JP2006074785A - Improvement with respect to selecting telephone number - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a telephone (100) and method (200) for identifying the telephone number associated with a name stored in a phone book located in a memory (116) of the telephone (100). <P>SOLUTION: The telephone and method provide for receiving a data sequence (220) inputted by actuation of keys on a keypad (106), each of the keys providing selecting a plurality of characters, such that the data sequence corresponds to a plurality of available character strings. Next, a step of searching (230) provides for searching the phone book, to identify at least one phone book character string that matches any of the available character strings. Thereafter, a step of identification (240) provides for identifying the telephone number associated with the name, stored in the phone book that includes the phone book character string. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to the selection of telephone numbers stored in a telephone directory of an electronic device. In particular, the present invention calls from a telephone directory that includes both names written in ideograms (names written in Chinese, etc.) and names written in alphanumeric characters (names in English, Chinese Pinyin, etc.). This is useful when selecting a number, but is not necessarily limited thereto.

  Mobile phones with display screens and wired phones with display screens are becoming increasingly popular. Also, communication service providers typically seek to provide customers with information that allows the customer to decide whether to allow the incoming call or whether to return to the incoming call. Service is provided. This service is commonly referred to as caller identification ("Caller ID") and provides an indication of who was calling or who was calling (or SMS). (Send text via the Short Messaging System protocol or others). The identity of the caller (caller's name) is identified by using the phonebook of names and associated phone numbers stored in a database in the phone's memory. Further, if a number of names and associated numbers are stored in the phone book, searching the phone book to identify the name of the caller may take unacceptable time. In addition, when a name written in ideograms and a name written in alphanumeric characters are stored in the telephone directory, a problem may occur when inputting and searching for a necessary expression to represent a necessary name.

  In addition to the above, most mobile phones today employ a standard telephone simple keypad with 10 numeric keys (numeric keypad), asterisk or star (*) key, and hash or pound (#) key. Yes. In English and many other alphabetic languages, an alphabetic keypad is superimposed on the numeric keys 2-9 on the numeric keypad of the device, and each numeric key is associated with three or more alphabetic characters. For example, the letter jk-l is associated with the number 5 key. In some keypad electronic devices, in alphabet input mode, the user presses multiple keys to enter characters to form words and names used for functions such as short messaging and address book name selection. There are also things.

  Currently, one common way to search, select, and place a phone number using a conventional simple keypad is by a multi-tap method. The multi-tap method is a method in which a user inputs the name of the person he / she wants to call using the conventional keypad of the telephone. In the multi-tap method, it is usually necessary for the user to input characters of the name of the other party by pressing keys 2-9. For any alphabetic character, the user must press a 2-9 key to scroll through the letter and number options associated with that key. For example, when the 2 key is pressed once, the character “a” is displayed. When the same key (2 key) is pressed again, the character “b” is displayed. When the same key is pressed 3 times, the character “c” is displayed. When the 2 key is pressed 4 times last, the number “2” is displayed. . Thus, if the user wants to quickly retrieve a phone number and call that phone number, this can be cumbersome and time consuming.

As used herein, including the claims, the terms “comprising”, “comprising” or similar terms are intended to imply non-exclusive inclusions and include methods or apparatus comprising the listed elements. Does not include only those elements, but may include other elements not listed as well. Also throughout this specification, the term “key” has the broad meaning of any key, button, or actuator that has a dedicated, variable, or programmable function that can be activated by the user. Further, the word letter has a broad meaning including symbols, and in this specification the words symbol and letter can be interchanged with each other as understood by those skilled in the art.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for identifying a phone number associated with a name stored in a phone book in a phone memory, the method comprising:
Receiving a data sequence entered by activation of a key on a telephone keypad, each key providing a selection of multiple characters such that the data sequence corresponds to multiple possible strings ,
Searching the phone book, thereby identifying and searching for at least one phone book string that matches any of the possible strings;
Identifying the phone number associated with the name stored in the phone book containing the phone book string;
Including.

Conveniently, identifying includes displaying a name stored in the phone book on the display screen of the phone.
Preferably, the method includes selecting a name;
Making a call to a phone number associated with a name stored in the phone book;
Further included.

