KR19980064830A - Multi-channel selective call receiver and channel identification method - Google Patents

Abstract

An optional call receiver (10) having a receiver (11) and a controller (13) and supported by one or more channels in a communication environment. The controller 13 is suitable for controlling the receiver 11 to receive information when synchronized to the channel 16. Information on channel 16 is provided according to the messaging protocol of the communication environment. If the channel 16 is an effective channel providing information addressed to the selective call receiver 10, the controller 13 controls the receiver 11 to receive the information. If channel 16 is an invalid channel but has a messaging protocol available by selective call receiver 10, controller 13 controls receiver 11 to keep synchronized to channel 16, so that selective call receiver 10 ) Can save battery power while searching for valid channels.

Description

Multi-channel selective call receiver and channel identification method

The present invention relates to an optional call receiver, such as a pager operating in a communication environment. In particular, the invention relates to, but is not necessarily limited to, channel identification by a multi-channel selective call receiver operating in a communication environment.

An optional call receiver, such as a pager, receives information typically formatted according to the messaging protocol formed by the selective call in the communication environment. For example, in Motorola's FLEX ^™ messaging protocol, information is grouped into blocks or frames that form a cycle for transmission on a carrier frequency or channel. The FLEX ^™ cycle has one hundred twenty eight frames, some of which are required frames with information specifying channel parameters that must be received by the selective call receiver. Channel parameters of the FLEX ^™ messaging protocol include Simulcast System Identifier (SSID) and frame offset values. Part of the SSID is recognized by all optional call receivers supported by the FLEX ^TM selective calling system, and the frame offset value provides an indication of the specified frame within the FLEX ^TM cycle, from which the optional call receiver provides the FLEX ^TM selective calling system. Receive information when operating in. Since frames are specified based on the frame offset value of each FLEX ^™ selective calling system, frame collisions can be avoided when the selective call receiver is operating, for example, in an overlapping region between other FLEX ^™ selective calling systems.

Selective call receivers in a FLEX ^™ communication environment may also be supported by other FLEX ^™ selective calling systems. Such selective call receivers typically receive information on one or more channels and are called multi-channel selective call receivers. In many FLEX ^™ selective calling systems, a channel may be valid or invalid for a multi-channel selective call receiver to receive information. The effective channel provides information addressed to the multi-channel selective call receiver.

Multi-channel selective call receivers in a FLEX ^™ communication environment must be synchronized to FLEX ^™ cycles that are simultaneously transmitted in other FLEX ^™ selective calling systems at a given time. FLEX ^™ cycles are transmitted simultaneously based on, for example, external time signals supplied by the global positioning system. Each frame of the FLEX ^TM cycle has a sync codeword to which the multi-channel selective call receiver is synchronized. The advantage of being synchronized to the FLEX ^TM cycle is that battery power can be saved because the multi-channel selective call receiver must receive the required frames, and then must be determined and received only on the specified frames. Some of the optional call receivers may be turned off or operated minimally to conserve battery power during unspecified frames.

The multi-channel selective call receiver needs to be synchronized to the channel before determining whether the channel is valid or invalid. This can cause problems when the multi-channel selective call receiver is receiving information from one or more channels, such as in an overlap region between other FLEX ^™ selective call systems, for example. Slow or inefficient channel identification may cause the multi-channel selective call receiver to reliably receive information and even cause loss of information.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome or at least mitigate at least one of the limitations associated with channel identification by a multi-channel selective call receiver operating in a communication environment.

According to one aspect of the present invention, in an optional call receiver:

A receiver for receiving information on at least one channel; And

Processing means coupled to the receiver

Including,

The processing means processes the information when synchronized to the channel to determine if the channel is in a messaging protocol available by the selective call receiver and, if available, whether the channel is valid or invalid. An optional call receiver is provided that is suitable for maintaining synchronization to a channel.

Advantageously, said processing means may also be suitable for searching for at least one valid channel while maintaining synchronization with said channel.

Suitably, the information is grouped into frames to form one cycle, the cycle being transmitted at a predetermined time on the channel, and the processing means also maintains the effective channel while maintaining synchronization to the required frame of the cycle. May be suitable for searching.

Advantageously, said processing means may comprise a memory for storing one or more channel parameters for processing said information, said channel parameters comprising an identifier.

The processing means preferably further comprises a controller suitable for matching the information with a portion of the identifier.

Suitably, the processing means may further comprise a controller suitable for matching the information with the identifier.

According to another aspect of the present invention, in a channel identification method by a multi-channel selective call receiver:

Processing information when synchronized to at least one channel to determine whether the channel is in a messaging protocol enabled by an diffuser selective call receiver; And

Maintaining synchronization with the channel regardless of whether the channel is valid or invalid when the messaging protocol is available

It provides a channel identification method by a multi-channel selective call receiver comprising a.

