Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for estimating whether or not a wireless terminal is in a geographic zone. The illustrative embodiment employs a pattern classifier that is trained on traits of electromagnetic signals at various locations. A computer-executable program is then generated based on the trained pattern classifier, and the program is installed and executed on a subscribed identity module of the terminal.

Abstract: Initiating actions for mobile devices prior to a mobile user entering problem zones. A position and a route of a user are identified. A database is accessed to retrieve data identifying problem zones in a communications network. The position and route of the user are compared to the retrieve data identifying problem zones. A determination is made to identify when the user is approaching a problem zones. An action is performed to compensate for unfavorable network conditions of the problem zone when the user enters the problem zone.

Abstract: A medical system includes one or more MBAN devices which acquire and communicate patient data. One or more medical body area network (MBAN) systems include the one or more MBAN devices communicating the patient data with a hub device via short-range wireless communication. The communication of the patient data via the short-range wireless communication being within a predefined spectrum. The hub device receives patient data communicated from the one or more MBAN devices, communicates with a central monitoring station via a longer range communication and one or more access points (AP), and determines the location of the MBAN system in reference to a healthcare facility. The one or more MBAN devices are inhibited from transmitting within the predefined spectrum when the MBAN hub device is located outside the healthcare facility.

Abstract: A primary mobile station engaged in a communication session via a radio access network (RAN) may receive forward link communications over a forward link channel and transmit reverse link communications over a reverse link channel. If the quality of the communication session degrades, the primary mobile station may involve a secondary mobile station by establishing a short-range wireless communication link with the secondary mobile station, e.g., using Bluetooth™, IEEE 802.11, or other wireless communication protocol. The primary mobile station may then transmit reverse link communications to the RAN over the reverse link channel and also transmit the reverse link communications to the secondary mobile station, via the short-range wireless communication link, for transmission to the RAN. The RAN may receive the reverse link communications from the primary and secondary mobile stations as two distinct reverse link signals, which the RAN may combine together to achieve a diversity gain.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed a method for geographically locating a cellular phone. The method comprises: determining an effective cell-area for each of a first cell and a second cell in a cellular network; and determining a handover area within which the cellular phone is likely to be located when control of the cellular phone is transferred from the first cell to the second cell; wherein the determination of the handover area and the effective cell-area for each of the first cell and the second cell are made based on a topological relationship between the first cell and the second cell. Further related apparatus embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: Technologies are generally described for providing a locative social networking service utilizing wireless access point. In some examples, a method performed under control of a mobile device may include connecting to a wireless local area network, finding at least one other mobile device connected to the wireless local area network and satisfying a predetermined condition, and for each found mobile device, requesting a public user profile associated with the found mobile device, in response to the request, receiving the public user profile associated with the found mobile device, and for each found mobile device from which an associated public user profile is received, transmitting to the found mobile device a public user profile associated with the mobile device.

Abstract: A first device is configured to operate as a media transmitter or a media receiver. The first device includes a memory configured to store a playlist of media files accessible to the first device. An output circuit is configured to receive the playlist from one or more second devices. Responsive to a first media file in the playlist being stored in the first device, the first device is configured to operate as a media transmitter and control transmitting of the first media file from the first device to the one or more second devices. Responsive to the first media file not being stored in the first device, the first device is configured to transfer control of transmitting from the first device to a selected one of the second devices, and operate as a media receiver to receive the first media file from the selected one of the second devices.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses may be provided for utility meters or other devices with communications prioritization. The methods and apparatuses may include receiving first information addressed to or from a first network device of the one or more network devices; determining that the first network device is either (i) battery-powered or associated with a limited power source, or (ii) associated with wireless communications; and based upon the determination that the first home device is either (i) battery-powered or associated with a limited power source, or (ii) associated with wireless communications, identifying the first information as higher priority. The identification of the first information as higher priority may result in the utility meter or other device processing of the first information ahead of one or more second information designated as lower priority.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media for controlling access to voice resources using mobility management messages are disclosed. According to one method, a mobility management message associated with a mobile subscriber is received. A priority level of the mobile subscriber is determined based on the mobility management message and access to voice resources in controlled based on the priority level.

Abstract: An alternative route solution includes consideration of network coverage provided by a navigation application. A device is knowledgeable of coverage areas of a carrier including problem zones. An alternate route to a desired destination is computed so that the alternative route is completely within the coverage areas of the carrier while avoiding the problem zones. The alternative route may be presented to the user on a display device, such as a smart phone, a GPS device, laptop, etc.

