Abstract: Methods are disclosed for mitigating the impact of resource limitations caused by privileged use schemes, such as WPS and/or GETS, on non-privileged users of a communication system. In one embodiment, a resource controller or switch (#), responsive to receiving (202) an information request from a non-privileged user, retrieves (206, 214) information regarding the percentage or quantity of resources that are being used by privileged users. In one embodiment, upon determining (304) that resources are unavailable for a non-privileged user, a bid option (314) and/or queuing option (322) is offered so as to reduce occurrences of calls (or re-attempted calls) being terminated due to lack of resources.

Abstract: A frequency tracking loop (100) includes: a mixer (122) for correcting frequency offset of an input radio signal that includes bursts of known data; a frequency offset estimator (134), for providing an estimate of frequency offset; a variable bandwidth filter (142), for providing a filtered signal; an oscillator (146) for supplying a second input of the mixer with a signal whose frequency depends on the filtered signal; the frequency tracking loop (100) is adapted to change the bandwidth of the variable bandwidth filter (142) in dependence on at least one characteristic of the currently received burst of known data.

Abstract: An IP mobility solution for mobile network(s) that combines features of IP multicast and mobile IPv6. The mobile network defines a mobile router (106) attached to one or more mobile network hosts (102). Upon movement of the mobile network from a home network to a foreign network, the mobile router obtains a multicast care of address on behalf of the attached mobile network hosts and creates a binding between the mobile subnet prefix and the multicast care of address. The mobile router communicates the binding information, via binding update messages, to a home agent (150) and to selected correspondent nodes (152) consistent with requested privacy attributes of the mobile network hosts. The privacy attributes allow the mobile network hosts to maintain the privacy of their care of address (and implicitly, their location) relative to certain correspondent nodes.

Abstract: A radio frequency communications system (100) includes wireless terminals (102) and base sites (104). The wireless terminals communicate with the base sites over a radio frequency channel (106). The base sites are interconnected to each other and other network elements via a packet network. The communication system has a radio frequency channel (400) with time slots (406, 408) for transmission of both delay-sensitive data, such as streaming audio and video, and non-delay-sensitive data. A method and apparatus are provided for determining whether a time slot in the radio frequency channel is to be allocated to delay-sensitive data or non-delay-sensitive data (704, 706, 708). Each packet of data transmitted over the wireless channel has a type of service field (900). The type of service field has a precedence or priority value (902) and a service type (904).

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for determining a link Op from among a plurality of host devices on a LAN, for exchanging control messages between a communication server and one or more sites having a link Op and a listening Op and for the link Op and/or listening Op to detect and recover from missing packets in a sequence of IP packets received from the server. The link Op and listening Op join a control multicast group address to receive control messages from the server. The link Op establishes a reliable message transfer session with the server. Upon the link Op detecting a missing packet, the link Op may request that the communication server resend the packet. Upon the listening Op detecting a missing packet, the listening Op determines whether the link Op will request retransmission of the missing packet.

Abstract: A wireless multi-carrier communication system having designated control sub-channels that enable a receiving device to operate in a low power decoding mode. A sending device may send control or payload information via the control sub-channels. The receiving device operates in a low-power decoding mode to decode the control sub-channels, yielding the control or payload information. If the sending device has payload information directed to the receiving device that can not fit within the control sub-channels, it sends the information to the receiving device in one or more payload sub-channels. The receiving device operates in a second, generally higher power decoding mode to decode the payload sub-channels, yielding the payload information.

Abstract: A method of preserving or gracefully concluding wireless calls that are dropped when service is interrupted in a wireless communication system (100) (e.g., due to poor RF coverage). When a mobile unit (108) encounters a service interruption during a call, an announcement (208) is played inviting remaining participating unit(s) to hold. After a predetermined waiting time (210, 216), if service is not re-established to the mobile unit, the remaining unit(s) are invited (218) to leave a message (e.g., voice mail) for the mobile unit and connected (220) to a messaging system (126). After message(s) are concluded, the call is ended (226) or optionally, lo continued (206) if there is more than one remaining unit. If service is recovered before the waiting time expires, a service recovery announcement is provided (214) to the remaining unit(s) and the call continues (206).

Abstract: A dispatch server (206) is provided in a packet based dispatch radio network to serve as coordinator and arbitrator for dispatch group calls. Participants in a group call transmit internet protocol (IP) voice packets to the server in unicast fashion. The server receives voice packets from multiple sources (210, 216) and implements a prioritization scheme to select one source to pass on to the group via IP multicast. Various prioritization techniques are described.

Abstract: A method of call control in a packet-based communication system having consoles, distributed among one or more console sites, that are adapted to monitor talkgroup calls. The console sites are served by console site links having a limited available bandwidth. Upon receiving a request for a talkgroup call, there is identified a number of priority consoles requesting participation in a talkgroup call. For example, the priority consoles (or console operators) may indicate that monitoring of the talkgroup call is “critical” for those consoles. Based on the location of the priority consoles, a number of priority console sites are identified for the talkgroup call. If sufficient bandwidth (e.g., call units of bandwidth) is available (or made available) to each of the priority console sites, the call is granted. Alternatively or additionally, the call may be granted to certain non-priority console sites if bandwidth is available.

Abstract: The invention relates to a scan mode of operating for a communication system that supports both voice and data communication services. Prior to entering the scan mode, a mobile station (28) provides a message to the fixed network equipment, and particularly a data controller (22) within the fixed network equipment, that it is entering scan mode. When exiting scan mode, the mobile station (28) sends a message to the data controller (22) indicating that it is no longer in scan mode. With knowledge of whether the mobile station (28) is in scan mode, the data controller (22) sends data messages to the mobile station using a preamble. The preamble may include a plurality of short confirmed message packets (606) and each may contain a preamble list of mobile stations to which data messages are scheduled to be sent.

