`a2) Patent Application Publication (0) Pub. No.: US 2004/0185885 Al
`(43) Pub. Date: Sep. 23, 2004
`
`Kock
`
`US 20040185885A1
`
`(54) MESSAGE DATA IN MOBILE
`COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS
`
`(75)
`
`Inventor: Martijn Willem Maria Kock,
`Amsterdam (NL)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`MCDONNELL BOEHNEN HULBERT &
`BERGHOFF LLP
`300 S. WACKER DRIVE
`32ND FLOOR
`
`CHICAGO,IL 60606 (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Koninklijke KPN N. V., THE HAGUE
`(NL)
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`10/769,529
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Jan. 30, 2004
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/444,484,filed on Feb.
`3, 2003.
`
`Publication Classification
`
`Ente C07 caccccsscsssssssssnsssssesnstsnssnsssevee H04Q 7/20
`(SL)
`(52) US. Ch.
`cecescsssssessrssstsnssnsensive 455/466; 455/412.1
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`In a mobile telecommunications system (100) capable of
`transmitting message data a sending device (102) and a
`receiving device (106) may have different message data
`handling capabilities. By informing the sending device of
`the message data handling capabilities of the receiving
`device, the user of the sending device can select the message
`data to be transmitted to the receiving device on the basis of
`these capabilities. In this way it is avoided that a device
`receives message data it cannot handle or that the network
`(104) has to transcode the message data.
`
`100
`
`v Q
`
`ualcomm Exhibit 2015
`Apple v. Qualcomm, IPR2018-01279
`Page 1
`
`102
`
`NETWORK
`
`
`Qualcomm Exhibit 2015
`Apple v. Qualcomm, IPR2018-01279
`Page 1
`
`
`
`Patent Application Publication Sep. 23,2004 Sheet 1 of 4
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`US 2004/0185885 Al
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`Qualcomm Exhibit 2015
`Apple v. Qualcomm, IPR2018-01279
`Page 2
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`Qualcomm Exhibit 2015
`Apple v. Qualcomm, IPR2018-01279
`Page 2
`
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`Apple v. Qualcomm, IPR2018-01279
`Page 3
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`Qualcomm Exhibit 2015
`Apple v. Qualcomm, IPR2018-01279
`Page 3
`
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`Qualcomm Exhibit 2015
`Apple v. Qualcomm, IPR2018-01279
`Page 4
`
`Qualcomm Exhibit 2015
`Apple v. Qualcomm, IPR2018-01279
`Page 4
`
`
`
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`Patent Application Publication Sep. 23,2004 Sheet 4 of 4
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`Qualcomm Exhibit 2015
`Apple v. Qualcomm, IPR2018-01279
`Page 5
`
`Qualcomm Exhibit 2015
`Apple v. Qualcomm, IPR2018-01279
`Page 5
`
`
`
`US 2004/0185885 Al
`
`Sep. 23, 2004
`
`MESSAGEDATA IN MOBILE COMMUNICATION
`SYSTEMS
`
`PRIORITY
`
`[0001] The present patent application claims priority
`under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Appli-
`cation 60/444,484 filed on Feb. 3, 2003 entitled “Mobile
`Generic Status,” the full disclosure of which is incorporated
`herein by reference.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`invention relates to messaging in
`[0002] The present
`mobile communication systems. More in particular,
`the
`present invention relates to a method, a device and a system
`for transmitting data, such as user message data,
`in a
`communication system, such as a mobile telephone system.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`It is known to exchange data, such as messagedata,
`[0003]
`between mobile devices (also knownas “mobile terminals”)
`in a communication system, such as a mobile (otherwise
`knownas a “cellular’) telephone system. In GSM networks,
`for example, it is possible to exchange simple text messages
`between mobile devices. Such text messages utilize GSM’s
`Short Message Service (SMS) and are typically limited to
`160 characters. Modern mobile networks often also allow
`
`richer messages containing pictures or audio to be transmit-
`ted between mobile devices. However, the extent to which
`these additional types of messages can be used depends on
`the mobile devices involved.
