Apple Inc. v. HTC Corporation et al

Filing 1

COMPLAINT for Patent Infringement against All Defendants. Filing fee $ 350.00 receipt number 113C-4398912, filed by Motorola Mobility, Inc.. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Summon(s), # 3 Exhibit 1, # 4 Exhibit 2, # 5 Exhibit 3, # 6 Exhibit 4, # 7 Exhibit 5, # 8 Exhibit 6)(Mullins, Edward) [Transferred from Florida Southern on 8/3/2012.]

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                                                                        EXHIBIT 2  I~ 11111111111~1111111111111~111111111111 ~1111111111~ II US005754119A 1111 United States Patent [19] [11] Deluca et al. [45] MULTIPLE PAGER STATUS SYNCHRONIZATION SYSTEM AND METHOD [75] Inventors: Michael J. Deluca; Joan S. Deluca, both of Boca Raton, Fla. [73] Assignee: Motorola, Inc., Schaumburg, lli. [21] Appl. No.: 522,026 [22] Filed: [51] [52] Int. Cl. 6 ....................................................... H04Q 7/18 U.S. Cl.................................... 340/825.21; 340/311.1; 340/825.44; 370/313; 455/426; 455/31.3; 455/88; 455no Field of Search ............................ 340/825.21, 311.1, 340/825.44, 825.47, 825.52. 825.69, 313; 455/31.1, 426, 31.2, 31.3, 88, 70; 370/310, 311, 312, 313, 314 [56] Motorola Product Family 255 Service Manual, 1995 by Motorola, Inc., Boynton Beach, Florida, part No. 6881024B80, Aug. 1995. Motorola Product Family 255 Controller Supplement, 1995 by Motorola, Inc., Boynton Beach, Florida, part No.6881024B80, Aug. 1995. Introduction to the Wireless Concert!, 1995 by Motorola, Inc., Fort Worth, Texas, part No. 6880491G01,August 1995. Aug. 31, 1995 Primary Examiner-Michael Horabik Assistant Examiner-William H. Wilson, Jr. [57] ABSTRACT Status changes made on first pager (130 and 530) are wirelessly communicated to an infrastructure (110 and 510) which communicates the status changes to other pagers (150 and 550) so that the other pagers make corresponding status changes. Thus, a user's status changes made on one pager are automatically made on the user's other pagers. Status changes include changes to received messages, alarm times, alert thresholds, and key word alerts. U.S. PXI'ENT DOCUMENTS 10/1983 7/1987 7/1989 10/1989 8/1990 6/1992 10/1992 12/1992 May 19, 1998 OTHER PUBLICATIONS References Cited 4,412,217 4,682,148 4,851,829 4,875,038 4,952,929 5,124,697 5,153,582 5,168,493 5,754,119 5,221,838 6/1993 Gubnan et al .. 5,225,826 7/1993 Deluca et al ...................... 340/825.44 5,258,751 11/1993 Deluca et al ...................... 340/825.44 5,365,227 1111994 Cannon et al. .. .............. 340/825.44 X 5,481,258 1/1996 Fawcett et al ..................... 340/825.47 5,561,848 1011996 Minami .......................... 340/825.44 X 5,596,318 1/1997 Mitchell ............................. 340/825.44 [54] [58] Patent Number: Date of Patent: Willard et al .. Ichikawa et al .. DeLuca et al .. Siwia.k et al .. DeLuca et al .. Moore . Davis. Nelson et al .. 11 Claims, 3 Drawing Sheets ,----____ _c:o: ________ L_~~-. ' : [I==:J) INFRASTRUCTURE ' USER'S PAGER 1 ' ~==:J) USER'S PAGER N+1 510 _./ '' '' L------------- , ________ .c_s~~-. : ' ''' ' ' ' L--------------1' = U.S. Patent FIG. I r 1o6 r-------- L---1 -~ r--------- rr====i) 1 ~ : c c_-- to4 108 .---------- ---1 I INFRASTRUCTURE A ·j USER'S PAGER 1 5,754,119 Sheet 1 of 3 May 19, 1998 I USER'S PAGER N+1 150 .J 130 215 210 RECEIVE MESSAGE 1 STATUS=UNREAD --..........,...._ 1 RECEIVE MESSAGE 1 STATUS=UNREAD 220 INPUT: USER READS MESSAGE 1 230 DELAY FOR OTHER INPUTS WHICH CHANGE MESSAGE STATUS 240 245 RECEIVE STATUS CHANGE OF MESSAGE 1 XMIT STATUS CHANGE OF MESSAGE 1 250 XMITSTATUS CHANGE OF MESSAGE 1 260 265 RECEIVE STATUS CHANGE OF MESSAGE 1 RECEIVE & IGNORE STATUS CHANGE OF MESSAGE 1 I I · I I I I I : I L - - - - --- --- - - - _I 1 : : : 275 ~----~_. _ __ _ CHANGE STATUS OF MESSAGE 1 L--------------1 L-------------J.QQ U.S. Patent May 19, 1998 FIG. 5 __________c ___ . 506 /504 - -·- - - - - - - J. - - - - - /508 ---------1-----·I I INFRASTRUCTURE B 5,754,119 Sheet 2 of 3 B USER'S PAGER N+1 USER'S PAGER 1 530_) s5oJ 510 _ ; 620 USER CHANGES STATUS OF PAGER IE: PROTECT, DELETE, OR READ MESSAGE; CHANGE ALARM TIME OR ALERT THRESHOLD; CHANGE KEY WORK ALERT; ETC. 630 DELAY FOR OTHER INPUTS WHICH CHANGE PAGER STATUS 645 RECEIVE STATUS CHANGE OF PAGER XMIT STATUS CHANGE OF PAGER 650 XMITSTATUS CHANGE OF PAGER 660 RECEIVE STATUS CHANGE OF PAGER RECEIVE & IGNORE STATUS CHANGE OF PAGER I I I I I 665 I L--------------1 I I I I I I I 675 I L--------------1 5QQ U.S. Patent I 206 May 19, 1998 .="' 208 ~ 207 ") MSG NO. ADDRESS 5,754,119 Sheet 3 of 3 MSG INFORMATION 2QS. FIG.2 I 241~ 242-:J ADDRESS I 243:'\ MSG NO. STATUS CHANGE 244' I ORIGIN I ORIGIN 240 FIG.3 256~ I 257~ ADDRESS MSG NO. STATUS CHANGE 25.5 FIG.4 641 ' ADDRESS 656 ., ADDRESS 642 643 \ MEMORY RECORD ' RECORD CONTENT 644 ' ORIGIN FIG.6 657 658 "\ MEMORY RECORD ~ RECORD CONTENT ~ FIG. 7 659 ~ ORIGIN 5,754,119 1 2 MULTIPLE PAGER STATUS SYNCHRONIZATION SYSTEM AND METHOD user's pagers automatically made on the other one or ones of the plurality of the user's pagers. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION FIELD OF THE INVENTION 5 One aspect of the present invention is a method of communicating changes in a status of message infonnation in a pager. The method includes the steps of: receiving a .first message from a source, the first message having first information for a communication device and having a status BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 10 associated therewith; changing the status of the .first inforAs the acceptance of selective call communication mation responsive to an input to the device; and transmitting devices, or pagers, including two-way pagers, continues to a second message having second infonnation indicative of grow, and as their affordability continues to improve, some the status of the first infonnation to the source responsive to users are acquiring pagers which have a same selective call the step of changing. address. Pagers come in different form factors or colors to 