Abstract: A technique is used for providing additional information about a broadcast presentation that allows a user interested in the additional information to acquire it easily, using a selective call device or a television remote control device to easily acquire an information address during the broadcast when a prompt is presented during the broadcast. An advertiser can send the additional information over a wide area radio selective call communication system or can post it at a universal resource locator of a computer network. The information address is used to acquire the additional information. The information address can be stored, selected and deleted in the selective call device or remote control device. The prompt can be disabled or enabled manually or based on location.

Abstract: A technique is used in a selective call communication system (100) and in a broadcast communication system (106) to provide additional information about a broadcast to a selective call device (111). A broadcast receiver (109) receives a broadcast that includes a prompt (220), such as a FLEX.TM. logo, and an information address signal (305), such as an inaudible portion of the sound portion of the broadcast. The prompt indicates that additional information is available in a message to be transmitted by the selective call communication system. The selective call device receives the information address signal when activated to do so in response to the prompt. The selective call device receives and decodes an information address from the information address signal and uses it to recover the message at a protocol position indicated by the information address. The additional information is then recovered from the message.

Abstract: A technique is used in a simulcast radio communication system (200) for providing improved local time information. The technique includes, in a fixed portion (300) of the simulcast radio communication system (200), alternatively transmitting in a radio signal a first local time and a second local time in a predetermined protocol position that occurs periodically in a signaling protocol, wherein the first local time and second local time differ by a time zone interval. A radio (500) that receives the radio signal presents local time to a user in manner that indicates the first and second local times.

Abstract: A communication device (125) receives a signal in which messages are included. The communication device (125) includes a decoder (215) for recovering a received message from the signal and a message status element (250) for determining whether the received message is of a first type or a second type of message. Transmission of an acknowledgment by the communication device (125) indicative of a presentation of the received message to a user occurs in response to presentation of a message of the first type, and transmission of an acknowledgment by the communication device indicative of a presentation of the received message to a user does not occur in response to presentation of a message of the second type. The communication device (125) further includes a display (230) for visually presenting information to the user by which the user is alerted to whether the received message is of the first or the second type.

Abstract: A subscriber's PMU (Personal Messaging Unit) (14) determines when the number of incoming messages is likely to be excessive by counting the incoming messages and comparing their number and rate of receipt to stored thresholds. The subscriber is alerted when an excess is detected, and he is given options such as: routing future messages to himself via alternate and less expensive communication links (34,38), or terminating messages sent to one of his PMU's addresses that has been receiving messages at a high rate. Similar control can be effected at the PMU's base station (12).

Abstract: A selective call transceiver (122) includes a receiver (303) and a transmitter (301) coupled to a processor (308) serving as a decoder and an encoder. The processor is programmed to receive an input requiring the selective call receiver to request a reserved time assignment from a system controller (11) for a transmission of unscheduled information, the request to be sent on a reverse or inbound channel. The processor further determines whether a scheduled transmission is pending for transmission on the reverse channel during a scheduled time slot and sends the unscheduled information and an indicia of the scheduled transmission during the scheduled time slot if there is a scheduled transmission pending.

Abstract: Subscriber units (14) can roam from zone (A) to zone (B) and accurately compile fragments of a message that includes fragments transmitted from both zones. Preferably, a subscriber unit (14) assigns different markers to fragments received from different zones. When the subscriber unit senses that a received message includes fragments from different zones, it correlates a number of characters of a fragment received from one zone (A) to a similar number of characters in a fragment received from a different zone (B). If a complete match is not found, the fragments are combined as part of a message. If a match is found, a further comparison looks for additional matches between fragments and, finding such additional matches, erases one copy of duplicate characters.

Abstract: A transceiver (10) used in an RF messaging system transmits unscheduled messages on a channel selected by the transceiver (10). The transceiver(10) examines a number of factors prior to selecting a channel, including the power available from its battery (39), the power required to send the message, and which channel it had previously used to successfully transmit a message. Depending on the results of this examination, the transceiver (10) can reject the channel it has used successfully on previous occasions and select a different channel having a different data rate.

Abstract: A method for transmitting a paging message on the cellular communication system (126) includes the steps of: acquiring a paging signal as a control channel for a selective call device (120), the paging signal indicating a geographic location, receiving a control flag indicating a cellular channel to the selective call device (120), registering with the cellular communication system (126) on the cellular channel indicated by the control flag of the paging signal, sending status information from the cellular communication system (126) to the paging communication system for authenticating the selective call device (120), receiving the paging message on the control channel of the paging communication system (350), transmitting an address and a vector on the control channel to the selective call device (120) directing the selective call device to the cellular channel of the cellular communication system (126) for receiving the paging message, reading a flag in the paging signal to determine if the paging communica

Abstract: A communication system (100) includes a terminal (105) that receives messages for transmission to a transceiver (110). A method for transmitting reminders within the communication system (100) comprises the steps of transmitting a message to the transceiver (110), determining that information relating to the message has not been received from the transceiver (110) after a predetermined time, and sending a reminder associated with the message to the transceiver (110) after the predetermined time.

Abstract: A meter reading device (22) for wirelessly transmitting meter readings from a plurality of meters (30) includes a receiver (44) for receiving a synchronization signal (60), a clock (40) connected to the receiver, a wireless transmitter (46) connected to the receiver for transmitting meter readings in synchronization with the synchronization signal, and a microcomputer (32) pre-programmable to receive meter readings from the meter and to actuate the wireless transmitter at a different specific time for each of the meters. The transmitter transmits a radio frequency signal carrying only meter readings on a reverse channel of a two-way paging system (10) during a particular reverse channel time-slot (90) of a synchronous two-way paging protocol. A messaging terminal (18) of a the two-way paging system transfers signals carrying meter readings, along with time-slot identification, to a meter reading correlator (24) which correlates the signals with each of the meters based upon the time-slot identification alone.

