Messaging system and service

Abstract

A method of modifying a data message during transmission through a data communications network, the data communications network being arranged to deliver messages under control of a network operator and including a first store-and-forward network node. The first store-and-forward network node is arranged to store data messages and forward the same to a recipient in dependence on status data corresponding to a terminal associated therewith. The method further includes receiving a message at a second store-and-forward node, wherein the second store-and-forward node is different from the first store-and-forward network node, arranging for the message to be modified before being forwarded from the second store-and forward node, and transmitting the message to the first store-and-forward network node for forwarding to the recipient.

1 . A method of modifying a data message during transmission through a data communications network, the data communications network being arranged to deliver messages under control of a network operator and comprising a first store-and-forward network node, the first store-and-forward network node being arranged to store said data messages and forward the same to a recipient in dependence on status data corresponding to a terminal associated therewith, the method comprising:
 receiving a message at a second store-and-forward node. wherein the second store-and-forward network node is different from said first store-and-forward network node;   arranging for the message to be modified before being forwarded from the second store-and-forward node; and   transmitting the message to the first store-and-forward network node for forwarding to the recipient.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the message has a message body comprising first data and transmission data identifying a destination of said message wherein the first data have been created by an information service, the method further comprising:
 selecting second data and including the selected second data in the message body, whereby to modify the message before being forwarded from the second store-and-forward node.   
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein said message body is created in response to conditions satisfying one or more criteria. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the second data is selected on the basis of at least one parameter that is extrinsic to the first data. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the first data are created by an application running on a server providing said information service. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 2 , further comprising selecting said second data from a store of selectable data. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein the selectable data are specified in advance of receipt of the said message in the second network node. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 2 , further comprising selecting said second data in accordance with a time and/or data associated with said message. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 8 , further comprising selecting said second data in accordance with a time of transmission or reception of said message. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 8 , further comprising reviewing a schedule identifying entertainment activities, and selecting said second data in accordance with an entertainment activity that overlaps, at least in part, a time of transmission or reception of said message. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 2 , further comprising selecting said second data from advertisement data. 
     
     
         12 . A method of modifying a data message during transmission through a data communications network, the data communications network being arranged to deliver messages under control of a network operator and comprising a first store-and-forward network node, the first store-and-forward network node being arranged to store said data messages and forward the same to a recipient in dependence on status data corresponding to a terminal associated therewith, the method comprising:
 receiving a message at a second store-and-forward node wherein the second store-and-forward network node is different from said first store-and-forward network node;   arranging for the message to be modified before being forwarded from the second store-and-forward node;   transmitting the message to the first store-and-forward network node for forwarding to the recipient; and   identifying an information service and selecting said second data on the basis of one or more characteristics of the identified service.   
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein the message has a message body comprising first data and transmission data identifying a destination of said message, wherein the first data have been created by an information service, the method further comprising:
 selecting second data and including the selected second data in the message body, whereby to modify the message before being forwarded from the second store-and-forward node.   
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein said message body is created in response to conditions satisfying one or more criteria. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein the second data is selected on the basis of at least one parameter that is extrinsic to the first data. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein the first data are created by an application running on a sever providing said information service. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein selecting said second data from a store of selectable data. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein the selectable data are specified in advance of receipt of the said message at the second network node. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 12 , further comprising selecting said second data in accordance with a time and/or data associated with said message. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 12 , further comprising selecting said second data in accordance with a time of transmission or reception of said message. 
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 12 , further comprising reviewing a schedule identifying entertainment activities, and selecting said second data in accordance with an entertainment activity that overlaps, at least in part, with a time of transmission or reception of said message. 
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 12 , further comprising selecting said second data from advertisement data. 
     
     
         23 . A method of modifying a data message during transmission through a data communications network, the data communications network being arranged to deliver messages under control of a network operator and comprising a first store-and-forward network node, the first store-and-forward network node being arranged to store said data messages and forward the same to a recipient in dependence on status data corresponding to a terminal associated therewith. the method comprising:
 receiving a message at a second store-and-forward node, wherein the second store-and-forward network node is different from said first store-and-forward network node;   arranging for the message to be modified before being forwarded from the second store-and-forward node:   transmitting the message to the first store-and-forward network node for forwarding to the recipient; and   selecting second data and including the selected second data in the message body, whereby to modify the message before being forwarded from the second store-and-forward node, including identifying the recipient of the said message on the basis of the transmission data and selecting said second data on the basis of one or more characteristics of the identified recipient,   wherein the message has a message body comprising first data and transmission data identifying a destination of said message, wherein the first data have been created by an information service.   
     
