Publishing Venue
Motorola
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Abstract
Statement of Problem One of the largest problems with today's pager is the means in which it is customized for each particular user. Today each pager must have a unique code, and may contain other optional features, which are determined by code plug programming. If the user wants to make any change in his code or programmed features he must have his pager reprogrammed by someone with the proper code plug programmer.
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MOTOROlA Technical Developments Volume 10 March 1990
PROGRAMMERLESS CODE PLUG PROGRAMMING
by James A. Wright
Statement of Problem
One of the largest problems with today's pager is the means in which it is customized for each particular user. Today each pager must have a unique code, and may contain other optional features, which are determined by code plug programming. If the user wants to make any change in his code or programmed features he must have his pager reprogrammed by someone with the proper code plug programmer.
Over-the-air programming techniques which are currently being introduced will help to resolve this problem, but the user still needs to gain access to a 'community programmer' typically via a telephone.
Solution
An alternative solution to the above would allow the user to program his pager without the use of any external devices. This solution can be implemented in software by using the existing pager controls and readout display. Opera- tion would be as follows (see algorithm 1):
The user pushes and holds the reset (or any other appropriate control) switch for several seconds which would place the pager into the 'programming mode'. In this mode the display would show the current pager code, or appropriate number of zero digits contained in the code e.g. 5. The first digit would flash indicating it is the digit ready to be changed. Successive presses on the reset switch would cycle the first digit through its characters e.g. O-9. When the corre...
