Web Application Gateway for SMS Messaging in Packet-Switched Networks

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current standard APIs for web services do not provide enough flexibility to effectively interface with evolving packet-switched networks for SMS/MMS messaging, limiting the implementation of web-based text messaging in advanced networks like IMS and LTE.

Innovation Solution

A system that translates messages between web applications using standards like Parlay X and Session Initiation Protocol (SIP), enabling direct communication between web applications and packet-switched networks for SMS/MMS messaging, including conversion of send and receive commands and status notifications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If standard APIs (Parlay X for SMPP/Parlay) are used to interface web applications with text messaging networks, then web-based text messaging can be implemented, but the system lacks flexibility for evolving packet-switched networks like IMS and LTE

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility for evolving networksVSAvoidinterface complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a gateway as an intermediary component that sits between web applications using standard APIs and packet-switched networks using SIP. The gateway translates and adapts messages between these different protocols and standards, allowing web applications to communicate with evolving networks without requiring changes to the web application layer. This mediator approach resolves the contradiction by providing network evolution flexibility while maintaining interface simplicity for web applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system architecture is segmented into distinct functional layers: the web application layer using standard APIs, the gateway layer handling protocol translation and adaptation, and the packet-switched network layer using SIP. This segmentation allows each layer to evolve independently - the gateway can be updated to support new network protocols without affecting web applications, thereby improving adaptability while keeping the overall interface complexity manageable through clear boundary definitions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If a translation system is introduced between web applications and packet-switched networks, then flexibility and adaptability improve, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork compatibilityVSAvoidsystem architecture
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The gateway is designed as a universal interface that handles multiple functions: translating between different API standards (Parlay X, SMPP), adapting to various packet-switched network protocols (SIP, IMS, LTE), and managing message routing. By consolidating these diverse functions into a single multi-functional gateway component, the system achieves broad network compatibility without proportionally increasing overall system complexity, as the gateway serves as a centralized adaptation point rather than requiring multiple specialized components.

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

Data Source

PatentEP2721797B1Interface between web applications for text messaging and packet-switched networks
Publication Date: 2020.02.26 ALCATEL LUCENT SA
  • EP2721797B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2721797B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2721797B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Systems and methods are disclosed for interfacing SMS/MMS web applications with packet-switched networks. One embodiment comprises a system that handles a Mobile Terminated (MT) text message from a web application to a packet-switched network. The system receives a send command for the MT text message from the web application. The send command is based on a standard used by the web application, such as Parlay X. The system converts the send command for the MT text message to a SIP send request, and transmits the SIP send request for the MT text message to a packet-switched network for delivery to a recipient.