Advantageously, the method may further comprise searching for at least one valid channel while maintaining synchronization to said channel.

Advantageously, said processing step may comprise matching said information with a portion of an identifier stored in said selective call receiver.

Advantageously, said processing step may comprise matching said information with an identifier stored in said selective call receiver.

Suitably, maintaining synchronization may comprise periodically synchronizing to one or more portions of the information.

Advantageously, said maintaining synchronization may comprise periodically synchronizing at least one required portion of said information.

1 is a structural diagram of a FLEX ^TM cycle according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a block diagram of an optional call receiver for receiving the FLEX ^™ cycle of FIG.

3 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of operation of the selective call receiver of FIG.

Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings

1: FLEX ^TM cycle

2: frame

3: codeword

4: Sync 1 field

5: frame information field

6: Sync 2 field

8, 9: block

10: optional call receiver

11: receiver

12: processing means

13: controller

14: Memory

15: antenna

16: channel

1 shows a structural diagram of a FLEX ^™ cycle 1. Frame 2 is represented by a sync codeword 3 with three fields: Sync 1 field 4, frame information field 5 and Sync 2 field 6. The frame 2 also has a plurality of blocks and represents two of the two blocks 8, 9. The bits in the frame information field 5 indicate that the FLEX ^TM cycle 1 is transmitted on a channel that supports a multi-channel selective call receiver. Such a channel is called a roaming channel. The required frame in the FLEX ^TM cycle 1 has two 32-bit codewords, the SSID. Two 32-bit codewords are referred to as block information word 0 and block information word 111 in the FLEX ^™ messaging protocol. The block information word 0 is included in every other frame in the FLEX ^TM cycle 1 and is referred to herein as a partial SSID. The partial SSID is recognized by all multichannel selective call receivers of the FLEX ^™ selective calling system.

2 shows a block diagram of an optional call receiver 10 for receiving a FLEX ^TM cycle 1. The optional call receiver 10 comprises a receiver 11 and a processing means 12. The receiver 11 is coupled to an antenna 15 for receiving modulated information on at least one channel. The processing means 12 is coupled to the receiver 11 and comprises a controller 13 and a memory 14. The controller 13 is coupled to control the receiver 11 and the memory 14. The memory 14 stores one or more channel parameters such that the controller 13 processes the information received on the channel 16. The channel parameter includes an identifier called Simulated Cast System Identifier (SSID), a frame offset value determiner, a designated frame indicator, and a channel list. The channel list represents at least one channel from which information can be received by the optional call receiver 10. These channels may be valid or invalid channels depending on whether they provide the designated addressed information to the selective call receiver 10.

Processing means 12 are preferred for processing information when synchronized to channel 16 to determine whether channel 16 is a messaging protocol available by optional call receiver 10. In this preferred embodiment, the messaging protocol is Motorola's FLEX ^™ messaging protocol as shown in FIG. 1. If channel 16 is a roaming channel with a FLEX ^™ messaging protocol, controller 13 controls receiver 11 to maintain synchronization to channel 16 regardless of whether channel 16 is valid or invalid. .

Even when it is invalid, synchronization with the channel 16 is maintained so that the processing means 12 can search for at least one valid channel based on the channel list stored in the memory 14. Selective call receiver 10 may maintain synchronization to channel 16 by, for example, periodically synchronizing one or more portions of information. Therefore, the present invention can identify the effective channel more quickly, so that the required frame can be detected more reliably so that information can be received in the designated frame. Moreover, the selective call receiver 10 only needs to scan the required frames of the FLEX ^TM cycle 1 on this effective channel, thus saving battery power.

3 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of operating the selective call receiver 10. Beginning at step 21, the controller 13 determines whether the receiver 11 is synchronized to the channel at decision step 22. If the decision step 22 is YES, the method 20 determines that the controller 13 determines whether the channel has a part or partial SSID of an identifier that matches that of the optional call receiver 10 stored in the memory 14 (23). Proceed to). If decision step 22 is no, the controller 13 continues the inspection of the receiver 11 by repeating decision step 22 periodically.

If NO in decision step 23, the method 20 proceeds to step 28 in which the controller 13 controls the receiver 11 to maintain synchronization to the channel. This channel may be an invalid channel with respect to the optional call receiver 10. However, this invalid channel may be a roaming channel that supports a multi-channel selective call receiver even in other FLEX ^™ selective call systems. As such, whether valid or invalid, the channel may have, for example, a FLEX ^™ messaging protocol available by the selective call receiver 10 to be kept synchronized and synchronized periodically with one or more portions of information. While maintaining synchronization with the channel in step 28, the control proceeds to step 29 where the controller 13 controls the receiver 11 to search for another channel according to the channel list stored in the memory 14. In decision step 30, the controller 13 determines whether another channel is found following the search step 29. If decision step 30 is yes, the method 20 repeats from decision step 23 to determine whether another channel has a partial SSID that matches that of the selective call receiver 10. If decision step 30 is no, the method 20 proceeds to decision step 31 where it is first determined in step 22 whether the synchronized channel is within range. If yes in decision step 31, the method 20 is repeated from step 28 in which the controller 13 controls the receiver 11 to maintain synchronization to the channel that was first synchronized in decision step 22. On the other hand, if NO in decision step 31, the step proceeds to decision step 22 in which it is determined whether the selective call receiver 10 is synchronized with the channel.

