XMS - Extensible Multimedia Messaging Service - FOR SALE
Nokia Series 60 Asia Challenge documentation
Copyright © 2003 - Rex Guo, WaterLogic Real-Time Graphics
Version: Thursday, 30 October, 2003 7:39 PM

Content

1. Introduction
2. What is XMS?
3. XMS Marketing
4. XMS Greeting Cards
5. XMS Picture Messaging
6. XMS Screensavers
7. Open message to Nokia

1. Introduction

This document describes the suite of XMS concept applications submitted for the Nokia Series 60 Asia Challenge. The application suite covers the following major areas of multimedia messaging:

1. Mobile marketing
2. Mobile greeting cards
3. Picture messaging
4. Screensavers

The purpose of the application suite is to introduce XMS as a new multimedia messaging platform.

The following sections will give a basic description of the XMS platform and detailed documentation of the concept application suite.

2. What is XMS?

XMS is a BIG idea.

XMS is a new multimedia messaging platform for creating and delivering smart and dynamic multimedia messages.

XMS is an extension of the Multimedia Messaging Service ("MMS") standard, providing features far beyond MMS's current capabilities.

The main features of the XMS platform are:

1. Improves and extends the fixed function set of MMS
2. Maintains backwards-compatibility with MMS
3. Open architecture accepting new features from third parties
4. Enhances the messaging capability of current and future handsets
5. Reuses existing provisioning mechanisms

The basic multimedia features of an XMS message include:

1. 2D/3D bitmap and vector graphics
2. Visual effects and transitions
3. Animation
4. Polyphonic and WAV music and sound effects

The XMS platform components include:

1. Content-creation tools for the PC, web and phone
2. Specifications of MMS SMIL extensions
3. SDK
4. Developer network

3. XMS Marketing

"The Matrix: Revolutions" - Multimedia movie promotion.

3.1 Description

The "The Matrix: Revolutions" movie promotion is an example of mobile marketing through XMS's rich multimedia technology. The promotion can be pushed to users' phones during a planned timeframe before the movie launch in conjunction with the traditional TV spots, print advertisements and cinema trailers.

At the end of the multimedia presentation, the user is presented with the latest locale-based information about the movie like its premiering time and participating cinemas, via real-time wireless network access. The user can also perform advanced ticket booking directly through the XMS application.

3.2 Features

This application presents multimedia techniques beyond the capabilities of current MMS implementations, although it can be completely defined using MMS's SMIL scripting language.

Effects showcased:

1. Timed scene transitions
2. Image scrolling
3. Image crossfading
4. Image scaling
5. Alpha blending
6. Music synchronisation

3.3 Usage guide

3.4 Status

3.5 Compatibility

The following table lists the platforms that the XMS application is tested and working on.

3.6 Credits

XMS is not affiliated with Warner Bros in anyway. This movie promotion is an independent development and is not endorsed by Warner Bros.

All the content used to create the movie promotion is taken from movie trailers and images released to the public domain via Warner Bros' website at whatisthematrix.warnerbros.com.

"The Matrix: Revolutions", its respective content and trademarks are the properties of Warner Bros.

4. XMS Greeting Cards

"Romantic" - Time-aware 3-in-1 musical greeting card.

"Morning"	"Afternoon"	"Night"

4.1 Description

The "Romantic" greeting card is an example of a mobile e-card. It is actually a 3-in-1 ("Morning", "Afternoon" and "Night") greeting card. When opening the greeting card, XMS's unique technology selects which one of the three to show depending on the time of the day. This time-awareness adds a new dimension to the richness of mobile greeting cards. The greeting card also comes with polyphonic background music.

This concept version shows an empty template with only the multimedia content. It is open-ended to allow integration with vendors for letting their users add their own personalised text messages into the greeting card.

The next sections explain the ideas behind each of the three scenes.

4.1.1 Morning

The morning scene is shown if the greeting card is opened between 6am and 12pm.

The rising Sun gradually adds color to the landscape, welcoming the arrival of a bright new day. The gliding bird implies 'The early bird catches the worm' and is a symbol of encouragement.

4.1.2 Afternoon

The afternoon scene is shown if the greeting card is opened between 12pm and 6pm.

The middle of the day is where most people are most busy. The flying kite among the clouds is a symbol of inspiration and hope. It is also a reminder that we should enjoy our work like a kid enjoying his kite.

4.1.3 Night

The night scene is shown if the greeting card is opened between 6pm and 6am.

