Abstract:
The present invention relates to a method of using playable electronic media messages for notification of events in a portable communication device, such a portable communication device as well as a computer program product and a computer program element for performing the method. The portable communication device ( 10 ) comprises an event handling unit ( 24; 28; 32 ), and a playable electronic media message handling unit ( 24 ), wherein the playable electronic media message handling unit sets at least one obtained playable electronic media message for use as a notification of at least one event handled by the event handling unit, such that the portable communication device can play the electronic media message in order to notify a user of the event.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to the field of security in relation to peer to peer networking computer communication and telecommunication. More particularly the present invention relates to a method of using playable electronic media messages for notification of events in a portable communication device, such a portable communication device as well as a computer program product and a computer program element for performing the method. 
       DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART 
       [0002]    It is known within the field of portable communication devices to receive different types of messages, like e-mail and SMS (Short Message Service). In cases of e-mail it is also known to attach different types of files to an e-mail, where these files can be video-files, text files, audio files or image files. Recently there has been a development of a new type of messages in wireless communications. These messages are called MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service) messages. In these MMS messages it is possible to include such things as photos, sound files or video files. The files that can be included can also be presented directly to a recipient without having to be extracted and played separately by him or her. 
         [0003]    It is also known to provide a calendar in computers and cellular phones. 
         [0004]    It is furthermore known to receive ring signals to be used in portable communication devices. Today data about the ring signal to be used is included in an SMS-message sent to the portable communication device in question. In the portable communication device the data is then extracted from the message and stored for later use as a ring signal. This ring signal can then be used as a default ring signal for all incoming calls or as a ring signal to be used for only some calls, for instance according to settings in a contacts register of the portable communication device. Both the message and the ring signal are then provided in the portable communication device, which takes up unnecessary memory space, especially if the number of files are many. In order to delete redundant information a user then has to delete the electronic message himself, with which is associated unnecessary labour and irritation for the user. It is also known to provide images related to contacts, which images can be actuated in relation to received calls from the contact in question. 
         [0005]    In view of this it would be beneficial to provide an easier way to obtain ring signals and other types of notifications to a user, especially if the notification is to include several different types of media content that are synchronised with each other. It would also be beneficial if the provision of this notification were not associated with unnecessary use of memory space or requiring efforts by a user in order to remove superfluous data. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention is directed towards solving the problem of providing an easier way to obtain notifications for a user of a portable communication device that is not associated with unnecessary use of memory space or requires efforts made by the user in order to remove superfluous data and that allows the use of different types of synchronised media content. 
         [0007]    This problem is according to the invention solved through obtaining at least one playable electronic media message and setting the message for use as a notification of at least one event related to the portable communication device, such that the portable communication device can play the electronic media message in order to notify a user of the event. 
         [0008]    One object of the present invention is to provide a method of using playable electronic media messages that provides an easier way to obtain notifications for a user of a portable communication device that is not associated with unnecessary use of memory space or requires efforts made by the user in order to remove superfluous data and that allows the use of different types of synchronised media content. 
         [0009]    According to a first aspect of the present invention this object is achieved by a method of using playable electronic media messages for notification of events in a portable communication device comprising the steps of:
   obtaining at least one playable electronic media message, and   setting the message for use as a notification of at least one event related to the portable communication device, such that the portable communication device can play the electronic media message in order to notify a user of the event.   
 
         [0012]    A second aspect of the present invention includes the features of the first aspect, further including the steps of detecting the occurrence of an event for which the electronic media message has been set for use as a notification and playing the electronic media message in dependence of the detection. 
         [0013]    A third aspect of the present invention includes the features of the first aspect, wherein the step of obtaining comprises receiving the message. 
         [0014]    A fourth aspect of the present invention includes the features of the first aspect, wherein the event is an event in the group of types including receiving a phone call, receiving an electronic message or notification of an appointment according to a calendar setting. 
         [0015]    A fifth aspect of the present invention includes the features of the first aspect, wherein the message includes a media file in the form of a sound file arranged to be synchronised with at least one other media file of another type. 
         [0016]    A sixth aspect of the present invention includes the features of the first aspect, wherein the message includes a media file in the form of an image file arranged to be synchronised with at least one other media file of another type. 
         [0017]    A seventh aspect of the present invention includes the features of the first aspect, wherein the message includes a media file in the form of a text file arranged to be synchronised with at least one other media file of another type. 
