United States Patent (19)
`Foladare et al.
`
`US006134454A
`Patent Number:
`11
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`6,134,454
`*Oct. 17, 2000
`
`54 SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MAINTAINING
`PERSONAL COMMUNICATIONS
`INFORMATION IN A MOBILE
`COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM
`75 Inventors: Mark Jeffrey Foladare, Kendall Park;
`Shelley B. Goldman, East Brunswick;
`David Philip Silverman, Somerville;
`Roy Philip Weber, Bridgewater, all of
`N.J.
`73 Assignee: AT&T Corp., Middletown, N.J.
`*
`Notice:
`This patent issued on a continued pros-
`ecution application filed under 37 CFR
`1.53(d), and is subject to the twenty year
`patent term provisions of 35 U.S.C.
`154(a)(2).
`
`21 Appl. No.: 08/573,839
`22 Filed
`Dec. 18, 1995
`... H04Q 7/20
`51 Int. CI.7
`52 U.S. Cl. .............................................................. 455/556
`58 Field of Search .................................. 379/56, 57,58,
`379/59, 357; 455/33.1, 456, 433,517, 31.3,
`557, 558; 340/825.44
`
`56)
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`5,335,246 8/1994 Yokev et al. ...................... 340/825.44
`5,408,683 4/1995 Ablay et al. .....
`... 455/433
`5,423,060 6/1995 Masuda et al. ..
`... 455/517
`5,506,886 4/1996 Maine et al. ........................... 455/31.3
`
`5,522,089 5/1996 Kikinis et al. .......................... 379/357
`5,530,918 6/1996 Jasinski ................................... 455/525
`5,561,840 10/1996 Alvesalo et al.
`455/433
`5,570,412 10/1996 LeBlanc .................................. 455/456
`5,604,787 2/1997 Kotzin et al. ........................... 455/558
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`WO92/08311 5/1992 WIPO ...................................... 379/58
`Primary Examiner Dwayne D. Bost
`Assistant Examiner Myron K. Wyche
`57
`ABSTRACT
`The NR is arts and method for updating a
`communications network Irom one or more user communi
`cations devices. The invention uses the electronic Schedul
`ther time-based features within a communications
`trol and/or initiate t
`f inf
`ti
`E. or
`evice to control and/or inuate transmission of information
`between the communications device and the communica
`tions network. Information from one or more communica
`tions devices is updated to the communications network in
`response to time-based components in the information
`entries corresponding to a timing device associated with the
`respective communications device. Also, once the network
`has received this updated information, comparisons of
`related information entries are initiated to detect discrepan
`cies therebetween. In this manner, user Submitted time and
`geographic location information is compared with Similar
`information automatically retrieved by the communications
`network using conventional and future network communi
`cations technology. Any detected discrepancies are used
`and/or retrieve updated information to initiate appropriate
`notification to the user or to default to existing message
`delivery Systems.
`
`26 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`
`
`54
`
`38
`
`INPUT INTERFACE
`CONTROL
`UNIT
`
`DAABASE
`PHONE BOOKSCHEDULING
`
`12
`
`COMMUNICATION DEVICE
`W/SCHEDULING
`
`32
`
`TRANSMITTER/RECEIVER
`
`44
`
`14
`G
`N PAGIN
`NETWO
`RK
`
`
`
`
`
`46
`
`48
`
`22
`
`
`NETWO RK
`CONTROLLER
`
`NETWORK
`
`RK 1-24
`NETWO
`DATABASE
`
`
`
`PAGE 1 OF 10
`
`UNIFIED PATENTS EXHIBIT 1009
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 17, 2000
`
`Sheet 1 of 4
`
`6,134,454
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`10
`
`34
`
`INPUT INTERFACE
`
`12
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`DATABASE
`PHONE BOOKSCHEDULING
`
`COMMUNICATION DEVICE
`W/SCHEDULING
`
`32
`
`
`
`TRANSMITTER/RECEIVER
`
`44
`
`
`
`
`
`48
`
`PAGING
`NETWORK
`
`
`
`NETWORK
`CONTROLLER
`
`
`
`
`
`NETWORK
`DATABASE
`
`24
`
`PAGE 2 OF 10
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 17, 2000
`
`Sheet 2 of 4
`
`6,134,454
`
`
`
`66
`
`
`
`FIG. 2
`
`cip
`
`ENTER INFORMATION IN
`COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE
`
`
`
`64
`
`DOES CORRESPONDING INFORMATION
`EXIT IN ELECTRONIC PHONE BOOK ?