Abstract: A land mobile radio system receives paging messages communicated via a paging service communication protocol, decodes the paging messages to identify respective target recipients of the paging messages and determines whether the target recipients are members of a user group. If a target recipient is a member of the user group, a communication unit (e.g., radio or console) of the target recipient is identified, the message is converted to an appropriate protocol (e.g., a wireless protocol) and sent to the communication unit.

Abstract: A method for redirecting an active call to a messaging system (126) enables a calling party (108 or 110) placed on hold to leave a message with a called party (108 or 110), thereby obviating the need for the called party to remain on hold. Upon redirecting the call, attributes of the call (e.g., billing rates, assigned resources, etc.) may be revised. Optionally, if the calling party desires to remain on hold, the calling party may cause one or more reminder signals to be sent to the called party such that the called party is reminded that the calling party is on hold.

Abstract: The invention concerns a digital radio (2) for pseudo-duplex radio communication, and a method of transmission time mediation for pseudo-duplex radio communication. A digital radio (2) is in time division duplex communication with a second digital radio (4). The digital radio (2) derives a source signal activity parameter (VAD) indicating the likelihood of there being a source signal for transmission by the digital radio (2) to the second digital radio (4) over a single radio channel. The digital radio (2) also derives a first value (VADDir1) of a signal direction parameter (VADDir) in dependence on both the value of the signal activity parameter (VAD) for the digital radio (2) and a second value (VADDir2) of the signal direction parameter (VADDir) received from the second digital radio (4); The digital radio (2) selects the proportions of time for transmission and reception over the single radio channel in dependence on the first value (VADDir1) of the signal direction parameter (VADDir).

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for sharing location and route information between communication units (e.g., talkgroup members) that are subscribed to a group location sharing service. The group location sharing service is event-based, such that the communication units may form a subset of a talkgroup desiring to actively participate or monitor an event. Communication units de-subscribe from the group location sharing service or talkgroup when they no longer desire to participate or monitor the event. Service levels may be determined for various subscribers to the group location sharing service. The service levels may include, for example, an information transmission service level and information reception service level that determine an amount, type, and/or timing of information to be sent or received by particular subscribers.

Abstract: An electric power meter (102) includes a temperature sensor (114) and a controller (112). The controller (112) is operable, based on the temperature reported from the temperature sensor (114), to generate alarm(s) when the temperature exceeds certain alarm threshold(s) (307, 507, 508) and to activate a power disconnect switch (104), thereby shutting off power to a customer premises, when the temperature exceeds a shut off threshold (309, 509). The controller (112) is operable to activate the power disconnect switch (104) for non-payment of electricity cost, subject to secondary criteria based on regulatory requirements. A customer terminal (103) may be used to notify a customer of an alarm condition, to provide information regarding electrical power usage or to provide information regarding disconnection of electrical power.

Abstract: Methods for reserving call units of bandwidth and for using the reserved call units to manage call requests are disclosed. Reservations are requested by a first host device (e.g., zone controller) for a path of a packet network communication system. The reservations are granted or denied by the network based on the availability of the requested bandwidth. Once a reservation has been obtained, the number of call units of bandwidth associated with the reservation may be reduced or increased by the network based, for example, on link failures, repairs, etc. Call requests are granted or denied by the zone controller based on the path(s) needed for the call, the number of reserved call units associated with the path(s) and the amount of call units required to support the call. If there are sufficient reserved call units to support the call, the call may proceed by sending, from a second host device (e.g., repeater), a message that is distributed over the number of units of bandwidth needed for the call.

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of updating (305) each of the tiers of a multiple-tier database (200) by defining an independent data rate between each of the tiers of the database (200). The present method provides maximum data throughput, which is not provided with a solution that selects the lowest possible data rate for all transmissions between all tiers. By providing for a different communication rate (303) that is independent of the communication rate between each set of tiers of the database (200), throughput is maximized while limiting the possibility of surpassing or overwhelming component capabilities that could cause equipment malfunction or “crashing.” The communication rate may be negotiated (401 through 413) between components at the different tiers of the database (200).

Abstract: A telecommunications system includes a telecommunications switching system, at least one subscriber terminal coupled to the switching system, at least one telecommunications agency coupled to the switching system. The agency stores subscriber information and provides the information to external requestors in the form of subscriber service images defining services and features to be provided for subscribers. The subscriber terminal includes a portable subscriber module identifying the subscriber and optionally contains information defining services and features to be provided for the subscriber by the subscriber terminal and the switching system. The switching system has a facility for storing all subscriber-related information as a plurality of transient subscriber service images defining the services and features to be provided for subscribers having pending or active calls.

Abstract: A switch based feature that allows subscribers to adjust their incoming or outgoing audio signal strength. The value of the transmit or receive pad values on the subscriber line card are adjusted to control the strength of the audio signal transmitted to, or received from, the network. The subscriber controls the feature by sending a hook flash to the switch, entering the DTMF keypad feature code and transmit or receive volume parameters, and then returning to the call.

Abstract: A system for fault insertion in an integrated circuit that resides in a functional portion of the integrated circuit. The fault insertion system is controlled through a Fault Control Register, comprising a Fault Identification Register (FIR), and a Fault Apply Register (FAR). The FIR is connected to a FIR decode block which, depending on the values contained in the FIR, applies signals to one or more node fault logic blocks. The node fault logic blocks either apply a test signal to a circuit node, or apply the normal system signals to the node. The FAR controls an enable signal to the FIR decode block, and determines when, and the duration, that the test signal will be applied. An External Control Bit of the FAR also allows manual control of the test signal.