Paging system lata switch

• US 4,868,558 A
• Filed: 02/22/1988
• Issued: 09/19/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/1988
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Flatt Morris Associates SA, Management And Investment, S.A.
• Original Assignee: Telefind Corporation
• Inventors: Campana, Thomas J. Jr., Thelen, Gary F., Andros, Andrew A., Kinast, Robert A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Yusko, Donald J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Pudpud, E. O.
• Application Number:
  US07/158,937
• Time in Patent Office: 575 Days
• Field of Search: 340/825.44, 340/825.49, 340/825.02, 340/790, 340/825.26, 340/825.48, 340/827, 340/825.03, 379/220, 379/258, 379/242, 379/112, 379/217, 379/170, 379/56-63, 358/84, 370/93, 370/94, 370/60, 370/61, 370/14, 455/31-38
• US Class Current: 340/7.27
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 3/1008 Personal calling arrangements or devices, i.e. paging systems selective calling systems and call receivers H04W84/00, H04W68/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/457 with conversion of multifrequency signals into digital signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/022 One-way selective calling networks, e.g. wide area paging
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A paging network is disclosed which utilizes a plurality of distributed switches to transmit pages on a non-real time basis to achieve efficient and low cost transmission. Each of the switches processes packets of pages received from the network. Each of the switches also processes pages into packets of pages to be transmitted to another switch in the network or into batches of pages to be transmitted by a local paging service if the switch is a local switch. The network dynamically programs the reception channel(s) of the paging receivers in response to traffic conditions of a local switch or in accordance with service options specified by a subscriber to a local paging service. The digits of the paging receiver identification code are transmitted in an order of increasing significance to conserve battery life of the paging receivers. Pages may be initiated by placing a local call to any lata switch in the network and service options may be varied by placing of a local call to a lata switch.

Claims

1. A lata switch, for use in a paging network having a plurality of switches located in separate geographic locations with the switches including at least one hub switch, at least one lata switch with each lata switch being under the jurisdiction of a hub switch and at least one local switch with each local switch being under the jurisdiction of a lata switch and coupled to a local paging service, comprising:

(a) means for receiving packets with each packet containing a variable number of pages from the at least one local switch under the jurisdiction of the lata switch and from the hub switch having jurisdiction over the lata switch with each packet having the lata switch as an area destination within the network and including at least one page with each page having a switch as an area destination in the network determined by a local switch originating the page of where the page is to be transmitted in the network for broadcast and for disassembling each of the packets into at least one individual page;

(b) a memory having a plurality of storage areas comprised of at least one outbound local storage area with each local storage area respectively corresponding to different local switch under the jurisdiction of the lata switch and an outbound hub storage area which corresponds to the hub switch having jurisdiction over the lata switch;

(c) means for receiving pages stored in the local switch and hub switch storage areas of the memory, forming each page into a packet with each packet having an area destination in the network corresponding to the storage area from which the page was received from the memory which was formed into the packet with each packet having a variable number of pages and an area destination in the network and periodically transmitting each packet to a local switch or to the hub switch corresponding to the area destination of the packet; and

(d) processing means, coupled to the means for receiving packets and the means for receiving pages stored in the local switch and hub switch storage areas, for determining the area destination in the network of each disassembled page, causing the storage of each page to be broadcast within a geographic area within which the lata switch is located within at least one outbound local storage area and each page not to be broadcast within the geographic area within which the lata switch is located in the outbound hub storage area and periodically outputting any pages stored in each storage area to the means for receiving pages stored in the local switch and hub switch areas.

2. A lata switch in accordance with claim 1 wherein:

the area destination of each page received from the hub switch having jurisdiction over the lata switch is the lata switch.

3. A lata switch in accordance with claim 1 wherein:

the area destination of each page received from the hub switch is one of the at least one local switches under the jurisdiction of the lata switch.

4. A latch switch in accordance with claim 1 wherein:

(a) the means for receiving packets is an input from the switches coupled to the lata switch and includes a data module processor which disassembles each packet into at least one individual page;

(b) the means for receiving pages stored in the local switch and hub switch storage areas is an output to the switches coupled to the lata switch and includes the data module processor which forms the pages into at least one packet each containing a variable number of pages having a switch as an area destination; and

(c) the processing means is a central processing means.

