Abstract: A portable communication device (150, 170, 175, 200) is responsive to an uplink change to determine whether the uplink change is practicable (305, 405, 505). If the uplink change is determined by the device to be practicable, the uplink change will be permitted by the device. If the uplink change is determined by the device to not be practicable, alternatives are evaluated (320, 420, 520). A network (102) upon determining that a portable communication device (150, 170, 175, 200) requires an uplink power change, transmits (630) the power change request to the portable device. Responsive to the power change request, the network receives from the device a data allocation change (640) associated with said power change request. The network transmits an updated uplink channel allocation assignment if available.

Abstract: A method of producing a receive signal quality estimate in a subscriber unit (SU) located in a given geographic area covered by a wireless communication system of a kind in which a base station transmits downlink signals in a group of successive time frames directed to a set of geographic areas including an area in which the SU is located, wherein each of the group of successive time frames has signals aimed at a corresponding one of the set of geographic areas.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are for receiving a portion of a message by a call receiver (2). A radio signal is intercepted (910) which is modulated with a hierarchical signalling protocol having variable bit rate protocol divisions (443). A particular variable bit rate protocol division (443) includes the portion of the paging message and a bit rate indicator (460). An optimum bit rate that is being used in the particular variable bit rate protocol division is determined (930) from the bit rate indicator (460). Words (450, 455) in the particular variable bit rate protocol division (443) are decoded (940) using the optimum bit rate. The portion of the paging message is obtained (950) from the words.

Abstract: A radio communication device (100) for displaying information about a signal includes a display (120) for presenting the information. A measurer (110) measures signal quality of the signal received by the radio communication device (100), and an entry element (145) determines from the signal quality whether the radio communication device (100) is out of range. The entry element (145) then stores times of out-of-range conditions in a history table (130). A report element (150) can be activated to drive the display (120) for presentation of the times of the out-of-range conditions. The report element (150) can, for instance, be activated by the user, at periodic times, at specified times, or in response to specific events.

Abstract: A radio communication system (5) includes a transmitting unit (1) coupled to at least one controller (6). The controller (6) is adapted to subdivide the SCR's (selective call receivers) (2) into SCR groups, assign the SCR groups to supergroups, and assign a selected number of message frames (216) and message intervals (208) to each SCR group in each supergroup. A supergroup is then selected, and included in an acquisition group message. The supergroup is for directing SCR's (2) targeted to receive the acquisition group message to monitor messages during the message reception interval (203) according to the supergroup. The controller (6) then invokes the transmitting unit (1) to transmit the acquisition group message to the SCR's (2). Messages target for specific SCR's (2) are then generated, and transmitted by way of the transmitting unit (1) according to the supergroup selected. The targeted SCR's (2) receive the messages according to the supergroup received.

Abstract: A selective call receiver (5) has a programmable baud detector (12, 14) which is programmed (30) to test (33) for an absence of a paging signal having a predetermined baud rate at a first falsing rate and the programmed (36) to test (38) for either the presence or absence of the signal at a second baud rate lower than the first falsing rate, wherein samples from the first test (33) are also used in the determination made by the second test (38).

Abstract: A paging system has a signal for transmitting a variable amount of messages to paging receivers. The signal has a synchronization signal, an address field, an information and a boundary signal indicative of the boundary between the address field and the information field. Each message has addresses which are included within the address field and may have message information which is included in the information field. The information field includes two portions, a first portion having a plurality of packets for holding a predetermined amount of information and a second portion for holding a variable amount of information. If the information associated with a message is less than the predetermined amount, the message information is stored in the first portion of the information field.

Abstract: In a battery powered selective call receiver receiving a synchronous signal, a battery saving method extends battery life by optimizing the amount of time the receiver circuit is activated when searching for the signal after previously acquiring synchronization. The battery saving method allows for turning the selective call receiver on without activating the receiver circuit. The receiver circuit is activated at a time later than the energization of the selective call receiver, where the time of activation of the receiver circuit is determined in response to the time passed since synchronization was last acquired and the system signal stability.