  Conveniently, the identifying is characterized in that the character string can be anywhere in the name. The identification can be appropriately characterized by the fact that the character string appears at the beginning of the name. However, the identification can be appropriately characterized by the fact that the character string appears at the beginning of an arbitrary word forming the name. The position of the character string in the name can be appropriately selected by the user.

  Preferably, searching the phone book, thereby identifying at least one phone book string that matches any of the possible strings, the searching is at least one representing Chinese Includes searching for Pinyin strings.

The keys are conveniently on a simple keypad, and at least three alphabetic characters and numbers can be entered upon activation of each key.
The keys are conveniently on a simple keypad, and the data sequence entry may include at least one wildcard key, which is a key that is not associated with any letter of the alphabet.

Conveniently, the data series is a series of numbers, each one of which corresponds to the number displayed on one of the keys.
Preferably, a character group is associated with each number, and the association is displayed on the key.

  Preferably, the searching is characterized by searching a number string representing the phone book character string, and each number of the number string is obtained by associating the number with a character group, and the association is displayed on a key. Is done.

  Preferably, a number string representing the telephone book character string is stored in the telephone book. The number string representing the telephone book character string can be automatically generated as appropriate when the character string is stored in the telephone book.

According to another aspect of the invention,
A processor;
A display coupled to the processor;
A keypad coupled to a processor and including a plurality of keys that provides a data sequence of possible strings during use;
A memory coupled to the processor for storing a phone book of names and corresponding phone numbers;
And the processor provides to search the phone book to identify at least one phone book string that matches any of the possible strings, and then stores the phone book stored in the phone book A phone is provided that provides for identifying at least one name that includes a string.

Conveniently, the phone has a display coupled to the processor, which provides the name stored in the phone book on the display screen of the phone.
In order that the present invention may be readily understood and put into practical use, reference will now be made to the preferred embodiments described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  In the drawings, like numerals in different drawings are used throughout to designate like elements. Referring to FIG. 1, a telephone 100 in the form of a handheld wireless communication device comprising a radio frequency communication unit 102 coupled to and communicating with a processor 103 is shown. The telephone 100 also has a keypad 106, auxiliary keys 130, and a display screen 105 that are coupled to the processor 103 and communicate with the processor 103.

  The keypad 106 is a conventional simple keypad that typically has ten numeric keys (tenkeys) 0-9, an asterisk or star (*) key, and a hash or pound (#) key. In English and many other alphabetic languages, at least three alphabetic characters are associated with the numeric keys 2-9 of the keypad 106. More specifically, the letters ab-c are printed in association with the number 2 key, the letters df are printed in association with the number 3 key, and the letters g-- are printed in the number 4 key. h-i is printed in association with the number 5 key, the character jk-l is printed in association with the number 6 key, the character m-no is printed in association with the number 6 key, and the number 7 key is printed. Is printed with the character pqr-s associated with it, the number 8 key is printed with the character tu-v associated with it, and the number 9 key is associated with the character wxyz. Printed.

  The processor 103 includes an encoder / decoder 111 associated with a code read only memory (ROM) 112 that stores data for encoding and decoding voice or other signals that can be transmitted or received by the radiotelephone 100. Prepare. The processor 103 is connected to a coder / decoder 111, a character read only memory (ROM) 114, a random access memory (RAM) 104, a static programmable memory 116, and a subscriber identity module (SIM) interface 118 via a common data address bus 117. The microprocessor 113 is also coupled. A static programmable memory 116 and a SIM (often referred to as a SIM card) are operably coupled to the SIM interface 118, respectively, in particular for the selected input text message and the number field and the number field number for the telephone number. A telephone number database TND (phone book) may be stored that includes a name field for the associated person identifier. For example, one entry in the telephone number database TND can be 91999111111 (entered in the number field) with the associated identifier “Steven C at work” in the name field. The SIM card and static memory 116 may also store a password that allows access to the password protected function of the handheld wireless communication device 100.

