Graphic presentation transmission to mobile terminals

This invention relates to digital mobile communication systems, and more particularly to the transmission of graphic images to a mobile terminal in a digital mobile communication system.

Background Art With the advent and development of mobile phone subscribers of communication systems are no longer required for the wire material of the exchange on the communication network. Thanks to the mobility and compactness offered by mobile terminals, mobile communication systems have become very popular, and the subscribers of mobile systems continue to constitute a large and increasing part of the percentage of all new telephone subscribers worldwide.

With ongoing improvements display technology, mobile terminals are currently equipped with alphanumeric and graphic displays. Therefore, the subscribers of mobile systems no longer need to remember or to associate the called party with a long sequence of digits. Directory of telephone numbers, together with a name or label of the subscriber may be stored in the memory of the mobile terminal. When a user wants to communicate with a specific number, the user can view the contents of the memory and select the pre-stored name for communication.

In addition, the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) and Personal Communications System (PCS) offers a number of complex and flexible user application systems for users of mobile systems. One such subscriber application system protocol is unstructured supplementary service data (USSD), which is a "container" for transporting mechanism unstructured or system unrecognizable data (e.g., user-specified character messages) to an application system in a mobile terminal. USSD channel without using traffic data exchange level of the application system between the mobile terminal and the Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN). Since the USSD is not required for a voice connection, the user may use a mobile terminal for a speech connection while an application system, located in the same mobile terminal simultaneously receives USSD messages single-channel communication.

As an example application system can lead USSD management system subscriber features. Subscriber mobile system can be attributed to a number of special customer features such as call transfer, call waiting, speed dial. In the non-GSM-PCS and environment the user should communicate with the operator or device sharing, providing signs and manually call, cancel or modify attributes via message instructions to the operator or by dialing a service code sequence and then the required subscriber information. However, the GMS or PCS users can simply bring up a menu on the screen of a liquid crystal display (LCD) of a mobile terminal, move the cursor to the corresponding feature and change the status of the selected call attribute, cancellation or entering the required subscriber information without establishing a voice connection with the serving PLMN. The mobile terminal then automatically transmits the updated information in the form of a USSD message to the PLMN for a real update of the selected feature. Another example of application of USSD is a parallel exchange character data entered by the user during the call by the other party. These data can contain the address of the restaurant, the advertisements or other text messages for subscriber information, continuing at this time conversation on a separate voice channel.

One of the disadvantages mentioned above GSM or PCS systems, is the impossibility of transmitting graphic images, such as still pictures, moving pictures, or fax images to a mobile terminal. This is because the USSD is a messaging system based on character data. It is standardized for character data between the mobile terminal and the PLMN. Graphic images or fax messages in turn comprise binary data or bit data which are incompatible with a character format.

In order to transmit graphics to the mobile terminal, one solution could be the introduction of various transfer mechanisms or standards. However, the purpose of the GSM or PCS is the standardization of network environments and protocols to enable users of mobile systems to move freely and to exchange data on a number of different mobile communication systems. Therefore, any new protocol or standard should be reviewed and approved by all parties to the GSM or PCS environment (or committee). Since the current standard GSM or PCS is the result of long and difficult negotiations between many different providers or countries, it is unlikely that a new protocol or mechanism to control the graphic images can be developed in a timely manner.

U.S. Patent 5446678 discloses a system for transmitting image data via an alphanumeric paging (paging) service. The graphics data is first compressed and then combined into blocks (such as semibitovye character blocks) of a size that can be processed by a paging service. These data paging service then sends a paging receiver, where they are processed by a separate computer to restore and display the original image data.

Accordingly, it would be appropriate to transfer graphics to the mobile terminal without any modification of the existing GSM or PCS protocols or the introduction of a new transfer mechanism or protocol.

The present invention provides a system for transmitting graphic images to a mobile terminal associated with a mobile communication system using transmission system character messages. Binary data representing graphic images are converted in character format. The data in character format are then combined in the symbol and message transmitted to the mobile terminal through the channel without traffic. The mobile terminal reconverts the received data in character format in the original binary data and processes the data for display.

