JPH1198548A - Transmission method for message data and system therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide the transmission method for message data and system therefor where the need for selection and input of a numeral is eliminated, the entry of a free message is much simplified and trouble of carrying a character conversion table is avoided. SOLUTION: In the case of configuring the message data transmitter that sends message data to a communication equipment, the transmitter is provided with a storage means 9 that stores character symbol data corresponding to numeral data in a data table, a display means 6 that displays the character and symbol from the data of the storage means 9 in a matrix form, an entry means 7 that has keys used to display the character and symbol on the display means 6 and keys used to select optionally the character and symbol and generates and displays a free message, and a transmission control means 10 that sends numeral data corresponding to the character symbol data of the message to a communication equipment of a called party.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a message data transmitting apparatus for displaying a message on a communication device such as a pager, and more particularly to a message data transmitting apparatus for displaying a message to be transmitted on a telephone equipped with a display function and transmitting the message. The present invention relates to a transmission method and an apparatus therefor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A communication device such as a pager known as a pager operates such that a numeric key corresponding to a character or symbol is inputted by pressing a numeric keypad of a telephone, and message data composed of numerical data is transmitted to a telephone line. Has become. On the pager side that has received this message data, the numbers are continuously displayed on the liquid crystal display unit, and the user reads the message by referring to the code conversion table of characters / symbols and numbers while looking at the numbers. However, when inputting a number using the numeric keypad, a mistaken operation is often performed because the pressed number cannot be confirmed. Therefore, there has been proposed a message data transmitting apparatus which converts a key input number into character / symbol data and displays the number, character / symbol on a liquid crystal display of a telephone (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-16364).
No. 8). In this apparatus, numeric data for a transmission message input by an input means is converted into predetermined character data by a data conversion means based on a predetermined data conversion format, and the converted character data is displayed on a display means. It has become. For this reason, when transmitting the message data, the user can input while checking the contents, so that the user can prevent erroneous input.

[0003]

By the way, in the above-mentioned conventional message data transmitting apparatus, it is necessary to sequentially input a combination of numbers while viewing a matrix character arrangement table having the same contents as the matrix character arrangement data stored in the conversion table. Therefore, the input method was as complicated as before. Also, since the combination of numeric data and character / symbol data is different for each pager service company, the user carries multiple character / symbol conversion tables and retrieves and refers to the conversion table corresponding to the called pager. The user had to perform input operations while doing so, and this was not something that could be avoided.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and there is no need to select and input numbers. This makes it extremely easy to input a free message and eliminates the trouble of having a character conversion table. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and an apparatus for transmitting message data.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a character / symbol data stored in a data table of a storage means in advance by a key operation of an input means. Is sent to the display means to display characters / symbols in a matrix array, and then the characters / symbols in the matrix array are sequentially selected by a key operation of the input means, a free message is generated and displayed on the display means. Thereafter, the transmission control means causes the called communication device to transmit numeric data corresponding to the character / symbol data of the message. Claim 2
According to the invention described in (1), in a message data transmission device for transmitting message data to a communication device, a storage means for storing character / symbol data corresponding to numeric data in a data table, and a matrix of characters / symbols from the data of the storage means. Display means for displaying in an array, a key for displaying the characters / symbols on the display means, an input means having a key for arbitrarily selecting the characters / symbols and generating and displaying a free message, and letter·
Transmission control means for transmitting numeric data corresponding to the symbol data to the called communication device. According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the second aspect, the storage means has a plurality of data tables in which combinations of numeric data and character / symbol data are different depending on a communication device service company, The input means includes a key for transmitting data of any one of the data tables to the display means and displaying characters and symbols in different matrix arrangements. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the second or third aspect, the input means stores telephone number data of the called communication device in association with a data table for each communication device service company in the storage device. A registration key is provided for transmitting the data of the data table associated with the telephone number from the storage means to the display means when a call is made to the communication device. The invention described in claim 5 is characterized in that the communication device in the configuration described in claims 1 to 4 is a pager.

[0006]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an electric block diagram showing a message data transmitting apparatus according to the present invention. The message data transmitting apparatus 1 is applied to a communication device such as a pager, and is configured to transmit message data to a pager by a microcomputer (microcomputer) built in a telephone with a display function. The telephone is a popular type having an LCD display unit 6, a key operation unit 7, and the like, is connected to the telephone line 2 via a modem 3 and an NCU 4, and sends and receives signals to and from a pager service company. Then, the message data is transmitted to the called pager. This pager is a so-called pager, which receives message data and displays a message on the LCD display unit 6.

