WO1994030021A1

WO1994030021A1 - Enhanced message processing and alarm control for a paging device

Info

Publication number: WO1994030021A1
Application number: PCT/US1994/006505
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael C. Park
Original assignee: Seiko Telecommunication Systems Inc.
Priority date: 1993-06-10
Filing date: 1994-06-08
Publication date: 1994-12-22
Also published as: CA2163128A1; JPH09500244A; EP0702882A4; CA2163128C; EP0702882A1

Abstract

A paging system (10) offering an improved message processing and alarm control function is shown and illustrated wherein the message acceptance and alarm control is performed conditionally as a function of time of day and day of week. Conditional message processing may include accepting or declining presentation of a message based on a time reference. Alarm control may be provided according to user alarm definition to personalize alarm presentation unique to the user. This allows the user to more appropriately control message processing and alarm presentation according to personal criteria.

Description

ENHANCED MESSAGE PROCESSING AND ALARM CONTROL FOR A PAGING DEVICE

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to communication systems, and particularly to paging systems having an alarm feature activated in coordination with information presentation.

Paging devices typically are small radio signal receiving and paging information storing devices including an alarm feature activated upon receipt of paging information. The most common form of alarm feature is an audible alarm, and vibrating alarms are available on many devices. The user hears or feels the alarm and knows when paging information, e.g., a telephone number, has just arrived by radio signal broadcast. Typically, paging information arrives as a telephone number to be called in response to the page. The person originating the page dials a telephone number associated with a given paging device and, in response to voice prompts, enters a sequence of digits to be delivered to and presented on a display of the pager.

Paging devices have evolved, however, beyond simply delivering a telephone number to be called. Paging devices often serve as personal information terminals receiving a variety of information in addition to telephone numbers. As personal information terminals, paging devices carry a variety of information services, e.g., weather reports, stock reports, sports scores, and personal financial information. Furthermore, paging devices are now being used across a broader spectrum of users. Paging devices are now being used for personal information exchange, e.g., between parents and children, and between persons engaged in business and non-business related communication.

Thus, paging devices are being used by more and more people for more and more purposes. As a result, message traffic on paging systems is increasing and the paging messages and information delivered to individual paging devices can be both numerous and frequent. With such increase, it is ever more important that paging devices be appropriately integrated into everyday use and not interfere with non-paging related user activities, yet still serve effectively as a personal information terminal available throughout the day for receipt of a variety of information packages.

Paging devices are personal devices because they are carried close at hand by the user throughout the workday. The paging device is a routine, personal daily accessory carried around the wrist such as in a wristwatch pager, in a handbag such as in a woman's compact-form pager, or in more traditional fashion attached to a belt. Paging devices are personal devices as distinguished from more sophisticated, or larger, information terminals such as portable computer based systems used as part of a dedicated information delivery mechanism, e.g., portable computers or terminals with modems and not a personal accessory. The paging device is a small personal adornment carried throughout the workday and must fit well into all aspects of the user's daily routine. In particular, the paging device alarm can activate at any time and should be least intrusive as possible to the user and to others while still alerting the user to incoming messages.

As paging devices become more commonly used as personal information terminals, the user is faced with a dilemma regarding the alarm feature associated with information delivery. Paging devices have a simple bi-state alarm enable/disable feature where the alarm is either active or inactive. When the alarm is disabled, no audible beep occurs. When enabled, an audible beep occurs for every paging message received. Users traditionally want to disable the alarm under certain conditions. For example, the alarm feature is disabled at a meeting where the user does not wish to be disturbed or to disturb others. After the meeting, the user checks the paging device for messages received and then enables the alarm feature. This satisfies the user's desire to avoid disturbing others because the pager can always be made silent by use of the alarm enable/disable feature.