Abstract: A method, computer-readable storage device and apparatus for quantifying a total number of customers impacted by a cellular tower outage are disclosed. For example, the method monitors a plurality of cellular towers, detects a failure of one of the plurality of cellular towers, identifies a subset of the plurality of cellular towers that are included in an affected region, calculates a number of additional customers served by each one of the subset of the plurality of cellular towers that are included in the affected region due to the failure of the one cellular tower, and quantifies the total number of customers impacted by the failure of the one cellular tower by adding the number of additional customers served by the each one of the subset of the plurality of cellular towers that are included in the affected region.

Abstract: For modifying a function based on user proximity, a proximity module determines a distance between an electronic device and a transported device in wireless communication with the electronic device. The proximity module further modifies a function of the electronic device if the distance is within the specified range.

Abstract: Method, apparatus, and computer program product example embodiments enable devices to disconnect a communication connection. In an example embodiment, a method includes measuring, by an apparatus, a power level of one or more wireless communication messages received from a selected wireless device over a wireless communication connection, after an interval following an establishment of the wireless communication connection; and disconnecting, by the apparatus, the wireless communication connection with the selected wireless device, if the one or more wireless communication messages received over the wireless communication connection, has a measured power level greater than a threshold value.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems are disclosed for altering a mobile electronic device's screen timeout based on a check-in of a mobile device at a venue. A ringtone can be altered in addition to the password timeout time. Nearby venues and/or locations may be recognized and the time out can be adjusted based on the determined risk which may include the crime risk.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media, for facilitating selection of networks are provided. In some embodiments, the method includes receiving at a user device a first signal via a first channel of a MIMO-enabled network and a second signal via a second channel of the MIMO-enabled network. A first power associated with the first signal and a second power associated with the second signal are identified. The first power associated with the first channel and the second power associated with the second channel are used to determine an undesired connection of the user device with the MIMO-enabled network.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed a method for geographically locating a cellular phone. The method comprises: determining an effective cell-area for each of a first cell and a second cell in a cellular network; and determining a handover area within which the cellular phone is likely to be located when control of the cellular phone is transferred from the first cell to the second cell; wherein the determination of the handover area and the effective cell-area for each of the first cell and the second cell are made based on a topological relationship between the first cell and the second cell. Further related apparatus embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: A measure of signal strength is determined based on a signal received within a communication network. For example, a communication device, such as a mobile telephone, may determine the measure of signal strength within the communication network. A reception status is determined based on the measure of signal strength. A color of a skin of a communication device is caused to change from a first color to a second color, based on the reception status.

Abstract: Methods, program products, and systems for monitoring a location fingerprint database are described. A location fingerprint database can store location data associated with multiple signal sources. A mobile device can use signals of the signal sources and the location data to determine a current location. A location server can monitor the location fingerprint database, including detecting if any one of the signal sources has moved or otherwise becomes unsuitable for location determination.

Abstract: The disclosure provides methods and systems for warning users of mobile terminals during active phone calls or active data transfer that they approach certain geographical areas known as areas where active phone calls or active data transfer may be interrupted. In one embodiment, a method includes obtaining, by a processor, location information associated with a mobile terminal, determining, by the processor, that the mobile terminal approaches a particular geographical area, the particular geographical area being associated with previous dropped calls based at least in part on historical data, and, based on the determination, sending, by the processor, a warning signal to the mobile terminal for informing a user of the mobile terminal that the mobile terminal is about to enter the particular geographical area.

Abstract: Devices and systems provide for proximity based selection of an implantable medical device for far field communication with an external device. By using a proximity communication that is limited to the IMD of interest during the selection process, the external device can eliminate those IMDs that are in range of far field communications but are able to receive the proximity communication. Thus, information may be shared via a proximity communication that is validated via a far field communication, or shared via a far field communication as a challenge and then validated via a proximity communication. The proximity communication may be used to initially limit the number of devices that respond to a discovery request and then subsequently used to select the intended implantable medical device as well as automatically select the appropriate therapy application corresponding to the selected IMD.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a method for inter-cell interference coordination, which includes: classifying users in a cell into cell-edge users and cell-center users and allocating frequency resources to the cell-edge users and the cell-center users; acquiring the interference level of the frequency resources in the cell according to inter-cell interference and recording the changing trend of the interference caused by a neighboring cell on the cell; and coordinating the inter-cell interference according to the interference level of the frequency resources in the cell and the changing trend of the interference caused by the neighboring cell on the cell. The present disclosure further discloses a base station for implementing inter-cell interference coordination. The present disclosure can effectively lower the level of inter-cell interference to an ideal balanced state and improve the service capability of a base station.

