Method and apparatus for translating web addresses and using numerically entered web addresses

Abstract

Use of existing Internet-based communications protocols and standards are used to implement a translation module that converts a scheme-specific name entered by a user into a Web browser into a second scheme-specific name either prior to or during transmission.

1 . A method of translating Web requests, comprising the steps of:
 receiving a name associated with a Web address;   selecting a translation formula; and   applying said translation formula to said name to result in a scheme-specific name of a Web address that said is associated with.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:
 receiving a translation identifier; and   selecting said translation formula based at least in part on said received translation identifier.   
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein said translation identifier comprises a geographical identifier. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 2 , further comprising the step of:
 analyzing said received name for a translation identifier.   
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said translation formula comprises at least one predetermined character and said step of applying said translation formula includes the step of:
 adding said at least one said predetermined character to said received name.   
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said translation formula comprises a string of characters to add to said received name. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein the step of applying said translation formula includes the step of:
 adding said string of characters to said received name as a prefix.   
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein the step of applying said translation formula includes the step of:
 adding said string of characters to said received name as a suffix.   
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein the step of applying said translation formula includes the step of:
 interleaving said string of characters with said received name.   
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said translation formula removes at least one character from said received name. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said translation formula converts said received name into a numeric entry. 
     
     
         12 . A method of translating Web requests, comprising the steps of:
 receiving a numeric entry of a name associated with a Web address;   selecting a first translation formula; and   converting said numeric entry to an alphanumeric entry using said first translation formula.   
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 12 , further comprising the steps of:
 receiving a translation identifier; and   selecting said first translation formula based at least in part on said translation identifier.   
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 12 , further comprising the steps of:
 receiving a translation identifier;   selecting a second translation identifier based at least in part on said translation identifier; and   applying said second translation formula to said alphanumeric entry to result in a scheme-specific name of a Web address that said numeric entry is associated with.   
     
     
         15 . A method of translating Web requests comprising the steps of:
 receiving a numeric entry of a name associated with a first Web address;   selecting a translation formula; and   converting said numeric entry to a second numeric numeric-based Web address using said translation formula.   
     
     
         16 . A method of manufacturing a Web address query comprising the steps of:
 receiving a name associated with a Web address;   selecting a translation formula; and   applying said translation formula to said name to result in a scheme-specific name of a Web-address that said name is associated with.   
     
     
         17 . A method of manufacturing a Web address query comprising the steps of:
 receiving a numeric entry of a name associated with a web address;   selecting a translation formula; and   converting said numeric entry to an alphanumeric entry using said translation formula.   
     
     
         18 . An apparatus for translating a Web address, comprising:
 a computer comprising an input device;   a Web browser operationally installed on said computer; and   a translation module configured to:
 receive a name associated with a Web address from said input device; 
 select a translation formula; 
 apply said translation formula to said name to result in a scheme-specific name of a web address that said name is associated with; and 
 process said scheme-specific name through said Web browser. 
   
     
     
         19 . A computer readable medium bearing instructions for translating a Web request, said instructions being arranged to cause one or more processors upon execution thereof to perform the steps of:
 receiving a name associated with a Web address;   selecting a translation formula; and   applying said translation formula to said name to result in a scheme-specific name of a Web address that said is associated with.