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`USOU5588009A
`
`United States Patent
`Will
`
`[19]
`
`[11] Patent Number:
`
`5,588,009
`
`:45] Date of Patent:
`
`Dec. 24. 1996
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Stallings, William. Data and Computer Communications,
`Second Edition, MacMillar1 Publishing, 1988, pp. 107-112
`and 141-144.
`
`Weiser. Mark. The Computer for the 21st Century. pp.
`94-104 Scientific American, Sep., 1991.
`
`Primary Examr'rter—Stephen M. Baker
`
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A method and apparatus for sending paging signals and
`messages to individuals within a building and accepting
`responses to the messages. Messages may be initiated by
`electronic mail. incoming telephone calls.
`incoming Fax
`messages, or other sources. Data is sent via radio to a
`communications unit carried by the individual and displayed
`visually together with possible responses. Each unit trans»
`mits its identity and responses or original messages when
`desired via coded infrared light (or, in an alternative embodi-
`ment, ultrasound) to one or more remote stations located in
`rooms or along corridors of the building. A remote station
`relays data to a central station via wire or optical fiber, which
`tracks the location of units and delivers messages. Commu-
`nication units are clipped to the clothing of users and can be
`incorporated into a corporate employee identification badge.
`The hybrid radio~in£rared light approach combines the
`broad, reliable characteristics of radio communication with
`the ability of infrared light to allow each unit to be located.
`This allows highly reliable delivery of messages via an
`acknowledgement and retransrnissiort protocol,
`two-way
`cornmtmication with the individual. and capabilities {such as
`those for transferring incoming telephone calls) that require
`the location of the individual to be known.
`
`25 Claims, 26 Drawing Sheets
`
`[54] PERSONAL PAGJNG, COMMUNICATIONS,
`AND LOCATING SYSTEM
`
`[76]
`
`Inventor: Craig A. Will, 37675 Fremont Blvd.
`No. 23, Fremont. Calif. 94536
`
`[211 App]. No.: 191,111
`
`[22]
`
`Filed:
`
`Feb. 3, 1994
`
`H041. 1718
`Int. Cl.“
`[51]
`........... 371733
`[52] US. Cl.
`[58] Field of Search ....................... 371732, 33; 455754.],
`4557531. 89; 379756, 57
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`3677191
`471969 Ward ..
`3.439.320
`3677199
`3.696.384 1071972 Lester
`36776
`3.805.227
`471974 Lester
`. 342744
`3.805.265
`471974 Lester ..
`379770
`4.172.969
`1071979 Levine eta}
`340732503
`4,356,484
`1071982 Eckhardt
`.... ..
`. . . . . .. 3597172
`4.601.064
`771936 Sltipley . . . . . . . .
`. 455789
`4.696.054
`971937 Tsugei eta]
`. 379761
`4.775.996 1071988 Emerson et al
`340782544
`4.823.123
`471989 Siwialc ........... ..
`370717
`4.970.714
`1171990 Chen et a1
`3597154
`5.062.151
`1071991 Shipley
`379757
`5.151.930
`971992 1-lagl
`..
`340782544
`.
`5.153.582
`1071992 Davis
`3647514
`5.265.033
`1171993 Vajk etal ...... ..
`379757
`5.396.537
`371995 Schwendeman
`. 379758
`..
`5.438.611
`871995 Carnpa1'Ia,lr.etal.
`5.479.408
`1271995 win 3707941
`5,493,692
`271996 Tl1eirr|e1'eta.l_
`. 455726.1
`5,526,401
`671996 Roach. Jr. et ai.
`379759
`
`
`
`
`
`EMAIL
`SERVER
`
`EMAIL
`NETWORK
`
`TELEPHONE
`NETWOFIK
`
`PABX
`CONTROL
`
`C ENTRAL
`
`STATION
`
`
`
`
`INFRARED
`OH
`
`
`
`ULTRASOUW6
`
`GOOGLE 1007
`
`GOOGLE 1007
`
`1
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 24, 1996
`
`Sheet 1 of 26
`
`5,588,009
`
`
`
` EMNL
`EMAIL
`NEFNORK
`SERVER
`
`3
`
`TELEPHONE
`NEHNORK
`
`
`PABX
`CENTRAL
`CONTROL
`STAHQN
`
`
`
`ULTRASOUW6
`
`INFRARED
`OR
`
`15
`
`18
`
`FIG. 2
`
`2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 24, 1996
`
`Sheet 2 of 26
`
`5,588,009
`
`RECEIVER
`
`RADIO
`
`FSK
`DETECTOR
`
`23
`
`24
`
`ASYNCH
`
`R ECEIVER
`
`27
`
`FREQ DIV
`COUNTERS
`
`ASYNCH
`XMTFI
`
`DRIVER
`
`LAMPS
`
`MICROPROCESSOR
`
`INFRARED
`EMITTER
`
`36
`
`31
`
`LCD
`DISPLAY
`
`34
`I CONTROL KEY
`
`32
`
`THUMB-
`
`WHEEL
`
`33
`
`
`
`
`
`I
`. M ENGODER
`
`RAM
`
`39
`
`30
`
`37
`
`AUDITORY BIT,
`AMP & SPKR
`
`FIG. 3
`
`3
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 24, 1996
`
`Sheet 3 of 26
`
`5,588,009
`
`INFRARED EIVIITTERS --..~_
`
`RING I URGENT
`40
`LAMP
`
`COMMUNICATIONS
`|_AMp
`
`43
`
`CURSOR —-......
