5,894,506
`[11] Patent Number:
`[:9]
`Umted States Patent
`
`Pinter
`[451 Date of Patent:
`Apr. 13, 1999
`
`US005894SO6A
`
`6/1982 Levine ................................... 3-101311
`4.336.524
`4382256 M983 Nag-ua
`3w!8?5.44
`5.321486
`7.-‘I994 WISE et 9].
`3793210
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`
`[54] METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR
`GENERATING AND COMMUNICATING
`MESSAGES BE1-WEE” sUBsC 10
`AN ELECTRONIC MSSAGING NETWORK
`Inventor: Gregory J. Pinter. Brandon. Miss.
`
`[75]
`
`Assignee: SkyTel Communications. Inc.
`lncbon. Miss.
`
`Appl. No.: 081708.696
`
`Sep. 5. 1996
`
`
`
`Filed:
`
`Int. Cl." ..
`US. Cl.
`
`.................... HMM U64
`3798823: 37983.15:
`37993.24: 34-0I'325.44: 455}?! 12
`37967. 88. 39.
`Field of Seanch
`379/93.24. 93.25. 93.26: 45581.3. 31.2:
`395f200.3. 200.31. 200.34. 200.37. 200.41
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`1731
`
`['21]
`
`[22]
`
`[51]
`[52]
`
`[531
`
`[5 6]
`
`"New Radio Paging System.“ by Mitsunu Komtn-a et al.
`Japan Telecommunications Review. Jul. 1977. vol. 19. No.
`3. pp. '21? and 220-225.
`"Paging System Broadcasts Nationwide on FM Radio Chan-
`nel." Electronics International. Jan. 4. 1979. vol. 52. No. 1.
`pp. 67-68.
`“A Development Project of a Pockctsize Receiver for n
`Nationwide Paging System." by Kari Kiishinen et nL IEIE.
`1979. pp. 383-387.
`
`Primary E.ramr'ner—Fan S. Tsnng
`Adams}; Agent. or F£rm—Finnegan. Henderson. Farabow.
`Garrett 8: Dunner. L.L.P.
`
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`An electronic messaging network comprises 3 network
`operation center and plural message tenninals. all including
`memories for storing corresponding files of canned mes-
`sages and associated message codes. To send a canned
`message. a calling party selects a canned message stored at
`one message terminal and trnnsrnits the assigned message
`code to a receivingparty at another message texnninal via the
`network operation center. The receiving terminal retrieves
`the selected canned message from its memory using the
`received message code for display to the receiving party.
`Files of canned responses and associated response codes
`may also be stored in the memories at the terminals and
`network operation center to allow the exchange of selected
`canned response options in conjunction with canned mes-
`sages to be in response code form.
`
`21 Claims, 7 Drawing Sheets
`
`36
`
`RETRIEVE
`CANNED
`RESPGNSE
`I OP‘T|-UN FILE
`
`.
`T _. L.
`DIE-PLAY CANNED
`RESPCFNSE
`OPTION FILE
`
`38
`
`
`
`
`
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`CANNED
`RESPONSE
`OFTIDN5
`
`
`
`RETPJEVE CCIDCS
`FOR SELECT ED
`
`
`
`RESPONSE
`OFTIONS
`
`
`42
`
`
`
`ENTER
`_“____.
