A Method For Messaging Service Message Routing Resolution Among 2 G And Subsequent Generation Network Systems
Abstract:
Methods, systems, and computer program products for using an E. 164 number (ENUM) database for message service message routing resolution among 2G and subsequent generation network systems are disclosed. According to one method, a message including message service message content is received. The message may include a 2G message recipient identifier. An ENUM database may be queried. A response from the ENUM database Is received. Based on the response, unavailability of a subsequent generation network address for the recipient Is determined. In response to the unavailabiiity, the message service message content is attempted to be delivered to the recipient via a 2G network
Get Free WhatsApp Updates!
Notices, Deadlines & Correspondence
Attorney Docket No.: 1322/237 PCT
DESCRIPTION
METHODS, SYSTEMS, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCTS FOR
USING AN E.164 NUMBER (ENUM) DATABASE FOR MESSAGE
SERVICE MESSAGE ROUTING RESOLUTION AMONG 2G AND
SUBSEQUENT GENERATION NETWORK SYSTEMS
RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 11/291,502, filed December 1, 2005; the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in Its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD The subject matter described herein relates to providing E. 164 number (ENUM) mapping sen/ice in a communications network. More particularly, the subject matter described herein relates to methods, systems, and computer program products for using an ENUM database for message service massage routing resolution among 2G and subsequent generation network systems.
BACKGROUND
Cellular communications networks have evolved over time such that there are now a variety of network technologies available In the marketplace. As technology advances, newer systems are deployed. However, older legacy systems cannot be made Immediately obsolete. Older legacy systems require maintenance for a variety of reasons. For example, the cost of upgrading equipment may be prohibitive. As well, an installed customer base may rely on installed equipment and resist expenditures for newer technology.
Two such presently deployed network technologies are second generation (2G) cellular systems and third generation (3G} cellular systems. 3G networks are the newer generation of the two and provide many existing 2G services as well as adding additional services. Examples of 2G networks include interim standard-41 (IS-41) and global system for mobile communications (GSM) networks. Examples of 3G networks include session
Attorney Docket No.: 1322/237PCT
initiation protocol (SlP)-based networks, Internet protocol (IP) multimedia subsystem (IMS) networks and cellular internet access networks.
One service that is available in both systems is short message service (SMS), Short message service (SMS),which was first introduced by European wireless network operators in 1991, enables mobile subscribers to easily send and receive text messages via wireiess handsets. Although specifications and industry standards related to SMS are constantly evolving and being modified, SMS messages have traditionally been used to convey readable text information, where the text may include any combination of characters that may be entered via a keypad or keyboard. Multimedia message service (MMS) extends the basic SMS concept to include a variety of message content types, including text, still images, video, and audio.
SMS delivery service provides a mechanism for transmitting messages to and from SMS capable terminals (e,g,, wireless handsets, personal computers, etc.) via a signaling component of the wireless communication network. With particular regard to the sending and receiving of SMS messages by a wireless handset, a signaling network provides the transport facilities necessary to communicate short messages between a store-and-fonward network element, known as a short message service center (SMSC), and a wireless handset.
In contrast to earlier text message transmission services, such as alphanumeric paging, SMS technology is designed to provide guaranteed delivery of an SMS message to a destination. That is, if a temporary network failure or the unavailability of a message recipient prohibits the immediate delivery of an SMS message, then the SMS message is stored in the network (i.e., at an SMSC) until the destination/intended message recipient becomes available. Another of the key and distinguishing characteristics of SMS service, with respect to previously available message communication services, is that an active mobile handset is able to send or receive a short message at any time, regardless of whether or not a voice or data call is in progress.
Attorney Docket No.; 1322/237 PCT
Internet engineering task force (IETF) request for comments number 2916 (RFC 2916) describes an ENUM system for facilitating theinterconnection of communications networks that rely on telephone numbers with the communications networks that utilize the domain name system (DNS). In particular, the ENUM system can map a particular number referred to as an E.164 number to one or more uniform resource identifiers (URIs) in the DNS. URIs are strings of characters that identify resources, such as documents, images, files, databases, e-mail addresses, websites or other resources or services in a common structured format. A URI can include among other things a SIP URI, an instant messaging (IM) identifier, an e-mail address identifier, an Intemet chat session identifier, and an IP address.
To assist with the routing of SMS messages in a 3G network, the ENUM system may be used to find a delivery address of an SMS message recipient. However, improper provisioning of the ENUM database or the absence of a 3G delivery address for the SMS message may result in the SMS message being undeliverable even when the intended message recipient is reachable via a 2G network address. Accordingly, there exists a need for improved methods, systems, and computer program products for using an E.164 number (ENUM) database for message service message routing resolution among 2G and 3G network systems.
SUMMARY According to one aspect, the subject matter described herein comprises methods, systems, and computer program products for messaging sen/ice message routing resolution among 2G and subsequent generation network systems. One method includes receiving a message sen/ice message including message service content and a 2G message recipient identifier associated with a messaging service message recipient. An ENUM database is queried using the 2G message recipient identifier. A response is received from the ENUM database. Based on the response, unavailability of a subsequent generation networit address for the recipient is determined. In response to the unavailability, delivery of the message service content to the recipient is attempted via a 2G network.
Attorney Docket No.: 1322/237 PCT
As used herein, a subsequent generation network includes a third generation {3G) network, a fourth generation (4G) network, and any later generation network. Accordingly, all subsequent generation networks after 2G are considered within the scope of the subject matter described herein. The term "message service message" is intended to refer to a message that carries non-call media content between subscribers of 2G and subsequent generation networks. Examples of message service messages include SMS messages, MMS messages, and instant messages.
The subject matter described herein providing message service message routing resolution among 2G and 3G network systems may be implemented using a computer program product comprising computer executable Instnjctions embodied in a computer readable medium. Exemplary computer readable media suitable for implementing the subject matter described herein include disk memory devices, programmable logic devices, application specific integrated circuits, and downloadable electrical signals. In addition, a computer readable medium that implements the subject matter described herein may be distributed across multiple physical devices and/or computing platforms.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Preferred embodiments of the subject matter described herein will now be explained with reference to the accompanying drawings of which:
Figure 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary communications network including functionality for using ENUM service to perform routing resolution for message service messages according to an embodiment of the subject matter described herein;
Figure 2 is a message flow diagram illustrating exemplary messages exchanged in delivering a message service message to a 3G delivery address according to an embodiment of the subject matter described herein;
Figure 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary communications network illustrating delivery of a message service message to a 2G delivery address for
Attorney Docket No,: 1322/237 PCT
a subscriber when an ENUM database lacks a 3G delivery address for the subscriber according to an embodiment of the subject matter described herein;
Figure 4 is a message flow diagram illustrating exemplary messages exchanged in delivering a message service message to a 2G delivery address for a subscriber when an ENUM database lacks an entry for the subscriber according to an embodiment of the subject matter described herein;
Figure 5 Is a block diagram of an exemplary communications network illustrating an example where an ENUM database queries a presence database to select an available delivery address according to an embodiment of the subject matter described herein;
Figure 6 is a flow chart illustrating exemplary steps in delivering a message service message to a 2G or a 3G network based on a subscriber delivery preference according to an embodiment of the subject matter described herein; and
Figure 7 is a block diagram of a message service gateway for a recipient for providing 2G/3G message service message routing resolution according to an embodiment of the subject matter described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION According to one aspect of the subject matter described herein, a method for message service message routing resolution among 2G Eind 3G networi