15 Another aspect of the invention is a method of synchrocomplement a user's attire. Thus, the user carries one pager nizing message information among a plurality of transceivat one time with one apparel outfit and another pager at ers that includes the steps of: transmitting, by a messaging another time with another outfit. For example, a neon infrastructure, a first message having a .first status; in one colored belt worn pager is used for a day at the beach, and transceiver of the plurality of transceivers, changing the .first a black and gold pen pager with a business suit is used for 20 status of the .first message to a second status responsive to an an evening business meeting. input to the one transceiver, and transmitting a second Reductions in battery power consumption technology message indicative of the second status; in the infrastructure, have resulted in substantial improvement in battery life of a transmitting a third message indicative of the second status; pager. Thus, it is feasible for a user to leave a pager on 25 and, in at least one other transceiver of the plurality of twenty-four hours per day to assure continuous reception of transceivers, receiving the third message, and in response to paging messaging while also maintaining an acceptable receiving the third message, changing the first status of the battery life. .first message to the second status. However, a problem arises when the user has multiple Still another aspect of the invention is a method of pagers which are left continuously on. For example, mes- 30 synchronizing a status category of a plurality of transceivers. sages received by a pager carried by a user are also received The method includes the steps of: in a first transceiver, by the user's other pagers which are not carried at that time. changing the status of the first transceiver from a .first status Disadvantageously, with known pagers, message status to a second status, and transmitting a .first message indicative changes made by the user on the carried pager are not made of the second status; and also including, in a messaging on the user's other pagers. If a user reads, deletes, or protects 35 infrastructure, the steps of: receiving the .first message, and a message on the carried pager, the message remains as an transmitting a second message indicative of the second unread message on the user's other pagers. Thus, when the status; and further including, in a second transceiver, the user changes attire and corresponding pagers, the user is steps of: receiving the second message, and changing a faced with a different pager having messages with an unread status of the second transceiver to the second status in status, which are identical to messages previously read, 40 response thereto. Yet another aspect of the invention is a deleted or protected on another pager. Thus, the user must system for synchronizing a status category of a plurality of again read and decide the status of each message received on devices communicating with an infrastructure, in which the other pager. This additional tedious task required after each of the plurality of devices has at least one status each change of a pager poses an inconvenience to the user category, and in which each of the at least one status that could deter a user from acquiring a number of pagers in 45 category has a plurality of states. The system includes means different form factors and colors. Thus, what is needed is a for changing a status category of the at least one of the way to have message status changes made on any one of the plurality of devices to produce a current state of the status user's pagers automatically made on the user's other pagers. category; means in the at least one of the plurality of devices to produce a synchronizing signal for signaling to the A similar problem arises when the user has multiple pagers and the user changes configuration infonnation 50 infrastructure the current state of the· status category; means stored in one of the pagers, as, for example, when the user in the infrastructure to produce a current state signal for changes, on the carried pager, the time of a daily alarm, or signaling to an other of the plurality of devices the current state of the status category of the one of the plurality of the type of alert produced when a message from a certain devices in response to the synchronizing signal; and means user or a message having a certain content is received. The latter situation occurs when the user subscribes to an infor- 55 in the other of the plurality of devices for changing the current state of the at least one status category of the other mation service that communicates many news items. For of the plurality of devices to the current state of the at least this kind of service, the user may desire an audio alert when specific items of infonnation are received. Examples include one of the plurality of devices in response to the current state changes in the value of a .financial instrument or a key word signal. or phrase indicative of a popular news item. Typically, a user 60 A further aspect of the invention is a system for synchrowants the configuration of the interface on each of the user's nizing messages among a multiplicity of selective call pagers to be substantially identical in order to maintain a transceivers communicating with a paging infrastructure. familiarity with the interface. However, the user of several The paging infrastructure has a base transmitter and a pagers would be inconvenienced with having to change the controller. Each transceiver has a processor and a transmitconfiguration information stored in each of the pagers. 65 ter. Each transceiver also has at least one status category, and Thus, what is needed is a way to have status changes to each of the at least one status category has a plurality of a pager configuration made on any one of a plurality of the states. The system includes: a user interface on at least one This invention relates generally to the field of two-way communication devices and, in particular, to infonnation managed therein. 