Pager transceiver and methods for performing action on information at desired times

• US 6,259,892 B1
• Filed: 09/19/1997
• Issued: 07/10/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Helferich Patent Licensing LLC
• Original Assignee: Thompson Trust
• Inventors: Helferich, Richard J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Lee
• Application Number:
  US08/934,337
• Time in Patent Office: 1,390 Days
• Field of Search: 455/31.3, 455/412, 455/413, 455/420, 455/414, 455/418, 455/419, 455/422, 455/426, 455/458, 455/522, 455/38.1, 455/517, 455/575, 340/825.44, 340/311.1
• US Class Current: 340/7.2
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/025 with acknowledge back capability

Abstract

A pager transceiver and method for selectively paging provides a page to a paging transceiver but does not automatically provide associated information. The paging transceiver receives the page and alerts the user that information is waiting and preferably provides a short description of the information. The user can then download or otherwise act on the information at a time and at a place convenient to the user. The user can therefore place the paging transceiver in a location where it can easily receive and reply to the message. The paging system conserves air time and the paging transceiver conserves memory by not automatically receiving the associated messages. The messages stored by the systems and delivered to the paging transceiver may be of different types, such as voice, text, audio, or even video. In addition to messages, the paging system can store other information for the user, such as songs or video clips that the user can sample or updates on weather or stock rates. The paging transceiver includes a timer so that the desired action taken on the information may be performed at a desired time. The timer may be set so that the action may occur at a certain time, for instance at an off-peak hour to lower costs to the user. The timer may be programmed by the user so that messages are delivered after a certain time delay or at any other desired time.

Claims

1. A paging transceiver, comprising:

a receiver for receiving a selective call signal having an information identifier signal identifying information, said receiver adapted to receive the information identifier signal without the identified information;

memory for storing the information identifier signal;

a user interface for receiving input from a user including a desired action to be performed on the information and a condition to be satisfied for controlling the time the desired action is to be performed on the information;

a processor for generating a request signal indicating the desired action;

a transmitter for sending the request signal to the system for performing the action; and

a delay circuit for delaying transmission of the request signal for a period of time, wherein the length of said period of time is based on the information identified by said received information identifier signal satisfying the condition set by a user of the paging transceiver.

2. The pager transceiver as set forth in claim 1, wherein the user interface receives inputs from the user for programming the delay circuit to set the condition, wherein the condition is the receipt of information from a desired source.

3. The pager transceiver as set forth in claim 2, wherein the received information identifier signal includes information identifying the source of the information and the condition is satisfied if the source of the information is the same as said desired source.

4. The pager transceiver as set forth in claim 3, wherein the user interface receives inputs from the user for further programing the delay circuit to set a desired time associated with said desired source, and wherein said desired action to be performed on said information is not performed until the set time.

5. The pager transceiver as set forth in claim 4, wherein the desired action input by the user to be performed on the information is selected from the group comprising:

forwarding information, saving information, retrieving information, sending information, erasing information, and replying to information.

6. The pager transceiver as set forth in claim 1, wherein the user interface receives inputs from the user for programming the delay circuit to set the condition, wherein the condition is the receipt of information of a desired type.

7. The pager transceiver as set forth in claim 6, wherein the received information identifier signal includes information identifying the type of information and the condition is satisfied if the type of information is the same as said desired type.

8. The pager transceiver as set forth in claim 7, wherein the user interface receives inputs from the user for further programming the delay circuit to set a desired time associated with said desired type of information, and wherein said desired action to be performed on said information is not performed until the set time.

9. The pager transceiver as set forth in claim 8, wherein the desired action input by the user to be performed on the information is selected from the group comprising:

forwarding information, saving information, retrieving information, sending information, erasing information, and replying to information.

10. The paging transceiver as set forth in claim 1, further comprising at least one antenna for receiving the selective call signal and for propagating the request signal.

11. The paging transceiver as set forth in claim 1, wherein the receiver receives the selective call signal from a paging network.

