METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CENTRALIZED STORAGE OF MEDIA AND FOR COMMUNICATION OF SUCH MEDIA ACTIVATED BY REAL -TIME MESSAGING

摘要

An apparatus and methodology are provided that initiates on-demand communication of media content in response to receipt of text-based messages. The text-based messages can have a plurality of diverse messaging formats. Each text-based message encapsulates text conforming to a predefined syntax that includes a content text field representing an identifier for media content to be accessed as part of the on-demand communication and preferably at least one target text field representing a recipient of the on-demand communication. Database storage stores identifiers and associated references to media content and preferably short names and associated contact information (e.g., telephone numbers and IM user names). The content text field and the target text field(s) are expected to match the identifiers and short names, respectively, stored in the database. The text is extracted from each received text-based message and parsed to identify the content text field and the at least one target text field therein. The database is accessed to retrieve references to media content associated with the identifier corresponding to the content text field. The database is also preferably accessed to retrieve contact information associated with a short name corresponding to the at least one target text field. The on-demand communication is established utilizing the media content references (and the contact information) retrieved from the database. The diverse messaging formats supported by the system preferably include SMS-type text-based messages, IM-type text-based messages, and IP-type text-based messages that are addressed to a reserved IP address.