DE112011100837T5 - DATA STORAGE, METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ROUTING A MESSAGE BETWEEN DIFFERENT COMMUNICATIONS NETWORKS - Google Patents

Abstract

A data storage 100 is disclosed which comprises a first storage location 110 having a plurality of country-specific communication data and being supplied by country-specific databases CDB-1, CDB-2. The data memory 100 further includes a second storage location 120 having a plurality of operator-specific communication data and serviceable by communications providers. A method and system for routing a message between different communication networks are disclosed.

Description

Cross reference to related applications

This application makes the benefits of the United Kingdom patent application Ser. GB 100 37 40.6 , filed on 8 March 2010, claims and claims priority.

Field of the invention

The field of the invention relates to a data storage and method and system for routing a message from a first communication network to a second communication network.

Background of the invention

Communications networks have been extensively deployed in recent years, allowing virtual ubiquitous access as well as offering a ready choice of services. There are various types of communication networks from a conventional public switched telephone network (PSTN), which uses an SS7 (Signaling System # 7) protocol, to IP-based networks. These communication networks are managed by a network operator or a communications provider and provide access and communication capabilities to a service customer. The service customer may use one or more of the communication networks to route communication messages, including voice calls, SMS, MMS, instant messages, or VoIP messages.

The network operators have established databases that store details about the service customers connected to the communication networks and other data. An example of such a database is the home location register (HLR) of the mobile network operators. When the service customer signs a contract with the mobile telecommunication operator, the service customer is registered in the HLR of the mobile telecommunication operator.

It is possible for the service customer to change his contract and consequently change his home network from a first network operator OP1 to a second network operator OP2. A number portability service allows the service customer to keep his old telephone number when switching from a first network operator, called the "issuer operator", to a second operator (called the "receiver operator"). This service is called fixed network porting for a fixed network and mobile phone number portability for mobile networks. In the field of mobile telecommunications, for example, in some countries more than 25% of all telephone numbers (formally called MSISDN) are "transmitted" using the mobile number portability service.

The telephone number was formerly used to uniquely identify the service customer's originating communication network based on the knowledge of the structure of his / her telephone number. In fixed communication networks, the telephone numbers for a plurality of network operators were assigned in blocks. In mobile communication networks, a network operator prefix (named "National Destination Code" in the GSM protocol or "Number Planning Area" in the North American PCS1900 protocol) was formerly prefixed to uniquely identify the service customer's originating communication network based on the knowledge of his / her telephone number to determine, since the network operator prefix only outputs the MSISDN with its network prefix. In Germany, for example, the network operator prefix 0172 is assigned to Vodafone Germany.

Each time the number portability service is available, it is known that the service customer's telephone number or MSISDN is insufficient to know which operator's work the service customer belongs to. One question that arises with the number portability service is the routing of the communication message to the correct communication network from a message once the phone number has been taken away.

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

One solution that has been widely adapted is the use of a central database for telephone number portability. The central database includes all information related to the numbers taken in a country or region. An example of a centralized database is the Number Portability Administration Center. www.npac.com ), which is the main central database and is maintained in North America by the company NeuStar for the US numbering plan. Each time the service customer takes the mobile number from one mobile telecommunication operator to another mobile telecommunications operator, the central database is updated with changed details. The change (update) will also be sent to the Service providers and the network operators of the mobile telecommunications networks. The modified details can be downloaded to update the tracking information for their own local databases.

To transmit the voice calls or SMS message, the network operator can either query the central database to obtain the relevant driver information or access their own local database.

The patent application CA 2 232 772 teaches a system for number portability in a network environment comprising local exchanges and intermediate operator exchanges. The local exchanges have access via a local database. The intermediate operator exchanges are provided with a national database. The local database includes a listing of all numbers for a given local region and the national database includes a listing of all numbers for the country. Depending on the type of call (local or long distance), either the local database or the national database is accessed.

Another example of a method and system for providing a central database is disclosed in the specification US 5,764,745 described. This patent specification describes a method and a device for providing a service for changing the provider, for changing location and for service provision. A customer is assigned to a non-geographic number. The non-geographical numbers are managed centrally, with a central database containing relevant forwarding data associated with the non-geographical numbers.