`
`
`
`68
`
`ENTER CORRESPONDING
`INFORMATION INTO
`ELECTRONIC PHONE BOOK
`
`NO
`
`76
`
`AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OF
`INFORMATION TO NETWORK
`EVENT-BASED OR TIME-BASED
`
`72
`N
`
`7
`
`TRANSMIT MANUALLY
`YES
`USER TRANSMITS
`INFORMATION
`TO NETWORK
`
`
`
`NETWORK
`IS UPDATED
`
`PAGE 3 OF 10
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 17, 2000
`
`Sheet 3 of 4
`
`6,134,454
`
`FIG. 3
`10
`
`12
`COMMUNICATION
`DEVICE
`W/SCHEDULING
`
`USER
`
`54
`
`78
`
`colletion
`
`79
`
`MESSAGE
`DELIVERY
`SYSTEM
`
`>N /<
`46
`pAGIN
`46
`NETWORK
`14
`82
`
`
`
`48
`
`22
`
`INTERFACE coach
`
`
`
`NETWORK
`CONTROLLER
`
`
`
`16
`
`
`
`
`
`NETWORK
`
`NETWORK
`DATABASE
`
`24
`
`PAGE 4 OF 10
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 17, 2000
`
`Sheet 4 of 4
`
`6,134,454
`
`FIC 4
`
`
`
`12
`1st COMMUNICATIONS
`DEVICE
`
`TRANSMIT INFORMATION
`TO NETWORK
`
`2nd COMMUNICATIONS
`DEVICE
`
`78
`
`
`
`
`
`POLL 2nd COMMUNICATION
`DEVICE FOR
`ACTUAL LOCATION
`
`88
`
`89
`
`
`
`YES
`
`
`
`IS PROPOSED LOCATION
`CONSISTENT WITH
`ACTUAL LOCATION ?
`NO
`
`INITIATE USER
`INQUIRY
`
`94
`
`96
`
`
`
`IS USER
`NOTIFIED
`NO
`DEFAULT TO MESSAGE
`DELIVERY SYSTEM
`
`98
`
`PAGE 5 OF 10
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`

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`6,134.454
`
`1
`SYSTEMAND METHOD FOR MANTAINING
`PERSONAL COMMUNICATIONS
`INFORMATION IN A MOBILE
`COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`1. Field of the Invention
`The invention relates to personal communications with
`communications devices. More particularly, the invention
`relates to transferring information within communications
`Systems using one or more communications devices.
`2. Description of the Related Art
`Communications Systems in today's mobile Society
`involve numerous communications devices, including
`telephones, cellular telephones, pagers, personal computers,
`laptop computers, personal digital assistants (PDAS),
`modems, facsimile machines, and the networks, Signal
`Switching Stations, paging Stations and affiliated Services
`that maintain the communication relationships between
`these devices. Advancing mobile phone technology and
`radio paging Systems have done much to reduce inconve
`niences associated with varying locations of one or more of
`these communications devices during use.
`Important to reducing inconveniences within communi
`cations Systems having mobile users is a network or System
`of networks that is readily accessible and contains the most
`current information regarding the communications devices.
`Such information includes, e.g., the identity and location of
`a particular communications device at a given time, and the
`actual content of the information being transmitted by or to
`Such devices, whether it be voice or data information.
`For example, in a paging System, a mobile individual
`carries a portable pager. Typically, the pager is assigned a
`paging number and is capable of receiving a radio signal.
