Inter-Carrier SMS Routing via Vendor Network

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Solution Overview

Problem

Inadequate connectivity among wireless service providers hinders mobile subscribers from communicating via SMS across different service providers, limiting access to services and efficient service delivery.

Innovation Solution

An inter-carrier vendor network is employed to route and process SMS messages, utilizing a comprehensive content gateway and campaign manager platform, enabling universal short code messaging that allows services to be initiated or controlled across multiple carriers, facilitating access to services like voting, polling, and direct marketing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional SMS routing is used within a single carrier network, then message delivery is reliable within that carrier, but connectivity is limited and subscribers cannot communicate across different service providers

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecross-carrier connectivityVSAvoidmessage delivery reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an inter-carrier vendor network as an intermediary system that receives SMS messages from mobile subscribers, routes them through application provider networks, and delivers them to interactive service devices. This intermediary infrastructure enables cross-carrier message delivery while maintaining reliability through standardized protocols and centralized routing control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If direct connection between mobile subscribers and interactive service devices is established, then service access is efficient, but infrastructure complexity increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice access efficiencyVSAvoidnetwork infrastructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the SMS service infrastructure into distinct functional components: mobile subscriber devices, inter-carrier vendor networks, application provider networks, and interactive service devices. This segmentation allows each component to operate independently with standardized interfaces, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining efficient service access.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The inter-carrier vendor network serves multiple functions including message routing, protocol translation, service provisioning, and billing coordination. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate systems, reducing infrastructure complexity while enabling efficient service delivery.

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

3Adaptability or versatility

If comprehensive service coverage across all carriers is provided, then consumer accessibility is improved, but system complexity and coordination requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice coverageVSAvoidsystem coordination complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The inter-carrier vendor network acts as a universal intermediary that handles all cross-carrier messaging through standardized protocols. This single intermediary point of contact simplifies coordination compared to establishing direct relationships between every carrier and every service provider, enabling comprehensive coverage without proportional increases in system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS8055283B2System and method for message-based interactive services
Publication Date: 2011.11.08 SYBASE 365 INC
  • US8055283B2 patent drawing
  • US8055283B2 patent drawing
  • US8055283B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A method and system for providing message-based interactive services includes receiving a short code message from a mobile subscriber relating to a service desired by the mobile subscriber from an interactive service device, routing the short code message for processing, and instructing the interactive service device to operate in accordance with the short code message.