Because a conventional alarm feature control is bi-state, i.e., either enabled for all messages or disabled for all messages, it has proven inadequate, especially for use with a paging device serving as a personal information terminal. Users must select between the two available alarm modes, neither of which satisfies their needs. If the alarm is disabled because information service alarms are annoying, the user is not immediately aware of those paging messages the user considers important enough to require prompt attention, just for the convenience of not hearing the alarm for every information service message received. If the alarm is enabled, the paging device user hears the alarm for each and every message received, including numerous alarms relating to information service messages the user may consider non-critical. Because the primary use of the paging device is to be made immediately aware of important information, many users leave the alarm feature enabled and endure the frequent and annoying, both to the user and to others, alarms.

The user of a paging device is not the only one interested in control over use of paging devices and inappropriate activation of the paging device alarm. For example, many students, e.g., high school students and younger, now use paging devices to stay in touch with peers and parents. The schools, however, do not appreciate the use of such paging devices, and in some cases have sought restricted use. The primary complaint by the school is annoying paging device alarms disrupting classroom activities. Furthermore, just the potential for receiving incoming information may pose a nuisance to students attention. A student may spend time monitoring the paging device to see whether messages have arrived, whether the alarm feature is enabled or not. While it would be desirable to resolve such classroom annoyances to the satisfaction of school administrators, students should enjoy the benefits of powerful personal information terminals. Unfortunately, there appears to be no simple solution to this problem. It is not fair to confiscate or ban paging devices. While the students could disable their alarm feature during classroom activities, the students could nevertheless be distracted by the potential for incoming messages and might spend valuable classroom time monitoring the paging device even while in its disabled alarm mode.

It would be desirable, therefore, to provide enhancement in message processing and alarm feature control for paging devices, especially when used as personal information terminals with relatively high message traffic. Users of such personal information terminals should be immediately aware of certain information, and need not be immediately concerned with other information. Users of such devices further want to have appropriate control over the alarm mode, i.e., appropriate to what they personally consider requires an alarm. A conventional bi-state alarm feature control, however, fails to satisfy the personal needs of the paging device user employing the paging device as a personal information terminal.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A paging device acting as a personal information terminal includes conditional enhanced message processing and user defined alarm features responsive generally to designated time periods. Under the present invention, time of day can, according to individual user preference, provide a basis for message screening, delayed message broadcast or modified alarm control.

The subject matter of the present invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of this specification. However, both the organization and method of operation of the invention, together with further advantages and objects thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer to like elements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates schematically a paging system according to the present invention employing enhanced message processing and alarm presentation as a function of a time reference.

FIG. 2 illustrates a message transmission protocol, including use of alarm control data delivered to paging devices of the paging system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates processing within the paging system of FIG. 1 relative to enhanced message processing functions and alarm presentation.

FIG. 4 illustrates processing within a paging device of the system of FIG. 1 including paging device implementation of enhanced message processing and alarm presentation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The present invention will be illustrated in the context of a time-division multiplexed paging system employing personal paging devices, e.g., wristwatch paging devices, serving as personal information terminals. FIG. 1 illustrates schematically a paging system including paging devices, only one being illustrated, used as personal information terminals. FIG. 2 illustrates a broadcast protocol and time-division multiplexing used by the paging system of FIG. 1 in transmission of message packets according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It will be understood, however, that the present invention may be practiced in a variety of communication systems where personal information terminals are used.

In FIG. 1, paging system 10 receives information from a variety of sources for broadcast to paging devices 12, one such paging device 12 being shown in FIG. 1. Each paging device 12 includes a display panel 12a for presentation of paging information, and control buttons 12b. Control buttons 12b are used for a variety of functions, including manipulation by the user to place device 12 in an alarm enable mode or in an alarm disable mode. A high volume and variety of message types may be delivered to the paging devices 12 throughout the day. In this aspect of paging system 10, the paging devices 12 are considered personal information terminals.