12. The paging transceiver as set forth in claim 1, wherein the receiver receives the selective call signal from a mobile radiotelephone network.

13. The paging transceiver as set forth in claim 1, wherein the transmitter transmits the request signal over a paging network.

14. The paging transceiver as set forth in claim 1, wherein the transmitter transmits the request signal over a mobile radiotelephone network.

15. The paging transceiver as set forth in claim 1, wherein the delay circuit comprises a level detector for detecting the signal strength of a signal received by the receiver and a comparator for comparing the signal strength of the received signal with a threshold value, wherein the condition is the receipt of a signal having a signal strength above said threshold value.

16. A method for selectively paging, comprising the steps of:

receiving at a paging transceiver a selective call signal comprising an information identifier signal identifying information without the identified information;

storing the information identifier signal in memory;

receiving input from a user including a desired action to be performed on the information and a condition to be satisfied for controlling the time the desired action is to be performed on the information;

generating a request signal indicating the desired action; and

delaying transmission of the request signal for a period of time, wherein the length of said period of time is based on the information identified by said received information identifier signal satisfying the condition set by a user of the paging transceiver.

17. The method as set forth in claim 16, wherein the condition is the receipt of information from a desired source.

18. The method as set forth in claim 17, wherein the received information identifier signal includes information identifying the source of the information and the condition is satisfied if the source of the information is the same as said desired source.

19. The method as set forth in claim 18, wherein input is received from the user setting a desired time associated with said desired source, and wherein said desired action to be performed on said information is not performed until the set time.

20. The method as set forth in claim 16, wherein the condition is the receipt of information of a desired type.

21. The method as set forth in claim 20, wherein the received information identifier signal includes information identifying the type of information and the condition is satisfied if the type of information is the same as said desired type.

22. The method as set forth in claim 21, wherein input is received from the user setting a desired time associated with said desired type of information, and wherein said desired action to be performed on said information is not performed until the set time.

23. A transmitting and receiving device for transmitting data to and receiving data from a communication system, comprising:

a receiver for receiving a selective call signal comprising a message identifier identifying a message, said receiver adapted to receive the message identifier without the identified message;

a transmitter for transmitting signals;

a user interface for receiving from a user an input including an action to be performed on the message and a condition to be satisfied for controlling when the action is to be performed on the message; and

a processor for detecting when said condition is satisfied and for generating a request signal in response to the user interface receiving the input from the user, wherein the request signal comprises an action identifier identifying the action, and for delaying the transmission of the request signal by the transmitter for a period of time, wherein the length of said period of time is based on the message identified by said received message identifier satisfying the condition set by the user of the transmitting and receiving device, and when the processor detects the condition is satisfied, the processor directs the transmitter to transmit the request signal to the communication system.

24. The transmitting and receiving device of claim 23, wherein the user interface receives inputs from the user setting the condition and wherein the condition is the receipt of a message from a desired source.

25. The transmitting and receiving device of claim 24, wherein the received message identifier includes information identifying the source of the message and the condition is satisfied if the source of the message is the same as said desired source.

26. The transmitting and receiving device of claim 25, wherein the user interface receives inputs from the user setting a desired time associated with said desired source, and wherein said desired action to be performed on said message is not performed until the set time.

27. The transmitting and receiving device of claim 26, wherein the desired action input by the user to be performed on the message is selected from the group comprising:

forwarding a message, saving a message, retrieving a message, sending a message, erasing a message, and replying to a message.

28. The transmitting and receiving device of claim 23, wherein the user interface receives inputs from the user for setting the condition, and wherein the condition is the receipt of a message of a desired type.

29. The transmitting and receiving device of claim 28, wherein the received message identifier includes information identifying the type of message and the condition is satisfied if the type of message is the same as said desired type.

30. The transmitting and receiving device of claim 29, wherein the user interface receives inputs from the user for setting a desired time associated with said desired type of message, and wherein said desired action to be performed on said message is not performed until the set time.

31. The transmitting and receiving device of claim 30, wherein the desired action input by the user to be performed on the message is selected from the group comprising:

forwarding a message, saving a message, retrieving a message, sending a message, erasing a message, and replying to a message.

