Messaging system and service

• US 8,477,786 B2
• Filed: 05/29/2012
• Issued: 07/02/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/06/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Myllynen, Harri, Leino, Pasi, Ohrling, Antti
• Primary Examiner(s): ABELSON, RONALD B
• Application Number:
  US13/483,043
• Publication Number:
  US 20120238299A1
• Time in Patent Office: 399 Days
• Field of Search: 370/389, 370/392, 370/428
• US Class Current: 370/392
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/063 Content adaptation, e.g. replacement of unsuitable content
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/58 Message adaptation for wireless communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/765 intermediate
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/14 Short messaging services, e.g. short message services [SMS] or unstructured supplementary service data [USSD]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/18 Information format or content conversion, e.g. adaptation by the network of the transmitted or received information for the purpose of wireless delivery to users or terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/184 Messaging devices, e.g. message centre

Abstract

A method of modifying a data message during transmission through a data communications network, the data communications network being arranged to deliver messages under control of a network operator and including a first store-and-forward network node. The first store-and-forward network node is arranged to store data messages and forward the same to a recipient in dependence on status data corresponding to a terminal associated therewith. The method further includes receiving a message at a second store-and-forward node, wherein the second store-and-forward node is different from the first store-and-forward network node, arranging for the message to be modified before being forwarded from the second store-and forward node, and transmitting the message to the first store-and-forward network node for forwarding to the recipient.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving, by a processor, a message sent through a data communications network, the message including transmission data identifying a destination of the message and a message body identifying content thereof;

reviewing, by the processor, a schedule identifying entertainment activities, wherein the schedule is accessed from an electronically available entertainment listing;

selecting, by the processor, in response to receiving the message, data in accordance with an entertainment activity that overlaps, at least in part, with a time of transmission or reception of the message, wherein the data is selected from one of a plurality of stores of selectable data, each store being associated with a different subject and each having selectable data therein, and wherein an identifier identifying one of the subjects has been received prior to receipt of the message, the identifier thereby identifying a store from which data are to be selected;

creating, by the processor, a modified message including the data selected in accordance with an entertainment activity that overlaps, at least in part, with a time of transmission or reception of the message; and

transmitting, by the processor, the modified message to the destination.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the selectable data are specified in advance of receipt of the message.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the data are selected in accordance with data associated with the message.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the data is selected from advertising data.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the selection of data is performed on the basis of a parameter that is not directly related to the location of the sending party.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the data is selected on the basis of characteristics of the identified recipient, and wherein the characteristics include any of location, context, weather, age, and preference information associated with the recipient.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein, in response to identifying from the transmission data that there is a plurality of recipients of the message, identifying characteristics common to at least two of the recipients, and selecting data on the basis of the common characteristics.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

comparing the selected data with data identifying subject matter that the recipient is not interested in, and, in the event that the selected data matches data corresponding to the identified subject matter, the message is not modified prior to transmission to the recipient.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

recording the data that have been included in the transmitted messages;

comparing the recorded data with the data selected for inclusion in the message; and

repeating, in the event that the recorded data match the selected data, the element of selecting.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the data is selected based on location data.

11. A system comprising:

a processor; and

a memory containing instruction that, when executed, cause the processor to;

receive a message sent through a data communications network, the message including transmission data identifying a destination of the message and a message body identifying content thereof;

review a schedule identifying entertainment activities, wherein the schedule is accessed from an electronically available entertainment listing;

select, in response to receiving the message, data in accordance with an entertainment activity that overlaps, at least in part, with a time of transmission or reception of the message, wherein the data is selected from one of a plurality of stores of selectable data, each store being associated with a different subject and each having selectable data therein, and wherein an identifier identifying one of the subjects has been received prior to receipt of the message, the identifier thereby identifying a store from which data are to be selected;

create a modified message including the data selected in accordance with an entertainment activity that overlaps, at least in part, with a time of transmission or reception of the message; and

transmit the modified message to the destination.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the selectable data are specified in advance of receipt of the message.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the data are selected in accordance with data associated with the message.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the data is selected from advertising data.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein the selection of data is performed on the basis of a parameter that is not directly related to the location of the sending party.

16. The system of claim 11, wherein the data is selected on the basis of characteristics of the identified recipient, and wherein the characteristics include any of location, context, weather, age, and preference information associated with the recipient.

17. The system of claim 11, wherein, in response to identifying from the transmission data that there is a plurality of recipients of the message, identifying characteristics common to at least two of the recipients, and selecting data on the basis of the common characteristics.

18. The system of claim 11, wherein the instructions further cause the processor to:

compare the selected data with data identifying subject matter that the recipient is not interested in, and, in the event that the selected data matches data corresponding to the identified subject matter, the message is not modified prior to transmission to the recipient.

19. The method of claim 11, wherein the instructions further cause the processor to:

record the data that have been included in the transmitted messages;

compare the recorded data with the data selected for inclusion in the message; and

repeating, in the event that the recorded data match the selected data, the element of selecting.

20. The system of claim 11, wherein the data is selected based on location data.

21. A non-transitory computer-readable medium containing instruction that, when executed by a computing device, cause the computing device to:

receive a message sent through a data communications network, the message including transmission data identifying a destination of the message and a message body identifying content thereof;

review a schedule identifying entertainment activities, wherein the schedule is accessed from an electronically available entertainment listing;

select, in response to receiving the message, data in accordance with an entertainment activity that overlaps, at least in part, with a time of transmission or reception of the message, wherein the data is selected from one of a plurality of stores of selectable data, each store being associated with a different subject and each having selectable data therein, and wherein an identifier identifying one of the subjects has been received prior to receipt of the message, the identifier thereby identifying a store from which data are to be selected;

create a modified message including the data selected in accordance with an entertainment activity that overlaps, at least in part, with a time of transmission or reception of the message; and

transmit the modified message to the destination.

22. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 21, wherein the selectable data are specified in advance of receipt of the message.

23. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 21, wherein the data are selected in accordance with data associated with the message.

24. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 21, wherein the data is selected from advertising data.

25. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 21, wherein the selection of data is performed on the basis of a parameter that is not directly related to the location of the sending party.

26. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 21, wherein the data is selected on the basis of characteristics of the identified recipient, and wherein the characteristics include any of location, context, weather, age, and preference information associated with the recipient.

27. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 21, wherein, in response to identifying from the transmission data that there is a plurality of recipients of the message, identifying characteristics common to at least two of the recipients, and selecting data on the basis of the common characteristics.

28. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 21, wherein the instructions further cause the computing device to:

compare the selected data with data identifying subject matter that the recipient is not interested in, and, in the event that the selected data matches data corresponding to the identified subject matter, the message is not modified prior to transmission to the recipient.

29. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 21, wherein the instructions further cause the computing device to:

record the data that have been included in the transmitted messages;

compare the recorded data with the data selected for inclusion in the message; and

repeat, in the event that the recorded data match the selected data, the element of selecting.

30. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 21, wherein the data is selected based on location data.