`When a caller dials the pager's number, a radio signal is
`broadcast from a paging Service or similar location and the
`pager responds to the paging Signal by activating an audible
`and/or visual alarm. The alarm serves to alert the mobile
`individual that an attempt to two way contact the individual
`has been made.
`Many pagerS Support two-way communications, i.e., the
`pagers are equipped to transmit to as well as receive radio
`paging Signals from a paging Service. Information transmit
`ted from pagers to a paging Service includes, e.g., the
`identity and location of the pager at the time of the trans
`mission. The accuracy of determining the location of the
`pager is based on existing and future network capabilities.
`In addition to establishing communications with other
`devices, many communications devices are equipped to
`perform other functions independent of other communica
`tions devices including the Storage, processing and dissemi
`nation of information. For example, personal computers
`(including desktop and laptop computers) and PDAS have
`relatively extensive information processing and Storage fea
`tureS.
`Typically, the PDAS and personal computers are equipped
`with phonebook electrical and Scheduling capabilities.
`Often, the information contained therein is accessible by
`external expedients. For example, an electronic phonebook
`entry can be accessed manually and transmitted via a
`modem to place a telephone call. Similarly, a Scheduling
`entry can be displayed or activated on a particular day and
`at a time corresponding to the devices internal clock or its
`access to an external clock.
`It would be desirable to improve the transfer and main
`tenance of information within existing and future commu
`
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`nications Systems in a manner that enchances the accuracy
`currentness of the information within the communications
`Systems.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`The invention is an apparatus and method for updating a
`communications network from one or more user communi
`cations devices. In particular, the invention uses the elec
`tronic Scheduling or other time-based features within a
`communications device to control and/or initiate transmis
`Sion of information between the communications device and
`the communications network. Information from one or more
`communications devices is updated to the communications
`network in response to time-based components in the infor
`mation entries corresponding to a timing device associated
`with the respective communications device. Also, once the
`network has received this updated information, comparisons
`of related information entries are initiated to detect discrep
`ancies therebetween. In this manner, user Submitted time and
`geographic location information is compared with Similar
`information automatically retrieved by the communications
`network using conventional and future network communi
`cations technology. Any detected discrepancies are used to
`initiate appropriate notification to the user or to default to
`existing message delivery Systems.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`FIG. 1 is a Schematic view of a communications System
`according to an embodiment of the invention;
`FIG. 2 is a flow chart depicting operation of the invention
`according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;
`FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a communications system
`according to another embodiment of the invention; and
`FIG. 4 is a flow chart depicting operation of the invention
`according to another embodiment of the invention.
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`In the following description Similar components are
`referred to by the same reference numeral in order to
`Simplify the understanding of the invention.
`Referring to FIG. 1, a Schematic view of a communica
`tions System 10 according to an embodiment of the inven
`tion is shown. Included as part of communications System 10
`is at least one communications device 12 having, e.g. an
`electronic Scheduler and/or phonebook. Such communica
`tions devices include, e.g., desktop computers, portable
`computers, PDAS, certain watches and calculators,
`telephones, pagers and the like. For purposes of discussion
`in this description, an electronic Scheduler and/or electronic
`Scheduling are understood to be anything associated with a
`communications device that provides any accountability for
`the Schedule of one or more users within a communications
`System of interest. Similarly, an electronic phonebook or
`electronic phonebook capabilities are understood to be any
`thing associated with a communications device that provides
`any accountability for the name, phone number and other
`related information associated with one or more users within
`the communications System of interest.
`Communications System 10 also includes one or more
`paging networkS 14 and/or one or more wireline networks
`16. Operably connected to or contained within network 16
`is a network controller 22, which processes information
`received from, e.g., paging network 14 and communications
`device 12. Also, network 16 includes a database 24 that
`stores various information received by network 16 via
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`network controller 22. Although network controller 22 is
`shown and described as being part of the communications
`network itself, it will be understood by those skilled in the
`art that network controller 22 can be separate from network
`16 and/or network database 24 with only an operable
`connection therebetween.
