Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
- WO93/01665 2 ~i ~ PCT~US92/04636
PERSO~AL COMMUNIC~TION SYS~EM
PROVIDING SUPP~EMENTAL INFORMATION MODE
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
FIELD OF THE INVENTION:
The present invention relates generally to the field
of personal communication systems, and more particularly to
personal radiotelephone communication systems.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART:
Personal communication systems have greatly enhanced
and expanded telecommunications in the United States and
throughout the world. Examples of such personal
communications systems include both cellular communication
systems and cordless radiotelephone systems such as the CT-
2 (second generation cordless telephone) and DECT (digital
European cordless telephone~ systems. The cordless
telephone systems, in particular, have provided wireless
communication access to the Public Switched Telephone
Network (PSTN) with the use of a plurality of fixed
location telepoint base stations which have provided voice
communication capability between a plurality of portable
radiotelephone handsets and conventional telephone
receivers. Because of the very low power outputs provided
in the portable radiotelephone handsets, as compared to a
cellular portable transceivex, multiple telepoint base
stations have had to be distributed throughout the
different geographic coverage areas, such as in shopping
malls, downtown shopping areas, airports, and other
locations, to provide the necessary range of coverage
desired within the system. These coverage areas have
provided isolated islands of coverage which have directly
enhanced the telecommunications capability of~ered to the
radiotelephone handset subscriber. However, in addition to
providing enhanced voice telecommunications capability,
there is a need also to be able to provide data
communication capability as well, which would further
WO~3/01665 ~ 5 t9~1 PCT/US92J04636
enhance the total telecommunication capability provided to
the handset subscriber in such personal communication
systems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A personal communication system comprises a plurality
of transceiver stations providing voice communication
capability between one or more portable radiotelephone
handsets and a telephone network. One or more of the
transceiver stations within the system are also capable of
storing a localized information data base and of
transmitting the data base in response to a request for
such transmission being received from a portable
radiotelephone handset communicating with the transceiver
station. The portable radiotelephone handset is capable of
receiving at least a first portion of the transmitted
localized information data base and of presenting the same
to the handset subscriber. The localized information data
base includes information pertaining to the conduct of
business for establishments located within the vicinity of
the transceiver station.
A portable radiotelephone handset, for use in a
personal communication system which includes a plurality of
transceiver stations which have the capability to provide
voice communication between the portable radiotelephone and
a telephone network and the capability of storing and
transmitting a localized information data base, comprises a
means for generating and transmitting at least a first
request to receive at least a first portion of the
localized information data base stored within the
transceiver station through which communication is
established. A receiving means receives the portion of the
localized information data base transmitted by the
transceiver station and presents the portion of the
localized information data base which was received to the
handset su~scriber.
W093/01665 2 ~ ~ ~ 9 ~ PCT/US92/ ~ 36
A transceiver station in a personal communication
system for providing voice communication capability between
one or more portable radiotelephones and a telephone
network, comprises a memory means for storing a localized
information data base, a receiving means for receiving a
request from one of the portable radiotelephones to
transmit at least a portion of the localized information
data base, and a transmitting means for transmitting the
requested portion of the localized information data base to
the handset subscriber.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING5
FI~. 1 is an electrical block diagram of a personal
communication system in ~ccordance with the p~eferred
embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a pictorial diagram depicting the
application of the localized information data base in
accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 3 is an electrical block diagram of the network
control center in accordance with the preferred embodiment
of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a flow chart depicting the formatting of the
localized information data base in accordance with the
preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG.;~ is an electrical block diagram of the
transceiver station in accordance with the preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
~FIG. 6 is a pictorial diagram depicting the portable
radiotelephone in accordance with the preferred embodiment
of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is an electrical block diagram of the portable
radiotelephone in accordance with the preferred embodiment
of the present invention.
