WO2009037522A2

WO2009037522A2 - Mobile messaging

Info

Publication number: WO2009037522A2
Application number: PCT/IB2007/002909
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kananoja Sami; Karimaki Kirsi
Original assignee: Nokia Inc
Current assignee: Nokia Inc
Priority date: 2007-08-30
Filing date: 2007-09-14
Publication date: 2009-03-26
Anticipated expiration: 2010-02-28
Also published as: TW200917800A; WO2009037522A3

Abstract

This invention relates to a method and a system for managing media content present in a mobile device in a multimedia messaging application. The method comprises determining a set of media content ranking rules containing at least one media content ranking rule and selecting on basis of the set of media ranking rules, a predetermined number of media content objects. Representations of the selected media content objects are displayed in a media content panel. When receiving user selection input selecting one of the represented media content objects, the selected represented media content is inserted in a media content object according to the user selection input into a current message. In this way media content ranking rules is used to select media content present on the mobile device and further to display the selected media content objects in the media content pane on top of the messaging application. The selected media content objects in the media content pane are accessible for the user to insert in messages being created in the messaging application.

Description

MOBILE MESSAGING

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to mobile messaging. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method, system and corresponding computer-readable program and medium for managing media content in a mobile multimedia messaging application

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Multimedia Messaging Service, MMS, is a standard for use in advanced wireless terminals. The service concept is derived from Short Message Service, SMS, and allows for non-real-time transmission of multimedia contents of various kinds, e.g. images, audio, video clips, etc. Mobile phones of today often include media recorders and MMS applications which allows for frequent mobile multimedia messaging. With mobile phones, users can share text, images, video clips, sound files, etc. with other users. However, MMS is not as frequently used as could be expected and is not a dominating messaging type. In addition to price and compatibility issues, studies have listed other reasons for this. Users may see no need to send MMSs via mobile devices. Kasesniemi et.al, VTT Research Notes 2204, Espoo, 2003, pp. 42 - 47, have shown that users are not that well aware of the features MMS provides. Furthermore, the user finds the procedure to create and send an MMS too complicated to start utilizing the service.

The S60 platform 3rd edition, Active Idle, provided by Nokia, provides methods for creating SMS and MMS, where multimedia content objects are included in a message being created in a messaging application. However, when creating the message, the user is forced to, in a number of steps, walk through a menu system to select media content to add to the current message. With an increasing number of media content objects and a plurality of media types, i.e. text, image, video, and sound, different libraries for each media type have to be entered to allow the user to view and select media content objects present on the mobile device. The total number of steps and the complexity of the operation hinders the user from frequently adding media content in his or her message. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a solution for managing of media content present in a mobile device in a multimedia messaging application that alleviates the above mentioned drawbacks of the prior art.

This object is achieved by a method and a system for managing media content present in a mobile device in a multimedia messaging application and the corresponding computer-readable program and medium according to the present invention as defined in claims 1 , 10, 13, 14, and 15. Thus, in accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for managing media content present in a mobile device in a mobile multimedia messaging application, the method comprising: determining a set of media content ranking rules containing at least one media content ranking rule, selecting on basis of the set of media ranking rules, a predetermined number of media content objects, displaying representations of the selected media content objects in a media content pane, receiving user input selecting one of the represented media content objects, and inserting a media content object according to the user selection input into a current message.

Hence, there is provided a method for managing media content, present in a mobile device, in a multimedia messaging application. A set of media content ranking rules are determined, from which a number of media content objects present in the mobile device are represented in a media content pane and further displayed in the messaging application. Representations of the media content objects that are stored on the device are then displayed and made accessible in the messaging application according to the media content ranking rules. Thus, the media content pane is arranged to let the user have access to, and to be reminded of, media content objects that are present on the mobile device. From the media content pane, the user is then allowed to insert a selected media content object into a current message being created in the messaging application. In accordance with an embodiment of the method, the set of media content ranking rules is based on at least one item selected from a group of items comprising frequency of use, alphabetic order, most recently used, media type, random selection and size, which provides a user friendly way of allowing an easy access to specific media content like the most popular, most recent, or least memory demanding media content present on the mobile device. In addition the random selection rule provides the user with access to different media content objects present on the mobile device on each session. The media content objects are selected in a random way amongst present media content objects, such that "gold coins" of the past may reappear and remind the user of forgotten media content objects present on the mobile device. In accordance with an embodiment of the method, the set of media content ranking rules further comprises media content pane displaying rules such that the media content is presented in a desired way. A user might prefer having a specific presentation format or having a specific media type appear on top of the media content pane. This is achieved by setting media content pane displaying rules according to the present method.

