WO2010073263A2

WO2010073263A2 - Instant messaging over unstructured supplementary service data (ussd)

Info

Publication number: WO2010073263A2
Application number: PCT/IN2009/000736
Authority: WO
Inventors: Axaya Kansal; Amritpal Singh
Original assignee: Spice Digital Limited
Priority date: 2008-12-23
Filing date: 2009-12-23
Publication date: 2010-07-01
Also published as: WO2010073263A3

Abstract

The present invention provides an instant messaging (IM) method and system using Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) as an enabler. The subscriber makes a USSD call which is routed through the mobile network operator of the user to a particular USSD Service-code which is then directed towards IM over USSD platform using any of standard protocols like SMPP/ HTTP/DB etc. IM over USSD Platform provides initial menu to the user giving various options to login / register / chat etc. Simultaneously, IM over USSD Platform initiates IM sessions with third party IM servers for each user using open-standard APIs and bridges this IM session and USSD session. User may reply to friend or initiate another USSD session by suffixing a code to the user-id to USSD service-code and start chatting. Replies to logged-in user is sent through SMS / Network-initiated USSD Request or logged into user's inbox depending on user's preference.

Description

INSTANT MESSAGING OVER UNSTRUCTURED SUPPLEMENTARY SERVICE DATA (USSD)

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention uses Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) as an enabler to provide the Instant Messaging (IM) services on all GSM/3G handsets including the available legacy handsets as well.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION AND RELATED ART

The present invention achieves to provide instant Messaging services using Unstructured

Supplementary Service Data (USSD).

Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) is a GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication) service that allows high-speed interactive communication between subscribers and applications across a GSM network. USSD is session orientated, unlike SMS (Short Message Service), which is a store-and-forward technology, thus turnaround response times for interactive applications are shorter for USSD than SMS.

USSD can be used as a full-fledged Service Delivery Platform where users can have quick and interactive interface with the various service providers. USSD messages in a dialogue are delivered significantly quicker than SMS. When a session is initiated, the radio connection stays open until it is released by either the terminal or by the gateway or the time expires.

A USSD session typically starts with the subscriber sending a USSD message like as an illustration "*100# SEND". This message is sent through the GSM network to the USSD Gateway. The USSD gateway interprets the code to a specific request for interaction with a defined application.

Instant messaging (IM) is a collection of technologies that create the possibility of real-time text-based communication between two or more participants over the internet or some form of internal network/intranet. The distinguishing feature between chat and instant messaging from technologies such as e-mail is the perceived synchronicity of the communication by the user - Chat happens in real-time. Some systems allow the sending of messages to people not currently logged on, thus removing much of the difference between Instant Messaging and e- mail.

IM allows effective and efficient communication, featuring immediate receipt of acknowledgment or reply. In certain cases Instant Messaging involves additional features, which make it even more popular. For example, users can see each other by using web-cams, or talk directly for free over the Internet using a microphone and loudspeakers.

It is possible to save a conversation for later reference. Instant messages are typically logged in a local message history which closes the gap to the persistent nature of e-mails and facilitates quick exchange of information like URLs or document snippets (which can be unwieldy when communicated via telephone).

Mobile Instant Messaging abbreviated as MIM is a presence enabled messaging service that aims to transpose the Internet desktop messaging such as Google talk or MSN experience to the usage scenario of being connected via a mobile/cellular device. There are two distinct methodologies to enable mobile instant messaging;

1. Embedded Clients - tailored IM client for every specific device with a special backend server installed within the cellular operators service.

2. Clientless Platform - a browser based application without downloading any software to the handset or need for any technical support by the cellular operator which enables all users, all devices and from any network to connect to their Internet IM service.

OBJECT OF INVENTION

Currently users of IM are constrained from using the messengers on their handsets or mobile handsets without an embedded application therein. The objective of the present invention is to remove this constraint by first providing access to IMs without any mobile application, and secondly, the users are not required to have any higher end mobile handsets with the embedded application to access the services of the IMs from his mobile handset which further eliminates the requirement of a particular size of mobile screens for various IMs.

