WO2012131708A2

WO2012131708A2 - Video messaging and mailing service

Info

Publication number: WO2012131708A2
Application number: PCT/IN2012/000198
Authority: WO
Inventors: Subhankar GANGULY
Original assignee: Sisa Communication Pvt. Ltd
Priority date: 2011-03-25
Filing date: 2012-03-26
Publication date: 2012-10-04
Also published as: WO2012131708A3

Abstract

A system for providing video messaging and mailing service is described. The system receives audio visual content from users, converts the received content, merges the content with advertisement and sends across to selected recipients. The system sends the audio visual content to users in the form of URL type reference links in an SMS. The users stream the audio visual content through HTTP or RTSP based protocols and play using media players present in the mobile device. The video messaging and mailing service can be used by advertisers to promote their products by sending video content to users. FIG. 2

Description

"VIDEO MESSAGING AND MAILING SERVICE"

FIELD OF INVENTION

[001 ] This invention relates to wireless communication systems, and more particularly to systems for wireless delivery of media content to mobile devices.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[002] The rise of hand held communication device like mobile phones, PDA's etc has led to development of various messaging services and other value added services by telecommunication providers and application developers. Mobile devices have also evolved and become more powerful. Messaging services like SMS which is character based cannot transmit audio visual content. Mobile devices are now capable of displaying of playing received audio-visual content like images, songs or even videos. Mobile devices can now receive audio visual content through MMS - Multimedia messaging service which is provided by the telecommunication provider.

[003] To access audio visual content through MMS services, mobile devices need to be capable of playing audio visual content. Also MMS services provided by the telecommunication provider may be costly for a user. The MMS services also have a size limitation which means that only audio-visual content of a restricted size can be sent. There is no standard audio visual content format (file type) which can be used for all types of mobile device platforms. The MMS services also download received audio visual content into the memory of the mobile device, which may make the mobile device prone to attack by a virus. Also, currently a lot of older mobile devices are not MMS capable. The mobile devices, which are not MMS capable, require a safe method by which they can receive and play audio visual content.

[004] Currently, a user may access television content on his mobile device. For accessing the content, the user downloads an application, where the user will get Channel listing and the program name. ^"On selecting a specific channel, the user can watch the TV content. However, there is no option available to the user to refresh the TV content, which degrades the viewing experience of the user as the user is unable to form a continuous stream.

OBJECT OF INVENTION

[005] The principal object of this invention is to provide a video messaging and mailing service delivering personally captured media content by users to other mobile users. [006] Another object of the invention is to provide a video messaging and mailing system capable of merging relevant advertisements to personally captured media and delivering the merged media to mobile users around the world.

[007] Another object of the present invention is to video scrap and video mail box to mobile users.

STATEMENT OF INVENTION

[008] In one aspect of the present invention, a video messaging and mailing service system is provided which allows users to send audio visual content and to users. The video messaging and mailing system receives audio visual content from users and converts it to various formats, merges advertisement content into the various formats suitable for different operating systems. The system then sends the audio visual content in the form of URL type of reference links to multiple users. Using the receiving the reference ^■ links, users can access the audio visual content.

[009] In another aspect of the present invention, advertisers can record audio visual advertisement content, select the recipients and. send to the video messaging and mail ing system. The system converts the received audio visual advertisement and sends to the recipients.

[0010] In yet another aspect of the present invention, URL type reference links of recorded events like television serial or l ive events like cricket match, award ceremony can be sent to users who can view the video from the reference links.

[001 1 ] These and . other aspects of the embodiments herein wil l be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating preferred embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departi ng from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0012] This invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which: [0013] FIG. 1 depicts a block diagram of a wireless communication network, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;

[0014] FIG. 2 depicts a block diagram of Video Messaging and Mailing service system (VMMS), according to embodiments as disclosed herein;

[0015] FIG.3 is a flowchart describing the process in which a user can send audio visual content to other mobile device users, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;

[0016] FIG. 4 is process flow describing how a recipient user receives and views an received audio visual content, according to embodiments disclosed herein;

[0017] FIG. 5 is a flow chart describing how an advertiser/merchant can make use of the VMMS system to send advertisements to multiple mobile device users, according to embodiments disclosed herein;

[0018] FIG. 6 is a flowchart describing how an TV serial can be broadcast to mobile device users using the VMMS system, according to embodiments disclosed herein; and

[0019] FIG. 7 is flowchart describing how the TV serial may be viewed by a mobile device user using the VMMS application, according to embodiments enclosed herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

[0020] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.