In accordance with an embodiment of the method, the representations of media content objects in the media content pane are displayed in a presentation format chosen from a group of presentation formats comprising thumbnail, name, a combination of thumbnail and name, and media type. In accordance with an embodiment of the method, the predetermined number of media content objects is larger than the number of representations of media content objects visible on the media content pane, and wherein the media content pane is scrollable. This allows to scroll amongst the selected media content objects, when the number of media content objects is large. In accordance with an embodiment of the method, the media content pane is always accessible in the multimedia messaging application, such that a user is always aware of the existing media content on the mobile device and is always just one click away from adding the media content to a present message being created. In accordance with an embodiment of the method, the media content of the media content objects comprises at least one of video, image, audio, and template text. Thus, the media content may be produced or received from other applications than the multimedia application itself. The adding of multimedia content into messages is made in an easy way. Also template texts of recurrent text is provided in a convenient way, which speeds up the creation of messages. In accordance with an embodiment of the method, the user selection input is done by one operation selected from a group of operations comprising pressing a hardware button, pressing a software button, a mouse click, and a drag and drop function. Thus, a user-friendly and intuitive way of adding media content to a current message is provided.

In accordance with an embodiment of the method, the messaging application is one of the group of MMS, SMS, e-mail, instant messaging and blogging. The method according to the present invention is thus applicable to a variety of messaging application types which makes is advantageous. According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for managing media content present in a mobile device in a multimedia messaging application comprising: a processor unit configured for running a messaging application, a storage element for storing media content, a user interface comprising a display element and a user input element, and wherein the processor unit, under instructions from a media content manager application, is further configured for: determining a set of media content ranking rules containing at least one media content ranking rule, selecting on basis of the set of media ranking rules a predetermined number of media content objects, presenting the selected media content objects in a media content pane on the display element, receiving from the user input element user selection input selecting a media content object, and inserting a media content object according to the user selection input from the media content pane into a current message being created in the messaging application. The system is advantageously integrated in a mobile device and enables a way of providing multimedia content into a multimedia messaging application.

According to a third and fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer-readable program and computer-readable medium containing a computer-readable program for managing media content in a multimedia messaging application according to the principles of the present invention.

The invention is based on an insight that media content ranking rules is used to select media content present on a mobile device and further to display the selected media content objects in a media content pane on top of a messaging application, which selected media content objects in the media content pane are accessible for the user, which provides an improved, more user-friendly way of allowing a user to add media content objects into messages.

These and other aspects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described in more detail and with reference to the appended drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a schematic flow chart of an embodiment of the method according to the present invention.

Fig. 2. a) is a schematic illustration of media content ranking rules, and b) is a schematic illustration of media content pane settings, in an embodiment of the method according to the present invention; Fig. 3. a) - d) are schematic illustrations of media content panes in different embodiments of the method according to the present invention; Fig. 4 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a system according to the present invention; and

Fig. 5 is a schematic illustration of a setup for a messaging display according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In Fig. 1 a schematic flow chart of an embodiment of the method according to the present invention is provided. In the starting block a mobile messaging application has been activated. At block 110 a check for an existing set of media content ranking rules is done. It should be noted that the set of media content ranking rules consists of at least one rule. A predetermined set of media content ranking rules may be set by the manufacturer of the device/software or is previously set by the user. If there exists a set of media content ranking rules, in block 120, it is determined whether the predetermined set of media content ranking rules is to be changed. This is done by either presenting the user with the menu to make the choice within the messaging application, or by letting the user activate a media content rule setup session from an menu external to the messaging application.

