Method, apparatus and system for processing multimedia messages

#The present invention relates generally to the field of communications and, more particularly, to a method, apparatus and system for processing multimedia messages.

#Short messaging service (“SMS”) has been very successful in the Global System for Mobile Communications (“GSM”) second generation system (“2G”). The success of SMS is due, in part, to the fact that all GSM capable devices support the SMS application level so that there is no need to check each device to determine whether or not its supports SMS applications. This easy to use service for non-real time text transmission between GSM users will be succeeded to in third generation (“3G”) mobile systems by a non-real time multimedia message service (“MMS”). The MMS will provide multimedia message capability instead of the text only capability of SMS.

#Multimedia consists of one or more media elements, such as text, voice, image and video, and it is the combination of these media elements in an ordered synchronized manner that creates a multimedia presentation, which is also referred to as multimedia content. A non-real time multimedia message as observed by the user is a combination of one or more different media elements in a multimedia presentation that can be transferred between users without having to be transferred in real time.

#For a better understanding of the invention, and to show by way of example how the same may be carried into effect, reference is now made to the detailed description of the invention along with the accompanying figures in which corresponding numerals in the different figures refer to corresponding parts and in which:

#FIG. 1 is an architectural overview of a Multimedia Messaging Service in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

#FIG. 2 is an overview of a Multimedia Messaging Service in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

#While the making and using of various embodiments of the present invention are discussed in detail below, it should be appreciated that the present invention provides many applicable inventive concepts, which can be embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. For example, in addition to telecommunications systems, the present invention may be applicable to other forms of communications or general data processing. Other forms of communications may include communications between networks, communications via satellite, or any form of communications not yet known to man as of the date of the present invention. The specific embodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative of specific ways to make and use the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention.

#The present invention provides a flexible architecture that supports present and future multimedia messaging technologies and handles all message types and formats, such as fax, SMS, Multimedia, voice-mail and e-mail, in a consistent manner regardless of message type or format. The present invention also provides consistent access to the system regardless of the access point within the capabilities of networks and terminals. For example, the user can access his or her multimedia messages through a number of different access points, which may include 3G and 2G networks, fixed networks and the Internet. The present invention supports a minimum set of functionality and message media types and message content formats to ensure interoperability between different terminals and networks from the very beginning of service provisioning.

#FIG. 1 is an architectural overview of a Multimedia Messaging Service (“MMS”) 100 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention that combines different networks and network types and integrates messaging systems already existent within these networks. MMS User Agents 102, 104, 106, 108, 110 and 112 interact with the Multimedia Messaging Service Environment (“MMSE”) 114, which may comprise fixed networks 116, mobile networks 118, 2G mobile networks 120, 3G mobile networks 122 and Internet/IP networks 124. The MMS User Agents 102, 104, 106, 108, 110 and 112 reside on a UE, an MS or on an external device connected to a UE/MS. Each MMS User Agent 102, 104, 106, 108, 110 and 112 is an application layer function that provides the users with the ability to view, compose and handle multimedia messages (e.g., submitting, receiving, deleting of multimedia messages). The MMSE 114 provides all the necessary service elements, e.g. delivery, storage and notification functionality. These service elements may be located within one network or distributed across several networks or network types. The connectivity between these different networks 116, 118, 120, 122 and 124 is provided by the Internet Protocol (“IP”) and its associated set of messaging protocols. This approach enables messaging in 2G and 3G wireless networks 120 and 122 to be compatible with messaging systems found on the Internet/IP Network 124. The MMSE 114 can be implemented either within or on the periphery of a network operator's core network. In addition, network operators can support a limited set of MMS functionality, while others may require extensive and elaborate MMS support according to their business models.