32. The transmitting and receiving device of claim 23, further comprising at least one antenna for receiving the selective call signal and for propagating the request signal.

33. The transmitting and receiving device of claim 23, wherein the receiver receives the selective call signal from a paging network.

34. The transmitting and receiving device of claim 23, wherein the receiver receives the selective call signal from a mobile radiotelephone network.

35. The transmitting and receiving device of claim 23, wherein the transmitter transmits the request signal over a paging network.

36. The transmitting and receiving device of claim 23, wherein the transmitter transmits the request signal over a mobile radiotelephone network.

37. The transmitting and receiving device of claim 23, further comprising a signal level detector for detecting the strength of a signal received by the receiver, wherein the condition is the receipt of a signal with a strength greater than a predetermined threshold.

38. A transmitting and receiving device for transmitting data to and receiving data from a communication system, comprising:

a receiver for receiving a selective call signal comprising a message identifier identifying a message, said receiver adapted to receive the message identifier without the identified message;

a user interface for receiving from a user an input including an action to be performed on the message and a condition to be satisfied for controlling when the action is to be performed on the message;

a memory for storing information indicating the input received from the user;

a processor for detecting when said condition is satisfied and for delaying transmission of a request signal for a period of time, wherein the length of the period of time is based on the message identified by said received message identifier satisfying the condition set by the user of the transmitting and receiving device, wherein the processor is programmed to read the information indicating the input received from the user from the memory and to generate a request signal based upon the information in response to detecting the condition being satisfied; and

a transmitter for transmitting the request signal to the communication system, whereby the communication system, in response to receiving the request signal, transmits the message to the transmitting and receiving device.

39. The transmitting and receiving device of claim 38, wherein the user interface receives inputs from the user setting the condition and wherein the condition is the receipt of a message from a desired source.

40. The transmitting and receiving device of claim 39, wherein the received message identifier includes information identifying the source of the message and the condition is satisfied if the source of the message is the same as said desired source.

41. The transmitting and receiving device of claim 40, wherein the user interface receives inputs from the user setting a desired time associated with said desired source, and wherein said desired action to be performed on said message is not performed until the set time.

42. The transmitting and receiving device of claim 41, wherein the desired action input by the user to be performed on the message is selected from the group comprising:

forwarding a message, saving a message, retrieving a message, sending a message, erasing a message, and replying to a message.

43. The transmitting and receiving device of claim 38, wherein the user interface receives inputs from the user for setting the condition, and wherein the condition is the receipt of a message of a desired type.

44. The transmitting and receiving device of claim 43, wherein the received message identifier includes information identifying the type of message and the condition is satisfied if the type of message is the same as said desired type.

45. The transmitting and receiving device of claim 44, wherein the user interface receives inputs from the user for setting a desired time associated with said desired type of message, and wherein said desired action to be performed on said message is not performed until the set time.

46. The transmitting and receiving device of claim 45, wherein the desired action input by the user to be performed on the message is selected from the group comprising:

forwarding a message, saving a message, retrieving a message, sending a message, erasing a message, and replying to a message.

47. The transmitting and receiving device of claim 38, further comprising at least one antenna for receiving the selective call signal and for propagating the request signal.

48. The transmitting and receiving device of claim 38, wherein the receiver receives the selective call signal from a paging network.

49. The transmitting and receiving device of claim 38, wherein the receiver receives the selective call signal from a mobile radiotelephone network.

50. The transmitting and receiving device of claim 38, wherein the transmitter transmits the request signal over a paging network.

51. The transmitting and receiving device of claim 38, wherein the transmitter transmits the request signal over a mobile radiotelephone network.

52. The transmitting and receiving device of claim 38, further comprising a signal level detector for detecting the strength of a signal received by the receiver, wherein the condition is the receipt of a signal with a strength greater than a predetermined threshold.