`Communications device 12 includes a controller or con
`trol unit 32 for receiving information entries from a user 34
`via any Suitable input interface 36, e.g., a keyboard, a speech
`recognition module, a disk drive or other device that trans
`fers information from one or more users to communications
`device 12. Control unit 32 is in operable connection with a
`database 38, which stores information (e.g., phonebook and
`Scheduling information) entered into communications
`device 12. For example, the information Stored in database
`38 includes entries containing information associated with
`personal appointments of user 34 and containing the names,
`addresses, phone numbers of various people associated with
`user 34. Although shown as part of communications device
`12, database 38 need only be accessible by communications
`device 12 for a period of time long enough to accept
`information transferred therefrom.
`Also, control unit 32 is operably connected to a clock or
`timing device 42 and a transmitter 44. Clock 42 is any
`suitable timing device that provides control unit 32 with
`time-based information, Such as a timepiece contained
`within communications device 12, as shown, or an internal
`module that obtains time-based information from Sources
`external to communications device 12. Time-based infor
`mation includes, e.g. the day, the time of day and the date.
`Transmitter 44 is any device that transmits information in
`a Suitable format and through an appropriate medium from
`communications device 12 to any of a number of other
`communications devices, including, e.g., paging network 14
`and wireline network 16. Transmitter 44 is removably
`attached to communications device 12 or, alternatively, is
`installed or otherwise contained within communications
`device 12. For example, transmitter 44 is a two-way pager
`or wireless modem inserted into a PCMIA slot of a portable
`communications device 12, and broadcasts information from
`communications device 12 in the form of radio signals
`(shown as 46) for reception by paging network 14.
`Alternatively, the information is transmitted over wired
`lines (shown as 48) using conventional technology. That is,
`the information is transmitted in the form of electrical
`impulse Signals acroSS electrical wiring or optical radiation
`Signals acroSS optical fiber.
`FIG.2 shows a flow chart diagram depicting the operation
`of communications system 10 shown in FIG. 1 according to
`an embodiment of the invention. Communications System
`10 is used, for example, to update network information via
`portable communications device 12 (e.g., a PDA or laptop
`computer) as to the location of user 34 and, perhaps, a phone
`(or pager) number in which to reach user 34. The first step
`64 shown in the flow chart diagram is that of entering
`appropriate information into communications device 12,
`e.g., for an upcoming meeting in which user 34 plans to
`attend. That is, user 34 enters into the electronic Scheduling
`portion of database 38 the date and time of the meeting and
`either the location of the meeting or the party user 34 intends
`to meet with.
`The information entries contains, e.g., time based com
`ponents (i.e., the date and time the meeting is to be held) and
`a location-based component (e.g., where or with whom the
`meeting is to be held). From these two components, any
`remaining necessary information components are obtainable
`either through accessing database 38 or by querying user34.
`
`45
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`4
`In this manner, a first conditional branch 66 queries
`whether the entered information has any related information
`already existing in the electronic phonebook portion of
`database 38. For example, if the entered information indi
`cates that a meeting is to be held at a particular location, first
`conditional branch 66 queries whether the name, phone
`number and/or other information (including non-essential
`information) associated with the person at that location
`exists already in database 38. If so, no additional informa
`tion needs to be entered (except for possibly an affirmation)
`and the remaining information is accessed Subsequently,
`e.g., by control unit 32. If not, control passes to a Step 68,
`which instructs user 34 to enter any remaining information.
`This Subsequently entered information, if essential is also
`stored in the electronic phonebook portion of database 38 for
`any Subsequent accessing.
`Conditional branch 66 includes additional queries, e.g.,
`whether the meeting is to be disturbed by calls. If the
`meeting is not to be disturbed by calls, perhaps no other
`queries are necessary. However, if the meeting is to be
`disturbed by a telephone, paging or other type of call, the
`proper calling numbers need to be identified. Thus, an
`additional query included in conditional branch 66 is
`whether a number or group of numbers typically associated
`with a particular location or party are proper for the meeting.
