U.S. patent application number 13/289880 was filed with the patent office on 2012-07-05 for system and method for transmitting messages received from a paging network on a paging device to electronic devices.
This patent application is currently assigned to Critical Alert Systems, LLC. Invention is credited to Ted McNaught, Ed Meyercord, Stephen OSHINSKY.
Application Number | 20120171960 13/289880 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45509729 |
Filed Date | 2012-07-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120171960 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
OSHINSKY; Stephen ; et
al. |
July 5, 2012 |
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TRANSMITTING MESSAGES RECEIVED FROM A PAGING
NETWORK ON A PAGING DEVICE TO ELECTRONIC DEVICES
Abstract
Systems, methods, and media are provided for transmitting a
message received from a paging network on a paging device to
wireless or other electronic devices. The paging device establishes
a radio connection with the wireless device and transmits the
received messages to the wireless device through the established
radio connection. In response to receiving a message from the
paging device, the wireless device sends an acknowledgment to the
paging network that the message was received and displays the
message.
Inventors: |
OSHINSKY; Stephen; (Madison,
MS) ; Meyercord; Ed; (Princeton, NJ) ;
McNaught; Ted; (Windham, ME) |
Assignee: |
Critical Alert Systems, LLC
|
Family ID: |
45509729 |
Appl. No.: |
13/289880 |
Filed: |
November 4, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12984598 |
Jan 4, 2011 |
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13289880 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
455/41.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04W 84/027 20130101;
H04W 84/18 20130101; H04M 1/72412 20210101; H04W 88/04 20130101;
H04W 84/022 20130101; H04M 1/7246 20210101 |
Class at
Publication: |
455/41.2 |
International
Class: |
H04B 7/00 20060101
H04B007/00 |
Claims
1. A system for transmitting messages received from a paging
network operations center to a cellular or other wireless device
through short-range radio communication, the system comprising: a
wireless device comprising a wireless device processor, a wireless
device memory, a wireless device transceiver, and display
circuitry; and a wireless device peripheral comprising: paging
circuitry adapted to: receive data from the paging network
operations center through a paging network, the received data
including a message and one or more message attributes associated
with the message; short-range RF circuitry; and a processor coupled
to the paging circuitry and the short-range RF circuitry, the
processor being adapted to: obtain the received data from the
paging circuitry; process the received data to retrieve the message
and the one or more message attributes, and to associate an error
status with the message, the error status comprising an indicator
based on whether an error was detected in the received data;
transfer the processed data to the short-range RF circuitry, the
processed data including the message, at least one of the one or
more message attributes and the error status; and wherein, the
short-range RF circuitry is adapted to transmit the processed data
to the wireless device through a short-range radio connection; and
wherein, in response to receiving the processed data at the
wireless device, the wireless device processor is adapted to: cause
the wireless device transceiver to transmit a receipt
acknowledgement to the paging network operations center through a
cellular or Internet connection, the receipt acknowledgement
comprising a notification that the message was received and an
error indication based on the error status; store the message, the
at least one message attribute and the error status in the wireless
device memory; and transfer the message to the display circuitry
for display.
2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the short-range radio
connection complies with a Bluetooth standard for wireless
communications.
3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the wireless device
peripheral is selected from the group consisting of a case, a
cover, a key fob, an ID card holder and a battery extender.
4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the wireless device
processor is further adapted to: detect whether the wireless device
is able to receive messages from the paging network operations
center through the wireless device peripheral; and cause, in
response to detecting that the wireless device is unable to receive
messages from the paging network operations center through the
wireless device peripheral, the transceiver to transmit a
connection notification to the paging network operations center
through a cellular or Internet connection, the connection
notification comprising an indication that the wireless device is
unable to receive messages from the paging network operations
center through the wireless device peripheral.
5. The system according to claim 4, wherein the wireless device
processor is adapted to detect whether the wireless device is able
to receive messages from the paging network operations center
through the wireless device peripheral based, at least in part, on
detecting whether the short-range radio connection has been
established with the wireless device peripheral.
6. The system according to claim 4, wherein the wireless device
processor is adapted to detect whether the wireless device is able
to receive messages from the paging network operations center
through the wireless device peripheral based, at least in part, on
receiving a paging network connection notification from the
wireless device peripheral, the paging network connection
notification comprising an indication that the wireless device
peripheral is able to receive data from the paging network
operations center through the paging network.
7. The system according to claim 4, wherein, in response to
transmitting the connection notification to the paging network
operations center, the wireless device is adapted to receive data
from the paging network operations center through a cellular or
Internet connection, the data received through the cellular or
Internet connection comprising one or more messages.
8. The system according to claim 4, wherein the transmission of at
least one of the receipt acknowledgement and the connection
notification to the paging network operations center enables the
paging network operations center to select one or more networks
through which to send messages, and wherein the one or more
networks are selected from the group consisting of a paging
network, a cellular network, a dedicated network, the Internet and
a combination of two or more of a cellular network, a dedicated
network and the Internet.
9. The system according to claim 1, wherein the wireless device
further comprises a user interface and the wireless device
processor is further adapted to: receive a read notification
through the user interface, the read notification comprising an
indication that the message has been read or acknowledged by a user
of the wireless device; and cause, in response to receiving the
read notification, the transceiver to transmit a read
acknowledgement based on the read notification to the paging
network operations center through a cellular or Internet
connection.
10. The system according to claim 1, wherein the wireless device is
adapted to receive a plurality of messages from the paging network
operations center, each of the plurality of messages being received
through at least one of a plurality of network connections, and
wherein, in response to receiving a particular message from the
plurality of messages, the wireless device processor is adapted to:
detect whether the particular message matches one or more
previously received messages stored in the wireless device memory;
and transfer, in response to detecting that the particular message
does not match a previously received message, the particular
message to the display circuitry for display.
11. An apparatus for transmitting messages received from a paging
network operations center to a cellular or other wireless device
through short-range radio communication, the apparatus comprising:
a processor; a memory coupled to the processor; short-range RF
circuitry coupled to the processor; and paging circuitry coupled to
the processor and adapted to: receive data from the paging network
operations center through a paging network, the received data
including a message and one or more message attributes associated
with the message; and transfer the received data to the processor;
wherein the processor is adapted to: process the received data to
retrieve the message and the one or more message attributes and to
associate an error status with the message, the error status
comprising an indicator based on whether an error was detected in
the received data; store the message, the one or more message
attributes and the error status in the memory; and transfer the
processed data to the short-range RF circuitry, the processed data
including the message, at least one of the one or more message
attributes and the error status; and wherein the short-range RF
circuitry is adapted to transmit the processed data to a wireless
device through a short-range radio connection to enable the
wireless device to display the message and transmit a receipt
acknowledgement to the paging network operations center through a
cellular or Internet connection, the receipt acknowledgement
comprising a notification that the message was received and an
error indication based on the error status.
12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the processor and
one of the short-range RF circuitry and the paging circuitry are
integrated within a single chip.
13. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the processor
comprises decode circuitry adapted to process the received data to
retrieve the message and the one or more message attributes and to
associate an error status with the message, and wherein the
decoding circuitry and the paging circuitry are integrated within a
single chip.
14. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the short-range
radio connection complies with a Bluetooth standard for wireless
communications.
15. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the processor is
further adapted to: detect whether the paging circuitry is able to
receive messages from the paging network operations center through
the paging network; and cause, in response to detecting that the
paging circuitry is unable to receive messages from the paging
network operations center, the short-range RF circuitry to transmit
a paging network connection status to the wireless device through
the short-range radio connection, the paging network connection
status comprising an indication that the apparatus is unable to
receive messages from the paging network operations center through
the paging network.
16. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the transmission
of the paging network connection status to the wireless device
enables the wireless device to: transmit a connection notification
based on the paging network connection status to the paging network
operations center through a cellular or Internet connection; and
receive, in response to transmitting the connection notification,
data from the paging network operations center through the cellular
or Internet connection, the data received through the cellular or
Internet connection comprising one or more messages.
17. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the apparatus
comprises at least one alert mechanism, the at least one alert
mechanism being adapted to generate one or more tactile, visual or
audible alerts selected from the group consisting of a battery
power alert, a new message alert and a wireless device connection
alert.
18. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the at least one
message attribute is selected from the group consisting of a
timestamp, a unique identifier and an address to which the message
was transmitted.
19. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the apparatus is
associated with a plurality of message addresses, wherein the at
least one message attribute comprises an address to which the
message was transmitted, the address being one of the plurality of
message addresses, and wherein the transmission of the at least one
message attribute to the wireless device enables the wireless
device processor to cause the message to be displayed based, at
least in part, on the address to which the message was
transmitted.
20. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the memory stores
one or more previously received messages, and wherein the processor
is adapted to: detect whether the message matches any of the one or
more previously received messages; and transfer, in response to
detecting that the message does not match any of the one or more
previously received messages, the processed data to the short-range
RF circuitry.
21. A method for processing messages sent from a paging network
operations center to a paging device and transmitted to a cellular
or other wireless device through short-range radio communication,
the method being implemented through instructions that cause a
cellular or other wireless device to perform the steps of:
receiving processed data from the paging device through a
short-range radio connection, the processed data comprising a
message, one or more message attributes associated with the
message, and an error status, wherein the message and the one or
more message attributes are based on paging data received by the
paging device from the paging network operations center through a
paging network, and wherein the error status comprises an indicator
based on whether an error was detected in the paging data;
transmitting a receipt acknowledgement to the paging network
operations center through a cellular or Internet connection, the
receipt acknowledgement including a notification that the message
has been received and an error notification based on the error
status; storing the message, the one or more message attributes and
the error status; and displaying the message.
22. The method according to claim 21, wherein the short-range radio
connection complies with a Bluetooth standard for wireless
communications.
23. The method according to claim 21, wherein the error
notification comprises an indication that the message includes one
or more errors and wherein the steps further comprise receiving, in
response to transmitting the receipt acknowledgement, retransmitted
data comprising a retransmitted message, the retransmitted message
including content that is substantially similar to the content of
the message.
24. The method according to claim 21, wherein the steps further
comprise: detecting whether the wireless device is able to receive
messages from the paging network operations center through the
paging device; and transmitting, in response to detecting that the
wireless device is unable to receive messages from the paging
network operations center through the paging device, a connection
notification to the paging network operations center through a
cellular or Internet connection, the connection notification
comprising an indication that the wireless device is unable to
receive messages from the paging network operations center through
the paging device.
25. The method according to claim 24, wherein the step of detecting
comprises detecting whether the wireless device is able to
establish a short-range radio connection with the paging
device.
26. The method according to claim 24, wherein the step of detecting
comprises receiving a paging network connection notification from
the paging device, the paging network connection notification
comprising an indication based on whether the paging device is able
to receive data from the paging network operations center through
the paging network.
27. The method according to claim 24, wherein, the steps further
comprise receiving, in response to transmitting the connection
notification to the paging network operations center, data from the
paging network operations center through a cellular or Internet
connection, the data received through the cellular or Internet
connection comprising one or more messages
28. The method according to claim 21, wherein the wireless device
includes a user interface and the steps further comprise: Receiving
a read notification through the user interface, the read
notification comprising an indication that the message has been
read or acknowledged by a user of the wireless device; and
transmitting, in response to receiving the read notification, a
read acknowledgement to the paging network operations center
through a cellular or Internet connection, the read acknowledgement
comprising an indication that the message has been read.
29. The method according to claim 21, wherein the wireless device
includes a user interface, and wherein the step of displaying the
message comprises causing the user interface to display the message
through an output selected from the group consisting of an audio
output, a visual output, a tactile output and a combination of at
least two of an audio output, a visual output, and a tactile
output.
30. The method according to claim 21, wherein the wireless device
includes a memory storing one or more previously received messages,
wherein the steps further comprise detecting whether the message
matches any of the one or more previously received messages,
wherein the step of storing the message comprises storing, in
response to detecting that the message does not match any of the
one or more previously received messages, the message, the one or
message attributes and the error status, and wherein the step of
displaying the message comprises displaying, in response to
detecting that the message does not match any of the one or more
previously received messages, the message.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims benefit to and is a
continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
12/984,598, which was filed on Jan. 4, 2011. The contents of the
above-identified application is incorporated by reference in its
entirety as if recited in full herein.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention generally relates to systems and
methods for transmitting paging messages from a paging device to
electronic devices. More specifically, certain embodiments are
directed to systems and methods for establishing a radio connection
between a paging device and a wireless device, such as a cellular
device, and for transmitting the messages received over a paging
network by the paging device to the wireless device for display on
the wireless device. Other embodiments are directed to systems and
methods for establishing a connection between a paging device and
other devices, such as GPS navigation systems, televisions,
laptops, and gaming consoles, and for transmitting the messages
received over a paging network by the paging device to the such
devices.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Both pagers and wireless devices, such as cell phones, are
widely used forms of communication. Although a few two-way paging
systems have been developed, paging systems are typically one-way
radio communications systems. In order to send a message to a user
who has a paging device, the sender contacts a paging control
system, usually via a telephone or computer network. Upon accessing
the paging control system, the sender can perform certain
operations, including inputting a call-back number or message to be
sent to the paging device or leaving a voice message for the paged
user. The paging control system can then deliver the call-back
number or message or the voice message to the paging device through
a paging network, such as POCSAG or FLEX.
[0004] Wireless devices, such as cellular telephones, on the other
hand, typically communicate through bidirectional communication
systems. Many of these devices further allow for real-time
bidirectional communication. For example, when an individual wishes
to contact a user who has a cellular telephone, the individual
usually dials the number associated with the cellular telephone
from the individual's cellular or landline telephone. Once a
connection is established between the two telephones, voice and
other data are transmitted to and from the cellular telephone
through a cellular network, such as GSM or CDMA.
[0005] The transmitters used in paging systems typically operate at
a higher power level than cellular telephone transceivers. As a
result, the coverage area associated with individual paging systems
is often greater than the coverage area associated with individual
cellular telephone, or transmission towers. For similar reasons,
paging systems also tend to have greater penetration than cellular
telephone systems. Moreover, unlike cellular systems, paging
systems have the ability to simulcast transmissions by utilizing
constructive interference to strengthen the signal, which further
increases the coverage area and penetration of the paging signals.
As a result, paging services are frequently available in certain
geographic areas and environments where cellular telephone service
is not available. Thus, paging systems generally provide increased
reliability with respect to the delivery and receipt of
communications as compared to cellular telephone systems.
[0006] In addition, due to their configuration, paging systems
typically allow for multicasting of paging communications to
multiple devices. Thus, a paging system can broadcast information
to a large number of users simultaneously. Conversely, cellular
telephone systems typically only allow for messages to be
transmitted sequentially (i.e., to a single cellular device at a
time), and cannot broadcast messages to a specific group of users
simultaneously.
[0007] The need to subscribe to a paging service (in addition to a
cellular service) is important for many users, such as those who
work in certain time-sensitive professions. This is mainly due to
the higher degree of reliability provided by paging systems. For
example medical personnel and emergency workers are often required
to carry a paging device in addition to their cellular telephone.
In these occupations, receiving messages as reliably and as quickly
as possible is extremely important. In hospitals, minutes and even
seconds often make the difference between life and death. The
ability to deliver messages to doctors and other medical personnel
reliably and with as little delay as possible decreases the
response time for medical emergencies. This, in turn, decreases the
negative impacts to patient health associated with the time taken
to respond to the emergency. Likewise, many emergency workers need
to receive messages reliably and with the least possible delay in
order to respond and react to various emergency situations
effectively. Frequently, these emergencies involve life-threatening
situations, in which minimal response time is vital. As a result,
in these professions, even small increases in the reliability, or
decreases in the delay, of message delivery and receipt can
significantly increase the number of lives benefitted or saved.
[0008] In order to subscribe to both types of services, however,
consumers typically have to carry, monitor and maintain two
separate devices. This leads to a number of inconveniences with
respect to the portability, cost and ease of use of these devices.
