Call receiving method and apparatus having two-way text messaging and automatic retrieval of call numbers making calls to apparatus

• US 7,005,963 B1
• Filed: 08/15/2000
• Issued: 02/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/21/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: LBT IP LLC (Location Based Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Pocketfinder, Inc.
• Inventors: Hecox, Lawrence E., Butler, David, Scalisi, Joseph F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Horabik, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): BANGACHON, WILLIAM L
• Application Number:
  US09/638,587
• Time in Patent Office: 2,023 Days
• Field of Search: 340/7.1, 340/7.21, 340/7.31, 340/7.52, 340/7.39, 340/7.42, 340/7.58, 340/311.2, 455/552.1, 455/566, 455/574, 455/556.1, 455/458, 455/466, 455/557, 455/551, 455/412.1, 455/565
• US Class Current: 340/7.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/00 Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/2026 Wireless network, e.g. GSM, PCS, TACS
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/32 Involving wireless systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42195 Arrangements for calling back a calling subscriber when the wanted subscriber ceases to be busy H04M3/48
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/533 Voice mail systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/12 for working between exchanges having different types of switching equipment, e.g. power-driven and step by step or decimal and non-decimal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/12 Messaging; Mailboxes; Announcements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/24 Accounting or billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 68/00 User notification, e.g. alerting and paging, for incoming communication, change of service or the like
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/11 Allocation or use of connection identifiers
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

A system and method for a call receiving pager apparatus, system and method utilizing a dedicated switch for providing proprietary access, billing functions and other enhanced features is described. The system utilizes a subscriber apparatus having pager or radiotelephone functions whereby a caller may call the apparatus and gain direct two-way communication with the subscriber. The caller is billed for the communication. A call receiving pager apparatus, system and method which enables two-way text messaging as well as the storage, retrieval, and recall of telephone numbers making calls to the pager apparatus where the recalls are made by way of sending a data package to the stored caller number is described. The subscriber is unable to initiate any real time two-way communication with the outgoing connection.

Claims

1. A call receiving pager apparatus operative in a radiotelephone communications system comprising:

receiving means for receiving cellular signals;

transmitting means for a) transmitting cellular signals upon receipt of cellular signals by said receiving means to create a direct real-time two-way wireless communication between said call receiving pager apparatus and another telephone apparatus and b) transmitting at least one of a voice message, a text message, or data message to a telephone number preprogrammed into said call receiving pager apparatus wherein said message asks a call receiver at said preprogrammed telephone number to initiate a call to said call receiving pager apparatus;

processing means coupled to the receiving means and the transmitting means for a) processing said received cellular signals and only transmitting cellular signals in response to receipt of a signal having a correct mobile identification number of the pager apparatus, b) producing an alert signal in response to receipt of a signal having the correct mobile identification number of the pager apparatus, and c) producing at least one of a voice message and a text message; and

means for indicating reception of cellular signals coupled to the processing means.

2. The call receiving pager apparatus of claim 1, wherein said call receiving apparatus utilizes a dedicated switch.

3. The call receiving pager apparatus of claim 2, wherein said dedicated switch maintains separate numbers associated with said call receiving pager apparatus.

4. The call receiving pager apparatus of claim 3, wherein said separate numbers include a directory inbound dialing number and a mobile identification number.

5. The call receiving pager apparatus of claim 2, wherein said dedicated switch is networked with a file server.

6. The call receiving pager apparatus of claim 5, wherein said dedicated switch is further networked with a voicemail unit.

7. The call receiving pager apparatus of claim 5, wherein said file server maintains databases.

8. The call receiving pager apparatus of claim 5, wherein said dedicated switch is further networked with a line information database, said line information database containing information about a calling party and said calling party'"'"'s local exchange carrier billing company.

9. The call receiving pager apparatus of claim 7, wherein said databases are a combination of customer profiles, messaging profiles, mobile identification number/verification encoding signal/voicemail unit lookup tables and call receiving pager apparatus service information.

10. The call receiving pager apparatus of claim 2, wherein said dedicated switch performs a mobile identification number/directory inbound dialing number conversion.