`
`[0004] There are many types of mobile devices which may
`have various capabilities. For example, some mobile devices
`are only able to place and receive calls. However, other
`mobile devices also have data capabilities, such as the ability
`to display text, display graphics, play sound and/or access
`the Internet.
`
`[0005] Additionally, different mobile devices may be able
`to receive different types of formatted data. For example,
`some mobile devices may support data formats suchas .gif,
`jpg. -mpeg,
`.midi,
`.wav, while others may support only
`some or none of these formats.
`
`[0006] There mayalso be differences regarding the size of
`messagethat a particular mobile device can support. Further,
`there can be differences in the message attributes supported
`by mobile devices. For example, some mobile devices may
`support delivery notification, while others may not. With all
`of these differences, a user of a mobile device sending a
`message to a receiving mobile device may not know whether
`and how the message will appear on the receiving mobile
`device. The format of the message when it is received may
`be quite different from the format of the message when it
`wassent.
`
`[0007] To tackle these incompatibilities, networks may
`offer the possibility of transcoding individual components of
`data messages or their attachments. Transcoding typically
`involving re-formatting components of a data message,
`which may make it possible for a receiving device to
`interpret the sequence of transcoded components and hence
`the content of a message, even if the message originally
`contained components that were not suitable for the receiv-
`ing device. However, the format of the message may be
`
`transcoding
`In addition,
`changed using the transcoding.
`requires
`relatively complicated data processing which
`involves additional hardware and software and which
`increases the handling time and cost. Also, the message may
`be corrupted by the transcoding process.
`
`It is an object of the present invention to overcome
`[0008]
`these and other problems of the Prior Art and to provide a
`method of transmitting data in a communication system that
`allows data messages to be exchanged between devices
`having distinct capabilities while avoiding transcoding of
`the data messages.
`
`It is another object of the present invention to
`[0009]
`provide a device and a mobile communication system in
`which said methodis utilized.
`
`SUMMARY
`
`invention provides a
`the present
`[0010] Accordingly,
`method of transmitting message data in a mobile commu-
`nication system comprising a network, at least one sending
`device capable of exchanging message data with the net-
`work and at least one receiving device capable of exchang-
`ing data with the network, each device having a set of
`message data handling capabilities, the method comprising
`the step of informing the sending device of the message data
`handling capabilities of the receiving device so as to allow
`the sending device to only transmit message data matching
`the message data handling capabilities of the receiving
`device.
`
`[0011] By informing the sending device of the capabilities
`of the receiving device, it is possible to send message data
`that can be handled by the receiving device, thus removing
`the need for any transcoding of the message data. In addi-
`tion, sending message data that cannot be handled by the
`receiving device can be avoided, thus preventing data loss
`and eliminating the unnecessary transmission of incompat-
`ible data. As a result, the user-friendliness of the mobile
`service is enhanced as the user messages will be received
`substantially as they were sent (“what I send is what you
`receive”), and the amountof data processing required by the
`network is reduced.
`
`in the Prior Art matching the
`is noted that
`It
`[0012]
`message data and the capabilities of the receiving device is
`typically carried out
`in the network, for example in an
`exchange,or in the receiving deviceitself. In contrastto this,
`the matching of the message data and the capabilities of the
`receiving device according to the present invention takes
`place in the sending device,thatis, prior to the transmission
`of the message data.
`
`[0013] For the avoidance of doubtit is noted that the term
`“device” as used in this document refers to a terminal
`(typically but not necessarily a user device) that is connected
`or connectable to a communication network. Also, the term
`“network” is meant to include any auxiliary devices and
`services associated with the physical network and its
`exchanges, such as (mail) servers, mediation platforms,
`servers for value added services, etc. The term “mobile
`communication system” is meant to refer to a communica-
`tion system which is particularly but not exclusively suitable
`for mobile (also known as “cellular”) communication, a
`“mobile communication system” as intended in this docu-
`ment may therefore also comprise fixed (“land-line”) termi-
`Qualcomm Exhibit 2015
`Apple v. Qualcomm, IPR2018-01279
`Page 6
`
`Qualcomm Exhibit 2015
`Apple v. Qualcomm, IPR2018-01279
`Page 6
`
`
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`US 2004/0185885 Al
`
`Sep. 23, 2004
`
`nals. Furthermore, the term “mobile terminal” is not con-
`fined to mobile (or “cellular”) telephones but mayalso refer
`to devices capable of communicating with a mobile com-
`munication system as defined above. Examples of such
`mobile terminals may be devices built into cars to commu-
`nicate service conditions, parking meters to communicate
`their status (ready/full/out of service).
