(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2004/0196858A1
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Oct. 7, 2004
`Tsai et al.
`
`US 20040196858A1
`
`(54) INTERMEDIARY NETWORKSYSTEMAND
`METHOD FOR FACILITATING MESSAGE
`EXCHANGE BETWEEN WIRELESS
`NETWORKS
`(76) Inventors: Kirk Tsai, Potomac, MD (US); william
`Chu, Vienna, VA (US); Robert C.
`Lovell JR., Leesburg, VA (US)
`Correspondence Address:
`Lawrence D. Eisen
`SHAW PTTMAN LLP
`1650 Tysons Boulevard
`McLean, VA 22102 (US)
`(21) Appl. No.:
`10/831,329
`(22) Filed:
`Apr. 26, 2004
`Related U.S. Application Data
`(63) Continuation-in-part of application No. 10/426,662,
`filed on May 1, 2003.
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/445,444, filed on Feb.
`7, 2003.
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51) Int. Cl. ................................................. H04L 12/66
`(52) U.S. Cl. ......................... 370/401; 370/466; 370/392;
`370/437
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`Network System and method for facilitating message
`eXchange between mobile Subscribers belonging to the same
`or different public land mobile networks, possibly incorpo
`rating different Standards. Message exchange between two
`subscribers of the same or different networks may involve
`one or more lookups on Subscription data, Zero or more
`message transformations, one or more routing decisions
`including application of costing functions, and, Storage and
`propagation of the message in one or more Core or Inter
`mediary networks. The messages may be of type, among
`others, SMS (Short Message Service), MMS (Multimedia
`Message Service), or EMAIL. An aspect of the present
`invention provides a message routing Subsystem that facili
`tates destination determination and delivery channel Selec
`tion.
`
`G =^-Yo
`
`
`
`Message Exchange
`Service Network
`MON
`
`(2)
`:
`G)-1N
`(R) () , (R)-monto
`
`M1
`
`wisc
`
`M 2
`
`HLR
`
`sues. BER
`
`ROUTING
`DATA
`
`NEWORKGAEWAY
`ASSOCATION INFO
`
`PORTEDI
`CONTAMINAED
`NUMBERS
`
`NPAC
`
`al
`
`PROVISONING
`SATION
`
`APPL-1014
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`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 7, 2004 Sheet 1 of 20
`
`US 2004/0196858A1
`
`
`
`
`
`Message Exchange
`Service Network
`MON
`
`(o), 2GN Gw ();
`
`SUBSCRIBER
`8.
`ROUTING
`DATA
`
`NETWORKAGATEWAY
`ASSOCAION INFO
`
`HLR
`
`PORTEDI
`CONTAMINAED
`NUMBERS
`
`C C
`
`NPAC
`
`es
`
`PROWSONING
`STATION
`
`Fig. 1
`
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`Patent Application Publication Oct. 7, 2004 Sheet 2 of 20
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`US 2004/0196858A1
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`
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`Patent Application Publication Oct. 7, 2004 Sheet 3 of 20
`
`US 2004/0196858A1
`
`Gateway Unit, A
`
`MS Message
`Gatewa
`
`
`
`(F) (E)(E)
`
`(FR)
`
`(R)
`
`AU,
`
`is MT
`
`
`
`(R)
`
`To
`
`a.Database (R) R
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`From Intermediary
`Gateway Unit, C
`To intermediary
`Gateway Unit, C
`
`
`
`Database (DB)
`Unit
`
`To intermediary v
`Gateway Unit, B
`From Intermediary
`Gateway Unit, B
`Fig. 3
`
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`Patent Application Publication
`
`Oct. 7, 2004 Sheet 4 of 20
`
`US 2004/0196858A1
`
`Gateway Unit, A
`
`/ / \
`
`
`
`SML (O)
`
`------
`
`Database (DB)
`Unit
`
`r:
`
`s
`L- \ f
`is-a-" "
`SMT \
`
`i-fi f y- w
`From Intermediary
`Gateway Unit, C
`Y-
`- Y -
`(R)
`(R-4-R}
`f
`To
`a Database
`Game". (3
`
`Y
`(s
`
`To
`To
`Fort
`Database Integy Intermediary
`eway
`Gateway
`Unit, b
`Unit, B
`
`
`
`ueue 1
`Input
`
`teue
`output
`
`Fig. 4
`
`Distributed Queuing System
`
`f
`
`ov,
`N'
`
`(R.
