Telecom Message Forwarding via Network Node Address Resolution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for forwarding SMS and MMS messages in mobile radio networks are inefficient, as they often require multiple devices and do not automatically adapt message formats, leading to message loss and incompatibility issues during cross-network transmissions.

Innovation Solution

A method that uses a computing device in the mobile network to manage forwarding by linking contact information with stored addressing information, automatically replacing or supplementing message information, and converting message formats to ensure seamless forwarding of SMS and MMS messages between different networks, including landline numbers and email addresses, using a web application for user configuration and a 'Text-to-Voice' server for format adaptation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual forwarding configuration is used for SMS/MMS messages, then message delivery reliability improves, but device complexity and user configuration effort increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemessage delivery reliabilityVSAvoidforwarding configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines call forwarding configuration and message forwarding configuration into a single unified interface. When a user configures call forwarding, the system automatically enables message forwarding to the same destination without requiring separate configuration steps. This merging of configuration processes reduces complexity while ensuring message delivery reliability through automated forwarding setup.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The forwarding configuration system is designed to handle both voice calls and SMS/MMS messages through a single universal interface. The same configuration parameters and destination settings apply to both call forwarding and message forwarding, eliminating the need for separate configuration mechanisms and reducing overall system complexity.

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

2Speed

If message forwarding is enabled without format conversion, then forwarding speed improves, but message compatibility deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemessage forwarding speedVSAvoidmessage format compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs format conversion in advance before message delivery. When a message is received, the forwarding system proactively converts it to the appropriate format for the destination device type (mobile phone, landline, email) before transmission begins. This preliminary action ensures compatibility without delaying the forwarding process, as the conversion happens automatically in the background.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary message conversion service that acts as a mediator between the message sender and various destination formats. This intermediary automatically detects the destination type and converts messages to appropriate formats (SMS, MMS, email, voice mail) without requiring the original sender or recipient to manually configure format conversions, thus maintaining fast forwarding while ensuring compatibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If automatic format conversion is implemented, then message compatibility improves, but processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemessage format compatibilityVSAvoidmessage processing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The message forwarding system performs format conversion automatically without requiring user intervention or manual configuration. The system self-determines the destination device type and automatically selects and applies the appropriate conversion routine. This self-service approach eliminates delays associated with manual format selection while ensuring compatibility across different message types and destinations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes message parameters based on destination requirements. Instead of using a fixed conversion process, the forwarding system adjusts message format parameters (such as encoding, file attachments, protocol type) automatically according to the destination device capabilities. This parameter-based approach enables fast, context-aware format conversion that adapts to different scenarios without adding processing overhead.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Reliability

If multiple forwarding destinations are supported, then message delivery reliability improves, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemessage delivery reliabilityVSAvoidforwarding destination management
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the forwarding destination management into hierarchical levels: primary destination (from call forwarding configuration) and secondary destinations (additional message recipients). This segmentation allows the system to handle multiple forwarding destinations through a structured approach where the primary destination is automatically determined from call forwarding settings, and additional destinations can be configured separately if needed, reducing overall management complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2234350B1Forwarding of messages in telecommunications networks
Publication Date: 2016.09.14 VODAFONE HOLDING GMBH
  • EP2234350B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2234350B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for the automatic forwarding of messages, preferably messages in an SMS and/or MMS format, in telecommunications networks, wherein a) a message recipient registered as a subscriber by a telecommunications network with contact information stores addressing information for receiving messages on behalf of the telecommunications network; b) the contact information is linked with the stored addressing information on behalf of the telecommunications network; c) a message for the message recipient is received by the telecommunications network under the contact information;d) the contact information of the received message is replaced by the addressing information or supplemented by the addressing information on the part of the telecommunications network, and e) the message processed in this way is sent by the telecommunications network to the addressing information. The present invention further relates to a network node involved in the transmission of messages in a telecommunications network, preferably a mobile network according to a GSM, GPRS and/or UMTS radio network standard, which is configured and/or equipped to at least partially execute a method according to the invention.