A messaging system involving wireless communications and method therefor

Abstract

A messaging system (11) for conveying messages between a host server (15) and a client (13a) that is part of a GSM network and a method therefor. The GSM network includes an SMS facility to convey messages between its clients using an SMSC (25), each wireless client having a network identifying number (NIN) associated with it to uniquely identify the client within the GSM network. Each message comprises a message packet (43) including the address (49) of an intended recipient, the address (47) of the sender of the message and the message itself (51). The host server (15) may be selectively connected to a plurality of different client types (13) via the Internet (19) to convey messages therebetween. Each client has a client identifying number (CIN) associated with it to uniquely identify it to the host server (15). The host server (15) and the SMSC (25) are interconnected by the Internet (19) or another computer network to provide for communications therebetween. One of the clients (13) of the host server (15) is a wireless client (13a) and has its CIN corresponding to its NIN. The host server (15) has an access code (AC) to uniquely identify it to the SMSC (25) and a unique identification number (UIN) ascribed to: (i) a prescribed action performed by it, and (ii) an entity that is the subject of the prescribed action. The messages sent in message packet (43) between the host server (15) and the wireless client (13a) in connection with a particular prescribed action and entity include: (i) a combination of the AC and the UIN ascribed to the particular action and entity as the address of the host server (15); and (ii) the NIN as the address of the wireless client. The SMSC (25) also uses the AC in the address of the intended recipient or the sender to recognise messages sent to or received from the host server (15) and routs messages accordingly.

Description

field of invention [0001] The present invention relates to a messaging system involving the communication of messages between a plurality of users and a host server, wherein the medium between a user and the host involves wireless communication, and a method thereof. Wireless communications (the invention finds particular, though not exclusive, application) involve users who are clients in the form of digital radios, particularly cellular radiotelephones, pagers, or other such communications devices. [0002] This invention has particular, though not exclusive, application to Short Message Service ("SMS") based client applications and Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) network equipment such as mobile phones. [0003] Throughout the specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprises" should be understood to imply the inclusion of a specified integer or group of integers but not to the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers. Back...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Although STK can work on the oldest GSM devices (i.e. those that cannot be WAP activated), they require the user to change the SIM card of his mobile device

Another downside of STK: the menu tree needs to be "burned" into the sim

[0016] Essentially, menu type commands are difficult to maintain between a GSM device and a host server where the command operator is SMS

The difficulty occurs because a host server must "remember" what the user's previous actions or choices were in order to know where to take him next within the tree

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