Abstract: A messaging system transmits to a subscriber unit (122) on a plurality of channels (410) operating concurrently. The system transmits (1108) control information for the subscriber unit on a control channel assigned to the subscriber unit, and transmits (1110) a personal message fragment intended for the subscriber unit on a first channel. The system also transmits (1112) a group-call message fragment that may be intended for the subscriber unit on a second channel. Before transmitting, the system schedules (1106) the transmission such that the probability that the personal and group-call message fragments will overlap temporally with one another and that either of the fragments will overlap temporally with the control information is reduced.

Abstract: A communications system having an antenna and at least one mobile unit in communications with the antenna. A price that a mobile unit will pay to receive an enhanced communications service is established. The antenna provides the enhanced communication service to the mobile unit paying the price.

Abstract: A wireless communication system employs a method and apparatus for accurately locating a communication device in the system. The communication system includes a system infrastructure that provides communication services to communication devices distributed throughout the communication system. Either on its own or, more preferably, responsive to a request from a requesting device for an accurate location of a particular communication device, the system infrastructure determines an approximate geographic location of the communication device. Based on the approximate location, the infrastructure transmits a request to the communication device for a more accurate location of the device preferably together with a map of an area that includes the approximate location of the device. The communication device preferably displays at least the map to a user of the device and, responsive to user input, transmits the more accurate location of the device to the system infrastructure.

Abstract: A messaging system transmits to a subscriber unit (122) on a plurality of channels (410) operating concurrently. The system transmits (1108) control information for the subscriber unit on a control channel assigned to the subscriber unit, and transmits (1110) a personal message fragment intended for the subscriber unit on a first channel. The system also transmits (1112) a group-call message fragment that may be intended for the subscriber unit on a second channel. Before transmitting, the system schedules (1106) the transmission such that the probability that the personal and group-call message fragments will overlap temporally with one another and that either of the fragments will overlap temporally with the control information is reduced.

Abstract: In a wireless communication system (100) affinity groups to which a mobile station (114) belongs are identified (504). Historical affinity strengths between the mobile station and the affinity groups are then determined (506). For each of a plurality of communication resources (102) serving members of the affinity groups, a total affinity strength between the mobile station and the members served by the communication resource is calculated (508). The mobile station is then assigned (522) to the communication resource having a highest total affinity strength with the mobile station.

Abstract: A wireless messaging unit (122) determines (704) that a first channel (402), which utilizes a first plurality of time slots for transmission, does not have a signal suitable for acquiring synchronization; and, in response, attempts (706) to acquire an initial synchronization with a second channel (404) which periodically transmits a synchronization signal (406) in a second plurality of time slots having a predetermined timing relationship with the first plurality of time slots. After acquiring the initial synchronization, the wireless messaging unit applies (708) the predetermined timing relationship to the initial synchronization to establish a secondary synchronization with the first channel.

Abstract: A portable subscriber unit (122) provides (402) communications for a user, and monitors (404) a parameter indicative of communication quality during the communications. The portable subscriber unit compares (406) the parameter with a predetermined threshold; and when the communication quality deteriorates (408) such that the parameter reaches the predetermined threshold, the portable subscriber unit determines (412) geographic coordinates corresponding to the location at which the communication difficulty occurred, and adds (414) a communication difficulty report identifying the parameter and the geographic coordinates to a record of communication difficulty reports stored in the portable subscriber unit. When the portable subscriber unit receives (502) a request for the record of communication difficulty reports from a fixed portion (102) of a two-way wireless communication system, the portable subscriber unit communicates (504) the record of communication difficulty reports to the fixed portion.

Abstract: The generic activation method of a selective call receiver apparatus (122) operating within a messaging system (100) includes providing a selective call receiver (122) having a group address (251) and a unique receiver identification (242) stored in a memory (218). The selective call receiver (122) receives a message addressed to the group address (251) containing the unique receiver identification (242) and programming information (249), and upon receiving the group address (251) and unique receiver identification (242), the method applies the programming information (249) to program the selective call receiver (122).

Abstract: A controller (112) performs at least one of (a) alternating (700) first and second SCI frames in a subzone, and (b) identifying (800) private data channels. In alternating the first and second SCI frames, the controller transmits (704), in the first SCI frame, on a plurality of frequencies, a first predetermined number of control channel identifiers and corresponding frequency identifiers; and sends (706), in the second SCI frame, on the plurality of frequencies, a second predetermined number of control channel identifiers and corresponding frequency identifiers, the first and second predetermined numbers different from one another. In identifying private data channels, the controller conveys (804), in the subzone in an SCI frame on ones of a plurality of control channels, a channel identifier and frequency of at least one data-only channel corresponding to the ones of the plurality of control channels. At least some data-only channels corresponding to different control channels occupy different frequencies.

Abstract: A method and selective messaging unit arranged for acquiring an operating channel (123), that is divided into frames including a signal frame. The selective messaging unit after losing the operating channel provides a clock accuracy (421) based upon an elapsed time counter (243) and a known accuracy or stability of a clock (241). The clock accuracy is compared to a thresholds and the results of this comparison(s) is used to control the frequency and location of scanning in search of an operating channel.

