WO2008054062A1

WO2008054062A1 - Icon combining method for sms message

Info

Publication number: WO2008054062A1
Application number: PCT/KR2007/004231
Authority: WO
Inventors: Se-Hyuk Song
Original assignee: Polidigm Co., Ltd
Priority date: 2006-11-01
Filing date: 2007-09-03
Publication date: 2008-05-08

Abstract

Provided is an icon combining method for an SMS message comprises the steps of: (a) calculating an extra capacity of an SMS message in a mobile communication terminal; (b) calculating the number of lines of a user message; (c) selecting a proper number of icons; (d) performing a mapping between icons and words; and (e) combining the icons into the SMS message by selecting icon attachment positions. Therefore, when an SMS message is transmitted using a mobile communication terminal, an icon which is the most suitable for the context of the SMS message of a sender terminal is selected from icons which are differently stored depending on kinds of receiver terminals and is then attached to the SMS message. Therefore, a visual effect can be added to a meaning which a writer of the SMS message wants to communicate, and an emotional state of the writer can be effectively expressed.

Description

ICON COMBINING METHOD FOR SMS MESSAGE

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to an icon combining method for an SMS (Short

Message Service) message. In the icon combining method for an SMS message, when an SMS message is transmitted using a mobile communication terminal, an icon which is the most suitable for the context of the SMS message of a sender terminal is selected from icons which are differently stored depending on kinds of receiver terminals and is then attached to the SMS message. Therefore, a visual effect can be added to a meaning which a writer of the SMS message wants to communicate, and an emotional state of the writer can be effectively expressed. Background Art

[2] In general, mobile phone users can send and receive short messages through the

SMS, without a separate equipment.

[3] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a general mobile communication system using SMS messages.

[4] In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 represents a mobile communication terminal, through which a subscriber can receive a mobile communication service, in the mobile communication system, reference numeral 20 represents a BTS (Base Transceiver Station) which performs baseband signal processing, wired-to- wireless conversion, and transmission and reception of wireless signal so as to be directly connected to the mobile communication terminal 10 of the subscriber, reference numeral 30 represents a BSC (Base Station Controller) which controls the BTS 20, and reference numeral 40 represents a mobile service provider server which is connected to the BSC 30 so as to perform a switching function and to provide a mobile communication service including the SMS service to the mobile communication terminal 10.

[5] As more and more mobile communication terminals such as PDAs (Personal Digital

Assistants) and so on are supplied, the number of persons who use an SMS message rapidly increases. Unlike an email, the content of the SMS message can be delivered to an opposite party as soon as the SMS message is transmitted. Therefore, the SMS message plays a roll as reliable communication means.

[6] The SMS basically provides a function of transmitting phone numbers and messages between terminals. Further, information on weather forecast, news, stocks and so on can be received through the SMS. Further, customers can directly search various information so as to select only necessary information. In addition, an email can be sent and received through the Internet or PC (Personal Computer) com- munication, and various information search services required for a daily life can be provided. In particular, for user's convenience, such information is provided in the form of conversation. Therefore, since everybody can easily use the SMS, the matures as well as the teenagers use the SMS. Further, the utilization range of the SMS is gradually widened. For example, credit card companies introduce a service which provides a breakdown of transaction through a text message, in order to prevent fraudulent card use.

[7] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an icon which is combined into a conventional SMS message.

[8] In the related art, there is provided a technique which combines the icon shown in

FIG. 2 into an SMS message to be transmitted, in order to complement simplicity of a text-based SMS message transmission service.

[9] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example in which an icon is combined into an SMS message.

[10] When a text message and an icon are combined, and if the musical note icon shown in FIG. 2 is combined with only a word such as 'music, song, karaoke, CD, or singer' corresponding to the meaning of the icon, the icon may not be attached to the text message, because a large number of mobile communication terminals manufactured by Korean makers does not support such an icon. On the contrary, if the number of words matching with the musical note icon is unconditionally increased, an excessively large number of icons are attached to a text message, thereby degrading the quality of the SMS.

