WO1995012256A1

WO1995012256A1 - Method and apparatus for automatically controlling the routing of messages in a selective signaling system

Info

Publication number: WO1995012256A1
Application number: PCT/US1994/011931
Authority: WO
Inventors: James A. Wright
Original assignee: Motorola Inc.
Priority date: 1993-10-25
Filing date: 1994-10-20
Publication date: 1995-05-04
Also published as: TW267281B

Abstract

A method (Fig. 5) and an apparatus (102) control routing (512, 516, 520, 528) of messages in a selective signaling system (100) serving first users within multiple coverage areas (106). The selective signaling system (100) is coupled to an independent data base system (110) containing loction information (234) applicable to second users. A portion of the second users are the same as the first users, the portion defined to be 'common users'. The independent database system (110) is adapted to communicate with the selective signaling system (100) for providing the location information (234) concerning the common users. The selective signaling system (100) communicates with the independent database system (110) to obtain the location information (234). When the selective signaling system receives (506) a message for transmission to a user and determines (510) that the user is one of the common users, it routes (516, 520, 528) the received message to a coverage area (106) according to the location information (234) for the user.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY CONTROLLING THE ROUTING OF MESSAGES IN A SELECTIVE SIGNALING SYSTEM

Field of the Invention

This invention relates in general to radio communication systems, and more specifically to a method and apparatus for automatically controlling the routing of messages to coverage areas in a selective signaling system.

Background of the Invention

A wide-area, e.g., nationwide, selective signaling network needs information concerning the location of each individual who is a user of the network in order to send messages to the individual. Without such location information, the network must send the messages to all coverage areas served by the network to be certain that the messages will reach the location of the user. Sending the messages to all the coverage areas wastes air time that could otherwise be used to deliver additional messages to other users of the network.

To avoid wasting air time some network service providers require the user to call a network control point and "register" the locations in which the user desires message coverage. This helps the service provider to reuse the communication channels of the network, but is an inconvenience and potential source of frustration to the user. An additional drawback occurs in that a user typically registers in the user's current location and in the location to which the user is going. While in transit, the user will be in neither registered location, and will miss messages sent during this time. Thus, what is needed is a method and apparatus for avoiding the waste of air time in a wide-area selective signaling network without requiring the inconvenient user registration. Also needed is a method and apparatus for preventing messages from being missed during transit of the user. Summary of the Invention

One aspect of the present invention is a method for automatically controlling routing of messages in a selective signaling system serving a first plurality of users within a plurality of coverage areas. The selective signaling system is coupled to an independent database system containing location information applicable to a second plurality of users. A portion of the second plurality of users are included in the first plurality of users, the portion defined to be "common users." The method comprises in the independent database system the step of adapting the independent database system to communicate with the selective signaling system for providing the location information corresponding to one of the common users. The method further comprises in the selective signaling system the steps of communicating with the independent database system to obtain the location information, and receiving thereafter a message for transmission to a user. The method further comprises in the selective signaling system the steps of determining that the user is one of the common users, and routing in response thereto the received message to a coverage area selected in accordance with the location information corresponding to the user. Another aspect of the present invention is a message routing system for automatically controlling routing of messages in a selective signaling system serving a first plurality of users within a plurality of coverage areas. The selective signaling system is coupled to an independent database system containing location information applicable to a second plurality of users. A portion of the second plurality of users are included in the first plurality of users, the portion defined to be "common users ' The message routing system comprises in the independent database system a transaction element for adapting the independent database system to communicate with the selective signaling system for providing the location information corresponding to one of the common users. The message routing system further comprises in the selective signaling system a selective call receiver for selectively receiving the messages, and a transmitter system coupled to the selective call receiver and positioned within each of the plurality of coverage areas for transmitting therein the messages routed thereto. The message routing system further comprises in the selective signaling system a controller coupled to the transmitter system for controlling receipt and routing of the messages. The controller comprises an input element for receiving a message for transmission to a user, and a communication element coupled to the independent database system for communicating with the independent database system to obtain location information corresponding to one of the common users. The controller further comprises a processor coupled to the input element and coupled to the communication element for determining that the user is one of the common users, and a special router element coupled to the processor for routing in response thereto the received message to a coverage area selected in accordance with the location information corresponding to the user. Another aspect of the present invention is a controller for automatically controlling routing of messages in a selective signaling system serving a first plurality of users within a plurality of coverage areas. The controller is coupled to an independent database system containing location information applicable to a second plurality of users. A portion of the second plurality of users are included in the first plurality of users, the portion defined to be "common users." The controller comprises an input element for receiving a message for transmission to a user, and a communication element coupled to the independent database system for communicating with the independent database system to obtain location information corresponding to one of the common users. The controller further comprises a processor coupled to the input element and coupled to the communication element for determining that the user is one of the common users, and a special router element coupled to the processor for routing in response thereto the received message to a coverage area selected in accordance with the location information corresponding to the user.

