Abstract: There is disclosed for use in a narrowband wireless messaging network, a subscriber communication unit that uses a miscellaneous ALOHA message to transmit predefined messages and/or formatted telemetry data to a base station. The subscriber communication unit comprises a transceiver for receiving messages from the base station in a forward channel and transmitting messages to the base station in a reverse channel. The reverse channel is divided into a plurality of scheduled transmission time slots and a plurality of unscheduled transmission time slots of the ALOHA type. A message controller receives input data generated by the subscriber communication unit and translates the input data into a reverse channel message capable of being transmitted in an available unscheduled time slot, such as a miscellaneous ALOHA message time slot.

Abstract: The principles of the present invention introduce non-realtime messaging systems (and controllers for use therewith) that are capable of converting received oral messages from callers into at least substantially equivalent text messages for transmission to subscribers thereof. This may be accomplished by processing the received oral messages using data patterns representing oral phrases specific to non-realtime messaging systems. An exemplary messaging system includes each of a messaging controller, a data repository and a translating controller. The messaging controller is capable of receiving oral messages from callers and transmitting text messages to communications devices associated with subscribers of the non-realtime messaging system. The data repository is capable of storing data patterns that represent oral phrases specific to the non-realtime messaging system.

Abstract: The teachings of the present invention are directed to disposable wireless messaging devices, computer systems that incorporate disposable wireless messaging devices, and methods of operating the same. An exemplary disposable wireless messaging device includes a housing, a transceiver, a power supply and a messaging controller. The housing is capable of enveloping at least a portion of the messaging controller, and, the transceiver and the power supply. The transceiver is associated with the housing and the messaging controller, and capable of transmitting and receiving signals wirelessly. The messaging controller operates to extract wireless messages from the wirelessly received signals and to communicate the wireless messages to a user of the wireless messaging device. The messaging controller is capable of (i) monitoring use of the disposable wireless messaging device in relation to a utilization threshold and (ii) in response, inhibiting, the operation of at least a portion of the messaging controller.

Abstract: A reverse channel power controller for use in a narrowband wireless messaging network containing a plurality of base stations that communicate with subscriber communication devices. The reverse channel power controller controls the transmission power of the subscriber communication devices. The reverse channel power controller contains: 1) a reverse channel traffic determination circuit for determining a level of reverse channel traffic received by a selected one of the plurality of base stations; and 2) a communication controller for transmitting to the selected subscriber communication device a power control command capable of causing the selected subscriber communication device to adjust a power level of a reverse channel signal transmitted by the selected subscriber communication device.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved base station for communicating with communication units in a wireless messaging system. According to an advantageous embodiment, the base station comprises: 1) a transmitter that is capable of transmitting messages to the communication units in a forward-channel having a first frequency range; 2) a receiver that is capable of receiving messages from the communication units in a reverse-channel having a second frequency range; and 3) an antenna that is capable of transmitting the forward-channel messages at a first angle of electrical downtilt below the horizon and receiving the reverse-channel messages at a second angle of electrical downtilt, wherein the second angle of electrical downtilt is less than the first angle of electrical downtilt.

Abstract: There is disclosed a message tracking system for use in a wireless massaging system. The message tracking system allows a caller to verify a status of wireless messages previously sent by the caller to one or more subscribers of the wireless massaging system. The message tracking system comprises 1) an I/O interface that receives a message status request from the caller and 2) a message status controller that determines an identity of the caller from identification data received from the caller and retrieves a data record associated with the caller. The data record contains status information associated with the previously transmitted wireless messages. The message tracking system transfers to the caller selected status data associated with at least one of the previously transmitted wireless messages. The caller may check the status of multiple previously transmitted wireless messages in a single call without having to re-enter the caller's ID information.

Abstract: There is disclosed a non-realtime messaging system that delivers a subscriber message index to a subscriber's pager device. The subscriber message index is a condensed summary of one or more of the messages directed to the subscriber. The messaging system comprises: 1) a messaging controller for receiving oral messages directed to a subscriber and for transmitting text messages to the subscriber's pager; 2) a translating controller for generating translated text messages, wherein each of the translated text messages corresponds to one of the received oral messages; 3) a data repository capable of storing the translated text messages; and 4) a summary index controller for generating from the translated text messages the subscriber message index.