5,754,119 3 4 of the transceivers for changing a state of a status category of the at least one of the transceivers to produce a synchronizing signal, the user interface being coupled to the processor; a software element at the processor for controlling transmission of a synchronizing signal by the transmitter after a change of state of a status category; and another software element at the controller for controlling transmission of a current state signal by the base transmitter in response to the synchronizing signal. Ayerst et al. now U.S. Pat. No. 5,638,369; and application Ser. No. 08/502,399 entitled "A System and Method for Allocating Frequency Channels in a 1\vo-way Messaging Network'' filed Jul. 14, 1995 by Wang et al. pending, which are hereby incorporated by reference herein. It should be appreciated that other two-way communication systems are also contemplated. A communication system in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a fixed portion and a portable portion. The fixed portion comprises a wireless messaging infrastructure, or infrastructure, 110 that provides interfacing between a pager and typically a public switched telephone network (PSTN) for communication of information with the pager. The operation of infrastructure 110 is well known to those skilled in the art. Preferably, infrastructure 110 is a Motorola ReFlex™ infrastructure modified to perform the operations shown in dotted-line box 104. The fixed portion includes at least one base station, for communicating with the portable portion, utilizing the ReFlex™ protocol and coupled by communication links to a controller that controls the at least one base station. The hardware of the controller preferably includes a Wireless Messaging Gateway (WMG™) Administrator!™ paging terminal, a RF-Conductor!™ message distributor, and a RF-Usher!™ multiplexer, manufactured by Motorola, Inc. The controller has software elements and preferably runs under a UNIX operating system. The hardware of the base station preferably includes a Nucleus® Orchestra!™ transmitter and a RF-Audience!™ receiver, manufactured by Motorola, Inc. A more detailed description of the hardware of the controller and of the base station is described in "Introduction to The Wireless Concert!", published 1995 by Motorola, Inc., which is available for sale to the public as part No. 6880491G01 from Motorola, Inc., Ft. Worth, Tex., and which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. It will be appreciated that other similar hardware can be utilized for the controller and base stations. Each of the at least one base station transmits or receives radio signals to or from the portable portion via antennas. The radio signals comprise selective call addresses and message transactions between the base stations and the pagers. The controller preferably is coupled by conventional telephone links to PSTN for receiving selective call messages, i.e., messages intended for one or more pagers. The selective call messages comprise voice and data received from the PSTN using, for example, a conventional telephonic-type device or a computer-type device coupled to the PSTN in a manner well known in the art The portable portion comprises a plurality of paging transceivers such as pager 130 and 150. Each paging transceiver includes a transmitter and a receiver. The operation of a paging transceiver is well known in the art and is described more fully in U.S. Pat. No. 5,124,697 entitled "Acknowledge Back Pager" issued Jun. 23, 1992 to Moore; U.S. Pat. No. 5,153,582 entitled "Method and Apparatus for Acknowledging and Answering a Paging Signal" issued Oct. 6, 1992 to Davis; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,875,038 entitled "Frequency Division Multiplexed Acknowledge Back Paging System" issued Oct. 17, 1989 to Siwiak et al., which are assigned to the assignee of the present invention and which are hereby incorporated by reference herein. The paging transceiver, pager 130, is preferably a Motorola Tango™ pager and has a microprocessor, or processor, modified to perform the operations shown in dotted-line box 106. The Motorola Tango™ pager is compatible with the ReFlex protocol. The Tango pager is described more fully in the Motorola Product Family 255 Service Manual published 5 10 BRlEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a flow diagram of a system and method for synchronizing messages of multiple pagers operating in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present 15 invention. FIG. 2 is a simplified signaling diagram of fields of a first message shown symbolically in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a simplified signaling diagram of fields of a second message shown symbolically in FIG. 1. 20 FIG. 4 is a simplified signaling diagram of fields of a third message shown symbolically in FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a system and method for synchronizing status of multiple pagers operating in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present inven- 25 tion. FIG. 6 is a simplified signaling diagram of fields of a message, shown symbolically in FIG. 5, transmitted by a pager, for changing status of another pager in accordance o 3 with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a simplified signaling diagram of fields of a message, shown symbolically in FIG. 5, transmitted by an infrastructure, for changing status of the other pager in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present 35 invention. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIG. 1 shows a flow diagram 100 of a system and method 40 for synchronizing messages of multiple selective call transceivers, or two-way pagers, operating in accordance with the present invention. The invention preferably operates with a two-way paging communication system that allows communication both to and from pagers such as the 45 system described in U.S. Patent No. 5,168,493 entitled '"rime Division Multiplexed Selective Call System" issued Dec. 1, 1992 to Nelson et al., assigned to the assignee of the present invention, and which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. The invention preferably operates with the 50 Motorola ReFleXTM two-way wireless paging system infrastructure and protocol described in detail in the following U.S. patent applications assigned to the assignee of the present invention: application Ser. No. 08/131,243 entitled "Method and Apparatus for Delivering Messages to Portable 55 Communications Units in a Radio Communication System" filed Oct 4, 1993 by Simpson et al. now U.S. Pat. No. 5,475,863; application Ser. No. 08/398,274 entitled "Method and Apparatus for Optimizing Receiver Synchronization in a Radio Communication System" filed Mar. 3, 1995 by 60 Ayerst, et al. allowed and issue pending; application Ser. No. 08/404,698 entitled "Method and Apparatus for Organizing And Recovering Information Communicated in a Radio Communication System" filed Mar. 15, 1995 by Ayerst et al. now U.S. Pat. No. 5,644,568; application Ser. No. 08/498, 65 212 entitled "Method and Apparatus For Inbound Channel Selection In A Communication System" filed Jul. 5, 1995 by 5,754,119 5 6 comprises, in this embodiment, a status change control 1995 by Motorola, Inc., and in the Motorola Product Family signal indicating that status change information (rather than 255 Series Controller Supplement, published 1995 by Motorola, Inc., which are available for sale to the public some other type of information) follows, and three bits of status change information: a read/unread bit, a protect bit, from Motorola Paging Products Group, Boynton Beach, Fla. as part No. 6881024B80 and part No. 68881104B36, 5 and a delete bit These three bits indicate the corresponding respectively, and which are hereby incorporated by referstatus of the identified message. Alternatively, message 240 has a plurality of message number field 242 and status ence herein. Pager 150 is alternatively a receive-only pager, the operation of each of which are well known to those change information field 243 for communicating changes to multiple messages made during step 220 and delay 230. skilled in the art. A software element, residing in memory, preferably read-only memory (ROM), of pagers 130 and 150 10 Infrastructure 110 receives message 240 at step 245. The is modified to operate the microprocessor, preferably a message is then submitted to a message queue of the Motorola M68HC11PH8, within the pager in accordance infrastructure 110 for transmission by the infrastructure. In with the description of FIG. 1. A person skilled in the art of step 250, the infrastructure transmits the status of the first programming modifies the software using a Motorola HCll message via a third message, or message 255. Message 255 Reference Manual, published 1991 by Motorola, Inc., and 15 is a forward channel message. FIG. 4 shows the content of using a Motorola MC68HC11PH8 Technical Data, pubmessage 255 to be substantially identical to message 240. lished 1995 by Motorola, Inc., which are available for sale Message 255 has an address field 256 and a message number to the public from Motorola, Inc., Phoenix, Ariz. field 257. Message 255 is received by pager 130 in step 260 and ignored by pager 130 because it was the source of the Referring to FIG. 1, dotted-line box 104 encloses a paging infrastructure 110 and steps performed by the paging infra- 20 message. This determination is made by comparing the origin field 259 of message 255 with that assigned to the structure 110; dotted-line box 106 encloses a pager 130 worn pager. Message 255 is also received by pager 150 in step by the user and steps performed by pager 130; and dottedline box 108 encloses at least one pager 150 assigned to the 265. Pager 150 determines that message 255 has status change information due to the status change control signal user, but not worn by the user, and steps performed by pager 150. In accordance with the invention, infrastructure 110 25 included in status change field 258, and that, in this example, the status change information applies to message 205 in receives information intended for the user of pagers 130 and 150. In step 200 a first message 205 having information is response to message 240. In response, pager 150 changes the wirelessly transmitted and is received by pagers 130 and 150 status of the first message 205 to correspond to the status set by the user placing inputs to pager 130 at step 220 and delay in steps 210 and 215, respectively. The pagers assign a status to each message. hnrnediately after reception, the status of 30 230. the message in both pagers is "unread". Thus, the status of messages received by pagers 130 and FIG. 2 shows an example of a first message, or message by all pagers 150 will be identical after execution of step 275. Thus if a user reads and deletes a message on pager 130, 205, which includes an address 206 assigned to pagers 130 and 150 for selectively identifying the pagers, a message it will also be identified as being read and deleted on pagers number 207 assigned by the infrastructure 110 for identify- 35 150. Consequently, when the user changes from pager 130 ing the message, and message information 208 for commuto 150 in response to changing attire, or otherwise, the status nication to the user of pagers 130 and 150. Message 205 is of messages in both pagers will be substantially identical. a forward channel message transmitted by the infrastructure This has the advantage of alleviating the inconvenience of for reception by one or more pagers. changing the status of unread messages in pager 150. Furthermore, delay 230 has the advantage of reducing the Referring again to FIG. 1, in step 220, pager 130 receives 40 number status change transmissions. For example, when a an input from the user: typically the user interacts with a user interface by depressing a button on the pager indicating a user receives a message, the first action taken is to read the desire to read the message. The message is then displayed on message. Without delay 230, message 240 and message 255 would be transmitted indicating