`5 PAHAMETERIS:
`
`
`
`
`
`APPLE 1001
`
`3.973.676
`3,5l3.443
`3.714.375
`3.818.145
`3,84-6.783
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`3,976,995
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`RETRIEVE
`CANNED
`
`MESSAGE FlI..E
`
`22-
`
`
`
`
`
`Jul
`
`D|'5F'LA‘f
`CANNED
`MESSAGE FILE
`
`
`
`
`
`SE1. ECI
`CANINED
`ME S5-N35
`
`'15 --~~
`
`RE lRlE\tE
`CODE FOR
`
`SELECTED
`CANNED MESSAGE
`
`
`
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`
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`
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`3. -._J_
`MESSAGE
`comes a
`I PAFl.A||oEETEl1iS)
`I
`to Noe 12
`
`
`
`
`‘J2
`
`APPLE 1001
`
`1
`
`

`
`Apr. 13, 1999
`
`Sheet 1 of 7
`
`605.,493,5
`
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`F.03
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` US.Patent
`
`2
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 13, 1999
`
`Sheet 2 of 7
`
`5,894,506
`
`
`
`SELECT
`CANNED
`RESPONSE
`
`OPTIONS
`
`RETRIEVE CODES
`FOR SELECTED
`RESPONSE
`
`OPTIONS
`
`35
`
`RETRIEVE
`CANNED
`RESPONSE
`
`OPTION FILE
`
`33
`
`DISPLAY CANNED
`RESPONSE
`OPTION FILE
`
`22
`
`24
`
`26
`
`28
`
`RETRIEVE
`CANNED
`MESSAGE FILE
`
`DISPLAY
`CANNED
`MESSAGE FILE
`
`SELECT
`CANNED
`MESSAGE
`
`RETRIEVE
`
`
`
`CODEFOR
`SELECTED
`CANNED MESSAGE
`
`30
`
`ENTER
`PARAMETER(S)
`
`44
`
`ENTER
`PARAMETER(S)
`
`32
`
`34
`
`COMPKE
`MESSAGE
`CODESAND
`
`PARAMETER(S)
`
`TRANSMH'
`
`MESSAGE
`
`TO NOC 12
`
`CODES 8.
`PARAMETER(S)
`
`UWG3)
`
`FIG. 2
`
`3
`
`

`
`US. Patent
`
`Apr. 13, 1999
`
`Sheet 3 of 7
`
`5,894,506
`
`54
`
`
`
`RECEIVE MESSAGE
`CODES AND PARAMETER(S)
`FROM TERMINAL ‘I0
`
`
`
`50
`
`
`
`STORE
`
`IDENTIFY
`TERMINALS 10 & 14
`
`
`
`TERMINAL |DENT|T|ES
`
`
`
`TRANSMIT
`MESSAGE (CODE
`OR TEXT) TO
`TERMINAL 14
`
`58
`
`RETRIEVE CANNED
`MESSAGE 8: RESPONSE
`OPTIONS TEXT
`
`
`
`60
`
`(FIG 4)
`
`FIG. 3
`
`4
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 13, 1999
`
`Sheet 4 of 7
`
`5,894,506
`
`70
`
`
`
`RECEIVE MESSAGE
`
`FROM NOC 12
`
` RETRIEVE
`76
`MESSAGE 8:
`RESPONSE
`OPTIONS TEXT
`
`
`
` DISPLAY
`74
`MESSAGE &
`RESPONSE
`
`
`
`OPTIONS TEXT
`
`SELECT
`
`RESPONSE OPTION
`
`80
`
`
`
`
`TRANSMIT
`SELECTED
`
`RESPONSE
`
`
`
`OPTION TO
`NOC 12
`
`
`
`
`
`(TO FIG 5)
`
`FIG. 4
`
`5
`
`

`
`US. Patent
`
`Apr. 13, 1999
`
`Sheet 5 of 7
`
`5,8 94,506
`
`RECEIVE SELECTED
`RESPONSE OPTION
`FROM TERMINAL ‘I4
`
`82
`
` TEXT OR
`
`83
`
`
`TEXT
`
`CODE
`RECEIVED?
`
`CODE
`
`84
`
`
`
`
`
`TRANSM IT
`CODE
`OR TEXT?
