Patents Assigned to Nextel Communications Inc.
  • Patent number: 8270968
    Abstract: Systems and methods for handoff of a mobile node between first and second points of attachment are provided. A communication between a first and second mobile node is optimized and conducted independent of a home agent. During the handoff process the communications directed to the mobile node performing the handoff are routed to the mobile node's home agent. Once the handoff process is complete the communication is again optimized and conducted independent of home agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Nextel Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Wall, Sid Chaudhuri
  • Patent number: 8270995
    Abstract: A reservation is made over a wireless network for a group-based activity, such as golf, using a network-independent composite application. The composite application registers with a geo-fencing application, and receives notifications from the geo-fencing application when certain triggering criteria have been satisfied. In certain embodiments, the triggering criteria relate to the presence of target subscriber within a predetermined area. The availability of certain target subscribers is also determined and, if available, such target subscribers are provided with the opportunity to opt-in to the group-based activity. A reservation may be automatically made for the group-based activity using an online reservation application for target subscribers who chose to participate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Nextel Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Arun Manroa, Ojas T. Choksi
  • Patent number: 8254876
    Abstract: Systems and methods for a wireless communication network to support dispatch communications with a dispatch communication client located outside of the wireless communication network are provided. The dispatch communication network includes one or more application services gateways (ASGs) for supporting dispatch communication clients located outside of the wireless communication network. Systems and methods for registering, and tracking the location of, dispatch communication clients, located outside of a wireless communication network, with the wireless communication network are provided. Additionally, systems and methods for selecting a dispatch communication gateway, and for allowing a dispatch communication client, located in a private network, to perform voice dispatch communication with a wireless communication network are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Nextel Communications, Inc.
    Inventor: Ojas T. Choksi
  • Patent number: 8244290
    Abstract: Methods and computer-readable mediums for processing push-to-talk voice messages are provided. According to one method, a first mobile station receives a push-to-talk voice message from a second mobile station, determines that a data object is attached to the push-to-talk voice message, determines a type of the data object, and stores the data object in a PTT attachment queue of the first mobile station, based upon the determined type of the data object, which may be a picture, video data, audio data, e-mail, document, contact, or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Nextel Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Mike Gailloux, John Everson, Kenneth W. Samson, Jeffrey Dillon
  • Patent number: 8244215
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for communicating using a plurality of identities is disclosed. The method includes communicating on a mobile communications device using a first identity having an associated first content and communicating using a second identity having an associated second content. The apparatus includes a processor for communicating with a communications network using the first identity having the associated first content and using the second identity having the associated second content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Nextel Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Delaet, John McCloskey, Peter Agnvall, Shane David Chapman
  • Patent number: 8238883
    Abstract: Systems and methods for connecting calls of different communication technologies are provided. A communications network component includes a radio frequency unit and a baseband processing unit. The baseband processing unit operates as a software-defined radio baseband processing unit. The baseband processing unit can be programmed to support connections between two or more communication technologies, and can control the radio frequency unit to communicate over the appropriate frequency bands with originating and destination communication stations. The communication technology of the originating or destination communication stations is a high performance push-to-talk (HPPTT) or WiMAX-based technology, and the communication technology of the other communication station can be a land mobile radio, satellite, public switched telephone network, or iDEN communication technology.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Nextel Communications, Inc.
    Inventor: Don Gunasekara
  • Patent number: 8238980
    Abstract: A communications device, and a method for efficient utilization of multiple radio access technologies in the communications device, is disclosed. The communications device includes a plurality of radios, where each of the plurality of radios is communicable with a respective one of a plurality of radio access technologies. The communications device attempts to extract control channel information from a radio access technology assigned a highest priority in a first geographic area by a radio associated with the highest priority radio access technology in the first geographic area and, if the control channel information for the highest priority radio access technology in the first geographic area is extracted by the radio associated with the highest priority radio access technology in the first geographic area, the communications device does not enable a second radio associated with a second lower priority radio access technology in the first geographic area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Nextel Communications, Inc.