`
`[0014] The message data handling capabilities of the
`receiving device may in accordance with the present inven-
`tion be presented to a user of the sending device. These
`message data handling, which may include a maximum data
`length, the presence of a codec (coder/decoder) for a par-
`ticular data format, and/or other parameters, allow the user
`to select
`those message parts that can be received and
`rendered by the receiving device. Accordingly,if the sending
`mobile device knowsthe capabilities of the receiving mobile
`device, the user of the sending mobile device may select
`appropriate message composing options from the options
`presented to her.
`
`the message data
`[0015] Additionally, or alternatively,
`handling capabilities of the receiving device may be con-
`veyed to the sending device to automatically select message
`data to be transmitted in accordance with the message data
`handling capabilities of the receiving device. Accordingly,in
`addition to or instead of (manual) selection by the user,
`(automatic) selection by the sending mobile device may be
`provided.
`
`Ina preferred embodiment, the message data han-
`[0016]
`dling capability comprises at least one of:
`
`[0017]
`
`the capability of handling still images,
`
`the capability of handling video data or ani-
`[0018]
`mations,
`
`[0019]
`
`the capability of handling sound data,
`
`[0020]
`and
`
`the capability of handling (simple) text data,
`
`[0021]
`
`the capability of handling layout formats,
`
`but preferably all of the above capabilities. It will
`[0022]
`be understood that other capabilities may also be provided,
`such as the capability of receiving broadcasts (for example
`digital television broadcasts), and that each capability may
`be differentiated with respect to various sound, video or text
`formats. The present invention allows any of a number of
`message data formats to be handled, provided the sending
`device and the receiving device both support the particular
`format.
`
`[0023] The layout formats mentioned above may include
`well-known formats such as HTML, XML, SMILE,etc.
`
`[0024] Advantageously, descriptions of the capabilities of
`at least two receiving devices may be stored in a sending
`device. That is, information indicative of the message data
`handling capabilities of at least two but preferably a plurality
`of devices is stored in a sending device. This allows a
`sending device to have the capabilities available when
`composing a message.
`
`[0025] Advantageously, the stored descriptions of capa-
`bilities are linked to a list of user identifications (IDs), for
`example telephone numbers. That is, a list of user identifi-
`cations is stored in the mobile device and each item of the
`
`list contains a link to stored descriptions of capabilities. The
`list of user identifications is preferably part of a so-called
`address book that contains further information on the sub-
`scribers whose numbersare listed. It will be understood that
`
`some of the links to stored descriptions of capabilities may
`be void as the capabilities of some mobile devices may not
`be known. It is preferred, however, that a description of the
`capabilities of each mobile device associated with a stored
`user identification are also stored.
`
`[0026] Advantageously, the stored descriptions of capa-
`bilities may be updated at regular time intervals. Alterna-
`tively, or additionally, the stored descriptions of capabilities
`may be updated when a change in the capabilities of the
`receiving device has occurred. Accordingly, an update may
`take place after a certain time interval has elapsed, for
`instance a day, a week or a month, or immediately upon
`detection of a change by the network. Preferably the descrip-
`tions of capabilities stored in a device are updated each time
`a new user identification (e.g. a new telephone number) is
`associated with that particular device, for example when
`replacing the SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) in GSM
`mobile devices. That is, each time a device receives a new
`user identification it may send a description of its capabili-
`ties to a number of other devices so as to update their
`description of its capabilities.