FIGS. 8A - 8C are flow charts depicting the operation
of the portable radiotelephone and the transceiver station
W093/0l665 2 1 ~ 9 ~ PCT/US92/04636
in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to the figures, FIG. 1 is an electrical
block diagram of a personal communication system in
accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present
invention. As shown in FIG. 1, a personal communication
system 10 includes a plurality of transceiver stations 12,
14, 16 and 18 (of which four are shown) which are used to
provide voice communication between one or more portable
radiotelephones 20, 22 and 24 (of which three are shown)
and conventional telephone handsets 26, 28 through the
Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) 30. Examples of
such a personal communication system 10 which provides
voice communication capability are well known in the art,
and include such personal communication systems as the
newer cordless radiotelephone systems such as the CT-2
(second generation cordless telephone) and DECT (digital
European cordless telephone) systems. In such cordless
radiotelephone systems, voice communication is originated
by one of the portable radiotelephone handsets, such as
handset 20, which is in range of a transceiver station,
such as a CT-2 telepoint base station 12. For purposes of
description, the description to follow will focus on a
personal communication system, such as the CT-2 cordless
radiotelephone system, although it will be appreciated that
other forms of personal communication systems, such as
other cordless telephone and cellular communication systems
can also provide the voice communication capability between
a portable radiotelephone handsets, such as handset 20, and
a transceiver station, such as a cellular or telepoint base
station 12. Portable radiotelephone handsets suitable for
use in a CT-2 systems are well known in the art, such as
the SILVERLINK~ 2000 Personal Telephone manufactured by
Motorola Inc. Telepoint base stations suitable for use in
a CT-2 systems are also well known in the art, such as the
. WO93/0166~ 2 1 L 2 ~ 9 4 PCT/US92/~
SILVERLINK~ Telepoint Base Station manufactured by
Motorola Inc. Such portable radiotelephone handsets and
telepoint base stations provide voice communication
utilizing the well known CT2/CAI communication protocol.
As calls are originated by the radiotelephone
handsets~ or portable radiotelephones, the calls are logged
for billing purposes, among other things, by the telepoint
base station, or transceiver station, through which the
call is placed. Periodically, such as once a day, the call
information collected at each of the telepoint base
stations 12, 14, 16 and 18 is transferred to a central
control point, such as the network control center 32. One
such network control center is the Motorola Network Control
Center (MNCC) and Business Management and Billing System
lS (BMBS) for Public Telepoint Systems, which provides, among
other things, automatic supervision of all system base
stations and flexible billing cycles and automatic entry of
recurring charges.
Unlike the prior art personal communication systems,
the personal communication system in accordance with the
preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a
means for collecting information pertaining to the conduct
of business for establishments located within the vicinity
of one or more of the telepoint base stations to generate
localized information data bases which are stored within
each of those telepoint base stations which are equipped to
provide localized information data base information to
requesting radiotelephone handsets, as will be described in
detail below. The entry of such localized information data
base information into the network control center 32 can be
provided in any of a number of ways, such as through the
use of conventional telephone handsets 38, through the use
of computers or video displays terminals 40 which are
coupled to the network control center 32 through the PTSN
using modems 42, or through an ISDN (integrated services
data network) network 44, just to name a few. The nature
and type of information provided for the localized
WO93/0166~ PCT/US92/046~
` 21~ 2 ~3 9~-1 6
information data base will ~ecome more apparent in the
description to follow.
Once the localized information data base information
has been collected within the network control center 32,
the information is distributed to the appropriate telepoint
base stations 12, 14, l6 or 18, using preferably an RF
transmis-~ion system, such as provided by paging transmitter
46 and a receiver located at the appropriate telepoint base
stations. Other distribution methods, such as through the
PSTN 30 could be utilized as well. Distribution of the
localized information data base information will be
described in greater detail below.
Reference is now directed to FIG. 2, which is a
pictorial diagram depicting an application of the localized
information data base in accordance with the preferred
embodiment of the present invention. As stated above,
personal communication systems, such as a CT-2 cordless
telephone system provides wireless communication access to
the PSTN in isolated islands of coverage, such as, but not
limited to, shopping areas or malls 200 including
restaurants and other places of busine5s, spread throughout
a geographic area or city, such as at Interstate Highway
interchange 202, and in places providing public
transportation, such as bus stations, railway stations and
airports 204. Depending upon the location, access ~o the
public switched telephone network may be through a single
telepoint base station having but a single communication
channel, such as at a highway interchange or other low
traffic area, to multiple telepoint base stations employing
mu1tiple communication channels such as at an airport where
the telepoint station would be distributed throughout the
terminal and parking areas. As shown in FIG. 2, the
localized information data base information, or entries,
include information pertaining to the conduct of business
3~ for establishments located within the vicinity of a given
telepoint base station. Examples of such localized
information data base information includes service station
WOg3/0l665 7 2 ~ PCT/US92/046~
related information such as gas prices and station
location, restaurant location and motel information at
typical highway interchanges, such as Interstate Highway
interchange 202. Examples of such localized information
data base information further includes retail store sale
information, movie guides and restaurant information, such
as at shopping malls 200, or other shopping and
entertainment districts. Still other examples of such
localized information data base information includes
airline departure or arrival information at airports 204.
