Selective call receiver memory validation and acknowledgement and method therefor

In a selective call system including a central control unit for transmitting signals to a plurality of remotely located receiving units, each receiving unit having an address corresponding thereto and comprising memory for storing a plurality of received messages, a method for directing validation of said memory, comprising the steps of:

• transmitting from said central control unit a transmission signal including a command directing one of said plurality of receiving units having an address corresponding thereto to perform validation of said memory;
• receiving said signal by said one of said plurality of receiving units;
• performing memory validation in response to said command on said memory by said one of said plurality of receiving units;
• erasing said plurality of received messages stored in said memory and transmitting a failed memory acknowledge signal when said memory validation detects corrupted memory;
• and
• transmitting by said central control unit a subsequent transmission signal, wherein said subsequent transmission comprises a reproduction of at least one of said received messages erased by said receiving unit.

A selective call system, having at least one receiving unit comprising memory for storing received messages, and a means for performing validation of said memory, comprising:

• means for receiving by said receiving unit a control transmission signal including a command directing said receiving unit to perform validation of said memory;
• and
• means for performing memory validation of said memory by said receiving unit in response to said command;
• means for erasing by said receiving unit said received messages stored in said memory when said memory validation detects corrupted memory;
• and
• means for transmitting by said receiving unit a failed memory acknowledge signal when said memory validation detects corrupted memory.