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WO2011023818A1 - Procédé et appareil de gestion d'un message adressé à un seul identifiant - Google Patents

Procédé et appareil de gestion d'un message adressé à un seul identifiant Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2011023818A1
WO2011023818A1 PCT/EP2010/062635 EP2010062635W WO2011023818A1 WO 2011023818 A1 WO2011023818 A1 WO 2011023818A1 EP 2010062635 W EP2010062635 W EP 2010062635W WO 2011023818 A1 WO2011023818 A1 WO 2011023818A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
message
messages
receivers
central platform
service provider
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/EP2010/062635
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English (en)
Inventor
Thorsten Trapp
Ralph Eric Kunz
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Tyntec Ltd
Original Assignee
Tyntec Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Tyntec Ltd filed Critical Tyntec Ltd
Publication of WO2011023818A1 publication Critical patent/WO2011023818A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L61/00—Network arrangements, protocols or services for addressing or naming
    • H04L61/09—Mapping addresses
    • H04L61/10—Mapping addresses of different types
    • H04L61/106—Mapping addresses of different types across networks, e.g. mapping telephone numbers to data network addresses
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L51/00—User-to-user messaging in packet-switching networks, transmitted according to store-and-forward or real-time protocols, e.g. e-mail
    • H04L51/06—Message adaptation to terminal or network requirements
    • H04L51/066—Format adaptation, e.g. format conversion or compression
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L51/00—User-to-user messaging in packet-switching networks, transmitted according to store-and-forward or real-time protocols, e.g. e-mail
    • H04L51/56—Unified messaging, e.g. interactions between e-mail, instant messaging or converged IP messaging [CPM]
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L61/00—Network arrangements, protocols or services for addressing or naming
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L61/00—Network arrangements, protocols or services for addressing or naming
    • H04L61/09—Mapping addresses
    • H04L61/10—Mapping addresses of different types
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L67/00—Network arrangements or protocols for supporting network services or applications
    • H04L67/50—Network services
    • H04L67/56—Provisioning of proxy services
    • H04L67/565—Conversion or adaptation of application format or content

Definitions

  • the field of invention relates to a method and apparatus for the handling of a multi-protocol message for an application.
  • the field of the invention relates a method and apparatus for the handling of a message using one of a plurality of message formats with a unique identifier.
  • a mobile station - such as a mobile telephone or a PDA - to communicate with others on the same mobile telecommunications network, on other mobile telecommunications networks or on fixed line networks.
  • a mobile station - such as a mobile telephone or a PDA -
  • the mobile telecommunications networks are being used to transfer data and instant messaging (IM) as well as voice.
  • IM instant messaging
  • SMS-C Short Message Service Centre
  • HLR Home Location Register
  • VLR Visitor Location Register
  • MSC Mobile Switching Centre
  • the SMS message can also be sent to applications, such as computer application or databases.
  • applications such as computer application or databases.
  • UK Patent Application No 2415577 (Yoomedia PLC) teaches an SMS-C which is provided with an application interface.
  • the application is assigned, according to the teachings of this patent application, with what is known as a "short number" comprising a reduced number of digits compared to a usual format for the mobile numbers.
  • the SMS-C was programmed to recognise the short numbers when they are received in the header of an SMS message so that the message is forwarded to the application interface rather than being routed across the mobile telecommunications network.
  • SMS messaging Initially the application interfaces were intended to host proprietary applications for the networks of the network operators.
  • the success of SMS messaging has meant that network operators now allow either an application from third parties to be directly connected to the application interfaces or for connections between the SMS-C and the Internet (or a proprietary network).
  • SMS-C responsible for the major mobile telecommunications network using the common short number.
  • Each of the SMS-Cs will intercept the SMS message, recognise that is to be passed to a specified application via an application interface and will pass the SMS message to the application.
  • European Patent Application No. EP 1 662 812 (Empower Interactive Group Ltd.) teaches a method for routing SMS messages to an application through a plurality of message delivery points in the same mobile telecommunications network. This has the advantage that the routing of the SMS messages can be changed to ensure that the load on the mobile telecommunications network is balanced.