     
         24 . The method according to  claim 23 , wherein said message body is created in response to conditions satisfying one or more criteria. 
     
     
         25 . The method according to  claim 23 , wherein the second data is selected on the basis of at least one parameter that is extrinsic to the first data. 
     
     
         26 . The method according to  claim 23 , wherein the first data are created by an application running on a server providing said information service. 
     
     
         27 . The method according to  claim 23 , further comprising selecting said second data from a store of selectable data. 
     
     
         28 . The method according to  claim 23 , wherein the selectable data are specified in advance of receipt of the said message at the second network node. 
     
     
         29 . The method according to  claim 23 , further comprising selecting said second data in accordance with a time and/or data associated with the said message. 
     
     
         30 . The method according to  claim 23 , further comprising selecting said second data in accordance with a time of transmission or reception of the said message. 
     
     
         31 . The method according to  claim 23 , further comprising reviewing a schedule identifying entertainment activities, and selecting said second data in accordance with an entertainment activity that overlaps, at least in part, with a time of transmission or reception of the said message. 
     
     
         32 . The method according to  claim 23 , further comprising selecting said second data from advertisement data. 
     
     
         33 . The method according to  claim 23 , further comprising identifying an information service and selecting said second data on the basis of one or more characteristics of the identified service. 
     
     
         34 . The method according to  claim 33 , wherein the characteristics include any one of location, context, weather, age, and preference information associated with the recipient. 
     
     
         35 . A method of modifying a data message during transmission through a data communications network, the data communications network being arranged to deliver messages under control of a network operator and comprising a first store-and-forward network node, the first store-and-forward network node being arranged to store said data messages and forward the same to a recipient in dependence on status data corresponding to a terminal associated therewith, the method comprising:
 receiving a message at a second store-and-forward node, wherein the second store-and-for-ward network node is different from said first store-and-forward network node;   arranging for the message to be modified before being forwarded from the second store-and-forward node; and   transmitting the message to the first store-and-forward network node for forwarding to the recipient;   selecting second data and including the selected second data in the message body, whereby to modify the message before being forwarded from the second store-and-forward node; and   comparing the selected data with data identifying subject matter that the recipient is not interested in, and, in the event that the selected data matches data corresponding to the identified subject matter, the message is not modified prior to transmission to the recipient,   wherein the message has a message body comprising first data and transmission data identifying a destination of said message, wherein the first data have been created by an information service.   
     
     
         36 . The method according to  claim 35 , wherein the second data is selected on the basis of at least one parameter that is extrinsic to the first data. 
     
     
         37 . The method according to  claim 35 , wherein the first data are created by an application running on a server providing said information service. 
     
     
         38 . The method according to  claim 35 , further comprising selecting said second data in accordance with a time and/or data associated with said message. 
     
     
         39 . The method according to  claim 35 , further comprising identifying an information service and selecting said second data on the basis of one or more characteristics of the identified service. 
     
     
         40 . The method according to  claim 35 , further comprising identifying the recipient of the said message on the basis of the transmission data and selecting said second data on the basis of one or more characteristics of the identified recipient. 
     
     
         41 . A method of modifying a data message during transmission through a data communications network, the data communications network being arranged to deliver messages under control of a network operator and comprising a first store-and-forward network node, the first store-and-forward network node being arranged to store said data messages and forward the same to a recipient in dependence on status data corresponding to a terminal associated therewith, the method comprising:
 receiving a message at a second store-and-forward node, wherein the second store-and-forward network node is different from said first store-and-forward network node;   arranging for the message to be modified before being forwarded from the second store-and-forward node;   transmitting the message to the first store-and-forward network node for forwarding to the recipient; and   recording the number of modified messages that have been transmitted to a recipient and comparing the recorded number with a specified number of messages, and, in the event that the recorded number of messages matches the specified number of messages, the message is not modified prior to transmission to the recipient.   
     
     
         42 . The method according to  claim 41 , wherein the message has a message body comprising first data and transmission data identifying a destination of said message, wherein the first data have been created by an information service, the method further comprising:
 selecting second data and including the selected second data in the message body, whereby to modify the message before being forwarded from the second store-and-forward node.   
     
     
         43 . The method according to  claim 41 , wherein the second data is selected on the basis of at least one parameter that is extrinsic to the first data. 
     
