WO1989010044A1

WO1989010044A1 - Paging system with interleaved acknowledge back capability

Info

Publication number: WO1989010044A1
Application number: PCT/US1989/001291
Authority: WO
Inventors: Leon Jasinski; Robert Francis +Di Steel
Original assignee: Motorola, Inc.
Priority date: 1988-04-14
Filing date: 1989-03-22
Publication date: 1989-10-19
Also published as: KR900701139A

Abstract

An acknowledge back paging system (10) is provided for transferring a voice message to a paging receiver (12). The system includes a paging controller (22), a controller encoder/decoder (16), and a transmitting means (18). The paging controller receives voice and data information from an entry device (30). The controller encoder/decoder, coupled to the paging controller, encodes the voice and data information into a composite paging signal designated for the paging receiver. The composite paging signal includes an address (74) followed by a predetermined time period having no information. The composite paging signal is transmitted to the paging receiver by a first transmitting means. The paging receiver receives and decodes the composite paging signal to receive and decode the address. In response to the address, an acknowledgement signal is generated and transmitted back to the paging controller. In response to the acknowledgment signal, the paging control sends the remaining composite paging signal including the voice message to the paging receiver.

Description

PAGING SYSTEM WITH INTERLEAVED ACKNOWLEDGE BACK CAPABILITY

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to paging systems and, more particularly, to a paging controller which provides interleaved acknowledge back capability with a plurality of acknowledge back 5 voice paging receivers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Communications systems in general and voice paging systems in particular have attained widespread use for transmitting voice information from a central controller to a selected voice paging

10 receiver. This use has been coupled to the rapid evolution of microcomputers which have allowed paging receivers in general to respond to control signals known as selective call signals that identify the type of information transmitted. This

-*^■•-^• information has been transmitted using a number of well known paging coding schemes and message formats, such as POCSAG or Golay coding schemes (GSC) . As a result, the services offered to a paging receiver user have evolved from simple alert 0 plus voice signalling to more complex voice signalling systems. Such systems are relied upon more and more to reach particular individuals wearing such paging receivers and deliver critical and important messages. 5 Unfortunately, it cannot always be guaranteed that such messages for a particular pager will in fact be received when initially sent. In the past, a voice message was sent without knowing whether the pager user received it as intended or not. One way to overcome this has been to request the pager user to call back the originator of the voice message on the telephone to so advise him. One prior art system addressed the problem by periodically transmitting a voice message until the specific pager user called a particular telephone number to indicate receipt of the voice message so that the periodically transmitting message could be terminated. To overcome the annoyance of the paging user calling back the originator, more complex paging systems and paging receivers have begun to use acknowledgment signals. Basically, in response to the selective calling signals from the central controller, the paging receiver transmits back an acknowledgment signal (^,ack-back*^τ) that the information has been received. The above, of course, provides a substantial step toward assuring confidence in the reliability of the paging system. However, to service the acknowledgment signal from the paging receiver, the central controller must switch from a transmission mode to a receive mode and then wait for the acknowledgment signal. This procedure has wasted valuable transmission time, decreased throughput, and increased the complexity of the system. Therefore, a benefit would be obtained if the acknowledge signal from the voice paging receiver could be transmitted during a period of time when the transmitter central controller is inactive. -3-

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art acknowledge back voice paging systems in improving the throughput for such systems. Another advantage of the present invention is to transmit an acknowledge signal from the selected voice paging receiver during an alert time period for the selected voice paging receiver.

In general, there is shown a paging system for transferring voice information to a selected paging receiver. The paging system includes a paging receiver and a central controller having a central transmitter. The central controller comprises a paging controller for receiving voice information intended for the paging receiver from an entry device. A central controller responsive to the paging controller encodes the voice into a corresponding voice message. The voice message is combined with control signals into a composite paging signal designated for the selected paging receiver. The composite paging signal is transferred to the central transmitter which transmits the signal to the selected paging receiver. The paging receiver receives the composite paging signal and transmits an acknowledge signal back to the paging central controller. In response to the acknowledgment signal, the paging controller transmits the voice message. To conserve broadcast time, the acknowledgment signal is transmitted during a voice alert time period of the selected paging receiver. Furthermore, the acknowledgment signal can include a code representative of a condition of the paging receiver. If the code indicates that the pager cannot accept the voice message at this time, the paging controller does not send the voice message.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foreground advantages and other features of the invention are explained in the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a central controller operating in an acknowledge back environment. FIG. 2 is a detailed block diagram of the central controller.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the paging receiver for generating an acknowledge signal to the central controller. FIG. 4 is a message timing diagram according to the present invention illustrating the use of the alert time period for the activated paging receiver to transmit the acknowledgment signal to the central controller. FIG. 5 is a graphic representation of a timing diagram showing the relation between the ^•"outbound-* pages of the paging controller and the ^•"inbound" acknowledgments of various system pagers.

