Patent ID: 6049697
Filing Date: 2000-04-11
Classification: H04W

Abstract:
A translator device for use in relation to preparing a numeric message for sending from a telephone having a telephone keypad to a numeric pager and also in relation to displaying an alpha message originally received as a numeric message on a numeric pager, comprisinginput means including an electric circuit for generating signals in response to commands from a user which result in displaying a message in a plurality of slots on a display,said input means including a plurality of keys including individual alpha letter keys representative of each of the letters of the alphabet associated with corresponding alpha letter characters each capable of being displayed on said display responsive to keystroke operation of a selected alpha letter key,said plurality of keys also including distinctive numeral keys representative of selected disparate numerals in individual coextensive association with each of said individual alpha letter keys in accordance with an algorithm, said numeral keys being associated with corresponding numeric characters each capable of being displayed on said display responsive to keystroke operation of a selected numeral key, whereby numeric characters can be transferred as a numeric message for transmittal on the telephone keypad to the numeric pager by keystroke operation of the numeral keys of the telephone keypad in accordance with the numeric characters on said display,alpha means associated with said input means responsive to keystroke operation enabling an alpha mode of operation wherein said alpha characters are displayed on said display,numeric means associated with said input means responsive to keystroke operation enabling a numeric mode of operation wherein said numeric characters are displayed on said display,first translation means associated with said alpha means for enabling said alpha letter characters being displayed upon said display in said alpha mode of operation to be translated to numeric characters being displayed in accordance with said algorithm upon said display in said numeric mode of operation upon keystroke operation of said alpha means, andsecond translation means associated with said numeric means for enabling said numeric characters being displayed upon said display in said numeric mode of operation to be translated to alpha letter characters being displayed in accordance with said algorithm upon said display in said alpha mode of operation upon keystroke operation of said numeric means.