Method and system for providing formatted information via a two-way communications system

• US 6,304,746 B1
• Filed: 11/17/1998
• Issued: 10/16/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: TeleCommunication Systems Inc (Comtech Telecommunications Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Aether Systems, Inc. (Comtech Telecommunications Corporation)
• Inventors: Fascenda, Anthony C., Kibler, Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): Maung, Nay
• Assistant Examiner(s): Vuong, Quochien B.
• Application Number:
  US09/195,482
• Time in Patent Office: 1,064 Days
• Field of Search: 455/31.3, 455/38.1, 455/517, 455/31.2, 455/426, 340/825.26, 340/825.27, 340/825.44
• US Class Current: 340/7.53
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/185 Selective call encoders for paging networks, e.g. paging centre devices

Abstract

A method and system for providing formatted information via a wireless communications system that includes a plurality of cell sites. The method includes the steps of storing a plurality of page templates each having a page identifier and at least one information field. The method also includes the step of receiving a request from a first two-way wireless communications device, wherein the request specifies the first device and a first page identifier selected by a user of the first device. In response to receiving the request a first page template, of the plurality of page templates, is determined. The first page template corresponds to the first page identifier. The method also includes determining information relating to an information field of the first page template and sending a response message to the first device, wherein the response message includes the determined information. The method can includes the step of displaying the information on a display of the first paging device.

Claims

1. In a wireless communications system including a plurality of cell sites, a method for providing formatted information, to uniquely identifiable two-way wireless communications devices, using minimal airtime, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) storing a plurality of non-hierarchal page templates each having a page identifier and at least two information fields;

(b) receiving a request from a first two-way wireless communications device, the request specifying the first device and a first page identifier selected by a user of the first device;

(c) determining a first page template of the plurality of page templates that corresponds to the first page identifier, the first page template including a first information field and a corresponding first information field identifier, and a second information field and a corresponding second information field identifier;

(d) determining first information relating to the first information field by retrieving the first information from a first data source, and second information relating to the second information field by retrieving the second information from a second data source that is distinct from the first data source; and

(e) sending a formatted page to the first device, the formatted page including the first information determined in step(d) and the corresponding first information field identifier, and the second information determined in step(d) and the corresponding second information field identifier.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of displaying the information on a display of the first device.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of displaying a portfolio list, from which the user can select a page identifier, on the first device, the portfolio list including at least the first page identifier.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising the step of displaying the portfolio list in response to a portfolio key of the first device being pressed, regardless of what was displayed on the first paging device prior to the portfolio key being pressed.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of templates stored in step (a) also corresponds to a two-way wireless communications device and wherein said step (c) comprises determining a first page template corresponding to both the first page identifier and the first device, wherein a further page template corresponding to the first page identifier and a second device is different than the first page template, said further page template including a third information field and a corresponding third information field identifier, and a fourth information field and a corresponding fourth information field identifier.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said step (d) further comprises determining further information relating a further information field of the first page template.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said step (d) comprises retrieving the information from an external data source.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said request specifies a brief page identifier corresponding to the first page identifier to thereby reduce airtime used when sending the request from the first device to a receiver of a cell site.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said step (e) comprises:

(I) determining a first cell site, of the plurality of cell sites, from which the first device sent the request; and

(ii) transmitting the response message to the first device via the first cell site.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of determining whether the first device is authorized to receive the information.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein said step (e) is only performed if the first paging device is authorized to receive the information.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of displaying a symbol entry screen in response to a symbol key of the first device being pressed, regardless of what was displayed on the first device prior to the symbol key being pressed.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein step (b) further comprises receiving the request via an X.25 network.

14. A system for providing formatted information to two-way wireless communications devices via a wireless communications system having a plurality of cell sites, the system comprising:

a database that stores a plurality of non-hierarchal page templates each having a page identifier and at least two information fields;

a first service provider controller adapted to retrieve a first page template from said database in response to receiving a request from a two-way wireless communications device, wherein said first page template corresponds to a first page identifier specified in said request, said first page template includes a first information field and a corresponding first information field identifier, and a second information field and a corresponding second information field identifier;

a second service provider controller adapted to determine first information relating to said first information field by retrieving said first information from a first data source, and second information relating to the second information field by retrieving said second information from a second data source that is distinct from said first data source; and

a third service provider controller adapted to send, to said device, a formated page including said first information and said corresponding first information field identifier, and said second information and said corresponding second information field identifier.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein said response message causes said information to be displayed on said devise.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein said request is generated by a user of said devise selecting said first page identifier from a portfolio list displayed on said device.

17. The system of claim 14, wherein each of said plurality of templates stored in said database also corresponds to a two-way wireless communications device such that said first page template that corresponds to said first page identifier and said device is different than a second page template that corresponds to said first page identifier and a different two-way wireless communications device, said second page template including a third information field and a corresponding third information field identifier, and a fourth information field and a corresponding fourth information field identifier.

18. The system of claim 14, wherein said second service provider controller is adapted to determine further information relating a further information field of said first page template.

19. The system of claim 14, wherein said second service provider controller is adapted retrieve said information from an external data source.

20. The system of claim 14, wherein said request specifies a brief page identifier that corresponds to said first page identifier to thereby reduce airtime used to send said request from said device to a receiver of a cell site.

21. The system of claim 14, further comprising a fourth service provider controller adapted to determine whether said first device is authorized to receive said information.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein said third service provider controller sends said response message only if said device is authorized to receive said information.

23. In a wireless communications system including a plurality of cell sites, a system for providing formatted information, to uniquely identifiable two-way wireless communications devices, using minimal airtime, the system comprising:

means for storing a plurality of non-hierarchal page templates each having a page identifier and at least two information fields;

means for receiving a request from a first two-way wireless communications device, said request specifying said first device and a first page identifier selected by a user of said first device, said first page template including a first information field and a corresponding first information field identifier, and a second information field and a corresponding second information field identifier;

means for determining a first page template of the plurality of page templates that corresponds to said first page identifier;

means for determining first information relating to said first information field by retrieving the first information from a first data source, and second information relating to said second information field by retrieving said second information from a second data source that is distinct from said first data source; and

means for sending a formatted page to said first device, said formatted page including said first information and said corresponding first information field identifier, and said second information and said corresponding second information field identifier.