IES84884Y1 - A method for providing alerts on a mobile communications device - Google Patents
A method for providing alerts on a mobile communications deviceInfo
- Publication number
- IES84884Y1 IES84884Y1 IE2007/0423A IE20070423A IES84884Y1 IE S84884 Y1 IES84884 Y1 IE S84884Y1 IE 2007/0423 A IE2007/0423 A IE 2007/0423A IE 20070423 A IE20070423 A IE 20070423A IE S84884 Y1 IES84884 Y1 IE S84884Y1
- Authority
- IE
- Ireland
- Prior art keywords
- audio
- mobile communications
- communications device
- video
- content
- Prior art date
Links
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 claims description 15
- 238000010295 mobile communication Methods 0.000 abstract description 10
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 16
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 7
- 238000005516 engineering process Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 4
- 230000004075 alteration Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000000903 blocking Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000003203 everyday Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000035515 penetration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000004044 response Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010200 validation analysis Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
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- H04L29/08108—
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- H04L29/08117—
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- H04L29/08981—
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
- H04L63/00—Network architectures or network communication protocols for network security
- H04L63/04—Network architectures or network communication protocols for network security for providing a confidential data exchange among entities communicating through data packet networks
- H04L63/0428—Network architectures or network communication protocols for network security for providing a confidential data exchange among entities communicating through data packet networks wherein the data content is protected, e.g. by encrypting or encapsulating the payload
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M19/00—Current supply arrangements for telephone systems
- H04M19/02—Current supply arrangements for telephone systems providing ringing current or supervisory tones, e.g. dialling tone or busy tone
- H04M19/04—Current supply arrangements for telephone systems providing ringing current or supervisory tones, e.g. dialling tone or busy tone the ringing-current being generated at the substations
Abstract
ABSTRACT This invention relates to a method of providing alerts on a mobile communication device 5. The alerts take the form of an audio-video clip with moving video images supported by an appropriate sound track. The alerts may be excerpts from films, television programs, music videos or other video images specifically recorded for the purpose. The audio-video clips are distributed through a traditional content network 1 but an additional audio-video clip alert application is provided on the mobile communication device 5 to allow encryption of the content. There is further provided a number of alternative systems for distributing the alerts to users. In this way, a new type of alert is provided and dissemination of the audio-video clips from one mobile communication device to another is prevented through the encryption of the alerts.
Description
A method for providing alerts on a mobile communications device
Introduction
The present invention relates to a method for providing alerts on a mobile
communications device in a system comprising a remote content provider, a plurality of
mobile communications devices and a communications network.
As the technology of mobile communications devices has advanced. a wide array of
mobile communication device personalisation options have become available. For some
time now, on certain brands of mobile communications device there has been the option
of loading additional ring tones on to the mobile communications device, allowing a user
to assign certain ring tones to certain actions or certain people in their phonebook so
that when that action occurs or that person attempts to call the mobile communications
device, the dedicated ring tone will sound. The ability to download additional ring tones
is now available on most makes of mobile communications device and is a very popular
service. In 2004, the worldwide ring tone market was estimated to be worth
approximately $4 billion annually and growing rapidly. It is not uncommon for some
mobile communications device users to purchase 5 or 6 new ring tones a week. It is
widely accepted that many mobile communications device users are constantly looking
for new ways of personalising their mobile communications devices.
Another manner of personalising mobile communications devices that has been popular
for some time is the addition of different screensavers or logos to the mobile
communications devices. These screensavers or logos are displayed on the screen of
the mobile communications device while it is idle and can also be assigned to a number
in the phonebook so that they are displayed on receipt of a call from that number. As the
complexity of the mobile communications devices has increased so too has the quality of
the images that may be used as screensavers or logos, to the point where, currently,
photographs taken with the mobile communications devices on-board camera can be
used.
Personalising a mobile communications device using digital content of different forms is
clearly a very widespread activity. Phones with sound recording equipment allow users
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to record voices, everyday sounds or music for use as a ring tone or other alert.
Ringback functionality has proven to be a popular, and profitable, method of
Mobile
communications devices with cameras allow people to use pictures they've taken with
personalising the mobile communications device user experience.
their phones as screensavers or wallpapers. With the arrival of the Media Messaging
Service (MMS), it is possible for users to send messages with still pictures and sound to
other mobile communications devices. The contents of these messages could then be
used to personalise the second mobile communications device in the manner described
above.