As the night grows and the world turns quiet, a wonder of nature emerges as fireflies put on a peaceful yet magical display of pulsating lights. This scene is inspired by a real-life experience through a Malaysian river whose banks were filled with countless fireflies among the mangrove trees.

4.2 Features

This application demonstrates techniques that are beyond the MMS/SMIL specifications like dynamic particle systems and time-awareness.

Effects showcased:

1. Time-awareness
2. Image crossfading
3. Dynamic particle system
4. Multi-layed visuals via chromakeying

4.3 Usage guide

4.4 Status

4.5 Compatibility

The following table lists the platforms that the XMS application is tested and working on.

5. XMS Picture Messaging

"Photo3D" - Take 3D photos with your camera phone.

Pet chincilla 'Wawa'	Wawa posing quietly...	WaWa in true 3D!

5.1 Description

XMS Photo3D is an application for phones equipped with cameras for taking and viewing 3D photos.

While most picture messaging applications revolve around sending, receiving and managing pictures taken by users, XMS Photo3D highlights a new use of phone cameras: the ability to take true stereoscopic 3D photos.

A stereo 3D photo is made from two separate photos, similiar to how humans perceive depth from the two slightly different images that each eye sees. After taking the two images, XMS Photo3D automatically processes and combines them into a stereo 3D image known as an anaglyph. The user then uses a red-blue or red-cyan glasses (see picture below) to experience the anaglyph in 3D.

A pair of red-blue glasses

As part of the contest entry, a dozen pairs of red-blue glasses have been supplied to Nokia for handling out to the judges so that this application can be tested and experienced fully as intended. If you did not receive a pair, please contact Aileen Cheah at Nokia to make arrangements.

5.2 Features

This application demonstrates real-time stereoscopic 3D photo making in a quick and easy way.

It is a proof of concept that despite the limited size of phone screens, it can still provide a convincing 3D experience.

XMS Photo3D is an attempt to bring to the attention of a technique that has been under-utilised and overlooked.

5.3 Usage guide

After the left and right images are taken, the application will merge them to form an anaglyph.

Note:

The reasons for the unconventional methof of using the keys '1' and '3' for taking the pictures are:

1. The keys being on the left and right side of the keypad reminds users which side of the pair they are taking.
2. Designed to be held by both hands for stability with left thumb pressing '1' and right thumb pressing '3'.
3. Different users have different dominant eyes and some prefer to take the left image first while others prefer to take the right image first.
4. Avoid popping up the 'Options' menu which obstructs the carefully aligned image as well as causing unnecessary delays which can misalign the image.

5.4 Status

5.5 Compatibility

The following table lists the platforms that the XMS application is tested and working on.

5.6 How to take a good stereo 3D photo

1. Choose a subject and center it on the screen.
2. Use the crosshair to target a spot on the subject.
3. Take the left shot by pressing '1'.
4. Horizontally move the phone a few centimeters to the right, making sure not to tilt or rotate the phone in the process.
5. Align the crosshair back to the chosen spot in Step 2.
6. Take the right shot by pressing '3'.
7. Use the red-blue glasses to view the resulting 3D photo.
8. Press '0' to start again.

To get a greater sense of depth, view the 3D photo from further away. Moving the 3D photo closer will reduce the sense of depth.

The distance moved horizontally in Step 4 will also determine the amount of depth in the 3D photo. A good distance will be the same distance between both eyes, known as the inner occular distance. Different scenery and subjects require different distances and experimentation is necessary.

5.7 3D-enabling camera phones

3D-enabling a camera phone requires either a passive or active solution. The passive method requires the user to wear a pair of glasses to be able to see the anaglyph in 3D, whereas the active method requires an auto-stereoscopic LCD screen built-into the phone.

The following table compares both methods.

6. XMS Screensavers

"Raindrops" - Photorealistic animated screensaver.

Moving clouds reflected	Raindrops	Floating maple leaf

6.1 Description

"Raindrops" is an animated screensaver that shows a photorealistic water surface with falling raindrops, floating leaf and moving clouds.

XMS Screensavers is a step away from static wallpapers towards dynamic animated screensavers.

6.2 Features

1. Real-time fluid dynamics
2. Non-linear alpha blending
3. Dynamic reflection maps

6.3 Usage guide

6.4 Status

6.5 Compatibility

The following table lists the platforms that the XMS application is tested and working on.

Copyright © 2005-2006 - Rex Guo