Traditional paging messages originate from a telephone 14 including a keypad 14a. Telephone 14 is used to contact paging system 10 and, by appropriate manipulation of keypad 14a, designate one of paging devices 12 by unique user identification and further designate a multiple digit numeric message to be delivered to and displayed upon paging device 12. A second type of message originating from telephone 14 and appearing on display 12a of paging device 12 is a single digit numeric code. For example, 10 such numeric codes, i.e., "code 0" through "code 9" may be presented on display 12a. Other message types originating from telephone 14 are predetermined, frequently used literal messages such as "call home" or "call office." Thus, telephones, e.g., the telephone 14, are available as information sources originating a variety of paging messages to be delivered to personal information terminals, e.g., the device 12, of paging system 10.

Further message types delivered to paging device 12 are provided as part of information service subscriptions. Paging system 10 receives information from a personal data information source 20. Personal data information source 20 can provide a variety of types of information resulting in a variety of message types, each message being relevant to individual users of paging devices 12. For example, personal data source 20 might be a banking institution delivering to paging system 10 an account balance for persons using paging device 12. Under such arrangement, certain users of paging devices 12 would subscribe to an information service relating to delivery of bank account balance information on a scheduled basis, e.g., at a given time each day. Such bank account information could be coded in the format of a telephone number and appear on display 12a of paging device 12 with, for example, a special area code or digit format indicating by prearrangement that the numeric message represents a bank account balance. Other types of personal data provided by personal data source 20 could be from a variety of sources, but are directed by way of system 10 to an individual user of system 10 according to a particular information service subscription.

Information of general interest, i.e., as distinguished from personal information relative only to an individual subscriber of system 10, is taken by system 10 from broadcast data source 26. Broadcast data source 26 receives information from a variety of sources, but feeds such general interest information to paging system 10 for relay to groups of subscribing users of system 10. For example, broadcast data source 26 provides local weather, local sports, and stock information to paging system 10. In turn, paging system 10 delivers such information to corresponding user groups subscribing to these information services. For example, a person using paging device 12 might obtain on a scheduled basis the current temperature or daily Dow-Jones industrial average. Such information could be coded by prearrangement in the format of a multiple digit numeric paging message, i.e., appear in form as a telephone number or particular digit pattern, but indicate message type.

Thus, paging system 10 offers to its customers a variety of services beyond conventional paging message delivery. Each customer can subscribe to certain information services in addition to conventional paging services. Customers might subscribe to a personal data information service, e.g., bank account balance information, or to a broadcast data information service, such as local sports scores or local weather conditions. In such use, paging device 12 becomes a personal information terminal. The device is carried on the person throughout the day and remains close at hand. All paging messages delivered to paging device 12 are displayed on display 12a upon receipt. Also, device 12 includes a memory for storing received messages and allowing the user to cycle through, for example, the most recently received messages. In this manner, all messages received are available for later reference.

In accordance with the present invention, message processing is conducted with reference to a user designated time period, e.g., time of day. In this manner, users can customize message processing by paging system 10 and paging device 12 according to a personal time schedule. For example, if the user is a student then selected message processing and alarm features can be conducted with reference to a school classroom schedule. Similarly, persons having regular work hours in an office, and preferring to be contacted directly by way of an office telephone, could modify message processing and alarm features as a function of regular office hours. Message processing could include a variety of modifications relative to traditional paging message delivery directly to a paging device. For example, the paging system 10 could simply reject all attempts to deliver messages during certain times with a voice message to the caller indicating times of unavailability and availability. Alternatively, such messages could be accepted, but not delivered to the paging device until a later time, e.g., following a user designated hold period. Students benefit because messages can be accepted by system 10 during classroom hours, but not delivered to the paging device until after classroom hours. Also, if a user is regularly out of range relative to the paging system 10, such user might desire to hold transmission of all paging messages during a time when the user is out of range. When the user later returns to within range of paging system 10, such held messages could be then broadcast according to user designated scheduling for appropriate delivery to the associated paging device 12. For example, a person might regularly have office hours in a different geographic area during certain days of the week. For such days of the week, paging system 10 could simply collect paging messages for broadcast during a time when the user has returned to the reception area of paging system 10. Thus, enhanced message processing can be relative to time of day, or relative to days of the week.

