Methods and apparatus for alternative routing of text based messages on a cellular telephone network

摘要

Systems and techniques for routing and transmission of short message service messages are described. A user profile associated with a wireless telephone includes conditions relating to a user's need or desire to receive a text message through a device other than the wireless telephone and the user's preferences in the event of each of the conditions. The conditions include whether a user's instant messaging client is active. If the client is active, the user profile include the address of the client. When a text message arrives for the user at a wireless telephone switching center, the switching center determines if the message is to be sent to the user through the wireless telephone network, through the internet messaging client or both. Depending on the desired routing of the message, the message is transmitted through the wireless network or formatted and sent as an instant messaging message, or both.