`
`y
`
`From Intermediary
`Gateway Unit, C
`
`(Al-
`v2.
`V"
`
`h.c.
`
`FR-i-o- R -->
`R
`(R
`To intermediary
`Gateway Unit, C
`
`t
`TO
`Intermediary
`Gateway
`Unit, A
`
`To
`Database
`
`From Intermediary
`Gateway Unit, A
`
`input
`
`Output
`
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`Patent Application Publication Oct. 7, 2004 Sheet 5 of 20
`
`US 2004/0196858A1
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`5.2
`5.2
`
`TN
`AND SERVICE
`DFOR
`E.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ISTNAN
`INTERNATIONAL
`NUMBER
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ISTN
`LIKELY
`TO BEINPORTED
`OR CONTAMINATE
`RANGE
`
`
`
`
`
`CHECKTNNPAV
`NXX DATABASE
`FORDESNAON
`CARRIERID
`
`5.4
`
`5.9
`
`5.12
`
`
`
`FROM TN
`OBTAINMOBILE
`COUNTRY CODE
`
`couSEPORT
`POrTABILITY?
`
`PRFORM
`SS7 ROUTING
`INFORMATION
`LOOKUPUSING
`GT AND
`EXTRACT
`DESTINATION
`CARRIERID
`AND ROAMING
`INFORMATION
`
`
`
`CHECKLSMS
`NPACDATABASE
`FORPORTED AND
`CONTAMINATED
`NUMBERS AND
`OBAIN
`DESTINATION
`CARRR ID
`
`OBAINLIST OF
`ALLOWED
`ROUTESFOR
`DESTINATION
`CARRIER AND
`SERVICE ID
`
`RESOLVE ROUTE
`ADRESSING FOR
`DESTINATIONN
`INCLUDING
`ROAMING
`INFORMATION
`
`Fig. 5
`
`OBTAN MOBILE
`NETWORKCODE
`(CARRIER ID)
`FroMTN
`
`5.11
`
`5.13
`
`OBTAIN
`REAL TIME .
`ROUTE
`PERFORMANCE
`METRICS
`
`
`
`SOLVE
`FOR COST
`FUNCTION
`
`5.14
`
`
`
`
`
`OBTAIN
`ROUTE
`FOR NEXT HOP
`GATEWAY
`
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`Patent Application Publication Oct. 7, 2004 Sheet 6 of 20
`
`US 2004/0196858A1
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`Command ID
`
`command status
`
`Source Address TON
`
`Source Address NP
`
`Source Address
`Destination Address TON
`Destination Address NP
`
`Schedule Delivery Time
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Fig. 5A SMPP3.4 Message Format
`
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`Patent Application Publication Oct. 7, 2004 Sheet 7 of 20
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`US 2004/0196858A1
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`SMT Message Format
`
`SML Message Format
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Message Type
`
`Destination TN
`Origination TN
`Message ID
`
`Status Code
`
`Markup Tags
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Fig. 6
`
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`Patent Application Publication Oct. 7, 2004 Sheet 8 of 20
`
`US 2004/0196858A1
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`72 - 2
`h\-13017284.941
`+17036082119 r\73
`NEXTEO2O827225432772
`75 h\N
`agent NAGN?n 76
`dp =SS7
`dm=direct
`out agent=SS7TX/Y, 710
`\ursn=1105
`
`7.6
`
`Fig. 7
`
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`Patent Application Publication Oct. 7, 2004 Sheet 9 of 20
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`US 2004/0196858A1
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`REGISTRATION
`UPDATE
`€
`G
`
`92
`
`M2 (C2)
`C3
`
`ROUTE REGUEST
`
`MESSAGE
`
`OUTE INFO
`
`INTERMEDIARY
`NETWORK
`
`
`
`MESSAGE
`
`c1
`
`M1 (C1)
`Fig. 8
`
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`Patent Application Publication Oct. 7, 2004 Sheet 10 of 20
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`US 2004/0196858A1
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`ADDRESS MAPPING
`8005551212G2c1 msg.net
`DOMAINMAPPING 1msg.net
`
`
`
`Message 4
`
`
`
`1:18am 3/12/03
`
`VIRTUAL ROAMENG
`
`
`
`SS7 Gateway
`
`
`
`MSRN
`TN
`7035551212
`800.5551212
`Virtual Address Lookup Table
`
`Fig. 9
`
`From: +1703.5551212
`1:18am 3/12/03
`
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`Patent Application Publication Oct. 7, 2004 Sheet 11 of 20
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`US 2004/0196858A1
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`3 Digits
`NPA
`
`Exchange Code Station Code
`3 Digits
`4 Digits
`NXX
`XXXX
`Fig. 10
`
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`Patent Application Publication Oct. 7, 2004 Sheet 12 of 20
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`US 2004/0196858A1
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`Mobile Country
`Mobile Network
`Number .
