WO2016071787A1

WO2016071787A1 - Method and system for providing customized sender related information to recipient in telecommunication network

Info

Publication number: WO2016071787A1
Application number: PCT/IB2015/057988
Authority: WO
Inventors: Manish Kumar Jain; Arun Rabra
Original assignee: Comviva Technologies Limited
Priority date: 2014-11-03
Filing date: 2015-10-17
Publication date: 2016-05-12
Also published as: ZA201508088B

Abstract

The present invention enables a message sender to control transmission and display of customized sender related information to a recipient irrespective of whether the recipient has stored the number of the sender in an address book. In a further embodiment, the present invention enables the sender to control transmission and displaying of sender related information at the receiving terminal in such a manner that for different recipients different sender related information can be sent and displayed. The present invention further enables for the sender to control transmission and displaying of sender related information for a particular recipient based on one more parameters such as time zone of the sender, time zone of the recipient, geographical location of the sender, geographical location of the recipient, gender of the recipient, age of the recipient, etc.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION:

The present invention relates to methods and system for communicating customized sender related information to a recipient while delivering a message in a telecommunication network.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:

In today's world, sending of messages including text messages and multimedia messages has become as popular or more popular than making voice calls in many mobile (or wireless) networks. One example of text messaging is Short Message Service (SMS), which is a set of communication protocols allowing the exchange of short text messages (i.e., 160 characters or less) between devices. While text messages are adapted to carry 160 characters, the concept of sending messages including multimedia content such as images, video, sound content, etc. are also very prevalent. The multimedia messages may be sent using Multimedia Message Service (MMS) protocol.

To send an SMS message, for example, the sender enters text into his/her end user device, and the device encodes the text into an SMS message. The sender's device then sends the SMS message to a serving element in the network (e.g., a Mobile Switching Center (MSC)) through the appropriate signaling protocol. The serving element then forwards the SMS message to an SMS Center (SMSC) where the message is stored and queued for delivery to its intended recipient.

With the advent of caller ID facility, the recipient of a message is able to track a sender's contact number. Currently, the mobile number is sent by the telecommunication network to a recipient and a in case the received number is associated with a name and stored in stored in the address book of the recipient, the name as stored in the address book is displayed on the receiving terminal. Alternatively, the number as received from the telecommunication network is displayed.

Such facility aids instant identification of the sender by the recipient only in case the recipient is acquainted with the sender's contact number, and more so when the contact number of the sender is stored as an address book name. As a result, the chances of the message being read and responded by the recipient are quite favourable in such scenarios. However, in case of unfamiliar contact numbers displayed to the recipient during the delivery of a message, many a times the recipient feels disinclined to read and respond to "pesky caller" menace. Such dis-inclination is more observed during odd hours, especially between 8 PM and 8 AM, when the phone users are generally confined to privacy. As a result, many a times the recipient tends to ignore messages sent by acquaintances, especially if the contact number of such acquaintance is not stored in the address book of the recipient's receiving device. Accordingly, there has been a long felt need to enable methods for providing customized sender related information for messages including text messages, multimedia messages and other types of messages.

Yet, another need of the hour is to instantiate the existing telecommunication network with the aforesaid facility, without performing any significant upgradation/changes to the network nodes (MSC/IN/HLR/SCP/SMSC).

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION:

Thus, it is an object of the present invention to enable a sender of a message to enable displaying of a customized sender related information at the end of the recipient, irrespective of the address book contents of the recipient.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:

The present invention discloses a method and system for enabling a message sender to control transmission and display of sender related information at the receiving terminal. Particularly, the present invention enables the message sender to control transmission and display of customized sender related information to the recipient irrespective of whether the recipient has stored the number of the sender in an address book. In a further embodiment, the present invention enables the sender to control transmission and displaying of sender related information at the receiving terminal in such a manner that for different recipients different sender related information can be sent and displayed. The present invention further enables for the sender to control transmission and displaying of sender related information for a particular recipient based on one more parameters such as time zone of the sender, time zone of the recipient, geographical location of the sender, geographical location of the recipient, gender of the recipient, age of the recipient, etc.

To further clarify advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which is illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying drawings. Brief Description of Figures:

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 shows a flow chart of a first process as performed by a designated network node for providing customized sender related information to a recipient while delivering a message in a telecommunication network;

Figure 2 shows a block diagram of a designated network node that performs the process illustrated in figure 1;

Figure 3 shows a flow chart of a second process as performed by a designated network node for providing customized sender related information to a recipient while delivering a message in a telecommunication network;

Figure 4 shows a block diagram of a designated network node that performs the process illustrated in figure 3;

Figure 5 shows a flow chart of a first process as performed by a mobile telecommunication network element for providing customized sender related information to a recipient while delivering a message in a telecommunication network;

Figure 6 shows a block diagram of a mobile telecommunication network element that performs the process illustrated in figure 5;

Figure 7 shows a flow chart of a second process as performed by a mobile telecommunication network element for providing customized sender related information to a recipient while delivering a message in a telecommunication network;

