Abstract: Efficient routing of a message over a data network. A first communication device sends a message to a telemetry gateway or short message arbitrator. The telemetry gateway or short message arbitrator determines the communication protocol of the first communication device and the communication protocol of a second communication device. The telemetry gateway or short message arbitrator converts the message to a data format compatible with the second communication device, wherein the message is converted to one of at least three different communication protocols. The telemetry gateway or short message arbitrator then forwards the message for receipt by the second communication device. The telemetry gateway or short message arbitrator can convert and forward the message without completing a store and forward process.

Abstract: A portable service escrowed event reporting system that may be sold through mass-market sales channels. Communications between a consumer and the provider of the event reporting system are not required in advance of the system being purchased by the consumer. After purchase of the system by the consumer, the system may be initialized. The service may have a finite amount of service associated with it when it is purchased. The consumer may choose to have the system report the occurrence of reportable events directly to them over a wireless network.

Abstract: A portable service escrowed event reporting system that may be sold through mass-market sales channels. Communications between a consumer and the provider of the event reporting system are not required in advance of the system being purchased by the consumer. After purchase of the system by the consumer, the system may be initialized. The service may have a finite amount of service associated with it when it is purchased. The consumer may choose to have the system report the occurrence of reportable events directly to them over a wireless network.

Abstract: A portable service escrowed event reporting system that may be sold through mass-market sales channels. Communications between a consumer and the provider of the event reporting system are not required in advance of the system being purchased by the consumer. After purchase of the system by the consumer, the system may be initialized. The service may have a finite amount of service associated with it when it is purchased. The consumer may choose to have the system report the occurrence of reportable events directly to them over a wireless network.

Abstract: Efficient routing of a message over a data network. A first communication device sends a message to a telemetry gateway or short message arbitrator. The telemetry gateway or short message arbitrator determines the communication protocol of the first communication device and the communication protocol of a second communication device. The telemetry gateway or short message arbitrator converts the message to a data format compatible with the second communication device, wherein the message is converted to one of at least three different communication protocols. The telemetry gateway or short message arbitrator then forwards the message for receipt by the second communication device. The telemetry gateway or short message arbitrator can convert and forward the message without completing a store and forward process.

Abstract: Efficient routing of a message over a data network. A first communication device sends a message to a telemetry gateway or short message arbitrator. The telemetry gateway or short message arbitrator determines the communication protocol of the first communication device and the communication protocol of a second communication device. The telemetry gateway or short message arbitrator converts the message to a data format compatible with the second communication device, wherein the message is converted to one of at least three different communication protocols. The telemetry gateway or short message arbitrator then forwards the message for receipt by the second communication device. The telemetry gateway or short message arbitrator can convert and forward the message without completing a store and forward process.

Abstract: A portable service escrowed event reporting system that may be sold through mass-market sales channels. Communications between a consumer and the provider of the event reporting system are not required in advance of the system being purchased by the consumer. After purchase of the system by the consumer, the system may be initialized. The service may have a finite amount of service associated with it when it is purchased. The consumer may choose to have the system report the occurrence of reportable events directly to them over a wireless network.

Abstract: A portable service escrowed event reporting system that may be sold through mass-market sales channels. Communications between a consumer and the provider of the event reporting system are not required in advance of the system being purchased by the consumer. After purchase of the system by the consumer, the system may be initialized. The service may have a finite amount of service associated with it when it is purchased. The consumer may choose to have the system report the occurrence of reportable events directly to them over a wireless network.

Abstract: Efficient routing of a message over a data network. A first communication device sends a message to a telemetry gateway or short message arbitrator. The telemetry gateway or short message arbitrator determines the communication protocol of the first communication device and the communication protocol of a second communication device. The telemetry gateway or short message arbitrator converts the message to a data format compatible with the second communication device, wherein the message is converted to one of at least three different communication protocols. The telemetry gateway or short message arbitrator then forwards the message for receipt by the second communication device. The telemetry gateway or short message arbitrator can convert and forward the message without completing a store and forward process.

Abstract: Efficient routing of a message over a data network. A first communication device sends a message to a telemetry gateway or short message arbitrator. The telemetry gateway or short message arbitrator determines the communication protocol of the first communication device and the communication protocol of a second communication device. The telemetry gateway or short message arbitrator converts the message to a data format compatible with the second communication device, wherein the message is converted to one of at least three different communication protocols. The telemetry gateway or short message arbitrator then forwards the message for receipt by the second communication device. The telemetry gateway or short message arbitrator can convert and forward the message without completing a store and forward process.

Abstract: A service provider uses a telemetry gateway to communicate with radio communication devices using various incompatible short message service (SMS) protocols. A communication, from the service provider to a radio communication device, passes through the telemetry gateway. The telemetry gateway determines the communication protocol of the radio communication device and converts the communication from a common protocol to the radio communication device's protocol. The telemetry gateway also determines and sends the converted communication over the appropriate communication path for receipt by the radio communication device. The telemetry gateway is also operable for providing registration information and receiving a communication from a radio communication device. The telemetry gateway can convert the received communication to a common protocol and transmit the converted communication to the service provider.