5. A lata switch in accordance with claim 1 wherein:

(a) the memory includes;

an inbound local storage having at least one area for storing any disassembled pages received form the at least one local switch under the jurisdiction of the lata switch with each area corresponding to a separate local switch under the jurisdiction of the lata switch; and

an inbound hub storage area for storing any disassembled pages received from the hub switch having jurisdiction over the lata switch; and

(b) the processing means processes each page stored in each inbound local storage area and the inbound hub storage area by area destination in the network and stores each processed page in the outbound local storage area or the outbound hub storage area which corresponds to the area destination of each processed page in the network.

6. A lata switch in accordance with claim 5 wherein:

the at least one inbound local storage area and the at least one outbound local storage area are equal in number to a number of local switches under the jurisdiction of the lata switch.

7. A lata switch in accordance with claim 4 wherein:

(a) the memory includes;

an inbound local storage having at least one area for storing any disassembled pages received from the at least one local switch under the jurisdiction of the lata switch with each area corresponding to a separate local switch under the jurisdiction of the lata switch; and

an inbound hub storage area for storing any disassembled pages received from the hub switch having jurisdiction over the lata switch; and

(b) the processing means processes each page stored in each inbound local storage area and the inbound hub storage area by area destination in the network and stores each processed page in the outbound local storage area or the outbound hub storage area which corresponds to the area destination of each processed page in the network.

8. A lata switch in accordance with claim 1 wherein:

the memory includes an all call storage area for storing pages from the at least one local switch.

9. A lata switch in accordance with claim 1 wherein:

the memory includes an all call storage for storing pages from the hub switch.

10. A lata switch in accordance with claim 1 wherein:

(a) the memory includes a listing of subscriber identification numbers of each subscriber having a subscriber file stored by each local switch under the jurisdiction of the lata switch; and

(b) the processing means determined an area destination in the network of any disassembled page received from the hub switch which has been called by a non-long distance telephone call to a lata switch by comparison of an identification number in the page with the listing of subscriber identification numbers and when a match is found causes the page to be stored in the outbound local switch storage area corresponding to the local switch storing a subscriber filed with the same identification number.

11. A lata switch in accordance with claim 4 wherein:

(a) the memory includes a listing of subscriber identification numbers of each subscriber having a subscriber file stored by each local switch under the jurisdiction of the lata switch; and

(b) the processing means determines an area destination in the network of any disassembled page received from the hub switch which has been called by a non-long distance telephone call to a lata switch by comparison of an identification number in the page with the listing of subscriber identification numbers and when a match is found causes the page to be stored in the outbound local switch storage area corresponding to the local switch storing a subscriber file with the same identificaiton number.

12. A lata switch in accordance with claim 5 wherein:

(a) the memory includes a listing of subscriber identification numbers of each subscriber having a subscriber file stored by each local switch under the jurisdiction of the lata switch; and

(b) the processing means determined an area destination in the network of any disassembled page received from the hub switch which has been called by a non-long distance telephone call to a lata switch by comparison of an identification number in the page with the listing of subscriber identification numbers and when a match is found causes the pages to be stored in the outbound local switch storage area corresponding to the local switch storing a subscriber file with the same identification number.

13. A lata switch in accordance with claim 1 wherein:

the periodic outputting of pages stored in either the local or hub switch areas occurs whenever either one of two conditions occur which are (1) the storage area has stored therein at least a predetermined number of characters;

or (2) pages have not been outputted within an immediately past time interval of a predetermined length.

14. A lata switch in accordance with claim 4 wherein:

the periodic outputting of pages stored in either the local or hub switch areas occurs whenever either one of two conditions occur which are (1) the storage area has stored therein at least a predetermined number of characters;

or (2) pages have not been outputted within an immediately past time interval of a predetermined length.

15. A lata switch in accordance with claim 5 wherein:

the periodic outputting of pages stored in either the local or hub switch areas occurs whenever either one of two conditions occur which are (1) the storage area has stored therein a predetermined number of characters;

or (2) pages have not been outputted within an immediately past time interval of a predetermined duration.

16. A lata switch in accordance with claim 6 wherein:

the periodic outputting of pages stored in either the local or hub switch areas occurs whenever either one of two conditions occur which are (1) the storage area has stored therein at least a predetermined number of characters;

or (2) pages have not been outputted within an immediately past time interval of a predetermined duration.

17. A lata switch in accordance with claim 10 wherein:

the periodic outputting of pages stored in either the local or hub switch areas occurs whenever either one of two conditions occur which are (1) the storage area has stored therein at least a predetermined number of characters;

or (2) pages have not been outputted within an immediately past time interval of a predetermined duration.