Figure 8 shows a block diagram of a mobile telecommunication network element that performs the process illustrated in figure 7;

Figure 9 shows a detailed construction of the a device as illustrated in any of figures 2, 4, 6 or 8;

Figure 10 shows a system cum process flow chart of a first process as performed in a mobile telecommunication network for providing customized sender related information to a recipient while delivering a message in a telecommunication network;

Figure 11 shows a system cum process flow chart of a second process as performed in a mobile telecommunication network for providing customized sender related information to a recipient while delivering a message in a telecommunication network; Figure 12 shows a system cum process flow chart of a third process as performed in a mobile telecommunication network for providing customized sender related information to a recipient while delivering a message in a telecommunication network; and

Figure 13 shows a system cum process flow chart of a forth process as performed in a mobile telecommunication network for providing customized sender related information to a recipient while delivering a message in a telecommunication network.

Further, skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and may not represent all the elements which may be included in the system / method. For example, the flow charts illustrate the method in terms of the most prominent steps involved to help to improve understanding of aspects of the present invention. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the drawings by conventional symbols, and the drawings may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the drawings with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of the description herein.

Detailed Description:

For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory of the invention and are not intended to be restrictive thereof.

Reference throughout this specification to "an aspect", "another aspect" or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrase "in an embodiment", "in another embodiment" and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment. The terms "comprises", "comprising", or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process or method that comprises a list of steps does not include only those steps but may include other steps not expressly listed or inherent to such process or method. Similarly, one or more devices or sub-systems or elements or structures or components proceeded by "comprises... a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other devices or other sub-systems or other elements or other structures or other components or additional devices or additional sub-systems or additional elements or additional structures or additional components.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Now referring to figure, there is provided a method (100) for providing a customized sender related information to a recipient while delivering a message in a telecommunication network, the method comprising:

receiving (102), by a designated node, a first data stream comprising an outgoing message, a first sender related information and a recipient related information:

applying (104), by the designated node, at least one pre-defined mapping rule based on the first sender related information and determining a customized sender related information; generating (106), by the designated node, a second data stream comprising the outgoing message, the customized sender related information and the recipient related information; and

sending (108) the second data stream to a Short Message Service Centre (SMSC).

In an embodiment, the first sender related information comprises a sender's MSISDN.

In another embodiment, the customized sender related information is selected from a group comprising a sender's name, a sender's nick-name and alpha numeric characters.

In yet another embodiment, the recipient related information comprises recipient's MSISDN.

In still another embodiment, the method further comprises:

ascertaining (1 10) existence of at least one mapping rule corresponding to the first sender related information; and

sending (1 12) the first data stream to the SMSC, if no mapping rule is found. In a further embodiment, the method further comprises comprising storing (1 14) one or more mapping rules in form of a sender profile.

In another embodiment, each of the plurality of mapping rules pairs the first sender related information to one or more recipient related information and provides a customized sender related information in respect each pair.

In yet another embodiment, the mapping rule is received by the designated node from the sender via an interface selected from the group comprising a Short Message Service (SMS) based interface, an Unstructured Supplementary Sendee Data (USSD) based interface, an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) based interface and an e-mail based interface.

In still another embodiment, applying (104) the at least one pre-defined mapping rule comprises selecting a pre-defined mapping rule from a plurality of mapping rules based at least on the first sender related information and the recipient related information.

In a further embodiment, the mapping rules comprises at least one attribute linked to the sender, wherein the attribute is selected from the group comprising a location of the sender and a time zone of the sender.

In a furthermore embodiment, the mapping rules comprises at least one attribute linked to the recipient, wherein the attribute is selected from the group comprising a location of the receiver, a time zone of the receiver, gender of receiver and an age of the receiver.

In another embodiment, the receiving ( 102) comprises receiving the first data stream from a Mobile Switching Centre (MSG).

In yet another embodiment, the receiving ( 102) comprises receiving the first data stream from the Short Message Service Centre (SMSC)

Now referring to figure 2, there is provided a designated network node (200) for providing a customized sender related information to a recipient while delivering a message in a telecommunication network, the node (200) comprising:

a receiver (202) for receiving a first data stream comprising an outgoing message, a first sender related information and a recipient related information;

a selector (204) for applying at least one pre-defined mapping rale based on the first sender related information and determining a customized sender related information;

a message generation unit (206) for generating a second data stream comprising the outgoing message, the customized sender related information and the recipient related information; and a transmitter (208) for sending the second data stream to a Short Message Service Centre

(SMSC). Now referring to figure 3, there is provided a method (300) for providing a customized sender related information to a recipient while delivering a message in a telecommunication network, the method comprising:

receiving (302), by a designated node, a first data stream comprising an incoming message and a first sender related information;

extracting (304) from the incoming message a recipient related information and an outgoing message;

applying (306), by the designated node, at least one pre-defined mapping rule based on the first sender related information and determining a customized sender related information; generating (308), by the designated node, a second data stream comprising the outgoing message, the customized sender related information and the recipient related information; and sending (310) the second data stream to a Short Message Service Centre (SMSC).

