WO2011110520A1

WO2011110520A1 - A memory device and a method and system for the routing of a message between different communication networks

Info

Publication number: WO2011110520A1
Application number: PCT/EP2011/053379
Authority: WO
Inventors: Thorsten Trapp
Original assignee: Tyntec Ltd.
Priority date: 2010-03-08
Filing date: 2011-03-07
Publication date: 2011-09-15
Also published as: GB2478525A; SE1251138A1; DE112011100837B4; GB2490284B; GB201003740D0; DE112011100837T5; GB2490284A; GB201214145D0

Abstract

A memory device 100 is disclosed which comprises a first memory location 110 with a plurality of country-specific communications data and feedable from country-specific databases CDB-1 and CDB-2. The memory device 100 further includes a second memory location 120 with a plurality of operator-specific communications data and feedable from communications providers is disclosed. A method and system for routing a message between different ones of communications networks are also disclosed.

Description

Title:

MEMORY DEVICE AND A METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR THE ROUTING OF A MESSAGE BETWEEN DIFFERENT COMMUNICATION NETWORKS

Cross-Reference to Related Applications

[0001] This application claims benefit to and priority of UK Patent Application No GB 1003740.6 filed on 8 March 2010. Field of the Invention

[0002] The field of the invention relates to a memory device as well as a method and system for routing a message from a first communications network to a second communications network.

Background of the Invention

[0003] Communication networks have been widely deployed in the past few year and allow virtually ubiquitous access as well as offering a wide range of services. Different types of communication networks exist from a traditional public switched telephone network (PSTN) using an SS7 protocol to an IP -based network. These communications networks are managed by a network operator or a communication provider offering access and communication capabilities to a service subscriber. The service subscriber can use one or more of the communications networks to send a communications message, including voice call, SMS, MMS, instant message, or voice over IP message.

[0004] The network operators have implemented databases that store details about the service subscribers connected to the communications network and other data. One example of such a database is the Home Location Register (HLR) of mobile network operators. When the service subscriber buys a subscription from the mobile telecommunications operator, the service subscriber will be registered in the HLR of that mobile telecommunications operator.

[0005] It is possible for the service subscriber to change their subscription and thus its home network from a first network operator OPl to a second network operator OP2. A Number Portability service allows the service subscriber to keep his old telephone number when changing from the first network operator, referred to as "donor" operator, to the second operator (called the "recipient" operator). This service is called land number portability for fixed networks and mobile number portability for mobile networks. For example in the field of mobile telecommunications, in some countries, more than 25% of all of the telephone numbers (technically called MSISDN -Mobile Station Integrated Services Digital Network) are "ported" using the mobile number portability service.

[0006] The telephone number was previously used to determine the home communications network of the service subscriber in a unique way based on the knowledge of the structure of his/her telephone number. In fixed communications networks, the telephone numbers were assigned to various network operators in block. In mobile communications network, a network operator prefix (termed "national destination code" in the GSM protocol or "number planning area" in the North American PCS 1900 protocol) was previously used to determine the home communications network of the service subscriber in a unique way based on the knowledge of his/her telephone number, since the network operator prefix would only issue the MSISDN with its network prefix. For example, in Germany, the network operator prefix 0172 is allocated to Vodafone Germany.

[0007] Whenever the number portability service is available, knowing the telephone number or the MSISDN of the service subscriber is not enough to know to which home network the service subscriber belongs. One issue associated with the number portability services is routing of the communications message to the correct communications network of a message once the telephone number has been ported.

[0008] A number of different solutions have been implemented in the prior art to achieve the correct routing of the communications messages, such as but not limited to voice calls and SMS messages.

[0009] One solution which has been widely adopted is the use of a central database for the ported numbers. The central database comprises all information related to the ported numbers in a country or a region. An example of the central database is the Number Portability Administration Centre (www.npac.com), which is the main central database maintained in North America by the company NeuStar for the US numbering plan. Whenever the service subscriber ports the mobile number from one mobile telecommunications operator to another of the mobile telecommunications operator, the central database is updated with amended details. The change (update) is also distributed to the service providers and the network operators of the mobile telecommunications networks. The amended details may be downloaded to update routing information to their own local databases.

[0010] The network operator needing to route the voice call or the SMS message may either check the central database to obtain the relevant routing information or access their own local database.