`Code (MCC
`Code (MNC
`Up to 10 Digits
`2 Digits
`3Digits
`-- UPTO 15 DGTS->
`Fig.11
`
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`Patent Application Publication Oct. 7, 2004 Sheet 13 of 20
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`US 2004/0196858A1
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`Carrier X
`
`O Carrier P
`
`
`
`Carrier Y
`
`Carrier Q
`
`Fig. 12
`
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`Patent Application Publication Oct. 7, 2004 Sheet 14 of 20
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`US 2004/0196858A1
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`13.2
`
`SMS Message
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`13.4
`
`
`
`
`
`LSMS Engine
`• Accept Sol gueries
`receiving downloads of TN and
`sock date
`NPA Spits
`• Audit requests
`
`CC
`Routing
`Database
`
`Systern
`finistration
`Monitoring
`
`
`
`|
`I
`l
`LERG Data
`Carrier Data
`8OO Numbers
`International
`Number Ranges
`Test Ranges
`Pseudo Number
`-Ranges
`
`Fig. 13
`
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`Patent Application Publication Oct. 7, 2004 Sheet 15 of 20
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`US 2004/0196858A1
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`
`
`Message
`Traffic
`
`Gateway
`Farm
`
`Traffic Logs -
`Fat File:S
`
`Initial Load
`
`Final Schema
`Population
`
`Stored
`Procedures
`
`Fig. 14
`
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`Patent Application Publication Oct. 7, 2004 Sheet 16 of 20
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`US 2004/0196858A1
`
`-
`
`-
`
`Code
`
`Character ASCII
`a
`64
`f
`156
`3
`y
`l 7
`e
`é
`
`EXAMPLE OF GSM 7 Bit to ASCII TRANSLATION
`(SAMPLE NUMBER OF ENTRIES SHOWN
`Character name
`0x000 COMMERCIAL AT
`0x011 POUND sIGN
`0x033 YENSIGN
`0x044 LATIN SMALL LETTERE WITH GRAVE
`ox066 LATIN SMALL LETTER U WITH GRAVE
`0x077 (LATIN SMALL LETTER WITH GRAVE
`Io
`0x088 LATIN SMALL LETTER O WITH GRAVE
`0x099 LATIN CAPITAL LETTER C WTH CEDLLA q
`0x0A10 LINE FEED
`oxoB11 LATIN CAPITAL LETTER O WITH STROKE
`o
`LATIN SMALL LETTER O WITH STROKE
`o
`oxoD13 CARRIAGE RETURN
`LATIN CAPITAL LETTER A WITH RING
`ox0F15 LATIN SMALL LETTERA witHRING ABOVE a
`0x1016 GREEK CAPITAL LETTER DELTA
`A
`0x1117 LOW LINE
`0x1319 GREEKCAPITAL LETTER GAMMA
`0x1420 GREEK CAPITAL LETTER LAMBDA
`0x521 GREEK CAPITAL LETTER OMEGA
`0x1622 GREEK CAPITAL LETTERPI
`ox1723 GREEK CAPITAL LETTER Psi
`0x1824 GREEK CAPITAL LETTER SIGMA
`0x1925 GREEKCAPITAL LETTER THETA
`oxA26 GREEK CAPITAL LETTER XI
`0x1B27. EscAPE TO EXTENSION TABLE
`Fig. 15
`
`138
`130
`151
`141
`149
`EE
`12
`10
`237
`E
`248
`134
`95
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`227
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`
`
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`
`A
`
`i
`
`
`
`O
`
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`Patent Application Publication Oct. 7, 2004 Sheet 17 of 20
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`US 2004/0196858A1
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`Routing and
`Switching -b-
`layer
`
`
`
`Database layer -->
`
`Queue-based Switching Fabric
`
`Carrier database (CD)
`
`
`
`
`
`IM
`
`Data warehouse (DW)
`
`S
`
`l
`
`IM,
`
`Fig. 16
`
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`Patent Application Publication Oct. 7, 2004 Sheet 18 of 20
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`US 2004/0196858A1
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`Formwrelesserriers
`(e.g. Carrier)
`
`SS
`
`SMP
`SMPP
`
`a
`a
`inbound Preparation
`(extraction, romalization, etc.)
