Abstract: A communication system (100) for identifying messages concerning particular sports teams includes a terminal (105) for transmitting a message about a sports event as a radio frequency signal. A radio receiver (110) receives and decodes the radio frequency signal to recover therefrom the message. The radio receiver (110) also determines whether an identification code associated with the radio receiver (110) is included within a first location (205) of the message or a second location (210) of the message. When the identification code is included within the first location (205), a sports team associated with the radio receiver (110) is determined to be a home team in the sports event. When the identification code is included within the second location (210), the sports team associated with the radio receiver (110) is determined to be a visitor team in the sports event.

Abstract: A method for configuring the presentation of received messages comprises the steps of user selectably defining (302) a period of time during which a visual representation of messages received during the period of time will be visually presented, and receiving (304) the messages during the period of time. During the period of time, a further step includes presenting (306) information about the messages received during the period of time on a standby information display. A still further step includes presenting (306) information about messages received during a subsequent period of time on the standby information display after expiration of the period of time.

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 pager (400) capable of operating in a plurality of paging systems (210, 212, and 214) includes a receiver (404) for receiving information messages which include idle words from one of the paging systems. Upon receiving the information messages the pager (400) decodes the information messages in order to determine the system identification information contained in the idle word. The pager (400) then compares the decoded system identification information with the unique paging system identification number presently being utilized by the pager (400). If the system identification information matches the unique paging system identification number presently being utilized by the pager, the pager (400) remains in the present paging system. If the data does not match, the pager uses controller (410) to determine if any of the stored sets of system configuration parameters which are each associated with a unique paging system identification number matches the decoded system identification information.

Abstract: A selective call receiver 10 requires an access authorization code prior to presenting selected messages and to override a lockout mode.

Abstract: A selective call receiver allows reprogramming of the options stored within a code plug only after entry of a correct password. After a predetermined number of unsuccessful attempts to enter a correct password, the selective call receiver is user disabled such that the user may not reenable the selective call receiver without returning the receiver to the manufacturer or without replacing expensive components thereof.

Abstract: A method for generating alphanumeric messages in a telephone-entry selective call system comprises programmable selective call source identification for selected selective call receivers and numerically coded canned alphanumeric messages.

Abstract: An electronic paging receiver for reminding a user of an important event includes a time of day clock for recording the time when a data message is received. The paging receiver computes a future alert time to remind the user of the receipt of the data message. Additionally, the user may enter a future alert time to generate a future alert. Further, the paging receiver is capable of detecting a special time/date field in the received data message to automatically generate a future alert.