Abstract: Method and apparatus for selecting a Packet Data Service Node (PDSN) for a communication in a wireless transmission system supporting broadcast transmissions. The packet control function node determines a number of communicable PDSNs and assigns each a unique identifier. The PCF then selects one of the communicable PDSNs based on the multi-cast address of a given communication. One embodiment performs a modulo operation on a function of the multi-cast address and the number of communicable PDSNs, wherein the result of the modulo operation corresponds to a unique identifier.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing provisioning parameters to a mobile device. A short messaging service message is used to send bootstrap data sufficient to establish communication between an Internet Protocol-based server and a mobile device. The mobile device then establishes such communication and the provisioning parameters from the Internet Protocol-based server.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing an overhead information for a broadcast service in a wireless communication system via an out-of-band transmission. The mobile station is able to contact the content server directly using the out-of-band signaling over a packet data service option. The out-of-band communication allows the content server to update the information without transmitting via an intermediate infrastructure element. In one embodiment, the overhead information includes a service option number corresponding to a set of broadcast parameters, such as those identifying a protocol stack for processing broadcast content.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for effecting handoff in a system supporting both wireless and packet data service communications. In one embodiment, the serving network provides information to the target network sufficient to establish the Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) connections for handoff. In an alternate embodiment, the serving network and the target network do not share capabilities with respect to concurrent multiple service instances. When the serving network knows the status of the target network, the serving network takes responsibility for the handoff.

Abstract: Systems and methods for systems and methods for reliably broadcasting content to a plurality of users and facilitating distribution of portions of the broadcast content that either were not received by particular users, or were received with errors. In one embodiment, a wireless communication system is configured to broadcast content from a content source to a plurality of user devices. The content source is configured to provide the content to a base station. The base station parses the content into a plurality of segments and associates sequential identifiers with each of the segments. The content is then broadcast to each of the user devices. An identifier of an alternative data source is also provided to the user devices. When a mobile station receives the segments, it examines the segment identifiers to identify missing segments. The segments are then retrieved from the alternative data source identified by the base station.

Abstract: A wireless communications network (100) includes roving subscriber-stations (114) and base stations (110) receiving broadcast programs from a content server. A subscriber-station evaluates (618, 620) whether a desired program is available from a subject base station. According to this evaluation, the subscriber-station takes steps to (1) receive the desired program on a shared channel for reception by multiple subscriber-stations (816), or (2) initiate (804, 720) base station delivery (724) of the desired program to the subscriber-station on an individual channel. Responsive to a message from a subject subscriber-station identifying a desired program, a base station either (1) continues (819) transmitting the desired program upon a shared channel, (2) starts (816) transmitting the desired program on a shared channel, or (3) sends the subject subscriber-station a channel assignment message and commences transmission (722) of the desired program on the assigned individual channel.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for detection and selection of Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) service. A remote device includes a preference database for storing selection criteria for a plurality of access media. Access medium detector(s) determine accessibility of access media, and a selector selects one of the access media based on the selection criteria. The selection criteria indicate when on which to switch between access media.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for detection and selection of Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) service. A cellular network may provide an advertisement for a WLAN, such as in an overhead signaling message. The advertisement may identify the Access Point(s) by an Extended Service Set Identifier (ESSID). The remote station may then scan for the WLAN service automatically or manually.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for detection and selection of Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) service. A remote station, which may be in conjunction with a wireless computing device, may scan for a cellular paging indicator and a WLAN beacon using one or two tuners. When WLAN coverage is available, a packet data session may be transferred thereto.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving performance of communications over a limited-bandwidth communication link by token-based compression of messages. In one embodiment, a mobile station parses an SIP/SDP message into pieces, wherein each piece comprises a static component and a variable component. The static component comprises fixed-format data and may be intermingled with the variable component. The static component is replaced by a corresponding token. In one embodiment, the token comprises a two-byte identifier. The remaining variable component may also be compressed. The compressed message is received by an SIP proxy server that can identify the static component of each piece of the SIP/SDP message from the received token. The SIP proxy server can then replace the two-byte token with the original static component, and reconstruct the message, in which parts of the static component may be intermingled with parts of the variable component.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for dynamic provisioning of a Mobile Station (MS) to provide server configuration information. In one embodiment, a home network determines whether to use the visited local network or the home network. An indicator selecting the associated server is transmitted. The server is for session control, such as Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) control of voice over Internet Protocol (IP) communications.