18. A lata switch, for use in a paging network having a plurality of switches located in separate geographic locations with the switches including at least one hub switch, at least one lata switch with each lata switch being under the jurisdiction of a hub switch and at least one local switch with each local switch being under the jurisdiction of a lata switch and coupled to a local paging service, comprising:

(a) means for receiving pages from the at least one local switch under the jurisdiction of the lata switch and from the hub switch having jurisdiction over the lata switch with each page having a switch as an area destination within the network determined by a local switch originating the page of where the page is to be transmitted in the network for broadcast;

(b) a memory having a plurality of storage areas comprised of at least one outbound local storage area with each local storage area respectively corresponding to a different local switch under the jurisdiction of the lata switch and an outbound hub storage area which corresponds to the hub switch having jurisdiction over the lata switch;

(c) means for receiving pages stored in the local switch and hub storage areas of the memory and periodically transmitting the pages to a local switch or the hub switch corresponding to the area destination of the page in the network; and

(d) processing means, coupled to the means for receiving pages and the means for receiving pages stored in the local switch and hub switch storage areas, for determining the area destination of each page within the network, causing the storage of each page to be broadcast within a geographic area within which the lata switch is located within at least one local storage area and each page not to be broadcast within the geographic area within which the lata switch is located in the outbound hub storage area and outputting any pages stored in each storage area to the means for receiving pages stored in the local switch and hub switch areas.

19. A lata switch in accordance with claim 18 wherein:

the area destination of each page received from the hub switch having jurisdiction over the hub switch is the lata switch.

20. A lata switch in accordance with claim 18 wherein:

the area destination of each page received form the hub switch is one of the at least one local switches under the jurisdiction of the lata switch.

21. A lata switch in accordance with claim 18 wherein:

(a) the memory includes;

an inbound local storage having at least one area for storing any pages received from the at least one local switch under the jurisdiction of the lata switch with each area corresponding to a separate local switch under the jurisdiction of the lata switch; and

an inbound hub storage area for storing any pages received from the hub switch having jurisdiction over the lata switch; and

(b) the processing means processes each page stored in each inbound local storage area and the inbound hub storage area by area destination in the network and stores each processed page in the outbound local storage area of the outbound hub storage areas which corresponds to the area destination of each processed page in the network.

22. A lata switch in accordance with claim 21 wherein:

the at least one inbound local storage area and the at least one outbound local storage area are equal in number to a number of local switches under the jurisdiction of the lata switch.

23. A lata switch in accordance with claim 18 wherein:

(a) the memory includes a listing of subscriber identification numbers of each of the subscribers having a subscriber file stored by each local switch under the jurisdiction of the lata switch; and

(b) the processing means determines an area destination in the network of any page received from the hub switch which has been called to a lata switch by a non-long distance telephone call by comparison of an identification number in the page with the listing of subscriber identification numbers and when a match is found causes the page to be stored in the outbound local switch storage area corresponding to the local switch storing a subscriber file with the same identification number.

24. A lata switch in accordance with claim 18 wherein:

the periodic outputting of pages stored in either the local or hub switch areas occurs whenever either one of two conditions occur which are (1) the storage area has stored therein at least a predetermined number of characters;

or (2) pages have not been outputted within an immediately past time interval of a predetermined length.

25. A lata switch, for use in a paging network having a plurality of switches located in separate geographic locations with the switches including at least one hub switch, at least one lata switch with each lata switch being under the jurisdiction of a hub switch and at least one local switch with each local switch being under the jurisdiction of a lata switch and coupled to a local paging service, comprising:

(a) an input for receiving packets with each packet containing a variable number of pages from the at least local switch under the jurisdiction of the lata switch and from the hub switch having jurisdiction over the hub switch with each packet having a switch as an area destination in the network and including a least one page with each page having a switch as an area destination in the network determined by a local switch originating the page of where the page is to be transmitted in the network for broadcast;

(b) an output for periodically transmitting at least one packet to the at least one local switch under the jurisdiction of the lata switch and periodically transmitting at least one packet to the hub switch having jurisdiction over the lata switch with each packet having a switch as an area destination in the network with each packet containing a variable number of pages;

(c) a memory having a plurality of storage areas comprised of at least one outbound local storage area which each respectively correspond to a different local switch under the jurisdiction of the lata switch and an outbound hub storage area which corresponds to the hub switch having jurisdiction over the lata switch; and

(d) processing means, coupled to the input and the output, for disassembling each received packet into at least one individual page, determining the area destination in the network of each disassembled page, causing storage of each page to be broadcast within a geographic area within which the lata switch is located within at least one outbound local area and each page not to be broadcast within the geographic area within which the lata switch is located in the outbound hub storage area, causing each page stored in each storage area to be readout, forming each read out page into a packet with each packet having a switch as an area destination in the network which corresponds to the storage area from which the page was read out and having a variable number of pages and transmitting each formed packet to the output for transmission to an area destination in the network identical to the area destination of the formed packet.

