0
`Ulllted SHIIICS Patent
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`[191
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`USUUS 9'?nl 22A
`
`[11] Patent Number:
`
`5,970,122
`
`Lal’nrta et al.
`
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`*()ct. 19, 1.999
`
`[54] TWO-WAY WIRELESS MESSAGING
`§y5']'1gM HAVING USER AGEN1"
`
`5.159.592
`5.283.818
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`lnvenlurs: Tllamas F. LaPurla, Thornwood. N.Y.;
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`alsu mmntanns Iocauon Lnforrnauon of the two-way messag-
`ing device of the subscriber.
`
`4.7:‘-7,5.I£5
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`TIIUSS Matthews et al.
`
`3?9;'8l)
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`41] Claims, 8 Drawing Sheets
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`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`0ct.19,1999
`
`Sheet 1 of 8
`
`5,970,122
`
`40
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`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 19,1999
`
`Sheet 2 M8
`
`5,970,122
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`FIG . 2
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`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 19,1999
`
`Sheet 3 of}?
`
`5,970,122
`
`30
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`
`U.S. Patent
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`Oct. 19, 1999
`
`Sheet 4 of 8
`
`5,970,122
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`U.S. Patent
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`Oct. 19,1999
`
`Sheet 5 of 8
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`5,970,122
`
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`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 19, 1999
`
`Sheet 6 mi
`
`5,970,122
`
`FI G . 9
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`7
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`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 19,1999
`
`Sheet 7 of}?
`
`5,970,122
`
`,2
`FIG. 11
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`
`Oct. 19, 1999
`
`Sheet 3 of 8
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`5,970,122
`
`FIG .
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`
`5,970,122
`
`1
`TWO-WAY WIRELESS MESSAGING
`SYSTEM HAVING USER AGENT
`
`This application is related to commonly assigned,
`copending application entitled Two—Way Wireless Messag-
`ing Systc-rrt. filed on the same date as the present application
`by the same inventor.-s.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`This invention relates to a two-way wireless messaging
`system and method using a messaging network having at
`least one subscriber user agent that stores messages that are
`forwarded to predetermined destinations.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE lNVEN'l'l()N
`
`Wireless messaging, such as wireless paging, is a popular
`consumer wireless service and will grow because of the
`availability of new nttrrowhattd Persrtnal Conimttnicution
`Services (PCS) frequencies. Wireless communication and
`messaging provides the foundation for many different types
`of services. One popular service is one-way paging, which
`is now very successful. lts popularity has been contributed
`by numerous factors, including:
`(1) the small form factor of the pager device. making it
`portable;
`{2} the low cost of the paging service;
`(3) easy maintenance of the pager device; and
`[4] case of use for both message senders and receivers.
`One-way paging. however, has no reply capability. A
`subscriber to a one—way paging service must rely on an
`alternate method to respond to any messages that are
`received. For example, after receiving a page [mm the
`one—way paging service. a subscriber oltcrt has to find a
`telephone and make a call to respond to the message.
`Recently, some ideas have been proposer] to design a
`"two—way paging system" while preserving the benelits of
`one-way paging,
`i.e.,
`the small paging device,
`low cost
`service, easy maintenance and ease of use. These two-way
`paging systems include return channels, but they are used
`only for fixed and limited replies.
`In commonly assigned, oopending patent application
`entitled Two—Way Wireless System, the disadvantages of the
`prior art wireless messaging systems are overcome through
`the use of a messaging network and two-way wireless
`messaging device which originates, receives and replies to
`messages having dynamic message components to and from
`the messaging network.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE lNVEN'I'l0N
`
`The present invention allows even greater control over
`message delivery and expansion by the use of proxy agents
`in the message network.
`Limitations of existing wireless paging systems are
`resolved and technical advances are achieved in the present
`invention by a method and system for transmitting messages
`on a wireless messaging network with a plurality of user
`agents and other
`intelligent servers such as transaction
`servers, distribution servers and batch servers. The henelits
`of the present invention are set forth below.