While systems have been developed that provide an aggregated pager
and cellular telephone (e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,117,449), these
systems have exhibited a number of problems, which has resulted in
these devices failing to be adopted by consumers in any meaningful
way. One drawback is that, because both paging and cellular phone
functionalities are implemented through shared components, only one
functionality can utilize these components at a time. Another
drawback is that these devices often suffer from increased
interference between the incoming paging and cellular signals, due
to the extremely close proximity of the paging and cellular
receivers.
[0009] These aggregated systems also experience significantly
decreased battery life, due to the power requirements of
implementing both cellular and paging functionalities in a single
device. Moreover, these devices do not provide for acknowledgments
and status messages to be sent back to the paging network in order
to ensure successful delivery and receipt of the paging messages
and allow for an audit trail to be recorded. In addition, these
aggregated devices require a modification of the physical
components of a standard cellular or other wireless device in order
to incorporate the paging functionality. As a result, the paging
functionality is tied to the specific aggregated device, and users
cannot change devices, without either modifying the physical
components of the new device or losing the paging
functionality.
[0010] More recently, systems have been created (e.g., PageCopy by
American Messaging; and MessageSync by Indiana Paging) which have
attempted to use cellular networks in order to mimic the services
offered by paging systems. These systems provide users with an
application that can be installed on their cellular telephone or
other wireless device that receives and displays certain messages
on the device. Importantly, however, these systems do not utilize a
paging network and, as such, do not provide true paging services.
Instead, these systems merely use the cellular capabilities of the
user's device to deliver messages to the device through a cellular
network. As a result, these systems do not provide users with the
advantages of paging services, such as greater coverage areas,
penetration and reliability, and the ability to receive multicasted
messages.
[0011] Other systems have been developed in which a pager is used
to "wake-up," or initiate a call with, a cellular telephone (e.g.,
U.S. Pat. No. 5,701,337). The purpose of these systems was to
conserve the battery life of the cellular device by allowing the
cellular device to go into sleep mode or power down and then be
"woken-up" by the pager prior to an incoming telephone call. As a
result, these systems do not provide users with paging service in
addition to cellular telephone service. Accordingly, these systems
do not allow users to receive and view paging messages on the
user's cellular telephone or wireless device.
[0012] Additionally, there has been a significant increase over the
last two decades in terrorist attacks and "active shooter" events.
A common problem associated with these events is a lack of ability
to transmit mass notification messages to individuals in the threat
area. Without the ability to broadcast messages, there is no
practical way to provide potential victims with status
notifications in real-time. Also, these events are often widespread
and can involve a large number of emergency or response personnel.
As a result, another common problem has been the lack of ability to
simultaneously provide status notifications and instructions to
update and coordinate such personnel in real time.
[0013] Thus, there is a need for a system which combines the
features and advantages of electronic devices, paging devices and
networks, while maximizing the reliability and minimizing the delay
of delivering messages to users. There is also a need for a system
which can broadcast emergency messages to a large number of users
simultaneously. There is further a need for a universal paging
device, which is compatible with, and can communicate paging
messages to, various types of electronic devices without modifying
any of the physical components of such devices. In light of the
beneficial qualities of paging systems, such as greater coverage
areas and penetration as well as multicasting, it would be
desirable to provide a system which allows users to view paging
system messages on wireless devices, such as cellular telephones,
and which provides acknowledgements back to the paging system to
indicate successful delivery and receipt of the messages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] One aspect of the invention is to deliver paging messages to
users in a manner that maximizes the reliability and minimizes the
delay associated with the delivery and receipt of such messages.
Another aspect of the invention is to provide a universally
compatible, low-cost device, which allow users to receive, view,
and respond to such messages while managing and monitoring a single
cellular or other wireless device. Yet another aspect of the
invention is to provide such a device which does not require
modification of the physical components of the device. Yet another
aspect of the invention is to provide a system in which emergency
messages can be broadcasted to a large group of users at the same
time.
[0015] The above and other aspects may be realized through systems
and methods for communicating messages received through a paging
network by a paging device to an electronic device through a
connection established between the two devices. In certain
embodiments, systems and methods are provided for communicating
messages received through a paging network by a paging device to a
cellular or other wireless device through a radio connection
established between the two devices. The paging device establishes
a radio connection with the wireless device. In response to
receiving a message from the paging network, the paging device
transmits the received message to the wireless device through the
established radio connection. In response to receiving the message
from the paging device, the wireless device sends an acknowledgment
to the paging network that the message was received and displays
the message.
[0016] In certain embodiments, the paging device can be, or can be
incorporated within, a peripheral of a wireless or cellular device,
such as a carrying case, holder, or battery extender. In other
embodiments, the paging device could be a stand-alone device, such
as a key fob. In yet other embodiments, the paging device could be
incorporated in other consumer accessories or electronic devices,
such as a belt, helmet, television remote, or game controller.
[0017] In certain embodiments the paging device can communicate
messages received from the paging network to any wireless device
capable of receiving and transmitting messages over a cellular
network, such as a cellular telephone, smartphone, PDA, or tablet.
In accordance with certain of these embodiments, reply messages,
receipt, error, read and other acknowledgements and status
messages, such as messages indicating the status of the connection
between the paging device and the wireless device and the status of
the connection between the paging device and the paging network,
can be transmitted from the wireless device to the paging network
through the cellular network and a network connection between the
cellular network and the paging network.
[0018] In other embodiments, the paging device can communicate
messages received from the paging network to various other
electronic devices, such as GPS navigation systems, televisions,
gaming consoles, personal computers and laptops, where the message
is displayed on the native display associated with the electronic
device. In accordance with certain of these embodiments, reply
messages, acknowledgements and status messages can be transmitted
from .the electronic device directly to the paging network through
a network connection, such as Wi-Fi, WiMAX, or the Internet or a
dedicated network.
[0019] In certain embodiments, the wireless or other electronic
device, in response to receiving a notification from the paging
device that the paging network is unavailable, or detecting that a
radio connection cannot be established between the paging device
and the wireless device, can notify the paging network accordingly
and the paging network can transmit any messages to the wireless
device directly through a cellular network or through a network
connection between the paging network and the wireless device.
[0020] In certain embodiments, one or both of the paging device and
the wireless device can generate a number of visual, audible or
tactile alerts, including alerts that indicate the receipt of a new
message, the status of the connection between the paging device and
the wireless device, the availability of the paging network and the
battery level of the paging device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] Further features of the invention, its nature and various
advantages will be more apparent from the following detailed
description of the preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with
the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters refer
to like parts throughout, and in which:
[0022] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the interactions between
various components, including the wireless and paging devices,
according to certain embodiments;
[0023] FIG. 2 is a schematic of a portion of the paging device of
FIG. 1;
[0024] FIG. 3 is a schematic of a portion of the wireless device of
FIG. 1;
[0025] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a process that may be used by
the paging device in accordance with certain embodiments;
[0026] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a process that may be used by
the wireless device in accordance with certain embodiments;
[0027] FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of another process that may be used
by the paging device in accordance with certain embodiments;
[0028] FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of another process that may be used
by the wireless device in accordance with certain embodiments;
[0029] FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of yet another process that may be
used by the wireless device in accordance with certain
embodiments;
[0030] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the paging device according
to certain embodiments;
[0031] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the interactions between
various components, including the paging device and a GPS device
according to certain other embodiments;
[0032] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the interactions between
various components, including the paging device and a Television
according to yet other embodiments; and
[0033] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating the interactions between
various components, including the paging device and a gaming
console according to yet other embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0034] As discussed above, pagers and wireless devices such as
cellular telephones have typically been separate devices which
operate independently. To reduce the inconvenience of having to
manage and monitor two separate devices, one aspect of the
invention allows a paging device to communicate with a wireless
device such that messages received from the paging network on the
paging device can be transmitted to the wireless device for
display. Another aspect of the invention allows a paging device to
communicate with other electronic devices, such as GPS navigation
systems, televisions, laptops, and gaming consoles, wherein
messages received from the paging network on the paging device can
be transmitted to the electronic device. Yet another aspect of the
invention allows for acknowledgements and status messages, as well
as reply messages to be transmitted back to the paging network from
the wireless device or other electronic device. As used herein, the
term "message" means a communication comprising one or more
alphanumeric characters intended to be displayed to the recipient.
