Global paging system using packet-switched digital data network and remote country designation

• US RE39,870 E1
• Filed: 12/16/2005
• Issued: 10/09/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: A2Mk LLC, Jerunazargabr LLC, lo Limited Partnership Lllp, Patents Innovations LLC
• Original Assignee: Technology Patents LLC
• Inventors: Mardirossian, Aris
• Primary Examiner(s): Holloway, III; Edwin C.
• Application Number:
  US11/303,094
• Time in Patent Office: 662 Days
• Field of Search: 340/7.29, 340/7.27, 340/7.21, 340/2.4, 455/458
• US Class Current: 340/7.29
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/022 One-way selective calling networks, e.g. wide area paging

Abstract

A global paging system and corresponding method are disclosed in which an originating user pages a receiving user in a different country without the paging message being broadcast in all areas. According to certain embodiments, the originating user E-mails a web site or server of the paging system paging information, with the server then transmitting the paging message over a packet-switched digital data network (e.g. the Internet) to a receiving or terminating web site or server located in the different country. In certain embodiments, the receiving user remotely inputs a designated country into the paging system so that when the receiving user is paged, the paging system first pages the receiving user in the designated country or area without broadcasting the paging message in other countries or areas.

Claims

1. A method of paging a receiving user in a country-selective global paging system, the method comprising:

providing a global paging system spanning a plurality of different countries around the world, the global paging system including a plurality of servers in different countries, each of the servers being in communication with at least one wireless transmitter for transmitting a paging message to a pager of the receiving user;

interconnecting the servers by way of a land-based packet-switched digital data network so as to permit digital communication of signals between the plurality of servers via the packet-switched digital data network;

an originating user telephoning a first web site or server located in a first country in order to page the receiving user who is located in a secondary country different from the first country, the originating user not necessarily knowing what country the receiving user is located in;

the paging system determining if the second country is currently designated by the receiving user as a designated country in which the paging system is to attempt to page the receiving user;

when the paging system determines that the second country has been designated by the receiving user, sending a paging communication over the packet-switched digital data network to a second web site or server in the second country instructing the second web site or server to initiate paging the receiving user in the second country; and

when the paging system determines that the second country has not been designated by the receiving user, the paging system initiating paging operations in another country in a predetermined order in an attempt to page the receiving user.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the digital data network comprises the Internet.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving user in the second country responds to the page from the second country.

4. A system for paging a receiving user in a country-selective paging system, comprising:

a paging system spanning a plurality of different countries of the world, the paging system including a plurality of servers, and wireless transmitters in different countries for transmitting paging messages to receiving users;

at least a packet-switched digital data network interconnecting servers so as to permit digital communication of signals between the plurality of servers via at least the packet-switched digital data network;

a first website or server located in a first country for allowing an originating user to page the receiving user who may be located in a second country different from the first country, the originating user not necessarily knowing what country the receiving user is located in;

wherein the paging system determines if the second country is currently designated by the receiving user as a designated country in which the paging system is to attempt to page the receiving user;

when the paging system determines that the second country has been designated by the receiving user, means for sending a paging communication via at least the packet-switched digital data network to a second website or server, the second website or server being in communication with a wireless transmitter located in the second country, and wherein the paging communication causes the second website or server to initiate paging the receiving user via the wireless transmitter in the second country; and

when the paging system determines that the second country has not been designated by the receiving user, the paging system initiates paging operations in another country in a predetermined order in an attempt to page the receiving user.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the digital data network comprises the Internet.

6. The system of claim 4, further including means for the receiving user confirming receipt of a paging message, and wherein said paging operations in said another country are performed a predetermined number of times attempting to page the receiving user.

7. The system of claim 4, further comprising means for the originating user communicating with the first web site or server via email to cause paging of the receiving user.

8. The system of claim 4, wherein the second country is designated by the receiving user via a phone.

9. A system for paging a receiving user in a multi-country paging system, comprising:

a paging system spanning a plurality of countries, the paging system including a plurality of computers in different countries and wireless transmitters for transmitting paging messages to receiving users;

at least a digital data network interconnecting computers so as to permit digital communication of signals between the plurality of computers via at least the digital data network;

a first computer located in a first country operable for allowing an originating user to page the receiving user who may be located in a second country different from the first country, the originating user not necessarily knowing what country the receiving user is located in;

means for determining whether the second country is currently designated by the receiving user as a designated country in which the paging system is to attempt to page the receiving user;

means for sending a paging communication via at least the digital data network to a second computer, the second computer being in communication with a wireless transmitter located in the second country, and when it is determined that the second country has been designated by the receiving user causing the second computer to implement paging the receiving user via the wireless transmitter in the second country;

when the paging system determines that the second country has not been designated by the receiving user, means for the paging system initiating paging operations in another country in a predetermined order in an attempt to page the receiving user; and

wherein designation of a country in which the receiving user is to be paged is performed remotely by at least the receiving user.

