GB2420648A

GB2420648A - Telephone and text communication system and tool

Info

Publication number: GB2420648A
Application number: GB0425977A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Richard Raymond Barry
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-11-25
Filing date: 2004-11-25
Publication date: 2006-05-31
Also published as: GB0425977D0

Abstract

A communication system comprises a keypad, each pad of a plurality of pads being operative to key a discrete and a plurality of discrete letters of the alphabet, character or symbol depending on keypad assignment and a decode means operative to decode actuation of a respective specific set of keys into various corresponding readable outputs. There is additionally provided a web-based data information tool, comprising the system a web site, and means by which the system can identify information entered on the web site so that users of the system can introduce telephone numbers to the web site and have them translated into words, names and / or including composite alphanumeric forms, abbreviations, acronyms, colloquialisms, slang, branding with incomplete translations having extended number combinations automatically applied to complete all translatable options. The system may encode text as a telephone number, or decode a telephone number to representative text.

Description

A COMMUNICATION SYSTEM AND

A TOOL UTILISING SAME

The invention relates to a communication system and a tool utilising same.

Telephone and mobile phones provide a modern system which is used for everyday communication. The number in each country or region are generally allocated by a central Authority.

Such systems are generally operable by a keypad on a telephone or mobile phone, and from the latter, can often be used to send text messages.

However, the numbers allocated are often encryptions of "hidden" names or numbers which are not decodable.

It is accordingly an object of the invention to seek to remedy this disadvantage.

According to the invention there is provided a communication system comprising a keypad, each pad of a plurality of pads of the keyboard being operative to key a discrete and a plurality of discrete letters of the alphabet, language, characters or script depending on keypad assignment for assignation of the same depending on the given language being applied, and a decode means operative to decode actuation of a respective specific set of keys into various conesponding readable outputs.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a webbased data information tool, comprising a system as hereinbefore defined, a web site, and means by which the system can identify information put up on the web site so that users of the system can introduce a number or numbers to the web site and have their geographic, non- geographic or mobile or any other telephone number types translated into wordlname numbers or composite numeric word-name numbers or the same including abbreviations, acronyms, colloquialisms, slang and branding.

Using the invention it is possible to decode particular numbers translated or decoded "typed in" as a search facility whereby to provide a particular decoded message. Thus the system can be used in reverse such that the preferred word/name number can be inputted so that the various encoded numeric outputs can be established. The system can thus encode as well as decode.

Thus telephone numbers, such as numbers excluding internet access numbers and including STD numbers can be used, and decoded whereby to provide the technical effect of modifying the system to provide a particular decoded message.

The invention is particularly applicable to telephone numbers which can be accessed on the internationally recognised 12 - Key telephone keypad where keypad assignment may vary with each given language's letter, character or alphabet/language-script assignation but where in the U.K = abc = 2, def= 3, ghi = 4,jkl = 5, mno = 6, pqrs = 7, tuv = 8 and wxyz=9.

A system and tool embodying the invention may have the following specific points:- 1. Alpha-numeric word name and word decoding programme for all types of telephone numbers except internet access numbers.

2. Applicable to any worldwide or International network using the 12-key telephone and its applied assignment of characters. Output of all possible combinations including multiple words (e.g. AT THE RACES) or composite derivations containing digits, bearing in mind the following:- input facility for full number beginning with prefix and followed by remaining digits (keeping prefix and remaining numbers separate for decoding purposes, e.g. 07919 573154).

3. The ability to interpret / analyse the entire telephone number but with the necessary limitation that the decoding or encoding would not disguise the prefix such that the potential caller of the number is misled or the number so unreasonably or unlawfully disguised as to the type of number in terms of destination, location and associated call charges.

4. Ability to recognise the first digit as being an extension of the prefix such that for example the accepted prefix of 0870 if followed by a 0 could also be interpreted as 08700 and then decoded. This would equally apply to geographic and other number types.

5. To ability to recognise all possible decoded extensions of numbers, bearing in mind that once the final digit of a word-name number is pressed the call is put through with the remaining alphanumeric's being superfluous yet assisting in fulfilling a brand or word or name e.g. 0845 362 9256 could be decoded as 0845 ENCYCLOPEDIA with the PEDIA' being technically superfluous, but ideal for memorability.

6. The ability to recognise that if the second or later digit were a 4, as well as potentially being a g, h or 1' could also be interpreted as the word for' e.g. 0845 4 PETROL or 084504 ROSES or 0871 TIT 4 TAT.

7. The ability to recognise multiple words from a telephone number including possible extensions e.g. AT THE RACES'.

8. The ability to recognise potential forename initial(s) and surnames, actual forenames and middle name initials, actual forenames and the first letter of a surname e.g. 0208 J R EWING, 01707 TOM JONES or 07831 TREVOR H. 9. The ability to recognise that numbers ending in 48 have the potential to be translated as 4U with the potential to be interpreted as "for you", e.g. 0870 MEALS 4U, equally numbers ending with a 4 could have an 8' or U' extended such as 0845 STAMPS 4U could be dialled or keyed as 0845 782 6774 with the U' or 8' being superfluous.

A similar situation could apply to numbers ending in 7, 78 or 787, translating as R'US ( interpreted as are us') as in the branded Toys'r'us.

