A short message gateway
Abstract
An access door for short messages comprising an access door function (SMGF) comprising means for inter-operation with non-compatible local and foreign mobile network entities that use different protocols and to perform message format conversion short between said protocols and said local and foreign networks and to route the converted messages, wherein the function of the access door comprises means for communicating with an HLR and an SMSC of the local network and for communicating with the foreign network through a mobile switching center of the access door (G-MSC) in the local network, the gateway also comprises means in a Local Location Register (HLR) of the local network to return, in response to a request for routing from an SMSC of the local network for an attempt to provide a short message, an address for the function of the access door as a VMSC in service, and the function of the access door comprises means for receiving a short message from the SMSC of the local network and for performing the protocol conversion of said short message; and the access door comprises means in the G-MSC to receive short messages from the foreign network and to redirect them to the function of the access door and the function of the access door comprises means to receive said short messages from the G- MSC and to perform the protocol conversion of said messages.

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Term ended
Projected expiry passed 18 September 2020, 6 years ago.
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17 claims: 11 independent, 6 dependent
- 1ES 2 357 331 T3 REIVINDICACIONES 1. Una puerta de acceso para mensajes cortos que comprende una función de puerta de acceso (SMGF) que comprende medios para el inter-funcionamiento con entidades de redes móviles locales y extranjeras no compatibles que usan diferentes protocolos y para realizar la conversión de formato de los mensajes cortos entre dichos protocolos y dichas redes locales y extranjeras y para encaminar los mensajes convertidos, en el que la función de la puerta de acceso comprende medios para comunicar con un HLR y un SMSC de la red local y para comunicar con la red extranjera a través de un centro de conmutación móvil de la puerta de acceso (G-MSC) en la red local, la puerta de acceso comprende además medios en un Registro de Localización Local (HLR) de la red local para devolver, en respuesta a una petición de encaminamiento desde un SMSC de la red local para un intento de suministro de mensaje corto, una dirección para la función de la puerta de acceso como un VMSC en servicio, y la función de la puerta de acceso comprende medios para recibir desde el SMSC de la red local un mensaje corto y para realizar la conversión de protocolo de dicho mensaje corto;y la puerta de acceso comprende medios en el G-MSC para recibir mensajes cortos desde la red extranjera y para redirigirlos a la función de la puerta de acceso y la función de la puerta de acceso comprende medios para recibir dichos mensajes cortos desde el G-MSC y para realizar la conversión de protocolo de dichos mensajes.
- 2Una puerta de acceso para mensajes cortos de acuerdo con la reivindicación 1, en el que la función de la puerta de acceso comprende medios para el inter-funcionamiento entre una pluralidad de redes que usan protocolos similares sobre un lado y una red que usa un protocolo diferente sobre el otro lado.
- 3Una puerta de acceso para mensajes cortos de acuerdo con las reivindicaciones 1 ó 2, en la que la puerta de acceso comprende medios en el HLR para proporcionar a la función de la puerta de acceso un MSRN de un abonado en itinerancia en una red extranjera.
- 4Una puerta de acceso para mensajes cortos de acuerdo con la reivindicación 3, en el que la puerta de acceso comprende medios en el HLR para proporcionar a la función de puerta de acceso con datos de encaminamiento para una seudo-llamada hacia una red pDc extranjera, siendo dicha llamada para enviar un mensaje corto en un campo de datos del usuario llamante de un establecimiento de seudo-llamada ISDN;y en el que la puerta de acceso comprende medios en el G-MSC para reconocer un intento de establecimiento de llamada de PDC usado para transportar mensajes cortos y para encaminar el mensaje sobre la función de la puerta de acceso.
- 5Una puerta de acceso para mensajes cortos de acuerdo con cualquiera de las reivindicaciones anteriores, en el que la función de la puerta de acceso comprende además medios para capturar datos estadísticos de los mensajes cortos a intervalos configurables.
- 6Una puerta de acceso para mensajes cortos de acuerdo con cualquiera de las reivindicaciones anteriores, en el que la función de la puerta de acceso comprende medios para el mantenimiento de una tabla de las clases de mensajes correspondientes y tele-servicios, y para usar dicha tabla para la conversión de clases de mensajes y tele-servicios.
- 7Una puerta de acceso para mensajes cortos de acuerdo con cualquiera de las reivindicaciones anteriores, en el que la función de la puerta de acceso comprende una función de mapeo programable entre los esquemas de codificación de datos, estando controlada dicha función de mapeo por instrucciones en la forma de comandos del operador y un fichero de configuración.
- 8Una puerta de acceso para mensajes cortos de acuerdo con cualquiera de las reivindicaciones anteriores, en el que la función de la puerta de acceso comprende medios para la segmentación de mensajes si una red tiene una longitud máxima de mensajes más corta que la otra red.
- 9Una puerta de acceso para mensajes cortos de acuerdo con cualquiera de las reivindicaciones anteriores, en el que la función de la puerta de acceso comprende medios para el mantenimiento de un registro de transacciones de red de datos de diagnóstico.
- 10Una puerta de acceso para mensajes cortos de acuerdo con cualquiera de las reivindicaciones anteriores, en el que la función de la puerta de acceso comprende medios para, en respuesta a la recepción de un mensaje corto contenido en un IAM originado en una red PDC extranjera:enviar un SRI_SM poblado con un MSISDN o un MSN a un HLR de la red local, recibir desde el GLR de la red local una respuesta de Confirmación de SRI_SM que contiene una dirección de la función de la puerta de acceso como el VMSC en servicio, enviar, en respuesta, un mensaje SRI al HLR de la red local, recibir desde el HLR una Confirmación de SRI con un MSRN poblado con un RON de PDC, ES 2 357 331 T3 generar un nuevo IAM en base al IAM recibido y poblar una CdPA con el RON, y redirigir el IAM al G-MSC de la red local.
