Data and message retrieval communications system including remote receive-only communication unit

• US 6,108,534 A
• Filed: 09/30/1997
• Issued: 08/22/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Optis Cellular Technology LLC (Brevet Capital)
• Original Assignee: Ericsson, Inc. (Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson)
• Inventors: Nord, Lars B, Bourgeois, Troy M., Haartsen, Jacobus C., Wendelrup, Heino, Vidales, Carlos E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Trost, William G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Gary, Erika A.
• Application Number:
  US08/941,241
• Time in Patent Office: 1,057 Days
• Field of Search: 455/412, 455/418, 455/419, 455/420, 455/66, 455/68, 455/70, 455/344, 455/352, 455/39, 455/31.1, 340/825.44
• US Class Current: 455/419
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/022 Selective call receivers

Abstract

A data and message retrieval communications system utilizes a base station such as a PC or cellular phone to transmit received messages and stored data in accordance with an operator customized data configuration and transmission scheme. The system includes a remote receive-only communication unit that receives and processes the signal from the base station in accordance with an operator customized data configuration and retrieval scheme. The remote unit preferably includes a receiver having an antenna, a processor that processes the transmission signal received by the receiver, a memory storing the personal data and data corresponding to the transmission signal, and a display interface unit enabling an operator to interface with the processor programmed to access and control the receiver, the memory and the display interface in accordance with the operator customized data configuration and retrieval scheme. In one arrangement, the remote communication unit is embodied in a wristwatch for maximum portability.

Claims

1. A remote receive-only communication unit for storing and receiving personal data from a user-configured and controlled base station according to an operator customized data configuration and transmission scheme, the unit comprising:

a receiver having an antenna;

a processor communicating with said receiver and processing a transmission signal from the user-configured and controlled base station according to the operator customized data configuration and transmission scheme received by said receiver;

a memory communicating with said processor and storing said personal data, said memory further storing a control program and data corresponding to said transmission signal received by said receiver, said control program controlling an operation of said processor; and

a display interface unit communicating with said processor, said display interface unit including at least one user interface element that enables an operator to interface with said processor, wherein said processor is programmed to access and control said receiver, said memory and said display interface in accordance with an operator customized data configuration and retrieval scheme, said display interface unit further including a display that selectively displays at least one of said personal data and said data corresponding to said transmission signal in accordance with said operator customized data configuration and retrieval scheme, wherein the operator customized data configuration and transmission scheme and the operator customized data configuration and retrieval scheme effect customization of (1) a manner in which said personal data and said data corresponding to said transmission signal are transferred to the remote receive-only communication unit and (2) a content of said personal data and said data corresponding to said transmission signal.

2. A remote receive-only communication unit according to claim 1, further comprising:

a band pass filter operatively cooperating with said antenna, said band pass filter band pass filtering the transmission signal;

an amplifier operatively cooperating with said antenna and said band pass filter, said amplifier amplifying the transmission signal; and

a detector receiving the amplified transmission signal and outputting demodulated data to said processor.

3. A remote receive-only communication unit according to claim 2, wherein said detector is one of an amplitude modulation detector or a frequency modulation discriminator.

4. A remote receive-only communication unit according to claim 1, further comprising:

a first band pass filter having a first width and operatively cooperating with said antenna, said band pass filter band pass filtering the transmission signal;

an amplifier operatively cooperating with said antenna and said first band pass filter, said amplifier amplifying the transmission signal;

a local oscillator receiving the amplified transmission signal and outputting a modulated intermediate frequency (IF) signal;

a second band pass filter having a second width narrower than said first width and operatively cooperating with said local oscillator, said second band pass filter band pass filtering the IF signal; and

a detector receiving the transmission signal and outputting demodulated data to said processor.

5. A remote receive-only communication unit according to claim 4, wherein said second band pass filter is a channel filter.

6. A remote receive-only communication unit according to claim 4, wherein said detector is one of an amplitude modulation detector or a frequency modulation discriminator.