The popularity of personalising mobile communications devices using downloadable
content has led to a wide variety of content suppliers entering the market. Most, if not all,
mobile network operators have a certain amount of content available on their own
websites. They often enter into marketing or advertising partnerships with other
companies to offer content related to a certain product or service, for example providing
a ring tone or wallpaper associated with a new film in conjunction with that film’s
distributor. Other content suppliers simply focus on supplying ring tone versions of the
latest chart music. A third variety of content supplier is a company or organisation such
as a television station or football club who make a ring tone and or wallpaper associated
with their organisation available on their website. This can act as a marketing device and
a possible extra source of revenue. Content providers are continuously looking for new
ways of improving and updating their product range and the services that they supply to
their customers.
There are however many problems with the existing personalisation options available to
the mobile communications device users. First of all, the personalisation options have
been in existence for some time now and there is a need to devise new ways to
personalise the mobile communications devices. Somewhat similar to a passing fad or
trend, there is a danger that the provision of ring tones, wallpapers and the like will
become less popular with the target market thereby leading to a loss in revenue. In order
to keep up with the market, content providers are forced to innovate and come up with
new and exciting products for their customers.
Recently, mobile communications devices have become even more advanced. It is now
possible to download video clips such as news flashes on to the mobile communications
device and view the video clip on the mobile communications device. Although still in its
infancy. many are predicting that the mobile communications device video content
market will in due course effectively replace the existing more established markets. It is
therefore imperative that the market can be exploited in the most comprehensive manner
possible.
It is an object of this invention to provide a new personalisation option and in particular a
new type of alert for a mobile communications device. The alert will be suitable for use
for the likes of an incoming call, incoming message or alann. The alerts may be
distributed in a manner similar to the way in which ring tones are currently distributed. It
is a further object of the invention to provide a method of providing a personalisation
option on a mobile communications device that is both easy to implement and simple to
use. It is an additional object of this invention to provide a method of blocking the
successful transmission of alerts between mobile communications devices, thereby
protecting the rights of the content suppliers and safeguarding the revenue stream of
both the content owners and distributors.
Statements of Invention
According to the invention there is provided a mobile communications device comprising
audio-video display means, means for providing alerts and an alert management
system for controlling the alerts, the alert management system further comprising a
number of alert-settings options characterised in that:-
there is an audio-video alert-settings option linked to the audio-video display
means such that, on the occurrence of an event requiring an alert, the mobile
communications device displays an audio-video clip as the alert.
In this way, the mobile communications device user will be able to have an alert on their
mobile communications device that is both an audio alert and a video alert. The video
alert will comprise a relatively high quality moving image such as a scene taken from a
music video, film, latest cinema release or even a video stream captured by the mobile
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communications device user with their device. It is envisaged that the video clip and the
audio clip could be chosen to compliment one another such as a chart hit and the
accompanying music video or parts thereof. Alternatively, a well known clip from a film
with the accompanying dialogue or monologue or indeed the accompanying soundtrack
from the film could be used. Furthermore, advertising material such as a film trailer or a
television advertisement could be used as the audio—video clip. This is seen as a fun and
exciting alternative to the known ring tones. The mobile communications device users
will have the benefit of being able to personalise their mobile communications device in
a different way. The content providers will also benefit by having a new market which
they may exploit and generate new streams of revenue. The audio-video clips are also
seen as an entirely new advertising platfomt that may be used by companies selling their
goods or services. For example, television executives, film distributors, event organisers,
product or service vendors could use the audio-video clips as a new method of market
penetration.
in another embodiment of the invention there is provided a mobile communication device
in which the mobile communications device has means to install the audio-video alert-
settings option and means to install the link between the audio-video alert settings option
and the audio—video display means. In this way, existing mobile communications devices
may be loaded with the appropriate means to display audio-video clips as alerts and the
new alerts will not be restricted to a new generation of mobile phone technology. The
audio-video clips may be enjoyed by any user having a mobile communications device
that has multimedia functionality.
in one embodiment of the invention there is provided a mobile communications device in
which the audio-video alert settings option further comprises an encryption module, the
encryption module having means to encrypt each audio-video clip stored in a mobile
communications device memory. By encrypting the audio-video clip in mobile
communication device memory the clip may be encrypted with mobile communication
device specific encryption. This will prevent the dissemination of the audio-video clips
between mobile communications device users and the subsequent loss in revenue to the
content providers and copyright owners.