- 11Una puerta de acceso para mensajes cortos de acuerdo con cualquiera de las reivindicaciones anteriores, en el que la función de la puerta de acceso comprende medios para, en respuesta a la recepción de un mensaje corto contenido en un IAM originado en una red PDC extranjera:enviar al HLR de la red local un SRI_SM con una CdPA fijada a un MSISDN de destino, recibir desde el HLR de la red local una Confirmación de SRI_SM con la dirección de la función de la puerta de acceso, responder al HLR de la red local enviando un mensaje SRI poblado con el MSISDN, recibir desde el HLR de la red local una respuesta de Confirmación de SRI conteniendo la información del tipo de abonado de PDC indicando el tipo de abonado de PDC y la red PDC en la cual está registrado el abonado, en base a la información del tipo de abonado de PDC, adjuntar un número de prefijo al número del directorio de abonados y usar esta combinación para poblar la Dirección de la Parte Llamada del IAM, realizando la conversión del mensaje corto y poblando el IAM con el mensaje convertido, y enviar el IAM al G-MSC de la red local para el encaminamiento progresivo a la red extranjera.
- 12Una puerta de acceso para mensajes cortos de acuerdo con cualquiera de las reivindicaciones anteriores, en el que la función de la puerta de acceso comprende medios para realizar el filtrado o paso condicional o bloqueo de mensajes de acuerdo con criterios configurables.
- 13Una puerta de acceso para mensajes cortos de acuerdo con la reivindicación 12, en la que los criterios son del abonado originador o el número de servicio o grupos de números.
- 14Una puerta de acceso para mensajes cortos de acuerdo con cualquiera de las reivindicaciones anteriores, en el que la función de la puerta de acceso comprende medios para realizar procedimientos de manejo para aceptar o rechazar un mensaje corto dependiendo de su destino y el esquema de codificación de datos utilizado.
- 15Una puerta de acceso para mensajes cortos de acuerdo con cualquiera de las reivindicaciones anteriores, en el que la función de la puerta de acceso comprende medios para convertir en un mensaje independiente en la red local una petición de PDC desde un mensaje de dos direcciones contenido en un mensaje REL (liberación), siendo la red PDC la red extranjera.
- 16Una puerta de acceso para mensajes cortos de acuerdo con cualquiera de las reivindicaciones de 7 a 15, en el que la función de la puerta de acceso comprende medios para realizar una conversión entre esquemas de codificación de datos para permitir el suministro satisfactorio de un mensaje corto a un dispositivo móvil y su interpretación.
- 17Una puerta de acceso para mensajes cortos de acuerdo con cualquiera de las reivindicaciones anteriores, en el que la función de la puerta de acceso comprende medios para, en respuesta a la recepción de un mensaje corto originado en un móvil desde un abonado de la red local en itinerancia en la red extranjera o un abonado de una red extranjera portado en itinerancia en la red extranjera:realizar la conversión de protocolo de dicho mensaje corto y redirigirlo al SMSC de la red local.
Independent claims17
217 paragraphs in 15 sections, as filed
ES 2 357 331 T3
DESCRIPTION
Access door for short messages.
INTRODUCTION
Field of Invention
This refers to the transfer of short messages between unsupported networks such as the PDC network and the IMT-2000 network. In this specification these two types of networks are used as examples to describe signal transfers.
Discussion of the Prior Art
At present, the communication of short messages between unsupported networks is complex and prone to errors.
The invention is therefore directed to providing a gateway to enhance such communication to the extent of achieving transparency.
goals
The transparency of short messages between the PDC network and the IMT-2000 network in this specification means the ability for short message service centers, served by their local technology to send short messages to phones served by a foreign technology, and to phones served with a foreign technology to send short messages to your local short message service centers by your local technology. Thus, in the context of PDC / IMT-2000, the invention is directed towards achieving transparency of short subscriber messages as follows.
• IMT-2000 subscribers, while on the IMT-2000 network, will be able to send short messages to:
a) PDC subscribers in a PDC network
b) IMT-2000 subscribers in an IMT-2000 network
c) IMT-2000 subscribers roaming over a PDC network
d) any other subscriber in any other IMT-2000, or GSM network with which the IMT-2000 operator has appropriate interworking agreements.
• IMT-2000 subscribers, while on the IMT-2000 network, will be able to receive short messages from:
a) PDC subscribers in a PDC network
b) IMT-2000 subscribers in an IMT-2000 network
c) IMT-2000 subscribers roaming over a PDC network
d) any other subscriber in any other IMT-2000, or GSM network with which the IMT-2000 operator has appropriate interworking agreements.
• IMT-2000 subscribers, while roaming over a PDC network, will be able to send short messages to:
a) PDC subscribers in a PDC network
b) IMT-2000 subscribers in an IMT-2000 network
c) IMT-2000 subscribers roaming over a PDC network
d) any other subscriber in any other IMT-2000, or GSM network with which the IMT-2000 operator has appropriate interworking agreements.
• IMT-2000 subscribers, while roaming over a PDC network, will be able to receive short messages from:
a) PDC subscribers in a PDC network
b) IMT-2000 subscribers in an IMT-2000 network
c) IMT-2000 subscribers roaming over a PDC network
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d) any other subscriber in any other IMT-2000, or GSM network with which the IMT-2000 operator has appropriate interworking agreements.
