FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970 (39 OF 1970) & THE PATENT RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See section 10 and rule 13)
“SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPTIMIZING MESSAGE FORWARDING IN A PEER TO PEER (P2P) MESSAGING
SYSTEM”
We, Jio Platforms Limited, an Indian National, of Office - 101, Saffron, Nr. Centre Point, Panchwati 5 Rasta, Ambawadi, Ahmedabad - 380006, Gujarat, India.
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPTIMIZING MESSAGE FORWARDING IN A PEER TO PEER (P2P) MESSAGING SYSTEM
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to the field of wireless communication systems. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to methods and systems for optimizing message forwarding in a Peer to Peer (P2P) messaging system.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The following description of related art is intended to provide background information pertaining to the field of the disclosure. This section may include certain aspects of the art that may be related to various features of the present disclosure. However, it should be appreciated that this section be used only to enhance the understanding of the reader with respect to the present disclosure, and not as admissions of prior art.
[0003] Wireless communication technology has rapidly evolved over the past few decades, with each generation bringing significant improvements and advancements. The first generation of wireless communication technology was based on analog technology and offered only voice services. However, with the advent of the second-generation (2G) technology, digital communication and data services became possible, and text messaging was introduced. 3G technology marked the introduction of high-speed internet access, mobile video calling, and location-based services. The fourth-generation (4G) technology revolutionized wireless communication with faster data speeds, better network coverage, and improved security. Currently, the fifth-generation (5G) technology is being deployed, promising even faster data speeds, low latency, and the ability to connect multiple devices simultaneously. With each generation, wireless communication

technology has become more advanced, sophisticated, and capable of delivering more services to its users.
[0004] Existing Peer to Peer (P2P) messaging systems often face challenges related to message forwarding efficiency, particularly when messages are routed through the Mobile Application Part (MAP) interface. This can lead to increased CPU usage and slower application performance, as all messages are forwarded to the MAP interface regardless of the sender and receiver's network operator. Additionally, the existing systems may not effectively handle the scenario where the sender and receiver belong to the same operator, leading to unnecessary routing through the MAP interface instead of utilizing a more efficient protocol like the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) interface. Furthermore, the process of determining the appropriate routing for a message based on the operator of the sender and receiver can be cumbersome and inefficient in current systems because they may lack an optimized method for storing and retrieving the Location Routing Numbers (LRNs) associated with different operators, leading to delays in message forwarding. Another problem in the existing techniques is the handling of spam messages. Existing systems may not have a robust mechanism to check incoming messages for spam content, which can compromise the user experience and lead to security vulnerabilities. The process of spam detection may also lack dynamism, as the parameters for detecting spam may not be updated regularly to keep pace with evolving spamming techniques.
[0005] Therefore, considering the foregoing discussion, there exists a need to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks. Thus, there exists an imperative need in the art to provide a method and system for optimizing message forwarding in a Peer to Peer (P2P) messaging system.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment disclosed herein satisfies are listed herein below.
[0007] It is an object of the present disclosure to provides method and system for optimizing message forwarding in a Peer to Peer (P2P) messaging system.
[0008] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a method and system for optimizing message forwarding in a Peer to Peer (P2P) messaging system that reduces CPU usage and improves application performance by efficiently routing messages based on the operator of the sender and receiver.
[0009] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a method and system for optimizing message forwarding in a Peer to Peer (P2P) messaging system that utilizes the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) interface for message forwarding when the sender and receiver belong to the same operator, thereby enhancing efficiency.
[0010] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a method and system for optimizing message forwarding in a Peer to Peer (P2P) messaging system that maintains a map data structure to store Location Routing Numbers (LRNs) associated with different operators, enabling quick and accurate determination of the appropriate routing for messages.
[0011] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a method and system for optimizing message forwarding in a Peer to Peer (P2P) messaging system that incorporates an antispam unit to check incoming messages for spam content, thereby improving security and user experience.
[0012] It is yet another object of the present disclosure to provide a method and system for optimizing message forwarding in a Peer to Peer (P2P) messaging system that dynamically updates the parameters used for spam detection in the

antispam unit, ensuring effective spam filtering in response to evolving spamming techniques.
SUMMARY
[0013] This section is provided to introduce certain aspects of the present disclosure in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify the key features or the scope of the claimed subject matter.
[0014] An aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method for optimizing message forwarding in a Peer to Peer (P2P) messaging system. The method includes receiving, at a receiver of IP-short message gateway (IPSMGW) node within an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network, a message from a sender; the message comprising a sender identifier associated with the sender and a receiver identifier associated with a receiver. The method further includes sending, from a transmitter of the IPSMGW node, a Mobile Number Portability (MNP) request to an MNP server to obtain a Location Routing Number (LRN) corresponding to the receiver identifier. The method further includes determining, by a determination unit of the IPSMGW node, a map data structure associated with a set of LRNs corresponding to at least one operator, said map data structure being stored in a memory unit of the IPSMGW node. Thereafter, the method further includes comparing, by a comparator of the IPSMGW node, the obtained LRN in response to the MNP request with a set of LRNs stored in the map data structure, wherein based on the comparison, and matching of operator of the sender and the receiver, determining, by a processing unit of the IPSMGW node, a protocol for forwarding the received message to the receiver.
[0015] In an aspect, the received message is forwarded to the receiver over a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) interface based on a positive comparison of the

obtained LRN with the set of LRNs and based on a positive match of the operator of the sender and the receiver.
[0016] In an aspect, the received message is forwarded to the receiver over a Mobile Application Part (MAP) interface based on a positive comparison of the obtained LRN with the set of LRNs and based on a negative match of the operator of the sender and the receiver.
[0017] In an aspect, the method further comprises validating, by the processing unit of the IPSMGW node, the sender identifier and the receiver identifier to confirm the validity of the sender and the receiver.
[0018] In an aspect, the method comprises examining a header associated with the received message against a predefined criteria to facilitate in forwarding the received message.
[0019] In an aspect, the method comprises routing, by the processing unit of the IPSMGW node, the received message to an antispam unit to determine if the received message is spam or non-spam.
[0020] In an aspect, the antispam unit utilizes keyword and Regular Expression (Reg-Exp) matching to determine whether the received message is spam or non-spam.
[0021] In an aspect, the keyword and the Regular Expression (Reg-Exp) matching parameters in the antispam unit are updated dynamically to improve spam detection.
[0022] In an aspect, the routing of the received message to the antispam unit is done selectively based on at least one of the sender identifier, the receiver identifier, or content of the received message.