FIGS. 6A-B are flow diagrams for the central controller encoder/acknowledge back decoder.

FIGS. 7A-B are flow diagrams for the address decoder/acknowledge back encoder.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In order to best illustrate the utility of the present invention, it is described in conjunction with an acknowledge back voice paging system capable of transmitting and receiving voice information to and from a selected paging receiver. While the present invention is described hereinafter with particular reference to a voice paging system, it is to be understood at the outset of the description which follows, it is contemplated the apparatus and method in accordance with the present invention may be used with numerous other communication systems.

Referring now to the drawings, a radio communication paging system 10 is shown according to the present invention. The paging system 10 includes a central controller, shown generally as reference 20, and having at least one paging receiver indicated as 12. It is understood that in practice, a plurality of paging receivers are associated with, central controller 20. It is intended that an associated paging receiver be capable of and providing an acknowledge back condition upon receiving and recognizing its transmitted address. Paging receivers of this character are known to those of ordinary skill in the art and includes a receiver acknowledge back encoder 14 as indicated which is activated when the paging receiver 12 receives and recognizes its particular address. A more detailed description will be set forth in connection with FIG. 3 for the paging receiver function and operation.

Continuing our discussion with reference to FIG. 1, the central controller 20 is illustrated in greater detail as being comprised of a paging controller 22, a controller encoder/acknowledge back decoder 16, and a transceiver 18. An entry device 30 is connected to central controller 20 for transmitting information to the central controller from an originator. Briefly, in operation, the paging controller 22 receives voice and data information from the entry device 30, provides the information to the controller encoder/acknowledge back decoder 16 for formatting into a composite paging signal having the format as that which will be discussed with reference to FIG. 4, and sends the beginning of the composite paging signal to transceiver 18 to be transmitted to paging receiver 12. Paging receiver 12 receives the information and decodes it with the decoder/ack-back encoder to. determine if the information is intended for the paging receiver. If the information is for the receiver, at a predetermined amount of time later, the paging receiver 12 generates an acknowledgment signal through receiver acknowledge back encoder 14 and transmits the acknowledgment signal back to central controller 20 where it is decoded by the controller acknowledge back decoder 16. After the acknowledgment signal is received by the central controller 20, the remaining composite paging signal is sent, and the originator is notified by the central controller 20 that the selected pager has received the original paging message.

Referring to FIG. 2, the central controller 20 is illustrated in greater detail, together with associated auxiliary equipment. As shown, central controller 20 includes a paging controller 22 and controller encoder/acknowledge back decoder 16 shown as controller address encoder 24 and controller acknowledge back decoder 26. The paging controller 22 includes a microcomputer having a program memory (not shown) and being connected to a real time clock 32, a subscriber list device 42, and a voice storage unit 23.

Entry device 30 is used to access paging controller 22 to enter the pager identification number and voice messages intended therefor for subsequent transmission to the selected paging receiver. The entry device 30 as shown is a telephone which is useful for entering voice messages. Subscriber list 42 is a list of all the pager ID'S that are valid in the system 10. Filed under each pager ID in the subscriber list 42 are items that will be needed by the paging controller 22 to send or transmit a voice page including pager type (acknowledge back or not acknowledge back) , a particular pager address which corresponds to the pager ID, and other information necessary for the operation of the paging controller.