FIG. 2 illustrates a time-division multiplexed broadcast protocol 30 employed by the paging system 10 in delivering messages to paging devices 12. Protocol 30 defines a repeating time frame 32 divided into a given number of time slots 34. Each paging device 12 is associated with at least one time slot 34. Paging devices 12 activate periodically in coordination with time frame 32. More particularly, each paging device 12 activates its radio receiving circuitry and captures an information packet 38 transmitted by antenna 10a of system 10 during the associated time slot 34. In this manner, paging system 10 delivers information packets 38 to particular paging devices 12 in time-division multiplexed fashion.

Paging system 10 maintains a collection of user profile data 28 in management of its customer accounts. For each user of paging system 10 a user profile 28 is maintained. Each profile 28 includes certain information relevant to transmission of information packets 38, as described more fully hereafter, and other information relevant to an enhanced message processing subscription associated with that user. As may be appreciated, each profile 28 includes other information relevant to the user, but not relevant to description of the present invention and not illustrated in FIG. 1.

The user profile data 28 detailed in FIG. 1 includes fields for a user ID, slot number, and address used in the transmission of information to the paging device 12 for that user. In accordance with the present invention, each user profile 28 also includes a message processing subscription table 28a setting forth time periods in association with message processing functions. As illustrated in FIG. 1, each profile 28 includes a table of information wherein each row corresponds to a time period and associated message processing functions. The first two columns each indicate a day of week where, for example, a value 0 indicates day of week is irrelevant for the associated message processing function and where values 1-7 correspond to each day of the week. Thus, the first two columns can designate a time period expressed in days of the week. The third and fourth columns of each row designate time of day values indicating a start and an end time for a time period. As may be appreciated, the values stored in the first four columns of the message processing subscription table 28a allows designation of selected time periods which may be with reference to particular days of the week and further to particular times of day.

The remaining columns in each row indicate message processing functions to be executed during the time period indicated by the first four columns. In the illustrated example, each designated time period can be associated with a hold function where the message is accepted by the paging system 10 but not transmitted to the paging device 12 until after the designated period; a reject function where the paging system 10 declines a proposed message but accepts voice mail as a substitute; a silent function where the message is accepted by the paging system 10 and transmitted to the paging device 12 but the alarm feature of the paging device 12 is disabled regardless of its local setting by the user of paging device 12; and a modified alarm function when a user selected alarm is used to distinguish among paging device 12 alarms.

Also held in each table 28a is a password field allowing a person proposing transmission of a message to a paging device 12 to override any message processing subscriptions indicated in the profile 28. For example, such a password could be used by a parent wishing to deliver a message to a child's paging device 12 and dictate whether the paging device 12 activates its alarm feature regardless of any message processing subscriptions indicated by profile 28 and regardless of any current user setting of the alarm enable/disable mode at the paging device 12.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, system 10 references the user profile 28 to associate a given user ID unique to each user and paging device 12 with an associated slot 34 and address. Several paging devices 12 can be associated with each time slot 34, and the address value is used by paging devices 12 sharing one time slot 34 to distinguish among their respective information packets 38. Thus, each information packet 38 includes an address field 38a and a data or message field 38b. When a paging device 12 activates and captures an information packet 38, it first examines the address field 38a to determine whether the packet is intended for that paging device 12. If the address field 38a matches, information from the message field 38b is then used to display a message on display 12a. The message is then stored in the memory of device 12 for later reference.

