Abstract: A method for providing a mobile device in a packet data network access to a channelized network is disclosed. At a gateway between the two networks, a first channelized network message that is encapsulated in a first IP data packet from the packet data network is received. The first channelized network message is retrieved and reformatted for sending over the channelized network. The gateway then receives a second channelized network message from the channelized network. An identifier of a mobile device associated with the second channelized network message is retrieved and an IP address for the identified mobile device is determined. Then, the gateway encapsulates the second channelized network message into a second IP data packet and sends the encapsulated second channelized network message to the identified mobile device in the packet data network.

Abstract: In a communications system having at least one service entity and a plurality of endpoints each including a logical entity and a terminal, a method facilitates a session between at least two of the endpoints in the system. The method includes: receiving a first message having information that includes a request for a session between a first endpoint that includes a non-dispatch terminal and at least one other endpoint; detecting that the first endpoint includes a non-dispatch terminal as a function of the first endpoint being unable to perform at least one function; and causing the at least one function to be performed on behalf of the first endpoint by the at least one service entity to facilitate the session between the first endpoint and the at least one other endpoint.

Abstract: In a communications system having a plurality of endpoints (240,242,246) each including a logical entity and its physical counterpart, a system for controlling and managing session between at least two endpoints. The system including a registration manager (202), an application layer router (204), a session controller (206), a group database manager (208), and at least one group entity (210).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for indicating an expected level of quality in a private Push To Talk (PTT) network are disclosed. The method and apparatus receive at least one of an affiliation message and a talkgroup call request for a first subscriber unit of the private PTT network wherein a talkgroup is associated with at least one of the private PTT network, another PTT network, and a public network. The method and system determine an expected level of quality for the talkgroup and send the determined expected level of quality to the subscriber unit.

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: In a communications system having a plurality of endpoints each including a logical entity and its physical counterpart, a method for managing a pool of multicast addresses. The method including the steps of: generating a pool of available multicast addresses; receiving a request for a multicast address; allocating a multicast address for usage subject to at least a first limitation; monitoring the usage of the allocated multicast address; and reclaiming the allocated multicast address if as a function of the monitoring it is detected that a first condition is met, and causing the allocated multicast address to be placed into the pool of available multicast addresses.

Abstract: A method for controlling and managing individual directed sessions between at least two endpoints in a communications system. The method including the steps of: intercepting a first message sent from an initiating endpoint via application layer routing to at least one other endpoint requesting an individual directed session; communicating the requested individual directed session to a service entity for determining the state of the session as a function of communication system resources and capabilities and resources of the endpoints to be included in the requested session, and if the requested individual directed session is accepted determining a set of corresponding session parameters; and communicating the state of the requested individual session to the initiating endpoint via application layer routing, and if the requested session is accepted also communicating the state of the session the at least one other endpoint via application layer routing.

Abstract: In a communications system having a plurality of endpoints (240,242,246) each including a logical entity and its physical counterpart, a system for controlling and managing session between at least two endpoints. The system including a registration manager (202), an application layer router (204), a session controller (206), a group database manager (208), and at least one group entity (210).

Abstract: A method for controlling and managing individual directed sessions between at least two endpoints in a communications system. The method including the steps of: intercepting a first message sent from an initiating endpoint via application layer routing to at least one other endpoint requesting an individual directed session; communicating the requested individual directed session to a service entity for determining the state of the session as a function of communication system resources and capabilities and resources of the endpoints to be included in the requested session, and if the requested individual directed session is accepted determining a set of corresponding session parameters; and communicating the state of the requested individual session to the initiating endpoint via application layer routing, and if the requested session is accepted also communicating the state of the session the at least one other endpoint via application layer routing.

Abstract: In a communications system having a plurality of endpoints each including a logical entity and its physical counterpart, a method for managing a pool of multicast addresses. The method including the steps of: generating a pool of available multicast addresses; receiving a request for a multicast address; allocating a multicast address for usage subject to at least a first limitation; monitoring the usage of the allocated multicast address; and reclaiming the allocated multicast address if as a function of the monitoring it is detected that a first condition is met, and causing the allocated multicast address to be placed into the pool of available multicast addresses.