53. A transmitting and receiving device for transmitting data to and receiving data from a communication system, comprising:

a receiver for receiving a selective call signal having a message identifier identifying a message, wherein the message is not included in the selective call signal;

a user interface for receiving from a user an input including a function to be performed on the message and a condition to be satisfied for controlling when the function is to be performed on the message;

a transmitter for sending a request signal to the communication system, wherein the request signal indicates the function and includes at least part of the message identifier; and

a processor for monitoring the strength of a signal received by the receiver and for delaying the transmission of the request signal by the transmitter for a period of time, wherein the length of said period of time is based on the strength of the received signal satisfying the condition set by a user of the transmitting and receiving device, said condition being satisfied when the strength of the signal is greater than a predetermined threshold.

54. The transmitting and receiving device of claim 53, further comprising at least one antenna for receiving the selective call signal and for propagating the request signal.

55. The transmitting and receiving device of claim 53, wherein the receiver receives the selective call signal from a paging network.

56. The transmitting and receiving device of claim 53, wherein the receiver receives the selective call signal from a mobile radiotelephone network.

57. The transmitting and receiving device of claim 53, wherein the transmitter transmits the request signal over a paging network.

58. The transmitting and receiving device of claim 53, wherein the transmitter transmits the request signal over a mobile radiotelephone network.

59. A communication system, comprising:

a base station;

a system in communication with the base station; and

a transmitting and receiving device in communication with the base station, wherein the transmitting and receiving device comprises;

a receiver for receiving from the base station a selective call signal comprising a message identifier identifying a message, said receiver adapted to receive the message identifier without the identified message;

a transmitter for transmitting signals to the base station;

a user interface for receiving from a user an input including an action to be performed on the message and a condition to be satisfied for controlling when the action is to be performed on the message;

a processor for detecting when said condition is satisfied and for generating a request signal in response to the user interface receiving the input from the user, wherein the request signal comprises an action identifier identifying the action, and for delaying transmission of the request signal for a period of time, wherein the length of the period of time is based on the message identified by said received message identifier satisfying the condition set by a user of the transmitting and receiving device, and when the processor detects that said condition is satisfied, the processor directs the transmitter to transmit the request signal to the communication system.

60. The communication system of claim 59, wherein the user interface of the transmitting and receiving device receives inputs from the user setting the condition and wherein the condition is the receipt of a message from a desired source.

61. The communication system of claim 60, wherein the received message identifier includes information identifying the source of the message and the condition is satisfied if the source of the message is the same as said desired source.

62. The communication system of claim 61, wherein the user interface receives inputs from the user setting a desired time associated with said desired source, and wherein said desired action to be performed on said message is not performed until the set time.

63. The communication system of claim 62, wherein the desired action input by the user to be performed on the message is selected from the group comprising:

forwarding a message, saving a message, retrieving a message, sending a message, erasing a message, and replying to a message.

64. The communication system of claim 59, wherein the user interface of the transmitting and receiving device receives inputs from the user for setting the condition, and wherein the condition is the receipt of a message of a desired type.

65. The communication system of claim 64, wherein the received message identifier includes information identifying the type of message and the condition is satisfied if the type of message is the same as said desired type.

66. The communication system of claim 65, wherein the user interface receives inputs from the user for setting a desired time associated with said desired type of message, and wherein said desired action to be performed on said message is not performed until the set time.

67. The communication system of claim 66, wherein the desired action input by the user to be performed on the message is selected from the group comprising:

forwarding a message, saving a message, retrieving a message, sending a message, erasing a message, and replying to a message.

68. The communication system of claim 59, wherein the transmitting and receiving device comprises at least one antenna for receiving the selective call signal and for propagating the request signal.

69. The communication system of claim 59, wherein the base station is part of a paging network.

70. The communication system of claim 69, wherein the transmitter transmits the request signal to the system by transmitting the request signal to the base station, which then forwards it to the system.

71. The communication system of claim 59, wherein the base station is part of a mobile radiotelephone network.

72. The communication system of claim 71, wherein the transmitter transmits the request signal to the system by transmitting the request signal to the base station, which then forwards it to the system.