[0011] The patent publication CA 2 232 772 teaches a system for number portability in a network environment comprising local exchange carriers and interexchange carriers. The local exchange carriers are provided access with a local database. The interexchange carriers are provided with a national database. The local database comprises a listing of all numbers for a given local region, and the national database comprises a listing of all numbers for the nation. Either the local database or the national database are accessed depending on the nature of the call (local or toll).

[0012] Another example of a method and system providing central database is described in the patent publication US 5,764,745. This patent publication describes a method and apparatus for providing service provider portability, location portability and service portability. A subscriber is assigned a non-geographical number. The non-geographical numbers are managed on a centralized basis, wherein a central database is provided that contains the relevant redirection data associated with the non- geographical numbers.

[0013] The patent publication US 7,623,533 describes another system and method for effecting the porting of local telephone numbers from one service provider to another service provider. A number portability administration centre and service management system is disclosed. The service management system receives and stores updated customer routing information. The service management system is accessed by service providers in order to determine routing information associated with a given number.

[0014] In some countries, such as the UK, there is no central database. The network operator needing to route the communications message may query a database of the donor operator. The database of the donor operator stores the information that the telephone number has been ported and to which ones of the network operators.

[0015] Suppose now that another user on an originating network wishes to make the voice call to the mobile station for which the telephone number (MSISDN) has been ported from the donor operator to another mobile telecommunications network. The voice call could be first routed to the donor operator. The donor operator checks a mapping database and determines that the MSISDN has been ported. There are two options. In a first option, the donor operator provides new redirection data (also termed routing information) back to the network operator of the originating network. The network operator of the originating network uses this new routing information to forward the voice call to a second network operator to which the MSISDN associated with the service subscriber has been ported. In a second option the donor operator routes itself the voice call to said second network operator. No central database is consulted. The voice call could be alternately routed by the originating network having access to the new redirection data of the called party to enable direct termination.

[0016] The patent publications WO 99/11087 and WO 97/47153 both describe a method and system for providing number portability. Each provider has a database of ported numbers. No central database is consulted.

[0017] The choice of the central database or of a plurality of local mapping databases managed by one or more network operators depends on a number of factors, including costs and efficiency. Having different mapping services for each communications network may allow for a quicker access.

[0018] On the other hand having the central database may allow for a substantial simultaneous availability of details on the number portability services to all of the mobile telecommunications operators and any other parties involved.

[0019] One issue affecting the reliability of the routing of the communications messages to the ported number is a requirement to accurately update all of the details and other parameters to the central database. [0020] A further issue is quality of service (QoS). Depending on architecture of the communications networks, the originating operator wishing to route the communications message may have access to the central database or will have to query multiple ones of the mapping databases of the different communications networks until the originating operator eventually finds the right routing information.

[0021] It is known that the service subscribers are becoming more demanding. In particular, the time taken to connect the voice call, the number of failed voice calls and prices are parameters to be taken into account when subscribing to the network operator.

[0022] These issues are also present in an international environment, wherein some countries have implemented central number portability databases whereas in other countries the network operators use their own local databases.

Summary of the Invention

[0023] A memory device is disclosed. The memory device comprises a first memory location with a plurality of country- specific communications data and which is feedable from country- specific databases The memory device also has a second memory location with a plurality of operator- specific communications data and feedable from communications providers.

[0024] By providing such a memory device with the first memory location and the second memory location, the retrieval of routing information or redirection data is facilitated for the ported numbers. Relevant data are organised in a single memory location, contrary to the databases of the prior art which are organised locally and nationally. This is interesting in an international environment, since different solutions for tracking the number portability are implemented. A query to the single memory device may be made instead of a plurality of different queries to either country specific databases or to individual databases owned by network operators, communication providers or other database providers.

[0025] The memory device in one aspect of the invention further comprises a third memory location connectable to individual ones of the communications providers for receiving individual communications data on request. In cases where the routing information can not be found pre- stored in the first memory location or the second memory location, a third memory location connectable to the individual communications providers may thereby obtain the latest routing information from the individual communication provider or network operator [0026] It is contemplated that the first and second memory locations are updated on a regular basis, such as but not limited to a daily basis. This updating period should be sufficient ensure the accuracy of data, as users do not change their communication providers very often.

[0027] The memory device in an aspect of the invention further comprises a query engine for accepting a communications query request and returning redirection communications data.

[0028] In a further aspect of the invention, the memory device comprises a cache memory for temporarily storing a subset of redirection data, a memory connection between the cache memory and at least one of the plurality of first memory locations, second memory locations, wherein the connection enables the retrieval of redirection data and a retrieval connection for supplying a requesting station with the redirection data.

