Method and apparatus for transmitting an outbound message in a two-way messaging system

A controller for controlling a transmission of an outbound message from a fixed portion of a two-way messaging system having a plurality of cells employing frequency reuse, the controller comprising:

• a processing system for directing operation of the controller;
• an input interface coupled to the processing system for accepting the outbound message from a user;
• a radio interface coupled to the processing system for controlling a transmission of the outbound message to a portable selective call transceiver and a reception of a response from the portable selective call transceiver,
• wherein the processing system is programmed for performing the steps of:
• dividing ones of the plurality of cells into a plurality of rings based on radio frequency propagation and interference environment;
• sending to the portable selective call transceiver a notification of the outbound message;
• receiving in response information sufficient to determine an identity of one of the plurality of rings in which the portable selective call transceiver is positioned, comprising the steps of:
• receiving from the portable selective call transceiver a report of a color code and of a degree of consistency of reception of the color code;
• and determining said identity from said information;
• and
• transmitting the outbound message to the portable selective call transceiver, utilizing a frequency reuse plan in accordance with said identity.

A portable selective call transceiver for cooperating with a fixed portion of a two-way messaging system to control a transmission of an outbound message therefrom, the system having a plurality of cells employing frequency reuse, the portable selective call transceiver comprising:

• an antenna for intercepting a radio signal comprising the outbound message;
• a receiver coupled to the antenna for demodulating the radio signal to derive the outbound message;
• a processing system coupled to the receiver for processing the outbound message;
• a transmitter coupled to the processing system for transmitting a response to the fixed portion;
• a user interface coupled to the processing system for conveying the outbound message to a user;
• user controls coupled to the processing system for enabling control of the portable selective call transceiver by the user;
• and
• a memory coupled to the processing system for maintaining a record of N most recently received transmitter color codes, N being a predetermined integer value,
• wherein the processing system is programmed for performing the steps of:
• determining from the record information sufficient to determine an identity of one of a plurality of rings into which the plurality of cells have been divided based on radio frequency propagation and interference environment, comprising the steps of:
• selecting from the record a cell-identifying color code and a degree of consistency of reception of the cell-identifying color code;
• and
• deciding the identity of the one of the plurality of rings from the degree of consistency of reception;
• and
• reporting the information to the fixed portion of the system.