`
`as
`
`
`
`
`
`
`RETRIEVE
`SELECTED
`REPONSE
`OPTION TEXT
` TO TERMINAL 10 FROM MEMORY
`
`
`
`TRANSMIT
`SELECTED
`RESPONSE OPTION
`(CODE OR TEXT)
`
`
`
`
`RECEIVE SELECTED
`RESPONSE OPTION
`FROM Not: 12
`
`90
`
`92
`
`94
`
`95
`
`CODE
`OR
`CODE
`TEXT
` RETRIEVE SELECTED
`
`RESPONSE OPTION
`TEXT
`
`
`DISPLAY
`SELECTED
`
`
`RESPONSE
`
`
`OPTION TEXT
`
`
`
`FIG. 5
`
`6
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 13, 1999
`
`Sheet 6 of 7
`
`5,894,506
`
`UPDATE CANNED
`IVIESSAGEIRESPONSE
`OPTION FILES
`
`100
`
`STORE UPDATED
`CANNED FILES
`IN NOC
`
`TRANSMIT UPDATED
`CANNED FILES
`TO TERMINALS
`
`IN MESSAGING
`
`GROUP
`
`"I02
`
`‘I04
`
`RECEIVE UPDATED
`CANNED FILES
`
`105
`
`STORE UPDATED
`CANNED FILES
`
`108
`
`FIG. 6
`
`7
`
`

`
`
`
`
`
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`

`
`5.894.506
`
`1
`METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR
`GENERATING AND COMIVIUNICATING
`MESSAGES BETWEEN SUBSCRIBERS ‘F0
`AN ELECTRONIC MESSAGING NETWORK
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates to electronic information
`services and more particularly to the exchange of electronic
`messages among subscribers to an electronic messaging
`network.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`As more and more people sign on to information
`networks. congestion of the communications links compris-
`ing these networks. both wircline and wireless. and the
`consequential transmission delays become increasingly sig-
`nificant problems. Faster transmission rates. data compres-
`sion techniques. and more eflicient spectrum utilization are
`among the approaches that have been considered. and to
`some extent
`implemented.
`to increase the capacities of
`communications links.
`
`One area of particularly rapid growth is the electronic
`messaging field. More and more people are moving about
`with portable devices. such as laptop computers and portable
`digtal devices. which can be economically equipped to
`function as message sendingireceiving terminals. Mcreovat.
`wireless paging hardware. software. and support services are
`being upgraded to accommodate two-way messaging. That
`is. portable pagers are being developed not only to receiving
`paging messages. but also to send back a signal acknowl-
`edging receipt of a paging message or even a message
`answering the received paging message. While such
`upgraded paging services are highly desirable. they can
`severely strain the capacity of wireless paging channels.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`.15
`
`25
`
`35
`
`It is accordingly a principle object of the present invention
`to provide an improved electronic messaging network and
`method. wherein communications link capacity is conserved
`by transtnitting certain messages with an improved degree of
`message compression.
`Particularly in the case of radio paging. many paging
`messages consists of a relatively small nurnba of common
`phrases. such as “I am on the way home". “I am working
`late“. “Can we meet for lunch". etc. This being the case. such
`commonly used phrases can be treated as “canned” mes-
`sages that can be replaced by short message codes as simple
`as. for ettarnple. one or several ASCII characters.
`The present invention takes advantage of this fact by
`providing. in accordance with one preferred embodiment. a
`method of communicating messages between subscribers of
`an electronic messaging network. comprising the steps of
`maintaining. at a network operation center. a first file of
`canned messages individually retrievable using unique-
`abbreviated message codes respectively assigned to the
`auined messages: maintaining. at a terminal of a calling
`subscriber. a second file of canned messages corresponding
`to the firs! file: selecting an appropriate canned message
`from the second file for transmission to :1 terminal of a
`designated receiving subscriber: sending the message code
`assigned to the selected canned message to the network
`operation center; retrieving the selected canned message
`from the first file using the message code received from the
`calling subscriber terminal; and communicating the selected
`canned message to the designated receiving party terminal
`where it is displayed.
`
`2
`In accordance with a feature of the present invention. the
`fir-st and second canned message files may be updated. either
`by the network operation center or from a subscriber termi-
`nal in order to customize the canned messages according to
`the needs of a particular group or organization of subscrib-
`ers. In addition. the canned messages may be phrased to
`accept the addition of one or more parameters. which are
`entered at the calling subscriber terminal and then included
`with the message codes sent to the network operation center.
