MXPA99001817A - Method and apparatus for one-way receiver operation from a two-way communication device - Google Patents

Abstract

A communication system (10) having a plurality of selective call transceivers (30) which can operate as one-way selective call receivers in a one-way coverage zone (16) or as selective call transceivers in a two-way coverage zone (36) comprises a plurality of outbound transmitters (17, 18, and 19) covering one-way coverage zones (12, 14, and 16 respectively) and a plurality of base receivers (37, 38, and 39) and transmitters (11, 13, and 15) covering two-way coverage zones (32, 34, and 36 respectively), a plurality of selective call transceivers (30) having a preferred one-way zone list and controllers (41-46) having a preferred one-way zone list matching the preferred one-way zone list in the selective call transceiver, the selective call transceivers capable of detecting the one-way coverage zone and disabling the two-way function of the selective call transceiver.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THE OPERATION OF UNIDIRECTIONAL RECEIVER FROM A DEVICE OF BIDIRECTIONAL COMMUNICATION FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to a bidirectional communication system, and more specifically, to a bi-directional communication device which can operate in unidirectional areas.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The advent of bidirectional sending of messages, presents a wide variety of new problems. To understand some of the problems, knowledge of the location or bidirectional sending of messages from a system level will be useful. In particular, a bi-directional message tracking or location system typically has an infrastructure system that includes a plurality of outbound transmitters coupled to a controller to encode, regroup, and organize the transmission of messages to be sent by air to a plurality of bidirectional portable subscriber units. Subscriber units, not-considered part of the infrastructure, transmit incoming messages that are received by at least one of a plurality P1082 / 99MX of base receivers that also attach to the controller. In this way, the controller further provides the function of correlating the outgoing messages from the outgoing transmitters with the incoming messages from the subscriber units. It is desirable to have a bidirectional message sending device, locator, or subscriber unit that is capable of operating in an area where there are no base receivers or where coverage is provided only by a unidirectional outgoing base transmitter (or otherwise known as an area). unidirectional). With existing bi-directional location systems, bidirectional subscriber devices do not simply deactivate their bidirectional functionality when the device detects that it is in a unidirectional zone. In fact, current bidirectional devices will not receive any system until the system knows where the device is located since it can not be registered in a unidirectional zone. Currently, the bidirectional device may display a notice directing the user to call the service provider to notify the system of their current location. This registration "by telephone" is undesirable and creates an unnecessary burden on the user. In this way, there is a need for a communication system that allows a transceiver to P1082 / 99MX selective calls have operation in a bidirectional coverage area to operate in a seamless manner as a selective, unidirectional call receiver in a unidirectional coverage area. -.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In a first aspect of the present invention, a method for making a selective call transceiver, operational as a unidirectional receiver in a coverage area of the unidirectional selective call receiver, comprises the steps, in the selective call transceiver , to maintain a list of preferred unidirectional zones, to detect a unidirectional zone, to couple the unidirectional zone with a unidirectional zone in the list of preferred unidirectional zones, and to disable a bidirectional function of the selective call transceiver, if there is an equalization between the unidirectional zone detected and the unidirectional zone in the list of preferred unidirectional zones. In another aspect of the present invention, a communication system having a plurality of selective call transceivers, which may operate in unidirectional selective call receivers, in a unidirectional coverage area, or as transceivers of P1082 / 99MX selective calls, in a bi-directional coverage area, comprises a plurality of outgoing transmitters that cover unidirectional coverage areas, and a plurality of base receivers covering a bidirectional coverage area. At least one of the plurality of selective call transceivers, has a list of preferred unidirectional zones, and is capable of disabling the bi-directional bidirectional call transceiver function, when it detects a coverage zone, unidirectional. In yet another aspect of the present invention, a selective call transceiver, which may operate as a unidirectional selective call receiver, in a unidirectional coverage area or as the selective call transceiver, in a bidirectional coverage zone, comprises a receiver selective calling, coupled to a decoder and a controller, a selective call transmitter coupled to the controller and an encoder, and a memory coupled to the controller containing a list of the preferred unidirectional zones, wherein the selective call transceiver will operate as a selective call receiver, if the selective call receiver fails to detect a bidirectional coverage area and detects a preferred unidirectional, equalization zone.

