Patent ID: 8331962
Filing Date: 2012-12-11
Classification: H04W

Abstract:
1. An automated method performed by one or more network devices, comprising: receiving from a user associated with a first mobile device, via a network, an instruction to activate a short message service (SMS) forwarding service for the first mobile device, the instruction including information regarding a second mobile device to which SMS messages, intended for the first mobile device, are to be forwarded; activating, in response to the instruction, the SMS forwarding service for the first mobile device; receiving, from a third mobile device, a SMS message intended for the first mobile device; determining, in response to the SMS message, that the SMS forwarding service has been activated for the first mobile device; identifying a network device associated with the second mobile device to which to forward the SMS message, intended for the first mobile device, when the SMS forwarding service has been activated for the first mobile device; forwarding the SMS message to the identified network device; receiving, from the identified network device, the forwarded SMS message for forwarding to the first mobile device; tracking a quantity of times that the forwarded SMS message has been forwarded, without delivery, between the first mobile device and the second mobile device; and dropping the forwarded SMS message when the tracked quantity of times exceeds a threshold.