`The selected canned messages are retrieved from the first file
`using the message codes and communicated to terminals of
`designated receiving subscribers with the added parameters
`incorporated in the bodies of the canned messages.
`The present invention also accommodates the addition of
`multiple response options to the canned messages selected
`by calling subscribers. The multiple response options are
`then included with the canned message codes sent to the
`network. operation center. The selected canned messages are
`then retrieved from the first file and communicated to the
`designated receiving subscribas. together will: the added
`multiple response options. The receiving parties then select
`the appropriate one of the multiple options for transmission
`back to the appropriate calling subscribers via the network
`opaation center. The multiple response options may also be
`canned responses maintained in files at the network opera-
`tion centcr and the subscriber terminals and. like the canned
`messages. have assigned response codes that are handled in
`the same manner as the message codes.
`In accordance with another feature of the present
`invention. corresponding canned message files are also
`maintained at receiving subscriber terminals. such that the
`canned messages may be communicated to the receiving
`subscribers in message code form. The received message
`codes are then used to retrieve the appropriate canned
`messages and multiple response options lrom stored files.
`and displayed by the receiving party terminals.
`Additional features and advantages of the invention will
`be set forth in the description which follows. and in part will
`be apparent from the description. or may be learned by
`practice of the invention. The objectives and other advan-
`tagcs of the invention may be realized and attained by the
`method and apparatus particularly pointed out in the written
`description and the appended claims. as well as the accom-
`panying drawings.
`It will be understood that both the foregoing general
`description and the following detailed description are exem-
`plary and explanatory and are intended to provide further
`explanation of the invention as claimed.
`The accompanying drawings are intended to provide a
`further understanding of the invention and are incorporated
`in and constitute a part of the specification. illustrate a
`preferred embodiment of the invention. and. together with
`the description. serve to explain the principles of the inven-
`tron.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an electronic mes-
`saging network utilized in the practice of a preferred
`embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating the operation of a
`calling terminal in the network of FIG. 1 when sending a
`message in accordance with one embodiment of the inven-
`tion;
`
`65
`
`FIG. 315 a flow diagram illustrating the operation of the
`network operation center (NOC) in the network of FIG. 1
`when relaying a message from the calling terminal to the
`receiving terminal in accordance with one embodiment of
`the invention:
`
`9
`
`

`
`5.894.506
`
`3
`FIG. 4 is a now diagram illustrating the operation of the
`receiving terminal in the network of FIG. 1 when receiving
`a message in accordance with one embodiment of the
`invention;
`FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating the operations of the
`NOC and the calling terminal regarding a message response
`from the receiving terminal in accordance with one embodi-
`ment of the invention:
`
`FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating the network operation
`to update message tiles in the bloc and the callingireoeivlng
`terminals in accordance with one embodiment of the inven-
`tion;
`
`FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram of the calling
`terminal of FIG. 1 in accordance with one embodiment of
`the invention: and
`FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram of the NOC of FIG.
`1 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.
`
`Corresponding reference numerals refer to like parts
`throughout the drawings.
`DETAILED DE‘iCR]Pi'l0N OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
`
`As seen in FIG. 1. an electronic messaging network in
`accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
`invention includes. at calling party terminal 10, a network
`operation center (NOC) 12. and a receiving party terminal
`14. It will be appreciated that. in practice. the network will
`include pluralities of calling and receiving party tutninals.
`The calling party tenninal 10 is connected to NOC 12 by a
`communications link 16. which may take the form of land
`line (e.g.. phonclines}. a direct computer link. a wireless
`link. or a satellite linlc NOC 12 is preferably connected to
`receiving party terminal 14 by a wireless communications
`link 18. An example of a preferable network operation centa
`that can be implemented in the practice of the present
`invention is the network operation center being developed
`by Destineer Corporation of Jackson- Miss. to handle their
`Nationwide Wireless Network {NWN) paging services. ‘that
`NOC and a preferred two—way wireless network for imple-
`menting the present invention are described in U.S. patent
`application Ser. Number 03124216. the contents of which
`are hereby incorporated by reference.
