Abstract: A paging system, which consists of a number of central stations, each of which contains a number of pager apparatus associated with it. Each pager apparatus responds to one or more identifying numbers so that a caller may send a paging message to one or a number of pager apparatus, all of which respond to the same identifying number. The central station includes a profile of information for each pager apparatus associated with it. Paging information is comprised of various identification numbers to which the pager apparatus responds, as well as selected type of services. Pagers can additionally restrict receiving pages from unwelcome callers, prioritize messages, limit the number of received calls, and arrange for a transfer of their calls from one central station to another central station. The central station can also store voice message providing an indication to the selected pager to call the central station to retrieve voice message.

Abstract: A selective caller receiver which can facilitate easy setting of a test mode without using an exclusive jig and also easy management and adjustment of a receiving unit. In the selective caller receiver, a memory for storing therein test mode setting data is provided and turning ON of a control switch causes the data to be read out from the memory. When a test mode is judged to be present on the basis of the read-out data, a battery saving operation is released and the receiving unit is continuously operated to set the receiving unit in the test mode. When a test mode is judged not to be present, the receiving unit is operated in its battery saving mode.

Abstract: A pager is disclosed which includes, in addition to a message receiving function, a data generation program responsive to an operation for generating and storing data in the memory; an optical communication circuit for generating and transmitting a first optical signal indicative of the message or the generated data in accordance with a data selection command to another of the pager and for directly receiving a second optical signal including second data from another pager and outputting the received data; and a receiving control program for storing the received data in the memory in response to a receiving command. It may further comprise: an ID code generation program for generating a first ID code according to the data selection command; a data attaching program for attaching the ID code to data to be transmitted to another pager. The received data is stored according to the received ID code. A light intensity changing circuit may change an intensity of the first optical signal.

Abstract: A portable terminal device of a calling party individually sets a sounding pattern to be used for reporting an incoming call, and a called party is informed of the thus-set sounding pattern beforehand. As a result, when the terminal device of the called party makes the thus-set sounding pattern, the terminal device enables the user to immediately specify the calling party. In addition to sound, blinks of light, vibration of a vibrator, or the color of backlight can be used solely or in combination two of more. Further, so long as the portable terminal device is provided with display means capable of displaying characters, in addition to the incoming call reporting means, a simple message can be indicated on the portable terminal device. Consequently, the called party can immediately ascertain the nature of the call without directly talking with the calling party through the portable terminal device.

Abstract: A communication apparatus of the present invention displays, in its stand-by state, particular callers' name belonging to a preset group and the latest messages respectively corresponding to particular callers' names continuously on a display 6. On the receipt of a radio signal, a message conversion section 12 converts it to a received message. A comparison and controller 5 determines whether or not the converted message includes any one of the particular callers' names registered previously at a RAM (Random Access Memory) 8. If the answer of this decision is positive, the latest message corresponding to the particular caller's name and also stored in the RAM 8 is updated. Thereafter, a group name to which the particular caller's name belongs, all of the particular callers' names belonging to the group and the latest messages respectively corresponding to all of the particular callers' names are displayed on the display 6.

Abstract: A reminding device to permit the user to determine, at a later date, using a portable device, whether a routine task to secure an object or piece of equipment has been performed.

Abstract: A first portable messaging unit (PMU) (122) sends (502) address information to a second PMU through a wireless messaging system, and the second PMU receives (504) the address information. In response, the second PMU makes a check (506) of whether information identical to the address information is stored in its address book (230) and then processes (508-516) the address information in a predetermined manner dependent upon the result of the check.

Abstract: A method of transmitting messages in an answer-back paging system in which a primary station (10,14,16) transmits a series of messages addressed to respective secondary stations (20) on a down-link. The primary station then invites the secondary stations to transmit their responses, for example as CDMA signals, on an up-link. On receipt the primary station analyses those responses which are deemed to be intelligible, matches them to the originally transmitted messages and transmits acknowledgements to the relevant secondary stations. The primary station then issues another invitation to those stations whose responses had not been detected requesting them to reply on the up-link. Those responses which are deemed intelligible are processed as before and acknowledgements are transmitted together with another invitation on the down-link. The cycle of operations is repeated until either a predetermined number of cycles have elapsed or it is considered that all the intelligible responses have been received.

Abstract: A waiter paging system is provided for use in a restaurant. The system includes a plurality of table transmitters (there being one transmitter at each table) which transmit a “waiter call” signal and a plurality of pager units (there being one pager unit for each waiter). The pager unit notifies the waiter via a vibrator or buzzer that a request has been received and displays the request. In one embodiment, the system includes a central unit which receives the “waiter call” signal from the table transmitter and which effectively relays the “waiter call” signal to the pager units. In a second embodiment, there is no central unit. Rather, the waiter pager units receive the “waiter call” signal directly from the table transmitters. Each pager unit is associated with a set of tables (and hence table transmitters), each set of tables being fewer than all the tables in the restaurant.