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in a further embodiment of the invention there is provided a mobile communications
device in which the encryption module further comprises means to decrypt an audio-
video clip as it is extracted from the mobile communications device memory for display
on the audio-video display means. The audio-video clip will be decrypted as it is
extracted thereby allowing the mobile communications device user to view the clip on
their mobile communications device. However, if they attempt to transmit the audio-video
clip to another user, the other mobile communications device user will not have the
means to decrypt the audio-video clip.
In another embodiment of the invention there is provided a mobile communications
device comprising audio-video display means and alert provision means characterised in
that:-
the alert provision means further comprise an audio-video alert mechanism;
the audio-video alert mechanism comprising encryption means. and means to
link the alert provision means to the audio-video display means such that an
encrypted audio-video clip can be decrypted and displayed as an alert.
The mobile communications device will possess an alert provision means that will allow
the mobile communications device user to display audio-video clips on their mobile
communications device without the user of the mobile communications device being able
to transmit the audio-video clips to other users. This will help maximise the revenue that
may be generated from the sale of the audio-video clips.
In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a mobile communications device in
which the encryption means comprises a mobile communications device public-private
key pair and a private key of a content provider public-private key pair. This is seen as a
particularly efficient way of providing a form of encryption for the mobile communications
device alert mechanism. The mobile communications device will receive an audio-video
clip from a content provider in an encrypted format which may be decrypted using the
private key of the content provider public-private key pair. The audio-video clip may then
be re-encrypted on the mobile communications device using the mobile communications
device public key. In order to view the audio-video clip, the audio-video clip is decrypted
using the private key of the mobile communications device public-private key pair. This is
seen as a simple way of providing security to the content providers and ensuring that
their audio-video clips are not spread from one mobile communications device to another
by the users without all of the mobile communications device users paying an
appropriate fee for the audio-video clip. It is relatively simple to implement in the existing
systems.
In a further embodiment of the invention there is provided a mobile communications
device in which the encryption means further comprises means to generate a mobile
communications device public-private key pair unique to that mobile communications
device. This is seen as particularly useful as the mobile communications device public-
private key pair will be generated on the mobile communications device itself thereby
preventing the content provider from generating all the public-private key pairs for the
mobile communications devices. This pushes the computational burden as well as the
memory requirements from the content provider out onto the mobile communications
devices. A further advantage of this is that should a mobile communications device user
transmit an audio-video clip to another mobile communications device the audio-video
clip will be unreadable as it will have been encrypted using the public key unique to the
sending mobile communications device.
In another embodiment of the invention there is provided a method for providing an alert
on a mobile communications device in a system comprising a remote content host and a
communications network, the mobile communications device comprising an audio-video
alert mechanism, the method comprising the steps of:-
the mobile communications device connecting to the remote content host via the
communications network;
the mobile communications device downloading from the remote content host,
via the communications network an audio-video clip, the audio-video clip being
suitable for use through the audio-video alert mechanism.
By having such a method, the audio-video clips may be transmitted from the content
host to a mobile communications device in a simple and efficient manner. The audio-
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video clips will be packaged to allow them to be viewed solely through the audio-video
alert mechanism which will prevent the clips being used through other applications on
the mobile communications device. This will further prevent the unlawful spread of the
audio-video clips.
in one embodiment of the invention there is provided a method in which the initial steps
are carried out of the mobile communications device connecting to a remote content
provider via the communications network, downloading the audio-video alert mechanism
and installing it on the mobile communications device.
In a further embodiment of the invention there is provided a method in which the remote
content host is also a remote content provider. in this way, the remote content provider
will also be able to generate revenue by selling oontent that it produced itself.
Alternatively, the remote content providers may simply supply content to a content
distributor and will therefore be entirely separate entities in their own right and the
content providers will be able to supply their goods to mobile communications device
users through a third party without having any direct contact with the mobile
communications device user. This relieves content providers of the burden of providing
the distribution and billing infrastructure required if selling content to a large market of
mobile communications device users. Similarly content distributors are relieved of the
burden of generating suitable content for distribution if they so wish.