`In aocorrlancc with one aspect of the present invention, at
`wireless messaging device can originate new messages or
`reply to previously received messages along a first commu-
`nication channel {uplinl-:), and receive messages along a
`second communication channel tdownlink). Each such mes-
`sage is coded in it prcdetcrrnined man net and includes,
`
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`among other things, a message number that uniquely iden-
`tilies a message stored both locally at the device and at the
`user agent, a modifier representing the customization to he
`applied to the message, and pcrsonalircd address aliases.
`A user agent
`inside the two-way messaging network,
`corresponding to a subscriber of a two-way message system.
`stores among other things, a plurality of messages and
`destination addresses. When it user agent receives a coded
`message front its associated subscriber, it expands the rnt:s-
`sage back to the desired l'ull message and destinations by
`selecting From the stored messages and destination addresses
`according to the code.
`The message that can be transmitted is highly Ilexil-rte. In
`addition to fixed prc-canned components, it can include
`dynamic components such as embedded replies, choices.
`predefined variables, etc. As an example, consider a stock
`trading application. A subscriber is notified via two-way
`messaging when at stock he or she is interested in has
`reached a particular value. The notification message can
`embed a reply with choices to buy or sell and predefined
`variables for entering the number of shares and share price.
`The dynamic components allow customization of mes-
`sages by message st: riders and recipients.
`thus greatly
`increasing the practical applicability of the system. The
`particular values of the dynamic components are encoded in
`the message modifier, and are recovered and applied by the
`user agent.
`The coded message is much shorter than the correspond-
`ing full-text message.
`thus allowing reduced bandwidth
`usage in :1 wireless contmunicutiort environrnenL Together
`with user agents, the use of coded message is especially
`suited for communication scenarios in which the bandwidth
`in the upljnk and downlink directions are asymmetric, or the
`end device is Limited by either processing power, memory
`storage. or battery capacity.
`The two~way messaging system of the present invention
`also can support multicasting. A message can be forwarded
`to it plurality of destinations for multiple responses. The
`address alias contained in at coded message can correspond
`to a single address, 3 group address or any combination of
`the two. With multicasl.
`the number of (uplink and
`downlink) messages required for
`the transmission of a
`message is minimizcti.
`In another aspect of the present invention, the system can
`track and answer queries about transactions. A transaction is
`a single or a series of request-response interactions between
`a message sender and recipic-nt{s}. A transaction is most
`useful
`for communicatirtn scenarios in which selective
`rc.spon.ses are desired. For example, a transaction can specify
`that a response arriving beyond it certain time limit will not
`he needed and should be discarded by the system. When
`combined with multicast, a transaction can specify the
`desired semantics. of the reply. For example, it transaction
`with ALL semantics specifies that responses from all recipi-
`c-t:tts are desired, while a transaction with OR semantics
`specifies that a response from any olithe recipients will close
`the transaction. Once :1
`trat:tsacLiorJ
`is closed, additional
`responses will be discarded by the system.
`in accordance with another aspect of the present
`invention. the system litnctionalities are distributed among a
`collection of user agents and intelligent scrvcrs.'[l1:: distrib-
`uted nature enhances the modularity of the system and
`makes possible the incremental dcployrncnt of the system.
`For exatnple, a provider desiring only the functionalities of
`user agents but not those of the transaction servers need to
`only deploy the user agents.
`
`10
`
`10
`
`

`
`5,970,122
`
`3
`The method and system of the present invention can be
`implemented on top of any two-way messaging transport.
`This includes dedicated paging networks (e.g., narrowband
`PCS), cellular short messaging service (e.g., IS—95, [S-136
`and GSM). or wireless data transport (e.g.. ARDIS).
`The servers can be implemented on specialized network
`servers or intcrmerliatc switches.
`
`The messaging device can he a dedicated paging device
`similar to existing alphanumeric pagers. a unit that attaches
`to a computing device (e.g., PD/ts. laptops). or integrated as
`part of :1 communication device (eg., cellulttrr'F'CS phones)
`or a computing device (eg._. PDAS, laptops).
