United States Patent [191
`Gutman et a1.
`
`[11] Patent Number:
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`4,940,963
`Jul. 10, 1990
`
`[54] PAGING SYSTEM WITH IMPROVED
`
`4,644,351 2/1987 Zabarsky et a1. ............ .. 340/825.44
`
`ACKNOWLEDGE-BACK CAPABILITIES
`[75] Inventors: Jose Gutman, Boynton Beach; Steven
`C. Shapiro, Lake Worth, both of Fla.
`
`.
`[73] Asslgnee. Motorola Inc., Schaumburg, I11.
`[21] Appl. No.: 322,159
`[22] Filed:
`Mar. 10, 1989
`
`[51] Int. Cl.5 ............................................. .. H04Q 7/00
`[52] US. Cl. ............................... .. 3510638123;
`1';
`_'
`'
`[58] Fleld of Search
`
`;
`
`'
`
`’
`
`’
`
`
`
`4,811,379 3/ 1989 Grand?eld 4,814,763 3/1989 Nelson et al. ................ .. 340/825.44
`
`Primary Examiner-Joseph A. Orsino
`Assistant Examiner-Geoff Sutcliffe
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm_Donald B. Southard
`
`ABSTRACT
`57
`_
`.
`_
`_
`[
`1
`p
`g
`tllyl tdte
`Apggyt
`oca e mi
`a in s s em com mm a cen ra
`1131 and a plurality of remote pager units is disclosed
`wherein both automatic and manual acknowledge back
`signalling is provided. An appropriate acknowledge
`back signal by a called pager within a set interval indi
`cates the message was duly receivied and understood
`which is so indicated to the initiating caller. Failure to
`respond within the set interval causes the pager unit to
`send back a negative response which is llkewise so indi
`Gated t° the "m‘atmg caller‘
`
`5323/
`'
`’
`References Cited
`U.S_ PATENT DOCUMENTS
`“0/825 44
`4 172 969 10/1979 Levine et a1
`_
`4:263:480 4/1981 Levine .................... .. 379/57
`
`[56]
`
`4,336,524 6/1982 Levine . . . . . . . .
`
`. . . .. 340/3l1.1
`
`4,517,561 5/1985 Burke et a1. .................. .. 340/825.49
`
`22 Claims, 5 Drawing Sheets
`
`Microsoft Ex. 1004
`Page 1 of 11
`
`

`
`‘ US. Patent
`
`Jul. 10, 1990
`
`Sheet 1 of5
`
`4,940,963
`
`F I G- 2- TERMINAL
`INTERFACE
`MODULE
`Si};
`
`TELEPHONE
`INPUT
`
`28 140
`
`/26
`
`INPUT
`
`Microsoft Ex. 1004
`Page 2 of 11
`
`

`
`US. Patent
`
`Jul. 10,1990
`
`Sheet 2 of 5
`
`4,940,963
`
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`Va:38
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`
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`
`Microsoft Ex. 1004
`
`Page 3 of 11
`
`1 I
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`Microsoft Ex. 1004
`Page 3 of 11
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`
`
`
`
`

`
`US. Patent Jul. 10,1990
`
`Sheet 3 of5
`
`4,940,963
`
`_FIG.5_.
`
`I START r70
`
`72
`
`RECEIVE PAGER ADDRESS I
`,74
`
`TRANSMIT AUTOMATIC
`PAGER RESPONSE
`
`/76
`
`ALERT, ROUTE CHANNEL
`AUDIO TO THE SPEA
`AND TURN
`TH
`ACK-
`K
`UAL
`RESPO
`INDICATOR.
`
`OFF THE ACK-BACK
`L RESPONSE
`AND TRANSMIT
`INDIC
`THE AFFIRMATIVE
`MANUAL RES PONSE.
`
`,86
`
`YES
`TURN OFF THE ACK-BACK
`MANUAL RESPONSE
`INDICATOR AND TRANSMIT
`THE NEIégTIVE EMANUAL
`PONS
`
`Microsoft Ex. 1004
`Page 4 of 11
`
`

`
`US. Patent
`
`Jul. 10, 1990
`
`Sheet 4 of5
`
`4,940,963
`
`80
`I
`\
`ACK-BACK
`TURN OFF THE
`SPONSE
`MANUAL RE
`TRANSMIT
`INDICATOR AND
`ATIVE
`THE AFFIRM
`AL RESPONSE.