a change from "unread a pager display so that the user is able to read the message. The act of depressing the button causes the status of message 45 status" to "read status". This status change would then occur 205 to change from "unread" to ''read" in pager 130. During in pager 150. A short time after having read the message the a delay 230, additional changes to message status can occur. user may either protect or delete the message, and again, The duration of delay 230 is a predetermined time period message 240 and message 255 would be transmitted indicating a change from the ''read" status to the "protect" or such as a typical display time out interval where the pager enters a low power mode when message displaying is ended. so "delete" status. When delay 230 is added and if the second Other status changes that can occur during the delay 230 status change occurs within the delay interval of delay 230, include changes to protected or deleted status. After delay only a single set of messages consisting of message 240 and message 255 is transmitted indicating a change in message 230, the status of the message received by pager 130 is transmitted in step 235 via a second message, that is, status from ''unread" to "protect" or "delete". Thus, in this 55 example, delay 230 reduces by 50% the amount of messages message 240. communicated in the paging system in order to keep the FIG. 3 shows an example of a second message, or pager 130 and the pager 150 synchronized. This has the message 240, that includes an address 241, corresponding to advantage of reducing the loading of the infrastructure address 206, assigned to both pager 130 and pager 150 for caused by messages sent in accordance with this invention. selectively identifying the pagers; a message number field 242 assigned by the infrastructure 110 for identifying the 60 FIG. 5 shows a flow diagram 500 of a system for number of the message; a status change information field synchronizing status of multiple pagers operating in accor243 for indicating the status change occurring in step 220 dance with the present invention. As in FIG. 1, the system and in delay 230; and an origin field 244 for uniquely preferably operates with the Motorola ReFleXTM two-way identifying the pager 130 which is the source of message wireless paging system infrastructure that allows commu240. Message 240 is a synchronizing signal in a forward 65 nication both to and from the pager. It should be appreciated channel message transmitted by a pager for reception by the that other two-way communication systems are also coninfrastructure. The status change information field 243 templated. Referring to FIG. 6, dotted-line box 504 shows a 5,754,119 7 8 paging infrastructure 510, box 506 shows a pager 530 worn by the user, and box 508 shows at least one pager 550 assigned to the user but not worn by the user. Infrastructure 510 is a paging infrastructure that provides interfacing between a pager and typically a PSTN for coJ?Illunication of information with the pager. The operation of Infrastructure 510 is well known to those familiar with the art. Preferably, infrastructure 510 is a Motorola ReFlex™ infrastructure, the software of which is modified to perform the operations shown in dotted-line box 504. Pager 530 is a transceiver capable of receiving and sending information and is preferably a Motorola Tango™ pager modified to perform the operations shown in dotted-line box 506. Pager 550 is alternatively a receive-only pager, operation of which is well known to those skilled in the art. The software of pagers 530 and 550 is modified to operate in accordance with the description of FIG. 3. In accordance with the invention, at step 620, pager 530 receives an input from the user. Typically, the input occurs when the user depresses a button on the pager indicating a desire to change the status of the pager. The status of the pager is then changed in response to a sequence of button depressions. A status change includes a change in operating mode or information content of the pager. Changes in operating mode include changes in alert mode, such as changing a time of day alarm, changing from silent to audio alert mode, or selecting a different alert melody. Changes in operating mode also include changes in the status of a message, such as "unread", "read", "protect", and "delete" status of a message. Changes in operating mode also include changes in alert threshold information such as high or low values of a financial instrument information, sports scores, or other information received via an information paging service. Changes in operating mode also include changes in information content such as edits to received or stored information, additional information such as additions to Rolodex™ type information or calendar appointments. Changes in operating mode also include changes in key word search algorithms which search received information for desired words and generate a response such as generating an alert or storing the message having the key word. Implementation of the aforesaid status changes is well known to those skilled in the art of portable information managers such as pagers. It is possible that during delay 630, additional changes to pager status will occur. The duration of delay 630 is a typical display time out interval where the pager enters a low power mode when displaying is ended. Any multiple pager status changes that occurred during delay 630 are transmitted in step 635 via a first message 640. Status changes are stored as a reconfiguration of memory, preferably random access memory (RAM), in pager 530. Message 640 communicates the change in status by communicating a reconfiguration of memory in pager 530. In a preferred embodiment, pagers 530 and 550 have a common virtual memory structure, the virtual memory structure facilitating communication of status change information by communicating changes in pre-defined records in the common virtual memory structures. The virtual memory structure allows the physical memory structure to vary between pagers while