The term "display," as used herein, means a visual, audible, or
tactile display or any combination thereof. The systems and methods
described below take advantage of the benefits provided by both
paging devices and wireless and other electronic devices in order
to maximize the level of reliability with respect to the delivery
and receipt of paging messages sent to users.
[0035] FIG. 1 is a pictorial diagram of a paging and cellular
system in accordance with certain embodiments. The system includes
Paging Network Operation Center ("NOC") 300 which coordinates and
manages the delivery of paging messages. Paging NOC 300 utilizes
paging transmitter 350 to transmit messages to paging devices
through a standard paging protocol such as FLEX, POCSAG, or any
other suitable protocol. Also shown in FIG. 1 is Cellular NOC 400
which coordinates and manages the communications to and from
wireless devices. Cellular NOC 400 utilizes cellular tower 450 to
transmit and receive call signals and data to and from wireless
devices, through a standard cellular protocol such as GSM, CDMA,
PHS, or any other suitable protocol. As shown in FIG. 1, Paging NOC
300 and Cellular NOC 400 communicate with each other through
network 500. Network 500 could be a local area network, VPN
connection, the Internet, or any other suitable connection. It will
be appreciated that Paging NOC 300 and Cellular NOC 400 can utilize
a plurality of paging transmitters and cellular towers,
respectively, although only one of each is shown for illustration
purposes. The transmission of paging signals from Paging NOCs to
paging devices and the transmission of cellular signals from
Cellular NOCs to cellular and other wireless devices is well known
in the art.
[0036] Also shown in FIG. 1 are examples of a paging device 100 and
a wireless device 200. Paging device 100 receives paging messages
sent by Paging NOC 300 through paging transmitter 350. Wireless
device 200 receives cellular signals from, and transmits cellular
signals (e.g., signals sent and received over mobile carrier
networks) to, Cellular NOC 400 through cellular tower 450. As shown
in FIG. 1, paging device 100 communicates with wireless device 200
through radio frequency RF connection 600, which in this example is
a Bluetooth connection. In other embodiments, RF connection 600,
could be a ZigBee, Wi-Fi or WiMAX connection, any other short-range
radio connection, or any other suitable radio connection. In
certain embodiments, paging device 100 sends the messages it
receives from Paging NOC 300 to wireless device 200 through RF
connection 600. Paging device 100 can also send various attributes
associated with the message, including the message status, as well
as other information regarding the status of the paging device or
paging network to wireless device 200 through RF connection
600.
[0037] In certain embodiments, such as is illustrated in FIG. 1,
wireless device 200 can be a cellular telephone. In certain of
these embodiments, wireless device 200 can communicate with Paging
NOC 300 through Cellular NOC 400 and network 500. In other
embodiments, wireless device 200 could be any device capable of
wireless communication as discussed in the description that follows
(e.g., PDA, tablet, computer, laptop, smartphone, GPS device,
television, etc.). In certain of these embodiments, wireless device
200 can communicate directly with Paging NOC 300 through network
500 without Cellular NOC 400. In yet other embodiments, wireless
device 200 can communicate with Paging NOC 300 through a dedicated
network or any other suitable network connection. FIG. 1 also shows
a trickle charge 150, through which wireless device 200 may provide
power to certain components of, and/or charge the battery in,
paging device 100 as described in more detail with respect to FIG.
9 below.
[0038] One advantage of the systems and methods described herein,
as can be seen in FIG. 1 and its accompanying description, is the
ability for users to receive, view and respond to paging messages
received from a paging network on a cellular or other wireless
device. This allows users to subscribe to paging (as well as
cellular) services while only having to monitor and maintain one
device. Another advantage is that notifications and
acknowledgements can be sent back to the paging network from the
wireless device. As a result, the reliability, portability and
ease-of-use of the system is increased.
[0039] FIG. 2 is a block diagram which illustrates a paging device
suitable for use with certain embodiments. Paging device 100
includes a Paging RF Receiver 2 and Paging Protocol Decoder 3,
which may be any standard paging receiver components capable of
receiving and decoding paging messages over a paging network.
Paging RF Receiver 2 receives standard paging signals, such as FLEX
or POCSAG Over-The-Air Protocol signals, transmitted from a paging
network. Paging Protocol Decoder 3 decodes the signals received by
Paging RF Receiver 2 and passes any messages which are addressed to
paging device 100 to central processor 4. Central processor 4 may
be any standard computer processor or any other suitable type of
processor. Although Paging RF Receiver 2, Paging Protocol Decoder 3
and central processor 4 are shown in FIG. 2 as separate components,
in certain embodiments two or more of these components may be
combined into a single chip. In other embodiments, Paging Protocol
Decoder 3 may be specialized firmware or software running on a
separate microprocessor or may be software code running on central
processor 4.
[0040] As shown in FIG. 2, paging device 100 may also include
memory 8, which can be utilized by central processor 4 to store
messages decoded and passed from Paging Protocol Decoder. In
certain embodiments, one or more attributes may be associated with
the received messages and stored in memory 8. These attributes may
include certain information related to the status of the message,
such as whether it was received with errors or whether it has been
sent to a wireless device. Also shown in FIG. 2 is a battery 10
which may provide power to active components of paging device 100.
Battery 10 may be a standard alkaline battery or a rechargeable
battery. While shown in FIG. 2 as an internal battery, battery 10
could also be a user replaceable battery. In certain embodiments,
power needed for the operation of certain components of paging
device 100 may be alternatively drawn from an external connection
capable of receiving power from an AC or DC outlet or an external
battery, such as a car battery.
[0041] Paging device 100 includes an RF transceiver 9 for
communicating with a wireless or other electronic device (such as a
PDA, tablet, computer, laptop, smartphone, GPS device, television,
etc.). Although RF transceiver 9 is shown in FIG. 2 as separate
from Paging RF Receiver 2, RF transceiver 9 and Paging RF Receiver
2 could be combined into a single transceiver, or could be
configured to share one or more components of paging device 100. In
certain embodiments RF transceiver 9 is a Bluetooth transceiver,
however, RF transceiver 9 can be any type of transceiver that
utilizes a suitable radio communication protocol, such as Wi-Fi,
WiMAX, or ZigBee. RF transceiver 9 is connected to central
processor 4 in order to transmit messages received by paging device
100 from a paging network to a wireless device through an radio
connection established with the wireless device, as described in
more detail in connection with the process depicted in FIG. 4.
[0042] As shown in FIG. 2 paging device 100 may also include a
message status LED 6, an RF transceiver connection status LED 7 and
a power status LED 5 connected to and controlled by central
processor 4. In certain embodiments, paging device 100 may
incorporate three distinct LEDs. For example, message status LED 6
may be an LED having a first color (e.g., green), which indicates
whether the paging device has received messages that have not yet
been delivered to the wireless device. Similarly, RF transceiver
connection status LED 7 may be an LED having a second color that is
different from the first color (e.g., blue), which indicates
whether there is an active RF connection between paging device 100
and the wireless device. Also, power status LED 5 may be an LED
having a third color that is different from the first and second
colors (e.g., red), which indicates if the power level of battery
10 is below a certain threshold. In other embodiments, one or more
of message status LED 6, RF transceiver connection status LED 7 and
power status LED 5 could be removed, or replaced by, other types of
visual, auditory, or tactile alert mechanisms.
[0043] According to certain embodiments, paging device 100 may be,
or may be incorporated with, an accessory or peripheral for the
wireless device, e.g., embedded in a carrying case or battery
extender, as described in more detail in connection with the
embodiments depicted in FIG. 9. In other embodiments paging device
100 may be incorporated with other accessories or consumer
electronic devices, such as a helmet, belt, television remote, or
game controller, as described in more detail in connection with the
embodiments depicted in FIGS. 9 and 11-12. In yet other
embodiments, paging device 100 may further be a stand-alone device
or small apparatus, such as a key fob, which can be carried by an
individual or may be mounted in an automobile as described in more
detail in connection with the embodiments depicted in FIG. 10.
[0044] FIG. 3 is a block diagram which illustrates a wireless
device suitable for use with certain embodiments. As shown in FIG.
