Portable radio communication apparatus using different alphabets

Abstract: A portable radio communication apparatus is disclosed which comprises the following components: an antenna (1) for transmitting/receiving a radio frequency message signal; radio/modulator-demodulator means (3) for demodulating a received radio frequency message signal by converting its frequency and for modulating a transmitting message signal to effect its frequency conversion into a radio frequency; message memory means (5) for storing transmitting/ received messages; display means (7) for displaying the transmitting/received messages; alphabet memory means (15) for storing a plurality of linguistic alphabets; selection means (16) for selecting a predetermined alphabet; and control means (4) for selecting any of the plurality of linguistic alphabets by the selection means (16).

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION FIELD OF THE INVENTION: The present invention relates to portable radio communication apparatus such as a digital mobile phone having a two-way message transmitting/receiving function for use mainly in the field of mobile communication. DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART: As an additional function for mobile phones, the SMS (Short Message Service) transmitting function in two-way message transmission is specified in GSM03.40 of GSM (Global System for Mobile communications) standard of the digital mobile phone standard which constitutes one of the European Telecommunications Standards (ETS),. The SMS functions to transmit a message of a maximum of 160 characters through a wireless circuit in opposite directions. Construction of a conventional portable radio communication apparatus will be described below with reference to Figs. 7 and 8. Fig. 7 is a block diagram showing the construction of a portable radio communication apparatus having a conventional two-way message transmitting function. Fig. 8 is a front view showing an external appearance of the portable radio communication apparatus of Fig. 7. Referring to Fig. 7, the apparatus includes: an antenna 1 for transmitting/receiving a radio frequency signal; a radio section 2 for effecting a frequency conversion to a radio frequency or, for example, to an intermediate frequency; a modulator-demodulator section 3 operating for example in GMSK (Gaussian Filtered Minimum Shift Keying) modulating/demodulating method; a control section 4 having such as CPU, ROM, RAM for controlling the apparatus as a whole; a message memory 5 such as of RAM for temporarily storing a transmitting/received message; an operation section 6; a display section 7 such as of liquid crystal; a sound processing section 8; a microphone 9; and a speaker 10. In Fig. 8, Numerals 6a, 6b and 6c denote a function key section, a 10-key section and a volume key, respectively. Further, in Fig. 8, the function key section 6a includes: PWR key for performing switching on/off of power supply; STO key serving as a registering key for abbreviated dialing phone numbers; FCN key serving as a function key capable of calling various functions by a combination with numeral keys; END key for terminating a communication; P key serving as "one-touch" dialing key for an instant originating of call to already registered phone numbers; RCL key serving as a calling key for abbreviated dialing phone numbers; CLR key serving as a clearing key; and SEND key serving as a transmitting/receiving key. The 10-key section 6b includes keys for Arabic numerals of 1, 2, 3, 9, 0, an asterisk (*) key and a sharp (#) key, the numeral keys and the like serving also as character keys (A, B, C, ) as shown when operating in a character input mode. However, the numerical key "0" corresponds to an operator call and is incapable of character input. Operation of the conventional radio communication apparatus will be described below. A received message signal of SMS enters the control section 4 for its decoding from the antenna 1 through the radio section 2 and modulator-demodulator section 3. It is then displayed as a message by the display section 7 and may be recorded at the message memory 5 by an operation of the operation section 6. A transmitting message signal of SMS may be formed by inputting one character at a time by means of the 10-key section 6b using the alphabet of A, B, C at the 10-key section 6b while confirming it on the display section 7. Upon a transmitting operation (SEND key) at the operation section 6, the formed message is encoded at the control section 4 and is then transmitted from the antenna 1 through the modulator-demodulator section 3 and radio section 2. A problem is that, since only the Latin alphabet is indicated on the operation section 6, inputting by other languages cannot be performed. CH-A-681 398 discloses an apparatus according to the preamble of claim 1. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION To solve the above described problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide a portable radio communication apparatus in which a transmitting message may be readily formed. It is another object of the present invention to provide a portable radio communication apparatus in which inputting by a language other than the English language is possible. A portable radio communication apparatus according to the present invention comprises the features of claim 1. Accordingly, a language other than the English language may be used on the apparatus. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the construction of a portable radio communication apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of Embodiment 1 of the present invention; Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the construction of a portable radio communication apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention; Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of Embodiment 2 of the present invention; Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing the construction of a portable radio communication apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention; Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of Embodiment 3 of the present invention; Fig. 7 is a block diagram showing the construction of a conventional portable radio communication apparatus; and Fig. 8 is a front view showing the external appearance of a conventional portable radio communication apparatus. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiment 1 The construction of Embodiment 1 of the present invention will now be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the construction of Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Referring to Fig. 1, a portable radio communication apparatus according to Embodiment 1 comprises: an antenna 1; a radio section 2; a modulator-demodulator section 3; a control section 4; a message memory 5; an operation section 6; a display section 7; a sound processing section 8; a microphone 9; a speaker 10; an alphabet memory 15 formed of a ROM or the like storing a multi-lingual alphabet; and a language selection operation key 16. The above operation section 6 includes a function key section 6a, a 10-key section 6b and a volume key 6c. The above described language selection key 16 may be provided as an addition, for example, to the function key section 6a. In the conventional apparatus, since only the keys for the English alphabet such as the 10-key section 6b shown in Fig. 8 are provided, its operation may be effected only in the English language. In areas such as Europe where a multiple of languages are used, however, a different alphabetical notation exists for each language and its selection is required. Provided thus in Embodiment 3 are the alphabet memory 15 storing a multi-lingual alphabet for the languages of French, German, Russian, Italian, Greek and Latin, and the language selection operation key 16. It is thereby possible to readily select any of a plurality of languages. Operation of Embodiment 1 will be described below with reference to Fig. 2. At step 50, the control section 4 selects "multi-lingual selection function" upon an operation of the language selection operation key 16. At step 51, the control section 4 then selects by an operation of the volume key 6c the name of a selected language from the names of languages displayed on the screen of the display section 7 as "French, German, Russian, Italian, Greek, Latin". It is also possible that selection be made by an operation of the language selection operation key 16. Next, at step 52, the control section 4 confirms the selection by an operation of the END key. At step 53, the section of memory corresponding to the selected language of the alphabet memory 15 storing the multi-lingual alphabet is to be used at the time of inputting by character. In other words, when, for example, the Greek language (character) is selected and the numeral key "1" is pressed once, an "α" is displayed on the display section 7 instead of an "A". Since, with Embodiment one of the alphabets of a plurality of languages may be selected, a language other than the English language may be used. It should be noted that, instead of additionally providing the language selection operation key 16, a combination of existing keys may be used as the language selection operation key. For example, the language selection operation key may be formed by a combination of FCN key and numeral keys. Embodiment 2 The construction of Embodiment 2 of the present invention will now be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the construction of Embodiment 2 of the present invention. Referring to Fig. 3, a portable radio communication apparatus according to Embodiment 2 comprises: an antenna 1; a radio section 2; a modulator-demodulator section 3; a control section 4; a message memory 5; an operation section 6; a display section 7; a sound processing section 8; a microphone 9; a speaker 10; an alphabet memory 15 formed of a ROM or the like storing a multi-lingual alphabet; a language selection operation key 16; and an alphabet symbol selection key 17. The above operation section 6 includes a function key section 6a, a 10-key section 6b and a volume key 6c. The above described language selection key 16 and alphabet symbol selection key 17 may be provided as additions, for example, to the function key section 6a. In Embodiment 2, in order to facilitate not only the language selection but also the selection of characters of the selected language, the alphabet symbol selection key 17 is provided to make possible a peculiar character selection for each language. Operation of Embodiment 2 will now be described with reference to Fig. 4. A case will be described below for example of forming a Greek character string "α β γ ". At step 60, the control section 4 selects a desired language such as the Greek language by an operation of the language selection operation key 16 and then enters "character input mode" by an operation of the alphabet symbol selection key 17. Next, at step 61, the control section 4 displays a character string such as " α β γ ···" corresponding to the selected language in a row at the lower portion of the screen frame of the display section 7. Next, at step 62, a desired character "α" is selected by an operation of the volume key (cursor key) 6c. Next, at step 63, the control section 4 confirms this by an operation of the END key. Similarly, in steps 64 to 68, the control section 4 selects a desired character "β" by an operation of the volume key 6c and confirms it by an operation of the END key. Further, the control section 4 selects a desired character "γ" by an operation of the volume key 6c and confirms it by an operation of the END key. A Greek character string "α β γ" is thus complete. In this manner, characters may be readily selected to form a word or message. In Embodiment 2, a message of a language other than the English language may readily be formed. It should be noted that, instead of additionally providing the language selection operation key 16 and alphabet symbol selection key 17, a combination of existing keys may be used as the language selection operation key and alphabet symbol selection key. For example, the language selection operation key and alphabet symbol selection key may be formed by a combination of FCN key and numeral keys. Embodiment 3 The construction of Embodiment 3 of the present invention will now be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing the construction of Embodiment 3 of the present invention. Referring to Fig. 5, a portable radio communication apparatus according to Embodiment 3 comprises: an antenna 1; a radio section 2; a modulator-demodulator section 3; a control section 4; a message memory 5; an operation section 6; a display section 7; a sound processing section 8; a microphone 9; a speaker 10; an alphabet memory 15 formed of a ROM or the like storing a multi-lingual