While the type of information described relates generally
to the immediate vicinity of any particular telepoint base
station, it will be appreciated other forms of information
relating to the conduct of business, such as information on
churches, police and fire, hospitals, and the like may
include larger geographic areas beyond the immediate
vicinity of any given telepoint base station.
FIG. 3 is an electrical block diagram of a network
control center 300 in accordance with the preferred
embodiment of the present invention. The network control
center 300 includes a remote data entry port 302 which is
utilized for the entry of information intended for the
various localized information data bases throughout the
personal communication network using such data entry
devices as a telephone handset 38 or a computer or video
display tèrminal 40. The remote entry data port 302
provides the required interface between the various remote
entry devices and the networ~ control center 300. The
output of the remote entry data port 302 is coupled to a
central controller 304, which is preferably microcomputer
controlled using any of a number of well known
microcomputer devices. Coupled to the central controller
304 are data entry devices, one of which is shown, such as
a video display terminal 306. The data entry device 306
enables control of the personal communication system from
the network control center 300, and entry of new subscriber
numbers, or cancellation of old subscriber numbers from the
WO 93/01665 PCT~US~2/ ~ 36~
2112~ 8
personal communication system. A memory 308, which may be
random access memory (RAM), floppy or hard disk drive
memory, or magnetic tape, or any combination thereof,
provides a subscriber data base listing all active and
inactive portable radiotelephones, call billing information
collected periodically from the telepoint base stations,
and in the preferred embodiment of the present invention a
general data base containing the localized information data
base information for each of the telepoint base stations
throughout the personal communication system, as well as
any associated billing information which may be derived
therefrom. As shown, the localized information data base
includes, but is not limited to, such data entries as the
telepoint ba~se station number, the specific location
lS information, or localized information data base information
associated with the particular telepoint base station, and
where appropriate~ time or date information which may
indicate such information as the date the information was
posted on the system, and the length of time, or end date
after which the information is to be removed from the
system. It will be appreciated, the entry of the localized
information data base information may be either
automatically or manually, as will be described in further
detail below. When the localized information data base
information is tlme stamped, or dated, a real time clock
310 is used in conjunction with the central controller 304
to control the automatic deletion of the localized
information data~base information, as well as to control
- such other system operations as call billing collection.
30 The central controller 304 couples to a telephone interface --
312 which couples the network control center 300 through
the public switched telephone network 30 to the individual
telepoint base stations, such as base station 18, located
throughout the personal communication system. The central
controller 304 also couples to the input of paging port
314. The output of paging port 314 is coupled to paging
WO93~01665 PCT/US92/~
9 2~i2~9~
transmitter 46 which is used to distribute the localized
information data base, as described below.
FIG. 4 is a flow chart depicting the entry and
formatting of the localized information data base in
accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present
invention. The establishment wishing to place information
into the localized information data base places a call the
the network communication center (NCC), at block 402 which
functions as a means for collecting the information
pertaining to the conduct of business. The call may be
originated as described above using a telephone handset or
computer or video display terminal ov~r the public switched
telephone network, or over an integrated services data
network (ISDN). The establishment provides the information
which is to be presented, which may include the
establishment's name and location, any advertisement
information, the merchandising area or area for which data
distribution is to be provided, and any time related
information, such as the length of time the information is
to be available, at block 404. The information is
formatted by the central controller which functions as a
means for formatting the localized information data base
for storage in the network control center memory together
with the designated telepoint base station information, at
block 406, and stored in memory, at block 408. Th~
localized information data base information is then, at
predetermined time intervals such as daily, transmitted
using the paging transmitter or public switched telephone
network to the designated base stations, at block 410. The
designated base stations receive the localized information
data base information intended for that station, at block
412 using any of a number of well known data transmission
and receiving device selection protocols, such as the
POCSAG or Golay Sequential Code signalling protocols for RF
paging transmissions, or the X.25 communication protocol
for communication over the public switched telephone
network. The telepoint base station, after receiving the
WO93/01665 PCT/US92~046~
~ ~ 1 2 ~ o
localized information data base information, stores the
information in the base station memory as will be described
in detail below, at block 414, and the transmits the
requested localized information data base information to
S portable radiotelephones communicating therewith, as will
be described below, at block 416.