Brief Description of the Drawings

FIG. 1 is an electrical block diagram of a message routing system for a selective signaling system in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an electrical block diagram of a controller in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a memory utilization diagram depicting a portion of the memory in an independent database system in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a signaling diagram depicting communications that take place between the controller and the independent database system in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart depicting operation of the system of FIG. 1 in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Description of the Preferred Embodiment

Referring to FIG. 1, an electrical block diagram of a message routing system in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a selective signaling system 100 and an independent database system 110. The selective signaling system 100 comprises a controller 102 for automatically controlling routing of messages in the selective signaling system 100. The selective signaling system 100 serves a first plurality of users within a plurality of coverage areas 106. The controller 102 is coupled by a communication link 112 to the independent database system 110, which contains location information applicable to a second plurality of users. A portion of the second plurality of users also are users in the first plurality of users. The users that are in both the first and second pluralities of users are herein defined to be "common users," who are handled specially in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, as will be described herein below.

The selective signaling system 100 further comprises a plurality of transmitter systems 104 positioned within the plurality of coverage areas 106 for providing radio coverage thereto. In a wide-area selective signaling system, such as a nationwide or international paging system, the coverage areas 106 can comprise large regions, e.g., the east, west, and central portions of the United States. It will be appreciated that if a coverage area 106 is sufficiently large, more than one transmitter system 104 can be utilized to provide adequate radio coverage throughout the coverage area 106.

The transmitter systems 104 are coupled to the controller 102 by a plurality of communication links 124. The communication links 124 preferably comprise satellite radio links. It will be appreciated that other types of links, e.g., terrestrial telephone circuits, terrestrial radio links, and dedicated wire lines, can be utilized as well for the communication links Within each of the coverage areas 106 the transmitter systems 104 are coupled by radio waves to selective call receivers (SCRs) 108 present in the coverage area. The controller 102 is coupled to the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) 122 by at least one input link 114 for receiving messages from caller input devices coupled to the PSTN by telephone lines 120. Callers may use a variety of caller input devices, such as a telephone set 116 and a video display terminal (VDT) 118 for sending the messages. The independent database system 110 preferably comprises a travel reservation system, such as an airline ticket reservation system. Such systems contain location information, e.g., itineraries including travel destinations along with departure and arrival times, for a plurality of users who have made travel reservations therewith. The present invention is embodied in a new interface system added between the independent database system 110 and the controller 102, as described herein below. It will be appreciated that other types of independent databases that can locate a user, e.g., a registration database of a communication system such as a cellular telephone system, can be utilized as well for the independent database system 110. Such a database advantageously can track the location of a user who is not utilizing a travel reservation system, e.g., a user traveling by personal automobile. Unlike a travel reservation system, a cellular telephone registration database disadvantageously cannot predict where the user will be, but can only detect the presence of the user's cellular telephone—if the user takes it along on the trip and activates the cellular telephone at the destination. The new interface system permits the location information contained in the independent database system 110 to be communicated periodically to the controller 102 for use in routing the messages to the common users traveling about the selective signaling system 100, in accordance with the communicated location information. It will be appreciated that the new interface system can be added as a separate, self-contained interface system or incorporated in additional firmware elements that are added to both the independent database system 110 and to the controller 102.