[0021 ] It is to be understood that the features described of the various embodiments described herein may be combined with each other, unless specifically noted otherwise.

[0022] FIG. 1 depicts a block diagram of a wireless communication network, according to embodiments as disclosed herein. The telecommunication network 101 communicates with mobile device users like wireless communication enabled laptop 104, hand held cellular phone 105 and wireless communication enabled desktop computer 106. The users can send their audio visual message/content data to the other users via the video mailing and messaging service (VMMS) 103. Further, the user can attach a picture, text, PDF, word document and like along with their audio visual message/content. In an embodiment, the user can upload l ive audio visual data through a recording device and send to various mobi le device users. The upload of audio visual data may be control led by the mobile device on which the recording device is present. In another embodiment, the upload of audio visual data may be controlled by a remote device. The audio visual message /content are received by the VMMS system through the telecommunication network 102 via a VMMS gateway 102. The VMMS gateway 102 enables the VMMS system to communicate with the users via the telecommunications network. The VMMS gateway 102 is also used for communication between various mobile users in case of a voice call or a video call . In another embodiment, the audio visual data can be converted in the form of a message by an application installed on the mobile device. The audio visual content sent in the form of a message is received by the telecommunication provider 101 and forwarded to the VMMS system 103 via the VMMS gateway 1 02. The VMMS system 103 receives the audio visual content from a mobile device user and the list of recipients for the audio visual content. After verifying if the mobile device user is registered with the VMMS 103 system, the recei ved audio visual content is converted to different formats. Every mobile device might have different inbuilt players for playing audio visual content and support certain formats. For this reason the VMMS system converts the audio visual content to multiple formats. If a sponsored commercial advertisement is available, it is merged into the audio visual content. The VMMS system chooses a random advertisement. It then checks if the advertiser of the selected advertisement has made the necessary payment and if the advertisement is still under the validity period. The advertisement may be a video clip, a sound clip, an audiovisual clip or a text advertisement. The audio visual content and advertisement may be merged to form a video. Once the conversion is complete the mobile device user and recipients receive a SMS with three encoded references. The references may be in the form of Uniform Resource Locators (URLs). Registered mobile device users may have a VMMS inbox application receiving these videos messages. The received video messages are also called Video scraps. The mobile device users can click on the references and view the audio visual message content through the inbuilt media players of their systems. The mobile device users can view the sent live or recorded audio visual message. Based on the link selected by the mobile device user, the video is then streamed from the VMMS server of the VMMS system 103.

[0023] FIG. 2 depicts a broad block diagram of video messaging and mailing service system (VMMS), according to embodiments as disclosed herein. The advertising content database 203 contains all the different sponsored and non sponsored advertisements provided by registered advertisers. The user database 204 contains the records of all the registered VMMS users. This database may contain account information, privileges assigned, payments made, packages chosen and so on. The user database 204 may also contain call detail records. The source media content database 205 contains TV serials video clips, video clips of movie trailers etc. The source media may also contain recorded video clips of live events like a cricket match, an awards function, a television serial, statistical data and so on. The mobile device characteristics database 206 contains characteristics of various mobile devices. These characteristics are used to identify mobile device operating system, format for videos supported by the mobile device and so on. The media convertors 207 convert received audio visual content from the mobile device users to various formats. They are also used to merge sponsored and unsponsored advertisement content into the audio visual content. The media convertors 207 may include Mencorder, Mplayer and so on. Further, VMMS server 202 can monitor the performance of the system by generating report at various phases such as audio visual conversion, delivery log files, viewed status log files and so on. [0024] FIG. 3 is a flowchart describing the process in which a user can send audio visual content to other mobile device users, according to embodiments as disclosed herein. The user composes audio visual message using the available multimedia devices. In case of a mobile device like cellular phone 105, the user may use the camera available in the cellular phone to record (301 ) an audio visual message. The user can upload live audio visual message through a recording device. The user then chooses the recipients for the audio visual message. The audio visual message is then sent (302) to the telecommunication service provider of the user which forwards it to the VMMS system. In another embodiment when the mobile device used is a wireless enabled computer 106 or a laptop 104, the user may use web cam and other audio visual devices to record an audio visual message. The mobile device user then uploads the audio visual message to the 'VMMS system through a VMMS system website. The VMMS system then checks (303) if the mobile device user is registered with the VMMS system. If the mobile device user is not registered, then a URL link is sent (304) to the mobi le device user requesting the user to register. The VMMS system receives (305) audio visual message, along with list of recipients from the mobile device user. The VMMS system 103 then converts (306) the received audio visual message content into different formats. The VMMS system 103 then checks (307) if a sponsored commercial is available. If a sponsored commercial is available, then the sponsored commercial is merged (308) into the audio visual message content and converted to various formats. Once the conversion is complete (309), the converted audio visual message is sent (310) is sent to the mobile device user and recipients in the form of three different encoded URL type references. The mobile device may choose any of the references according to the device and view the converted audio visual message. The recipients may be able to receive the live audio visual data. The various actions in FIG. 3 may be performed in the order presented or in a different order. Further, in some embodiments, some actions listed in FIG. 3 may be omitted.

