Abstract: A system for transferring content includes a wireless local area network (WLAN) and a network module provided within the WLAN or a cellular network to alert users of available content in the WLAN and handle user requests made for content when a user has access to the cellular network. The network module, which may comprise an interworking function, delivers the content to the user through the WLAN when the user is present in a coverage area of the WLAN. The invention allows a user to view the programs available for download and request a specific program using a relatively low speed network, such as a cellular network, and download the program through a high speed network, such as a WLAN.

Abstract: An interface for connecting networks includes an interworking function provided between a wireless local area network (WLAN) and a public mobile land network (PLMN) to provide communication interactions between the PLMN and the WLAN. The interworking function includes a dual-protocol stack, which interfaces the WLAN protocols and PLMN protocols to provide seamless communications between the WLAN and the PLMN such that an increase in available service bandwidth provided for users of the PLMN is maintained.

Abstract: A communications network (10) advantageously provides wireless telephony service to a mobile terminal user (16) from one of a first radio access mechanism (18, 20) of a wireless telephony network (12) and a second radio access mechanism (30, 32) of a wireless Local Area Network (14). The first radio access mechanism provides service at a first quality of service (QoS) level specified in a primary Packet Data Protocol (PDP) context established with the mobile terminal user during which the mobile terminal user is assigned an address for data communication. When the mobile terminal user transitions from the first access node to the second access node, the user receives service in accordance with a secondary PDP context activated by the mobile terminal user. The secondary PDP context specifies the same data address as the primary PDP context but a different QoS level.

Abstract: An apparatus in a wireless network includes a video encoder for encoding uncompressed video information into packets with variable length of compressed frames, and a decision processor for selecting a partial bandwidth and queuing delay on a wireless channel for each of the packets based on an intended reception quality. Preferably, the queuing delay and partial bandwidth are one of a plurality of distinct queuing delay and partial bandwidth representative of wireless transmission quality of service classes.

Abstract: A mobile terminal user (16) can trigger a handoff from a first radio access node (18) to a second radio access node (30) in a communications network by making such a request to one of the two nodes. The request made by the mobile terminal user (16) will trigger in the network (10) a command to relocate (handoff) the mobile terminal user. In response to the command, the mobile terminal user is assigned to the second radio access node (30) and is released from the first radio access node (18).

Abstract: A mobile terminal user (16) can trigger a handoff from a first radio access node (18) to a second radio access node (30) in a communications network by making such a request to one of the two nodes. The request made by the mobile terminal user (16) will trigger in the network (10) a command to relocate (handoff) the mobile terminal user. In response to the command, the mobile terminal user is assigned to the second radio access node (30) and is released from the first radio access node (18).

Abstract: A General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) network (141) includes at least one, and preferably, a plurality of radio access networks (161-16m), each providing radio access to one or more mobile terminal users (121-12n). Associated with one or more of the access networks is a corresponding one of a plurality of Serving GPRS Service Nodes (SGSNs) (241-24m), each node serving to identify and authenticate a mobile terminal user. Advantageously, each SGSN also serves to cache IP packets from a sending mobile terminal user and to examine each packet to determine if the destination IP address corresponds to another mobile terminal user in the network. If so, then that SGSN routes the packet to the destination mobile terminal user. Otherwise, if the packet destination lies outside the network, the SGSN routes the packet to a gateway (32) for routing beyond the network.