`United States Patent
`
`[19]
`
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`USU0597U122A
`
`[11] Patent Number:
`
`5,970,122
`
`Lal’0rta et :11.
`
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`*Oct. 19, 1999
`
`lU;'1‘3'92 Perkins ................................. .. 37lJ.i'85.'.-V
`5,159,592
`3.283.818 M994 Klaiisner ei al.
`.. 379,-*6?
`5_.32T_.48o
`771994 Wolff cl al.
`.. 379i’%
`
`
`
`[S4] TWO-WAY \r\«’lRE]_,ESS NIESSAGING
`5y3'[']gM HAVING USER A(;[i;N1*
`
`[75]
`
`Inventors: Thomas F. LaPorta. Thornwoocl, N.Y.;
`Krishan Kumar Sribnani, Westlield;
`Tl"““‘§5 Y“ Chung W00’ Red B"“k’
`"W "”‘U-
`,
`.
`H
`l.ucet‘tt leehnologies Inc-., Murray Hill,
`NJ.
`
`_
`|'i'3] Assignce:
`
`[*1 Notice:
`
`issued on a continued pros-
`This patent
`ccution application filed under 37 CFR
`l.53{d), and is subject to the twenty year
`patent
`term provisions of 35 U.S.C.
`154
`2 .
`(ax )
`
`/\[3p1- N0-l 03136855030
`[_.iIcd:
`Jul. 24’ I996
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`[31 I
`[22
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`I51!
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`|58]
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`_
`Int. Cl.“ ........................... .. HMM H64; I-104M U00;
`IIU4-M 3i’4-2; IIU4Q W00
`[52] U.S. ct. ...................... .. 37957.1; 379/76; 379388.08;
`379.3332; 379;170; 379,i173; 3793135;
`3793901; 379,r'2'l7; 43':-5i’3l.1; 455i"3l.2;
`455,'_1,1_3
`Field of Search ................................ .. 379,’67, 88, 89,
`3’;f9l,i'67_1, 76, 33114, 3303, 8333’ 9339’
`93,34, 17U_ 173, 135, 301_ 317; 455/311’
`312’ 313; 38350’ 351
`
`I55!
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`U.S. PAFENT DOCUMENTS
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`AHS'l'RAC’I'
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`Atwo-way wireless messaging system includes a messaging
`iietwork having at least oneuscr agent eorrespoiicling to a
`subscriber of a_1wo-way wireless messaging service.
`[lie
`subscriber receives messages from the messaging network
`along a
`first ctirnrnuniealion channel. The user agent
`incllldes a plurality of messages S10“-=6 lhmin wherein ‘at
`oredelermincd message is ‘stored in the user agent and
`lorwarded to a dcsiretl destination in response to an origi-
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`two-way
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`be expanded by the user agent. The messages stored by the
`user agent can be modified so that diflerent messages can be
`forwarded to the predetermined destination. The user agent
`also maintains location information of the two-way messag-
`ing device of the subscriber.
`
`4,'i':‘-7.525 W 1088 Matthews et al.
`
`....................... . 3”i'9i"89
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`40 Claims, 8 Drawing Sheets
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 19,1999
`
`Sheet 1 of 8
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`5,970,122
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 19,1999
`
`Sheet 2 of8
`
`5,970,122
`
`FIG . 2
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`U.S. Patent
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`Oct. 19,1999
`
`Sheet 3 of8
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`5,970,122
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`U.S. Patent
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`Oct. 19,1999
`
`Sheet 4 of8
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`5,970,122
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`Oct. 19,1999
`
`Sheet 5 of 8
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`5,970,122
`
`FIG. 7
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`6
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 19,1999
`
`Sheet 6 01's
`
`5,970,122
`
`FIG . 9
`
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`A) MEDUNALDS
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 19,1999
`
`Sheet 7 of 8
`
`5,970,122
`
`,2
`FIG. 11
`2?a
`EXTENSIBLE PART
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`8
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`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 19,1999
`
`Sheet 3 01's
`
`5,970,122
`
`9
`
`
`
`5,9'r'(l,l22
`
`1
`TWO-WAY WIRELESS MESSAGING
`SYSTEM HAVING USER AGENT
`
`This application is related to commonly assigned,
`eopending application entitled Two-Way Wireless Messag-
`ing System, filed on the same date as the present application
`by the same inventors.
