Abstract: A network is configured to charge fees at a first rate for transmitting data of a first type and fees at a second, less expensive, rate for transmitting data of a second type. In a first embodiment, at least a portion of the original data transmitted is converted from the first type into the second type before sending the processed data to the network. A corresponding conversion from the second type into the first type is performed at the receiver's side to obtain re-created data from the received data. In a second embodiment, the original data is processed to obtain at least a first portion of data having the first type and a second portion of data having the second type. The at least two portions are sent to the network via different channels ensuring that at least the second portion will be billed at the second, lower rate.

Abstract: A method and device for providing a communication session with a plurality of users. In one embodiment, the method includes: (1) transmitting an initiation message from the first terminal to the second terminal, the initiation message including a first address assigned to the first terminal, (2) dividing a display of the first terminal to simultaneously display text to be transmitted from the first terminal and text received from the second terminal, the dividing based on if there is text to be transmitted by the first terminal, (3) receiving the initiation message at the second terminal, (4) transmitting a first reply to the initiation message from the second terminal to the first terminal and (5) receiving the first reply at the first terminal.

Abstract: A network is configured to charge fees at a first rate for transmitting data of a first type and fees at a second, less expensive, rate for transmitting data of a second type. In a first embodiment, at least a portion of the original data transmitted is converted from the first type into the second type before sending the processed data to the network. A corresponding conversion from the second type into the first type is performed at the receiver's side to obtain re-created data from the received data. In a second embodiment, the original data is processed to obtain at least a first portion of data having the first type and a second portion of data having the second type. The at least two portions are sent to the network via different channels ensuring that at least the second portion will be billed at the second, lower rate.

Abstract: A method and device for providing a communication session with a plurality of users. In one embodiment, the method includes: (1) transmitting an initiation message from the first terminal to the second terminal, the initiation message including a first address assigned to the first terminal, (2) dividing a display of the first terminal to simultaneously display text to be transmitted from the first terminal and text received from the second terminal, the dividing based on if there is text to be transmitted by the first terminal, (3) receiving the initiation message at the second terminal, (4) transmitting a first reply to the initiation message from the second terminal to the first terminal and (5) receiving the first reply at the first terminal.

Abstract: A method and device for providing a communication or chat session with a plurality of users, in particular for mobile radio networks according to Global System for Mobile communication (GSM) or Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) standards. A first user starts a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) session requesting an Internet Protocol (IP) address at the network. The first user then sends an initiation message including the IP address to a plurality of other users which preferably are selected from a mobile station's telephone book. Addressed users also request IP addresses at the respective networks and send a reply including the respective IP address via GPRS to the first user. After receiving at least one reply, the first user activates a chat session and all participants can exchange messages, preferably text and images, via GPRS or another packet switched service.

Abstract: The invention relates to the indication of the amount of characters, which can be still entered into an edit field of an electronic device. A main object of the invention is to provide a new and improved indication of the amount of remaining capacity for entering data in an edit field of an electronic device. The invention proposes to indicate the amount of data, in particular of characters, which can be entered in an edit field of an electronic device, by graphically visualizing the available capacity for entering data in the edit field. In one example, the graphic element is a cursor that changes, in terms of size, shape, color, etc., based on the amount of available capacity.

Abstract: A mobile communication system for general data transmission and a mobile phone employable in the mobile communication system. In one embodiment, the mobile phone includes a receiver and a transmitter for receiving and transmitting radio frequency signals, a digital memory for storing digital data and a digital processor for processing the digital data. The digital memory stores downloaded data with executable software that is downloaded from an external data source. The downloaded data may include menu descriptions, sounds and animations for the mobile phone.

Abstract: An electronic device including a keyboard having a plurality of keys with the keyboard having a key lock function that, when activated, locks the keyboard against unintended input operations. The keyboard is apt to be unlocked and at least a portion is unlocked by entering a sequence of intentional key entries. The sequence of intentional key entries allows the keyboard to be unlocked and preferably entering additional keys or operations.

