Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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INTERCONNECT SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MULTIPLE
PROTOCOL SHORT MESSAGE SERVICES
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the exchange of short
messages between a central location and a remote location, and more
particularly to identifying the recipient of each short message,
identifying the data format expected by the recipient of the short
message and converting the received short message to the identified
data format.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Short Message Service (SMS) is an inherent capability
of most digital wireless telecommunications systems. The radio
technologies associated with each of the digital wireless
telecommunications system's are technically incompatible at the
radio signal layer, but most are compatible at the intersystem SS7
transport layer. Currently, the differing RF technologies, e.g., time
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division multiple access (TDMA), code division multiple access
(CDMA), and global system for mobile telecommunications (GSM),
have at least partial technical compatibility over the IS41 industry
standard that is currently carried over the telephone industry's SS7
inter-networking system. The partial compatibility of these RF
technologies is possible because the basic transport format is
specified in the IS41 standard; however, many of the messaging
details are implementation specific.
Even though it is possible for current short message
service center platforms (SMSC) to support all of these multiple
protocols, typically, an installed SMSC only supports the protocol of
the cellular telecommunication system into which it is installed. For
example, if the SMSC is installed into an IS 136 type TDMA system,
the SMSC supports only the TDMA protocol. Similarly, if the
SMSC is installed into a GSM system, then the SMSC supports only
the GSM protocol. In other words, although most current SMSC's
can interface with any of the currently popular digital cellular
systems, the SMSC's do so on an individual basis, not all
simultaneously.
For example, in one network, the nodes communicate
using different data formatting standards, such as integrated services
digital network (ISDN) and the Japanese X.50 standard. Each of the
nodes is connected to a format converter. The format converter
acts as a bi-directional converter for converting between two data
formats and thus allows communication between the two nodes.
The format converter reformats the data formatted in
the X.50 standard into the ISDN format. The format converter
accomplishes the conversion by storing the incoming X.50 data in
an aligned data RAM with offsets, to provide an appropriate
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alignment among the frames of the data. Then, a format conversion
module reformats the data into the ISDN format one byte at a time.
In another network, a subscriber in an electronic
messaging network can access messages in a variety of formats. A
subscriber may receive messages through a variety of types of
equipment, such as a voice mail system, an e-mail system, a
facsimile machine and a telephone, all connected to a wireline
network. The subscriber may access these messages through a
pager, a cellular telephone, or a personal digital assistant, each
connected to a different wireless network. The subscriber selects
the wireline or wireless network and media format to be used for
delivering messages or notifying a subscriber that a message has
been received.
For example, the subscriber may elect to have
notification of a voice mail or facsimile receipt directed to the
personal digital assistant (PDA) in the form of an e-mail message.
In accordance with the method of the network, the subscriber's
selection is implemented through the personal intercommunications
inter-networking system, which performs the appropriate data
conversion from one protocol to another and delivers the e-mail
message.
In yet another network, an intelligent signaling transfer
point (ISTP) is included in a telephone network with a database for
storing call processing control information. Calls from one station
on the network to another are either passed through or intercepted
at the ISTP and screened in accordance with criteria stored in the
database, such as time of day, a certain originating area or caller, or
a specified call count value.
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In still another network, a data collection device is
provided for use with any one of the following: TDMA; CDMA;
frequency division multiple access (FDMA); GSM; and personal
access communications systems (PACS) technologies. But, the data
collection device does not use multiple such technologies in a single
system.
Thus, there is a need for a system in which a central
location can communicate with several remote stations, which use
different digital cellular or personal communications system (PCS)
formats. The systems and methods discussed above only teach
conversion between two specific formats.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention meets the needs described above
by providing a system and method for interconnecting digital
cellular systems of multiple formats so that a customer central
location (CCL) can send short messages to, or receive short
messages from, multiple remote locations using different digital
cellular or PCS standards. A short message arbitrator (SMA)
intercepts a communication from the CCL to a remote location.
The SMA retrieves information sent with the communication, such
as the mobile identification number (MIN) or other identifying
characteristic. The SMA uses the identifying characteristic to
determine the mobile switching center (MSC) serving the remote
location, the wireless access method used in the MSC's market, the
CCL's class of service and the type of transport to be used between
the SMA and the MSC. Based on the information retrieved from
the database, the SMA determines whether the communication needs
to be converted. If the communication needs to be converted, then
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the SMA converts the communication to the format expected by the
remote device and sends the communication over the appropriate
transmission path.