`
`D-N
`1 6 O2
`
`See
`control
`
`170
`DestinationDetermination
`
`Administration
`
`Se -
`control
`Delivery ChannelSelection
`
`Outbound Preparation
`(formatting, conversions, etc.)
`
`-
`
`.
`
`.
`
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`
`.
`
`ToWirelessCarriers
`(e.g., Carrier)
`
`SNPP
`SMTP
`
`SS
`
`MRS Y
`1 60 1
`
`X
`
`Y
`1 608
`
`Fig. 17
`
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`Patent Application Publication Oct. 7, 2004 Sheet 19 of 20
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`US 2004/0196858A1
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`99999999999
`9
`99 9999999999
`999 999999999
`
`- - - - - - National Significant Number (NSN) including the NDC and
`the SN
`
`- a - - are s - - - - - - - - - as CC
`
`Fig. 18
`
`+--------------------- Home Network Identity (HNI)
`
`999 999 999999999
`MCC MNC -- MSN --
`999 99 9999999999
`
`+------------- National Mobile Station Identity (NMSI) including
`the MNC and the MSIN
`
`999 999 9999
`
`Fig. 19
`
`Fig. 20
`
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`Patent Application Publication Oct. 7, 2004 Sheet 20 of 20
`
`US 2004/0196858A1
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`
`
`
`
`E,
`5,
`E
`
`\riod
`2106
`
`Domestic Feeds
`
`\2110
`International Feeds
`2112/
`
`2102
`
`2100
`
`v
`SMPP
`
`y
`SS7
`
`2108
`
`Fig. 21
`
`
`
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`US 2004/O196858A1
`
`Oct. 7, 2004
`
`INTERMEDIARY NETWORKSYSTEMAND
`METHOD FOR FACILITATING MESSAGE
`EXCHANGE BETWEEN WIRELESS NETWORKS
`0001. This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S.
`application Ser. No. 10/426,662, filed May 1, 2003, which
`claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.
`60/445,444, filed Feb. 7, 2003, both of which are herein
`incorporated by reference in their entirety.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`0002 The present invention is directed to the field of
`telecommunication and more particularly to an intermediary
`System that enables Senders and recipients of messages to
`Send and receive messages between wireleSS networks hav
`ing incompatible network protocols.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`0003. In North America, and many other parts of the
`World, mobile telecommunication networks are character
`ized by different standards such as TDMA, CDMA, GSM,
`iDEN, and many variants thereof, such as 2G (Second
`Generation Networks) and 3G (Third Generation Networks).
`The Standards typically Specify the radio interface charac
`teristics, equipment details and associated number Schemes,
`applicable communication protocols including the associ
`ated message definitions and characteristics of inter-con
`necting networks. While Some of the concepts are common
`among these disparate standards, the commonality of the
`concepts is not Sufficient to make devices belonging to one
`network talk to devices belonging to another network for
`wireleSS messaging needs.