A subscriber's local Short Message Service Center (SMSC) is the SMSC that handles short messages originated by that subscriber's mobile. Specifically, the home SMSC of an IMT-2000 subscriber is on the IMT-2000 network even when roaming over a PDC network. The local SMSC of the PDC subscriber is in the PDC network.
DE 19602449 (and the corresponding document US 6163546) describe the transmission of short messages between a GSM network and a DECT network.
WO 00/42790 describes the provision of voicemail messages to mobile subscribers.
In this specification, VMSC means the visitor's mobile switching center, SMSC means the short message service center, and MSRN means the Mobile Station Roaming Number.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Statements of Invention
In accordance with the invention a gateway for short messages is provided as shown in claims 1 to 17 in various embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Brief Description of Drawings
The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of some embodiments thereof given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figs. 1 to 4 are overviews illustrating a short message gateway system of the invention; and Figs. 5 to 14 are signal transfer diagrams illustrating short message interworking scenarios.
Description of Accomplishments
The invention provides a gateway for short messages comprising a gateway function (SMGF) and components of other network elements. The SMGF is a gateway function through which all short messages between networks are routed. The SMGF is responsible for mediating between the different protocols and elements of procedure and for converting the short messages to the appropriate format and for progressive routing to the destination network. This is shown in Fig. 1 and 2.
The SMGF resides as a separate entity in the IMT-2000 network, which has roaming agreements with the PDC networks. The SMGF does not place any infrastructure requirements on PDS networks.
PDC SMSC short messages, destined for an IMT-2000 network and IMT-2000 SMSC short messages, destined for a PDC network, are all routed to the SMGF. The SMGF performs routing requests to determine the location of the destination phone. Once the destination network of the phone has been determined, the SMGF then performs the appropriate conversion between the PDC short message format and the IMT-2000 short message format and forwards the short message to the serving VMSC.
Mobile originated short messages from IMT-2000 subscribers roaming on the PDC network are delivered and managed from the IMT-2000 SMSC on the IMT-2000 network. This is depicted in Fig. 3.
Referring to Fig. 4, the SMGF comprises an SMG application on a PDC stack comprising the PDC-ISUP, and MTP layers and an IMT-2000 stack comprising the MAP, TCAP, SCCP and MTP layers.
The SMGF is programmed to determine the type of network a subscriber is being served over (ie IMT-2000 or PDC) and to route the short messages accordingly. It supports interface protocols to allow inter-operation with specific network entities in both the IMT-2000 network and the PDC network. It performs the interface for the PDC network over ISUP PDC and for the IMT-2000 network over MAP GSM. In addition, the SMGF supports the functionality to perform short message format conversion between IMT-2000 and PDC.
Depending on the scenario, the SMGF appears either as the serving VMSC, or as the local SMSC. In all scenarios, its function is to mediate between the different protocols and procedural elements and retransmit the messages in progress and transfer the results. It does not store the messages and therefore there is no message database.
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An important feature of the SMGF architecture is that it allows subscribers on other IMT2000 networks, for example those outside of Japan, to send short messages to PDC subscribers. Similarly, pDc subscribers could also send short messages to IMT-2000 subscribers of other IMT-2000 networks. These other IMT-2000 networks might not require an SMGF node, instead all short messages could be routed to the IMT-2000 network, which has the SMGF node, and routed in progress from there.
A fundamental principle of short messaging is that all short messages are handled by a Short Message Service Center (SMSC). There are two basic scenarios as follows:
Mobile Originated MO. In these scenarios a subscriber uses his mobile to generate a short message and send it to his local SMSC (as programmed in his SIM card or telephone). All scenarios involve the provision of a short message from a serving MSC to a short message service center.
All IMT-2000 subscribers will have the IMT-2000 SMSC as their local SMSC. All PDC subscribers will use PDC SMSCs on their subscription network.
MT Terminated by Mobile. In these scenarios an SMSC delivers a short message to a mobile. All of these scenarios involve the provision of short messages from an SMSC to the serving VMSC. Mobile terminated short messages do not necessarily originate from a mobile subscriber.
The basic interoperability requirements are:
• Any PDC SMSC in the partner networks can send short messages to a mobile served by an IMT-2000 MSC.
• Any IMT-2000 SMSC can send short messages to a mobile served by a PDC MSC in one of partner networks.
• Any PDC MSC in partner networks can send short messages to IMT-2000 SMSC (s).
The scenarios are complicated by the possibilities of roaming and portability:
• An IMT-2000 subscriber may be roaming on a PDC network.
• An IMT-2000 number may have been ported for a PDC subscription.
• A PDC number may have been ported for an IMT-2000 subscription.
Since there is no roaming from PDC to IMT-2000, there is never a requirement for an IMT-2000 MSC to send a short message to a PDC SMSC. For the scenarios described, the following network elements and functions are identified:
IMT-2000
HLR: IMT-2000 HLR for both circuits switched and IMT-2000 subscriber packet switching.
SMSC: Any IMT-2000 short message service center
GMSC: A gateway MSC, in all of the following scenarios, refers to a gateway MSC that interfaces with the PDC network.
PDC
SMSC: Any PDC Short Message Service Center
HLR: The HLR of a PDC subscriber.
GLR: The Gateway Location register - A pseudo-HLR that manages subscribers roaming from other networks. Specifically an IMT-2000 subscriber, roaming in a PDC network, will receive a Roaming Number (RON) from their local HLR, which is used to request roaming instructions from the GLR.