Abstract: A wireless communication system 200 comprises a connectionless packet network 201 coupled to a plurality of sites 203-208 that are in location areas 260, 261. The sites join respective location area multicast addresses to receive messages from other sites in their location area. Communication units desiring to participate in talkgroup calls need only to register affiliation with a first site of the location area. Upon the first site receiving an affiliation message, it joins a payload multicast group address to receive payload for the talkgroup. In alternative embodiments, the first site sends, via the location area multicast address, either control message(s) or tunneled payload associated with the talkgroup call to secondary site(s) of the location area.

Abstract: A wireless communication system 200 comprises a connectionless packet network 201 coupled to a plurality of sites 203-208 that are in location areas 260, 261. The sites join respective location area multicast addresses to receive messages from other sites in their location area. Communication units desiring to participate in talkgroup calls need only to register affiliation with a first site of the location area. Upon the first site receiving an affiliation message, it joins a payload multicast group address to receive payload for the talkgroup. In alternative embodiments, the first site sends, via the location area multicast address, either control message(s) or tunneled payload associated with the talkgroup call to secondary site(s) of the location area.

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: A radio communications device has a memory having stored therein a user application program (16), a telephony program (18) and an application programming interface (API) 30 between these. Various aspects of the API are described. In one aspect, the API has a command for establishing a call and the telephony program accepts, as an argument of the command for establishing the call, an array identifying several terminal objects (54-58), thereby permitting establishment of a call for multiple terminal objects. In another aspect, groupings of events are described and an API command defines an event class from one of the groups together with an ID defining an event within the event class. In a further aspect, a program in the telephony program is called to create a call object (50). The call object is created regardless of whether radio service for the radio comunications device has been established.

Abstract: A wireless communication system 200 comprises a connectionless packet network 201 coupled to a plurality of sites 203-208 that are in wireless communication with a plurality of subscriber units 210-217 logically arranged into a plurality of talk groups having corresponding talk group identifications. In one embodiment, each site maintains mappings 220-225 of at least one multicast address to at least one talk group identification. In another embodiment, individual subscriber units maintain such mappings 320. When a subscriber unit affiliates with a given site and talk group (501, 601), the site identifies a multicast address corresponding to the talk group. Based on the multicast address, the site can participate in traffic targeted for the multicast address and, consequently, for the talk group. In this manner, mobility Processing is decentralized, system calability is improved and call setup delays are minimized.

Abstract: A multi-function golfer's cigar tool includes a body with a cigar cutter having a blade movably mounted therein, an arrangement for repairing a ball mark on a golf course associated with the body, a cigar support stand and a golf club support stand.

Abstract: A general-purpose data terminal (242), such as a personal computer, portable computer, notebook computer, personal intelligent communicator, portable wireless terminal and the like employs a radio frequency (RF) modem (408) and is programmed to function as a two-way acknowledge back pager. The general purpose data terminal (242) maintains a table listing (600) of caller identification information and presents this information to the device user upon receipt of a page (300) from an identifiable caller. The device user may respond to the page by selecting one of a plurality of user definable responses to be transmitted back to the caller. If no response is selected the caller will receive a message informing them of the paged party's unavailability.

Abstract: A body ply splice width monitor is provided to sense the leading and trailing edges of a lateral splice in a web of tire body ply material and to produce an indication upon a monitor as to whether such splice satisfies certain dimensional criteria. A first pair of sensors is maintained along one edge of the web, while a second pair of sensors is maintained along the opposite edge. An encoder tracks the movement of the web through the array of sensors and provides output pulses corresponding to finite dimensional lengths of the web. The number of pulses between the sensed leading edge and sensed trailing edge of the splice is used to indicate and determine the total splice width.

Abstract: Method used by a first entity, typically a computer system, on a communication system for assigning itself a unique address known as a network address, which comprises a network number and a node identification number. The entity determines a unique network address for itself within a local subset of entities known as a local area network (LAN). A signal is then transmitted to determine whether a router is connected to the LAN, and if so, to determine if the network number of the address is within a range allowed by the router. If the network number is not within a range allowed by the router, then another network number is selected from a range of numbers provided by the router and another node ID are selected. It is determined whether this value is being used by any other entities in the LAN, and if so, node ID's are selected until an unused network address is ascertained.