WO1999030297A1 - Radio paging device - Google Patents
Radio paging device Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO1999030297A1 WO1999030297A1 PCT/GB1997/003380 GB9703380W WO9930297A1 WO 1999030297 A1 WO1999030297 A1 WO 1999030297A1 GB 9703380 W GB9703380 W GB 9703380W WO 9930297 A1 WO9930297 A1 WO 9930297A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- processing circuit
- messages
- software program
- alphanumerical
- numerical
- Prior art date
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G08—SIGNALLING
- G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
- G08B5/00—Visible signalling systems, e.g. personal calling systems, remote indication of seats occupied
- G08B5/22—Visible signalling systems, e.g. personal calling systems, remote indication of seats occupied using electric transmission; using electromagnetic transmission
- G08B5/222—Personal calling arrangements or devices, i.e. paging systems
- G08B5/223—Personal calling arrangements or devices, i.e. paging systems using wireless transmission
- G08B5/224—Paging receivers with visible signalling details
- G08B5/225—Display details
- G08B5/226—Display details with alphanumeric or graphic display means
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F9/00—Arrangements for program control, e.g. control units
- G06F9/06—Arrangements for program control, e.g. control units using stored programs, i.e. using an internal store of processing equipment to receive or retain programs
- G06F9/44—Arrangements for executing specific programs
- G06F9/445—Program loading or initiating
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Software Systems (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
- Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
- Electromagnetism (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mobile Radio Communication Systems (AREA)
Abstract
A radio paging device for receiving and displaying numerical and/or alphanumerical messages comprises a receiver circuit (10) for receiving radiofrequency energy signals containing numerical and/or alphanumerical messages transmitted by a base station, a processing circuit (14) for transforming a received numerical and/or alphanumerical message into a displayable message, and a display (20, 26) having one or more lines for displaying numerical and/or alphanumerical characters forming said message, at least one control key (22) connected to said processing circuit (14) to provide at least one control signal to the processing circuit (14). Said display (20) is adapted to display graphical images and said processing circuit (14) is adapted to distinguish between messages having numerical and/or alphanumerical contents and messages having different contents, and to decode messages having said different contents as at least one software program that can be executed by the processing circuit (14), said software program being designed to generate moving or still graphical images and/or templates on said display (20) in accordance with the rules of the software program and control signals inputted via said at least one control key (22).
Description
Maxon Systems (London) Ltd.
RADIO PAGING DEVICE
DESCRIPTION
The present invention is related to a radio paging device for receiving and displaying messages.
Currently available paging devices are only capable of receiving processing and displaying numerical and/or alphanumerical information. This serious limitation is caused by various factors. First of all, the displays of currently available paging devices are not suited to display graphical information. Rather, the displays are alphanumerical displays only. Secondly, these displays have very limited dimensions that do not allow the presentation of a still, let alone moving graphical image in a useful manner.
Nowadays, the number and variety of electronic devices available for the end user are considerable. This variety includes mobile telephones, digital watches, electronic games, paging devices etc. Hence, it is desirable to provide for the possibility to have the functions of two or more of such devices combined into one product.
The present invention solves this problem by providing a radio paging device for receiving and displaying numerical and/or alphanumerical messages comprising a receiver circuit for receiving radiofrequency energy signals containing numerical and/or alphanumerical messages transmitted by a base station, a processing circuit for transforming a received numerical and/or alphanumerical message into a displayable message, and a display having one or more lines for displaying numerical and/or alphanumerical characters forming said message, at least one control key connected to
said processing circuit to provide at least one control signal to the processing circuit, wherein said display is adapted to display graphical images, and said processing circuit is adapted to distinguish between messages having numerical and/or alphanumerical contents and messages having different contents, and to decode messages having said different contents as at least one software program that can be executed by the processing circuit, said software program being designed to generate moving or still graphical images and/or templates on said display in accordance with the rules of the software program and control signals inputted via said at least one control key.
The paging device according to the present invention is capable of serving two purposes. First of all, it is a paging device for receiving and displaying messages. Secondly, and in addition, it is possible to have computer software programs being carried out by the microprocessor in the pager. These computer software programs can include computer games (like TETRIS(R), TAMAGOTCHI (R) , etc.) or other computer software like databases containing personal telephone directories etc. The computer software can be ordered by the owner of such a paging device from a service provider by paying a certain fee. This service provider will then transmit the software program to the pager.