`If So, no additional information needs to be entered except
`for, possibly, an affirmation. If not (i.e., if the meeting is
`being held at a location with a phone number or group of
`numbers not normally identified with the party being met
`with), entry of the correct number or numbers is made.
`Once all of the necessary information regarding the
`meeting has been entered into communications device 12, a
`Second conditional branch 72 queries user 34 regarding
`transmission of the information from communications
`device 12. If user 34 chooses to update the information in
`network 16 immediately, a manual transmission Step 74 is
`executed by user 34. However, if user 34 desires the
`information to be transmitted automatically, an automatic
`transmission Step 76 transmits information entries at the
`appropriate time, based on the time-based component of the
`information entry and/or the timing device 42 of commu
`nications device 12.
`For example, as will be discussed in greater detail below,
`automatic transmission Step 76 is an event-based Step that
`transmits information entries when the time-based compo
`nent of the event captured in an information entry coincides
`with timing device 42. Alternatively, automatic transmission
`Step 76 is a time-based Step that transmits information
`entries at a particular time not necessarily related to the time
`of the event captured in an information entry.
`Transmitted information entries, in addition to having
`time based components and location based component as a
`part thereof a device identification (e.g., a device identifi
`cation code) unique to the particular communications device
`12. It is this device identification that enables the Source of
`the information transmission to be determined by existing
`and future information transmission technology. Also, as
`will be discussed later, the device identification allows
`certain additional aspects (e.g., general and Specific
`location) of each particular communications device 12 to be
`determined by existing and future technology.
`An inventive portion of communications System 10
`includes automatic transmission Step 76. In this step, the
`time-based component of an information entry as compared
`to timing device 42 is used to trigger the transmission of at
`least that particular information entry. Therefore, the elec
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`S
`tronic Scheduling capabilities, particularly, the time-based
`functions thereof, are used in combination with the time
`keeping functions of communications device 12 to control
`transmission of information entries from communications
`device 12.
`Transmission of information entries in this manner is
`automatic in response to the contents of timing device 42,
`which, e.g., changes continuously with the passage of time.
`Thus, depending on the Specific configuration of automatic
`transmission Step 76, information entries are capable of
`being transmitted any time between entry into communica
`tions device 12 and the Specific time reflected in its time
`based component. For example, if user 34 has a meeting at
`10:00 AM on the 15th of the month and enters Such
`information into communications device 12 at approxi
`mately 3:00 PM on the 7th of the month, automatic trans
`mission step 76 is capable (via appropriate configuration) of
`transmitting the pertinent information regarding this meet
`ing at any time between 3:00 PM on the 7th and 10:00AM
`on the 15th (including transmission at exactly 10:00 AM on
`the 15th).
`As shown in FIG. 1, transmitter 44 transmits information
`entries via an appropriate communications couping. That is,
`information entries to be received by paging network 14 are
`transmitted via radio Signals 46. Similarly, information
`entries to be received directly by network controller 22 are
`transmitted, e.g. via wireleSS infrared signals, via electrical
`impulse Signals acroSS electrical wiring or via optical radia
`tion impulse signals across optical fiber (shown generally as
`48).
`Network controller 22 uses the device identification code
`in each information entry to Store the appropriate informa
`tion therefore in the appropriate area of network database 24.
`AS previously discussed, Such information includes, e.g., the
`date, time and location of a meeting, the party to be meeting
`with, whether the meeting is to be disturbed and, if So, a
`number for reaching the meeting. Also, network controller
`22 receives information indicating the identity and location
`of communications device 12.
`In this manner, network controller 22 and network 16 are
`updated with information regarding the actual and/or
`expected location of user 34. As will be discussed below,
`Such information is used, for example, in conjunction with
`other inventive aspects and with existing and future network
`communications technology.
