Wireless messaging system

• US 20060084412A1
• Filed: 10/18/2004
• Published: 04/20/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Natan Epstein
• Original Assignee: Natan Epstein
• Inventors: Epstein, Natan
• Granted Patent: US 7,738,858 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/412.100
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/189 in combination with wireless systems selective distribution or broadcast in wireless communication networks H04W4/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6505 storing speech in digital form
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/06 Selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS]; Services to user groups; One-way selective calling services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/12 Messaging; Mailboxes; Announcements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/26 Network addressing or numbering for mobility support

Abstract

Messages are routed via a cellular communications network to multiple cellular communications receivers configured for answering calls placed to a common subscriber number, such that a message originated with a single cellular call may reach multiple recipients. The geographic area of message distribution may be controlled by selectively enabling different cell sites for calling particular subscriber numbers. The cellular receivers may have message storage capabilities for subsequent replay of received messages. Message storage may be provided by downloading messages to a conventional telephone answering device also connected for landline telephone call answering, thereby adding received cellular messages to recorded landline telephone messages.

Claims

1. A wireless messaging system comprising:

a cellular communications network including a plurality of cellsites for routing wireless messages to a subscriber number; and

a plurality of cellular communications receivers each configured to accept messages routed to the same said subscriber number such that multiple receivers may be addressed by a call to a single subscriber number.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said cellular communications network is configured for transmitting messages to said subscriber number through more than one of said cellsites substantially simultaneously such that said receivers in range of more than one of said cellsites may be addressed by a call to a single subscriber number.

3. The system of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said cellular communications receivers are responsive to communications channel assignment control signals transmitted by said cellsites.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein said receivers do not respond to transmissions from said cellsites.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein said receivers have message storage capabilities for subsequent replay of received messages.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein said message storage includes digital storage of received messages.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein said receivers are configured for receiving operating power from a landline telephone jack.

8. The system of claim 5 wherein said receivers are configured for downloading stored messages to a conventional telephone answering device.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein said cellular communications network is configured to transmit calls placed to selected ones of said subscriber numbers without first detecting a signal indicating the presence of cellular handsets assigned the selected subscriber numbers.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein said cellular communications network is configured to transmit calls placed to said selected ones of said subscriber numbers through more than one of said cellsites.