`
`[0027] When composing a message, the sending device
`may retrieve the descriptions of the capabilities of the
`receiving device from local storage (a memory in the
`sending device), from the network or from the receiving
`device via the network. Preferably, the descriptions of the
`capabilities are retrieved from a memory in the sending
`device so as to reduce the amountof data exchanged with the
`network.
`
`the
`In order to protect the privacy of the user,
`[0028]
`receiving device may only transmit a description of its
`capabilities in response to an authorisation. Thus an autho-
`rization process may precede the transmission of capabili-
`ties. The authorization process may involve an identification
`of (the user of) the sending (capabilities requesting) device,
`a password, a cryptographic key and/or other data.
`
`[0029] The present invention further provides a device for
`use in a system for mobile communication,
`the device
`comprising means for exchanging message data with a
`network, means for handling message data, and means for
`matching message data with capabilities of corresponding
`devices. It is noted that these corresponding devices typi-
`cally are mobile devices which are also capable of exchang-
`ing messages with the network or at least receiving mes-
`sages from the network. The said means for exchanging
`message data, means for handling message data and means
`for matching message data may be implemented in hardware
`but are preferably software program units executed by a
`microprocessor.
`
`[0030] Advantageously, the device of the present inven-
`tion may further comprise meansfor storing capabilities of
`corresponding devices. Alternatively, or additionally,
`the
`device may comprise meansfor retrieving capabilities of
`corresponding devices.
`
`Itis preferred that the deviceis further arranged for
`[0031]
`exchanging message data containing video or animation
`data, still image data, sound data and/or (simple) text data.
`Qualcomm Exhibit 2015
`Apple v. Qualcomm, IPR2018-01279
`Page 7
`
`Qualcomm Exhibit 2015
`Apple v. Qualcomm, IPR2018-01279
`Page 7
`
`
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`US 2004/0185885 Al
`
`Sep. 23, 2004
`
`In addition, the present invention provides a com-
`[0032]
`puter program product for controlling a device as defined
`above. The computer program product may comprise a data
`carrier, such as a CD or a DVD, containing a computer
`program suitable for controlling a mobile device in accor-
`dance with the present invention.
`
`[0033] The present invention also provides a system for
`mobile communication, the system comprising a network,at
`least one sending device capable of exchanging message
`data with the network and at least one receiving device
`capable of exchanging message data with the network, each
`device having a set of message data handling capabilities,
`the system being arranged for informing the sending device
`of the message data handling capabilities of the receiving
`device so as to allow the sending device to only transmit
`message data matching the message data handling capabili-
`ties of the receiving device.
`
`It is noted that the present invention is primarily
`[0034]
`directed at user composed data messages,
`that
`is, data
`messages composed (typed and/or selected) by a user of the
`terminal. Such user composed data messages typically com-
`prise text, images, video and/or audio segments. The present
`invention could also be applied to automatic data messages,
`that is, data messages initiated by the terminal
`itself in
`response to a timing signal or a network request. Automatic
`data messages typically comprise terminal or network status
`data and/or call data.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0035] The present invention will further be explained
`below with reference to exemplary embodiments illustrated
`in the accompanying drawings, in which:
`
`[0036] FIG. 1 schematically shows a block diagram of an
`exemplary communication system in which the present
`invention may be used;
`
`[0037] FIG. 2 schematically shows an exemplary embodi-
`ment of a status list comprising device capabilities in
`accordance with the present invention;
`
`[0038] FIG. 3 schematically shows an exemplary use of a
`sending mobile device in accordance with the present inven-
`tion; and
`
`[0039] FIG. 4 schematically shows a block diagram of an
`exemplary embodimentof a sending mobile device in which
`the present invention is utilized.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`[0040] The mobile communication system 100 shown
`merely by way of non-limiting example in FIG. 1 may
`include a sending mobile device 102, a network 104, and a
`receiving mobile device 106. The sending mobile device 102
`and the receiving mobile device 106 are depicted in FIG. 1
`as mobile (cellular)
`telephones. However,
`the mobile
`devices 102, 106 may be any device capable of transmitting
`and receiving communications. The network 104 may be a
`so-called wireless network, which may contain a variety of
`entities as is well knownintheart, such as exchanges, wired
`connections, transmitters, and receivers. The network 104,
`which is suitable for communicating with mobile devices,
`may additionally comprise auxiliary devices such as mail
`servers, servers for value added services, mediation plat-
`forms,etc.