maintaining a common virtual structure. Thus, the change in status of pager 530 is able to be communicated by identifying at least one record, and its contents, in its virtual memory that has been modified by the status change or changes occurring during step 620 and delay 630. For example, record one could contain the alert mode of the pager, record two could contain a time of day alarm, record three could contain a message number and its status, record four through seven could contain the message associated with record one, record eight could contain a key word search term, and record nine could contain high and low search limits within a message. In alternate embodiments, other techniques may be used to indicate changes in the status of the pager. FIG. 6 shows the structure of message 640, having an address field 641 for identifying pagers 530 and 550, a memory record identifier, or virtual memory address, in field 642 for indicating which memory record was affected by the status changes occurring during step 620 and delay 630, the contents of the changed memory record, 643, and an origin field 644 for uniquely identifying pager 530 as the source of message 640. Alternatively, message 640 contains a plurality of field 642 and a plurality of field 643 for indicating a plurality of status changes occurring during step 620 and delay 630. Infrastructure 510 receives message 640 at step 645. and in step 650 transmits the change of status of pager 530 via a second message, message 655. FIG. 7 shows the structure of message 655, having an address field 656 for identifying pagers 530 and 550, a memory record identifier 657 for indicating which memory record was affected by the status changes occurring at step 620 and delay 630, the contents of the changed memory record, 658, and an origin field 659 for uniquely identifying pager 530 as the source of the status change. The structure of message 640 shown in FIG. 6 appears substantially identical to the structure of message 655 shown in FIG. 7; however, it should be understood that only the information content conveyed by the messages 640 and 655 are substantially identical, and that the encoding scheme and the manner of inserting the message into the ReFlex protocol is preferably different for transmissions made by a pager compared with transmissions made by the infrastructure. Message 640 is transmitted by pager 130. Message 655 is transmitted by the infrastructure in response to receipt by the infrastructure of message 640. Referring now to FIG. 5, message 655 is received by pager 530 is step 660 and ignored since it was the source of the message. Message 655 is also received by pager 550 in step 665. In this step, pager 530 checks the origin field 659, and after establishing itself as the pager that originated the message 655, ignores the message 655. Similarly, pager 550, upon checking the origin field 659 determines that it is not the origin of the status change, and in response, pager 550 changes its status to correspond to the status of pager 530 set by the user placing inputs to pager 530 at step 620 and delay 630. This is done by replacing the status of virtual memory records in the memory of pager 550 with the contents of corresponding one or more field 658, thereby effecting the status change. Thus, the status of all of the user's pagers (in this example, pager 530 and pager 550) will be identical upon execution of step 675. Consequently, when the user changes from pager 530 to pager 550 in response to changing attire, or otherwise, the status of both pagers will be substantially identical. Furthermore, similar to delay 230, delay 630 has the advantage of reducing the number of status change transmissions. For example, when a user enters or changes a financial instrument alert threshold, and the user wants an alert when a certain stock reaches a certain value, it is possible that the user changes the threshold several times during the delay interval while deciding upon a final value. Delay 630 only allows transmission of the value preferably 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 5,754,119 9 10 after the display times out and enters a battery saving mode. a user, and transmitting, in step 635, a first message indicaThus, if the user changes the threshold four times, only a tive of the second status; and also comprising, in a wireless messaging infrastructure, the steps of: receiving, in step 645, signal indicative of the last threshold entered corresponding the first message, and transmitting, in step 650, a second to the financial instrument would be transmitted. Consequently, only a single set of messages 640 and 655 is 5 message indicative of the second status; and further transmitted indicating a status change. Thus, in this example, comprising, in a second transceiver, the steps of: receiving, delay 630 reduces by 75% the amount of messages comin step 665, the second message, and changing, in step 675, municated in the paging system in order to keep the status a status of the second transceiver to the second status in response thereto, wherein the first transceiver and the second of pagers 530 and 550 synchronized. Furthermore, since the user is monitoring pager 530 during delay 630, if a financial 10 transceiver have a multiplicity of status categories that instrument value is received that exceeds an interim threshinclude received message status, time of day alarm status, old value entered into pager 530, an alert will be generated message key word status, or message threshold value status, each of the status categories having a plurality of states, and by pager 530. However, since the interim threshold value the first message is a signal indicative of a state of a status was not transmitted to pager 550, no alert would be generated by pager 550. This of no great consequence because the 15 category which has changed in response to the input. user is monitoring pager 530, and not pager 550, and The microprocessor and the software that controls the therefore the user receives the desired alert. The user is thus microprocessor in pager 530 comprise means in at least one able to take a desired action, such as ordering the purchase communication device of the plurality of communication or sale of the financial instrwnent. based upon the alert. In devices for changing a status category of the at least one any event, the user is able to switch from using pager 530 to 20 communication device of the plurality of communication pager 550 knowing that the financial instrument threshold in devices to produce a current state of the status category. The both pagers is identically set. microprocessor, the software that controls the Similar examples of the advantages of the pause that microprocessor, and a transmitter in pager 530 comprise occurs during the delay 630 include entry of information in means in the at least one communication device of the a calendar or "Rolodex" information on acquaintances. 