The (data) format in which the messages are sent out to currently available paging devices does not provide for the possibility to transmit or receive information other than (alpha) -numerical data. Consequently, currently available pagers are not capable of recognizing received data as computer software programs to be executed in the microprocessor of the pager. Hence, currently available pagers are not suited to implement the present invention.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, said processing circuit is provided with a read/write memory to store said received software program. This allows for the software program to be permanently held available in the paging device. It is to be noted, however, that two alternatives are possible. Either, the reception and displaying of messages is not possible while the software program is active. Or, the paging device is provided with a multitasking capability to process (receive and display) incoming messages concurrently with the software program.
Preferably, said at least one control key comprises function keys to provide message scrolling commands and/or commands for said software program to said processing circuit.
In order to save transmission time, said processing circuit is adapted to decode messages having said different contents as uncompressed or compressed software programs.
The invention includes the provision of a software control program for the microprocessor in a paging device, said saoftware being capable of controlling the paging device so that the paging device is adapted to carry out the following steps: receiving radiofrequency energy signals containing numerical, alphanumerical and/or messages having different contents, transmitted by a base station, distinguishing between messages having numerical and/or alphanumerical contents and messages having different contents, decoding messages having said different contents as software programs, and executing said software program in a processing circuit of said paging device to generate moving or still graphical images and/or templates on a graphical display of said paging device in accordance with the rules of the software program and control signals inputted via at least one control key of said paging device.
The step of decoding messages includes the step of determining whether a received message is in an immediately executable format or in a format which requires interpretation or compilation, or the like (e.g. in JAVA) and if said received message is in a format that requires further processing of the program before its execution, determining the procedure according to which said received message is to be processed in order to obtain a software program executable by the processing circuit. This can be carried out by examining the (header of the) message. Usually, a compressed software program is provided with a header which indicates the method of de/compression. Currently available de/compression schemes can be utilised.
Further, the step of executing said software program includes the step of transferring said executable software program into a memory connected to said processing circuit and excuting the software program by said processing circuit. Depending on the type of program, this can be achieved by transferring the object code of the program into the memory of the microprocessor of the pager and changing an interrupt vector to the starting point of the program. As soon as any of the keys of the pager is depressed, a keyboard interrupt routine branches to the starting address of the program defined by the interrupt vector.
Depending on the nature of the software program to be transmitted to a paging device according to the present invention the processing circuit is adapted to decode messages having said different contents as uncompressed or compressed software programs. While it may be easier to process uncompressed programs in order to execute them in the pager, their transmission time (and hence the costs associated therewith) is higher than for compressed programs. Compressed software program require decompressing. This has to be carried out in the processing circuit and requires processing time and capacity. Nevertheless, currently
available computer programs de/compression schemes can be used to decompress received compressed software programs by the processing circuit of the paging device according to the present invention. The decoding or decompressing software programs can be held in (FLASH-) ROM of the processing circuit. This allows for an upgrade or change of the decompressing software programs if needed. Moreover, new versions of the decompressing software programs can be sent as messages to the respective pager and stored in the (F1ASH- ) ROM of the processing circuit.
Especially if the pager device is utilised for the execution of software programs for special purposes, where images are mainly built up of image components that remain the same for various types of programs to be received, it is possible to include the step of displaying on said display one or more predefined symbol (s) retrieved from a table in the memory in response to a command contained in said program. This allows for the fast transmission of computer programs, since only the identifying number of the respective symbol and the position of this symbol in the complete graphical image has to bedefined by the program.
Further features, advantages and possible modifications from the above-described invention will become readily appearent to a person skilled in the art upon studying the subsequent description of a presently preferred embodiment with reference to the drawings.
Fig. 1 shows a schematical block diagram of a paging device according to the present invention.
Fig. 2 shows the data structure of the relevant part of a message receivable by the paging device according to the present invention.
Fig. 1 shows a schematical block diagram of a paging device for receiving and displaying numerical and/or alphanumerical and/or messages containing or representing software programs. This paging device comprises a receiver circuit 10 with a receiving antenna 12 for receiving radiofrequency energy signals containing messages transmitted by a base station. The receiver circuit 10 feeds the demodulated messages into a processing circuit 14 for transforming a received message into a displayable message. To this end, the processing circuit 14 containing a microprocessor examines the received message whether it is a numerical or an alphanumerical message. If this is the case, the message is displayed in the usual manner. If the received message is neither a numerical nor an alphanumerical message, the message is considered to contain or represent a software program. The received message containing the software program is stored in the read/write memory 18. Subsequently, the processing circuit 14 determines whether the received message contains the software program in a compressed form or in an uncompressed form. If the software program is received in a compressed form, the processing circuit 14 determines the de/compression format by examining the header of the message and uses the respective decompression software program provided in a read-only memory (ROM) 16 connected to the processing circuit 14. Further, the processing circuit 14 is provided with a graphic LCD driver circuit in order to supply drive signals to a graphical LCD display device 20 to display moving or still graphical images and/or templates generated by the processing circuit 14 in accordance with the rules of the software program.
