading SMS messages sent and received by and from SMSC 38 to and from a
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`selected gateway 20. SMSC 38 may be provided with a SMS Application that facilitates
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`sending and monitoring of short messages between an end user and the SMSC 38. The
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`messages can be generated by using a GUI based front end application or by delivering a
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`message in a pre-defined format to the relational database tables used to store outgoing
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`messages. The SMS Application queues outgoing messages and sends them one at a time
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`to the SMSC 38 for distribution on the GSM network.
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`In turn, the SMSC 38 returns a
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`5
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`message indicating the delivery status of the outgoing message.
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`SMSC 38 may
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`communicate over an internet network with e-mail users or over a TNPP network with
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`pagers; likewise, through those networks or the PSTN, users may communicate with the
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`SMSC 38 to formulate and send messages for subscribers. Finally, Figure 3 shows the
`OSS/LAN support structure for supporting operations of an SMSC 38.
`H
`The SMS Application can be configured to receive an SMS message from the
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`10
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`SMSC 38.
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`In this configuration, the SMSC 38 will receive a message from the GSM
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`network and forward it via a direct connection to the SMS Application rather than
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`initiating a message transfer to another mobile station or terminal via the GSM network.
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`Through the incorporation of a fully bi-directional message transfer system, a wireless end
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`15
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`user may (a) receive messages and initiate responses via the GSM network to control
`
`devices attached to gateway 20 or (b) update the application database directly. Thus, as
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`I
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`Figure 2 indicates, DCS Messaging software, developed by Be1lSouth Mobility, and
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`deployed on the central processor 40 may be programmed to perform at
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`least
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`the
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`following tasks:
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`20
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`0 Front End Client Application - This task enables end users to input a
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`text message, up to 190 bytes, and send the message directly to the
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`SMSC 38 for distribution across the GSM network. A graphical user
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`interface or GUI allows for flexible, intuitive input and output. After
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`entry of messages,
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`this application updates the Database (such as
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`25
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`databases provided by the Oracle Corporation) Tables with the message
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`data.
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`0 Database Tables — This task stores outgoing text messages, message
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`status for
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`inquiry and resolution and routing information for the
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`message. The database tables can be populated by the front end client
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`application or directly from another server process.
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`0 Message Server - This task mediates between various Database Tables
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`and the socket used for communicating with the SMSC 38.
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`It will
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`5
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`query Database Tables for new outgoing messages and query the SMSC
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`38 to check the status of existing messages, which are routed to central
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`processor 40 for storage in the Database Tables.
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`0 Socket Layer - This task performs the bi-directional communication
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`between the Message Server and the SMSC.
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`10
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`An API on workstation 42 accesses the DCS Messaging software, which acts as a server to
`
`provide the GUI that allows input of new messages into the central processor 40.
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`Alternatively, by reconfiguring MSC 36 to route SMS messages and reconfiguring
`
`gateway 20 to listen for such messages, the system 10 could be configured so that SMS
`
`messages go directly to the gateway 20 without passing through a SMSC 38.
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`Such
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`15
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`distributed message delivery eliminates possible routing errors at SMSC 38. A central
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`processor 40 may also receive or be copied on the messages from gateway 20 to handset
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`32 or communicator 34. On the other hand,
`
`this distributed architecture would be
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`substantially more expensive and complex, requiring dedicated SS7 links between MSC
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`36 and each of gateways 20, which also would have to be provided with software to
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`20
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`enable SMS routing throughout the network.
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`Methods for Delivering SMS Messages
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`In one embodiment of this invention, the wireless network is a GSM network
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`represented by tower 30, pager 31, handset 32, communicator 34, and MSC 36, which
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`may be a Nortel switch running GSM. This network provides integrated voice and
`
`25
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`enhanced digital services, including e—mail or SMS to the user’s mobile station, which
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`may also have integrated voice mail, caller ID functions, a fax mailbox, etc. The GSM
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`standard defines a short messaging service, which allows users of the network to send and
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`receive short data messages, usually in the form of alphanumeric text. Such messages can
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`be sent and received even during an on-going communication session. SMS messages
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`may be configured for delivery to a particular identified terminal, such as handset 32, or
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`they may be broadcast throughout a specific geographical area by using the SMS cell
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`broadcast feature. This broadcasting function, described in the GSM 03.41 and GSM
`
`04.11 that are incorporated herein by this reference, is useful for reprogramming multiple
`
`5
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`gateways 20 simultaneously or warning customers at various facilities 12 of particular
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`events in their geographic area (e.g., a weather warning or the like).
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`A system 10 using a GSM network allows SMS messages with a payload of about
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`160 bytes or characters to be sent at 9600 Baud from a gateway 20 to a terminal via a
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`GSM network and supporting sub-components. A GSM network supports multiple points
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`10
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`of origin or destination of the SMS messages, allowing for two-way communication
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`among terminals and gateways 20, each of which are provided with a unique identifier,
`
`such as a phone number or an IP address. Significantly, this architecture allows data
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`communications among gateways 20 and mobile stations, like pager 31, handsets 32 and
`
`communicator 34, or fixed terminals, through virtual direct connections among all of those
`
`15
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`devices using the GSM network and supporting sub~components for transport. This
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`provides a virtual point-to-point connection via the GSM network, and the SMS messages
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`may or may not be sent to or through the central processor 40. By taking advantage of the
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`SMS services provided in a GSM network,
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`the network functionality required for
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`forwarding short data messages to and from gateways 20 need not be developed from
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`20
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`scratch.