`
`Fl ELD OF THE INVl:lN'I'lON
`
`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 INVENTION
`
`Wireless. messaging, such as wireless paging, is a popular
`consumer wireless service and will grow because of the
`availability of new narrowband Personal Communication
`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. Its 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 from the
`one-way paging service, a subscriber often has to lind a
`telephone and make a call to respond to the message.
`Recently, some ideas have been proposed to design a
`“two—way paging system” while preserving the benefits 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, copending 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 INVENTION
`
`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 benefits
`of the present invention are set forth below.
`In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a
`wireless messaging device can originate new messages or
`reply to previously received messages along a first commu-
`nication channel (uplink), and receive messages along a
`second communication channel (downlink). Each such mes-
`sage is coded in a predetermined manner and includes,
`
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`2
`among other things, a message number that uniquely iden-
`lilies a message stored both locally at the device and at the
`user agent, a modifier representing the customization to be
`applied to the message, and personalized 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 a user agent receives a coded
`message from its associated subscriber, it expands the mes-
`sage back to the desired full message and destinations by
`selecting from the stored messages and destination addresses
`according to the code.
`The message that can be transmitted is highly flexible. In
`addition to fixed pre—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 a 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 senders 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 a wireless communication environment. Together
`with user agents, the use of coded message is especially
`suited for communication scenarios in which the bandwidth
`in the uplink 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 mu lticasting. A message can be forwarded
`to a plurality of destinations for multiple responses. The
`address alias contained in a coded message can correspond
`to a single address, a group address or any combination of
`the two. With multicast,
`the number of (uplink and
`downlink) messages required for the transmission of a
`message is minimized.
`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 recipient(s). A transaction is most
`useful
`for communication scenarios in which selective
`
`responses are desired. For example, a transaction can specify
`that a response arriving beyond a certain time limit will not
`be needed and should be discarded by the system. When
`combined with multicast,
`a
`transaction can specify the
`desired semantics of the reply. For example, a transaction
`with ALL semantics specifies that responses from all recipi-
`ents are desired, while a transaction with OR semantics
`specifies that a response front any of the recipients will close
`the transaction. Once a
`transaction is closed, additional
`responses will be discarded by the system.
`In accordance with another aspect of the present
`invention, the system functionalities are distributed among a
`collection of user agents and intelligent servers. ’I'he distrib-
`uted nature enhanccs the modularity of the system and
`makes possible the incremental deployment of the system.
`For example, 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
`
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`5,9'r'(l,l22
`
`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—‘)5, IS—136
`and GSM), or wireless data transport (e.g., ARDIS).
`The servers can be implemented on specialized network
`servers or intermediate switches.
`
`The messaging device can be a dedicated paging device
`similar to existing alphanumeric pagers, a unit that attaches
`to a computing device {eg., I’DAs, laptops}, or integrated as
`part of a communication device (eg., celIula.rt'PCS phones)
`or a computing device (e.g., PDAs, laptops).
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The foregoing features and 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-
`ing network, and examples of messages that can be for-
`warded among the difierent subscribers.
`FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing the network archi-
`tecture 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 a detailed [low chart showing an example 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 flow 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 a two-way messaging
`device in the fonn of a two-way pager that can be used with
`the two-way wireless messaging system of the present
`invention.
`
`FIG. 10 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 diagram showing an example of the
`functional parts of the user agent that can be used with the
`two-way wireless messaging system of the present inven-
`tion.
`
`FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing an example of
`the various functions of the transaction server that can be
`used with the two-way wireless messaging system of the
`present invention.
`FIG. 12:: depicts the open and clmted states of the
`conversation manager.
`FIG. 12!) depicts the state transition diagram for
`recipient states of the transaction server.
