Abstract: A first messaging system (112, 116) schedules (502) a first store-and-forward message (406, 408) for transmission to a subscriber unit (122) on a first channel (410) and enters (504) a second store-and-forward message (404) into a second messaging system (113, 116), the second message intended for the subscriber unit and including a scheduling instruction for receiving the first message. The second messaging system communicates the second message to the subscriber unit on a second channel (412), and the subscriber unit tunes (620) to the first channel, in accordance with the scheduling instruction, after receiving the second message. The first messaging system then transmits (506) the first message on the first channel as scheduled, and the subscriber unit receives the first message on the first channel.

Abstract: A processing system (210) in a fixed portion of a radio messaging system stores (302, 304) at least one of (a) a list of preferred error report formats corresponding to users of portable subscriber units (122), and (b) a record of error report formats that are likely to be preferred by message originators, a selection of a preferred format being dependent upon information available about the message originator. The processing system selects (404, 408, 412, 416) at least one format from at least one of the list and the record, based upon at least one of (c) knowledge about the error, and (d) knowledge about at least one of (e) the user, and (f) the message originator. In addition, the processing system controls a transmitter (206) to transmit (418) the at least one error report to at least one of the portable subscriber unit and the message originator in the at least one format selected.

Abstract: A device (124, 122) having application data to transmit collects (502) information concerning data transport capabilities affecting transmission timing of at least one wireless link available for transmitting the application data, and calculates (506), from the information, a maximum amount of data that can be completed through the at least one wireless link by a predetermined time. The device then determines (508), when attainable, from the application data and from a predetermined set of user-presentation formats possible for the application data, a user-presentation format that requires less than the maximum amount of data. The device then formats (514) the application data in accordance with the user-presentation format before transmitting the application data (530).

Abstract: Methods of and corresponding apparatus for scheduling messages on an operating channel (123) in a selective messaging system (100) for a selective messaging unit (135) include choosing a preferred channel (711) from a first channel and a second channel, setting a first priority for the first channel (713) and a second priority for the second channel, the priorities, for example by relative magnitude, corresponding to the preferred channel, and scheduling a message (715) for the selective messaging unit on the preferred channel. Analogously, at the selective messaging unit a method of selecting an operating channel includes detecting a first priority signal corresponding to the first channel (621) and a second priority signal corresponding to the second channel, and based on a comparison of the priority signals (623) selecting the operating channel (625) from the first and second channel.

Abstract: A selective messaging unit (117), and analogous method, arranged to reduce switching latency between operating channels that are scheduled in accordance with different time references, the unit including: a receiver (403) for monitoring a first operating channel (115) scheduled in accordance with a first time reference; a controller (405), coupled to the receiver, for providing an indication corresponding to a second time reference; and for controlling the receiver to scan for a second operating channel (125) that is scheduled in accordance with the second time reference.

Abstract: Methods of and corresponding apparatus for scheduling messages on an operating channel (223) in a selective messaging system (200) for a messaging unit (235) include scheduling a first message, including a channel priority indication (511), addressed to the selective messaging unit on a first channel, and then scheduling a second message for the selective messaging unit on a second channel (225) selected as an alternative operating channel. Analogously at the selective messaging unit a method of selecting an operating channel includes monitoring the first channel for a message addressed to the selective messaging unit; detecting as part of the message the indication; and responsive thereto discontinuing monitoring the first channel and then scan for the second channel.

Abstract: A selective call device (130) has a receiver (204) for receiving a selective call signal including an address (312). An address correlator (214) coupled to a decoder (212) determines that the selective call signal is directed thereto and determines whether the selective call signal includes an update command (400, 500). The update command includes a major version number (406, 506), topic numbers associated with sub-message(s) stored in the selective call device, update data associated with each topic number for updating the sub-messages, and minor version numbers (427, 527) associated with each topic number. The major version number is incremented when a sub-message template is changed. Minor version numbers are incremented after each update. The selective call device updates a sub-message with update data only if the update command includes a current major version number and an incremented minor version number.

