摘要 |
An instant messaging service is provided using short message service (SMS) messages as the underlying transport layer. A user having a phone associated with an MSISDN can use a client to generate messages that are then transmitted as if they originated from the phone. The SMS message is delivered to the second party's phone as per a normal SMS message. If the second party is also using a client, the client can retrieve messages addressed to the second party's MSISDN even though client does not need to be associated with the MSISDN. The use of SMS messages provides for a persistent and reliable transport layer, and also allows for fall back to SMS messaging for either party independently. |