3, wireless device 200 includes transceiver 32, which, in certain
embodiments where wireless device 200 is a cellular device, may be
any standard cellular transceiver. Transceiver 32 passes voice
and/or data signals to, and receives voice and/or data signals
from, wireless device CPU 33. In certain embodiments, transceiver
32 may also be used to transmit acknowledgements and status
notifications back to the paging network through the cellular
network. The cellular network can then pass these acknowledgements
and status notifications to the paging network through any suitable
network connection between the cellular and paging networks, such
as the Internet. In other embodiments, wireless device 200 may
transmit these acknowledgements and status notifications to the
paging network through a network connection between the wireless
device and the paging network.
[0045] In accordance with certain of these embodiments, the
wireless device may transmit acknowledgements indicating that a
message has been received, that a message has been received with
errors, and that a message has been read. The wireless device may
also transmit notifications that indicate whether or not the
wireless device has an active RF connection with the paging device
and whether the paging network is available at the paging device.
In addition, the wireless device may transmit reply messages when a
user wishes to respond to a message received at the wireless
device. This functionality allows for bidirectional communication
with the paging network, which provides a number of benefits. For
example, one benefit is that the paging network can record a full
audit trail of the delivery, receipt, read, and status of the
messages, including any errors in the process. Another benefit is
that the system can better ensure that messages are received and
read by users. For example, if the paging network does not receive
an acknowledgement that a message has been received or read within
a certain amount of time, the paging network can transmit the
message to the paging device again and could also transmit the
message directly to the wireless device, either through the
cellular network or a direct network connection. This functionality
increases the reliability of the system as a whole.
[0046] As shown in FIG. 3, wireless device 200 also includes RF
transceiver 39 for communicating with a paging device. Although RF
transceiver 39 is shown in FIG. 3 as separate from transceiver 32,
the transceivers could be combined into a single transceiver, or be
configured to share one or more components of wireless device 200.
In certain embodiments RF transceiver 39 is a Bluetooth
transceiver, however, RF transceiver 39 can be any type of
transceiver that utilizes a suitable radio communication protocol,
such as Wi-Fi, WiMAX, or ZigBee. RF transceiver 39 is connected to
wireless device CPU 33 and passes any messages or signals it
receives from the paging device to wireless device CPU 33.
[0047] Wireless device 200 also includes a Paging Message Component
37, which is connected to wireless device CPU 33. Wireless device
CPU 33 passes any messages or signals it receives from RF
transceiver 39 to Paging Message Component 37. In certain
embodiments, the function associated with Paging Message Component
37, may be implemented in software running on wireless device CPU
33, such as a mobile device application, thereby removing any need
for modifying the physical components of a standard wireless device
such as a smartphone. In other embodiments, the function associated
with Paging Message Component 37 may be integrated in the operating
system running on wireless device CPU 33. Alternatively, Paging
Message Component 37 may be a specialized chip, such as a
microprocessor, which includes program instructions in firmware.
Also shown in FIG. 3 is a memory 38, which may be controlled by
Paging Message Component 37. In certain embodiments, Paging Message
Component 37 may utilize memory 38 to store messages, as well as
other message attributes and status notifications received from the
paging device through RF transceiver 39.
[0048] In certain embodiments, Paging Message Component 37 may be
integrated with, or utilize, certain functions included in wireless
device 200 to provide additional benefits to users of such devices.
For example, Paging Message Component may integrate with an address
book or a contact list in wireless device 200. This can provide
numerous benefits, such as the ability to save telephone numbers or
other contact information included in any messages received from
paging device 100, look up information associated with the sender
of such messages, or link or connect such messages to a
corresponding contact entry. Also, in the event that the recipient
of a message is unable to respond as requested in the message, the
recipient could respond with the contact information of an
alternate individual who may be able to respond. Paging Message
Component 37 may also integrate with the e-mail or text messaging
capabilities of wireless device 200. This can allow for additional
functionalities, such as the ability to forward messages received
from the paging device to other individuals or groups or respond to
the sender or the paging network through e-mail or text
messages.
[0049] As another example, Paging Message Component 37 may utilize
a calendar feature of wireless device 200. In this example,
messages including appointments or meetings may be received at
wireless device 200 from paging device 100 and be automatically
integrated into the calendar on wireless device 200. In other
embodiments, links to Internet websites may be included in the
messages received at wireless device 200. These links could then be
accessed through the web browsing capabilities of wireless device
200.
[0050] As shown in FIG. 3, wireless device 200 may include a
display 34, a speaker 35, and a tactile alert mechanism 36, all of
which may be connected to, and operated by, wireless device CPU 33.
In certain embodiments, in response to receiving messages or
signals from a paging device, Paging Message Component 37 may
instruct wireless device CPU 33 to display the message on display
34. According to certain of these embodiments, the message may be
displayed in any suitable manner that is consistent with standard
procedures used by wireless device 200. For example, the display of
the message may interrupt the wireless device's normal display
procedures and require certain action by the user of wireless
device 200, before any other processing may occur on wireless
device 200. Paging Message Component 37 may also instruct wireless
device CPU to generate an audible or tactile alert by utilizing
speaker 35 or tactile alert mechanism 36. For example, the message
could be converted into an audible message, which may be output
through speaker 35. In certain other embodiments, one or more of
display 34, speaker 35, or tactile alert mechanism 36 could be
removed, or replaced by, other types of visual, auditory, or
tactile alert mechanisms.
[0051] According to certain embodiments, wireless device 200 can be
any device that is capable of receiving and transmitting cellular
signals over a cellular network, such as cellular telephones,
smartphones, PDAs, and tablets. Wireless device 200 may also be any
electronic device that is capable of communicating over other types
of networks, such as WiMAX, the Internet, or other suitable
networks. For example, wireless device 200 may be an Internet
television, gaming console, personal computer, or laptop, as
described in more detail in connection with the embodiments
depicted in FIGS. 11-12. In certain embodiments, wireless device
200 may be other types of electronic devices, such as a GPS
navigation system, as described in more detail in connection with
the embodiments depicted in FIG. 10.
[0052] As can be seen from FIGS. 1-3 and their accompanying
descriptions, the systems and methods described herein allow users
to receive, view, and respond to messages received from a paging
network on a wide range of wireless and other electronic devices,
without the need to modify the physical components of such devices.
Accordingly, one advantage, is that individuals can receive the
benefits associated with paging services, while using their
current, unmodified, cellular, wireless, and other electronic
devices, and can seamlessly transition to using new devices without
losing these benefits.
[0053] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the
paging device described in FIGS. 1 and 2 in accordance with certain
embodiments. At step 101, Paging RF Receiver 2 of paging device 100
scans the appropriate paging frequency for any new transmissions
from the paging network. At step 102, in response to detecting the
address of paging device 100 in the transmission, the Paging RF
Receiver 2 captures the transmission and passes the associated data
to the Paging Protocol Decoder 3 for decoding. Paging Protocol
Decoder 3 decodes the received data into a message based upon the
appropriate standard paging protocol, (e.g., FLEX, POCSAG, etc.).
At step 103, Paging Protocol Decoder 3 checks to see if the decoded
message has any errors. If errors are detected, flow proceeds to
step 105 and Paging Protocol Decoder 3 attempts to correct any
errors that are correctable (e.g., by using any standard error
detection and correction mechanisms, such as using a checksum or
other similar algorithm to correct any errors or replacing missing
characters with error characters) and marks the status of the
message appropriately, such as "With Errors." If no errors are
detected, flow proceeds to step 104 and Paging Protocol Decoder 3
marks the status of the message appropriately, such as "Error
Free." Flow then proceeds to step 106.
[0054] At step 106, Paging Protocol Decoder 3 passes the message to
central processor 4, which compares the received message with any
previously stored messages to determine if it is a duplicate
message. In certain embodiments, central processor 4 may compare
one or more attributes associated with the received message to one
or more attributes associated with the stored messages to determine
whether the received message is a duplicate message. If the
received message is determined to be a duplicate message, flow
proceeds to step 108. Otherwise, if the received message is
determined not to be a duplicate message, central processor 4
stores the message in memory 8 at step 107. In certain embodiments,
central processor 4 may also store additional attributes associated
with the received message, such as a timestamp, delivery status, or
error status in memory 8.
