Abstract: A method and system for placing a dispatch call from an Integrated Digital Enhanced Network (iDEN) to a non-iDEN network is disclosed. An inter-urban call restriction check process is performed by an iDEN dispatch call processor if a response to a query indicates that a target dispatch call processor associated with a called entity is associated with the iDEN network and the inter-urban call restriction check process is not performed by the iDEN dispatch call processor if the response indicates that the target dispatch call processor is associated with the non-iDEN network.

Abstract: A system and method for predefined dispatch talk group calls are provided. A first and second dispatch communication network use different dispatch station identifiers. Dispatch station identifiers in the format of the first network are stored in the dispatch communication server of the first network, dispatch station identifiers of the second network are stored in a dispatch communication server of the second network, and a group server of the second network includes a mapping of the dispatch station identifiers between the two networks. Providing the mapping of dispatch station identifiers in the second network allows predefined dispatch group calls between communication stations of different dispatch communication networks without requiring any changes to the addressing used in one of the dispatch communication networks.

Abstract: A system and method for allocating vocoder resources for interconnect calls includes consideration of whether an interconnect call request occurs during a known period of heightened network activity. In an embodiment a vocoder type is assigned to a given interconnect call based on a comparison of the available capacity of the telecommunications network to one or more threshold values, and a determination on whether or not the telecommunications network is in a predefined high activity or usage period. In certain embodiments, the vocoder is adapted to operate in one of two possible types, where the first type is characterized by a higher voice quality, but a lower network capacity, than the second type.

Abstract: A wireless communication system including a carrier network, a network application server coupled to the carrier network, and a base station coupled to the carrier network. The base station is adapted to determine whether a subscriber unit is designated as having relatively high priority for accessing the carrier network; encode data for joint detection and transmit the encoded data to the subscriber unit if the subscriber unit is designated as having relatively high priority for accessing the carrier network; or transmit the data to the subscriber unit without encoding the data for joint detection if the subscriber unit is not designated as having relatively high priority for accessing the carrier network.

Abstract: A wireless communication system useful in assisting and locating users of mobile communication units (MUs) with emergency situations. In one embodiment, the system includes position determining equipment (PDE) to generate position data information related to receiving an emergency call request, wherein some of the PDEs are associated with a first wireless carrier and others associated with a second carrier; and a mobile positioning center (MPC) adapted to determine an approximate location of an emergency-calling MU from the position data information received from the PDEs. In another embodiment, the system includes PDEs, wherein at least one is a standalone PDE; and an MPC. In another embodiment, the system includes a mobile switching center (MSC), bases stations restricted to emergency use only, and PDEs associated respectively with the base stations. In another embodiment, the system includes PDEs adapted to transmit position data information to an MPC via a wireless medium.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing location based services are provided. Location based services can include establishing a call between mobile stations when the mobile stations are within a predetermined distance from each other. The location based services can also include providing an originating mobile station with a relative distance to a destination mobile station. The locations of the originating and destination mobile stations can be determined using a timing advance value and information used for a smart antenna array.

Abstract: Antenna arrangements that include two or more antennas in an enclosure are provided. Each of these antennas can be tuned to a separate frequency band and/or can support a different wireless communication technology. The downtilt of the antennas can be electrically and/or mechanically controlled, and various feeder arrangements can be employed.

Abstract: A multicarrier base transceiver system includes first control circuitry adapted to receive first control data and voice data from a communications network and arrange the received data into a plurality of logical channels including a paging channel and a plurality of traffic channels for transmission on a first carrier. Second control circuitry is adapted to receive second control data and messaging data, arrange the received messaging data into a plurality of logical traffic channels for transmission on a second carrier, and send the received second control data to the first control circuitry. The first control circuitry transmits the first control data and second control data on the paging channel of the first carrier.

Abstract: A system and method for priority dispatch communications are provided. Priority access to the communication network is provided. Additionally, barge-in for active dispatch communications in a publicly-accessible network are provided. When the user is in an active dispatch communication with another communication station, and a dispatch communication request from a second communication station is received, it is determined whether a priority value of the second communication station is higher than a priority value assigned to the user or the other communication station. When the priority value for the second communication station is higher, the dispatch communication between the user and the other communication station is suspended, and a dispatch communication is established between the user and the second communication station.

Abstract: A system and method is provided to allow users to receive and transmit real-time traffic flow information. A service provider can utilize information gathering infrastructure to receive, store, and transmit the real-time traffic data to groups or individual users. An information-generating subscriber can provide information required to determine road traffic conditions using a cellular telephone. A system of incentives is provided to overcome the reluctance of users to transmit their individual traffic data to the service provider by assigning some amount of positive points for data transmission to a central network. Users who choose only to receive data are assigned some amount of negative points. Points are converted during the billing process to fees for using the system, whereby users who both transmit and receive data ultimately pay less for utilizing the system than users who choose only to receive data.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing notices related to diagnostic information are provided. Diagnostic information related to a monitored device is provided to database. When it is determined that the diagnostic information indicates that service-related information should be provided to a communication station, such information is transmitted to the communication station. This information can identify one or more service providers that can address issues related to the diagnostic information.

Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying charges on a bill are provided. Each charge category is assigned an associated symbol. The associated symbol appears in proximity to the corresponding charge category on the bill. If a charge category includes charge subcategories, the symbol can also appear on the bill in proximity to the charge subcategory.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for floor control in a multi-media push-to-talk network is disclosed. A device for communication in the multi-media network includes a floor request sensor. The floor request sensor includes a first sensor and a second sensor. The method includes sending a floor grant request message for a first media type in a multi-media dispatch communication session and a floor request message for a second media type in the multi-media dispatch communication session by a floor request sensor of a communications device to a dispatch network controller.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for floor control in a multi-media dispatch network is disclosed. The method includes receiving a floor request message related to a first media type at a dispatch network controller from a first user and receiving a floor grant request message related to a second media type at the dispatch network controller from the first user. The apparatus includes a dispatch network controller where the dispatch network controller receives a floor request message related to a first media type from a first user and receives a floor grant request message related to a second media type from the first user.

Abstract: A system and method of operating an antenna in a beamforming mode or a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) mode. The method includes activating a first group of antenna elements to operate the antenna in the beamforming mode; and activating a second group of antenna elements to operate the antenna in the MIMO mode. The distance between adjacent antenna elements of the first group may be a half-wavelength at the antenna operating frequency, and the distance between adjacent antenna elements of the second group may be greater than a half-wavelength. If the antenna elements are configured as an array, the first group may include all of the elements of the array, and the second group may include only the elements in every other column of the array. The operation of the antenna in either the beamforming mode or the MIMO mode may be based on the RF environment in which subscriber units reside.

Abstract: A system and method for operating a dual-mode mobile communications unit in a home network of the communications unit is disclosed. In an embodiment of the method, the dual-mode mobile communications unit is provisioned as a visitor in the home network of the communications unit. The home network utilizes a proprietary technology but the communications unit communicates with the home network in the same standards-based technology that a roamer in the home network uses to communicate with the home network. In an embodiment of the system, the system includes the home network of the communications unit, where the home network utilizes a proprietary technology but where the communications unit communicates in the home network in the standards-based technology. The system also includes a visitor location register coupled to the home network. The dual-mode mobile communications unit is provisioned as a visitor in the visitor location register of the home network.

Abstract: A wireless communication system is disclosed, including a network and a plurality of base stations coupled to the network, wherein each of the base stations are adapted to transmit only a Pilot channel information, one or more Paging channel information, and a Sync channel information using a first group of adjacent Walsh codes Win to Wi+jn, where i and j are integers, and n is the length of the Walsh codes. In the wireless communication system, the base station may be further adapted to transmit traffic channel information using a second group of adjacent Walsh codes Wi+j+1n to Wn?1n. Alternatively, the base station may be further adapted to transmit traffic channel information using a second group of adjacent Walsh codes W0n to Wi?1n. Alternatively, the base station may be further adapted to transmit traffic channel information using a second group of adjacent Walsh codes Wint(j/2+1)n/2 to Wn/2?1n/2 or W0n/2 to Wint(i/2?1)n/2.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing set-up time for walkie-talkie calls. One or more mobile units are assigned to a first paging channel and a second paging channel. A first and second slot cycle may be determined using a first and second slot cycle index, respectively. The second paging channel slot cycle is determined using a negative slot cycle index. A mobile unit can then be configured to monitor the first paging channel during the first slot cycle. Similarly, the mobile unit may also be configured to monitor the second paging channel during the second slot cycle. The first paging channel may be used to provide the mobile unit with notification of a cellular call and the second paging channel may be used to provide notification of a walkie-talkie call. The second paging channel is checked more frequently than the first paging channel.

Abstract: An address server comprising a UFMI server application adapted to allocate an inter-working UFMI to an iDEN subscriber unit and map the inter-working UFMI to an external subscriber address. The inter-working UFMI is associated with an iDEN network, and the external subscriber address is associated with an external network. The address server includes an iHLR, a data storage storing a pool of reusable iDEN UFMIs and mapped pairs of iDEN UFMIs to external subscribers. The mappings are stored on a per user, per fleet or per account basis. The data storage also stores a pool of global iDEN UFMIs. Use of the inter-working UFMIs facilitates dispatch communications between the iDEN subscriber unit and the external subscriber.

Abstract: A wireless communications system and method for use with aircraft includes an airline network and an aircraft communications system. The airline network includes a reservation system having a database storing passenger and flight information, an interface to an external network and a home location register. The reservation system includes logic for provisioning a subscriber unit and defining at least one location-based event associated with the subscriber unit. The home location register tracks the location of the subscriber unit. The aircraft communications system includes a wireless base station facilitating radio communication with the provisioned subscriber unit and a second interface to the external network. During operation, the home location register executes the location-based event when the subscriber unit's movement into the location associated with the location-based event is detected.