Method and system for multimedia tags

• US 7,672,662 B2
• Filed: 02/13/2003
• Issued: 03/02/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Inventors: Hamberg, Max
• Primary Examiner(s): Bhattacharya; Sam
• Application Number:
  US10/504,410
• Publication Number:
  US 20050113066A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,574 Days
• Field of Search: 455/411, 455/414.1, 455/414.2, 455/466, 380/323, 380/201, 380/223, 380/226, 380/280
• US Class Current: 455/411
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/58 Message adaptation for wireless communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/70 Media network packetisation
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/02 Protecting privacy or anonymity, e.g. protecting personally identifiable information [PII]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/12 Messaging; Mailboxes; Announcements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/20 Transfer of user or subscriber data
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/08 Access point devices

Abstract

A multimedia data construct called a tag may be stored and transferred. A user can use multimedia content, to create a the content portion of a tag. The multimedia file is then incorporated into the tag or it can be referenced by a pointer in the tag. The multimedia file is artistic expression of the user and the tag uniquely associates the user'"'"'s identity with the multimedia file by prohibiting alteration of the content after the user completes its creation. The tag includes at least one dynamic indicator that may be changed based on one or more predefined rules upon transmission. The tag may include an ID, that may be based on subscriber information. Encryption techniques may be employed to protect privacy concerns so that such subscriber information is not freely available.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

(a) receiving a tag identifier resolution request from a communications device, the request including an encrypted tag identifier;

(b) generating a subscriber identifier by decrypting the tag identifier with an asymmetric encryption algorithm and a private key;

(c) sending the subscriber identifier to a subscriber identification node;

(d) receiving a subscriber-related information from the subscriber identification node; and

(e) sending the subscriber-related information to the communications device.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of ensuring that the communications device is authorized to obtain the subscriber-related information.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the subscriber-related information includes a subscriber name.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the subscriber identifier is a mobile station integrated services digital network number (MSISDN).

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the subscriber identifier is an international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI).

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the subscriber identifier is an e-mail address.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the subscriber identifier is an Internet Protocol (IP) address.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein step (a) comprises receiving the tag identifier resolution request in a short messaging service (SMS) message.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein step (e) comprises sending the subscriber-related information in a short messaging service (SMS) message.

10. Apparatus comprising:

means for receiving a tag identifier resolution request from a communications device, the request including an encrypted tag identifier;

means for generating a subscriber identifier by decrypting the tag identifier with an asymmetric encryption algorithm and a private key;

means for sending the subscriber identifier to a subscriber identification node;

means for receiving a subscriber-related information from the subscriber identification node; and

means for sending the subscriber-related information to the communications device.

11. The Apparatus of claim 10, further comprising means for ensuring that the communications device is authorized to obtain the subscriber-related information.

12. The Apparatus of claim 10, wherein the subscriber-related information includes a subscriber name.

13. The Apparatus of claim 10, wherein the subscriber identifier is a mobile station integrated services digital network number (MSISDN).

14. The Apparatus of claim 10, wherein the subscriber identifier is an international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI).

15. The Apparatus of claim 10, wherein the subscriber identifier is an e-mail address.

16. The Apparatus of claim 10, wherein the subscriber identifier is an Internet Protocol (IP) address.

17. The Apparatus of claim 10, wherein the means for receiving a tag identifier resolution request comprises means for receiving the tag identifier resolution request in a short messaging service (SMS) message.

18. The Apparatus of claim 10, wherein the means for sending the subscriber-related information to the communications device comprises means for sending the subscriber-related information in a short messaging service (SMS) message.

19. A method, comprising:

(a) storing electronic tag data constructs in association with a virtual wall data construct stored in a server that exchanges information with devices across the wireless communications network;

(b) receiving an electronic tag data construct from a communications device, the tag data construct including multimedia content, and an encrypted tag identifier that is generated from a subscriber identifier with an asymmetric encryption algorithm and a public key; and

(c) associating the received electronic tag data construct with the virtual wall data construct in the server so that devices may obtain the electronic tag data construct.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the step of enabling devices to search for stored tag data constructs in the server based on tag identifiers included in the stored tag data constructs.