Abstract: An interactive community alert network (iCan) system is operable to receive one or more signals indicating a report of an incident. The iCan system may determine a location of the reported incident. One or more visual and/or audio capture devices, which may be within proximity of the determined location of the reported incident may be adjusted. Corresponding visual and/or audio content of the reported incident may be captured and utilized to determine how to handle the reported incident. The location of the reported incident may be determined based on a position of a device and based on a global navigation satellite system position of a device utilized to report the incident. The location of the incident may also be determined based on information within the report of the incident and/or based on localization through use of one or more electronic mapping systems and/or panoramic still images of camera views.

Abstract: Examples disclose a storage medium encoded with instructions executable by a processor of a computing device, the instructions to define a perimeter within a wireless network to monitor a wireless device for violation of the perimeter. Further, the examples provide the instructions to receive a signal data associated with the wireless device. Additionally, the examples also disclose the instructions to detect a location of the wireless device based on the signal data to determine whether the wireless device has violated the defined perimeter.

Abstract: A method, an apparatus, and a computer program product for wireless communication are provided. The apparatus receives a first message from a first wireless communication device and a second message from a second wireless communication device, obtains information associated with a first processing delay with respect to the first message and a second processing delay with respect to the second message, and transmits a third message comprising an indication of the information associated with the first and second processing delays.

Abstract: A data transmission method and apparatus using a multi-point cooperative transmission for a backhaul link transmission of a relay communication system. A data transmission method of a base station in a radio relay communication system include: obtaining, by a first BS, first radio resource information scheduled by a neighbor BS with respect to a first relay node (RN) located within the coverage of the first BS; when the first BS has data to be transmitted to the first RN, scheduling the data of the first BS on first radio resource allocated by the neighbor BS; and transmitting, by the first BS, the data of the first BS on the first BS, wherein the first RN is located within an overlapping cell coverage between the first BS and the neighbor BS. Thus, backhaul link transmission efficiency between the BS and the RN in the relay communication system can be improved and an inter-cell interference with respect to a backhaul link can be reduced.

Abstract: One embodiment described herein may take the form of a system and/or method for monitoring a position of a mobile device and pausing play or recording a multimedia presentation when the mobile device enters or approaches a zone where a wireless signal may be degraded or lost. In one embodiment, the mobile device may utilize a global position system (GPS) signal to determine the location of the mobile device. Further, the mobile device may be configured to display one or more multimedia presentations and may, in response to the mobile device being located near or within a dark zone, pause play of the multimedia presentation until the mobile device returns to a zone of sufficient wireless signal coverage. In this manner, the mobile device may prevent the user from losing or missing portions of the multimedia presentation due to lost or degraded wireless signal of the mobile device.

Abstract: A method includes determining that a wireless telephone is in a moving vehicle using, e.g., speed as calculated by the telephone using GPS signals or co-location of the telephone with a vehicle as might be determined by receiving the vehicle's position via Bluetooth. Use of the telephone is selectively denied if it is determined that the telephone is in a vehicle.

Abstract: A transmitting communication device may iteratively adjust its transmit power, and may estimate, based on iterative transmit power adjustment, relative location of a receiving communication device. The transmit power may be initialized to a maximum value, and the transmit power may be iteratively reduced until connectivity with the receiving communication device is lost. The loss of connectivity may be determined based on reception of responses to ping messages transmitted by the transmitting communication device. The transmitting communication device may authenticate the receiving communication device and/or a user of the receiving communication device. The authentication may comprises utilizing transmit power adjustment and/or relative location estimation therefrom to ensure that a separation between the devices does not exceed a maximum value.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer-readable medium for preventing or allowing a base station (BS) to perform a particular BS function are described. The BS and/or a base station controller (BSC) determine and compare a location of the BS to respective location(s) of one or more other BSs. The BS and/or BSC determine whether the BS location is at least a threshold distance respectively from each of one or more other BSs. If the BS location is at least a threshold distance respectively from each of one or more other BSs, the BS and/or BSC sets at least one parameter to prevent the BS from performing the particular BS function. If the BS location is less than the threshold distance respectively from at least one of the one or more other BSs, the BS and/or BSC sets at least one parameter to allow the BS to perform the particular BS function.

