FI114002B - Prioritizing multi-media messaging service messages in e.g. third generation mobile network by preceding message transmission by separate negotiation concerning priority of message - Google Patents

Abstract

Involves preceding the message (2-22) transmission by a separate negotiation concerning the priority (2-10, 2-14) of the message between a mobile station (C) and a multi-media service center (S). Hence when the message arrives, the multi-media service center already knows the priority of the message. An independent claim is included for a multi-media service center.

Description

114002 Advertising MMS Extensions Background of the Invention

The invention relates to a technique whereby network elements in an MMS or Multimedia Messaging Specification environment can inform each other of the existence of extended features. This kind of information about the existence of features is called advertising of features or services, although advertising as a technical term means something very different from what is understood by everyday language.

MMS is the 3GPP (Third Generation Partnership Project, see 10 www.3gpp.org) specification set for third generation mobile services. Figure 1 shows a reference architecture defined by 3GPP. One key element is the MMSC (Multimedia Service Center) MMSC. According to the reference architecture, the multimedia service center MMSC includes a relay unit MMR (MMS Relay) and a number of servers. In accordance with Va-15's embedded naming convention, server 0 is a storage server, and other servers 1 through N provide other services such as email, fax services, etc. The switching unit MMR has two databases, the subscriber registers, namely the MMS user database MDB and the HLR (Home Location Register). The first terminal (mobile) MS-A, whose subscriber information is stored in the subscriber registers of that MMSC, connects to the MMSC via an access network:; The mobile station MS-B in the export network connects to the MMSC via the corresponding elements AN-B, UA-B and MMR in the foreign network *.

·, · The problem with the above arrangement is that the attribute of the MMS. 25 the need to communicate the characteristics of the extended · -. and services. This causes the problem that the terminal devices and network elements are not able to take full advantage of the added features of other network elements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION J. The object of the invention is thus to develop the technology of the aforementioned on-. *. to solve the problem. The object of the invention is achieved by a method and system, which are characterized by what is stated in the independent claims. Preferred embodiments of the invention are the subject-matter of the dependent claims.

114002 2

The invention is based on the idea that, before transmitting the actual service message, the multimedia service centers go through a negotiation process in which they communicate to each other the MMS-specific extensions they know. The negotiation process is performed in principle in accordance with the SMTP protocol, but supplementing the SMTP protocol with additional information required by the invention, i.e. options. In response to the options received, the client (sender MMS relay / server) can see which MMS-specific extensions the server (recipient) MMS relay / server supports in the MM4 interface. Based on this information, the sender's MMS relay / server is able to use the correct options in transmitting the actual message. However, the MMS-Relay / server does not need to support any MMS-specific plug-ins.

Utilizing SMTP's standardized protocol extension tools, MMS-enabled operators and MMS-interworking infrastructure providers (or "GRX" operators) can easily add value-added features to MMS-15 interworking on their own networks and servers. By relying on the basic features of SMTP, all servers also automatically provide so-called. compatibility mode, where two MMS relays / servers can always use non-extensible SMTP.

The invention thus provides an easy way for MM4 to implement various extensions independently of MMS standardization work, i.e., manufacturer-specific extensions can be deployed quickly and transparently.

: ': Brief description of the figures

The invention will now be described in more detail in connection with preferred embodiments, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a reference architecture as defined by 3GPP; . . Figure 2 is a signaling diagram illustrating the operation of the invention; and

Figures 3 and 4 illustrate exemplary negotiation processes for promoting properties.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Figure 2 is a signaling diagram illustrating the operation of the invention.

In step 2-2, the user of the MS-1 terminal sends an MMS message via the MM1 interface. In step 2-4, the MMSC-1 receives the message and detects that it is a client of another operator. In step 2-6, MMSC-1 looks for the address of MMSC-2 and starts the SMTP handshake with MMSC-2. In step 35, 2-8, the MMSC-2 responds to the handshake and announces the MMS extensions it knows. In step 114002 3, 2-10, MMSC-1 sends a message along the MM4 interface to the MMSC2 utilizing the SMTP plug-ins provided by the MMSC2. In step 2-12, the MMSC-2 notifies the MS-2 of an incoming message.

Figure 3 illustrates in more detail the first exemplary consult 5 process (associated with steps 2-6 ... 2-10 in Figure 2). Figure 3 C (client) and S (server), the two servers are, however, C is the transmitting (conference start) party server, and S is the receiving party server. Interesting steps of the invention are 3-8 ... 3-14, in which the server S advertises or announces the extensions it manages. In this example, in step-10, in step 3-8, server S reports extensions related to priority processing, a technique for assigning different priorities to different messages. Similarly, in step 3-10, server S notifies other available extensions. In step 3-12, the server S notifies about additional numbering services, which may be various number conversion services, etc.

Figure 4 illustrates a consultative process according to an alternative embodiment, in which similar functionality is built by defining it as a feature of MMS relay / servers in 3GPP. All MMS-specific features are included under one SMTP-promoted extension, such as 'MMS-ENABLED'. In this case, the client MMS server 20 must execute one additional extended command added to the standard (according to the method allowed by SMTP) in order for the client service to see the entire list of supported MMS extensions. From the response of the MMS server, the MMS client server sees if there is any available option among the MMS-specific options. At the same time, servers that are not interested in MMS-specific: 25 extensions do not have to go through a (possibly long) list; : of all options. Likewise, the MMS client server immediately notices whether the MMS client supports; ; the retrieving server has no MMS-specific features.

It will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the above embodiments, but as the technology advances, the basic idea of the invention can be implemented in many different ways. The invention and its embodiments are thus not limited to the examples described above, but may vary within the scope of the claims.

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Claims (2)

114002 A method for transmitting messages from a first mobile station through a first and second multimedia service centers to a second mobile station, characterized in that: known to each other's capabilities to support MMS-specific extensions. 2. A multimedia service center (MMSC) adapted to forward messages from a first mobile station through a second multimedia service center to a second mobile station characterized in that the multimedia service center is arranged, prior to sending the message, to negotiate separately with the plug-ins. 'I »t 114002