`Referring to FIG. 3, a Schematic view of a communica
`tions System 10 according to an embodiment of the inven
`tion is shown for a user 34 having access to one or more
`communications devices 12, 78, in which at least one
`communications device has electronic Scheduling capabili
`ties. For example, communications device 12 is a PDA or
`laptop computer with electronic Scheduling features and
`communications device 78 is a two-way pager operably
`contained within communications device 12 or worn by user
`34. Also, as will be discussed later, user 34 has access to a
`message delivery system 79.
`Communications system 10 includes a network 16 com
`prising a network database 24 and a network control point
`(NCP) or controller 22. In this embodiment, network con
`troller 22 includes an interface 82, a network controller
`database 84 and a comparator 86, all of which are operably
`connected as shown. Also, network controller 22 is in
`operable connection with network database 24 as shown.
`Also included as part of communications System 10 is a
`65
`paging network 14. Communications devices 12, 78 com
`municate with paging network 14, e.g., by transmitting radio
`
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`Signals 46 to the reception area of paging network 14.
`However, it is to be understood that information can be
`transmitted directly to network controller 22 with appropri
`ate coupling. For example, if communications device 12 is
`a desktop computer, information therefrom is transmitted,
`e.g., via a modem or a wired connection between the desktop
`computer and network interface 82.
`In general, network controller 22 manages the Storage and
`movement of information to network 16 and between net
`work 16 and its interface 82. For example, network interface
`82 receives information from a plurality of communications
`devices, including communications devices 12, 78 (via
`paging network 14) and message delivery System 79 (via
`coupling 48). Also, network interface 82 is used to transmit
`information from network 16 to those same communications
`devices, as well as to paging network 14 and message
`delivery system 79.
`Network controller database 84 provides data storage on
`at least a temporary basis for information moving between
`network interface 82 and network database 24. Comparator
`86, whose operation will be discussed in greater detail later,
`Verifies the accuracy of certain information Stored in net
`work controller database 84 as compared to information
`passing through network interface 82.
`Network database 24 stores therein information received
`from network controller 22. Also, network database 24
`maintains network operating codes (e.g., telephone call
`routing destinations and instructions) for use by network 16
`and network controller 22 in managing information flowing
`into and out of network 16.
`FIG. 4 is a flow chart diagram illustrating one manner in
`which the communications system shown in FIG.3 operates
`in determining the location of user 34 according to an
`embodiment of the invention. In general, the location of user
`34 is compared (or cross-referenced) via information trans
`mitted from one or more communications devices, e.g., first
`communications device 12 and Second communications
`device 78. As stated previously, in one embodiment of the
`invention, first communications device 12 is a PDA and
`Second communications device 78 is a two-way pager
`operably contained therein whereby Such arrangement is
`considered to be a Single communications device.
`Alternatively, the proposed location and the actual loca
`tion of user 34 is compared via information transmitted at
`different times from one or more communications devices.
`For example, information indicating where user 34 will be
`at a Specified time in the future is transmitted and compared
`later at that specified time with information transmitted from
`one or more communications devices that indicates the
`actual location of user 34.
`In the operation shown in FIG. 4, a first step 88 is the
`transmission of information from first communications
`device 12 to network 16, e.g., in the manner as described
`previously herein. For example, communications device 12
`is a PDA or laptop computer with electronic Scheduling that
`transmits to network 16 an information entry indicating the
`time and location of a future meeting for user 34.
`Network controller 22 receives the information entry and
`uses the device identification code included therein to Store
`the contents of the information entry in an appropriate
`location of network controller database 84 and/or network
`database 24. By appropriate location, it is meant that the
`information entry is Stored So that it can be accessed based
`on one or more comparable components (e.g., a time-based
`component or a location-based component) contained
`therein. In this manner, network 16 is updated with acces
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`sible information identifying a location where user 34 is
`proposing to be at a specific time in the future.
`A polling Step 89 is then used at or near the Specific
`meeting time to determine the actual location of a Second
`communications device 78. For example, Second commu
`nications device 78 is a pager operably contained within
`communications device 12 or carried by user 34 and is
`polled by paging network 14 to determine its approximate
`location in a manner known in conventional paging tech
`nology. Depending on System limits and/or configurations,
`polling is performed periodically, i.e., at a specified rate, or
`is performed continuously in a manner that is limited only by
`System constraints, cost and like considerations.