`MANU
`
`I
`
`M
`
`DETECTED
`UAL RESPONSE
`0M PAGER
`WEAQRER
`
`END
`
`88
`
`TURN OFF» THE ACK-BACK
`MANUAL RESPONSE
`INDICATOR AND TRANSMIT
`THE NEGATIVE
`MANUAL RESPONSE.
`
`FIG.
`8 I
`
`104a
`
`RETURN TO PAGING
`,
`OTHER PAGERS IN SYSTEM
`FOR A PRII-IMDETERMINED
`
`/105
`
`ACK-BACK
`QUERY THE
`A MANUAL
`PAGER FOR
`RESPONSE.
`
`MONITOR RF CHANNEL
`FOR A PREDETERMINED TIME
`
`Microsoft Ex. 1004
`Page 5 of 11
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`

`
`US. Patent Jul. 10,1990
`
`Sheet 5 of 5
`
`4,940,963
`
`F I G . 7
`
`92
`
`'94
`
`90
`
`START
`
`TRANSMIT PAGER ADDRESS‘
`
`MONITOR RF CHANNEL FOR
`A PREDETERMINED TIME.
`
`II
`
`TRANSMIT VOICE
`MESSAGE TO PAGER
`
`I
`MONITOR RF CHANNEL FOR
`A PREDETERMINED TIME.
`
`DETECT
`PACER WEARER
`ANUAL RESPONS
`?
`
`YES /100
`‘REPORT TO CALLER:
`PAGER NOT IN SERVICE
`
`[ND
`
`102
`
`/1I2
`
`REPORT TO CALLER:
`NO RESPONSE RECEIVED
`OPTIONALLY, ALLOW
`RESENDING THE PAGE
`
`REIIEIQIEEA'TIIVEHE
`'2
`
`YES
`REPORT TO CALLER:
`AFFIRMATIVE MESSAGE RECEIVED
`
`/118
`
`REPORT TO CALLER:
`NEGATIVE RESPONSE RECEIVED
`
`/I20
`I -
`
`122
`
`END
`
`Microsoft Ex. 1004
`Page 6 of 11
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`

`
`1
`
`PAGING SYSTEM WITH IlVIPROVED
`ACKNOWLEDGE-BACK CAPABILITIES
`
`4,940,963
`2
`Further, there is also some uncertainty at the central or
`base-site location from where a page is transmitted and
`particularly with respect to the originator of the call
`regarding whether or not the pager user being called is
`ready and capable of receiving, or has received and
`understood a particular transmitted message. Notwith
`standing the fact that an address was transmitted and
`received by the pager being called and an automatic
`acknowledge-back signal being sent, the central sta
`tion/telephone caller originating the call needs to know
`that a response has been effected by the pager user,
`whether it be an affirmative or a negative response. An
`“af?rmative acknowledge” response indicates the user
`has received the message and has duly responded; a
`negative response indicates confirmation is lacking.
`
`15
`
`' BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`This invention relates in general to paging systems
`and more particularly to such systems with acknowl
`edge-back capabilities. In the disclosed system an ar
`rangement is provided to aid the wearer or user as to
`whether, following a ?rst, automatic acknowledge-back
`response is made, a separate and additional acknowl
`edge-back signal is required and if so, when to send it
`and when not to send it. The system also advises the
`originating caller as to whether the intended message
`was successfully received or not.
`Paging systems have progressed over the years in
`both frequency and extent of usage as well as complex
`ity. They have indeed become an indispensable tool for
`business. In addition, many different types of paging
`receivers have been developed. There are tone-only
`pagers, as well as tone and voice and, of more recent
`vintage the display pager which is capable of receiving
`data messages and displaying the same in appropriate
`alphanumeric form. Moreover, the mechanisms for
`originating the paging messages are likewise many and
`varied. A call may be made by voice using a standard
`telephone unit, or such call may be made by a special
`ized paging terminal or video display terminal.
`All the foregoing different types of paging receivers
`may be intermixed in a single system, or such system
`may be populated by only a single type of paging re
`ceiver. In any event, for those receivers which are capa
`ble of an acknowledge-back feature, there are steps in
`the procedure which may well intend to confuse such
`user. For example, the user may not be con?dent as to
`whether or not a separate manual response is expected.
