US 11653183

Here is a concise summary of U.S. Patent 11,653,183.

Title: Undelivered message threshold

Assignee: Rembrandt Messaging Technologies LP

Inventors: Graham Merrett

Filing Date: October 4, 2022

Issue Date: May 16, 2023

Abstract:
A system may comprise a sending mobile phone that transmits SMS messages via a cellular network and packet switched messages via a PSMS and at least one server that supports the PSMS and maintains status information. The sending mobile phone may send a second message via a WLAN and via the PSMS, to a receiving mobile phone on a condition that an undelivered message threshold corresponding to the receiving mobile phone has not been exceeded.

Overview of Independent Claims:

This patent has four independent claims (1, 7, 14, and 20), each describing a system or method for managing message delivery on a mobile phone by selecting between different networks based on the recipient's status.

Claim 1: Describes a system with a sending mobile phone, a server, and receiving mobile phones. The sending phone checks with the server to see if a recipient is a subscriber to a Packet Switched Message Service (PSMS). If the recipient is not a subscriber, the message is sent via a standard SMS. If the recipient is a subscriber and has not exceeded a maximum number of undelivered messages, the message is sent via a wireless local area network (WLAN) and the PSMS. A key feature is that messages sent via either SMS or the PSMS are displayed within the same messaging client on the sending phone.

Claim 7: Outlines a method performed by a sending mobile phone. The phone first checks the recipient's phone number with a server to determine if they are a PSMS subscriber. If not, it sends the message as an SMS. If the recipient is a subscriber and has not surpassed a threshold of undelivered messages, the phone sends the message over a WLAN through the PSMS. The method ensures a consistent user experience by displaying both types of messages in the same application.

Claim 14: Details a system where a sending mobile phone communicates with a server to manage message delivery to a single receiving mobile phone that is a PSMS subscriber. Initially, a message is sent via a WLAN and the PSMS. However, if a message to that recipient is undelivered, the server sends a different response to the sending phone, prompting it to then send subsequent messages to that recipient via an SMS bearer instead. This allows the system to adapt to delivery failures.

Claim 20: Focuses on a method performed by a sending mobile phone for a recipient who is a PSMS subscriber. After confirming the recipient's status, the phone sends a message via a WLAN and the PSMS. If that message goes undelivered, the sending phone will then send a subsequent message to that same recipient using an SMS bearer. This claim highlights the dynamic switching of delivery methods based on the success of prior messages.

Litigation:
As of April 26, 2026, a search of the CAFC dockets for 2026 did not reveal any appeals related to US Patent 11,653,183. However, the assignee, Rembrandt Messaging Technologies LP, has a history of patent litigation.