Methods and systems for combining media inputs for messaging

• US 7,991,019 B2
• Filed: 09/19/2006
• Issued: 08/02/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Sharp Laboratories of America Incorporated (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Thomas, Renjit Tom
• Primary Examiner(s): Ngo; Ricky
• Assistant Examiner(s): HAN, CLEMENCE S
• Application Number:
  US11/533,303
• Publication Number:
  US 20080069120A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,778 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 370/537
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/00 User-to-user messaging in packet-switching networks, transmitted according to store-and-forward or real-time protocols, e.g. e-mail
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/04 specially adapted for terminals or networks with limited capabilities; specially adapted for terminal portability
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/10 in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network software deployment G06F8/60; multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/46
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/12 Messaging; Mailboxes; Announcements

Abstract

With the growing number of, both personal and shared, devices that may be connected to the Internet, the number of possible media sources that may provide input for a message increases, as does the complexity of message preparation. Additionally, with the introduction of shared devices, such as televisions, as media sources for messages, both authentication and security issues are of fundamental importance. Aspects the present invention are related to systems and methods for combining media inputs at an external, central server for messaging.

Claims

1. A method for forming and transmitting a message, said method comprising:

a) receiving, at an external server, a first media input from a first device;

b) receiving, at said external server, a second media input from a second device;

c) combining said first media input and said second media input into a message at said external server, wherein said combining uses a template, wherein said template is stored on a resource accessible to said external server;

d) receiving, at said external server, a link-device request from said first device, wherein said request indicates that input from said link-device is required for said message;

e) sending an alert to said link-device; and

f) transmitting said message using IP-based communication.

2. The method as described in claim 1 wherein said first device is a shared device.

3. The method as described in claim 2 wherein said shared device is a television.

4. The method as described in claim 1 wherein said second device is a private device.

5. The method as described in claim 4 wherein said private device is a device selected from the group consisting of a cell phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a personal computer, and a personal digital music player.

6. The method as described in claim 1, wherein said link-device is said second device.

7. The method as described in claim 1 wherein said template comprises a first field for said first device and a second field for said second device.

8. A method for forming and transmitting a message, said method comprising:

a) receiving, at an external server, a first media input from a first device;

b) receiving, at said external server, a second media input from a second device;

c) combining said first media input and said second media input into a message at said external server;

d) receiving, at said external server, a link-device request from said first device, wherein said request indicates that input from said link-device is required for said message;

e) sending an alert to said link-device; and

f) transmitting said message using IP-based communication.

9. The method as described in claim 8 wherein said link-device is said second device.

10. A method for forming and transmitting a message, said method comprising:

a) receiving, at an external server, a first media input from a first device;

b) detecting an additional device, wherein said additional device is available for contribution of content;

c) sending a signal to said first device, wherein said signal indicates said availability of said additional device;

d) receiving, at said external server, a link request from said first device, wherein said link request comprises a request of input from said additional device;

e) sending an alert to said additional device from said external server, wherein said alert indicates input is requested from said additional device;

f) receiving, at said external server, a second media input from said additional device;

g) combining said first media input and said second media input into a message at said external server; and

h) transmitting said message.

11. The method as described in claim 10 wherein said first device is a shared device.

12. The method as described in claim 11 wherein said shared device is a television.

13. The method as described in claim 10 wherein said second device is a private device.

14. The method as described in claim 13 wherein said private device is a device selected from the group consisting of a cell phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a personal computer, and a personal digital music player.

15. The method as described in claim 10 wherein said combining uses a template, wherein said template is stored on a resource accessible to said external server.

16. The method as described in claim 15 wherein said template comprises a first field for said first device and a second field for said additional device.

17. A method for forming and transmitting a message, said method comprising:

a) storing at least one template on a resource accessible to an external server, wherein said at least one template comprises input fields corresponding to a first device and at least one additional device;

b) receiving a template selection at said external server;

c) receiving, at said external server, a first media input from said first device;

d) sending an alert from said external server to said at least one additional device that input is requested from said at least one additional device;

e) receiving, at said external server, a second media input from said at least one additional device;

f) forming a message at said external server using a template engine and said selected template, wherein said message comprises said first media input and said second media input; and

g) transmitting said message.

18. The method as described in claim 17 wherein said selected template is an XML template.

19. The method as described in claim 17 wherein said first device is a public device.

20. The method as described in claim 17 wherein said first device is a private device.