Indexing SMS Messages in Convergent Messaging Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current systems lack the ability to efficiently integrate and manage SMS messages within convergent messaging systems, limiting user access and flexibility in managing SMS messages across different communication types, such as emails and voice messages, especially in all-IP core networks like LTE/EPC/IMS.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for indexing SMS messages in a database associated with a terminal, allowing external client applications to access and manage these messages, even when the terminal is not connected to the core network, through an application server or gateway that decapsulates and indexes SMS messages encapsulated in SIP or MAP protocols.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If SMS messages are transmitted directly to the terminal as soon as it is available, then message delivery speed is improved, but accessibility and flexibility of message management are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemessage delivery speedVSAvoidaccessibility and flexibility of message management
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the message management system into two parts: direct terminal delivery (for speed) and centralized database storage with external application access (for flexibility). The indexing server creates a separate copy of SMS messages in a database, allowing independent access channels that do not interfere with direct terminal delivery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary indexing server that acts as a mediator between the core network and external applications. This server receives copies of SMS messages, indexes them in a database, and provides structured access to external applications without affecting the direct message delivery path to terminals.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If SMS messages are stored only in the terminal, then message security is improved, but accessibility via external applications is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemessage securityVSAvoidaccessibility via external applications
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a copy of SMS messages in a centralized database managed by the indexing server. This copy mechanism allows external applications to access message content without compromising the security of messages stored in the terminal. The terminal retains secure storage while the database provides controlled access copies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Adaptability or versatility

If a centralized database is introduced for SMS message indexing, then accessibility and integration with convergent messaging systems is improved, but system complexity is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintegration with convergent messaging systemsVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The indexing server provides multiple functions: receiving SMS messages from the core network, storing them in a database, indexing them for search, and providing access to external applications. This multi-functional approach consolidates what could be multiple separate systems into a single versatile component, reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Productivity

If direct terminal delivery is used, then message delivery efficiency is improved, but integration with convergent messaging systems is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemessage delivery efficiencyVSAvoidintegration with convergent messaging systems
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary action by pre-indexing SMS messages in a centralized database before external applications need to access them. This preparation step allows convergent messaging systems to retrieve and integrate SMS messages efficiently without waiting for terminal delivery, thus improving integration capability without affecting delivery efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2538704B1Indexing a SMS from a core network
Publication Date: 2017.08.02 ORANGE SA
  • EP2538704B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2538704B1 patent drawingFigure 4A
  • EP2538704B1 patent drawingFigure 4B

AI summary

The method involves receiving a short message that is encapsulated in a message according to a signaling protocol or session initiation protocol. The short message is indexed in a database associated with a terminal i.e. mobile phone, A client application (APP) is informed about the terminal, where the client application is arranged external to a core network, and indexing of the short message is performed in a database. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a computer program comprising instructions for performing a method for indexing a short message service (2) a recording medium with instructions for performing a method for indexing a short message service (3) a gateway (4) a method for processing a short message service (5) a call server (6) a core network system.