Method and apparatus for delivery of data-based/voice services over piconets and wireless LANs (WLANs) coupled to 3GPP devices including protocol architecture and information elements relating to short message services (SMS) over WLANs

A gateway node comprising:

• a receiver configured:
• to receive a signaling system #7 (SS7) message, wherein the SS7 message includes Short Message Service (SMS) data intended for a first destination user equipment;
• and
• to receive information from a Home Location Register (HLR), the information related to a mapping of an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) of the first destination user equipment to an Internet Protocol (IP)-based identifier of the first destination user equipment;
• a processor configured to generate a first IP message based on the SS7 message and the information received from the HLR, wherein the first IP message includes the SMS data intended for the first destination user equipment, the IP-based identifier of the first destination user equipment, and an IP-based identifier of the gateway node;
• and
• a transmitter configured to transmit the first IP message to the first destination user equipment;
• wherein the receiver is configured to receive a second IP message, wherein the second IP message includes an RP-DATA message, wherein the RP-DATA message includes a destination address field, a message reference field, a message type field, and a user data field that includes SMS data intended for a second destination user equipment;
• and
• wherein the transmitter is further configured to transmit the SMS data intended for the second destination user equipment to the second destination user equipment via a SMS Interworking Mobile Switching Center (SMS-IWMSC) using SS7.

A method for use in a gateway node, the method comprising:

• the gateway node receiving a signaling system #7 (SS7) message, wherein the SS7 message includes Short Message Service (SMS) data intended for a first destination user equipment;
• the gateway node communicating with a Home Location Register (HLR) to obtain information related to a mapping of an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) of the first destination user equipment to an Internet Protocol (IP)-based identifier of the first destination user equipment;
• the gateway node generating a first IP message based on the SS7 message and the information received from the HLR, wherein the first IP message includes the SMS data intended for the first destination user equipment, the IP-based identifier of the first destination user equipment, and an IP-based identifier of the gateway node;
• the gateway node transmitting the first IP message to the first destination user equipment;
• the gateway node receiving a second IP message, wherein the second IP message includes an RP-DATA message, wherein the RP-DATA message includes a destination address field, a message reference field, a message type field, and a user data field that includes SMS data intended for a second destination user equipment;
• and
• the gateway node transmitting the SMS data intended for the second destination user equipment to the second destination user equipment via a SMS Interworking Mobile Switching Center (SMS-IWMSC) using SS7.