[0023] In an aspect, the method comprises initiating, by the processing unit of the IPSMGW node, the Mobile Number Portability (MNP) request to the MNP server and storing the Location Routing Numbers (LRNs) for various operators in the map data structure.
[0024] In an aspect, the method further comprises a fallback mechanism for forwarding the received message over a MAP interface in an event of SIP interface failure.
[0025] In an aspect, the forwarding over the SIP interface is triggered only after successfully charging an account associated with the sender.
[0026] Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a system for optimizing message forwarding in a Peer to Peer (P2P) messaging system. The system includes an IP-short message gateway (IPSMGW) node. The IPSMGW includes a receiver configured to receive, within an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network, a message from a sender, the message comprising a sender identifier associated with the sender and a receiver identifier associated with a receiver. The IPSMGW further includes a transmitter configured to send, a Mobile Number Portability (MNP) request to an MNP server to obtain a Location Routing Number (LRN) corresponding to a receiver identifier. The IPSMGW further includes a determination unit configured to determine, a map data structure associated with a set of LRNs corresponding to at least one operator, said map data structure being stored in a memory unit of the IPSMGW node. The IPSMGW further includes a comparator configured to compare, the obtained LRN in response to the MNP request with the set of LRNs stored in the map data structure, wherein based on the comparison, and matching of operator of the sender and the receiver, a processing unit is configured to determine a protocol for forwarding the received message to the receiver.

[0027] According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions for optimizing message forwarding in a Peer to Peer (P2P) messaging system is disclosed. The instructions include executable code which, when executed by a processor, may cause the processor to receive a message from a sender; the message comprising a sender identifier associated with the sender and a receiver identifier associated with a receiver; send a Mobile Number Portability (MNP) request to an MNP server to obtain a Location Routing Number (LRN) corresponding to the receiver identifier; determine a map data structure associated with a set of LRNs corresponding to at least one operators, said map data structure being stored in a memory unit of the IPSMGW node; and compare the obtained LRN in response to the MNP request with a set of LRNs stored in the map data structure, wherein based on the comparison, and matching of operator of the sender and the receiver, determine a protocol for forwarding the received message to the receiver.
[0028] Another aspect of the present disclosure provides User Equipment (UE). The UE comprises a processor configured to send a Mobile Number Portability (MNP) request to a system and to obtain a Location Routing Number (LRN) based on a Mobile Number Portability (MNP) request sent to the system; wherein the system comprises a receiving unit configured to receive, within an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network, a message from a sender, the message comprising a sender identifier associated with the sender and a receiver identifier associated with a receiver; a transmitter configured to send, a Mobile Number Portability (MNP) request to an MNP server to obtain a Location Routing Number (LRN) corresponding to a receiver identifier; a determination unit configured to determine, a map data structure associated with a set of LRNs corresponding to at least one operators, said map data structure being stored in a memory unit of the IPSMGW node; and a comparator configured to compare, the obtained LRN in response to the MNP request with the set of LRNs stored in the map data structure, wherein based on the comparison, and matching of operator of the sender and the receiver,

a processing unit is configured to determine a protocol for forwarding the received message to the receiver.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
5
[0029] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein, and constitute a part of this disclosure, illustrate exemplary embodiments of the disclosed methods and systems in which like reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the different drawings. Components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale,
10 emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present
disclosure. Some drawings may indicate the components using block diagrams and may not represent the internal circuitry of each component. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that disclosure of such drawings includes disclosure of electrical components, electronic components or circuitry commonly used to
15 implement such components.
[0030] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of a system architecture for IP short message gateway (IPSMGW) clusters.
20 [0031] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of a system for optimizing
message forwarding in a Peer to Peer (P2P) messaging system, in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0032] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of a system architecture for
25 optimizing message forwarding in a Peer to Peer (P2P) messaging system, in
accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0033] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary method flow diagram indicating the process
for optimizing message forwarding in a Peer to Peer (P2P) messaging system, in
30 accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.
9

[0034] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of a computing device upon which an embodiment of the present disclosure may be implemented.
[0035] FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of a user equipment [UE] for
5 optimizing message forwarding in a Peer to Peer (P2P) messaging system, in
accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0036] The foregoing shall be more apparent from the following more detailed description of the disclosure. 10
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0037] In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, various specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of
15 embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent, however, that
embodiments of the present disclosure may be practiced without these specific details. Several features described hereafter can each be used independently of one another or with any combination of other features. An individual feature may not address any of the problems discussed above or might address only some of the
20 problems discussed above. Some of the problems discussed above might not be
fully addressed by any of the features described herein. Example embodiments of the present disclosure are described below, as illustrated in various drawings in which like reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the different drawings.
25
[0038] The ensuing description provides exemplary embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the disclosure. Rather, the ensuing description of the exemplary embodiments will provide those skilled in the art with an enabling description for implementing an exemplary embodiment.
30 It should be understood that various changes may be made in the function and
10

arrangement of elements without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as set forth.
[0039] It should be noted that the terms "mobile device", "user equipment", "user
5 device", “communication device”, “device” and similar terms are used
interchangeably for the purpose of describing the invention. These terms are not
intended to limit the scope of the invention or imply any specific functionality or
limitations on the described embodiments. The use of these terms is solely for
convenience and clarity of description. The invention is not limited to any particular
10 type of device or equipment, and it should be understood that other equivalent terms
or variations thereof may be used interchangeably without departing from the scope of the invention as defined herein.
[0040] Specific details are given in the following description to provide a thorough
15 understanding of the embodiments. However, it will be understood by one of
ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments may be practiced without these
specific details. For example, circuits, systems, networks, processes, and other
components may be shown as components in block diagram form in order not to
obscure the embodiments in unnecessary detail. In other instances, well-known
20 circuits, processes, algorithms, structures, and techniques may be shown without
unnecessary detail in order to avoid obscuring the embodiments.
[0041] Also, it is noted that individual embodiments may be described as a process which is depicted as a flowchart, a flow diagram, a data flow diagram, a structure
25 diagram, or a block diagram. Although a flowchart may describe the operations as
a sequential process, many of the operations can be performed in parallel or concurrently. In addition, the order of the operations may be re-arranged. A process is terminated when its operations are completed but could have additional steps not included in a figure.
30
11