In an embodiment, the method further comprises sending (312) an error message to a sender, if the incoming message is devoid of recipient related information.

In another embodiment, the method further comprises sending (312) an error message to a sender, if recipient related information is not present at a predefined located of the incoming message.

In yet another embodiment, the method further comprises storing (314) one or more mapping rules in form of a sender profile.

In still another embodiment, the method further comprises:

ascertaining (316) existence of at least one mapping rule corresponding to the first sender related information; and

sending (318) the first data stream to the SMSC, if no mapping rule is found.

Now referring to figure 4, there is provided a designated network node (400) for providing a customized sender related information to a recipient while delivering a message in a telecommunication network, the designated network node (400) comprising:

a receiver (402) for receiving a first data stream comprising an incoming message and a first sender related information;

an extraction unit (404) for extracting from the incoming message a recipient related information and an outgoing message;

a selector (406) for applying at least one pre-defined mapping rule based on the first sender related information and determining a customized sender related information;

a message generation unit (408) for generating a second data stream comprising the outgoing message, the customized sender related information and the recipient related information; and a transmitter (410) for sending the second data stream to a Short Message Service Centre (SMSC).

In an embodiment, the designated network node further comprises a determination unit (412) for determining presence of the recipient related information in the incoming message.

In another embodiment, the designated network node further comprises a determination unit (412) for determining presence of the recipient related information at a predefined located of the incoming message,

In yet another embodiment, the determination unit (412) is further adapted to operably communicate with the message generation unit (408) and generate an error message, if the incoming message is devoid of recipient related information or if the recipient related information is not present at the predefined located of the incoming message.

In still another embodiment, the determination unit (412) is further adapted to operably communicate with the transmitter (410) for sending the error message to a sender.

Now referring to figure 5, there is provided a method (500) for providing a customized sender related information to a recipient while delivering a message in a telecommunication network, the method comprising:

receiving (502), by a first network element, an authorization request from a second network element, the authorization request comprising a first sender related information and a recipient related information corresponding to a first data stream;

determining (504) satisfaction of a first predetermined criteria set and in response thereto generating (506) an authorization approval message comprising the first sender related information and the recipient related information;

determining (508) satisfaction of a second predetermined criteria set and in response thereto, fetching (510) an identifier signifying requirement to obtain a customized sender related information corresponding to the first data stream;

appending (512) the identifier to the recipient related information contained in the authorization approval message; and

sending (514), by the first network element, said authorization approval message comprising the identifier appended to the recipient related information to the second network element.

In an embodiment, the first predetermined criteria set include an eligibility to send the first data stream. In another embodiment, the second predetermined criteria set include subscription to a particular service.

In yet another embodiment, the method further comprises following a procedure as pre-defined (516), if the first predetermined criteria set is not satisfied.

In still another embodiment, the method further comprises sending (518) an authorization approval message without the identifier to the second network element if the second predetermined criteria set is not satisfied.

Now referring to figure 6, there is provided a mobile telecommunication network element (600) for providing a customized sender related information to a recipient while delivering a message in a telecommunication network, the network element comprising: a receiver (602) for receiving an authorization request from a second network element, the authorization request comprising a first sender related information and a recipient related information corresponding to a first data stream;

a first determination unit (604) for determining satisfaction of a first predetermined criteria set;

an authorization approval message generating unit (606) operab!y in communication with the first determining unit for generating an authorization approval message comprising the first sender related information and the recipient related information;

a second determination unit (608) for determining satisfaction of a second predetermined criteria set;

a fetching module (610) for fetching an identifier signifying requirement to obtain a customized sender related information corresponding to the first data, stream;

an appending module (612) for appending the identifier to the recipient related information contained in the authorization approval message: and

a transmitter (614) for sending said authorization approval message comprising the identifier appended to the recipient related information to the second network element.

Now referring to figure 7, there is provided a method (700) for providing a customized sender related information to a recipient while delivering a message in a telecommunication network, the method comprising:

receiving (702), by a first network element, an authorization request from a second network element, the authorization request comprising a first sender related information and a recipient related information corresponding to a first data stream; determining (704) satisfaction of a first predetermined criteria set and in response thereto generating (706) an authorization approval message comprising the first sender related information and the recipient related information;

determining (708) satisfaction of a second predetermined criteria set and in response thereto, fetching (710) routing related information pertaining to a third network element that provides a customized sender related information corresponding to the first data stream; sending (712), by the first network element, said authorization approval message in accordance with the routing related information to the second network element.

In an embodiment, the first predetermined criteria set includes an eligibility to send the first data stream.

In another embodiment, the second predetermined criteria set includes subscription to a particular service.

In yet another embodiment, the method further comprises following a procedure as pre-defined (714) if the first predetermined criteria set is not satisfied.