Abstract: A measurement reporting method for a Closed Subscriber Group (CSG) cell and a corresponding User Equipment (UE) are provided in the present invention. The method comprises the following steps that: after detecting a neighboring accessible CSG cell which is not on a frequency in a measurement configuration, a UE in a connected state requests a network for a measurement configuration by reporting indication information which contains the frequency information of the accessible CSG cell and/or the bandwidth information of the accessible CSG cell. The present invention solves the problem about the measurement and reporting of a CSG cell by a UE, so that a network is able to make a decision in time according to a measurement report, satisfying the requirement of the UE on mobility.

Abstract: A method and system for generating alerts based on predicted wireless connection losses. A message is received that includes a first position of a mobile device, an indication of a service being provided to the mobile device via a wireless connection provided by a first bearer, and an mobile device identifier. A direction and speed of the mobile device is received. An amount of time elapsing before the mobile device moves to a second position at which the mobile device experiences a loss of the wireless connection via the first bearer is predicted. An alert that indicates that the loss is occurring in the amount of time is generated. The alert is sent to the mobile device as a response to the message.

Abstract: Improved systems and techniques for controlling access to network resources. A base station broadcasts extended access barring (EAB) and access class barring (ACB) information. Upon a determination by a user equipment that the user equipment requires service from the base station, the user equipment determines its EAB category and call type. The user equipment receives the EAB and ACB information broadcast by the base station and determines if it is subject to EAB based on its EAB category. If the user equipment is not subject to EAB, the user equipment determines if its call type is subject to ACB and, if the call type is subject to ACB, applies access class barring based on its call type.

Abstract: Systems and methods for optimizing paging cycles in a wireless communication system are disclosed. An access terminal can include logic configured to determine an optimal paging cycle and logic configured to set the paging cycle based on the optimal paging cycle, where the paging cycle varies based on at least one optimizing metric.

Abstract: A device may receive a request for information associated with a status of a user device from an application server device. The device may determine, based on the request, whether the user device is connected to a first network and may provide a first response to the application server device when the user device is connected to the first network. The first response may indicate that the user device is connected to the first network. When the user device is not connected to a first network, the device may determine whether the user device is connected to a second network that is different than the first network. When the user device is connected to the second network, the device may provide a second response to the application server device. The second response may indicate that the user device is connected to the second network.

Abstract: A broadcasting system for providing access information of a broadcast service, wherein a transmission apparatus generates the access information for at least one of a broadcast network and an interaction network, from which the broadcast service is transmitted, and transmits the access information to a terminal via a specific communication network. A reception apparatus receives the access information of the broadcast service via the communication network, analyzes the received access information to determine a network from which the broadcast service is provided, among the broadcast network and the interaction network, and sets an access address for reception of the broadcast service.

Abstract: A method for downlink paging is provided. The method includes determining a number of bits of a user equipment identifier based on an on/off cycle of a user equipment and a paging group count. The method further includes assigning a paging frame in a communications channel, where the paging frame is selected based upon the on/off cycle of the user equipment, the paging group count, and the number of bits of the user equipment identifier.

Abstract: A telecommunications addressing system/method allowing selection of a telephone instrument device (TID) using arbitrary identifiers is disclosed. The system/method allows a source TID (STD) to select a target TID (TTD) by the use of a Target Telephone Identifier (TTI) data string rather than a traditional numeric telephone identification (NTI). This TTI is then indexed within a TTI/NTI mapping server (TMS) that functions as a hierarchical repository of TTI/NTI mappings. STD/TTD communication is established by first performing a lookup of the STD-selected TTI within the TMS to identify the NTI of the TTD. Once the NTI of the STD has been identified by the TMS, communication between the STD and TTD is established using the NTI via the normal public switched telephone network (PSTN). TMS TTI lookup may be performed via STD TID web application and/or via PSTN infrastructure interface.

Abstract: A server can receive, from a mobile device, a reference location and one or more measurements of signal from signal sources. Each signal source is associated with a signal source location in a location database. The server can use the measurements and the signal source locations to validate the reference location. The server can use the validated reference location to validate the signal source locations, including detecting moved signal sources.

Abstract: A method and system for establishing short range wireless communication (SRWC) between a handheld communications device (HCD) and a vehicle telematics unit. In some instances, the communication may be established following a disconnection event between the telematics unit and a wireless carrier network. The SRWC may include Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Direct as well as other suitable protocols or technologies. Once SRWC is established, the telematics unit may receive a vehicle command from the HCD and perform the command.