`
`45
`
`CRYSTAL
`DISPLAY
`
`
`
`SPEAKER
`
`49
`
`THUMBWHEEL
`
`FIG. 4
`
`/ INFRARED EMITFERS
`
`51
`
`/#40
`
`41
`
`""‘
`
`EMPLOYEE
`
`123-4543789
`George M. Danby
`
`
`
`W53
`
`Eyes: Brown
`
`Height: 5‘ 9"
`
`
`Weight: I65
`
`BATTERY
`ACCESS
`
`I
`
`D
`
`
`
`FIG. 5
`
`FIG. 6
`
`4
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 24, 1996
`
`Sheet 4 of 26
`
`5,588,009
`
`FORMAT OF MESSAGE
`
`PACKET
`
`7
`
`
`B5 CRC
`F1
`PACKET SEO NO.
`:81
`92
`‘*8
`
` /
`
`UNIT ID
`
`PACKET
`PRIORITY
`
`FORMAT OF INPUT ACKNOWLEDGE PACKET
`
`
`
`INPUT OF!
`
`uuusgn
`
`F[G_ 9
`
`
`
`UNIT ID
`
`PACKET SEQ NO.
`
`TYPE [muse]:
`
`FIG. 10
`
`5
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 24, 1996
`
`Sheet 5 of 26
`
`5,588,009
`
`106
`107
`
`FORMAT OF CONHFIM DATA PACKET
`
`110
`
`111
`
`HIGH PKT
`
`SEQ. NO.
`
`112
`NORM. PKT
`
`SEQ. NO.
`
`113
`TIME
`
`SINCE RESP
`
`114
`115
`
`
`
`
`
`TYPE
`
`UNUSED
`
`FIG. I]
`
`FORMAT OF PACKETS SENT
`FROM UNIT VIA INFRARED TO REMOTE STATION
`
`
`
`116
`
`117
`
`118
`
`119
`
`120
`
`121
`
`W50
`
`WDATA
`
`122
`123
`124
`-— sue. FIELIAB.
`
`‘:<
`UNUSED
`
`125
`
`ACK TYPE
`
`T26
`
`
`
`HEADER 1' ID
`SEQUENCE
`
`INPUT DATA
`
`um 11;;
`
`128
`
`QUENCE NO.
`129
`
`130
`
`ACK
`SEQUENCES
`
`
`
`BEG. o1= ACK
`PKT SEO. NO.
`
`131
`
`
`132
`
`INPUT PACKET
`
`NUMBER
`
`CHANNEL _
`
`NUMBER
`
`LENGTH
`OF SEQ.
`
`133
`
`g
`DATA § SEQUENCE
`
`INPUT DATA
`
`133
`
`
`
`TYPE or
`
`composmou
`
`133
`
`137
`
`TYPE OF
`CODE
`139
`
`CODE
`
`TEXT "‘”°”T
`
`140
`
`'
`
`
`
`INPUT DATA
`FORMATS
`
`FIG. 12
`
`6
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 24, 1996
`
`Sheet 6 of 26
`
`5,588,009
`
`FORMKTOFPOLLPACKET
`
`151
`
`152
`
`154
`
`15
`
`5
`
`E U
`
`STATION ID
`
`153
`
`NUSED
`
`
`
`FIG. 13
`
`FORMAT OF PACKETS SENT
`
`FROM REMOTE STATiON IN RESPONSE TO A POLL
`
`161
`
`NAK
`
`162
`
`163
`SUBPACKET
`
`UNITT
`
`164
`sumcxa
`
`UNIT2
`
`165
`
`166
`
`
`
`FORMAT OF SUBPACKET
`
`171
`
`172
`
`I-IEADER7
`ID
`
`ELAPSED
`TIME
`
`ACK
`SEO.
`
`
`
`
`
`INPUT
`DATA
`
`173
`
`174
`
`175
`
`
`
`SIG.
`AMP.
`
`
`
`SIG.
`RELIAB.
`
`
`
`
`
`ALTERNATIVE
`
`FORMS OF
`
`PACKET
`
`175
`
`_
`
`ETX
`
`177
`
`
`
`HEADER!
`
`
`
`UNIT ID §
`UNUSED
`
`181
`
`
`
`1?B
`
`132
`
`183
`
`FIG. 14
`
`ELAPSED
`'flME
`
`7
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Dec. 24, 1996
`
`Sheet 7 of 26
`
`5,588,009
`
`FORMAT OF MESSAGE WITH RESPONSES
`
`191
`
`192
`
`
`
`
`
`—XXIM
`
`193
`
`.194
`
`195
`
`196
`
`
`
`
`
`RESPONSE 1 RESPONSE 2
`
`RESPONSE 3
`
`FIG. 15
`
`FORMAT OF MESSAGE DEFINING PREPROGRAMMED
`
`RESPONSES, MESSAGES, AND EMAIL ADDRESSES
`
`
`
`DEFINITION
`CHARACTER
`
`rrEM 1
`
`"EM 2
`
`"EM 3
`
`8
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 24, 1996
`
`Sheet 3 of 26
`
`5,588,009
`
`SOFTWARE ARCHITECTURE FOR CENTRAL STATION
`
`
`
`
`
`RESP. FROM YE3
`REMOTE STN.
`OR TiMEOUT?
`
`
`
` PROCESS
`PABX MSG
`
`MSG FROM
`PABX?
`
`PROCESS RESP.
`SEND ANOTHER
`
`MSG
`POLL PACKET
`TRANSMITTED
`MSG
`
`
`TO max?
`WAITING FOFI
`PABX?
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ANOTHER
`
`EMAIL MSG
`pAcKET
`RECEIVED?
`
`218
`
`PROCESS EMAIL
`INPUT MSG
`
`
`
`
`
` PROCESS
`UNIT RESPONSE
`OR STATION POLL
`QUEU TIMEOUT
`
`
`
`EMAIL MSG
`TRANSMITTED?
`
`
`
`EMAIL MSG
`TO BE SENT?
`
`SEND IT
`
`FIG. 17
`
`
`
`9
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 24, 1996
`
`Sheet 9 of 26
`
`5,588,009
`
`MODULE TO PROCESS RECEIVED EMAIL MESSAGE
`
`231
`
`241
`
`SEND ERROR
`N0
` USER
`ADDRESS
`
`LEG]-r?