26. A lata switch in accordance with claim 25 wherein:

the area destination of each page received from the hub switch having jurisdiction over the lata switch is the lata switch.

27. A lata switch in accordance with claim 25 wherein:

the area destination of each page received from the hub switch is one of the at least one local switches under the jurisdiction of the lata switch.

28. A lata switch in accordance with claim 25 wherein:

(a) the input includes a data module processor which disassembles each packet into at least one individual page;

(b) the output includes the data module processor which forms the pages into at least one packet with each packet having a variable number of pages and a switch as an area destination in the network corresponding to the storage area from which the pages were received; and

(c) the processing means is a central processing means.

29. A lata switch in accordance with claim 25 wherein:

(a) the memory includes;

an inbound local storage having at least one area for storing any disassembled pages received from the at least one local switch under the jurisdiction of the lata switch with each area corresponding to a separate local switch under the jurisdiction of the lata switch; and

an inbound hub storage area for storing any disassembled pages received from the hub switch having jurisdiction over the lata switch; and

(b) the processing means processes each page stored in each inbound local storage area and the inbound hub storage area by area destination in the network and stores each processed page in the outbound local storage area or the outbound hub storage area which corresponds to the area destination of each processed page in the network.

30. A lata switch in accordance with claim 29 wherein:

the inbound local storage areas and the outbound local storage areas are equal in number to the number of local switches under the jurisdiction of the lata switch.

31. A lata switch in accordance with claim 25 wherein:

(a) the memory includes a listing a subscriber identification numbers of each of the subscribers having a subscriber file stored by each local switch under the jurisdiction of the lata switch; and

(b) the processing means determines an area destination in the network of any disassembled page received from the hub switch which has been called by a non-long distance phone call to a lata switch by comparison of an identification number in the page with the listing of subscriber identification numbers and when a match is found causes the page to be stored in the outbound local switch storage area corresponding to the local switch storing a subscriber file with the same identification number.

32. A lata switch in accordance with claim 25 wherein:

the periodic outputting of pages stored in either the local or hub switch areas occurs whenever either one of two conditions occur which are (1) the storage area has stored therein at least a predetermined number of characters;

or (2) pages have not been outputted within an immediately past time interval of a predetermined length.

33. A lata switch, for use in a paging network having a plurality of switches located in separate geographic locations with the switches including at least one hub switch, at least one lata switch with each lata switch being under the jurisdiction of a hub switch and at least one local switch with each local switch being under the jurisdiction of a lata switch and coupled to a local paging service, comprising:

(a) an input for receiving pages from the at least one local switch under the jurisdiction of the lata switch and from the hub switch having jurisdiction over the hub switch with each page having a switch as an area destination within the network determined by a local switch originating the page of where the page is to be transmitted in the network for broadcast;

(b) an output for transmitting each page to the at least one local switch under the jurisdiction of the lata switch and to the hub switch having jurisdiction over the lata switch with each page having a switch as an area destination in the network;

(c) a memory having a plurality of storage areas comprised of at least one outbound local storage area with each local storage area respectively corresponding to a different local switch under the jurisdiction of the lata switch and an outbound hub storage area which corresponds to the hub switch having jurisdiction over the lata switch; and

(d) processing means, coupled to the input and output, for determining the area destination in the network of each page, causing storage of each page to be broadcast within a geographic area within which the lata switch is located within at least one outbound local storage area and each page not to be broadcast within the geographic area within which the lata switch is located in the outbound hub storage area, and causing any pages stored in each storage area to be readout and forwarded to the output for transmission to an area destination specified by the page.

34. A lata switch in accordance with claim 33 wherein:

the area destination of each page received from the hub switch having jurisdiction over the lata switch is the lata switch.

35. A lata switch in accordance with claim 33 wherein:

the area destination of each page received from the hub switch is one of the at least one local switches under the jurisdiction of the lata switch.