If a media content ranking rule does not exist, or an existing set of rules is to be changed, a determination of a set of media content ranking rules containing at least one media content ranking rule is done by the user in block 130. The setup is preferably realised as a software program providing a text interface or a graphical interface, e.g. a list or table, in which the user sets the individual settings of the media content ranking rules. In an exemplifying table for media content ranking rules 200 as illustrated in Fig. 2 a) media type 210 is set to MT1 ="image", MT2= "sound" and MT3="text". These media types will then be visible on a media content pane 350, Fig. 3, present on the display 450 in the messaging application display 400, Fig. 4. Further a ranking setting 220 is set, which is chosen from one of a list of "frequency of use", "alphabetic order", "most recently used", "random selection" and "size". A person skilled in the art will appreciate that other ranking settings are possible and that the set of media content ranking rules may be based on those other possible ranking settings, and is thus to be considered within the scope of the present invention. By choosing "frequency of use", in this exemplifying embodiment, the most frequently used image objects and the most frequently used sound objects, and the most frequently used text objects will be ranked highest according to the media content ranking rules. Accordingly, by choosing "most recently used" the most recently used image objects, and the most recently used sound objects, and the most recently used text objects will be ranked highest according to the media content ranking rules. The choice of "alphabetic order" and "size" will in the same manner rank the three selected types of media content objects, in this example, according to alphabetic order and size, respectively. A ranking setting 220 set to "random selection" is set to let the ranking rules select a number of media content objects from the total number of media content objects present on the mobile device in a random way. Each new session of the messaging application or, alternatively, when starting to write a new message will render a new set of media content objects to be presented on the media content pane 350. This way the user is reminded of what media content objects are present on the mobile device. In Fig. 2, the ranking setting R1 is set to "most recently used".

After having determined the media content ranking rules 200 in box 130 of the method the procedure continues and a predetermined number of media content objects are selected in box 140. The predetermined number is in this example retrieved from a setup file and set to seven. Representations of the seven selected media content objects are then displayed in a media content pane 350 (Fig. 3a), box 150. The objects are three image objects 351 , 352, and 353, two sound objects 354 and 355, and two text objects 356 and 357. In this exemplifying embodiment of the method according to the present invention, which is not intended to be limiting to the scope of the invention, the media content objects displayed in the media content pane are viewed as thumbnails representing the most recently used image objects 351 - 353, sound symbol thumbnails 354 - 355 of the two most recently used sound images, and thumbnails representing the two most recently used text objects 356 - 357. From the media content pane 350 the user is now allowed to select media content objects 351 - 357 for inserting into a current message. User selection input for selecting a desired media content object is achieved by letting the user click on the representation of a desired media content object, box 160. In box 170, the media content object that has been selected by the user is inserted in the current message.

Above the user selection input is done by a mouse click on the representation of a desired media content object, 351 - 357. In alternative embodiments the selection is done by pressing a hardware button, for instance by using arrow keys, or a software button on a touch screen. Another way to select and insert a desired media content object in a present message is to use a drag and drop function on the representation thereof. In an alternative embodiment, as exemplified in Fig. 2 b), the set of media content ranking rules further comprises media content pane displaying rules 230. The media content pane settings 230 comprise: number of visible media content 231 , presentation format 232, and positioning of different media types on the media content pane 233. These examples are not to be considered limiting of the scope of the invention, since other media content settings are possible.

When the predetermined number of media content objects is larger than the number of representations of media content objects visible on the media content pane 350, the media content pane 350 is set to be scrollable, such that the set number of visible media content objects is displayed, but where the total number of accessible media content objects as defined are reachable for the user by scrolling the media content pane. This offers a convenient way of presenting media content present on the mobile device. For example by choosing only one media type, e.g MT1 = "image", and letting the predetermined number of media content objects be very large and by setting the number of visible media content objects to a desired number (typically much smaller than the determined number of media content objects), and then set the media content pane to be scrollable, the messaging application is instantly provided with a library of substantially all accessible media content objects of type MT1 (images in this case) on the mobile device. The user does not have to enter any additional menus when creating the message to add a picture, but just scrolls the media content pane 350 and selects a suitable image from the thumbnail pictures.