[0042] The word “exemplary” and/or “demonstrative” is used herein to mean
serving as an example, instance, or illustration. For the avoidance of doubt, the
subject matter disclosed herein is not limited by such examples. In addition, any
aspect or design described herein as “exemplary” and/or “demonstrative” is not
5 necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or
designs, nor is it meant to preclude equivalent exemplary structures and techniques
known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Furthermore, to the extent that the terms
“includes,” “has,” “contains,” and other similar words are used in either the detailed
description or the claims, such terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar
10 to the term “comprising” as an open transition word without precluding any
additional or other elements.
[0043] As used herein, an “electronic device”, or “portable electronic device”, or “user device” or “communication device” or “user equipment” or “device” refers
15 to any electrical, electronic, electromechanical and computing device. The user
device is capable of receiving and/or transmitting one or parameters, performing function/s, communicating with other user devices and transmitting data to the other user devices. The user equipment may have a processor, a display, a memory, a battery and an input-means such as a hard keypad and/or a soft keypad. The user
20 equipment may be capable of operating on any radio access technology including
but not limited to IP-enabled communication, Zig Bee, Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy, Near Field Communication, Z-Wave, Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi direct, etc. For instance, the user equipment may include, but not limited to, a mobile phone, smartphone, virtual reality (VR) devices, augmented reality (AR) devices, laptop,
25 a general-purpose computer, desktop, personal digital assistant, tablet computer,
mainframe computer, or any other device as may be obvious to a person skilled in the art for implementation of the features of the present disclosure.
[0044] Further, the user device may also comprise a “processor” or “processing
30 unit” includes processing unit, wherein processor refers to any logic circuitry for
processing instructions. The processor may be a general-purpose processor, a
12

special purpose processor, a conventional processor, a digital signal processor, a
plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in association with a
DSP core, a controller, a microcontroller, Application Specific Integrated Circuits,
Field Programmable Gate Array circuits, any other type of integrated circuits, etc.
5 The processor may perform signal coding data processing, input/output processing,
and/or any other functionality that enables the working of the system according to the present disclosure. More specifically, the processor is a hardware processor.
[0045] As portable electronic devices and wireless technologies continue to
10 improve and grow in popularity, the advancing wireless technologies for data
transfer are also expected to evolve and replace the older generations of
technologies. In the field of wireless data communications, the dynamic
advancement of various generations of cellular technology are also seen. The
development, in this respect, has been incremental in the order of second generation
15 (2G), third generation (3G), fourth generation (4G), and now fifth generation (5G),
and more such generations are expected to continue in the forthcoming time.
[0046] Radio Access Technology (RAT) refers to the technology used by mobile devices/ user equipment (UE) to connect to a cellular network. It refers to the
20 specific protocol and standards that govern the way devices communicate with base
stations, which are responsible for providing the wireless connection. Further, each RAT has its own set of protocols and standards for communication, which define the frequency bands, modulation techniques, and other parameters used for transmitting and receiving data. Examples of RATs include GSM (Global System
25 for Mobile Communications), CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access), UMTS
(Universal Mobile Telecommunications System), LTE (Long-Term Evolution), and 5G. The choice of RAT depends on a variety of factors, including the network infrastructure, the available spectrum, and the mobile device's/device's capabilities. Mobile devices often support multiple RATs, allowing them to connect to different
30 types of networks and provide optimal performance based on the available network
resources.
13

[0047] As discussed in the background section, existing Peer to Peer (P2P)
messaging systems often face challenges related to message forwarding efficiency,
particularly when messages are routed through the Mobile Application Part (MAP)
5 interface. This can lead to increased CPU usage and slower application
performance, as all messages are forwarded to the MAP interface regardless of the sender and receiver's network operator. Additionally, the existing systems may not effectively handle the scenario where the sender and receiver belong to the same operator, leading to unnecessary routing through the MAP interface instead of
10 utilizing a more efficient protocol like the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP)
interface. Furthermore, the process of determining the appropriate routing for a message based on the operator of the sender and receiver can be cumbersome and inefficient in current systems because they may lack an optimized method for storing and retrieving the Location Routing Numbers (LRNs) associated with
15 different operators, leading to delays in message forwarding. Another problem in
the existing techniques is the handling of spam messages. Existing systems may not have a robust mechanism to check incoming messages for spam content, which can compromise the user experience and lead to security vulnerabilities. The process of spam detection may also lack dynamism, as the parameters for detecting spam may
20 not be updated regularly to keep pace with evolving spamming techniques.
[0048] To overcome these and other inherent problems in the art, the present disclosure proposes a solution of optimizing message forwarding in a Peer to Peer (P2P) messaging system. The proposed method introduces a novel approach for
25 determining the most efficient protocol for forwarding messages based on the
operators of the sender and receiver. By utilizing a map data structure to store the Location Routing Numbers (LRNs) associated with different operators, the system can quickly determine whether the sender and receiver belong to the same operator. If they do, the message is forwarded over the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP)
30 interface, which is more efficient than the traditional Mobile Application Part
(MAP) interface used when the sender and receiver are from different operators. As
14

used herein, map data structure is a data structure which is used to store data in a
format of key-value pairs. where each key is associated with a single value. The
map data structure provides an efficient way to store and retrieve data based on a
unique identifier (the key). This approach significantly reduces CPU usage and
5 improves application performance. Furthermore, the present disclosure addresses
the issue of spam detection by routing messages to an antispam unit, which employs keyword and Regular Expression (Reg-Exp) matching techniques to determine whether a message is spam. The system also incorporates a dynamic update mechanism for the spam detection parameters, ensuring that the antispam unit
10 remains effective against evolving spamming techniques. This enhances the overall
security and user experience of the messaging system. By implementing these improvements, the proposed system offers a more efficient, secure, and user-friendly solution for P2P messaging, effectively addressing the limitations of existing systems.
15
[0049] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0050] FIG.1 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of a system architecture [100]
20 of IP short message gateway (IPSMGW) clusters, in accordance with exemplary
embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG.1, the architecture diagram
of IPSMGW comprising an Element Management System (EMS) [108], a
Signalling Transfer Point (STP) [110], a Serving-Call Session Control Function
(SCSCF) [106], IP short message gateway (IPSMGW) node [102], a Database
25 [104], Load Balancer [112a, 112b], a Diameter Routing Agent (DRA) [114], a Short
Message Peer-to-Peer (SMPP) Charging Point (CP) [116], a Mobile Number
Portability (MNP) [118], an Online Charging System (OCS) [120], a Home
Subscriber Server (HSS) [122], a Service Capability Exposure Function (SCEF)
[124] and a Mobility Management Entity (MME) [126], which communicate with
30 each–other via a set of protocols such as, via a Transmission Control Protocol
(TCP), a Mobile Application Part (MAP), a Representational State Transfer
15