[11] Further, when an icon is inserted into an SMS message, the insertion position of an icon may not be proper. In this case, the quality of the SMS message may be degraded, as shown in FIG. 3.

[12] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example in which the icon shown in FIG. 3 is more properly attached to the SMS message.

[13] In the related art, however, such a technique has not been developed.

Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[14] An advantage of the present invention is that it provides an icon combining method for an SMS message which can attach a proper number of icons while the icons are attached to as many messages as possible.

[15] Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides an icon combining method for an SMS message which determines a more proper icon attachment position such that the quality of an SMS message to which an icon is attached is enhanced. Technical Solution [16] According to an aspect of the invention, an icon combining method for an SMS message comprises the steps of: (a) calculating an extra capacity of an SMS message in a mobile communication terminal; (b) calculating the number of lines of a user message; (c) selecting a proper number of icons; (d) performing a mapping between icons and words; and (e) combining the icons into the SMS message by selecting icon attachment positions.

Advantageous Effects

[17] message is transmitted using a mobile communication terminal, an icon which is the most suitable for the context of the SMS message of a sender terminal is selected from icons which are differently stored depending on kinds of receiver terminals and is then attached to the SMS message. Therefore, a visual effect can be added to a meaning which a writer of the SMS message wants to communicate, and an emotional state of the writer can be effectively expressed. Brief Description of the Drawings

[18] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a general mobile communication system using SMS messages.

[19] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an icon which is combined into a conventional SMS message.

[20] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example in which an icon is combined into an SMS message.

[21] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example in which the icon shown in FIG. 3 is more properly attached to the SMS message.

[22] FIG. 5 is a flow chart for explaining an icon combining method for an SMS message according to a first embodiment of the invention.

[23] FIG. 6 is a detailed flow chart showing a process of selecting a proper number of icons in FIG. 5.

[24] FIGS. 7 to 10 are diagrams for explaining mapping methods between icons and words.

[25] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example in which icon attachment positions are determined.

[26] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example in which icon attachment positions are determined by a priority allocation method.

[27] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example in which icon attachment positions are determined using a logic which excludes an icon which has been already used in FIG. 12.

[28] FIG. 14 is a flow chart for explaining an icon combining method for an SMS message according to a second embodiment of the invention. [29] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example in which an extension icon is combined into an SMS message by the icon combining method for an SMS message according to the second embodiment of the invention.

[30] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example in which a screen is divided into two regions such that an extension icon is disposed in the left side of an SMS message by the icon combining method for an SMS message according to the second embodiment of the invention.

[31] FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example in which an extension icon is disposed in the right side of an SMS message by the icon combining method for an SMS message according to the second embodiment of the invention.

[32] FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example in which an extension icon is disposed in the upper region of an SMS message by the icon combining method for an SMS message according to the second embodiment of the invention.

[33]

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[34] Hereinafter, an icon combining method for an SMS message according to the invention will be described with the accompanying drawings. When it is judged that the specific description of related known function or constitution can cloud the point of the invention, the description will be omitted. Terms to be described below are defined in consideration of the functions of the invention and can differ in accordance with the intension of a user or operator or the practice. Accordingly, the meanings of the terms should be interpreted on the basis of the overall contents of the specification.

[35] In the present invention, when an SMS message is transmitted using mobile communication terminals, an icon which is the most suitable for the context of an SMS message of a sender terminal is selected from icons which are differently stored depending on kinds of receiver terminals and is then attached to the SMS message. Therefore, a visual effect can be added to a meaning which a writer of the SMS message wants to communicate, and an emotion state of the writer can be more effectively expressed.

[36] Now, an icon combining method for an SMS message according to a first embodiment of the invention will be described in more detail.

[37] FIG. 5 is a flow chart for explaining an icon combining method for an SMS message according to a first embodiment of the invention.

