Abstract:
A radio paging receiver operates in two modes. In a first mode, the pager activates light and sound alarms message regardless of who the caller is. In a second, password select mode, the pager sounds the light and sound alarms only for callers who have transmitted a password with their messages to the pager. In password select mode, the pager also allows a user to discriminate among those callers who have the password, only activating both the light and sound alarm when preselected callers are detected as transmitting a message to the pager. To make this possible, the pager uses a caller&#39;s telephone number as a password. If a message from a caller who is not selected is received, only the light alarm is activated and the message is displayed. The sound alarm is not activated. Selection of callers is made in accordance with a stored and displayed telephone directory, for example, with a stylus pen. The pager also allows caller selection to be made based on certain categories of callers or based on the time of day.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a radio paging receiver, and more particularly to a radio paging receiver with data management functions to control the calling operation of received message. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Some conventional radio paging receivers have a function that a received message is displayed or notified only when a specific password is included in the message. For example, such a radio paging receiver is disclosed in Japanese patent application laid-open No.6-152499(1994) an titled “Radio Paging Receiver with Display”. 
     This radio paging receiver is provided with a notification limiting means for notifying only when a predetermined specific password is included in the message. It is further provided with a time setting means which makes the notification limiting means effective at first predetermined time and makes the notification limiting means ineffective at a second predetermined time and a notifying means which notifies a notification-limited message at the second predetermined time. 
     In the conventional radio paging receiver, a password is previously stored in the radio paging receiver by the user, and, when a message is received during the notification control period using a password, letters included in the message are collated with the password stored in the radio paging receiver. When they are not identical with each other, the notifying operation is limited. 
     Meanwhile, a user may desire that the notifying operation is limited to conduct only for specific callers even when the notification control is conducted using the password. However, in the conventional radio paging receiver, such a further limitation operation is complicated and difficult to conduct. 
     On the other hand, the user of the radio paging receiver may change the password since the password can be freely set by the user. Unfortunately, when the message sender (caller) does not known the changed password, the message cannot be transmitted without delay. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, it is an object o the invention to provide a radio paging receiver that the notifying operation can be easily limited to conduct only for specific callers even when the notification control is conducted using the password. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide a radio paging receiver where a caller&#39;s message can be received and notified to a user without delay even when when the caller does not known the password. 
     According to the invention, provided is a radio paging receiver using a caller&#39;s telephone number as a password, conducting the calling control setting operation by using the password, conducting the normal calling operation by notification sound, light emission of an light-emitting element and displaying of a received message when a telephone number included in the received message coincides with the caller&#39;s telephone number as password to be stored in advance in its telephone directory function part, and prohibiting the notification sound when the telephone numbers included in the received message does not coincide with the caller&#39;s telephone number. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, a radio paging receiver, comprises: 
     means for radio-receiving a message; 
     means for storing in advance a paging number and a caller&#39;s telephone number used as a password; 
     means for displaying the message; 
     means for conducting an notification to call its user; 
     means for registering data; and 
     a controller for conducting the calling control setting operation by using the caller&#39;s telephone number as password, conducting the calling operation by the displaying means and the notifying means when the password included in the message received by the radio-receiving means coincides with the caller&#39;s telephone number stored in the storing means, and conducting the calling operation while prohibiting only the notification of the notifying means when the password included in the message received by the radio-receiving means does not coincide with the caller&#39;s telephone number stored in the storing means. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be explained in more detail in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a conventional radio paging receiver, 
     FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating the operation of the conventional radio paging receiver, 
     FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a radio paging receiver in a first preferred embodiment according to the invention, 
     FIG. 4 is an outside view showing the radio paging receiver in the first embodiment, 
     FIGS. 5A and 5B are illustrations showing LCD display operations when inputting data, 
     FIG. 6 is an illustration showing LCD display operations when setting some functions, 
     FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating the operation of the radio paging receiver in the first embodiment, 
     FIGS. 8A and 8B are illustrations showing LCD display operations of a radio paging receiver in a second preferred embodiment according to the invention, 
     FIG. 9 is an illustration showing LCD display operations of a radio paging receiver in a third preferred embodiment according to the invention, 
     FIG. 10 is an illustration showing LCD display of a radio paging receiver in a fourth preferred embodiment according to the invention, 
     FIG. 11 is a table showing an example of RAM data stored in telephone directory, and 
     FIG. 12 is an illustration showing an example schematic signal format of received signal. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Before explaining a radio paging receiver in the preferred embodiments, the aforementioned conventional radio paging receiver will be explained in FIGS. 1 and 2. 