21. A system, comprising:

means for storing electronic tag data constructs in association with a virtual wall data construct stored in a server that exchanges information with devices across the wireless communications network;

means for receiving an electronic tag data construct from a communications device, the tag data construct including multimedia content, and an encrypted tag identifier that is generated from a subscriber identifier with an asymmetric encryption algorithm and a public key; and

means for associating the received electronic tag data construct with the virtual wall data construct in the server so that devices may obtain the electronic tag data construct.

22. The system of claim 21, further comprising means for enabling devices to search for stored tag data constructs in the server based on tag identifiers included in the stored tag data constructs.

23. A method, comprising:

(a) generating a multimedia content message, wherein the message comprises multimedia content, an encrypted tag identifier, and at least one dynamic indicator corresponding to an identity of said message;

(b) sending the message wirelessly to the communication network directed to an intended recipient, and

(c) changing the at least one dynamic indicator based on one or more predefined rules upon sending the message to the intended recipient.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the multimedia content message is an MMS message.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein the at least one dynamic indicator includes at least one of a tag ID, a person-to-person flag, and a hop count.

26. The method of claim 23, wherein the intended recipient is a mobile terminal.

27. The method of claim 23, wherein the intended recipient is a personal computer (PC).

28. The method of claim 23, wherein step (c) includes incrementing a hop count.

29. The method of claim 23, wherein step (c) comprises changing a person-to-person flag value to “

false”

when the tag is received from a public content server.

30. The method of claim 23, further comprising encrypting the at least one dynamic indicator before performing step (b).

31. The method of claim 23, wherein the communications network is a mobile communications network.

32. A multimedia messaging tag data construct, comprising

a first portion including multimedia content;

and

a second portion including an encrypted tag identifier and at least one dynamic indicator corresponding to an identity of said message.

33. The multimedia messaging tag data construct of claim 32, wherein the at least one dynamic indicator includes at least one of a tag ID, a person-to-person flag, and a hop count.

34. The multimedia messaging tag data construct of claim 32, wherein the at least one dynamic indicator is configured to be changed according to one or more predefined rules upon the tag data construct being sent to an intended recipient.

35. The multimedia messaging tag data construct of claim 32, wherein the second portion is formatted as a multimedia messaging service (MMS) message.

36. The multimedia messaging tag data construct of claim 32, wherein the first and second portions are included in a multimedia messaging service (MMS) message.

37. A computer-readable medium containing program instructions, comprising:

program instructions for generating a multimedia content message, wherein the message comprises multimedia content, an encrypted tag identifier, and at least one dynamic indicator corresponding to an identity of said message;

program instructions for sending the message wirelessly to the communication network directed to an intended recipient, and

program instructions for changing the at least one dynamic indicator based on one or more predefined rules upon sending the message to the intended recipient.

38. The computer-readable medium of claim 37, wherein the multimedia content message is an MMS message.

39. The computer-readable medium of claim 37, wherein the at least one dynamic indicator includes at least one of a tag ID, a person-to-person flag, and a hop count.

40. The computer-readable medium of claim 37, wherein the intended recipient is a mobile terminal.

41. The computer-readable medium of claim 37, wherein the intended recipient is a personal computer (PC).

42. The computer-readable medium of claim 37, wherein said means for changing includes incrementing a hop count.

43. The computer-readable medium of claim 37, wherein said means for changing comprises changing a person-to-person flag value to “

false”

when the tag is received from a public content server.

44. The computer-readable medium of claim 37, further comprising means for encrypting the at least one dynamic indicator before sending the message to the communications network.

45. The computer-readable medium of claim 37, wherein the communications network is a mobile communications network.