The patent US 7,623,533 describes another system and method for performing local telephone number-number taking from one service provider to another service provider. An administrative center for routeing numbers and a service management system is disclosed. The service management system receives and stores the updated customer routing information. The service management system is accessed through the service providers to determine the routing information associated with a given number.

In some countries, such as the United Kingdom, there is no central database. The network operators routing the communication message may poll the database of the submitted operator. The issuer operator's database stores the information that the phone number has been transferred and to which the network operator.

Suppose another customer of an original network now wants to make a voice call from a mobile station to which the telephone number (MSISDN) has been transmitted by the issuer operator to another mobile telecommunications network. The call could be transferred to the issuer first. The issuer examines an allocation database and determines that the MSISDN has been transferred. There are two options. For the first option, the issuer provides new routing information (also called routing information) back to the network operator of the original network. The network operator of the original network uses the new routing information to forward the call to a second network operator to which the MSISDN connected to the service customer has been transferred. In a second option, the issuer operator itself routes the call to said second network operator. No central database is requested. Alternatively, the call could be routed through the original network, which has access to the called party's new forwarding data to allow direct termination.

The patent publications WO 99/11087 and WO 97/47153 both describe a method and system for providing a number portability service. Each provider has a database of transmitted numbers. No central database is requested.

The choice of the central database or a plurality of local allocation databases, managed by one or more network operators, depends on a variety of factors, including cost and efficiency. Faster access can be provided by providing different mapping services for each communication network.

On the other hand, the provision of a central database may allow for substantially simultaneous availability of call-carrying-service information to all mobile telecommunications operators and any other parties involved.

One task that affects the reliability of routing communications messages to the transmitted number is the requirement of accurately updating all of the information and other parameters to the central database.

Another task is quality of service (QoS). Depends on the Architecture of the communication networks, the originator who wants to transmit the communication message may have access to the central database, or he must query a plurality of allocation databases of the various communication networks until the originator finds out the correct transmission information at the end.

It is well known that service customers are becoming more demanding. In particular, in terms of the time that is used to connect a call, the number of failed calls and prices are parameters that are taken into account when contracting with a network operator.

These tasks also exist in an international environment, with centralized telephone number databases being implemented in some countries, while in other countries the network operators use their own local databases.

Summary of the invention

A data store is disclosed. The data memory comprises a first storage location with a multiplicity of country-specific communication data and which can be supplied by country-specific databases. The data memory also has a second storage location with a multiplicity of operator-specific communication data and can be supplied by communication providers.

By providing such a data store with the first and second storage locations, retrieval of routing information or forwarding data for the entrained numbers is facilitated. Relevant data is organized in a single location, unlike the prior art databases, which are organized locally and nationally. This is interesting in an international environment since various solutions for tracking number-taking have been implemented. A query from the single data store could be made instead of a plurality of different queries to either country-specific databases or individual databases owned by network operators, communications providers or other database providers.

In one aspect of the invention, the data store includes a third storage location attachable to individual storage locations of communication providers to obtain individual communication data upon request. In cases where the routing information can not be found pre-stored in either the first storage location or the second storage location, a third storage location, connectable to the individual communication providers, may contain the most recent routing information from the individual communication providers or network operators.

It is believed that the first and second storage locations are updated at regular intervals, such as, but not limited to, daily intervals. This update period should be sufficiently designed to ensure the accuracy of the data, although customers do not change their communication providers very often.

The data store, another aspect of the invention, includes a search engine for accepting a communication request and returning forwarding communication data.

In a further aspect of the invention, the data memory comprises a buffer for temporarily storing a subset of forwarding data, a memory connection between the buffer and at least a plurality of first memory locations, second memory locations, wherein the connection enables the retrieval of forwarding data and a polling connection for the Enter a polling station with the forwarding data.

The cache could serve as a fast access memory. The most recent forwarding data associated with the last query prompts are stored. Typically, the cache stores the forwarding data for a configurable period of time.