36. A lata switch in accordance with claim 33 wherein:

(a) the memory includes;

an inbound local storage having a least one area for storing any pages received from the at least one local switch under the jurisdiction of the lata switch with each area corresponding to a separate local switch under the jurisdiction of the lata switch; and

an inbound hub storage area for storing any pages received from the hub switch having jurisdiction over the lata switch; and

(b) the processing means processes each page stored in each inbound local storage area and the inbound hub storage area by area destination in the network and stores each processed page in the outbound local storage area or the outbound hub storage area which corresponds to the area destination of each processed page in the network.

37. A lata switch in accordance with claim 36 wherein:

the at least one inbound local storage area and the at least one outbound local storage area are equal in number to a number of local switches under the jurisdiction of the lata switch.

38. A lata switch in accordance with claim 33 wherein:

(a) the memory includes a listing of subscriber identification numbers of each of the subscribers having a subscriber file stored by each local switch under the jurisdiction of the lata switch; and

(b) the processing means determined an area destination in the network of each page received from the hub switch which have been called by a non-long distance telephone call to a lata switch by comparison of an identification number in the page with the listing of subscriber identification numbers and when a match is found causes the page to be stored in the outbound local switch storage area corresponding to the local switch storing a subscriber file with the same identification number.

39. A lata switch in accordance with claim 33 wherein:

the periodic outputting of pages stored in either the local or hub switch areas occurs whenever either one of two conditions occur which are (1) the storage area has stored therein at least a predetermined number of characters; and

(2) pages have not been outputted within an immediately past time interval of a predetermined length.

40. In a paging network including a plurality of local switching means, each local switching means being located in a first geographic region and being coupled to a local paging service;

a plurality of lata switching means, each lata switching means being located in a second geographic region which includes a group of at least one local switching means with each lata switching means having jurisdiction over the at least one local switching means; and

a hub switching means being located in a third geographic region which includes at least one lata switching means with each hub switching means having jurisdiction over at least one lata switching means, each lata switching means comprising;

(a) means for receiving packets, with each packet containing a variable number of pages with each page having a switching means as an area destination within the network where the page is to be broadcast, from the at least one local switching means under the jurisdiction of the lata switching means and from the hub switching means having jurisdiction over the lata switching means, each page including an identification number of identifying a paging receiver to receive the page and the area destination of each page in the network being determined by a local switching means originating the page of where the page is to be transmitted in the network for broadcast;

(b) means for disassembling each packet into at least one individual page;

(c) means for determining each disassembled page having an area destination in the second geographic region within which the lata switching means is located and each disassembled page having an area destination outside the second geographical region in which the lata switching means is located;

(d) means, responsive to the means for determining, for storing each page which has an area destination that is outside the second geographic region controlled by the lata switching means into a hub buffer, and for storing each page which has an area destination in the second geographic region within which the lata switching means is located in at least one area of a local buffer, each area of the local buffer corresponding to a different local switching means under the jurisdiction of the lata switching means;

(e) means, coupled to the hub buffer and the local buffer, for forming each page stored in the hub buffer into a packet to be transmitted to the hub switching means and for forming each page stored in each area of the local buffer into a packet to be transmitted to a corresponding local switching means under the jurisdiction of the lata switching means with the formed packet having a variable number of pages and an area destination in the network; and

(f) means for transmitting each packet to the hub switching means having jurisdiction over the lata switching means which is to be transmitted to the hub switching means and for transmitting each packet to the corresponding one of the local switching means which is to be transmitted to each local switching means under the jurisdiction of the lata switching means.

41. A lata switching means in accordance with claim 40 wherein:

(a) the means for receiving packets receives pages called by a non-long distance telephone call to one of the lata switching means in the network with each page called to one of the lata switches in the network having an area destination identifying a particular second geographic region in the network which includes a local switching means which stores a subscriber file storing information of a particular subscriber including an identification number of the subscriber and an identificaiton number of paging receiver to receive pages; and

further comprising;

(b) means, responsive to the identification number contained in each of the pages called by a non-long distance telephone call to one of the lata switching means in the network, for storing each of the pages called to one of the lata switching means in one of the areas of the local buffer corresponding to the local switching means which stores information in its subscriber file matching the identification number accompanying the page called to the lata switching means.

42. A lata switching means in accordance with claim 41 wherein the lata switching means further comprises:

(a) a lata identification number memory which stores identification numbers of each subscriber of each of the at least one local switching means under the jurisdiction of the lata switching means; and

(b) the lata switching means matches the identification number of each page called into one of the lata switching means in the network with one of the identification numbers stored in the lata identification number memory; and

determines the particular one of the areas of the local buffer in which each page called to one of the lata switches within network is stored based upon the matching of the identification number of the page with the identification number in the lata identification number memory.