[0055] At step 108, central processor 4 checks whether there is an
active RF connection established with wireless device 200. In
certain embodiments paging device 100 may establish an RF
connection with wireless device 200 prior to receiving any messages
(e.g., when the paging device powers up). In other embodiments,
paging device 100 may establish an RF connection with wireless
device after receiving one or more messages (e.g., because the
connection could not be established previously, or in order to
conserve battery power). If an active RF connection is detected,
flow proceeds to step 113.
[0056] Otherwise, flow proceeds to step 109, at which time central
processor 4 attempts to establish an RF connection with wireless
device 200 through RF transceiver 9. If an RF connection can be
established, flow proceeds to step 113. Otherwise, if an RF
connection cannot be established, at step 110, central processor 4
checks whether RF transceiver connection status LED 7 is blinking
and, if not, sets RF transceiver connection status LED 7 to a
blinking state in order to indicate that paging device 100 is not
able to establish a RF connection with wireless device 200. At step
111, central processor 4 marks the status of the received message
appropriately, such as "Not Sent to Wireless Device" and stores the
message status in memory 8. At step 112, central processor 4 checks
whether message status LED 6 is set to a blinking state and, if
not, sets message status LED 6 to a blinking state to indicate that
paging device 100 has received one or more messages that have not
yet been transmitted to wireless device 200. Flow then returns to
step 109 where central processor 4 continues to check whether an RF
connection can be established with the wireless device.
[0057] When an RF connection is established between paging device
100 and wireless device 200, at step 113 central processor 4 sends
the received message, as well as any messages in memory 8 that have
a status of "Not Sent to Wireless Device," to wireless device 200
through the established RF connection. At step 114, central
processor 4 checks whether either of the message status LED 6 or RF
transceiver connection status LED 7 are set to a blinking state
and, if so, sets the LEDs to a non-blinking state. Central
processor 4 then sets the message status of any messages sent to
wireless device 200 appropriately, such as "Sent to Wireless
Device," at step 115 and stores the message statuses in memory 8.
The flow then returns to step 101 in order for Paging RF Receiver 2
to continue scanning the paging frequency for any new messages from
the paging network.
[0058] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the
wireless device described in FIGS. 1 and 3 in accordance with
certain embodiments. At step 201, wireless device 200 waits for a
message to be received from paging device 100 through RF
transceiver 39. When a message is received, at step 202 RF
transceiver 39 passes the message (along with any attributes or
statuses associated with the message) to wireless device CPU 33,
which, in turn, passes the message to Paging Message Component 37.
In other embodiments, such as where Paging Message Component 37 is
a separate specialized chip or microprocessor, RF transceiver 39
may pass the message directly to Paging Message Component 37.
[0059] At step 203, Paging Message Component 37 stores the message,
as well as any associated message attributes or statuses, in memory
38. In certain embodiments, Paging Message Component 37 may also
instruct wireless device CPU 33 to transmit a "message received"
acknowledgement, which may also include one or more the message
attributes, such as the message error status, through transceiver
32 to the paging network. In certain embodiments, the paging
network, in response to receiving an acknowledgement that indicates
a message was received with errors, may retransmit the message to
the paging device. Although in this example, e.g., where the
wireless device is a cellular device, the acknowledgement is
transmitted to the paging network through the cellular network and
the network connection between the cellular and paging networks, in
other embodiments, e.g., where the wireless device is another type
of electronic device, the wireless device may transmit the
acknowledgement to the paging network through a direct network
connection, such as a Wi-Fi, WiMAX, or hardwire Internet connection
with the paging network.
[0060] At step 204, Paging Message Component 37 checks whether the
received message is a duplicate of one or more messages previously
stored in memory 38. In certain embodiments, Paging Message
Component 37 may also compare one or more attributes associated
with the received message to one or more attributes associated with
the stored messages to determine whether the received message is a
duplicate message. If Paging Message Component 37 detects that the
received message is a duplicate message, flow returns to step 201
in order for wireless device 200 to wait for any new messages to be
received from paging device 100. Otherwise flow proceeds to step
205, at which time Paging Message Component 37 instructs wireless
device CPU 33 to display the message on display 34.
[0061] In certain embodiments, Paging Message Component 37 may also
instruct wireless device CPU 33 to generate one or more audible or
tactile alerts using speaker 35 or tactile alert mechanism 36, such
as to alert the user of wireless device 200 when a message is
received. One or more of these alerts may be managed according to
certain preferences chosen by the user of wireless device 200.
According to certain of these embodiments, the display of the
received message or the alerts may be handled consistent with
standard procedures used by wireless devices, such as are used in
connection with SMS text messaging. In other embodiments, one or
more of the display or alerts may be handled as a priority thread
by the wireless device, which may interrupt the wireless device's
normal display procedures and supersede any other processing of the
wireless device.
[0062] At step 206, Paging Message Component 37 detects whether the
displayed message has been acknowledged or read by the user of
wireless device 200 (e.g., by the user pressing a button on, or the
screen of the wireless device) and, if not, flow proceeds to step
207, where Paging Message Component 37 waits for the user to
acknowledge the message. Once the user has acknowledged the
message, flow proceeds to step 208. At step 208, Paging Message
Component 37 directs wireless device CPU 33 to transmit a "message
read" acknowledgement to the paging network through transceiver 32.
The message read acknowledgement may be transmitted to the paging
network in a similar manner to that described in connection with
step 203 above.
[0063] At step 209 Paging Message Component 37 queries the user to
determine whether the user wants to reply to the received message.
If not, the flow proceeds to step 213. Otherwise, flow proceeds to
step 210, at which time Paging Message Component 37 instructs
wireless device CPU 33 to present the user with the option of
choosing a predefined response or providing a custom reply. If the
user chooses a predefined response, the flow proceeds to step 112.
Otherwise, the flow proceeds to step 111, and Paging Message
Component 37 receives the custom response from the user (e.g.,
through a standard user interface provided by wireless device 200).
At step 112, Paging Message Component 37 directs wireless device
CPU 33 to transmit the predefined or custom reply to the paging
network through transceiver 32. The reply may be transmitted to the
paging network in a similar manner to that described in connection
with step 203 above. At step 213, Paging Message Component 37
instructs wireless device CPU 33 to remove the message from the
display (e.g., by closing the message display window), disable any
alerts associated with the received message, and flow returns to
step 201 in order for wireless device 200 to wait for any new
messages from paging device 100.
[0064] In certain embodiments, the systems and methods described
above can be used to multicast messages to groups of users. For
example, paging NOC 300 can create and transmit a message, which is
addressed to more than one paging device. Each paging device to
which the message is addressed could then receive the message and
send it to a wireless or other electronic device through an
established radio connection in the same manner as is described
above in connection with FIGS. 4-5. As a result, one advantage is
that messages, such as emergency notifications or instructions, can
be broadcast to specified groups of individuals simultaneously,
which could minimize the delay associated with the receipt of, and
response to, such messages.
[0065] FIG. 6 is a flowchart further illustrating the operation of
the paging device described in FIGS. 1 and 2 in accordance with
certain embodiments. Paging device 100 can monitor the status of
its connection to the paging network (i.e., ability to receive
paging messages from the paging network) and communicate this
status to wireless device 200 through an established RF connection
with the wireless device. The status can also be communicated to
the paging network, which in certain embodiments, can then send
messages to wireless device 200 through a cellular or other
suitable network. This increases the reliability with respect to
the delivery and receipt of messages by allowing for alternate
message delivery mechanisms in circumstances where paging device
100 is not connected to the paging network.
[0066] As shown in FIG. 6, at step 121, Paging RF Receiver 2 scans
the appropriate paging frequency and, at step 122, it detects
whether the paging channel is present (i.e., whether the paging
network is available). If the paging channel is present, the flow
proceeds to step 123, otherwise the flow proceeds to step 125. At
step 123, central processor 4 checks whether a paging channel
status is marked as "Present." In certain embodiments, the paging
channel status may be stored in the memory of paging device 100. If
the paging channel status is marked as "Present," the flow returns
to step 121 and paging device 100 continues to monitor the status
of the paging channel. Otherwise, flow proceeds to step 124 at
which point central processor 4 marks the paging channel status as
"Present," and flow proceeds to step 127. At step 125, central
processor 4 checks whether the paging channel status is marked as
"Not Present." If the paging channel status is marked as "Not
Present," the flow returns to step 121 and paging device 100
continues to monitor the status of the paging channel. Otherwise,
flow proceeds to step 126 and central processor 4 marks the paging
channel status as "Not Present." Flow then proceeds to step
127.