IW-MSC: The MSC that interfaces with the PDC's SMSC
VMSC: The MSC serving a PDC subscriber.
GMSC: A gateway MSC. In all of the following scenarios, it refers to a gateway MSC that interfaces to the IMT-2000 network.
In IMT-2000 networks the provision of all short messages is handled using the MAP operations of the
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3GPP. These are an evolution of the current GSM regulations. For a short message originated by a mobile, the mobile station sends the message specifying the telephone number of the SMSC (usually the local SMSC). The serving MSC sends a MO_FSM (Mobile Originated Short Message Forwarding) of the MAP operation to the local SMSC, which then handles the provisioning. For a mobile terminated short message from an IMT-2000 SMSC, the SMSC requests routing information from the HLR about the receiving mobile. Interconnection agreements allow some operators to query HLRs on other operators' domains. If the mobile is believed to be active, the HLR responds with the identification of the serving MSC to which the short message should be sent.
In the associated PDC networks all short messages are sent in the data field of the calling user of the establishment of an ISDN pseudo-call (without any voice path being established). Short messages are distinguished from normal call setup by a special Calling Party Category value in ISUP IAM operation. For mobile originated calls, the PDC phone establishes a pseudo call through the serving MSC for the PDC SMSC. For calls terminated by mobile, the SMSC establishes a pseudo-call through the IW-MSC to the PDC phone.
The SMGF is not involved in end-to-end application procedures. It assumes that the phones will handle any messages sent to them. The SMGF can provide the functionality to perform a filtering or conditional passage or blocking of messages according to some configurable criteria, such as the originating subscriber or the service number or group of numbers.
IMT-2000 short messages have a maximum length of 140 octets while PDC short messages have a maximum length of 128 octets. To facilitate the delivery of short messages of length greater than 128 octets from an IMT-200 SMSC to a subscriber in the PDC network, the short messages are segmented into lengths of 128 octets or less and delivered as two separate short messages. These two short messages below will be reassembled on the PDC phone.
PDC short messaging has a concatenation tele-service that allows segmentation and reassembly of short messages. Using the tele-service concatenation the phone can determine whether or not it has received all the segments of the short message and return an appropriate response indicating this. The SMGF can incorporate the functionality that will perform the concatenation and segmentation of the messages that are passing between the various networks where necessary. This functionality, where the SMGF exists, could also be conditionally enabled or disabled by the SMGF operator.
Regarding data encoding schemes, the PDC short message specification defines several Data Encoding Schemes that can be used for encoding user data of short messages, for example ASCII, Shift, Shift JIS, and JIS encoding. PDC to name a few. The data encoding schemes supported by IMT-2000 for short messages are defined in document GSM 03.38. These include the Default Alphabet, 8-bit encoding, and Unicode. It is also possible to define a user-specific data encoding scheme.
If a PDC short message is sent to an IMT-2000 phone with user data encoded in a format not supported by the IMT-2000 phone then it will not be interpreted properly. Similarly an IMT-2000 short message sent to a PDC phone may contain encoding of the user data that is not supported by the PDC phone and again the short message will not be interpreted properly. The exact handling of such messages by telephone is a matter for the network operators to decide.
However for certain short messages it may be desirable to convert between the encoding schemes to allow the short message to be delivered and interpreted successfully by the telephone.
The SMGF incorporates a level of functionality to perform data encoding scheme conversions, allowing messages from different data encoding schemes to pass between technologies. Additionally, the SMGF could perform the handling of procedures to accept or reject a short message depending on its destination and the data encoding scheme used.
It is assumed that a phone that receives a short message with a particular message class (such as Skywalker, Relay Mail, Co-Ordinator, Hotline, etc.) will be able to perform the appropriate procedures and return the appropriate acknowledgments. The SMGF maintains a simple table for the conversion between PDC message classes and teleservices to IMT-2000 equivalents. The SMGF also comprises an advanced programmable mapping function between data encoding schemes that is controlled by instructions in the form of operator commands and a configuration file.
Two-way messaging is a tele-service of PDC's short messaging. It is assumed that an IMT-2000 phone, upon receipt of such short messages, will be able to perform the appropriate procedures and return any responses as separate short messages.
In the PDC network, the response for two-way messages is contained in the REL (ease) message. The SMGF converts such responses into a separate message in the IMT-2000 domain; will go to the sender of the original message via the SMSC through which it was sent.
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The following list summarizes the functional characteristics of the SMFG.
• Support 3GPP MAP.
• Support PDC ISUP • Logic for converting an IMT-2000 short message to a PDC short message.
• Logic for converting a PDC short message to an IMT-2000 short message.
• Segmentation of IMT-2000 short messages.
• Short message and call routing functionality.
• Functionality of conversion of the Data Coding Schemes.
• Functionality for handling the Classes of Messages and Two-way messaging.
• Support for prefix mapping table.
The SMGF comprises a data capture program and a database to collect statistics and make these available for external analysis. Statistics are collected at a configurable periodic interval (eg 5-15 minutes). Statistics include:
- MAP statistics.
- ISUP statistics.
- UNIX statistics.
- TCAP statistics.
- SCCP and MTP statistics.
- Statistics on each scenario.
The SMGF maintains a network transaction log for system diagnostics. Diagnostic data is captured according to parameters such as integrity of received messages and timing of bursts of excessive number of messages. It is possible for these records to be restricted to only one scenario. The SMGF provides event and fault tracking capabilities as well as a general ability to view the status of the entire system. The SMGF supplies the proper operations and supports the interfaces for network management purposes for monitoring the health of the platform.