`0004. A telecommunication network supports many ser
`vices. Primary among them are Voice calls and messaging.
`Aspects of the present invention primarily concern messag
`ing and, therefore, this description concentrates on expand
`ing upon the State of messaging Standards.
`0005 The wireless messaging revolution started prima
`rily with the GSM standard with the introduction of Short
`Message Service (SMS). An SMS message can have a
`maximum of 160 characters (140 octets) and is used for a
`number of applications including perSon to perSon messag
`ing, binary content Such as ring tones, person to application
`messaging, and a number of other uses. Almost all other
`standards Such as ANSI, TDMA, and CDMA wireless
`networks also have implemented an equivalent form of short
`message Support within their networks. A notable exception
`is iDEN, which implemented a packet data network and
`while messaging is Supported, it does not have anything
`equivalent to Short messaging.
`0006 There are other forms of messaging such as
`EMAIL, WAP and more recently Multimedia messages
`(MMS) supported by many of the networks. In some cases,
`one form of messaging is carried over the bearers of other
`forms of messaging. For example, an EMAIL message could
`be implemented with SMS as a bearer service.
`0007. In general, it is not easily possible to exchange
`messages acroSS different networkS Supporting different
`wireleSS Standards. SMS messaging has become very popu
`lar in Europe and other parts of the World due to implemen
`tation of the GSM standard in many networks, which makes
`it possible to exchange SMS messages easily across the
`
`networks. In the case of ANSI TIA/EIA41 standards, Such
`an exchange has not been possible.
`0008. The exchange of messages across different net
`WorkS is further complicated by roaming, number portabil
`ity, quality of Service, "Spam, and billing requirements. Due
`to its very nature, mobile networks permit roaming of
`Subscriber units within the network and other networks
`implementing compatible Standards, provided a business
`arrangement between the effected networks exists. In order
`to deliver a message to a mobile unit, it is necessary to find
`its current location and associated gateway and interface
`address.
`0009. One of the features of number portability is the
`ability to port a number from one Service provider to
`another. Number portability poses problems with the deliv
`ery of messages when relatively static routing tables are
`used. A similar but independent problem arises out of
`“number range contamination.” In North America, for
`example, messages and calls are routed to networks using
`what is known as NPA/NXX ranges. This methodology
`refers to routing of calls using the first Six digits of the
`telephone number (TN) in the North American Number Plan
`(NANP). Traditionally, a set of number ranges segmented by
`NPA/NXX are assigned to service providers.
`0010 Recently, in United States, a change has been made
`in telephone number range assignments to Service providers.
`Instead of the usual six digit number ranges, the assignments
`are made, now, using Seven digit ranges. However, during
`the reassignment, certain numbers in a range may be what is
`termed as, “contaminated, where a Small percentage of
`numbers may belong to one Service provider, even though
`the range as a whole is owned by another Service provider.
`0011. In addition to the contaminated and ported number
`issues mentioned above, there are a number of other inter
`connectivity issues that may need to be addressed for
`flexible and reliable message bridging acroSS different net
`works. For example, a Source and destination network (with
`respect to a message going between Subscribers of those two
`networks) may be inter-connected by more than one Inter
`mediate network. The routing tables and associated meth
`odologies must account for this multi-hop connection. A
`destination network may be accessible only through a des
`ignated service provider to the network. For example a SS7
`Service provider may have eXclusive access to a carrier's
`network and the message must be routed through Such a
`connection. There may be multiple types of connections to
`a network to reach the same mobile Subscriber. Further, there
`may be multiple instances of a particular type of connection
`to a network to reach the Same mobile Subscribers.
`0012. In addition, there might be varying levels of Qual
`ity of Service for multiple connections to the same network.
