Message forwarding among disparate communication networks

#The present invention relates to communication networks, and in particular to forwarding information originating in one communication network to a device in a disparate communication network.

#Wireless communication systems are continually evolving and improving. However, there is a need for backward compatibility between new wireless communication systems that conform to a new standard and legacy wireless communication systems that conform to older standards. For example, Long Term Evolution, LTE, systems should be backward compatible with older systems such as Global System for Mobile Communication, GSM. In particular, it is desirable to provide short messaging services, SMS, via an LTE system, even though SMS is a technology based on circuit-switching, and LTE is a technology that is designed to support packet-switched services.

#In current installations there is no support for direct communication between an SMS service layer, which receives, stores, and forwards SMS messages and a mobile management entity, MME, of an LTE network. Also, there is no support for direct delivery of trigger messages from a machine type communication interworking function, MTC-IWF, to an MME. Currently, if an SMS message or trigger message is to be sent to a user equipment, UE, it is first sent to a Mobile Switching Center, MSC. If the UE is not camped on the network served by the MSC, the MSC must send a failure message back to the SMS service layer or the MTC-IWF. The SMS service layer or MTC-IWF must then direct the SMS message or trigger message to a serving general packet radio service, GPRS, support node, SGSN. If the UE is not camped on the network served by the SGSN, then the SGSN sends a failure message back to the SMS service layer or MTC-IWF. In response to this second failure, the SMS service layer or the MTC-IWF will again send a message to the MSC, this time instructing it to forward the request to an MME serving an LTE network. This repetition of the process of seeking the UE may be time consuming, and also costly if the sending node (e.g. a gateway mobile switching center, GWMSC, or SMS router) and the MSC, SGSN, and MME are owned by different service operators.

#A more complete understanding of the present invention, and the attendant advantages and features thereof, will be more readily understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

#FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary communication system constructed in accordance with principles of the present invention;

#FIG. 2 is a message flow diagram of messages exchanged in implementing communication between a user equipment UE and a mobility management entity, MME;

#Before describing in detail exemplary embodiments that are in accordance with the present invention, it is noted that the embodiments reside primarily in combinations of apparatus components and processing steps related to forwarding information in a communication network. Accordingly, the system and method components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

#As used herein, relational terms, such as “first” and “second,” “top” and “bottom,” and the like, may be used solely to distinguish one entity or element from another entity or element without necessarily requiring or implying any physical or logical relationship or order between such entities or elements.

#Referring now to the drawing figures, in which like reference designators denote like elements, there is shown in FIG. 1 an exemplary block diagram of a communications network 10 constructed in accordance with principles of the present invention. The communications network 10 includes a short messaging service, SMS, service layer 12 and a machine type communication interworking function, MTC-IWF 14. A purpose of the SMS service layer 12 is to forward short messages destined to user equipment UE 16. SMS is a text messaging service component of mobile communication systems using standardized protocols that allow exchange of short text messages between fixed and mobile phones and devices. A purpose of the MTC-IWF 14 is to forward trigger messages to the UE 16. A trigger message may include an Internet Protocol, IP, address or domain name to which the UE 16 is to connect to start a communication flow, or may include other application specific parameters.