Free-hand mobile messaging-method and device

Abstract

A communication system and device that enables free-hand drawn SMS (Short Messaging Service) messages to be transmitted and received from/to various user devices. A buffer device is inserted within a GSM compatible handset providing a buffer for both conventional SMS messages created by typing a message on the keypad of the handset and for free-hand drawn SMS messages created by drawing or writing the free-hand message on a data entry device. An optional OCR (Optical Character Recognition) facility can be provided in either the buffer device inserted within the handset or in a network server that receives the transmitted message and processes it for proper routing to the intended recipient.

1 . A communication device comprising:
 an encoder that encodes a free-hand drawn image into a bitmap; and   a quantizer that quantizes said bitmap into one or more messages, each with a predetermined maximum size, in accordance with a short message service (SMS) standard.   
     
     
         2 . The communication device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a graphic entry device upon which a user draws said free-hand drawn image; and   a microprocessor that transmits said one or more messages in accordance with said SMS standard.   
     
     
         3 . The communication device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a bus; and   a security identity module that stores SMS messages,   wherein said encoder and said quantizer are embodied on a buffer card that is communicatively coupled to said microprocessor and said security identity module via said bus.   
     
     
         4 . A communication device comprising:
 a security identity module that receives a short message service (SMS) message having a bitmap encoded therein;   a decoder that converts said bitmap into a free-hand drawn image; and   a display device that displays said free-hand drawn image.   
     
     
         5 . The communication device of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 a bus; and   a microprocessor,   wherein said decoder is embodied on a buffer card that is communicatively coupled to said security identity module and said microprocessor via said bus.   
     
     
         6 . A communication device comprising:
 a graphic entry device upon which a user draws a first free-hand drawn image;   an encoder that encodes said first free-hand drawn image into a first bitmap;   a quantizer that quantizes said first bitmap into one or more messages, each with a predetermined maximum size, in accordance with a short message service (SMS) standard;   a microprocessor that transmits said one or more messages in accordance with said SMS standard;   a security identity module that receives an SMS message having a second bitmap encoded therein;   a decoder that converts said second bitmap into a second free-hand drawn image; and   a display device that displays said second free-hand drawn image.   
     
     
         7 . The communication device of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 a bus,   wherein said encoder, said quantizer and said decoder are embodied on a buffer card that is communicatively coupled to said security identity module and said microprocessor via said bus.