(REST), SIP (Session Initiation Protocol), Short Message Peer-to-Peer (SMPP) and
Diameter Protocol. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the units/components use Ro, Sh
& S6c, T4 and SGd interfaces for communication between them. Also, all of the
components/ units of the architecture [100] are assumed to be connected to each
5 other unless otherwise indicated below.
[0051] EMS (Element Management System) [108]: A software system used for managing and monitoring network elements or devices within a telecommunications network. 10
[0052] STP (Signalling Transfer Point) [110]: A network node used in the SS7 (Signalling System No. 7) telecommunications protocol to route signalling messages between signalling endpoints.
15 [0053] SCSCF (Serving-Call Session Control Function) [106]: A core
component in IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem) networks responsible for session control and call processing.
[0054] Load Balancer [112]: A device or software component that evenly
20 distributes incoming network traffic across multiple servers to optimize resource
utilization, reliability, and performance.
[0055] DRA (Diameter Routing Agent) [114]: A network element responsible for
routing Diameter protocol messages within telecommunications networks, often
25 used in IMS and LTE networks.
[0056] SMPP (Short Message Peer-to-Peer): A protocol used in the telecommunications industry for exchanging SMS messages between Short Message Service Centres (SMSCs) and SMS application systems. 30
16

[0057] CP (Charging Point): A network element responsible for charging and billing functions within a telecommunications network.
[0058] MNP (Mobile Number Portability) [118]: A service that allows mobile
5 phone users to retain their phone numbers when switching between different service
providers.
[0059] OCS (Online Charging System) [120]: A system used for real-time
charging and billing of telecommunications services, such as voice calls, data
10 usage, and SMS messages.
[0060] HSS (Home Subscriber Server) [122]: A core component in LTE and IMS networks that stores subscriber-related information, such as user profiles, authentication data, and service subscriptions. 15
[0061] SCEF (Service Capability Exposure Function) [124]: A component in IMS networks that exposes network capabilities to application servers, enabling the creation of innovative multimedia services.
20 [0062] MME (Mobility Management Entity) [126]: A key component in LTE
networks responsible for managing the mobility of mobile devices, including tracking their location and handling handovers between base stations.
[0063] Database [104]: A structured collection of data organized for efficient
25 storage, retrieval, and management.
[0064] TCP (Transmission Control Protocol): A reliable, connection-oriented protocol used for transmitting data over networks.
17

[0065] MAP (Mobile Application Part): A protocol used in cellular networks for communication between various network elements, such as HLRs (Home Location Registers) and VLRs (Visitor Location Registers).
5 [0066] REST (Representational State Transfer): An architectural style for
designing networked applications, commonly used in web services development.
[0067] SIP (Session Initiation Protocol): SIP is a signalling protocol used for
initiating, maintaining, and terminating real-time sessions in IP-based
10 communication networks. It is commonly used for voice and video calls, instant
messaging, and multimedia conferencing over the Internet. SIP allows devices to establish communication sessions and negotiate the parameters of the session, such as codecs, media types, and session duration.
15 [0068] IPSMGW (IP Short Message Gateway) node [102]: A network element
responsible for handling and routing Short Message Service (SMS) messages over IP networks.
[0069] FIG.2 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of a system [200] for
20 optimizing message forwarding in a Peer to Peer (P2P) messaging system, in
accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in
FIG. 2, the system [200] comprises a receiving Unit [202], a transmitter [204], a
determination Unit [206], a comparator [208], a processing Unit [210], a memory
unit [212], and an antispam unit [214] wherein all the components are assumed to
25 be connected to each other in a manner as obvious to the person skilled in the art
for implementing features of the present disclosure. Also, in FIG. 2 only a few units
are shown, however, the system [200] may comprise multiple such units or the
system [200] may comprise any such numbers of said units, as required to
implement the features of the present disclosure. Further, in an implementation, the
30 system [200] may be present in a user device to implement the features of the
present invention. The system [200] may be a part of the user device / or may be
18

independent of but in communication with the user device (may also referred herein
as a UE). In another implementation, the system [200] may reside in a server or a
network entity (such as IPSMGW node [102]). In yet another implementation, the
system [200] may reside partly in the server/ network entity and partly in the user
5 device.
[0070] The system [200] for optimizing message forwarding in a Peer to Peer (P2P) messaging system comprises the receiving unit [202]. The receiving unit [202] is configured to receive, within an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network, a
10 message from a sender. The message contains essential information, including a
sender identifier associated with the sender and a receiver identifier associated with a receiver. The message containing essential information regarding sender identifier and receiver identifier includes such as but not limited to subscription permanent identifier (SUPI), international mobile subscriber identifier (IMSI) etc. In general,
15 SUPI is a unique identifier used to represent a subscriber's permanent identity in a
5G network. SUPI replaces the International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) used in 4G networks and is designed to provide enhanced privacy and security features. The sender identifier is a unique identifier that helps to identify the sender of the message, while the receiver identifier is a unique identifier that helps to
20 identify the intended recipient of the message. The receiving unit [202] serves as
the entry point for messages into the system [200], ensuring that messages are properly received and processed within the IMS network.
[0071] The transmitter [204] is communicatively coupled to the receiving unit
25 [202]. The transmitter [204] is configured to send a Mobile Number Portability
(MNP) request to an MNP server to obtain a Location Routing Number (LRN)
corresponding to a receiver identifier. The LRN is a unique number assigned to
each mobile subscriber that has ported their number, and it is used to route calls and
messages to the correct network operator. By sending an MNP request and
30 obtaining the LRN, the transmitter [204] enables the system to determine the current
network operator of the receiver and choose the most efficient protocol for message
19

forwarding, whether it be through the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) interface or the Mobile Application Part (MAP) interface.
[0072] The determination unit [206] is communicatively coupled to the transmitter
5 [204]. The determination unit [206] is configured to determine a map data structure
associated with a set of Location Routing Numbers (LRNs) corresponding to at least one operator. As used herein, map data structure is a data structure which is used to store data in a format of key-value pairs. where each key is associated with a single value. The map data structure provides an efficient way to store and retrieve
10 data based on a unique identifier (the key). The map data structure is stored in a
memory unit [212] of the IPSMGW node [102]. By associating LRNs with the at least one operator in the map data structure, the determination unit [206] enables the system to quickly identify the network operator associated with a given LRN. The determination unit [206] facilitates in ensuring that the messaging system
15 operates efficiently and effectively, by providing the necessary information to route
messages through the most appropriate channels.
[0073] The comparator [208] is communicatively coupled to the determination unit [206] and the processing unit [210]. The comparator [208] is configured to compare
20 the obtained LRN in response to the MNP request with the set of LRNs stored in
the map data structure. Based on this comparison, and the matching of the operator of the sender and the receiver, the processing unit [210] is configured to determine a protocol for forwarding the received message to the receiver. The comparison facilitates in ensuring that the messaging system can efficiently route messages
25 between the sender and receiver, especially in cases where the sender and receiver
are on different network operators or when the receiver has ported their number to a different operator. If based on the comparison it is determined that the sender and receiver are on the same network operator, the processing unit [210] will forward the message over the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) interface, which is more
30 efficient for intra-operator messaging. On the other hand, if the sender and receiver
are on different network operators, the processing unit [210] will choose to forward
20