43. A paging receiver in accordance with claim 41 wherein:

each lata switching means adds a geographically descriptive number of the lata switching means receiving the call to each page called the lata switching means prior to transmission to another switching means.

44. A paging receiver in accordance with claim 43 wherein:

the geographically descriptive number of the lata switching means receiving the call precedes the identification number of the page.

45. In a paging network including a plurality of first switching means each respectively having jurisdiction over a plurality of paging receivers, each first switching means being located in a first geographic region, at least one second switching means, each second switching means being located in a second geographic region which includes at least one first geographic region and having jurisdiction over the at least one first switching means, and at least one third switching means, each third switching means being located in a third geographic region which includes at least one of the second geographic regions and having jurisdiction over at least one second switching means, the second switching means comprising:

(a) means for receiving packets, with each packet containing a variable number of pages with each page having a switching means as an area destination determined by a first switching means originating the page of where the page is to be transmitted in the network for broadcast, from the at least one first switching means over which the second switching means has jurisdiction, and from the third switching means having jurisdiction over the second switching means, and for receiving pages called by a non-long distance telephone call to any one of second switching means, each packet including variable number of pages to be received by at least one paging receiver with each packet having the second switching means as an area destination;

(b) means for disassembling each packet into at least one individual page;

(c) first means, responsive to each disassembled page contained in each packet received from the switching means, for determining whether each page contained therein is to be broadcast in the second geographic region in which the second switching means is located or is to be broadcast outside the second geographical region in which the second switching means is located;

(d) means, responsive to the first means for determining, for storing each page which is not to be broadcast in the second geographic region in which the second switching means is located in a first buffer, and for storing each page which is to be broadcast in the second geographic region in which the second switching means is located in an area of a second buffer, the second buffer having a least one area with each area respectively corresponding to a different first switching means over which the second switching means has jurisdiction;

(e) second means, responsive to pages called into any one of the second switching means, for determining whether a particular paging receiver identified therein is identified in a subscriber file stored by one of the first switching means located in the second geographic region in which the second switching means is located;

(f) means, responsive to the second means for determining, for storing the pages called to any one of the second switching means in the network in the first buffer when the second means for determining determines that the paging receiver identified by the page called into any one of the second switching means in the network is not under the jurisdiction of one of the first switching means under the jurisdiction of the second switching means and for storing the pages called into any one of the second switching means in the network in an area of the second buffer corresponding to the first switching means which has a subscriber file stored therein including an identification number matching the particular paging receiver identified by the page called into any one of the second switching means in the network;

(g) means, coupled to the first and second buffers, for forming each page stored in the first buffer into a packet having the third switching means which has jurisdiction over the second switching means as an area destination and for forming each page stored in each area of the second buffer into a packet having an area destination in the network corresponding to one of the plurality of first switching means over which the second switching means has jurisdiction with each formed packet having a variable number of pages; and

(h) means for transmitting each formed packet which was formed from at least one page stored in the first buffer to the third switching means and for periodically transmitting each packet which was formed from each page stored in an area of the second buffer to the corresponding one of the at least one first switching means.

46. A paging network according to claim 45, wherein the second switching means includes:

(a) a table for storing identification numbers for each paging receiver having an identification number stored by each first switching means under the jurisdiction of the second switching means; and

wherein

(b) each second switching means is responsive to the table to determine if an identification number within a page matches an identification number stored within the table and causes storage of the page in the first or second buffer of each page called into a second switch in the network based upon whether a match was found.

47. A paging network including a plurality of first switching means respectively having jurisdiction over a plurality of paging receivers located in a plurality of first geographic regions, and a second switching means having jurisdiction over the plurality of first switching means located in a second geographic region which includes the plurality of first geographic regions wherein:

(a) the second switching means includes;

(i) means for receiving pages called by a non-long distance telephone call to the second switching means to be broadcast to a paging receiver,

(ii) means for storing each page in one of a plurality of area in a buffer, each of the plurality of areas corresponding to one of the plurality of first switching means under the jurisdiction of the second switching means;

(iii) means for transmitting each page from the second switching means to one of the first switching means under the jurisdiction of the second switching means which contains a subscriber file of a subscriber to be billed for each page; and

(b) the first switching means includes;

(i) means for receiving each page from the second switching means;

(ii) a memory storing a subscriber file of each of the plurality of subscribers having pages processed by the first switching means with each subscriber file storing any area destinations specifying where each page is to be broadcast in the network including an identification number;

(iii) means, responsive to the memory, for generating for each page called the second switching means at least one page with each page destined for transmission by the network including a switching means as an area destination in the network of where the page is to be transmitted in the network to be broadcast to a particular paging receiver identified by the identification number; and

(iv) means for transmitting each page including an area destination back to the second switching means.