`In accordance with the present invention. calling lamina]
`10 includes a stored file of canned messages and associated
`canned message codes. Referring to the flow chart of FIG.
`2. when a calling patty wishes to send a message to a
`receiving party at terminal 14 (FIG. 1). the terminal retrieves
`the file of the canned messages from storage (step 22) and
`displays the file to the calling party (step 24). The calling
`party browscs through the file to determine if the text of any
`of the canned messages is appropriate to convey the par-
`ticular message that the calling party wishes to send to the
`receiving party. If an appropriate canned message is noted.
`the milling party selects this canned message (step 26) using
`suitable pointing means. such as a mouse. cursor. etc. Based
`on the canned message selection. terminal 10 retrieves the
`associated canned message code from the file {step 28).
`If the selected canned message calls for the inclusion of
`a pararneterts). such as. for example. time. date. phone
`number. etc.. the calling party enters a desired para.meter(s).
`using an appropriate entry device. such as a keypad (step
`30). The ceiling terminal 10 compiles the retrieved message
`code associated with the selected canned message with an
`appropriate indicator code. calling and receiving terminal
`addresses. and added parttrneters. if any (step 32). Tenninal
`to then transmits the compiled canned message codes and
`
`4
`together with calling and receiving
`if any.
`parameters.
`terminal addresses to NOC 12 over communications linlt 16
`(FIG. 1) (step 3!).
`Assume. for example. that the canned message selected
`by the calling party in step 26 is “I are on my way home".
`This canned message does not call for the addition of
`parameters- The associated code for this canned message.
`may be. for example. the number 36 in ASCII code. To
`indicate that number 36 is a canned message code.
`the
`calling terminal 10 adds a suitable indicator code. such as
`ASCII control character 26. Thus. the compiled canned
`message codes representing the canned message “I am on
`my way home” is Iransrnitted in step 34 to NOC‘ [2 simply
`as d6>36.
`
`An example of a canned message calling for the inclusion
`of parameters may be “Call me at at phone number . This
`canned message calls for the calling party to till in a desired
`time parameter and a phone ntunbcr (step 30). Suppose the
`calling patty wishes the receiving party to call him at 4 PM
`at phone number 555-1212. the following canned message
`codes are then compiled by the calling terminal Ill and
`transmitted to NOC 12 as:
`<16‘>I3-C22:-1l“Md9>55§l2l.1
`
`where:
`db is an ASCII control character serving as a canned
`message indicator.
`18 is the code associated with canned message “Call rne '
`at at phone number "'.
`<29) is an ASCII control character serving as a parameter
`separator. and
`4PM and 5551212 are the keyed-in parameters.
`In addition to parameters. the present invention also
`provides for the addition of response options to certain
`canned messages typically posed as questions. To this end.
`terminal [0 maintains a file of canned response options.
`‘Then. if the calling party wishes to add response options to
`a selected canned message. the calling party accesses the
`canned response options file (step 36). which is then dis-
`played by terminal 10 {step 38). The calling party btowses
`through this file to determine which of the multiple response
`options are appropriate for addition to the selected canned
`message to he sent to the designated receiving party. The
`calling parry selects the agiropriate canned response options
`(step 40) in the same manner as in the selection of the canned
`message. and the calling terminal 1-! retrieves the particular
`codes associated with the selected canned response options
`(step 42). If the selected canned response options call for the
`addition of parameters. such as time. the calling party enters
`the desired parnmetetfs) (step 44). The selected canned
`response codes and parameters are then compiled with the
`canned message code and any canned message parameters
`(step 32). The calling terminal then transmits the compiled
`canned message and response codes. together with any
`parameters to NOC 12 [step 34).