[0067] At step 127, central processor 4 detects whether there is an
active RF connection with wireless device 200. If there is an
active connection the flow proceeds to step 130. Otherwise, the
flow proceeds to step 128, and central processor 4 attempts to
establish an RF connection with the wireless device 200 through RF
transceiver 9. If an RF connection is successfully established, the
flow proceeds to step 130. Otherwise, if an RF connection cannot be
established with wireless device 200, flow proceeds to step 129 at
which time central processor 4 checks whether RF transceiver
connection status LED 7 is set to a blinking state and, if not,
sets it to a blinking state. Flow then returns to step 128 and
paging device 100 continues to attempt to establish an RF
connection with the wireless device 200 through RF transceiver
9.
[0068] Once an RF connection is established with wireless device
200, at step 130 central processor 4 transmits the paging channel
status to wireless device 200 through the established RF
connection. Central processor 4 then checks whether RF transceiver
connection status LED 7 is set to a blinking state at step 131 and,
if so, sets it to a not blinking state. Flow then returns to step
121 in order for paging device 100 to continue monitoring the
status of the paging channel.
[0069] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the
wireless device described in FIGS. 1 and 3 in accordance with
certain embodiments. Wireless device 200 can receive notifications
of the status of the availability of the paging network from paging
device 100 and can transmit this status notification to the paging
network. As discussed above, in certain embodiments, this allows
the paging network to utilize alternate mechanisms to deliver
messages to wireless device 200, which increases the overall
reliability of the system.
[0070] At step 221, wireless device 200 waits for the receipt of a
paging channel status from paging device 100 through RF transceiver
39. When a paging channel status is received at step 222, RF
transceiver 39 passes the paging channel status to Paging Message
Component 37 through wireless device CPU 33. At step 223, Paging
Message Component 37 directs wireless device CPU 33 to transmit the
paging channel status to the paging network. The paging channel
status may be transmitted to the paging network in a similar manner
to that described in connection with FIG. 5 above. At step 224,
Paging Message Component 37 directs wireless device CPU 33 to
update the paging channel status indicator on display 34 of
wireless device 200. Flow then returns to step 221 in order for
wireless device 200 to wait for any additional paging channel
statuses to be received from paging device 100.
[0071] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the
wireless device described in FIGS. 1 and 3 in accordance with
certain embodiments. Wireless device 200 can detect the status of
the RF connection between wireless device 200 and paging device 100
and can transmit a notification of the RF connection status to the
paging network. In certain embodiments, the paging network can then
send messages to wireless device 200 through a cellular or other
suitable network. This allows for alternate message delivery
mechanisms to be utilized in certain circumstances where wireless
device 200 cannot establish a connection to paging device 100,
thereby increasing the reliability of the system.
[0072] At step 231, Paging Message Component 37 monitors the status
of the RF connection with paging device 100 through RF transceiver
39. RF transceiver 39 passes the status of the RF connection with
paging device 100 to Paging Message Component 37 at step 232, and
Paging Message Component 37 determines whether there has been any
change in the status of the RF connection. In certain embodiments,
Paging Message Component 37 compares the current status of the RF
connection with an RF connection status previously stored in memory
to determine whether there has been a change in the status of the
RF connection. If there has not been a change in status, the flow
returns to step 231. Otherwise, flow proceeds to step 233, at which
time Paging Message Component 37 transmits the RF connection status
to the paging network. The RF connection status may be transmitted
to the paging network in a similar manner to that described in
connection with FIG. 5 above. At step 234, Paging Message Component
37 directs wireless device CPU 33 to update the RF connection
status indicator on display 34 of wireless device 200. Flow then
returns to step 231 in order for wireless device 200 to continue to
monitor the status of the RF connection with paging device 100.
[0073] In accordance with the embodiments described in connection
with FIGS. 6-8, wireless device 200 can notify and update the
paging network as to the status of the RF connection between
wireless device 200 and paging device 100, and/or the ability of
paging device 100 to connect to the paging network. In certain
embodiments, i.e., where wireless device includes cellular
capability, these notifications can be transmitted to the cellular
network through cellular transmissions and, in turn, can be passed
on to the paging network through a connection between the cellular
network and the paging network. In other embodiments, these
notifications can be transmitted from wireless device 200 to the
paging network directly, such as through a Wi-Fi, WiMAX or Internet
network connection between wireless device 200 and the paging
network or any other suitable network connection.
[0074] In certain embodiments the paging network, in response to
receiving a notification that either the RF connection cannot be
established or the paging network is unavailable on paging device
100, can direct the cellular network to transmit any messages
intended for paging device 100, directly to wireless device 200
through the cellular network, or can communicate such messages to
wireless device 200 through a direct network connection with the
wireless device. The direct transmission of messages to wireless
device 200 may replace, or may be in addition to, the transmission
of such messages to paging device 100 by the paging network. In
accordance with certain of these embodiments, the paging network
may cease, or may direct the cellular network to cease, the direct
transmission of messages to wireless device 200, in response to
receiving a notification that either or both of the RF connection
being established or the paging network being available on paging
device 100.
[0075] Accordingly, successful delivery and receipt of messages is
maximized, and any associated delay is minimized, by providing
alternate message delivery mechanisms in certain situations, such
as where paging messages cannot be received by the paging device or
cannot be communicated from the paging device to the wireless
device. This provides redundancy and, therefore, results in an
overall increase to the reliability of the messaging system.
[0076] FIG. 9 is a pictorial diagram of the paging device in
accordance with certain embodiments. As shown in FIG. 9, paging
device 100 is incorporated in a carrying case 700. Paging device
100 may include the same components as described and illustrated in
connection with FIG. 2. Carrying case 700 can be a sleeve, cover,
holder or any other suitable case for a wireless or other
electronic device, such as wireless device 200 with which paging
device 100 communicates through a radio connection. Paging device
100 may be incorporated within carrying case 700, as illustrated in
FIG. 9. In other embodiments, paging device 100 can be affixed to
or removably attached to carrying case 700. As shown in FIG. 9,
carrying case 700 may include a belt clip 701, which can be used to
attach carrying case 700 to a belt or other suitable consumer
accessory.
[0077] Although in FIG. 9 paging device 100 is shown as being
incorporated in carrying case 700, paging device 100 could also be
incorporated in any peripheral or accessory for a cellular or other
wireless device, such as a battery extender. In other embodiments,
paging device 100 may be incorporated in other accessories, such as
a helmet or belt. In yet other embodiments paging device 100 may be
a stand-alone device, such as a key fob, which could be carried or
worn by a user. In certain of these embodiments, paging device 100
and wireless device 200 may operate in a similar manner as
described and illustrated in connection with FIGS. 2-8 above.
[0078] As shown in FIG. 9, carrying case 700 is capable of
receiving wireless device 200. In certain embodiments, such as
where wireless device 200 is held by, or attached to, carrying case
700, wireless device 200 and paging device 100 may communicate
through a wired connection, which may be included in carrying case
700. Paging device 100 may send messages and other notifications to
wireless device 200 through the wired connection. In certain of
these embodiments, one or more of message status LED 6, an RF
transceiver connection status LED 7 and a power status LED 5, as
well as any other alerts generated by paging device 100, could be
temporarily disabled. Wireless device 200 may also provide power to
paging device 100, such as through a trickle charge from wireless
device 200 to paging device 100. In certain embodiments, the
trickle charge may be used to provide power to certain components
of paging device 100 and/or to recharge the battery in paging
device 100.
[0079] FIG. 10 is a pictorial diagram illustrating the interactions
between various components of the system, including the paging
device and a GPS device according to certain embodiments. The
system illustrated in FIG. 10 may include many of the components
illustrated and described in connection with FIG. 1, such as the
Paging NOC 300, paging transmitter 350, and paging device 100.