73. The communication system of claim 59, wherein the transmitting and receiving device further comprises a signal level detector for detecting the strength of a signal received by the receiver, wherein the condition is the receipt of a signal with a strength greater than a predetermined threshold.

74. A communication system, comprising:

a base station;

a system in communication with the base station; and

a transmitting and receiving device in communication with the base station, wherein the transmitting and receiving device comprises;

a receiver for receiving from the base station a selective call signal having a message identifier identifying a message, wherein the message is not included in the selective call signal;

a user interface for receiving from a user an input including a function to be performed on the message and a condition to be satisfied for controlling when the function is to be performed on the message;

a transmitter for sending a request signal to the system, wherein the request signal indicates the function; and

a processor for monitoring the strength of a signal received by the receiver and for delaying the transmission of the request signal by the transmitter for a period of time, wherein the length of said period of time is based on the strength of the received signal satisfying the condition set by a user of the transmitting and receiving device, said condition being satisfied when the strength of the signal is greater than a predetermined threshold.

75. The communication system of claim 74, wherein the transmitting and receiving device further comprises at least one antenna for receiving the selective call signal and for propagating the request signal.

76. The communication system of claim 74, wherein the base station is part of a paging network.

77. The communication system of claim 76, wherein the transmitter transmits the request signal to the system by transmitting the request signal to the base station, which then forwards it to the system.

78. The communication system of claim 74, wherein the base station is part of a mobile radiotelephone network.

79. The communication system of claim 78, wherein the transmitter transmits the request signal to the system by transmitting the request signal to the base station, which then forwards it to the system.

80. In a transmitting and receiving device for transmitting data to and receiving data from a communication system, a method comprising the steps of:

receiving a selective call signal comprising a message identifier identifying a message, wherein the message is not included in the selective call signal;

notifying a user of the transmitting and receiving device that the selective call signal has been received;

receiving from the user an input including an action to be performed on the message and a condition to be satisfied for controlling when the action is to be performed on the message;

generating a request signal in response to receiving the input from the user, the request signal comprising an action identifier identifying the action;

storing the request signal in a memory;

delaying transmission of the request signal for a period of time, wherein the length of the period of time is based on the message identified by said received message identifier satisfying the condition set by the user of the transmitting and receiving device;

detecting when said condition is satisfied; and

in response to the detection of the condition being satisfied, transmitting the request signal to the communication system.

81. The method of claim 80, wherein the user interface receives inputs from the user setting the condition and wherein the condition is the receipt of a message from a desired source.

82. The method of claim 81, wherein the received message identifier includes information identifying the source of the message and the condition is satisfied if the source of the message is the same as said desired source.

83. The method of claim 82, wherein the user interface receives inputs from the user setting a desired time associated with said desired source, and wherein said desired action to be performed on said message is not performed until the set time.

84. The method of claim 83, wherein the desired action input by the user to be performed on the message is selected from the group comprising:

forwarding a message, saving a message, retrieving a message, sending a message, erasing a message, and replying to a message.

85. The method of claim 80, wherein the user interface receives inputs from the user for setting the condition, and wherein the condition is the receipt of a message of a desired type.

86. The method of claim 85, wherein the received message identifier includes information identifying the type of message and the condition is satisfied if the type of message is the same as said desired type.

87. The method of claim 86, wherein the user interface receives inputs from the user for setting a desired time associated with said desired type of message, and wherein said desired action to be performed on said message is not performed until the set time.

88. The method of claim 87, wherein the desired action input by the user to be performed on the message is selected from the group comprising:

forwarding a message, saving a message, retrieving a message, sending a message, erasing a message, and replying to a message.

89. The method of claim 80, wherein the transmitting and receiving device receives the selective call signal from a paging network.

90. The method of claim 80, wherein the transmitting and receiving device receives the selective call signal from a mobile radiotelephone network.

91. The method of claim 80, wherein the transmitting and receiving device transmits the request signal over a paging network.

92. The method of claim 80, wherein the transmitting and receiving device transmits the request signal over a mobile radiotelephone network.