`
`
`yes
`232
`
`RESPONSE
`MESSAGE
`
`«aim:
`
`MESSAGE FOR
`
`COMMUNICATIONS UNIT
`
`LOCATION
`
`REQUEST
`
`236
`
`INTOARCHIVE
`
`237
`
`MAINTAIN
`TABLES
`
`TEXT 8. RESPONSES
`238
`
`ASSIGN
`
`PRIORITY
`
`ASSIGN
`
`CHANNEL
`
`239
`
`240
`
`233
`
`& SEND RESPONSE
`
`mm4.
`
`234
`
`235
`
`MODIFY
`TABLES
`
`SEND
`
`RESPONSE
`
`PLACE MESSAGE
`AND PACKETS
`INTO QUEUES
`
`‘E3
`
`FIG. 18
`
`10
`
`10
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 24, 1996
`
`Sheet 10 of 26
`
`5,588,009
`
`MODULE TO PROCESS RESPONSE RECEIVED FROM STATION
`
`251
`
`PACKET RECEWED
`
`0
`
`RESPONSE
`FROM
`STATION
`
`252
`
`EXTRACT UNIT
`SUBPACKET
`FROM RESPONSE
`
`
`
`253
`
`99f;gE|§l%LL:‘E‘:E=
`& SIC. AMPL.
`
`STATION
`TIMEOUT OR NAK
`
`0
`
`255
`
`SELECT A
`POLL PACKET
`
`271
`
`373
`
`REMOVE HOLD
`FROM PACKETS
`
`9
`
`FORMAT AND
`SEND IT
`
`254
`
`CHANGE TO
`'3
`F‘CV'“G 3=
`
`261
`ET AN A K
`FOE ONE PA%KET T
`
`RESPOND.
`
`
`
`
`ACK
`
`INCLUDED?
`
`YES
`
`NO
`
`PUT ACKACK
`IN QUEU
`
`252
`
`233
`
`DELETE OHIG.
`
`PACKET
`
`254
`
`IF ANOTHER PKT
`IN MSG PUT IN QUEU
`
`
`
`257
`
`YES
`
`TIMEOUT
`AFTER
`
`
`
`
`
`PACKET?
`
`258
`
`REMOVE wAIT
`FOR ACK TAG
`
`259
`
`N0
`
`266
`
`F]G. I 9
`
`257
`
`WA'T'”G?
`
`
`
`CONFIRM DATA
`CONFIRM DATA
`PACKET TO
`P’%;%*‘E'ETI=T°
`OUEUG
`
`
`
`
`11
`
`ENTER UNIT RESP.
`TIMEOUT IN TIME
`EVENT QUEU
`
`T0 FIG. 20 9
`
`11
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 24, 1996
`
`Sheet 11 of 26
`
`5,588,009
`
`
`
`LAST
`INPUT
`=‘ “CV”
`“KT
`MCKET
`
`NUMBER?
`
`285
`
`286
`
`
`
`MESSAGE
`INCLUDED?
`
`YES
`MORE MSGS
`TO BE DELETED?
`
`
`
`ANOTHER UNIT
`
`SUBPACKET?
`
`N0 ®
`
`0 TO FIG. 19
`
`294
`
`
`
`
`
`
`MORE
`OF MSG
`FIEQSTD?
`
`GET EMAIL
`ADDRESS
`
`292
`
`IF COMPRESSED
`EXPAND TO TEXT
`
`293
`
`PUT MSG 8: ADDR
`IN OUTPUT QUEU
`
`
`
`PLACE MSG
`AND PACKETS
`INTO QU EUES
`
`NO
`
`INPUT DATA
`
`FOR MORE
`
`MSGS?
`
`
`FIG. 20
`
`12
`
`12
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 24, 1996
`
`Sheet 12 of 26
`
`5,588,009
`
`MODULE INITIATED UPON COMPLETION
`
`OF RADIO PACKET TRANSMISSION
`
`
`
`301
`
`SELECT A
`
`NEW PACKET
`
`
`
`RECEIVING
`
`
` FORMAT AND
`
`
`
`NOT
`RECEIVING
`
`SEND PACKET
`
`3
`
`04
`
`PUT ANOTHER
`
`PACKET IN OUEU
`
`
`
`309
`
`
`
`DELETE DUPLICATIONS
`
` CHANGE PKT PRIORITY
`TAG TO HOLD
`
`
`
`RE;AFEg:E EGEEET
`
`FIG. 21
`
`13
`
`13
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 24, 1996
`
`Sheet 13 of 26
`
`5,588,009
`
`CENTRAL STATION
`
`CLOCK INTEFIRUPT MODULE
`
`
`
`INCREM ENT
`
`321
`
`STN RESPONSE
`TIMER
`
`
`SET STATION
`OTHER
`RESPONSE
`
`
`TIMEOUT FLAG
`
`323
`
`
`
`
`INC-FIEMENT
`
`SECOND
`
`CLOCK
`
` 1000 MS
`
`UPDATE TIME
`
`OF DAY
`
`SET TIME
`
`EVENT FLAG
`
`326
`
`327
`
`
`
`DISMISS
`
`FIG. 22
`
`14
`
`14
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 24, 1996
`
`Sheet 14 of 26
`
`5,588,009
`
`CENTRAL STATION DATA STRUCTURES
`
`UNIT STATUS LIST
`
`“N” '0
`
`330
`
`
`
`331
`
`UNIT
`STATUS
`
`OUTPUT
`
`PKT SEO NO.
`
`URGENT
`
`HIGH
`
`
`
` 332
`
`333
`
`334
`
`335
`
`INPUT PACKET NO.
`
`335
`
`
`
`&§‘b'fTgETE 337
`}';'c“$‘.Z'¥RET 2:3.
`3;:
`
`
`STATION ID
`-o
`
`340
`
`TIME OF
`
`SIG.
`
`SIG.