`0013 To Summarize, the following are many of the
`challenges that need to be addressed for the Successful and
`reliable exchanging of messages between disparate wireleSS
`networks:
`0014 Protocol Conversion-ability to account for
`protocol differences
`0015 Transmission network support-ability to
`connect with the right kind of transmission network
`
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`Oct. 7, 2004
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`0016 Inter-Domain or Inter-network Addressing
`Conversion-ability to perform address translation,
`as neceSSary
`0017 Dynamic Routing Lookup-ability to resolve
`for accurate and timely routing information
`0018 Message Transformation-ability to trans
`form messages based on business and technical
`needs
`0019 Storage and re-transmittal-ability to store
`and forward based on busineSS and technical needs
`0020 Recording of transmission events for billing
`and other uses-ability to record the message trans
`mission events
`0021 Management channel Support-ability to
`manage message transmission
`0022 Anti-spam, Authentication, and other central
`ized value add services-ability to provide network
`protection.
`0023 Lateral transmission to other Intermediary
`networks-ability to interface with multiple net
`works
`0024. Transaction support-ability to reliably trans
`act a message delivery attempt
`0025 Quality of Service-ability to support varying
`quality levels in providing Service
`0026. The network and system explained in this invention
`Solves many of the above problems uniquely.
`0027 Interchanging signaling and messages between net
`Works for peer to peer calls, messaging and roaming has
`been addressed in the prior art before by standards bodies,
`published papers, and patents. Patent number WO97/20442,
`for example, identifies a mechanism to exchange Short
`Message Service (SMS) between different networks by
`enabling the message center of a cellular network with the
`functionality of identifying target network, addressing
`mechanism, and format. In particular, the patent describes a
`System that allows messages to be delivered to a conven
`tional telephone network using facsimile message format
`transmission and wide or local area network using email
`message transmission. This System, however, Specifically
`requires the Sender of the message to identify the destination
`network, protocol and the address of the recipient device
`within the network. Moreover, it assumes that the message
`center of the cellular network is directly connected to the
`destination network by PSTN, LAN, or WAN network,
`which is not necessarily the case in many practical networkS.
`0028. Another system, described in DE 295 11856 U1,
`provides a slightly alternate mechanism by way of use of a
`central Switching device. A designated network Specific
`device receives a message, Stores the message, re-formats
`the message to Suit an exchange format, and forwards the
`message to a central Switching device. The central Switch
`then routes the message to another device connected to the
`destination network. This System assumes a monolithic
`central Switching device, which could be a Single failure
`point and does not offer much flexibility in dealing with
`many complexities (as are addressed here-in) of inter-con
`
`necting a plurality of networks. Moreover, a central mono
`lithic Switching device may become a performance bottle
`neck.
`0029. Another known technique proposes a plurality of
`intermediate Switching architectures to overcome the above
`mentioned drawbackS.
`0030 WO 02/15603 A2 describes a centralized computer
`System or a computer program connected to a plurality of
`networks directly for delivering messages between networks
`and applications using a centralized routing database.
`0031 All the above systems and techniques take a rela
`tively simplistic view of bridging messaging Structures
`between various networks. They assume simplistic routing
`rules without considering many practical peculiarities of
`network interconnections. For example, in North America
`(and many countries) number pooling, contaminated ranges
`and portability make it difficult to correctly identify the
`destination carrier. Sometimes the messages coming from a
`network may have to be delivered back to the same network,
`after performing certain message transformations or route
`lookups. Due to wireless number portability, the numbers
`may be ported frequently, which makes it difficult to cor
`rectly resolve the destination network identity based on the
`address provided by originating Subscriber. None of the
`patents cited above addresses these Scenarios.
`0032. Also, the above patents do not address the issue of
`roaming subscribers. Nor do they address the possibility of
`a plurality of connections or links, possibly operating dif
`ferent protocols, to the same destination network and
`mechanisms to choose a particular connection in an opti
`mized way. In addition, multiple protocol addresses assigned
`to the same Subscriber unit is possible within the same
`network in the real world (such as an email address and
`phone number to the same mobile unit), which again does
`not find any mention in any of the above patents. Security,
`authentication, billing, error handling, reporting and many
`other value-add functions that are critically important for
`message delivery in the practical world are not mentioned in
`the above cited inventions.
`0033. In addition, the cited patents do not explicitly refer
`to the delivery of messages using SS7 networks directly,
`which is the preferred network protocol used by almost all
`the telecommunication networks for delivering messages.
`SS7 is the core network inter-connecting network elements
`of wireleSS networks currently.