The SMA also intercepts a communication from a remote
5 location to the CCL. The SMA retrieves information sent with the
communication, such as the MIN and MSC identifier, or other identifying
characteristic. The SMA uses the identifying characteristic to determine
the recipient of the communication, in this case the CCL, and the class
of service expected by the recipient. The SMA also uses the
information stored in the database to determine whether the
communication should be converted. If the communication should be
converted, then the SMA performs the conversion and sends the
communication to the CCL.
Therefore, the present invention seeks to provide a system
and method for interconnecting multiple remote locations over multiple
wireless (e.g., digital cellular and PCS) systems using multiple,
otherwise incompatible protocols.
Another aspect of the invention seeks to provide a system
and method for allowing a CCL to exchange short messages with such
remote locations.
A further aspect of the invention seeks to provide such a
system and method using a single SMA which can determine the data
format or short message system (SMS) protocol expected by the
recipient (CCL or remote location), thereby avoiding the need for a
separate bi-directional translator for every possible communication path.
It is still a further aspect of this invention to provide a
method for integrating with and supporting all of the currently
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popular digital cellular systems, simultaneously, thus reducing
deployment costs for cellular carriers.
It is yet another aspect of this invention to permit sending
SMS messages originated in one type of cellular system to another
dissimilar cellular system in a transparent manner.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an interconnect system
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary short message
arbitrator of the system of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary
communications method used by the CCL to transmit data to the remote
locations.
FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary
communications method used by the remote locations to transmit data
to the CCL.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The present invention is directed to a system and method
for interconnecting digital cellular systems of multiple formats so that a
customer central location (CCL) can send short messages to, or receive
short messages from, multiple remote locations using different digital
cellular or PCS standards. Briefly described, a short message arbitrator
(SMA) intercepts a communication between the CCL and the remote
locations. The SMA retrieves information sent with the communication,
such as the mobile identification number (MIN) or other identifying
characteristic. The information is used to search a database to
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determine the data format used by the sender and expected by the
recipient. Based upon the information retrieved from the database,
the SMA determines whether the communication should be
converted. If the communication should be converted, then the
SMA converts the communication and transmits the communication
to the intended recipient over the appropriate transmission path.
Exemplary System Architecture
FIG. 1 shows an exemplary system for providing a
flexible bi-directional data transport between a CCL 100 and one or
more remote locations using wireless technologies. The CCL 100
sends and receives data to and from remote locations 123, 124, 125
and 126. Data from the CCL 100 is transferred to the SMA 104
using a public voice/data transport 102 over data circuits 101 and
103.
The SMA 104 converts the CCL's data to the proper
format for transport to MSC's 109, 110, 117 and 119. The SMA
104 utilizes two routes for delivering the CCL's data to MSC's 109,
110, 117, and 119. The SMA 104 routes the CCL's data to one of
the MSC's 109, 110, 117, and 119 by: 1) using a data circuit 105 to
an SS7/IS41 Network 106, then over a data circuit (107, 108, 115
or 116) to the MSC (109, 110, 117, or 119) that is intended to
receive the transmitted data; or 2) using a data circuit 103 back to
the public voice/data transport 102, then over a data circuit (111,
112, 118, or 120) to the MSC (109, 110, 117, or 119) that is
intended to receive the transmitted data.
Depending on the wireless access method used at the
remote location, the CCL's data is routed to the selected wireless
market. For advanced mobile phone service (AMPS) wireless
communications, the data is transported from the MSC 109 to an
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AMPS radio 113 and finally to the remote location 123. For time
division multiple access (TDMA) wireless communications, the data
is transported from the MSC 117 to a TDMA radio 121 and finally
to the remote location 125. For code division multiple access
(CDMA) wireless communications, the data is transported from the
MSC 119 to a CDMA radio 122 and finally to,the remote location
126. For global system for mobile telecommunications (GSM), the
data is transported from the MSC 110 to a GSM radio 114 and
finally to the remote location 124.
The system of FIG. I provides for the bi-directional
transport of data between a CCL 100 and its remote locations (123,
124, 125, or 126) using a wireless link (Cellular or PCS). The CCL
100 can use one or more methods to deliver data to the SMA 104.
