Wireless internet gateway limiting message distribution

Abstract

A wireless Internet gateway bridges wireless devices to the Internet, e.g., via a short message service center (SMSC). The gateway provides a portal to SMPP, HTTP, TNPP, or other protocol messages using Java Remote Method Invocation (RMI) techniques. Application servers insert RMI objects containing messages in a message queue handler of the gateway. The RMI objects are queued and passed either directly to a destination delivery handler (e.g., SMPP, SMTP, HTTP or TNPP protocol handler), or passed through a generic destination interface. An SMTP handler provides direct communication of SMTP protocol messages (i.e., email) to the message queue. An SMPP link proxy module provides direct access between a local application server and the destination delivery handler. The messages are packaged into relevant messages of the particular destination protocol (e.g., SMPP), and transmitted to the relevant network element (e.g., to an SMSC).

1 - 32 . (canceled) 
     
     
         33 . A method of controlling message distribution based on a customer license, comprising:
 determining, with an intermediate physical gateway, a customer license agreement controlling an adjustable parameter; and   limiting, with said intermediate physical gateway, a range of said adjustable parameter within a maximum range based on a level of use granted to a wireless device within said customer license agreement.   
     
     
         34 . The method of controlling message distribution based on a customer license according to  claim 33 , further comprising:
 accessing, with said intermediate physical gateway, an encrypted license file specifying said maximum range specified by said customer license agreement.   
     
     
         35 . The method of controlling message distribution based on a customer license according to  claim 33 , wherein:
 said intermediate physical gateway is a wireless Internet gateway.   
     
     
         36 . The method of controlling message distribution based on a customer license according to  claim 33 , wherein:
 said adjustable parameter controls a maximum message length.   
     
     
         37 . The method of controlling message distribution based on a customer license according to  claim 33 , wherein:
 said adjustable parameter controls a message transmission timeout.   
     
     
         38 . The method of controlling message distribution based on a customer license according to  claim 33 , wherein:
 said adjustable parameter controls wireless device access number ranges.   
     
     
         39 . An intermediate physical gateway for controlling message distribution based on a customer license, comprising:
 a determiner to determine a customer license agreement controlling an adjustable parameter; and   a limiter to limit a range of said adjustable parameter within a maximum range based on a level of use granted to a wireless device within said customer service agreement.   
     
     
         40 . The intermediate physical gateway for controlling message distribution based on a customer license according to  claim 39 , wherein:
 said intermediate physical gateway accesses an encrypted license file specifying said maximum range specified by said customer license agreement.   
     
     
         41 . The intermediate physical gateway for controlling message distribution based on a customer license according to  claim 39 , wherein:
 said intermediate physical gateway is a wireless Internet gateway.   
     
     
         42 . The intermediate physical gateway for controlling message distribution based on a customer license according to  claim 39 , wherein:
 said adjustable parameter controls a maximum message length.   
     
     
         43 . The intermediate physical gateway for controlling message distribution based on a customer license according to  claim 39 , wherein:
 said adjustable parameter controls a message transmission timeout.   
     
     
         44 . The intermediate physical gateway for controlling message distribution based on a customer license according to  claim 39 , wherein:
 said adjustable parameter controls wireless device access number ranges.