         [0018]    An eighth aspect of the present invention includes the features of the first aspect, wherein the step of setting comprises setting the message as a notification for all events of a certain type. 
         [0019]    A ninth aspect of the present invention includes the features of the first aspect, wherein the step of setting comprises setting the message as a notification for just some events of a certain type. 
         [0020]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable communication device that provides an easier way to obtain notifications for a user of a portable communication device that is not associated with unnecessary use of memory space or requires efforts made by the user in order to remove superfluous data and that allows the use of different types of synchronised media content. 
         [0021]    According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, this object is achieved by a portable communication device for using playable electronic media messages for notification of events and comprising:
   an event handling unit, and   a playable electronic media message handling unit, wherein   the playable electronic media message handling unit is arranged to set at least one obtained playable electronic media message for use as a notification of at least one event handled by the event handling unit, such that the portable communication device can play the electronic media message in order to notify a user of the event.   
 
         [0025]    An eleventh aspect of the present invention includes the features of the tenth aspect, wherein the event handling unit is arranged to detect the occurrence of an event for which the electronic media message has been set for use as a notification and order the playable electronic media message handling unit to play the electronic media message in dependence of the detection. 
         [0026]    A twelfth aspect of the present invention includes the features of the tenth aspect, wherein the playable electronic media message handling unit is arranged to receive the message from a network. 
         [0027]    A thirteenth aspect of the present invention includes the features of the tenth aspect, wherein the event handling unit is any in the group of call handling unit, calendar or message handling unit. 
         [0028]    A fourteenth aspect of the present invention includes the features of the tenth aspect, wherein the message includes a media file in the form of a sound file arranged to be synchronised with at least one other media file of another type. 
         [0029]    A fifteenth aspect of the present invention includes the features of the tenth aspect, wherein the message includes a media file in the form of an image file arranged to be synchronised with at least one other media file of another type. 
         [0030]    A sixteenth aspect of the present invention includes the features of the tenth aspect, wherein the message includes a media file in the form of a text file arranged to be synchronised with at least one other media file of another type. 
         [0031]    A seventeenth aspect of the present invention includes the features of the tenth aspect, wherein the playable electronic media message handling unit is arranged to set the message for use as a notification for all events of a certain type. 
         [0032]    An eighteenth aspect of the invention includes the features of the tenth aspect, wherein the playable electronic media message handling unit is arranged to set the message for use as a notification for just some events of a certain type. 
         [0033]    A nineteenth aspect of the invention includes the features of the tenth aspect, wherein the device is a cellular phone. 
         [0034]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a computer readable medium that provides an easier way to obtain notifications for a user of a portable communication device that is not associated with unnecessary use of memory space or requires efforts made by the user in order to remove superfluous data and that allows the use of different types of synchronised media content. 
         [0035]    According to a twentieth aspect of the present invention, this object is achieved by a program product comprising a computer readable medium, having thereon:
   computer program code means, to make a portable communication device execute, when said program is loaded in the portable communication device,   obtain at least one playable electronic media message, and   set the message for use as a notification of at least one event related to the portable communication device, such that the portable communication device can play the electronic media message in order to notify a user of the event.   
 
         [0039]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a computer program element that provides an easier way to obtain notifications for a user of a portable communication device that is not associated with unnecessary use of memory space or requires efforts made by the user in order to remove superfluous data and that allows the use of different types of synchronised media content. 
         [0040]    According to a twenty-first aspect of the present invention this object is furthermore achieved by a computer program element comprising:
   computer program code means to make a portable communication device execute, when said program element is loaded in the portable communication device,   obtain at least one playable electronic media message, and   set the message for use as a notification of at least one event related to the portable communication device, such that the portable communication device can play the electronic media message in order to notify a user of the event.   
 
         [0044]    The invention has the following advantages. It does not use unnecessary memory space for saving redundant information regarding notifications and consequently the user does not have to delete this redundant information. It is easy to implement. It can be implemented by just some slight modifications of the software in the portable communication device, which also makes the additional costs associated with the invention low. It allows an easier and freer use of diversified notifications. Users can furthermore generate their own personalised notifications and send them to each other. 