Abstract: A radio frequency programmable selective call receiver (100) provides a received signal having a recovered address, a command code, and a programming field. A decoder determines selection of the selective call receiver in response to correlating the recovered address (403) with a predetermined address stored in a non-volatile memory (107) that includes a plurality of registers for storing a plurality of configuration words which determine operational characteristics of the selective call receiver (100). A controller (105) selects and executes a bulk programming mode (1004) when a recovered data word (503) is unmasked, or a selective programming mode (1008, 1009, 1010, 1011, 1012) when the recovered data word (503) is masked. The bulk programming mode modifies at least one programmable option of the selective call receiver (100) by re-writing all programmable options in the range of a plurality of registers with data included in the unmasked data word.

Abstract: A method of rejecting undesired signals in a selective call receiver operating in a POCSAG system comprises normalizing and counting data transitions that occur at a baud rate less than a predetermined baud rate, comparing the counted number to the total number of transitions, and using this information as criteria for extending the selective call receiver "on" time in a signal search mode.

Abstract: A paging system has a signal for transmitting a variable amount of messages to paging receivers. The signal has a synchronization signal, an address field, an information and a boundary signal indicative of the boundary between the address field and the information field. Each message has addresses which are included within the address field and may have message information which is included in the information field. The information field includes two portions, a first portion having a plurality of packets for holding a predetermined amount of information and a second portion for holding a variable amount of information. If the information associated with a messasge is less than the predetermined amount, the message information is stored in the first portion of the information field.

Abstract: A paging receiver is operative to receive and accept a call signal including a receiver characterization portion which is decoded by the paging receiver to govern processing operations, characterized by the characterization portion, in regard to call signals corresponding to specified assigned call addresses of the paging receiver. In one embodiment, the receiver characterization portion of a call signal includes at least one characterization code and corresponding memory location code for storage of the characterization code in a memory of the paging receiver. Each memory location code corresponds to an assigned call address code of the paging receiver.

Abstract: A paging system which provides both individual and information services includes a transmitter which transmits page call address and data periodically in batches to subscribing paging receivers. Each batch comprising a synchronization code followed by a predetermined plurality of sequential frames. Each paging receiver searches for both its individual service address and a first information service address in its corresponding assigned frame of each batch of a transmission period, and in response to reception of the first information service address, searches for a second information service address in a designated common frame of each batch of a transmission period. Individual and information service data messages are obtained from frames immediately subsequent the frame in which the respective individual and second information service addresses are found.

Abstract: A paging system which provides both individual and information services includes a transmitter for transmitting page call address and data periodically in batches, and a population of battery saver paging receivers for receiving the transmitted call information. Each transmission batch comprises a synchronization code followed by a predetermined plurality of sequential frames. Each subscribing receiver searches for its individual service address in a first designated frame of each batch of a transmission period, and in addition, searches for its information service address in a second designated frame of a designated batch of a transmission period. Individual and information service data messages are obtained from frames subsequent the frame at which their respective address is found.

Abstract: A power switching circuit is described for supplying power to a radio pager which must be continuously powered from either a main or backup battery. The main battery voltage is monitored and at appropriate levels as its value falls, selected functions of the pager are eliminated and switch over to the backup battery is made to keep alive essential functions.

Abstract: A memory programming system which provides a method and apparatus for programming and reading an electronic device memory through its power source connections. Circuitry is provided for programming and reading internal EEPROM memory of a portable radio with information provided by an external programming apparatus through its existing battery terminals, wihout removing the EEPROM from the unit, and without the use of supplementary connectors. The radio battery is disabled and a substitute power source is connected to the existing battery terminals, the substitute power signal is encoded with program data by the programming apparatus circuitry and decoded by the radio circuitry, and a programming voltage is applied to the EEPROM such that the program data is programmed into the radio memory through the battery terminals. The program data can be verified by encoding the substitute power signal with verification data in the radio and decoding the signal externally to provide a visual indication for verification.