[38] As shown in FIG. 5, the icon combining method includes calculating an extra capacity of an SMS message in a mobile communication terminal (step STl); calculating the number of lines of a user message (step ST2); selecting a proper number of icons (step ST3); performing a mapping between icons and words (step ST3); and combining the icons into the SMS message by selecting icon attachment positions (step ST4). [39] In step STl, the number of input bytes of the user message is set to 80 so as to calculate the extra capacity of the SMS message. [40] FIG. 6 is a detailed flow chart showing a process of selecting a proper number of icons in FIG. 5. [41] As shown in FIG. 6, step ST3 includes setting the number of lines to i when the

SMS message is to be output on the mobile communication terminal (step STl 1); judging whether or not 2xi exceeds the number of bytes of the extra capacity (step

ST 12); when it is judged that 2xi exceeds the number of bytes of the extra capacity, carrying out an operation of (i=i-l) and returning to step ST12 (step ST13); and when it is judged that 2xi does not exceed the number of bytes of the extra capacity, determining that the proper number of icons is I (step ST 14). [42] FIGS. 7 to 10 are diagrams for explaining mapping methods between icons and words. [43] In step ST4, the mapping between icons and words is performed by using one or more mapping methods selected from the consisting of a mapping by specific meaning, a mapping by associated meaning, a mapping by emotion, and a mapping by entire mood. [44] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example in which icon attachment positions are determined. [45] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example in which icon attachment positions are determined by a priority allocation method. [46] In step ST4, when the mapping between icons and words is performed, priorities are allocated to the respective icons to perform the mapping. [47] Further, step ST5 includes the step of adding a space in front of the word, to which the icon is attached, such that the word and the icon are output in the same line. [48] In step ST5, when the number of bytes of the extra capacity is less than the number of bytes of the space which is to be added, the icon is attached in front of the word to which the icon is attached. [49] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example in which icon attachment positions are determined using a logic which excludes an icon which has been already used in FIG.

12. [50] Step ST5 includes granting an attachment position number to each icon such that the attachment position of the icon is determined. [51] <Process for selecting proper number of icons>

[52] 1) calculating an extra capacity : 80 bytes - the number of input bytes of a user message [53] 2) calculating the number of lines of the user message

[54] 3) selecting a proper number of icons

[55] 4) performing mapping between icons and words

[56] 5) selecting a position where each icon is to be attached

[57] Further, a mapping method between icons and words will be described as follows.

[58] First, as shown in FIGS. 7 to 10, the following mapping methods can be performed.

[59] 1 ) MAPPING BY SPECIFIC MEANING

[60] In this mapping method, an icon corresponding to each specific meaning for 'music, musical note, song'; 'moon, young moon, full moon, star, night sky'; 'sun' and so on can be set to perform the mapping.

[61] 2) MAPPING BY ASSOCIATED MEANING

[62] In this mapping method, an icon corresponding to each associated meaning for

'karaoke, CD, singer'; 'good night!, dream'; 'sunny, genial, summering, good weather'; 'no' and so on can be set to perform the mapping.

[63] 3) MAPPING BY EMOTION

[64] In this mapping method, an icon expressing each emotion for 'giggle, hawhaw';

'silent, quiet, tranquil'; 'pleasant, comfortable'; 'sad, cry' and so on can be set to perform the mapping.

[65] 4) MAPPING BY ENTIRE MOOD

[66] In this mapping method, an icon corresponding to the entire mood for 'hh, ha-ha,

^ΛΛ'; 'no'; 'alas, sob sob' and so on can be set to perform the mapping.

[67] <Method of using mapping logic between icon and word>

[68] In the present invention, more than four kinds of DBs are separately managed.

When the number of words to be mapped in one text message is larger than the calculated number of proper icons, priorities are allocated in an order of a word mapped by the first mapping method, a word mapped by the second mapping method, a word mapped by the third mapping method, and a word mapped by the fourth mapped by the fourth. Then, a word with a high priority is selected and is then combined with an icon. Such a priority allocation method is performed so as to preferentially match a more proper icon.

[69] The method of mapping by entire mood may be performed with a slightly unclear meaning. However, it is considered that such words as 'hh, ha-ha, ^ΛΛ' are habitually used when SMS users in their teens or twenties express a favor for the opposite person. Therefore, it can be found that such words have a connection with the entire mood of a message.