`BRIEF IDESCRII-‘TION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`or
`
`.10
`
`The foregoing features anrl advantages of the present
`invention can be appreciated more fully from the following
`description. with references to the accompanying drawings
`in which:
`
`FIG. 1 is a block schematic diagram of a system and
`method of the two-way wireless messaging system of the
`present
`invention showing its use in association with a
`public switched telephone network. data network, cellular
`network and a two—way messaging device.
`FIG. 2 is another schematic diagram of the two-way
`wireless messaging system of the present invention.
`FIG. 3 is a more detailed view of the two-way wireless
`messaging system showing various user agents, the messag-
`irtg network. and examples of messages that can be for-
`warded among the dilfcrent subscribers.
`FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing the network arcl1i~
`lecture of the two-way wireless messaging system of the
`present invention.
`FIG. 5 shows an example of the control architecture for
`the two-way wireless messaging system of the present
`invention.
`
`FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the
`protocol architecture used between the messaging device
`and the batch server of the two-way wireless messaging
`system of the present invention.
`FIG. 7 is El detailed flow chart showing an e.\'a.t't'Iple of the
`protocol
`flow for new message delivery used with the
`two-way wireless messaging system of the present inven-
`tion.
`
`FIG. 8 is a detailed [low diagram showing an example of
`the reply delivery in the two-way wireless messaging system
`of the present invention.
`FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of rt two-way messaging
`device in the form of a two-way pager that can he used with
`the two-way wireless messaging system of the present
`invention.
`
`FIG. II] is a schematic diagram of an example ofthe batch
`server structure that can be used with the two-way wireless
`messaging system of the present invention.
`FIG. 11 is a schematic diagratii showing an exa.n:Iple of the
`functional parts of the user agent that can be used with the
`two-way wireless messaging system of the promnt inven-
`tion.
`
`FIG. 12 is tl schematic diagram showing an example of
`the various functions of the transaction server that can he
`used with the two-way wireless messaging system of the
`present invention.
`FIG.
`I2rr depicts the open and closed states of the
`conversation manager.
`FIG. 12!) depicts the state transition diagram for the
`recipient states of the transaction server.
`
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`FIG. 13 shows a schematic illustration of a two-way
`messaging device where a simulated keyboard is displayed
`for entering it message.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`lNVEN’l‘ION
`
`there is shown at 10 a two-way
`Referring to FIG. 1,
`wireless messaging system of the present invention. which
`allows an originating message code from a two-way mes—
`saging device 11 to he receivrrd in a user agent 12 of it
`two-way fllessaging network 14. The two-way messaging
`device 11 is illustrated throughout many ofthe drawings as
`a dedicated two-way pager. The two-way messaging device
`can also be an attachment to a communication device. or
`even integrated as part of a communication or computing
`device. A message can lac delivered through a public
`switched telephone network 16 that
`includes a network
`access switch 18 connected to a telephone 22 by rt
`lirst
`communication coupling 20 through a
`twisted pair line.
`co-axial cable. fiber optic line, wireless. link or any other
`type ofcornrnunication coupling. The messaging network I-1-
`can also be connected to a cellular network 24 or data
`network 26 for transporting Email messages 27 to a desired
`destination such as a personal computer at a desired time.
`Additionally, messages could be forwarded to a destination
`through the world-wide web 270.
`In accordance with the present invention, a second corn-
`rnunicrttion coupling 28 connects the network access switch
`18 to a Network Control Point (NC?) 30 that is coupled to
`a database 32 via a third communication coupling 36. The
`network 16 is coupled to the messaging network 14 via ii
`fourth communication coupling 38. The communication
`coupling between the two~way me.-tsagiug device I1 and
`two—way messaging network 14 is an air interface. Tlie
`messaging network I4 also may have at least one user agent
`12 corresponding to a subscriber 40 (FIG. 2) of the two-way
`wireless messaging service. The Subscriber 40 receives a
`message from the messaging network 14- along a
`tirst
`communication channel 42. These messages can include
`transmitted messages or replies. Messages forwarded by the
`two-way messaging device It to the messaging network 14
`are forwarded along a communication return channel 43. In
`the case in which messages and ttdclresses of recipients are
`coded, messages received by the two-way messaging net-
`work I4 are forwarded to a user agent 12.