`
`
`341
`
`342
`
`
`343
`
`MESSAGE TO UNIT OUEU
`
`
`
`
`
`351
`
`FIG. 23
`
`352
`
`UNIT ID
`
`MESSAGE TEXT
`
`PACKET TO UNIT OUEUES (A TO G)
`
`FIG. 24
`
`QUEU A
`
`331
`
`U“'T ‘'3
`
`QUEU B
`
`“N” '0
`
`OUEU 0
`
`UNIT ID
`
`OUEU 0
`
`UNIT ID
`
`QUE” E
`
`U”” "3
`
`OJ‘
`
`353
`
`334
`
`as
`
` gIn 1
`
`HOLD wAIT FOFI NO. OF TR POINTEFI
`BIT
`ACK BIT
`ATTMPTD TO TEXT
`
`HOLD wAIT FOR NO. OF TR POINTER
`ACK BIT
`ATTMPTD TO TEXT
`BIT
`
`HOLD
`WAIT FOR NO. OF TR POINTER
`TO TEXT
`BIT ACK BIT
`,a.-rmpm
`
`HOLD
`BIT
`
`wAIT FOR NO. OF TR POINTER
`TO TExT
`ACK BIT
`ATTMPTD
`
`HOLD wAIT FOR NO. OF TR POINTER
`
`BIT ACK BIT
`
`ATTMPTD
`
`QUEU F
`
`“N” ‘D
`
`HOLD wAIT FOR NO. OF TH POINTER
`ATTMPTD TO TEXT
`BIT
`ACK BIT
`
`QUE” G
`
`“N” "3
`
`POINTER
`HOLD wAIT FOR NO. OF TFI
`ATTM PTD TO TEXT
`BIT
`ACK BIT
`
`FIG. 25
`
`15
`
`(.0S3
`
`SE0 NO-
`IF SENT
`
`SE0 NO-
`IF SENT
`
`SE0 NO-
`[F SENT
`
`SEQ NO.
`IF SENT
`
`SE0 NO.
`
`SE0 NO-
`IF SENT
`
`SEO N0.
`IF SENT
`
`15
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 24, 1996
`
`Sheet 15 of 26
`
`5,588,009
`
`CENTRAL STATION DATA STRUCTURES
`
`(CONTINUED)
`
`POLL QUEUES (A to C)
`
`371
`
`372
`
`373
`
`PTR
`
`PTR
`
`PTR
`
`
`
`
`
`TIME OF ENTRY
`
`moueu
`
`EMAIL INCOMING MESSAGE QUEU
`
`
`
`381
`
`EMAIL ADDRESS
`
`382
`
`
`
`EMAIL INCOMING MESSAGE ARCHIVE
`
`333
`
`334
`
`385
`
`PTR TO NEXT
`
`EMAIL OUTGOING MESSAGE QUEU
`
`388
`
`387
`
`388
`
`DESTINATION
`EMAIL ADDRESS
`
`ORIGINATOFVS
`-EMAIL ADDRESS
`
`TEXT
`
`_
`
`
`
`
`
`16
`
`16
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 24, 1996
`
`Sheet 16 of 26
`
`5,588,009
`
`CENTRAL STATION DATA STRUCTURES
`
`(CONTINUED)
`
`EMAIL ADDRESS TO UNIT ID MAP
`
`401
`
`402
`
`EMAMDDHESS
`
`UNIT ID TO EMAIL ADDRESS MAP
`
`
`
`403
`
`404
`
`UNIT ID
`
`EMAIL ADDRESS
`
`CHANNEL TO EMAIL ADDRESS MAP
`
`405
`
`406
`
`407
`
`408
`
`CHANNEL
`
`ASSIGNED
`
`EMAIL ADDRESS
`
`PTR TO INCOMING EMAIL
`
`MESSAGE ARCHIVE
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`INPUT DATA FFIOM UNIT QUEU
`
`409
`
`410
`
`411
`
`412
`
`CHAN.
`
`INPUT
`
`
`
`17
`
`17
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 24, 1996
`
`Sheet 17 of 26
`
`5,588,009
`
`CENTRAL STATION DATA STRUCTURES
`
`(CONTINUED)
`
`
`
`PFIEPROGRAMMED RESPONSE LIST
`
`421
`
`422
`
`CODE
`
`RESPONSE
`
`PFIEPHOGRAMMED MESSAGE LIST
`
`423
`
`424
`
`
`
`
`
`PREPROGRAMMED EMAIL ADDFIESS LIST
`
`425
`
`426
`
`CODE—
`
`FIG. 30
`
`TIME EVENT QUEU
`
`427
`
`42
`
`8
`
`429
`
`430
`
`TIME or FUTURE EVENT
`
`TYPE
`
`
`
`
`
`
`QUEU
`
`“NW
`STATION ID
`
`
`
`18
`
`18
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 24, 1996
`
`Sheet 18 of 26
`
`5,533,009
`
`COMMUNICATIONS UNIT USEFI INTERFACE
`
`42
`
`RING r URGENT
`LAMP
`
`COMMUNICATIONS
`
`LAMP
`
`LIQUID
`45
`CRYSTAL
`Z DISPLAY
`
`CURSOR
`
`SPEAKER
`
`THUMBWHEEL
`
`FIG. 32
`
`KEY
`
`
`
`
`
` -I
`
`
`
`High Veicemail Fax
`Unread Print Rcvr
`--Go 10 respo nses—
`--Go to messages--
`--Go to compose-
`--Go to commands»
`<Has the Peterson
`
`/- 452
`
`
`
`454
`
`456
`
`
`
` on't understand]
`No]
`
`
`[Yes]
`
` ->
`[Read and understood]
`
`[WIII do]
`
`[Please call me
`
`Return to disp ay--
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`This is text of messa
`-DON E--
`--CLEAR»
`--BACKSPAC E--
`
`
`
`FIG. 33
`
`19
`
`451
`
`
`
`-:.Has the Peterson
`
`
`contract been signed?>
`
`
`es]
`
`
`No]
`
`
`[Don’t know]
`--Go to responses--
`
`
`--Go to messaes--
`
`453
`
`“' RING Interrupt **
`X5349 calling: Smith.G
`--Send to voioe_maiI—-
`--Transfer to this ext-—
`-Transfer to new ext--
`UNIT IN RM 241:
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Younger. C. X5410
`
`
`
`455
`
` --Go to composo--
`{Come by my office}
`
`
`{Please call me}
`{Can we have lunch}
`Call me tomorrow}
`
`I'm very busy today}
`
`{Call my secretary}
`
`
`
`
`
`
`19
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 24, 1996
`
`Sheet 19 of 26
`
`5,588,009
`
`SOFTWARE ARCHITECTURE
`
`FOR COMMUNICATIONS UNIT
`
`PACKET
`
`RECEIVED?