     FIG. 1 shows the conventional radio paging receiver. Referring to FIG. 1, the conventional radio paging receiver comprises a receiving unit  2  to demodulate radio signal received through an antenna  1 , ROM  34  where a paging number is previously stored, a paging number collator  35  to collate a paging number included in the received radio signal with the paging number stored in ROM  34 , a password memory  36  where a password is previously stored, a password collator  37  to collate a password included in received massage with the password stored in the password memory  36 , a preset time memory  38  to store the limitation times in reception, a clock unit  42  to generate real-time signal, a message memory  41  to store received message, a notifier to generate call signal and conduct the notification, a display  40  to display the received message, and a controller  33  to manage and control all of the circuit components. 
     Referring to FIG. 2, the operation of the conventional radio paging receiver will be explained. 
     A message is received (Step  1 :S 1 ),and then it is judged whether a password is included in the message or not (Step  2 : S 2 ), and it notifies when the password is included (Step  3 : S 3 ). When the password is not included, it is judged whether the notification is limited (Step  4 : S 4 ) or not, and it notifies when the notification is not limited (Step  7 : S 7 ). It does not notify when the notification is limited (Step  5 : S 5 ). In this case, the received message is stored (Step  6 : S 6 ), and is notified after the notification is released from the limitation (Step  7 : S 7 ). 
     Next, a radio paging receiver in the first preferred embodiment will be explained in FIG.  3 . 
     The radio paging receiver in the first preferred embodiment comprises an antenna  1 , a receiving unit  2  to receive radio signal from a radio station (not shown) through the antenna  1 , a waveform-shaping circuit  3  to convert amplified and demodulated signal by the receiving unit  2  into data signal  24 , a controller  4  to control the whole circuit, RAM  6  to store various data, ROM  7  where dictionary function data are previously stored, PROM  5  where a paging number  25  of itself is stored, an operation panel  8  for the user to input data. LCD (liquid-crystal display)  10  to display data, a drive circuit  9  to output display signal  28  to LCD  10 , an amplifier  11  to amplify speaker alert signal  26 , a speaker  12  to output a sound by the amplified speaker alert signal  26 , an amplifier  13  to amplify LED(light-emitting diode) alert signal  29 , LED  14  to emit light by the amplified LED alert signal  29 , a switch  15  used to switch on or off the receiving unit  2 , to stop the notifying operation and to confirm the received message, and a switch  16  for electronic memorandum function. 
     The controller  4  comprises an ID identifier  21  to compare the data signal  24  output from the waveform-shaping circuit  3  with its own paging number  25  stored in PROM  5 , a message analyzer  22  to analyze a message from the data signal  24  output from the waveform-shaping circuit  3 , a password collator  23  to collate a password included in the received message with its own password to be stored previously, and a notification commander  53  to output drive signals to LCD  10 , speaker  12  and LED  14  according to the message analyzed by the message analyzer  22 . 
     Meanwhile, in FIG. 3, like parts are indicated by like reference numerals as used in FIG.  1  and explanations thereof are omitted. 
     FIG. 4 shows the outside view of the radio paging receiver in the first to third embodiments. 
     Referring to FIG. 4, the radio paging receiver is composed of an inside-protecting lid  18  capable of being hinged, and the operation panel  8 . The operation panel  8  is provided with a panel-operating pen  17  capable of being inserted therein. LCD  10  to display, speaker  12 , LED  14 , and switch  15  which can be pushed down even when the lid  18  is shut. Further, the lid  18  is provided with a transparent window  19  disposed corresponding to LCD  10  so that the user can be see the display of LCD  10  even when the lid  18  is shut. 
     Next, referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the operation of the radio paging receiver will be detailed. 