Abstract: A wireless packet data network (120) provides subscriber stations 114 with account balance notification concerning prepaid wireless packet data services. The network (120) detects (404, 406) occurrence of predefined trigger events. Responsive to occurrence of any one of these predefined trigger events in conjunction with a prepaid wireless packet data subscriber station (114), the network (146) sends (408) a balance notification to the subscriber station (114).

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system provide for efficient use of communication resources for providing broadcast services in a communication system. A receiver receives a first broadcast controller identification from a first base station, and a second broadcast controller identification from a second base station. A controller coupled to the receiver determines whether the first and second broadcast controller identifications are associated with use of a common set of broadcast parameters. A transmitter transmits a request for transmission of a new set of broadcast parameters when the first and second broadcast controller identifications are not associated with use of the common set of broadcast parameters. After receiving the new set of broadcast parameters, the receiver uses the new set of broadcast parameters for receiving broadcast services.

Abstract: Mobile unassisted dormant handoff in a wireless communication system supporting packet data communications. While in a dormant mode, a mobile node may change packet zones, wherein different packet zones are serviced by at least one different infrastructure element, without identifying the change to the system. The change in packet zone does not necessarily trigger establishment of a communication path for the mobile node until there is packet data ready for communication. In one embodiment, mobile assistance is adapted to the system, and is disabled at the mobile node by an indication in a system parameter message transmitted by the system and received by the mobile node.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for data packet transport in a wireless transmission system supporting broadcast transmissions. Broadcast streams are provided in IP packets routed to a subscriber group. The PDSN applies an outer header to each broadcast stream frame identifying the frame as part of a multi-cast transmission. The PDSN transmits the frames to at least on PCF, wherein the PCF duplicates the received frame for each user in the subscription group, alleviating the processing of the PDSN.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for processing packet flows in a communication system. In one embodiment, a resource reservation message includes packet flow parameter information used to determine flow treatment of the associated packet flow. The packet flow mapping is based on the quality of service of the associated packet flow. In another embodiment, a bearer connection is established and monitored for information relating to flow treatment.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing Cellular Authentication Voice Encryption (CAVE) messages in an Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) format. The CAVE messages are sent via an EAP transport mechanism. The Mobile Station (MS) is able to use a common authentication mechanism for other technologies.

Abstract: A communication system generates a Master Session Key (MSK) for accesses to a system entity that does not provide encryption to traffic. Both the home server and the user generate the same MSK. The MSK is used to generate encryption keys for traffic. In one embodiment the MSK is generated using a hashing function and information specific to the requestor. The home server determines the need to generate the MSK based on information contained in an access request message. Once generated, the MSK is provided to the system entity to enable the entity to encrypt communications.

Abstract: Inter-Working Function (IWF) for interfacing between a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) and a communication system. The IWF may contain sufficient information to authenticate a user access to the WLAN, or the IWF may need to request authentication from the communication system. In one embodiment, the IWF sends an access challenge to the WLAN for a user. The IWF may then pass a response to the challenge on to the communication system for authentication. The IWF allows the WLAN to use the authentication capability of the communication system for local authentication.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for processing packet flows in a communication system. In one embodiment, a resource reservation message includes packet flow parameter information used to determine flow treatment of the associated packet flow. The packet flow mapping is based on the quality of service of the associated packet flow. In another embodiment, a bearer connection is established and monitored for information relating to flow treatment.