FIG. 5 is an electrical block diagram of the telepoint
base station, or transceiver station 500, in accordance
with the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
The telepoint base station 500, includes a microprocessor
controller 502 which controls the overall operation the the
telepoint base station 50Q regarding voice communication
between the telepoint base station and the portable
radiotelephones in a manner well known in the art. Calls
originated by a portable radiotelephone handset, such as
handset 20, are received by one of the RF transceivers 504,
or the RF transceiver in single transceiver telepoint base
stations. The calls are coupled through codec 506 which
processes the information in a manner well known in the art
to provide an analo~ voice output which is coupled to
telephone interface 508 under the control of the
microprocessor controller 502. The outbound call is
coupled from the telephone interface 508 through the public
switched telephone network to the telephone handset 26, 28
to which the call is directed. The inbound call responses
are directed from the telephone handset 26, 2~ through the
public switched telephone network to the telephone
interface 508, which couples the inbound call response to
the codec 506 which then converts the analog voice
information into digital information for transmission under
the control of microprocessor controller 502. The
digitized call response is coupled to the RF transceiver
504 for transmission to the portable radiotelephone handset
20 originating the call. A data base memory 510 which is
coupled to the microprocessor controller, stores such
information as an active/inactive subscriber data base as
WO93/0166~ 2 1 1 2 ~ 9 l~ PCT/US92J04636
11
well as the information related to billing of call placed
through the telepoint base station 500.
Unlike the prior art telepoint base stations, the
telepoint base station in accordance with the preferred
embodiment of the present invention includes a remote data
entry port 512 which is coupled to the microprocessor
controller 502. The localized information data base
information which is transmitted from the network control
center is received at the telepoint base station 500
through antenna 514 which is coupled to receiver 516.
Receiver 516 processes the received information in a manner
well known in the art, to provide at the output a stream of
digital information corresponding to the received localized
information d~ta base information which includes also
address information specifying the telepoint base station
to which the localized information data base information is
directed. The received address information is processed in
a manner well known in the art by the microprocessor
controller 502 which functions as an address decoding
means. When the received address corresponds to the
address assigned to the telepoint base station, the
corresponding localized information data base information
is stored in the data base memory 510 under the control of
the microprocessor controller 502.
In addition to the transmission of information from
the network control center, localized information data base
information can also be directly entered into the telepoint
base station 500 through the remote entry data port 512.
When localized information data base information is
directly entered, such as through the use of a TOUCH-TONE~
telephone handset 518 or a computer or video display
terminal 520, the microprocessor controller 502 controls
the reception and storage of the information into the data
base memory 510. In this instance, the microprocessor
controller 502 provides a means for directly collecting the
information pertaining to the conduct of business for the
establishments located within the vicinity of the telepoint
W093/01665 PCT/US92~0463~
2112594 12
base station, enabling the generation of the localized
information data base at the telepoint base station 500.
Such direct entry of localized information data base
information is especially useful in such geographic areas
as in airports, where the airlines directly control the
ever changing arrival and departure information. Other
geographic areas, such as in shopping malls could also
route the localized information data base information
through a central collection point, such as the mall
managers office; who would then be responsible for posting
the localized information data base to the telepoint base
stations located throughout the mall.
