Patent ID: 7209759

Claim:
A method for dynamically distributing short messages in a communications network, comprising the steps of: storing action data that indicates a plurality of actions for forwarding a short message that is formatted as a control message in a communication network but does not control the communication network, wherein the plurality of actions include an action to bypass a short message service center (SMSC); storing parameter data that indicates a plurality of message parameters in a plurality of network protocol headers for a data packet that includes a short message; receiving, from a provider of short message delivery service, provider input data that indicates a special value set of at least one value for a corresponding special parameter set including at least one parameter among the plurality of message parameters; and a special action set of at least one action of the plurality of actions to be performed if an actual value set based at least in part on a data packet received matches the special value set; receiving a particular data packet that includes a short message; determining whether an actual value set for the special parameter set based at least in part on the particular data packet matches the special value set; and if it is determined that the actual value set matches the special value set, then forwarding the short message according to the special action set.