25 plurality of communication devices to produce a synchroDelay 630 allows the user to change the entry of information nizing signal for signaling to the infrastructure 510 the during the delay without transmitting a signal indicative of current state of the status category. The receiver, the each iteration of the entered information. lbis reduces the transmitter, the controller of the infrastructure 510, and the information loading of the infrastructure in communicating software of the controller comprise means in the infrastructhe changes to the status of the user's pagers. Furthermore, 30 ture 510 to produce a current state signal for signaling to another communication device of the plurality of commusince the pager's transmitter is operated less frequently, nication devices the current state of the status category of the delay 630 and delay 230 have the advantage of reducing the power consumed by a battery powering the pagers 130 and at least one communication device of the plurality of communication devices in response to the synchronizing signal. 530, thereby improving the battery life of the pagers. The present invention includes a method of communicat- 35 The receiver, the microprocessor, and the software of the microprocessor of pager 550 comprise means in the other ing changes in a status of message information in a pager communication device of the plurality of communication 130 including the steps of: wirelessly receiving a first devices for changing the current state of the at least one message from a base station, the first message having first status category of the other communication device of the information for a user of the pager and having a status associated therewith; changing the status of the first infor- 40 plurality of communication devices to the current state of the at least one communication device of the plurality of commation responsive to an input to the pager; and wirelessly munication devices responsive to the current state signal. transmitting a second message having second information Thus, it should be apparent by now that the present indicative of the status of the first information to the base station responsive to the step of changing. invention provides a method of synchronizing the state of The invention also includes a method of synchronizing 45 message information among a plurality of selective call transceivers, or pagers. In particular, the method advantamessage information among a plurality of transceivers, such geously provides a method of communicating changes in as pager 130 and pager 150, including the steps of: status category of message information, from among a transmitting, in step 200, by a wireless messaging inframultiplicity of status categories, in a first transceiver to a structure a first message having a first status; in one transceiver, such as pager 130, of the plurality of 50 second transceiver. When a first status in a transceiver is changed to a subsequent status as a result of a subsequent transceivers, changing, in step 220, the first status of the first input to the first transceiver, the invention provides a method message to a second status responsive to an input to the one of automatically changing the first status in a second transtransceiver, and transmitting, in step 235, a second message ceiver to the subsequent status. indicative of the second status; in the wireless messaging While a detailed description of a preferred embodiment of infrastructure, receiving, in step 245, the second message, 55 the invention has been given, it should be appreciated that and responsive to receiving the second message, many variations can be made thereto without departing from transmitting, in step 250, a third message indicative of the the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended second status; and, in at least one other transceiver, such as claims. Further, the invention is not limited to selective call pager 150, of the plurality of transceivers, receiving, in step 265, the third message, and responsive to receiving the third 60 transceivers, or two-way pagers, but can be used with other message, changing, in step 275, the first status of the first types of two-way communication devices, both fixed and portable, both wireless and wireline. message to the second status. We clainl: The invention further includes a method of synchronizing 1. A method of synchronizing message information a status a plurality of transceivers, such as pager 530 and pager 550, including the steps, in a first transceiver, of: 65 among a plurality of transceivers comprising the steps of: transmitting by a wireless messaging infrastructure a first changing the status, in step 620, of the first transceiver from a first status to a second status as a result of an input from message having a first status; 5,754,119 11 in one transceiver of the plurality of transceivers, changing the first status of the first message to a second status responsive to an input to the one transceiver, and transmitting a second message indicative of the second status; 5 in the wireless messaging infrastructure, receiving the second message, and responsive to receiving the second message, transmitting a third message indicative of the second status; and in at least one other transceiver of the plurality of 10 transceivers, receiving the third message, and responsive to receiving the third message, changing the first status of the first message to the second status. 