`
`[0041] The sending mobile device 102 may wish to send
`a messageto the receiving mobile device 104. The message
`may include sound (for example voice or music),
`text,
`control data, and/or images (graphics). While the sending
`mobile device 102 may be capable of sending and receiving
`voice, data, and graphics, the receiving mobile device 106
`may or may not be capable of receiving a message in the
`formats supported by the sending mobile device 102.
`
`[0042] According to the present invention, the intelligence
`of “how my message will be received” is brought to the
`sending mobile device 102. Accordingly, the user of the
`sending mobile device 102 may know the mobile device
`features of the receiving mobile device 106 at the time of
`composing the message. As a result, the user of the sending
`mobile device 102 may tailor the message so that the user
`will know how the message will appear on the receiving
`mobile device 106. Alternatively, or additionally, the send-
`ing device 102 mayitself alter the message so as to match
`the capabilities of the receiving device.
`
`[0043] The capabilities of the receiving device 102 may be
`entered in a status list. The status list may consist of status
`indicators linked to a description of the receiving mobile
`device 106. The status indicators may be a collection of
`parameters indicative of the capabilities of the receiving
`mobile device 106. In addition to the technical (device
`defined) capabilities discussed above, the status indicators
`mayalso indicate non-technical (user defined) capabilities or
`constraints including, for example, an on-line status of a
`buddy (e.g., “in meeting,”“off-line,”“on-line”), a location
`(e.g., home, address), a mood (e.g., happy), or any other
`relevant status indicator. The mood of the user of the
`receiving device may for example be used to determine
`whether to send a text message or an audio message, while
`sending a video message may depend on the location
`(home/car/meeting) of the receiving device’s user.
`
`Thestatus indicators may be visible or invisible to
`[0044]
`the receiving mobile device. Although the status list may
`contain the status indicators (that is, capabilities) of only a
`single receiving device, in typical embodimentsa statuslist
`will contain the capabilities of a plurality of receiving
`devices.
`
`[0045] Typical capabilities are, for example, the capability
`of handling still images, the capability of handling video
`data or animations, the capability of handling sounddata, the
`capability of handling (simple) text data, the capability of
`handling layout formats, and the capability of receiving
`broadcasts (for example digital television broadcasts). Each
`capability may be differentiated with respect
`to various
`sound, video or text formats. The present invention allows a
`variety of message data formats to be handled, provided the
`sending device and the receiving device both support the
`particular format. In mathematical terms the present inven-
`tion can be expressed as follows. Assumethat there is a set
`C of n different capabilities cl .
`.
`. cn that a terminal may
`possess. Each terminal (for example device 102 or 106) will
`have a subset of these n capabilities. Accordingly,
`the
`sending device will have a subset Cs and the receiving
`device will have a subset Cr. The matching capabilities are
`those which are elements of the intersection Cm of the
`
`the user of the sending
`subsets Cs and Cr. Accordingly,
`device can compose and/or select the message components
`that comply with the set Cm of matching capabilities.
`Qualcomm Exhibit 2015
`Apple v. Qualcomm, IPR2018-01279
`Page 8
`
`Qualcomm Exhibit 2015
`Apple v. Qualcomm, IPR2018-01279
`Page 8
`
`
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`US 2004/0185885 Al
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`Sep. 23, 2004
`
`It will be understood that the set Cm of matching
`[0046]
`capabilities will tend to have fewer elements if a message is
`to be sent to more than one receiving device: if two (or more)
`receiving devices with capabilities subsets Cr and Cr' are
`involved, the set Cm of matching capabilities will be the
`intersection of Cs, Cr and Cr'.
`
`receiving mobile device 106. Accordingly, the network 104
`may inform the sending mobile device 102 of the changes to
`the receiving mobile device 106.