`
`the
`
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`FIG. 13 shows a schematic illustration of a two-way
`messaging device where a simulated keyboard is displayed
`for entering a message.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENIION
`
`II] a two-way
`there is shown at
`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 be received in a user agent 12 of a
`two-way messaging network 14. The two-way messaging
`device It 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 be delivered through a public
`switched telephone network 16 that
`includes a network
`access switch 18 connected to a telephone 22 by a Ilrst
`communication coupling 20 through a twisted pair line,
`co-axial cable, Iiber optic line, wireless link or any other
`type ofcommunication coupling. The messaging network 14
`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 27:1.
`In accordance with the present invention, a second corn-
`mu nication coupling 28 connects the network access switch
`18 to a Network Control Point (NCP) 30 that is coupled to
`a database 32 via a third communication coupling 36. The
`network 16 is coupled to the messaging network [4 via a
`fourth communication coupling 38. The communication
`coupling between the two-way messaging device 11 and
`two-way messaging network 14 is an air interface. The
`messaging network 14 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
`first
`communication channel 42. These messages can include
`transmitted messages or replies. Messages forwarded by the
`two-way messaging device 11 to the messaging network 14
`are forwarded along a communication return channel 43. In
`the case in which messages and addresses of recipients are
`coded, messages received by the two-way messaging net-
`work 14 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 a data
`network 26, public switched telephone network 16 or a
`cellular network 24 in response to an originating message
`code that is received from a two-way messaging device 11
`of the subscriber 40 along the second communication return
`channel 43. This originating message code is expanded by
`the user agent 12 so that the downlink message to the desired
`destination can include full information. Also, the selected
`destination could be a second two-way messaging device 44
`(FIG. 1).
`As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the services which can use the
`two-way wireless messaging system 10 vary, and can
`include services for sending messages to 1) a telephone 22,
`2) 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 10 capabilities. It can
`be used for acknowledgements,
`thus allowing reliable
`
`11
`
`11
`
`
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`5,970,122
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`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 differs significantly, as much as a ratio of
`100 (or more) to 1. This asymmetry also can exist in terms
`of processing power, memory storage and battery capacity
`between the messaging device 11 and the network 14.
`For purposes of discussion, a short two-way messaging
`scenario is lirst described, followed by a more detailed
`description of various messaging system elements and their
`functions.
`
`I0
`
`6
`address and message tables, a subscriber needs to change
`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 illustrated in FIG. 13,
`the messaging
`device 11, e.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 messages. For example, the
`subscriber 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 still another method, many existing messaging devices
`such as pagers, have an inputioutput (ifo) port. This port
`could be used to connect to a laptop or a Personal Digital
`Assistant. A subscriber uses the laptop or PDA to edit
`messages and download them to the messaging device 11 via
`the inputfoutput 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 user agent. For example, new messages and
`addresses are directed to the user agent. This is one way to
`customize a subscriber‘s message and address set. The copy
`in the subscriber user agent is updated such as by using a
`dial-up program, an internet connection, a world-wide web
`page or even an operator to change the messages and
`addresses directly via wireline.
`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 messages
`and addresses are then loaded directly into the subscriber’s
`user agent by the service provider.
`In the following, a more detailed description of a user
`agent 12 (FIG. 1) and its function relative to the two-way
`wireless messaging system 10 (FIG. 1) is set forth.
`In accordance with the present invention, each subscriber
`of the two-way wireless messaging system 10 is represented
`by a user agent 12 that resides inside the messaging network
`14. The user agent 12 expands coded originating messages
`received from a two-way messaging device and provides
`pointers to the last known location of the two-way messag-
`ing device ll. It also maintains the status of the two-way
`messaging device 11, i.e., ifit is on-line, and a profile of the
`subscriber. The user agent 12 also can provide some value-
`added functions such as message screening and selective
`message forwarding. The user agent 12 may also be cus-
`tornized by its subscriber 40. Thus, the user agent 12 acts as
`a personal server for the subscriber 40.
`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 of the network is utilized.
`The user agent 12 manages mobility by tracking the location
`
`15
`
`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 UAI‘
`50, UAD 52, UAM 54 and UAP 56.