Another constraint for the users to use IMs is the availability of internet connection from their mobile handsets. This internet connection can be in any form like GPRS/3G/Edge/Web/WiFi. These connections come with a specific amount of charges to the users. Another objective of the present invention is to eradicate this issue for the users to more freely use IM without such technologies, particularly those requiring internet connections. The connections of the present invention simply ride on signaling channel to the end user which is readily available with any working mobile connection.

Furthermore, the present invention allows a user use IM while on move even while roaming out of the home network location without paying any roaming charges as it is freely available as a part of network available for the user.

Additionally, the present invention achieves to reach to any IM contact directly in one go. A user is not required to follow logging in procedures to reach to his particular contacts. The present invention provides a unique id to each contact of each messenger and helps the user to reach to each of the contacts directly.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

To overcome the limitations that will become apparent upon reading and understanding the present specification, the present invention discloses a system for providing Instant Messaging services using USSD as an enabler. Whenever an IM subscriber wishes to initiate communication, the subscriber makes a USSD call which is routed through the mobile network operator of the user to a particular USSD Service-code which is directed towards IM over USSD platform, using any of standard protocols like SMPP/ HTTP/DB etc. IM over USSD Platform provides initial menu to the user giving various options to login / register / chat etc. depending on the subscriber state in its internal Authentication, Authorization and Accounting (AAA) engine. Simultaneously, IM over USSD Platform initiates IM sessions with third party IM servers for each user using open-standard APIs and bridges this IM session and USSD session. IM over USSD platform retrieves user's friend list and presents it to end-user over USSD in a menu assigning a unique-id to each friend for chat session. End-user may reply / answer with friend's user-id to send text message to friend or initiate another USSD session by suffixing a code or set of codes, which as an illustration could be *user-id to USSD service-code, and start chatting. Replies to logged-in user is sent through SMS / Network-initiated USSD Request or logged into user's inbox depending on user's preference.

The present system thus eliminates the necessity to have an embedded application or internet connectivity for instant messaging

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG 1 shows the network architecture of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG 2 shows the initial steps to login into the Instant Messenger service using the instant messenger platform.

FIG 3 shows the receiving path of messages by the present invention.

FIG 4 shows the user registration and user login path

FIG 5 shows preferred applications of the present invention

FlG 6 shows another path for user login using password and auto saving user's account password.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention uses Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) as an enabler to provide the Instant Messaging (IM) services on all GSM handsets.

USSD is a feature available only in GSM networks today, although it may be provided in other networks at a later date, or other networks may use a similar protocol. With USSD support, subscribers have the opportunity to immediately experience the benefits of the Instant Messaging without the cost of GPRS / IP Connectivity.

USSD is a session-oriented protocol suited for interactive, menu-driven sessions. In operation, USSD is used to send text between the handset and a USSD application located somewhere in the network. USSD, unlike the store and forward nature of SMS (Small Message Services), is session-oriented. When a user accesses a USSD application, an end-to-end session is established that remains open over the radio connection until the user terminates the application. This facilitates real-time interactive communication. The primary benefit of USSD is that it allows for very fast communication between the user and an application. The key features that make USSD attractive as a message bearer are ease of subscriber use, interactive communication and speed of messaging. USSD is a faster and better way for interactive transactions and call-related messaging as compared to SMS.

Existing Instant Messaging facilities are available only on IP/GPRS enabled handsets. As per the existing technologies, in order to communicate with online friends (logged in through popular IM service providers like Gtalk, Yahoo messenger, or any other IP-based instant messenger), a person is required to have GPRS connectivity or some other means of internet connectivity and a mobile.handset with the necessary embedded application.

Present invention addresses this issue by providing IM services to GSM subscriber (GPRS enabled on non-GPRS) using USSD.

