Abstract:
Disclosed is a method for providing a messaging sticker, wherein the sticker has at least one associated video component.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to the provision of specific features within messaging applications. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Messaging applications are an increasingly popular form of communications. The recent electronic communications market has been dominated by text (SMS) and voice, with a degree of messaging via other social media applications, for example private messaging (in-boxing) via Facebook® and LinkedIn®. In addition, Twitter®, SnapChat®, Instagram® and other applications have been used to send still images as well as video. 
         [0003]    The increasing reach of wifi connected smartphones has led to increasing use of messaging applications. Proprietary messaging applications, such as Facetime®, have been joined by a wide variety of messaging apps. These in general provide superior functionality to SMS, while having no call charges if the user is connected to Wi-Fi. Even if carrier based data is used, these application generally use relatively little charged data. Examples of such messaging applications include WhatsApp, Kik, Line, WeChat and Viber. Specialised live streaming video messaging apps, such as Livestream, Qik, and Ustream are also available in the market. For the purpose of this specification, messaging application includes both proprietary and open instant messaging apps, operable via the internet, including those via social media or as adjuncts to other software applications. 
         [0004]    One aspect of messaging applications which has grown greatly in popularity are stickers. A sticker is an illustration which is available to be placed on or added to a message. In its simplest form, it is like an elaborate emoticon, developed to allow more depth and breadth of expression than what is possible with punctuation or ‘emojis’. They are used to quickly and simply convey an emotion or thought. In some cases they are animated, derived from cartoon-like characters, and are often intended to be witty, cute, irreverent or creative, but in a canned kind of way. 
         [0005]    Some stickers are available for free, whilst others are available for a charge, from on-line stores or from within applications. Stickers have also been used as promotional items for movies and other aspects of popular media. 
         [0006]    It is an object of the present invention to provide additional functionality and personalisation for stickers for use in messaging. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    In a first broad form, the present invention provides a sticker which incorporates a link to a message including at least a video. In a preferred form, the content of the sticker is automatically personalised for the recipient and/or the sender. 
         [0008]    According to one aspect, the present invention provides a method of providing an enhanced sticker within a messaging application, including the steps of: permitting a user to access a selection of stickers; permitting the user to select a sticker; permitting the user to attach a selected sticker to a message; wherein the sticker includes a link which enables launch of a communication, said communication including at least one video component. 
         [0009]    In some implementations, the communication may be customised automatically by including information specific to the sender, to the receiver or both. This may be, for example, adding names of the recipient and/or sender, adding specific images or video, adding specific text, or adding specific audio. 
         [0010]    In one form, the communication may include a video selected automatically from pre-determined set, so that when the same sticker is used again, a different video may be automatically selected from the set, either from a shuffle, randomly, or using a selection algorithm. In this way, using the same sticker remains none the less fresh. 
         [0011]    In suitable implementations, the content of the communication, apart from some level of automated customisation, may be provided by the operator. Alternatively, it may be provided by the user, with the content selected and defined in advance of the sticker being attached. In some implementations, the content is a mixture of the above. The image on the sticker may similarly be provided by the user, by the operator, or either at the user&#39;s option. 