The various methods employ a variety of communication system
components. Below are four examples:
1) a dial-up data connection via a voice circuit 101 to
the public voice/data transport 102 (public switched telephone
network), then over the voice circuit 103;
2) a dial-up or dedicated data circuit 101 to the public
voice/data transport 102 (Internet) then over the data circuit 103;
3) a dedicated data circuit 101 to public voice/data
transport 102 (frame-relay private network) then over the data
circuit 103; and
4) an ISDN circuit 101 to public voice/data transport
102 (public switched telephone network), then over the ISDN
circuit 103.
After the SMA 104 receives the data from the CCL
100, it uses an identifying characteristic, such as the mobile
identification number (MIN) or international mobile station
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identifier (IMSI), that was received with the data, to retrieve the
CCL's profile 130 from a SMA database 128. The SMA determines
the following from the CCL profile: 1) the MSC (109, 110, 117, or
119) serving the remote radio (113, 114, 121 or 122); 2) the
wireless access method used in the MSC's market; 3) the CCL's class
of service; and 4) the type of transport to use between the SMA 104
and the selected MSC (109, 110, 117, or 119). Based upon the
information retrieved from the database, the SMA determines
whether any alterations are required to the data or identifying
characteristic to make the data compatible with a technologically
dissimilar receiving unit or system.
The CCL's class of service may include one of the
following: "CELLEMETRY" data service; short message system
(SMS); asynchronous digital data; or data over circuit switched
voice cellular. "CELLEMETRY" data service is available to AMPS
(analog and digital) radios, SMS and asynchronous digital data are
available to digital radios (CDMA, GSM and TDMA), and circuit
switched voice cellular is available in all methods of wireless access.
In addition, those skilled in the art will appreciate that other classes
of service may be used with the CCL 100 of the present invention.
For simplicity only one CCL 100 is illustrated in FIG.
1. However, the SMA can support multiple CCL's. Each CCL
served by the SMA has a CCL identifier that is stored in the
database.
FIG. 2 shows an exemplary SMA 104 of the present
invention. The controller 201 manages communication over the
data circuits 103 and 105. The SMA database 128 (FIG. 1) stores a
profile for each CCL 100 supported by the SMA 104. The profile
provides information to support the conversion and transport of
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data between a central location, such as CCL 100, and its remote
locations, such as remote locations 123, 124, 125, and 126. From
the stored profiles the SMA determines the recipient of the
communication, as well as the method of data transport and any data
5 conversions that are necessary.
The SMA analyzes the information -about the CCL and
the remote device stored in the database to determine whether the
CCL and the remote are using compatible or incompatible data
formats. If the CCL and the remote are using incompatible data
10 formats, then the SMA converts the data. As will be apparent to
one skilled in the art, the conversion from one data format into
another can be managed in any suitable way, e.g., through multiple
bi-directional translators 205.
Exemplary Communications Methods
FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 are flow diagrams illustrating
exemplary communication methods of the present invention. These
figures illustrate the communication methods utilized to transfer
data between the customer central location (CCL) 100 and the
remote locations (123, 124, 125, and 126) of FIG. 1. The
communication methods of FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 allow the remote
locations (123, 124, 125, and 126) and CCL 100 to communicate,
even though they are connected by multiple wireless (e.g. digital
cellular and PCS) systems using multiple, otherwise incompatible
protocols or data formats. In discussing the following flow
diagrams, reference will be made to the elements of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating the
communications method 300 used by the CCL 100 to transfer data
to a remote location (123, 124, 125, or 126). Communications
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method 300 begins at step 302 and proceeds to step 304. At step
304, the CCL 100 transports the data to SMA 104. The SMA 104 at
step 306 receives the data and retrieves the MIN, or other
identifying characteristic, transported with the data. At step 308,
the SMA 104 uses the MIN to retrieve the CCL's profile 130 from
the SMA database 128.
From the profile 130, the SMA 104 determines the
MSC (109, 110, 117, or 119) that is serving the remote radio (113,
114, 121 or 122) identified by the MIN, the wireless access method
or data format used in the MSC's market, the class of service or
data format used by the CCL, and the method of transport to use
between the SMA 104 and the selected MSC (109, 110, 117, or
119), in step 310. In step 311, the SMA determines whether the
data formats used by the CCL and the remote are compatible. If the
data formats are compatible, then the Yes branch is followed to step
313. However, if the data formats are not compatible, then the No
branch is followed to step 312. At step 312, the SMA 104 converts
the data to the proper format.