To continue with the current exemplifying embodiment, in Fig. 2 b), "NR", nr of visible objects, is set to four, "PRESENTATION FORMAT" is set to scrollable list and name, and position "BOX 1" is set to sound. In Fig. 3 b) a corresponding media content pane 350 is illustrated. In an alternative embodiment "PRESENTATION FORMAT" is set to scrollable list and thumbnail, Fig. 3 c). Yet another combination of thumbnail and name, and no scrolling, is illustrated in Fig. 3 d).

In an embodiment of the invention, the media content pane 350, 550 is always visible and accessible when the messaging application is activated.

By letting the media content pane 350, 550 always be accessible in the multimedia messaging application, the user is encouraged to insert media content objects to his or her messages. The media content pane 350, 550 is always placed in the top layer on the display 450, 560. The media content pane 350, 550 is preferably activated by a plurality of messaging applications present on the mobile device.

Suitable media content for using with the method according to the present invention is video, image, audio, and template text. E.g. if the user often uses a certain text in the messages like "Please call", "I am in a meeting" or an "official signature" (typically name, profession, company and contact data) this may be placed on to the media content pane 350, 550 to simplify for the user when sending messages. As a person skilled in the art will appreciate other type of media content is possible to use and is to be considered within the scope of the invention. Above the method was described for a general messaging application.

The method is applicable to any suitable messaging application. More specifically the messaging application is one of the group of MMS, SMS, e- mail, instant messaging and blogging. For each of the messaging applications the method according to the present invention provides a top-layer media content pane 350, 550 which presents media content objects to the user, which media content objects are accessible and configured to allow the user to insert a selected object in a message with a simple manoeuvre. The method further comprises a media content search which may be run during initiation of a media content application method session, or periodically. The media content search comprises scanning the mobile device storage 440 for available media content objects. The available media content objects are listed with respect to media type, location in a present storage file system, size, date and time of use etc.

A system for managing media content present in a mobile device in a mobile multimedia messaging application is illustrated schematically in Fig. 4. The system 400 comprises a processor unit, CPU, 410 configured for running a messaging application 430 and a media content manager application 420. Alternatively the messaging application 430 and media content manager application 420 may be run on separate discrete CPU:s.

Further, a storage element 440 is arranged for storing media content on the mobile device. Since the media content comprises different types of media, it may be produced by other media applications present on the mobile device or downloaded from an external source. The storage element 440 is realised with any suitable conventional memory device available on the open market. Some examples of a storage element are memory card, a RAM- memory like a flash memory, or a ROM-memory. The system 400 is further arranged with a user interface 450 for user input and output. The user interface 450 comprises a display element 460, which is preferably any type of LCD or similar flat, low power consumption display suitable for mobile devices. Furthermore, the user interface 450 comprises a user input element 470. The user input element 470 is realised with a keytable. In alternative embodiments the display element 460 and the input element 470 is realised with a touch screen display in combination with a keytable and/or a pointing device, and/or touch pad. A man skilled in the art, will recognize a number of ways to realise the elements comprised in the system of the present invention. The processor unit 410, under instructions from the media content manager application 420, is further configured for performing the method of the present invention. The media content manager application 420 is preferably realised as a software program. The program is configured to contain code and instructions for performing the method according to the present invention, as described above.

