Importance

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Abstract

An apparatus, method and system provide or broadcast information within a given geographic region that is also specific to a given geographic region, such as traffic reports, sightseeing interests, public services information, or weather conditions. The apparatus, method and system of the present invention also provide for different or varying information to be broadcast from region to region; specific hand-off procedures as mobile units change regions; the capability for multiple mobile units to utilize the same broadcast channel containing the information; and the muting of the reverse voice channels of such mobile units during such broadcast sessions. The system of the present invention includes a plurality of serving transceivers located in a corresponding plurality of geographic areas, and a switching center coupled via a plurality of trunk lines to the plurality of serving transceivers. The system is user activated, wherein the switching center, when operative, includes program instructions to receive from a first serving transceiver a first request from a first mobile unit for an information broadcast feature in a first geographic area, and to connect a trunk line having the requested information broadcast feature to a broadcast channel; to direct the first serving transceiver to transmit a directive to the first mobile unit to the broadcast channel in the first geographic area and to mute a transmit voice channel of the first mobile unit.

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First Claim