Abstract: A method and apparatus process (300) a message received by a communication receiver (100) having a memory (110) for storing (324) a periodically received mail-drop message including an address and information having an effective length. When a new mail-drop message is received (302), a processor (108) determines (400) whether to replace (408) an old mail-drop message received (302) and stored (324) earlier in the memory (110), in response to the information of the new mail-drop message.

Abstract: A selective call receiver includes receiver circuitry (20) and decoder circuitry (32). The receiver circuitry (20) receives selective call signals, including reprogramming messages (100). The decoder circuitry (32) decodes the reprogramming messages (100) and produces data in response thereto. The data includes program information (110) and reprogramming data (112). A reprogrammable memory device (70) stores option information for control of various operational features of the selective call receiver. A processor (34) is coupled to the decoder circuitry (32) and the reprogrammable memory device (70) and reprograms the option information in response to the reprogramming data (112) and according to the program information (110).

Abstract: A selective call receiver (100) comprising an information display (118) and a processor (106) operationally coupled to the information display (118). The information display (118) presents at least information representing an area map (402) with a plurality of operating regions (403, 404, 405) in which the selective call receiver can receive an information signal from a selected channel. Each region in the plurality of operating regions (403, 404, 405) corresponds to a predetermined selective call signaling channel that may be selected for operation by activating at least one user activated control (407). The at least one user activated control (407) is operationally coupled to the processor (106) for effecting selection and reception of the information signal on the channel associated with the selected region on the information display (118).

Abstract: A method and apparatus allows a user to selectively store (604) a portion of a received message in a selective call receiver (100). The selective call receiver (100) includes first and second memory elements (118) for storing the received message and the portion thereof, respectively. The second memory element has a plurality of partitions (122, 124, 126, 128) corresponding to a plurality of file types. The user defines (FIG. 5) the portion of the received message stored in the first memory element, which portion is to be stored in the second memory element, and then selects (602) one of the plurality of partitions (122, 124, 126, 128) for storing the defined portion of the received message. The defined portion of the received message is then stored (604) in the selected one of the plurality of partitions (122, 124, 126, 128).

Abstract: A selective call receiver (100) comprises means for receiving messages (104) and memory means (108) for storing the received messages. Displaying means (130) for displaying the stored messages and a predetermined number of indicators (212) representative of a corresponding predetermined number of stored messages. Means for activating (306) the indicators in a predetermined sequence of activated indicators (210) on the displaying means (130) when the received messages are stored. Means (306) wherein the activating means (306) responds to the deleting means by deactivating the indicator associated with the stored message being deleted resulting in a gap (218) being displayed in the sequence of activated indicators (210) at the position occupied by the deactivated indicator.

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 storing received messages in a selective call receiver comprising the steps of transferring the address of a previously received message from one of a predetermined number of slots, and storing a new message address in the predetermined slot. The previously received message address is transferred automatically into a history file when the slots are occupied and a new message is received, or the previously received message address may be transferred manually into a personal file for retention of important information.

Abstract: A selective call receiver displays messages in at least two scripts. The selective call receiver receives data including an address and a message to be displayed. A decoder decodes the data and recognizes a script select character therewithin. A memory stores at least two fonts corresponding to said at least two scripts, said scripts having different resolutions. A microcomputer is coupled to the decoder and the memory for selecting one of the fonts in response to the script select character, and a display is coupled to the microcomputer for displaying the message in the selected font.

Abstract: A communication system and in particular a paging system for transmitting information includes a keyboard, an encoder, a transmitter, a paging, the paging receiver comprising, a decoder, a microprocessor, and a display. Entered information includes a plurality of languages and a corresponding language select signal, each language comprised of a plurality of characters. To increase throughput, the language characters are compressed by the encoder to a common set of characters. The information including the languages is transmitted to a plurality of selectable paging receivers. The paging receiver decodes the information and converts the transmitted received characters to corresponding language symbols according to the transmitted received language select signal. The language symbols are then displayed on the display.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the illumination of a display used to prevent messages in a pager is described. A microcomputer is used for controlling the operation of the display in response to a read switch being actuated. A light switch, coupled to an illumination circuit provides display illumination upon the light switch being manually activated. The microcomputer also couples to the light switch to allow monitoring of the switch actuation. Upon actuation of the light switch, when a message is being displayed, the microcomputer will maintain the illumination of the display, even after the light switch has been released. Once the message has been read, the microcomputer resumes monitoring the light switch, and the illumination of the display is terminated.