In another embodiment of the invention there is provided a method for providing audio-
video alerts on a mobile communications device in a system comprising a remote
content provider and a communications network, the remote content provider having a
remote content provider public—private key pair and the mobile communications device
having an audio-video alert mechanism comprising encryption means including a user-
device public—private key pair and the remote content provider private key, the method
comprising the steps of:-
the mobile communications device receiving from the remote content provider,
via the communications network, an audio-video clip encrypted with the remote
content provider public key;
the mobile communications device encryption means decrypting the encrypted
audio-video clip using the remote content provider private key and thereafter re-
encrypting the audio-video clip using the user device public key; and
on a request from the mobile communications device to provide an audio-video
clip as an alert, decrypting the re-encrypted audio-video clip with the user device
private key.
This method allows audio-video clips to be distributed to a mobile communications
device in a secure manner, and further allows them to be maintained on the mobile
communications device in a secure manner. As the audio-video clips are decrypted on
reception using the content provider private key and thereafter re-encrypted on the
mobile communications device using the mobile communications device public key, they
will from that point on only be readable on that particular device. Should an audio-video
clip be transmitted from one mobile communications device to another, the audio-video
clip will not be viewable on the receiving mobile communications device as that mobile
communications device will not have the required private key for decryption of the audio-
video clip. The audio-video clips will therefore only be temporarily decrypted for viewing
on the mobile communication device and will be re-encrypted as soon as they have
been used on the device.
In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a method in which the initial steps
are carried out of:
the mobile communications device receiving the audio-video alert mechanism
from the remote content provider via the communications network;
the mobile communications device installing the audio-video alert mechanism
thereon and thereby establishing the encryption means on the mobile
communications device, the encryption means comprising the remote content
provider private key and the mobile communications device public-private key
pair.
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This method allows existing mobile communications device not currently having the
ability to use an audio-video clip as an alert to download the audio-video alert
mechanism thereby adding audio-video alert functionality to the mobile communications
device. Furthermore, the generation of the mobile communications device public-private
key pair on the mobile communications device will ensure that the keys are then unique
to that mobile communications device. This may be further guaranteed should an
identifier unique to the mobile communications device be used to generate the public-
private key pair. It is envisaged that a unique hardware identifier, such as the
international Mobile Equipment Identification (IMEI) number, would be useful for this
purpose.
In a further embodiment of the invention there is provided a method in which the mobile
communications device receives the audio-video clip encrypted with the remote content
provider public key via the communications network from a remote content host. This
allows the separation of functionality between content providers and content hosts,
allowing entities to focus purely on either the generation of suitable audio-video clips or
the distribution of those clips.
In another embodiment of the invention there is provided a method for managing the use
of digital content in a system comprising a content manager, at least one content
provider having data encryption means, a plurality of user devices capable of processing
the digital content. a reporting means and a communications medium, the method
comprising the steps Oft-
the content provider encrypting the content to be managed by the system,
making a creation record of that piece of encrypted content, and transmitting that
creation record to the content manager;
on the transmission of a piece of encrypted content to a mobile communications
device, the reporting means generating a transmission record and sending the
transmission record automatically to the content manager; and
subsequently, on reception of a transmission record, the content manager
checking if there exists a creation record to match the transmission record.
This allows content providers and others to monitor the usage of the content in the
system. The information gathered can be used to gauge the popularity of different pieces
of content and can also possibly be used to develop subscription or billing models for
their customers. The content manager can mediate between content providers and
copyright owners, ensuring that sufficient commission is paid to the copyright owners
and that their content is distributed according to their wishes. Furthermore, this method
ensures that any content that has not been approved for distribution can be detected.
In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a method in which the content
provider transmits encrypted content to a content host, the content host thereafter
transmitting the encrypted content to user devices upon request.
Detailed Descrigtion of the Invention
The invention will now be more clearly understood from the following description of some
embodiments thereof given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying
drawings in which:-
Figure 1 is a block diagram of a system in which the method according to the
invention is performed;
Figure 2 is a block diagram of an alternative system in which the method is
peflonned;
Figure 3 is a block diagram of the components of the mobile communications
device;
Figure 4 is a flow diagram of the set-up of the audio-video alerts showing the
menu options on the mobile communications device;
Figure Sis a block diagram showing the encoding and distribution process;
Figure 6 is flow diagram of the back-end processes according to the invention;
Figure 7 is a flow diagram of the distribution of content; and
Figure 8 is a flow diagram showing the installation of the application on the
mobile communications device.