A method of routing a message between different communication networks is disclosed. The method comprises extracting an initial destination identifier from a message, passing the initial destination identifier to a search engine, querying a data store having a plurality of communication data from a plurality of communication networks from different countries, returning a forwarding identifier if a match in the data store having the initial destination identifier is found, routing the message using the returned forwarding identifier or, if no match is found, using the initial destination identifier.

Therefore, the method enables a data memory to be retrieved on the communication data of a plurality of Communication networks have been stored from different countries. Each time a message is routed, the forwarding data can be found within a storage location. There is no need to query either the different network operators, possibly in different countries, or the country-specific databases for the forwarding data.

In another aspect, the method includes querying an operator-specific database if no match is found in the data store with the initial destination identifier and returning the forwarding identifier from the operator-specific database.

It should be understood that the term "operator-specific database" includes individual databases that are serviceable by network operators or communications providers. The communication providers include the communication providers of fixed networks, mobile networks, as well as alternative communication providers, such as VoIP networks.

The method in another aspect involves first polling the data store to obtain the forwarding data, and only if no match can be found, polling the operator-specific database. Both a faster response to a query request is expected, as well as a high accuracy of the forwarding data.

In a further aspect, the method includes storing an association between the initial destination identifier and the returned forwarding identifier in a data store.

In yet another aspect, the method includes storing an association between the destination identifier and the forwarding identifier in a fast access memory. The fast access memory can store the latest queries, keeping the fast access memory up to date with the latest forwarding identifiers.

A system for routing a message between different communication networks is disclosed. The system comprises: a polling station for relaying a message to a destination station using a destination identifier; a search engine for retrieving a data store as taught in this disclosure to determine a forwarding identifier; and a connecting device for relaying the message to a destination station using a forwarding identifier.

The message may include an SMS, an MMS, a voice call, a VOIP call, or an instant message.

Description of the figures

1 shows a network structure in an international environment.

2 shows a system according to the invention.

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

Detailed description of the invention

For a complete understanding of what is taught and the benefits thereof, reference will now be made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the figures.

It should be appreciated that several aspects of the disclosed data store, method and system for routing a message discussed herein are to be illustrated merely the particular manner in which the method and system are used to route a message therefore, and not to limit the scope of what is disclosed, taking the claims and the following detailed description into consideration. It should also be appreciated that the features of one embodiment of the disclosed system and method may be combined with features of another embodiment of the disclosed method and system.

1 shows a network structure in an international environment 1 wherein the teachings of the present disclosure may be utilized.

A first variety of network operators are deployed in a first country. Each of the network operators OP1-1, OP1-2, OP1-3 has its own local database, each of which is represented as DB1-1, DB1-2, DB1-3. The network operators OP1-1, OP1-2, OP1-3, for example, may be located in the United Kingdom. As noted above, there is no central database in the UK to share mobile portability information. 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.

A second variety of network operators are deployed in another country. The network operators OP2-1 and OP2-2 can operate communication networks deployed in other countries, for example Belgium. Network operators OP2-1 and OP2-2 each have their own local database, each represented as DB21, DB2-2. These network operators may share spoiled number routing information in a first country specific database CDB1. Each of the network operators OP2-1 and OP2-2 has a local copy of the central database in its own local database. A regular change - for example, the entrainment of a MSISDN - is performed in the central database CDB1, an upload of the new and / or changed entries is carried out to keep their own local database up to date.

A third variety 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 each represented as DB3-1, DB3-2, DB3-3. The network operators OP3-1, OP3-2, OP3-3 may, for example, be located in Germany. These operators can share spoiled number routing information in a second country specific database CDB2. Each of these network operators OP3-1, OP3-2, OP3-3 has a local copy of the central database in its own local database.

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 confined to these countries.

The international network environment 1 is in 1 for simplicity, with three countries and a maximum of three network operators per country. The number of countries and network operators in each country are not limited to this.

A system according to the invention may be used for routing within the international network environment 1 , as in 2 represented, used. The system includes a polling station 20 to share a message 10 to a destination station 25 , with the help of a destination identifier 1005 ; a search engine 30 to query a data store 100 to determine a forwarding identifier; a connection device 40 to forward the message 10 to a destination station 25 , with the help of the forwarding identifier.

