Abstract:
A paging system is operated over a conventional wireless network of the type that provides wireless information to users. The pagers are addressed over IP so that every pager that is within the range of a wireless node can receive the page. That way, the page can be delivered over a much longer area then conventional, specifically to anywhere within which there is a wireless pager device.

Description:
BACKGROUND  
       [0001]     Pagers can be used over various RF networks. A typical premises pager uses 900 Mhz or 2.4 GHz, to provide an indication to a user, on the premises, of some message. Pagers of this type, for example, are commonly used in restaurants, to indicate that a table is ready for a restaurant patron.  
         [0002]     These pager devices are power limited. The user must be within the range of the pager transmitter in order to receive the page indication. The range of the pager is increased the power output of the transmitter. The power output is limited by the FCC.  
         [0003]     National pagers are also known. These use higher power techniques to contact the pager.  
         [0004]     Pagers use a unique ID, called a cap code. Each pager listens for its cap code over the RF signal, and responds only to that cap code. The cap code may cause the pager to simply begin a specified display, e.g. of flashing lights as in the case of a restaurant pager, or alternatively may also provide a text message to the user.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0005]     The present application describes a system enabling a pager to respond to IP addresses over an existing wireless network. According to one aspect, an existing wireless infrastructure is used and a pager is incorporated into that existing wireless infrastructure. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0006]     These and other aspects will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
         [0007]      FIG. 1  shows a block diagram of how the pagers are used over the existing wireless network;  
         [0008]      FIG. 2  illustrates an exemplary addressing scheme. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0009]     The general structure and techniques, and more specific embodiments which can be used to effect different ways of carrying out the more general goals are described herein.  
         [0010]     An embodiment describes a pager that communicates over a wireless network infrastructure. Unlike other pagers which are cap code based devices, this pager uses an internet protocol, or IP address. Any form of IP address may be used. For example, the pager unit may respond to an IP address of the form xxx.yyy.zzz.aaa., as conventional. The IP-based mobile device which listens for information over the network, which may be a closed network.  
         [0011]     An embodiment is shown in  FIG. 1 . The network as shown is a closed network which may be used in a hospital, restaurant, hotel, shopping center, or other analogous location.  
         [0012]     A controller is formed from PC  100 , forming the basic control structure which produces a page for IP address number 1 (e.g., 192.168.0.1). This page is produced over the backbone network  110  and transmitted over that backbone network  110  to each of a plurality of wireless access points  120 ,  130  which are connected to the wireless network  110 . Many premises already have infrastructure installed to support wireless capability, e.g., for guests, or workers. An embodiment allows the pager system to operate over the existing wireless network. Each access point produces a page signal with the selected IP address: IP #1. The message may be of the form shown in  FIG. 2 , where the first part of the message is the IP address  200 , and the second part of the message is the message portion  202 . The second part of the message may simply be a null field which indicates to the pager that it should display its default message receipt display. For example, the pager may buzz or flash to indicate that it has received a message. Alternatively, the message may be a text message of a specified length that may be displayed on the pager.  FIG. 1  shows three pagers with respective addresses. Any of the pagers can be within range of any of the access points. The embodiment shows only two access points here,  120  or  130 . However, the number of access points is limited only by the applicable network standard.  
         [0013]     Hence, the range of this network is not limited in the same way as a conventional pager system. The conventional pager system transmits the page over RF, and only those devices within range of the RF receive the page. In contrast, this system transmits the page over a backbone network, to a number of wireless network devices. Each of the wireless network devices transmit the page in the form of a wireless network state. The page can therefore be delivered to any location within the premises, e.g. on multiple floors, in multiple buildings, even throughout an entire campus, limited only by the extent of the network.  
         [0014]     When the pager such as  150  detects its own IP address, it responds to the message. The response to the message may be by displaying a text portion within the message, or by indicating that it has received a message e.g. using flashing or the like. There can be any number of additional pagers, such as  151 ,  152 . However, none of these will respond to the message with IP address number 1, since each of these papers will include a different own IP address.  
         [0015]     The present system can be used within a restaurant, over the already existing wireless network infrastructure within the restaurant. It can also be used in other public places which include wireless infrastructure, such as airports, hotels, hospitals. The wireless infrastructure may be an 802.11 wireless Ethernet, e.g., 802,11 a, b, or g. The backbone part of the infrastructure may be wired Ethernet 802.11, or may be WiMax, or cellular, or some other form. However, it can also be used on other wireless systems, such as Zigbee, Bluetooth, and any other wireless network system.  
         [0016]     Although only a few embodiments have been disclosed in detail above, other embodiments are possible and the inventor (s) intend these to be encompassed within this specification. The specification describes specific examples to accomplish a more general goal that may be accomplished in other way. This disclosure is intended to be exemplary, and the claims are intended to cover any modification or alternative which might be predictable to a person having ordinary skill in the art. For example, other networks can be used. Moreover, while the above describes a 12 digit IP address, other length IP addresses can be used.  
         [0017]     Also, the inventor(s) intend that only those claims which use the words “means for” are intended to be interpreted under 35 USC 112, sixth paragraph. Moreover, no limitations from the specification are intended to be read into any claims, unless those limitations are expressly included in the claims.