Referring to the drawings and initially to Figure 1 thereof, there is shown a block diagram
of a system in which the method according to the invention is performed, indicated
generally by the reference numeral 1, comprising a content provider 3 and a plurality of
mobile communications devices 5 (only one of which is shown). The content provider 3
and mobile communications devices 5 are connected by way of communication network
7. In use, each of the mobile communications devices 5 may access the content provider
3 and download content from the content provider. The content provider 3 has a plurality
of audio-video clips and an audio-video alert application stored in content provider
memory (not shown). The mobile communications devices access the content provider
over the communications network 7 and download an audio-video clip to the mobile
communications device. If the mobile communications device does not have the audio-
video alert application stored thereon. the mobile communications device downloads the
audio-video alert application from the content provider 3 prior to downloading any audio-
video clips. Throughout this specification the terms audio-video clips and Ringclips will
be used interchangeably and it will be understood that they are one and the same thing.
Any reference made to a RingClip will be understood to mean an audio-video clip and
vice versa.
Referring to Figure 2 of the drawings there is shown a block diagram of an alternative
system where like parts have been given the same reference numerals as before. The
system 1 further comprises a content host 9 intermediate the content provider 3 and the
mobile communications devices 5. The content host 9 is accessible to the mobile
communications devices 5 through the communications network 7. The content host 9 is
in communication with the content provider 3 through a dedicated channel 11. The
content host 9 has the plurality of audio-video clips stored in content host memory (not
shown). In use, content is transferred from the content provider 3 to the content host 9
and thereafter may be downloaded by the mobile communications devices 5 from the
content host 9.
Referring to Figure 3 of the drawings, there is shown a block diagram of the components
of the mobile communications device. The mobile communications device comprises a
profile manager 13, an audio interface 15, a video interface 17 and a device operating
system 19. The device operating system 19 comprises a plurality of modules including a
Personal Information Manager (PIM) database 21, access to file system 23, call alert 25,
ring alert 27, volume control 29, message alert 31, tones module 33, calls/actions alert
, audio interface file system 37, audio interface volume module 39, audio interface
player 41, video interface files system 43, video interface volume module 45 and video
interface player 47. The device operating system further comprises battery module 49,
and utilities module 51 which include vibrate modes. The audio-video alert application
may be accessed through the profile manager in a manner similar to that of other
existing profiles on a device. It is envisaged however that the invention would not be
limited to such a construction of mobile communications device and other configurations
could be provided.
Referring now to Figure 4 of the drawings, there is shown a flow diagram of the set—up of
the audio-video alerts showing the menu options on the mobile communications device.
In step 53, the mobile communications device user accesses their device and in step 55,
launches the profile manager. From there, the mobile communications device user
chooses the Select Profile option in step 57 and thereafter is presented with a list of
available profiles in step 59. The user selects the RingClip profile from the list in step 59
in the known manner and is then presented with the options of Activate, Personalise and
Timed. In step 61, the user selects the Personalise option and thereafter is presented
with a further list in step 63 including the various options of RingClip, Play Type, Volume,
Message Alert Type, Chat Alert Type, Vibrate Alert, KeyPad Clip/T one, Warning
Clip/T one, Alert for, Profile Name, Save & Exit. The user may then determine the
RingClip setting that is to be associated with a particular function, for example an audio-
video clip to be played for an incoming call alert, SMS message, MMS message, alarm,
battery low or any other activity or function requiring an alert. The user may also
determine the volume of the audio-video clip as well as the duration of the audio-video
clip. Again, it is envisaged that the invention will not be limited to the precise operations
described but may be varied to suit individual needs.
The RingClip profile provides similar functionality to the mobile communications device
user to that previously available to them with audio ring tones. For example. the user
may associate an audio-video clip containing a video-clip of a stampeding bull and an
audio clip of the noise made by the stampeding bull with an incoming call from their
employer or similarly, the user may associate an audio-video clip containing a video clip
of a favourite musician combined with an appropriate audio clip of the musician with an
incoming call from an unidentified caller. The mobile communications device user may
then exit the options list in step 65 and thereafter may activate the new settings in step
67.
