SMSC Routing for Mobile Number Portability via NPDB Query
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for short message signaling intercommunication cannot be applied to Mobile Number Portability service, particularly when messages are delivered to third-party network subscribers, as they do not consider protocol differences and IMSI information requirements.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a Short Message Service Center (SMSC) that receives a mobile directory number, inquires about the current home network using a Number Portability Database, and transmits messages accordingly, including IMSI information, to ensure proper routing across networks with different protocols, enabling intercommunication in Mobile Number Portability scenarios.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional signaling intercommunication procedures are used for GSM to CDMA message delivery, then message routing can be completed, but the procedure cannot be applied to Mobile Number Portability service when messages are delivered to third-party network subscribers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an NPDB (Number Portability Database) as an intermediary component between the SMSC and the destination network. The NPDB stores mapping relationships between ported numbers and their current home networks, enabling the system to identify whether a subscriber has ported their number and to which network they have moved. This intermediary resolves the contradiction by providing the necessary information to adapt traditional routing procedures to MNP scenarios without compromising delivery reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by querying the NPDB for subscriber routing information before initiating message delivery. The SMSC performs a route request to the NPDB using the called party's number, obtains the current home network information in advance, and then routes the message appropriately. This preliminary query ensures that the message delivery procedure is adapted to the actual network location of the subscriber, enabling reliable delivery to ported numbers while maintaining compatibility with traditional procedures for non-ported numbers.
2Productivity
If message routing is performed without considering protocol differences between networks, then routing can be completed, but protocol incompatibility prevents successful intercommunication between different network types
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by making the message routing procedure adaptive rather than static. The SMSC dynamically adjusts the routing behavior based on the response from the NPDB query. If the subscriber has ported their number, the system dynamically changes the routing target to the subscriber's current home network. This dynamic adaptation enables the system to maintain high routing efficiency while achieving protocol compatibility across different network types.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the routing parameters (destination network identifier, protocol type) based on the NPDB query results. When a subscriber is found to have ported their number, the system changes the destination network parameter from the original network to the current home network, and adjusts the protocol parameter to match the current network's requirements. This parameter adjustment enables successful intercommunication while maintaining routing efficiency.
3Ease of operation
If IMSI information is not included in route request messages, then message routing can proceed, but proper routing to ported numbers cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical routing approach (direct routing based on number prefixes) with an information-based system that queries the NPDB. Instead of using simple routing tables, the system substitutes a query mechanism that retrieves accurate routing information. This substitution maintains operational simplicity from the perspective of the SMSC (which still uses a standard query interface) while dramatically improving routing accuracy for ported numbers through the NPDB's precise mapping data.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure discloses a method for short message signaling intercommunication and a short message service center (SMSC), relating to the field of mobile number portability (MNP) service in mobile communications technology, and applying to solve the problem in the prior art that the process of the short message signaling intercommunication cannot be applied to the MNP service. The method includes: step 1, the SMSC of a sending network receives a mobile original (MO) message from a mobile switching center (MSC) of the sending network, wherein the MO message includes the mobile directory number (MDN) of a receiving terminal (21); step 2, according to the MDN of the receiving terminal, the SMSC of the sending network inquires of the number portability data base (NPDB) about the current home network of the receiving terminal, and acquires the information of the current home network of the receiving terminal (22); and step 3, according to the information of the current home network of the receiving terminal, the SMSC of the sending network transmits the mobile terminal (MT) message (23) generated according to the MO message to the MSC of the current home network of the receiving terminal. The present disclosure is applied to the short message signaling intercommunication in the mobile number portability service.