FIG. 6 is a pictorial diagram depicting a preferred
embodiment of the portable radiotelephone 600 in accordance
with the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
The portable radiotelephone 600 includes an eighteen key
keyboard 602 which includes ten digit keys and eight
function keys. The function keys include the conventional
asterisk (*l and pound (#) keys, a unit power selection key
604, a shift key 606, memory recall/store key 608,
intercom/page key 610, redial/public-private selection key
612, and a call activation (phone) key 614. Secondary key
functions are selectable using the shift key 606. A liquid
crystal (LCD) display 616, which utilizes preferably twelve
numeric digits, provides display of the selected telephone
number. ~ row of display indicators 618 is also provided
which indicate which of a number of preselected functions
are active, such as BUSY, public (PUB), private (PRIV),
DATA, VOICE and unit power on (PWR). Several function
annunciators (not displayed) are also provided. In
particular, the VOICE indicator indicates when the portable
radiotelephone is in the voice mode for conventional
telephone conversations, whereas the DATA indicator
indicates when the portable radiotelephone has been placed
in the data mode for reception of selected localized
information data base information. Selection of the voice
and data modes is controlled by the shift key 606 and the
WO 93/01665 2 1 1 2 ~ ~ 1 PCr/US92/04636
13
DATA/VOICE mode selection switch 62~. The dual keystroke
selection prevents inadvertent mode alteration, thereby
insuring voice or data mode calls are not inadvertently
interrupted.
The portable radiotelephone 600 includes an earpiece
622 located in the keypad section 626 and a mouthpiece 624
located in the hinged keyboard cover section 628. Also
within the hinged keyboard cover section 628 is a second
liquid crystal (LCD) display 630 which provides preferably
eight lines by thirty-two alphanumeric characters for
display of the localized information data base information,
or entries. It will be appreciated that other display
formats and character sizes can be utilized as well,
depending upon the amount of information which is to be
displayed at any given time. A typical "directory" level
display is shown on LCD display 630, and includes such
directory entries as "area shoppin~ guide", "movie guide",
"local attractions" guide, "restaurant guide", "medical
services" directory, "service station" directory, "church"
directory, and "arts and entertainment" guide. The
"directory" level display is typical of a first portion of
the localized information data base which would be
transmitted upon request to the portable radiatelephone.
Cursor keys 632, 634, 636 and 638 enable the portable
radiotelephone subscriber to select from particular
categories; which are representative of the telepoint base
station geographic location, and which can vary from
telepoint base station to telepoint base station in lo~ated
different geographic areas. In particular, cursor keys 632
and 634 enable movement up and down within the directory or
menu. Cursor keys 636 and 638 enable movement within a
particular menu item, such as would be required when
reading a lengthy message. As each menu, or level, of
information is received from the telepoint base station,
particular information can be saved within the portable
radiotelephone using the "SAVE" key 640. The "SELECT" key
initiates each data communications session with the
- W093/0l665 PCT/US92/046
~?~ ~ ~ ~ 9 ~ 14
telepoint base station when the DATA mode is selected, and
further enables the recovery of selected localized
information data base information, when the portable
radiotelephone is in the voice mode, thereby allowing
retrieval and review of information which has been received
and stored while the portable radiotelephone was in range
of a telepoint base station, as will be described below.
In summary, the portable radiotelephone enables the
subscriber to request localized information data base
information from a telepoint base station wi.th which
communication is established. The information when
received is displayed and can be stored for retrieval at a
later time, thereby enabling the portable radiotelephone
subscriber to obtain information when in range of a
telepoint base station, and thereafter review the
information on an as needed basis while the subscriber is
in the geographic area covered by the received information.
FlG. 7 is an electrical block diagram of the portable
radiotelephone 600 in accordance with the preferred
embodiment of the present invention. The portable
radiotelephone 600 includes an RF transceiver 650 which is
coupled to an antenna 652 for transmitting and receiving
~oice and data information. The RF transceiver is
synthesized to enable the selection of one of the forty
communication channels assigned to the CT-2 system.
