Abstract: A wireless communications unit 200, and corresponding method within, is arranged and constructed for choosing a system selection algorithm that is used for selecting a system to provide services for the communications unit and comprises: means for associating a location with the wireless communications unit 223 215; a controller 209 for choosing a system selection algorithm from a plurality of such algorithms based on the location, where the chosen algorithm includes scan parameters (FIG. 3) that vary with the location; and a receiver 205 controllable by the controller according to the chosen algorithm to search for a system to provide service for the wireless communications unit.

Abstract: Selection of a service provider network at a wireless subscriber device (10) includes monitoring service provider network parameters (54) of each of a plurality of available service provider networks (S1, S2), predicting performance capabilities of each of the plurality of available service provider networks (S1, S2), computing a performance metric (56) for each of the plurality of available service provider networks (S1, S2) based on desired performance parameters and on the predicting of performance capabilities of each of the plurality of available service provider networks (S1, S2), and selecting one of the plurality of available service provider networks (S1, S2) based on the computed performance metric (58). The subscriber device (10) is therefore capable of rapidly and autonomously identifying a service provider network that would best serve its current service needs based on the performance metric.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for transferring a connection with a base station (108) from one communication device to another communication device. After establishing a communication link (106) between the base station and a first communication device (100), a call is established over the communication link and then a first user module (102) is disengaged (104) from the first communication device. The call is then temporarily maintained (720) while the first user module is disengaged from the first communication device and finally the call is continued from a second communication device (120) after the first user module is engaged with the second communication device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus dynamically assigns each of a plurality of different information streams associated with one wireless communication unit (12a), to independent communication resources from different communication resource pools from each of a plurality of different wireless network elements (14a-14n), based on, for example, quality of service requirement data determined for each of the information streams. As such, the wireless communication unit (12a) may establish two or more separate links using two or more completely independent radio resources from different wireless base stations in the same system.

Abstract: A terminal 300 arranged to initiate a call or indicate an incoming call with a voiced alert and methods thereof, the terminal including a receiver 303 for receiving a signal corresponding to a call alert, a processor 309 for determining that the signal is a call alert signal corresponding to the voiced alert and for providing an alert signal corresponding to the voiced alert; and an audio transducer 317 coupled to the alert signal corresponding to the voiced alert for generating a user perceptible voiced alert. The terminal for initiating includes an audio transducer 321 for converting a caller party voiced signal to an alert signal and a processor 309 for generating a call alert signal corresponding to the alert signal; and a transmitter 305 for sending the call alert signal corresponding to the alert signal to a network and thereby to the called party.

Abstract: A radiotelephone method includes detecting other mobile stations and identifying possible relay candidates among the other mobile stations. The method then includes communicating information about the candidates to a base station. Communication with a second mobile station is requested of the base station at a first mobile station. If the first mobile station and the second mobile station are physically close, the base station instructs the first mobile station and the second mobile station to establish direct communication.

Abstract: A method and apparatus dynamically assigns each of a plurality of different information streams associated with one wireless communication unit (12a), to independent communication resources from different communication resource pools from each of a plurality of different wireless network elements (14a-14n), based on, for example, quality of service requirement data determined for each of the information streams. As such, the wireless communication unit (12a) may establish two or more separate links using two or more completely independent radio resources from different wireless base stations in the same system.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for simultaneous independent voice and data services using a remote subscriber identity module (SIM) are disclosed. The methods and apparatus described herein allow a personal computer (or other data station) which does not contain a SIM card and a mobile phone (or other voice station) which does contain a SIM card to cooperate wirelessly to allow the personal computer to use the SIM card in the mobile phone in a virtual manner. As a result, the personal computer may transmit and receive packet-switched data at the same time the mobile phone is transmitting or receiving a circuit-switched voice signal without interference between the two simultaneous transmissions.

Abstract: A subscriber device (2) includes a long code generator (12) and a modifier (30) for generating a spread bit stream with a predetermined error pattern that is transmitted by a transmitter (16) at the subscriber device (2) to a base station (3). The base station (3) identifies the current subscriber device properties by identifying the error pattern and subsequently compares the current subscriber device properties with a knowledge base of subscriber device software properties associated with the error pattern in the spread bit stream. The knowledge base is stored in a memory source (4).

Abstract: A portable communication device (100) includes at least one sensing circuit (101) and a processor (104), and operates in accordance with a corresponding method of operation. The sensing circuit detects (205) either a characteristic of an external environment containing the portable communication device (e.g., a chemical in the air or acceleration of the device) or a characteristic of the portable communication device user (e.g., heart rate or blood sugar content), and generates a signal (207) representative of a feature of the sensed characteristic. The processor receives the signal and initiates an event based at least on the feature of the sensed characteristic as represented by the signal. Events include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following: alerting the device user, transmitting a signal (e.g., an emergency call) to a remote communication device, re-sensing the characteristic or sensing another characteristic, and modifying a setting or profile of the device.