     The contents to be displayed on LCD  10  can be seen through the transparent window  19  even when the lid  18  is shut. Also, by using the switch  15  disposed on the right side of the operation panel  8  for switching on or of the receiving unit  2 , for stopping the notifying operation and for confirming the received message, the basic operations of the radio paging receiver can be conducted even when the lid  18  is shut. 
     When the switch  15  is continuously pushed down, the power source of the radio paging receiver is turned on and the radio paging receiver enters into a message reception waiting state. In this state, when a message with its own paging number is received and its own password is identified, the notification (or calling) operation is carried out, i.e., LED  14  emits light, the speaker  12  outputs the speaker alert sound and LCD  10  displays the received message. 
     When the switch  15  is pushed down during the notification operation, the notifying of the speaker  12 , LED  14  is stopped but the message displaying of LCD  10  is contained. The message can be displayed within a predetermined time period. However, when the switch  15  is pushed down during the displaying, the display of received message is turned off. Also, when the switch  15  is pushed down during the turn-off period of LCD  10 , the latest one of received messages stored in RAM  6  can be displayed on LCD  10 . Subsequently, when the switch  15  is pushed down during the displaying of received message, messages if present, received prior to the currently-displayed message can be displayed in the reception order. This display operation can be repeated until the oldest message stored in RAM  6  is displayed. 
     The controller  4  also has data management functions to data including telephone directory data and schedule data. For the operation of data management functions, the operation procedure data are displayed on LCD  10  by the controller  4 . The user can conduct the function operation by touching the display position on LCD  10  corresponding to the necessary operation procedure data with the pen  17 . 
     When a radio signal from radio station is received by the antenna  1 , and is then amplified and demodulated by the receiving unit  2 . For example, the radio signal received has a signal format shown in FIG.  12 . The demodulated signal is waveform-shaped by the waveform-shaping circuit  3 , then output as data signal  24  to the controller  4 . 
     Then, the ID identifier  21  in the controller  4  compares a paging number to be included in the data signal  24  with its own paging number to be previously stored in PROM  5 , and, when they are identical with each other, the message analyzer  22  analyzes the message of the data signal  24 , then outputting the message data  51  to RAM  6  to store therein. 
     Then, when the password calling is not set, as shown by “A” in FIG. 3, the message analyzed by the message analyzer  22  is output to the notification commander  53 . Then, the notification commander  53  outputs drive signals to LCD  10 , speaker  12  and LED  14  to drive the respective devices. 
     On the other hand, when the password calling is set, as shown by “B” in FIG. 3, the data signal  24  is output from the message analyzer  22  to the password collator  23 . Then, the password collator  23  compares the numerical data in the data signal  24  with the password data  52  from the telephone directory data stored in RAM  6 . When they are identical, it is judged that the calling exits. Then, the notification commander  53  outputs alert signals  26 ,  29  to the amplifiers  11 ,  13 , respectively to drive the speaker  12  and LED  14 . Simultaneously, the message data  27  analyzed by the message analyzer  22  are output through the notification commander  53  to the drive circuit  9 . The drive circuit  9  outputs the display signal  28  to LCD  10  to display the message data  27 . When the numerical data in the data signal  24  are not identical with the password data  52 , the notification commander  53  outputs drive signals only to LCD  10  and LED  14  to drive the respective devices. 
     The amplifier  11  amplifies the speaker alert signal  26  to sound-drive the speaker  12 , thereby notifying that the calling is reached. 
     Also, the amplifier  13  amplifies the LED alert signal  29  output from the controller  4  to emit light from LED  14 , thereby notifying that the calling is reached. The switch  15  is mainly used as the power switch of the receiving unit  12 , and the switch  16  is used as the power switch of the electronic memorandum function. By separating the switch  15  from the switch  16 , the functions of the radio paging receiver can be independently operated even when the electronic function is not operated. 
     Also, the controller  4  outputs the operation procedure data to the drive circuit  9  to display them on LCD  10 . The function operation can be conducted by touching a display position on LCD  10  of the operation panel  8  corresponding to the necessary operation procedure data with the pen  17 . The controller  4  stores telephone directory data to be input from the operation panel  8  or received message data into RAM  6 , displaying the data again on LCD  10  according to the operation of the operation panel  8 . An example of telephone directory data to be stored in RAM  6  is shown in FIG.  11 . As shown, the telephone directory data are composed of a telephone number including up to 12 letters, where one letter is represented by 4 bits, and a name including up to 10 characters, where one character is represented by one byte. 