In still another embodiment, the method further comprises sending (716) to the second network element an authorization approval message without the routing information pertaining to the third network element, if the second predetermined criteria set is not satisfied.

Now referring to figure 8, there is provided a mobile telecommunication network element (800) for providing a customized sender related information to a recipient while delivering a message in a telecommunication network, the network element comprising: a receiver (802) for receiving an authorization request from a second network element, the authorization request comprising a first sender related information and a recipient related information corresponding to a first data stream;

a first determination unit (804) for determining satisfaction of a first predetermined criteria set;

an authorization approval message generating unit (806) operably in communication with the first determining unit for generating an authorization approval message comprising the first sender related information and the recipient related information;

a second determination unit (808) for determining satisfaction of a second predetermined criteria set;

a fetching module (810) for fetching routing related information pertaining to a third network element that provides a customized sender related information corresponding to the first data stream; and a transmitter (812) for sending said authorization approval message in accordance with the routing related information to the second network element.

Referring to figure 9, a typical hardware configuration of the designated node 200 or the designated node 400 or the network node 600 or the network node 800 in the form of a computer system 900 is shown. The computer system 900 can include a set of instructions that can be executed to cause the computer system 900 to perform any one or more of the methods disclosed. The computer system 900 may operate as a standalone device or may be connected, e.g., using a network, to other computer systems or peripheral devices.

In a networked deployment, the computer system 900 may operate in the capacity of a server or as a client user computer in a server-client user network environment, or as a peer computer system in a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment. The computer system 900 can also be implemented as or incorporated into various devices, such as a personal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile device, a palmtop computer, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a communications device, a wireless telephone, a land-line telephone, a web appliance, a network router, switch or bridge, or any other machine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. Further, while a single computer system 900 is illustrated, the term "system" shall also be taken to include any collection of systems or subsystems that individually or jointly execute a set, or multiple sets, of instructions to perform one or more computer functions.

The computer system 900 may include a processor 902 e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), or both. The processor 902 may be a component in a variety of systems. For example, the processor 902 may be part of a standard personal computer or a workstation. The processor 902 may be one or more general processors, digital signal processors, application specific integrated circuits, field programmable gate arrays, servers, networks, digital circuits, analog circuits, combinations thereof, or other now known or later developed devices for analysing and processing data The processor 902 may implement a software program, such as code generated manually (i.e., programmed).

The computer system 900 may include a memory 904, such as a memory 904 that can communicate via a bus 908. The memory 904 may be a main memory, a static memory, or a dynamic memory. The memory 904 may include, but is not limited to computer readable storage media such as various types of volatile and non-volatile storage media, including but not limited to random access memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, electrically programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable read-only memory, flash memory, magnetic tape or disk, optical media and the like. In one example, the memory 904 includes a cache or random access memory for the processor 902. In alternative examples, the memory 904 is separate from the processor 902, such as a cache memory of a processor, the system memory, or other memory. The memory 904 may be an external storage device or database for storing data. Examples include a hard drive, compact disc ("CD"), digital video disc ("DVD"), memory card, memory stick, floppy disc, universal serial bus ("USB") memory device, or any other device operative to store data. The memory 904 is operable to store instructions executable by the processor 902. The functions, acts or tasks illustrated in the figures or described may be performed by the programmed processor 902 executing the instructions stored in the memory 904. The functions, acts or tasks are independent of the particular type of instructions set, storage media, processor or processing strategy and may be performed by software, hardware, integrated circuits, firm-ware, micro-code and the like, operating alone or in combination. Likewise, processing strategies may include multiprocessing, multitasking, parallel processing and the like.

As shown, the computer system 900 may or may not further include a display unit 910, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic light emitting diode (OLED), a flat panel display, a solid state display, a cathode ray tube (CRT), a projector, a printer or other now known or later developed display device for outputting determined information. The display 910 may act as an interface for the user to see the functioning of the processor 902, or specifically as an interface with the software stored in the memory 904 or in the drive unit 916.

Additionally, the computer system 900 may include an input device 912 configured to allow a user to interact with any of the components of system 900. The input device 912 may be a number pad, a keyboard, or a cursor control device, such as a mouse, or a joystick, touch screen display, remote control or any other device operative to interact with the computer system 900.

The computer system 900 may also include a disk or optical drive unit 916. The disk drive unit 916 may include a computer-readable medium 922 in which one or more sets of instructions 924, e.g. software, can be embedded. Further, the instructions 924 may embody one or more of the methods or logic as described. In a particular example, the instructions 924 may reside completely, or at least partially, within the memory 904 or within the processor 902 during execution by the computer system 900. The memory 904 and the processor 902 also may include computer-readable media as discussed above. The present invention contemplates a computer-readable medium that includes instructions 924 or receives and executes instructions 924 responsive to a propagated signal so that a device connected to a network 926 can communicate voice, video, audio, images or any other data over the network 926. Further, the instructions 924 may be transmitted or received over the network 926 via a communication port or interface 920 or using a bus 908. The communication port or interface 920 may be a part of the processor 902 or may be a separate component. The communication port 920 may be created in software or may be a physical connection in hardware. The communication port 920 may be configured to connect with a network 926, external media, the display 910, or any other components in system 900 or combinations thereof. The connection with the network 926 may be a physical connection, such as a wired Ethernet connection or may be established wirelessly as discussed later. Likewise, the additional connections with other components of the system 900 may be physical connections or may be established wirelessly. The network 926 may alternatively be directly connected to the bus 908.