`0034. Therefore, realization of any practically relevant
`message delivery System based on the above patents falls
`Short of a reliable message delivery mechanism between
`networks because of the cited reasons.
`0035 WO 02/05580 A1, however, clearly addresses
`delivery of SMS messages between PLMNs (Public Land
`Mobile Network) using the traditional SS7 network
`approach involving Switching Centers, Message Service
`Centers, Home Location Registers and the like. However,
`the described system strictly deals with bridging two differ
`ent SS7 networks through an inter-working message center
`and does not address other forms of interconnection Such as
`IP networks. In addition, this invention deals with end to end
`message transmission using MAP Signaling messages,
`wherein particular message Sequences are translated into the
`format of destination network. The approach proposed by
`
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`US 2004/O196858A1
`
`Oct. 7, 2004
`
`this system works only for SMS messages and does not
`perform any kind of message transformations. For example,
`if the destination network does not open up the SS7 network
`for Intermediary for message delivery, the System fails to
`provide a Solution.
`
`SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE
`INVENTION
`0.036 The present invention relates to interconnecting
`mobile networks that are complex and Support multiple
`Standards and busineSS rules. Aspects of the present inven
`tion enable messages to be exchanged between two mobile
`units through application of many different functionalities
`including message transformations, accurate and optimal
`route lookups incorporating application of number portabil
`ity and contaminated ranges, application of protocols, cost
`ing functions and busineSS rules.
`0037 More specifically, the present invention relates to a
`method of facilitating routing of a message from one mobile
`network to another network that are interconnected by a
`Service network and associated Software control mecha
`nisms. The message could be one of many formats includ
`ing, but not limited to, a short message, email, and multi
`media message. In accordance with aspects of the present
`invention, a message originated from a mobile unit may be
`passed through Several gateways within the originating
`mobile network for further transmission. These gateways
`include, among others, Short Message Service Centers
`(SMSCs), Multimedia Message Centers (MMSCs), WAP
`Gateways, Email Gateways, and Interworking Mobile
`Switching Centers (IWMSCs). It is possible for a single
`message to traverse more than one of these gateway units.
`0.038. In an embodiment of the present invention, an
`independent Service network and System (hereinafter called
`“Intermediary network,” or simply “Intermediary”) receives
`the message from any one of the above mentioned gateways
`belonging to the originating mobile network, for the purpose
`of delivering the message to the destination. The Interme
`diary has a set of Input Units, a set of Output Units (these
`two Units, together called “interfacing Units'), a set of
`Transformation Units, and a set of Routing Units (these last
`two Units, together, called “Internal Units”), each, in a
`preferred embodiment, with a well-defined functionality and
`purpose. These units are wired according to the character
`istics of connected mobile networks and asSociated busineSS
`unit requirements.
`0039. In accordance with the present invention, the mes
`Sage received through one of the Input Units passes through
`one or more Transformation Units and Routing Units
`according to Several pre-determined busineSS rules as well as
`dynamically determined routing rules based on the prevail
`ing conditions of the inter-connecting networkS.
`0040 Subscription information denotes the association of
`Subscriber's phone number to a network Service provider.
`Current acceSS association provides the address of Visited
`network (mobility). According to one aspect of the inven
`tion, the dynamic routing ability of the Intermediary net
`work, takes into account the latest network Subscription
`asSociation information of the terminating device, current
`network access association of the terminating device and the
`traffic conditions of a plurality of links connecting to the
`
`terminating mobile network. This significantly increases the
`likelihood that the message will be successfully delivered.
`0041 According to one embodiment of the invention,
`dynamically changing routing information is obtained by
`Subscription to one or more third party information Sources
`(Such as NPAC data), accessing one or more information
`repositories (such as a Home Location Register-HLR) in
`real time, and/or monitoring the traffic conditions on inter
`connecting links to the mobile networks. The dynamic
`information thus obtained preferably changes the way the
`message might have otherwise been routed. In addition,
`according to an aspect of the invention, the dynamic infor
`mation may also specify which of the transformations needs
`to be applied in order to Successfully route the message. For
`example, if the message is dynamically routed to another
`Intermediary network instead of a final destination directly,
`then the formatting of the message may correspond to that
`of an Intermediary Network rather than the final destination
`network.