If yes in decision step 23, the process proceeds to step 24 where the controller 13 controls the receiver 11 to receive information in every frame to detect the required frame of the FLEX ^TM cycle. Upon detecting the required frame, the controller 13 supplies channel parameters of the FLEX ^TM cycle, such as the SSID and the frame offset value. Proceeding to step 25, the SSID of the channel is compared with that of the selective call receiver 10 stored in the memory 14.

If the SSID does not match that of the optional call receiver 10, then the controller 13 controls the receiver 11 to maintain synchronization to the channel, for example by periodically synchronizing the one or more required parts of the information. Proceed to This essential part consists of the required frames. Method 20 then proceeds from decision step 23 as described above for NO.

If the SSID matches that of the selective call receiver 10, the controller 13 then controls in step 26 such that the receiver 11 receives information only in the designated frame. This designation frame comprising the first designation frame is determined according to the FLEX ^™ messaging protocol. For example, the controller 13 may determine the designated frame by processing the frame offset value detected as the required frame in step 24 using the frame offset determiner and the designated frame designator stored in the memory 14.

In addition, a step 27 is also provided in which the controller 13 controls the receiver 11 to determine whether the channel is within a range for receiving information. If decision step 27 is YES, the controller 13 continues to synchronize to the channel to receive the subsequently transmitted information. In other words, if no in decision step 27, the process proceeds to decision step 22 in which it is determined whether the selective call receiver 10 is synchronized to the channel.

By keeping the synchronization to the channel regardless of whether the channel is valid or invalid and sampling all the frames after partial SSID matching except before the required frame, the present invention can more reliably receive information with faster channel identification. Will be. Even when synchronized to the invalid channel, the present invention searches for at least one valid channel. In addition, information about the one or more channels in the overlap area between the time to be synchronized to the required frame of the FLEX ^TM cycle, selective call receiver 10 is, for example, different FLEX ^TM selectively called by the system or other FLEX ^TM selective call system It can also improve battery savings when it is necessary to receive. Thus, the present invention may overcome or at least alleviate at least one limitation associated with channel identification by a multi-channel or roaming selective call receiver operating in a communications environment.

Claims (14)

For an optional call receiver: A receiver for receiving information on at least one channel; And Processing means coupled to the receiver Including, The processing means processes the information when synchronized to the channel to determine if the channel is in a messaging protocol available by the selective call receiver and, if available, whether the channel is valid or invalid. Optional call receiver, adapted to maintain synchronization to the channel. 2. The selective call receiver of claim 1, wherein said processing means is also suitable for searching for at least one valid channel while maintaining synchronization with said channel. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the information is grouped into frames to form a cycle, the cycle being transmitted at a predetermined time on the channel, and the processing means is further effective while maintaining synchronization of the cycle to the required frame. Optional call receiver, characterized in being suitable for searching for channels. 2. The selective calling receiver of claim 1, wherein said processing means comprises a memory for storing one or more channel parameters for processing said information, said channel parameters comprising an identifier. 5. The selective call receiver of claim 4, wherein said processing means further comprises a controller suitable for matching said information with a portion of said identifier. 5. The selective call receiver of claim 4, wherein said processing means further comprises a controller suitable for matching said information with said identifier. In the channel identification method by the multi-channel selective call receiver: Processing information when synchronized to at least one channel to determine whether the channel is in a messaging protocol enabled by the selective call receiver; And Maintaining synchronization with the channel regardless of whether the channel is valid or invalid when the messaging protocol is available Channel identification method by a multi-channel selective call receiver comprising a. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the method further comprises searching for at least one valid channel while maintaining synchronization to the channel. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the processing step includes matching the information with a portion of an identifier stored in the selective call receiver. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the processing step includes matching the information with an identifier stored in the selective call receiver. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein maintaining synchronization comprises periodically synchronizing to one or more portions of the information. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein maintaining synchronization comprises periodically synchronizing one or more essential portions of the information. An optional call receiver comprising a receiver and processing means substantially described by and in connection with the accompanying drawings. 18. A method of channel identification by a multi-channel selective call receiver substantially described by and in connection with the accompanying drawings.