    Inventor: Alex Shusterman
  • Patent number: 8238833
    Abstract: Network device operability testing is performed by defining a universe of possible device states as a combination of network coverages, available network services and possible subscriber features. In one embodiment, each individual combination of network coverage, for a particular service and feature collectively defines a particular device state for operability testing purposes. In one embodiment, test point data may be generated, where each test point corresponds to the device's operability for a particular device state. In another embodiment, state transitions and test point data may be represented as a node-based device state tree, which may navigated for pinpointing the nature and cause of device operability failures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Nextel Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Arsalan Mehmood, Joseph Zangara, Nathan Klonoski
  • Patent number: 8229461
    Abstract: A method and a system for providing location information are provided. A location server receives a request for location information for the mobile station. The request includes an identifier for the mobile station. The location server determines whether the mobile station is at an enclosing location object by searching a location server database in response to the request. When the location server determines that the mobile station is at the enclosing location object, the location server obtains the enclosing location object from the location server database independent of a location request being sent to the mobile station, and provides the enclosing location object as the location of the mobile station. A sensor can be used to determine whether the mobile station is at the enclosing location object, and the location server database can be updated based on the sensor information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Nextel Communications, Inc.
    Inventor: Arun Manroa
  • Patent number: 8229479
    Abstract: Systems and methods for multimedia messaging are provided. When a multimedia messaging service center (MMS-C) receives an MMS message for an intended recipient, the MMS-C forms an MMS notification message that includes the MMS message. The MMS-C then sends the MMS notification message to an intended recipient independent of receipt of a retrieval request from the recipient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Nextel Communications, Inc.
    Inventor: Erich J. Izdepski
  • Patent number: 8224241
    Abstract: Wireless communication is provided using very low frequency signals to environments that are otherwise difficult to reach. In one embodiment, a mobile wireless system is configured to automatically orient its antenna. A monitoring module is used to detect a current signal strength of a received radio frequency signal, as well as a current position for the mobile system. This information is compared to an expected signal strength for the current position in order to determine if the antenna should be adjusted or otherwise realigned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Nextel Communications Inc.
    Inventors: Don Gunasekara, Tom Wilson
  • Publication number: 20120134352
    Abstract: A method of enabling a push-to-talk (PTT) connection between a first user on a first network and a second user on a second network is provided. According to the method, a web application registration server on the first network receives and authenticates login information from the first user, forwards the login information to a PTT server, and assigns a temporary network identity from a pre-allocated pool of network identities to a client of the first user. After the PTT registration has been authenticated, a PTT call may be conducted between the first user and the second user. The first network may be an internet protocol-based network. The second network is a multiple-access network for cellular devices, such as a Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) network or any other wireless network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: Nextel Communications, Inc.
    Inventor: Trinh D. Vu
  • Patent number: 8190084
    Abstract: Systems and methods of supporting a communication session are provided. A first endpoint is authenticated with a terrestrial wireless communication network, wherein the first endpoint is in wireless communication with a satellite communication network. A quality of service is determined for communications exchanged between the first endpoint and a second endpoint supported by the terrestrial communication network. Communications are exchanged between the first and second endpoints in accordance with the determined quality of service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Nextel Communications Inc.
    Inventor: Don Gunasekara
  • Patent number: 8190672
    Abstract: A system for posting web logging (blog) messages, retrieving blog messages, and being notified of the posting of blog messages by way of dispatch communications. The system includes a wireless communication system capable of setting up dispatch communications links between subscriber units and a dispatch server. The dispatch server interfaces with a blog server. Using dispatch communications, subscriber units may send messages to the blog server for posting by way of the dispatch server, may receive notification of the posting of messages from the blog server by way of the dispatch server, and may retrieve messages from the blog server by way of the dispatch server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Nextel Communications Inc.