  • the teachings of the above patent applications rely on the use of a special common short number to identify those SMS messages which need to be "removed" from the usual message delivery service and treated in a different manner by forwarding them to an application. There is, however, a major restriction on the use of the common short numbers - their number is limited. In particular attempts to establish "international" common short numbers have foundered either on the unwillingness of some network operators to collaborate through fear of losing business (or lacking the appropriate software) or by the fact that the proposed numbers have been previously occupied.
  • the European patent application EP 1 601 146 discloses a system for forwarding an email message to a recipient.
  • the recipient is identified by its telephone number.
  • the system includes the step of identifying the email address of the recipient associated with the telephone number.
  • the US patent US 6,625,258 (Nortel Networks Ltd.) describes a virtual assistant system.
  • a profile service uniquely identifies each subscriber and provides contact information for the subscriber.
  • the international patent application WO 03/021900 (R. Agarwal et al.) teaches a system and a method which enable a first user to communicate in multiple telecommunications formats with a second user identified by a single user identifier, such as a telephone number or conventional e-mail address.
  • a provider associated with the unified messaging server (UMS) identifies the format and can change the format.
  • the provider transmits the message as a real time connection or as a non-real time connection.
  • the UMS must be directly connected with each other.
  • the UMS defined in this patent application does not have the capability of being invoked from a different network which does not have a UMS server or does not have a UMS interconnection.
  • the UMS systems of the Agarwal patent application have the capability to handle messages using different type of formats, identify the format, and forward the message to the recipient in either the same format or another format.
  • Unified Message Service In the system of the Wang patent, calls/messages are sent to a unified message service system node.
  • the unified message service system node in turn forwards the call to a fixed/mobile phone, may send a fax, and may send SMS/instant messages to the intended recipient.
  • the UMS systems of the prior art have different receivers capable of handling messages received in SMS and voice formats.
  • the Agarwal, Wang or Web.DE patent applications disclose a centralized management of all incoming messages, using a single identifier for the incoming messages.
  • the user needs to have subscribed to such a system, and all messages sent by the user are first received at a messaging server, which forwards the message to the intended recipient.
  • the applications accessed through the application interface can often only handle messages sent in a particular format. For example, an application connected to an SMS-C through the Internet will generally expect to see a message using the Internet Protocol. [00020] Such attempts at the conversion of messages from one protocol to another are known in the past.
  • a simple example is that which converts SMS messages sent to a fixed line number to voice messages. This is carried out by intercepting in the SMS-C any SMS message addressed to a fixed line number and passing this intercepted SMS message to a separate server. In the separate server the addressed fixed line number is first tested to see whether it has the capability to receive messages in an SMS format. If that is the case, then the SMS message is sent via the fixed line to the addressed telephone number. In the event, however, that the addressed fixed line number cannot accept the message in SMS format, the SMS message is converted to a voice message and the addressed fixed line number is rung and the intercepted message - as a voice message - is conveyed to a listener.
  • the international patent application WO 01/61920 describes a method and system for accessing multiple services using a single identifier.
  • a single ID server records the single ID selected by registered users and services to which said registered users have subscribed.
  • a plurality of identifiers are assigned to the user and stored by the ID server.
  • Each one of the plurality of identifiers corresponds to one of the subscribed services.
  • the corresponding identifier in the ID server is modified, either by the user or by the service provider having access to the ID server.
  • the system of the WO '920 application also manages the forwarding of a message using the appropriate identifier found in the database and matching the single ID.
  • US patent application US 2004/0105535 describes a platform allowing access to different services of a service provider using a single telephone number as a single identifier.
  • a subscriber is assigned, by the service provider, a single number.
  • a wide variety of services, including routing, paging, facsimile services is provided.
  • the co-pending patent application GB 2 448 689 describes the handling of message addressed to a single identifier.
  • the system and method of GB '689 comprises the handling of a message using one of a plurality of message formats.
  • the message is addressed to the single identifier irrespective of the message format.
  • the plurality of message formats is independent of the single identifier.
  • the method of GB '689 comprises: receiving the message at a receiving one of a plurality of receivers in one or more of a plurality of telecommunications networks, wherein the message is received at different ones of the plurality of receivers in accordance with the one of the plurality of message formats; passing the message from the receiving one of the plurality of receivers to a central platform, wherein the central platform is connected to more than one of the plurality of receivers and forwarding the message from the central platform to the customer.
