KR20050046739A - A method for creating multimedia messages with rfid tag information - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method in a portable, digital device for generating a multimedia message, comprising a multimedia object, and to such a digital portable device. The method involves the following steps: a) emitting an interrogating radio signal in order to stimulate an RFID-transponder tag to emit a response signal; b) receiving such a response signal, which includes tag information, associated with a multimedia object; and c) initiating the transmission of a multimedia message based upon the tag information. This allows a multimedia message to be created without extra work for the user.

Description

A method for creating multimedia messages with RFID tag information}

The invention relates to a method made in a portable digital device for the generation of a multimedia message according to the preamble of claim 1, a portable digital device according to the preamble of claim 8 and a product according to the preamble of claim 12.

So-called SMS-Short Message Service (SMS) has been tremendously popular over the last few years. Although SMS-messages are confined to characters with strictly limited lengths, the possibility of sending such a message grabs the user's mind.

MMS-message (MMS) is an extension of the message when compared to SMS-messages. MMS allows a message to contain multimedia objects such as, for example, video clips, images or sound information. Of course, this involves more presentation messages. Instead of sending only text, the user can create a message that includes multimedia objects that reflect his lifestyle, mode, destination, and so forth. This raises the message value for the transmitter as well as the message value for the receiver.

The problem with generating messages containing multimedia objects arises from the often limited user interface of portable devices such as mobile phones. Because of the simplicity of portability, it is common for the sizes of keyboards and displays to be miniaturized. While mobile phones are relatively suitable for the input of text, one may experience that the input or editing of multimedia objects, for example melodies, is often tedious.

1 is a diagram illustrating a mobile phone in communication with an RFID-tag attached to an object.

2 shows the basic components of an RFID-tag.

3A and 3B are diagrams illustrating generation of a multimedia message according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4A is a diagram illustrating generation and transmission of a multimedia message according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

4B is a diagram illustrating generation and transmission of a multimedia message according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

5 shows a product with an RFID-tag attached.

It is an object of the present invention to obviate all or part of the above mentioned problems.

This object is achieved by a method according to claim 1, a portable digital device according to claim 8 and a product according to claim 12.

According to a first embodiment, the invention relates to a method performed in a portable digital device for generating a multimedia message comprising a multimedia object. The method comprises the steps of: a) emitting a query radio signal, stimulating an RFID-transponder tag to cause a response signal to be emitted; b) receiving such a response signal comprising tag information associated with the multimedia object; And c) initiating transmission of the multimedia message based on the tag information.

This allows the user to create a message containing a multimedia object without performing detailed manual operations. The RFID-transponder / tag may be attached to an object, and the multimedia object may for example be associated with this object aesthetically. For example, the object may be a pair of clothes and the multimedia object may reflect the appearance of the pair of clothes and consequently the lifestyle of the user.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the tag information may include the multimedia object. This enables multimedia message completion in the portable digital device itself.

The user is preferably asked to allow or deny the insertion of multimedia objects within the message. This allows the user to select whether the multimedia object should be sent.

In a variant embodiment, the tag information is a link to a multimedia object stored in a database. This allows the insertion of multimedia objects with information content larger than the maximum memory space of the RFID-tag.

In a preferred embodiment, such a database is stored on a portable digital device. This allows the user to preview the multimedia message prior to the transmission of the multimedia message.

In another embodiment, the database is stored on one node of the mobile communication system where the portable digital device is registered or on an internet server accessible by such node. This allows the portable digital device to transmit large quantities of different sets of multimedia objects that do not need direct access.

 According to a second aspect, the present invention relates to a portable digital device for the generation of a multimedia message comprising a multimedia object. The apparatus comprises means for emitting a query radio signal, comprising means for stimulating an RFID-transponder tag to emit a response signal; Means for receiving a response signal comprising tag information associated with the multimedia object; And means for initiating transmission of the multimedia message based on the tag information. The portable digital device entails similar advantages to the method mentioned above and can be similarly modified.

In a preferred embodiment, the portable digital device comprises a keyboard and key-lock function; Means for emitting a door radio signal, the means for stimulating an RFID-transponder tag to cause a response signal to be emitted; Means for receiving such a response signal from the RFID transponder; And means for activating the key-locking function when the response signal indicates that the portable digital device is within a predetermined distance of the RFID-transponder. This allows for automatic activation of the key-lock function.

In another embodiment, a portable digital device, preferably a mobile phone, is configured to display multimedia objects prior to the transmission of a message. This allows the user to preview the message before the message is sent.