IM over USSD Platform could be either strictly coupled to USSD Gateway using proprietary protocols / OS IPC (Operating System Inter-Process Communication) mechanisms or could be loosely tied-up using any of standard protocols over IP. IM Application Platform is responsible for complete IM application with its inbuilt intelligence and functionality. This platform interfaces with all the external Instant Messengers of the world and bring back the complete functionally of instant messaging over mobile through USSD. The telecom operator's USSD gateway is responsible to take all the requests (Network Initiated USSD requests or Mobile originated USSD request) through a USSD short code. This integrates with GMSC HLR and further to the IM application setup to coordinate the requests from the users and the system using the USSD platform. The SMS gateway of the system will be integrated between the telecom operator's SMSC and IM application platform to support the delivery of IM through the SMS channel. On the other hand telecom operator's SMSC will support the systems SMS gateway to forward / deliver MT messages to the receiving party.

FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of a network architecture of the present invention. Whenever an IM subscriber wishes to initiate communication, the subscriber makes a USSD call which is routed through the mobile network operator of the user to a particular USSD Service- code which is directed towards IM over USSD platform using any of standard protocols like SMPP/ HTTP/DB etc. IM over USSD Platform provides initial menu to the user giving various options to login / register / chat etc. depending on the subscriber state in its internal Authentication, Authorization and Accounting (AAA) engine. Simultaneously, IM over USSD Watform initiates IM sessions with third party IM servers for each user using open-standard APIs and bridges this IM session and USSD session. IM over USSD platform retrieves user's friend list and presents it to end-user over USSD in a menu assigning a unique-id to each friend for chat session. End-user may reply / answer with friend's user-id to send text message to friend or initiate another USSD session by suffixing a code or set of codes, as an illustration like *user-id to USSD service-code, and start chatting. Replies to logged-in user is sent through SMS / Network-initiated USSD Request or logged into user's inbox depending on user's preference. Figure 2 describes the initial steps to login into the IM service. The system described herein is intelligent enough to segregate the subscribed users and continue the service. Unregistered users are guided to register for the service.

Registered users have the option of logging into an IP based instant messenger like GTaIk / Yahoo messenger, while the user would be automatically logged into the chat room of the operator once he dials the code to activate IM over USSD. In a preferred option, the user will have to provide the password if the option of save password is not chosen. This option can be activated through changing the settings provided to the user. The logged in user would be able to view the entire online friends list in each of the IM. The user also has an option to invite the user's friends on chat room of the operator while the user is online.

The various functions are to be performed in the following manner- Registration to IM Platform

• a. User dials USSD Service-code allocated for IM services. b. HLR forwards user dialed string and MSISDN to USSD Gateway over MAP as "Process_Unstructured_SS_Request". c. USSD Gateway forwards the request to IM platform. d. IM platform queries its Registration DB for subscriber MSISDN and sends the menu accordingly. e. A new user gets registration option. User can register for only IM service or for GTaIk, Yahoo messenger or any other IP-based instant messenger etc. f. User provides user-id in the user's IP-based instant messenger during registration time. g. Once the user pays for the service, he is automatically registered to the service through his Mobile Number as his identity. h. The user will remain registered if the user is not subscribed to the service due to any reason, primary being low balance or non-payment of the service for particular amount of grace period and is reactivated automatically when the user subscribes to the service again.

Login to any desired IP-based instant messenger account a. User dials USSD Service-code, gets main menu and selects option of login to the instant messenger account. b. User provides Password. c. IM Platform initiates IM session by logging in the user to respective IM server d. IM server patches USSD and IM session. Viewing friend list on the instant messenger a. End-user selects option to view friends list. b. IM platform fetches friends-list from IM server. c. IM platform formats friends-list to assign a unique-id to each friend. d. IM platform sends friends-list as menu via USSD Gateway to end-user Send message to a friend or contact on the user's instant messenger a. After receiving friends-list, user answers with friend-id (menu-option) as input. b. IM Platforms reverts to user to enter message. c. User enters message up to 160 octets and sends command. d. IM platform send the message to respective IM server using API (application programming interface) functions.