[0025] FIG. 4 is process flow describing how a recipient user receives and views a received audio visual content, according to embodiments disclosed herein. The VMMS system 103 sends the converted audio visual message to recipients in the form of 3 three encoded URL type references. The recipients receive (401) an SMS containing three encoded references from the VMMS system via the telecommunication provider. A mobile device user having a registered account with the VMMS system may have an inbox where a video scrap is received. The VMMS system is protocol independent and detects the Operating system of the user's device automatically. The recipients can click (402) on one of the three references sent in the SMS to view the audio visual content. The SMS contains a text message describing the content of the audio visual message. Further, the audio video data may be streamed using any networking protocol such as RSTP, HTTP and so on. Consider an example when a recipient receives an audio visual content relating to an ongoing cricket match. The SMS text message may read like-"Watch highlights IPL T 20 Mumbai Indians Versus Kolkata Knight Riders (Watch Now)". The three reference URL type references sent to the mobile device user and recipients may be-

(i) rtsp:// <domain name>/ <video name>

(ii) http:// <donlain name>/<root folder>/ <sub folder>/ <encoded video id>

(iii) http:// <domain name>/<root folder>/ <sub folder>/ <encoded video id>

The first reference uses a real time streaming protocol (RSTP) which is commonly used for entertainment and communication system to control streaming media servers. The VMMS server may make user of a mobile streaming server, and a real time transport protocol (RTP) for streaming the media. The domain name is to provide easily recognizable and memorizable names to numerically addressed Internet resources. This abstraction allows any resource (e.g., website) to be moved to a different physical location in the address topology of the network, globally or locally in an intranet. Such a move usually requires changing the IP address of a resource and the corresponding translation of this IP address to and from its domain name. The video name is the respective video which will be played for the particular reference. When a user selects (403) and clicks on the first reference, the GPRS telecommunication provider of the mobile phone sends a request to the particular domain name. The domain points an IP, which is a unique for the server. The server handles the request by cal l ing the mobi le streaming server. The VMMS server 202 may use a Darwin mobile streaming server. The software of any handheld mobile device like a cel lular phone 105 has been designed in such a manner that if the device gets RTSP reference or RTSP based link, then it will automatically call the i nbuilt video player of the respective handset. Since it is clearly defined in any mobile software that for a HTTP link /reference the inbuilt browser is called for action and for RTSP link/ reference the video player is called instantly. If the mobile streaming server find the video name mentioned in the request in its root folder, the sponsored commercial is played (404) followed by the audio visual message. If a video is not found in the root folder, an S MS messaging saying "video not found" is sent back to the requesting mobile device users. The recipient may forward the received links to other recipients using a forward option in the mobile device .The first reference may be used by most of cellular phone 1 05 devices through the GPRS telecommunication provider. The newer cellular phone 105 device have different operating systems, different software and inbuilt players supporting playing different media formats.

