Abstract: A mobile communications system in accordance with the invention comprises primary and secondary wireless digital communications networks. The system also comprises a wireless mobile messaging unit. The primary wireless digital communications network operates on a first communications channel using a reserved time slot protocol having discrete time slots reserved for data transmissions to the mobile messaging unit. The secondary wireless digital communications network operates on a second communications channel using a continuous downlink protocol under which data transmissions to the mobile messaging unit might take place at any time. The wireless mobile messaging unit has channel selection logic operatively connected to tune the mobile messaging unit to the first communications channel during the discrete time slots and to the second communications channel during other times.

Abstract: A system and method for increasing the rate of data transfer from a host computer to a peripheral without the need for special hardware within the host computer or a special interface cable coupling the host computer to the peripheral. Some simple hardware modifications are required within the peripheral interface. Data is transferred from the host computer to the peripheral in 4 KByte bursts. Handshaking occurs between the host computer and the peripheral only between bursts. Each byte of peripheral data is apportioned into two nibbles within the host computer. Two bytes are transmitted from the host computer to the peripheral, each transmitted byte containing two data clocks, a panty bit, and a nibble of peripheral data. Within the peripheral, a clock circuit receives the two clock signals from each transmitted byte and generates delayed signals to latch the nibbles of peripheral data into storage registers. The latching signals are generated only after the logic transition of both clock signals.