Abstract: In a data communication system a first controller (102) selectively retrieves data from a database (316) in a second controller (106). Data corresponding to a plurality of entities is programmed (602) into the database. The data includes a plurality of parameters for each of the plurality of entities. Ones of the plurality of parameters are selectively defined (604) to belong to parameter groups in accordance with a predetermined grouping plan. The first controller generates (612) a request for the data corresponding to one of the plurality of entities from the database, the request further indicating a desired one of the parameter groups. The second controller returns (620) the desired one of the parameter groups corresponding to the one of the plurality of entities, in response to the request.

Abstract: A messaging system capable of transmitting messages to receivers which roam between coverage areas. In one configuration, a coverage area (600) is divided into a plurality of zones (605, 610, 615). A single simulcast system identification (SSID) number is assigned which consists of a local identification number which identifies the coverage area (600), a zone identifier which identifies a zone (610) within the coverage area, traffic splitting flags and a frequency. For larger roaming areas, a network is defined as consisting of a plurality of service areas and is identified by network identification information (NID). NID information and/or SSID information along with a priority value is stored in a receiver according to desired coverage and like information is transmitted in the corresponding zone or service area and the roaming pager operates on the frequency having the NID or SSID having the highest priority.

Abstract: A paging controller (10) schedules the transmission of pages of different protocol types, dynamically, taking into account both the airtime efficiency of transmitting a page of a particular protocol type and the fairness of transmitting pages of that protocol type. The paging controller (10) determines the efficiency of transmitting stored pages for each protocol type based upon the number of code words stored for the pages of the protocol type in a paging queue (27-30) and based upon the delay, if any, that is expected to be encountered in changing to the protocol type. The paging controller (10) determines the fairness of transmitting pages of a particular protocol type based upon the age of the pages of the protocol type that are stored in the paging queue (27-30).