the message over the Mobile Application Part (MAP) interface, which is used for
inter-operator messaging. Thus, the comparator [208] can accurately match the
LRN with the operators in the map data structure thereby ensuring that the
messaging system can dynamically adapt to different messaging scenarios,
5 optimizing message routing for speed and efficiency. If the SIP interface fails, the
processing unit [210] automatically switches to using the MAP interface to forward
the received message. The MAP interface is a standard protocol used in mobile
networks, primarily for signalling and communication between different network
components. By using the MAP interface as a fallback, the system can continue to
10 route messages to their intended recipients even in the face of SIP interface failures.
[0074] The processing unit [210] is further configured to validate the sender identifier and the receiver identifier to confirm the validity of the sender and the receiver. When a message is received by the IPSMGW node [102], the processing
15 unit [210] checks the sender identifier and receiver identifier to confirm that they
are valid. The sender identifier is a unique identifier associated with the sender of the message, while the receiver identifier is a unique identifier associated with the intended recipient of the message. The validation process involves checking the format of the identifiers to ensure they conform to the expected standard and may
20 also involve checking the identifiers against a database of known valid identifiers.
[0075] By confirming the validity of the sender and receiver identifiers, the
processing unit [210] helps to maintain the trustworthiness and reliability of the
messaging system, ensuring that messages are sent and received by legitimate
25 parties.
[0076] The processing unit [210] is further configured to examine a header
associated with the received message against a predefined criteria to facilitate in
forwarding the received message. When a message is received, it typically contains
30 a header that includes various metadata about the message, such as its type, length,
and other relevant information. The predefined criteria could include checks for the
21

correct format of the header, the presence of required fields, or compliance with
specific protocols. The examination helps to ensure that the message is correctly
formatted and suitable for processing by the system and to identify any potential
issues or anomalies in the message that might indicate a problem, such as a security
5 threat or a malfunctioning sender. By catching these issues early, the system can
take appropriate action, such as blocking the message or alerting an administrator.
[0077] The processing unit [210] facilitates in managing spam detection and filtering in the messaging system. The processing unit [210] is configured to route
10 the received message to an antispam unit [214] to determine whether the received
message is spam or non-spam. The antispam unit [214] employs keyword and Regular Expression (Reg-Exp) matching techniques to analyse the content of the messages. Keyword matching involves searching for specific words or phrases commonly associated with spam, while Regular Expression matching allows for
15 more complex pattern recognition, which can identify spam based on certain
patterns or characteristics in the message content. To enhance the effectiveness of spam detection, the keyword and Regular Expression (Reg-Exp) matching parameters in the antispam unit [214] are updated dynamically. This means that the system can adapt to new spamming techniques and patterns over time, ensuring that
20 the detection mechanisms remain effective against evolving spam threats.
[0078] The processing unit [210] is further configured to initiate the Mobile Number Portability (MNP) request to the MNP server and storing the Location Routing Numbers (LRNs) for various operators in the map data structure. Mobile
25 Number Portability allows users to retain their mobile numbers even when they
switch from one network operator to another. To facilitate efficient message routing in such cases, the processing unit [210] sends an MNP request to the MNP server to obtain the Location Routing Number (LRN) for the receiver's mobile number. The LRN is a unique number that identifies the network operator to which the
30 mobile number currently belongs. Once the LRN is obtained from the MNP server,
the processing unit [210] stores this information in a map data structure. The map
22

data structure is designed to associate LRNs with their corresponding network operators. By maintaining this information, the messaging system can quickly determine the current network operator for any given mobile number, which is essential for routing messages correctly. 5
[0079] The processing unit [210] is configured to forward the received message over the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) interface only after successfully charging an account, using the OCS, associated with the sender of the message. This process ensures that the sender has sufficient funds or credit to send the message, which is
10 especially important in scenarios where the messaging service is not free of charge.
The charging process involves deducting the appropriate amount from the sender's account based on the cost of sending the message. Only once this transaction is successfully completed does the processing unit [210] proceed to forward the message using the SIP interface.
15
[0080] Referring to FIG. 3, an exemplary block diagram of an architecture [300] for implementing a system for optimizing message forwarding in a Peer to Peer (P2P) messaging system is shown, in accordance with the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. The architecture [300] comprises at least an IPSMGW
20 node [102], a sender [302], a receiver [304], an MNP server [306], and LRN MAP
[308]. Also, all of the components/ units of the system [200] are assumed to be connected to each other unless otherwise indicated below. Also, in FIG. 3 only a few units are shown, however, the system [200] may comprise multiple such units or the system [200] may comprise any such numbers of said units, as required to
25 implement the features of the present disclosure.
[0081] In an exemplary implementation, the architecture [300] comprises the
IPSMGW node [102], which serves as a central hub for processing and directing
messages. The IPSMGW node [102] is configured for receiving messages from the
30 sender [302] which includes a sender identifier and for handling messages destined
for the receiver [304], which includes a receiver identifier. To ensure messages are
23

routed correctly, especially in cases where users may have switched operators but
kept their phone numbers, the IPSMGW node [102] interacts with the MNP server
[306]. The MNP server [306] provides the Location Routing Number (LRN)
associated with the receiver's identifier, which is then stored in the LRN MAP
5 [308]. The message containing essential information regarding sender identifier and
receiver identifier includes such as but not limited to subscription permanent
identifier (SUPI), international mobile subscriber identifier (IMSI) etc. In general,
SUPI is a unique identifier used to represent a subscriber's permanent identity in a
5G network. SUPI replaces the International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI)
10 used in 4G networks and is designed to provide enhanced privacy and security
features.
[0082] The IPSMGW node [102] validates the sender and receiver identifiers to
confirm their validity, checks the message header against predefined criteria to
15 facilitate proper message forwarding, and routes the message to an antispam unit
[214] when necessary. This antispam unit [214] employs dynamic keyword and Regular Expression (Reg-Exp) matching techniques to determine if the message is spam.
20 [0083] Moreover, the architecture is equipped with mechanisms to ensure that if a
message is identified as legitimate and not spam, and both sender [302] and receiver [304] are on the same network, it is forwarded over a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) interface to the receiver [304]. Further, if the sender [302] and receiver [304] are on different networks, the message is sent over a Mobile Application Part
25 (MAP) interface. Notably, the system also includes a fallback mechanism that
comes into play if there's a failure in the SIP interface, ensuring messages are still sent over the MAP interface.
[0084] Additionally, the system is designed to trigger the forwarding process over
30 the SIP interface only after successfully charging the sender's account, thereby
integrating billing into the message forwarding pathway. This comprehensive
24