As may be appreciated, paging controller 22 is essentially the heart of system 10 and controls the operation of the other associated elements of the central controller. In addition to the subscriber list maintained by paging controller 22, an active page file 44 is also maintained and comprises a temporary file containing information about the pages being processed by the central controller 20. The active page file 44 includes the pager identification or ID address, message, and time. Further, an unacknowledge page file 46 is likewise maintained in which undelivered messages are stored. The unacknowledge page file includes the pager ID, the pager address, the message itself, time of last transmission, and time of entry into the unacknowledge page file. The real time clock 32 is used to supply timing information to the pager controller and for time stamping of undelivered messages in the unacknowledge page file 46. The address encoder 24 accepts addresses supplied to the pager controller 22 by the entry device 30. Address encoder 24 then converts this supplied information, along with the voice message stored in voice storage unit 23, to the transmitted composite paging signal in a manner well understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. This composite paging signal is subsequently transmitted by transmitter 34 through antenna switch 40 and to antenna 38 which radiates the signal energy to the paging receiver 12. Under control of paging controller 22, antenna switch 40 controls information being transmitted through transmitter 34 and information being received by receiver 36. The acknowledge back decoder 26 then detects and processes any acknowledgment signals returned by paging receiver 12 via receiver 36 and provides this information to the paging controller 22 which is subsequently transmitted back to the originator.

While transmitter 34 modulates an RF carrier frequency with outbound addresses and messages, the receiver 36 demodulates the inbound modulated RF carrier frequencies and supplies recovered data to decoder 26. Upon transmitting an address to a particular pager 12, and then receiving an acknowledgment signal therefrom, paging controller 22, if appropriate, immediately transmits the intended message therefor. If an address for a particular paging receiver 12 is transmitted and an acknowledge back is not received, the message intended for that particular receiver can be stored in the unacknowledge page file 46 for later retransmission on a periodic basis, or the message can be destroyed, depending upon a status given to it by the originator. Such retransmission of that address continues on a periodic basis until acknowledge back is in fact received, at which time the retained message thereof is then sent, or at a predeter ined time period expires, at which time the information in the unacknowledge page file 46 is purged.

The block diagram of the paging receiver 12 is shown in FIG. 3 and a flow diagram that describes its operation is illustrated with reference to FIGS. 6A-B. The pager 12 with acknowledge back capability (hereinafter ^•"ack-back'*') as illustrated includes an RF section 50 and a transmitter section 52. RF signals are coupled to and from the receiver and transmitter sections 50/52 via an antenna 54 and an antenna switch 56. Normally, ack-back pager 12 is operated in a receive mode and the demodulated data output of the paging receiver section 50 is coupled to an included paging address decoder/acknowledge back encoder 58.

In operation, paging address decoder/acknowledgment back encoder 58 examines the recovered data looking for a unique selective calling signal or address that is assigned to pager 12. This unique address is a precursor for any voice messages that may be directed to the pager. Once the address has been detected, the paging decoder 58 generates an alert tone and routes this alert tone to the receiver speaker transducer 60.

This alert tone notifies the paging receiver user of an incoming voice message and provides the paging receiver user the opportunity to get ready to listen to the message. At the same time as the alert is being generated, the acknowledgment back encoder 58 generates an appropriate pager automated acknowledgment back response including particular coded words. The encoder 58 then keys the transmitter 52 which is modulated with the acknowledgment response signal. The output signal from 54 (acknowledgment signal) is transmitted to and is received by the paging controller 22. Following the ack-back response, pager 12 returns to its normal receive mode and begins looking for a voice message. The particular coded words included in the acknowledgment signal can indicate that the pager will not respond for a predetermined period of time, can include internal parameters of the pager such as diagnostic checks, and can include pager information such as the alert is off. It is noted that the information is not limited to those mentioned above but can be other information such as telemetry data.

Referring to FIG. 4, there is shown a voice message timing diagram according to the present invention showing the advantages of an acknowledgment back signal being generated during the alert time for the activated paging receiver. FIG. 4 in sequence shows a preamble 70 followed by a control word 72, the address 74 used to select the paging receiver and an activation code 76. Upon receipt of the activation code 76, the selected paging receiver goes into a voice alert time period for a predetermined amount of time to warn the paging receiver user that a voice message 78 is to follow. Following the voice message 78, a deactivation code 80 notifies the paging receiver of the end of the voice message. It is important to note that for such tone and voice systems, no use has been made of the voice alert time period to transmit information back to the paging controller.

