Abstract: A system and apparatus for permitting a user of a selective call receiver (31) to receive a certain number of personal messages and information service updates without paying a fee for such services in return for reading advertisements wirelessly transmitted to the selective call receiver. The user is allowed to read the advertisements at any time prior to receiving the personal messages and information service updates. The certain number is proportional to the number of advertisements read. The certain number can be increased by the user responding to questions within advertisements using reverse channel messaging capabilities of a selective call transceiver (32), or by using a conventional telephone (22).

Abstract: A magnetically communicative card (200) has a ferrite core (302) extending substantially the length of the card body (203) and has a conductor (408) wound around the ferrite core for the entire length of the ferrite core. Embedded within the card body is a controller (208) that controls a varying magnetic field emanating from the conductor to mimic a varying magnetic field produced by a conventional magnetic stripe card. Optionally, the card includes a sensor to sense a sensed signal picked up by the conductor from a varying magnetic field emanating from another device. The controller can read the sensed signal to receive communication from the other device. A magnetically communicative card (400, 500) is alternatively flexibly attached and detachably coupled to an electronic wallet (402, 502) to produce an apparatus (405, 501).

Abstract: Status changes made on first pager (130 and 530) are wirelessly communicated to an infrastructure (110 and 510) which communicates the status changes to other pagers (150 and 550) so that the other pagers make corresponding status changes. Thus, a user's status changes made on one pager are automatically made on the user's other pagers. Status changes include changes to received messages, alarm times, alert thresholds, and key word alerts.

Abstract: A communication system (100) for selectively providing repeat messages includes a message transmission device (105) for normally transmitting messages a single time, for receiving repeat requests indicating that a previously transmitted message should be transmitted again, and for automatically transmitting future messages more than once in response to determining that a number of repeat requests exceeds a transmission threshold. A radio communication device (110) is included in the communication system (100) for receiving the messages and for generating a repeat request in response to determining that the previously transmitted message has not been correctly received.

Abstract: A radio accessory (20) for a personal computing device (50) has a receiver (30) and an interface circuit (32) for receiving and digitizing paging signals modulated on a radio frequency carrier. The paging signals are encoded in accordance with a predetermined protocol such as POCSAG. The personal computing device (50) then decodes the digitized paging signals in accordance with software instructions provided either by the instruction memory (40) in the accessory (20) or on a disk (84). The accessory (20) also has an identification code which validates software from the disk (84) to deter unauthorized use of the accessory (20). The accessory (20) also has a transmitter (28) for sending wireless information.

Abstract: A method and apparatus in a communication system operated by a service provider controls utilization of a module (602, 606) added to a portable communication device (122) including a transceiver (302) which communicates with a fixed portion (102) of the communication system. The portable communication device (122) receives (604) a request for utilization of the module. In response, the portable communication device (122) acts (612) to obtain a usage authorization for utilizing the module. The portable communication device (122) disallows (640) the utilization of the module, in response to the usage authorization being unobtainable.

Abstract: A selective call receiver (111) receives a synchronous selective call signal (99) having synchronization portions (102 and 104) and a frame identification portion (106). Upon finding the signal the selective call receiver's bit and frame synchronizers (126 and 128) synchronize to a frame (100) of the signal and a frame ID decoder (130) decodes the frame ID (106). A comparator (136) compares the received frame ID (106) with an ID (142) assigned to the receiver, and optionally a first and second mask (134A and 134B) to determine the number of frames until an occurrence of a desired frame and conserves power until the occurrence of the desired frame (188).

Abstract: A portable device (55) has a first receiver (62) for receiving a paging signal (40-52) from a paging system (10). A second receiver (72) receives area identification signals (20-26) from a second system. The received paging signals may be stored in a memory (80) for later retrieval. A controller (75) examines the paging signals (40-52) and selects messages having a location signal (44, 50) matching a location of the device (55). The address of the device (66) may also be used to select the messages. Upon selection, an alert is generated by an alert means (82) and the message is annunciated on a display (84).

Abstract: A paging system has a signal for transmitting a variable amount of messages to paging receivers. The signal has a synchronization signal, an address field, an information and a boundary signal indicative of the boundary between the address field and the information field. Each message has addresses which are included within the address field and may have message information which is included in the information field. The information field includes two portions, a first portion having a plurality of packets for holding a predetermined amount of information and a second portion for holding a variable amount of information. If the information associated with a message is less than the predetermined amount, the message information is stored in the first portion of the information field.