`
`PROCESS
`RECEIVED
`PACKET
`
`REDISPLAY
`
`TEXT
`
`PROCESS
`
`KEYPRESS
`
`TIME TO
`
`TRANSMIT?
`
`SEND A
`
`PACKET
`
`CHANGE LAMP
`
`OR AUDIBLE
`ALARM
`
`FIG. 34
`
`20
`
`20
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 24, 1996
`
`Sheet 20 of 26
`
`5,588,009
`
`UNIT PACKET PROCESSING MODULE
`
`START
`
`431
`
`
`PACKET
`
`
`CORRECT? No
`
`PART1
`
`482
`
`gfécflgfllg
`‘
`
`'
`
`C5353
`
`CALCULATE
`
`434
`
`cownnm
`DATA
`
`494
`
`DELETE PKT
`
`=1%-.:5.2I*
`
`493
`
`TURN on
`
`00”” LAMP
`
`
`
`DIsgLAv-
`A LE
`
`UNASSIGN ED TO MESSAGE
`
`DELETE
`INPUT
`PACKET
`
`495
`
`
`INPUT
`REMAINING
`
`YES
`
`
`
`
`496
`
`SET FLAG
`TO TRANSMIT
`
`497
`
`FUCKER on
`TURN OFF
`comm. LAMP
`
`1%
`
`491
`
`ENTER PACKET
`IN UNASSIGNED
`
`PAcKErs QUEU
`
`aqua
`
`490
`
`PACKET
`
`STPTUS?
`
`485
`FIETFIANSMITTED
`MISSING
`PACKET
`
`PUT IN
`MAID
`
`fl
`
`TO FIG. :33
`
`NO
`
`487
`
`DOES IT
`
`FIT IN MAP
`ITEM?
`
`YES
`
`
`
`
`ENTER PKT
`
`IN MAP
`D I SP LAYABLE
`PACKETS
`IN MAP?
`
`IF UNASSIGNED
`FIG 35
`
`PACKETS FIT,
`MOVE TO MAP
`
`
`
`
`21
`
`21
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 24, 1996
`
`Sheet 21 of 26
`
`5,588,009
`
`UNIT PACKET PROCESSING MODULE
`
`PART 2
`
`511
`
`RING
`
`HIGH OR NORMAL
`
`527
`
`
`FIFIST
`PACKET
`IN MSG
`
`NO
`
`
`
`YES
`
`512
`
`FIRST
`
`NO
`PACKET
`IN MSG
`
`520
`
`WERE
`PREVIOUS
`PKTS IN MSG
`HCVD?
`
`NO
`
`
`
`521
`
`DISCARD
`PACKET
`
`SET HIGH on
`UNPIEAD VARIABLE
`
`
`
`
`
`
`24
`
`I
`
`DISPELIX-]‘I-’EhI:l‘IE|Rl1ORY
`
`525
`
`PLACE PACKET
`NO. IN PACKET
`AcI< QUEU
`
`SET FLAG
`T0 TFIANSMIT
`
`525
`
`(3%?
`
`FIG. 36
`
`519
`
`22
`
`
`
`515
`
`TURN ON
`HINGIUFIGENT
`LAMP a AUD.
`ALARM
`
`INTERRUPT
`PENDING?
`
`
`
`
`
`YES
`
`FROM
`SAME
`CALLER?
`
`
`513
`
`EXTEND TIME
`OF INTEHHUPT
`DISPLAY
`
`DISPLAY NEW
`FIING INTERFEUP
`MENU
`
`13!?
`
`I¢M!fl?
`
`RING OR
` TURN ON
`
`F0”-OWUP
`FOLLOWUP
`
`
`
`“S9?
`
`ALARM
`
`FIINGIURGENT
`
`
`
`LAMP 3. AuD_
`
`22
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Dec. 24, 1996
`
`Sheet 22 of 26
`
`5,588,009
`
`START
`
`CLOCK INTERFIUPT SOFTWARE
`FOR COMMUNICATIONS UNIT
`PART1
`
`
` 531
`SET THUMB-
`WHEEL FLAG
`
`532
`
`53
`
`DECR TRANSMIT
`TIMER
`
`537
`
`DECR AUDITOFIY
`
`
`
`ALARM TIMER
`
`T""'ER?‘ FLAG & TIMER
`
`533
`II
`
`C
`
`0
`
`539
`
`DECFI STATE
`VARIABLE, SET
`
`
`
`TFIANSMIT
`TIMER?
`
`AUDITOR
` TRANSMIT
`FLAG
`
`
`
`=3
`
`55‘
`
`RING
`'ND‘CAT0F‘
`STATE?
`
`
`
`
`
`1-7
`
`e
`
`9
`
`T0 FIG. 38
`
`II= SOUNDING
`TOGGLE
`OUTPUT BIT
`
`553
`
`DECR. RING
`INDIC. TIMER
`
`55
`
`
`
`INDFIIEIEFOR
`
`TIMER?
