Communication system and method using pictorial characters
US7052396B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 9, 2002 |
| Grant date | May 30, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 10, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA63F2300/807
- WIPO fieldFurniture, games
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
Pictorial characters are used to replace one or more words or even one or more full sentences of a message for communication to one or more people. In the context of an electronic communication device, a person (“sending party”) can use pictorial characters to “encode” words or sentences of a message to be sent to another person (“receiving party”). The receiving party, upon receiving the message, decodes the coded message and, if appropriate or desired, replies to the message. The communication devices used by the sending and receiving parties can be provided with various pictorial character-related features. For example, the communication devices may be provided with processing circuitry that conditions the use of a particular pictorial character for sending messages upon prior entry of a valid authorization (unlocking) code for that character. Alternatively or additionally, the processing circuitry of the communication devices may be responsive to received messages for proposing to the receiving party suggested meanings for one or more of the characters.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.