2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the first status is an unread status and the second status is includes read, 15 deleted or protected status. 3. The method according to claim 1 further comprising the steps of: in the at least one other transceiver, changing the first status of the first message to a third 20 status responsive to an input to the at least one other transceiver, and transmitting a fourth message indicative of the third status; in the wireless messaging infrastructure, receiving the fourth message, and 25 transmitting a fifth message indicative of the third status; and in the one transceiver, receiving the fifth message, and changing the first status of the first message to the third 30 status responsive to receiving the fifth message. 4. The method according to claim 1 wherein said step of transmitting the second message indicative of the second status in the one transceiver further comprises the steps of: delaying transmission of the second message by a prede- 35 termined time period after changing the first status of the first message; changing the first status of the first message to a subsequent status in response to a subsequent input to the one transceiver; and 40 transmitting the subsequent status as the second status if changing of the first status to the subsequent status occurs within the predetermined time period. 5. A method of synchronizing a status of a plurality of 45 transceivers comprising the steps of: in a first transceiver, changing the status of the first transceiver from a first status to a second status as a result of an input from a user, and transmitting a first message indicative of the second status; 50 in a wireless messaging infrastructure, receiving the first message, and transmitting a second message indicative of the second status; and in a second transceiver, receiving the second message, and changing a status of the second transceiver to the 55 second status in response thereto. 6. The method according to claim 5 further comprising the steps of: in the first transceiver, receiving the second message; and decoding the second message without further changing 60 the status of the first transceiver. 7. The method according to claim 5 wherein the first transceiver and the second transceiver have a multiplicity of status categories, each of the multiplicity of status categories having a state, and the first message is a signal indicative of 65 state of status category which has changed in response to the input. 12 8. The method according to claim 7 wherein the multiplicity of status categories include received message status, time of day alarm status, message key word status, or message threshold value status. 9. The method according to claim 5 wherein said step transmitting the first message indicative of the second status in the first transceiver further comprises the steps of: delaying transmission of the first message by a predetermined time after changing the status of the first transceiver; changing the status of the first transceiver to a subsequent status responsive to a subsequent input to the first transceiver; and transmitting the subsequent status as the second status if the changing of the status to the subsequent status occurs within the predetermined time. 10. A system for synchronizing a status category of a plurality of wireless communication devices communicating with a wireless paging infrastructure, each of the plurality of communication devices having at least one status category, each of the at least one status category having a plurality of states. comprising: means in at least one communication device of the plurality of communication devices for changing a status category of the at least one communication device of the plurality of communication devices to produce a current state of the status category; means in the at least one communication device of the plurality of communication devices to produce a synchronizing signal for signaling to the infrastructure the current state of the status category; means in the infrastructure to produce a current state signal for signaling to an other communication device of the plurality of communication devices the current state of the status category of the at least one communication device of the plurality of communication devices in response to the synchronizing signal; and means in the other communication device of the plurality of communication devices for changing the current state of the at least one status category of the other communication device of the plurality of communication devices to the current state of the at least one communication device of the plurality of communication devices responsive to the current state signal. 11. A system for synchronizing messages among a multiplicity of selective call transceivers communicating with a wireless paging infrastructure, the wireless paging infrastructure having a base transmitter and a controller, each of the multiplicity of selective call transceivers having a processor and a transmitter, and at least one status category, each of the at least one status category having a plurality of states, the system comprising: a user interface on at least one of the multiplicity of selective call transceivers for changing a state of a status category of the at least one of the multiplicity of selective call transceivers to produce a synchronizing signal and coupled to the processor; a software element at the processor for controlling transmission of a synchronizing signal by the transmitter after a change of state of a status category; and another software element at the controller for controlling transmission of a current state signal by the base transmitter responsive to the synchronizing signal. * * * * *

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