Data communication protocols for a mobile-based client-server system over a wireless network

Abstract

Intelligent paging services provided by a GSM-based mobile communication network are employed in a mobile-based client-server system to provide automatic notification of a mobile client station of the type and quantity of information awaiting delivery to a mobile client station at a centralized server, so that the client station may then establish a communication link to receive the information, without otherwise requiring a costly polling scheme. In a preferred embodiment, the server evaluates received or otherwise generated information that is intended for a respective client station to determine whether the information is of a selected type and/or quantity requiring notification of the client station. If so, the server transmits a message (e.g., alpha-numeric) from a transceiver associated with the server to a transceiver associated with the client station, the message indicating the type and quantity of information awaiting delivery to the client station. The respective client station evaluates the received message and, if the specified information type and quantity justify the time and expense, establishes a log-on connection with the server via the respective client station and server transceivers in order to receive the information and, if expedient, conduct further information exchanges.