architecture encapsulates all the necessary steps and components to ensure efficient, secure, and reliable message delivery in modern telecommunication environments.
[0085] In an example, in a telecommunication network, a sender may forward a
5 message. Next, a IPSMGW is configured to receive a message and correspondingly,
check if the sender and a receiver number may be valid or not. In an implementation, a check header may be associated with the received message. Next, send the message to an antispam unit [214] and subsequently, for checking the message is a spam message or not (based on keyword or Regular-Expression etc.)
10 Further, if the message is not spam then send a MNP request to a MNP server. In
an implementation, a set of all operator LRN put in the map. Next, the LRN come in an MNP response that may check that LRN (MNP response LRN) the set of operators LRN may exist in the map. In a preferred implementation, in case the sender [302] and the receiver [304] may be same operators then send the message
15 over the SIP interface.
[0086] Referring to FIG. 4 an exemplary method flow diagram [400], for
optimizing message forwarding in a Peer to Peer (P2P) messaging system, in
accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. In an
20 implementation the method is performed by the system [200] or IPSMGW node
[102]. Further, in an implementation, the system [200] (partially or as a whole) may be present in a server device or in a user device to implement the features of the present disclosure.
25 [0087] The method comprises for optimizing message forwarding in a Peer to Peer
(P2P) messaging system. Also, as shown in Figure 2, the method starts at step [402] and proceeds to step [404].
[0088] At step [404], the method [400] comprises receiving, at a receiving unit
30 [202] of IP-short message gateway (IPSMGW) node [102] within an IP Multimedia
Subsystem (IMS) network, a message from a sender, the message comprising a
25

sender identifier associated with the sender and a receiver identifier associated with
a receiver [304]. The sender identifier is a unique identifier that helps to identify
the sender [302] of the message, while the receiver identifier is a unique identifier
that helps to identify the intended recipient of the message. The receiving unit [202]
5 serves as the entry point for messages into the system [200], ensuring that messages
are properly received and processed within the IMS network.
[0089] Next, at step [406], the method [400] encompasses sending, from a transmitter [204] of the IPSMGW node [102], a Mobile Number Portability (MNP)
10 request to an MNP server to obtain a Location Routing Number (LRN)
corresponding to the receiver identifier. The LRN is a unique number assigned to each mobile subscriber that has ported their number, and it is used to route calls and messages to the correct network operator. By sending an MNP request and obtaining the LRN, the transmitter [204] enables the system to determine the current
15 network operator of the receiver [304] and choose the most efficient protocol for
message forwarding, whether it be through the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) interface or the Mobile Application Part (MAP) interface.
[0090] Now, at step [408], the method [400] comprises determining, by a
20 determination unit [206] of the IPSMGW node [102], a map data structure
associated with a set of LRNs corresponding to at least one operator, said map data
structure being stored in a memory unit [212] of the IPSMGW node [102]. By
associating LRNs with the at least one operator in the map data structure, the
determination unit [206] enables the system to quickly identify the network operator
25 associated with a given LRN. As used herein, map data structure is a data structure
which is used to store data in a format of key-value pairs. where each key is
associated with a single value. The map data structure provides an efficient way to
store and retrieve data based on a unique identifier (the key). The determination
unit [206] facilitates in ensuring that the messaging system operates efficiently and
30 effectively, by providing the necessary information to route messages through the
most appropriate channels.
26

[0091] Further, at step [410], the method [400] comprises comparing, by a
comparator [208] of the IPSMGW node [102], the obtained LRN in response to the
MNP request with a set of LRNs stored in the map data structure, wherein based on
5 the comparison, and matching of operator of the sender [302] and the receiver [304],
determining, by a processing unit [210] of the IPSMGW node [102], a protocol for forwarding the received message to the receiver [304].
[0092] The comparison facilitates in ensuring that the messaging system can
10 efficiently route messages between the sender [302] and receiver [304], especially
in cases where the sender [302] and receiver [304] are on different network operators or when the receiver [304] has ported their number to a different operator. If based on the comparison it is determined that the sender [302] and receiver [304] are on the same network operator, the processing unit [210] will forward the
15 message over the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) interface, which is more efficient
for intra-operator messaging. On the other hand, if the sender [302] and receiver [304] are on different network operators, the processing unit [210] will choose to forward the message over the Mobile Application Part (MAP) interface, which is used for inter-operator messaging. Thus, the comparator [208] can accurately match
20 the LRN with the operators in the map data structure thereby ensuring that the
messaging system can dynamically adapt to different messaging scenarios, optimizing message routing for speed and efficiency. If the SIP interface fails, the processing unit [210] automatically switches to using the MAP interface to forward the received message. The MAP interface is a standard protocol used in mobile
25 networks, primarily for signalling and communication between different network
components. By using the MAP interface as a fallback, the system can continue to route messages to their intended recipients even in the face of SIP interface failures.
[0093] The processing unit [210] is further configured to validate the sender [302]
30 identifier and the receiver identifier to confirm the validity of the sender [302] and
the receiver [304]. When a message is received by the IPSMGW node [102], the
27

processing unit [210] checks the sender identifier and receiver identifier to confirm
that they are valid. The sender identifier is a unique identifier associated with the
sender [302] of the message, while the receiver identifier is a unique identifier
associated with the intended recipient of the message. The validation process
5 involves checking the format of the identifiers to ensure they conform to the
expected standard and may also involve checking the identifiers against a database of known valid identifiers.
[0094] By confirming the validity of the sender [302] and receiver identifiers, the
10 processing unit [210] helps to maintain the trustworthiness and reliability of the
messaging system, ensuring that messages are sent and received by legitimate parties.
[0095] Thereafter, the method terminates at step [412].
15
[0096] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of a computing device [500] upon which an embodiment of the present disclosure may be implemented. In an implementation, the computing device implements the method for optimizing message forwarding in a Peer to Peer (P2P) messaging system using the system
20 [200]. In another implementation, the computing device itself implements the
method for optimizing message forwarding in a Peer to Peer (P2P) messaging system by using one or more units configured within the computing device, wherein said one or more units are capable of implementing the features as disclosed in the present disclosure.
25
[0097] The computing device [500] (also referred to herein as computer system) may include a bus [502] or other communication mechanism for communicating information, and a processor [504] coupled with bus [502] for processing information. The processor [504] may be, for example, a general-purpose
30 microprocessor. The computing device [500] may also include a main memory
[506], such as a random-access memory (RAM), or other dynamic storage device,
28