`If so when to press the acknowledge-back button is a
`further concern because it must be effected within a
`predetermined time window.
`From the originating call side, i.e., the base station
`site, as well as for the originating caller, the question is,
`did the pager/user, upon being addressed (called), re
`ceive such address and is he/she in a position/condition
`to receive and understand the intended message to fol
`low. For example, the paging receiver may be sitting on
`45
`a desk by itself remote from the location of the person
`or user. In this case, the pager itself, if turned on, is
`capable of receiving paging calls, but the pager user is
`not, because he or she is at some other location. Simi
`larly, the paging receiver may be in a battery charger
`and likewise capable of receiving and indicating an
`automatic acknowledge-back signal, but the user is not
`in a position to receive the intended message. Further,
`the pager may be on the person of the user and capable
`of momentarily receiving a signal and responding with
`an automatic acknowledge-back signal, but moments
`later having the propagation path degraded by a steel
`beam in an office building or the like. Sending an in
`tended message at that particular juncture would mean
`the same would simply be lost.
`Accordingly, it will be seen that notwithstanding a
`pager’s capability of automatically acknowledging back
`a response signal to a receive address call, there is in
`deed a good deal of uncertainly and, in some cases,
`confusion regarding the users responsibility, and the
`paging system with such automatic acknowledge-back
`capability, in terms of what further response is expected
`from him/her as well as what time it is to be effected.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention
`to provide a closed-loop acknowledge-back paging
`arrangement and method which overcomes the forego
`ing de?ciencies.
`A more particular object of the present invention is to
`provide a paging system of the foregoing type wherein
`the pager user by way of an included indicator may be
`advised and “walked through” an appropriate acknowl~
`edge—back manual response procedure, both in terms of
`how to respond and when to respond.
`A further object of the present invention is to provide
`a paging system of the foregoing type wherein positive
`feedback is utilized in the system to minimize potential
`confusion for all particularized parties, such that the
`pager user has received an intended message and re
`sponded affirmatively and further, when such pager
`user responds negatively.
`In practicing the invention, a paging system is pro
`vided wherein a plurality of associated paging receivers
`have the capability of automatic acknowledging-back
`and wherein such pagers are further provided with
`visual and audible indicator means, along with a manual
`operating button for a further manual acknowledge
`back response. When the pager receives a call (address),
`an automatic acknowledge-back signal is generated and
`sent. Further, a time window is established during the
`interval of a following message and a pre-determined
`time thereafter, such that manual responding during
`such interval con?rms receipt of such message, with the
`same being relayed to the originating caller by the pag
`ing system, and wherein failure to so respond during the
`interval indicates such message was not received and
`/or understood, with such also being relayed to the
`originating caller.
`A method is provided for effecting such response and
`advising the pager wearer if such manual response is
`required and, if so, when to operate an associated man
`ual pushbutton to send such response.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`The features of the present invention which are be
`lieved to be novel are set forth with particularity in the
`appended claims. The invention itself, however, to
`gether with further objects and advantages thereof may
`be best understood by reference to the accompanying
`drawings in which:
`FIG. 1 is a graphic representation of a paging system
`having automatic acknowledge-back capability, which
`system has been constructed in accordance with the
`present invention.
`
`25
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`Microsoft Ex. 1004
`Page 7 of 11
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`5
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`10
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`20
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`4,940,963
`4
`3
`interface effects the processing as indicated at inputs
`FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic representation of the system
`of FIG. 1 indicating acknowledge-back capability be
`14b and 14d by the reference “M”.
`As best seen in FIG. 3, the terminal 12, in addition to
`tween the base site apparatus and each of the system
`one or more interface modules 26, further includes a
`pagers;
`FIG. 3 is a partial graphic and block diagram of the
`controller 32, a synthesizer 34, a memory 36 and an
`paging terminal and calling unit portion of the system of
`acknowledge back decoder 38. With the exception of
`FIG. 1;
`the ack-back decoder 38, the other referenced compo
`FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a system pager showing
`nent parts functioned to essentially route the incoming
`both automatic and manual ack-back capabilities and
`paging request at a port 14 on the input side to the
`the means for effecting the same;
`transmitter control ports 30 on the output side. Control
`FIG. 5 is a How chart showing the procedural steps
`ler 32 serves as the “brain” of the system and includes a
`for effecting the ack-back responses from the pager-side
`microprocessor (not speci?cally shown), while the syn
`for a tone and voice page;
`thesizer 34 generates the sometimes required paging
`FIG. 6 is a ?ow chart of a modi?cation to the proce
`tones constituting the pagers address contained within
`dural steps of FIG. 5 for a very busy system in which a
`memory 36 along with other. system parameters and
`speci?c query signal is required for ack-back manual
`relevant subscriber information. The ack-back decoder
`response;
`38 receives the various ack-back signals from the sys
`FIG. 7 is a ?ow chart showing the procedural steps
`tems pagers which are utilized to determine the degree
`for effecting the required ack-back response from the
`of con?dence as to whether a particular paging message .