P1082 / 99MX In another aspect of the present invention, a controller for operation in a communication system is treated, wherein a plurality of selective call transceivers can operate as unidirectional selective call receivers, in a unidirectional coverage area, or as selective call transceivers, in a bidirectional coverage area, the controller comprises a memory having a plurality of preferred unidirectional zone lists, corresponding to the preferred unidirectional zone lists in the plurality of selective call transceivers, the lists are updated periodically with the list of preferred unidirectional zones, in the plurality of selective call transceivers; and a processor for performing the functions of detecting the presence of a selective call transceiver, in a bidirectional zone, and either continuing bidirectional communication if the selective call transceiver is in the bidirectional zone, or sending unidirectional outgoing messages to the receiver selective calling, to a unidirectional zone, if a user directs messages to the unidirectional zone or, otherwise, unidirectional outgoing messages are sent to the selective call transceiver, to the zone or zones designated in the list of preferred unidirectional zones, if I dont know P1082 / 99MX detects the bidirectional zone and the unidirectional zone is not directed by a user of the selective call transceiver.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a block diagram of a communication system according to the present invention. Figure 2 is a flow chart of a method for the selective call transceiver, in accordance with the present invention. Figure 3 is a flow diagram of a controller method according to the present invention. Figure 4 is a block diagram of a selective call transceiver, in accordance with the present invention. Figure 5 is another block diagram of a communication system according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION With reference to Figure 1, there is shown a communication system 10 having a plurality of selective call transceivers 30, which can operate as unidirectional selective call receivers, in P1082 / 99MX one of the many unidirectional coverage zones (such as zones 12, 14 or 16) or as selective call transceivers, in bidirectional coverage zones (such as zones 32, 34 or 36). The communication system 10 preferably comprises a plurality of outgoing transmitters 17, 18 and 19 covering, the unidirectional coverage areas 12, 14 or 16 and optionally a plurality of outgoing transmitters 11, 13 and 15 that cover the zones bidirectional coverage 32, 34 and 36, respectively. The communication system 10 further comprises a plurality of base receivers 37, 38 and 39 which also cover the bidirectional coverage areas for incoming transmissions of the subscriber units such as the selective call transceivers 30. Preferably, at least one of the plurality of selective call transceivers 30 has a list of preferred unidirectional zones, and is capable of detecting coverage areas, unidirectional, and disabling the bi-directional function of the selective, bidirectional call transceiver, as the transceiver travels in a unidirectional coverage area. The subscriber units may use various methods to distinguish the transmissions from the plurality of outgoing transmitters designated for the bidirectional coverage areas of the transmissions of the transmissions.

P1082 / 99MX outgoing transmitters for bidirectional coverage areas. Preferably, the subscriber unit will search for an embedded bit of the information sent by either the outgoing transmitters designated for the bidirectional coverage areas or the outgoing transmitters that cover the unidirectional coverage zones. further, the selective call transceiver will preferably operate in a hierarchical manner, registering and operating as a transceiver in a bidirectional zone, even if the unidirectional zone overlaps the bidirectional zone. Preferably, the communication system 10 stores a list of preferred unidirectional zones, which matches the list of unidirectional zones in a preferred manner in the selective call transceiver, in the infrastructure portion. Preferably, this list is stored in one of many location controllers such as controllers 41, 42, 43, 44, 45 or 46. Alternatively, the list could be stored in one of the many gates 22, 24 or 26 messages, wireless, which are preferably coupled to the controllers. Additionally, the communication system 10 preferably includes an input device 28 such as a telephone, computer, or alpha input device that is coupled to the telephone network 20 and subsequently to the P1082 / 99MX message gates, wireless. With reference to Figure 2, there is shown a flow chart of a method 50 for making a selective call transceiver, operational as a unidirectional receiver in a coverage area of the selective, unidirectional call receiver. In block 51, the method preferably comprises the step, in the selective call transceiver of, maintaining a list of preferred unidirectional zones. In decision block 52, the selective call transceiver attempts to detect a bidirectional zone. If the selective call transceiver detects a bidirectional zone, then the transceiver notifies the system of its presence in the bidirectional zone in block 53, and the transceiver continues to operate in a bidirectional mode in step 54. In decision block 