AU2014100249A4 - Text/voice pager having functions of automatically identifying and detecting message reception state and current signal strength state thereof and immediately informing a console of a detecting result with acknowledgement message via a gsm system - Google Patents

Abstract

A text/voice pager has functions of automatically identifying and detecting a message reception state and a current signal strength state thereof and immediately informing a console of a detecting result with an acknowledgement (Ack) message via a GSM system. Each pager has a function of automatically detecting whether a message from the console is of complete contents and sufficient resolution, and transmitting an Ack message to the console based on a detecting result and has a function of automatically detecting a signal strength so as to automatically transmit an Ack message of out of a communication range, fail to receive signals, or weak signal to a signal transmitting party. C)~~ C)~~ CIOl 0 0 £~C q 4ldC C/f 0

Description

TEXT/VOICE PAGER HAVING FUNCTIONS OF AUTOMATICALLY IDENTIFYING AND DETECTING MESSAGE RECEPTION STATE AND CURRENT SIGNAL STRENGTH STATE THEREOF AND IMMEDIATELY INFORMING A CONSOLE OF A DETECTING RESULT WITH ACKNOWLEDGEMENT MESSAGE VIA A GSM SYSTEM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to a text/voice pager having functions of automatically identifying and detecting a message reception state and a current signal strength state thereof and immediately informing a console of a detecting result with an acknowledgement (Ack) message via a GSM system, and more particularly to a text/voice pager comprising a GSM module and installed with a detection response program that is capable of automatically detecting and identifying whether a message being received is of complete contents and sufficient resolution, and the pager is also capable of automatically detecting and identifying whether the pager is positioned within a communication range or at an area of high signal strength, then automatically and actively transmitting an Ack message to the console based on a detecting result, and simultaneously requesting the console to retransmit or forward the message that is to be sent by the console when the Ack message indicates that "the message is incomplete" or "fail to receive signals", whereby enabling a paging system for the pager to have a function similar to two way communication. 1 RELATED ART [0002] A conventional paging communication system for text or voice pagers is generally used by the police, fire fighting, medical, rescue and military units. A traditional pager will make an alert sound upon receiving an alert signal from a console in order to inform a user to read a message. However, the traditional pager is unable to transmit an acknowledgement (Ack) message to confirm that the alert message is being received because such a traditional pager is known as a one-way pager. [0003] Another type of pager is equipped with a global system for mobile communications (GSM) module and is installed with a signal receiving program to enable the pager to automatically immediately reply an Ack to an operator of the console upon receiving the alert sound (e.g. 2-tone alert signal) to confirm that a dispatch message is being received. Except for transmitting the Ack, the pager is not allowed to be used to give more or further information. As a result, the operator of the console could not really understand whether the member (signal recipient) received the dispatch message with complete contents or what an action will be taken by the member after receiving the dispatch message. [0004] The traditional pager as mentioned above is capable of utilizing a built-in program to automatically reply a template Ack message (or a simple alert sound) to the console when directly receiving from the console of the system or indirectly receiving from a repeater. In this manner, the Ack message is merely intended to inform the operator of the console of the number of pagers in the communication group receiving the dispatch 2 message. The traditional pager is not capable of replying further information about various situations of group members to the console and therefore causes the console not able to take appropriate action; the various situations, for instance, are as follows: (1) how many members have received messages with complete contents sent from the console; (2) how many members have read or listened to the messages; (3) whether each member has completely read or listened to the message; (4) the action taken by each member to respond to the dispatch message (such as accept the dispatch, unable to go to an event site, or delay going to an event site); (5) a current state of the pager carried by each member (such as on/off state, duty sate, or whether the pager is within a communication range). SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0005] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a pager capable of replying various Ack messages to a console in a manner of automatically or manually selecting a message corresponding to a current state of the pager via GSM/GPRS system. The Ack messages are intended to indicate that the pager is capable of automatically and actively responding a reception state or current signal strength state to a signal transmitting party (the Console or Commander), and automatically or manually responding a current state of the pager or/and user, in order to enable an operator of the console to fully control (hold) a real situation and dynamic state of each member. [0006] To achieve the above objects, a text/voice pager of the present invention having functions of automatically identifying and detecting a message reception state and a current signal strength state thereof and 3 immediately informing a console of a detecting result with an acknowledgement (Ack) message via a GSM system, the pager comprising at least a process unit and a GSM transceiver module configured to transmit the Ack message in short message service (SMS) format to the console via the GSM system; and the process unit at least comprises a detection response program configured to automatically detect whether a message being received is of complete contents and sufficient resolution and whether the pager is within a communication range with strong wireless signal, and then immediately automatically and actively transmits an Ack message based on the detecting result to the console. [0007] In accordance with present invention, the Ack message is a message of "insufficient signal", "unclear", "fail to receive signals", or "out of a communication range" to indicate that the message received by the pager is abnormal. [0008] In