`=0
`
`'
`
`>0
`
`540
`
`'
`
`9
`
`552
`
`IF URGENT SET
`PUT ON HOLD
`
`555
`
`556
`
`TOGGLE
`LAMP BIT
`
`DECR FIING
`INDIC. STATE
`
`557
`
`0
`
`TO FIG. 33
`
`SET FIING
`TIMER T0
`250 MS
`
`0
`
`To FIG. 33
`
`FIG. 37
`
`23
`
`23
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec.24,1996
`
`Sheet 23 of 26
`
`5,588,009
`
`CLOCK INTERRUPT SOFTWARE
`FOR COMMUNICATIONS UNIT
`PART 2
`
`
`562
`
`DECFI RING
`INTERFIUPT TIMER
`
`0
`
`
`RING
`
`INTERRUPT
`PENDING?
`
`
`554
`
`RESTORE OLD
`DISPLAY
`
`566
`
`567
`
`563
`
`
`
` RING
`INTERRUPT
`
`TIMER?
`
`585
`
`OTHER
`
`FUCKER
`
`W :DATA TURN LAMP OFF
`
`IF END OF FLICKEFI
`
`58
`7
`
`SENT
`
`DECR INPUT
`DATA TIMER
`
`
`
`575
`
`
`SET URGENT
`
`TIMER TO
`1000 MS
`
`
`
`P7(}.38
`
`24
`
`24
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 24, 1995
`
`Sheet 24 nf 26
`
`5,588,009
`
`COMMUNICATIONS UNIT DATA STRUCTUFIES
`INCOMPLETE MESSAGE PACKET MAP
`
`PRIORITY / 0
`
`1
`
`2
`
`3
`
`4
`
`5
`
`6
`
`SEQ. NUMBER
`7 '\ OF FIRST PACKET
`
`PACKET SLOTS IN MESSAGE
`
`am
`
`502
`
`603
`
`EACH PACKET SLOT
`CONSISTS OF:
`
`504
`
`605
`
`B”
`
`Ts°s:a%:T
`
`TEXT LIST
`
`F1 . 39
`
`G
`
`PACKETS UNASSIGNED TO MESSAGES LIST
`
`PRIORITY
`
`PACKET SEQ. N0. PACKET TEXT [_|sT
`
`POINTER TO
`
`FIG. 40
`
`606
`
`607
`
`603
`
`PACKET TEXT LIST
`
`611
`
`612
`
`613
`
`614
`
`615
`
`616
`
`817
`
`M:-_
`
`618
`
`FIG. 41
`
`POINTER LIST
`
`25
`
`25
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec.24,1996
`
`Sheet 25 of 26
`
`5,588,009
`
`COMMUNICATIONS UNIT DATA STRUCTURES
`
`(c0|\|T|NUE[))
`
`DISPLAY MEMORY STRUCTURES
`
`
`
`621
`
`STATUS INDICATORS 8:
`TOP LEVEL MENU
`
`RECEIVED
`MESSAGES
`
`PREPROGRAMMED
`RESPONSES
`
`ELECTRONIC MAIL
`ADDRESSES
`
`COMMAND
`MENU
`
`
`
`
`
`PREPROGRAMMED
`MESSAGES
`
`
`
`COMPOSE
`MENU
`
`
`
`DISPLAY WINDOWI
`
`DISPLAYED TEXT
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`\ POINTER LIST
`
`/’/
`
`
`
`DISPLAY MEMORY
`
`622
`
`
`
`
`
`623
`
`
`
`F]G. 42
`
`INPUT DATA QUEU
`
`CHAN. N0.
`
`TEXTICODE TEXT OR
`TAG
`CODE
`
`631
`
`632
`
`633
`
`PACKET ACKNOWLEDGEMENT QUEU
`
`PACKET SEQ. NO.
`
`634
`
`UNIT TRANSMISSION BUFFER
`
`635
`
`636
`
`637
`
`638
`
`639
`
`HEADER
`
`UNIT ID
`
`INPUT DATA I’ ACK
`
`FIG. 43
`
`26
`
`26
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 24, 1996
`
`Sheet 26 of 26
`
`5,588,009
`
`REMOTE STATION SOFTWARE
`
`
`
`
`
`CO RRECT
`
`643
`
`PACKETS OUEU
`
` PUT IN
`RECEIVED
`
` 642
`INCORRECT
`
`INFRARED
`PACKET
`RECEIVED?
`
`
`
`
`POLL
`RECEIVED?
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`RESPONSE
`
`PACKET
`AVAILABLE?
`
`
`
`NO
`
`SEND NAK
`CHARACTER
`
` INITIATE SENDING
`
`RESPONSE PACKET
`
`FIG. 44
`
`27
`
`27
`
`

`

`5,588,009
`
`1
`PERSONAL PAGING, CONIMUNICATIONS,
`AND LOCATING SYSTEM
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`This application relates to a copending application sub-
`mitted by Craig A. Will entitled “Control of Miniature
`Persona] Digital Assistant Using Menu and Thumbwheel,”
`Ser. No. 08.-"423,690, filed Apr. 18, 1995. The application
`also relates to a copending application submitted by Craig A.
`Will entitled “Wireless Personal Paging, Communications,
`and Locating System", Ser. No. 08l‘200.065, filed Feb. 22,
`1994, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,479,408, issued Dec. 26, 1995.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`This invention relates generally to electronic communi-
`cation systems for sending signals selectively to portable
`receivers that provide an indication or alarm to specific
`individuals that is humanly perceptible, and further to sys-
`tems that indicate the location of individuals. It relates to the
`transmission of message data encoded as digital pulses
`modulating a radio wave to portable receivers, and also
`relates to the transmission of message data, identification,
`and location information using digital pulses optically, par-
`ticularly by infrared light, and acoustically. particularly by
`ultrasound. The invention further relates to the indication of
`incoming calls from a telephone PBX system and the
`forwarding and transfer of such calls.
