Services Hub for Inter-Operator MMS Routing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current multimedia messaging service (MMS) technologies face limitations in seamless interworking between mobile operators, restricting the delivery of multimedia messages when the recipient's operator does not host a Multimedia Messaging Service Center (MMSC).

Innovation Solution

A services hub is introduced to facilitate multimedia message routing between sender and recipient operator networks, utilizing interfaces with sender and recipient VVSS operator networks, third-party VVSS operator networks, and additional services hubs, enabling multimedia message interworking through storage, retrieval numbers, and routing logic to bypass MMSC dependencies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If MMS technology is used to deliver multimedia messages, then multimedia message delivery capability is improved, but delivery reliability deteriorates when recipient operator does not host MMSC

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemultimedia message delivery reliabilityVSAvoidcompatibility with operators without MMSC
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an MMSC gateway as an intermediary component that enables operators without MMSC to receive multimedia messages. The gateway translates and forwards messages between operators with MMSC and those without, ensuring universal compatibility and reliable delivery across all operator networks regardless of their MMSC status.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system design implements universal message delivery capability by making the MMSC gateway a multi-functional component that can handle both operators with MMSC and those without. The gateway provides adaptive routing and protocol translation functions, allowing the MMS system to work universally across diverse operator infrastructures.

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

2Reliability

If MMSC hosting is required for message delivery, then message delivery capability is improved, but system complexity increases due to infrastructure requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemessage delivery capabilityVSAvoidoperator infrastructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The MMSC gateway serves as a mediating infrastructure that reduces the complexity burden on individual operators. Instead of every operator needing to host a full MMSC, the gateway handles the complex translation and routing functions, allowing operators to participate in MMS with simpler infrastructure while maintaining reliable delivery capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Speed

If direct operator-to-operator delivery is used, then delivery speed is improved, but adaptability deteriorates across different operator networks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemessage delivery speedVSAvoidinterworking between different operators
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The MMSC gateway provides adaptive routing that maintains fast direct delivery where possible while automatically intervening when operator incompatibility is detected. The gateway monitors message routing and switches to gateway-mediated delivery only when necessary, preserving speed for compatible operators while ensuring adaptability across all networks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP1924923B1System for delivering user-generated short-text notified multimedia messages between operator networks
Publication Date: 2011.04.27 ROAMWARE INC
  • EP1924923B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1924923B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1924923B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A system for delivering a multimedia message from a message sender in a sender voice/video short messaging service system (VVSS) operator network to a message recipient in a recipient operator network. The system comprises a services hub suitable for routing the multimedia message, the services hub comprising one or more of a first interface with a sender in the sender VVSS operator network, a second interface with a second WSS in the recipient operator network, a third interface with a third-party WSS in a third-party VVSS operator network, wherein the third-party operator network is in communication with the recipient operator network, and a fourth interface with another services hub. Further, the services hub communicates with a sender VVSS and a recipient operator. The recipient operator may be a recipient WSS operator or a non-WSS recipient operator.