Microprocessor 113 has ports for coupling to keypad 106, auxiliary keys 130, screen 105, and alarm module 115, which typically includes an alarm speaker, vibrator motor, and associated drivers. The microprocessor 113 also has a port for coupling the microphone 135 and the communication speaker 140. The character read only memory 114 stores a code for decoding or encoding a text message that may be received by the communication unit 102. In this embodiment, the character read only memory 114 also stores an operation code (OC) for the microprocessor 113 and a code for performing functions associated with the handheld wireless communication device 100.

  The radio frequency communication unit 102 is a combination of a receiver having a common antenna 107 and a transmitter. The communication unit 102 has a transceiver 108 coupled to an antenna 107 via a radio frequency amplifier 109. The transceiver 108 is also coupled to a combined modulator / demodulator 110 that couples the communication unit 102 to the processor 103.

  Referring to FIG. 2, a method 200 for identifying a telephone number associated with a name stored in a telephone directory or telephone number database TND in the memory of the telephone 100 is shown. This memory can be, for example, a static programmable memory 116 or a removable SIM, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. The name is one of a plurality of names associated with the corresponding phone number stored in the placed phone book, and the method 200 is performed by the phone 100. After a start step 210, the method 200 performs a receiving step 220 that receives a data sequence input by activation of a key on the keypad 106 of the telephone 100, each key corresponding to a plurality of possible character strings PCSTR. Provides selection of multiple characters CHARS.

  After receiving step 220, search step 230 provides searching the phone book to identify at least one phone book string PBCSTR that matches any of the possible string PCSTR. The identifying step 240 then provides the identification of the telephone number associated with the name including the telephone directory string PBCSTR stored in the telephone directory (or telephone number database TND).

  As an example, consider a phone book that includes the entries in Table 1 below. When the user needs to make a call to the telephone number associated with the name “Steven John” stored in the telephone directory, the user activates a key on the keypad 106. In the receiving step 220, the user can input a data series (key series) by activating key number 7, then key number 8, and then key number 3. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, this data series forms a number string “783” corresponding to both the phone book string PBCSTR “ste” and the phone book string PBCSTR “sue”. Therefore, both “ste” and “sue” are identified in the search step 230, and both the names “Steven John” and “Sue Smith” (stored in the phone book) are identified in the identification step 240. 100 is displayed on the display screen 105. The user can then subsequently activate keys on the keypad 106 to further input data to be added to the data series, or to confirm completion of input as determined in the input completion test step 250. If more data is to be added to the data series, steps 220-250 are repeated. For example, the user can activate key number 8 so that the data sequence forms a number string “7838” corresponding only to the phone book string PBCSTR “stev”, so that “steven John” is identified step 240. This is the only name identified and displayed in

After completing the input, in selection step 260, the user can select the name “Steven John” using the auxiliary key 130 of the telephone 100 as appropriate, and then stored in the phone book in the calling step 270. It is provided to call the telephone number associated with the name, in this example the telephone number 91731009 associated with the name “steven John”. Thereafter, the method ends at end step 280.

  Note that the identifying step 240 is characterized in that the string may appear anywhere in the name. For example, consider the character string “be”. Since this character string particularly corresponds to the names “Rebecca Zhang” and “Ben hu”, both of these names are specified and displayed in the specifying step 240. However, by appropriately selecting a menu by activating the auxiliary key 130, the specific step 240 can be guided so that the character string to be selected must appear at the beginning of the name. Therefore, since “be” does not appear at the head of the name “Rebecca Zhang”, “Ben Hu” is the only name selected. However, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the specific step may optionally be characterized by the fact that the string appears at the beginning of any word that forms the name, so that the position of the string in the name is determined by the auxiliary key. It can be selected as appropriate by selectively starting 130.

は、そのピンイン表現「ｄｉｎｇ ｗｅｉ」から作られるキー系列（番号列）を有し、同様に Search step 230 also provides searching the phone book to identify at least one phone book string that matches any of the possible strings, including a search for a Pinyin string representing Chinese. For example,

Has a key sequence (number sequence) created from its Pinyin expression “ding wei”, as well

もそのピンイン表現から作られるキー系列（番号列）を有する。

Also has a key sequence (number sequence) created from its Pinyin representation.