The LCD display unit 6 of the telephone uses an LCD larger than usual so that a free message input table 11 (see FIG. 6) described later can be displayed, and the output of the LCD controller 5 is guided. . The LCD controller 5 receives a telephone number, a free message input table, a free message, a fixed message, and the like according to a control signal input from the key operation unit 7 and given from the CPU 10.
A display control to be displayed on the CD display unit 6 is performed. Further, when the free message input table 11 is displayed, a transmission message display column 12 indicated by a straight line is displayed on the lower side.
The message display column 12 displays characters and the like selected by a selection key 7b, which will be described later, and determined by a determination key 7d in a range of more than ten frames, and generates a free message.

The key operation unit 7 includes ten keys (not shown), function keys 7a, cursor keys 7c, selection keys 7
b, a determination key 7d, etc., each of which is connected to the CPU 10 via an operation signal processing unit. The function keys 7a include a message input key for inputting a free message or a fixed message, in addition to a redial key and a number shortening key. Further, the telephone number data of the called pager is stored in the memory 9 in association with the data table of the character conversion table which differs for each pager service company.
Also has a registration key to be stored. Cursor key 7
Reference numeral c denotes a cross key, which causes a cursor to be displayed on a free message input table displayed on the LCD display unit 6 by a pressing operation, and moves the cursor up, down, left, and right. The selection key 7b is used to select one of the syllabary characters, alphabetic characters and symbols designated by the cursor key 7c. The enter key 7d is selected by the select key 7b,
A free message composed of characters and symbols displayed in the transmission message display column 12 of the D display unit 6 is determined. When the free message is determined, the CPU 10 starts the transmission operation.

The CPU 10 has a ROM 8, a memory 9
(RAM) to control transmission and reception of audio signals and to execute transmission control for transmitting free messages and fixed messages to the pager side. The ROM 8 stores an operation program relating to functions of the telephone and transmission / reception. The memory 9 stores a matrix character array table in each of the data tables (A) to (C) as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, and additionally stores telephone number data of the called pager. I also remember. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, fixed message data is also stored. The data tables (A) to (C) store numbers and characters / symbols in correspondence with different character conversion tables for each pager service company.
Some of the phonetic characters and alphabetic characters are common, and other alphabetic characters and symbols are different from each other as shown.

[0010] That is, pager service companies have different arrangements depending on the frequency of use of characters and symbols, and even for the same service company, correspondence between numbers and characters / symbols differs depending on regions. Therefore, the data tables (A) to (C) in FIGS.
From “05” to “°”, and “A” of “16” in the row
To "D" of "19" are common, but "10" of data table (A) is "E", "10" of data table (B) is "1", and data table (C) is "1". The following numbers are also different, such as "E" for "20". The telephone number data attached to each data table stores the telephone number of the called pager in the address, and the user hears the telephone number from the pager holder and uses the registration key to enter the pager service. Register in the data table for each company. Thus, when the user inputs a telephone number using the numeric keypad when calling the called pager, the CPU 10 reads out any of the corresponding data tables (A) to (C), and displays the matrix in the LCD display unit 6. Display the character arrangement table as a free message input table.

Next, the message transmission operation of the message data transmission device will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, when the user performs a dial-in operation using a telephone, the CPU 10 causes the dial transmission unit to call the destination pager. NCU4
When the telephone number of the called side is transmitted to the telephone line 2 via the telephone line, the liner 2 is connected to the pager service company (step S11). At this time, the CPU 10 reads the data of the data table to which the called pager number belongs from the memory 9 and sends it to the LCD controller 5 (step S12). The telephone number of the called party is, for example, 0
If it is 6-123-4567, the data of the data table (A) shown in FIG. 2 is read, and the LCD controller 5 displays the free message input table 11 on the LCD display unit 6 (step S13). Thereafter, it is determined whether any of the function keys 7a has been operated (step S1).
4) When the message input key is operated, it is determined whether a free (message) message or a fixed (message) message is input (step S15).

Here, when the input of the free message is selected, the input of the free message is started (step S16). At this time, the cursor is displayed on the free message input table 11 displayed on the LCD display unit 6 by pressing the cursor key 7c. Then, move the cursor up, down, left and right to match the target character, symbol, or number. For example, when the cursor is moved to “O”, when the selection key 7 b is pressed next, “O” is displayed in the transmission message display column 12. In this way, "ha""yo""u""go""the""i""ma""su"
As you select, the outgoing message display field 12
A character string "Ohyougo saimas" is displayed (step S17). Each time such a character is displayed, it is determined whether or not the enter key 7d is operated (step S18). Then, if the user determines that this content is sufficient, the user presses the enter key 7d. As a result, the free message is determined, and the CPU 10 starts the transmission operation to convert the generated digital message data into numeric data using the character-to-numerical conversion table and transmit the numeric data to the called pager (step S19). ). Therefore, L of the called pager
A free message is displayed on the CD display unit 6.