`0042. According to another embodiment of the present
`invention, the content of the message may also influence the
`transformation units applied to the message. For example, if
`the original content is in the English language and if the
`intended destination unit resides in a network whose pre
`dominant language, according to the network's primary
`geographic boundary is, e.g., Chinese, then the content may
`be translated, depending upon configured busineSS rules, to
`the Chinese language before forwarding to the destination
`network.
`0043. The present invention preferably also includes
`mechanisms to Specify which Set of transformation and
`routing units need to be applied to a given message based on
`the link or Interface Unit the message came through. For
`example, a message that came through an indirect link Such
`as an EMAIL gateway may not generate a billable record
`(depending on agreed-upon business arrangements) to the
`originating mobile network.
`0044) The message, according to one embodiment of the
`invention, thus preferably passes through a dynamic Set of
`Routing and Transformation Units based on one or more of:
`the content of the original message, the interface through
`which the message came-in, the busineSS rules of the mobile
`networks involved, and the dynamic nature of the intercon
`nected links, network Subscription and acceSS information of
`the destination mobile unit.
`0045. A further aspect of the present invention provides
`a message routing Subsystem that assumes the central role of
`directing traffic within a message exchange environment.
`Specifically, the message routing Subsystem provides an
`entity or Service that all of the components of the message
`eXchange environment can invoke to complete destination
`determination and delivery channel Selection.
`0046) Thus, the present invention provides systems and
`methods that permit flexibility and optimization with respect
`to receiving and delivering messages by an Intermediary that
`spans disparate networks. Those skilled in the art will more
`fully appreciate the features and advantages of the present
`invention upon a reading of the following detailed descrip
`tion of the preferred embodiments of the invention in
`conjunction with the associated drawings.
`
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`US 2004/O196858A1
`
`Oct. 7, 2004
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`0047 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram representing an
`exemplary implementation of an embodiment of the present
`invention.
`0.048
`FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram that illustrates
`prior-art that is used for exchanging SMS messages between
`Public Land Mobile Networks (PLMNs) implementing
`compatible protocols.
`0049 FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram that shows an
`implementation for routing and transformation units inside a
`Gateway Unit, in accordance with a particular embodiment
`of the present invention.
`0050 FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram that shows inter
`connection between two Gateway Units connected to two
`different wireleSS networks, in accordance with the present
`invention.
`0051
`FIG. 5 is a flowchart that shows exemplary routing
`logic and resolution of a cost function for Selecting the next
`hop route for a message, in accordance with the present
`invention and FIG. 5A shows an SMPP message format.
`0.052 FIG. 6 is a diagram that shows the format of SMT
`and SML messages used internally in an embodiment of the
`present invention.
`0.053
`FIG. 7 is a diagram that shows a particular instan
`tiation of an SML file.
`0.054
`FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram that illustrates
`delivery of a message to a visited network with roaming
`Subscriber.
`0055 FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram that illustrates
`mapping of Virtual Subscriber addresses from a carrier
`network into Intermediary network for facilitating message
`delivery, in accordance with the present invention.
`0056 FIG. 10 is a diagram that illustrates the number
`format of the North American Number Plan (NANP).
`0057 FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram that shows a
`Mobile Subscriber Roaming Number (MSRN) number in
`E.164 Format.
`0.058
`FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram that shows an
`interconnection of two Intermediary Networks, in accor
`dance with the present invention.
`0059 FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram that shows the
`routing database System and the method of routing resolu
`tion for SMS messages, in accordance with the present
`invention.
`0060 FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram that illustrates a
`Message Detail Record generation process within an Inter
`mediary network, in accordance with the present invention.
`0061
`FIG. 15 is a matrix that shows an example char
`acter translation between GSM and ASCII character sets.
`0.062
`FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram of a high-level
`logical depiction of a message exchange environment,
`according to an embodiment of the present invention.
`0.063
`FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram illustrating the
`functions of the message routing Subsystem, according to an
`embodiment of th