Also illustrated in FIG. 2, each information packet 38 includes alarm control data 38c. Alarm control data 38c allows an alarm override function relative to the local, i.e., user established by operation of buttons 12b, alarm enable/disable mode for a paging device 12. Alarm control data 38c indicates whether alarm override is to be applied and what alarm mode is to be asserted when receiving and displaying the associated message field 38b. In this manner, paging system 10 can invoke a given alarm mode remotely. In particular, paging system 10 can cause silent delivery of a message or can cause audible alarm delivery of a message regardless of the current setting of the alarm enable/disable mode for the paging device 12. Furthermore, alarm control data 38c may indicate use of a modified audible alarm according to a user designated sound pattern. The alarm control data 38c is, therefore, a multiple-bit field presented according to a predetermined content and format by paging system 10 and interpreted by each paging device 12 to invoke the appropriate alarm control in connection with the associated information packet 38.

FIG. 3 illustrates paging system 10 processing relative to the collection of messages to be transmitted to paging devices 12, and according to particular message processing subscriptions established relative to particular paging devices 12. In FIG. 3, system 10 collects a message in block 40 from a caller or an information service source. Messages may come from a variety of sources such as telephone 14, personal data 20 or broadcast data 26. Also in block 40, system 10 receives, or may generate in the case of information collected from broadcast data source 26, a user ID number to indicate the destination for the associated message. In block 42, the user ID value provides access one of the user profiles 28 to determine whether or not an enhanced message processing subscription applies to the message. Thus, in block 44 system 10 reads the subscription table 28a and collects all time periods indicated therein. If system 10 identifies one or more message processing subscriptions in user profile 28, i.e., the current day of week and time of day falls in range relative to one or more time periods indicated in the message processing subscription table 28a, then processing branches to block 50 where system 10 identifies the associated message function. In decision block 52, processing branches to block 54 if the associated message processing function is a hold function. In block 54, system 10 accepts the message, provides to the caller a voice message indicating the message will not be delivered immediately and provides a time of day when the message will be delivered, i.e., indicates the end of the user designated hold period. Finally, system 10 queues the message for transmission at the day and time indicated in the message processing subscription table, i.e., holds transmission until the end of the hold period. If the indicated message processing subscription is a reject function, then processing branches from decision block 56 to block 58 where system 10 informs the caller that the message will not be accepted and will not be delivered, but that voice mail will be accepted as a substitute. Thus, block 58 concludes with system 10 accepting a voice mail message for the indicated paging device 12 user. Finally, in block 58 system 10 queues for later transmission a "voice mail pending" message for delivery as a coded message, e.g., queue a "voice mail" message to be broadcast to the user following the indicated reject period.

If the indicated message processing function is a silent function, then processing branches from decision block 60 to block 62 where system 10 accepts the message, sets the alarm control data 38c to cause no alarm, and transmits the message immediately according to normal processing. If the indicated message processing function is a modified alarm function, then processing branches from decision block 64 to block 66 where system 10 accepts the message, sets the alarm control data 38c to cause a user defined modified alarm, and transmits the message according to normal processing. As will be explained more fully hereafter, a modified alarm may be employed by the user during certain times of the day, or could be established for all times of day. For example, when the user is in a meeting a less intrusive alarm may be useful because the user is immediately aware of the incoming message, but does not disturb others with the less intrusive alarm. As may be appreciated, a relatively brief alarm could be heard well enough without disturbing others. Also, a modified alarm is useful when the user is close to other users of similar paging devices. In such situation, and especially when the group of users each have high message traffic, it is desirable to have a unique alarm presentation to distinguish among alarms. Thus, the user can designate certain time periods during which a modified alarm will be used.

If in decision block 46 the current time of day does not fall within any of the indicated message processing subscription time periods, then processing branches from decision block 46 to decision block 70 where system 10 determines whether or not a password override function is indicated. For example, the caller is presented with voice prompts including an ability to indicate password override message processing. If system 10 determines in block 70 that no password override function is indicated by the caller, then processing branches from block 70 to block 72 where the message is transmitted according to normal processing, i.e., as soon as possible and without reference in alarm control data 38c to any modified message processing subscription. Typically, this would be transmission to the indicated paging device 12 in the next available time frame 30.