55, if contact with the bidirectional zone is lost, the transceiver tries again to detect a bidirectional zone and continues otherwise operating in a bidirectional mode. If the bidirectional zone is not detected in decision block 52, then the selective call transceiver attempts to detect a unidirectional zone in decision block 56. If a unidirectional zone is not detected, then the transceiver will return to scan for bidirectional zones . If a P1082 / 99MX unidirectional zone, then in decision block 57 the transceiver determines whether the detected unidirectional zone equals a zone in the list of preferred unidirectional zones. If an equalization is found in the decision block 57, then the transceiver notifies the user that the bidirectional function will be deactivated in block 58. In other words, the transmitter portion of the transceiver will be substantially disabled or disabled and the transceiver will not receive messages. outgoing, unidirectional as shown in block 59. If the contact with the unidirectional zone in the decision block 60 is lost, then the transceiver returns preferentially again to the exploration of bidirectional zones. Returning to decision block 57, if the unidirectional zone that was detected does not match an area of the list of preferred unidirectional zones, then the selective call transceiver may warn the user to notify his service provider (typically at. in a location terminal) to direct messages to the unidirectional, real zone by describing its location as described in block 61. Notification to the user preferably takes the form of an alphanumeric message on a liquid crystal display, although they may be given. other forms of notice, such as a voice announcement by a P1082 / 99MX voice locator such as the subscriber unit of TM Tenor from Motorola. With reference to Figure 3, a method 100 may comprise the method in a controller to maintain a list of preferred unidirectional zones, which matches the list in the selective, bidirectional call transceiver, in block 102. Then, in the block of decision 104, if a particular selective call transceiver is in a bidirectional zone, then bidirectional communication is continued in block 106. In decision block 108 it is determined whether the selective call transceiver is directed to a unidirectional zone given If the selective call transceiver is not in a bidirectional zone, then in block 110, unidirectional outgoing messages are sent to the selective call transceiver, to a unidirectional zone, directed by a user. If the selective call transceiver is not in a bidirectional zone and the user does not direct messages to a unidirectional zone, in particular, then the controller will send all subsequent messages as unidirectional outgoing messages to the selective call transceiver to the designated zone or zones in the list of preferred unidirectional zones, in block 112. The manner in which the list of unidirectional zones is maintained P1082 / 99MX may include the step of statistically deriving the list of preferred unidirectional zones in the selective, bidirectional call transceiver and updating the list of preferred unidirectional zones in the controller when the selective call transceiver enters a bidirectional zone and returns to to register. With reference to Figure 4, a selective call transceiver 70 is shown which can operate as a unidirectional selective call receiver, in a unidirectional coverage area, or as a selective call transceiver, in a bidirectional coverage area. Preferably, the receiver 70 comprises a receiver 73, of selective calls coupled to a decoder and a controller (74) and a selective call transmitter 72, coupled to the controller and an encoder (74). The transceiver 70 preferably also comprises a memory 77 coupled to the controller that contains a list of preferred unidirectional zones, wherein the selective call transceiver will operate as a selective call receiver, if the selective call receiver fails to detect a zone of call. bidirectional coverage, and detects a preferred unidirectional area of equalization. Alternatively, the list of preferred unidirectional zones may reside in another location in the memory P1082 / 99MX such as the code plug 76. The selective call transceiver may further comprise a means to identify the user of the selective call transceiver, that the bidirectional function of the selective call transceiver is disabled or in other words, that the transmitter it is disabled This means for notifying may include either a screen 82 such as a liquid crystal display or an audible tactile alert 78 such as a transducer or vibrating motor. Referring to Figure 1 again, the controllers 41-46 in the communication system 10 preferably comprise a plurality of preferred unidirectional zone lists corresponding to the preferred unidirectional zone lists, in the plurality of selective call transceivers that they are periodically updated with the list of preferred unidirectional zones in the plurality of selective call transceivers. The controllers also each preferably comprise a processor to perform the functions of either detecting the presence of a selective call transceiver in a bidirectional zone and continuing bidirectional communication if the selective call transceiver is found in the zone. bidirectional or send unidirectional outgoing messages to the call transceiver P1082 / 99MX