accordance with present invention, if the console receives a message that indicates an abnormal state of "insufficient signal " or "fail to receive signals" from the pagers, based on a communication protocol, program setting, or a request from the pager, the console is capable of automatically retransmitting or forwarding a message which is to be sent initially. [0009] In accordance with present invention, the process unit further comprises a message read response program that is intended to manually transmit a message which is selected from a response list displayed on the pager to the console under a condition that a member has completely read/listened to a dispatch message or is not able to accept the dispatch or 4 not able to read the dispatch message due to external environment or work, so as to allow the console to know whether the dispatch message is needed to be retransmitted or forwarded for dispatching and commanding. [0010] In accordance with present invention, the process unit further comprises a state response program that is intended to automatically or manually transmit a corresponding message to the console when a current state of the pager is changed, wherein the state response program is capable of responding one of a state of power on/off, on/off duty, and monitoring. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0011] FIG. 1 is a circuit block diagram of a pager of the present invention; [0012] FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing a path of a message being transmitted in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; [0013] FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing a path of the message being transmitted in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; [0014] FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing a path of the message being transmitted in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; [0015] FIG. 5 is another circuit block diagram of the pager of the present invention; [0016] FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing a path of the message being 5 transmitted in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; and [0017] FIG. 7 is another circuit block diagram of the pager of the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0018] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a text/voice pager of the present invention has functions of automatically identifying and detecting a message reception state and a current signal strength state thereof and immediately informing a console 20 of a detecting result with an acknowledgement (Ack) message via a GSM system, the text/voice pager 10 comprising a process unit 12 electrically coupled with a paging receiver module 11, a memory 13, a display unit 14 and an input unit 15 for receiving voice/text messages from the console 20 through the paging receiver module 11. [0019] The pager 10 further comprises a GSM transceiver module 16 that is configured to enable the pager 10 of a paging system to transmit the Ack message in short message service (SMS) format to the console 20 via the GSM system 30 (or general packet radio service (GPRS) system) (shown in FIG. 2). And the process unit 12 is installed with a detection response program 121 which is configured to enable the pager 10 to automatically detect whether the voice/text message being received by the pager 10 is of complete contents and sufficient resolution, and is also configured to detect whether the pager 10 itself is within a communication range with strong wireless signal. With the above-mentioned functions of the detection response program 121, the pager 10 is capable of automatically transmitting 6 a specific Ack message to the console 20 via the GSM system 30 based on the detecting result. [0020] When the detection response program 121 is executed by the pager 10, and the console 20 of the paging system transmits a dispatch message to the pagers 10 of the group, then the respective pagers 10 will automatically detect and identify the contents and resolution of the message being received (i.e. to detect whether the signals being received are interrupted or loss), and actively and automatically respond to the console 20 by transmitting an Ack message of "insufficient signal ", "message is unclear", or "please retransmit the message" to indicate that the message being received is abnormal based on the detecting result. Otherwise, the detection response program will automatically transmit an Ack message of receptionn is completed" or "signal is normal" to inform the console 20 that the message being received is normal. [0021] Referring to FIG. 3, the pager 10 is automatically executing the detection response program 121 after powering on so as to periodically detect and receive a dummy message or detection signals from the console 20. By detecting strength of wireless signals the pager 10 is capable of identifying whether the pager 10 is positioned within a communication range of the paging system. According to the detecting result to confirm that the pager 10 is out of the communication range or is within an area that is difficult to receive signals (such as the pager 10 is shielded by a building), the pager 10 is capable of actively and automatically transmitting an Ack message of "out of the communication range", "fail to receive", or "in GSM receiving mode" to the console 20. Furthermore, when the pager 10 is again positioned within the communication range or an area with strong signals, 7 the pager 10 is capable of actively and automatically transmitting an Ack message of "within the communication range", "standby", or "in paging receiving mode" to the console 20. [0022] Referring to FIG. 4, if the console 20 of the paging system receives a message that indicates an abnormal state of "insufficient signal or "fail to receive" from one or multiple pagers 10, based on a communication protocol, program setting, or a request from the pager 10, the console 20 is capable of automatically performing a function of retransmitting or forwarding (or converting a voice message into a test message) a message which is to be sent initially to one or multiple pagers 10 that misses the message, wherein the console 20 further can retransmitting the message to pagers 10 through a third party device 40 (such as an data management/controls server). [0023] The third party device 40 is capable of synchronously receive the message transmitted from the console 20 via one of the RF channel or Internet, and store the message in the memory thereof, so that the third party device 40 is capable of converting the message being received into a text or voice file in GSM/GPRS format which is then being transmitted to one or