The timing diagram of FIG. 5 illustrates the relationship between the ^•'outbound'¹' signal transmitted from paging controller 20 to the paging receiver 12 and the "inbound" signal from the paging receiver 12 acknσwledging back to the paging controller. By way of example, in FIG. 5, pager "l" immediately acknowledges back ACK 1 WITH CODE" after detecting its address followed by the activation code. The acknowledgment signal is detected by the paging controller and, if appropriate, the voice message intended for that paging receiver can then be transmitted by the paging controller shown as "message for pager 1", followed by the deactivation code. In contrast, paging receiver "2", for some reason, does not send back an acknowledgment signal and, consequently, paging controller does not send the voice message intended for the paging receiver but, instead, stores it in the unacknowledge page file 46.

Continuing with our example, in FIG. 4, after the unsuccessful attempt to page paging receiver "2", a message is illustrated as being successfully sent to paging receiver "3". It should be noted that the paging terminal can attempt to address paging receiver "2" which initially failed to acknowledge back.

The means and procedure for effecting the signalling procedure and sequence in terms of sending voice messages in an interleaved ack-back paging system, as illustrated and described in FIG. 5, are effected within and by means of the paging controller 22 of central controller 20 as previously described. The procedure/protocol for accomplishing this is set forth with particularity in the flow diagrams comprising FIGS. 6A-6B. The operation begins with an initialization step 100, normally needed only at power up. Step 100 is used to perform functions such as setting up the I/O ports as inputs and outputs, clearing certain memory locations, and perhaps running a self-diagnostic test.

After completing the initial power up routine, the controller 22 accesses the unacknowledged page file 46 to determine if it is time to attempt to deliver any unacknowledged pages. If there are no unacknowledged pages, the paging controller waits for a page request from an entry device, step 102. Eventually, a page request is detected signifying that a new page originator needs service, step 104. The paging controller then queries the entry device user for the paging receiver's ID and page type, step 106. The originator may respond by signifying one of existing page types in which existing encoder algorithms are used to process the page request, step 108. These processes are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art and are not presented here. Referring back to step 106, if the originator signifies that this is an ack-back voice page type, the encoder is vectored to the ack-back voice page type routine. The encoder prompts the entry device originator to enter a voice message, step 110. The paging controller receives the voice message from the originator, step 112. The paging controller then stores the voice message in the voice storage unit for permitting the paging controller to properly encode the message and send it to the correct paging receiver, step 114. To properly encode the voice message, the encoder first determines from the subscriber list included in the subscriber list file the pager address to transmit the voice information. The encoder then sends to the transmitter the preamble, control word, and address, step 116. The address is then followed by the activation code for the selected paging receiver, step 118. It is important to note that during this time, the paging controller has activated the antenna switch to insure that the information is transmitted through transmitter 34 through to antenna 38.

The encoder then starts an alert time out timer which corresponds to the voice alert time period for the selected paging receiver, step 120. For purposes of illustration, it is assumed that this voice alert time period is two seconds. The paging controller then clears an ack-back flag which is used as a condition to confirm an acknowledge back signal from the selected paging receiver, step 122. The paging controller then activates antenna switch 40 to cause paging controller 20 to receive radiated signals from the selected paging receiver through receiver 36, step 124. Continuing our discussion with reference to

FIG. 6B, the paging controller then waits to see if acknowledge back signal is received from the selected paging receiver, step 126. If an acknowledge back signal is detected, the paging controller saves the coded response, step 128. The paging controller then sets the ack-back flag, step 129. Referring back to step 126, if the acknowledge back signal is not received and the alert time has not expired, the paging controller decrements the alert time out timer, steps 130 and 132. If the paging receiver is in service, eventually an acknowledgment signal is received during the alert time out period, and the ack-back flag is set. If the paging receiver is not in service, the ack-back flag will not be set. This condition is determined by sensing the ack-back flag, step 134.

If the ack-back flag is detected, the originator is notified that the paging receiver is in service, step 136. The paging controller then decodes the ack-back code, step 138. If the code indicates a message is to be sent back to the originator, the message corresponding to the code is retrieved from the paging controller memory and sent to the originator, step 144. The paging controller then determines whether the paging receiver is in a condition to accept the voice message by querying the ack-back code, step 146. For example, if the code indicates the pager is busy for a predetermined amount of time, the voice message is stored for later transmission. If the pager is in a condition to accept the voice message, the paging controller sends the message, step 148. Following the voice message, a deactivation code is transmitted to notify the paging receiver of the end of the voice message, step 150. The paging controller then returns to a condition to wait for a new entry or for transmitting unacknowledged pages, step 152. Referring back to step 146, if the pager is not ready to accept a transmission, the voice message is stored in the unacknowledge file, step 154.