10. The ability to recognise that numbers ending in 5, 58 or 583 such that these translate as LTD. If the number ends in 5 then 8 & 3 can be superfluously added lending to a corporate entity. The same would apply to PLC if the number ended in 7, 75 or 752.

11. The ability to recognise accepted corporate identities of given countries such as INC (USA) or GMBH (Germany) when there is at least the first letter of the abbreviation present for decoding to facilitate extension as appropriate.

12. The ability to recognise a 6 within an array of numbers as an n', such that 0871 486 7676 could be interpreted as 0871 Guns'n'Roses (with the SES or 737 being an extension).

13. The ability to recognise hyphenated words and disregard the hyphen for translation purposes, such as box-office.

14. The ability to recognise slang such as EZ i.e. 39 at the beginning of an array (or within if appropriate).

15. The ability to recognise 9 as a Z, such that 0844 237 2539 could be interpreted as CD SALEZ.

16. The ability to recognise abbreviations, acronyms, colloquialisms, slang and brand names. e.g. 0207 UK FASHIONS, 0844 FOR SPIV or 0800 4 UNICEF or 0208 NEW AUDI.

17. The ability to recognise persons, businesses organisations, places and things.

18. The ability to recognise internet terminology such as net, org and corn when there is at least the first letter of the term present for decoding at the end of the number to facilitate extension as appropriate whilst disregarding the (.) dot.

19. The ability to recognise accepted modem phraseology or terminology such as 24- 7' meaning twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.

20. The ability to recognise words (three letters minimum) with-in an array such that the output could read 01727 52 TOY 2 so that the individual when inputting the number would have all possible combinations outputted.

21. The ability to accommodate different language spelling e.g. English (er) American (or).

22. The ability to recognise the definite article "the" as well as the indefinite article a' or an', pronouns, prepositions and all grammatical language changes to words as well as other languages' equivalents.

23. The ability to search through the Internet, on-line databases or directories such as the Yellow Pages (www.yell.co.uk {.com}) or other national equivalents to facilitate decoding of telephone numbers into word-names.

24. The ability to recognise the consecutive numbers 999 beginning or within an array as www'.

25. The ability to recognise composite abbreviations such as 1 ST, 2 ND, 3 RD, etc. where the number could be read as a number, but inferring first, second, third etc e.g. 0845 1 ST 4 TAXI.

The system and tool embodying the invention could be used conversely such that a chosen or existing name or language application inputted could be encoded numerically to provide the various outputs and may apply the foregoing specific points jointly or severally.

Claims

1. A communication system, comprising a keypad, each pad of a plurality of pads of the keypad being operative to key a discrete and a plurality of discrete letters of the alphabet, and a decode means operative to decode actuation of a respective specific set of keys into particular readable output(s).

2. A system according to claim 1, whereby conversely there is an encode means operative to encode actuation of a respective specific set of keys into particular numeric outputs.

3. A system according to Claim 1, wherein the keypad is a telephone keypad.

4. A system according to Claim I or Claim 2, the decode and encode means comprising a programme adapted to encode and decode alpha-numeric name/number combinations.

5. A system according to any preceding claim, the programme being adapted to decode a telephone number whereby to translate a particular said number into a composite numeric word/name combination.

6. A system according to any preceding claim, the programme being adapted to encode a word name or composite numeric wordlname whereby to translate a particular said word name or composite numeric word/name into a telephone number.

7. A system according to any preceding claim, comprising an input facility for a full telephone number with a prefix and subsequent digits.

8. A system according to any preceding claim, comprising an input facility for a word-name for the system to operate conversely.

9. A system according to Claim 5, comprising the programme being adapted to recognise a first digit of a number as being an extension of the prefix.

10. A system according to Claim 5 or Claim 6, the prefix comprising a geographic prefix.

11. A system according to Claim 9 or Claim 10, the prefix comprising a non- geographic prefix.

12. A System according to Claim 11, the prefix comprising a mobile or personal number prefix.

13. A System according to Claim 11, the prefix comprising any other telephone number except internet access numbers.

14. A system according to any of Claims 5 - 7, the programme being adapted to recognise and decode all possible decodable extension numbers.

15. A system according to any preceding claim, the programme being adapted to recognise and decode particular number combinations at the end of numbers preferably partially translated but requiring extension of a number or numbers for full translation.

16. A system according to any preceding claim, the programme being adapted to decode and interpret hyphenated words and to disregard the hyphen.

17. A System according to any preceding claim, the programme being adapted to automatically extend additional translatable numbers by virtue of the last proper number of the telephone number, such as in the case of LTD, INC etc whereby the U automatically lends to the extension of the T & D.

18. A system according to any preceding claim, the programme being adapted to decode acronyms, abbreviations, colloquialisms, slang and branding, jointly or severally applied.

19. A system that can access data or information available on internet databases or directories for output as word-names.

20. A web-based data information tool, comprising a system according to any preceding claim, a website and means by which the system can identify information put up on the website so that users of the system can introduce a number or numbers to the website and have their telephone numbers translated into wordlname numbers or composite numeric word-name numbers, or translate said latter numbers into telephone numbers.

21. A tool according to Claim 20, the means comprising a data-entry field or fields of the website.

22. A tool according to Claim 21, the field or fields comprising boxes.

23. A tool according to any of Claims 20 to 23, comprising a screen-based tool.