93. The method of claim 80, further comprising the step of measuring the strength of a signal received by the transmitting and receiving device, wherein the condition is the receipt of a signal with a strength exceeding a predetermined threshold.

94. In transmitting and receiving device for transmitting data to and receiving data from a communication system, a method comprising the steps of:

receiving a selective call signal comprising a message identifier identifying a message, wherein the message is not included in the selective call signal;

receiving from a user of the transmitting and receiving device an input including an action to be performed on the message and a condition to be satisfied for controlling when the action is to be performed on the message;

storing in a memory information indicating the input received from the user;

delaying transmission of a request signal for a period of time, wherein the length of the period of time is based on the message identified by said received message identifier satisfying the condition input from the user;

detecting when said condition is satisfied; and

in response to the detection of the condition being satisfied, reading the information from the memory, generating a request signal based upon the information, the request signal comprising an action identifier identifying the action, and transmitting the request signal to the communication system.

95. The method of claim 94, wherein the user interface receives inputs from the user setting the condition and wherein the condition is the receipt of a message from a desired source.

96. The method of claim 95, wherein the received message identifier includes information identifying the source of the message and the condition is satisfied if the source of the message is the same as said desired source.

97. The method of claim 96, wherein the user interface receives inputs from the user setting a desired time associated with said desired source, and wherein said desired action to be performed on said message is not performed until the set time.

98. The method of claim 97, wherein the desired action input by the user to be performed on the message is selected from the group comprising:

forwarding a message, saving a message, retrieving a message, sending a message, erasing a message, and replying to a message.

99. The method of claim 94, wherein the user interface receives inputs from the user for setting the condition, and wherein the condition is the receipt of a message of a desired type.

100. The method of claim 99, wherein the received message identifier includes information identifying the type of message and the condition is satisfied if the type of message is the same as said desired type.

101. The method of claim 100, wherein the user interface receives inputs from the user for setting a desired time associated with said desired type of message, and wherein said desired action to be performed on said message is not performed until the set time.

102. The method of claim 101, wherein the desired action input by the user to be performed on the message is selected from the group comprising:

forwarding a message, saving a message, retrieving a message, sending a message erasing a message, and replying to a message.

103. The method of claim 94, wherein the transmitting and receiving device receives the selective call signal from a paging network.

104. The method of claim 94, wherein the transmitting and receiving device receives the selective call signal from a mobile radiotelephone network.

105. The method of claim 94, wherein the transmitting and receiving device transmits the request signal over a paging network.

106. The method of claim 94, wherein the transmitting and receiving device transmits the request signal over a mobile radiotelephone network.

107. The method of claim 94, further comprising the step of measuring the strength of a signal received by the transmitting and receiving device, wherein the condition is the receipt of a signal with a strength exceeding a predetermined threshold.

108. In a transmitting and receiving device for transmitting data to and receiving data from a communication system, a method comprising the steps of:

receiving a selective call signal having a message identifier identifying a message, wherein the message is not included in the selective call signal;

receiving from a user an input including an action to be performed on the message and a condition to be satisfied for controlling when the action is to be performed on the message;

monitoring the strength of a signal received by a receiver of the transmitting and receiving device;

delaying sending of a request signal to the communication system for a period of time, wherein the length of the period of time is based on the strength of the received signal satisfying the condition set by a user of the transmitting and receiving device; and

sending a request signal to the communication system when the condition is satisfied, the condition being satisfied when the signal strength exceeds a predetermined threshold, wherein the request signal indicates the action to be performed on the message.

109. The method of claim 108, wherein at least one antenna is used for receiving the selective call signal and for propagating the request signal.

110. The method of claim 108, wherein the transmitting and receiving device receives the selective call signal from a paging network.

111. The method of claim 108, wherein the transmitting and receiving device receives the selective call signal from a mobile radiotelephone network.

112. The method of claim 108, wherein the transmitting and receiving device transmits the request signal over a paging network.

113. The method of claim 108, wherein the transmitting and receiving device transmits the request signal over a mobile radiotelephone network.