Abstract: In a time diversity system (100) including a radio receiving device (110), a temporary address, a group message associated with the temporary address, and an instruction vector for activating the temporary address are transmitted as original information and, subsequently, duplicate information in a radio signal having frames of data. When the original instruction vector is not received by the receiving device (110), a later frame is searched for the duplicate instruction vector, which, when located, activates the temporary address stored by the receiving device (110). The receiving device (110) then determines which frame capable of reception by the receiving device (110) includes the group message, and the receiving device (110) searches for the temporary address and the group message in that frame. The temporary address is then deactivated.

Abstract: A communication device (100) having a receiver circuit (110), signal processor circuit (120), controller circuit (130), either embodied by integrated circuits or on a single integrated circuit. The transfer of signals between the circuits is timed so as to minimize the effects of noise introduced into any one of the circuits, particularly the receiver circuit (110). The center of a symbol of a received RF symbol is detected and, through hardware control or software control, the transfer of a data signal generated by the signal processor circuit (120), for example, is permitted to occur only during a period(s) of time determined to have minimal effects on the sampling of a symbol in a received signal by the receiver circuit (110).

Abstract: A data receiver (110) for processing multiple signals includes a receiving circuit (120) for demodulating at least first and second signals and a selector (125) coupled to the receiving circuit (120) for comparing the at least first and second signals to estimated peak and valley values. The selector (125) generates error values associated with the at least first and second signals and selects a data symbol associated with one of the estimated peak and valley values based on the error values. A timing circuit (140, 150) activates the selector (125) at predetermined times, and a controller (140) coupled to the selector (125) and the timing circuit (140, 150) recovers information in accordance with the data symbol and other data symbols.

Abstract: A method and apparatus select a receive frequency of a receiver (400) in a system having coverage areas divided into zones. A primary scan list is stored in the receiver (400) and contains coverage area identification parameters. The list is initially ordered from a most frequented coverage area at the top to a least frequented coverage area at the bottom. The parameters can include a coverage area identifier and a zone identifier, and at least one corresponding frequency identifier. A frequency identifier is chosen (604) from the top of the list and the receiver (400) is tuned to the receive frequency identified thereby. Baud rate detection is performed (608) and, in response to finding a predetermined baud rate, a received coverage area identifier and/or a received zone identifier is decoded (612). If the received identifier matches a corresponding parameter stored in the receiver, the receiver (400) is locked (904) to a signal on the receive frequency.

Abstract: A transceiver (125) for receiving messages and transmitting acknowledgments includes a receiver (365) for receiving a message and time information indicative of a first time slot, a display (400) coupled to the receiver (365) for presenting the message, and a monitor element (430) coupled to the display (400) for determining, at occurrence of the first time slot, whether the message has been presented. A transmitter (380) coupled to the monitor element (430) and the receiver (365) transmits, in response to occurrence of the first time slot, a message acknowledgment when the message has not been presented. When the message has been previously presented, a read acknowledgment, rather than the message acknowledgment, is transmitted to indicate both message reception and message presentation.

Abstract: A communication system (100) for providing messages to a pager (140) includes a first sub-system (105) having a home terminal (125) for normally transmitting the messages to the pager (140) in a first geographic region. The communication system (100) also includes a second sub-system (115) having a local terminal (135) for transmitting the messages to the pager (140) when the pager (140) has roamed into a second geographic region. The local terminal (135) of the second sub-system (115) includes a data port (505) for receiving a message for transmission to the pager (140), a controller (510) for determining that the pager is roaming, and a requester (580) for automatically transmitting a request for a subscriber record associated with the pager (140) from the first sub-system (105) in response to determining that the pager (140) is roaming.

Abstract: A communication system (100) for providing duplicate messages includes a plurality of receivers for receiving a radio signal, the plurality of receivers including time diversity (110) and non-time diversity receivers (115). A message transmission device (105) within the communication system (100) transmits the radio signal. The radio signal includes a first frame of data, which includes first portions in which first information for reception by at least one time diversity receiver (110) is queued and second portions which are remaining after queuing of the first information. The second portions are queued with second information for reception by at least one non-time diversity receiver (115). The first portions are of a non-predetermined size that varies according to the amount of the first information.

Abstract: A selective call receiver (130) for conserving power having a first battery saving period, has a receiver (504) for receiving and obtaining synchronization to selective call signals having a multiplicity of frames. A synchronizer (602, 604) determines a first occurrence of a preassigned frame (200) of the multiplicity of frames. The receiver (504) receives the preassigned frame (200), each of frame designating a system collapse value for selecting a second battery saving period, and a TD collapse bit (406) and a TD collapse value (408) for designating a third battery saving period. A decoder/controller (506) decodes the TD collapse bit (406), the TD collapse value (408) and the system collapse value transmitted in the selective call signals. The decoder/controller (506) calculates the third battery saving period from the TD collapse value (408) and a battery save selector (616) selects the third battery saving period designated by the TD collapse value (408) when the TD collapse bit (406) is set.

Abstract: A dialysis apparatus, comprising an elongated flow passage with a water inlet and a brine outlet end, a pump at the outlet end for draining brine from the passage, a reservoir of brine concentrate in the passage, means for diluting the brine with water and adjusting salinity of the brine solution in the passage, a heater in the passage downstream of the reservoir for heating the brine solution after its salinity has been stabilized, a deaerator in the passage for breaking up the brine bubbles and removing air therefrom, a blood dialysis unit connected to the passage for purifying the blood of a patient whose bloodstream is connected to the unit, and pressure adjustment means connected to the passage for adjusting the pressure of brine passing to the unit.