         [0012]    It will be apparent that the present invention accordingly provides a way for a sticker to entail a much richer, elaborate set of content than the existing uses of stickers. Moreover, implementations of the present invention allow for the user to have much more control over what material is presented, and to whom it is presented. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    Illustrative examples of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is a flowchart illustrating the logical process by which communications can be created and displayed according to one implementation of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a screenshot illustrating selection of an app within a messaging program; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a screenshot illustrating selection of a sticker; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a screenshot illustrating how the message appears to the sender after selection; 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is close up of the message as it is being reviewed by the sender; a screenshot showing the incoming message with sticker attached; 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a view similar to  FIG. 4 , in which the option to take a photo is shown; 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is a screenshot illustrating the selection of the party to whom the message is sent; 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  is a screenshot illustrating a conversation between parties with various stickers attached; 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  is a screenshot showing the message from the sticker as it appears to the recipient; 
           [0023]      FIG. 10  is a screenshot showing suggested possible replies to the QuickZing; 
           [0024]      FIG. 11  illustrates the a screen where the layouts and frames are selected; 
           [0025]      FIGS. 12, 13 and 14  illustrates the layout as it has been selected in  FIG. 11 , at various times illustrating how it is assembled for the recipient; and 
           [0026]      FIG. 15  is an example of a QuickZing using a random gif. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0027]    The present invention will be described mainly with reference to several specific implementations, and in relation to particular applications to products. It will be understood that the present invention in principle is adapted for implementation on many products, and that the specific type of product may influence the types of content and uses for the present invention. Further, the implementation at the content, social media and network side may be variable and adapted to the requirements and norms of that facility. The present invention is intended to encompass all such implementations. 
         [0028]    The term ‘network’ is intended in its broadest sense. It includes public and private networks, illustratively those applying TCP/IP protocols such as the internet, but not limited to such networks. They may be local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs). The physical implementation of such networks may be fixed, wireless, optical, satellite, mobile or any other suitable form. 
         [0029]    The present invention may be conveniently implemented using a server based virtual facility, such as the facility operated by the applicant as FabZing. Details of the implementation of this system are provided in the applicant&#39;s patent application No s WO 20112041827 (U.S. 61/272,545) and U.S. provisional application No. 61/746,774 by J Frank Shaffer. These disclosures are hereby incorporated by reference. A suitable implementation of a server based, user controlled multimedia messaging system is the FabZing system, which is available at www.fabzing.com and is commercially operated by the present assignee. Of course, any other suitable system may be used to implement the invention. 
         [0030]    The messaging application chosen may be any suitable one, such as the specific examples mentioned above, social media or any other type of online messaging. Sticker is meant is the broadest sense, as a predefined icon or image (or gif or video) which can be selected and attached or added to a message by a user. The present invention is not limited to any particular mode of selection, and in general it is preferred that the normal mode within the selected messaging system is used. 
         [0031]    The term operator is used to refer to the party which is providing the server and associated software to deliver the enhanced stickers. This may be multiple parties, depending upon commercial arrangements, and may or may not be the operator of the messaging application. The term is intended to encompass both those in operational control and overall ownership or control. 
         [0032]    The term video is used to refer to any kind of moving image format, including for example Mpeg and images format that can be used to form a moving image, such as gifs. In suitable contexts, it may refer to live video or stored video. 
         [0033]    The present invention is envisaged as being implemented primarily as an application which is selected or sold in the usual way for the messaging application. The example provided is in this context. However, the functionality could be incorporated within the functions of the messaging system itself in a suitable implementation. 
         [0034]    A quickZing is a particular form of enhanced message which can be associated with a sticker and attached to a message, as will be explained in more detail below. It represents one example of an implementation of the present invention. 
         [0035]    With reference to  FIG. 1 , the process by which a quickZing is created, stored, selected and then delivered to a recipient will be described. 
         [0036]    At step  10 , the author selects the general layout of their quickZing. In one implementation, this may be a person authorised by the operator, in order to maximise the simplicity of the system. However, it can also be the user, as will be described in more detail below. 
         [0037]    At step  11 , the layout code is then saved to a database, given a name, and the quickZing assigned a unique URL. 
         [0038]    At step  12 , the sender has available a list of available quick Zings, for example as a screen on the smartphone, and selects one. At this stage, the sticker or quickZing is attached to the draft message. In some cases, the sender can modify at step  13  the content within one or more of the placeholders. For example, they may add a photo such as a selfie, or add some text. 
         [0039]    The sender then sends the quickZing to the recipient, using the messaging app and with the unique URL associated with the sticker on the message. The recipient then receives their instant message, and clicks the quickZing inside the messaging application. 