114. In a communication system including (a) a first system that comprises a transmitting and receiving device in communication with a base station and (b) a second system adapted to communicate with the base station of the first system, wherein the second system includes a storage unit that stores a message intended for the transmitting and receiving device, a method performed by the transmitting and receiving device comprising the steps of:

receiving from the base station a selective call signal comprising a message/system identifier identifying the message intended for the transmitting and receiving device and identifying the second system;

notifying a user of the transmitting and receiving device that the selective call signal has been received;

receiving from the user an input including an action to be performed on the message and a condition to be satisfied for controlling when the action is to be performed on the message;

generating a request signal in response to receiving the input from the user, the request signal comprising an action identifier identifying the action and comprising the message/system identifier;

storing the request signal in a memory of the transmitting and receiving device;

delaying transmission of the request signal for a period of time, wherein the length of the period of time is based on the message/system identified by said received message/system identifier satisfying the condition set by a user of the transmitting and receiving device;

detecting when said condition is satisfied;

in response to the detection of the condition being satisfied, transmitting the request signal to the base station, wherein the base station forwards the request signal to the second system and wherein, in response thereto, the second system performs the action.

115. The method of claim 114, wherein the user interface receives inputs from the user setting the condition and wherein the condition is the receipt of a message from a desired source.

116. The method of claim 115, wherein the received message/system identifier includes information identifying the source of the message and the condition is satisfied if the source of the message is the same as said desired source.

117. The method of claim 116, wherein the user interface receives inputs from the user setting a desired time associated with said desired source, and wherein said desired action to be performed on said message is not performed until the set time.

118. The method of claim 117, wherein the desired action input by the user to be performed on the message is selected from the group comprising:

forwarding a message, saving a message, retrieving a message, sending a message, erasing a message, and replying to a message.

119. The method of claim 114, wherein the user interface receives inputs from the user for setting the condition, and wherein the condition is the receipt of a message of a desired type.

120. The method of claim 119, wherein the received message/system identifier includes information identifying the type of message and the condition is satisfied if the type of message is the same as said desired type.

121. The method of claim 120, wherein the user interface receives inputs from the user for setting a desired time associated with said desired type of message, and wherein said desired action to be performed on said message is not performed until the set time.

122. The method of claim 121, wherein the desired action input by the user to be performed on the message is selected from the group comprising:

forwarding a message, saving a message, retrieving a message, sending a message, erasing a message, and replying to a message.

123. The method of claim 114, wherein the transmitting and receiving device receives the selective call signal from a paging network.

124. The method of claim 114, further comprising the step of measuring the strength of a signal received by the transmitting and receiving device, wherein the condition is the receipt of a signal with a strength exceeding a predetermined threshold.

125. In a communication system including (a) a first system that comprises a transmitting and receiving device in communication with a base station and (b) a plurality of content provider systems adapted to communicate with the base station of the first system, wherein each of the content provider systems includes a storage unit that stores a message intended for the transmitting and receiving device, a method performed by the transmitting and receiving device comprising the steps of:

receiving from the base station a selective call signal comprising a message identifier identifying a message intended for the transmitting and receiving and a content provider system identifier identifying one of the plurality of content provider systems that stores the identified message;

notifying a user of the transmitting and receiving device that the selective call signal has been received;

receiving from the user an input including an action to be performed on the message and a condition to be satisfied for controlling when the action is to be performed on the message;

generating a request signal in response to receiving the input from the user, the request signal comprising an action identifier identifying the action and comprising the content provider system identifier;

storing the request signal in a memory of the transmitting and receiving device;

delaying transmission of the request signal for a period of time, wherein the length of the period of time is based on the message identified by said received message identifier satisfying the condition set by a user of the transmitting and receiving device;

detecting when said condition is satisfied;

in response to the detection of the condition being satisfied, transmitting the request signal to the base station, wherein the base station forwards the request signal to the content provider system identified by the content provider system identifier included in the request signal, wherein, in response thereto, the content provider system performs the action.