Abstract: There is disclosed an inbound message receiving system for use in a wireless messaging system. The inbound message receiving system comprises: 1) a source base transceiver station capable of receiving a wireless message from a source mobile station disposed in a coverage area of the base transceiver station; and 2) a first satellite transceiver coupled to the base transceiver station and capable of transmitting the wireless message to a satellite. The use of a satellite uplink that is closely associated with the base transceiver station allows all wireless messages to be relayed directly to a central message processor without requiring the wireless messages to be transported via long-distance lines or other toll-charge bearing communication lines.

Abstract: There is disclosed a launch delay controller, for use in a wireless messaging system having a defined coverage area. The launch delay controller controls the transmission of paging messages from a plurality of transmitters in the wireless messaging system. The launch delay controller comprises: 1) a memory capable of storing a) a delay spread associated with a selected point in the coverage area between a first signal transmitted by a first of the plurality of transmitters and a second signal transmitted by a second of the plurality of transmitters, and b) distances between the selected point and the first and second transmitters; and 2) a processor capable of determining from the delay spread and the distances an offset delay, wherein the offset delay is used by the first transmitter to delay a transmission of the first signal with respect to a transmission of the second signal, the delayed transmission of the first signal thereby reducing the delay spread.

Abstract: A communications controller is disclosed for use in a wireless communication system having a plurality of antennas capable of simulcasting forward-channel messages at a first downtilt angle below horizon and receiving reverse-channel messages at a second downtilt angle, wherein the second downtilt angle is less than the first downtilt angle. The communications controller, which is associated with the plurality of antennas, is capable of (i) scheduling transmission of ones of the reverse-channel messages at a same frequency in a same time slot, and (ii) receiving reverse-channel messages of two communication units proximate a local antenna at separate more remote antennas in response to the second downtilt angle of the separate more remote antennas.

Abstract: The principles of the present invention introduce non-realtime messaging systems (and controllers for use therewith) that are capable of converting received oral messages from callers into at least substantially equivalent text messages for transmission to subscribers thereof. This may be accomplished by processing the received oral messages using data patterns representing oral phrases specific to non-realtime messaging systems. An exemplary messaging system includes each of a messaging controller, a data repository and a translating controller. The messaging controller is capable of receiving oral messages from callers and transmitting text messages to communications devices associated with subscribers of the non-realtime messaging system. The data repository is capable of storing data patterns that represent oral phrases specific to the non-realtime messaging system.

Abstract: A communications controller is disclosed for use in a wireless communication system having a plurality of antennas capable of simulcasting forward-channel messages at a first downtilt angle below horizon and receiving reverse-channel messages at a second downtilt angle, wherein the second downtilt angle is less than the first downtilt angle. The communications controller, which is associated with the plurality of antennas, is capable of (i) scheduling transmission of ones of the reverse-channel messages at a same frequency in a same time slot, and (ii) receiving reverse-channel messages of two communication units proximate a local antenna at separate more remote antennas in response to the second downtilt angle of the separate more remote antennas.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved base station for communicating with communication units in a wireless messaging system. According to an advantageous embodiment, the base station comprises: 1) a transmitter that is capable of transmitting messages to the communication units in a forward-channel having a first frequency range; 2) a receiver that is capable of receiving messages from the communication units in a reverse-channel having a second frequency range; and 3) an antenna that is capable of transmitting the forward-channel messages at a first angle of electrical downtilt below the horizon and receiving the reverse-channel messages at a second angle of electrical downtilt, wherein the second angle of electrical downtilt is less than the first angle of electrical downtilt.

Abstract: There is disclosed a launch delay controller, for use in a wireless messaging system having a defined coverage area. The launch delay controller controls the transmission of paging messages from a plurality of transmitters in the wireless messaging system. The launch delay controller comprises: 1) a memory capable of storing a) a delay spread associated with a selected point in the coverage area between a first signal transmitted by a first of the plurality of transmitters and a second signal transmitted by a second of the plurality of transmitters, and b) distances between the selected point and the first and second transmitters; and 2) a processor capable of determining from the delay spread and the distances an offset delay, wherein the offset delay is used by the first transmitter to delay a transmission of the first signal with respect to a transmission of the second signal, the delayed transmission of the first signal thereby reducing the delay spread.