`system or base station side for a tone and voice page;
`was received and understood by the pager wearer, as
`and
`will be described hereinafter. In any event, terminal 12
`FIG. 8 is a ?ow chart of a modi?cation to the proce
`along with transmitter 22 and associate antenna 23 con
`dural steps of FIG. 7 to provide for a speci?c query
`stitute the base site or system side 13 of the paging‘
`signal to be generated and sent for the expected manual
`system 10.
`response.
`The pager-side 15 of system 10 comprises the paging
`receiver portion 50, the included ack-back encoder 58
`and associated antenna 54. A more detailed representa-.
`tion of a system pager is shown in FIG. 4. In addition to
`the foregoing, the overall pager unit 24 further includes
`an antenna switch 56, a transmitter portion 52, a speaker
`60, a display 62, if of the numeric or alphanumeric type,
`and a latch 64 and manual button 66 coupled to the
`ack-back encoder-controller 58b and a manual response
`indicator 68. Indicator 68 may be an LCD segment or
`an LED displayed on the outer pager housing. Addi
`tionally, it may also include an audible transducer nor
`mally already a part of the pager unit.
`In operation, incoming calls are accepted at the ap
`propriate input ports 14 and are subsequently processed
`by the controller 32, which, say for example, has a call
`from a standard telephone for a conventional tone and
`voice page, generates the necessary tones for the in
`tended pager as taken from memory 36. These tones are
`outputted on the output control lines to transmitter 22
`and broadcast by the antenna 23. The address is re
`ceived by page antenna and is processed by the pager
`receiver portion 50. Upon being decoded and recog
`nized by address decoder 581:, an automatic ack-back
`signal is generated and transmitted back to terminal 12
`by pager transmitter portion 52, which is received and
`processed by ack-back decoder module 38. No action is
`required by the pager user for this sequence of automat
`ically responding and requires only that the pager 24 be
`turned on and receive the particular address signal.
`Upon receipt and processing of the automatic ack
`back response from pager 24 by terminal 12, the in
`tended message may then be transmitted to pager 24 in
`like fashion. During the time for processing the mes
`sage, and for a predetermined period thereafter, which
`constitutes a response interval, the pager wearer may
`activate manual pushbutton 66 to generate a further and
`manual ack-back response. When received and pro
`cessed at the base-central site, it is indicative of the
`condition that the page message was duly received and
`understood by the intended pager wearer. Accordingly,
`the originating caller may be so advised by a pre-pro
`grammed message stored in terminal 12.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
`Referring now to the drawings a paging system is
`shown in FIG. 8, which system has been here con
`structed in accordance with the present, invention and
`includes the capability of automatic as well as manual
`acknowledge back (ACK-BACK) signal response.
`The system 10 may include a paging controller con
`sole or terminal 12 which may receive incoming calls at
`a telephone input port 14 from, ?rst, human callers
`utilizing conventional or standard telephone handset 16
`or, secondly, from personal computers or video display
`terminals depicted at 18, or thirdly, from. page entry
`terminals as shown at reference 20.
`Console terminal 12 will process the paging request,
`extract the appropriate address from internal memory
`and activate the paging transmitter 22 to broadcast the
`intended paging call, and which in turn is received by
`the appropriate system pager for processing the infor
`45
`mation and alerting the paging receiver wearer or user.
`As will be understood, the pagers of the system may be
`of tone only type, as depicted at 24a, a tone and voice
`pager, as indicated at 24b or an alphanumeric display
`type, as shown at 24c. As mentioned previously, the
`system 10 may comprise different types of these refer
`enced-pagers intermixed within the system, or it may be ’
`populated by only a particular type of pagers. But in
`any event, each of these pagers within system 10 is
`equipped to respond with an automatic ack-back signal
`upon being paged (addressed) by the central base station
`or transmitter 22.