  • the patent application GB '689 is however silent about the management of the single identifier.
  • the method comprises: receiving the message at a receiving one of a plurality of receivers in one or more of a plurality of telecommunications networks, wherein the message uses one of a plurality of message formats, the one of the plurality of message formats being independent of the single identifier, wherein the message is received at different ones of the plurality of receivers in accordance with the one of the plurality of message formats, passing the message from the receiving one of the plurality of receivers to a central platform, wherein the central platform is connected to more than one of the plurality of receivers; informing the service provider about the message and forwarding the message from the central platform to the customer if the service provider accepts the message, wherein the single identifier is chosen from a plurality of identifiers provided to the central platform by the one or more
  • a method for handling at least two messages addressed to a single identifier for forwarding to a service provider comprises: - receiving the first one of the at least two messages at a first receiving one of a plurality of receivers in a first one of a plurality of telecommunications networks in accordance with the first one of the plurality of message formats, - receiving the second one of the at least two messages at a second receiving one of a plurality of receivers in a second one of a plurality of telecommunications networks in accordance with the second one of the plurality of message formats.
  • the plurality of message formats are independent of the single identifier.
  • the method further comprises passing the at least two messages from the first receiving one and the second receiving one of the plurality of receivers to a central platform, wherein the central platform is connected to at least two of the plurality of receivers in at least two respective of the plurality of telecommunications networks; informing the service provider about the first one of the at least two messages and about the second one of the at least two messages; and forwarding the first one of the at least two messages from the central platform to the service provider if the service provider accepts the first one of the at least two messages, and forwarding the second one of the at least two messages from the central platform to the service provider if the service provider accepts the second one of the at least two messages.
  • the single identifier is chosen from a plurality of identifiers provided to the central platform by the at least two of the plurality of telecommunications networks, the single identifier being assigned to a customer.
  • the message may be forwarded either in the one of the plurality of message formats or in another one of plurality of message formats.
  • the central platform may use an IP network protocol for forwarding the message.
  • the single identifier may be a MSISDN according to the ITU-T E.164
  • NANP North American Numbering Plan
  • the single identifier may define an application that is to be addressed by or connected with the network communication.
  • the network communication may be a voice call, such as a PSTN, 3G or GSM communication, a video call, especially but not limited to H.324m (3GPP) (see http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/3g-h.334.rn; accessed on 27 August 2009), or a data communication in form of a message.
  • the format may be selected from one of the formats consisting of PSTN Circuit switched Voice, SMS, MMS, VoIP, and Instant Messenger (e.g. XMPP as defined in RFC 3920) but is not limited thereto.
  • the method may further comprise terminating the protocol at one of the plurality of the receivers and passing the network communication from the terminating one of the plurality of the receivers to the central platform using a transport protocol.
  • terminating the protocol at one of the plurality of the receivers and passing the network communication from the terminating one of the plurality of the receivers to the central platform using a transport protocol.
  • An apparatus for the handling of a message addressed to a single identifier for forwarding to a service provider, wherein the message uses one of a plurality of message formats.
  • the apparatus comprises a plurality of receivers for receiving the message, different ones of the plurality of receivers being configured to receive the message in different ones of the plurality of message formats, at least two of the plurality of receivers being connected to different ones of a telecommunications network, a central platform connected to the plurality of receivers; and a connection to the service provider for informing the service provider about the message and for forwarding the message from the central platform to the service provider if the service provider accepts the message.
  • an apparatus for handling of at least two messages addressed to a single identifier for forwarding to a service provider comprises:- a plurality of receivers for receiving the message, different ones of the plurality of receivers being configured to receive the message in different ones of the plurality of message formats, at least two of the plurality of receivers being connected to at least two respective of a plurality of telecommunications networks, a first receiving one of the plurality of receivers being adapted to receive the first one of the at least two messages in a first one of a plurality of telecommunications networks in accordance with the first one of the plurality of message formats
  • the apparatus further comprises a central platform connected to the plurality of receivers; and a connection to the service provider for informing the service provider about the at least two messages and forwarding the first one of the at least two messages from the central platform to the service provider if the service provider accepts the first one of the at least two messages and for forwarding the second one of the at least two messages from the central platform to the service provider if the service provider accepts the second one of the at least two messages.