Referring to Figure 5 of the drawings, there is shown a block diagram of the system
showing the encoding and distribution process according to the invention. Audio-video
clips are brought into the RingClip Content Application 69 which is stored on the content
provider 3. An exploded view of RingClip oontent application is shown in block 70. The
content is stored in content memory 71 in RealMedia, 3GPP, QT, Windows Media or any
other available format. Metadata and any other relevant data is then added to the
content before the RingClip content 73 is stored in RingClip format signed by the content
provider private key 75. The additional information is tagged to the RingClip using a
Metadata component 77, a Cost component 79, an IP Operator Storage component 81,
an Associated Files component 83, an IP RingClip Database component 85 and a
Rights component 87. The additional information may include but is not limited to title,
length, ownership, copyright, territory, usage type, duration of use, type of content,
original format, audio level, audio format, audio bit rate, frame rate, frame size, video bit
rate, video format, total bit rate, IP Address, DNS Name of content provider, specific ID
generated for each clip, number of times the content can be used/viewed, cost of the
content, subscription model and other relevant metadata about the audio-video clip. The
content is then signed by a public key of the content provider.
Once the content has been transformed into a RingClip, RingClip information is saved to
the Content Application Log File 89 and then selected elements of the RingClip
information are sent to the RingClip Database 91. The RingClip database is otherwise
known as the Content Manager. In this way, the RingClip database 91 maintains a
record of each RingClip created. This record allows the RingClip content manager 91 to
keep track of audio-video clips in use in the system. Further, similar records are also
sent to the RingClip database on the transmission of audio-video clips from content
providers or content hosts to mobile communications devices. This allows the content
manager 91 to keep track of the dissemination of the audio-video clips. In this manner.
the content manager can provide information on the popularity and other usage statistics
of each audio-video clip. This also facilitates the validation of all RingClips in the system.
as any usage records generated for an audio-video clip without a creation record will
alert the content manager 91 to the fact that unauthorized content is being distributed in
the system. Once the processing of the RingClip information is completed, the RingClip
is saved in Storage 93 and the required information is uploaded to Distributor Database
95. In this manner, the RingClip is now available for distribution to a mobile
communications device or a content host.
Referring to Figure 6 of the drawings in which there is shown a diagram of the back-end
processes according to the invention where like parts have been given the same
reference numerals as before. A mobile communications device 5 having an audio-video
alert application stored thereon requests content from a content distributor 97 which
could be a content provider 3 or a content host 9. The content distributor 97 has a portal
99, which allows a mobile communications device user to receive the audio-video
content application and the RingClips suitable for use therein. On receiving a request for
content from a mobile communications device, the portal 99 queries access rights and
logs the results. The access rights queries are processed by the Distributor Authorisation
Gateways 101. The Distributor Authorisation Gateways 101 control access to the content
and collect log information about the event. This information is then stored in the
Distributor Authorisation Gateways database (not shown).
It access to the requested content is denied the mobile communications device user is
sent a refusal message. If, on the other hand access to the content is permitted the
requested audio-video clip is retrieved from storage 93 and transmitted to the mobile
communications device. At this point the distributor database 95 sends transmission
information to the RingClip database 91 via its log 103. It is this transmission information
that is compared with the creation record that has previously been stored on the
RingClip database 91, as described previously. The RingClip database creates a usage
report for the piece of content and if the information does not correlate with the
information on the RingClip database, an alert is issued. There is also shown for reasons
of clarity the creation process of the RingClip whereby content stored in content memory
71 is transformed into a RingClip by passing the content through the RingClip content
application 70. Information relating to the RingClip is added to the RingClip as described
previously before RingClip information is stored in the content application log file 89 and
thereafter transmitted onwards to the RingClip database 91 where it may be used for
comparison with transmission records.
Referring to Figure 7 of the drawings there is shown a flow diagram of the distribution of
content showing several components of the system where like parts have been given the
same reference numerals as before. In step 105, audio-video content is supplied to the
RingClip content application 69 in a plurality of different formats. The content is
transformed into a RingClip in the manner previously described in the RingClip content
application 69 and signed with the public key of the content provider. In step 107 the
encrypted RingClip is uploaded to the portal 99 of the content distributor (not shown) and
in step 109 a sample clip along with graphic tag information is sent to the portal of the
content distributor. This sample clip may be used for demonstration purposes on a
mobile communications device or other device capable of displaying the audio-video clip.
In step 111 the RingClip is downloaded to the mobile communications device 5. The
mobile communications device user then initiates the installation process in step 113
which entails storing the signed audio-video clip, decrypting the signed audio-video clip
with the content providers private key and thereafter encrypting the audio-video clip with
the public key of the mobile communications device. Finally, in step 115 the mobile
communications device notifies the distributor portal 99 of the specific ID for that audio-
video clip and RingClip information so that the information can be forwarded to the
RingClip database.