10. The system of claim 9, further comprising means for the originating user communicating with the first computer via electronic mail to cause paging of the receiving user.

11. A system for paging a receiving user via a website and a digital data network, comprising:

a) a website for receiving a paging signal from an originating user, the originating user being located in a first country and the paging signal including a device ID of the receiving user and a paging message to be sent to the receiving user;

b) means for designating a second country, from a plurality of potential countries, in which the receiving user is to be paged, by using country data;

c) means for transmitting the paging message over at least a digital data network to a computer, the computer being in communication with a wireless transmitter that is located in the designated second country;

d) the computer causing the wireless transmitter located in the second country to page the receiving user; and

wherein said designating by the means for designating in b) is carried out by the originating user when the originating user electronically messages the website, the originating user inputting the country data to the website to designate the second country.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the designating of the second country is performed using a computer.

13. The system of claim 11, further including, when the system determines that the second country has not been designated, means for the paging system initiating paging operations in another country in a predetermined order in an attempt to page the receiving user.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the digital data network comprises the Internet.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein designating by the means for designating is carried out remotely by the receiving user.

16. A paging system for paging a receiving user via a packet-switched digital data network, comprising:

a first server allowing an originating user to send a paging signal via the first server, the first server being located in a first country and the paging signal including a pager ID of the receiving user and a paging message to be sent to the receiving user;

means for designating a second country, from a plurality of potential countries, in which the receiving user is to be paged;

means for transmitting the pager ID and the paging message over at least a packet-switched digital data network to a second server, the second server for communicating with a wireless transmitter that is located in the designated second country;

the second server including means for causing the wireless transmitter located in the second country to send the paging message to the receiving user; and

when the paging system determines that the second country has not been designated by the receiving user, means for the paging system initiating paging operations in another country in a predetermined order in an attempt to page the receiving user.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein said designating of the second country is carried out at least by the originating user sending country data to the first server.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein designation of a country in which the receiving user is to be paged is performed remotely by at least the receiving user, and wherein said paging operations in said another country are performed a predetermined number of times attempting to page the receiving user.

19. A method of sending and receiving paging signals via at least a digital data network, the method comprising:

an originating user sending a paging signal via a website, and the paging signal including a paging message to be sent to a receiving user;

in the originating country;

designating a page receiving country, from a plurality of potential countries, in which a receiving user is to be paged, by using country data, wherein designating is performed by the originating user when the originating user inputs the paging signal to the website;

in a page receiving country;

transmitting a device ID of a receiving user, and a paging message which came from another country, over at least a digital data network to a computer, and the computer causing a wireless transmitter located in the page receiving country to page a receiving user in the page receiving country; and

wherein designating is carried out by the originating user when the originating user electronically messages the website, the originating user inputting the country data to the website to designate a page receiving country.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the designating of the page receiving country is performed by the originating user using a computer.

21. A system for sending and receiving paging signals via at least a digital data network, comprising:

means, in an originating country, for allowing an originating user to send a paging signal to a website located in the originating country, the paging signal including a paging message to be sent to a receiving user;

means, in the originating country, for allowing the originating user to designate a page receiving country from a plurality of potential countries in which a receiving user is to be paged, by using country data, wherein the designating is performed by the originating user when the originating user electronically messages the website, the originating user inputting the country data to the website;

means, in a page receiving country, for transmitting a device ID of a receiving user, and a paging message which came from another country, over at least the digital data network to a computer means that is located in the page receiving country, and the computer means that is located in the page receiving country causing a wireless transmitter located in the page receiving country to page a receiving user in the page receiving country; and

wherein said designating performed by the means for designating is carried out in the originating country by the originating user when the originating user electronically messages the website, the originating user inputting the country data to the website to designate a page receiving country.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein designating of the page receiving country, performed by the means for designating, is performed by the originating user via a computer.

23. The system of claim 21, wherein the system further comprises means for permitting a device of the receiving user in the page receiving country to send a confirmation signal confirming receipt of the paging message.

24. The system of claim 21, wherein the digital data network comprises the Internet.

25. The system of claim 21, wherein designating by the means for designating is carried out remotely by the receiving user via a phone.

26. A system for paging a receiving user via a website, the system comprising:

a) a website allowing an originating user in a first country to send a paging signal via the website, wherein the paging signal sent via the website from the originating user includes a device ID of the receiving user and a paging message to be sent to the receiving user;

b) means for designating a second country, from a plurality of potential countries, in which the receiving user is to be paged, by using country data;

c) means for transmitting the device ID of the receiving user, and the paging message, over at least a digital data network to a computer, the computer for communicating with a wireless transmitter that is located in the designated second country;

d) the computer for causing the wireless transmitter located in the designated second country to page the receiving user; and

wherein said designating by the means for designating in b) is carried out by the originating user when the originating user electronically messages the website, the originating user inputting the country data to the website to designate the second country.