`By way of example. if the selected canned message is
`“Can we sign the document first thing tomorrow?” followed
`by selected canned response options “yes”. "no". and
`“change to 1 PM". the canned message codes and param-
`eters transmitted to NBC 12 would preferably be as follows:
`-dd:-624!lbdfin-l d-l.:>-<26:-2-G1::-d[r>7d9> I PM
`
`where:
`
`I0
`
`I5
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`45
`
`55
`
`6.5
`
`<26> is an ASCII control character serving as the canned
`message and multiple response options indicator.
`<29) is an ASCII control character serving as the param-
`eter separator.
`
`10
`
`10
`
`

`
`5.894.506
`
`5
`
`<3l> is an ASCII control character unit separator used as
`n delineator separating multiple response options from the
`canned message and from each other.
`62 is the code associated with canned rrtessage “Can we
`sign the document first thing tomorrow?".
`1 is the code associated with canned response option
`"yes".
`2 is the code associated with canned response option
`can“.
`7 is the code associated with canned response option
`"change to“. and
`1PM is the keyed-in parameter.
`in some cases.
`The following example illustrates that.
`parameters added to canned messages may be canned
`parameters also stored at the calling terminal 10. Such
`canned parameters may be included in the canned message
`file.
`the canned multiple response options file. or in at
`separate canned parameter file stored at the calling terminal.
`If canned parameters are stored in separate file from the
`canned message file and the canned multiple rewonse option
`file. parameter selection by the calling party is achieved
`using a separate subroutine corresponding to the subroutine
`used to select canned multiple response options.
`To illustrate this case. consider the canned message "Can
`we meet for lunch at or '?”. and the selected multiple
`response options are “noon”. “l2:3D" or “call me”. The
`compilation of codes and parameters transmitted to NBC 12
`would then be:
`
`d-63-l[ld6>l5-<19>I2:30fil>d&>l5d1>l1:30d-l:r<26>8
`
`where:
`
`<26) is the ASCII control character‘ serving as the canned
`message and multiple response options indicator.
`dis» is the ASCII control character serving as a delin-
`eator for separating the canned message and multiple
`response options from each other.
`<29> is the parameter separator.
`I0 is the code associated with canned message “Can we
`meet for lunch at or 1"‘.
`8 is the code associated widt the canned parameter and
`response option “call me”.
`[5 is the code associated with canned parameter and
`response option “noon”. and
`12:30 is the keyed-in parameter.
`FIG. 3 illustrates the operation of NOC 12 in accordance
`with one embodiment of the invention. The canned message.‘
`response option codes and any pararneters transmitted by
`calling terminal 10 over communications link 16 are
`received by a NOC receiver (step 50). From the calling and
`receiving terminal addresses included with the canned
`messagelresponse option codes. the identifies of the calling
`and receiving terminals 10 and 14 (FIG. 1) are determined
`[step 52]. These determinations are stored in memory {step
`54}. From the identity of the receiving terminal 14. NOC 12
`determines if receiving terminal 14 is capable of accepting
`this particular canned messagelresponse option. NOC 12 is
`programmed to make this deterrnination for several reasons.
`For example. NBC 12 needs to know whether the designated
`receiving party is a member of a messaging group or
`organization that has established a file of customized canned
`messages and response options and thus has access to a
`terminal in which files of the customized canned messages}
`response options and associated codes are stored in memory.
`Also.
`the tiles of canned messages may include both
`standard. networlcwide canned messages and canned mes-
`sages cuslomized for a particular group. Thus. NOC 12 must
`determine whether the designated receiving party terminal
`
`6
`can accept only standard canned messageslresponse options.
`only customized canned messageslresponse options or both.
`In any case. NOC 12 maintains multiple files of canned
`messages and canned response options. including files iden-
`tical to those stated at calling terminal 10 and possibly also
`at receiving terminal 14.
`Based on this determination. NOC 12 determines whether
`the designated receiving party terminal can accept
`the
`canned message in code form.