The data store 100 includes a first storage location 110 with a large number of country-specific communication data and which can be supplied by the country-specific databases. The data store 100 includes a second storage location 120 with a variety of operator-specific communication data and which can be supplied by communication providers.

In an example of communication network deployment, in the international environment 1 , is the first location 110 can be supplied with forwarding data from country-specific databases CDB1 and CDB2, while the second storage location 120 with data from various operator-specific databases DB1-1, DB1-2, DB1-3 can be supplied by the respective operators OP1-1, OP1-2 and OP1-3. The second location 120 can also be supplied by the various operator-specific databases DB21, DB22 and DB3-1, DB3-2 and DB3-3, even if the two country-specific databases CDB1 and CDB2 with forwarding data are present, which are at a first storage location 110 are fed.

The data store 100 further includes a third storage location 130 which is connectable to individual network operators to obtain individual communication data and / or forwarding data upon request.

The data store 100 further includes a cache 140 for temporarily storing a subset of forwarding data 1010 ; a memory connection 150 between the cache 140 and at least a plurality of first storage locations 110 , second storage locations 120 and the third storage location 130 , where the connection 150 it allows the forwarding data 1010 query.

The data store 100 includes a query attachment 160 to provide the polling station 20 with forwarding data 1010 ,

3 shows a workflow of a method for routing a communication message 10 between different communication networks according to the invention.

At step S1, the polling station receives the message 10 to pass this on to the recipient. The message contains an initial destination identifier 1005 which is from the interrogation station 20 is removed.

The polling station 20 derives the initial destination identifier 1005 to the search engine 30 , at step S2, on.

The search engine 20 sends a query request to the datastore 100 (Step S3). The data store 100 has a variety of communication data from the variety of communication networks from different countries. This communication data includes forwarding data, but may include other data without limitation. In particular, the data store comprises 100 Communication data of country-specific databases CDB1 and CDB2 in a first storage location, and communication data from the operator-specific databases DB1-1, DB1-2 and DB1-3.

If there is a match in the data store 100 with the initial destination identifier 1005 has been found becomes the forwarding identifier 1010 from the search engine 30 to the interrogation station 20 returned at step S4. The match can either be in one of the buffers 140 , the first location 110 or the second storage locations 120 being found.

If no match in the data store 100 with the initial destination identifier found, the search engine sends 30 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 through the initial destination identifier 1005 identified operator-specific database, eg. B. operator-specific database DB1-2, specifies the forwarding identifier 1010 back at step S6.

The association between the initial destination identifier 1005 and the returned forwarding identifier 1010 will be in the third location of the data store 100 saved.

The association between the destination identifier 1005 and the forwarding identifier 1010 will also be in the cache 140 , which is a fast access memory, stored.

At step S8, the polling station transmits 20 the message, where the returned forwarding identifier 1010 or, if no match is found, by the initial destination identifier 1005 is used.

The routing method is transparent to the user.

This routing method and system allows adaptability in the choice of routing, depending on a user request. A compromise can be made between the quality of service and the desired response time.

The routing system is therefore configured to determine the user requirements. The user requirements can be entered by the service providers. The user requirements may be modified over time. The user requirements may also be between different initial destination identifiers 1005 differ.

The routing system is further configured to select the most adapted polling method based on the determination of the user preferences as described below. The search engine is configured to at least one of the first location 110 , the second location 120 , the cache 140 or the third location 130 to query based on said user requests.

For example, a first user wants to have a fast routing response with a good accuracy on the forwarding data. The routing system can do this for the first storage location 110 and the second storage location 120 query and get the routing response with the forwarding identifier 1010 very fast.

On the other hand, a second user wants to have 100% accuracy of the forwarding data regardless of the response time needed to provide the relevant information. In this particular case, the system can be configured to directly query the individual network-specific databases for the most up-to-date forwarding data.