Referring now to Figure 8 of the drawings in which there is shown a flow diagram
showing the installation of the application on the mobile communications device where
like parts have been given the same reference numerals as before. In step 117, the
audio-video alert application is delivered to the mobile communications device. The
audio-video alert application then generates, in step 119, a public-private key pair on the
mobile communications device, ideally using a hardware identifier unique to that mobile
communications device. In step 121, the audio-video alert application installs a new
audio-video alert profile on the mobile communications device, and in step 123, the
audio-video alert application creates a link between the new audio-video alert profile and
the mobile communications device's audio-video display means, thereby allowing audio-
video clips to be used as alerts on the mobile communications device. It is envisaged
that mobile communications devices not having audio-video display means already
installed thereon but with the capability to host such functionality could also have the
audio-video display means installed thereon to allow operation of the device.
It is clear therefore that the invention provides an entirely new type of alert for a mobile
communications device. The alert comprises an audio-video clip such as a music clip
with both sound and video components. The new alert may be used as an alert for an
incoming call on the mobile communications device, an incoming message or any other
type of alert that may be signalled on a mobile communications device. The new alerts
may require alteration to the existing mobile communications device structure to enable
the mobile communications device to display the alert. Although requiring alteration,
existing mobile communications devices can be updated to allow the alerts to be used
by a relatively simple software download to the mobile communications device. This
alteration comprises installing a new profile onto the mobile communications device that
sits in with the existing profiles in a compact manner. The new alert also allows
information such as the name, image or other information relating to the caller to be
displayed in a shape-based layer on the screen.
It will be further understood that a level of security has also been introduced into the new
alerts that will enable the providers of the alerts to control the dissemination of the alerts
throughout the mobile communications device network thereby allowing the content
providers to carefully monitor the quantities of alerts being distributed as well as ensure
that alerts cannot simply be transferred from one mobile communications device to
another thereby resulting in a loss of revenue to the content provider. This security
comprises a method incorporating encryption in a robust and novel way. The encryption
is not simply a single phase encryption but in fact incorporates a two phase encryption
process.
The encryption utilises public-private key pairs. one of which is a content provider public-
private key pair and the other being a mobile communications device public-private key
pair. The mobile communications device public-private key pair is generated on a mobile
communications device on installation of the audio-video alert application on the mobile
communications device. this of course may be on commission of the mobile
communication device or subsequently if necessary. The content provider public-private
key pair is separated into a public key and a private key. Alerts that are to be sent to a
mobile communications device are encrypted using the content provider public key and
are transmitted to the mobile communications device in the encrypted format. These
alerts are then decrypted on the mobile communications device using the content
provider private key which has been transmitted to the mobile communications device at
an earlier point in time. The alert is then re-encrypted using the public key of the mobile
communications device before it is stored in mobile communications device memory. if,
for example, the audio-video clip is to be used as an incoming call alert on the mobile
communications device, the audio-video clip must be decrypted using the private key of
the mobile communications device as it is extracted from mobile communications device
memory. The private key of the mobile communications device is generated using a
unique hardware identifier particular to that mobile communications device and therefore
the private keys will be unique to each and every mobile communications device. This
will prevent one mobile communications device from sending an alert to another mobile
communications device as the second mobile communications device will be unable to
decrypt the alert using its own private key. Furthermore. it will not be possible to transmit
the private key of one device for use on another device as the private keys once
generated are not disclosed to the mobile communications device user.
The encryption method described specifies the use of public-private key pair indicating
that an asymmetric encryption method is used. This is not however always the case and
it is envisaged that the public and private keys may not be public and private keys within
the normally understood definition of the tenns. Indeed the public key and private key of
a public/private key pair may be identical and therefore what is in fact being used is a
symmetric encryption system. Furthermore, the public key does not necessarily have to
be freely open and available to all members of the public as might be understood by the
phrase. Conversely, the public key may be a key sent to the mobile communications
device users for use on their communication device while at the same time being
inaccessible to those users. Throughout the specification the term public key is not
limited to the industry standard definition of the term but is also associated with a publicly
available security mechanism associated with the delivery of a piece of content requiring
a unique piece of information to allow the receiving user access to that piece of content.