The network 926 may include wired networks, wireless networks, Ethernet AVB networks, or combinations thereof. The wireless network may be a cellular telephone network, an 802.11, 802.16, 802.20, 802.1Q or WiMax network. Further, the network 926 may be a public network, such as the Internet, a private network, such as an intranet, or combinations thereof, and may utilize a variety of networking protocols now available or later developed including, but not limited to TCP/IP based networking protocols.

In an alternative example, dedicated hardware implementations, such as application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arrays and other hardware devices, can be constructed to implement various parts of the system 900.

Applications that may include the systems can broadly include a variety of electronic and computer systems. One or more examples described may implement functions using two or more specific interconnected hardware modules or devices with related control and data signals that can be communicated between and through the modules, or as portions of an application-specific integrated circuit. Accordingly, the present system encompasses software, firmware, and hardware implementations.

The system described may be implemented by software programs executable by a computer system. Further, in a non-limited example, implementations can include distributed processing, component/object distributed processing, and parallel processing. Alternatively, virtual computer system processing can be constructed to implement various parts of the system. The system is not limited to operation with any particular standards and protocols. For example, standards for Internet and other packet switched network transmission (e.g., TCP/IP, UDP/IP, HTML, HTTP) may be used. Such standards are periodically superseded by faster or more efficient equivalents having essentially the same functions. Accordingly, replacement standards and protocols having the same or similar functions as those disclosed are considered equivalents thereof.

In the following paragraphs a detailed description about some exemplified implementations of the methods described above are provided. It should however, be understood every implementation of the method need not follow the scenario as mentioned in the following paragraphs. Thus, the scope of the claims is intended to be restricted only on the basis of the claims and their equivalents and not on the basis of the examples provided herein below.

Technical Implementation 1;

Now referring to figure 10, in accordance with a first implementation, one or more mapping rules may be received, by a Name SMS system (designated network node) from the sender using any of SMS, USSD, IVR or e-mail based interfaces. The one more mapping rules may be stored in form of a sender profile. For example, the a first mapping rule indicating that Namel is to be displayed in respect of Ml and M2 numbers; a second mapping rule indicating that Name2 is to be displayed to M3 and M4 numbers; and a third mapping rule indicating that Name3 is to be displayed to rest of the numbers, may be received from the sender. Additionally, any of the mapping rule may require additional parameters such as time zone of the sender, time zone of the recipient, geographical location of the sender, geographical location of the recipient, gender of the recipient, age of the recipient, etc. to be considered and provide different names depending upon such additional parameters.

The first implementation does not require the user to send in the message in a predefined format and accordingly, changes may be made in a network element (such as an Intelligent Network (IN) element or a Home Location Register (HLR)) and a separate Name SMS system (designated network node) is developed and deployed. As is conventional, a MSC receives a mobile originated message and in response thereto sends an authorization request comprising a first sender information and a recipient information to the IN element. More particularly, the IN element implements the method as illustrated in figure 5. Thus, the IN element receives an authorization request from a the MSC (which can be called as the second network element), the authorization request comprising a first sender related information and a recipient related information corresponding to a first data stream. The IN element determines satisfaction of a first predetermined criteria set and in response thereto generates an authorization approval message comprising the first sender related information and the recipient related information. The IN element further determines satisfaction of a second predetermined criteria set and in response thereto, fetches an identifier signifying requirement to obtain a customized sender related information corresponding to the first data stream. The IN element then appends the identifier to the recipient related information contained in the authorization approval message and sends said authorization approval message comprising the identifier appended to the recipient related information to the MSG (i.e. the second network element).

The MSC then sends the mobile originated message along with the identifier to a SMSC. The SMSC upon detecting the identifier, sends the mobile originated message to a Name SMS system (or in other words the designated node).

The Name SMS system (or in other words, the designated node) upon receiving the message, performs the method as illustrated in figure 1. Particularly, the Name SMS system receives a first data stream comprising an outgoing message, a first sender related information and a recipient related information. The name SMS system applies at least one pre-defined mapping rule based on the first sender related information and determining a customized sender related information. If a customized sender related information is available, the Name SMS system generates a second data stream comprising the outgoing message, the customized sender related information and the recipient related information and sends the second data stream to the SMSC. The SMSC then routes the message thus received from the Name SMS system for delivery to the recipient.