  • the single identifier is chosen from a plurality of identifiers provided to the central platform by the at least two telecommunications networks, the single identifier being assigned to a customer.
  • the apparatus may be adapted to forward the message either in the one of the plurality of message formats or in another one of plurality of message formats.
  • the central platform may be adapted to forward the message using an IP network protocol.
  • a protocol terminator at at least one of the plurality of receivers may be used for terminating.
  • a network device may be provided for transmitting the network communication from the one of the plurality of receivers to the central platform using a transport protocol.
  • connection to the customer for forwarding the message from the central platform to the customer may be adapted for handling a plurality of codecs.
  • a system with a central platform comprising a central database and a central server is also disclosed.
  • the central database preferably comprises settings associated to the single identifier, the central platform being adapted to choose one of the plurality of codecs depending on the settings.
  • the system is adapted to handle connections using transport protocol
  • Fig. 1 shows a customer edge of a telecommunications network according to the state of the art.
  • Fig. 2 shows a customer edge of a telecommunications network according to the invention.
  • Fig. 3 shows an embodiment of a central platform according to the invention
  • Fig. 4 shows a workflow for the receipt of a message using a single identifier according to the invention.
  • Fig.5 shows a workflow for the receipt of at least two messages using a single identifier according to the invention.
  • Fig. 1 shows a telecommunications network 5 as known in the art.
  • the telecommunications network 5 is suitable for both voice and data transmission and can operate with a number of different protocols as will be explained below.
  • the telecommunications network has a media gate way (MGW) 10 which receives communication items in the form of standard Public Switched Telephone Number (PSTN) telephone call or a voice over IP (VOIP) communication.
  • MGW media gate way
  • PSTN Public Switched Telephone Number
  • VOIP voice over IP
  • a PSTN identifier such as a telephone number
  • Prior art systems may also employ a different identifier, such as an additional telephone number or a user name for a VOIP communication.
  • the communication item is terminated at the MGW 10 and redirected or further transmitted to a central platform 30 using another protocol.
  • a central platform 30 For example, an incoming PSTN telephone call is received at MGW 10 and redirected to the central platform using the IP protocol.
  • the MGW 10 can receive communications items using other protocols such as the H324m protocol which is used, for example, for 3G- Video calls.
  • the MGW 10 is typically installed at a location managed and run by an operator of a PSTN network or VoIP service.
  • the central platform 30 is typically located at a site of a service provider which offers the unified access to cross network reception and processing of multi protocol communication services.
  • the central platform 30 is connected to the MGW 10 through fixed telecommunication lines which may or may not be part of a PSTN network or the Internet. Dedicated telecommunications lines may also be used in the event that a high degree of security is required.
  • the central platform 30 will direct the communication item received from the MGW 10 to, for example, a customer system 40.
  • the customer system is a suitable telecommunications device which can process the communication item.
  • Fig. 2 shows the telecommunications networks 5 and 50 according to the disclosure.
  • the telecommunications network 50 comprises in this aspect a second receiver
  • the second receiver 12 will be, for example, a Home Location Register (HLR) and Visitor Location Register (VLR)/Mobile Switching Centre (MSC) for receiving communication items in yet a further format.
  • HLR Home Location Register
  • VLR Visitor Location Register
  • MSC Mobile Switching Centre
  • the second receiver 12 is connected to a mobile telecommunications network.
  • This mobile telecommunications network 50 uses, for example, the SS7 protocol for the transmission of voice calls and for the reception of SMS messages over the mobile telecommunications network 50.
  • the SMS messages can not be handled by the second MGW 11.
  • the second receiver 12 receives the SMS messages via the SS7 MAP protocol and the voice calls via the SS7 ISUP protocols and transfers the SMS messages and/or voice calls, collectively called communication items, via a transport protocol, for example IP, to the central platform 30 from where the communications item is further transferred to the customer system 40.