Selection~-of the channel of operation is controlled by the
microprocessor controller 654, such as implemented using an
MC 68HC05 microcomputer manufactured by Motorola, which
also enables the codec 656 for encoding the analog voice
information derived from audio mouthpiece transducer 658
into the digital format, and the decoding of the digitally
encoded voice information into an analog format for
delivery by the audio earpiece transducer 658. A memory
660, such as a random access memory ~RAM) or electrically
erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM) stores such
information as often used phone numbers in a phone number
directory file, and the localized information data base
W093/0l665 2 1 1 ~ 5 ~ 1~ PCT/US92/0~36
information which was received and stored, as described
above. A real time clock ~62 is coupled to the
microprocessor controller 654 and enables such functions as
automatic deletion of localized information data base
information as was described above. A numeric display 664,
as described above, is coupled to the microprocessor
controller 654, and provides for displaying telephone
numbers, and other information relative to the operation of
the portable radiotelephone. A numeric/function keypad
666, as described above, is coupled to the microprocessor
controller 654, and enables entry of phone numbers~ and
control of the operation of the portable radiotelephone,
including such functions as the selection of voice or data
modes of operation. An alphanumeric display, as described
above, is also coupled to the microprocessor controller
654, and provides display of the selected localized
information data base entries. An alphanumeric keyboard
680 can also be prov ded which is coupled to the
microprocessor controller which would allow the portable
radiotelephone subscriber to enter specific alphanumeric
information which could be utilized to select information
to be transmitted from the telepoint base station, or which
could be used in the retrieval of information stored in the
device memory 660.
FIGS. 8A - 8C are flow charts depicting the operation
of the portable radiotelephone and the transceiver station
in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present
invention. In particular, referring to FIG. 8A, when the
portable radiotelephone subscriber turns the unit power on,
at step 800, the microprocessor controller is initialized,
at step 802. Initialization includes selection of the
voice mode of transmission, in which instance, the numeric
display indicator indicates the voice mode is selected, at
step 804. When the data mode is not selected, at step 806,
and the "phone" key is actuated, at step 808, the handset
establishes a link with the telepoint base station using
the well known CT2 MUX1 signaling protocol, at step 810.
- WO93~01665 ~ 16 ~CT/US92/04636
The handset next transmits the well known MUX2 signaling
protocol, at step 812 indicating a voice mode request is
being made, which is received and processed by the
telepoint base station, at step 814. Upon completion of
the voice mode log-on procedure, the portable
radiotelephone and the telepoint base station switch to the
well known MUX3 signalling protocol, at step 816, to enable
voice communication in a manner well known in the art.
However, when the data mode is selected, by actuating
the "shift" key followed by the "data/voice" key, at step
806, the numeric display indicators indicates the data mode
is selected, at step 818. When the data mode is selected,
and the "phone" key is actuated, at step 820, the handset
establishes a link with the telepoint base station, at step
822, using the MVX1 signaling protocol as described above.
The handset next transmits a modified MUX2 signaling
protocol, at step 824, indicating a data mode request is
being made, which is received and processed by the
telepoint base station, at step 826. Upon completion of
the data mode log-on procedure, the portable radiotelephone
and the telepoint base station switch to a further modified
MUX2 signaling protocol, at step 828, to enable data
communication as described above, and will be further
described below.
Referring to FIG 8B, when the data mode is seiected
and the portable radiotelephone has established
communication with the telepoint base station, the
telepoint base station transmits the "directory" or "menu"
information as described above, at step 830. It will be
appreciated that where only a limited amount of information
is required to be transmitted, the first display screen, or
l'menu" screen may include all the information associated
with the particular telepoint base station. The handset
receives and stores the "menu" information, at step 832,
and displays the "menu" information for the portable
radiotelephone subscriber, at step 834. An example of a
- WO93/01665 PCT/US92/04636
17 211~9.~
representative "menu" information screen is presented in
Table I below.
Table I
1 AREA SHOPPING GUIDE
2 MOVIE GUIDE
3 LOCAL ATTRACTIONS
9 RESTAURANT GUIDE
5 MEDICAL SERVICES
6 SERVICE STATIONS
7 CHURCHES
8 ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT
When the "phone" key is not actuated, at step 836, and the
subscriber selects one of the "menu" items, at step 838,
using the cursor keys, the handset transmits an indication
of the "menu" item selected, at step 840. The telepoint
base station receives and processes the selected "menu"
item, at step 842, and proceeds to transmit the selected
"menu" item to the portable radiotelephone, at step 844.
The handset then receives and displays the selected "menu"
item, at step 8~6.
.
Table II
~,
QRANGE ~Q~Q~ ~a~L ~l~aLIG~I~
SHEARS & SAWBUCK >
LORD TAYLOR'S >
30 MAZZIES >
PENNIES >
CAROL'S BOUTIQUE >
JEANS N' THINGS >
NEXT SCREEN
The subscriber can review the selected "menu" item, at
step 8~8. As shown in TABLE II, a continuation character
_ . ,, ,_, , . , , , , , ,., ., . , .. , . . , . ~ . ... . . . . . . . . . .