multiple designated pagers 10 via the GSM system 30. When the pager 10 is under a condition of not capable of receiving messages over the paging system, the pager 10 is capable of switching from a paging receiving mode to a GSM receiving mode automatically or according to an over-the-air programming (OTAP) command from the console 20 or the third party device 40 so as to be prepared to receive messages being actively or passively transmitted from the third party device 40 via the GSM system 30. For example, when the Ack message indicates that the message is 8 incomplete or fail to receive signals, etc., the pager 10 is capable of requesting the console 20 to retransmit or forward a message via GSM/GPRS system 30 and again when getting back the communication range, the pager 10 automatically and actively retransmits a signal to inform the console 20 of switching back to the paging system for the next communication. [0024] Furthermore, the pager 10 is automatically and actively dialed up (to be registered) to the third party device 40 to request the third party device 40 to retransmit the message received from the console 20 to the pager 10 via the GSM/GPRS system, whereby the paging system realizes a function similar to two-way communication device. [0025] Referring to FIG. 5, the process unit 12 of the pager 10 further comprises a message read response program 122 that is intended to manually transmit a message, which is selected from a response list displayed on the pager 10 to indicate "accept the dispatch" or "understood", to the console 20 (shown in FIG. 2) under a condition that a member has completely read/listened to a dispatch message; on the other hand, when the member is not able to accept the dispatch or not able to completely read or clearly listen to the dispatch message due to external environment or work, the message read response program 122 is capable of manually selecting an appropriate predetermined message from the response list to respond to the console 20. The predetermined message indicates one of "cannot hear clearly", "incomplete reception", "retransmit the message", "forwarding the message", "unable to go", "arrive in 30 minutes", and "on duty". [0026] After the member has completely read/ listen to the dispatch 9 message, the pager 10 is allowed to be controlled in a simple manner to perform the automatically response function, such as, the pager 10 is defined with a message read response key (not shown) to enable a quick press thereon after the message being completely read, whereby a short message indicating "accept the dispatch" or "understood" is automatically transmitted to the console 20. [0027] Further referring to FIG. 5, the process unit 12 further comprises a state response program 123. The state response program 123 is intended to automatically or manually transmit a corresponding message to the console 20 when a current state of the pager 10 is changed so as to facilitate the console 20 for dispatching and commanding. The state response program 123 is capable of responding at least one of a state of power on/off, on/off duty, and monitoring. [0028] When the state response program 123 is being executed, the pager 10 is automatically executing the GSM transceiver module 16 to transmit a pager power on message or a pager power off message to the console 20 via the GSM system 30 according to program setting, whereby an operator of the console 20 or a commander is able to know at any time the number of members who are on standby. [0029] When the member using the pager 10 is on leave, the member manually transmits a message of off duty to the console 20 via the GSM system 30 in a condition that the state response program 123 is executed. The pager 10 stops receiving messages for the time being during a period of off duty and stops an alert sound function as well to avoid interruption; likewise, when being back to on duty state, the member can manually 10 transmit a message of on duty to the console 20 to inform that he/she is already on standby in the group. [0030] As described above, in the condition that the state response program 123 is executed, the pager 10 is allowed to be put on and connected with a charging seat 50 for monitoring an external device 60; as shown in FIG. 6, when the charging seat 50 receives a signal from a monitor 70 (e.g. a relay or a control circuit for monitoring and controlling the external device 60) that is being changed, the charging seat 50 is capable of transmitting a signal to the pager 10 so that the pager 10 automatically launches the GSM transceiver module 16 to transmit a message of monitoring signal changed via the GSM system 30 to the console 20, whereby enabling the operator to further perform a remote control from the console 20 by retransmitting a control command through the pager 10, or to inform relevant staff to go to an event site for subsequent handling. [0031] Referring to FIG. 7, the pager 10 further comprises an audio circuit module 18 for receiving and transmitting an audio message through the GSM transceiver module 16. The process unit 12 further comprises a designation response program 124, and one or multiple designated communication address of the third party device 40 is pre-edited or pre-stored in the pager 10 or in a message received by the pager 10, wherein the designation response program 124 enables the member to manually select one of the communication addresses so as to be automatically dialed up (linked) to the third party device 40 via the GSM system 30 for two way communication (as shown in FIG. 4); for example, the member via the GSM system 30 can talk with the console 20, or via the GSM system 30 can be linked to the third party device 40 (server) to enable the pager 10 to retrieve 11 a dispatch message being previously stored therein or to read a dispatch message that is failed to be received, or to obtain a text message being converted from an audio message. [0032] Further referring to FIG. 7, the pager 10 further comprises a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver module 19 that is intended to receive coordinate information from a GPS satellite, and is capable of transmitting current coordinate information about the pager 10 to the console 20 over the GSM system 30 at the time when the pager 10 transmits the Ack message to the console 20 so as to enable a position of the member to be displayed on a screen of the console 20 for control and management. [0033] It is understood that the invention may be embodied in other forms within the scope of the claims. Thus the present examples and embodiments are to be considered in all respects as illustrative, and not restrictive, of the invention defined by the claims. 12