7. A remote receive-only communication unit according to claim 1, wherein said processor defines an address for the unit, and wherein said transmission signal comprises a transmission address identifying an intended recipient address, said processor comparing the unit address and the transmission address.

8. A remote receive-only communication unit according to claim 1, wherein said processor implementing said operator customized data configuration and retrieval scheme comprises structure for prioritizing multiple ones of said transmission signal, said transmission signal comprising a prioritization code.

9. A remote receive-only communication unit according to claim 1, wherein said memory is allocated to different storage tasks.

10. A method of operating a remote receive-only communication unit for storing and receiving personal data from a user-configured and controlled base station according to an operator customized data configuration and transmission scheme, the unit including a receiver having an antenna, a processor communicating with the receiver, a memory communicating with the processor and storing a control program controlling an operation of the processor, and a display interface unit communicating with the processor and having at least one user interface element that enables an operator to interface with the processor, the method comprising:

(a) receiving a transmission signal from the user-configured and controlled base station according to the operator customized data configuration and transmission scheme;

(b) processing the transmission signal in accordance with an operator customized data configuration and retrieval scheme;

(c) storing the processed transmission signal in the memory in accordance with the retrieval scheme; and

(d) accessing and controlling the receiver, the memory and the display interface in accordance with the retrieval scheme, wherein the operator customized data configuration and transmission scheme and the operator customized data configuration and retrieval scheme effect customization of (1) a manner in which the personal data and the data corresponding to the transmission signal are transferred to the remote receive-only communication unit and (2) a content of the personal data and the data corresponding to the transmission signal.

11. A method according to claim 10, wherein the transmission signal comprises a transmission address identifying an intended recipient address, and wherein step (b) is practiced by defining an address for the unit and comparing the unit address and the transmission address.

12. A method according to claim 10, wherein the transmission signal includes a prioritization code, and wherein step (d) is practiced by (e) prioritizing multiple ones of the transmission signal.

13. A method according to claim 12, wherein step (e) is practiced by prioritizing the multiple ones of the transmission signal based on a type of the signal.

14. A method according to claim 12, wherein step (e) is practiced by prioritizing the multiple ones of the transmission signal based on a source of the signal.

15. A method according to claim 12, wherein the transmission signal includes a length field, the method further comprising determining whether the unit has enough memory to store an incoming transmission signal based on the length field and deleting lower priority transmission signals if the unit does not have enough memory and the incoming transmission signal has a higher priority.

16. A method according to claim 10, further comprising allocating the memory to different storage tasks.

17. A method of operating a remote receive-only communication unit for storing and receiving personal data, the unit including a receiver having an antenna, a processor communicating with the receiver, a memory communicating with the processor and storing a control program controlling an operation of the processor, and a display interface unit communicating with the processor and having at least one user interface element that enables an operator to interface with the processor, the method comprising:

(a) receiving a transmission signal from a base station;

(b) processing the transmission signal in accordance with an operator customized data configuration and retrieval scheme;

(c) storing the processed transmission signal in the memory in accordance with the scheme; and

(d) accessing and controlling the receiver, the memory and the display interface in accordance with the scheme, wherein the transmission signal includes a signal identifier, and wherein step (d) is practiced by storing the signal identifier when the transmission signal is deleted.

18. A method according to claim 17, wherein step (d) is further practiced by comparing the signal identifier of an incoming transmission signal with the stored signal identifiers and discarding repeated transmission signals that have been deleted.

