Abstract: A method includes selecting a subset k of N accessible antennas to use to process a transmission received at the N antennas and sent by a user equipment, and processing the transmission from the user equipment at least by using baseband information from the k antennas. An apparatus includes one or more processors and one or more memories including computer program code. The one or more memories and the computer program code are configured to, with the one or more processors, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: selecting a subset k of N accessible antennas to use to process a transmission received at the N antennas and sent by a user equipment; and processing the transmission from the user equipment at least by using baseband information from the k antennas. Additional apparatus, computer programs, and computer program products are disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and techniques are described for scheduling communication by half-duplex devices. One or more half-duplex devices informs a base station that it is capable only of half-duplex operation. For each such device, the base station configures a transmit/receive pattern comprising sequences of uplink and downlink subframes and applies the pattern to the device. The half-duplex device may receive during a downlink subframe and may transmit during an uplink subframe. Uplink and downlink subframes within a pattern are separated by an offset based at least in part on a number of hybrid automatic repeat request processes.

Abstract: A method includes requesting by a user equipment for data from an application provider through a wireless network; communicating by the application provider through the wireless network an effective rate policy for the data to the user equipment, the effective rate policy being applicable upon satisfaction by the user equipment of conditions communicated with the effective rate policy; and sending the data at the effective rate policy to the user equipment when the conditions are met by the user equipment. A related method includes receiving by a user equipment an effective rate policy for data from an application provider through a wireless network, the effective rate policy being applicable upon satisfaction by the user equipment of conditions communicated with the effective rate policy; satisfying the conditions by the user equipment; and receiving the data at the effective rate policy by the user equipment.

Abstract: Systems and techniques are described for scheduling communication by half-duplex devices. One or more half-duplex devices informs a base station that it is capable only of half-duplex operation. For each such device, the base station configures a transmit/receive pattern comprising sequences of uplink and downlink subframes and applies the pattern to the device. The half-duplex device may receive during a downlink subframe and may transmit during an uplink subframe. Uplink and downlink subframes within a pattern are separated by an offset based at least in part on a number of hybrid automatic repeat request processes.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for identifying interference when prevailing conditions give rise to a suspicion of interference. Upon detection by one or more elements of a wireless network that interference may be present, measurements are directed to provide information indicating whether interference is present and whether the interference is severe enough to warrant interference mitigation. The information is analyzed to determine if severe interference is in fact present, and interference mitigation measures are directed if severe interference is identified. Analysis may include identifying one or more dominant interferers, and may further include directing additional measurements and analyzing information provided thereby in order to identify one or more dominant interferers.

Abstract: A method includes creating a video stream using alternating portions of video from at least two previously compressed files of similar video content having one or both of differing bit rates or dimensional qualities. The video stream is created to have a bit rate that is intermediate bit rates of the at least two previously compressed files. The intermediate bit rate is based on one or more estimates of a wireless link speed over a wireless channel between a user equipment and a network. The method includes outputting the created video stream. Apparatus and program products are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method includes selecting a subset k of N accessible antennas to use to process a transmission received at the N antennas and sent by a user equipment, and processing the transmission from the user equipment at least by using baseband information from the k antennas. An apparatus includes one or more processors and one or more memories including computer program code. The one or more memories and the computer program code are configured to, with the one or more processors, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: selecting a subset k of N accessible antennas to use to process a transmission received at the N antennas and sent by a user equipment; and processing the transmission from the user equipment at least by using baseband information from the k antennas. Additional apparatus, computer programs, and computer program products are disclosed.

Abstract: A mobile communications system includes a first base station to service a first set of connections from a first set of mobile communications devices to a communications network. A set of neighboring base stations is in communication with the first base station. In an embodiment of the invention, the first base station prioritizes the first set of connections according to first predetermined criteria and prioritizes the set of neighboring base stations according to second predetermined criteria. The prioritization lists are used in deterministic ways to alleviate potential congestion in backhaul links and optimize the overall performance of system and improved quality of service.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for determining which of a plurality of backhaul methods is assigned to a portion of a wireless communication by monitoring at least one quality metric relating to the communication. Then, a backhaul method is assigned according to a predetermined function of the quality metric(s) for at least a portion of the wireless communication from a plurality of available backhaul methods. The quality metric may include any of a variety of indicators, and a default backhaul method may be applied to portions of the wireless communication. These embodiments may be implemented through the use of a wireless communication node including a processor circuit operably coupled to a quality metric sensor and a receiving circuit such that the processor circuit may determine which of the plurality of backhaul pathways should be used to transmit data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for securely and controllably transferring medical information is provided. An electronic device, like a portable computer, personal digital assistant or intelligent medical monitoring device, is configured to communicate with a healthcare provider's server. The device receives both an authorization code and a medical treatment description from the health care provider. The authorization code permits the user to both view and make a single transfer of the medical treatment description to a medical treatment provider. The authorization code may be as simple as a security PIN, or it may be a digital right that enables software to be accessible to a user within the device. The device is then configured to either print a single copy or electronically upload the medical treatment description to the medical treatment provider. When printed, the medical treatment description may include a unique watermark or scanable barcode to verify authenticity.