Abstract: A radio receiver receives information on a radio carrier and switches portions of the receiver (12, 14, 18) OFF and ON at a rate greater than the bandwidth of the information, thereby reducing the power consumed by the radio receiver. A signal quality detector (42) determines the amount of distortion introduced by the switching and controls a duty cycle modulator (44) in order to maximize the OFF time while maintaining adequate signal quality. If receiving a data transmission, a synchronizer (46) may be used to synchronize the switching to the bit timing. A transmission gate (24) and capacitor (26) holds the input of filter (32) constant while portions of the receiver are OFF or generating transients due to being switched ON.

Abstract: A method, in a repeater (155) having receiving circuitry (310, 315) for selectively receiving and decoding a selective call message transmitted by a first selective call service (105) and further coupled to a telephone network (135), for forwarding received information to a second selective call service (110) comprises the step of transferring, over the telephone network (135), message information selectively received from the first selective call service (105) to the second selective call service (110).

Abstract: In a device having a primary battery 10, a first voltage multiplier 20 is used to power digital electrical circuits 40 from the primary battery, and a second voltage multiplier 100-136 is used to recharge a backup battery 50 from the primary battery. The backup battery is charged to a voltage greater than the voltage generated by the first voltage multiplier. Methods of controlling the second voltage multiplier reduce its interference in measurement of device parameters, and reduce the power consumed from the primary battery.

Abstract: A selective call receiver receives a signal having a baud rate and comprising a number of phases. The number of phases are time division multiplexed to form the signal. The selective call receiver has selective call address information assigned thereto and includes a receiver for receiving and demodulating the signal and a memory for storing predetermined information. A demultiplexer is coupled to the receiver and the memory for demultiplexing the signal to recover one of the number of phases in response to the predetermined information and the baud rate. The selective call receiver also includes a decoder coupled to the demultiplexing means for decoding said one of said number of phases of said signal to derive a selective call message therefrom.

Abstract: A selective call receiver (111) has a first mask (134A) stored within the selective call receiver (111) indicative of a first period of reception for receiving a transmitted communication signal (99) having a plurality of packets (100). Each of the transmitted packet (100) has message information (110). An identifier (106) identifies the packet (100). The control signal (108) is representative of a second mask (134B) indicative of a second period of reception. The second mask is compared with the first mask for determining the second period of reception of the selective call receiver (111). A correspondence between the first and second masks determines whether to change the first period of reception of the selective call receiver (111) for receiving at least one additional packet.

Abstract: A selective call receiver comprises a receiver for receiving a signal, the signal comprising an address identifying the selective call receiver, a first information packet having a first information format, a second information packet having a second information format, and a control character. An output device presents the first information packet in a first output mode corresponding to the first information format in response to the control character, and the second information packet in a second output mode corresponding to the second information format in response to the address or a second control character.

Abstract: A selective call receiver (10) for receiving a radio frequency message having message characters includes a memory (14) for storing information including predetermined message characters and processing circuitry (13) for determining an amount of available space within the memory (14) in response to reception of a message. When the available space within the memory (14) is insufficient for storage of the message characters included within the received message, one or more of the message characters included within the received message is deleted prior to storing the received message. Alternatively, one or more message characters included within a previously stored message may be deleted prior to storing the received message.

Abstract: A signalling system provides for efficient reception of message by a plurality of Earth based selective call receivers such as pagers. The signals are transmitted from satellites in orbit above the Earth. Each satellite includes a multiple lobe antenna capable of transmitting messages to a selected portion of the surface of the Earth. Methods for conserving satellite transmission power in the communication of message information are described. Furthermore, a signalling protocol transmitted by the satellite provides for power conservation by Earth based selective call receivers. Additionally, a method enabling an area of the Earth to receive messages from multiple satellites is described.

Abstract: An improved selective call addressing scheme provides local mode paging capability in a wide area paging network. A selective call receiver used in this system will configure its operating parameters by selecting one of a plurality of operational personalities in response to the presence or absence of a specific received signal having a signal indicative of the area in which the pager is operating.

Abstract: In a battery powered selective call receiver receiving a synchronous signal, a battery saving method extends battery life by optimizing the amount of time the receiver circuit is activated when searching for the signal after previously acquiring synchronization. The battery saving method allows for turning the selective call receiver on without activating the receiver circuit. The receiver circuit is activated at a time later than the energization of the selective call receiver, where the time of activation of the receiver circuit is determined in response to the time passed since synchronization was last acquired and the system signal stability.

Abstract: A photodetector mounted on an electrical device serves as an ambient light sensor for low light illumination control and an optical receiver for receiving optically transmitted data.