Abstract: A method for supporting communication between communication devices (102, 104, 106) having inconsistent protocols, such as may result from protocol changes or upgrades. Protocol registers (302, 304) maintained in association with the communication devices contain respective first and second protocols (e.g., current and previous protocols) of the communication devices. A sending (or receiving) device, upon being upgraded from protocol C to N, updates (206) its protocol register to indicate N as the current protocol and C as the previous protocol. The device initially attempts to send (222) a message (or attempts 212 to recognize a message) using its current protocol N and, if that fails, the device sends (230) (or attempts 216 to recognize the message) using its previous protocol C.

Abstract: A method of enchancing a video bit stream using temporal scalability, wherein the number of bits or a temporal position of a bidirectionally predicted picture in an enhancement layer is determined with reference to a corresponding characteristic of pictures in another layer of layers, such as a base layer, of the video bit stream and the peak signal to noise ration of the B picture is matched to that of the pictures in the layer below. By endeavouring to align the characteristics of the bidirectionally predicted picture or pictures with the existing picture or pictures in the lower layer or layers, and improved video sequence can be encoded and decoded for viewing by a user.

Abstract: A precautionary measure against wireless phone-triggered Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) is described that forces premature detonation of the IED at a safe location, such as a position in advance of a convoy of vehicles or troops, thereby reducing the effectiveness of the IED. Embodiments of the invention provide for transmitting low power alerting signals (e.g., paging, ringing, message waiting, text messages) from a wireless terminal residing on a mobile platform that is operable to navigate a transportation path in advance of a prospective target, to mobile stations within close proximity of the platform defining an “IED detonation zone.” In such manner, mobile stations within the IED detonation zone that are IED triggering devices (as well as mobile stations that are not IED triggering devices) will receive the alerting signals, thereby forcing premature detonation of IEDs in the detonation zone.

Abstract: A system for supporting virtual conferences includes a switching center, a virtual conference database and a virtual conference bridge. The virtual conference database stores virtual conference information comprising, for example, images associated with a room type, an outdoor environment, a presentation medium and/or a meeting room facility. The switching center is operable to set up a virtual conference including a host terminal and one or more participating terminals by connecting the terminals to the conference bridge, retrieving selected virtual conference information from the virtual conference database and sending the information to the virtual conference bridge. The virtual conference information includes images of the participants such that the host terminal and participating terminals see and hear other participants in a virtual meeting room.

Abstract: A wireless telephony network provides satellite TV derivative program information and content, in addition to conventional wireless telephony services, to eligible mobile stations of the wireless telephony network. The wireless telephony network receives satellite TV programming from a satellite TV service network, establishes one or more bearer channels (e.g., conventional voice channels or higher-bandwidth data links) and sends the programming to the one or more mobile stations via the one or more bearer channels. The wireless telephony network monitors and obtains billing information associated with integrated service delivery and coordinates the billing information with a satellite TV service provider. A controlling provider may be selected to control billing for the integrated services such that the customer receives a single statement.

Abstract: A wireless telephony network provides satellite radio program information and content, in addition to conventional wireless telephony services, to eligible mobile stations of the wireless telephony network. The wireless telephony network receives satellite radio programming from a satellite radio service network, establishes one or more bearer channels (e.g., conventional voice channels or higher-bandwidth data links) and sends the programming to the one or more mobile stations via the one or more bearer channels. The wireless telephony network monitors and obtains billing information associated with integrated service delivery and coordinates the billing information with a satellite radio service provider. A controlling provider may be selected to control billing for the integrated services such that the customer receives a single statement.

Abstract: Multi cast techniques are employed to provide host computer elements access to multiple redundant servers of a communication network in such a way that the hosts need not know which of the servers is active. In one embodiment, the servers provide a gateway function between an Ethernet LAN and an external network. The Ethernet LAN comprises one or more hosts connected to one or more switches, the switches connected to corresponding servers defining an active/standby pair. The servers are connected to an external network by corresponding active/standby links. The hosts send messages directed to a multicast address to at least one of the switches. The switches forward the messages on ports according to a multicast routing topology having been determined by performing IGMP “snooping” of messages issued from the servers. Both the active and standby servers receive the messages; and the active server sends the messages to the external network.

Abstract: A method of key distribution includes generating, by a first system device (101), key material and forwarding the key material from the first system device (101) to a second system device (107). It is determined whether a mobile station (401), for which the key material is directed, is active on the system. When the mobile station is active, the key material is forwarded to a base station (115) where the mobile station (401) is active, and the base station (115) forwards the key material to the mobile station (401).

Abstract: Methods for determining a optimized restart sequence for sites, communication devices and/or zones are disclosed. A rule based criteria is determined for prioritizing sites (102) is determined by a zone controller (126), in one embodiment, by downloading from a network manager (128). Based on the criteria, a restart sequence is determined (304) for the sites. In the event of a system restart, service is established (306) for the sites in order of the restart sequence. In one embodiment, the zone controller receives (404) system usage information and determines (406) a restart sequence based on the rule-based criteria in combination with the system usage information.

Abstract: Methods are described that enable host devices of a multicast IP network to reliably join multicast group address(es) in talkgroup or point-to-point calls. For a talkgroup call, a sourcing host sends “hello” packets or payload to one or more network devices, addressed to a multicast group address. The receiving host issues a join command to the one or more network devices in an attempt to reliably join the multicast group address. If any packets are received by the receiving host within a designated time period associated with the attempt, the receiving host is reliably joined to the multicast group address. For a point-to-point call, a controller sends a pair of multicast group addresses, one designated for sourcing packets and the other designated for receiving packets, to a first and second host participating in the point-to-point call. The designated “source” and “receive” multicast group address are complementary for the first and second hosts.