`In accordance with the present invention, the user agent
`12 includes a plurality of stored messages. A predetermined
`message is forwarded to a desired destination such as it data
`network 26, public switched telephone network 16 or a
`cellular network 24 in response to an originating message
`code that is received from at two—way messaging device 11
`of the subscriber all] along the second communication return
`channel 43. This originating message code is expanded by
`thc user agent 12 so that the downlirtlst message to the desired
`destination can include full infonitation. Also, the selected
`destination could he a second two-way messaging device 44
`(FIG. I}.
`As shown in FIGS. I and 2.the services which can use the
`twn—way wireless messaging system 10 vary. and can
`include services for sending messages to 1) a telephone 22.
`3) a computer as E-Mail 27, and another second messaging
`device. such as a pager 44. The second communication
`return channel 43 used by the two-way messaging device 11
`and any other device not only carries new messages or
`replies. but also enhances the system I0 capabilities. It can
`he used For acknowledgements.
`thus allowing reliable
`
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`
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`5,970,122
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`5
`messaging, and for signaling such as registration or location
`information, if available. Because the message expands in
`the user agent 12, the channel bandwidth in the forward and
`reverse directions difllers significantly, as much as a ratio of
`I00 (or more) to 1. This asymmetry also can exist in terms
`of processing power, memory storage arid battery capacity
`between the tncssaging device ll and the network 14.
`For purposes of discussion. a short two-way messaging
`scenario is lirsl described, followed by a more detailed
`description of various messaging system elements and their
`Functions.
`
`Referring, now to FIG. 3, there is illustrated the two-way
`wireless messaging system having four user agents for
`Thomas, Dan. Mary and Paul, referred respectively as UAT
`50, UAI) 52, LIAM 54 and UAP 56.
`‘Thomas can originate through his pager 505- a message to
`his lunch group members, Dan. Mary and Paul, and inquire
`about
`lunch choices. The message is delivered via the
`two-way wireless messaging network 14 along message
`delivery channels 57:? (air interface), 571?) (Data network
`interface). 57c (telephone network interface) as a page to a
`two-way messaging device in the form of a pager 58
`belonging to Dan, an electronic mail
`to a computer 60
`belonging to Mary, and a phone call to telephone 62 belong-
`ing to Paul respectively. The reply Erom each recipient is
`collected by the two-way messaging network 14 along a
`respective message return communication channel 640, b, c
`and forwarded hack to Thomas via the first communication
`channel 42 as a page. The type of message return commu-
`nication channcl t5-in,
`l), c and message delivery channels
`575', b_. c vary depending on the device. such as a pager 58.
`computer 60 or phone 62.
`the uplink
`invention,
`In accordance with the present
`messages are kept short because of the use of the user agents
`50-56. The user agents mirror the state and context (c.g., any
`address and message tables in the user agent) of their
`messaging devices 11 (FIG. 1), 50:1, 58.
`.In
`the above
`example. the uplink message contains a short group identi-
`ticr and ti message nu mbcr. These are used by the user agents
`as indices to respecLivr: data tables in message expansion.
`For message reply, the u plink message contains only a reply
`code. This is expanded back to the full reply inside the
`network. By using group addressing, Thomas sends only one
`message uplink and the network automatically "copies“ the
`message to the multiple recipients at
`the predetermined
`destinations.
`
`Dan. Mary and Paul each receive the message in it
`different format, which could have been proposed by Tho-
`mas during message origination or specified as part of the
`tilteringifomrarding criteria of the respective user agents of
`the recipients.
`The criteria for iilteringtforwarding can be very general.
