Method and apparatus for configuring communication apparatus in accordance with communication services and protocols

Abstract

Information can be communicated to or from an electronic device in accordance with a plurality of protocols to provide a plurality of services for the user. The apparatus can operate with any conventional modulation (analog or digital) and in accordance with at least one of the plurality of protocols. If the user is a person, the services can include providing audio or tone signals. If the user is a device, the services can include providing audio, tone, or data signals. The electronic device is a receiver, a transmitter, or transceiver.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. Apparatus An apparatus for using electromagnetic radiation to communicate with a user in accordance with any one or more of a plurality of predetermined communications protocols, and in accordance with any one or more of a plurality of predetermined communications services, the apparatus comprising:
 a protocol circuit to establish the one or more predetermined communications protocols and generate a protocol signal representative of the one or more predetermined communications protocols established; 
 a service circuit to establish the one or more predetermined communications services and generate a service signal representative of the one or more predetermined communications services established; and 
 a radio frequency circuit to receive the protocol signal and the service signal and respond to the protocol signal and the service signal by configuring itself to respond to radio frequency signals in compliance with the one or more predetermined communications protocols and the one or more predetermined communications services. 
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the radio frequency circuit is a radio frequency receiver adapted to receive the electromagnetic radiation and produce signals for the user in compliance with at least one of the one or more predetermined communications protocols and with at least one of the one or more predetermined communications services. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the radio frequency circuit is a radio frequency transmitter adapted to transmit the electromagnetic radiation in compliance with at least one of the one or more predetermined communications protocols and with at least one of the one or more predetermined communications services. 
     
     
       4. A method for using electromagnetic radiation to communicate with a user in accordance with any one or more of a plurality of predetermined communications protocols, and in accordance with any one or more of a plurality of predetermined communications services, the method comprising the steps of:
 a) providing a radio frequency circuit; 
 b) establishing the one or more predetermined communications protocols; 
 c) generating a protocol signal representative of the one or more predetermined communications protocols established; 
 d) establishing the one or more predetermined communications services; 
 e) generating a service signal representative of the one or more predetermined communications services established; 
 f) receiving the protocol signal and the service signal; and 
 g) responding to the protocol signal and the service signal by configuring the radio frequency circuit to respond to radio frequency signals in compliance with the one or more predetermined communications protocols and the one or more predetermined communications services. 
 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 4 , wherein the radio frequency circuit established in step a) is a radio frequency receiver adapted to receive the electromagnetic radiation, the method further comprising the step of:
 g)h) producing signals for the user in compliance with at least one of the one or more predetermined communications protocols and with at least one of the one or more predetermined communications services. 
 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 4 , wherein the radio frequency circuit established in step a) is a radio frequency transmitter adapted to transmit the electromagnetic radiation, the method further comprising the step of:
 g)h) transmitting the electromagnetic radiation in compliance with at least one of the one or more predetermined communications protocols and with at least one of the one or more predetermined communications services. 
 
     
     
       7. Apparatus An apparatus for using electromagnetic radiation to communicate with a user in accordance with any one or more of a plurality of predetermined communications protocols, and in accordance with any one or more of a plurality of predetermined communications services, the apparatus comprising:
 radio frequency circuit means; 
 protocol establishment means for establishing the one or more predetermined communications protocols; 
 protocol signal means for generating a protocol signal representative of the one or more predetermined communications protocols established; 
 service establishment means for establishing the one or more predetermined communications services; 
 service signal means for generating a service signal representative of the one or more predetermined communications services established; 
 receiver means for receiving the protocol signal and the service signal; and 
 electromagnetic radiation response means for responding to the protocol signal and the service signal by configuring the radio frequency circuit means to respond to radio frequency signals in compliance with the one or more predetermined communications protocols and the one or more predetermined communications services. 
 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the radio frequency circuit means is a radio frequency receiver adapted to receive the electromagnetic radiation, the apparatus further comprising signal production means for producing signals for the user in compliance with at least one of the one or more predetermined communications protocols and with at least one of the one or more predetermined communications services. 
     
     
       9. The method apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the radio frequency circuit means is a radio frequency transmitter adapted to transmit the electromagnetic radiation, the apparatus further comprising signal transmitter means for transmitting the electromagnetic radiation in compliance with at least one of the one or more predetermined communications protocols and with at least one of the one or more predetermined communications services. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more predetermined communications services comprises a voice service.  
     
     
       11. The apparatus of claim 1, the one or more predetermined communications services comprises PCS.  
     
     
       12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more predetermined communications services comprises PCS 1900.  
     
     
       13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the one or more predetermined communications services comprises a data service.  
     
     
       14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the at least one or more predetermined communications protocols includes the X.25 protocol.  
     
     
       15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the at least one or more predetermined communications protocols includes the HDLC protocol.  
     
     
       16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the one or more predetermined communications services comprises timeshare RAM.  
     
     
       17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more predetermined communications services comprises a simultaneous voice and data service.  
     
     
       18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the simultaneous voice and data service is SMS and voice.  
     
     
       19. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more predetermined communications services comprises a paging service.  
     
     
       20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the paging service is provided simultaneously with other communication services.  
     
     
       21. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more predetermined communications services comprises at least two communication services.  
     
     
       22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the one or more predetermined communications services comprises a data service and a voice service.  
     
     
       23. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the at least two communications services operate on different respective frequencies.  
     
     
       24. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the at least two communications services use different forms of signal modulation.  
     
     
       25. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the at least two communications services use different communication protocols.  
     
     
       26. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more predetermine communications services comprises at least three communications services.  
     
