Abstract: A cellular communications device for communicating over a cellular network control channel of a cellular mobile radiotelephone (CMR) system. A transmitter can transmit a data message formatted to correspond to an identification signal transmitted by a cellular radiotelephone when that device identifies itself to the CMR system. The data message contains selected data and is transmitted via the reverse overhead control channel of the cellular network control channel. A receiver can receive command signals from a mobile switching center of the CMR system via a forward overhead control channel (FOCC) of the cellular network control channel. A controller controls operation conducted by the transmitter and the receiver.

Abstract: A system for communicating data via a cellular network control channel of a cellular mobile radiotelephone system. The system includes a mobile switching center operable for receiving a registration signal from a registering cellular communications device. The registration signal includes identification information associated with the registering cellular communications device and a predefined data field containing data. The mobile switching center detects the presence of the identification information in the registration signal. In response to the identification information, the mobile switching center determines whether the registering cellular communications device is a member of a predetermined class of cellular sources, such as a class known as "roamer" units.

Abstract: A data messaging method for communicating a short data message between a message sender and a message recipient using the existing facilities and capabilities of the public switched telecommunication network and without establishing a telephonic connection therebetween, thereby reducing the time and cost required to communicate a data message between the parties as compared to current methods. In a preferred embodiment, the method communicates a user-definable data message between a message sender having telephone terminal equipment and a plurality of telephone lines associated therewith, and a message recipient having telephone terminal equipment and a telephone line associated therewith. According to the method, a first plurality of data message portions are associated in one-to-one correspondence with the message sender's plurality of telephone lines. The data message is then parsed into a second plurality of data message portions taken from the first plurality of data message portions.

Abstract: A system for communicating location data regarding the present service area for a "roaming" cellular paging device in a paging system. Each cellular paging device monitors a cellular network control channel to detect a cellular system identification signal transmitted by a cellular mobile radiotelephone (CMR) system. If the cellular system identification signal does not match a preassigned code for a host CMR system associated with the paging system, it responds by transmitting an identification signal to the MSC via the cellular network control channel. This identification signal includes: (1) a unique identification code that identifies the source of the identification signal, and (2) at least a portion of the system identification signal that was received by the cellular paging device. The CMR system determines that the identification signal has been transmitted by a "roaming" device associated with another CMR system and, accordingly, sends the identification signal to a verification system.

Abstract: A system for communicating data via a cellular network control channel of a cellular mobile radiotelephone system (CMR). A data message system includes reporting devices, a mobile switching center (MSC) of a CMR system, and a data collection system. The MSC receives data messages via the cellular network control channel from reporting devices operating within coverage areas of the array of cells and forwards the data messages via a first communications link to the data collection system. A paging acknowledgment system also can communicate both (1) paging messages and (2) acknowledgment messages to confirm reception of the paging messages. The paging acknowledgment system includes a communications system, remote communications devices, and at least one MSC of a CMR system. A remote communications device responds to a data message corresponding to a paging message by transmitting an acknowledgment message containing an acknowledgment code to the MSC via a cellular network control channel of the CMR system.