According to a third embodiment, the present invention relates to a product comprising an RFID-transponder. The product is characterized in that the transponder includes tag information corresponding to a multimedia object, the tag information being intended to be retrieved by a portable digital device to facilitate the creation of a multimedia message.

The product according to this embodiment of the invention entails corresponding advantages by cooperating with the portable digital device.

First, some abbreviations will be explained.

Short Message Service (SMS) is a text message transmission service that allows the transmission of short text messages (160 characters) from or to a mobile phone. SMS is used in GSM systems and utilizes the control channels of the system.

MMS (Multimedia Messaging) refers to an extension of a message sent to or from a mobile phone. MMS allows multimedia objects such as graphics, images, video clips and / or sound clips to be transmitted.

Radio Frequency Identification Transponder (RFID) (or RFID-tag) refers to a small electronic circuit containing information. When stimulated by an electromagnetic field (inquiry signal) via an inquiry device (reader), the RFID emits a response signal that can be received by the inquiry device and includes stored information. Passive RFIDs (unlike active RFIDs) do not have any internal energy source, but use the energy of the inquiry signal to generate the response. RFID-tags have numerous uses, such as theft protection, livestock marking, access control, and the like.

1 illustrates a portable digital device, in this case mobile phone 101, which is in communication with an RFID-tag 102 attached to an object 103.

The term portable digital device should be interpreted broadly, as the method according to the invention is also applicable to other devices, such as, for example, a personal digital assistant (PDA).

The mobile phone 101 has an integrated inquiry device (tag reader) 104 which is used to retrieve information stored in RFID-tags. The inquiry device transmits an inquiry signal 105. This signal stimulates the RFID-tag 102 to cause the response signal 106 to be transmitted, which may be received by the inquiry device 104 of the mobile phone 101. The response signal 106 includes information stored in the RFID-tag 102.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the information in the RFID-tag 102 is associated with one or more multimedia objects. Such multimedia objects may be aesthetically associated with the RFID-attached object 103. For example, if the object 103 is owned by the user and is a jacket with a special color and pattern, the multimedia object may correspond to this color and pattern. In this case, when the user generates a text message, the message may include a multimedia object corresponding to a background image for imaging the color and the pattern. Thus, the user can create a message with the aesthetic qualities that the user prefers without any extra work (because the user himself purchased the jacket).

Thus, RFID-tags of the type mentioned above may be attached to various consumer goods such as vehicles, sports equipment, electronic devices, records (music can also be attached as multimedia objects) and the like. It is desirable that exchangeable mobile phone covers can be provided that include such transponders. At this time, the corresponding MMOs may reflect the appearances of the covers. Such covers can be made separately from the mobile phones. When using such items and wishing to send messages via a portable digital device, the messages are extended in a way that reflects the lifestyle of the user.

However, RFID-tags of this kind can also be placed in restaurants, bars, gymnasiums and the like that have the same effect.

2 shows the basic components of an RFID-tag 200. The RFID-tag 200 or transponder includes a transponder circuit 201 including a memory, and an antenna 202.

3A and 3B illustrate the generation of a multimedia message 300 according to one embodiment of the invention. FIG. 3A is a flowchart defining the steps of the method and should be interpreted in connection with FIG. 3B. A portable digital device according to one embodiment of the invention comprises means for performing the steps of the method. Such means may preferably be implemented in software.

In a first step, a portable digital device, such as mobile phone 304, emits an inquiry signal INT 301, which stimulates the RFID tag 305 to produce a response signal TAG. To be transmitted. In a second step, a response signal TAG containing tag information is received 302 by the mobile phone 304. The text message TEXT-MSG may be manually input by the user. In a third step, the transmission of the message MSG is initiated 303. The message is based on tag information of the TAG signal. In other words, the message may include such tag information or may include information corresponding to the tag information (for example, information taken out by a lookup table using the tag information as input data). Such a message includes a multimedia object corresponding to the tag information when reaching its destination. It will be described below how this can be achieved in accordance with other embodiments of the invention.

4A illustrates the generation and transmission of a multimedia message according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the tag information (TAG shown in FIG. 3B) not only corresponds to the multimedia object (MMO) but also actually includes the multimedia object (MMO). At this time, the MMO is combined with the characters entered in the message (MSG) transmitted to the receiver at the transmitter. The user is preferably asked to select whether the MMO should be included in the message. In this case, the user may preview the combined message.