[0026] The second reference makes use of a hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP). HTTP functions as a request-response protocol in the client- server computing model. In HTTP, a web browser, for example, acts as a client, while an application running on a computer hosting a website functions as a server. The client submits an HTTP request message to the server. The server, which stores content, or provides resources, such as HTML files, or performs other functions on behalf of the client, returns a response message to the client. A response contains completion status information about the request and may contain any content requested by the client in its message body. The HTTP protocol is designed to permit intermediate network elements to improve or enable communications between clients and servers. The domain name is to provide easily recognizable and memorizable names to numerically addressed Internet resources. This abstraction allows any resource (e.g., website) to be moved to a different physical location in the address topology of the network, globally or locally in an intranet. Such a move usually requires changing the IP address of a resource and the corresponding translation of- this IP address to and from its domain name. The video name is the respective video which will be played for the particular reference. When the second reference is selected (405) and clicked by a mobile device user like a cellular phone 105, the telecommunication provider fetches the user agent of the request sending mobile device. Once the user agent is fetched, the server can identify (406) the operating system and the supported video and audio format for streaming. Once the operating system, supporting video and audio format of a cellular phone is identified, the VMMS server 103 may use a mobile streaming server to fetch the supportable video name from the database and start streaming and playing the sponsored commercial followed by the audio visual content. In another embodiment where the mobile device is a laptop 104 or desktop computer 106, the recipients if a part of the VMMS system may receive a video scrap in their inbox. The recipient/user agent will play the supported video using the HTTP link using a media player available with the user. The recipient may forward the received links to other recipients using a forward option in the mobile device.

[0027] The third reference functions in a similar way to the second, reference. When a mobile device user selects (408) and clicks on the third reference from the SMS, an image/picture of the audio visual message is also displayed (409) along with the hyperlink. If the user selects this reference, the sponsored video followed by the audio visual message is streamed and played (410) by the inbuilt video player of the mobile device. In case where live events are going on user may be sent encoded references for such events. These references may include a special VMMS system developed video player which can create a continuous stream with aiito refreshing capacities. The various actions in FIG. 4 may be performed in the order presented or in a different order. Further, in some embodiments, some actions listed in FIG. 4 may be omitted.

[0028] FIG. 5 is a flow chart describing how an advertiser/merchant can make use of the VMMS system to send ^"advertisements to multiple mobile device users, according to embodiments disclosed herein. Advertisers can register (501 ) online on a VMMS system website and choose (501 ) from various packages and options available. Once an advertiser is registered, the VMMS verifies if the advertiser had made (502) a payment. If the advertiser has registered but not made any payment, a message is sent (503) to the advertisers mobile device reminding of payment due. If the advertiser has made a payment, then the advertiser is allowed (504) to log in to the access his account. He can uploads advertisements, choose the recipients for the advertisement and so on. The length of the advertisement, number of recipients, and type of advertisement may be decided by the packages chosen. If a viral advertisement is chosen (505) by the advertiser, it is converted (509) to various formats by the VMMS system. After the conversion (510) to various formats is completed, the converted advertisements is sent (51 1 ) to the recipients and the advertiser using the 3 different types of encoded URL type references. In case where a user chooses (507) a sponsored advertisement along with a viral advertisement, the received advertisement is merged (508) with the sponsored advertisement. After the conversion (510) to various formats is completed, the converted advertisements is sent (51 1 ) to the recipients and the advertiser using the 3 different types of encoded URL type references. The recipients can view the advertisement and forward it to other mobile device users. In case where the viral advertisement is not selected (505) by the advertiser, received advertisement is converted (509) to various formats by the VMMS system. After the conversion (510) to various formats is completed, the converted advertisements is sent (51 1 ) to the recipients and the advertiser using the 3 different types of encoded URL type references. In case where a user chooses (507) a sponsored advertisement along with a viral advertisement, the received advertisement is merged (508) with the sponsored advertisement. After the conversion (510) to various formats is completed, the converted advertisements is sent (5 1 1 ) to the recipients and the advertiser using the 3 different types of encoded URL type references. The recipients can view the advertisement. Recipients are not allowed (5 12) to forward it to other mobile device users, as the advertiser does not choose select viral advertisement option. The various actions in FIG. 5 may be performed in the order presented or in a different order. Further, in some embodiments, some actions listed in FIG. 5 may be omitted.