[70] Recently, a mobile service provider has arbitrarily extracted 2,000 SMS messages to perform an anlysis, even though the analysis has low reliability because it is unofficially performed. In the analysis, more than 30% of the SMS messages have included 'hh, ha-ha, ^ΛΛ'. According to the analysis, when such words as 'hh, ha-ha, ^ΛΛ' are registered as icon mapping words, one icon among the following icons is to be attached to more than 30% of messages. [71]

[72] In this case, an icon attachment frequency can be increased. However, since they are very frequently used, simplicity can be felt. Therefore, as the priority of such words is reduced into the lowest value, it is possible to increase a chance that other icons are to be attached.

[73] When only the first method of mapping by specific meaning is used, few icons or no icon may be attached to an SMS message. Further, when words corresponding to the first to fourth mapping methods are collectively stored in one DB, an excessively large number of icons may be attached.

[74] FIG. 11 shows an example of an SMS message where an excessively large number of icons are attached through collective mapping. In this case, the SMS message looks disorderly. In FIG. 11, seven icons are used. Further, when it is considered that the proper number of icons is the number of lines of the message in case where its capacity is sufficient, it is effective that two icons are removed. FIG. 12 shows a result of the SMS message to which the above-described priority allocation method is applied.

[75] In this case, however, when a logic for excluding the icon which has been already used is added, the number of kinds of used icons increases, as shown in FIG. 13. That is, although the priority is high, the icon which has been already used is not used, but another substitute icon is searched for.

[76] <Icon attachment position selection logic I>

[77] In the method for outputting an SMS message of a mobile communication terminal as shown in FIG. 3, an icon matching with 'umbrella' is output on the next line.

[78] To display 'umbrella' and the icon on the same line, a process of adding a space in front of 'umbrella' should be performed, as shown in FIG. 4. In this case, when the number of bytes for an extra space of the SMS message is less than the number of bytes of the space which should be added, it is effective to attach the icon in front of 'umbrella'.

[79] <Icon attachment position selection logic II>

[80] In an example of an SMS message shown in FIG. 11, an icon is attached next to the word 'SULHANJAN' as in 'SULHANJAN i§.

MEOKO' (which means 'having a drink'). When 'SUL' is registered as a matching word, the icon can be attached to a more proper position like 'SUL

HANJAN MEOKO'.

[81] In this case, however, improper combinations may be generated like

'KYEONGSUL

YEON' (which means 'the unique name of a certain year'), 'MUNJEGA SUL

SUL PULLINDA' (which means that 'a problem is easily solved'). Therefore, in order to prevent improper matching, such words as 'SULHANJAN', 'SULMEOK', 'SUL MEOK', 'SULJIP' (which means 'a bar') should be registered as matching words. [82] In this case, such combinations as 'SULHANJAN

MEOKO', 'SULMEOK

UEREO KAJA' (which means let's have a drink'), 'SUL MEOK

UEREO KAJA' (which means let's have a drink'), 'XXSULJIP

AE ITTA' (which means that I am now in a bar whose name is XX') can be generated. However, it can be found that the icons are not attached to proper positions.

[83] To solve such a problem, such information as 'SULHANJAN:4', "SULME0K:2',

'SUL ME0K:3', 'SULJIP:O' and so on is stored in a separate DB. The number attached next to each word indicates a byte number which means a position where the icon is to be attached. In a case of 'SULHANJAN', the icon is attached to a position left-shifted by four bytes from the end position of the matching word. In a case of 'SULMEOK', the icon is attached to a position left-shifted by two bytes. In a case of 'SUL MEOK', the icon is attached to a position left-shifted by three bytes.

[84] In a case of 'SULJIP' where the icon attachment number is O, the icon is attached to the end position of the matching word. When this logic is used, more proper combinations can be obtained like 'SUL

HANJAN MEOKO' (which means 'having a drink'), 'SUL i§.

MEOKUEREO KAJA' (which means let's have a drink'),'SUL MEOKUEREO KAJA'(which means 'let's have a drink'), and 'XXSULJIP

AE ITTA' (which means that I am now in a bar whose name is XX').

[85] As described above, the present invention can provide a service such that while icons are attached to as many messages as possible, a proper number of icons are attached to each message.