`it could be based on the message originator, time of day, or
`any other commonly available forwarding options. Mes-
`sages can also he forrncd in it variety of tcchiliqucs. For
`cxaniplc, Thomas can send the message as a prc-canned
`message with an embedded response. Thus, the message
`would include not only the text of the request, but would also
`include a list of responses to be selected and returned by the
`recipient.
`those depicted as items 50-56,
`Any user agent, e.g.,
`typically maintains, among other things, an identical copy of
`the address and message tables as the messaging devices.
`The address and message information stored in the messag-
`ing device and respective user agent should always be
`consistent with each other. Typically.
`to change these
`
`6
`:1 subscriber needs to change
`address and rncssage tables,
`one copy llrst and the system will propagate the changes to
`the other.
`
`There are various methods a subscriber to the messaging
`system can use to enter new messages or addresses. There
`are chiefly two main categories, i.e.. through the messaging
`device itself, or through the messaging system.
`For example, as illustratetl
`in FIG. 13,
`the messaging
`device 11, t:.g., a two-way pager. can include a simulated
`keyboard 69 displayed on the LCD screen 88. A subscriber
`uses the pager buttons 84 to navigate around the simulated
`keyboard and select characters to compose a message. This
`method is tedious and applicable more to short, fixed mes-
`sages. This method is not practical for making flexible
`messages that contain dynamic components.
`A subscriber can also elect to add an incoming message
`sent by others to its own set of me.ssagcs_ For example, the
`subs-crii:Ier will receive an incoming message from another
`individual. The subscriber may like that particular message
`and through an appropriate selection of buttons on the
`messaging device 11, add that message to his or her own
`message list.
`In stiU another method, many existing messaging devices
`such as pagers, have an inputioutput (iio) port. This port
`could be used to connect to a laptop or a Personal Digital
`Assistant. A stthscriber uses the laptop or PDA to edit
`messages and download them to the messaging device 11 via
`the inptttiotttput port. An appropriate protocol could be used.
`The other major category is to use the messaging system
`for updating any new messages and addresses to the sub-
`scriber uscr agent. For example. new messages and
`addresses are directed to the user agent. This is one way to
`customize at subscribers message and address set. The copy
`in the sultscribcr user agent is updated such as by using a
`dial-up program. an i nternet connection, a world—widc web
`page or even an operator to change the messages and
`addresses directly via wirclinc.
`in still another method, the subscriber signs up for a new
`third-party service. When the subscriber initially signs for
`that service, the subscriber is given a set of messages and
`addresses that are used to access the service. These niessages
`and addresses are then loaded directly into the subscriber's
`user agent by the service provider.
`in the following, a more (letailed description of :1 user
`agent 12 (FIG. 1) and its function relative to the two—way
`wireless messaging system 10 (FIG. I) is set forth.
`in accordance with the present invention, each subscriber
`of the two-way wireless messaging system 10 is represented
`by at user agent 12 that resides inside the messaging network
`14. The user agent 12 expands coded originating messages
`received frorn it
`two—way messaging device and provides
`pointers to the last known location of the two-wa y messag-
`ing device 11.
`it also maintains the status of the two—way
`messaging device 11, i.e., if it is on-line, and a profile of the
`subscriber. The user agent 12 also can provide some value-
`added functions such as niessage screening and selective
`message forwarding. The user agent 12 may also be cus-
`tomized by its subscriber 40. Thus, the user agent 12 acts as
`a personal server for the subscriber 4|].
`The user agent 12 also provides other benefits. Because
`messages are expanded inside the messaging network 14.
`the bandwidth on the uplink can be reduced, allowing
`bandwidth asymmetry on the wireless link. By performing
`intelligent processing in the network instead of at the end
`device 11, the enhanced power oi‘ the network is utilized.
`The user agent 12 manages mobility by tracking the location
`
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`ofthe subscriber. Finally, the user agent 12 serves as a proxy
`for the two-way messaging device 11 when it is out of range,
`allowing the system 10 to accoutll for disconnected users.
`As shown in FIG. 11, the user agent 12 can have respec-
`livc fixed and extensible parts 7|]. 72. The fixed part 1|]
`implements basic messaging liirtctions that are generic for
`all user agents. It can mimic the context of a messaging
`device, (e.g., the address table and the message table] and
`maintains information about ongoing message delivery. The
`extensible part 72 includes user agent programs 72:1, 72:5, it
`can be programmed to perform specific tasks as desired by
`the subscriber 40 (FIG. 1), e.g., maintaining a personal
`calendar, retrieving specific information from a world wide
`woh page 2%. a database 73, where data can be input 73rt,
`or other similar functions. 'l‘|:te software '74, is associated
`with the uscr agent program to provide rttn Lime support for
`the system.
`These basic functions include registrationideregistration,
`Ines-sage delivery and message status query.
`In registration the current location of the two-way mes-
`saging rlevicc is updated to the system as shown in FIG. 4.
`Registration can be explicit or implicit. Explicit registration
`occurs when a ntessagjng device is powere-d~up or when it
`moves into a new cluster 73 (FIG. 4). Implicit registration
`occurs when a message is received or delivered to El mes-
`saging device. During power-up the user agent 12 can also
`download messages that have been received in the messag-
`ing network 14 since the last power-down of the two-way
`messaging device.
`The user agent 12 allows message delivery:
`{I} when the device originates a new message;
`(2) when the dcvioc receives it message;
`(3) when the device replies to a message; and
`(4) when the device receives it reply.
`Processing for groups 3 and 4 closely resemttlcs that of
`groups 1 and 2.
`When a messaging device 11 originates a new message.
`the user agent 12 translates the destination and reply address
`aliases sent by the device into the full address and expands
`the supplied message number and modifier into full message
`text and creates a record for the message. This record can be
`used as a basis for any subsequent message query. When u
`messaging device 11 receives a message, the user agent 12
`returns the current status (ontolf) and location of its device.
`Certain personal messaging fiinclions, e.g., forwarding or
`filtering, can also he performed.
`For message status query, the query request is answered
`by the user agent by consulting its message record and if
`necessary. a transaction server is consulted about current
`delivery status. as will be explained later.
`The extensible portion of the user agent specifies a
`framework in which additional functions can be added as
`user agent program motlttlcs 72:1. 72b (FIG. 11). This
`collection of programs contain codes to handle messages of
`a specific pattern. The extensible part 72 follows an event-
`driven model and provides a kernel
`that pattt:rn-matches
`incoming messages and dispatches them to an appropriate
`program module. Also, the extensible part 72 can be used for
`signaling by addressing a message to the user agent itself.
`For example, a message status query can be implemented as
`a signaling function in the extensible part.
`Referring now to FIG. 4,
`there is illustrated a basic
`architecture of the two-way wireless messaging system 10 of
`the present invention. As illustrated, the system 10 includes
`tr three-tier hierarchy. The highest is a domain ill]; the cluster
`78 is the middle; and the cell 82 is the lowest. The coverage
`
`8
`area of a base station 76 defines a cell 82. A collection of
`adjacent cells 82 form a cluster 78 and a collection of
`clusters form at domain 80. Three domains are illustrated. A
`domain III] is an administrative unit and each subscriber is
`associated with a unique domain called the “home tlomain"'_
`The various servers of the present invention 10 are repli-
`cated in each domain 80 and the user agent of .1 subscriber
`rt.-sides and is manager] by its home domain. For purposes of
`description only one single dornaln is described. This hier-
`archy is designed for several
`important principles in the
`present invention:
`(1) limiting the control information transmission;
`(2) limiting the size of transmitted messages; and
`(3) distributing functions in a modular manner.
`To limit
`the transmission of control infonnation by a
`two—way messaging device 11,
`the amount of periodic
`sigmtling is reduced. For example, location updates can be
`minimized by defining the registration area to be 21 cluster
`78. Thus. the two-way messaging device 11 only re-register