`As well known, and as illustrated in FIG. 2, a termi
`nal interface module 26 accepts incoming calls from a
`PABX or a public switch telephone network (PSTN)
`shown in dotted line at 28, which in turn interfaces with
`a standard telephone device 16, a personal computer or
`video display terminal 18, and/ or a page entry terminal
`(PET) 20. If the incoming call is from a standard tele
`phone unit, it is processed by the module interface 26
`from an included DTMF decoder (not shown) con
`nected to input port 14A. If the incoming call is from a
`VDT 18 or PET 20 an internal modem in the module
`
`50
`
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`Microsoft Ex. 1004
`Page 8 of 11
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`

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`20
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`4,940,963
`6
`5
`transmitted at step 104. The channel is then monitored
`Failure to receive the second, manual response dur
`ing the referenced response interval, by the terminal 12
`for a pre-determined time at step 106. If the manual
`ack-back response is not detected within the time period
`following transmission of the intended message, is indic
`set in step 110, the terminal 12 determines that “no
`ative of the fact that the message for some reason was
`response is received” (no affirmative, no negative re
`not properly received and/or the response was ob
`structed from transmission back to the central paging
`sponse) and so advises the originating caller, as indi
`cated at step 112, whereupon the routine is ended at step
`terminal. Again, the originating caller may be so ad
`vised by pre-programmed stored message in terminal
`114. As indicated, a program may be set to resend the
`page if no response is initially received in step 112.
`12. In the latter event, the caller may be queried as to
`Alternatively, if the second (manual) ack-back re
`whether he or she wishes an immediate retry regarding
`sponse is received by the terminal 12 at step 108, the
`the referenced page message, or wishes to wait for some
`later time. In any case, the originating caller is advised
`terminal further determines whether such response is a
`of the speci?c status of the paging call. Either it is re
`response in the af?rmative, see step 80 in FIG. 5, or a
`negative response, as in step 86. If the manual ack-back
`ceived and understood, or it is not.
`As mentioned previously, a signi?cant problem in
`response is in the affirmative sense, terminal 12, by
`pre-programmed stored message, advises the originat
`paging systems with ack-back capabilities is the user
`ing caller at step 118 that an af?rmative message has in
`uncertainty as to whether a further ack-back response,
`fact been received. If the manual ack-back response is in
`in addition to the ?rst automatic response, is in order,
`the negative sense, the originating caller is so advised at
`and, if so, when should such additional manual response
`step 120 accordingly. In either event, the routine is
`be effected.
`In the paging system of the present arrangement, the
`ended at step 122.
`pager wearer is guided through the required procedure
`vThere is still one other aspect that needs to be consid
`ered for a paging systems of this type. This is the matter
`both as to whether a manual response is to be made, and
`of setting the response interval for manually responding
`if so, when. This is shown more clearly by reference to
`the ?ow chart of FIG. 5 representing the pager side of
`back. As previously described, this interval may conve
`25
`niently begin with the transmission and reception of the
`the ack-back signal responses to be effected in the sys
`intended message by the called pager and for a prede
`tem 10.
`termined time thereafter. However, in very busy sys
`As shown, the process or routine begins at step 70
`tems, setting this interval routinely may result in less
`followed by the receipt of a pager address by pager 24
`at step 72. Upon processing and recognition by the
`ef?ciency than may otherwise be obtained.