Referring back to step 134, if the ack-back flag is not detected, the originator is notified that the page was not acknowledged and the pager receiver is not in service, step 156. The originator is then queried whether he wishes the paging controller to continue to try and transmit the message or to ignore the message and allow the originator to try again at a later time, step 158. if the originator desires the paging controller to try again, the page request is stored in the unacknowledged page file, step 160. If the originator signifies that he does not desire the paging controller to continue trying, the system returns in a normal manner, step 152.

Referring now to FIGS. 7A-7B, there is shown a flow diagram for the paging receiver with the capability of receiving the voice message and generating an acknowledge back signal. Initially, the paging receiver is powered up and housekeeping techniques well known in the art are performed to initialize the buses and peripheral equipment connected to the microcomputer, step 200. The microcomputer is then placed in a condition for the reception of selective call signals. Briefly, as is well known, the microcomputer samples the received data and correlates for a preamble detect. If the preamble is not detected, the paging receiver may be shut down for a predetermined amount of time if operating in a battery saving environment. If the preamble is detected, the microcomputer is instructed to correlate for the control word. If the control word is not detected within a predetermined time, this may indicate some type of fall condition and the microcomputer is instructed to look for a preamble or shut down for battery saving. Eventually, the preamble and code word are detected and the microcomputer decoder is instructed to correlate for address, step 202. If the address is detected within a predetermined amount of time, the microcomputer is returned to the preamble detect state, step 204. Eventually, an address for the selected paging receiver is detected and is determined whether the address corresponds to the ack-back voice page type, step 206. If the address does not correspond to the ack-back voice page type, the microcomputer decoder follows existing decoder algorithms for decoding either voice, tone, or data which is well known to those of ordinary skill in the art, step 208.

Referring back to step 206, if the ack-back voice address is detected, the microcomputer decoder initializes an activation code window counter, step 210. The activation code window counter allows the decoder to search for the activation code for a predetermined period of time corresponding to the value used to initialize the window counter. The decoder then samples the received data correlated for the activation code, step 212. If the correlation is negative, the activation window counter is decremented, steps 214-216. If the window counter times out, this corresponds to a missed page or other problems and the paging receiver is returned to the initialize step, step 218. Referring back to step 218, if the window counter is not timed out, the decoder continues to sample the paging signal to correlate for the activation code, steps 212-218.

Referring back to step 214, eventually, the activation code is detected and the paging receiver initializes a voice alert timer corresponding to the time period that an alert is generated to notify the paging receiver user of the impending receipt of the voice message, step 220. This voice alert time period can typically be approximately two seconds. As the alert is generated, the decoder sends back an acknowledgment signal to the paging controller to notify the paging controller that the paging receiver has detected an address and is in service at this time, step 222. The acknowledgment signal can also include a coded message to indicate to the paging controller the status of the pager or other information. The voice alert timer is then checked to determine whether the voice alert time period has expired, step 224. If voice alert time period has not expired, the voice alert timer is decremented, step 226. If the voice alert time period has not expired, the ack-back is continuously sent and the alert timer checked, steps 222-226. Referring back to step 224, eventually, the alert time period expires and the audio channel on the paging receiver is opened for the impending voice message from the paging controller, step 228. A voice channel time out timer is then started to insure that if the deactivation code is not detected after the voice message, the voice channel is eventually shut down and the paging receiver is reset, step 230. The voice message is then provided to the paging receiver user and the decoder samples the voice message to detect the deactivation code, step 232. The voice channel time out timer is then decremented, step 234. It is then determined if the deactivation code has been detected, step 236. If the deactivation code is not detected and the voice channel time out timer has not expired, the channel remains open to provide the remainder of the voice message to the paging receiver user, step 238. If the deactivation code is detected or the voice channel time out timer expires, the voice channel is closed, step 240. The decoder then returns to the initialization state to await further paging information from the paging controller, step 242.