The following summarizes the impacts on core network elements in the IMT-2000 domains to support the short message gateway architecture. No modification is required for the PDC network infrastructure.
The gateway switch that serves as an interconnection to the PDC network or that may be expected to process an incoming call from a PDC network, must be able to recognize the special PDC call setup attempts used to carry the short messages. and diverting such calls to the gateway for short messages. Such call attempts can be identified by the CPC (Calling Party Category) in the IAM operation of IUSP.
Two values are specified, one for the IAM retransmission of the Short Messages Originated at a PDC Mobile, and one for the IAM retransmission of the Terminated Short Messages at a PDC Mobile. For Short Messages Originated in a PDC Mobile the CPC will indicate the SME (Short Message Entity), that is, the PDC telephone number and for Short Messages Finished on a Mobile the CPC will indicate the SMSC. The IMT-2000 gateway MSC must be able to redirect IAMs from the PDC network containing any of these CPC establishments to the SMGF.
The binary code for the Calling Party Category parameter is 00001001. It is a mandatory, fixed-length (one byte) parameter in the ISUP IAM operation. The values used for PDC short messages are:
Mobile Terminated 11111100 (0xFC)
Mobile Originated 11111101 (0xFD)
The SMGF requires that an IMT-2000 HLR return specific information that allows the correct routing of pseudo-calls and short messages, when routing information is requested.
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In an IMT-2000 network, the IMT-2000 SMSC needs to know the address of the serving VMSC of the phone to deliver a short message. This information is obtained by sending an SRI_SM (Send Routing Information for a Short Message) request to the IMT-2000 HLR. The IMT-2000 HLR will respond with a SRI_SM response containing the address of the serving VMSC. The IMT-2000 SMSC will then forward the short message to the received VMSC address using an FSM (Short Message Forwarding).
If the destination phone is located in a PDC network the short message needs to be routed to the first SMGF to perform the procedures required to deliver a short message in the PDC format. Therefore, in this case, the IMT-2000 hLr when requesting an SRI-SM should return the SMGF address as the serving VMSC address in a SRI-SM response.
Specifically, the IMT-200 HLR in response to a SRI_SM request, must return the SMGF address as the serving VMSC address in a SRI_SM response when the requested subscriber is:
• a PDC subscriber • an IMT-2000 subscriber roaming over a PDC network
In PDC networks short messages are delivered using pseudo-calls, which carry the message as user data. Therefore the routing of short messages in PDC networks is similar to the routing of voice calls, that is, the MSC requests the HLR or GLR, depending on the subscriber, the routing information for the VMSC in service. The HLR / GLR will return the PRN (Routing Search Number), which is used to route the call to a serving VMSC.
As explained above, short messages from an IMT-2000 SMSC destined for a phone in the PDC network must first be routed to the SMGF. The SMGF must then obtain routing information from the IMT-2000 HLR to establish a pseudo-call to the PDC network. This routing information is obtained by sending an SRI (Send Routing Information) request to the IMT-2000 HLR for a specific subscriber. The iMT-2000 HLR will respond with an SRI response indicating the MSRN (Mobile Station Roaming Number), which is a number used to route the call to a serving VMSC.
There are two types of subscribers that can receive short messages in the PDC network, these are PDC subscribers and IMT-2000 subscribers roaming over the PDC network. Furthermore, these subscribers could have ported numbers.
Due to number portability between the PDC network and the IMT-2000 network, calls originating from the IMT2000 network destined for another IMT-2000 or PDC number must first be requested towards the IMT-2000 HLR. In the event that there is no entry in the IMT-2000 HLR for the requested number the IMT-2000 HLR needs to return a response to indicate to which network, if any, the call should be routed. For this reason, the IMT-2000 HLR needs to have knowledge of the numbers ported into and out of the IMT-2000 network.
Specifically, the IMT-2000 HLR is required to return the appropriate information for pseudo-calls to PDC subscribers to indicate the PDC Subscriber Type, i.e. the PDC subscriber using an IMT-2000 ported number and if so What network has it ported to? Based on this information, the SMGF allocates an appropriate prefix to the called party number and routes the pseudo-call to the IMT-2000 GMSC. The IMT2000 GSMC will be responsible for interpreting the prefix and conducting routing to the appropriate PDC network.
In the case of a request from an IMT-2000 subscriber roaming over a PDC network, the IMT-2000 HLR is required to return the PDC roaming number supplied by the PDC GLR, i.e. the RON (Number Roaming). The SMGF will use this RON in the Called Party Direction of pseudo-call establishment to the IMT-2000 GMSC. The IMT-2000 GMSC is responsible for the correct routing of the pseudo-call to the correct PDC network where the PDC network will perform the pseudo-call setup to the roaming IMT2000 subscriber.
The following table summarizes the responses required by the SMGF from the IMT-2000 HLR, for SRI_SM and SRI requests.
<td>Subscriber</td><td>Location</td><td>SRI_SM confirmation</td><td>SRI confirmation</td>
<td rowspan="2">IMT2000 Sub</td><td>IMT-2000 network</td><td>VMSC address</td><td>N / A (MSRN)</td>
<td>PDC network</td><td>SMGF address</td><td>RON (as supplied by PDC GLR</td>
<td>PDC Sub</td><td>PDC network</td><td>SMGF address</td><td>PST (PDC Subscriber Type)</td>
The SMSC can organize short messages and deliver only those that can be handled by the in-service telephone. Non-deliverable messages do not block deliverable ones. In this way, the SMSC
ES 2 357 331 T3 discriminates between text messages, PDC ringtone double load messages, and other binary messages. Separate queues are maintained so that if a message in one category is rejected, messages in other categories can still be attempted.