Abstract: Conditional reconnection of a suspended call occurs responsive to a mobile unit (108) sending a mobile-originated reconnect (MORC) message into the network (102). Reconnection does not occur not if the mobile unit does not send a MORC message or affirmatively declines reconnection within a designated waiting period.

Abstract: A system and method for delivering incoming calls to mobile unit(s) in border cells using packet-based links. An incoming call is received at a serving mobile switching center (SMSC) (204) for a mobile unit (214) in a border cell served by a border mobile switching center (BMSC) (206). The SMSC allocates (420) processing resources for the incoming call using a voice coder/frame selector (218) and designates a data link connection identifier (DLCI) identifying the voice coder resources to be used for the call. The SMSC sends (422) the DLCI to the BMSC and the BMSC assigns traffic channel resources for the call via an attached base station (208). The BMSC provides (424) the DLCI to the base station, causing the base station to establish a packet link between the voice coder and the traffic channel resources. Thereafter, the BMSC rings (426) the mobile unit.

Abstract: A method includes receiving an authentication request from a mobile station (401) and determining whether to forward the request to an authentication agent. When it is determined to forward the request, the request is forwarded to the authentication agent (107). A random number and a random seed are received from the authentication agent (107). The random number and the random seed are forwarded to the mobile station (401). A response to the random number and the random seed from the mobile station (401) is received and forwarded to the authentication agent (107). The authentication agent (107) compares the response with an expected response. When the authentication agent (107) authenticates the mobile station (401), a derived cipher key is received from the authentication agent (107).

Abstract: Call control methods are disclosed for a multi-zone, packet-based communication system using zone controller/RPEs incorporating a reservation proxy function. Participating zone controller/RPEs (124–130) receive and join a multicast group address to be used for a call, and exchange RSVP signaling messages across one or more inter-zone, packet network links (148, 150, 152, 154) to reserve communication resources for the call on behalf of participating devices in various zones. In the preferred embodiment, the zone controllers use IGMPv3 messages to specify other participating zone controllers as valid senders, thereby receiving desired control information for the duration of the call without being encumbered by undesired payload information.

Abstract: Reconnection of a mobile unit to a call session controlled by a first MSC is supported responsive to a network-initiated or mobile-originated reconnect attempt even in instances where the mobile unit has roamed to a border cell controlled by a second MSC. In a network-initiated reconnect attempt, the first MSC sends a suspended call page request to a second MSC. The second MSC pages the mobile unit, sets up a bearer channel to the mobile unit, and sends to the first MSC a suspended call page response including indicia of the bearer channel set up by the second MSC. The first MSC establishes a bearer channel to the second MSC thereby reconnecting the mobile unit to the call session. In a mobile-originated reconnect attempt, the mobile unit sends a mobile-originated reconnect message to the second MSC.

Abstract: A wireless communication system 200 comprises a connectionless packet network 201 coupled to a plurality of sites 203–208. Upon a first communication unit (213) initiating a call request for a 2-party call with a second communication unit (215), a call server 235 identifies respective multicast IP addresses (MC1, MC2) associated with the source and target. If the first communication unit 213, or its associated site (205) desires to send payload to the second communication unit 215, it addresses the payload to the multicast IP address (MC2) of the second communication unit, and the second communication unit 215, or its associated site 206 joins the multicast address MC2 to receive the payload.

Abstract: Encryption synchronization (e-sync) is maintained between a transmitter (104) and one or more receivers (102) in a multi-modulation TDM system (100) where information is communicated in slots (402) comprising a slot header (404) and one or more data blocks (406), and wherein the data blocks are eligible to be encoded at different modulation rates thereby creating a likelihood of different numbers of blocks in different slots. The receiver and transmitter employ respective encryption elements (200, 300) comprising e-sync shifter elements (202, 302) and encryption algorithm blocks (204, 304). The e-sync shifter element provides an e-sync signal defining an encryption state vector to the encryption algorithm block and is operable to advance the encryption state vector (in the case of the receiver) according to a number of received bits plus a variable number of bits.

Abstract: A communication system and method for communicating information in one or more time slots a predetermined bandwidth is disclosed. The system and method comprise communicating information, by at least one communication unit, in selected one or more random access subslots. The one or more times slots are divided into multiple subchannels, wherein each subchannel of the multiple subchannels is non-overlapping in frequency and divided into the one or more random access subslots that is non-overlapping in time.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for limiting the scope of flooding of dense mode IP multicast calls. A multicast scope value (e.g., TTL scope or hop limit) is determined for each call based on the locations of participating devices for the call at one or more destination sites, zones or zone clusters. The multicast scope value is adjusted based on user location, as wireless users may roam from site to site or zone to zone (or zone cluster). When a user sources packets for a call, the packets include the multicast scope value. The packets are transported, according to dense mode routing protocols, across various router interfaces of a packet network. The router interfaces are assigned various thresholds based on their location in the network. Packets are not flooded across router interface(s) having thresholds that exceed the packet's multicast scope value.

Abstract: A system and method that provides lifeline service to DSL customers when a loss-of-power message is sent to the central office from an integrated access device on the customer premise. If a predetermined number of loss-of-power messages are received then power is provided to the integrated access device from the central office. To this end, a power supply at the central office provides power through an isolator circuit to a relay. The relay is connected through to the twisted pair to the integrated access device. The data connection may also be powered in this manner or, in order to save further wattage, the data connection may be disconnected for the duration of the power outage.