  • the transfer of the communications item from the central platform 30 to the customer system 40 is carried out using, for example, the IP protocol.
  • the telecommunications network 50 shown in Fig 2 also comprises in this aspect of the invention a third receiver 13 besides the MGW 11 and the HLR/MSC 12.
  • the third receiver 13 will be, for example an instant messaging server for receiving communication items in a further instant messaging format or emails using an email transfer protocol.
  • the third receiver 13 is connected to public internet and uses, for example, the XMPP protocol (as defined in RFC 3920) for the reception of instant messages as the communications item or email protocols for email messages.
  • the instant messages and emails can not be handled by the second MGW 11 or the HLR/MSC 12.
  • the third receiver 13 receives the communication item (instant message or email) via IP and transfers the communication item via a transport protocol, for example IP, to the central platform 30 from where the communications item is further transferred to the customer system 40.
  • the transfer of the communications item from the central platform 30 to the customer system 40 is carried out using, for example, the IP protocol.
  • the telecommunications network 50 of Fig. 2 also comprise further services, such as but not limited to, a voice over IP service, video calls, faxes.
  • Each of the communication items received by either the first MGW 10 or the second MGW 11 or the second receiver 12 uses a single identifier for identifying the customer system 40 to be reached.
  • the single identifier must be expanded by '@server.name' in the XMPP example (where "server.name” is a place holder for the real domain name of the XMPP server). If the third receiver 13 is a mail server, than the single identifier will also be appended by " ⁇ server.name” in which the domain "server.name” is a place holder for the real domain name of the mail server.
  • the single identifier may be a MSISDN number (as defined by the ITU-T E164 standard) or a number assigned under the North American Numbering Plan (NANP) of the customer or any other numbering format routable in international telecommunications network.
  • MSISDN number as defined by the ITU-T E164 standard
  • NANP North American Numbering Plan
  • a consumer can chose to dial the number from his or her mobile telephone and the call will be received and terminated at the second receiver 12, converted to a first type of transport protocol and passed to the central platform 30 from which the call is passed to the customer system 40 (possibly via a second type of transport protocol).
  • the consumer could also send a text message to the second receiver 12 where the text message is terminated according to ETSI TS 100 974 and transferred via the first type of transport protocol to the central platform 30 and then to the customer system 40. If the consumer uses a telecommunication device connected to the PSTN, then the call is received and terminated at the first MGW 10 and the second MGW 11 and transmitted via a third type of transport protocol (which could be the same as the first type of transport protocol) to the central platform 30 and thence to the customer system 40. [00058] Another type of use case would be voting in a television programme.
  • the communication item is not a voice message but a message indicating a vote for candidate 1 even though the communications item is initially transmitted over the PSTN. If the viewer using a mobile telephone to dial the number 07624-80070-1 then the communications item will be carried over the international telecommunications network to the first receiver 11 where the communications item is received and terminated and passed from the first receiver 11 to the central platform 30 and finally to the customer system 40 where the vote is recorded at the counter. Similarly an SMS message could be sent to exactly the same number and will be received at the second receiver 12 before being passed to the central platform 30 and the customer system 40 and counted.
  • the counter at the customer system 40 records all of the communications items received at the MGW 11 and/or the second receiver 12 and counts the communications items as votes for the candidate one.
  • This scenario is not limited to the communication items initiated in the network 50 but also applicable for the communication items initiated in any one of the other telecommunications network having interconnection with the telecommunications network 50.
  • the central platform 30 can have multiple connections to different ones of the network 50 or the network 5 and aggregates all telecommunications items passed through via a receiver to the attached customer systems 40.
  • the exchange format is determined by the suitable protocol for each communication and on a mutual agreement on the customer and its provider for the unified access to the cross network reception and processing of multi protocol communication services.
  • communications items sent in different formats may be received by different ones of the receivers (i.e. the MGW 11 or the second receiver 12).
  • the transfer to the central platform 30 can be made using the same format but is more likely to be made in a common format (e.g. carried via the IP format).
  • Some of the receivers may be able to accept multiple protocols. Other ones of the receivers will only accept a single type of protocol.
  • the MGW 11 and the second receiver 12 are shown in Fig. 2 as being separate units. However, there is nothing to stop them being incorporated on the same computer server.