     
         44 . The method according to  claim 41 , wherein the first data are created by an application running on a server providing said information service. 
     
     
         45 . The method according to  claim 41 , further comprising selecting said second data in accordance with a time and/or data associated with said message. 
     
     
         46 . The method according to  claim 41 , further comprising identifying the information service and selecting said second data on the basis of one or more characteristics of the identified service. 
     
     
         47 . The method according to  claim 41 , further comprising identifying the recipient of the said message oil the basis of the transmission data and selecting said second data on the basis of one or more characteristics of the identified recipient. 
     
     
         48 . The method according to  claim 41 , further comprising comparing the selected data with data identifying subject matter that the recipient is not interested in, and, in the event that the selected data matches data corresponding to the identified subject matter, the message is not modified prior to transmission to the recipient. 
     
     
         49 . A method of modifying a data message during transmission through a data communications network, the data communications network being arranged to deliver messages under control of a network operator and comprising a first store-and-forward network node, the first store-and-forward network node being arranged to store said data messages and forward the same to a recipient in dependence on status data corresponding to a terminal associated therewith, the method comprising:
 receiving a message at a second store-and-forward node, wherein the second store-and-forward network node is different from said first store-and-forward network node;   arranging for the message to be modified before being, forwarded from the second store-and-forward node; and   transmitting the message to the first store-and-forward network node for forwarding to the recipient;   selecting second data and including the selected second data in the message body, whereby to modify the message before being forwarded from the second store-and-forward node;   recording the data that have been included in the transmitted messages and comparing the recorded data with the data selected for inclusion in the message, and, in the event that the recorded data match the selected data, the repeating the step of selecting data,   wherein the message has a message body comprising first data and transmission data identifying a destination of said message, wherein the first data have been created by an information service.   
     
     
         50 . The method according to  claim 49 , wherein the second data is selected on the basis of at least one parameter that is extrinsic to the first data. 
     
     
         51 . The method according to  claim 49 , wherein the first data are created by an application running on a server providing said information service. 
     
     
         52 . The method according to  claim 49 , further comprising including selecting said second data in accordance with a time and/or data associated with said message. 
     
     
         53 . The method according to  claim 50 , further comprising g identifying an information service and selecting said second data on the basis of one or more characteristics of the identified service. 
     
     
         54 . The method according to  claim 50 , further comprising identifying the recipient of said message on the basis of the transmission data and selecting said second data on the basis of one or more characteristics of the identified recipient. 
     
     
         55 . The method according to  claim 50 , further comprising comparing the selected data with data identifying subject matter that the recipient is not interested in, and, in the event that the selected data matches data corresponding to the identified subject matter, the message is not modified prior to transmission to the recipient. 
     
     
         56 . The method according to  claim 50 , further comprising recording the number of modified messages that have been transmitted to a recipient and comparing the recorded number with a specified number of messages, and, in the event that the recorded number of messages matches the specified number of messages, the message is not modified prior to transmission to the recipient. 
     
     
         57 . A method of modifying a data message during transmission through a data communications network, the data communications network being arranged to deliver messages under control of a network operator and comprising a first store-and-forward network node, the first store-and-forward network node being arranged to store said data messages and forward the same to a recipient in dependence on status data corresponding to a terminal associated therewith, the method comprising:
 receiving a message at a second store-and-forward node, wherein the second store-and-forward network node is different from said first store-and-forward network node;   arranging for the message to be modified before being forwarded from the second store-and-forward node; and   transmitting the message to the first store-and-forward network node for forwarding to the recipient;   selecting second data and including the selected second data in the message body, whereby to modify the message before being forwarded from the second store-and-forward node; and   receiving location data indicative of a location and selecting data on the basis of the location data,   wherein the message has a message body comprising first data and transmission data identifying a destination of said message, wherein the first data have been created by an information service.   
     
     
         58 . The method according to  claim 57 , wherein said message body is created in response to conditions satisfying one or more criteria. 
     
     
         59 . The method according to  claim 57 , wherein the second data is selected on the basis of at least one parameter that is extrinsic to the first data. 
     
     
         60 . The method according to  claim 57 , wherein the first data are created by an application running on a server providing said information service. 
     
     
         61 . The method according to  claim 57 , further comprising selecting said second data from a store of selectable data. 
     
     
         62 . The method according to  claim 57 , wherein the selectable data are specified in advance of receipt of the said message at the second network node. 
     