The above description of the illustrated embodiments of the invention is not intended to exhaust or limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. While specific embodiments and examples of the invention are described herein for purposes of illustration, a number of equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the invention, as those skilled in the art would recognize. Accordingly, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way by the above description, but rather to be determined entirely by the terms of the claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

OP1-1, OP1-2, OP1-3

(First) operator of the first country

DP1-1, DP1-2, DP1-3

Databases of the (first) operator

OP2-1 and OP2-2

(Second) operator of the second country

DB21, DB22

Databases of the (second) operator

CDB1

Central database

OP3-1, OP3-2, OP3-3

(Third) operator of the third country

DB3-1, DB3-2, DB3-3

Database of the (third) operator

Cdb2

Central database

10

message

20

polling station

25

destination station

30

Search Engine

40

access device

100

data storage

110

first location

120

second storage location

130

third location

140

cache

150

memory interface

160

query access

1005

initial destination identifier

1010

Forwarding data

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• GB 1003740 [0001]
• CA 2232772 [0011]
• US 5764745 [0012]
• US 7623533 [0013]
• WO 99/11087 [0016]
• WO 97/47153 [0016]

Cited non-patent literature

• www.npac.com [0009]

Claims (13)

Data storage ( 100 ) comprising: - a first storage location ( 110 ) with a large number of country-specific communication data and can be supplied by country-specific databases (CDB-1, CDB-2); A second storage location ( 120 ) with a variety of operator-specific communication data and supplied by communication providers (DB1-1, DB1-2, DB1-3). A data storage according to claim 1, further comprising: - a third storage location ( 130 ) connectable with individual communication providers to obtain individual communication data on query. A data storage according to one of claims 1 or 2, further comprising: - a search engine ( 30 ) for accepting a communication request request and returning forwarding data ( 1010 ). The data memory according to one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: - a buffer memory ( 140 ) for temporarily storing a subset of forwarding data ( 1010 ); - a memory connection ( 150 ) between the cache ( 140 ) and at least a plurality of first storage locations ( 110 ) and second storage locations ( 120 ), whereby the connection, the query of forwarding data ( 1010 ); - a query connection ( 160 ) for supplying a query station ( 20 ) with forwarding data. The data store of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the search engine is configured to query at least one of the first storage location (Fig. 110 ), the second location ( 120 ), the cache ( 140 ) or the third location ( 130 ). The data store of claim 4, wherein the search engine is configured to determine a user request, and wherein the search engine is configured to at least one of the first storage location (Fig. 110 ), the second location ( 120 ), the cache ( 140 ) or the third location ( 130 ) on the basis of the user request. A method for routing a message between different communication networks, comprising: - extracting an initial destination identifier ( 1005 ) from the message ( 10 ); - passing on the initial destination identifier ( 1005 ) to a search engine ( 30 ); - querying a data store ( 100 ) having a plurality of communication data from a plurality of communication networks of different countries; - returning a forwarding identifier ( 1010 ) if a match is found in the data store with the initial destination identifier; Route the message by using the returned forwarding identifier ( 1010 ) or if no match is found by the initial destination identifier ( 1005 ) is used. Method according to claim 7, further comprising querying an operator-specific database (DB1-1, DB1-2, DB3) if there is no match in the data memory ( 100 ) is found with the initial destination identifier and returned from the carrier-specific database. Method according to claim 8, further comprising: - storing an association between the initial destination identifier ( 1005 ) and the returned forwarding identifier ( 1010 ) in the data memory ( 100 ). Method according to one of the preceding claims 7 to 9, further comprising storing an association between the destination identifier ( 1005 ) and the forwarding identifier ( 1010 ) in a fast access memory ( 1040 ). Method according to one of the preceding claims 7 to 10, further comprising: - determining a user request, and - queries based on the user request of at least one data memory ( 100 ) or from an operator-specific database (DB1-1, DB1-2, DB1-3). System comprising: - interrogation station ( 20 ) for forwarding a message to a destination station ( 25 ) in which a destination identifier ( 1005 ) is used; - search engine ( 30 ) for querying a data memory ( 100 ) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, for the forwarding identifier ( 1010 ) to determine; - Connection device ( 160 ) for forwarding the message to a destination station using the forwarding identifier. The system of claim 12, wherein the message ( 10 ) is one of an SMS, MMS, voice call or instant message.

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