The following describes the signaling scenarios encountered for Mobile Terminated short messages.
1. Short Message from an IMT-2000 SMSC to an IMT-2000 subscriber on the IMT-2000 network.
Fig. 5 illustrates the signal transfers. The signals from 1 to 4 are as follows.
1. The IMT-2000 SMSC initiates an SM (Short Message) delivery by sending a routing request from the SM to the MT-2000 HLR. The SM's routing request, SRI_SM (Send Routing Information for Short Message), is routed to the appropriate IMT-2000 HLR based on the destination phone's MSISDN.
2. The IMT-2000 HLR responds to the SRI_SM request with an SRI_SM Acknowledge containing the address of the serving VMSC.
3. The IMT-2000 SMSC upon receipt of the SRI_SM Confirmation containing the VMSC address will route an FSM (Forward Short Message) to the identified VMSC.
Four. The VMSC performs the provisioning of the SM to the IMT-2000 phone.
2. Short messages from an IMT-2000 SMSC to an IMT-2000 subscriber roaming on the PDC network.
Fig. 6 illustrates signals 1 to 10 for this scenario as follows.
1. The IMT-2000 SMSC generates an SRI_SM for the provision of an SM, which is routed to the appropriate IMT2000 HLR.
2. The IMT-2000 HLR responds to the SRI_SM request with an SRI_SM Confirmation containing the address of the SMGF. In an IMT-2000 network, when an HLR receives an SRI_SM for a specific MSISDN, one of the key pieces of information that it returns to the requester is the address of the serving VMSC for the phone. A key requirement of the SMGF solution is that the IMT-2000 HLR returns the SMGF address as the serving VMSC address in an SRI_SM Confirmation for IMT-2000 subscribers roaming within the PDC network.
The approach by which the IMT-2000 HLR is updated to indicate the SMGF address for IMT-2000 subscribers roaming in a PDC network is the responsibility of the roaming infrastructure implemented by the network operators.
The SMGF solution is independent of this roaming infrastructure.
3. The IMT-2000 SMSC upon receipt of the SRI_SM Confirmation containing the SMGF address will route an FSM to the identified SMGF.
The SMGF upon receipt of the FSM issues a SRI (Send Routing Information), containing the MSISDN of the destination phone, to the appropriate IMT-2000 HLR. The SRI request is used to obtain the MSRN (Mobile Subscriber Roaming Number) of a roaming IMT-2000 subscriber.
Four. The IMT-2000 HLR responds to the SRI request with an SRI Confirmation containing the MSRN of the IMT-2000 subscriber roaming the PDC network. The MSRN will contain a PDC roaming number, ie a RON (Roaming Number). A key requirement at this point for the SMGF solution is that the IMT-2000 HLR returns the RON in the MSRN field of the SRI Confirm for the IMT-2000 subscriber roaming over the PDC network.
The approach by which the IMT-2000 HLR retrieves the MSRN / RON for IMT-2000 subscribers roaming over PDC networks will depend on the roaming infrastructure implemented by the network operators. The SMGF solution is independent of this roaming infrastructure.
5. The SMGF upon receipt of the SRI Confirmation, which contains a RON, performs a format conversion from IMT-2000 SM to PDC Sm. The SMGF then maps the PDC SM to a PDC IAM ISUP message. The CdPA (Called Party Address) in the IAM (Initial Address Message) is populated with the RON and routed to the IMT-2000 GSMC.
6. The IMT-2000 GSMC routes the IAM to the PDC GMSC.
7. The PDC GMSC sends a PDC MAP TCIR (Call Termination Information Retrieval) request, containing the RON, to the appropriate GLR. The GLR responds with a TCIR response containing routing information, i.e. the PRN (Routing Search Number) to the VMSC serving on the
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PDC network.
8. The PDC GMSC sends the IAM to the VMSC identified by the PRN.
9. The VMSC initiates the announcement to the IMT-2000 subscriber phone and relays the SM via a PDC SETUP message.
3. Coto message from an IMT-2000 SMSC to a PDC subscriber in the PDC network.
Fig. 7 illustrates signals 1 to 10 as follows.
1. The IMT-2000 SMSC generates an SRI_SM for the provision of an SM that is routed to the appropriate IMT2000 HLR.
2. The IMT-2000 HLR examines the MSN, ie the PDC directory number, in the received SRI_SM and identifies it as a PDC number. The IMT-2000 HLR should respond with an SRI_SM Confirmation identifying the SMGF as the serving MSC. A requirement of the SMGF is that the IMT-2000 HLR returns the SMGF address as the serving VMSC address in an SRI_SM Confirmation for PDC subscribers on the PDC network.
3. The IMT-2000 SMSC upon receipt of the SRI_SM Confirmation containing the SMGF address routes an FSM to the identified SMGF.
Four. The SMGF, upon receipt of an FSM, requests the IMT-2000 HLR for routing information for the establishment of a pseudo-call to the PDC network. The SMGF sends an SRI request, containing the PDC subscriber number to the IMT-2000 HLR.
5. The IMT-2000 HLR returns an SRI Confirm response containing the PST (PDC Subscriber Type) information indicating the PDC subscriber type and the PDC network in which the subscriber is registered.