[86] Hereinafter, an icon combining method for an SMS message according to a second embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[87] FIG. 14 is a flow chart for explaining an icon combining method for an SMS message according to a second embodiment of the invention.

[88] First, a mapping table is prepared, which is composed of extension icons and words corresponding to the extension icons (step STlO). Each of the extension icons is composed of icons and characters. At this time, the extension icon can be constructed in such a manner that icons and characters are arranged in a line or several lines. Further, various extension icons can previously registered by combining several icons and several characters.

[89] Next, the extra capacity of an SMS message is calculated in a mobile communication terminal (step ST20). In this case, the number of input bytes of an user message is set to 80 so as to calculate the extra capacity of the SMS message. The calculating of the extra message is performed to previously check a space into which an extension icon can be inserted.

[90] Then, mapping between an extension icon and a word is performed (step ST30). At this time, the mapping is performed using one or more mapping methods selected from the group consisting of methods of 1) mapping by specific meaning, 2) mapping by associated meaning, 3) mapping by emotion, and 4) mapping by entire mood.

[91] At this time, the mapping between the extension icon and the word is performed in accordance with priorities allocated to the respective extension icons.

[92] Since the overall number of bytes of the extension icons cannot exceed the extra capacity of the SMS message, the extension icons can be selected in accordance with the priorities in the range of the extra capacity of the SMS message.

[93] Finally, the extension icons are combined into the SMS message (step S40).

[94] As for the method of combining an extension icon to an SMS message, there are provided two methods. In the first method, the extension icon is inserted into the SMS message as it is. In the second method, a screen is divided into two regions such that the extension icon is displayed on only one region. If an extension icon is simply disposed in a line, it can be inserted into the SMS message as it is. However, when an extension icon is composed of icons and characters across several lines, it is not easy to insert the extension icon into the SMS message. Therefore, the SMS message can be combined in such a manner that an extension icon region and a message region are separately displayed.

[95] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example in which an extension icon is combined into an SMS message by the icon combining method for an SMS message according to the second embodiment of the invention.

[96] As shown in FIG. 15, a combination of an icon representing a human face and characters such as '=' and '3', which serves as an extension icon corresponding to a sigh, is used to express a person who heaves a sigh.

[97] In this case, since the icon and the characters can be disposed in a line, the combination is inserted into the SMS message as it is. As for the details about the disposition of the extension icon, the contents described in the above embodiment can be applied as they are.

[98] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example in which a screen is divided into two regions such that an extension icon is disposed in the left side of an SMS message by the icon combining method for an SMS message according to the second embodiment of the invention.

[99] As shown in FIG. 16, characters such as '<' T, and '>' are disposed in the left and lower sides of an icon representing a human face, thereby serving as an extension icon corresponding to an anger. The extension icon expresses expressing a person who is angry. In this case, it is impossible to insert the extension icon into the SMS message as it is. As shown in FIG. 16, the extension icon is disposed in the left region of the divided screen, and the SMS message is output in the right region.

[100] Further, when the screen is divided as described above, it is not easy to use several extension icons. Therefore, the combining can be performed in such a manner that among the extension icons mapped by allocating priorities, an extension icon with the highest priority can be included in the SMS message.

[101] FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example in which an extension icon is disposed in the right side of an SMS message by the icon combining method for an SMS message according to the second embodiment of the invention.

[102] As shown in FIG. 17, a combination of an icon representing an umbrella and several V characters disposed above the icon represents that rain is coming. In this case, a screen is also divided into two regions such that the extension icon is disposed in the right region and the SMS message is output in the left region.

[103] FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example in which an extension icon is disposed in the upper region of an SMS message by the icon combining method for an SMS message according to the second embodiment of the invention.

[104] As shown in FIG. 18, several icons representing a human face are disposed in a line, and several characters such as T and 'm' are disposed in the left and right and lower sides of the icons, thereby serving as an extension icon corresponding to a subway. Therefore, the extension icon can represent that several people are on the subway. In this case, a screen is divided into upper and lower regions such that the extension icon is disposed in the upper region and the SMS message is output in the lower region.