`30
`As an alternative to this preset interval, the paging
`pager 24, an automatic ack-back response is generated
`system, or more accurately, the controller 32 of termi
`via the receiver’s encoder-controller module 58b at step
`74. The controller portion thereof effects the alert and
`nal 12, may effect a speci?c query of a call pager for a
`routing of the audio to the pager speaker 60 at step 76
`manual ack_-back response at a selected but not pre-'
`ordained time. This is re?ected in FIG. 8 where, after
`and further turns “on” the manual response indicator
`transmitting the intended voice message, following the
`68. This advises the pager wearer that a further, manual
`receipt of the automatic ack-back response in step 104 of
`ack-back action on his or her part is required. If the
`FIG. 7, terminal 12 may then return to paging still other
`pager wearer then activates push button 66 so as to
`pagers in the system as indicated at step 1040. At an
`initiate a further (manual) ack-back response at step 78,
`appropriate but variably selected time, terminal 12 may
`the pager 24 then effects the transmission of a manual
`query a particular system pager for the required manual
`response of the af?rmative type at step 80. This re
`ack-back response as indicated at step 105. It is to be
`sponse, as previously referenced, may be made at any
`time during the time the intended message is being re
`understood that the manual response interval may be set
`independent of the query signal transmitted by the ter
`ceived and processed by pager 24 and for some set
`minal 12, if so desired. The pushbutton 66 may be acti
`pre-determined time thereafter. Upon the pager wearer
`45
`activating the pushbutton 66 during this interval, to
`vated during the set interval, but the pager 24 simply
`notes such action. The actual manual ack-back response
`effect the intended response, the pager turns “off” the
`is not sent by the pager until the query signal is re
`manual response indicator, also in step 80, and ends the
`ceived. When such query signal is transmitted it is se
`routine at step 82.
`lected by the terminal 12. This query signal may com
`However, if the pager 24 fails to detect the activation
`prise the pager’s address and certain additional informa
`of pushbutton 66, it waits until the expiration of the
`tion which instructs the pager not to alert but only to
`response interval at step 84. Thereupon it turns off the
`activate the manual response indicator 68 on pager 24.
`manual response indicator and transmits a negative
`Terminal 12 then monitors the channel for some pre
`manual response at step 86, whereupon the routine may
`determined time, the same as in step 106 of FIG. 7, and
`be terminated at step 88.
`55
`the routine then continues in the same manner as previ
`From the base or central side, the routine begins at
`ously described.
`step 90, whereupon the particular pager address is trans
`At the pager side, the pager address is received and
`mitted at step 92. The channel is then monitored at step
`94 for a given time during which an automatic ack-back
`an automatic response initiated at steps 72 and 74 as
`previously described in FIG. 5. At step 76, however,
`signal may be expected to be received at step 96 for the
`pager 24 being paged. If the automatic ack-back signal
`the pager alerts and routes the audio to the pager
`speaker, and the manual indicator is activated at this
`is not received by terminal 12 within the time set in step
`time. At some time subsequent, as indicated at step 76a,
`98, the terminal 12 determines that the pager is not in
`FIG. 6, a system query signal is speci?cally transmitted
`service and so advises the caller by a pre-programmed
`and received by pager 24. As in step 78, FIG. 5, the
`message stored therein as indicated in step 100, where
`upon the routine is ended at step 102.
`pager 24 determines whether or not the pager wearer
`has activated the push button 66 or not. If yes, a re
`If, however, the automatic ack-back response is re
`sponse in the af?rmative sense is transmitted back at
`ceived at step 96, the intended message may then be
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`Page 9 of 11
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`l0
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`4,940,963
`8
`7
`step 80, and if not, a response in the negative sense is
`ing back by a remote pager user to indicate status of a
`particular paging call, comprising the steps of:
`transmitted back at step 86, whereupon the routine may
`then be ended as before at step 88.
`providing indicator means on the pager unit;
`Accordingly what is claimed is:
`receiving a paging signal by the pager, activating said
`1. In a paging system with a central base station and
`indicator means for a set interval, and sending back
`a plurality of remote pager units, an arrangement for
`an automatic response thereto to indicate a re
`indicating the status of a particular paging call, compris
`ceived address; and
`ing in combination:
`receiving an associated message and either manually
`indicator means on the pager unit;
`responding affirmatively or not responding during
`means for receiving a paging signal by the pager,
`said set interval,
`activating said indicator means for a set interval,
`by responding during said set interval, an affirmative
`and sending back an automatic response thereto to
`response is sent back to the base station as an indi
`indicate a received address;
`cation that said message has been duly received and
`means for receiving an associated message by the
`which is so indicated to the initiating caller,
`pager; and
`by not manually responding within said set interval, a
`means for manually responding or not responding
`negative response is sent back to the base station
`during said set interval,
`which is likewise indicated to the initiating caller.
`by manually responding during said interval, an affir
`11. A method for indicating the status of a paging call
`mative response is sent back to the base station as
`in a paging system in accordance with claim 10 wherein
`an indication that said message has been received
`said manual response during said set interval is effected
`and which is so indicated to the initiating caller,
`by an included manually operated pushbutton on the
`by not manually responding within said interval, a
`pager unit.