  • FIG. 3 shows the central platform 30 according to one aspect of the disclosure.
  • the central platform 30 includes a central server 300 and a central database
  • the central server 300 has connections 322 and 323 to the receiver 10 of the telecommunications network 5 and connections 324, 325 and 326 to the receivers 11, 12, 13 of the telecommunications network 50.
  • the central server 300 has also a connection 340 to the customer system 40.
  • the central server 300 manages the plurality of identifiers provided by the telecommunication networks 5, 50.
  • a unique single identifier is assigned to a customer and is chosen from the plurality of identifiers.
  • the telecommunications networks 5, 50 may be located in different countries and the identifiers provided by the telecommunications networks 5, 50 may include numbers comprising country code.
  • the identifiers are preferably a MSISDN identifiers according to the ITU-T
  • the identifier could be of any other numbering format routable in international telecommunications network.
  • the identifiers are stored in the central database 310 along with other features and reach lists.
  • the central database 310 also stores settings associated with the identifiers or with the different telecommunications networks 5, 50 or operators.
  • the central server 300 can chose an appropriate codec to use depending on the settings stored in the central database 310.
  • the appropriate codec to be used may be chosen on a number of factors including call quality and bandwidth capacity.
  • Non-limiting examples of the appropriate codecs include a G7-11 codec or a G7-29B codec.
  • the present system is not limited to two telecommunication networks 5, 50 and a plurality of the telecommunication networks 5, 50 can be connected to the central platform 300. It will be understood that the telecommunication networks 5, 50 connected to the central platform 300 may be from different countries and of different types. The central platform 300 is adapted to operate over multiple operators and countries.
  • the user wishing to contact the customer may use the single identifier assigned to the customer.
  • the single identifier is preferably a MSISDN according to the ITU-T E.164 or NANP Standard.
  • the message can be sent using a plurality of message formats, including
  • SMS MMS
  • Voice Call Video Call
  • Email Fax
  • VoIP Voice Call
  • the user wishes to voice call the customer, at step 100.
  • the voice message is received at the second receiver 12 of the telecommunication networks 50.
  • the second receiver 12 is the one receiver of the telecommunication networks 50 that is adapted to receive the communication item in the voice call format (step 200).
  • the second receiver 12 is identified to the telecommunications network by reference to a server. Let us suppose, for example, that a user wishes to telephone the customer using the single identifier number. The user dials the single identifier number for the customer on his or her mobile station. The operator of the telecommunications network to which the mobile station is connected accepts the voice call and identifies that the single identifier number is associated with a particular block of telephone numbers and understands that the call needs to be passed over the SS7 network to the second receiver
  • the allocation of the single identifier numbers is carried out by the regularity authorities and/or numbering authorities in each one of the countries which allocates single identifier numbers.
  • each one of the operators of the telecommunications networks in Germany has a block of numbers allocated to the operator.
  • the operator (or another party) can then sell or allocate blocks of numbers to particular services.
  • the single identifier number is in form of a telephone number which has been allocated by one of the operators or numbering authorities to a particular service.
  • the second receiver 12 first accepts an incoming call/message request as
  • IAM Initial Address Message
  • the central server 300 of the central platform 30 converts the incoming call request in the form of SS7-IAM as a session initiation protocol (SIP) request (using the RFC 3398 standard - see http://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc3398; accessed on 27 August 2009) to the customer system 40 (including destination number and, if known, caller number), at step 400.
  • SIP session initiation protocol
  • the customer system 40 accepts the SIP-Request and decides whether to accept the incoming call request to the destination number or not.
  • the customer system 40 answers the central server 300 via a further SIP message. This further SIP message may be either busy, hang up or accept call.
  • the further SIP message includes any settings for handling the incoming call.
  • These settings may include the appropriate codec for handling the incoming call.
  • the customer system 40 may have established that the codec using least bandwidth be used. The use of this codec would reduce cost associated with handling the incoming call, but at expense of call quality.
  • the codec providing best call quality can be specified which would increase the amount of the bandwidth required for handling the incoming call.