Similarly, the term private key is not limited to the industry standard definition of the tenn
but is also associated with a privately held piece of data which is capable of providing an
authoritative response to a piece of content delivered via a public key.
It is envisaged that the software required to create RingClips may be made available not
only to organisations wishing to become content providers in the system, but also to
members of the public for use on a desktop computer and similarly to mobile
communications device users having the audio~video alert application installed on their
devices. This editorial suite may allow users to format any content to which they have
the rights so as it is suitable for use in the audio-video alert application. Users may limit
the rights associated with the content as they choose, therefore they may opt to
distribute the new audio-video clip without encryption.
Users of mobile communication devices having the audio-video application stored
thereon may also make use of RingBack technology or other technology providing
similar functionality. In this way a user may select a RingClip to be played to incoming
calls from other mobile communications devices,
once the calling mobile
communications device has the audio-video alert application installed on their device.
It is envisaged that many different subscription models could be implemented to allow
mobile communications device users to avail of RingC|ip alerts. For instance a content
distributor may insert instructions or additional alert commands into the metadata of a
RingClip that cause the audio-video alert application to regularly check for new audio-
video clips that may be available from that content distributor. In this way, a mobile
communications device user may, for example, choose to download an audio-video clip
of the current number one song in the music charts and to have that audio-video clip
updated as the chart changes. The previous weeks RingC|ip would be overwritten in the
memory of the mobile communications device automatically.
Finally, throughout this specification mobile communications device has been used to
describe a mobile telephone in general but it will be understood that a mobile
communications device could also cover any other portable device capable of such
communications or messaging such as game devices and remote monitors.
In this specification the terms “comprise, comprises, comprised and comprising” as well
as the terms “include, includes, included and including” are all deemed totally
interchangeable and should be afforded the widest possible interpretation.
The invention is in no way limited to the embodiments hereinbefore described but may
be varied in both construction and detail within the scope of the claims.
Claims (1)
- Claims A mobile communications device (5) comprising audio-video display means. means for providing alerts and an alert management system for controlling the alerts, the alert management system further comprising a number of alert- settings options characterised in that:— there is an audio-video alert-settings option linked to the audio-video display means such that, on the occurrence of an event requiring an alert, the mobile communications device displays an audio-video clip as the alert. A mobile communications device (5) as claimed in claim 1 in which the audio- video clip comprises one of a high quality moving image taken from a music video, film, a television advertisement or a video stream captured by the mobile communications device user with their device. A method for providing an alert on a mobile communications device (5) in a system comprising a remote content host and a communications network, the mobile communications device comprising an audio-video alert mechanism, the method comprising the steps of:— the mobile communications device (5) connecting to the remote content host (3) via the communications network (7); the mobile communications device downloading from the remote content host, via the communications network an audio-video clip, the audio-video clip being suitable for use through the audio-video alert mechanism. A method for providing audio-video alerts on a mobile communications device in a system comprising a remote content provider and a communications network, the remote content provider having a remote content provider public-private key pair and the mobile communications device having an audio-video alert mechanism comprising encryption means including a user-device public-private key pair and the remote content provider private key, the method comprising the steps of:- the mobile communications device receiving from the remote content provider, via the communications network, an audio-video clip encrypted with the remote content provider public key; the mobile communications device encryption means decrypting the encrypted audio-video clip using the remote content provider private key and thereafter re-encrypting the audio-video clip using the user device public key; and on a request from the mobile communications device to provide an audio- video clip as an alert, temporarily decrypting the re-encrypted audio-video clip with the user device private key. A method for managing the use of digital content in a system comprising a content manager, at least one content provider having data encryption means, a plurality of user devices capable of processing the digital content, a reporting means and a communications medium, the method comprising the steps of:- the content provider encrypting the content to be managed by the system, making a creation record of that piece of encrypted content, and transmitting that creation record to the content manager; on the transmission of a piece of encrypted content to a mobile communications device, the reporting means generating a transmission record and sending the transmission record automatically to the content manager; and subsequently, on reception of a transmission record, the content manager checking if there exists a creation record to match the transmission record.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
IEIRELAND13/06/2006S2006/0438 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
IES84884Y1 true IES84884Y1 (en) | 2008-05-14 |
IE20070423U1 IE20070423U1 (en) | 2008-05-14 |
Family
ID=
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