It may be noted that in case the mapping rule signifies one or more additional parameters are to be considered while determining the customized sender related information, the Name SMS system obtains data corresponding to such additional parameters from one or more network entities. By way of a non-limiting example, the additional parameters can comprise at least one attribute linked to the sender, wherein the attribute is selected from the group comprising a location of the sender and a time zone of the sender. By way of another non-limiting example, the additional parameter can comprises at least one attribute linked to the recipient, wherein the attribute is selected from the group comprising a location of the receiver, a time zone of the receiver, gender of receiver and an age of the receiver.

It may be noted that if no mapping rule is found (or in other words, no relevant mapping rule is found), the Name SMS system sends the first data stream to the SMSC. Technical Implementation 2:

Now referring to figure 11, in accordance with a second implementation, one or more mapping rules may be received, by a Name SMS system (designated network node) from the sender using any of SMS, USSD, IVR or e-mail based interfaces. The one more mapping rules may be stored in form of a sender profile. For example, the a first mapping rule indicating that Namel is to be displayed in respect of Ml and M2 numbers; a second mapping rule indicating that Name2 is to be displayed to M3 and M4 numbers; and a third mapping rule indicating that Name3 is to be displayed to rest of the numbers, may be received from the sender. Additionally, any of the mapping rule may require additional parameters such as time zone of the sender, time zone of the recipient, geographical location of the sender, geographical location of the recipient, gender of the recipient, age of the recipient, etc. to be considered and provide different names depending upon such additional parameters.

The second implementation also does not require the user to send in the message in a predefined format and accordingly, changes may be made in a network element (such as an Intelligent Network (IN) element or a Home Location Register (HLR)) and a separate Name SMS system (designated network node) is developed and deployed. As is conventional, a MSC receives a mobile originated message and in response thereto sends an authorization request comprising a first sender information and a recipient information to the IN element. More particularly, the IN element implements the method as illustrated in figure 7. Thus, the IN element receives the authorization request from the MSC (the second network element), the authorization request comprising a first sender related information and a. recipient related information corresponding to a first data stream. The IN element determines satisfaction of a first predetermined criteria set and in response thereto generates an authorization approval message comprising the first sender related information and the recipient related information. The IN element further determines satisfaction of a second predetermined criteria set and in response thereto, fetches routing related information pertaining to the Name SMS system (a third network element) that provides a customized sender related information corresponding to the first data stream. The IN element then sends the authorization approval message along with the routing related information to the MSC (i.e. the second network element).

The MSC then sends the mobile originated message along with the first sender information and the recipient information directly to the Name SMS system. The Name SMS system (or in other words, the designated node) upon receiving the message, performs the method as illustrated in figure 1. Particularly, the Name SMS system receives a first data stream comprising an outgoing message, a first sender related information and a recipient related information. The name SMS system applies at least one pre-defined mapping rule based on the first sender related information and determining a customized sender related information. If a customized sender related information is available, the Name SMS system generates a second data stream comprising the outgoing message, the customized sender related information and the recipient related information and sends the second data stream to the SMSC. The SMSC then routes the message thus received from the Name SMS system for delivery to the recipient.

It may be noted that if no mapping rule is found (or In other words, no relevant mapping rule is found), the Name SMS system sends the first data stream to the SMSC.

Technical Implementation 3:

Now referring to figure 12, in accordance with a third implementation, one or more mapping rules may be received, by a Name SMS system (designated network node) from the sender using any of SMS, USSD, IVR or e-mail based interfaces. The one more mapping rules may be stored in form of a sender profile. For example, the a first mapping rule indicating that Namel is to be displayed in respect of Ml and M2 numbers; a second mapping rule indicating that Name2 is to be displayed to M3 and M4 numbers; and a third mapping rule indicating that Name3 is to be displayed to rest of the numbers, may be received from the sender. Additionally, any of the mapping rule may require additional parameters such as time zone of the sender, time zone of the recipient, geographical location of the sender, geographical location of the recipient, gender of the recipient, age of the recipient, etc. to be considered and provide different names depending upon such additional parameters.

In the third approach, the sender is required to send the message in a predefined format, and accordingly, changes are made in network element (such as the SMSC) and a separate Name SMS system is developed and deployed. In this embodiment, the MSC receives a message address to a short code, wherein the message comprises the message intended to be delivered to the recipient and recipient related information. By way of a non- limiting example, the MSC receives "Hello, , 9999000033" on a short code "for example

"56672". In this example, "9999000033" is the recipient information and the "Hello, " is the message intended to be delivered to the recipient. The short code i.e. "56672" is identified as the address of the Name SMS system at the end of the SMSC/MMSC. In case the received message is a text message the same is forwarded to an SMSC. The SMSC forwards "Hello, , 9999000033" along with the first sender related information to the Name SMS system. The Name SMS system implements the method illustrated in figure 3 and more specifically, receives a. first data stream comprising an incoming message and a first sender related in formation. The Name SMS system extracts from the incoming message a recipient related information and an outgoing message. The name SMS system then applies at least one pre-defined mapping rule based on the first sender related information and determines a customized sender related information. In case a customized sender related information is available, the Name SMS system generates a second data stream comprising the outgoing message, the customized sender related information and the recipient related information and sends the same to the second data stream to the SMSC. The SMSC then routes the message thus received from the Name SMS system for delivery to the recipient.

