Abstract: A wireless device for providing a message service is disclosed, along with a computer readable medium. The wireless device may be capable of sending messages via a packet switched WLAN base station in a first mode, or via an SMS base station that is independent of the packet switched base station, in a second mode. A message client on the wireless device determines whether a recipient's wireless device corresponds to a subscriber of a service for receiving the outgoing message via a packet switched bearer. The wireless device sends, via a WLAN transceiver, if the recipient's wireless device corresponds to a subscriber of the service, the outgoing message to the recipient's wireless device in the first mode. Alternatively, if the recipient's wireless device does not correspond to a subscriber of the service, the outgoing message is sent by a cellular transmitter via the SMS base station in the second mode.

Abstract: This invention concerns a messaging service in a wireless communications network. In a first aspect, the invention is a method for providing a messaging service on a wireless device in a wireless communications network; the method comprising the steps of: Retrieving the destination address of an outgoing message on the device. Verifying whether the destination address is capable of receiving the message via a packet-switched bearer. If verification is affirmative, then automatically sending the message to the destination address via a packet-switched bearer, but otherwise, automatically sending the message to the destination address via an SMS bearer. In another aspect, the invention is a mobile device programmed to perform the method. In a further aspect, the invention is a software program to implement the method.

Abstract: A method of providing a message service in a sender's wireless device is disclosed. The sender's wireless device may be capable of sending messages via a packet switched base station in a first mode, or via a short message service (SMS) base station that is independent of the packet switched base station, in a second mode. The sender's wireless device determines whether a destination address corresponds to a subscriber of a service for receiving the outgoing message via a packet switched bearer. The sender's wireless device sends, if the destination address corresponds to a subscriber of the service, the outgoing message to the recipient's wireless device via the packet switched base station in the first mode. If the destination address does not correspond to a subscriber of the service, the outgoing message may be sent via the SMS base station in the second mode.

Abstract: A method and server for providing a message service. The server receives, via a packet switched WLAN, a request message including a destination address associated with a recipient device. The device of the sender is capable of sending messages via the packet switched WLAN or alternatively via an SMS bearer. The server determines whether the destination address corresponds to a subscriber of a service for receiving the outgoing message via a packet switched bearer. The server sends a response message to the device of the sender. If the destination address corresponds to a subscriber of the service for receiving the outgoing message via a packet switched bearer, the response message provides an indication to the device of the sender to send the outgoing message via the packet switched WLAN. Alternatively, the response message provides an indication to send the outgoing message via the SMS bearer.

Abstract: Method, apparatus, and computer readable medium for use in a first wireless device, and a method for use in a server. The first wireless device is capable of transmitting messages via a packet switched network and via an SMS bearer via a cellular core network. A numeric destination address associated with a second wireless device is sent, via a packet switched network and the Internet, to a server. The server is not a component of the cellular core network. An indication is received from the server at the first wireless device of whether the second wireless device is associated with a subscriber of a message service for receiving the message being composed via a packet switched bearer. A result of the indication is displayed on the first wireless device. The message is transmitted to the second wireless device.

Abstract: A method and server for providing a message service. The server receives, via a packet switched WLAN, a request message including a destination address associated with a recipient device. The device of the sender is capable of sending messages via the packet switched WLAN or alternatively via an SMS bearer. The server determines whether the device of the recipient corresponds to a subscriber of a service for receiving the outgoing message via a packet switched bearer. The server sends a response message to the device of the sender. If the device of the recipient corresponds to a subscriber of the service for receiving the outgoing message via a packet switched bearer, the response message provides an indication to the device of the sender to send the outgoing message via the packet switched WLAN. Alternatively, the response message provides an indication to send the outgoing message via the SMS bearer.

Abstract: Method, apparatus, and computer readable medium for use in a first wireless device, and a method for use in a server. The first wireless device is capable of transmitting messages via a packet switched network and via an SMS bearer via a cellular core network. A numeric destination address associated with a second wireless device is sent, via a packet switched network and the Internet, to a server. The server is not a component of the cellular core network. An indication is received from the server at the first wireless device of whether the second wireless device is associated with a subscriber of a message service for receiving the message being composed via a packet switched bearer. A result of the indication is displayed on the first wireless device. The message is transmitted to the second wireless device using the numeric address and based on the indication.

Abstract: A wireless device for providing a message service is disclosed, along with a computer readable medium. The wireless device may be capable of sending messages via a packet switched WLAN base station in a first mode, or via an SMS base station that is independent of the packet switched base station, in a second mode. A message client on the wireless device determines whether a recipient's wireless device corresponds to a subscriber of a service for receiving the outgoing message via a packet switched bearer. The wireless device sends, via a WLAN transceiver, if the recipient's wireless device corresponds to a subscriber of the service, the outgoing message to the recipient's wireless device in the first mode. Alternatively, if the recipient's wireless device does not correspond to a subscriber of the service, the outgoing message is sent by a cellular transmitter via the SMS base station in the second mode.