[0029] The cache memory may serve as a fast access memory. The most recent redirection data associated to the latest query requests are stored. The cache memory typically stores the redirection data for a configurable period of time.

[0030] A method for routing a message between different ones of communications networks is disclosed. The method comprises extracting from the message an initial destination identifier, passing the initial destination identifier to a query engine; interrogating a memory device having a plurality of communications data from a plurality of communications networks from different countries, returning a redirection identifier if a match is found in the memory device with the initial destination identifier, routing the message using the returned redirection identifier or, if no match found, using the initial destination identifier. [0031] The method therefore enables the interrogation of a memory device where communication data from a plurality of communications networks from different countries are stored. Whenever a message is to be routed, the redirection data, may be found within one memory location. There is no need to interrogate either the different network operators, possibly in different countries, or the country specific databases for the redirection data. [0032] The method in one aspect further comprises interrogating a operator- specific database if no match is found in the memory device with the initial destination identifier and returning the redirection identifier from the operator- specific database.

[0033] It will be understood that the term "operator- specific database" encompasses individual databases which may be fed by network operators or communication providers. The communications provider include communication provider of communication over fixed networks, mobile networks, as well as alternative communications providers like VOIP networks.

[0034] The method in a further aspect therefore contemplates first interrogating the memory device to obtain the redirection data, and only if no match is found interrogating the operator specific database. A faster response to a query request is expected, whilst having a good accuracy of redirection data.

[0035] The method in a further aspect comprises storing a correlation between the initial destination identifier and the returned redirection identifier in the memory device. [0036] The method in yet another aspect further comprises storing a correlation between the destination identifier and the redirection identifier in a fast- access memory. The fast access memory may store the latest queries, keeping the fast-access memory up-to-date with the latest redirection identifiers. [0037] A system for routing a message between different ones of communications networks is disclosed. The system comprises: a requesting station for passing a message to a destination station using a destination identifier; a query engine for interrogating a memory device as taught in this disclosure to determine a redirection identifier and a connection device for passing the message to a destination station using the redirection identifier.

[0038] The message may be one of an SMS, MMS, voice call, VoIP call, or instant message. Description of the Figures Fig. 1 shows a networks deployment in an international environment Fig. 2 shows a system according to the invention.

Fig. 3 shows a workflow of a method according to the invention.

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0039] For a complete understanding of what is taught and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the Figures.

[0040] It should be appreciated that the various aspects of the disclosed memory device, method and system for routing of a message discussed herein are merely illustrative of the specific ways to make and use of the method and system for the ticketing of the goods and services and do not therefore limit the scope of what is disclosed when taken into consideration with the claims and the following detailed description. It will also be appreciated that features from one embodiment of the disclosed system and method may be combined with features from another embodiment of the disclosed method and system.

[0041] Figure 1 shows a network deployment in an international environment 1 wherein the teachings of the present disclosure may be used. [0042] A first plurality of network operators is deployed in a first country. The network operators OPl-1, OP 1-2, OP 1-3 each have their own local database, which are shown respectively as DBl-1, DBl-2, DBl-3. The network operators OP 1-1, OP 1-2, OP 1-3, may be located for example in the United Kingdom. As noted above, there is no central database in the United Kingdom for sharing information relating to mobile number portability. It should be noted that the example of the United Kingdom is merely exemplary and the application of the teachings of the disclosure is not limited to the United Kingdom.

[0043] A second plurality of network operators is deployed in another country. The network operators OP2-1 and OP2-2 may operate communications networks deployed in another country, for example Belgium. The network operators OP2- 1 and OP2-2 each have their own local database, which are show respectively as DB2-1, DB2-2. These network operators may share routing information of ported numbers in a first country- specific database CDB1. Each one of the network operators OP2- 1 and OP2-2 has a local copy of the central database in its own local database. On a regular basis a change - for example the porting of an MSISDN - is effected in the central database CDB1, an upload of the new and/or amended entries is performed to keep the own local databases up to date.

[0044] A third plurality of network operators is deployed in yet another country. The network operators OP3-1, OP3-2, OP3-3 each have their own database, which are shown respectively as DB3-1, DB3-2, DB3-3. The network operators OP3-1, OP3-2, OP3-3 may be located for example in Germany. These operators may share routing information of ported numbers in a second country-specific database CDB2. Each one of the network operators OP3-1, OP3-2, OP3-3 has a local copy of the central database in its own local database.