If, however, system 10 determines in block 70 that a password override function is indicated by the caller, then processing branches to block 74 where the caller is prompted for a password and the password is compared to the password indicated in the associated user profile 28. As may be appreciated, such processing might include opportunity for the caller to re-enter the password as a part of a user interface feature. If the password is verified, then system 10 accepts the message, gets alarm override information from the caller, sets the alarm control data 38c to indicate alarm override according to caller designation, i.e., cause or not cause an audible alarm, and transmits the message. Thus, a caller submitting a message for delivery to a paging device 12 with the password and authority to override an active enhanced message processing subscription also has the authority to dictate which type of alarm will occur upon receipt of the message, i.e., whether there will be a normal alarm, no alarm, or a modified alarm presented according to user definition.

FIG. 4 illustrates processing at the paging device 12 relative to message processing subscriptions. In FIG. 4, paging device 12 activates its radio receiving circuitry and captures a message packet 38 in the appropriate time slot 34 in the processing block 80. In block 81, paging device 12 compares the received address field 38a to its own address field. If no match occurs, then the message was not intended for that paging device 12 and processing branches from block 81 to unrelated programming (not shown). If, however, the address field 38a in the received information packet 38 matches the paging device 12 address then processing branches to decision block 82 where paging device 12 interrogates the alarm control data 38c.

If alarm control data 38c indicates an alarm override function, then processing branches to decision block 84 where the paging device 12 further interrogates the alarm control data 38c. In decision block 84, if a normal alarm condition is asserted by data 38c, processing branches to block 88 where the normal paging device 12 alarm is activated. Following activation of the normal alarm in block 88, processing branches to block 90 where the message is displayed and stored according to normal procedures. If, however, a normal alarm is not indicated in decision block 84, then paging device 12 determines in decision block 92 whether a modified alarm is to be presented.

If a modified alarm is to be presented, then processing branches to block 94 where a user defined modified alarm is presented and processing branches to block 90. If a modified alarm is not indicated in block 92, then processing branches to decision block 96 where paging device 12 determines whether or not a silent alarm feature is indicated.

If a silent alarm is indicated by alarm control data 38c, then processing branches directly to block 90. Otherwise, processing branches out of block 96 to other programming (not shown) such as that employed for additional message processing enhancements a function of the alarm control data 38c. More particularly, it is contemplated that a variety of enhanced message processing features may be employed under the present invention, and such features could be identified generally in the switch structure indicated in FIG. 4 following branching from decision block 96.

Returning to decision block 82, if the alarm control data 38c indicates no override function, then processing branches to decision block 98 where paging device 12 interrogates its local alarm enable mode, i.e., user established alarm mode. If the alarm is enabled, then processing branches to block 88 where the normal alarm is activated. If the local alarm is disabled, then processing branches from block 98 directly to block 90 where the message is displayed and stored without an associated alarm. As may be appreciated, the user could be given local control over all alarm modes, i.e., operation of buttons 12d to select among three possible alarm modes. In particular, the user could set its local alarm mode to be either disabled, enabled for normal alarm, or enabled for the modified alarm. Under such modification to the illustrated embodiment, the decision block 98 would include determination as to which of these three possible modes were indicated by the local alarm mode setting in operation of buttons 12b.

As discussed above, the present invention contemplates use of a modified alarm according to user designation. For example, the user can designate the alarm presentation according to data ultimately stored in a memory register 12c (FIG. 1) paging device 12. For example, a user designated alarm presentation definition could consist of a sequence of 10 tone digits stored in register 12c with each tone digit defining the tone presentation during a given time segment of the alarm. Thus, a value 0 for a given tone digit indicates silence, and values 1-9 indicate progressively higher tone presentations. For a one second alarm, the duration of each tone segment or silence period could be 100 milliseconds. Also, an additional digit stored in register 12c indicates a number of repetitions for the tone pattern indicated by the 10 tone digit sequence. In this manner, the user has control over a tone sequence presentation including control over the overall alarm period as well as tone pattern and tone cadence. Thus, the user could designate a unique sequence of tone digits and number of sequence repetitions to establish a unique alarm presentation.

