SIP to SS7 Gateway for Text and Voice Interoperability

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need to convert Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) INVITE requests containing MIME-encoded text into signaling system 7 (SS7) messages to enable interoperability between IP-based networks and traditional PSTN networks, as SS7 does not support the transmission of text during voice connections.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that receive SIP INVITE requests in a converged network, determine if they contain MIME-encoded text, and construct SS7 short message service (SMS) messages and initial address messages (IAM) to route the text and establish a voice connection, using a network gateway controller to translate SIP messages into SS7 protocol messages.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If SIP INVITE requests containing MIME-encoded text are sent to PSTN users, then text message delivery is enabled, but SS7 protocol compatibility issue arises because SS7 does not support text transmission during voice connections

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetext message delivery capabilityVSAvoidprotocol compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The SIP INVITE request is segmented into two separate SS7 messages: an ISUP IAM message for voice connection establishment and an SMS message for text delivery. This segmentation allows each message type to be handled according to its specific protocol requirements, resolving the compatibility issue while maintaining both text delivery and voice connection capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A gateway or intermediary system is introduced between the SIP network and SS7 network to perform protocol conversion. The gateway receives SIP INVITE requests, extracts MIME-encoded text, and converts them into appropriate SS7 messages (ISUP IAM and SMS), enabling interoperability between different network protocols

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If MIME-encoded text is extracted from SIP INVITE request, then text can be delivered via SS7 SMS, but the original SIP message structure is modified

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetext extraction capabilityVSAvoidmessage processing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The MIME-encoded text is extracted from the SIP INVITE request body and separated from the voice connection parameters. This extraction allows the text to be independently processed and delivered via SS7 SMS, while the remaining SIP message can be processed for voice connection establishment without carrying the text payload

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS7983245B2Methods and systems for converting an internet protocol (IP)-based message containing subscriber content to a public switched telephone network (PSTN)-based message including subscriber content

Publication Date: 2011.07.19 TEKELEC GLOBAL INC

AI summary

A node in a converged network converts a session initiation protocol (SIP) message to a signaling system 7 (SS7) message. A SIP INVITE request is received by the node and the node determines whether the SIP INVITE request is destined for an SS7 user. If the INVITE request is destined for an SS7 user, the node determines whether the INVITE request contains MIME-encoded text and constructs a short message service (SMS) message containing the MIME-encoded text. The SMS message is routed to the SS7 user. In addition, the node constructs an initial address message (IAM) and routes the IAM to the SS7 user.