     In ROM  7 , dictionary function data such as Chinese characters are previously stored. When the user inputs ‘Kana’ letters through the operation panel  8 , the controller  4  reads out the converted Chinese character data as dictionary function data  30  from ROM  7 . The list of converted Chinese character data are then displayed on LCD  10 . and the user can select a desired character from the displayed characters and can input it as data. 
     FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate the LCD display operation when data are input. FIG. 5A shows an example of display on the operation panel  8 , and FIG. 5B is a flow chart illustrating the inputting of data. Referring to FIG. 5A, there are disposed fixed key part including the switch  16  for conducting predetermined specific operations in the reverse-‘L’-shaped region of the operation panel  8 . Under the fixed key part, there are disposed labels to display the contents of operation. Thus, the display contents on LCD  10  can be seen on the inside region of the fixed key part of the operation panel  8 . 
     First, when the switch  16  of the fixed key part of the operation panel  8  is touched with the pen  17  in the turn-off state of the device power, the menu image of the electronic memorandum function is displayed (Step  301 : S 301 ). When part of ‘telephone directory’ displayed on LCD  10  is touched with the pen  17  in case of no telephone directory data registered, the display of LCD  10  is changed into a name input image. In inputting a name, when a letter part displayed on LCD  10  is touched with the pen  17 , the corresponding ‘Kana’ letters are first displayed being background-inverted at the upper part of LCD  10  (Step  302 : S 302 ). When the ‘Kana’ letters are desired to input as it is, the ‘Kana’ letters can be input by touching ‘input’ part of the fixed key part with the pen  17 . Alternately, when the ‘Kana’ letters are desired to be converted into Chinese character, the image of LCD  10  can be changed into the list image of Chinese characters to be converted into by touching ‘conversion’ part of the fixed key part with the pen  17 . Then, by touching part of a desired Chinese character with the pen  17 , the converted Chinese character can be input (Step  303 : S 303 ). 
     After inputting all characters of the name, the image of LCD  10  can be changed into a telephone number input image by touching the ‘input’ part of the fixed key part with the pen  17 . The telephone number can be input by conducting the operation like S 301  to S 302  (Step  304 : S 304 ). After inputting the telephone number, the image of the LCD  10  can be changed into an address input image by touching the ‘input’ part of the fixed key part with the pen  17 . The address can be input by conducting the operation like S 301  to S 303  (Step  305 : S 305 ). 
     After inputting all data of the address, the image of LCD  10  can be returned to the menu image of the electronic memorandum function at S 301  by touching the ‘input’ part of the fixed key part with the pen  17 . Thus, the registration of data can be completed. 
     On the other hand, in case of having telephone directory data already registered at S 301 , when part of ‘telephone directory’ displayed on LCD  10  is touched with the pen  17 , the registered data of the telephone directory are displayed (Step  306 : S 306 ). Here, when new data are desired to input, the display of LCD  10  can be changed into the name input image at S 302  by touching the ‘input’ part of the fixed key part with the pen  17 . The inputting of data can be conducted by repeating the above operations. 
     FIG. 6 illustrates the LCD display operation when the password calling function is set. 
     Referring to FIG. 6, when the user selects the setting mode for the password calling control function by touching part of ‘system’ on LCD  10  of the operation panel  8 , the setting or releasing of password calling can be displayed (Step  401 : S 401 ). At S 401 , by touching part of ‘NO’ on LCD  10 , the setting mode can be canceled, then returned to the menu image in FIG.  5 A. 
     By touching part of ‘YES’ on LCD  10  with the pen  17  at S 401 , the selection image of objects of password calling is displayed (Step  402 : S 402 ). Namely, the user can select either of that the objects of password calling for conducting the normal calling operation when receiving a message are all of telephone number data registered in the telephone directory or that a specific person needs to be selected from the telephone directory. 