[0045] It should be noted that the examples of the United Kingdom, Belgium and Germany are merely exemplary and the application of the teachings of the disclosure is not limited to these countries.

[0046] The international networks environment 1 is shown in Fig. 1 with three countries and a maximum of three network operators per country, for the sake of simplicity only. The number of countries and of network operators in each country is not limited thereto.

[0047] A system according to the invention that can be used for the routing within the international networks environment 1 is shown on figure 2. The system comprises a requesting station 20 for passing a message 10 to a destination station 25 using a destination identifier 1005; a query engine 30 for interrogating a memory device 100 to determine a redirection identifier; a connection device 40 for passing the message 10 to a destination station 25 using the redirection identifier.

[0048] The memory device 100 comprises a first memory location 110 with a plurality of country- specific communications data and feedable from the country- specific databases. The memory device 100 comprises a second memory location 120 with a plurality of operator- specific communications data and feedable from communications providers.

[0049] In the example of the communications networks deployment in the international environment 1, the first memory location 110 is feedable with redirection data from country specific databases CDB1 and CDB2, whilst the second memory location 120 is feedable with data from the different operator- specific databases DBl-1, DB1-2, DB1-3 of the respective operators OPl-1, OP1-2 and OP1-3. The second location memory 120 could also be feedable from the different operator- specific databases DB2-1, DB2-2 and DB3-1, DB3-2 and DB3-3 respectively, even if the two country- specific databases CDBl and CDB2 exist with redirection data already fed to the first memory location 110.

[0050] The memory device 100 further comprises a third memory location 130 connectable to individual ones of the network operators for receiving individual communications data and/or redirection data on request.

[0051] The memory device 100 further comprises a cache memory 140 for temporarily storing a subset of redirection data 1010; a memory connection 150 between the cache memory 140 and at least one of the plurality of first memory locations 110, second memory locations 120 and third memory location 130, wherein the connection 150 enables the retrieval of the redirection data 1010.

[0052] The memory device 100 comprises a retrieval connection 160 for supplying the requesting station 20 with the redirection data 1010.

[0053] Fig. 3 shows a workflow of a method for routing a communications message 10 between different ones of communications networks according to the invention.

[0054] At step SI, the requesting station receives the message 10 to be passed to a recipient. The message comprises an initial destination identifier 1005 which is extracted by the requesting station 20.

[0055] The requesting station 20 passes the initial destination identifier 1005 to the query engine 30 at step S2.

[0056] The query engine 30 sends a query request to the memory device 100 (step S3). The memory device 100 has a plurality of communications data from the plurality of communications networks from different countries. This communications data includes redirection data but may include without limitation further data. In particular the memory device 100 comprises communication data from the country- specific databases CDBl and CDB2, in a first memory location, and communication data from the operator- specific databases DBl-1, DB1-2 and DB1-3.

[0057] If a match is found in the memory device 100 with the initial destination identifier 1005, a redirection identifier 1010 is returned by the query engine 30 to the requesting station 20 at step S4. The match can be found in either one of the cache memory 140, the first memory location 110 or the second memory locations 120.

[0058] If no match is found in the memory device 100 with the initial destination identifier, the query engine 30 sends the query request directly to the operator- specific databases DB1- 1,..., DB3-3 to which the initial destination identifier 1005 belongs, at step S5. The operator- specific database identified by the initial destination identifier 1005, e.g. operator- specific database DB1-2, returns the redirection identifier 1010, at step S6. [0059] The correlation between the initial destination identifier 1005 and the returned redirection identifier 1010 is stored in the third memory location 130 of the memory device 100.

[0060] The correlation between the destination identifier 1005 and the redirection identifier 1010 is also stored in the cache memory 140, which is a fast-access memory.

[0061] The requesting station 20 routes the message using the returned redirection identifier 1010 or, if no match found, using the initial destination identifier 1005, at step S8. [0062] The routing method is transparent to the user.

[0063] This routing method and system allows a flexibility in the choice of the routing depending on a user requirements. A compromise may be made between the quality of service and the desired response time for connecting.