Further, the processing circuit 14 is connected to a keypad 22 comprising functional keys ( e.g. up, down, left, right) to provide software control commands to the processing circuit 14. The keys can be provided at the respective edges of the LCD display 20. Alternatively, the key kan be implemented as fields of a touch screen covering the LCD display. The software program provided in the ROM 16
determines the function of the keys in the software program. Currently available software techniques can be used to implement this feature. Moreover, the paging device is provided with a power supply (not shown in detail) .
Additionally or alternatively, the pager device comprises a (serial) receiving interface 30 for receiving software programs. This allows for the feeding of the software program (or data related to such a software program) into the pager device from a PC (Personal Computer) . Moreover, a (piezoelectric) speaker can be connected to the processing circuit 14 to provide acoustical signals in addition to the images on the display 20.
In Fig. 2, the relevant portion of a message received by a pager is shown. The fields "NUM" and "ALNU" indicate that the message contains numerical or alphanumerical data. If the field "Other" is marked, or if neither of the fields "NUM" and "ALNU" is marked, the data contained in the message is interpreted as a software program for the pager device. Thus, in the next step of the processing of the message, the field
"Head" is examined to determine whether a compression scheme is used and if this is the case, which decompression scheme is to be used to obtain an executable software program. The field "Program" contains the actual data forming the software program contained in the message.
Claims
1. Radio paging device for receiving and displaying numerical and/or alphanumerical messages comprising
- a receiver circuit (10) for receiving radiofrequency energy signals containing numerical and/or alphanumerical messages transmitted by a base station,
- a processing circuit (14) for transforming a received numerical and/or alphanumerical message into a displayable message, and - a display (20, 26) having one or more lines for displaying numerical and/or alphanumerical characters forming said message,
- at least one control key (22) connected to said processing circuit (14) to provide at least one control signal to the processing circuit (14), characterized in that
- said display (20) is adapted to display graphical images, and
- said processing circuit (14) is adapted to ΓÇö distinguish between messages having numerical and/or alphanumerical contents and messages having different contents, and to
- decode messages having said different contents as at least one software program that can be executed by the processing circuit (14), said software program being designed to generate moving or still graphical images and/or templates on said display (20) in accordance with the rules of the software program and control signals inputted via said at least one control key (22) .
2. Radio paging device according to claim 1, characterized in that
- said processing circuit (14) is provided with a read/write memory (18) to store said received software program.
3. Radio paging device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that
- said at least one control key (22) comprises function keys to provide message scrolling commands and/or commands for said software program to said processing circuit (14).
4. Radio paging device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that
- said processing circuit (14) is adapted to decode messages having said different contents as uncompressed or compressed software programs.
5. Method of executing software programs in a paging device, comprising the steps of: receiving radiofrequency energy signals containing numerical, alphanumerical and/or graphical messages transmitted by a base station,
- distinguishing between messages having numerical and/or alphanumerical contents and messages having different contents, - decoding messages having said different contents as software programs, and
- execute said software program in a processing circuit of said paging device to generate moving or still graphical images and/or templates on a graphical display (20) of said paging device in accordance with the rules of the software program and control signals inputted via at least one control key (22) of said paging device.
6. Method according to claim 5, characterized in that - said step of distinguishing between messages having numerical and/or alphanumerical contents and messages having different contents, includes a step of checking whether a received message is a message having numerical and/or alphanumerical contents.
7. Method according to claim 6, characterized in that said step of decoding messages includes the step of determining whether a received message is in an immediately executable format or in a format which requires further processing, and if said received message is in a format that requires further processing of the program before its execution, determining the procedure according to which said received message is to be processed in order to obtain a software program executable by the processing circuit.