W093/01665 PCT~US92/W636
2~ 12S9'1 18
(>) can be provided which indicates additional information
has been received which can be reviewed using the
additional cursor keys, as described above. The subscriber
can elect to save the received "menu" item, at step 850, by
depressing the SAVE key. When the SAVE key is depressed,
the selected menu item which is currently being displayed
is stored in the memory, at step 852.
After the subscriber has elected to save the selected
"menu" item, at step 850, or after a predetermined time-
out, the handset reverts to the "menu" information display,
at step 854. The subscriber can then depress the "phone"
key , at step 836, thereby terminating the communication
with the telepoint base station, at step 856, or can select
another "menu" item, at step 838. When another "menu" item
is selected, at step 838, steps 840 through 854 are
repeated to receive the next selected "menu" item. In this
manner, as many "menu" items can be selected and saved by
the subscriber, as the subscriber desires to receive. When
the data call is terminated, at step 856, the
microprocessor controller returns to the voice mode of
operation, as indicated in FIG. 8A, and the numeric display
indicator indicates the voice mode is selected, at step
804. Independent of the mode of operation selected, when
any key is actuated, at step 830, other than the "phone"
key at steps 808 or 82Q, the operation continues as shown
in FIG 8C. When the key depressed is the SELECT key, at
step 856, the "menu" information is retrieved and
displayed, at step 858. The subscriber can then select a
"menu" item, at step 860, using the cursor keys as
described above. When the SELECT key is depressed, at step
862, the date field is evaluated, when present, at step
864. When the date field indicates the "menu" item
information is out-of-date, i.e. the current real time
clock date is later than the date stored in the date field,
at step 864, the subscriber is alerted that the "menu" item
information is out of date, at step 866, and the out-of-
date "menu" item is deleted from memory, at step 868, after
WO 93/01665 2 1 ~ 2 5 ~ Ll cr/us92/o4636
19
which the "menu" information is again retrieved and
displayed, at step 858. It will be appreciated that in the
alternate, the "menu" item information can be displayed for
the subscriber to review prior to deleting the out-of-date
"menu" item information.
When the date field is present and the date
information is current, or the date field is absent, at
step 864, the controller detexmines whether the "menu" item
selected is stored, at step 870. When the "menu" item is
stored, at step 870, the "menu" item is recalled from
memory and displayed, at step 874. A display timer is set
following the selection of the "menu" item at step 870.
When the "menu" item is not stored in memory after being
selected at step 870, a message, such as "menu item not
available" is displayed. Following the time-out of the
display timer at step 876, program control returns to
either steps 856 or 878. When the SELECT key is again
depressed at step 856, steps 858 through 876 are again
repeated, as described above. When a function key other
than the SELECT key is actuated, at step 878, the function
associated with the selected function key is performed at
step 880. Program control then returns tG step 804, and
continues as described above.
In summary, a personal communication system for
collecting and distributing information pertaining to the
conduct of business for establishments located within the
vicinity of the transceiver station was described above.
The portable communication system utilizes portable
radiotelephones having a selectable data mode of operation.
When the data mode of operation is selected, the localized
information data base information is selectively
- transmitted from the telepoint base station to which the
portable radiotelephone has established communic~tion. The
received information can be stored within the portable
radiotelephone for recall at a latex time. The information
can also be dated, or "time stamped", thereby enabling
alerting the subscriber of recalled information which is
~ WO93/01665 2~ 9 1 20 PCT/US92/046
out-of-date, or "stale". The particular type of localized
information data base information stored at any particular
telepoint base station can be customized to include
establishments only within the immediate vicinity of the
telepoint base station, such as that of service stations,
restaurants and motels, or where no establishments are
located within the immediate vicinity of the telepoint base
station, may also provide information of a less immediate,
or more regional nature, such as that of lists of doctors,
churches, public safety groups, etc. The localized
information data base information can include such
information as the location of the establishments, or other
infoxmation pertaining to the establishments, such as
operating hours, sales information, or other information of
interest to the portable radiotelephone subscriber.