Abstract: A System and method for ascertaining the state of a mobile communication apparatus. The state is ascertained by collecting data which can be allocated to individual components (C1, C2, C3) and/or procedures (P1, P2, P3) embedded within the mobile communication apparatus on the basis of status quo information deriving from the respective components (C1, C2, C3) and/or procedures (P1, P2, P3) and by radio transmitting the collected data from the mobile communication apparatus via the radio network to which the mobile communication apparatus is affiliated to a certain service center.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of monitoring a location and a mobile phone incorporating the same. In one embodiment, the method includes detecting a sound at a monitoring location and determining if the sound is above a predetermined threshold. The method also includes sending a message to a location distal from the monitoring location if the sound is above the predetermined threshold. In a related but alternative embodiment, the mobile phone includes a detector configured to detect a sound and a discriminator configured to determine if the sound is above a predetermined threshold. The mobile phone also includes a transmitter configured to send a message to a location distal from the mobile phone if the sound is above the predetermined threshold.

Abstract: The invention relates to a reminder functionality in respect to a call that should be established. An object of the invention is to provide a new and improved approach for assisting the user of a phone, especially of a mobile phone in reminding him that a certain number or a certain person should be called. The invention proposes to remind for a certain call which should be established, by activating a reminder functionality for indicating in advance at a phone means, especially a mobile phone, from which said call should be established, that said call should be established.

Abstract: The invention relates to the indication of the amount of characters, which can be still entered into an edit field of an electronic device. A main object of the invention is to provide a new and improved indication of the amount of remaining capacity for entering data in an edit field of an electronic device. The invention proposes to indicate the amount of data, in particular of characters, which can be entered in an edit field of an electronic device, by graphically visualizing the available capacity for entering data in the edit field. In one example, the graphic element is a cursor that changes, in terms of size, shape, color, etc., based on the amount of available capacity.

Abstract: The invention relates to the accessibility of a predetermined number of menu items prearranged within a menu structure implemented in an electronic device. An object of the invention is to provide a new and improved approach of easy accessibility to intended menu items, in particular providing a dynamic reorganization of the operating menu structure according to the real need of a user. The invention proposes an approach of providing selectable access to a predetermined number of menu items prearranged within an operating menu structure implemented in an electronic device, especially in a user transceiver device of a mobile transmission system, wherein the menu structure is adaptable by rearranging menu items dependent on the respective selection rate of said menu items.

Abstract: The invention relates to a predictive word input method and apparatus. The method and apparatus provide predictive capabilities by finding a string or word that is related to other portions of the message. In one embodiment, the method for predicting a text message input includes matching an actually inputted letter sequence with stored words to search for at least one stored word that substantially matches a probability criterion of a word sequence.

Abstract: The invention relates to the situation, if a party of a telecommunication system, in particular of a mobile radio system, is calling another party of the same or even of another telecommunication system and the called party is not available. An object of the invention is therefore to provide a new and improved approach for directing an information reply to the calling party if the called party is missing the call or is not available.

Abstract: A method and device for providing a communication or chat session with a plurality of users, in particular for mobile radio networks according to Global System for Mobile communication (GSM) or Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) standards. A first user starts a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) session requesting an Internet Protocol (IP) address at the network. The first user then sends an initiation message including the IP address to a plurality of other users which preferably are selected from a mobile station's telephone book. Addressed users also request IP addresses at the respective networks and send a reply including the respective IP address via GPRS to the first user. After receiving at least one reply, the first user activates a chat session and all participants can exchange messages, preferably text and images, via GPRS or another packet switched service.

Abstract: A mobile communication system for general data transmission and a mobile phone employable in the mobile communication system. In one embodiment, the mobile phone includes a receiver and a transmitter for receiving and transmitting radio frequency signals, a digital memory for storing digital data and a digital processor for processing the digital data. The digital memory stores downloaded data with executable software that is downloaded from an external data source. The downloaded data may include menu descriptions, sounds and animations for the mobile phone.