coupled to the bus [502] for storing information and instructions to be executed by
the processor [504]. The main memory [506] also may be used for storing
temporary variables or other intermediate information during execution of the
instructions to be executed by the processor [504]. Such instructions, when stored
5 in non-transitory storage media accessible to the processor [504], render the
computing device [500] into a special-purpose machine that is customized to
perform the operations specified in the instructions. The computing device [500]
further includes a read only memory (ROM) [508] or other static storage device
coupled to the bus [502] for storing static information and instructions for the
10 processor [504].
[0098] A storage device [510], such as a magnetic disk, optical disk, or solid-state drive is provided and coupled to the bus [502] for storing information and instructions. The computing device [500] may be coupled via the bus [502] to a
15 display [512], such as a cathode ray tube (CRT), for displaying information to a
computer user. An input device [514], including alphanumeric and other keys, may be coupled to the bus [502] for communicating information and command selections to the processor [504]. Another type of user input device may be a cursor controller [516], such as a mouse, a trackball, or cursor direction keys, for
20 communicating direction information and command selections to the processor
[504], and for controlling cursor movement on the display [512]. This inputs device typically has two degrees of freedom in two axes, a first axis (e.g., x) and a second axis (e.g., y), that allow the device to specify positions in a plane.
25 [0099] The computing device [500] may implement the techniques described
herein using customized hard-wired logic, one or more Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) or Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), firmware and/or program logic which in combination with the computing device [500] causes or programs the computing device [500] to be a special-purpose
30 machine. According to one embodiment, the techniques herein are performed by
the computing device [500] in response to the processor [504] executing one or
29

more sequences of one or more instructions contained in the main memory [506].
Such instructions may be read into the main memory [506] from another storage
medium, such as the storage device [510]. Execution of the sequences of
instructions contained in the main memory [506] causes the processor [504] to
5 perform the process steps described herein. In alternative embodiments, hard-wired
circuitry may be used in place of or in combination with software instructions.
[0100] The computing device [500] also may include a communication interface
[518] coupled to the bus [502]. The communication interface [518] provides a two-
10 way data communication coupling to a network link [520] that is connected to a
local network [522]. For example, the communication interface [518] may be an
integrated services digital network (ISDN) card, cable modem, satellite modem, or
a modem to provide a data communication connection to a corresponding type of
telephone line. As another example, the communication interface [518] may be a
15 local area network (LAN) card to provide a data communication connection to a
compatible LAN. Wireless links may also be implemented. In any such
implementation, the communication interface [518] sends and receives electrical,
electromagnetic or optical signals that carry digital data streams representing
various types of information.
20
[0101] The computing device [500] can send messages and receive data, including
program code, through the network(s), the network link [520] and the
communication interface 518. In the Internet example, a server [530] might transmit
a requested code for an application program through the Internet [528], the Internet
25 Service Provider (ISP) [526], the local network [522], host [524] and the
communication interface [518]. The received code may be executed by the processor [504] as it is received, and/or stored in the storage device [510], or other non-volatile storage for later execution.
[0102] The computing device [500] encompasses a wide range of electronic
30 devices capable of processing data and performing computations. Examples of
30

computing device [500] include, but are not limited only to, personal computers,
laptops, tablets, smartphones, servers, and embedded systems. The devices may
operate independently or as part of a network and can perform a variety of tasks
such as data storage, retrieval, and analysis. Additionally, computing device [500]
5 may include peripheral devices, such as monitors, keyboards, and printers, as well
as integrated components within larger electronic systems, showcasing their versatility in various technological applications.
[0103] FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of a user equipment [UE] for
10 optimizing message forwarding in a Peer to Peer (P2P) messaging system, in
accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0104] The UE [602] for optimizing message forwarding in a Peer to Peer (P2P) messaging system comprises a processor [602A] and a memory [602B]. The
15 processor [602A] is configured to send a Mobile Number Portability (MNP) request
to a system [200] and to obtain a Location Routing Number (LRN) based on a Mobile Number Portability (MNP) request sent to the system [200]; wherein the system [200] comprises a receiving unit [202] configured to receive, within an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network, a message from a sender [302], the message
20 comprising a sender identifier associated with the sender [302] and a receiver
identifier associated with a receiver [304]; a transmitter [204] configured to send, a Mobile Number Portability (MNP) request to an MNP server to obtain a Location Routing Number (LRN) corresponding to a receiver identifier; a determination unit [206] configured to determine, a map data structure associated with a set of LRNs
25 corresponding to at least one operators, said map data structure being stored in a
memory unit [212] of the IPSMGW node [102]; and a comparator [208] configured to compare, the obtained LRN in response to the MNP request with the set of LRNs stored in the map data structure, wherein based on the comparison, and matching of operator of the sender [302] and the receiver [304], a processing unit [210] is
30 configured to determine a protocol for forwarding the received message to the
receiver [304].
31

[0105] According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a non-transitory
computer-readable storage medium storing instructions for optimizing message
forwarding in a Peer to Peer (P2P) messaging system is disclosed. The instructions
5 include executable code which, when executed by a processor, may cause the
processor to receive a message from a sender; the message comprising a sender identifier associated with the sender and a receiver identifier associated with a receiver; send a Mobile Number Portability (MNP) request to an MNP server to obtain a Location Routing Number (LRN) corresponding to the receiver identifier;
10 determine a map data structure associated with a set of LRNs corresponding to at
least one operators, said map data structure being stored in a memory unit of the IPSMGW node; and compare the obtained LRN in response to the MNP request with a set of LRNs stored in the map data structure, wherein based on the comparison, and matching of operator of the sender and the receiver, determine a
15 protocol for forwarding the received message to the receiver.
[0106] As is evident from the above, the present disclosure provides a technically
advanced solution if a receiver is same as operator, then send a message over SIP
interface instead of map interface. Further, the IP-SM Gateway (IPSMGW)
20 IPSMGW node may take all SMS service-related decisions in IP Multimedia
Subsystem (IMS) network. Henceforth, the present disclosure substantially optimizes message forwarding in a Peer to Peer (P2P) messaging system.
[0107] Further, in accordance with the present disclosure, it is to be acknowledged
25 that the functionality described for the various the components/units can be
implemented interchangeably. While specific embodiments may disclose a
particular functionality of these units for clarity, it is recognized that various
configurations and combinations thereof are within the scope of the disclosure. The
functionality of specific units as disclosed in the disclosure should not be construed
30 as limiting the scope of the present disclosure. Consequently, alternative
arrangements and substitutions of units, provided they achieve the intended
32

functionality described herein, are considered to be encompassed within the scope of the present disclosure.
[0108] While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the disclosed
5 embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that
many changes can be made to the embodiments without departing from the
principles of the present disclosure. These and other changes in the embodiments
of the present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art, whereby it is to
be understood that the foregoing descriptive matter to be implemented is illustrative
10 and non-limiting.
33

