GB2071376A

GB2071376A - Paging system

Info

Publication number: GB2071376A
Application number: GB8007480A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: COCKER G R
Current assignee: COCKER G R
Priority date: 1980-03-05
Filing date: 1980-03-05
Publication date: 1981-09-16
Also published as: GB2071376B

Abstract

A paging device is a v.h.f. radio receiver which is attached to the user's clothing by a pocket clip and has a digital display 3 to display a radio message received, possibly in the form of a code. On detection of a message an audible warning is given by a buzzer, and the message is displayed until cancelled by depressing a button 8. Furthermore the message may be stored in a short term memory. Such a device is capable of displaying a variety of messages and is inexpensive to produce. The device is particularly suitable for use in hospitals. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Paging system This invention relates to a paging system and more particularly, but not exclusively, to a receiver for such a system.

It is known for each member of staff in a hospital to be provided with a simple batterypowered v.h.f. receiver capable of emitting a tone when paged from a central transmitter. Each receiver is capable of being separately paged so that a particular member of staff may be informed that he is required to contact a central control point by telephone to receive a message. Clearly such receivers are of limited versatility in that they are virtually only capable of receiving a summoning signal and it is almost always necessary for the telephone to be used in order to receive the substance of the message. It is an object of the invention to provide a receiver for a paging system which is capable of receiving a variety of messages whilst lending itself to mass production at low cost.

According to the invention there is provided a receiver for a paging system, the receiver comprising a receiving section for detecting a transmitted radio signal, and a digital display, responsive to detection of a radio signal by the receiving section, for displaying a code or message determined by the detected radio signal.

Such a receiver is capable of receiving a variety of messages in codified form. For example, if it is required to summon the user of the receiver to a particular location, a radio signal could be transmitted to cause a numeral to be displayed by that user's receiver which identifies the location to which the user is to be summoned. Furthermore different numerals or sequences of numerals displayed by the receiver could be given different meanings, such as "contact central control" or "cancel previous message". The receiver could bear a list identifying the various message codes.

The digital display may also be adapted to display letters. If the display is provided with a suitable interface for converting the received signals into visual form, this would enable the receiver to display messages such as "Go to 20".

Preferably the display is capable of displaying at least ten numerals (or at least ten numerals and/or letters) consecutively. The display could be a light-emitting diode display or a liquid crystal display, and, where it is only intended to display numerals, could utilise a seven segment format.

The receiver advantageously also includes tone generating means, such as a buzzer, for generating an audible tone in response to receipt of a transmitted signal. This would serve to alert the user to the fact that a message is being received and cause the user to view the display. The receiver may also include means for generating a visual warning that a transmitted signal is being received. Such means could be a light which is caused to flash or to be illuminated continuously when a signal is received.

In order to provide the user with sufficient time to view the display, the display may be adapted to continue to display the code message for a predetermined length of time after receipt of the signal. Alternatively the display may be adapted to display the code or message only for as long as the corresponding signal is transmitted.

Furthermore the receiver may incorporate storage means capable of storing a set of numbers or codes and of subsequently displaying each number or code when required to do so by the user.

In order to enable the user to memorize a code or message received, the receiver may incorporate a memory means for transferring a code or message from the display to the memory, and means for transferring a message or code stored in the memory to the display.

The invention also provides a paging system incorporating a plurality of such receivers, and a transmitter capable of transmitting radio signals which may be detected by the receivers. The transmitter preferably incorporates an input keyboard by means of which various signals may be transmitted to individual receivers.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: Figure 1 is a view of the embodiment from the front; and Figure 2 is a view of the embodiment from one side.

The dimensions of the v.h.f. receiver illustrated are about 2 > " x 2" x ". The receiver incorporates a battery 1, a pocket clip 2, a digital display 3 and a panel 4 for receiving the name, identity number and other details of the user. The receiver therefore serves as a combined paging device and identity tag. Depression of a "memory in" button 5 serves to store the message or code displayed in a short-term memory which is capable of storing only one message or code at a time, and depression of a "memory recall" button 6 serves to retrieve a message or code stored in the memory (this serving to cancel the message or code stored in the memory) and to display the retrieved information.This enables the immediate message received to be memorized and recalled beyond the time for which it is transmitted by the transmitting station. Furthermore a "store visual number" button 7 is provided which, when depressed, causes signals, representing telephone numbers or location numbers of particular interest to the user for example, transmitted by the transmitting station to be stored in a long-term memory capable of storing a series of numbers.

Once programmed into the device by use of the transmitting station and receiver in conjunction these numbers will generally remain within this memory until the device is reprogrammed. Each number stored in this memory may be rendered visible at any time by an associated recall code, possibly entered into the device by further buttons (not shown). A "cancel visual number" button 8 is provided for cancelling the message or code displayed.

Claims

1. A receiver for a paging system, comprising a receiving section for detecting a transmitted radio signal, and a digital display, responsive to detection of a radio signal by the receiving section, for displaying a code or message determined by the detected radio signal.

2. A receiver according to claim 1, wherein the receiver bears a list identifying the various message codes.

3. A receiver according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the digital display is adapted to display letters in addition to numerals.

4. A receiver according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the display is capable of displaying at least the numerals and/or letters consecutively.

5. A receiver according to any preceding claim, wherein the display is a light-emitting diode display.

6. A receiver according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the display is a liquid crystal display.

7. A receiver according to any preceding claim, wherein the display utilises a seven segment format.

8. A receiver according to any preceding claim, including tone generating means for generating an audible tone in response to receipt of a transmitted signal.

9. A receiver according to any preceding claim, including means for generating a visual warning that a transmitted signal is being received.

10. A receiver according to any preceding claim, wherein the display is adapted to continue to display the code or message for a predetermined length of time after receipt of the signal.

11. A receiver according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the display is adapted to display the code or message for as long as the corresponding signal is transmitted.

12. A receiver according to any preceding claim, incorporating storage means capable of storing a set of numbers or codes and of subsequently displaying the or each number or code when required to do so by the user.

13. A receiver according to any preceding claim, incorporating a memory means for transferring a code or message from the display to a memory, and memory recall means for transferring a message or code stored in the memory to the display.

14. A paging system incorporating a plurality of receivers according to any preceding claim, and a transmitter capable of transmitting radio signals which may be detected by the receivers.

15. A paging system according to claim 14, wherein the transmitter incorporates an input keyboard by means of which various signals may be transmitted to individual receivers.

16. A receiver for a paging system, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

1 7. A paging system substantially as herein before described with reference to the accompanying drawing.