`i.e.. as received from the
`sending party terminal. or whether the canned message must
`be lransrnitled in full text to the receiving party terminal
`(step 56). If the designated receiving terminal can accept
`canned rnessagelrcsponse option codes. they are transmitted
`to the designated receiving party terminal in the same form
`as received from the sending party terminal {step 58). If the
`designated receiving party terminal is not equipped to pro-
`cess canned messagclresponse option codes. NOC 12 uses
`the canned messagelresponse option codes received from the
`calling party terminal 10 to retrieve from the appropriate
`filofsj the text of the associated canned message and mul-
`tiple response options. if any. from a memory [ step 60). The
`text of the canned message and response options. together
`with parameters. is then transmitted in standard message
`code format by NOC 12 to the receiving terminal (step 58).
`FIG. 4 illnslntes the operation of receiving terminal 14
`upon receiving a message transmission. according to an
`errtbodilnent of the invention. Initially. tennlnal 14 receives
`the canned rncssagcfresponse option transmission from
`NOC 12 (step 70). The receiving tcurninal then determines
`whether the canned messagefresponse option reception is in
`message text or canned message code (step '72}. If in text. the
`canned message and any response options are displayed to
`the receiving party (step 74}.A1tcrnatively. if the reception
`is in canned rnessagefresponse option codes. the receiving
`party terminal 14. using these codes. retrieves the associated
`canned messages. canned response options. and canned
`parameters from the various stored files identical to those
`stored at calling terminal 10 and NO-C 12 (step 1'6}. The
`retrieved canned message. response options. and parameters.
`if any. are displayed in text font: for viewing by the
`receiving party terminal (step 74).
`If any response options are included with the canned
`message. the receiving party selects the appropriate response
`option (step 78). which is then transmitted by the receiving
`terminal back to NDC 12 (step 80). Since a typical response
`option is very short. it can be cficiently transmitted back to
`NOC 12 in ASCII text code fomtat. However. it will be
`appreciated that the receiving terminal may he so equipped
`that
`the code associated with the selected response. as
`received fiom NOC 12. may simply be transmitted back to
`the NOC 12 in response option code. Alternatively. the
`receiving terminal may be equipped with keys positioned in
`associated relation with the display of the multiple response
`options. Depression of any one of the keys selects the
`associated one of the response options. and a unique. simple
`code assigned to the depressed key is transmitted back to the
`NOC 12.
`
`FIG. 5 illustrates the operation of the NOC and the calling
`terminal
`in relaying a selected response option from the
`receiving terminal to the milling terminal in accordance with
`an embodiment of the invention. Initially. NBC 12 receives
`the selected response option transmitted by the receiving
`party terminal 14 (step 82). NOC then determines whether
`the received response option is in ASCII text code formal or
`in canned response option code {step 83). If in text code.
`NOC simply relays the selected response option to the
`calling party terminal 10 ( step 86]. if the selected response
`
`Ln
`
`ID
`
`15
`
`30
`
`35
`
`I15
`
`55
`
`65
`
`11
`
`11
`
`

`
`5.894.506
`
`'7
`option is received from the receiving party terminal in
`canned response option code. a decision is made whether to
`transmit the selected response option to the calling party
`terminal in canned response code orin ASCII text code {step
`84). If the former.
`the canned response code is simply
`transmitted to the calling party terminal 10 as received from
`the receiving terrninai {step 86). [fin ASCII text code. NOC
`12 is prograrnmed to access its stored tanned multiple
`response option file and. using the received response option
`code. retrieve the selected canned response option text (stop
`88). which is then transmitted in ASCII text code to die
`calling party terrninal 10 (step 86).
`The selected response option relayed by NOC 12 is
`received by calling terminal 10 (step 90). which then deter-
`mines whether the response option is in test code format or
`canned response code (step 92). If in text code. the response
`option is decoded and displayed to the calling party (step
`94). if the selected response option is in code form. the
`calling terminal simply aooesses its stored response options
`file and. using the received response option code. retrieves
`the associated response option text (step 96). which is then
`displayed to the calling party {step 94).
`NOC 12. as part of its system responsibilities. is capable
`of updating the canned message. canned response option.
