Multimedia Message Segmentation for SMS Cost Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for transmitting multimedia information using Enhanced Message Service (EMS) result in high costs and network burdens due to the division of user input content into multiple short messages, leading to increased network overhead and user expense.

Innovation Solution

The method involves dividing multimedia information into segments based on types of elements, adding position identifications, and selectively encoding and decoding to combine segments into messages of predetermined lengths, allowing for prioritized sending and reassembly at the receiver.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If user input content is automatically divided into multiple short messages according to input order, then the transmission can be completed using existing SMS platform, but the number of messages increases leading to higher user cost and network burden

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompatibility with existing SMS platformVSAvoidnumber of messages
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the User Data Header (UDH) and Information Elements (IEs) into separate segments. The UDH contains segmentation information (total segments, current segment number), while IEs are separated and reassembled at the receiving end. This allows the original content to be transmitted in fewer messages while maintaining compatibility with the SMS platform.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the segmentation dimension from dividing by message boundaries to dividing by data structure components (UDH vs. IEs). By separating the header containing segmentation metadata from the actual information elements, the system achieves more efficient message composition without increasing message count.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of manufacture

If content is divided into multiple short messages, then transmission can proceed with existing encoding modes, but network overhead increases due to multiple message exchanges and retransmissions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuse of existing encoding modesVSAvoidnetwork overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and embedding segmentation information in the UDH before transmission. The total number of segments and current segment number are determined in advance and included in the header, allowing the receiving end to efficiently reassemble messages without requiring additional network overhead for segmentation management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If text and picture are sent separately as multiple messages, then each message can be encoded independently, but the user cost increases and message delivery becomes less efficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindependent encoding of each messageVSAvoidmessage delivery efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies merging by combining multiple Information Elements (text, picture, etc.) into a single segmented message structure. The UDH serves as a container that holds segmentation metadata, while multiple IEs are grouped together and transmitted as part of the same segmented message, improving delivery efficiency while maintaining independent encodability of each element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2509344B1Method for transmitting and receiving multimedia information and terminal thereof
Publication Date: 2016.01.13 ZTE CORP
  • EP2509344B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2509344B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP2509344B1 patent drawing

AI summary

The disclosure discloses a method for transmitting and receiving multimedia information and a terminal. The method for transmitting multimedia information includes: dividing multimedia information to be transmitted into multiple information segments; combining the information segments to obtain multiple messages, wherein each of the information segments includes a position identification of the information segment in the multimedia information to be transmitted; in addition, a length of each of the messages is less than or equal to a predetermined length, and each of the messages contains at least one information segment; and sending some or all of the multiple messages to a receiver. By means of the disclosure, a more complete message can be obtained, and multimedia information can be transmitted by lesser messages, so that a cost of a user is reduced and a network burden is alleviated.