Signaling the type of incoming telephone calls

US6032053A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Pacific Communication Sciences, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Martin Schroeder · Ashford, GB
• Duane Sharman · Calgary, CA

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 19, 1997
• Grant date: Feb 29, 2000
• Expiry date: Dec 19, 2017

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H04M2250/70
• WIPO field: Telecommunications
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

An improved user interface for a cellular telephone system subscriber unit, including the following functions: (1) a predictive keyboard input method for speeding up input on a telephone with a space limited keyboard; (2) a word completion method for speeding up input; (3) a distinctive signaling method useful in a dual-mode or tri-mode cellular phone system that incorporates both voice call functionality and data messaging functionality; (4) a secret message method that permits secret messages to be received by an authorized user of a cellular telephone that includes a data messaging capability; (5) a message screening method that permits a user to set a message screening mode in a cellular telephone; (6) an improved "scratchpad" method which permits a user to enter a telephone number into a storage register of a cellular telephone while in the middle of a voice call, visually verify the entry, and then save the number to a rapid redial location for later use; (7) a global search method for searching text strings in all of the different memory sections of a cellular telephone having an address book, a hierarchical menu structure, and stored data messages.