Abstract: A portable subscriber unit (PSU) (222) operating in a plurality of messaging systems selects (605) a first messaging system to monitor for messages. The PSU then initiates (610) background scanning according to a scan list (326), including a plurality of system parameters ranked by appropriateness for the PSU, at a rate not slower than the rate established by a predetermined set of rules known to a controller (212) which sends the messages to the portable subscriber unit, in an attempt to find a system identifier identifying a second messaging system more appropriate for the PSU than the first messaging system. The PSU concurrently monitors (618) the first messaging system for receiving messages until identifying the second messaging system.

Abstract: Sub-areas (506) within a coverage area of a wireless communication system are defined (702), and transmitters (502, 504) are positioned within the sub-areas. A memory (212, 314), in at least one of a subscriber unit (122) and a controller (112) of the system, is programmed (706) with unique transmitter identifiers (414) and corresponding transmitter locations; and a locator signal (406) is periodically transmitted (708) from the sub-areas during time slots (408) coordinated such that, within a sub-area, no more than one transmitter transmits during each time slot. The locator signal includes one of the unique transmitter identifiers for identifying the transmitter sending the locator signal.

Abstract: A location is determined (402) at which a subscriber unit (122, 300) communicating with a first wireless system is positioned. A distance between the location and a second wireless system preferred by the subscriber unit is calculated (404), and, based upon the distance, it is decided (408) whether the subscriber unit will scan for a signal from the second wireless system.

Abstract: In a wireless communication system a first transmission (612, 614) is sent (802) over a first channel to a first receiver (122) that requires a transmission-free guard band (620) during a tuning period, and the first receiver accommodates a second transmission (616) sent concurrently with the first transmission on a second channel that overlaps with spectrum occupied by the guard band. During the tuning period, the system disallows the second transmission, and the first receiver adjusts (804) a pass band of a radio frequency (RF) filter (302) therein such that the pass band includes the guard band. Thereafter, the first receiver tunes (806) to the first channel. During a time other than the tuning period, the first receiver readjusts (810) the pass band of the RF filter such that the pass band excludes the guard band. After the tuning period, the system allows the second transmission to be sent (812).

Abstract: A battery saving interval utilized for communicating with a portable subscriber unit (122) in a radio communication system is dynamically adjusted. An occurrence of a predetermined triggering event associated with the portable subscriber unit is observed (504), and the battery saving interval utilized for communicating with the portable subscriber unit is adjusted (506) in response to the predetermined triggering event, while battery saving intervals of other portable subscriber units in the system are left unchanged.

Abstract: A fixed portion (102) of a two-way messaging system transmits (502) a first message (400) including a value (408) indicative of a response probability desired from a portable subscriber unit (122). The portable subscriber unit receives (602) the first message and selects (614) between responding (616) and not responding to the first message, in a manner that satisfies the response probability.

Abstract: A communication system (10) has a plurality of selective call transceivers (30) which operate as one-way selective call receivers in one-way coverage zones (16) where no registration is required or operate as selective call transceivers in two-way coverage zones (36) where registration is required or operate in one-and-a-half way zones where registration is attempted but not required for the selective call transceiver to receive outbound messages. The system further comprises a plurality of outbound transmitters (17, 18, and 19) covering one-way coverage zones (12, 14, and 16 respectively) and a plurality of base receivers (37, 38, and 39) and transmitters (11, 13, and 15) covering two-way coverage zones (32, 34, and 36 respectively). The one-and-half-way zone is primarily a mode of operation useful in areas having "spotty" inbound coverage and is not necessarily designated by a geographic location.

Abstract: A table (328) is created (402) for mapping, for ones of a plurality of portable subscriber units (122), a plurality of message types to a corresponding plurality of locations. A message matching one of the plurality of message types is then received (404) by a controller (112), the message intended for a portable subscriber unit. In response, the controller and the portable subscriber unit cooperate to determine (406) the location of the portable subscriber unit. The controller sends (428) the message to the portable subscriber unit when the location matches one of the plurality of locations corresponding to the one of the plurality of message types.

Abstract: A subscriber unit (122) acquires (604) communications with a first network (102) of a messaging system, the first network able to communicate at a first bandwidth. Thereafter, the subscriber unit determines (606) that it momentarily needs to communicate at a second bandwidth higher than the first bandwidth. In response, the subscriber unit reacquires (612) communications with a second network (115) different from the first network and able to communicate at the second bandwidth.

Abstract: A selective messaging system controller (105) and analogous methods arranged to schedule messages and control transmitters in a messaging system (100) having a service area so as to enhance a reuse factor, includes: a network port (102) for accepting message requests that is coupled to a processor (131) for forming a first plurality of messages, including an associated zone ID (407) for each message, scheduled for concurrent transmission, during a first time period, within a first coverage pattern (503) that creates interference areas (525) and a second plurality of messages scheduled for concurrent transmission, during a second time period, within a second coverage pattern (505) that provides coverage for a portion of the interference areas; the processor further coupled to a transmitter port (106), for sending the pluralities of messages to the transmitters and controlling these transmitters; and a receiver port (109) for receiving a registration message including one coverage zone ID that identifies a cove