[0064] The routing system is therefore configured to determine the user requirements. The user requirements may be inputted by the service providers. The user requirements may be modified over time. The user requirements may also differ between different initial destination identifiers (1005). [0065] The routing system is further configured to choose the most adapted query method based on the determination of the user's preferences, as described below. The query engine is configured for interrogating at least one of the first memory location (110), the second memory location (120), the cache memory (140) or the third memory locations (130) based on said user requirement.

[0066] For example, a first user may wish to have a fast routing response with a good accuracy of the redirection data. The routing system may therefore query the first memory locations 110 and the second memory locations 120 and obtain the routing response with the redirection identifier 1010 very quickly.

[0067] On the other hand, a second user may wish to have a 100% accuracy of the redirection data, irrespective of the response time needed to get the relevant information. In this particular case, the system may be configured to query directly the individual network- specific databases, thereby obtaining the most actual redirection data

[0068] The above description of the illustrated embodiments of the invention is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Whilst specific embodiments of, and examples for, the invention are described herein for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the invention as those skilled in the relevant art will recognise. Accordingly it is not intended that the scope of the invention in any way be limited by the above description, but instead be determined entirely by reference to the claims.

List of reference numbers:

(First) operators first country OPl-1, OP1-2, OP1-3

Databases of (first operators) DBl-l, DBl-2, DB 1-3

(Second) operators second country OP2-1 and OP2-2

Databases of (second) operators DB2-1, DB2-2

Central database CDB1

(Third) operators third country OP3-1, OP3-2, OP3-3

Database of (third) operators DB3-1, DB3-2, DB3-3

Central database CDB2

10 message

20 requesting station

25 destination station

30 query engine

40 connection device

100 memory device

110 1 ^st memory location

120 2^nd memory location

130 3^rd memory location

140 cache memory

150 memory connection

160 retrieval connection

1005 initial destination identifier

1010 redirection data

Claims

A memory device (100) comprising:

a first memory location (110) with a plurality of country- specific communications data and feedable from country- specific databases (CDB-1, CDB-2);

a second memory location (120) with a plurality of operator- specific communications data and feedable from communications providers (DB l-1, DB1-2, DB1-3).

The memory device of claim 1, further comprising:

a third memory location (130) connectable to individual ones of the communications providers for receiving individual communications data on request.

The memory device of claim 1 or 2, further comprising:

- a query engine (30) for accepting a communications query request and returning redirection data (1010)

The memory device of claim 1 to 3, further comprising:

a cache memory (140) for temporarily storing a subset of redirection data (1010)

a memory connection (150) between the cache memory (140) and at least one of the plurality of first memory locations (110), second memory locations (120), wherein the connection enables the retrieval of redirection data (1010); a retrieval connection (160) for supplying a requesting station (20) with the redirection data.

The memory device of claims 1 to 4, wherein the query engine is configured for interrogating at least one of the first memory location (110), the second memory location (120), the cache memory (140) or the third memory locations (130).

6. The memory device of claim 4, wherein the query engine is configured for determining a user requirement, and wherein the query engine is configured for interrogating at least one of the first memory location (110), the second memory location (120), the cache memory (140) or the third memory locations (130) based on said user requirement.

7. A method for routing a message between different ones of communications networks comprising:

extracting from the message (10) an initial destination identifier (1005);

passing the initial destination identifier (1005) to a query engine (30) interrogating a memory device (100) having a plurality of communications data from a plurality of communications networks from different countries; returning a redirection identifier (1010) if a match is found in the memory device with the initial destination identifier

routing the message using the returned redirection identifier (1010) or, if no match found, using the initial destination identifier (1005).

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising interrogating a operator- specific database (DBl-1, DB1-2, DB1-3) if no match is found in the memory device (100) with the initial destination identifier and returning the redirection identifier from the operator- specific database.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising storing a correlation between the initial destination identifier (1005) and the returned redirection identifier (1010) in the memory device (100).

10. The method of any one of claims 7 to 9, further comprising storing a correlation between the destination identifier (1005) and the redirection identifier (1010) in a fast-access memory (1040).

11. The method of any one of claims 7 to 10, further comprising:

determining a user requirement, and

based on said user requirement, interrogating at least one of the memory device (100) or of a operator- specific database (DBl-1, DB1-2, DB1-3)

12. A system comprising:

a requesting station (20) for passing a message to a destination station (25) using a destination identifier (1005);

a query engine (30) for interrogating a memory device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 5 to determine a redirection identifier (1010);

a connection device (160) for passing the message to a destination station using the redirection identifier.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the message (10) is one of an SMS, MMS, voice call or instant message.