I/We Claim:
1. A method for optimizing message forwarding in a Peer to Peer (P2P)
messaging system, the method comprising:
receiving, at a receiving unit [202] of IP-short message gateway (IPSMGW) node [102] within an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network, a message from a sender [302], the message comprising a sender identifier associated with the sender [302] and a receiver identifier associated with a receiver [304];
sending, from a transmitter [204] of the IPSMGW node [102], a Mobile Number Portability (MNP) request to an MNP server to obtain a Location Routing Number (LRN) corresponding to the receiver identifier;
determining, by a determination unit [206] of the IPSMGW node [102], a map data structure associated with a set of LRNs corresponding to at least one operator, said map data structure being stored in a memory unit [212] of the IPSMGW node [102]; and
comparing, by a comparator [208] of the IPSMGW node [102], the obtained LRN in response to the MNP request with a set of LRNs stored in the map data structure;
determining, by a processing unit [210] of the IPSMGW node [102], a protocol for forwarding the received message to the receiver [304], based on the comparison, and matching of the operator of the sender [302] and the receiver [304].
2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the received message is forwarded to the receiver [304] over a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) interface based on a positive comparison of the obtained LRN with the set of LRNs and based on a positive match of the operator of the sender [302] and the receiver [304].
3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the received message is forwarded to the receiver [304] over a Mobile Application Part (MAP) interface based

on a positive comparison of the obtained LRN with the set of LRNs and based on a negative match of the operator of the sender [302] and the receiver [304].
4. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprises validating, by the processing unit [210] of the IPSMGW node [102], the sender identifier and the receiver identifier to confirm the validity of the sender [302] and the receiver [304].
5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the method comprises examining a header associated with the received message against a predefined criteria to facilitate forwarding the received message.
6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the method comprises routing, by the processing unit [210] of the IPSMGW node [102], the received message to an antispam unit [214] to determine if the received message is spam or non-spam.
7. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the antispam unit [214] utilizes keyword and Regular Expression (Reg-Exp) matching to determine whether the received message is spam or non-spam.
8. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the keyword and the Regular Expression (Reg-Exp) matching parameters in the antispam unit [214] are updated dynamically to improve spam detection.
9. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the routing of the received message to the antispam unit [214] is done selectively based on at least one of the sender identifier, the receiver identifier, or content of the received message.

10. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the method comprises initiating, by the processing unit [210] of the IPSMGW node [102], the Mobile Number Portability (MNP) request to the MNP server and storing the Location Routing Numbers (LRNs) for various operators in the map data structure.
11. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the method further comprises a fallback mechanism for forwarding the received message over a MAP interface in an event of SIP interface failure.
12. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the forwarding over the SIP interface is triggered only after successfully charging an account associated with the sender [302].
13. A system [200] for optimizing message forwarding in a Peer to Peer (P2P) messaging system, the system comprising:
an IP-short message gateway (IPSMGW) node [102] comprising:
a receiving unit [202] configured to receive, within an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network, a message from a sender [302], the message comprising a sender identifier associated with the sender [302] and a receiver identifier associated with a receiver [304];
a transmitter [204] configured to send, a Mobile Number Portability (MNP) request to an MNP server to obtain a Location Routing Number (LRN) corresponding to a receiver identifier;
a determination unit [206] configured to determine, a map data structure associated with a set of LRNs corresponding to at least one operator, said map data structure being stored in a memory unit [212] of the IPSMGW node [102]; and
a comparator [208] configured to compare, the obtained LRN in response to the MNP request with the set of LRNs stored in the map data structure, wherein

based on the comparison, and matching of operator of the sender [302] and the receiver [304],
a processing unit [210] is configured to determine a protocol for forwarding the received message to the receiver [304].
14. The system [200] as claimed in claim 13, wherein the received message is forwarded to the receiver [304] over a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) interface based on a positive comparison of the obtained LRN with the set of LRNs and based on a positive match of the operator of the sender [302] and the receiver [304].
15. The system [200] as claimed in claim 13, wherein the received message is forwarded to the receiver [304] over a Mobile Application Part (MAP) interface based on a positive comparison of the obtained LRN with the set of LRNs and based on a negative match of the operator of the sender [302] and the receiver [304].
16. The system [200] as claimed in claim 13, wherein the processing unit [210] is configured to validate the sender identifier and the receiver identifier to confirm the validity of the sender [302] and the receiver [304].
17. The system [200] as claimed in claim 13, wherein the processing unit [210] is further configured to examine a header associated with the received message against a predefined criteria to facilitate forwarding the received message.
18. The system [200] as claimed in claim 13, wherein the processing unit [210] is further configured to route the received message to an antispam unit [214] to determine if the received message is spam or non-spam.

19. The system [200] as claimed in claim 18, wherein the antispam unit [214] utilizes keyword and Regular Expression (Reg-Exp) matching to determine whether the received message is spam or non-spam.
20. The system [200] as claimed in claim 19, wherein the keyword and the Regular Expression (Reg-Exp) matching parameters in the antispam unit [214] are updated dynamically to improve spam detection.
21. The system [200] as claimed in claim 18, wherein the processing unit [210] is further configured to route the received message to the antispam unit [214] selectively based on at least one of the sender identifier, the receiver identifier, or content of the received message.
22. The system [200] as claimed in claim 13, wherein the processing unit [210] is further configured to initiate the Mobile Number Portability (MNP) request to the MNP server and storing the Location Routing Numbers (LRNs) for various operators in the map data structure.
23. The system [200] as claimed in claim 14, wherein a fallback mechanism is used for forwarding the received message over a MAP interface in an event of SIP interface failure.
24. The system [200] as claimed in claim 14, wherein the processing unit [210] forwards the received message over the SIP interface only after successfully charging an account associated with the sender [302].
25. A User Equipment (UE) [602] comprising:
a processor [602A] configured to:
forward a message to another UE, wherein the message is forwarded to another UE by a system [200] comprising:

- an IP-short message gateway (IPSMGW) node [102] comprising:
o a receiving unit [202] configured to receive, within an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network, a message from a sender [302], the message comprising a sender identifier associated with the sender [302] and a receiver identifier associated with a receiver [304];
o a transmitter [204] configured to send, a Mobile Number Portability (MNP) request to an MNP server to obtain a Location Routing Number (LRN) corresponding to a receiver identifier;
o a determination unit [206] configured to determine, a map data structure associated with a set of LRNs corresponding to at least one operator, said map data structure being stored in a memory unit [212] of the IPSMGW node [102]; and
o a comparator [208] configured to compare, the obtained LRN in response to the MNP request with the set of LRNs stored in the map data structure, wherein
based on the comparison, and matching of operator of the sender [302] and the receiver [304],
o a processing unit [210] is configured to determine a protocol for forwarding the received message to the receiver [304].