The alarm definition, i.e., the 10 tone digit sequence and repetition digit, could be entered into paging system 10 via a telephone 14 by use of keypad 14a. Thus, the user would engage system 10 by telephone and, following appropriate password protection, indicate the 10 digit sequence and repetition digit to be employed in presentation of a modified alarm. The modified alarm definition is delivered to the designated paging device 12 by a special information packet 38. Upon receiving such a special information packet 38, the paging device 12 would accept the digit sequence as a modified alarm definition and store that information in the dedicated memory register 12c. Thus, any time a modified alarm presentation is indicated, paging device 12 references register 12c and executes each tone presentation indicated by each digit of the sequence and repeats the sequence as indicated by the repeat digit. As may be appreciated, the overall alarm could be made relatively less intrusive by providing one or only several short bursts of appropriate tone value during the one second alarm period. While only one modified alarm definition is shown herein, it may be appreciated how several such modified alarms could be incorporated into the present invention whereby the user could designate certain time periods for use with one modified alarm, e.g., a relatively non-intrusive alarm for regular or predetermined meeting times, and designate a relatively intrusive but unique alarm for use during times when the user is within audible range of other paging devices. In this manner, the user customizes alarm presentation according to a personal time schedule for more appropriate delivery and processing of messages according to user preference.

Thus, enhanced message processing and alarm presentation have been shown and illustrated. In accordance with the present invention, a user of a paging device can designate time periods during which modified message processing and alarm presentation are to be employed. In this manner, the user customizes message processing and alarm presentation according to personal preference. The present invention resolves many problems associated with use of paging devices as personal information terminals, including annoyance both to the user and persons surrounding the user. For example, in the illustrated message processing subscription table 28a of FIG. 1, the user has designated in the first two rows of table 28a time periods corresponding to school classroom hours for the days Monday through Friday from 8:00 A.M. to 12:00 Noon and from 1:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. Under the particular subscription illustrated, the user has designated for these classroom times a hold function with modified alarm presentation for messages held during the user designated time periods. Thus, the user might receive held messages from the time period between 12:00 Noon and 1:00 P.M. with a modified alarm presentation for those held messages when delivered to the paging device 12. Also, the user might receive held messages following 4:00 P.M. with a modified alarm presentation for such held messages. Also illustrated in the table 28a of FIG. 1, the user has designated a time period for Saturday morning from 7:00 A.M. to 8:30 A.M. with hold and modified alarm functions indicated. The user might have a regularly scheduled Saturday morning activity for this time period during which the user either does not wish to be disturbed, or does not have in possession the paging device 12 and would not benefit by an alarm presentation during that period. Finally, the illustrated table 28a also indicates in the fourth row a time period defined as each Sunday of the week. During this time period, the user has designated reject function for all messages submitted to paging system 10. Thus, the user may wish to avoid any activity with respect to paging device 12 on this particular day of the week.

As may be appreciated, the present invention provides great versatility in user designation of time periods and associated message processing and alarm presentation functions. It is contemplated that the user would be able to interact with paging system 10 to modify the table 28a at any time. Thus, the user could temporarily establish time periods according to certain upcoming scheduled events, or could leave certain times period in place indefinitely according to regularly scheduled events.

It will be appreciated that the present invention is not restricted to the particular embodiment that has been described and illustrated, and that variations may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as found in the appended claims and the equivalence thereto.

Modification can include interpretation of overlapping time periods and compatibility of message processing functions indicated thereby. For example, the user may designate one time period indicating a modified alarm function which overlaps a second time period associated with, for example, a hold function. In this situation, the system would hold the message, transmit the message at the end of the hold period, and include in the transmitted message a modified alarm control code in the field 38c. Thus, some of the alarm functions may be compatible and allow overlapping time periods. Indeed, the user could establish the modified alarm for all time periods by entering a non-restrictive time period, i.e., for all days and all times of day, in the table 28a and marking the modified column in association therewith. In this manner, the modified alarm would be invoked all cases except where a password override function dictated another alarm.