19. A data and message retrieval communication system comprising:

a user-configured and controlled base station including a transmitter that transmits a transmission signal according to an operator customized data configuration and transmission scheme; and

a remote receive-only communication unit, the unit including;

a receiver having an antenna,

a processor communicating with said receiver and processing said transmission signal from said user-configured and controlled base station according to the operator customized data configuration and transmission scheme received by said receiver,

a memory communicating with said processor and storing personal data, a control program, and data corresponding to said transmission signal received by said receiver, said control program controlling an operation of said processor, and

a display interface unit communicating with said processor, said display interface unit including at least one user interface element that enables an operator to interface with said processor, wherein said processor is programmed to access and control said receiver, said memory and said display interface in accordance with an operator customized data configuration and retrieval scheme, said display interface unit further including a display that selectively displays at least one of said personal data and said data corresponding to said transmission signal in accordance with said operator customized data configuration and retrieval scheme,

wherein the operator customized data configuration and transmission scheme and the operator customized data configuration and retrieval scheme effect customization of (1) a manner in which said personal data and said data corresponding to said transmission signal are transferred to the remote receive-only communication unit and (2) a content of said personal data and said data corresponding to said transmission signal.

20. A data message and retrieval communication system according to claim 19, wherein said base station comprises structure enabling said base station to communicate with multiple ones of said remote receive-only communication unit.

21. A data message and retrieval communication system according to claim 20, wherein said transmitter attaches an address to said transmission signal designating an intended remote receive-only communication unit recipient, wherein said processor defines an address for the unit, said processor comparing the unit address and the transmission address.

22. A data message and retrieval communication system according to claim 19, wherein said base station comprises structure that designates a priority for multiple ones of the transmission signal.

23. A data message and retrieval communication system according to claim 22, wherein said structure that designates a priority prioritizes the multiple ones of the transmission signal based on a type of the signal.

24. A data message and retrieval communication system according to claim 22, wherein said structure that designates a priority prioritizes the multiple ones of the transmission signal based on a source of the signal.

25. A method of operating a data and message retrieval communication system including a user-configured and controlled base station having a transmitter that transmits a transmission signal, and a remote receive-only communication unit for storing and receiving personal data, the unit including a receiver having an antenna, a processor communicating with the receiver, a memory communicating with the processor and storing a control program controlling an operation of the processor, and a display interface unit communicating with the processor and having at least one user interface element that enables an operator to interface with the processor, the method comprising:

(a) transmitting a transmission signal in accordance with an operator customized data configuration and transmission scheme (CDCT scheme);

(b) receiving the transmission signal from the base station;

(c) processing the transmission in accordance with an operator customized data configuration and retrieval scheme (CDCR scheme);

(d) storing the processed transmission signal in the memory in accordance with the CDCR scheme; and

(e) accessing and controlling the receiver, the memory and the display interface in accordance with the CDCR scheme, wherein the operator customized data configuration and transmission scheme and the operator customized data configuration and retrieval scheme effect customization of (1) a manner in which the personal data and the data corresponding to the transmission signal are transferred to the remote receive-only communication unit and (2) a content of the personal data and the data corresponding to the transmission signal.

26. A method according to claim 25, wherein the base station includes a timing circuit, and wherein step (a) is practiced by timing the transmitting of the transmission signal in accordance with the CDCT scheme.

27. A method according to claim 25, further comprising, prior to step (a), attaching an address to the transmission signal designating an intended remote receive-only communication unit recipient, wherein step (c) comprises defining an address for the unit and comparing the unit address and the transmission address.

28. A method according to claim 25, further comprising, prior to step (a), designating a priority for multiple ones of the transmission signal.

29. A method according to claim 28, wherein said designating comprises prioritizing the multiple ones of the transmission signal based on a type of the signal.

30. A method according to claim 28, wherein said designating comprises prioritizing the multiple ones of the transmission signal based on a source of the signal.

31. A method according to claim 25, further comprising, prior to step (a), assigning a signal identifier to the transmission signal and storing the signal identifier.

32. A method according to claim 25, wherein step (a) is practiced by receiving a message from an external source, determining an address for the remote receive-only communication unit and assigning a transmission identifier to the message, constructing a data record using a predetermined transmission protocol, sending the message to the transmitter, and encoding the message and converting the message into the transmission signal.

33. A method according to claim 25, wherein step (a) is practiced by setting at least one of time of transmission, maximum message length, maximum number of messages to transmit, a message repeat interval, and encryption and compression data in accordance with the CDCT scheme.