`Thomas can originate through his pager 50:: 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), 57b (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 from each recipient is “
`collected by the two-way messaging network 14 along a
`respective message return communication channel 640, b, C
`and forwarded back to Thomas via the lirst communication
`channel 42 as a page. The type of message return commu-
`nication channel 640, b, c and message delivery channels
`57:1, 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 shon because of the use of the user agents
`50-56. The user agents mirror the state and context (e.g., any
`address and message tables in the user agent) of their
`messaging devices 11 (FIG. 1), Sflrr, 58.
`In the above
`example, the uplink message contains a short group identi-
`lier and a message number. These are used by the user agents
`as indices to respective data tables in message expansion.
`For message reply, the uplink 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.
`
`30
`
`40
`
`Dan, Mary and Paul each receive the message in a
`dilferent format, which could have been proposed by Tho-
`mas during message origination or specified as part of the
`lilteringfforwarding criteria of the respective user agents of
`the recipients.
`The criteria for filteringitforwardirtg 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 be formed in a variety of techniques. For
`example, Thomas can send the message as a pre-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
`
`50
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`55
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`60
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`65
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`12
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`40
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`7
`of the subscriber. Finally, the user agent 12 serves as a proxy
`[or the two-way messaging device 11 when it is out of range,
`allowing the system 10 to account for disconnected users.
`As shown in FIG. 11, the user agent 12 can have respec-
`tive fixed and extensible parts 70, 72. The fixed part 70
`implements basic messaging functions 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:}, 72:‘), it
`can be programmed to perform specific tasks as desired by
`the subscriber 40 (FIG. 1), eg., maintaining a personal
`calendar, retrieving specific information from a world wide
`web page 27a, a database 73, where data can be input 733,
`or other similar functions. The software 74, is associated
`with the user agent program to provide run time support for
`the system.
`These basic functions include registrationfderegistration,
`message delivery and message status query.
`In registration the current location of the two-way mes-
`saging device is updated to the system as shown in FIG. 4.
`Registration can be explicit or implicit. Explicit registration
`occurs when a messaging device is powered—up or when it
`moves into a new cluster 78 {liICr. 4). Implicit registration
`occurs when a message is received or delivered to a mes- “
`saging device. During power-up the user agent 12 can also
`download messages that have been received in the messag-
`ing network I4 since the last power-down of the two-way
`messaging device.
`The user agent 12 allows message delivery:
`(1) when the device originates a new message;
`(2) when the device receives a message;
`(3) when the device replies to a message; and
`(4) when the device receives a reply.
`Processing for groups 3 and 4 closely resembles 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 a
`messaging device 11 receives a message, the user agent 12
`returns the current status (oniofl) and location of its device.
`Certain personal messaging functions, e.g., forwarding or
`filtering can also be 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 modules 72a, 72b (FIG. 11). This
`collection of programs contain codes to handle messages of _
`a specific pattern. The extensible part 72 follows an eventw
`driven model and provides a kernel
`that pattern-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 ofthe two-way wireless messaging system 10 of
`the present invention. As illustrated, the system 10 includes
`a three-tier hierarchy. The highest is a domain 80; the cluster
`78 is the middle; and the cell 82 is the lowest. The coverage
`
`50
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`65
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`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 a domain 80. Three domains are illustrated. A
`domain 80 is an administrative unit and each subscriber is
`associated with a unique domain called the “home domain".
`The various servers of the present invention II] are repli-
`cated in each domain 80 and the user agent of a subscriber
`resides and is managed by its home domain. For purposes of
`description only one single domain 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
`information by a
`two-way messaging device 11,
`the amount of periodic
`signaling is reduced. For example, location updates can be
`minimized by defining the registration area to be a cluster
`78. Thus, the two-way messaging device 11 only re-registers
`with the system 10 when it crosses cluster boundaries. This
`can reduce the amount of signaling lraflic, especially in a
`microcell infrastructure with high subscriber mobility. Thus,
`the messaging network only knows the location of a mes-
`saging device to the resolution of a cluster 78, and a limited
`search is necessitated to locate a device 11 before message
`delivery.
`A small cluster 78 size provides better precision of device
`location and a smaller messaging delay at the expense of
`more frequent updates. A larger cluster size. on the other
`hand, increases average messaging delay but requires less
`frequent updates. To obtain an optimal cluster si