SMS Identity Management System for Multi-Identity Messaging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current SMS processing in telephony networks is limited by proprietary protocols that are not well integrated with telephony networks, restricting access to messaging services for feature phones and requiring mobile data or WiFi connections, and lacks efficient identity management for multi-identity users.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of an SMS identity management system within the telephony network, utilizing an IP-SM-GW with an identity management module that selects appropriate telephony identifiers based on message characteristics and user-defined rules, enabling seamless processing and routing of SMS messages across different identities and service providers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If proprietary messaging apps are used to enable multiple identities, then users can message with multiple identities on a single device, but the apps are not well integrated with telephony networks and create walled gardens requiring smartphones and mobile data/WiFi connections

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemulti-identity messaging capabilityVSAvoidnetwork integration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an identity management system as an intermediary component within the telephony network that mediates between multiple user identities and the SMS messaging infrastructure. This system enables feature phones to access multi-identity messaging through standard SMS protocols without requiring proprietary apps or mobile data connections, thus resolving the contradiction between versatility and network integration complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The identity management system provides universal access to multi-identity messaging across different device types (feature phones and smartphones) using standard telephony protocols. It enables a single SIM card to support multiple identities for both sending and receiving messages, eliminating the need for device-specific proprietary solutions

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If feature phones are used to access messaging services, then broader device access is enabled, but current solutions require mobile data or WiFi connections which feature phones may not have

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice access accessibilityVSAvoidmobile data connection requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables feature phones to independently access messaging services using only standard SMS capabilities and existing SIM card functionality. The identity management system automatically handles identity selection and message routing without requiring the phone to establish mobile data or WiFi connections, allowing devices to serve themselves using existing resources

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If multiple SIM cards are used to support multiple identities, then each identity can be independently managed, but device complexity and user convenience are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveidentity separationVSAvoidsingle device usage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple identity management functions into a single SIM card through the identity management system. This system allows users to store and manage multiple identities (including multiple IMSIs and MSISDNs) on one SIM card, automatically selecting the appropriate identity for sending and receiving messages based on message characteristics and user-defined rules, thus combining the reliability of separate identity management with the convenience of single-device usage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Productivity

If automated identity selection is implemented, then message routing efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemessage routing efficiencyVSAvoididentity management system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The identity management system implements automated feedback-based identity selection where the system monitors message characteristics, user behavior patterns, and delivery outcomes to automatically select the most appropriate identity. The system learns from past messaging patterns and adjusts identity selection decisions, improving routing efficiency while managing complexity through adaptive rather than purely rule-based mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3515095B1Processing SMS messages
Publication Date: 2021.03.10 METASWITCH NETWORKS LTD
  • EP3515095B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3515095B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A first telephony identifier and a second telephony identifier are used for communication with a first, multi-identity user. Each of the first and second telephony identifiers are configured for use as different destination addresses in different SMS messages sent to the first user. At least one SMS message is processed in SMS processing equipment in the network, and the SMS processing equipment performs identity management, in relation to the use of the first and second telephony identifiers for the first user, during processing of the at least one SMS message.