Radio paging receiver wherein programming information is readout from a discardable data card inserted therein
First Claim
1. A radio receiver for use in a radio paging system, said receiver comprising:
- receiving means for down-converting and decoding a received radio signal having a selected frequency, to thereby derive received information from said signal;
control means for controlling the operation of said receiver in accordance with a stored program of instructions, said control means being coupled to said receiving means to set it to said selected frequency in accordance with said stored program and to receive the received information from said receiving means;
output means controlled by said control means to produce an indication of the received information to a user of said receiver;
means coupled to said control means for receiving a discardable read-only data card containing information for use in carrying out the stored program of said control means; and
electrically alterable non-volatile storage means coupled to said control means;
said control means being adapted to destructively read-out the information in said read-only card and no store said information in said non-volatile storage means.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A communications receiver such as a radiopager derives information which is necessary for operation thereof from a discardable read-only data card which is inserted therein. Such information may include a radio identity code (RIS) for relating the receiver to a particular user, and prepaid credit units which are cancelled by the receiver based on the number of received messages or time intervals of operation thereof. The information may also include a particular frequency and data rate for adapting the receiver to operate on a paging system used in a particular country. Once the information on the data card has been read-out and stored in a non-volatile store, the card can be removed and either discarded or recharged with new credit units upon payment of a fee at an authorized station. The receiver may be adapted for use in a different country simply by inserting a data card relating to that country, paying for usage of the receiver as the user goes from country to country.
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Citations
7 Claims
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1. A radio receiver for use in a radio paging system, said receiver comprising:
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receiving means for down-converting and decoding a received radio signal having a selected frequency, to thereby derive received information from said signal; control means for controlling the operation of said receiver in accordance with a stored program of instructions, said control means being coupled to said receiving means to set it to said selected frequency in accordance with said stored program and to receive the received information from said receiving means; output means controlled by said control means to produce an indication of the received information to a user of said receiver; means coupled to said control means for receiving a discardable read-only data card containing information for use in carrying out the stored program of said control means; and electrically alterable non-volatile storage means coupled to said control means; said control means being adapted to destructively read-out the information in said read-only card and no store said information in said non-volatile storage means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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Specification