         [0040]    At the server addressed by the url, the quickZing is assembled and played for the recipient. The layout code defines the various components that must be assembled. These may include, for example, media  21  selected by the author, media  22  from the internet picked by a search tag, a profile picture  23  of the sender retrieved from the Messaging app account, the name and/or image of the recipient  24  retrieved from the messaging app account, and media selected as part of the layout by the server  25 . 
         [0041]      FIGS. 2 to 8  are screenshots illustrating an implementation of the present invention adapted to operate as an app within the kik messaging app. It will be appreciated that these are merely provided to illustrate one example, and they are in no sense limitative of the scope of the invention. In particular, the invention may be implemented with any suitable messaging application. 
         [0042]      FIG. 2  illustrates a conventional smartphone screen. It will be appreciated that the present invention could be accessed using any suitable device, for example a tablet, PC, or any other suitable device. The screen shows a list of apps available, including quickZing, the illustrative app which will be described. It will be appreciated that a list such as shown is reasonably conventional in commonly used smartphone operating systems, such as iOs and Android. 
         [0043]    Selecting quickZing takes the user to the screen in  FIG. 3 . This allows the user to select from a list of available quickZings, including a list of the most recent. 
         [0044]    In  FIG. 4 , the users has selected ‘Can we Dance’. At the top, a preview shows the components. A blank placeholder appears where the image of the recipient will appear, from the image (if any) in the sender&#39;s contact list. At the bottom of the quickZing, an option appears to take a photo to replace the profile picture shown at top left. 
         [0045]    The shuffle button allows the sender to shuffle through content, which already exists as a library, in order to select alternative content if they prefer. Shuffled content is shown in the appropriate placeholder screen. The back arrow will move to the previous content or version. 
         [0046]    Although it is not apparent from the images, and it is optional, in most cases music or some other audio component will also accompany the quickZing. This is also previewed at this screen. 
         [0047]    The k button is a feature within kik which allows the user to share with their other friends, not just the recipient. 
         [0048]      FIG. 5  illustrates the quickZing in more detail. The top left is an image of the sender, and the middle image will be the recipient. The other frames are playing videos associated with the message ‘Thanks (friend) for the dance!’. The name of the friend will be inserted from the contact list. 
         [0049]      FIG. 6  illustrates the option to take an alternative picture. In this quickZing, the sender image would change. In suitable other quickZings, other parts may change, or live video may be added. An example would be ‘wish you were here’ with a short video or image of a group of friends at an event. This option also allows the sender to insert a photo from their library, for example from on their phone. 
         [0050]      FIG. 7  shows the screen whereby the recipient can be selected from the list of contacts, in the form of a list of conversations with other members. As is conventional in messaging, the most recent conversations are listed first. The top party, Tony Barbetta, is selected. 
         [0051]      FIG. 8  illustrates the selected conversation, in which messages are shown, some with a quickZing, some without. The bottom image is the message which is about to be sent, which the send button at bottom right is actuated by the sender. The quickZing at the top has already been sent.  FIG. 9  shows the sent quickZing at top left of the conversation in  FIG. 8 , from the perspective of the recipient. 
         [0052]      FIG. 10  is a reply screen, which provides options including two suggested response quickZings, selecting more quickZings, and a text reply. 
         [0053]    It can accordingly be seen that the quickZings are able to be customised to the sender and recipient automatically, for example with their respective names and images inserted into the quickZing. The sender can readily customise a pre-prepared quickZing from the operator, or readily create their own, ready for use as required. 
         [0054]    The quickZing may be a simple, pre-packaged set of audio, video and images which is simply selected and sent with customisation of sender, recipient and their images. It may be a pre-formatted layout, in which videos and images can be selected from a search, shuffled within a library, or created as required by the user. The intention is that in many cases, publicly available material will be used. The operation of the implementation disclosed is to simply access URLs, not to copy the material. To further simplify matters, the users may prefer to use public domain material, or their own stored user generated material. 