  • the central server 300 passes an acceptance to the second receiver 12 which then accepts the incoming voice call, encodes the incoming voice call with the appropriate codec and passes the encoded incoming voice call message to the customer system 40 where the incoming voice call is handled (step 600).
  • the customer system 40 could handle the incoming voice call.
  • the voice call could ring on computer.
  • the incoming voice call could be passed directly to a regular telephone, a mobile telephone or a computer.
  • the incoming voice call could be stored as WAV file and sent to a mail system or the incoming voice call could be passed to a voice box (as governed by RFC 3666).
  • the incoming communications item might not be an incoming voice call but another type of incoming communication item.
  • the second receiver 12 can also receive SMS messages as the communications item (as described above).
  • the second receiver 12 is able to distinguish between the incoming voice call and the incoming SMS message by investigation of an SS7 packet which is carrying the data stream associated with the incoming communications item.
  • the SS7 packet includes an identifier (in the header) which indicates the protocol under which the data stream is encoded.
  • the second receiver 12 can distinguish between the SMS message, using the MAP protocol, or an incoming voice call that uses the ISUP protocol. This allows the second receiver 12 to decide how to treat the communications item.
  • the acceptance of the SMS message as the incoming communication item is handled by the customer system 40 in a similar manner as the incoming voice call (step 600).
  • the customer system 40 can than decide on how to treat the incoming SMS message. For example the incoming SMS message could be sent as an email to the ultimate recipient or could be forwarded to the ultimate recipient's mobile station.
  • incoming instant messages are received on the third receiver 13 and are passed in a similar manner to the customer system 40 where they can be handled in a similar manner to the incoming SMS messages.
  • the incoming emails can also be received by the third receiver 13 and passed to the customer system 40.
  • VoIP Voice over IP
  • the incoming message is forwarded to the customer system 40, the connection using an IP protocol.
  • the SMS messages may be transferred using SMPP/SIP protocol.
  • the voice messages may be transferred using VoIP protocol.
  • the fax messages may be transferred using fax over VoIP protocol, and the video calls using a combination of VoIP and Video over IP protocols.
  • the incoming message may be forwarded to the customer either in the same format as the format used by the caller or in another format.
  • the customer may have indicated preferences for receiving the message in a preferred communication format.
  • the apparatus may act as a transcoder which may transcode one communication protocol into another communication protocol.
  • the customer is able to make multiple decisions concerning how each one of the communications items is received. The decisions could be, for example, dependent on the format in which the communication item is received and/or the originating number of the communication item.
  • the customer could decide that emails, SMS messages and/or instant messages are either directly forwarded to the customer's email account or they could be converted into voice messages and forwarded to a voice box or directly to a telephone for the customer to hear.
  • Incoming voice messages or video calls could be directly passed through to the customer's mobile station where the customer receives and listens/views the message or they could be converted into files and attached to emails for passage to the email account of the customer or be transferred onto the customer's mobile device and made available there via a virtual mailbox, i.e. a directory that displays the various received voice messages and plays the one designated by the customer . It would also be possible for the email to be forwarded to a fax machine. [00087] A method for the receipt of at least two messages addressed to a single identifier for forwarding to the customer is described with reference to figure 5.
  • the users wishing to contact the customer may use the single identifier assigned to the customer.
  • the single identifier is preferably a MSISDN according to the ITU-T E.164 or NANP Standard.
  • the at least two messages can be sent using a plurality of message formats, including SMS, MMS, Voice Call, Video Call, VoIP, Email, Fax or Instant Messenger.
  • a first user wishes to voice call the customer, at step 1000.
  • the voice call message is received at the media gateway 10 of the telecommunication network 5.
  • the media gateway 10 is the one receiver of the telecommunication networks 5 that is adapted to receive the communication item in the voice call format (step 1025).
  • the voice call of the first user constitutes the first message Ml of the at least two messages.
  • the media gateway 10 first accepts an incoming voice call request as Initial
  • a second user wishes to contact the customer by sending an SMS message, at step 1075.
  • the SMS message is received at the second receiver 12 of the telecommunication network 50.
  • the second receiver 12 is the one receiver of the telecommunication networks 50 that is adapted to receive the communication item in the SMS format (step 2000).
