Messaging Gateway with Trajectory Database for Network Interworking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Instant Messaging services are proprietary, leading to closed communities where users with different services or without an Instant Messaging client cannot communicate effectively, and users may be cut off when unavailable on IP networks, such as during travel or roaming.
Innovation Solution
A messaging system with a gateway that interworks between packet and mobile networks, using a trajectory database to determine communication paths and fallback to SMS when IP connections are unavailable, allowing seamless communication between Instant Messaging and SMS users.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If proprietary Instant Messaging services are used, then communication features and data consumption are improved, but interoperability between different services deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a messaging gateway as an intermediary component that mediates between proprietary Instant Messaging services and the SMS infrastructure. The gateway translates messages between different IM protocols and SMS formats, enabling interoperability without requiring users to switch services. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining service diversity while enabling cross-service communication through the gateway mediator.
Solution Approach 2:
The messaging gateway is designed with multi-functionality to handle multiple IM protocols and communication modes simultaneously. It can process messages from different proprietary services, translate them to universal SMS format, and route them appropriately. This universal approach allows the system to support diverse messaging services while maintaining a single unified infrastructure, resolving the interoperability issue.
2Reliability
If IP-based Instant Messaging services are used, then communication cost is reduced, but reliability during network unavailability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements beforehand cushioning by maintaining SMS as a backup delivery mechanism that is ready to activate when IP-based IM services become unavailable. The gateway continuously monitors the availability of IP connections and can seamlessly switch to SMS delivery without interrupting communication. This pre-prepared fallback mechanism ensures delivery continuity while users continue to prefer the lower-cost IP-based services when available.
Solution Approach 2:
The messaging system dynamically adapts its delivery path based on real-time network conditions. When IP connections are available, messages are routed through the IM service to minimize cost. When IP connectivity fails, the system dynamically switches to SMS delivery through the gateway. This dynamic routing resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to optimize for cost when possible while ensuring reliability when needed.
3Productivity
If users are routed through packet network, then communication speed is improved, but complexity of network interworking deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the messaging architecture into distinct functional components: a messaging server for IP-based IM services, a gateway for protocol translation and mode switching, and an SMS infrastructure for traditional messaging. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in specific functions, improving overall system productivity while managing complexity through modular design. The gateway handles the complexity of protocol translation separately from the core messaging logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway serves as an intermediary layer that simplifies network interworking by handling protocol translation and routing decisions centrally. Instead of requiring complex peer-to-peer compatibility between different IM services, the gateway mediates all interactions, translating between proprietary protocols and standard SMS formats. This mediator approach improves message delivery speed through optimized routing while containing architectural complexity within the gateway component.
Data Source
AI summary
A gateway (G) interfaces with a packet (IM) network (N) a mobile (GSM) network (N2), a HLR, an IM server (S1) and an SMSC (S2). The gateway (G) has a trajectory database (D) which is dynamically maintained and is accessed to determine in real time the optimum communication paths for messages.