Definition For Smart Messaging

The Wireless Application Protocol or WAP has brought out many sophisticated subscription features, messaging services and interactive Web browsing tools for the mobile world and Smart Messaging is one of them. Smart messaging is a protocol designed by Nokia to allow the transfer of low resolution Graphics and monophonic ring tones. These smart messages are sent in the form of several concatenated SMS messages and are meant to be treated as a ring tone, graphics / group of graphics, screen saver or even a business card. Most of the Nokia phones sustain this new technology, however, not all software upgrades created by Intel and Nokia are supported by any one mobile phone.

Some of the popular formats of Smart Messaging are:

1. Picture Message

A picture message is sent across as a series of SMS messages with an average size of 72x28 pixel size. This sized picture message takes at least 3 concatenated SMS messages to be delivered at the other end. In most of the Nokia mobile sets, these picture messages are used as screensavers. The OTA Bitmap is used for the transfer of picture messages in uncompressed format using one bit per pixel.

2. Operator Logo

This is another form of a graphic message, similar to Picture message. The standard size of an Operator Logo is 72x14 pixels, and this is sent as two concatenated SMS messages.

The idea behind the creation of Operator Logo was to replace the name of the network Operator which is stored in the SIM card. When a mobile phone is within a coverage area, the operator logo sits in the middle of the mobile screen and disappears when the signal is lost.

The recent developments have made it possible to shrink the size of an Operator logo to a72x13 pixel size. This size is easily sent as a single message using an OTA Bitmap technique.

3. CLI Icon

The CLI icon or a Group Logo, ( for example, a Business Card ) sized at 72x14 pixels, is sent as a single separate SMS message. The use of CLI icon is to display the monochrome picture or logo which is stored in the mobile corresponding to a group (eg friends, colleagues, clients etc). This also makes use of the OTA bitmap technique.

Structure of a Smart Message

Every Smart Message is divided into two parts – Data Header and Data Content.

» Data Header again compromises of two parts – Numeric Data and the Instructional Elements. The numeric data defines the total length of the header and occupies only one byte of the Data header. The other part of the Data header contains Instructional elements which tell the system what is to be done with the received information. These instructions are related with what information is coming inside the system, and how to assemble a number of concatenated messages into one single message.

» Data Content contains the actual information – Graphics or Music (ring tone). The graphic can be in the form of OTA bitmap, Mobile Country Code and Mobile Network Code.

Latest Progress in the field of Smart Messaging

Nokia has launched its most recent mobile phone – 8110i with the concept of smart messaging. This Smart Messaging enabled Nokia 8110i is the first in the array and includes features like Internet access, Nokia Netgate web viewer and the information services.