`For example, if transmitter 44 (see FIG. 1) is a two-way
`pager, the geographic location of communications device 12
`is determined from the location of the two-way pager by a
`paging antenna, e.g., a tower, of a conventional two-way
`paging System. However, it is understood to one skilled in
`the art that any two-way wireleSS communications device
`that is Served by only one wireleSS communications Source,
`e.g., an antenna or tower, at any particular time is Suitable for
`identifying the geographic location of the communications
`device. This includes the use of a global positioning System
`(GPS).
`The polled information is received by network controller
`22 and is Stored appropriately, e.g., in network controller
`database 84. Network controller 22 uses the device identi
`fication code contained in the polled information to retrieve
`any corresponding or related information from network
`database 24. The next Step in the operation is a conditional
`branch 92 that compares (or cross-references) comparable
`components of the two information entries (i.e., the previous
`entry from first communications device 12 and the polled
`entry from second communications device 78) for discrep
`ancies therebetween.
`For example, network controller 22 is configured so that
`when the time-based components of the corresponding
`information entries coincide, the location-based components
`thereof are compared for accuracy. In this manner, condi
`tional branch 92 tests to see if the two location-based
`components match, i.e., if the locations are approximately
`the same. If the location-based components match, commu
`nications network 16 is configured, So that nothing further
`40
`needs to be done, at least for this particular time period. If
`the components do not match, communications network 16
`is configured So that a user inquiry 94 is initiated.
`Alternatively, communications network 16 is configured to
`update the information entries form, e.g., Second commu
`45
`nications device 78 for Subsequent comparison.
`If user inquiry Step 94 is Successful in notifying user 34,
`communications network 16 is configured, So that no further
`action need be taken, at least with respect to the information
`entries relating to the Specific meeting time. However, if user
`inquiry Step 94 is unsuccessful in contacting or notifying
`user 34, the communications System is configured to default,
`e.g. to message delivery System 79. In this manner, for
`example, a message indicating that there exists a discrep
`ancy between information entries is transmitted and/or
`routed to an appropriate communications device of user 34.
`AS mentioned previously, message delivery System 79 is
`operably connected to network controller interface 82 and
`makes use of, e.g., existing and future network communi
`cations technology. Thus, the inventive features described
`herein are shared with current and future message delivery
`systems 79 via appropriate transmission medium 48, as
`shown. Features of the message delivery Systems include,
`e.g., the caller addressing System disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
`5,428,663 entitled “Incoming Communications Forwarding
`Technique Utilizing a Called Party Location Indicator'.
`It should be understood that communications system 10 is
`operable in this manner if first and Second communications
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`60
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`65
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`devices are two different communications devices, as just
`described, or if first and Second communications devices are
`in fact the same communications device transmitting infor
`mation entries at different times. Also, comparisons of
`information entries from more than one communications
`device or from one communications device transmitting a
`plurality of information entries is within the Scope of the
`inventive features described herein.
`The inventive features described herein fit easily within
`the infrastructure of existing networks, including paging
`networks. For example, the inventive features are incorpo
`rated into existing and future networks, e.g., through appro
`priate Software additions and/or hardwired arrangements.
`It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many
`changes and Substitutions can be made to the communica
`tions Systems and operating methods herein described with
`out departing from the Spirit and Scope of the invention as
`defined by the appended claims.
`What is claimed is:
`1. Portable apparatus comprising:
`a communications device including a timing device, a
`database for receiving from a user of Said apparatus
`information entries comprising a data component and a
`component that Specifies a time, and a transmitter for
`transmitting therefrom a device identification together
`with information based on at least a portion of Said
`information entries, and
`a controller coupled to Said database and to Said trans
`mitter for initiating the transmission a) in consultation
`with Said timing device and b) based on said compo
`nents of Said information entries that Specify time,
`where said data component includes either a telephone
`number to be included in the i