27. A system for paging a receiving user via a website, the system comprising:

a) a website allowing an originating user in a first country to send a paging signal via the website, wherein the paging signal sent via the website from the originating user includes a paging message to be sent to the receiving user;

b) wherein the originating user, via the website, designates a second country from a plurality of potential countries in which the receiving user is to be paged, by using country data;

c) a computer for receiving the paging message via at least a digital data network, and wherein the computer communicates with a wireless transmitter that is located in the second country that has been designated;

d) the computer causing the wireless transmitter that is located in the second country that has been designated to page the receiving user; and

wherein designating in b) is carried out by the originating user when the originating user electronically messages the website, the originating user inputting the country data to the website to designate the second country.

28. The system of claim 27, wherein the digital data network comprises the Internet.

29. The system of claim 27, wherein designation of the second country in which the receiving user is to be paged is further carried out remotely by the receiving user.

30. A system for paging a receiving user using a website, in a paging system, comprising:

a paging system including a plurality of computers and wireless transmitters for transmitting paging messages to receiving users;

at least a digital data network interconnecting computers so as to permit communication of signals between the plurality of computers via at least the digital data network;

a website allowing an originating user in a first country to page the receiving user who may be located in a second country different from the first country, the originating user not necessarily knowing what country the receiving user is located in;

wherein, in order to page the receiving user, the originating user in the first country inputs a device ID of the receiving user and a paging message to be sent to the receiving user using the website;

at least one computer determining whether the second country is currently designated by the receiving user as a country in which the paging system is to attempt to page the receiving user;

a wireless transmitter that is located in the second country, and when the second country has been designated, the wireless transmitter in the second country receiving the paging message to be sent to the receiving user and causing the paging message to be transmitted to a device of the receiving user in the second country; and

when the paging system determines that the second country has not been designated by the receiving user, means for the paging system initiating paging operations in another country in a predetermined order in an attempt to page the receiving user.

31. The system of claim 30, further comprising:

means for permitting the receiving user in the second country to confirm receipt of a paging message; and

wherein when the paging system determines that the second country has not been designated by the receiving user, means for the paging system causing paging operations in a plurality of other countries from a predetermined list in attempts to page the receiving user.

32. The system of claim 30, wherein the digital data network comprises the Internet.

33. The system of claim 30, wherein designation of the second country in which the receiving user is to be paged is carried out remotely by the receiving user.

34. A system for paging a receiving user via at least a packet-switched digital data network, the system comprising:

a) a first computer for receiving an electronic mail from an originating user, the electronic mail being addressed to a receiving user, the first computer being located in a first country, and the electronic mail from the originating user including a paging message to be sent to the receiving user;

b) means for designating a second country in which the receiving user is to receive the paging message;

c) the first computer operable to cause the paging message to be sent over at least a packet-switched digital data network to a second computer, wherein the second computer communicates with a wireless transmitter that is located in the designated second country in which the receiving user is to receive the paging message;

d) when it is determined that the second country has been designated by the receiving user, the second computer operable to cause the wireless transmitter that is located in the second country to transmit the paging message to a device of the receiving user;

wherein designating of the second country in which the receiving user is to receive the paging message, by the means for designating, is carried out remotely by the receiving user in the second country;

wherein the designating of the second country by the receiving user is carried out by the receiving user via a phone; and

wherein, when the paging system determines that the second country has not been designated by the receiving user, the paging system initiating paging operations in another country in a predetermined order in an attempt to page the receiving user.

35. The system of claim 34, wherein the digital data network comprises the Internet, and wherein the system further comprises means for the device of the receiving user in the second country sending a confirmation signal confirming receipt of the paging message.

36. A method of paging a receiving user in a country-selective paging system, the method comprising:

providing a plurality of servers and a plurality of wireless transmitters for transmitting paging messages to receiving users;

interconnecting servers via at least a digital data network so as to permit digital communication of signals between the plurality of servers via at least the digital data network;

providing a first website or server located in an originating country for allowing an originating user to page the receiving user who may be located in a page receiving country different from the originating country, the originating user not necessarily knowing what country the receiving user is located in;

determining if the page receiving country is currently designated by the receiving user as a designated country in which the paging system is to attempt to page the receiving user;

when the paging system determines that the page receiving country has been designated by the receiving user, sending a paging communication via at least the digital data network toward a second website or server so that the user can be paged in the page receiving country; and

when the paging system determines that the page receiving country has not been designated by the receiving user, the paging system initiating paging operations in another country in a predetermined order in an attempt to page the receiving user.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein the digital data network comprises the Internet.

38. The method of claim 36, wherein the page receiving country is designated by the receiving user via a phone.

39. The method of claim 36, further comprising the receiving user in the page receiving country confirming receipt of a paging message.