Abstract: A remote base controller (20) communicates with a base site controller (22) as a macro cell, converts outbound macro cell traffic from the base site controller (22) into outbound isolated cell traffic, inbound isolated cell traffic into inbound macro cell traffic, and communicates, via a cable head end (18) establishing an internet protocol internet connection with a customer premise equipment (16), with a remote base (14) that provides cellular service to a mobile telephone (12) located within an isolated cell (2).

Abstract: A method within and subscriber unit that is arranged and constructed for realizing a performance benefit in a communications system that controls performance includes: a receiver for receiving a downlink signal; a processor coupled to the receiver for determining a performance metric corresponding to the downlink signal that complies with air interface requirements for the communications system; a transmitter for reporting the performance metric on an uplink channel; and a receiver processor for processing the downlink signal to provide a received signal having an improved performance metric.

Abstract: A dispatch system generally provides a means for collecting destination information, selecting a dispatch assignment (104) to be dispatched to the destination (102) and dispatching the selected assignment. In situations where the response time of the assignment is a critical factor, selecting the assignment with the shortest response time is desired. An improved method for improving response time of an assignment with the shortest response time incorporates assignment location, a road condition associated with each assignment, and the traffic conditions associated with each assignment. Event information is also considered in determining the best route and travel time from the mobile entity to the destination.

Abstract: A method and apparatus provides for obtaining content for a wireless device in a more efficient manner by associating a code (i.e., other than a URL) (118) with at least both a desired content server (210a), such as an Internet server, and with control description data (420) that defines at least when to start recording the desired content from the desired server. This may include, for example, record description data such as a start record time (408) and other information. A code server (104) that is accessible via, for example, the Internet by a plurality of wireless devices, stores the code (118) with the associated control description data (420) on a per user basis. The code server (104) provides the stored control description data (420) to a wireless device (202) to facilitate time-based retrieval of the desired content in response to the record start time data (408) included in the control description data (420) provided by the code server (104).

Abstract: A dispatch system generally provides a means for collecting destination information, selecting a dispatch assignment (104) to be dispatched to the destination (102) and dispatching the selected assignment. In situations where the response time of the assignment is a critical factor, selecting the assignment with the shortest response time is desired. An improved method for improving response time of an assignment with the shortest response time incorporates assignment location, a road condition associated with each assignment, and the traffic conditions associated with each assignment. Event information is also considered in determining the best route and travel time from the mobile entity to the destination.

Abstract: A method in a mobile wireless communications handset located in a multi-level environment, for example a multi-floor building, including receiving first altitude information, for example the floor number, from an altitude information transmitter when the handset is on a first level, and receiving second altitude information from an altitude information transmitter when the handset is on a second level different than the first level. The different altitude information may be transmitted from different transmitters on corresponding levels, or from a single transmitter, located for example in an elevator.

Abstract: A method for receiving a radio communication in a radio communication system (100) shares the downlink processing burden among members of a local group of local stations when receiving an alert communication such as a paging channel. The method includes receiving the alert communication (302) at a first mobile station (304) of a plurality of mobile stations (300). The method further includes transmitting a local radio communication (306) from the first mobile station to an intended recipient mobile station (308) of the plurality of mobile stations.

Abstract: A cradle for a wireless device such as a cellular telephone. The cradle provides a second antenna for antenna diversity operation of the wireless device. Optionally, the cradle contains any of hardware circuitry, processing, and software to provide antenna diversity operation in conjunction with the wireless device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus splits information into subsets of information to be communicated for a wireless apparatus. The split information (512a-512d) is transmitted to a plurality of proximal wireless units (106b-106n). The plurality of proximal wireless units convey at least some of the transmitted split information to a destination wireless apparatus (106a). This splitting operation is used in both uplink and downlink communications.

Abstract: A group of independent wireless apparatus (106a-106n) in a wireless local area network are identified and coordinated (aggregated) using the short-range wireless area network (wireless LAN). Each wireless apparatus receives information from a wireless wide area network (wireless WAN) such as a conventional cellular system. The plurality of independent proximal wireless apparatus (106b-106n) receive the same information that is ultimately destined for one of the wireless apparatus in the proximal group in the wireless local area network. Each proximal wireless apparatus (106b-106n) that has received the same information from the wide area network then retransmits or forwards the same information to the destination wireless apparatus (106a). Accordingly, the plurality of wireless apparatus in the local area network receive the same information from a wide area network and forward it, using the short range wireless communication system, to a destination wireless apparatus in the local area network.