Patent ID: 7127489
Filing Date: 2006-10-24
Classification: H04W

Abstract:
1. A first network element of a cellular network for implementing a messaging service between a messaging server external to the cellular network and a terminal of the cellular network, wherein the first network element comprises: means for receiving a first inquiry sent by the messaging server, the first inquiry comprising a request to determine the readiness of said terminal of the cellular network to receive data; means for determining readiness of said terminal to receive data; means for sending a first response message to the messaging server in response to said first inquiry, the first response message comprising information on the readiness of said terminal to receive data, wherein said first network element of the cellular network is capable of knowing values of parameters relating to the readiness of terminals of the cellular network to receive data, the readiness of said terminal to receive data through said first network element being interpreted with the help of said parameter values, the first network element comprising: for a situation, where said terminal is ready to receive data through the first network element: means for indicating said readiness in said first response message to said messaging server; and for a situation, where said terminal is not ready to receive data through the first network element: means for sending a second inquiry to a home location register of the cellular network to determine a set of permissible network elements of the cellular network, the network elements belonging to the set of permissible network elements having in their knowledge values of parameters relating to the readiness of terminals to receive data, and through which network elements said terminal has the ability to receive data; and means for receiving in response to said second inquiry a second response message from the home location register, the second response message indicating said set of permissible network elements to said first network element.