[0029] FIG. 6 is a flowchart describing how a TV serial can be broadcast to mobile device users using the VMMS system, according to embodiments disclosed herein. Advertisers can register (601 ) online on a VMMS system website and choose from various packages and options available. Once an advertiser is registered, the VMMS verifies if the advertiser had made (602) a payment. If the advertiser has registered but not made any payment a message is sent (603) to the advertisers mobile device reminding him of the payment. If the advertiser has made a payment, then the advertiser is allowed (604) to log in and access his personal account. He can upload the TV serial video; choose the recipients for the advertisement and so on. The TV serial advertiser can then input (605) various TV serial related information likeTV serial Name, date of telecast, duration of the TV serial and so on. The advertiser can then upload (606) the TV serial in 3 slots of maximum 5 minutes. The number of uploads and duration of each upload may change based on the packages chosen by the advertiser. The advertisers can than select (607) the number of sponsored advertisements for each episode. The advertiser can further select (608) advertisements for each slot. The TV serial video is then merged (609) with the chosen advertisements and converted to various formats. The converted TV video is sent (610) to provided number of recipients in the form three encoded URL type references. The various actions in FIG. 6 may be performed in the order presented or in a different order. Further, in some embodiments, some actions listed in FIG. 6 may be omitted.

[0030] FIG. 7 is flowchart describing how the TV serial may be viewed by a mobile device user using the VMMS application, according to embodiments enclosed herein. The VMMS server records (701 ) TV serials. The TV serial is then converted (702) to various formats. To view TV serial videos, customers download (703) applications provided by the VMMS system on their mobile device. The TV video is received in the VMMS inbox of the mobile device showing (704) text information like channel listing, program listing date, time and so on. Based on the selected (705) program, The TV serial video is played (706) along with the sponsored advertisement through a stream connection created (706) between the downloaded application and VMMS server. The video may be played using the inbuilt player in the TV serial video or the downloaded applications media player. The TV serial video gets refreshed (707)' at short intervals to get new information keeps playing without breaking the created stream connection. At the end of the TV serial video, the last 3 days back episodes of the TV serial is also made available to customer. Figure 7 describes how a recorded television serial may be streamed to a user. The concept described in figure 7 may be applicable to live events like cricket, award ceremonies and so on. The various actions in FIG. 7 may be performed in the order presented or in a different order. Further, in some embodiments, some actions listed in FIG. 7 may be omitted.

[0031 ] Various implementations of the subject matter described herein may be realized in integrated circuitry, specially designed ASIC's, computer hardware, firmware, software and/or combinations thereof. These and other aspects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating preferred embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.

Claims

CLAIMS We claim:

1 . A method of sharing a video with at least one mobi le subscriber, said method comprising of

A Video Mailing and Messaging Service (VMMS) server converting a received video into a plurality of formats;

Said VMMS server storing said converted videos;

Said VMMS server sending at least one Short Messaging Service (SMS) to at least one mobile terminal with a plurality of links to said converted videos; and

Said VMMS server streaming said converted video to said mobile terminal , on receiving an indication from said mobile terminal, wherein said converted video streamed to said mobi le terminal corresponds to one of said plural ity of links as indicated by said indication from said mobile terminal.

2. The method, as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said VMMS server checks if sender of said video is registered with said VMMS server, before converting said video.

3. The method, as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said VMMS server inserts at least one advertisement in said converted video, before streaming said converted video to said mobile terminal.

4. The method, as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said plurality of links comprise of a Real Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP) link; and

Two Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) links.

5. The method, as claimed in claim 4, wherein on said RTSP link being indicated, said method further comprises of streaming said converted video to said mobile terminal using RTSP.

6. The method, as claimed in claim 4, wherein on one of said HTTP link being indicated, said method further comprises of

Identifying user agent of said mobile terminal; and

Streaming said converted video, based on said identified user agent.

7. The method, as claimed in claim 4, wherein on one of said HTTP link being indicated, said method further comprises of

Showing a reference image of said converted video; and

Streaming said converted video.