[105] In the second embodiment of the invention, as an extension icon composed of icons and characters is combined into an SMS message and is then displayed, it is possible to enhance a visual effect of an output SMS message, compared with when only individual icons are attached.

[106]

Claims

Claims [1] An icon combining method for an SMS message, comprising the steps of: (a) calculating an extra capacity of an SMS message in a mobile communication terminal; (b) calculating the number of lines of a user message; (c) selecting a proper number of icons; (d) performing a mapping between icons and words; and (e) combining the icons into the SMS message by selecting icon attachment positions. [2] The icon combining method according to claim 1, wherein in step (a), the number of input bytes of the user message is set to 80 so as to calculate the extra capacity of the SMS message. [3] The icon combining method according to claim 2, step (c) includes the steps of:

(c-1) setting the number of lines to i when the SMS message is to be output on the mobile communication terminal;

(c-2) judging whether or not 2xi exceeds the number of bytes of the extra capacity;

(c-3) when it is judged that 2xi exceeds the number of bytes of the extra capacity, carrying out an operation of (i=i-l) and returning to step (c-2); and (c-4) when it is judged that 2xi does not exceed the number of bytes of the extra capacity, determining that the proper number of icons is i.

[4] The icon combining method according to claim 3, wherein in step (d), the mapping between icons and words is performed by using one or more mapping methods selected from the consisting of a mapping method for a word corresponding to a specific meaning, a mapping method for a word corresponding to an associated meaning, a mapping method for a word expressing an emotion, and a mapping method for a word corresponding to an entire mood.

[5] The icon combining method according to claim 4, wherein in step (d), when the mapping between icons and words is performed, priorities are allocated to the respective icons to perform the mapping

[6] The icon combining method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein step

(e) includes the step of adding a space in front of the word, to which the icon is attached, such that the word and the icon are output in the same line.

[7] The icon combining method according to claim 6, wherein in step (e), when the number of bytes of the extra capacity is less than the number of bytes of the space which is to be added, the icon is attached in front of the word to which the icon is attached.

[8] The icon combining method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein step

(e) includes the step of granting an attachment position number to each icon such that the attachment position of the icon is determined.

[9] An icon combining method for an SMS message, comprising the steps of:

(A) preparing a mapping table composed of extension icons and words corresponding to the extension icons, each extension icon being composed of icons and characters;

(B) calculating an extra capacity of an SMS message in a mobile communication terminal;

(C) performing a mapping between an extension icon and a word; and

(D) combining the extension icon into the SMS message.

[10] The icon combining method according to claim 9, wherein step (C) includes the step of performing a mapping between an icon and a word by using one or more mapping methods selected from the consisting of a mapping method for a word corresponding to a specific meaning, a mapping method for a word corresponding to an associated meaning, a mapping method for a word expressing an emotion, and a mapping method for a word corresponding to an entire mood.

[11] The icon combining method according to claim 10, wherein step (C) further includes the step of allocating priorities to the respective extension icons when the mapping between the extension icons and the words is performed.

[12] The icon combining method according to claim 11, wherein step (C) further includes the step of selecting the extension icons in accordance with the priorities such that the total number of bytes of the respective extension icons does not exceed the extra capacity of the SMS message.

[13] The icon combining method according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein step

(D) includes the step of adding a space in front of the word, to which the extension icon is attached, such that the word and the extension icon are output in the same line.

[14] The icon combining method according to claim 13, wherein step (D) includes the step of attaching the extension icon in front of the word to which the extension icon is attached, when the number of bytes of the extra capacity is less than the number of bytes of the space which is to be added.

[15] The icon combining method according to claim 14, wherein step (D) includes the step of granting an attachment position number to the extension icon such that the attachment position of the extension icon is determined.

[16] The icon combining method according to claim 11, wherein step (C) further includes the step of selecting an extension icon which does not exceed the extra capacity of the SMS message and has the highest priority, and step (D) includes the steps of dividing an SMS message region into an extension icon region and a message region; and combining the extension icon into the SMS message such that the extension icon is output in the extension icon region and the SMS message is output in the message region.