Method and apparatus for enhancing the efficient communication of information in an alphanumeric paging network

• US 6,278,862 B1
• Filed: 01/05/1994
• Issued: 08/21/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 01/05/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Intellect Wireless Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Daniel A. Henderson
• Inventors: Henderson, Daniel A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Coles, Sr., Edward L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LEE, CHEUKFAN
• Application Number:
  US08/177,851
• Time in Patent Office: 2,785 Days
• Field of Search: 379/56, 379/63, 379/355, 379/62, 340/825.44, 340/825.27, 455/355, 455/31.1
• US Class Current: 340/7.2
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/023 with message or information receiving capability

Abstract

A method and apparatus is described for enhancing the communication of data in an alphanumeric paging network. In accordance with the present invention, caller-identification information is automatically transmitted through a telephone network to a central office of a alphanumeric paging network when a page-originating communicant engages the network. The caller-identification information preferably includes numeric data which identifies the telephone number of the particular telephone unit utilized by the page-originating communicant to engage the alphanumeric paging network, and alphanumeric text which identifies the entity associated in the telephone directory with that particular telephone number. This information may be utilized in an automated fashion to reduce the required interaction between the alphanumeric paging network and the page-originating communicant. In particular it is helpful in minimizing the amount of human interaction required. The page-originating communicant may be challenged or queried to determine the veracity and accuracy of the information transmitted in the caller-identification signal, preferably in an automated fashion utilizing a synthesized voice presentation of questions coupled with responses provided by the page-originating communicant with the key pad of the particular telephone being utilized by him or her. The page-originating communicant may then be optionally engaged by a human or automated operator which then receives an optional message for transmission to the page-receiving communicant along with the caller-identification information. Upon receipt, the portable communication device carried by the page-receiving communicant decodes the information and utilizes it in a manner to determine what is displayed on the display of the portable communication device.

Claims

1. A method of communicating information from a page-originating communicant to a page-receiving communicant utilizing an alphanumeric paging network which operates by generating a page after receiving a paging request from said page-originating communicant over a telephone network, comprising the method steps of:

(a) providing a portable communication device identified in said paging network to said page-receiving communicant, said portable communication device including;

(1) a database recorded in memory with a plurality of associated data fields, including a numeric field which includes data which is representative of telephone numbers; and

(2) means for comparing information obtained from said paging network with at least one of said plurality of associated data fields;

(3) a display member for displaying at least one of (a) information obtained from said paging network, and (b) information obtained from said plurality of data fields;

(b) initiating communication between said page-originating communicant and said alphanumeric paging network over said telephone network;

(c) automatically passing said caller-identification information from said telephone network to said paging network, said caller identification information including at least one of (1) textual identification information for said page-originating communicant, and (2) a bit string representation of a telephone number for a particular telephone unit utilized by said page-originating communicant in making said paging request;

(d) allowing input by said page-originating communicant of an optional message into said paging network;

(e) utilizing said paging network to transmit to said page-receiving communicant (1) said caller-identification information, including at least one of (a) textual identification information for said page-originating communicant, and (b) a bit string representation of a telephone number for a particular telephone unit utilized by said page-originating communicant in making said paging request, and (2) said optional message;

(f) receiving (1) said caller-identification information, including at least one of (a) textual identification information for said page-originating communicant, and (b) a bit string representation of a telephone number for a particular telephone unit utilized by said page-originating communicant in making said paging request, and (2) said optional message at said portable communication device identified in said paging network to said page-receiving communicant;

(g) utilizing said portable communication device for analyzing said caller-identification information, including at least one of (1) textual identification information for said page-originating communicant, and (2) a bit string representation of a telephone number for a particular telephone unit utilized by said page-originating communicant in making said paging request, and (3) optional message by utilizing said means for comparing which is resident in said portable communication device to compare said caller-identification information and said optional message with particular ones of said plurality of associated data fields of said database recorded in memory of said portable communication device; and

(h) displaying information in said display member of said portable communication device resulting from said step of analyzing.

2. A method of communicating according to claim 1, wherein said optional message comprises at least one of:

(a) a textual message including at least one of (1) numeric data, and (2) alphabetic data;

(b) an audio message including at least one of (1) a digitized audio signal transmitted through said paging network, and (2) at least one of a plurality of predefined audio messages stored in memory of said portable communication device; and

(c) an image message including at least one of (1) a digitized image signal transmitted through said paging network, and (2) at least one of a plurality of predefined visual messages stored in memory of said portable communication device.

3. A method of communicating according to claim 1, wherein said step of analyzing includes:

comparing at least one of (1) said textual identification information, (2) said bit string representative of a telephone number, and (3) said optional message, to at least portions of said database.

4. A method of communicating, according to claim 1, wherein said step of analyzing includes:

comparing at least one of (1) said textual identification information, (2) said bit string representative of a telephone number, and (3) said optional message, to said telephone number field.

5. A method of communicating, according to claim 4, wherein said step of analyzing further includes:

identifying matches with at least one matched data item in said telephone number field.

6. A method of communicating, according to claim 1, wherein said step of displaying includes:

displaying information which is based at least in part upon one of (1) information received, and (2) information contained in said plurality of associated fields of said database.