48. In a paging network including a plurality of first switching means each respectively located in different first geographic region, and at least one second switching means with each second switching means being located in a second geographic region which includes the plurality of first geographic regions and having jurisdiction over the plurality of first switching means, each second switching means comprising:

(a) means for receiving packets from the plurality of first switching means with each packet having an area destination which is the second switching means and containing a variable number of pages with each page having a switch as an area destination in the network determined by a first switching means originating the page of where the page is to be transmitted in the network for broadcast;

(b) means for disassembling each packet into the at least one page contained therein;

(c) means for sorting each page by area destination in the network and storing the pages in one of a plurality of buffers with each buffer being assigned to a different switching means in the network corresponding to an area destination;

(d) means, coupled to the plurality of buffers, for forming at least one page stored in each of the buffers into a least one packet, each packet containing a variable number of pages, having a switching means corresponding to the buffer providing the at least one page formed into the packet as an area destination in the network; and

(e) means for periodically transmitting each packet to the area destination of the packet.

49. A paging network including a plurality of first switching means each associated with a paging service having a transmitter for broadcasting pages to paging receivers of subscribers each having a subscriber file stored in the first switching means and each being located in a different one of a plurality of first geographic regions, and at least one second switching means, each second switching means being located in a second geographic region which includes the plurality of first geographic regions and having jurisdiction over a plurality of the first switching means, each second switching means comprising:

(a) means for receiving packets, each packet having the second switching means as an area destination and containing a variable number of pages with each page containing a switching means as an area destination in the network determined by a first switching means originating the page of where the page is to be transmitted in the network for broadcast;

(b) means for disassembling each packet into at least one page;

(c) means for determining if pages each disassembled page is to be broadcast in the second geographic region by comparison of the area destination of the page with a number representing the location of the second switching means;

(d) means, responsive to the means for determining, for storing each page which is determined to be broadcast in the second geographic region in one of a plurality of buffers, each of the plurality of buffers corresponding to a different one of the plurality of first switching means under the jurisdiction of the second switching means;

(e) means, coupled to each of the plurality of buffers, for forming each page stored in each of the buffers into a packet containing a variable number of pages with each packet from each individual buffer having the first switching means corresponding to the buffer as an area destination; and

(f) means for transmitting each packet formed from the plurality of buffers to the corresponding first switching means so that each individual page can be broadcast by the transmitter of the corresponding first switching means.

50. In a paging network including at least one first switching means with each first switching means being located in a different first geographic region, at least one second switching means with each second switching means being located in a different second geographic region which is larger than and includes at least one of the first geographic regions and having jurisdiction over at least one of the first switching means, and at least one third switching means with each third switching means being located in a different third geographic region which is larger than and includes at least one second geographic region and having jurisdiction over at least one of the second switching means, each second switching means comprising:

(a) means for receiving packets from the at least one first switching means and the at least one third switching means with each packet having the second switching means as an area destination in the network and containing a variable number of pages;

(b) means for disassembling each packet into at least one page with each disassembled page containing an area destination in the network determined by a first switching means originating the page of where the page is to be transmitted in the network for broadcast;

(c) means for sorting each page by area destination in the network and causing storage of each page which is not to be broadcast in the second geographic region in a first buffer;

(d) means, coupled to the first buffer, for forming each page contained therein into a packet to be transmitted to the third switching means having jurisdiction over the second switching means with each packet having an area destination of the third switching means receiving the packet and containing a variable number of pages; and

(e) means for transmitting each packet formed form the first buffer, to the third switching means.

51. A second switching means as recited in claim 50 further comprising:

(a) a second buffer having at least one area with each area corresponding to a different first switching means under the jurisdiction of the second switching means, coupled to the means for sorting pages by area destination, for storing pages which are to be broadcast in the second region;

(b) means, coupled to the second buffer, for forming each individual page contained in the at least one area of the second buffer therein into at least one packet to be transmitted to a corresponding one of the at least one first switching means under the jurisdiction of the second switching means with each packet formed from the second buffer having the corresponding first switching means as an area destination in the network; and

(c) means for periodically transmitting the at least one packet formed from each page stored in the second buffer to the first switching means corresponding to the area destination of the packet.

