Server abstracted messaging system
View Patent ↗A server abstracted messaging system interfaces to networking services such as SMS, UDP and IP, using internally implemented protocols or third-party tools. All connections, disconnections, errors or intricacies in service decoding are abstracted by the messaging system. To interface to an LBS device, the messaging system uses a special language to communicate with that device, leaving the actual translation of the command to the device until the very end, thereby abstracting the communication to the device by any application. All new commands for the LBS device are implemented in the abstracted language.
1. A computer-implemented method for transferring electronic communications between a remote device and a location-based service (LBS) device, where the remote device communicates in a first protocol that is incompatible with a second protocol in which the LBS device communicates, the method comprising executing on a processor the steps of:
receiving and storing into a memory of a computer a first message in the first protocol from the remote device,
parsing information from the first message, wherein the parsing comprises,
scanning the first message for an identifier of the LBS device to which the first message is directed, and storing the identifier in a database in the memory,
scanning the first message for a pass code, and storing the pass code in the database in the memory, and
scanning the first message for a command code, and storing the command code in the database in the memory,
processing the information extracted from the first message, wherein the processing comprises,
comparing the identifier to a database of identifiers to confirm that the LBS device to which the first message is directed is associated with the computer and to identify the second protocol for the LBS device, and
comparing the pass code to a database of pass codes to confirm that the message is authorized to be communicated,
creating a new message comprising the command, where the new message is formatted according to the second protocol associated with the LBS device,
sending the new message to the LBS device,
continually checking for a first response from the LBS device,
upon receipt of the first response from the LBS device, parsing the first response by scanning for a confirmation of execution of the command,
creating a new response incorporating the confirmation, where the new response is formatted according to the first protocol associated with the remote device and
sending the new response to the remote device.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the remote device is a cell phone and the first message is a text message.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the LBS device is one of an automotive tracking device, a personal tracking device, a pet tracking device, a cargo/container tracking device, a fleet vehicle tracking device, an emergency locator beacon, and a security/fire alarm monitoring device.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the pass code is a predetermined PIN.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the LBS device is disposed in a motor vehicle and the command includes one of locate vehicle, disable starter, enable starter, and unlock doors.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second protocol comprises one of short messaging service, general packet radio service, code division multiple access, user datagram protocol, and extensible markup language.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the new response further comprises at least one of a time of the confirmation, an address of the LBS device, a speed of the LBS device, and a direction of the LBS device.
8. A non-transitory computer-readable medium for transferring electronic communications between a remote device and a location-based service (LBS) device, where the remote device communicates in a first protocol that is incompatible with a second protocol in which the LBS device communicates, comprising instructions stored thereon, that when executed on a processor, perform the steps of:
receiving and storing into a memory of a computer a first message in the first protocol from the remote device,
parsing information from the first message, wherein the parsing comprises,
scanning the first message for an identifier of the LBS device to which the first message is directed, and storing the identifier in a database in the memory,
scanning the first message for a pass code, and storing the pass code in the database in the memory, and
scanning the first message for a command code, and storing the command code in the database in the memory,
processing the information extracted from the first message, wherein the processing comprises,
comparing the identifier to a database of identifiers to confirm that the LBS device to which the first message is directed is associated with the computer and to identify the second protocol for the LBS device, and
comparing the pass code to a database of pass codes to confirm that the message is authorized to be communicated,
creating a new message comprising the command, where the new message is formatted according to the second protocol associated with the LBS device,
sending the new message to the LBS device,
continually checking for a first response from the LBS device,
upon receipt of the first response from the LBS device, parsing the first response by scanning for a confirmation of execution of the command,
creating a new response incorporating the confirmation, where the new response is formatted according to the first protocol associated with the remote device and
sending the new response to the remote device.
9. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8 , wherein the remote device is a cell phone and the first message is a text message.
10. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8 , wherein the LBS device is one of an automotive tracking device, a personal tracking device, a pet tracking device, a cargo/container tracking device, a fleet vehicle tracking device, an emergency locator beacon, and a security/fire alarm monitoring device.
11. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8 , wherein the pass code is a predetermined PIN.
12. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8 , wherein the LBS device is disposed in a motor vehicle and the command includes one of locate vehicle, disable starter, enable starter, and unlock doors.
13. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8 , wherein the second protocol comprises one of short messaging service, general packet radio service, code division multiple access, user datagram protocol, and extensible markup language.
14. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8 , wherein the new response further comprises at least one of a time of the confirmation, an address of the LBS device, a speed of the LBS device, and a direction of the LBS device.