     
         63 . The method according to  claim 57 , further comprising selecting said second data in accordance with a time and/or data associated with the said message. 
     
     
         64 . The method according to  claim 57 , further comprising selecting said second data in accordance with a time of transmission or reception of the said message. 
     
     
         65 . The method according to  claim 57 , further comprising reviewing a schedule identifying entertainment activities, and selecting said second data in accordance with an entertainment activity that overlaps, at least in part, with a time of transmission or reception of said message. 
     
     
         66 . The method according to  claim 57 , further comprising selecting said second data from advertisement data. 
     
     
         67 . The method according to  claim 57 , further comprising identifying an information service and selecting said second data on the basis of one or more characteristics of the identified service. 
     
     
         68 . The method according to  claim 57 , further comprising identifying the recipient of the said message on the basis of the transmission data and selecting said second data on the basis of one or more characteristics of the identified recipient. 
     
     
         69 . The method according to  claim 68 , wherein the characteristics include any one of location, context, weather, age, and preference information associated with the recipient. 
     
     
         70 . The method according to  claim 57 , further comprising comparing the selected data with data identifying subject matter that the recipient is not interested in, and, in the event that the selected data matches data corresponding to the identified subject matter, the message is not modified prior to transmission to the recipient. 
     
     
         71 . The method according to  claim 57 , further comprising recording the number of modified messages that have been transmitted to a recipient and comparing the recorded number with a specified number of messages, and, in the event that the recorded number of messages matches the specified number of messages, the message is not modified prior to transmission to the recipient. 
     
     
         72 . The method according to  claim 57 , further comprising recording the data that have been included in the transmitted messages and comparing the recorded data with the data selected for inclusion in the message, and, in the event that the recorded data match the selected data, the repeating the step of selecting data. 
     
     
         73 . The method according to  claim 57 , including selecting data at random. 
     
     
         74 . A method of modifying a data message during transmission through a data communications network, the data communications network being arranged to deliver messages under control of a network operator and comprising a first store-and-forward network node, the first store-and-forward network node being arranged to store said data messages and forward the same to a recipient in dependence on status data corresponding to a terminal associated therewith, the method comprising:
 receiving a message at a second store-and-forward node, wherein the second store-and-forward network node is different from said first store-and-forward network node;   arranging for the message to be modified before being forwarded from the second store-and-forward node;   transmitting the message to the first store-and-forward network node for forwarding to the recipient; and   selecting second data and including the selected second data in the message body, whereby to modify the message before being forwarded from the second store-and-forward node,   wherein the message sent through the data communications network is a short message service message and the modifying step includes retrieving the first data therefrom, creating a multimedia message service message and transmitting said multimedia message service message from the second store-and-forward node, and   wherein the message has a message body comprising first data and transmission data identifying a destination of said message, wherein the first data have been created by an information service.   
     
     
         75 . The method according to  claim 74 , wherein the second data is selected on the basis of at least one parameter that is extrinsic to the first data. 
     
     
         76 . The method according to  claim 75 , wherein the first data are created by an application running on a server providing said information service. 
     
     
         77 . The method according to  claim 76 , further comprising selecting said second data in accordance with a time and/or data associated with said message. 
     
     
         78 . The method according to  claim 77 , further comprising selecting said second data from advertisement data. 
     
     
         79 . The method according to  claim 74 , further comprising identifying an information service and selecting said second data on the basis of one or more characteristics of the identified service. 
     
     
         80 . The method according to  claim 74 , further comprising identifying the recipient of the said message on the basis of the transmission data and selecting said second data on the basis of one or more characteristics of the identified recipient. 
     
     
         81 . The method according to  claim 74 , further comprising comparing the selected data with data identifying subject matter that the recipient is not interested in, and, in the event that the selected data matches data corresponding to the identified subject matter, the message is not modified prior to transmission to the recipient. 
     
     
         82 . The method according to  claim 74 , further comprising recording the number Of modified messages that have been transmitted to a recipient and comparing the recorded number with a specified number of messages, and, in the event that the recorded number of messages matches the specified number of messages, the message is not modified prior to transmission to the recipient. 
     
     
         83 . The method according to  claim 74 , further comprising recording the data that have been included in the transmitted messages and comparing the recorded data with the data selected for inclusion in the message, and, in the event that the recorded data match the selected data, the repeating the step of selecting data. 
     
     
         84 . The method according to  claim 74 , further comprising receiving location data indicative of a location and selecting data on the basis of the location data.