6. Based on the PST information received in the SRI Confirmation the SMGF appends an appropriate prefix number to the subscriber directory number and uses this combination to populate the Called Party Address of an IAM message. The SMGF also performs a conversion from the iMt-2000 SM to a PDC SM and populates the IAM with this information. The SMGF then sends the IAM to the IMT-2000 GMSC.
7. The IMT-2000 GMSC routes the IAM to the appropriate PDC GMSC based on the prefix attached in the CdPA.
8. The PDC GMSC upon receipt of an IAM sends a PDC MAP TCIR (Call Termination Information Retrieval) request, containing the MSN, to the appropriate PDC HLR. The PDC HLR responds with a TCIR response containing the routing information, ie the PRN, to the serving VMSC. It is the responsibility of the PDC GMSC to correctly interpret the prefix supplied in the IAM CdPA.
9. The PDC GMSC sends the IAM to the VMSC identified by the PRN.
10. The VMSC supplies the SM to the PDC subscriber's phone.
Four. Short message from the PDC SMSC to a PDC subscriber in the PDC network.
Fig. 8 illustrates signals 1 to 3 as follows.
1. The PDC SMSC routes an IAM, which contains the PDC Short Message as user data, to the IWMSC. The IW-MSC identifies that the IAM is a Short Message call from the value of CPC (Calling Party Category) and does not assign an actual voice path.
2/3. The signaling is then the same as for any normal call setup. The IW-MSC sends a TCIR request for a routing inquiry message to the HLR. The HLR returns a TCIR response containing routing information for the serving VMSC, ie the PRN.
The VMSC initiates the advertisement towards the PDC subscriber and delivers the SM via a PDC SETUP message.
5. Short message from a PDC SMSC to an IMT-2000 subscriber on the IMT-2000 network.
Fig. 9 illustrates signals 1 to 7 as follows:
1. The PDC SMSC routes an IAM containing the PDC Short Message as user data, to the IWMSC.
2. The PDC network routes the call to the IMT-2000 GMSC, (some portability functionality is needed
ES 2 357 331 T3 of numbers in PDC networks if the number is a PDC number ported to the IMT-2000 network).
3. The IMT-2000 GMSC forwards the IAM to the SMGF when the CPC value is set to the SMSC indicating an IAM Mobile Terminated Short Message. This is a key requirement on the IMT-2000 GMSC for the SMGF solution.
Four. The SMGF upon receipt of an IAM, detects from the CPC value that it is a Mobile Terminated Short Message call, and sends a SRI_SM populated with the appropriate MSISDN / MSN for the IMT-2000 HLR.
5. The IMT-2000 HLR responds to the SRI_SM with an SRI_SM Acknowledgment containing the address of the serving VMSC.
6. The SMGF upon receipt of the SRI_SM Confirmation containing the VMSC address performs a conversion from the PDC SM to an IMT-2000 SM and sends an FSM to the identified serving VMSC.
7. The VMSC routes the SM to the IMT-2000 subscriber phone.
6. Short message from PDC SMSC to IMT-2000 subscriber roaming on PDC network
Fig. 10 illustrates signals 1 to 12 as follows.
1. The PDC SMSC routes an IAM containing the PDC Short Message as user data, to the IWMSC.
2. The PDC network routes the call to the IMT-2000 GMSC.
3. The IMT-2000 GMSC forwards the IAM to the SMGF when the CPC value is set for the SMSC.
Four. The SMGF, upon receipt of an IAM, detects from the CPC establishment that it is a Mobile Terminated Short Message call and therefore sends an sRi_SM populated with the MSISDN / MSN, to the appropriate IMT-2000 HLR.
5. The IMT-2000 HLR responds to the SRI_SM with an SRI_SM Confirmation containing the address of the SMGF as the serving VMSC. As stated above there is a requirement for the IMT-2000 HLR to return the SMGF address in an SRI_SM Confirmation for IMT-2000 subscribers roaming on the PDC network.
6. The SMGF, upon receipt of an SRI_SM Confirmation containing the SMGF address, will respond by sending an SRI message to the IMT-2000 HLR.
7. The IMT-2000 HLR returns a SRI Confirmation with an MSRN populated with a PDC RON.
8. In this case, the SMGF upon receipt of a SRI Confirmation containing a RON, generates a new IAM based on the received IAM and populates the CdPA with the RON. The IAM is then redirected back to the IMT-2000 GMSC.
9. The IMT-2000 GMSC routes the IAM to the PDC GMSC.
10. The PDC GMSC requests the GLR for routing information from the serving VMSC, ie the PRN.
eleven. The PDC GMSC routes the IAM to the VMSC identified by the PRN.
12. The VMSC initiates the announcement and delivery of the SM to the subscriber telephone through a SETUP message.
7. Short message from the PDC SMSC to a subscriber with an IMT-2000 Ported number on the PDC network.
Fig. 11 illustrates signals 1 to 12 as follows.
1. The PDC SMSC routes an IAM, which contains the PDC Short Message as user data, to the IWMSC.
2. The PDC network routes the call to the IMT-2000 GMSC. In this particular case, where the source and destination PDC networks are the same, the routing of the call to the IMT-2000 network could be eliminated if the PDC IW-MSC, upon receipt of the initial IAM, makes a request to the PDC HLR that would return routing information for the PDC subscriber with a ported IMT-2000 MSISDN. If this were the case then this scenario would be exactly the same as supplying an SM to a PDC subscriber who has a PDC directory number.
3. The IMT-2000 GMSC forwards the IAM to the SMGF when the CPC value for the SMSC is set.
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Four. The SMGF, upon receipt of an IAM, detects from the CPC that the call is a Short Mobile Terminated Message and sends an SRI_SM with a CdPA (Called Party Address) set for the MSISDN, to the IMT HLR- 2000.