         [0045]    It should be emphasized that the term “comprises/comprising” when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components, but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0046]    The present invention will now be described in more detail in relation to the enclosed drawings, in which: 
           [0047]      FIG. 1  shows an portable communication device in the form of a cellular phone, 
           [0048]      FIG. 2  shows the phone in  FIG. 1  connected to a cellular network, 
           [0049]      FIG. 3  shows a block schematic of the relevant parts of the phone in  FIG. 1 , 
           [0050]      FIG. 4  shows a flow chart of a method of performing the method according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, and 
           [0051]      FIG. 5  shows a CD Rom on which program code for executing the method according to the invention is provided. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0052]    A portable communication device  10  according to the invention is shown in  FIG. 1 . In the preferred embodiment the device is a cellular phone  10  having a display  12  and a keypad  14  including a number of keys. The keypad  14  is used for entering information such as selection of functions and responding to prompts and the display  12  is used for displaying functions and prompts to a user of the phone. The phone also includes an antenna, which is used for communication with other users via a network. However the antenna is in-built in the phone and hence not shown in the figure. The phone also includes a speaker for presenting sounds to a user, which speaker is also not shown. A cellular phone is just one example of a device in which the invention can be implemented. The invention can for instance also be used in a PDA (personal digital assistant), a palm top computer, a lap top computer or a smartphone. It is however advantageous if the device has access to some kind of network over which messages can be received. 
         [0053]      FIG. 2  shows the cellular phone  10  connected to a cellular network  18  via a base station  16 . The network is normally a GPRS network. It is of course also possible that the network is a 3G network such as a WCDMA network. The network does not have to be a cellular network but can be some type of network, such as Internet, a corporate intranet, a LAN or a wireless LAN provided that playable electronic messages are supported. 
         [0054]      FIG. 3  shows part of the interior of the cellular phone that is relevant for the present invention. The phone  10  includes an antenna  20  connected to a radio circuit  22  for enabling radio communication with the network of  FIG. 2 . The radio circuit  22  is connected to a playable electronic media message handling unit  24 , which in the preferred embodiment is a unit that handles playable electronic media messages in the form of so-called multimedia messages (MMS). The message handling unit  24  is connected to the display  12  and to a speaker  34  for presenting sound, text and images to a user of the phone  10 . The message handling unit  24  is connected to an MMS storage  26 . The radio circuit  22  is also connected to a first event handling unit  28 , which in the preferred embodiment is a call handling unit for handling incoming and outgoing calls. The first event handling unit  28  is connected to a contacts register  30 , which includes information about contacts of the user of the phone, such as phone number of the contacts and notifications to be used when an event is detected, such as when an incoming call is received from a contact. Both the contacts register  30  and the call handling unit  28  are connected to the message handling unit  24 . The message handling unit  24  and the call handling unit  28  are furthermore both connected to a notification setting storage  36 . The phone  10  also includes a second event handling unit  32  in the form of a calendar, which can be used for setting appointments for the user, such as meetings. The calendar  32  is also connected to the message handling unit  24 . It should be realised that the call handling unit  28  and the calendar  32  are normally using the display  12  and in case of need the speaker  34  and that the information of the contacts register can be presented on the display  12 . This is however not shown in the figure for easier understanding of the invention. How a message handling unit, a call handling unit, a contacts register and a calendar generally function is furthermore well known to the man skilled in the art and will therefore not be further described here. The invention is directed towards a special feature of the message handling unit. 
         [0055]    The functioning of the present invention according to an embodiment will now be described in relation to the previously described  FIG. 1-3  together with  FIG. 4 , which shows a flow chart of a preferred embodiment of a method according to the invention. 
         [0056]    The phone  10  according to the invention can send and receive MMS messages using the message handling unit  24  in combination with the radio circuit  22  and antenna  20 . These MMS messages can typically include sound files, text files as well as image files both still image and moving image files. The MMS message format allows the included files to be presented to the user of the phone by the message handling unit  24 , such that a user of the phone can simultaneously both see and hear the presented information using the display  12  and the speaker  34 . This format thus allows the presentation of the different files synchronised with each other, which synchronisation information is provided in the MMS message format. If the phone is provided with a camera the user can furthermore create his own MMS messages that include both sound and image and send these MMS messages to friends and contacts. It is furthermore possible for the user of a phone to receive images from somebody else like another phone or to download an image for instance from the Internet and add text and sound for creating an MMS. 