`
`[0054] Alternatively, if the changing mobile device has
`knowledge of those mobile devices that have includedit on
`their status list, the changing mobile device can initiate the
`[0047] FIG. 2 provides an example of a status list 200.
`update. For example, the receiving mobile device 106 may
`The status list 200 may include more or less information
`knowthat the sending mobile device 102 hasastatuslist 200
`than is depicted in FIG.2, as FIG.2 is provided only as an
`that contains information regarding the receiving mobile
`example.
`device 106. Accordingly, the receiving mobile device 106
`may inform the sending mobile device 102 of the changes to
`the receiving mobile device 106.
`
`Thestatus list 200 may be stored in memory. The
`[0048]
`storage location of the status list 200 may be in one of
`several locations. For example, the status list 200 may be
`stored on the network 104. In this scenario,
`the sending
`mobile device 102 may retrieve the necessary information
`regarding the receiving mobile device 106 whenthe user of
`the sending mobile device 102 is composing the message.
`
`the status list 200 may be
`[0049] As another example,
`stored in memory on the sending mobile device 102. In this
`scenario, the sending mobile device 102 may keep a local
`storage of the receiver capabilities in the memory of the
`mobile device 102. Alternatively, the information may be
`stored on a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card located
`in the mobile device 102. Other storage locations may also
`be possible.
`
`[0050] An authorization mechanism may be used to pro-
`tect the privacy of the end-user of the receiving mobile
`device 106. The authorization mechanism may prevent
`abuse of status indicators, including the receiving mobile
`device 106 capabilities, by third parties. The end-user of the
`receiving mobile device 106 may control who may receive
`his status indicators. The end-user may limit access to his
`status indicators by requiring the sending mobile device 102
`to have an explicit confirmation from the receiving mobile
`device 106. Additionally, authorization may be limited to a
`subset of the status indicators.
`
`[0051] An end-user of a receiving mobile device 106 may
`make changesto his status indicators. This may occurif an
`end-user changes his mobile device 106, or for any other
`reason. Accordingly, the end-user may update his informa-
`tion on any status list 200 that included his information.
`
`[0052] There may be a mechanism of automatically
`informing the sending mobile device 102 that a change in
`message capabilities of the receiving mobile device 106 has
`been detected. For example, an update may beinitiated by
`a change in the mobile device features of the receiving
`mobile device 106. In this example, the SIM card may have
`been moved from mobile device to another. The statuslist
`
`200 may need to be updated for both mobile devices
`involved in the transfer of the SIM card. Other changes may
`also require an updateto the status list 200. Alternatively, or
`additionally, an update may automatically be initiated when
`a predetermined time period has elapsed.
`
`If the status list 200 is stored on the network 104,
`[0053]
`the network 104 may be notified of the change. If the
`network 104 has knowledge of which mobile devices have
`included information regarding the changing mobile device
`ontheirstatus lists, the network 104 may forward the change
`information to those mobile devices. For example,
`the
`network 104 may know that the sending mobile device 102
`has a status list 200 that contains information regarding the
`
`To reduce the amount of data that has to be
`[0055]
`transmitted during an update,
`it
`is advantageous if each
`device is assigned a class, each class having a predetermined
`set of capabilities. Thus the update information may only
`comprise the new class identifier, for example “X37”, both
`the sending and the receiving device containing a list of
`classes and their associated capabilities or a list of capabili-
`ties and their associated classes. Alternative schemes are
`possible, for example one in which the receiving device
`notifies the network of an added or deleted capability, the
`network than matching the updated set of capabilities of the
`receiving device with a class, and the network then sending
`the class identifier to the sending device.
`
`FIG.3 is a pictorial representation of the applica-
`[0056]
`tion of a sending mobile device, which may be used to
`illustrate an example of sending a message in accordance
`with the present invention. In this example, suppose John
`wishes to send Mary a message. John will compose the
`message on his mobile device. Mary is on John’s “buddy
`list”, that is, in (a section of) the address book stored on
`John’s mobile device or its SIM card. John selects Mary
`from his buddy list. John also has Mary onhisstatus list.
`WhenJohn selects Mary from his buddy list, John also sees
`that Mary does not have video capability. Although John’s
`mobile device supports attaching video clips to messages,
`Mary’s mobile device does not. John will know not to send
`Mary a message with a video clip. John’s mobile device may
`provide the options that Mary’s mobile device can accept,
`hiding or indicating as inactive the options which are not
`available. John may send a message in a format that Mary’s
`mobile device can receive. For example, John may send
`Mary a picture message instead.
`
`In FIG. 4 some of the functions of an exemplary
`[0057]
`sending mobile device 102 are schematically illustrated. The
`device 102 is shown to comprise means 111 for exchanging
`message data with a network, means 112 for handling
`message data, and means 113 for matching message data
`with capabilities of corresponding devices. The means 111
`for exchanging messages may comprise input/output means
`which are well knownin the art. The means 112 for handling
`message data may comprise means for composing messages,
`including hardware components such as a keypad, and
`electronic means for assembling message parts. These
`means 112 may further comprise suitable means for receiv-
`ing data (status indicators) on the capabilities and status of
`corresponding devices and storing the status indicators, for
`example in a status list 114. The means 113 for matching
`message data with capabilities of corresponding devices in
`accordance with the present invention may comprise com-
`parator means for comparing message data with capabilities
`Qualcomm Exhibit 2015
`Apple v. Qualcomm, IPR2018-01279
`Page 9
`
`Qualcomm Exhibit 2015
`Apple v. Qualcomm, IPR2018-01279
`Page 9
`
`
`
`US 2004/0185885 Al
`
`Sep. 23, 2004
`
`data (status indicators). Advantageously, when composing a
`message the device 102 automatically produces a message
`profile stating message properties such as the constituent
`parts of the message (for example text and video) and the
`length of these message parts (for example the number of
`bytes of the text part).
`
`[0058] At least part of the said means 111, 112 and 113
`may be software program units executed by a suitable
`microprocessorof the device 102. It will be understood that
`the device 102 also comprises a memory for storing the
`software program units, the status list, message components,
`and other information. In addition the device 102 comprises
`the usual mobile telephone components such as an antenna,
`a display, a microphone, a speaker, etc. It is noted that the
`receiving device 106 of FIG. 1 maybestructurally identical
`to the sending device 102, but this is not necessary. The
`receiving device 106 should at least comprise means for
`informing the sending device 102 of its capabilities.
`
`[0059] The present invention is based uponthe insightthat
`the message data compatibility of sending and receiving
`mobile devices can be checked at the sending device instead
`of in the network. This increases the efficiency of the
`transmissions and minimizes data loss.
`In addition,
`the
`transcoding of data messages in the network is no longer
`necessary.
`
`[0060] The present invention can be applied in various
`mobile networks, such as GSM and UMTSnetworks. It is
`even possible for at
`least one of the terminals to be a
`non-mobile device, as increasingly fixed (that is, non-mobile
`or “land line”) networks offer the possibility of exchanging
`text messages and other data between fixed terminals. The
`present invention can be utilized to exchange data between
`mobile terminals, between a mobile and a fixed terminal and
`even between two (or more) fixed terminals.
`
`It will therefore be understood by those skilled in
`[0061]
`that
`the present
`invention is not
`limited to the
`the art
`embodiments illustrated above and that many modifications
`and additions may be made without departing from the
`scope of the invention as defined in the appending claims.
`
`1. A method of transmitting message data in a mobile
`communications system (100) comprising a network (104),
`at least one sending device (102) capable of exchanging
`message data with the network and at least one receiving
`device (106) capable of exchanging message data with the
`network, each device having a set of message data handling
`capabilities, the method comprising the step of informing
`the sending device (102) of the message data handling
`capabilities of the receiving device (106) so as to allow the
`sending device to only transmit message data matching the
`message data handling capabilities of the receiving device.
`2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the message
`data handling capabilities of the receiving device (106) are
`presented to a user of the sending device (102).
`3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the message
`data handling capabilities of the receiv