  • the SMS message of the second user constitutes the second message M2 of the at least two messages.
  • the second receiver 12 first accepts the incoming SMS message request as
  • IAM Initial Address Message
  • the second receiver 12 identifies this destination message number as the single identifier number for the customer.
  • the second receiver passes 12 the SMS message to the central platform 30, at step 2025.
  • the central server 300 of the central platform 30 receives the two communications items messages Ml and M2 from the two telecommunication networks 5, 50.
  • the central server 300 converts the first incoming call request as a first session initiation protocol (SIP) request to the customer system 40 (including destination number and, if known, caller number).
  • the central server 300 converts the second incoming message SMS request in the form of SS7-IAM as a second session initiation protocol (SIP) request to the customer system 40 (including destination number and, if known, caller number), at step 3000.
  • SIP session initiation protocol
  • the customer system 40 accepts the first SIP-Request and the second SIP-
  • the customer system 40 answers the central server 300 via a further SIP message.
  • This further SIP message may be either busy, hang up or accept call. [00096] If the customer system 40 accepts the incoming voice call, the central server
  • step 3050 passes an acceptance to the media gateway 10 which then accepts the incoming voice call, encodes the incoming call with the appropriate codec and passes the encoded incoming voice call message to the customer system 40 where the incoming voice call is handled (step 3050).
  • the central server 300 passes an acceptance to the second receiver 12 which then accepts the incoming SMS message, and passes the encoded incoming SMS message to the customer system 40 where the incoming SMS message is handled (step 3075).
  • SMS could be displayed in a mail system.
  • Voice call could ring on computer.
  • the incoming messages may be forwarded to the customer either in the same format as the format used by the caller or in another format.
  • the customer may have indicated preferences for receiving a message in preferred communication format.
  • the apparatus may act as a transcoder which may transcode one communication protocol into another communication protocol.
  • the service provider can have access to multiple operators in multiple countries. This allows choice of the communication networks which may be used. The choice can be made on economic (e.g. cost), accessibility or quality criteria.
  • the apparatus of the present disclosure can be understood as a multiple protocol receiver that manages a number of connected systems and networks, centrally. The single identifier is chosen from a plurality of identifiers provided by the telecommunication networks to the central server.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Telephonic Communication Services (AREA)
  • Information Transfer Between Computers (AREA)
  • Data Exchanges In Wide-Area Networks (AREA)
  • Mobile Radio Communication Systems (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un procédé, un appareil et un serveur destinés à la gestion d'un message adressé à un seul identifiant pour un transfert à un fournisseur de services; selon l'invention, le message utilise un format parmi une pluralité de formats de message. Le procédé consiste à recevoir le message sur un dispositif de réception parmi une pluralité de récepteurs dans un ou plusieurs réseaux de télécommunication conformément à un format de message parmi une pluralité de formats de message, le message utilisant un format de message parmi une pluralité de formats de message, le format de message de la pluralité de formats de message étant indépendant de l'identifiant unique, à transférer le message du dispositif de réception parmi la pluralité de récepteurs à une plate-forme centrale, à informer le fournisseur de services du message et à transférer le message de la plate-forme centrale au fournisseur de services si le fournisseur de services accepte le message, l'identifiant unique étant choisi parmi une pluralité d'identifiants fournis à la plate-forme centrale par le ou les réseaux de télécommunications, l'identifiant unique étant attribué à un client. L'appareil comprend une pluralité de récepteurs destinés à recevoir le message, une plate-forme centrale raccordée à la pluralité de récepteurs et un raccordement au fournisseur de services permettant de transférer le message de la plate-forme centrale au fournisseur de services. La plate-forme centrale comprend un serveur central et un serveur de base de données central comprend une base de données permettant de gérer les identifiants.
PCT/EP2010/062635 2009-08-28 2010-08-30 Procédé et appareil de gestion d'un message adressé à un seul identifiant Ceased WO2011023818A1 (fr)

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GB0915042.6A GB2473038B (en) 2009-08-28 2009-08-28 A method and apparatus for handling a message addressed to a single identifier
GB0915042.6 2009-08-28

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GB2473038B (en) 2015-04-15
GB0915042D0 (en) 2009-09-30

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