         [0057]    The method according to the invention starts with an MMS message being obtained through receiving an MMS message by the message handling unit  24  from the network  18  via the antenna  20  and the radio circuit  22 , step  38 . It should here be realised that the invention is not limited to the reception of an MMS message, but that it can equally as well be applied on an MMS message generated by the user of the phone or be used on a previously received and stored message. After the reception of the message, the message handling unit  24  notifies a user of the phone of the message and asks if the user wants to use the MMS message as a notification for an event, which event is the reception of a phone call in this embodiment of the invention, i.e. to replace the ring signal of the phone with the MMS message. If the user then selects to use the MMS message as a notification, the message handling unit  24  sets the message to be used as a notification for incoming calls by setting a default setting for notification of all calls in the notification setting storage  36 , step  40 . This storage is a default storage, which means that the MMS message is set as a notification for all incoming calls. The message handling unit  24  then stores the MMS message in the MMS storage  26 . As an alternative the user can look in a ring signal menu, and select from existing MMS messages in the phone to be used as a notification of incoming calls. When an event is detected in the form of a received call, step  42 , which call is received via the antenna  20  and the radio circuit  22  and handled by the call handling unit  28 , the call handling unit  28  looks in the notification setting storage  36  to see what kind of notification is to be used. The call handling unit  28  identifies the setting made in the notification setting storage  36  and contacts the message handling unit  24  in order to use the MMS message as notification. The message handling unit  24  then retrieves the MMS message from the MMS storage  26  and plays the message, such that it is used as a notification for the incoming call, step  44 . 
         [0058]    In this way an MMS message is used for notification of incoming calls. The played message can then be synchronised regarding sound, text and image for further enhanced effects. 
         [0059]    There are a number of variations that are possible here. A user might select to use the MMS message as a notification for incoming calls for only one or some phone numbers. In this case the user gets to select for which numbers the MMS message are to be used by settings in the contacts register. Therefore the message handling unit would then present the contacts register to the user and also set the notification for each contact that the user wants the MMS message to be used. Alternatively the contacts are presented to the user individually, who then selects what MMS is to be used for notification on a contact-by-contact basis. The call handling unit then consults the contacts register for finding out if a default notification or the MMS message is to be used. If the phone number of an incoming call then corresponds to the setting in the contacts register, the MMS message is used for notifying the user of the incoming call in the same manner as was described above. 
         [0060]    The invention is not limited to use for incoming calls. It can also be used for notification of incoming electronic messages either by using a default notification or a notification setting for the contact from whom the message is received. The different types of registers and storages can be set such that incoming electronic messages are notified to the user in the same way as was described above, but then there is of course no call handling unit involved, but a message handling unit, which can be different than the MMS message handling unit, for instance an SMS message handling unit, or the same message handling unit. 
         [0061]    The invention can also be used for notification of meetings and other appointments set in a calendar. In this case the message handling unit sets the calendar to use the MMS message as a notification, and when a meeting or some other appointment is about to start, the calendar contacts the message handling unit, such that it plays the MMS message in order to inform the user of the start of the appointment. 
         [0062]    The setting of notification can, as was mentioned earlier, be made independently of the reception of the MMS message. In this case the notification can be set in a settings menu in the menu system of the phone. 
         [0063]    The different units according to the present invention are preferably provided in the form of one or more processors with corresponding memory containing the program code and the storages and registers are provided in the form of memories containing the contact information and specialised messages. 
         [0064]    The program code mentioned above can also be provided on a data carrier such as a CD ROM disc  46  as depicted in  FIG. 5  or an insertable memory stick, which will perform the invention when loaded into a computer or into a phone having suitable processing capabilities. The program code can also be downloaded remotely from a server either outside or inside the cellular network or be downloaded via a computer like a PC to which the phone is temporarily connected. 
         [0065]    The present invention has several advantages. It does not use unnecessary memory space for saving redundant information regarding notifications and consequently the user does not have to delete this redundant information. It is easy to implement. It can be implemented by just some slight modifications of the software in the phone. This also makes the cost of the invention low. It allows an easier and freer use of diversified notifications. Users can generate their own personalised notifications and send them to each other. By the use of MMS it is furthermore possible to provide visual and sound effects synchronised with each other in a simple fashion. 
         [0066]    The messages sent are preferably MMS messages. The invention is however not limited to these types of messages. It can be used for any type of playable electronic media messages.