`More specifically, the invention relates to a system for
`communicating with individuals in a building using digitally
`encoded radio in one direction and either inflated light or
`ultrasound in the other, with users receiving paging indica-
`tions and messages and being able to acknowledge and
`respond to messages and to originate messages, with the
`system also tracking the location of and providing commu-
`nications to allow users to transfer incoming telephone calls
`remotely.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`A frequent dilhculty in an office or similar environment is
`communicating with a particular individual when they are
`not in their office but still in the building. This results not
`only in “telephone tag" where people continue hack-andw
`forth attempts to return telephone calls, but also in its
`physical analog where one person visits the oflice of another.
`only to find that person to be gone.
`One solution to this problem has been the increasingly
`widespread use of paging receivers, and such devices have
`become more and more miniaturized. Devices have been
`constructed, for example, that are the size of a credit card or
`that are included as part of a watch. Such systems, however,
`are typically one-way. transmitting only atclephone number,
`perhaps an additional short numeric code, or possibly abricf
`alphanumeric message, and are designed for use outside a
`building.
`Within a building, there have been two general directions
`that system designs have taken. One is the use of radio
`paging systems within a building, which may be configured
`to allow receipt of electronic mail messages or to allow users
`to be notified that they have a call that they can then ask to
`he transferred to a nearby extension. For example, the Hagl
`invention (U.S. Pat. No. 5,151,930) transmits the fact of the
`incoming call and the telephone extension of the calling
`
`2
`party by radio to a paging receiver, which indicates to the
`user that the call has come in and displays the number. The
`user then locates a telephone instrument and dials a code
`identifying the user, resulting in the incoming call being
`transferred to that instrument.
`
`The other direction is the use of automatic personal
`locating systems that dctcnnirle where in a building an
`individual is, and that can automatically route a telephone
`call to the nearest extension. For example, the Ward inven-
`tion (U.S. Pat. No. 3,439,320) describes a system that uses
`ultrasonic sound (using a different frequency for each per-
`son) to track the location of individuals in a building so that
`telephone calls may be routed to them. A number of varia-
`tions exist using different media. Thus, the Shipley inven-
`tions (U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,601,064 and 5,062,151) track the
`location of individuals that carry devices that repeatedly
`transmit a digital identifying code via infrared light that is
`then received by remote sensors installed in individual
`rooms of a building, with a central computer that polls the
`remote sensors and determines the location of an individual.
`Telephone calls can then, if desired, be automatically for-
`warded to the individual by the PABX system. The indi-
`vidual can, using a switch on the identification device, turn
`off the forwarding action at a given time if it would be
`inconvenient.
`
`These approaches have a number of drawbacks. One-way
`radio paging signals can fail to deliver a messages if the user
`is in an especially noisy environment, is in a “dead spot”
`resulting from metal shielding or other interference, or goes
`outside the range of the transmitter. While these ditficulties
`can be prevented by repeating all
`transmissions multiple
`times, this approach does not make efficient use of band-
`width and can also result in considerable delay in receipt of
`a paging signal or message. One-way communication also
`does not allow an originator to know whether a message has
`in fact been received by a user and read, or allow the user
`to respond. One-way systems that indicate to a user only that
`a call has come in require the user to find a telephone and
`dial suflicient digits to cause the call to be transferred, and
`typically require the caller to be placed on held during this
`process, which may be annoying to the caller if the person
`being paged does not respond or takes a long time to do so.
`Systems that automatically track the location of individu-
`als and automatically transfer incoming telephone calls to
`that location tend to be intrusive, because they necessarily
`cause a transfer even in circumstances that might be inap-
`propriate {such as transferring a call to an individual who is
`in an oficc of someone he or she does not know well or who
`is in a group meeting that might be disturbed).
`The above difliculties are solved by the invention dis-
`closed here (and related inventions) by its provision of both
`(1) two-way communication and (2) automatic tracking of
`the location of the individual. This combination allows
`responses to be sent which are chosen from a set provided
`with the original message, from a preprograrruned set, or
`composed by the user. Selection or composition of responses
`is made easy by use of a thumbwhecl that allows display of
`messages and responses and their choice by pressing a single
`key (as is described in a copending application). The com-
`munication and tracking system also makes possible the
`transfer of incoming telephone calls remotely by means of
`selection from a menu.
`
`The present invention provides both two-way communi-
`cation and tracking by making use of a hybrid communica-
`tion systcm with radio used for transmitting data to the user,
`and infrared light (or, in an alternative embodiment, ultra»
`
`30
`
`50
`
`55
`
`6|}
`
`28
`
`28
`
`

`

`5,588,009
`
`3
`sonic sound) used for receiving data from the user. This
`hybrid system makes eifective use of the strengths of each
`form of communication. Radio is used in one direction for
`broad coverage, ease of implementation, and relative reli-
`ability, while infrared light {or ultrasound) is used in the
`other direction (for acknowledgements, responses, original
`messages. and location tracking) because of its low power
`requirements, simplicity of design, small size of the neces-
`sary electronics, low cost, and its ability to determine the
`location of individuals (since infrared light and ultrasonic
`sound do not pass through walls). Radio is also desirable
`because its use could allow the design of a paging receiver
`that works both with conventional paging systems when
`outside the building and,
`in addition, with the system
`described here when inside the building, using the same
`components.
`The use of this hybrid mix of communication media
`required the design of a communication protocol to fit the
`characteristics of the two media. The radio medium is
`characterized by good but not perfect reliability, and mod-
`erate to substantial capacity, depending upon availability of
`particular bands and whether the station is licensed or
`unlicensed. The system is particularly applicable for use in
`the recently allocated 1,900 Mb: band for personal commu-
`nications services for unlicensed use in a building. The
`infrared medium has somewhat
`limited capacity in this
`context because of the need for data to be transmitted
`repeatedly and because of the need to minimize drain on the
`battery and to minimize conflict with other nearby commu-
`nication units. Ultrasound has a naturally low capacity
`resulting from its susceptibility to interference from echoes
`as the signal bounces off walls. floor, and ceiling. Both
`infrared, and, to a lesser extent, ultrasound, have somewhat
`variable reliability as the user moves from one room to
`another and as the unit changes position and orientation in
`that environment. Infrared and ultrasound, are, of course,
`desirable because they do not easily penetrate walls and
`ceilings and thus allow reliable identification of the location
`of the unit.