52. A lata switch in a paging network having a plurality of switches located in separate geographic locations with the switches including a plurality of lata switches which are coupled together by a communication means for transmitting pages between lata switches and a plurality of local switches with each local switch being under the jurisdiction of a lata switch and coupled to a local paging service with the communication means coupling the local switches to the lata switches comprising:

(a) means for receiving pages without an area destination called by a non-long distance telephone call to the lata switch including an identification number identifying a lata switch storing an identification of a local switch storing a subscriber file including the identification number;

(b) means for adding a number which is geographically descriptive of the lata switch receiving a page called by a non-long distance telephone call to each received page prior to transmission; and

(c) means for transmitting each page including the geographically descriptive number to the communication means and the communication means transmitting each page including geographically descriptive number to a lata switch identified by digits contained in the identification number with the identified lata switch initiating the forming of a page containing an area destination of where the page is to be transmitted by the network for broadcast.

53. A lata switch in a paging network in accordance with claim 52 wherein:

the number which is geographically descriptive of the lata switch precedes the identification number of the page.

54. A lata switch in a paging network having a plurality of switches located in separate geographic locations with the switches including a plurality of lata switches which are coupled together by a communication means for transmitting pages between lata switches and a plurality of local switches with each local switch being under the jurisdiction of a lata switch and coupled to a local gaping service with the communication means coupling the local switches to the lata switches comprising:

(a) means for receiving requests, called by a non-long distance telephone call to the lata switch to program a subscriber file of a local switch, including an identification number identifying a lata switch storing an identification of a local switch storing the subscriber file including the identification number;

(b) means for adding a number which is geographically descriptive of the lata switch receiving a request called by a non-long distance phone call to each request to program a subscriber file prior to transmission; and

(c) means for transmitting request for programming the subscriber file including the geographically descriptive number to the communication means and the communication means transmitting each request including geographically descriptive number to a lata switch identified by digits contained in the identification number.

55. A lata switch in a paging network in accordance with claim 54 wherein:

the number which is geographically descriptive of the lata switch precedes an identification number of the page.

56. A lata switch in a paging network containing a plurality of switches connected together by a transmission system for transmitting packets received from the lata switch and for transmitting packets to the lata switch with each packet containing a variable number of pages and having a switch as an area destination in the network and with each page having a switch as an area destination in the network determined by a local switch originating the page of where the page is to be transmitted in the network for broadcast comprising:

means for receiving packets from the plurality of switches and disassembling each packet into at least one page contained therein;

means for processing each disassembled page by area destination in the network and forming each page into a packet containing a variable number of pages with each packet having one of the plurality of switches as an area destination; and

means for outputting each packet to the transmission system for transmission to a switch which is the area destination of the packet.

57. A method of operating a lata switch in a paging network having a plurality of switches located in separate geographic locations with the switches including at least one hub switch, at least one lata switch with each lata switch being under the jurisdiction of a hub switch and at least one local switch with each local switch being under the jurisdiction of a lata switch and coupled to a local paging service comprising:

(a) receiving at least one packet with each packet containing a variable number of pages from at least on local switch over which the lata switch has jurisdiction or from the hub switch having jurisdiction over the lata switch with each packet having the lata switch as an area destination within the network and with each page having a switch as an area destination in the network determined by a local switch originating the page of there the page is to be transmitted in the network for broadcast;

(b) disassembling each packet into a least one page contained therein;

(c) sorting each disassembled page by area destination and storing each page to broadcast outside a geographic region containing the lata switch in an outbound hub storage area and storing each page to be broadcast within the geographic region containing the lata switch in at least one storage area of an outbound local storage;

(d) forming each page stored in the outbound hub storage area into a packet containing a variable number of pages with the hub switch having jurisdiction over the lata switch as an area destination and transmitting the formed packet to the hub switch; and

(e) forming each page stored in each of the at least one outbound local storage area into a packet containing a variable number of pages having the corresponding local switch as an area destination and transmitting each formed packet to the corresponding local switch.

58. A method in accordance with claim 57 wherein:

each page received by the lata switch having the lata switch as an area destination is transmitted to each local switch in a packet.

59. A method in accordance with claim 57 wherein:

each page received by the lata switch to be broadcast within the geographic region of the lata switch is transmitted to less than all the local switches under the jurisdiction of the lata switch.