Abstract: A method and apparatus in a radio messaging system monitors (304, 404), by a plurality of base receivers (207), an inbound channel for an inbound transmission from a portable subscriber unit (122), and determines (306, 406) a subset of the plurality of base receivers that reliably receive the inbound transmission. The method and apparatus then selects (310, 408) a frequency reuse plan for the radio messaging system, based upon the subset.

Abstract: A method of operating a selective call receiver (170) that roams a plurality of separate simulcast areas (20) including a specific area where the selective call receiver shares the same address with a second selective call receiver but where only one of the receivers is able to decode a message broadcast in the specific area includes the steps at the selective call receiver of receiving a target address, a tag representative of the specific area, and an associated message. Then the associated message is decoded (40) when both the target address and the tag representative of the specific area match an address (38) and a tag (36) stored in a memory location (77 or 76) within the selective call receiver and otherwise ignoring the associated message when either the target address or the tag representative of the specific area fail to match the tag and the address stored.

Abstract: A selective call receiving device (10) such as a pager is controlled to dynamically change a base frame assigned to the device and subsequent control frames derived therefrom. The time that the device is operative to look for its address in a received signal can thus be dynamically changed to improve the efficiencies of a mixed systems environment without substantially reducing the battery life of the selective call receiving device (10). In two embodiments of the invention a new base frame for the device is derived from an originally assigned base frame that is stored in the selective call receiving device. In another embodiment, a new base frame for the device is derived from the device's address along with frame management information that is received by the selective call receiving device.

Abstract: A method of decoding a repeat message made up of repeat message fragments at a selective call receiver (122) using a synchronous wireless protocol having time diversity includes the step of decoding (212) a repeat address N times corresponding to the repeat message. Each of the repeats of the address points to a separate repeat of an encoded vector N times wherein each of the repeats of the encoded vector explicitly points to the beginning of a first of the repeated message fragments. The method further includes the step of decoding (212) the repeated message fragments M times which was received on preassigned time slots.

Abstract: A method and apparatus allocates a first predetermined plurality of frame time slots (102) to a first protocol, and allocates a second predetermined plurality of frame time slots (102) to a second protocol having a base frame management capability. The base frame management capability is applied such that portable selective call receiving devices (10) utilizing the second protocol normally perform battery saving throughout the first predetermined plurality of frame time slots (102).

Abstract: A method and apparatus utilize an original stream (424) for communicating. Additional data is selected from predetermined messages to define a selected message (422). The original stream is altered (604) in a manner corresponding uniquely with the selected message to form a transmission stream (522) having a size identical to that of the original stream, and the transmission stream is then communicated (606, 608). The alteration of the stream is reversed (612) as it applies to the predetermined messages, thereby generating candidate streams. An error tally (544) corresponding to each of the candidate streams is determined (614) from an error checking mechanism (310, 312). From the candidate streams a member is selected corresponding to a lowest error tally, the member thereafter defined (620) to be a restored original stream. One of the predetermined messages is selected (622) as the selected message associated with the lowest error tally.

Abstract: A method and apparatus in a radio communication system that employs frequency reuse is used for optimizing transmission of messages to a selective call transceiver (116). The radio communication system transmits a first message (202) to the selective call transceiver (116) instructing it to listen to a second message destined for another selective call transceiver (116), to measure a signal quality level of the second message, and to transmit a response signal representative of measured signal quality. After transmitting the second message (204) to the other selective call transceiver (116), the radio communication system receives the response signal (206) from the selective call transceiver (116). In response, the radio communication system transmits a third message (212) to the selective call transceiver (116) utilizing a frequency reuse plan in accordance with the signal quality level.

Abstract: A method and apparatus controls zone registrations in a radio communication system providing radio coverage to a portable subscriber unit (122, 1200) within a plurality of zones (402). A fixed portion (102) of the radio communication system cooperates with the portable subscriber unit (122, 1200) to adjust at least one registration variable in a memory of the portable subscriber unit (122, 1200) for moderating the zone registrations. The portable subscriber unit (122, 1200) then moderates the zone registrations to a limited number in accordance with the at least one registration variable.