At step 313, the SMA transports the data to the
appropriate MSC (109, 110, 117, or 119) using the method of
transport specified in the database. Proceeding to step 314, the
MSC (109, 110, 117, or 119) receives and transports the data to the
radio (113, 114, 121, or 122) associated with the remote location
(123, 124, 125, or 126). Communications method 300 then
proceeds to step 316. At step 316, the radio (113, 114, 121, or 122)
receives the converted data and transports it to the remote location
(123, 124, 125, or 126). Finally, communications method 300
proceeds to step 318 and the method ends.
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Figure 4 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary
remote communications method 400 used by the remote locations
(123, 124, 125, or 126) to transfer data to the CCL 100. The
remote communications method 400 illustrates the steps used by a
remote location (123, 124, 125, or 126) to transport data to the
CCL 100. Remote communications method 400 begins at step 402
and proceeds to step 404. At step 404, the remote location (123,
124, 125, or 126) commands its radio (113, 114, 121, or 122) to
send data to its associated MSC (109, 110, 117, or 119). At step
406, the MSC (109, 110, 117, or 119) receives the data and
transports it to the SMA 104.
The remote communications method 400 then proceeds
to step 408. At step 408, the SMA 104 receives the data and
retrieves the identifying characteristics, such as the MIN (or IMSI)
and MSC identifier (MSCID), from the data. The SMA 104
searches the SMA database 128 using the MIN and MSCID that the
MSC (109, 110, 117 or 119) transported with the data. Next, at
step 410, the SMA 104 determines from the SMA database 128: 1)
the CCL identifier; 2) the class of service used by the identified
CCL 100; and 3) the wireless access method used by the MSC.
The SMA compares the class of service used by the
CCL and the wireless access method used by the MSC to determine
whether the data formats are compatible in step 411. If the data
formats are compatible, then the Yes branch is followed to step 413.
However, if the data formats are incompatible, then the No branch
is followed to step 412 and the data is converted. Once the data is
converted, the method proceeds to step 413. In step 413, the SMA
delivers the data to the CCL. The SMA delivers the data to the CCL
using a transmission path that is appropriate for the CCL identified
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by the CCL identifier. Then, remote communications method 400
proceeds to step 414 and ends.
Exemplary Communications
The following examples are exemplary communications
supported by the present invention. These examples are intended to
illustrate some of the possible communication schemes, between the
CCL 100 and the remote locations (123, 124, 125, and 126), that
may be implemented with the present invention. These examples
are in no way intended to limit the scope of the invention. Those
skilled in the art will appreciate that there are many other possible
schemes and protocols that may be implemented with the present
invention.
In a first example, the CCL 100 sends data to the
remote location 123. The remote location 123 is associated with an
AMP's radio 113 and the AMP's radio is served by MSC 109. The
CCL's class of service is "CELLEMETRY" Data Service. The CCL
100 sends the MIN of the AMPS radio 113 along with the data to be
transported to the SMA 104. The SMA 104 determines from the
SMA database 128 that the MIN corresponds to the AMP's radio
113; the class of service is "CELLEMETRY" Data Service; and the
MSC 109 serves the radio 113.
Depending on the type of mobile switching center,
either an IS41 inter system page message is sent from the SMA 104
to the MSC 109 through data circuit 105, the SS7/IS41 network 106
and the data circuit 108; or a roamer-access call is made from the
SMA 104 to the MSC 109 through circuit 103, public voice/data
transport 102 and the data circuit 111. The SMA determines the
appropriate method of transport between the SMA 104 and the MSC
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109 from the database 128. The MSC 109 then broadcasts a page
order, which is received by the AMPS radio 113 and delivered to
the remote location 123 to complete the transaction.
In another example, the remote location 123 sends data
to the CCL 100. The remote location 123 is associated with the
AMP's radio 113 and the AMP's radio is served by MSC 109. The
remote location 123 sends a message to the CCL 100 by
commanding the AMPS radio 113 to generate a regeneration
notification that is received by the MSC 109. The MSC 109 then
forwards the regeneration notification to the SMA 104, via the data
circuit 108, the SS7/IS41 network 106 and the data circuit 105.