On the other hand, when the transmission of the fixed message is selected, a fixed message is input by pressing a predetermined number, displayed on the LCD display unit 6, and then transmitted to the called pager. (Step S20,
S21). Therefore, a fixed message is displayed on the LCD display unit 6 of the called pager. In the above embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a telephone with a display function has been described.

[0014]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, after displaying characters and symbols in a matrix array on the display means, the generated free message is transmitted by the transmission control means. Since the message is transmitted to the called communication device, the user can generate and transmit a free message while looking at the character / symbol displayed on the display means by operating the key of the input means. The input is extremely simple compared to the case where the number corresponding to the character is selectively input, and there is no need to have a conversion table between the number and the character / symbol. . According to a second aspect of the present invention, a character / symbol is displayed on the display means in a matrix array from the data in the storage means, and a free message generated by arbitrarily selecting the character / symbol by the input means is transmitted to the transmission control means. Is transmitted to the called communication device, so that the user can generate and transmit a free message while looking at the characters and symbols displayed on the display means by operating the keys of the input means.・ In comparison with the case of selectively inputting numbers corresponding to symbols, input is extremely easy, and it is not necessary to have a conversion table between numbers and letters / symbols.
There is an effect that troublesomeness is eliminated. According to a third aspect of the present invention, the storage means has a plurality of data tables in which combinations of numeric data and character / symbol data are different according to the communication equipment service company, and the input means has any one of the data tables. A key is provided for transmitting table data to the display means and displaying characters and symbols in a different matrix arrangement. By operating this key, characters and symbols are displayed in a different matrix arrangement from a plurality of types of data in the storage means. The user can quickly select a different combination of characters and symbols for each service company of the called communication device, generate a free message, and send it. It is no longer necessary to have multiple cards, such as conversion tables for numbers and letters / symbols, eliminating the hassle of storing numbers and carrying them when going out. There is an effect that is. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the input means includes a registration key for storing the telephone number data of the called communication device associated with the data table of each communication device service company in the storage device. When a call is made, the data in the data table associated with the telephone number is sent from the storage means to the display means, so that a call operation is performed on the telephone number of the called communication device so that characters and symbols suitable for the display means are automatically displayed. Since it is displayed, there is no need to search for a character / symbol conversion table card or the like of a communication equipment company for each call and determine whether the card is appropriate or not, and there is an advantage that the input operation can be performed easily and quickly. Further, since the communication device is a pager, the invention described in claim 5 can be widely used, and has the effect of relieving the inconvenience of performing an input operation while viewing numbers corresponding to characters and symbols as in the related art. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an electrical block diagram showing a message data input device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a matrix character arrangement table A stored in a memory.
FIG.

FIG. 3 is a matrix character arrangement table B stored in a memory.
FIG.

FIG. 4 is a matrix character arrangement table C stored in a memory.
FIG.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a fixed message data table stored in a memory.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a free message input table displayed on the display means.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining a message transmission operation.

[Explanation of symbols]

 6 display means 7 input means 9 storage means 10 transmission control means

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A key operation of an input means sends character / symbol data stored in advance in a data table of a storage means to a display means to display the characters / symbols in a matrix array, and then displays the character / symbol in a matrix array. The characters / symbols in the matrix arrangement are sequentially selected by operation, a free message is generated and displayed on the display means, and the numerical data corresponding to the character / symbol data of the message is transmitted by the transmission control means to the called side communication. A method of transmitting message data, which is transmitted by a device. 2. A message data transmitting apparatus for transmitting message data to a communication device, comprising: storage means for storing character / symbol data corresponding to numeric data in a data table; and character / symbol matrix arrangement based on the data in the storage means. And display means for displaying the characters and symbols on the display means, input means having keys for arbitrarily selecting the characters and symbols and generating and displaying a free message, and characters of the message. And a transmission control means for transmitting numerical data corresponding to the symbol data to the called communication device. 3. The storage unit has a plurality of data tables in which combinations of numeric data and character / symbol data are changed according to a communication device service company, and the input unit stores one of the data tables. 3. The message data transmitting apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a key for transmitting data to said display means to display characters and symbols in different matrix arrangements. 4. The input means includes a registration key for storing telephone number data of a called communication device in association with a data table for each communication device service company in the storage device.
4. The message data transmitting device according to claim 2, wherein, when a call is made to a communication device, data of a data table related to the telephone number is transmitted from said storage means to a display means. 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication device is a pager.