8. Method according to claim 7, characterized in that
- said step of executing said software program includes the step of transferring said executable software program into a memory connected to said processing circuit and excuting the software program by said processing circuit.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/GB1997/003380 WO1999030297A1 (en) | 1997-12-05 | 1997-12-05 | Radio paging device |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/GB1997/003380 WO1999030297A1 (en) | 1997-12-05 | 1997-12-05 | Radio paging device |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| WO1999030297A1 true WO1999030297A1 (en) | 1999-06-17 |
Family
ID=10807899
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/GB1997/003380 WO1999030297A1 (en) | 1997-12-05 | 1997-12-05 | Radio paging device |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| WO (1) | WO1999030297A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP1103888A1 (en) * | 1999-11-26 | 2001-05-30 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Method for the transmission and display of information on a wireless communication unit |
Citations (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO1991009504A1 (en) * | 1989-12-14 | 1991-06-27 | Motorola, Inc. | Multiple format signalling protocol for a selective call receiver |
| US5146216A (en) * | 1989-12-14 | 1992-09-08 | Motorola, Inc. | Multiple message signalling protocol for a selective call receiver |
| CH681398A5 (en) * | 1990-08-23 | 1993-03-15 | Erika Koechler | Transmitting digitally coded signals in radio paging network - allowing transmission of graphical image information as binary sequence representing individual image points |
| WO1994003879A1 (en) * | 1992-07-31 | 1994-02-17 | Motorola, Inc. | Method and apparatus for over-the-air upgrading of radio modem application software |
| WO1997019395A2 (en) * | 1995-11-20 | 1997-05-29 | Philips Electronics N.V. | System for distributing computer programs |
-
1997
- 1997-12-05 WO PCT/GB1997/003380 patent/WO1999030297A1/en active Application Filing
Patent Citations (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO1991009504A1 (en) * | 1989-12-14 | 1991-06-27 | Motorola, Inc. | Multiple format signalling protocol for a selective call receiver |
| US5146216A (en) * | 1989-12-14 | 1992-09-08 | Motorola, Inc. | Multiple message signalling protocol for a selective call receiver |
| CH681398A5 (en) * | 1990-08-23 | 1993-03-15 | Erika Koechler | Transmitting digitally coded signals in radio paging network - allowing transmission of graphical image information as binary sequence representing individual image points |
| WO1994003879A1 (en) * | 1992-07-31 | 1994-02-17 | Motorola, Inc. | Method and apparatus for over-the-air upgrading of radio modem application software |
| WO1997019395A2 (en) * | 1995-11-20 | 1997-05-29 | Philips Electronics N.V. | System for distributing computer programs |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP1103888A1 (en) * | 1999-11-26 | 2001-05-30 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Method for the transmission and display of information on a wireless communication unit |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| US6163312A (en) | Portable radio information terminal, screen scroll method, recording medium and microcomputer | |
| EP1387241B1 (en) | Information processing terminal | |
| CA2256927C (en) | Portable radio information terminal apparatus, screen operating method, storage medium, and information processing apparatus | |
| US6799061B2 (en) | Method of defining short keys used to select desired functions of a communication terminal by the user | |
| KR100459560B1 (en) | Wireless communication apparatus capable of providing service for distinguishing a kind of received sms using indicator icons and method for displaying the indicator icons using that | |
| US7598945B2 (en) | Wireless communication terminal for changing image files of background picture and method for displaying image files of background picture using the same | |
| EP1717686A2 (en) | Apparatus and method for displaying icons and controlling direct link menus in portable terminal | |
| CN100489740C (en) | Portable controller | |
| US6219051B1 (en) | Portable information terminal apparatus, display screen scroll method, recording medium, and microcomputer apparatus | |
| KR20070009511A (en) | Portable telephone and method of accessing information corresponding to url using the same | |
| US6362814B1 (en) | Electronic apparatus | |
| US20100041441A1 (en) | Electronic apparatus | |
| CA2257004A1 (en) | Portable radio information terminal, screen scroll method, recording medium and microcomputer | |
| US6512449B1 (en) | Screen display method for portable information terminal | |
| JP3897981B2 (en) | Character input system, electronic device and smart card | |
| WO1999030297A1 (en) | Radio paging device | |
| JP2003108487A (en) | Communication terminal | |
| JP2001249860A (en) | Communication terminal and mail reception notifying method | |
| JP2002300241A (en) | Portable communication terminal | |
| KR100238542B1 (en) | Executing method for electronic dictionary function in portable phone | |
| JP2003298719A (en) | Communication terminal device | |
| KR20020086492A (en) | Menu presenting server, menu presenting system, menu presenting method, menu presenting program and recording medium | |
| KR0181111B1 (en) | Letter editing method of a pager | |
| JP2002271475A (en) | Screen address displaying method, screen character displaying method of portable telephone and program used for executing these methods | |
| KR100229878B1 (en) | Method for writing telephone number in pager |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| AK | Designated states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): KR US |
|
| AL | Designated countries for regional patents |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE |
|
| DFPE | Request for preliminary examination filed prior to expiration of 19th month from priority date (pct application filed before 20040101) | ||
| 121 | Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application | ||
| NENP | Non-entry into the national phase |
Ref country code: KR |
|
| NENP | Non-entry into the national phase |
Ref country code: CA |
|
| 122 | Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase |