Addressing remote data objects via a computer network
First Claim
1. A method of accessing via a computer network a remote data object having an associated primary address formed of alphanumeric characters, said method comprising the steps of:
- receiving (20) user input (14) defining a secondary address being an alphanumeric address prefix (12) formed of alphanumeric characters followed by a numeric address suffix (14) formed of numeric characters;
mapping (32) said secondary address to said primary address; and
accessing (34) said remote data object using said primary address, characterised by the further step of receiving at least one additional input; and
in that said step of mapping said secondary address to said primary address is dependent upon at least one of said at least one additional input.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A primary address formed of alphanumeric characters is difficult to enter via the small, possibly numeric only keypads of many user devices. The primary address may be an internet URL address. A secondary address is used formed of an alphanumeric prefix followed by a purely numeric suffix. The alphanumeric prefix may be specified by a shortcut key on the device and then the numeric suffix entered using the normal numeric keypad. A remote database server receives the secondary address and stored mapping information that converts this to a primary address. The primary alphanumeric address is then used to forward the request received from the user device onto the web site server for the target data object. The web site server responds directly to the user device.
19 Citations
18 Claims
-
1. A method of accessing via a computer network a remote data object having an associated primary address formed of alphanumeric characters, said method comprising the steps of:
-
receiving (20) user input (14) defining a secondary address being an alphanumeric address prefix (12) formed of alphanumeric characters followed by a numeric address suffix (14) formed of numeric characters;
mapping (32) said secondary address to said primary address; and
accessing (34) said remote data object using said primary address, characterised by the further step of receiving at least one additional input; and
in thatsaid step of mapping said secondary address to said primary address is dependent upon at least one of said at least one additional input. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
-
-
17. Apparatus for accessing via a computer network a remote data object having an associated primary address formed of alphanumeric characters, said apparatus comprising:
-
a user input device operable to receive user input defining a secondary address being an alphanumeric address prefix formed of alphanumeric characters followed by a numeric address suffix formed of numeric characters;
mapping logic operable to map said secondary address to said primary address; and
accessing logic operable to access said remote data object using said primary address, characterised in that said mapping logic receives at least one additional input; and
said mapping logic is operable to map said secondary address to said primary address in dependence upon at least one of said at least one additional input.
-
-
18. A computer program product storing a computer program for controlling operation of a computer to access via a computer network a remote data object having an associated primary address formed of alphanumeric characters, said computer program comprising:
-
receiver code operable to receive user input defining a secondary address being an alphanumeric address prefix formed of alphanumeric characters followed by a numeric address suffix formed of numeric characters;
mapping code operable to map said secondary address to said primary address; and
accessing code operable to access said remote data object using said primary address, characterised in that said mapping code receives at least one additional input; and
said mapping code is operable to map said secondary address to said primary address in dependence upon at least one of said at least one additional input.
-
Specification