Abstract: The present invention provides a method for congestion control at multiple levels in a wireless messaging system. Unlike previous systems that only responded to congestion in one way, the present invention responds to each incoming message packet to a receiving component with a reply that indicates: (1) whether or not the message packet has been accepted; (2) the level or function at which the congestion is occurring for rejected message packets; and (3) a specific delay time that the sender should wait before sending the next message packet. The delay time may be varied in order to control the rate of information flow. In this way, if an area becomes congested and then clears, a “slow start” technique may be used; that is, the rate can be turned back up slowly rather than just “opening the floodgates.” Temporary congestion queues in the sender are used to hold message packets addressed to congested areas.

Abstract: A method and system for performing optional or selective forward error correction (FEC) on data within the data link layer before the data is transmitted. First, a determination is made as to what data in the data link layer requires to be FEC encoded. Next, the data link layer data determined to require FEC encoding is protected by FEC and the remaining data link layer data is not FEC protected. A data application or any network protocol layer above the data link layer determines the portions required to be FEC encoded.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for sequential transmission of at least two sub-packages of the data package from an electronic communication transmitter to an electronic communication receiver. A first sub-package of the data package in a form comprehensible to the user of the electronic communication receiver is transmitted from the electronic communication transmitter to the electronic communication receiver. The first sub-package of the data package includes identifying information pertaining to a second sub-package of the data package, with the first sub-package of the data package having less data content than that of the second sub-package of the data package. The electronic communication receiver provides the user thereof with the choice of whether to have the second sub-package of the data package transmitted by the electronic communication transmitter.

Abstract: A method for registering and controlling registration data for new and roaming pagers in a paging system. Messages for the pagers pass through an input messaging switch to the pager's home messaging switch, from which the messages are sent to an output messaging switch to be transmitted to the pagers. When a pager roams into and area, it sends out a registration message that is received by an output messaging switch. The output messaging switch then contacts the home messaging switch for the pager. The pagers are programmed with a home identifier, which they transmit as part of their registration message. The home identifier can be converted to the address of the pager's home node in home messaging switch. In this way, an output messaging switch knows which home messaging switch to contact when it receives a registration message from the pager. The home identifier in a pager can be reprogrammed through an over-the-air procedure.

Abstract: A method for validating a message packet communicated from a source node to a destination node in a computer network is disclosed. The source node and destination node have access to a clock mechanism synchronized with a common time frame. The method comprises generating a first security key using a time reference obtained from the clock mechanism and a password known by the source node and destination node, communicating the first security key with a message packet from the source node to the destination node, and when the first security key and message packet are received by the destination node, generating a second security key using the password and the time reference and comparing the second security key with the first security key. The message packet is discarded if the second security key does not correspond with the first security key.

Abstract: An improved computer network and methods for determining current configurations of abstract nodes is accomplished by using era values in the configurations of the abstract nodes. Abstract nodes which represent network components within the network have access to databases containing recorded node configurations. Associations between nodes are established when a node configuration is advertised and recorded in another node's database. Database information on node configurations is kept current by comparing the era value of each advertised node against the era value of the same node as recorded in the database. Since era values indicate a relative time reference for which the node configuration is operative, a more current era value indicates a more current node configuration. Abstract nodes are completely independent entities. As a result, a node's configuration may be independently modified by more than one component in the network. Application of the network in a hot-standby system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A time-division multiplexed paging system for transmitting multiple paging messages on the same frequency. A geographic area is divided into a plurality of cells having base stations that transmit radio frequency signals in the cells. Each base station is assigned a time slot at which paging messages may be transmitted. The assignment is made such that no base stations having overlapping radio frequency coverage areas transmit during the same time. A locate signal is simultaneously broadcast throughout a geographic area in order to locate a paging unit. Upon receipt of the locate signal, the paging unit transmits an acknowledge signal back to the paging system. The cell in which the paging unit is located is determined based upon the signal strength of the received acknowledged signal. A paging message is transmitted from the base station in the cell in which the paging unit is located during the time slot that is assigned to the base station.