The media content manager application 420 is provided to the system by storing the application onto the mobile device during manufacturing or by downloading it from the Internet or any other media service, or it may be provided to the mobile device by insertion and copying the media content manager application 420 from a computer-readable medium, like a disc, a memory card, etc. In Fig. 5 a schematic illustration of a message window for a MMS- application is shown. The message window 500 contains an address area 560, a subject area 561 , a text area 562, and a menu 563. Furthermore, on top of the message window 500 a media content pane 550 according to the present invention is present. The media content pane 550 comprises representations of media content objects 551 - 555. The media content objects are selected by means of the media content ranking rules according to the present invention. If the user want to insert a media content object, he or she selects the object by clicking on a thumbnail on the media content pane. Above, embodiments of the method and system according to the present invention as defined in the appended claims have been described. These should be seen as merely non-limiting examples. As understood by a skilled person, many modifications and alternative embodiments are possible within the scope of the invention. It is to be noted, that for the purposes of this application, and in particular with regard to the appended claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, that the word "a" or "an", does not exclude a plurality, which per se will be apparent to a person skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A method for managing media content present in a mobile device in a multimedia messaging application, the method comprising: determining a set of media content ranking rules containing at least one media content ranking rule; selecting on basis of the set of media ranking rules, a predetermined number of media content objects; displaying representations of the selected media content objects in a media content pane; receiving user selection input selecting one of the represented media content objects; and inserting a media content object according to the user selection input into a current message.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said set of media content ranking rules is based on at least one item selected from a group of items comprising frequency of use, alphabetic order, most recently used, media type, random selection and size.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the set of media content ranking rules further comprises media content pane displaying rules.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the representations of media content objects in the media content pane are displayed in a presentation format chosen from a group of presentation formats comprising thumbnail, name, a combination of thumbnail and name, and media type.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the predetermined number of media content objects is larger than the number of representations of media content objects visible on the media content pane, and wherein the media content pane is scrollable.

6. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the media content pane is always accessible in the multimedia messaging application.

7. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the media content of the media content objects comprises at least one of video, image, audio, and template text.

8. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the user selection input is done by one operation selected from a group of operations comprising pressing a hardware button, pressing a software button, a mouse click, and a drag and drop function.

9. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the messaging application is one of a group of messaging applications comprising multimedia messaging service, short message service, e-mail, instant messaging and blogging.

10. A system for managing media content present in a mobile device in a multimedia messaging application comprising: a processor unit; a storage element; and a user interface comprising a display element and a user input element; said processor unit being configured to run a messaging application; and said storage element being configured to store media content; wherein the processor unit, under instructions from a media content manager application, is further configured to: determine a set of media content ranking rules containing at least one media content ranking rule; select on basis of the set of media ranking rules, a predetermined number of media content objects; display representations of the selected media content objects in a media content pane on the display element; receive from the user input element user selection input selecting one of the represented media content objects; and insert a media content object according to the user selection input into a current message being created in the messaging application.

11. The system according to claim 10, wherein said set of media content ranking rules is based on at least one item selected from a group of items comprising frequency of use, alphabetic order, most recently used, media type, and size.

12. The system according to claim 11 , wherein the set of media content ranking rules further comprises media content pane displaying rules.

13. A system for managing media content present in a mobile device in a multimedia messaging application comprising: a processor unit configured for running a messaging application; a storage element for storing media content; a user interface comprising a display element and a user input element; and wherein the processor unit, under instructions from a media content manager application, is further configured for: determining a set of media content ranking rules containing at least one media content ranking rule; selecting on basis of the set of media ranking rules, a predetermined number of media content objects; presenting the selected media content objects in a media content pane on the display element; receiving from the user input element user selection input selecting a media content object; and inserting a media content object according to the user selection input from the media content pane into a current message being created in the messaging application.

14. A computer-readable program for managing media content in a mobile multimedia messaging application which program, when executed by a computer, causes the computer to perform a method comprising: determining a set of media content ranking rules containing at least one media content ranking rule; selecting on basis of the set of media ranking rules, a predetermined number of media content objects; presenting the selected media content objects in a media content pane; receiving user selection input selecting a media content object, and inserting a media content object according to the user selection input from the media content pane into a current message.

15. A computer-readable medium containing a computer-readable program for managing media content in a mobile multimedia messaging application, the program being executed by a computer to perform a method comprising: determining a set of media content ranking rules containing at least one media content ranking rule; selecting on basis of the set of media ranking rules, a predetermined number of media content objects; presenting the selected media content objects in a media content pane; receiving user selection input selecting a media content object, and inserting a media content object according to the user selection input from the media content pane into a current message.