alphabet; an alphabet symbol selection key 17; and an IC card interface section 18 capable of mounting an ID card 19 such as an IC card. The above operation section 6 includes a function key section 6a, a 10-key section 6b and a volume key 6c. The above described alphabet symbol selection key 17 may be provided as an addition, for example, to the function key section 6a. Further, the above described IC card interface section 18 may be provided for example on a side or back surface of the apparatus. In a system such as GSM using the subscriber ID card 19 in which its home system is recorded, it is possible to automatically select a language based on the nationality of such home system. Therefore, in Embodiment 5, the IC card interface 18 is provided on the apparatus. Operation of Embodiment 3 will now be described with reference to Fig. 6. In steps 70 to 71, when the subscriber ID card 19 has been mounted to the IC card interface section 18, the control section 4 reads out a home system information within the subscriber ID card 19 through the IC card interface section 18. Next, at step 72, the control section 4 collates the read home system information by a known home system information versus a nationality management table which is located within an internal memory. Next, at step 73, the control section 4 automatically executes a language selection based on the nationality information obtained by the collation. The control section 4 then informs the user by the display section 7 of the selected language. If, for example, the nationality information is related to Greek, the fact that the Greek language has been selected is displayed on the display section 7. Accordingly, the language of the user who owns the ID card 19 is automatically selected, thereby achieving simpler operation and easier handling of the apparatus. In Embodiment 3, since a desired language is automatically selected, selecting operation of the language is unnecessary and it is easy to form a message in a desired language.

Claims: A portable radio communication apparatus comprising: an antenna (1) for transmitting and receiving a radio frequency message signal; radio/modulator-demodulator means (3) for demodulating a received radio frequency message signal by converting its frequency and for modulating a message signal to be transmitted to effect its frequency conversion into a radio frequency; message memory means (5) for storing messages which are received or to be transmitted; and display means (7) for displaying the messages which are received or to be transmitted; characterized by alphabet memory means (15) for storing a multi-lingual alphabet comprising sections with alphabetical notation for each language; selection means (16) for selecting a section corresponding to a language of the multi-lingual alphabet to be used in forming a message to be transmitted at the time of inputting by character; and control means (4) for sequentiafly selecting characters from the section corresponding to a language of the multi-lingual alphabet and for forming and displaying messages which are to be transmitted. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the alphabet memory means (15) comprise a ROM for previously storing a plurality of linguistic alphabets; and wherein the control means (4) are adapted to cause the display means (7) to display the names of languages of the multi-lingual alphabet stored in the alphabet memory (15) and select and confirm any of the plurality of charactersets by the selection means (16). The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the selection means (16) comprise an operation section having: a language selecting operation key (16); an END key serving as a call terminating key; and a volume key (6c); and wherein the control means (4) have the following functions: selecting a multilingual selecting function mode by an operation of the language selecting operation key (16); selecting by an operation of the volume key (6c) any of a plurality of names of languages corresponding to the sections stored in the alphabet memory means displayed on the display means; and confirming the selected section in response to an operation of the END key. The apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the alphabet memory means (15) comprise a ROM for previously storing a plurality of sections, and wherein the control means (4) are adapted to form a message in the selected language white displaying on the display means (7) the characterset of the selected language name. The apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the operation section of the selection means (16) has an alphabetic symbol selection key (17); and wherein the control means (4) additionally have the following functions: selecting a character input mode by an operation of the alphabetic symbol selection key (17); selecting desired characters while displaying on the display means (7) a string of the alphabet of the selected language name by an operation of the volume key (6c); and forming a message in the selected language by confirming the selected characters by an operation of the END key. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the alphabet memory means (15) comprise a ROM for previously storing a multi-lingual alphabet, and wherein the control means (4) are adapted to input a home system information by the selection means (16) and select and confirm any of the plurality of sections stored in the alphabet memory means (15) in accordance with a nationality-based management table. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein said selection means (16) comprise an IC card interface section (18) capable of mounting a subscriber ID card (19); and wherein the control means (4) have the following functions: inputting the home system information from the subscriber ID card (19) through the IC card interface section (18), selecting and confirming any of the sections stored in the alphabet memory means (15) in accordance with a nationality information obtained from the home system information against the nationality-based management table, and displaying the selected language on the display means (7).

Inventors: NONAMI TAKAYUKI, NONAMI, TAKAYUKI, Nonami, Takayuki, Mitsubishi Denki K.K.
Applicants: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP, MITSUBISHI DENKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Application year: 1995
Main classification: H04Q7
IPC codes: H04M1, H04W4