Abstract: Transmission techniques using configurable channels for the downlink and/or uplink are described. In one aspect, the downlink channel and/or uplink channel may be independently selected for a terminal. The terminal may establish a connection with a base station on default downlink and uplink channels. Another downlink channel and/or another uplink channel may be selected based on various factors such as channel quality, loading, and interference. The terminal would then switch to the new downlink and/or uplink channel for communication. In another aspect, the base stations broadcast sector information used by the terminals for communication and/or channel selection. The sector information may include various types of information such as the available downlink and uplink channels, the frequencies of the available channels, the loading on the available channels, and QoS information. The terminals may select a sector, a downlink channel, and/or an uplink channel based on the sector information.

Abstract: A user equipment (UE) is configured to maintain an updated frequency list for pseudo-fast return handover. The UE receives a frequency list for pseudo fast return when the UE is in an idle mode in a first radio access technology (RAT). When the UE is in a connected mode in a second RAT, the list is updated based on actual UE inter- and intra-frequency measurements of the first RAT during mobility.

Abstract: A wireless communication device transmits location information associated with a mobile worker at a first interval when the worker is assigned to a work task. When the worker is not working on the work task, the wireless communication device does not transmit location information, or transmits the location information less persistently. In this manner, business value of tracking mobile worker location is achieved while also allowing for enhanced privacy for the mobile worker when not working on a work task.

Abstract: Upon detecting at a two-way communication device that a communication link has been terminated, the two-way communication device can provide a unique corresponding signal (such as a unique audible signal) to indicate such termination. Pursuant to one approach, a plurality of such unique signals are available and a specific one of the available signals is selected for use in a given circumstance using a selection criteria of choice.

Abstract: A wireless communication system includes a wireless base station FAP2 which communicates with a mobile communication terminal UE1; a core network apparatus CN4 which is a higher-level apparatus of the wireless base station; and a femto wireless base station gateway GW3 which relays between the FAP2 and the core network apparatus CN4. The wireless base station FAP2 includes a determination unit 21a which determines whether to stop voice call reception processing or voice call transmission processing with reference to determination information upon detection of a voice call reception to the mobile communication terminal UE1 within a communication service area or a voice call transmission from the mobile communication terminal UE1 within the communication service area in the FAP2; and a signal processing unit 25a which informs a higher-level apparatus of a message including a determination result when the determination unit determines to stop the processing.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for determining whether a user device is within a geofenced region using lower powered location tracking techniques. In one instance, the user device may determine the minimum distances to geofenced regions. The user device may track the distance between locations and compare those distances to the minimum distances to determine the likelihood the user device is within one of the geofenced regions.

Abstract: There is provided a method in a first communications device operable to communicate with a second device using a network supporting first and second different communication methods. The method comprises: allowing the first device to communicate with the second device using the first communication method; registering the first device on a service platform of the network; requesting from the service platform a second device status indicator of the ability of the second device to communicate using the second communication method; receiving the second device status indicator from the service platform; and, allowing the first device to communicate with the second device using the second communication method in dependence on the received second device status indicator. The second device status indicator depends on the current network connectivity of the second device. At least one of the first and second devices is a mobile telecommunications device.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system and a method for providing mobility management and out-of-coverage indication in a conventional Land Mobile Radio (LMR) system. A radio provides its location and user group data to the disclosed system through its traffic channel when the channel is idle. Knowledge of the radio's current location and user group data is used to provide dynamic call routing and data management within the disclosed system. The disclosed system and method may provide operability similar to that of a trunking system by providing mobility management and out-of-coverage indication while providing low-cost benefits through operation of a conventional system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and arrangements that make CSG cell discovery more resource efficient. That is achieved by providing the UE with accurate and up-to-date knowledge of the physical cell identity (identities) of its allowed CSG cell(s). Accurate knowledge of the PCI of an allowed CSG cell greatly simplifies the search/discovery procedure for this CSG cell, in particular the procedure can be made much more resource efficient and UE battery lifetime can be prolonged.

Abstract: A method for determining the speed of a wireless device includes the steps of receiving channel quality indicator data, determining the fast fading characteristics of the received channel quality indicator data, comparing the fast fading characteristics of the received channel quality indicator data against benchmark channel quality indicator data, and determining the speed of the wireless device based on the comparison. The channel quality indicator data is indicative of the signal quality at a wireless device. The benchmark data includes fast fading characteristics.

Abstract: A device and method include detecting signal strength received at a mobile cellular communication device. A dropped call is detected between the device and another device as a function of detected signal strength. The dropped call is reconnected when detected signal strength reaches a selected first threshold.