Abstract: A portable, wireless, intelligent fire alarm and suppression system is provided for detecting and suppressing a fire in a plurality of locations. The system comprises a portable unit (10) including a sensor (18) for measuring data relating to a characteristic of a fire. A control logic (20) determines the type of fire in response to the data also determines an action for responding to the type of fire. A transmitter (22) wirelessly transmits at least one of the data and the action. A fire suppression element (14) includes one or more fire suppression materials, wherein at least one is actuated in response to the action. The control logic (20) determines a strategy for fighting the fire and may transmit instructions to other portable units to discharge their suppressants. Alternatively, a central control (24) includes a second transmitter/receiver (30) for receiving the at least one of the data and the action from the portable unit (10).

Abstract: A wireless device (108) having a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag (202) and method to operate the wireless device are disclosed. The wireless device includes a switching circuit (204) coupled to the RFID tag. After an RFID signal is received (402), a switching circuit controls a power state of the wireless device according to the RFID signal (404). After the wireless device is on, the RFID signal may direct the wireless device to send information regarding the identity of the wireless device (406), authenticate the identity of the wireless device (408), scan for available wireless communication systems (410), and send information regarding the location and power status of the wireless device (412) using one or more of the available wireless communication systems.

Abstract: A method (200) and an apparatus (700) for a wireless communication network (102) for providing a broadcast message to a group of wireless communication devices (104, 106, 108) engaged in a push-to-talk (“PTT”) communication are provided. The wireless communication network (102) receives (204) broadcast information from a priority entity (118), processes (206) the broadcast information into the broadcast message, preempts (208) floor control of the PTT communication of the group of wireless communication devices, take a floor control (210) of the PTT communication, and transmits the broadcast message to all (212) or to a target group (602) of wireless communication devices.

Abstract: A method (200) and an apparatus (106) for a communication device for conveying information contained in an emergency broadcast message to an external device (110) are provided. The communication device (106) monitors (204) incoming broadcast messages in at least one of a broadcast mode and a multicast mode of a Multimedia Broadcast and Multimedia Service, and determines (206) whether the incoming broadcast messages include the emergency broadcast message. If the emergency broadcast message is included, then the communication device (106) receives (208) the emergency broadcast message, transmits (210) an acknowledgment of receiving the emergency broadcast message, and transmits (212) the information (108) contained in the emergency broadcast message to the external device (110).

Abstract: A method (200) and an apparatus (106) for a wireless communication device for receiving an emergency broadcast message are provided. The wireless communication device (106) monitors (204) incoming broadcast messages, and determines (206) whether the incoming broadcast messages include the emergency broadcast message. If the emergency broadcast message is included, then the wireless communication device (106) overrides (208) a settable broadcast service reception preference, and receives (210) the emergency broadcast message. The wireless communication device (106) then transmits (212) an acknowledgment of receiving the emergency broadcast message, and communicates (214) the reception of the emergency broadcast message.

Abstract: A method (900) and a mobile station (160) for autonomously determining an angle of arrival (AOA) estimation are described herein. The mobile station (160) may receive information associated with a plurality of sectors (200) from a base station (140) having a plurality of antennas. Each of the plurality of antennas may provide communication service to one of the plurality of sectors (200). The information associated with the plurality of sectors (200) may be an antenna pattern, a boresight, a downtilt, and a signal strength value associated with each of the plurality of antennas. Based on the information associated with the plurality of sectors (200), the mobile station (160) may determine an antenna gain difference, which in turn, is used to determine the angle of arrival (AOA) estimation.

Abstract: A method (900) and a mobile station (160) for autonomously determining an angle of arrival (AOA) estimation are described herein. The mobile station (160) may receive information associated with a plurality of sectors (200) from a base station (140) having a plurality of antennas. Each of the plurality of antennas may provide communication service to one of the plurality of sectors (200). The information associated with the plurality of sectors (200) may be an antenna pattern, a boresight, a downtilt, and a signal strength value associated with each of the plurality of antennas. Based on the information associated with the plurality of sectors (200), the mobile station (160) may determine an antenna gain difference, which in turn, is used to determine the angle of arrival (AOA) estimation.

Abstract: The present invention is a communication network (100) and method for monitoring location capabilities of mobile stations (102) in a database (120) of a communication network. Initially, the network receives an identification number from a mobile station (102). If the database (120) does not include a location capability corresponding to the identification number, then a processor (118) requests the location capability from the mobile station (102) and stores the requested location capability in the database (120). The location capability includes one or more of the following capabilities: an autonomous mode capability, an assisted mode capability and a legacy mode capability. To retrieve an entry from the database (120), the network reads the location capability corresponding to the identification number from the database (120). The network then assembles an assistance message based on the location capability of the mobile station (102) and transmits the assistance message to the mobile station (102).

Abstract: A method (900) and a mobile station (160) for autonomously determining an angle of arrival (AOA) estimation are described herein. The mobile station (160) may receive information associated with a plurality of sectors (200) from a base station (140) having a plurality of antennas. Each of the plurality of antennas may provide communication service to one of the plurality of sectors (200). The information associated with the plurality of sectors (200) may be an antenna pattern, a boresight, a downtilt, and a signal strength value associated with each of the plurality of antennas. Based on the information associated with the plurality of sectors (200), the mobile station (160) may determine an antenna gain difference, which in turn, is used to determine the angle of arrival (AOA) estimation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and wireless communication system (100) for verifying a position of a mobile station (102). Upon detection of an activation by the mobile station (102), the system (100) compares a first mobile station position and a second mobile station position to generate a result. The system (100) then determines whether the result exceeds a predetermined error tolerance. The system (100) indicates an error associated with the position of the mobile station (102) if the result exceeds the predetermined error tolerance.