`negative response is sent back to the base station
`12. A method for indicating the status of a paging call
`which is likewise indicated to the initiating caller.
`in a paging system in accordance with claim 10 wherein
`2. An arrangement for indicating the status of a pag
`said set interval upon manual responding includes the
`ing call in a paging system in accordance with claim 1
`time during the receipt of the associated message and
`wherein the means for manually responding during said
`for a pre-determined time thereafter.
`set interval includes a manually operated pushbutton on
`13. A method for indicating the status of a paging call
`the pager unit.
`in a paging system in accordance with claim 10 wherein
`3. An arrangement for indicating the status of a pag
`keeping said indicator means activated for the said in
`ing call in a paging system in accordance with claim 1
`wherein the set interval for manually responding in
`terval is to both indicate to the page wearer that a man
`cludes the time during the receipt of said associated
`ual ack-back response is expected as well as when such
`message and for a predetermined time thereafter.
`response must be made.
`14. A method for indicating the status of a paging call
`4. An arrangement for indicating the status of a pag
`ing call in a paging system in accordance with claim 1
`in a paging system in accordance with claim 10 which
`includes the step of providing said indicator means in
`wherein said indicator means is activated upon the re
`ceipt of said message and remains active for said set
`visual or audible form, or both.
`interval to both indicate to the pager wearer that a
`15. A method for indicating the status of a paging call
`manual ack-back response is expected as well as when
`40
`in a paging system in accordance with claim 10 wherein
`such response must be made.
`either step of indicating the status of a referenced mes
`5. An arrangement for indicating the status of a pag
`sage to the initiated caller is by pre-programmed mes
`ing call in a paging system in accordance with claim 1
`sage stored in the central base station.
`wherein said indicator means may be visual, audible or
`16. A method for indicating the status of a paging call
`both.
`in a paging system in accordance with claim 10 wherein
`6. An arrangement for indicating the status of a pag
`the failure of the central base station to receive back
`ing call in a paging system in accordance with claim 5
`either an affirmative or a negative response within a set
`wherein said visual indicator means is an LCD segment
`time period will be interpreted as the associated mes
`or an LED device.
`sage not being properly received or as an obstruction
`7. An arrangement for indicating the status of a pag
`occurring to prevent transmission by the pager unit to
`ing call in a paging system in accordance with claim 5
`the base station.
`wherein said audible indicator means is a transducer
`17. In a paging system with a central base station and
`device.
`a plurality of remote pager units, each such pager hav
`8. An arrangement for indicating the status of a pag
`ing an automatic acknowledgement response capability
`ing call in a paging system in accordance with claim 5
`as well as a manual acknowledgement response capabil
`wherein said indication to the initiating caller is made
`ity initiated by activation of an associated pushbutton,
`by preprogrammed message stored in the central base
`an arrangement for indicating the status of a particular
`station.
`paging call, comprising in combination:
`9. An arrangement for indicating the status of a pag
`indicator means on the pager unit;
`ing call in a paging system in accordance with claim 1
`means for receiving a paging signal by the pager,
`wherein failure by the base station to receive back ei
`activating said indicator means for a set interval,
`ther an af?rmative response or a negative response
`and sending back an automatic response thereto to
`within a set time period is interpreted as the associated
`indicate a received address; and
`message not being properly received or an obstruction
`means for receiving an associated message and deter
`occurring to prevent transmission by the pager unit to
`mining whether said pushbutton is operated during
`the base station.
`the time said indicator means remains activated;
`10. In a paging system with a central base station and
`and
`y a plurality of remote pager units, a method of respond
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`Microsoft Ex. 1004
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`4,940,963
`10
`means for receiving a query signal regarding the said
`providing indicator means on the pager unit;
`receiving a paging signal by the pager activating said
`referenced message for sending back an affirmative
`indicator means for a set interval, and sending back
`or negative response;
`an automatic response thereto to indicate a re
`a response in the af?rmative sense is sent if said push
`ceived address; and
`button was operated during said interval said indi
`receiving and associated message and determining
`cator means was activated to serve as an indication
`whether said pushbutton is operated during the
`that said message was duly received and which is
`time said indicator means remains activated;
`so indicated to the initiating caller,
`receiving a query signal regarding the said referenced
`a negative response is sent if said pushbutton was