Motorola Mobility, Inc. v. Apple Inc.

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)

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

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USER'S
PAGER 1

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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

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CHANGE STATUS
OF MESSAGE 1

L--------------1 L-------------J.QQ

U.S. Patent

May 19, 1998

FIG. 5
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506

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- -·- - - - - - - J. - - - - -

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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
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665

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U.S. Patent

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206

May 19, 1998

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MSG NO.

ADDRESS

5,754,119

Sheet 3 of 3

MSG INFORMATION

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FIG.2

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STATUS CHANGE

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ORIGIN

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FIG.3
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MSG NO.

STATUS CHANGE

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FIG.4
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FIG. 7

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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

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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;

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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.

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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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