Selective call receiver with an intelligent memory system

• US 5,418,529 A
• Filed: 05/17/1993
• Issued: 05/23/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 05/27/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: ETA SA Fabriques d'Ebauches
• Original Assignee: ETA SA Fabriques d'Ebauches
• Inventors: De Luigi, Bruno, Maas, Ulrich
• Primary Examiner(s): Yusko, Donald J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MERZ, EDWARD W
• Application Number:
  US08/062,254
• Time in Patent Office: 736 Days
• Field of Search: 340/825.44, 340/825.48, 379/88, 379/67
• US Class Current: 340/7.52
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 3/105 with call or message storage means
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 5/227 with call or message storage means

Abstract

A pager receiver for receiving radio broadcast message signals including call signal information and message information comprises a receiver (3) for receiving and demodulating coded message signals, a memory (5) for memorizing the message information, a coded message signal decoder (4) for selectively furnishing message information to the memory (5) and function control circuitry (8) capable of furnishing control signals to the memory and of receiving therefrom message information stored therein. The memory (5) comprises internal processing circuitry for controlling the reception of message information coming from the decoder (4) so that the selected message information furnished by the decoder (4) may be stored in the memory without the necessity of having control available from a micro-computer or processor outside such memory which thus becomes, in a manner of speaking, "intelligent". The receiver may be applied to pagers incorporated in wrist-watches.

Claims

1. A pager for receiving coded radio broadcast message signals comprising call signal information and message information comprising one or several messages, the pager comprising:

a receiver for receiving and demodulating said coded signals,

a memory arrangement for storing said message information,

a decoder for decoding said coded message signals and selectively furnishing said message information to said memory arrangement, and

function control means for furnishing control signals to said memory arrangement and receiving therefrom stored message information,

said memory arrangement comprising internal processing means for controlling the storing of said message information from said decoder, said internal processing means being arranged to control the storing of said message information directly from said decoder, independently of control signals coming from said function control means.

2. A pager as set forth in claim 1 wherein said internal processing means are also arranged to manipulate said message information stored in said memory arrangement.

3. A pager as set forth in claim 1 wherein said memory arrangement comprises memory locations forming a circular buffer in which said message information coming from the decoder is stored.

4. A pager as set forth in claim 3 wherein the number of memory locations within said circular buffer is adjustable.

5. A pager as set forth in claim 1 wherein said memory arrangement comprises a protection zone with memory locations intended for the protection of memory information which is stored therein in order to be protected against unauthorized replacement by subsequently received message information from said decoder, said internal processing means being furthermore adapted to write selected stored message information into said protection zone of said memory arrangement.

6. A pager as set forth in claim 5 wherein said internal processing means are further adapted to delete message information stored in said memory arrangement.

7. A pager as set forth in claim 3 wherein said internal processing means are further adapted to delete message information contained in said circular buffer.

8. A pager as set forth in claim 1 wherein said memory arrangement is arranged to receive said control signals from said function control means and to furnish message information thereto and wherein said function control means comprise, to such effect, a parallel input/output.

9. A pager as set forth in claim 8 wherein said parallel input/output is adapted to transfer four data bits at a time.

10. A pager as set forth in claim 1 further comprising at least one input adapted for actuation by a user by the rotation of a rotatable button in order to control the operation thereof and a timepiece housed in the pager, said user actuable input being also adapted to control operation of said timepiece.

11. A pager as set forth in claim 10 which assumes the form of a wristwatch.

12. A pager as set forth in claim 6 wherein said internal processing means are further adapted to delete message information contained in said protection zone.