Abstract: A communication system is provided that comprises a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) network coupled to a service provider network. An RFID reader of the RFID network detects an RFID tag associated with a mobile station when the mobile station is present in, or proximate to, a controlled area. The RFID network routes information associated with the RFID tag to the service provider network and, based on the information received from the RFID network, the service provider network alters a behavior of the mobile station when the mobile station is entering, exiting, or present in the controlled area.

Abstract: A token ring local area network integrates voice, data and image information over a single cable with voice packets having a higher priority than non-voice packets, and with all the voice packets having the same length and the maximum non-voice packet length being related to the voice packet length and to the maximum number of terminals in the network so as to ensure real-time voice reception. Call processing functions are fully distributed among the voice terminals without the use of a centralized processing unit or a centralized data base. Conference calls are effected by each party transmitting conference packets to a single destination party, with conference packets having a unique packet format wherein a single packet incorporates voice information from plural terminals so as to minimize the number of packets traversing the ring.