selective to a unidirectional zone if a user directs messages to the unidirectional zone or otherwise sends unidirectional outgoing messages to the selective call transceiver to the zone or zones designated in the list of preferred unidirectional zones, if the zone is not detected bidirectional and the unidirectional zone is not directed by a user of the selective call transceiver. The plurality of unidirectional zone lists in the controller can be updated by receiving the list of preferred unidirectional zones, statistically derived in the selective, bidirectional transceiver and updating the list of preferred unidirectional zones in the controller when the selective call transceiver enters to a bidirectional zone. With reference to Figure 4, the portable bidirectional call communication device 70 may take the form of a selective call transceiver as shown. The device 70 includes an antenna 71 for intercepting the transmitted RF signals and for transmitting RF signals from a transmitter 72. The antenna 71 couples a received signal to a receiver 73, the receiver 73 and the transmitter 72 forming a transceiver. The transceiver produces a data stream representative of a received, demodulated, coupled signal P1082 / 99MX to a decoder / controller 74. The transceiver (72, 73) is also responsive to a modulation input such as the data received from the decoder / controller 74 to frequency modulate a carrier signal for transmission from the device 70. As is well known in the art, the decoder / controller 74 may include a central processing unit such as a microprocessor 75 or the like to process the demodulated signal information according to the program stored in a memory 77 of the decoder / controller 74. The decoder / controller 74 is also sensitive to inputs of one or more switches 80 or other input devices to generate data that is coupled to the transceiver (72, 73) for transmission from the device 70. The RF signals transmitted by the units transmitters of a location subsystem typically include control information that contains an address that identi a particular device 70 and any necessary zone information and / or questions. The page message information follows the control information. The decoder / controller 74 decodes a received address by comparing it with one or more addresses stored in a code memory or code plug 76. If the decoder / controller 74 detects an equalization between a received address and an address P1082 / 99MX stored, an alert signal may be generated by a device 78 to alert the user that a message has been received by the device 70. The alert signal may be an audible and / or tactile alert such as a vibrating alert, no sound It is noted that if the RF signals contain only control information and not messages visible by the user, an alert does not need to be generated in the address matching. The switches 80 can be operated by a user to select between alert types as well as to enter information into the memory 77 and have a message stored in the memory of the decoder / controller 74 access the screen in a display 82. switches 80 can also provide additional functions such as reading readjustment, erasing, etc., as is well known. It will be apparent that the switches can form a keyboard. Alternative or additional input devices can also be included in or connected to the subscriber unit such as a touchpad, mouse, etc. The device 70 may also include a conventional communications port 81 for the wired connection to a wired subsystem as well. With reference to Figure 5 there is shown a communication system 200 having a plurality of unidirectional zones (202, 204, 206, 208, and 210) and a P1082 / 99MX plurality of bidirectional zones (207 and 209). The unidirectional areas 202, 204, 206, 208 and 210 may correspond to the geographic areas represented as City E, City D, City C, Suburb B and Suburb A, respectively, while bidirectional areas 207 and 209 may correspond to geographical areas. represented as City B and City A, respectively. A particular locator will have its own list of preferred unidirectional zones, as shown with the selective call receiver 70. When a non-selective call transceiver can not be found in a bidirectional zone, the system can send pages or messages to the zones in the list of preferred unidirectional zones that in the case of the selective call transceiver could be City C, City E, Suburb A, Suburb B. Preferably, the selective call transceiver will then display a notice indicating the unidirectional service only. If the selective call transceiver 70 is moved to the City D (which is not in the list of preferred unidirectional zones), then the selective call transceiver 70 will display an indication to cause the user to call the service provider. It should be understood that the embodiments described are merely examples and the invention is not restricted to P1082 / 99MX these. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that variations and modifications may be made within the scope and spirit of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

PX082 / 99MX

Claims (10)

1. NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION Having described the present invention, it is considered as a novelty and, therefore, the content of the following CLAIMS is claimed as property: 1. A method to make an operational selective call transceiver as a unidirectional receiver in a unidirectional selective call receiver coverage area, comprises the steps in the selective call transceiver of: maintaining a list of preferred unidirectional zones; detect a unidirectional zone; equalize the unidirectional zone with a unidirectional zone in the list of preferred unidirectional zones; and disabling a bidirectional function of the selective call transceiver if there is a match between the unidirectional zone and the unidirectional zone in the list of preferred unidirectional zones. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method further comprises the step of notifying the user of the selective call transceiver that the bidirectional function of the selective call transceiver is disabled. P1082 / 99MX 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the method further comprises the step of disabling the transmitter of the selective call transceiver. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method further comprises the steps, in the controller: maintaining a list of preferred unidirectional zones, which matches the list in the bidirectional selective call transceiver; look for the presence of a selective call transceiver in a bidirectional zone; continue bidirectional communication if the selective call transceiver is located in the bidirectional zone; sending unidirectional outgoing messages to the selective call transceiver, to a unidirectional zone if a user directed messages to the unidirectional zone; and sending unidirectional outgoing messages to the selective call transceiver, to the zone or zones designated in the list of preferred unidirectional zones if the bidirectional zone is not detected and the unidirectional zone is not addressed by a user of the bidirectional selective call transceiver. 5. A communication system that has a P1082 / 99MX plurality of selective call transceivers that can operate as unidirectional selective call receivers in a unidirectional coverage area or as selective call transceivers in a bidirectional coverage zone, comprising: a plurality of outgoing transmitters covering coverage areas unidirectional; a plurality of base receivers covering a bidirectional coverage area; and at least one of the plurality of selective call transceivers having a list of preferred unidirectional zones, the selective call transceivers, capable of detecting the unidirectional coverage area and disabling the bidirectional function of the bidirectional selective call transceiver. 6. A selective call transceiver, which can operate as a unidirectional selective call transceiver in a unidirectional coverage area or as a selective call transceiver in a bidirectional coverage area, comprising: a selective call receiver, coupled to a decoder and a controller; a selective call transmitter, coupled to the controller and an encoder; a memory attached to the controller that contains P1082 / 99MX a list of preferred unidirectional zones, wherein the selective call transceiver will operate as a selective call receiver if the selective call receiver fails to detect a bidirectional coverage zone and detects a preferred unidirectional equalization zone. The selective call transceiver according to claim 6, wherein the selective call transceiver further comprises a means for notifying the user of the selective call transceiver, which disables the bidirectional function of the selective call transceiver. 8. The selective call transceiver according to claim 6, where the list of preferred unidirectional zones is kept, in the selective call transceiver by statistically tracking in the selective call transceiver, the zones where the selective call transceiver is located. 9. A controller for operation in a communication system, wherein a plurality of selective call transceivers can operate as unidirectional selective call receivers in a unidirectional coverage area or as selective call transceivers, in a bidirectional coverage zone, which comprises: a plurality of zone lists Preferred unidirectional PX082 / 99MX, which correspond to the preferred unidirectional zone • lists in the plurality of selective call transceivers which is periodically updated with the list of preferred unidirectional zones in the plurality of selective call transceivers; a processor to perform the functions of detecting the presence of a selective call transceiver in a bidirectional zone and continuing bidirectional communication if the selective call transceiver is in the bidirectional zone and which sends unidirectional outgoing messages to the selective call transceiver, to a unidirectional zone if a user addressed messages to the unidirectional zone and otherwise sends unidirectional outgoing messages to the selective call transceiver to the zone or zones designated in the preferred unidirectional zone list, if the bidirectional zone is not detected and if the unidirectional zone is not directed by a user of the selective call transceiver. The controller according to claim 9, wherein the plurality of unidirectional zone lists in the controller are updated upon receiving a list of preferred unidirectional zones, statistically derived in the selective, bidirectional call transceiver and P1082 / 99MX update the list of preferred unidirectional zones, on the controller when the selective call transceiver enters a bidirectional zone. P1082 / 99MX