It may be noted that if no mapping rule is found (or in other words, no relevant mapping rule is found), the Name SMS system sends the message with the first sender information to the SMSC. Also, it may be noted that in case the incoming message is devoid of recipient related information, the Name SMS system can send an error message to the sender. Alternatively, if recipient related information is not present at a predefined located of the incoming message, the Name S MS system can send an error message to the sender.

Technical Implementation 4:

Now referring to figure 13, in accordance with a forth implementation, one or more mapping rules may be received, by a Name SMS system (designated network node) from the sender using any of SMS, USSD, IVR or e-mail based interfaces. The one more mapping rules may be stored in form of a sender profile. For example, the a first mapping rule indicating that Namel is to be displayed in respect of Ml and M2 numbers; a second mapping rule indicating that Name2 is to be displayed to M3 and M4 numbers; and a third mapping rule indicating that Name3 is to be displayed to rest of the numbers, may be received from the sender. Additionally, any of the mapping rule may require additional parameters such as time zone of the sender, time zone of the recipient, geographical location of the sender, geographical location of the recipient, gender of the recipient, age of the recipient, etc. to be considered and provide different names depending upon such additional parameters.

In the forth approach, the sender is required to send the message in a predefined format, and accordingly, changes are made in network element (such as the SMSC) and a separate Name SMS system is developed and deployed. In this embodiment, the MSC receives a mobile originated message which contains an identifier appended to recipient information. The MSC sends the mobile originated message along with the identifier to a SMSC. The SMSC upon detecting the identifier, sends the mobile originated message to the Name SMS system.

It may be noted that if no mapping rale is found (or in other words, no relevant mapping rule is found), the Name SMS system sends the first data stream to the SMSC.

It may be noted tha if no mapping rule is found (or in other words, no relevant mapping rule is found), the Name SMS system sends the first data stream to the SMSC.

While specific language has been used to describe the disclosure, any limitations arising on account of the same are not intended. As would be apparent to a person in the art, various working modifications may be made to the method in order to implement the inventive concept as taught herein.

The drawings and the forgoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment. For example, orders of processes described herein may be changed and are not limited to the manner described herein. Moreover, the actions of any flow diagram need not be implemented in the order shown; nor do all of the acts necessarily need to be performed. Also, those acts that are not dependent on other acts may be performed in parallel with the other acts. The scope of embodiments is by no means limited by these specific examples. Numerous variations, whether explicitly given in the specification or not, such as differences in structure, dimension, and use of material, are possible. The scope of embodiments is at least as broad as given by the following claims.

Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described above with regard to specific embodiments. However, the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any component(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential feature or component of any or all the claims.

Claims

WE CLAIM:

1. A method (100) for providing a customized sender related information to a recipient while delivering a message in a telecommunication network, the method comprising: receiving (102), by a designated node, a first data stream comprising an outgoing message, a first sender related information and a recipient related information;

applying (104), by the designated node, at least one pre-defined mapping rule based on the first sender related information and determining a customized sender related information;

generating (106), by the designated node, a second data stream comprising the outgoing message, the customized sender related information and the recipient related information; and

sending (108) the second data stream to a Short Message Service Centre (SMSC).

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first sender related information comprises a sender's MSISDN.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the customized sender related information is selected from a group comprising a sender's name, a sender's nick-name and alpha numeric characters.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the recipient related information comprises recipient's MSISDN.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

ascertaining (110) existence of at least one mapping rule corresponding to the first sender related information; and

sending (112) the first data stream to the SMSC, if no mapping rule is found.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising storing (114) one or more mapping rules in form of a sender profile.

7. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein each of the plurality of mapping rules pairs the first sender related information to one or more recipient related information and provides a customized sender related information in respect each pair.

8. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mapping rule is received by the designated node from the sender via an interface selected from the group comprising a Short Message Service (SMS) based interface, an Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) based interface, an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) based interface and an e-mail based interface.

9. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein applying (104) the at least one pre-defined mapping rule comprises selecting a pre-defined mapping rule from a plurality of mapping rules based at least on the first sender related information and the recipient related information.

10. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mapping rules comprises at least one attribute linked to the sender, wherein the attribute is selected from the group comprising a location of the sender and a time zone of the sender.

11. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mapping rules comprises at least one attribute linked to the recipient, wherein the attribute is selected from the group comprising a location of the receiver, a time zone of the receiver, gender of receiver and an age of the receiver.

12. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the receiving (102) comprises receiving the first data stream from a Mobile Switching Centre (MSC).

13. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the receiving (102) comprises receiving the first data stream from the Short Message Service Centre (SMSC)

14. A designated network node (200) for providing a customized sender related information to a recipient while delivering a message in a telecommunication network, the node (200) comprising:

a receiver (202) for receiving a first data stream comprising an outgoing message, a first sender related information and a recipient related information; a selector (204) for applying at least one pre-defined mapping rule based on the first sender related information and determining a customized sender related information;

a message generation unit (206) for generating a second data stream comprising the outgoing message, the customized sender related information and the recipient related information; and

a transmitter (208) for sending the second data stream to a Short Message Service Centre (SMSC).

15. A method (300) for providing a customized sender related information to a recipient while delivering a message in a telecommunication network, the method comprising: receiving (302), by a designated node, a first data stream comprising an incoming message and a first sender related information;

applying (306), by the designated node, at least one pre-defined mapping rule based on the first sender related information and determining a customized sender related information;

generating (308), by the designated node, a second data stream comprising the outgoing message, the customized sender related information and the recipient related information; and

sending (310) the second data stream to a Short Message Service Centre (SMSC).

16. The method as claimed in claim 15, further comprising sending (312) an error message to a sender, if the incoming message is devoid of recipient related information.

17. The method as claimed in claim 15, further comprising sending (312) an error message to a sender, if recipient related information is not present at a predefined located of the incoming message.

18. The method as claimed in claim 15, further comprising storing (314) one or more mapping rules in form of a sender profile.

19. The method as claimed in claim 15, further comprising:

sending (318) the first data stream to the SMSC, if no mapping rule is found.

20. A designated network node (400) for providing a customized sender related information to a recipient while delivering a message in a telecommunication network, the designated network node (400) comprising:

a message generation unit (408) for generating a second data stream comprising the outgoing message, the customized sender related information and the recipient related information; and

a transmitter (410) for sending the second data stream to a Short Message Service Centre (SMSC).

21. The designated network node as claimed in claim 20, further comprising a determination unit (412) for determining presence of the recipient related information in the incoming message.

22. The designated network node as claimed in claim 20, further comprising a determination unit (412) for determining presence of the recipient related information at a predefined located of the incoming message.

23. The designated network node as claimed in any of claims 21 or 22, wherein the determination unit (412) is further adapted to operably communicate with the message generation unit (408) and generate an error message, if the incoming message is devoid of recipient related information or if the recipient related information is not present at the predefined located of the incoming message.

24. The designated network node as claimed in claim 23, wherein the determination unit (412) is further adapted to operably communicate with the transmitter (410) for sending the error message to a sender.

25. A method (500) for providing a customized sender related information to a recipient while delivering a message in a telecommunication network, the method comprising: receiving (502), by a first network element, an authorization request from a second network element, the authorization request comprising a first sender related information and a recipient related information corresponding to a first data stream; determining (504) satisfaction of a first predetermined criteria set and in response thereto generating (506) an authorization approval message comprising the first sender related information and the recipient related information;

26. The method as claimed in claim 25, wherein the first predetermined criteria set includes an eligibility to send the first data stream.

27. The method as claimed in claim 25, wherein the second predetermined criteria set includes subscription to a particular service.

28. The method as claimed in claim 25, further comprising following a procedure as predefined (516), if the first predetermined criteria set is not satisfied.

29. The method as claimed in claim 25, further comprising sending (518) an authorization approval message without the identifier to the second network element if the second predetermined criteria set is not satisfied.

30. A mobile telecommunication network element (600) for providing a customized sender related information to a recipient while delivering a message in a telecommunication network, the network element comprising:

a receiver (602) for receiving an authorization request from a second network element, the authorization request comprising a first sender related information and a recipient related information corresponding to a first data stream;

an authorization approval message generating unit (606) operably in communication with the first determining unit for generating an authorization approval message comprising the first sender related information and the recipient related information;

a fetching module (610) for fetching an identifier signifying requirement to obtain a customized sender related information corresponding to the first data stream; an appending module (612) for appending the identifier to the recipient related information contained in the authorization approval message; and

31. A method (700) for providing a customized sender related information to a recipient while delivering a message in a telecommunication network, the method comprising: receiving (702), by a first network element, an authorization request from a second network element, the authorization request comprising a first sender related information and a recipient related information corresponding to a first data stream; determining (704) satisfaction of a first predetermined criteria set and in response thereto generating (706) an authorization approval message comprising the first sender related information and the recipient related information;

32. The method as claimed in claim 31, wherein the first predetermined criteria set includes an eligibility to send the first data stream.

33. The method as claimed in claim 31, wherein the second predetermined criteria set includes subscription to a particular service.

34. The method as claimed in claim 31, further comprising following a procedure as predefined (714) if the first predetermined criteria set is not satisfied.

35. The method as claimed in claim 31, further comprising sending (716) to the second network element an authorization approval message without the routing information pertaining to the third network element , if the second predetermined criteria set is not satisfied.

36. A mobile telecommunication network element (800) for providing a customized sender related information to a recipient while delivering a message in a telecommunication network, the network element comprising:

a receiver (802) for receiving an authorization request from a second network element, the authorization request comprising a first sender related information and a recipient related information corresponding to a first data stream;