System and method for transmitting information from a paging device to a receiver

Abstract

A system and method of displaying incoming pager messages on a receiver using infrared signals. The paging device includes a receiver for receiving paging signals including paged information. The output signal from the receiver is supplied to a baseband processor where it is converted into a digital signal, under the control of a processor. If the thus digitized signal is determined to be the selecting signal for the particular paging receiver, the digital signal is then preferably sent directly to a protocol translator, where it is converted into a signal having an infrared protocol. After processing in the protocol translator, the signal is then sent to a transmitter and transmitted as an infrared signal. The infrared signal is then received in a light-receiving element in a receiver where it is thereafter decoded by a protocol decoder in accordance with instructions contained in a memory connected thereto to retrieve the paging signal or paged message. The receiver has a display for displaying the decoded information and preferably has an indicator for confirming receipt of the infrared signals in the receiver.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method sending information including messages from a paging device to a receiver, comprising the steps of: receiving a radio frequency signal including said information in said paging device;   converting said radio frequency signal into an infrared signal; and,   transmitting said infrared signal including said information from said paging device to said receiver.   
     
     
       2. The method of claim 1, wherein said receiver has a photodiode, further comprising the step of: receiving said infrared signal at said photodiode.   
     
     
       3. The method of claim 1, wherein said radio frequency signal has a first protocol and said infrared signal has a second protocol, and wherein said converting step comprises translating said radio frequency signal protocol through a protocol translator to provide said infrared signal protocol. 
     
     
       4. The method of claim 1, wherein said receiver comprises a personal digital assistant. 
     
     
       5. The method of claim 1, wherein said receiver comprises a television receiver. 
     
     
       6. The method of claim 1, wherein said receiver comprises a monitor. 
     
     
       7. The method of claim 1, wherein said receiver further includes a display, said method further comprising the step of: displaying said information on said display of said receiver.   
     
     
       8. The method of claim 1, wherein said receiver further includes receiver indicator means, said method further comprising the step of: activating said receiver indicator means upon receipt of said infrared signal.   
     
     
       9. A method of sending information including messages included in a radio frequency signal from a paging device to a receiver, comprising the step of: transmitting an infrared signal including said information from said paging device to said receiver;   receiving said radio frequency signal including said information into said paging device; and,   converting said radio frequency signal into said infrared signal.   
     
     
       10. The method of claim 9, wherein said transmitting step automatically occurs at a preselected time after receipt of said radio frequency signal. 
     
     
       11. The method of claim 9, wherein said paging device includes a transmitting button and wherein said transmitting step occurs in response to actuation of said transmitting button. 
     
     
       12. A paging device for communicating with a receiver, comprising: receiving means for receiving paging signals including messages and other information, said paging signals having a first protocol;   protocol translating means for translating said paging signals into infrared signals having a second protocol; and,   transmitting means for transmitting said infrared signals to said receiver.   
     
     
       13. The paging device of claim 12, wherein said transmitting means comprises an infrared diode. 
     
     
       14. A paging device for communicating with a receiver, comprising: receiving means for receiving paging signals including messages and other information, said paging signals having a first protocol;   protocol translating means for translating said paging signals into infrared signals having a second protocol;   means to determine a period of time after receipt of said paging signals; and,   automatic transmitting means responsive to said determining means for transmitting said infrared signals to said receiver after said period of time.   
     
     
       15. A paging device for communicating with a receiver, comprising: a receiver for receiving paging signals including messages and other information, said paging signals having a first protocol;   a protocol translator for translating said paging signals into infrared signals having a second protocol; and,   a transmitter for transmitting said infrared signals to said receiver.   
     
     
       16. A system for transmitting paging signals to a receiver, comprising: receiving means for receiving paging signals including messages and other information, said paging signals having a first protocol;   protocol translating means for decoding said paging signals protocol into infrared signals having a second protocol;   transmitting means for transmitting said infrared signals to said receiver;   infrared receiving means in said receiver for receiving said infrared signals; and,   protocol decoder means in said receiver for decoding said second protocol of said infrared signals.   
     
     
       17. The system of claim 16, further comprising: display means for displaying said information.   
     
     
       18. The system of claim 16, further comprising: indicator means for indicating when said infrared signals have been received in said receiver.   
     
     
       19. The system 16, wherein said infrared receiving means comprises a photodiode. 
     
     
       20. The system of claim 18, wherein said received indicator means comprises an audio signal. 
     
     
       21. The system of claim 18, wherein said received indicator means comprises an LED. 
     
     
       22. The paging device of claim 16, wherein said paging device also has a PCMCIA connector for connection to a PCMCIA port in said receiver. 
     
     
       23. A system for transmitting paging signals to a receiver, comprising: a receiver for receiving paging signals including messages and other information, said paging signals having a first protocol;   a protocol translator means for decoding said paging signals protocol into infrared signals having a second protocol;   a transmitter for transmitting said infrared signals to said receiver;   an infrared receiving device in said receiver for receiving said infrared signals; and,   a protocol decoder in said receiver for decoding said second protocol of said infrared signals.