Abstract: A two-way communication network for routing communications from and to a plurality of subscriber units at various geographic locations. The network includes a plurality of low power local subscriber units adapted to transmit and receive digital data messages of variable lengths and a central transmitter station (CTS). The CTS includes data transmission and data reception facilities. The transmission facilities transmit messages to the local subscriber units and include a synchronization unit that synchronizes the transmission facilities with a precision clock signal. The data reception facilities receive and process messages from the subscriber units. Remote receiver units are dispersed over the geographic area served by the CTS and relay digital messages transmitted from the subscriber units to the CTS. Each subscriber unit communicates with the CTS by way of digital data signals synchronously related to said precision clock signal and timed for multiplexed message transmission.

Abstract: A system for reducing power consumption by a portable electronic communication device. Modem circuit for receiving messages and for transmitting messages from a portable electronic communication device are powered via power source control/switch coupled thereto. A logic circuit is coupled to the power source control/switch for control the power source control/switch to selectively deliver power to the modem circuit of the portable electronic communication device during a first time interval and to withhold power from the modem circuit of the portable electronic communication device during a second time interval. A low power control clock/counter is coupled to the logic circuit means for measuring the duration of the first and second time intervals. In one embodiment, the first time interval occurs while the modem circuit of the portable electronic communication device is transmitting or receiving messages.

Abstract: An interactive data appliance (IDA) having a receiver and transmitter for sending voice packet messages in a two-way interactive broadcast data service communication system. The IDA contains a receiver into which a user recites a spoken message. The voice message is then transmitted by the IDA to a local remote receiver and then to a central transmitting station. In one embodiment of the invention, the IDA digitizes the voice message recited by the user. Additionally, in one embodiment, the IDA operates on a carrier frequency band in the order of approximately 218 MHz, is a battery operated portable unit, and has a maximum power output in the milliwatt range.

Abstract: A cellular, digital, two-way messaging system and method. In one embodiment of the present invention, two-way messaging is achieved using pagers, remote receivers, and a central transmitting station. In the present embodiment, the pagers also include displays and keyboards.

Abstract: In a two-way interactive communication video network having a network switching center for point-to-point communications between subscribers at different geographic locations, a local base station configuration is provided for facilitating low power battery operated portable subscriber units. The local subscriber units surrounding a base station are adapted for multiplex transmission of digital messages synchronously related to a broadcast television signal for system coordination. Digital messages are transmitted from the local subscriber units to the base station data processing facility through a set of receive only cell site subdivision zones distributed over the base station transmitter geographical range, which communicate with the base station data processing facility over a communication link such as wired cable. Messages are compiled and relayed by satellite to a network switching center transmitter site for nationwide point-to-point communications.

Abstract: An interactive data appliance (IDA) having a receiver and transmitter for sending data messages in a two-way interactive broadcast data service communication system. In one embodiment, a user of a transmitting IDA selects a message from a list of messages stored in the IDA memory. The selected message is transmitted as a data message to a receiving IDA. The receiving IDA converts the data message to a synthesized voice message. Hence, the receiving IDA speaks the message selected by the user of the transmitting IDA.

Abstract: A system and method for communicating between local subscriber units and a local base station repeater cell in a two-way communication interactive data broadcast network. In one embodiment, a store and forward repeater receives data signals transmitted by a local base station repeater cell and forwards the signals to local subscriber units. Responses from the local subscriber units are then transmitted from the local subscriber units back to the local base station repeater cell means via a local remote receiver. In so doing, two-way communication is achieved between a local base station repeater cell and local subscriber units.

Abstract: A network hub switching center routes communications from and to a plurality of RTUs. CTSs transmit data to the RTUs dispersed over a predetermined CTS geographic area and the RTUs present multiplexed digital data which is synchronously related to the CTS broadcast signal for communication with identified individual RTUs within designated geographic areas. A number of intermediate receivers are provided with each CTS for receiving messages from low-powered local RTUs. The intermediate receivers are located at a set of cell subdivision sites, which are partitioned from the CTS geographic area and are dispersed over the CTS geographic area. The CTS data processing and transmission facilities provides for synchronizing the transmission facilities with a precision clock signal derived from an independent precision clock source. The clock source is independent of the radio broadcast signals when the interactive radio network operates in conjunction with a source of radio broadcast signals.

Abstract: A system and method for communicating between local subscriber units and a local base station repeater cell in a two-way communication interactive video network. In one embodiment, a modem is used to enable communications between a subscriber unit and a local base station repeater cell when the subscriber units are unable to receive rf transmissions from the local base station repeater cell. The local base station repeater cell is connected via a telephone line to the modem. Data communications are sent from the local base station repeater cell to the modem. The modem is also connected via and rf link to the subscriber unit. The modem then transmits the data communications received from the local base station repeater cell to the subscriber unit. Responses from the subscriber unit are then transmitted over the rf link from the subscriber unit to the modem. The modem then transmits the responses over the telephone line to the local base station repeater cell.

Abstract: In a two-way interactive communication video network having a network switching center for point-to-point communications between subscribers at different geographic locations, a local base station configuration is provided for facilitating low power battery operated portable subscriber units. The local subscriber units surrounding a base station are adapted for multiplex transmission of digital messages synchronously related to a broadcast television signal for system coordination. Digital messages are transmitted from the local subscriber units to the base station data processing facility through a set of receive only cell site subdivision zones distributed over the base station transmitter geographical range, which communicate with the base station data processing facility over a communication link such as wired cable. Messages are compiled and relayed by satellite to a network switching center transmitter site for nationwide point-to-point communications.

Abstract: In a two-way interactive communication video network having a network switching center for point-to-point communications between subscribers at different geographic locations, a local base station configuration is provided for facilitating low power battery operated portable subscriber units. The local subscriber units surrounding a base station are adapted for multiplex transmission of digital messages synchronously related to a broadcast television signal for system coordination. Digital messages are transmitted from the local subscriber units to the base station data processing facility through a set of receive only cell site subdivision zones distributed over the base station transmitter geographical range, which communicate with the base station data processing facility over a communication link such as wired cable. Messages are compiled and relayed by satellite to a network switching center transmitter site for nationwide point-to-point communications.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing interference free rf communications between remote handsets and host subscriber units in a Cellular Radio Telephone System includes the use of data transmission and voice channels assigned by microprocessors to track the currently assigned base station/subscriber unit channel assignment--but offset therefrom by one channel thereby to reliably and automatically arrive at an interference free channel.