Preferably, the independent database system 110 is similar to an appropriately equipped Stratus Model 75 computer, manufactured by Stratus Computers, Inc., of Marlboro, MA. Preferably, the transmitter systems 104 comprise transmitters that are similar to a model C73 PURC 5000® transmitter, the controller 102 is similar to the MPS 2000™ paging control center, and the selective call receivers 108 are similar to a model A03KLB5962CA ADVISOR® pager, all manufactured by Motorola, Inc. of Schaumburg, Illinois. It will be appreciated that other similar hardware may be used as well to construct the message routing system of FIG. 1. During operation of the selective signaling system 100 in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, using an appropriate caller input device 116, 118, a caller places a telephone call through the PSTN 122 to the controller 102 to send a message to a specific selective call receiver 108. The controller 102 preferably formats and queues the message, along with a selective call address corresponding to the called selective call receiver 108 for subsequent transmission from a selected coverage area 106, selection of the coverage area 106 being performed in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, as described herein below. The controller 102 then sends the selective call address and associated message to the transmitter system 104 of the selected coverage area 106 in a manner well known in the art. The transmitter system 104 transmits the selective call address and associated message to the selective call receiver 108 using a well-known paging protocol, such as the Golay Sequential Code, on a paging channel.

Referring to FIG. 2, an electrical block diagram of the controller 102 in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a processor 202 for directing the operation of the controller 102. The processor 202 is coupled to an input interface 204 for receiving messages via the PSTN 122 over the at least one input link 114. The processor 202 is further coupled to a communication port 206 for communicating with the independent database system 110 over the communication link 112. The communication port 206 comprises a transmitter element 207 for requesting location information from the independent database system 110, and a receiver element 205 for receiving location information from the independent database system 110. Preferably, the communication port 206 comprises a standard interface, e.g., RS-232, and utilizes a standard communication protocol, e.g., the well-known High- Level Data Link Control (HDLC) communication protocol, for communicating with a similar interface in the independent database system 110. It will be appreciated that other similar interfaces and communication protocols can be utilized as well for the communication port 206. The processor 202 is also coupled to a real time clock 203 for determining when to send messages stored for transmission at a later time. The processor 202, the input interface 204, the communication port 206, and the real time clock 203 are conventional elements of the MPS 2000™ paging control center. Also coupled to the processor 202 is a memory system 208, preferably comprising a conventional magnetic disk memory. It will be appreciated that other forms of memory, for example, random access memory, electrically erasable read-only memory, and optical memory, alone or in combination, may be utilized as well for the memory system 208. The memory system 208 comprises firmware elements for directing the processor 202. The firmware elements comprise a special router element 210 for routing a message received for a user to one of the coverage areas 106 selected in accordance with location information corresponding to the user, communicated from the independent database system 110, and stored in the memory system 208, as described below.

The special router 210 comprises a first sender element 212 for sending the received message to a first coverage area 106 inclusive of a first location indicated by the location information to be the location of the user at the time of receipt of the message. The special router 210 further comprises a second sender element 214 for sending the received message to a second coverage area 106 inclusive of a second location indicated by the location information to be the location of the user at the time of receipt of the message. The special router 210 also includes an access element 216 for accessing a received message temporarily stored in a message storage area 250 for transmission to the user when the location information indicates the user has reached a travel destination.

