Paging system
First Claim
1. A method of paging a called party by a caller, comprising:
- transmitting a one-way paging signal to a called party pager responsive to a paging request by the caller and said transmitting comprising confirming transmission of the page; and
billing the caller for the paging signal transmission.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A paging system, which consists of a number of central stations, each of which contains a number of pager apparatus associated with it. Each pager apparatus responds to one or more identifying numbers so that a caller may send a paging message to one or a number of pager apparatus, all of which respond to the same identifying number. The central station includes a profile of information for each pager apparatus associated with it. Paging information is comprised of various identification numbers to which the pager apparatus responds, as well as selected type of services. Pagers can additionally restrict receiving pages from unwelcome callers, prioritize messages, limit the number of received calls, and arrange for a transfer of their calls from one central station to another central station. The central station can also store voice message providing an indication to the selected pager to call the central station to retrieve voice message. The central station utilizes a protocol which synchronizes the data and the time for each pager apparatus. It can then address messages to one or a plurality of pagers simultaneously, send messages to the pagers or send control signals which can override local controls and enable or disable the local pager operation. The pager can initiate reception outside of the assigned time slot. Emergency calls are handled to override any ongoing transmission. Auditorium cutoff can arrange to disable the audio response of pagers within the locale. Authorization can be required for a transaction. Means exist for billing for the processing and transmission of paging data on a per call basis. Verification of transmission or a transaction for billing purposes can be via a page or over the telephone network to the caller or to a third party.
75 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method of paging a called party by a caller, comprising:
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transmitting a one-way paging signal to a called party pager responsive to a paging request by the caller and said transmitting comprising confirming transmission of the page; and
billing the caller for the paging signal transmission. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method of paging a called party by a caller, comprising:
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transmitting a one-way paging signal to a called party pager responsive to a paging request by the caller;
billing the caller for the paging signal transmission; and
blocking the page when the caller is calling from an unauthorized telephone device.
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7. An apparatus, comprising:
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means for transmitting a one-way paging signal to a called party pager responsive to a paging request by a caller;
means for billing the caller for the paging signal transmission; and
means for confirming paging signal transmission to the caller.
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8. An apparatus, comprising:
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means for transmitting a one-way paging signal to a called party pager responsive to a paging request by a caller;
means for billing the caller for the paging signal transmission; and
means for billing for the paging transaction prior to completion of a telephone transaction.
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9. A method of paging a party, comprising:
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receiving a one-way page request signal from a party, said one-way page request signal including a called party identifier signal;
receiving a payment identifier signal associated with a calling party;
transmitting a one-way paging signal to a called party in accordance with said one-way page request signal; and
using said payment identifier signal received from the calling party to obtain payment for said one-way paging signal. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
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12. A method of paging a party and receiving payment for said paging, comprising:
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receiving a one-way page request from a calling party;
requesting payment for said one-way page request from said calling party;
obtaining said payment; and
transmitting a one-way paging signal to a called party in accordance with said one-way page request. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
receiving a credit card number from said calling party; and
charging said credit card number for said one-way paging signal.
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14. A method as recited in claim 12, wherein said obtaining payment comprises:
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receiving a calling party telephone number; and
charging said calling party telephone number for said one-way paging signal.
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15. A method as recited in claim 12, wherein said obtaining payment comprises:
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requesting payment from the calling party via a calling party'"'"'s telephone apparatus; and
receiving a signal confirming receipt of a direct payment for said one-way page request through said calling party'"'"'s telephone apparatus.
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16. A method of paging a party, comprising:
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inputting a numeric one-way page request through the numeric keypad of a calling party'"'"'s telephone to transmit a numeric one-way page request signal to a central server;
receiving a payment authorization request from said central server; and
inputting authorization for payment for said numeric one-way page request via said calling party'"'"'s telephone to transmit a payment authorization signal to said central server. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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20. A system for paging a party and obtaining payment for said paging, comprising:
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a memory device; and
a processor disposed in communication with said memory device, said processor configured to;
receive a one-way page request signal from a calling party, said one-way page request signal including a called party identifier signal;
receive a payment identifier signal associated with the calling party;
transmit a one-way paging signal to a called party in accordance with said one-way page request signal; and
use said payment identifier signal received from the calling party to obtain payment for said one-way paging signal. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
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23. A system of paging a party and receiving payment for said paging, comprising:
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a memory device; and
processor disposed in communication with said memory device, said processor configured to;
receive a one-way page request from a calling party;
request payment for said one-way page request from said calling party;
obtain confirmation that said payment has been authorized or received; and
transmit a one-way paging signal to a called party in accordance with said one-way page request.
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24. A method of paging a paged party, comprising:
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receiving a one-way page request signal from a page initiator, said one-way page request signal including a page initiator identifier signal;
receiving a payment identifier signal associated with the page initiator;
transmitting a one-way paging signal to a paged party in accordance with said one-way page request signal; and
using said payment identifier signal received from the page initiator to obtain payment for said one-way paging signal.
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Specification