Once the SMA 104 receives the notification, the SMA 104 searches
the SMA database 128, using the MIN and the MSCID provided by
the MSC 109. From the database 128, the SMA 104 determines the
following: 1) the CCL identifier for the intended recipient; 2) the
class of service used by the CCL; and 3) and the wireless access
method used by MSC 109. The SMA 104 compares the class of
service used by the CCL 100 and the wireless access method used by
MSC 109 to determine whether the data needs to be converted. If
so, the SMA 104 converts the data. The data is delivered to the
CCL 100 using the data circuit 103, public voice/data transport 102
and the data circuit 101.
In a further example, the CCL 100 sends data to the
remote location 125. The remote location 125 is associated with a
TDMA radio 121 and the TDMA radio is served by MSC 117. The
CCL 100 sends the MIN of the TDMA radio 121 along with the data
to the SMA 104. The SMA 104 determines from the SMA database
128 that the MIN corresponds to the TDMA radio 121; short
message system (SMS) is the class of service; the MSC 117 serves
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the radio 121, and the method of transport between the SMA and
the MSC 117. In this example, the method of transport is via data
circuit 105 and SS7/IS41 network 106. Once this information is
retrieved, the SMA 104 sends an IS41 SMS message to the MSC 117
5 through data circuit 105, the SS7/1S41 network 106, and data circuit
116. Then, MSC 117 sends a SMS message to -radio 121, which in
turn delivers the data to remote location 125 to complete the
transaction.
In a further example, the remote location 125 sends
10 data to the CCL 100. The remote location 125 is associated with the
TDMA radio 121 and the TDMA radio is served by MSC 117. The
remote location 125 commands the TDMA radio 121 to originate an
SMS message, which is received by the MSC 117 and transported to
the SMA 104. The SMS message is transported to the SMA 104
15 through circuit 116, the SS7/IS41 network 106 and, the data circuit
105. The SMA 104 then searches the SMA database, using the MIN
and the MSCID provided by the MSC 117, and determines: the CCL
identifier; the class of service used by the CCL identified by the
CCL identifier; and the wireless access method used by the MSC
117. The SMA 104 compares the class of service used by the CCL
100 and the wireless access method used by the MSC 117 to
determine whether the data needs to be converted. If so, the SMA
104 converts the data. The data is then delivered to the CCL 100
using the data circuit 103, the public voice/data transport 102 and
the data circuit 101.
In yet a further example, the CCL 100 wishes to send
data to the remote location 126. The remote location 126 is
associated with a CDMA radio 122 and the CDMA radio is served
by MSC 119. The CCL 100 sends the MIN of the CDMA radio 122
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along with the data to be transported to the SMA 104. The SMA
104 determines from the SMA database 128 that the MIN
corresponds to the CDMA radio 122; asynchronous digital data is
the class of service; that the MSC 119 serves the CDMA radio 122;
and that the method of transport from the SMA 104 to the MSC 119
is via data circuit 103 and public voice/data transport 102. Once
this information is retrieved, a data message is sent from the SMA
104 to MSC 119. The message is sent through data circuit 103,
public voice/data transport 102, and the data circuit 120. The data
message is then sent by the MSC 119 to the CDMA radio 122, which
in turn sends the data message to the remote location 126 to
complete the transaction.
In a final example, the remote location 126 wishes to
send data to the CCL 100. The remote location 126 is associated
with a CDMA radio 122 and the CDMA radio is served by MSC
119. The remote location 126 requests that CDMA radio 122
initiate an asynchronous digital data call, which is received by the
MSC 119 and transported to the SMA 104. The MSC 119
transports the data call via the data circuit 120, the public voice/data
transport 102, and data circuit 103. The SMA 104 then searches the
SMA database 128, using the MIN and the MSCID provided by the
MSC 119, and determines: the CCL identifier for the intended
recipient; the class of service used by the intended recipient; and the
wireless access method used by the MSC 119. The SMA 104
compares the class of service used by the CCL 100 and the wireless
access method used by the MSC 119 to determine whether the data
needs to be converted. If so, the SMA 104 converts the data. The
data is then delivered to the CCL 100 using the data circuit 103, the
public voice/data transport 102 and the data circuit 101.
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While a preferred embodiment has been set forth
above, those skilled in the art who have reviewed the present
disclosure will readily appreciate that other embodiments can be
realized within the scope of the present invention. For example,
transmission between the CCL 100 and the SMA 104 can take place
through any suitable network, such as a TCP/IP Network. Also,
any SMS protocol can be used. Therefore, the present invention
should be construed as limited only by the present claims.