For example, if the location information shows that the user is departing from a "home" location tomorrow at noon and arriving in location "A" at 4 PM tomorrow, then the special router 210 will send messages received for the user before noon tomorrow to the "home" location. Messages received tomorrow between noon and 4 PM tomorrow while the user is in transit will be stored. After 4 PM tomorrow, the stored messages and any new messages received will be transmitted to location "A" for the duration of the user's stay in that location. The firmware elements further comprise a determination element 218 for determining that the user is not one of the common users, i.e., that the user currently has no information recorded in the independent database system 110. If the independent database system 110 is an airline ticket reservation system, for example, not being a common user merely means that the user currently has no reserved airline tickets in the ticket reservation system. The firmware elements also comprise a standard router element 220 for routing the received message for a user determined not to be a common user to a coverage area 106 selected according to information preprogrammed for the user in the memory system 208, as described below. The firmware elements further comprise a communication element 221 for controlling communications between the independent database system 110 and the controller 102 for the transfer of the location information concerning the common users.

The memory system 208 further comprises a subscriber database 222, including an entry 224 for each user of the selective signaling system 100. Each entry 224 preferably comprises an input number 226 uniquely corresponding to the number that is input by a caller to send a message to the user. Each entry 224 preferably further comprises a personal identification code (PIC) 228 that uniquely identifies each user and is utilized to keep track of the transfer of location information for the common users from the independent database system 110 to the controller 102.

Each entry 224 also includes a code 230 that is the selective call code used by the selective signaling system 100 to send a message to one of the selective call receivers 108. Also included in the entry 224 is a coverage area identifier 231 designating a preprogrammed coverage area 106 to be used by the standard router element 220 for routing the received message for a user determined not to be a common user. Each entry 224 preferably further comprises a common user flag 232, which is utilized to indicate whether or not the user corresponding the entry 224 is a common user, i.e., whether or not current location information for the user has been received from the independent database system 110. The common user flag 232 is utilized by the special router 210 and by the determination element 218 in determining how to route messages to the user corresponding to each entry 224.

A final portion of each entry 224 preferably is the itinerary 234. For common users for whom location information has been communicated to the controller 102, the itinerary 234 corresponding to the user contains the travel schedule of the user, preferably comprising at least one destination with associated departure and arrival times. For users who are not common users, the corresponding itinerary 234 is blank. It will be appreciated that the subscriber database 222 can be organized in other similar manners that will allow the location information communicated from the independent database system 110 to be utilized for controlling the routing of the messages within the selective signaling system 100.

The memory system 208 further comprises the message storage area 250, including data packets 236. Each of the data packets 236 is utilized to store a message received for a common user while the common user is in transit. The data packet 236 comprises a selective call code 238 corresponding to the code 230 of the selective call receiver 108 of the user for whom the message is stored. The data packet 236 further comprises a message location 240 containing the message. Also included in the data packet 236 is a coverage area indicator 242 designating a coverage area 106 to which the message is to be sent. The designated coverage area 106 preferably is inclusive of the destination to which the user is traveling, according to the itinerary 234 of the entry 224 corresponding to the user. The data packet 236 further comprises a transmit time location 244, which defines a time at which the message will be sent. Each transmit time location 244 contains a designated time by which the corresponding user is expected to have arrived at the destination, according to the itinerary of the user. The processor 202 utilizes time information from the real time clock 203 to coordinate the sending of each message stored in the message storage area 250 to the designated coverage area 106 at the designated time.

Referring to FIG. 3, a memory utilization diagram depicts a portion of a memory 300 in the independent database system 110, preferably comprising a travel reservation system in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The memory 300 preferably includes firmware comprising a transaction element 301 for servicing the common users. The transaction element 301 comprises queued user entries 302 corresponding to the common users utilizing the independent database system 110.

The queued user entries 302 are communicated periodically, e.g., every thirty minutes, to the controller 102 to update the common user flags 232 and itineraries 234 of the subscriber database 222 in the controller 102. Each of the queued user entries 302 comprises the PIC 228 utilized to keep track of the transfer of location information for the common users from the independent database system 110 to the controller 102. Each of the queued user entries 302 further comprises the itinerary 234 of the common user corresponding to the PIC 228.

The transaction element 301 further comprises a communication element 307 for controlling communications between the independent database system 110 and the controller 102, and further for obtaining the itineraries 234 of the common users from the database 310 and placing the itineraries 234 into the queued user entries 302.

The memory 300 further comprises a database 310 for all users of the independent database system 110, including the common users and the users who are not common users, i.e., users of the independent database system 110 who are not users of the selective signaling system 100. The database 310 comprises a travel entry 308 including full travel information for each user making travel reservations through the independent database system 110. The database 310 is assembled and maintained in a conventional manner well known to one of ordinary skill in the art of travel reservation systems.

At the time of making travel reservations, users of the selective signaling system 100 who desire to have their messages automatically routed in accordance with their travel plans preferably will arrange to have their PIC 228 entered into the independent database system 110 along with their travel arrangements. Periodically, the communication element 307 cooperates with the database 310 to obtain and queue new data for the queued user entries 302. The new data comprises itineraries 234 that are new or changed since the last transmission of location information to the controller 102, selected from the travel entries 308 that contain a PIC 228. By periodically communicating the queued user entries 302 to the controller 102 the selective signaling system 100, in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, advantageously can automatically route messages received for the common users according to the common users' itineraries 234.

As indicated herein above, it will be appreciated that alternative systems, such as a communication system, can be utilized for the independent database system 110 as well. Such systems typically will not provide a travel itinerary of a common user, but can provide, for example, a notification to the controller 102 that a roaming user's presence has been detected by the communication system, along with an identification of the location of the user as detected by the communication system. The controller 102 can then route the user's messages to the identified location until the user's presence is detected elsewhere.

Referring to FIG. 4, a signaling diagram 400 depicts communications that take place between the controller 102 and the independent database system 110 in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Preferably, the controller 102 initiates the communications with a request 402 to the independent database system 110 for all new and changed itineraries queued into the queued user entries 302 of the independent database system 110 since the last transmission to the controller 102. In response, the independent database system 110 sends data blocks comprising the PIC 228 followed by the corresponding itinerary 234. Additional PICs 228 and corresponding itineraries 234 are sent until all the data of the queued user entries 302 has been exhausted, followed by an end flag 404. In response, the controller preferably sends an acknowledge element

406 to acknowledge receipt of the location information. Preferably, the communication protocol utilized for the communications between the controller 102 and the independent database system 110 is a conventional protocol, such as HDLC. It will be appreciated that other protocols, formats, and orders of sending the location information can be used for the communications.

Referring to FIG. 5, a flow chart depicting operation of the message routing system of FIG. 1 in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention begins with startup 502 of the system. In response, the controller 102 communicates 504 with the independent database system 110 to obtain and store in the subscriber database 222, location information that is new, i.e., has not been previously communicated, or that has changed since the location information was previously downloaded. Then the controller 102 waits to receive 506 a message for transmission to a user. When a message is received, the controller accesses the subscriber database 222 to locate the entry 224 corresponding to the input number 226 received along with the message to determine from the common user flag 232 of the entry 224 whether the user corresponding to the entry 224 is one of the common users, e.g., a user having made travel arrangements via the independent database system 110. If the user is not a common user, the controller 102 routes 512 the message to the coverage area 106 preprogrammed for the user in the coverage area identifier 231 of the entry 224.

If in step 510 the user is a common user, the controller 102 checks 514 the itinerary 234 to determine whether the user's travel schedule and the current time and date indicate that the user should be at a first location, e.g., at the user's home location. If so, the controller 102 routes 516 the message to a coverage area 106 inclusive of the first location. It will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that a specific location, such as a city, can be mapped to a predetermined coverage area, such as "central U.S.," of the selective signaling system 100 by creating a mapping database of cities and appropriate coverage areas 106 therefor. Such a mapping database preferably is included in the special router element 210 of the controller 102. If in step 514 the user is indicated not to be at the first location, then the controller 102 checks 518 whether the user's itinerary and the current time and date indicate that the user should be at a second location, e.g., the user's travel destination. If so, the controller 102 routes 520 the message to a coverage area 106 inclusive of the second location. If, on the other hand, in step 518 the user is not at the second location either, then the user must be in transit, and the controller 102 then stores 522 the message and associated information required to complete one of the data packets 236 in the message storage area 250.

Periodically, the controller checks 524 the transmit time location 244 associated with the stored message to determine whether the current time and date indicate that the user should have reached the second location. If not, the controller 102 continues to store 522 the message. When in step 524 the current time and date indicate that the user should have reached the second location, the controller 102 accesses 528 the stored message and routes it to a coverage area 106 inclusive of the second location.

From each of the steps 512, 516, 520, and 528 the flow moves to step 526 to determine whether it is time for the controller 102 to communicate with the independent database system 110 for an update of the location information. If not, the controller returns to step 506 to await another message input from a caller. If, on the other hand, it is time for an update, the controller 102 returns to step 504 to communicate with the independent database system 110 to obtain updated location information. Thus, the present invention advantageously provides a method and apparatus for avoiding a waste of air time due to sending selective call messages to multiple coverage areas in a wide-area selective signaling network. Messages advantageously are sent, in accordance with the present invention, to the coverage area to which a traveling user has traveled, without requiring the inconvenient user registration typically required by conventional wide-area systems to save air time. The present invention also includes a method and apparatus for preventing messages from being missed during transit of the user.

What is claimed is:

Claims

1. A method for automatically controlling routing of messages in a selective signaling system serving a first plurality of users within a plurality of coverage areas, the selective signaling system coupled to an independent database system containing location information applicable to a second plurality of users, wherein a portion of the second plurality of users are included in the first plurality of users, the portion defined to be "common users," the method comprising in the independent database system the step of: adapting the independent database system to communicate with the selective signaling system for providing the location information corresponding to one of the common users; and further comprising in the selective signaling system the steps of: communicating with the independent database system to obtain the location information; receiving thereafter a message for transmission to a user; determining that the user is one of the common users; and routing in response thereto the received message to a coverage area selected in accordance with the location information corresponding to the user.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising in the selective signaling system the steps of: determining that the user is not one of the common users; and routing in response thereto the received message to a coverage area selected according to information preprogrammed for the user.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the independent database system comprises a travel reservation system, and wherein the communicating step comprises the step of receiving travel destinations and associated departure and arrival times corresponding to one of the common users.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the independent database system comprises a communication system, and wherein the communicating step comprises the step of receiving a notice of presence detection of one of the common users by the communication system.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the location information indicates that the user will be located at a first location during a first time period and subsequently will be located at a second location during a second time period, and wherein the routing step comprises the steps of: sending the received message to a first coverage area inclusive of the first location during the first time period; and sending the received message to a second coverage area inclusive of the second location during the second time period.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the location information indicates that a third time period exists between the first and second time periods, and wherein the receiving step occurs during the third time period, and wherein in response thereto the routing step further comprises the steps of: storing the received message; and accessing the stored received message for transmission after the third time period expires.

7. A message routing system for automatically controlling routing of messages in a selective signaling system serving a first plurality of users within a plurality of coverage areas, the selective signaling system coupled to an independent database system containing location information applicable to a second plurality of users, wherein a portion of the second plurality of users are included in the first plurality of users, the portion defined to be "common users," the message routing system comprising in the independent database system: a transaction element for adapting the independent database system to communicate with the selective signaling system for providing the location information corresponding to one of the common users; and further comprising in the selective signaling system: selective call receiver means for selectively receiving the messages; transmitter means coupled to the selective call receiver means and positioned within each of the plurality of coverage areas for transmitting therein the messages routed thereto; and controller means coupled to the transmitter means for controlling receipt and routing of the messages, wherein the controller means comprises: input means for receiving a message for transmission to a user; communication means coupled to the independent database system for communicating with the independent database system to obtain location information corresponding to one of the common users; processor means coupled to the input means and coupled to the communication means for determining that the user is one of the common users; and special router means coupled to the processor means for routing in response thereto the received message to a coverage area selected in accordance with the location information corresponding to the user.

8. The message routing system according to claim 7, wherein the controller means further comprises: determination means coupled to the processor means for determining that the user is not one of the common users; and standard router means coupled to the determination means for routing in response thereto the received message to a coverage area selected according to information preprogrammed for the user.

9. The message routing system according to claim 7, wherein the independent database system comprises a travel reservation system, and wherein the communication means comprises receiver means coupled to the travel reservation system for receiving therefrom travel destinations and associated departure and arrival times corresponding to one of the common users.

10. The message routing system according to claim 7, wherein the independent database system comprises a communication system, and wherein the communication means comprises receiver means coupled to the communication system for receiving therefrom a notice of presence detection of one of the common users by the communication system.

11. The message routing system according to claim 7, wherein the location information comprises an indication that the user will be located at a first location during a first time period and subsequently will be located at a second location during a second time period, and wherein the special router means comprises: first sender means for sending the received message to a first coverage area inclusive of the first location during the first time period; and second sender means coupled to the first sender means for sending the received message to a second coverage area inclusive of the second location during the second time period.

12. The message routing system according to claim 11, wherein the first and second time periods are such that a third time period exists between the first and second time periods, and wherein the controller means further comprises message storage means for storing the received message in response to the received message having been received during the third time period; and wherein the special router means further comprises access means coupled to the message storage means for accessing the stored received message for transmission after the third time period expires.

13. A controller for automatically controlling routing of messages in a selective signaling system serving a first plurality of users within a plurality of coverage areas, the controller coupled to an independent database system containing location information applicable to a second plurality of users, wherein a portion of the second plurality of users are included in the first plurality of users, the portion defined to be "common users," the controller comprising: an input element for receiving a message for transmission to a user; a communication element coupled to the independent database system for communicating with the independent database system to obtain location information corresponding to one of the common users; a processor coupled to the input element and coupled to the communication element for determining that the user is one of the common users; and a special router element coupled to the processor for routing in response thereto the received message to a coverage area selected in accordance with the location information corresponding to the user.

14. The controller according to claim 13, further comprising: a determination element coupled to the processor for determining that the user is not one of the common users; and a standard router element coupled to the determination element for routing in response thereto the received message to a coverage area selected according to information preprogrammed for the user.

15. The controller according to claim 13, wherein the independent database system comprises a travel reservation system, and wherein the communication element comprises a receiver element coupled to the travel reservation system for receiving therefrom travel destinations and associated departure and arrival times corresponding to one of the common users.

16. The controller according to claim 13, wherein the independent database system comprises a communication system, and wherein the communication element comprises a receiver element coupled to the communication system for receiving therefrom a notice of presence detection of one of the common users by the communication system.

17. The controller according to claim 13, wherein the location information comprises an indication that the user will be located at a first location during a first time period and subsequently will be located at a second location during a second time period, and wherein the special router element comprises: a first sender element for sending the received message to a first coverage area inclusive of the first location during the first time period; and a second sender element coupled to the first sender element for sending the received message to a second coverage area inclusive of the second location during the second time period.

18. The controller according to claim 17, wherein the first and second time periods are such that a third time period exists between the first and second time periods, and wherein the controller further comprises a message storage element for storing the received message in response to the received message having been received during the third time period; and wherein the special router element further comprises an access element coupled to the message storage element for accessing the stored received message for transmission after the third time period expires.