Paging device 100 may include the same components as illustrated
and described in connection with FIG. 2.
[0080] Also shown in FIG. 10 is a GPS navigation system 800. GPS
navigation system 800 may be a vehicle navigation system that is
incorporated in the vehicle or a stand alone navigation system in
the vehicle, or it may be any other suitable type of navigation
system. In certain embodiments, GPS navigation system 800
communicates with a dedicated GPS network via satellite. As shown
in FIG. 10, GPS navigation system 800 includes a display 801, which
may be used to display certain information to users of the
navigation system. GPS navigation system 800 may also include or
connect to other visual or audible components, which may be used to
provide certain information or alerts to users. GPS navigation
system 800 may also receive input from users through any suitable
user interface, such as buttons 802-805 as shown in FIG. 10. In
certain embodiments, GPS navigation system 800 may include a
transceiver which may be used to communicate with the paging
network through any suitable radio network. In other embodiments,
GPS navigation system 800 may communicate with the paging network
through a dedicated network, such as a satellite communications
network.
[0081] Although paging device 100 is illustrated in FIG. 10 as a
separate device, paging device 100 may also be incorporated in, or
attached to, GPS navigation system 800. Paging device 100 may
operate in a similar manner as described and illustrated in
connection with FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 10, paging device 100 may
transmit any messages it receives, along with any message
attributes and status notifications to GPS navigation system 800
through an RF connection 600, which can be established between
paging device 100 and GPS navigation system 800. RF connection 600
can operate in a similar manner as illustrated and described in
connection with FIG. 1. Alternatively, RF connection 600 could be a
wired connection between paging device 100 and GPS navigation
system 800.
[0082] In certain embodiments, in response to receiving a message
from paging device 100, GPS navigation system 800 may store the
message (as well as any message attributes and statuses) in memory
and display the message on display 801. GPS navigation system may
also generate one or more visual or audible alerts in order to
indicate the receipt of the message. For example, in certain
embodiments, GPS navigation system 800 may announce the receipt of
the message and/or output an audible representation of the message
through a connected speaker.
[0083] According to certain embodiments, the paging network can
send real-time traffic updates and other conditions to paging
device 100, which can then be transferred to GPS navigation system
800. GPS navigation system 800 may then display this information on
display 801 and/or use this information in determining travel
routes. GPS navigation system 800 may also send data to the paging
network related to its current position in the same manner as
discussed above. In certain embodiments the paging network may send
location based messages to paging device 100, such as travel
related discounts, coupons and advertisements.
[0084] FIG. 11 is a pictorial diagram illustrating the interactions
between various components of the system, including the paging
device and a Television according to certain other embodiments.
FIG. 12 is a pictorial diagram illustrating the interactions
between various components of the system, including the paging
device and a gaming console according to certain embodiments. As
shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the systems include a paging device 100,
which may include the same components as illustrated and described
in connection with FIG. 2. The system illustrated in FIGS. 11 and
12 may also include many of the components illustrated and
described in connection with FIG. 1, such as the Paging NOC 300 and
paging transmitter 350. In certain of these embodiments, paging
device 100 may operate in a similar manner as described in
connection with FIGS. 4 and 6.
[0085] As shown in FIG. 11 the system includes a television 900,
which has an associated display 901. In certain embodiments,
television 900 may be an Internet enabled television. In other
embodiments, television 900 can be any other suitable type of
television or visual display. The system also includes a remote
910, which communicates with television through a radio connection
601. Radio connection 601 can be any suitable type of connection,
such as infrared, Bluetooth or WiFi. Paging device 100 is
illustrated in FIG. 11 as being incorporated in remote 910. Any
messages received by paging device 100, along with any message
attributes and status notifications can be transmitted to
television 900 through radio connection 601 between remote 910 and
television 900. In other embodiments, paging device could be a
separate device, or could be attached or connected to television
900, in which case, paging device 100 could communicate with
television 900 through a direct radio connection or any other type
of suitable connection as described in connection with FIG. 1.
[0086] In response to receiving a message from paging device 100,
television 900 may display the message on display 901. Television
900 may also generate one or more visual or audible alerts, such as
to indicate the receipt of the message, or may generate an audible
output of the message through an attached speaker. As shown in FIG.
11, television 900 may include a network connection 501, which
could be a wired or wireless Internet connection, or any other
suitable type of network connection. In certain embodiments,
television 900 can communicate with the paging network through
network connection 501, in order to send certain acknowledgements
and status notifications to the paging network as discussed in
connection with FIGS. 5 and 7-8.
[0087] According to certain embodiments, the paging network may
send emergency notifications to paging device 100, which may be
displayed on display 901. In certain of these embodiments, the
alerts could be used to turn on television 900 and may be displayed
as an overlay or in a separate window on television 900 to alert
the user to an emergency. In other embodiments, the paging network
could send other notifications, such as reminders to paging device
100 for display on television 900. For example messages could be
sent and displayed to remind users to take medications or to notify
users of upcoming appointments.
[0088] As shown in FIG. 12 the system illustrated in FIG. 11 may
also include a gaming console 920 and gaming controller 921. Gaming
console 920 may be any standard type of gaming console, such as a
Microsoft Xbox, Sony Playstation, or Nintendo Wii. Gaming
Controller 921 may be any standard type of controller, such as a
controller that is specific to gaming console 920 or a generic
gaming controller. Gaming controller 921 may communicate with
gaming console 920 through connection 922, which may be any
standard wired or wireless connection. Likewise, gaming console 920
may communicate with television 900 through connection 923, which
may be any standard wired or wireless connection. As shown in FIG.
12, in certain embodiments, gaming console 920 may include a
network connection 501, which may be a wired or wireless Internet
connection, or any other suitable type of network connection. In
certain of these embodiments, gaming console 920 can communicate
with the paging network through network connection 501, in order to
send certain acknowledgements and status notifications to the
paging network as discussed in connection with FIGS. 5 and 7-8.
[0089] As shown in FIG. 12, paging device 100 is incorporated in
gaming controller 921. Any messages received by paging device 100,
along with any message attributes and status notifications can be
transmitted to gaming console 920 through connection 922 between
gaming controller 921 and gaming console 920. Gaming console 920
may then pass the message and other information to television 900
for display as described in connection with FIG. 11. In other
embodiments, paging device 100 could be a separate device, in which
case, paging device 100 could communicate with television 900 in a
similar manner as described in connection with FIG. 11. In yet
other embodiments, paging device 100 could be attached or connected
to gaming console 920, in which case messages and other information
may be transferred from paging device 100 to gaming console 920
through a wired connection. In response to receiving a message,
television 900 may display the message and may generate one or more
alerts as described in connection with FIG. 11.
[0090] According to certain embodiments, the paging network may
send emergency notifications to paging device 100. In certain of
these embodiments, the alerts could be used to interrupt the game
play on gaming console 920 in order to alert the player to an
emergency. In other embodiments, the alert could be displayed as an
overlay or in a separate window on display 901. In certain
embodiments, the paging network may send other notifications to
paging device 100. For example parents or guardians could use the
system to send messages to the user of the gaming console, such as
to instruct the user to stop playing the game.
[0091] According to certain other embodiments, the paging device
may communicate messages to other electronic devices, such as
laptops or personal computers. In certain of these embodiments, the
paging device and the electronic device may operate in a. manner
similar to that described and illustrated in connection with FIGS.
1-8 above. For example, the paging device may communicate any
messages it receives from a paging network to a laptop through a
suitable connection, such as a radio or hardwired connection. The
laptop could then display the message and transmit any
acknowledgements or notifications to the paging network through a
connection between the laptop and the paging network, such as an
Internet connection.
[0092] It is understood that the various devices described in
connection with the foregoing figures are exemplary, and any other
suitable devices may be used. The foregoing is merely illustrative
of the principles of this invention and various modifications can
be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the
scope and spirit of the invention. As an example, although certain
embodiments of the paging device have been described in connection
with having three LEDs with particular colors, the paging device
could have any number of LEDs associated with any colors. One
skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention can
be practiced in other than the described embodiments, which are
presented for purposes of illustration and not limitation, and the
present invention is limited only by the claims which follow.
* * * * *