Claims (5)

1. A text/voice pager having functions of automatically identifying and detecting a message reception state and a current signal strength state thereof and immediately informing a console of a detecting result with an acknowledgement (Ack) message via a Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) system, the pager comprising at least a paging receiver module coupling to the process unit for receiving voice/text messages from the console, characterized in that: the pager further comprises a GSM transceiver module configured to transmit the Ack message in short message service (SMS) format to the console via the GSM system; and a process unit which at least comprises a detection response program configured to automatically detect the message reception state and a current signal strength state, and then automatically and actively transmits a corresponding Ack message to the console via the GSM system based on the detecting result; wherein the detection response program has functions of automatically detecting whether the text/voice message being received is of complete contents and sufficient resolution, and when the message from the console is being detected to be incomplete or to be of insufficient resolution, the detection response program is capable of automatically and actively transmitting an Ack message to the console to inform that the voice/text message being received is abnormal; the detection response program being capable of detecting whether the pager is within a communication range with strong wireless signal, and when the pager is automatically detected to be out of the 13 communication range of the console or within an area that is difficult to receive signals, the detection response program is capable of automatically and actively transmitting an Ack message of fail to receive signals to the console; and wherein if the Ack message indicating that the voice/text message is abnormal or that the pager cannot receive signals, the console is capable of retransmitting or forwarding the voice/text message, based on a program setting or a request from the pager.

2. The pager of Claim 1, wherein when the Ack message indicating that the voice/text message is abnormal or that the pager cannot receive signals based on the detecting result , the pager is enabled to switch from a paging receiving mode to a GSM receiving mode automatically or according to an over-the-air programming (OTAP) command to be prepared to transmit/receive messages via the GSM system.

3. The pager of Claim 1, wherein the pager is capable of linking to a third party via the GSM system; when retransmitting the message, the console is simultaneously transmitting a paging message to the third party device via one of the RF channel or Internet, so that the third party device is capable of converting the paging message into a text or voice file in GSM/GPRS format and storing the file in the memory; and the pager is automatically and actively dialed up to the third party device, and the third party device is capable of retransmitting the paging message to the pager via the GSM system upon receiving the paging message from the console.

4. The pager of Claim 1, wherein the process unit further comprises a 14 message read response program intended to manually transmit a message which is selected from a response list displayed on the pager to the console under a condition that a member has completely read/listened to a dispatch message or is not able to accept the dispatch or not able to read the dispatch message due to external environment or work.

5. The pager of Claim 1, wherein the process unit further comprises a state response program that is intended to automatically or manually transmit a corresponding message to the console when a current state of the pager is changed, wherein the corresponding message comprises at least one of power on, power off, on vacation, on duty, or/and change of monitoring signals. 15