In one aspect, the present invention provides a method and apparatus for transmitting graphic images to a mobile terminal by using messages in a unstructured supplementary service data (USSD).

In another aspect, the present invention provides a method and apparatus for transmitting graphic images to a mobile terminal through a short message service messages (SMS).

In another aspect, the present invention provides a method for converting binary graphic image data to character data and transmitting the data via USSD or SMS messages.

In yet another aspect, the present invention discloses a system where a server application converts binary graphic image data to character data is located in the mobile switching center (MSC), serving a particular mobile terminal.

In yet a further aspect, the present invention discloses a system where a server application converts binary graphic image data to character data is located in the starting position register associated with the MSC, the serving a particular mobile terminal.

In yet another aspect, the present invention discloses a system where a server application converts binary graphic image data to character data is located in an external node associated with the reference position register serving a particular mobile terminal.

In yet another aspect, the present invention discloses a system in which received symbol data is converted back to the original binary graphic image data and processed for display by the mobile terminal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention and its objectives apparent from the following detailed description, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 - block diagram of a messaging format unstructured supplementary service data (USSD) between the mobile switching center (MSC) and mobile terminal; Figure 2 - Block diagram of the data format of USSD-message; 3 - a block diagram of GIF (GIF); FIG. 4 - block diagram of a method for forming a package converting binary graphic image data into USSD-message; 5 - block diagram of add-GIF data USSD-message; FIG. 6 - a block diagram of a server application transmitting graphic images to a client application; 7 - a block diagram of a server application, located in the MSC, serving a particular mobile terminal; FIG. 8 - a block diagram of a server application, located in the core area of ​​the register serving a particular mobile terminal; FIG. 9 - a block diagram of a server application located in an external node connected to the main area register serving a particular mobile terminal.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a messaging format unstructured supplementary service data (USSD) between the mobile terminal 100 and the mobile switching center (MSC) 130, signaling for handoff is typically performed in a structured way. For example, specific predefined data, formats and signal names are used to establish a speech connection, to perform switching and identification information of the subscriber in the provision of a mobile subscriber system. However, with the introduction of the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) and Personal Communications System (PCS), mobile systems provide subscribers with a number of new and more advanced services. Since these additional services using user-defined data, there are no structured ways to transfer the data between the application system GSM-Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) and a mobile terminal. As a result, it has developed a number of unstructured message protocols for the GSM or PCS environment. One such protocol is short message service (SMS) to transmit information between the PLMN and the mobile terminal. Another protocol is Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD), which has been introduced to enable user interaction between PLMN-GSN application systems and mobile terminal concealed manner through the mobile communication network. It is hidden, because neither MSC, or mobile terminal not be viewed or convert the contents of the transmitted messages.

Accordingly, USSD or SMS is used when structured functional signaling is not available for a supplementary service. USSD protocol, for example, provides the transport mechanism for the transmission of unstructured data (such as user-defined text data) to the application of the system and application system in the destination mobile terminal. An example of this is the registration of additional services, with the exception, call or cancellation of subscriber services. Another example is a message service center, which communicates with a mobile communication network for mobile systems provide subscribers with the text information such as weather information or stock price information. When a subscriber makes a request of a mobile service center messages using USSD message, the message service center provides the requested information back to the mobile terminal and via USSD messages.

User external node 110, where the application of a specific module, is responsible for interaction (procedure call) from the mobile terminal 100. The dialogue between the user of the external node 110 and the mobile terminal 100 is performed without converting USSD components of the core area register (HLR) 129 and a mobile switching center systems (MSC) 130 serving the mobile terminal 100. In other words, HLR 120 and the MSC 130 only transmitted USSD components between the respective parties aforementioned dialogue (the external node user 110 and the mobile terminal 100) without modification. Whenever the MSC 130 or HLR 120 receives a USSD-request, the mobile terminal 100 is initialized or USSD-request initialized external node user 110, it passes the request to the USSD-control devices 125 and 135. USSD-control apparatus 125 Permanently in the HLR 120, and USSD-control device 135 Permanently to the MSC 130, then perform the following tasks to display the application system or send the message to the appropriate application system - syntax analysis of operations and rules of protocol; - Identification of USSD-application system for incoming USSD-operations initialized by the mobile terminal; - The transfer of USSD string and data encoding scheme unchanged in local USSD application system for messages initiated by a mobile terminal; - The transfer of USSD string and data encoding scheme unchanged to the mobile terminal for outgoing messages generated by local application systems; and - the formation of a crash, the components of the error, or the failure of the components after the implementation of the instructions received from the USSD application system.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a data format of USSD or SMS message 140. The first eight octets 145 are used to specify which language, operation, parameter, data length and data sequence is used, while the remaining eighty octets 142, if necessary are used to transmit character data. Since the USSD and SMS protocols are based on the symbols, the contents of section 142 of the eighty-octet data is displayed without modification. For example, if the ASCII-bytes representing the character "c" is transmitted to the mobile terminal, the symbol "c" is displayed in the next printing position on the display device of the mobile terminal. Accordingly, the message service center, for example, can print a character string representing a text message, load the string in the section 142 of the eighty octet data transfer line to a mobile terminal for display.

These graphic images, in turn, are structured differently. To display a graphic image, you must have a value for each point or pixel on the screen. Consequently, elemental 1024 by 750 pixels (such as a screen fixed-size black-and-white image) is necessary to 768,000 bits in order to properly fill the available screen space. If a graphic image is a standard format that will work for a variety of screen sizes and different types of machines that support different number of characters needed other additional information such as the size of the logical screen. Furthermore, if the display device has the capability of color display, also requires a color value for each position or pixel on the screen. Ultimately, a binary file with the required header field describing the logical screen size, logical color map, and an array of color values ​​for the screen regions, followed by an actual image. Also, if resulting from a binary file is too large, it may be used compression algorithm to "repackage" the real image.

An example of a binary format for graphics interchange format is image data (GIF), developed by CompuServe Incorporated. GIF is CompuServe's standard for determining generalized raster images and formatting of high-quality high resolution graphics to be displayed on a variety of graphics hardware. However, as will be described later, other formats are also well known.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a data format 160 in the standard GIF file. Section 162 GIF data signature determines the number of versions contained GIF graphic data. Section 164 of the screen descriptor data specifies the overall size of the logical screen that you want to display the image data contained. It also specifies the color mapping information, background screen color, and color depth information. Section 166 of the global color map data is optional, but recommended for images that require precise color matching. More specifically, section 166 data global color maps determines the brightness of the colors for the different colors of the color spectrum. Section 168 defines the image data descriptor actual placement contained image data. Therefore, it defines the beginning of the image in pixels from the left side of the screen, the beginning of the image in pixels from the top of the screen, the image width and height in pixels of the image in pixels, last raster data 170 represent the actual image you want to display. The format of the real image is presented in the form of color index values. Pixels are sequentially stored from left to right for the image line. A number of image rows ultimately make up a graphic image.

An embodiment of the present invention is to transmit graphic images stored in a binary data file, such as the aforementioned GIF file, to a mobile terminal by utilizing existing protocols such as USSD or SNS character based. Using the USSD messages do not need to introduce or develop any new standard or protocol for efficient and accurate data graphic to the mobile terminal. However, since the mechanism for transmitting USSD protocol is based on the symbols may be used only seven bits out of a byte (a single byte consists of eight bits) for transmitting actual data. The remaining one bit is used for own purposes USSD protocol, such as the stop bit or start bit. As a result of the aforementioned 768,000 bits to display images on the screen in 1024 • 750 pixels to be divided into 109715 bytes (768,000 divided into seven) to be in the USSD message. Also, header information such as a logical screen size, image descriptor, background screen color, and the graphic file format name to be included in the USSD message. After 109715 bytes received by the mobile terminal, the graphic image data are extracted and converted back into its original format containing a header including screen attributes, color and position, followed by the actual arrays of graphic images.

4 is a flowchart of a method for forming a package converting binary graphic image data into USSD messages. As described above, a stream of binary data to a GIF file 160 is divided into groups of seven bits 176 and individually reformatted to eight-bit bytes 150. The remaining one bit is used for USSD purposes. Reformatted bytes 150 is then formed into data packets, using USSD messages 140. Each USSD message header 145 indicates which destination and application module system should take these character data, and section 142 contains the string formatted character data. If the GIF file 160 is too large for a single USSD message is used as USSD messages as necessary to separately transmit binary graphic image. Once the mobile terminal receives the USSD messages 140, the available character data are extracted and re-converted to the original GIF file 160. During the process of converting the relevant information 174 and the actual data 172 for the original GIF image file re-assembled.

Accordingly, in Figure 5 in accordance with the present invention is represented USSD message 140 containing a GIF file 160 (or part of the GIF file) which has been converted to character based data. As described above, separating the arrays of bit data on the seven-digit character data to the contents GIF file 160 to be compatible with the carrier on the basis of symbols, such as the USSD message 140, section 142 USSD string can be used for transmitting the converted graphic images 160 without the need for another mechanism or transmission protocol.

6 is a block diagram of a server application transmitting graphic images to a client application system in accordance with the present invention. Module 200 executes a server application converting graphic images along with header information into character based data and their transfer to the application module 200 user residing in a mobile terminal. The application server system 200 may store the subscriber requested information via a database, or it may receive the requested information externally as illustrated by line 240 representing a graphic image received from, for example, a fax machine. Accordingly, the reception function module 210 in the module 200 receives the server application user requested information from external nodes or produces its selection means to the internal memory and transmits 220 a transform function module.

Conversion function module 220 takes the graphic image data file, such as GIF file, and converts the stored binary data along with header information into character based data as described above. Further, it forms the converted binary data in a number of USSD messages needed for transmission of a GIF file. USSD messages containing the converted GIF binary data, and then transmitting unit 230 functions to transmit to the transfer unit 300 of the client application. As shown in Figure 1, these USSD messages are then transmitted USSD messaging control apparatus residing within the HLR or MSC, to physically transferred to the mobile terminal. These USSD messages are physically transmitted separately from the traffic channel TCH, using the control channel such as a stand alone dedicated control channel (SDCCH).

Once transferred USSD message received by the mobile terminal, the control USSD messages in a mobile terminal transmits messages to the module 300 of the application user. Module 330 reception function module 300 intercepts application system received USSD messages and extracts the data are graphic. The extracted data is then transmitted to a transform function module 320, which, in turn, re-converts the character based data back to the original GIF data. This is accomplished by extracting data from the semibitovyh eight-byte and reorganizing them to submit initial bit data arrays.

When converting the extracted data conversion module 320 functions first need to establish the format of the image file contained. Graphic file formats may include, but are not limited to: GIF: Graphic Interchange Format data; JPEG: the standard algorithm for image compression; ACR: ACR-NEMA file medical imaging; BMP: standard image file format in MS Windows; PCX: image file format color images; CGN: Computer Graphics Metafile; HDF: hierarchical data format; P3D: 3D Metafile Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center; RTF: Rich Text Format; MPEG; Digital video standard developed by the Moving Picture Experts Group; FLI: animation file format.

Module conversion function should be known, which uses a graphical format to properly convert the header information along with the rest of the image data. Variety and number of graphic formats, as illustrated above, is not limited to the above list. Since the conversion function module 220 located in the application server 200 and the conversion function module 320 located in the user application 300, coordinated for recognizing the converted data with each other can be used in any format. After establishing the current graphic file format, the extracted data are converted accordingly back to their original data format.

Re-converted data in GIF or graphic image is then transferred function application module 310 of the user for display on display device 340, attached to the mobile terminal or is located therein. The module features 310 application system user can perform this task display GIF feeding data into a standard video graphics driver 342 (VGA), associated with the display device 340.

It is necessary that the application system unit 300 is physically located in the user mobile terminal 100 to receive, convert, and display graphic images. On the other hand, application module 200 may be a server in a number of different nodes in a mobile network. FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the application server system 200, located in MSC 130 serving a particular mobile terminal 100. The application module 200 of the server from the MSC 130 selects or receives the user requested graphic images, and converts binary data representing graphic images, in -USSD compatible character based data. As shown in Figure 6, such converted data are then loaded into the USSD USSD messages and sent to the driver in the MSC 130. MSC 130 in turn transmits the USSD message to the base station controller 310. Base station controller 310 establishes a particular base station 300 covering the cell region, is now occupied by the mobile station 100, and transmits the USSD message to that particular base station 300. The base station 300 then transmits the USSD message to the mobile terminal 100 through the communication channel without traffic such as a stand-alone dedicated control channel (SDCCH). SDCCH - one of the control channels provided by the GSM or PCS network system, which uses multiple access techniques, time division (TDMA), and is typically used for transmitting system messages during call setup before assigning a traffic channel (TCH). For example, a subscriber registration and authentication occurs through the SDCCH. Once the mobile terminal 100 receives a USSD message USSD control device in a mobile terminal 100 scans USSD header information associated with the received USSD message and determines which application the system should take a message. As a result, the application module 310 of the user and transmits the USSD message in accordance with the present invention, the character based data are extracted and converted back into the original binary data format. Reconverted binary data, such as a GIF file, then introduced into the VGA driver to be displayed on LCD device. Using the SDCCH instead of a traffic channel (TCH), the mobile terminal 100 may be graphics on LCD device, while at the same time as the user has a conversation with another user network.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of the application server system 200, located in the core area register 120 (HLR), serving the mobile terminal 100. As described above, the application module 200 can be a server associated with a number of different nodes in a mobile network. For USSD-transactions initiated by the network, the procedures for transmitting graphic images, similar to those described with reference to Figure 7. The difference lies in the fact that the conversion and the encapsulation unit 200 is performed in the server application, placed in the HLR 120 instead of the MSC 130. However, for transactions initiated by the mobile terminal 100, messages are sent to the MSC 130 via the path 100, the mobile terminal - the base station 300 - the base station controller 310 - MSC 130. MSC 130 then scans the header information associated with the received USSD-message, and establishes that a certain application system is not recognized. As a result, MSC 130 transmits the unrecognized USSD message to the HLR 120. HLR 120 then determines that the application system, certain headers stored in the HLR 120, and transmits the USSD data to the application module 200 of the server. Then module 200 server application installs and executes the user's request, contained in the received USSD data. Such request may for example be a graphical representation of a local map or area. Application module 200 accordingly retrieves the information server within or receives it from an external source and transmits the requested graphic image back to the mobile terminal 100 as described above.

9 is a block diagram of a server application 200, located in an external node 400 that is connected to the register 120 the basic area serving the mobile terminal 100. For USSD-transactions initiated by the network, the procedures for transmitting graphic images, similar to those that described with reference to Figure 8. The difference lies in the fact that the conversion and the encapsulation unit 200 is performed in a server application located in the external node 400, instead of the HLR 120. USSD management devices, which are in the HLR 120 and the MSC 130 covertly manage and route USSD messages generated by the external node 400. For operations initialized by the mobile terminal 100, messages are transmitted to the MSC 130 by way of the mobile terminal 100 - 300 base station - base station controller 310 - MSC 130. MSC 130 again scans the header information associated with the received USSD message, and sets, that a certain application system is not recognized. MSC 130, in turn, transmits the unrecognized USSD message to the HLR 120. HLR 120 also scans the header information associated with the received USSD message and then establishes that a certain application system is not directly in the HLR 120. HLR 120 then transmits USSD message the external node 400, which is connected to the HLR 120. The external unit 400 finally looks at the header information, certain accepted USSD message, and sends it to the execution unit 200 server application residing in an external unit 400. As described above, then the server application establishes and properly performs the user request contained in the received USSD data.