Thus, there has been shown a method and a system for transmitting a voice message in an interleaved ack-back voice paging system. According to the present invention, the paging receiver sends an acknowledgment signal back during the voice alert time period to notify the paging controller that the paging receiver is in service and ready to accept the voice message.

While the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail, it should be apparent that many modifications and variations thereto are possible, all of which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

Claims

1. A paging system for transferring information to a paging receiver, said system comprising: a paging controller for receiving voice and data information from an entry device; an encoder responsive to said paging controller for encoding the voice and data information into a corresponding paging signal designated for a particular paging receiver, wherein the composite paging signal includes sequentially an address to select the paging receiver, an activation code to active the paging receiver, and a predetermined time period; a first transmitting means, being responsive to said encoder, for transmitting the composite paging signal to the paging receiver; a first receiving means included in the paging receiver, for receiving the composite paging signal; a decoding means, being responsive to said receiving means, for decoding the composite paging signal to recover the address and activation code; processing means, being responsive to said decoding means, for generating, in response to the activation code, an acknowledgment signal indicating receipt of the address, the . acknowledgment signal being generated during the predetermined time period of the composite paging signal; a second transmitting means included in the paging receiver for transmitting to the paging controller the acknowledgment signal; and a second receiving means included in the paging controller for receiving the acknowledgment signal wherein the paging controller, being responsive to said second receiving means, transmits the voice message to the selected paging receiver in response to the acknowledgment signal.

2. The paging system of claim 1, wherein said predetermined time period is sent during the alert time of the paging receiver.

3. The paging system of claim 2, wherein the composite paging signal includes a deactivation signal for notifying the processing means of the end of the voice message.

4. The paging system of claim 1, wherein the acknowledgment signal includes a coded message indicating a status of the paging receiver.

5. The paging system of claim 1, wherein the voice message is stored in the paging controller for later transmission whenever the acknowledge signal indicates the paging receiver is out of service.

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6. A central controller for transferring information to a communication receiver, said central controller comprising: a paging controller for receiving voice and data information from an entry device; an encoder responsive to said paging controller for encoding the voice information into a corresponding paging signal designated for a communication receiver, wherein the paging signal includes an address followed by a predetermined time period; a transmitter, being responsive to said encoder, for transmitting the paging signal to the paging receiver; and a receiver for receiving an acknowledgment signal from the selected communication receiver, the acknowledgment signal indicating that the selected paging receiver has detected the address, wherein said paging controller transmits the voice message in response to detecting the acknowledgment signal.

7. The central controller of claim 6, wherein the composite paging signal includes an activation signal for indicating the start of the predetermined time period.

8. The central controller of claim 7, wherein the composite paging signal includes a deactivation signal for indicating the end of the voice message.

9. The central controller of claim 6, wherein the acknowledgment signal includes a coded response to indicate a status of the communication receiver.

10. The central controller of claim 9, wherein the central controller conditions the transmission of the voice message, depending on the coded response from the paging receiver.

11. A paging receiver for receiving a composite paging signal intended for the paging receiver, the composite paging signal having at least one address, said paging receiver comprising: a receiving means for receiving the composite paging signal; a decoding means, being responsive to said receiving means, for decoding the composite paging signal to recover the address; processing means, being responsive to said decoding means, for generating an acknowledgment signal indicating receipt of the address; and transmitting means included in the paging receiver for transmitting to the paging controller the acknowledgment signal.

12. The paging receiver of claim 11, wherein the data processing means is comprised of a microprocessor having a predetermined set of instructions for effecting the generation of the acknowledgment signal.

13. The paging receiver of claim 11, wherein said composite paging signal includes an activation signal for notifying said processing means of the start of a predetermined time period.

14. The paging receiver of claim 13, wherein the acknowledgment signal is transmitted during the predetermined time period in the composite paging signal.

15. The paging receiver of claim 14, wherein the processing means generates an alert during the predetermined time period in the composite paging signal.

16. The paging receiver of claim 11, wherein the composite paging signal includes a deactivation signal for notifying the processing means of the end of the voice message.

17. The paging receiver of claim 11, wherein the acknowledgment signal included a coded response.

18. The paging receiver of claim 17, wherein the coded response includes a status of the paging receiver.