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`By way of example, assume that gateway 20 monitors facility 12 for energy usage
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`data or alarms indicating a security breach as well as communicates with various
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`electronic devices, such as an electronic thermostat or lights. The digital GSM network
`
`allows gateway 20 to periodically upload a SMS message, providing essentially real time
`
`25 monitoring of energy usage at the particular facility 12. For instance, the GSM network
`
`may allow message uploading as frequently as every 5 minutes. Gateway 20 could be
`
`programmed to provide periodic (e.g., hourly) reports on energy usage.
`
`If a security
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`sensor coupled to gateway 20 triggers, gateway 20 could be configured to package and
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`transmit, usually on a priority basis, a SMS message indicating a breach in security, as
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`well as other data including the date and time, the location of the facilities, or the location
`
`of the sensor.
`
`In another embodiment of this invention, a microcell may be provided for very
`
`large facilities 12, such as industrial complexes, manufacturing facilities, distribution
`
`5
`
`facilities or the like. A microcell allows persons within a large facility 12 to communicate
`
`with one another and the gateway 20 for that facility 12 via handsets 32.
`
`Such
`
`communications may be routed via MSC 36. For instance, such a microcell would
`
`provide the facility 12 with a wireless PBX, wireless data connectivity to corporate
`
`databases or wireless intemet access.
`
`10
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`Methods for Delivering Data via the IWF
`
`An alternative embodiment of the invention allows gateway 20 efficiently to
`
`upload a large file of information to the central processor 40. By way of example,
`
`gateway 20 could have been instructed to poll devices coupled to it throughout the day to
`
`determine their energy usage. Then, instead of immediately reporting the results of each
`
`15
`
`poll, gateway 20 buffers the information within memory for uploading to central processor
`
`40 on command or at a preselected time. If the file is fairly large, rather than forwarding
`
`the file by sending one or multiple SMS messages that would need to be reassembled,
`
`gateway 20 has the capability to upload the file via an Inter Working Function (IWF)
`
`protocol. To do so, gateway 20 sets up a call to central processor 40, during which call
`
`20
`
`gateway 20 packages and forwards the file via the IWF protocol. Although uploading data
`
`via the IWF transfer process uses a more expensive voice channel rather than a data
`
`channel, it allows faster upload of large files.
`
`Delivery of Data via GPRS
`
`Figure 4 shows a wireless network 100 provided with GPRS functionality.
`
`25
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`Network 100 is a GSM network, but could utilize other protocols,
`
`including TDMA,
`
`CDMA or the like so long as those networks operate the General Packet Radio System
`
`(“GPRS”) protocols. Network 100 has multiple towers 30 coupled to multiple base
`
`stations (“BTS”) 52, each controlled by a base station controller (“BSC”) 50. BSC 50
`
`has been modified to route calls to MSC 36, communicating with a conventional HLR
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`database 37. Note that the gateway 20 in Figure 4 has the same functionality as the
`
`gateway 20 in Figures 1 through 3, but may be implemented differently. For instance,
`
`since a GPRS may be deployed in other than GSM networks, a SIM card need not be
`
`provided to gateway 20, which instead may simply be outfitted with a cellular transceiver
`
`5
`
`appropriate to the type of cellular network 100 in which the gateway 20 will be
`
`transmitting messages.
`
`BSC 50 identifies and routes data messages to a support node 60. BSC 50
`
`identifies data messages in a GPRS system because handshake messages from the
`
`gateway 20 inform the base station 52 that the particular transaction is a packet data
`
`10
`
`transaction. Other methods exist for identifying such transactions, including examining
`
`identifiers placed in the data message by the user toggling certain functions on the
`
`delivery device or by analyzing the message itself.
`
`In any event, data messages from
`
`gateway 20 are assembled by a PAD into packets per the GPRS protocol specification for
`
`delivery to the support node 60. Figure 4 shows Gb and other interfaces that specify
`
`15
`
`header information and such for allowing various network elements to communicate with
`
`one another. Support node 60 is a SGSN/GGSN (Server GSM Support Node or Gateway
`
`GSM Support Node), such as a Passport carrier grade data platform system available from
`
`Nortel Networks or any other platform suitable for use as a router. Figure 4 shows that
`
`support node 60 packages data messages that arrive from facility 20’s gateway 20 for
`
`20
`
`delivery over one of many types of networks to a central processor 40 (shown in Figures 1
`
`and 2). The delivery network may be an IP network, an X.25 network, or other public
`
`land/mobile networks 62. Network 100 may also deliver messages, queries or commands
`
`from a central processor 40 (or another terminal) to the facility 12 that couples via an
`
`over-the-air interface to the base station 30 shown in Figure 4.
`
`25
`
`To send a message to a particular gateway 20, a user accesses the network 100
`
`through a mobile