Communications: electrical – Selective – Having indication or alarm
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-18
2004-02-24
Zimmerman, Brian (Department: 2635)
Communications: electrical
Selective
Having indication or alarm
C340S007100, C340S007400, C320S114000, C320S115000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06696922
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a docking system for an interactive pager, which docking system is, itself, interactive. In particular, the present invention is directed towards an interactive pager docking system which provides a docking cradle for an interactive two-way packet data pager. In certain embodiments of the present invention, the interactive pager docking system will also include a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver. The interactive pager docking system of the present invention permits communication between an interactive two-way packet data pager and a plurality of peripheral devices. As such, the interactive pager docking system of the present invention provides messaging, communication, and present location capabilities, especially when equipped with satellite communication and GPS peripherals. The present invention is applicable in certain AVL (Automatic Vehicle Location) applications.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Interactive two-way packet data pagers are becoming more common. In essence, the interactive two-way packet data pager can be characterized as a two-way wireless radio communicator having a microprocessor, or a microprocessor having a two-way wireless communication module. In any event, an interactive two-way packet data pager is capable of executing programmed applications, which may be built in or may be user programmed or input from a keyboard which forms an integral part of the interactive two-way packet data pager. Moreover, any interactive two-way packet data pager is capable of sending, receiving, and displaying alphanumeric data.
However, the present invention provides greatly increased functionality for a two-way packet data pager by enabling the interactive two-way packet data pager to function in association with other passive or interactive peripheral equipment such as a satellite communications module, a GPS receiver, printers, bar code readers, and the like. These additional peripheral devices provide additional functionality to the interactive two-way packet data pager, such as by permitting it to determine the present geographic location of the interactive pager docking system through the GPS receiver; or such as to permit the pager to transmit alphanumeric data to a home station even if the pager is out of its packet data network by communicating through a satellite transceiver.
Ordinarily, an interactive two-way packet data pager is equipped with a single serial port for communication with such as a printer. However, in keeping with a provision of the present invention, when the interactive two-way packet data pager is inserted into and held in place in a docking cradle provided therefor, the additional peripheral equipment for the pager is associated therewith through the cradle. Moreover, the docking cradle provides communication port multiplexing, so that additional serial port functionality for the interactive two-way packet data pager is provided.
By providing a serial port multiplexer, it is possible to allow communication from and to the pager and, in any event, from and to the interactive pager docking system, through a peripheral satellite communications transceiver. Still further, the GPS receiver may be connected to the docking cradle either through the serial multiplexer, or through a dedicated communications port.
One feature of the present invention is that, while the interactive two-way packet data pager is secured in its docking cradle, the pager will be able to scan various cradle ports for data, and it will be able to send data or commands to the various peripherals which are connected to the docking cradle.
For example, the interactive two-way packet data pager, through its microprocessor and internal memory, may be programmed to periodically poll the GPS receiver for the present position of the interactive pager docking system. As will be discussed hereafter, this is particularly useful in circumstances when the interactive pager docking system of the present invention is installed in a vehicle. By so doing, a remote dispatch station or AVL centre may be advised of the present location of a vehicle, from which it may also determine the speed and direction in which the vehicle is moving. Indeed, if the pager detects that it is out of range of the packet data network with which it would normally communicate, the interactive pager docking system will re-route messages to and from the pager, and from the GPS receiver, through the peripheral satellite transceiver. Sufficient memory is provided in the pager so that, if necessary, messages to and from the pager to the satellite transceiver may be cued until they are received by or transmitted from the two-way interactive pager.
A further, very important, feature of the present invention is that the docking cradle includes a battery charger module for charging a rechargeable battery with which the interactive two-way packet data pager is provided. The battery charger module is under the control of charging programs and protocols, so that charging of the rechargeable battery will only be initiated, continue, or be terminated, in keeping with predetermined parameters and conditions.
Still further, as will be described in greater detail hereafter, especially when the interactive pager docking system of the present invention is installed in a vehicle, and includes a GPS receiver, if a pager is not in the cradle then power to the GPS receiver - which is being delivered through the cradle from the vehicle battery to the GPS receiver - will be terminated after a predetermined period of time.
Needless to say, the interactive pager docking system of the present invention is such that it will be functional with any interactive two-way packet data pager which is adapted to be fitted into the docking cradle, irrespective of the communication protocols according to which the two-way interactive pager operates. Thus, the interactive pager docking system of the present invention can operate with interactive two-way packet data pagers in virtually any country of the world.
Since the interactive pager docking system of the present invention is primarily, but not exclusively, intended for operation in a mobile vehicle environment, other peripherals which may comprise part of the interactive pager docking system may include high decibel beepers, high brightness lamps, and so on, to catch the attention of a driver or occupant of a vehicle, even in the noisy or otherwise busy environment of a moving vehicle.
Accordingly, the present invention provides a rugged mobile data terminal which may be effectively used in vehicles, at very low costs compared with, say, laptop computers having special communications facilities. However, an ordinary laptop computer would not provide the two-way interactive pager functionality that a pager does. Effectively, an interactive two-way packet data pager is a low cost device providing a built-in packet data modem, a back-lit display, and a “QWERTY” keyboard, in a package which is generally no larger than an ordinary pager. Such devices are generally adapted to operate on one AA battery; and, in keeping with the provisions of the present invention, that battery will be a rechargeable battery. Typically, rechargeable batteries are nickel cadmium (NiCd), nickel metal hydride (NiMH), or rechargeable alkaline. It is also possible that such interactive two-way packet data pagers as are particularly contemplated herein may also include a lithium battery.
By providing the interactive pager docking system of the present invention, many different commercial, quasi-Governmental, and Governmental operations are enabled with low cost data communications for local dispatch or vehicle location purposes. For example, fleet operators having cars or trucks which may operate very widely geographically may equip each vehicle with an interactive pager docking system in keeping with the present invention, whereby the vehicle will always be in packet data communication for sending and receiving messages to and from a central dispatch office; as well as being
Griffith Guy
Wong Cheng Cheong Gilbert
(Marks & Clerk)
1229937 Ontario Limited
Yang Clara
Zimmerman Brian
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