Other alarm features, however, may not be compatible such as, for example, the hold function and the reject function. Thus, while the present invention has been shown as selection of specific message processing functions, it should be appreciated that multiple ones of the message processing functions could be indicated for a single time period, or could be indicated as a result of overlapping time periods. The system 10 and paging devices 12 would employ an appropriate set of rules for interpreting such conditions and, to the extent possible, satisfy the multiple message processing functions indicated. Such rules would further provide some priority mechanism for resolving any conflict between mutually exclusive message processing functions indicated by overlapping time periods. Also, while the determination of message processing functions and alarm presentation have been shown as being executed in the paging system 10, it may be appreciated how many of these functions could be implemented in the paging device 12 because the paging device 12 includes a time of day and week reference. Determination of message processing functions and alarm presentation in the paging system 10, however, provide expanded capability, e.g., such as an ability to provide feedback to a caller regarding active message processing functions.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is: 1. In a paging system receiving messages and delivering messages to paging devices according to normal message processing wherein a message received is relayed as soon as possible to a paging device, a method of message processing comprising: receiving a given message to be delivered to a given paging device; referencing a current time value relative to said receiving step; maintaining in association with said given paging device at least one time period and a corresponding at least one message processing function deviating relative to said normal message processing; comparing said current time value to said time period; executing said at least one message processing function as a function of said comparing step.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein said comparing step identifies said current time value as being within said time period or outside said time period.

3. A method according to claim 1 wherein said time period includes reference to a time of day.

4. A method according to claim 1 wherein said current time value includes reference to a day of week.

5. A method according to claim 1 wherein said message processing function includes declining said given message for further processing.

6. A method according to claim 1 wherein said message processing function includes accepting said given message and delaying delivery to said given paging device.

7. A method according to claim 6 wherein said step of delaying is a function of said time period.

8. A method according to claim 6 wherein delivery of said given message is delayed until the ends of said time period.

9. A method according to claim 1 wherein said message processing function includes overriding normal message received alarm functions of said given paging device.

10. A method according to claim 9 wherein said step of overriding comprises the step of inhibiting an audible alarm.

11. A method according to claim 9 wherein said step of overriding comprises the step of dictating an audible alarm.

12. A method according to claim 9 wherein said step of overriding comprises the step of dictating a modified alarm, said modified alarm being audible distinct from a normal message alarm.

13. A method according to claim 1 wherein said executing step is avoided in response to a message source having authority to override said message processing function.

14. A method according to claim 13 wherein said authority is indicated by said message source providing an override password associated with said given paging device.

15. In a paging system comprising paging devices receiving messages and producing an audible alarm upon receipt of paging messages, and alarm device comprising: information storage maintaining a user defined alarm presentation according to designated tone presentation; a user access to said information storage allowing the user to define and store a representation of said user defined alarm presentation; an alarm device responsive to receipt of a paging message and referencing said information storage to present an audible alarm corresponding to said user defined alarm presentation.

16. A device according to claim 15 wherein said user defined alarm presentation delivers said alarm according to a user defined tone sequence pattern.

17. A device according to claim 16 wherein said user defined tone pattern is established by said user placing in said information storage a sequence of digits each representing a tone and said user defined alarm presentation comprises a sequence of tone presentations corresponding to tones associated with said sequence of digits.

18. A device according to claim 17 wherein said digit sequence further includes digits representing a silent alarm and said user defined alarm presentation includes intervals of silence.

19. A device according to claim 17 wherein said digit sequence includes a repeat digit representing a repeat function whereby a tone pattern corresponding to the remaining digits in the sequence is repeated a number of times corresponding to the value of said repeat digit.