     
       27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the at least three communications services comprise a paging service, a voice service, and a data service.  
     
     
       28. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more predetermined communications service comprises a wideband service.  
     
     
       29. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:
 an encryption unit configured to encrypt information sent using the one or more predetermined communications service; and   a decryption unit configured to decrypt information received using the one or more predetermined communications service.    
     
     
       30. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the radio frequency circuit further comprises an FPGA.  
     
     
       31. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, the radio frequency signals are in the range of 824-849 MHz.  
     
     
       32. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, the radio frequency signals are in the range of 869-894 MHz.  
     
     
       33. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the protocol circuit receives information regarding the one or more predetermined communications protocols using a paging service.  
     
     
       34. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the paging service operates according to the POCSAG protocol.  
     
     
       35. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the protocol information is received by the apparatus at around 512 bits per second.  
     
     
       36. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the protocol information is received by the apparatus at around 1200 bits per second.  
     
     
       37. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the protocol information is received by the apparatus at around 2400 bits per second.  
     
     
       38. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the protocol information is received by the apparatus at less than or equal to 512 bits per second.  
     
     
       39. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the protocol information is received by the apparatus at less than or equal to 1200 bits per second.  
     
     
       40. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the protocol information is received by the apparatus at less than or equal to 2400 bits per second.  
     
     
       41. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the transmission power of the radio frequency transmitter is less than or equal to 0.6 watts.  
     
     
       42. The method of claim 4, wherein the one or more predetermined communications services comprises a voice service.  
     
     
       43. The method of claim 4, wherein the one or more predetermined communications services comprises PCS.  
     
     
       44. The method of claim 4, wherein the one or more predetermined communications services comprises PCS 1900.  
     
     
       45. The method of claim 4, wherein the one or more predetermined communications services comprises a data service.  
     
     
       46. The method of claim 45, wherein the more predetermined communications protocols includes the X.25 protocol.  
     
     
       47. The method of claim 45, wherein the one or more predetermined communications protocols includes the HDLC protocol.  
     
     
       48. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein the more predetermined communications services comprises timeshare RAM.  
     
     
       49. The method of claim 4, wherein the one or more predetermined communications services comprises a simultaneous voice and data service.  
     
     
       50. The method of claim 49, wherein the data portion of the simultaneous voice and data service is SMS.  
     
     
       51. The method of claim 4, where in the one or more predetermined communications services comprises a paging service.  
     
     
       52. The method of claim 51, wherein the paging service is provided simultaneously with other communication services.  
     
     
       53. The method of claim 4, wherein the one or more predetermined communications services comprises at least two communication services.  
     
     
       54. The method of claim 53, wherein the at least two communications services comprises a data service and a voice service.  
     
     
       55. The method of claim 53, wherein the at least two communications services operates on different frequencies.  
     
     
       56. The method of claim 53, wherein the at least two communications services use different forms of signal modulation.  
     
     
       57. The method of claim 53, wherein the at least two communications services use different communication protocols.  
     
     
       58. The method of claim 4, wherein the one or more predetermined communications services comprises at least three communications services.  
     
     
       59. The method of claim 58, wherein the at least three communications services comprise a paging service, a voice service, and a data service.  
     
     
       60. The method of claim 4, wherein the one or more predetermined communications services comprises a wideband service.  
     
     
       61. The method of claim 4, further comprising:
 encrypting information to be sent using the one or more predetermined communications services: and   decrypting information received using the one or more predetermined communications service.    
     
     
       62. The method of claim 4, wherein the radio frequency circuit is configured using an FPGA.  
     
     
       63. The method of claim 4, further comprising:
 receiving protocol information via a paging service; and   using the protocol information as part of establishing the one or more predetermined communications protocols.    
     
     
       64. The method of claim 4, further comprising:
 receiving service information via a paging service; and   using the service information as part of establishing the one or more predetermined communications services.    
     
     
       65. An apparatus for using electromagnetic radiation to communicate with a user in accordance with anyone or more of a plurality of predetermined communications protocols, the apparatus comprising:
 a protocol circuit to establish the one or more predetermined communications protocols and generate a protocol signal representative of the one or more predetermined communications protocols established; and   a radio frequency circuit to receive the protocol signal and respond to the protocol signal by configuring itself to respond to radio frequency signals in compliance with the one or more predetermined communications protocols.    
     
     
       66. An apparatus for using electromagnetic radiation to communicate with a user in accordance with anyone or more of a plurality of predetermined communications services, the apparatus comprising:
 a service circuit to establish the one or more predetermined communications services and generate a service signal representative of the one or more predetermined communications services established; and   a radio frequency circuit to receive the service signal and respond to the service signal by configuring itself to respond to radio frequency signals in compliance with the one or more predetermined communications services.    
     
     
       67. A method for using electromagnetic radiation to communicate with a user in accordance with anyone or more of a plurality of predetermined communications protocols, the method comprising:
 providing a radio frequency circuit;   establishing the one or more predetermined communications protocols;   generating a protocol signal representative of the one or more predetermined   communications protocols established;   receiving the protocol signal; and   responding to the protocol signal by configuring the radio frequency circuit to respond to radio frequency signals in compliance with the one or more predetermined communications protocols.    
     
     
       68. A method for using electromagnetic radiation to communicate with a user in accordance with anyone or more of a plurality of predetermined communications services, the method comprising:
 providing a radio frequency circuit;   establishing the one or more predetermined communications services;   generating a service signal representative of the one or more predetermined communications services established;   receiving the service signal; and   responding to the service signal by configuring the radio frequency circuit to respond to radio frequency signals in compliance with the one or more predetermined communications services.