Free-hand mobile messaging-method and device

Abstract

A communication system and device that enables free-hand drawn SMS (Short Messaging Service) messages to be transmitted and received from / to various user devices. A buffer device is inserted within a GSM compatible handset providing a buffer for both conventional SMS messages created by typing a message on the keypad of the handset and for free-hand drawn SMS messages created by drawing or writing the free-hand message on a data entry device. An optional OCR (Optical Character Recognition) facility can be provided in either the buffer device inserted within the handset or in a network server that receives the transmitted message and processes it for proper routing to the intended recipient.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 09 / 915,563 filed on Jul. 27, 2001, which in turn claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 286,536 filed on Apr. 27, 2001. The Provisional Application is incorporated herein by reference for all it discloses.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention generally relates to the field of mobile handset communication. More particularly, this invention relates to improved techniques in the areas of SMS (Short Messaging Service), EMS (Enhanced SMS) and Image messaging with respect to a GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication) communications network.[0004]2. Description of Related Art[0005]There are two basic types of services offered through GSM: telephony (also referred to as teleservices) and data (also referred to as bearer services). Telephony services are mainly voice services that provide subscribers with the complete c...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention provides a low-cost and versatile device that allows for free-hand generation and reception of messages in different formats, such as SMS message format. This device can be used with various handsets without requiring a proprietary interface and provides a convenient and efficient way to transfer standard GSM formatted data. The device includes a master microprocessor and a security identity module, which can communicate with a buffering device that can convert the message into a compatible format for transmission. The message can be further processed, such as by optical character recognition or compression, and routed to the intended recipient for conversion back into a readable format. The technical effects of this invention include improved convenience, efficiency, and a variety of new services, such as wireless banking and Chinese character support."

Problems solved by technology

However, such devices are quite expensive and complicated when compared to a conventional cellular handset, i.e., 2G or, second generation handsets.

Furthermore, these externally attached modules are both large and expensive.

This contributes to increased costs, typically making these devices very expensive when compared to the cost of a cellular handset.

PDAs, on the other hand, do not require any attachments, but PDAs cannot send free-hand drawn images.

Also, PDA devices are expensive when compared to regular second generation cellular handsets.

Lastly, entering message data is even more complicated when it is desired to send a message using characters not supported by the keypad of the device, e.g., Chinese characters.

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