    Inventors: Erich Joseph Izdepski, Ojas Thakor Choksi
  • Patent number: 8185574
    Abstract: A system for posting web logging (blog) messages, retrieving blog messages, and being notified of the posting of blog messages by way of dispatch communications. The system includes a wireless communication system capable of setting up dispatch communications links between subscriber units and a dispatch server. The dispatch server interfaces with a blog server. Using dispatch communications, subscriber units may send messages to the blog server for posting by way of the dispatch server, may receive notification of the posting of messages from the blog server by way of the dispatch server, and may retrieve messages from the blog server by way of the dispatch server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Nextel Communications Inc.
    Inventors: Erich Joseph Izdepski, Ojas Thakor Choksi
  • Patent number: 8185144
    Abstract: In a method for managing a target system from a Push-to-Talk station, a Gateway receives a request to manage the target system from the Push-to-Talk station. The request includes an identifier for the Push-to-Talk station and an identifier for the target system. A push-to-talk call session is established between the Push-to-Talk station and the Gateway. A second communication session is established between the target system and the Gateway using an appropriate protocol supported by the target system. The Gateway Transformer translates messages from the Push-to-Talk station into formats and protocols registered for use with the Push-to-Talk station for controlling and querying the target system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Nextel Communications Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan Wick, Raymond Reeves, Hung Kien Du, John Jones
  • Patent number: 8185575
    Abstract: A system for posting web logging (blog) messages, retrieving blog messages, and being notified of the posting of blog messages by way of dispatch communications. The system includes a wireless communication system capable of setting up dispatch communications links between subscriber units and a dispatch server. The dispatch server interfaces with a blog server. Using dispatch communications, subscriber units may send messages to the blog server for posting by way of the dispatch server, may receive notification of the posting of messages from the blog server by way of the dispatch server, and may retrieve messages from the blog server by way of the dispatch server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Nextel Communications Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Joseph Izdepski, Ojas Thakor Choksi
  • Patent number: 8185573
    Abstract: A system for posting web logging (blog) messages, retrieving blog messages, and being notified of the posting of blog messages by way of dispatch communications. The system includes a wireless communication system capable of setting up dispatch communications links between subscriber units and a dispatch server. The dispatch server interfaces with a blog server. Using dispatch communications, subscriber units may send messages to the blog server for posting by way of the dispatch server, may receive notification of the posting of messages from the blog server by way of the dispatch server, and may retrieve messages from the blog server by way of the dispatch server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Nextel Communications Inc.
    Inventors: Erich Joseph Izdepski, Ojas Thakor Choksi
  • Patent number: 8175063
    Abstract: Systems and methods for Walsh code assignment are provided. In accordance with the disclosed exemplary embodiments, when a set of mobile communication units (MU) is in a control/hold state, instead of a base transceiver station (BTS) assigning Walsh codes for respective dedicated control channels (dcch ) to the set of mobile communication units (MU) on a one-to-one basis, the base transceiver station (BTS) circulates the Walsh codes among the set of mobile communication units (MU). Thus, at a given time, the base transceiver station (BTS) has assigned the available Walsh codes to only a subset of the mobile communication units (MU) in the control/hold state. Accordingly, this Walsh code assignment allows the system to support more mobile communication units (MU) in the control/hold state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Nextel Communications Inc.
    Inventors: Nagi A. Mansour, Shane David Chapman
  • Patent number: 8170036
    Abstract: Systems and methods of exchanging voice chat information are provided. Voice chat information is received and the received voice chat information is placed into one or more packets. A control channel is selected and the one or more packets are transmitted over the selected control channel. The voice chat information can be transmitted in short messaging service (SMS) packets over the control channel. Moreover, voice chat information is exchanged between first and second communication stations by way of a SMS gateway, and media and signaling information are exchanged between the first and second communication stations independent on the SMS gateway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Nextel Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Don Gunasekara, Tom Wilson