`and canned parameter files. FIG. 6 illustrates the procedure
`for updating these files in accordance with one embodiment
`of the invention. NOC 12 updates the files (step 100} and
`stores the canned file updates in the NOC memory (step
`102). NOC 12 then transmits the updated canned files to all
`of the terminals in at particular two-way messaging group.
`including calling tenninal 10 and receiving terminal 14 (step
`104). The canned file updates are received by the messaging
`group terminals (step 106} and stored in the terminal n1erno~
`ties (step 108]. It will be appreciated that updated canned
`files may be created at one of the terminals and transmitted
`to NOC 12. which then opt:-ates to disseminate the file
`updates to other terminals of the messaging group.
`As indicated above. the calling terminal 10 and NOC 12
`are disclosed more fully in the cited application SH. No.
`081124216 and preferably comprise the structure disclosed
`in this application For illustrative purposes. applicants
`include FIGS. 7 and 8 to illustrate preferred sn'ucture in
`block diagram form.
`A preferred st:rut:tu:re of calling terminal 10 appropriate
`for practicing the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 7.
`As shown. the calling terminal 10 includes a CPU 110. a
`ROM 112 to store an application program for controlling
`terminal optnation in accordance with the present invention.
`a RAM 114 to store the canned messagelresponse options!
`parameter files and associated codes. and a compiler 116 for
`assembling the messagefresponse optionsipararneter codes.
`indicator and separator codes. and address codes into a
`message under the control of the application program and
`CPU 110. Calling terminal 10 also includes an inputloutput
`(HO) device 118 selectively connecting a transmitter 120
`and a receiver 122 into the terminal circuitry. A coder!‘
`decoder 124 encodes text messages transmitted by the
`terminal to NOC 12 and decodes text messages received
`from NOC. including selected response options in text code
`received from a receiving terminal 14. A terminal keypad
`126 is used by the calling party to designate a receiving party
`(typically by phone number}. to retrieve canned message}
`response optionslparameter files from RAM 114. to scroll
`through the displayed files. and to select
`the canned
`messag-‘Jresponse optionsfparameterlsl appropriate for
`sending to the receiving party. Display 123 also displays
`selected response options from receiving parties relayed by
`
`8
`NBC 12. These terminal components are intuconnected in
`operative relation by a system bus 130. While FIG. 7
`illustrates the operative strucniral oonftgtuation of calling
`terminal 10. it will be appreciated that. preferably. receiving
`terminal 14 is structurally configured in the same manner.
`FIG. 8 illustrates the snucrure of NOC 12 in accordance
`with one embodiment of the invention. As shown. NOC 12
`includes a CPU 131 connected by a system bus 132 to an
`inputloutput (U0) device 134. to which a transmitter 136 and
`a receiver 138 are connected. A ROM 139 stores an appli-
`cation program appropriate for connolling NOC 12 in
`accordance with the present invention. A RAM 140 stores
`sets of canned rnessageslresponse optionsiparameters files
`for various messaging groups. including the group to which
`terminals 10 and 14 belong. Thus. RAM 140 stores a set of
`canned files identical to the set stored in the RAMs of
`terminals Ill and 14. NOC 12 also includes a memory 142
`for stcring the identities of the calling and receiving term.i-
`nals involved in a message that is being relayed. as well as
`the messages. Message storage is preferred in case receiving
`terminals do not receive an original message transmission
`and. thus. retransmission is required. Retention of terminal
`identities is required so that selected response options
`received from receiving terminals are correctly relayed to
`the appropriate calling terminals.
`Finally. NOC 12 also includes a message compiler 144
`that may be required for message formatting and for adding
`appropriate codes. such as terminal address codes not
`included in the messages being relayed by the NDC. This is
`particularly so in the case of a selected response option
`which typically does not
`include the calling terminal
`address. NUC then refers to the calling terminal identify
`stored in memory 142 pursuant to determining the calling
`tmniaal address that rnustbe included in the transmission of
`the selected response option. if it is to be relayed to the
`correct calling terminal.
`It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
`modifications and variations can be nude in the. method of
`the present invention without departing from the spirit of the
`