Abstract: A communications system is provided for communicating information to and from recipients scattered over wide geographic areas. A computer controlled head end communications interface adds address information to a message in accordance with who the intended recipients are. A media router directs the message through appropriate transport media in accordance with the address information. Preferably, the messages are communicated, at least in part, over existing paging systems. Additional transport media include existing power distribution networks, twisted wire pairs and fiber optics networks. Bi-directional reporting capability is provided. The system is well-suited for applications such as remote reading of utility meters, communication of emergency warnings, bi-directional alarm reporting, time synchronization, and encryption/authentication.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transferring identification codes using magnetic coupling. A matching code is established by a microprocessor and is stored in the memories of a communications base unit and a mobile unit. When the mobile unit is placed in the base unit the central processing unit sends pulsed current to a coil in the base unit inducing a magnetic field. A Hall effect transistor in the mobile unit detects the induced changes in the magnetic field and transmits the pulse pattern to the base unit (handset) memory where it is entered as a new identification code.

Abstract: A security device and a method for controlling operating status of portable computers with a pager to prevent unauthorized access to information stored in the portable computers, in the event of a theft or a loss are disclosed. The security device for a portable computer comprises: a memory for storing pager processing routine; data processing means for receiving, storing, and determining paged information to generate a corresponding interrupt signal according to a determined result; and a controller for displaying a message or a telephone number, or for changing system password by performing the pager processing routine, according the interrupt signal from the data processing means.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved message distribution system, for use in a wireless messaging system, that is capable of allowing a subscriber of the wireless messaging system to review stored wireless messages sent to the subscriber. The message distribution system comprises: 1) a first I/O interface capable of receiving a message retrieval request from the subscriber; and 2) a message retrieval controller coupled to the first I/O interface capable of determining an identity of the subscriber from identification data contained in the message retrieval request, retrieving a data record associated with the subscriber, the data record containing one or more of the stored wireless messages, and transferring to the subscriber one or more selected portions of at least one of the stored wireless messages.

Abstract: A portable computer is described that contains a circuit for receiving pages and performing security functions based on the received page. Once a page has been received by the portable computer, the computer's hard drive can be automatically reformatted, or the portable computer can be prevented from booting. In addition, the portable computer can be programmed to use a modem to automatically dial a security center and transmit security information such as the Caller ID Tag of the current telephone number.

Abstract: A wireless communication system or method capable of providing both a two-way telephone service and a two-way paging service on the same infrastructure. The system or method is capable of distinguishing whether a subscriber is a telephone or paging subscriber. If the subscriber is a two-way paging subscriber, the system or method allows the calling party to have the capability of conversing directly with the called party for a limited time or the options of leaving voice, numeric or alphanumeric messages for the called party to retrieve later.

Abstract: The present invention solves the current problem of allowing ad-hoc (manual) voice response by a user to a page received by a paging device. In one aspect of the invention, a paging device includes a digital signal processor for receiving and compressing a voice response to a page prior to transmission back to the paging party. In further aspects of the invention, the speech is first recorded and compressed and then transmitted to a wireless base station for subsequent transmission to the calling party.

Abstract: A system and apparatus for permitting a user of a selective call receiver (31) to receive a certain number of personal messages and information service updates without paying a fee for such services in return for reading advertisements wirelessly transmitted to the selective call receiver. The user is allowed to read the advertisements at any time prior to receiving the personal messages and information service updates. The certain number is proportional to the number of advertisements read. The certain number can be increased by the user responding to questions within advertisements using reverse channel messaging capabilities of a selective call transceiver (32), or by using a conventional telephone (22).

Abstract: A radio paging receiver operates in two modes. In a first mode, the pager activates light and sound alarms message regardless of who the caller is. In a second, password select mode, the pager sounds the light and sound alarms only for callers who have transmitted a password with their messages to the pager. In password select mode, the pager also allows a user to discriminate among those callers who have the password, only activating both the light and sound alarm when preselected callers are detected as transmitting a message to the pager. To make this possible, the pager uses a caller's telephone number as a password. If a message from a caller who is not selected is received, only the light alarm is activated and the message is displayed. The sound alarm is not activated. Selection of callers is made in accordance with a stored and displayed telephone directory, for example, with a stylus pen.

Abstract: A selective calling receiver display unit having a displaying function, which including a photo-detecting section for detecting the quantity of light of an incident light beam, and a display control section for processing the display action of a display section. The display control section controls the on-off operation of the screen display of the display section according to the quantity of light detected by the photo-detecting section, so that the screen display is automatically turned on and off according to the necessity for screen display which is based on the use of the selective calling receiver.

Abstract: A public pager messaging system with publicly accessible pager readout terminals distributed throughout the messaging system range, where each pager terminal is preprogrammed to recognize one or more specific capture codes that may be appended to a message, and to then accept and hold only those messages. A sender can create and append to a message either or both of a message code for one or a class of intended recipients, and a capture code consistent with the areas in which the recipients are likely to be found. The message code acts as a security lock on the message, making it inaccessible by recipients unless or until the necessary information about the message code is shared by sender with the intended recipients, so that the lock can be opened. The message may be accessible on multiple pager terminals. The message may be erased if not accessed within a preset time.