Device for automatically extending text messages, and methods therefor

摘要

A communications device operable to electronically process data for representing characters of a text message is described. At least some or all of the characters are encodable as data using a plurality of character codes which require respective computer memory units of mutually different sizes to respectively store sufficient data to represent a single character. The device comprises memory means operable to receive and store text character information relating to desired characters input by a user. Determining means is provided operable to determine which of the character codes is appropriate for representing the desired characters. Means is provided operable to automatically place the device in an operating mode which enables use of the appropriate character code which requires the smallest computer memory unit per character for storing the encoded character information for transmission over a network.