`
`is
`One example of the requirements for the protocol
`illustrated by the fact that unlike more conventional proto-
`cols where data is transmitted and an acknowledgement
`signal is expected immediately if the data has been correctly
`received, with this protocol data must be sent without
`waiting for immediate acknowledgement of previous pack-
`ets, with data broken down into packets with assigned
`sequence numbers and both data and acknowledgement
`packets containing the appropriate numbers. This is neces-
`sary because with a hybrid system, one direction can be
`reliable at a time when the other is not, and vice-versa. Other
`characteristics of the protocol include modifying the rate of
`repeated transmissions from units and polling to and trans-
`missions from remote stations depending on the probability
`of expected responses and the user of indicators to signal to
`the user the status of the communication links, particularly
`when communication is being impeded.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE IINTVENTION
`
`20
`
`30
`
`40
`
`45
`
`The goal of the method and apparatus disclosed here is to
`provide a communications system that can send paging
`signals and brief messages to individuals within a building
`or complex of buildings, accept and deliver responses to
`these messages, and identify the location of individuals
`witltin the building.
`Individuals communicate with a central communications
`station by means of a miniature communications unit carried
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`by the individual that is typically about the size of a credit
`card and can be integrated into a wearable plastic corporate
`identification badge. The communications unit displays
`messages visually and can provide a visual andfor auditory
`alarm indicating the receipt of a message. Users can view
`messages and select or compose responses by means of a
`thumbwhcel rotating cylinder and key. The unit consists of
`a microprocessor, a memory, a radio antenna and receiver, a
`speaker, a visual display, an infrared diode emitter, a thum-
`bwheel and key, and visual and auditory indicators.
`Communication from the central communications station
`to each individual unit is carried out by frequency-shift-
`keyed digital radio, with a single radio transmitter and
`antenna typically used for a single building or building
`complex. Communication from each unit to the central
`communications station is carried out by a combination of
`infrared light and wire or optical fiber. Remote communi-
`cation stations that include an infrared light sensor are
`installed in individual rooms of the building and along
`corridors, and data is sent from the unit first to a remote
`station by infrared and then forwarded to the central station
`by wire or optical fiber.
`The communications system is integrated into the tele-
`phone and electronic mail systems typically found in an
`office environment. A message may be generated as a result
`of a telephone ringing signal, the leaving of a voicemail
`message, or the receipt of an electronic mail message (either
`messages specifically intended to be sent to the remote unit
`or messages directed to the user's normal electronic mail
`address, the latter particularly if the sender or topic of the
`message matches a description provided by the user).
`The system allows others (if desired by a user) to deter-
`mine the current physical location of the user by sending an
`appropriate “location query” electronic mail message, with
`the originator automatically receiving a rerum message
`indicating the last known location of the user. The system
`also allows information from the personal locating system to
`control the forwarding of an incoming telephone call to an
`appropriate extension.
`While users can compose any response to a message or an
`original message, the miniaturization of the communications
`unit tends to make character entry laborious, and the system
`is designed on the assumption that responses usually involve
`the selection of preprogrammed responses included in the
`message, preprograrnmed responses that can be selected
`from the memory of the unit, or very brief responses
`composed letter by letter. Examples of possible responses
`include “Message read and understood”, “Will d ", “Will
`call you back in 5 minutes", “Will call you tomorrow", etc.
`Responses are preferably selected or composed by means of
`a thurnbwheel and single key, which takes up little space.
`The thunlbwheel and key interface is described in detail in
`the copending application entitled “Control of Miniature
`Personal Digital Assistant Using Menu and 'I'huInbwhecl."
`The system uses a communication protocol designed for
`the special characteristics of a hybrid radio-infrared light
`system. It is assumed that the radio link is usually highly
`reliable, but that occasional errors and outages may occur
`due to electromagnetic interference, metal shielding, or
`movement of the user outside of the range of reception.
`Messages are lrartsrnitted or held at any given moment
`depending upon the status of the communication unit and the
`priority of the message. Units are in one of five status states:
`(1) Receiving and Responding;
`(2) Not Receiving but
`Responding; (3) Not Receiving or Responding; (4) Receiv-
`ing but Not Responding; or (5) Not Responding, depending
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`upon the conditions of the last response received from a unit.
`Thus, for example, Ring messages {resulting from incoming
`telephone calls) are not transmitted to a unit that is Not
`Receiving or Responding (and thus likely out of the build-
`ing), but if caller identification information is available for
`the call, the message is stored so that the user is informed of
`the call upon returning to the building.
`Data transmitted both to and from the comrnunieations
`unit is error checked, with correct receipt ensured by retrans-
`mission. Howcvcr, because the communications medium is
`different [radio versus infrared light) in different directions,
`it is frequently the case that at any particular time, the
`communications circuit is reliable in only one direction.
`Instead of the usual transmission-actmowlodge-or—tiincont-
`retransmission protocol. data is sent in the form of short
`packets, with each packet given a sequence number. Packets
`continue to be sent even without acltnowiedgement if there
`is reason to believe that a unit may be receiving. Acknowl-
`edgements are sent with the corresponding packet sequence
`number when each packet has been received. If an acknowl-
`edgement has not been received from a unit under conditions
`that suggest that such an acknowledgement would have been
`received if the original packethad been received correctly,
`that packet is retransmitted. Acknowledgements are them-
`selves acknowledged by a packet sent to the unit via radio
`that results in r