     Thus, the user can select all of the telephone number data registered in the telephone directory by touching part of ‘all’ on LCD  10  with the pen  17 , thereby completing the setting of the password calling function (Step  403 : S 403 ). 
     Alternatively, when the user wants to select a specific person from the telephone directory, the telephone directory data can be displayed by touching part of ‘select’ on LCD  10  with the pen  17  (Step  404 : S 404 ). by selecting a person, for the person, the normal calling operation when receiving a message can be conducted even when the password calling control function is set. By touching part of ‘set completion’ on LCD  10  with the pen  17 , the setting can be completed (Step  405 : S 405 ). 
     On the other hand, when the user wants to release the currently-operated password calling control function, the user selects the setting mode for the password calling control function by touching the part of ‘system’ on LCD  10  of the operation panel  8 . In this case, the message of “release password calling ?” can be displayed on LCD  10  (S 401 ). Then, the password calling can be released by selecting ‘YES’ (Step  406 : S 406 ). When selecting ‘NO’, the releasing mode is cancelled, then returned to the menu image in FIG.  5 A. 
     FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating the operation of the radio paging receiver in the first embodiment. Referring to FIG. 7, the operation of password calling control function will be explained below. 
     When the power source of the radio paging receiver is turned on by the switch  15 , it enters into the reception waiting state (Step  501 : S 501 ). Then, it continuously waits the reception of message at Step  502  (S 502 ). The controller  4  confirms whether the password calling control function is set or not (Step  503 : S 503 ). When the password calling control function is not set, it proceeds into Step  508  (S 508 ), conducting the normal calling operation to notify the user of the calling by driving the alert sound of the speaker  12 , the light emission of LED  14  and the display of received message on LCD  10 . 
     On the other hand, when the password calling control function is set at S 503 , it is judged whether the message data received include numerical data (Step  504 : S 504 ). When the message data include numerical data, such as “Please call me  1234 ” and “Please call me ***.***. 1234 ”, the controller  4  searches the last 4 figures of numerical data, such as ‘ 1234 ’, from the telephone number data of the telephone directory stored in RAM  6  (Step  505 : S 505 ). 
     At Step  506  (S 506 ), the password collator  23  of the controller  4  judges whether the same data exists or not. When the same data exists, it proceeds into Step  507  (S 507 ). When the objects of password calling ‘all’ are selected in case of setting the password calling control function, it proceeds into S 508 , conducting the normal calling operation to notify the user of the calling by driving the alert sound of the speaker  12 , the light emission of LED  14  and the display of received message on LCD  10 . When ‘select’ is selected at S 507 , it proceeds into Step  509  (S 509 ), then proceeding into S 508  when it is judged that the telephone number is selected by the user, thereby conducting the normal calling operation to notify the user of the calling by driving the alert sound of the speaker  12 , the light emission of LED  14  and the display of received message on LCD  10 . 
     When it is judged that the telephone number is not selected by the user at S 509 , or when the last 4 figures searched are not identical with the numerical data in the received message data at S 506 , or when no numerical data is not included, e.g., “I&#39;ll be late”, it proceeds into Step  510  (S 510 ), conducting the calling operation by only the light emission of LED  14  and the display of received message on LCD  10 , further storing the received message into RAM  6  so that it can be confirmed thereafter. After conducting the calling operations at S 508  and S 510 , it returns to S 501 , entering again into the reception waiting state. Thus, the password calling control function can be repeated until it is released. 
     FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate the LCD displaying of a radio paging receiver in the second preferred embodiment. FIG. 8A shows an example of data group in telephone directory. FIG. 8B is a flow chart showing operations to set the password calling control function. 
     As shown in FIG. 8A, data are, as a kind of telephone directory function, classified into ‘company’, ‘circles’ and ‘private’. 