This embodiment of the method according to the invention only requires a portable digital device that includes an RFID-tag, and a querying device to generate the desired message. On the other hand, only a small amount of MMOs regarding the information content can be used, at least when passive RFID-tags are used. However, it is possible to include information corresponding to a small amount of images or melodies in the RFID-tag.

4B illustrates the generation and transmission of a multimedia message according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, instead of storing the MMO in the RFID-tag, the tag includes a link to the MMO stored in a database connected to the MMS-server. The mobile phone for transmission combines the link data with the characters entered in the message to be transmitted later. At the MMS-server, the MMO corresponding to the link is added to the message, which is then sent to the intended receiver.

The invention also relates to a product such as the object of FIG. 1 comprising an RFID-transponder 102. The transponder includes tag information corresponding to a multimedia object, which information is intended to be retrieved by a portable digital device to facilitate the creation of a multimedia message. Such a product also induces a way to make a payment in exchange for using copyrighted information (such as music or images) in multimedia messages. This payment is made when the product is purchased. For example, if a copyright-protected picture is drawn on a product with an RFID tag (eg, a color cover on a T-shirt or phone), the owner of the product is allowed to use the picture in their messages. do. Copyright is paid at the price of the cover / T-shirt.

5 illustrates a jacket 501 that is an example of a consumer article with an RFID-tag 502 attached thereto. In this case, the RFID-tag 502 is attached near the pocket of the jacket 501, for example with a laundry instruction. This provides other foreseeable functionality. Most mobile phones have a key-locking function that is used to avoid unintentional calls to be connected when the mobile phone buttons are pressed accidentally, for example when the mobile phone is placed in a pocket. In order to achieve this, what has been needed so far is to remember that the user turns the key-lock function on. The present invention includes the possibility of automating this process.

In Fig. 5, when the RFID-tag 502 is attached near the pocket of the jacket, it is possible to turn the key-locking function on by detecting that the mobile phone is in the pocket. Wherein the mobile phone is a means for emitting an inquiry radio signal, means for stimulating an RFID-transponder tag to emit a response signal, means for receiving such a response signal from an RFID-transponder, and for the phone to receive the RFID signal. Means for activating a key-locking function if the response signal indicates that it is within a predetermined distance of the transponder.

In summary, the present invention relates to a method performed in a portable digital device for generating a multimedia message including a multimedia object, and to such a digital portable device. The method comprises the steps of: a) emitting a query radio signal, stimulating an RFID-transponder tag to cause a response signal to be emitted; b) receiving such a response signal comprising tag information associated with the multimedia object; c) initiating the transmission of the multimedia message based on the tag information. This allows the multimedia message to be generated without user intervention.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments mentioned above. The invention may be modified within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (12)

In the method made in a portable digital device for generating a multimedia message comprising a multimedia object, a) emitting a radio signal of the query (301), stimulating an RFID-transponder tag to cause a response signal to be emitted; b) receiving 302 such response signal comprising tag information associated with the multimedia object; And c) initiating the transmission of the multimedia message based on the tag information (303). The method of claim 1, wherein the tag information includes the multimedia object. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the user is asked to allow or deny the insertion of a multimedia object in the message. The method of claim 1, wherein the tag information is a link to a multimedia object stored in a database. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the database is stored on the portable digital device. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the database is stored in a node of a mobile communication system in which the portable digital device is registered. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the database is stored on an internet server accessible by a node of a mobile communication system in which the portable digital device is registered. A portable digital device for generating a multimedia message including a multimedia object, the portable digital device comprising: Means for emitting a door radio signal, the means for stimulating an RFID-transponder tag to cause a response signal to be emitted; Means for receiving such a response signal comprising tag information associated with the multimedia object; And And means for initiating transmission of the multimedia message based on the tag information. The portable digital device of claim 8, wherein Keyboard and key-lock function; Means for emitting a query radio signal, comprising: means for stimulating an RFID-transponder tag to emit a response signal; Means for receiving such a response signal from the RFID transponder; And And means for activating the key-locking function when the response signal indicates that the portable digital device is within a predetermined distance from the RFID-transponder. The portable digital device of claim 8, wherein the portable digital device is configured to display the multimedia object prior to transmission of the message. 11. A portable digital device as claimed in any of claims 8 to 10, wherein said portable digital device is a mobile phone. A product comprising an RFID transponder, The transponder comprises tag information corresponding to a multimedia object, the tag information being intended to be retrieved by a portable digital device to facilitate the creation of a multimedia message.