Abstract: A portable service escrowed event reporting system that may be sold through mass-market sales channels. Communications between a consumer and the provider of the event reporting system are not required in advance of the system being purchased by the consumer. After purchase of the system by the consumer, the system may be initialized. The service may have a finite amount of service associated with it when it is purchased. The consumer may choose to have the system report the occurrence of reportable events directly to them over a wireless network.

Abstract: A service provider uses a telemetry gateway to communicate with radio communication devices using various incompatible short message service (SMS) protocols. A communication, from the service provider to a radio communication device, passes through the telemetry gateway. The telemetry gateway determines the communication protocol of the radio communication device and converts the communication from a common protocol to the radio communication device's protocol. The telemetry gateway also determines and sends the converted communication over the appropriate communication path for receipt by the radio communication device. The telemetry gateway is also operable for providing registration information and receiving a communication from a radio communication device. The telemetry gateway can convert the received communication to a common protocol and transmit the converted communication to the service provider.

Abstract: A customer central location (CCL) communicates with multiple remote wireless devices employing mutually incompatible data formats or short message service (SMS) protocols. A communication, from the CCL to a remote device or from a remote device to the CCL, passes through a short message arbitrator (SMA), which determines the identifying characteristic(s) of the device receiving the communication. From the identifying characteristic(s), the short message arbitrator determines the expected data format and the transmission path to the device. The SMA converts the communication into the expected data format and transmits the communication over the appropriate transmission path.

Abstract: Communicating commands and/or data to a remote controller, such as a programmable logic controller, coupled to a cellular communications device. Each cellular communications device can monitor the cellular network control channel for a pair of target pages within a first time period. In the event that a cellular communications device receives target pages having a matching specific identifier, the device will monitor the cellular network control channel over a second time period for at least one command page or data page. The cellular communications device can respond to the reception of one or more command or data pages by forwarding instructions or information to the controller via a communications link. In addition, the cellular communications device can acknowledge receipt of the data or command pages by issuing an acknowledgment signal.

Abstract: A wireless communications device that can support the communication of a data message via a selected one of multiple wireless data transport (WDT) technologies. A wireless communications device can support CDPD, control channel data transport technologies, such as the “CELLEMETRY” data communications service, and voice-channel modem operations by combining these WDT technologies within a single radio device. In the radio-to-base system direction, the appropriate WDT technology can be chosen based upon the data volume for the communication application. A control channel data transport technology can be used for very low volume; CDPD can be used for medium volume; and voice-channel modem operation can be used for large volume. The appropriate WDT technology can be automatically selected for use with the present data application to achieve an effective communication of the data content via the cellular system while also accomplishing a least cost distribution of the data content.

Abstract: A customer central location (CCL) communicates with multiple remote wireless devices employing mutually incompatible data formats or short message service (SMS) protocols. A communication, from the CCL to a remote device or from a remote device to the CCL, passes through a short message arbitrator (SMA), which determines the identifying characteristic(s) of the device receiving the communication. From the identifying characteristic(s), the short message arbitrator determines the expected data format and the transmission path to the device. The SMA converts the communication into the expected data format and transmits the communication over the appropriate transmission path.

Abstract: Communicating commands and/or data to a remote controller, such as a programmable logic controller, coupled to a cellular communications device by sending multiple pages via a cellular network control channel of a cellular mobile radiotelephone system. Each cellular communications device operating within the coverage area of the cellular mobile radiotelephone system can monitor the cellular network control charnel for a pair of target pages within a first time period. Each target page includes a specific identifier assigned to one or more of the cellular communications devices. In the event that a cellular communications device receives target pages having a matching specific identifier, the device will monitor the cellular network control channel over a second time period for at least one command page or data page carrying instructions or information for use by the remote controller.

Abstract: Communicating commands and/or data to a remote controller, such as a programmable logic controller, coupled to a cellular communications device. Each cellular communications device can monitor the cellular network control channel for a pair of target pages within a first time period. In the event that a cellular communications device receives target pages having a matching specific identifier, the device will monitor the cellular network control channel over a second time period for at least one command page or data page. The cellular communications device can respond to the reception of one or more command or data pages by forwarding instructions or information to the controller via a communications link. In addition, the cellular communications device can acknowledge receipt of the data or command pages by issuing an acknowledgment signal.

Abstract: Identifying and registering the location of a mobile data reporting device operating within the coverage areas of a cellular mobile radiotelephone (CMR) system. The mobile data reporting device travels freely between CMR systems and is operative to communicate selected data collected from data sources to a data collection system via control channels of the CMR system. The location registration system enables the data collection system to transmit a data message to the mobile data reporting device via the control channels of the particular CMR system within the coverage areas of which the mobile data reporting device resides. Each CMR system transmits a beacon page that distinguishes the CMR system from adjacent CMR systems. When the mobile data reporting device receives a beacon page that is different from a previously received beacon page, the mobile data reporting device generates a beacon-responsive signal.