  One useful feature of the present invention is that steps 220-240 also provide a wildcard key by using the “*” and “#” keys as appropriate, which can contain any character of the alphabet. Is also not associated. The “*” key can be used to match either (a) no symbol / character (null character) or (b) any single character / symbol including spaces. In contrast, “#” is used to match any number of symbols / characters including null characters and spaces. Therefore, when the user inputs a data series (key series) 43 * 5, Hu Helen is specified in the specifying step 240 (the “*” key in the data series represents redundancy, so a null character is selected). When the user inputs a data series (key series) 78 *, Sue Smith, Steven John, and steven, John @ office are specified in the specifying step 240. As another example, when the user inputs a data series (key series) 7 # 6, Steven John, steven, John @ office, Sue Smith, Rebecca Zhang, Alex Jay Smith, King Rebecca are identified in identifying step 240. . As a final example, when the user inputs a data series (key series) 7 * 3 # 8, Steven John, steven, John @ office, Sue Smith, and Peter Goodman are specified in the specifying step 240.

  Conveniently, the present invention allows a user to quickly retrieve a telephone number and place a call using a conventional simple keypad. In this regard, by using a simple keypad, the data series is a series of numbers, each one of which corresponds to the number displayed on one of the keys. Each number is associated with a group of characters, and this association is displayed on the key. The search is characterized by searching a number string representing a telephone book character string, and each number in the number string is obtained by associating a number with a character group. As described in the exemplary embodiment, a number string representing the phone book character string is stored in the phone book, and the character string is automatically generated when stored in the phone book. This therefore reduces the processing time during execution of the method 200.

  While only the preferred exemplary embodiments have been provided in the detailed description, they are not intended to limit the scope, application, or configuration of the invention. Rather, the detailed description of the preferred exemplary embodiments provides those skilled in the art with an enabling description for implementing the preferred exemplary embodiments of the present invention. It should be understood that various changes can be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

1 is a block diagram illustrating one embodiment of a telephone according to the present invention. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method performed on the telephone of FIG. 1 that provides for identifying at least one name stored in the telephone directory of the telephone of FIG.

Claims (14)

In a method for identifying a phone number associated with a name stored in a phone book in a phone memory,
A data sequence receiving step for receiving a data sequence input by activation of a key on the telephone keypad, wherein each of the keys includes a plurality of characters such that the data sequence corresponds to a plurality of possible character strings; Receiving a data sequence that provides a selection of; and
A search step for searching a phone book, thereby identifying at least one phone book character string that matches any of the possible character strings; and
A specifying step of specifying the phone number associated with the name stored in the phone book including the phone book character string.   The telephone number specifying method according to claim 1, wherein the specifying step includes a step of displaying the name stored in the telephone directory on a display screen of the telephone. A selection step of selecting the name;
Placing a call to a telephone number associated with the name stored in the telephone directory;
The telephone number specifying method according to claim 1, further comprising:   The telephone number identification method according to claim 1, wherein the identifying step may include the character string anywhere in the name.   The telephone number identification method according to claim 1, wherein in the identifying step, the character string appears at the top of the name. 2. The telephone number specifying method according to claim 1, wherein the specifying is such that the character string appears at the head of an arbitrary word forming a name.   The telephone number specifying method according to claim 1, wherein a position of the character string in the name can be appropriately selected by a user.   The step of searching the phone book, thereby identifying at least one phone book string that matches any of the possible strings, includes at least one Pinyin representing Chinese The telephone number identification method according to claim 1, further comprising a step of searching for a character string.   The telephone number identification method according to claim 1, wherein the keys are on a simple keypad, and at least three alphabets and one number can be input by activating each key.   The telephone of claim 1, wherein the key is on a simple keypad and the data series includes at least one wildcard key, the wildcard key being a key that is not associated with any character of the alphabet. Number identification method.   The telephone number identification method according to claim 1, wherein the data series is a series of numbers, and each one of the series numbers corresponds to a number displayed on one of the keys.   The telephone number identification method according to claim 11, wherein a character group is associated with each number, and the association is displayed on the key.   The searching is characterized by searching a number string representing the phone book character string, and each number in the number string is obtained by associating the number with a character group, and the association is displayed on the key. The telephone number specifying method according to claim 1, wherein:   The telephone number specifying method according to claim 13, wherein the number string representing the telephone book character string is stored in the telephone book.

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