     Referring to FIG. 8B, to set the password calling control function, ‘YES’ is touched at Step  601  (S 601 ),thereby proceeding to Step  602  (S 602 ). When ‘NO’ is touched at S 601 , the password calling control function is cancelled, then returning to the menu image. At S 602 , when ‘select’ is touched to select the objects of password calling from the telephone directory data, it proceeds to Step  603  (S 603 ). At S 603 , it is displayed on CLD  10  to choose the objects of password calling by which of ‘personal’ and ‘index’. When ‘index’ is chosen, the index data of the telephone directory are displayed on LCD  10  (Step  604 : S 604 ). Here, when an index is selected, persons registered in this index are called by the alert sound of the speaker  12  even when the password calling control function is effective. For example, when ‘company’ is selected, the telephone numbers of all persons in the index ‘company’ shows in FIG. 8A can be passwords. Then, by touching part of ‘set completion’, the password calling control is started (Step  605 : S 605 ). 
     As described above, in the second embodiment, the user does not have to select one by one the objects of the password calling as a specific group classified by the user can be chosen by using the index. Thus, the setting of the password calling is easy to conduct. 
     FIG. 9 illustrates the LCD displaying of a radio paging receiver in the third preferred embodiment. 
     In the third embodiment, the controller  4  has a clock function that times for starting and ending the password calling control can be set when setting the password calling control function. In this case, when it comes to the start time after setting the password calling control function, the calling by the speaker alert sound is automatically conducted to only the message of the preset password caller. When it comes to the end time, the password calling control function is automatically ended. 
     Referring to FIG. 9, to set the password calling control function, ‘YES’ is touched at Step  701  (S 701 ), thereby proceeding to Step  702  (S 702 ). When ‘NO’ is touched at S 701 , the password calling control function is cancelled, then returning to the menu image. At S 702 , ‘set of objects of password calling’ and whether to ‘do’ the time set of password calling or ‘stop’ it are displayed on LCD  10 . Here, the previously-set password caller can be changed by touching part of ‘set of objects of password calling’, whereby it proceeds to S 402  shown in FIG.  6  and then the operations described with reference to FIG. 6 can be conducted to change the password caller setting. This change operation can be also conducted after completing the operation ‘time set of password calling’. 
     Next, when ‘do’ is touched in the time set of password calling, it proceeds to an image for inputting the start time of password calling Step  703  (S 703 ). At S 703 , by touching numbers displayed at the bottom of LCD  10 , time corresponding to the touched numbers can be input in part of ‘□:□’. After completing the inputting of the start time, it proceeds to an image for inputting the end time of password calling Step  704  (S 704 ). In the same manner as the start time, the end time can be input. Then, the setting of the password calling control function is completed (Step  705 : S 705 ). 
     In the third embodiment, the password calling control can be conducted only during the preset time every day. When the password callers do not need to be changed, the start and release of the password calling control can be automatically conducted by setting them only once at the first time. Thus, it is not needed to set them every day. Further, it can prevent the release of the password calling control from being forgotten. 
     FIG. 10 illustrates the LCD displaying of a radio paging receiver in the fourth preferred embodiment. 
     In the fourth embodiment, the user can, in advance, ask a caller to send message data including his own telephone number. When a received message includes numerical data to indicate a telephone number, such as ‘Please call me  1234 ’, the controller  4  searches the last 4 figures of numerical data, such as ‘ 1234 ’, from the telephone number data of the telephone directory stored in RAM  6  regardless of the setting state of password calling control function. When the same data exists, supplemental data, such as name data in the telephone directory are displayed with the message data. The supplemental data may include name, telephone number and address, but are not limited to them. Thus, the user to hold the receiver can easily identify the sender of the message data, while he cannot know who sends the message data to him by only the message data. 
     In the above embodiments, to use the telephone numbers in the telephone directory as the password for calling operation control can prevent the message sender from forgetting the password since the password of the radio paging receiver can be his own telephone number. 
     Also, the radio paging receivers in above embodiments have the function that a specific person desired to conduct the calling operation even when the password calling control function is set can be selected from the telephone directory data. Thereby, the calling operation can be conducted to only the message of a specific person selected from the persons registered in the telephone directory, and, to the other persons, only the light emission of LED and LCD display are conducted when receiving their messages. Thus, the user of the radio paging receiver can be substantially released from changing the password. 
     Although the invention has been described with respect to specific embodiment for complete and clear disclosure, the appended claims are not to be thus limited but are to be construed as embodying all modification and alternative constructions that may be occurred to one skilled in the art which fairly fall within the basic teaching here is set forth.