         [0055]    Implementations of the present invention accordingly allow a user to very quickly create a communication including choreographed imagery, sounds, gifs, video, and text passages, all or some of which are personalized and particular to that moment in time between the two parties in a conversation thread. By including variable components such as shuffle, recent, or trending content as one or more of the place holders of the composite messaging, an even more dynamic format is then created with further elements of discovery and serendipity which would potentially add to the interest or engagement level for both the user and the recipient. The user is further enabled to modify the messages and content associated with a sticker. For example, the QuickZing in that implementation could be changed to substitute a different gif, in response to current events. The user can change the content, without the recipient having to take any action. The communication that the sticker is linked to is changed, and hence the recipient who activates the sticker will receive the current linked communication. Thus, real time changes are possible. 
         [0056]    The present invention has the capacity, in suitable implementations, to allow very creative content to be produced from sources which have typically been difficult to work with. For example, the present invention can readily use one or more gif files to move in time to a selected music track.  FIG. 15  is an illustration of this in which a randomly selected gif of Justin Bieber (for example) may be set to music. In this instance, a photo may be added or not at the user&#39;s choosing. This illustrates the very light hearted, simple meme-like imagery to which the present invention is particularly suited. 
         [0057]      FIG. 11  illustrates a screen from which a quickZing can be created, from the FabZing website noted above, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
         [0058]    This allows the user to select placeholders, move them around the screen, change their specific content and adjust parameters. These include font, color, size etc for text, quotes and messages; where the personalised features are inserted; what video, image, audio and other resources from the network are used, and in what timing and combination. The sequencing and speed can also be controlled. 
         [0059]    It will be appreciated that although the quickZing is created within a particular messaging app, the sticker so created may be sent to another messaging app or communicated to social media or via other means. 
         [0060]      FIG. 12  illustrates the quickZing created in  FIG. 11 , roughly 2 seconds into playback. At this stage, there are two background images and a text box. The text box has been set so that the number of smiles shuffles at random between 5 and 99. 
         [0061]      FIG. 13  illustrates the quickZing of  FIG. 12 , 4 second in. The image of the sender has been inserted, as well as another text box. The quotes in the second text box shuffle to show a new quote each time the quickZing is used. 
         [0062]      FIG. 14  shows the quickZing of  FIG. 12 , 6 seconds in. Two further gifs/videos have now appeared. The images are on a shuffle, from a database of appropriate (e.g. happy and smiling) gifs. 
         [0063]    Implementations of quickZings could use specific criteria for the rotation, for example trending images with respect to a social media or image sharing website. 
         [0064]    It will be appreciated that the use of shuffling or random selection of images from a database (or the network) creates freshness and a feeling of discovery for the sender and recipient. For example, to illustrate a quickZing dealing with getting back after a setback, gifs showing people tripping over and getting up could be cycled, the first time it is a baseball player tripping, the next time it is a fashion model tripping, then a President, then the most recent/popular gif that day and so on. 
         [0065]    Similarly, this could be done with the user&#39;s own library of images, either for their personal image, or for other images in the quickZing. 
         [0066]    A further implementation could effectively gamify (make into a game) everyday messaging conversations by creating unique combinations of a particular randomly generated quote with a winning number of ‘smiles’ to reward users with prizes or points toward further enhancements. Similarly, in this manner any unique combination of images, videos, gifs, quotes, songs, and or numbers could in effect yield such an outcome. 
         [0067]    The selection algorithm for images could include a variety of characteristics in suitable implementations, including for example sender and recipient&#39;s tastes and preferences; a certain weighting to popular gifs with another weighting to what&#39;s trending, or any other appropriate criteria. 
         [0068]    It will be appreciated that a particular feature of this implementation of the present invention is that the sender can very quickly select a sticker with personalised multimodal content and a message that takes the sender much longer to view and experience than it does to create and send. This is the reverse of the usual situation with a complex communication.