Patent ID: 6057783
Filing Date: 2000-05-02
Classification: H04W,Y02D

Abstract:
A method for operating a multi-area radio pager, wherein the pager comprises a receiver for demodulating a paging signal, a sync detector for detecting a synchronization sequence in the demodulated paging signal, a scan list table having a plurality of entries for storing data representing frequencies and area codes, an area information table for storing data representing a frequency and an area code associated with the paging signal, and an out-of-range detector for producing an out-of-range indication when synchronization sequences are not properly detected by the sync detector, the method comprising the steps of:a) briefly deactivating the receiver in response to the out-of-range indication;b) controlling the receiver according to the frequency data of the area information table to demodulate a paging signal, determining whether a synchronization sequence is detected in the demodulated paging signal, and comparing an area code of the paging signal with the area code of the area information table if the synchronization sequence is detected;c) if the synchronization sequence is not detected or if the area codes do not match, controlling the receiver according to the frequency data of a specified entry of the scan list table to demodulate a paging signal, determining whether a synchronization sequence is detected in the demodulated paging signal, and comparing an area code of the paging signal with the area code of the specified entry if the synchronization sequence is detected;d) if the synchronization sequence is not detected or if the area codes do not match, specifying a subsequent entry of the scan list table, briefly deactivating the receiver, and repeating the steps (b) to (d); ande) if the area codes match, updating the area information table with the data of said specified entry.