Method and apparatus for providing content information on a roaming channel

A subscriber unit that allows reception of personal messages transmitted by a home radio communication system and content messages transmitted by a content radio communication system, wherein the home and content radio communication systems share a coverage area, the subscriber unit comprising:

• a receiver that receives at least one Block Information Word (BIW) of a frame on a home channel of the home radio communication system, wherein the at least one BIW identifies a roaming pattern for the subscriber unit to use for periodically switching to a roaming channel of the content radio communication system;
• a controller, coupled to the receiver, that controls the subscriber unit to:
• dwell on the home channel for a first number of frames defined by the roaming pattern;
• and
• dwell on the roaming channel for a second number of frames defined by the roaming pattern.

A method used in a messaging terminal of a home radio communication system to receive messages by subscriber units transmitted by a content radio communication system, wherein the home and content radio communication systems share a coverage area, the method comprising the steps of:

• transmitting at least one Block Information Word (BIW) of a frame on a home channel of the home radio communication system, wherein the at least one BIW identifies a roaming pattern for a set of subscriber units assigned to the home channel to use for periodically switching to a roaming channel of the content radio communication system;
• holding messages intended for the set of subscriber units during times identified for the set of subscriber units to roam;
• and
• transmitting messages intended for the set of subscriber units during times identified for the set of subscriber units to be on the home channel.

A method used in a subscriber unit to receive personal messages transmitted by a home radio communication system and content messages transmitted by a content radio communication system, wherein the home and content radio communication systems share a coverage area, the method comprising the steps of:

• storing in the subscriber unit a default roaming pattern for the subscriber unit to use for periodically switching to a roaming channel of the content radio communication system;
• dwelling on the home channel for a first number of frames defined by the default roaming pattern;
• and
• dwelling on the roaming channel for a first number of frames defined by the default roaming pattern.

A subscriber unit that receives personal messages transmitted by a home radio communication system and content messages transmitted by a content radio communication system, wherein the home and content radio communication systems share a coverage area, the subscriber unit comprising:

• a memory that stores a default roaming pattern that identifies a roaming pattern for the subscriber unit to use for periodically switching to a roaming channel of the content radio communication system;
• a receiver for receiving frames on a home channel of the home radio communication system;
• and
• a controller, coupled to the memory, that controls the receiver to dwell on the home channel and receive frames for a first number of frames defined by the default roaming pattern;
• and
• dwell on the roaming channel and receive frames for a second number of frames defined by the default roaming pattern.