5. The IMT-2000 HLR identifies that the MSISDN number requested in the SRI_SM is a PDC subscriber with a ported IMT-2000 number and therefore returns the SMGF address in the SRI_SM Confirmation. As stated above this is a requirement on the IMT-2000 HLR for the SMGF solution.
6. The SMGF, upon receipt of the SRI_SM Confirmation containing the SMGF address, responds by sending an SRI message, populated with the MSISDN, to the HLR of I MT-2000.
7. The IMT-2000 HLR returns an SRI Confirm response containing PST (PDC Subscriber Type) information indicating the PDC subscriber type and the PDC network in which the subscriber is registered.
8. Based on the PST information received in the SRI Confirmation the SMGF appends an appropriate prefix number to the subscriber directory number and uses this combination to populate the Called Party Address of an IAM message. The SMGF also performs the conversion from the IMT-2000 SM to a PDC SM and populates the IAM with this information. The SMGF then sends the IAM back to the IMT-2000 GMSC.
9. The IMT-2000 GMSC routes the IAM to the PDC GMSC based on the CdPA prefix.
10. The PDC GMSC, upon receipt of the IAM, requests the appropriate PDC HLR for routing information to the serving VMSC. This returns the PRN. It is the responsibility of the PDC GMSC to interpret the prefix in the CdPA appropriately.
eleven. The PDC GMSC routes the IAM to the VMSC identified by the PRN.
12. The VMSC initiates the announcement and delivery of the SM to the subscriber's phone through a SETUP message.
8. Short Message from an IMT-2000 subscriber on the IMT-2000 network to your local IMT-2000 SMSC.
Fig. 12 illustrates signals 1 to 3 as follows.
1. An IMT-2000 subscriber initiates the delivery of a short message. The short message transferred to the serving VMSC contains the address of the local IMT-2000 SMSC Service Center.
2. The serving VMSC sends a SRI_MO_SM (Send Routing Information for Mobile Originated SM) to the VLR to check the subscriber related information. The VLR returns an Confirmation from SRI_MO_SM confirming the subscriber information.
3. The VMSC upon receipt of a positive Confirmation from SRI_MO_SM sends an FSM to the local IMT-2000 SMSC identified by the Service Center address received from the mobile station.
9. Short Message from an IMT-2000 subscriber roaming on a PDC network to their IMT-2000 Local SMSC.
Fig. 13 illustrates signals 1 to 4 as follows.
1. An IMT-2000 subscriber roaming in the PDC network initiates the delivery of a short message. A SETUP message containing the address of the local IMT-2000 SMSC Service Center is sent to the serving VMSC.
2. The VMSC routes an IAM message, which has its CpDA set for the IMT-2000 SMSC address, to the IMT-2000 GMSC.
3. The IMT-2000 GMSC reroutes the IAM to the SMGF based on the CPC indicating SME, ie a Mobile Originated Short Message IAM call. This is the key requirement of the IMT-2000 GMSC for the SMGF solution.
Four. The SMGF, upon receipt of an IAM, detects from the CPC establishment that this is a Mobile Originated Short Message call and therefore performs a format conversion from a PDC SM to an IMT2000 SM. The IMT-2000 SM is then forwarded in an FSM to the IMT-2000 SMSC.
10. Short Message from a PDC subscriber on the PDC network to your Local PDC SMSC.
Fig. 14 illustrates signals 1 and 2 as follows.
1. A PDC subscriber initiates a short message delivery. A call SETUP message containing the address of the local PDC SMSC is sent to the serving VMSC.
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2. The VMSC routes an IAM to the local PDC SMSC.
It will be appreciated that the invention provides comprehensive and versatile SM communication over different networks. This is achieved without modification of any of the networks.
The invention is not limited to the described embodiments but may vary in construction and details.
Contents15
12 sheets
Sheet 1 Sheet 2 Sheet 3 Sheet 4 Sheet 5 Sheet 6 Sheet 7 Sheet 8 Sheet 9 Sheet 10 Sheet 11 Sheet 12
14 members in 9 offices
Priority claims3
| Document | Office | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 990776 | Ireland | A | |
| 990776 | Ireland | A | |
| IE19990000776 | – | – | – |
Members14
| Document | Office | Kind | |
|---|---|---|---|
| WO0122752A1 | World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) | A1 | |
| IE20000748A1 | Ireland | A1 | |
| AU7308900A | Australia | A | |
| IES20000747A2 | Ireland | A2 | |
| EP1212902A1 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A1 | |
| US2002173320A1 | United States of America | A1 | |
| JP2003510915A | Japan | A | |
| US6947743B2 | United States of America | B2 | |
| JP4599548B2 | Japan | B2 | |
| EP1212902B1 | European Patent Office (EPO) | B1 | |
| AT494757T | Austria | T | |
| ATE494757T1 | Austria | T1 | |
| DE60045481D1 | Germany | D1 | |
| ES2357331T3This record | Spain | T3 |
Numbers
- Publication
- 2357331
- Publication, DOCDB
- 2357331
- Publication, EPODOC
- ES2357331T
- Application
- 960942
- Application, DOCDB
- 00960942
- Application, EPODOC
- ES20000960942T
Titles2
- Spanish
- PUERTA DE ACCESO PARA MENSAJES CORTOS.
- English
- ACCESS DOOR FOR SHORT MESSAGES.
Classification
- CPC, 1
- H04W88/184
- IPC, 2
- H04W88 18
- H04L12 66