Send message to other IM user a. After receiving friends-list, user answers with friend-id (menu-option) as input. b. IM Platforms reverts to user to enter message. c. User enters up to 160 octets and sends command. d. IM platform routes message as per recipient's settings (either as SMS or USSD Push, or, in the alternative, messages gets stored in the recipient's inbox and is visible when the recipient logs in to check inbox.

View Inbox a. User dials USSD Service-code, receives menu and selects option to view inbox. b. IM Platform receives request and retrieves all unread incoming messages for this user from its database. c. IM platform sends list of messages as menu to end-user. Send message to friend using direct USSD code a. User dials in USSD service-code followed-by a '*' and user-id, followed by a '*" and message.

^■ b. IM platform send the message to respective IM server using API functions. Receive reply a. User has logged-in to some IM through IM platform and some friend sends a message to user. b. User receives message through 3 options as per his settings c. Option 1: User receives reply through SMS d. Option 2: User receives reply through NI-USSD Request e. Option 3: Reply gets stored in user's inbox and user can read it as and when he/she logs in.

Claims

We Claim:

1. A method and system for implementing instant messaging in a mobile handset device using Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD), comprising:

a. dialing a designated USSD service code by the user; b. logging into the user's account with a IP-based instant messenger service; c. platform of instant messenger service provider initiates instant messenger session by signing in the respective user to the server of the instant messenger service provider ; d. Platform of the instant messenger patching USSD session with the instant messenger session; e. viewing of IM contact list of the user's particular IM account on the mobile handset device; f. sending message in real-time to selected contact(s) up to 160/182 ASCII characters octets in length by the user, g. receiving reply from the recipient by the user in real-time; and h. viewing of unread incoming messages in the user's account inbox i. Allowing a Mobile user to be always online through his mobile by selecting to save his password in an auto online mode.

2. The method and system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mobile handsel device comprises GSM mobile units that have not been programmed to suppon internet access from the mobile handset device.

3. The method and system as claimed in claim 1, wherein dialing a USSD service code of the platform of instant messenger further comprises of: a. HLR forwarding the user dialed string and MSISDN to USSD gateway ovei MAP as Process_Unstructured_SS_Request; b. USSD gateway forwarding the request to instant messenger platform; c. instant messenger platform queries its registration data base foi subscriber MSISDN and sends the menu accordingly.

4. The methods and systems as claimed in either claim 1 or claim 3, wherein a firsi time user is prompted for registration of the user to the instant messengei platform prior to first login upon dialing a USSD service code of the platform o instant messenger.

5. The method and system as claimed in claim 1, wherein logging into a user': account with a IP-based instant messenger service is password protectec enabling the instant messaging platform to initiate instant messaging session.

6. The method and system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the contact list of the user is formatted by the instant messenger platform to assign a unique identity to each contact of the user.

7. The method and system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the contact list of th« user is sent by the instant messenger platform as a menu via USSD gateway tc the user.

8. The method and system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the message sent by the user to selected contact(s) up to 160 octets/182 ASCII characters in length is sent by instant messenger platform to the respective instant messenger server using application programming interface (API) functions.

9. The method and system as claimed in claim 1, wherein instant messenger platform receives request and retrieves all unread messages of the user from its database.

10. The method and system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the instant messenger platform routes the message from the user to the recipient as per the recipient's settings and messaging configuration, either as:

• A short messaging service (sms), or

• USSD push, or

• Messages get stored in recipient's inbox which can be viewed when the user logs in to its account.

11. The method and system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the instant messenger platform displays the message received by the user either as:

• A short messaging service (sms), or

• Network Initiated-USSD request, or

• Messages get stored in recipient's inbox when the user is not logged in, which can be viewed when the user logs in to its account.

12. The method and system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the instant messenger platform allows sending message using a direct USSD code by typing in an additional code or set of codes with the message.