Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a sequence of location data points to a mapping device. A cellular mobile station uses GPS satellite signals to compute its varying location over time and outputs the location as data points in a sequence to the mapping device. If the mobile station loses satellite communication, it transitions the output sequence to a static state in which the location data points are a substantial repetition of the last location that the mobile station determined from satellite signals. Further, when the mobile station detects that it has entered into a new cellular coverage area, it obtains satellite assistance data from its cellular carrier network and uses the data to renew satellite communication. The mobile station may then transition the sequence back to a dynamic state, with location data points determined over time based on received satellite signals.

Abstract: Methods and an apparatus are provided for providing handoff information to a candidate mobile node initially served on a first carrier. The candidate mobile node may inform a wireless-communication network that hard-handoff criteria are met for the first carrier. The network may identify a plurality of neighboring mobile nodes served on a second carrier and within a threshold distance of the candidate. The network may receive a measurement of forward-link signal quality of the second carrier from each neighboring mobile node. Using the received forward-link-signal-quality measurements, the network may estimate the forward-link signal quality of the second carrier at the location of the candidate mobile node. If that estimated forward-link signal quality exceeds a signal-quality threshold, the network may provide hard-handoff information about the second carrier to the candidate mobile node.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for providing wireless service using multiple protocols on a single radio-frequency (RF) carrier. According to an embodiment, a low-cost Internet base station (LCIB) provides wireless service on an RF carrier using a first wireless-communication protocol and provides wireless service on the RF carrier using a second wireless-communication protocol, where providing wireless service on the RF carrier using the first wireless-communication protocol and providing wireless service on the RF carrier using the second wireless-communication protocol occur at different times. The LCIB may alternate between providing wireless service using the first wireless-communication protocol and providing wireless service using the second wireless-communication protocol.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring data rate requests (DRRs) transmitted from an access terminal (AT) to an access network (AN). Each DRR includes a parameter indicating whether it is a null or non-null DRR. Upon the AT transitioning to a null-DRR state, the AT and AN determine an average parameter of a given number of DRRs and compare the average to a threshold. The AT selects a time duration based on the average and starts a timer. When the timer counts to the selected duration, the AT transitions from a mode in which the AT transmits data channel traffic and other traffic to a mode in which the AT prevents transmission of data channel traffic but allows transmission of other traffic. The AN compares the average to another threshold and determines whether it should transmit forward-link traffic channel data to the AT at a null or non-null data rate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for helping to improve processing duration and successful position determination in a position-determining system. The position-determining system receives a request to determine position of a mobile station, such as a cellular wireless communication device, and the request includes a timer value indicative of the maximum allowed time for responding to the request. The position-determining system then dynamically determines how long to spend attempting a primary location-determination process, based on the indicated timer value and an expected time necessary to employ a fallback, or secondary, location-determination process. If the position-determining system fails to determine the position within the time allocated to the primary process, it resorts to application of the secondary position-determination process.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for data communication between a wireless-communication system and one or more wireless-communication devices. The wireless-communication system broadcasts a standard pilot signal over a pilot channel. The method comprises (a) the wireless-communication system transmitting a first broadcast-mode message in a coverage area of the wireless-communication system, wherein the first broadcast-mode message indicates that the wireless-communication system will be operating in an alternative broadcast mode, and (b) the wireless-communication system operating in the alternative broadcast mode. Operating in the alternative broadcast involves (i) generating a modified pilot signal comprising the standard pilot signal and a data message inserted in the standard pilot signal and (ii) broadcasting the modified pilot signal via the pilot channel, which enables a wireless-communication device receiving the modified pilot signal to extract the data message therefrom.

Abstract: A mobile node registers with a wireless telecommunications network to obtain a mobile node registration having a registration time period. Before the registration time period expires, the mobile node's registration is renewed, if a renewal criterion is met. The renewal criterion distinguishes between user data traffic and automatic data traffic.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for adjusting a forward-link power-control step size. An initial active set of coverage areas for a mobile station is maintained within which a first coverage area in the initial active set has a signal strength that is stronger than that of each of the other coverage areas in the initial active set. The first coverage area is determined to have dropped from the initial active set, resulting in a modified active set. In response, a signal-strength factor is calculated based on (a) a last non-zero signal-strength measurement of the first coverage area and (b) a second value. One or more forward-link power-control step sizes is selected based on at least the calculated factor. The one or more selected step sizes is used to increase the forward-link transmission power of at least one coverage area in the modified active set.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system in which an intermediary is provided within a communication path through which a message is transmitted from its originator to a client device, and the intermediary operates to insert into the message a target port number based at least in part on the originator of the message. In a scenario where the message originator provided or is otherwise associated with a given application group on the client device, the intermediary may thus modify the message to have the message designate as target port number the port number that the client device associates with the application group. Ultimately, when the client device receives the message, the client device would read the target port number and responsively route the message to the appropriate application or application group.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for setting up a ringback media session between a calling party and a ringback server. A signaling proxy may receive a call setup message seeking to set up a call from the calling party to a called party and responsively forward the call setup message from the signaling proxy to the called party. Thereafter, the signaling proxy may receive from the called party a reply to the call setup message indicating that the call is not yet answered by the called party. In response, the signaling proxy may send a call-forwarding initiation message to the ringback server to initiate forwarding of the call to the ringback server and setup of a ringback media session between the ringback server and the calling party. That message may include a designation of particular media that the ringback server should provide to the calling party, based on subscriber profile data.

Abstract: Exemplary methods and systems may provide a soft-inactivity notification during a VoIP call, which according to an exemplary embodiment involves a SIP session and packet-data communications between participants in the VoIP call. The method comprises (a) detecting that packet-data communications in the VoIP call have been interrupted; (b) in response to determining that the packet-data communications have been interrupted, making a determination as to whether or not the SIP session is active; (c) if the SIP session is active, then initiating a soft-inactivity notification procedure; and (d) otherwise, if the SIP session is inactive, refraining from initiating the soft-inactivity notification procedure. The soft-inactivity notification thus notifies a user that while the call has been interrupted, the call may be re-established without requiring the user to reconnect.

Abstract: A method and system for aggregate registration and transparent data notification to services during IMS registration. A network entity, such as Serving Call Session Control Function (S-CSCF) may receive an aggregate registration request that includes a plurality of service identifiers and associated service-specific data sets. The aggregate registration request is sent by a user agent or other similar program on behalf of a user. The network entity then sends a notification to each particular service of the plurality of services, including in each notification the service-specific data set for the particular service. The user may thus supply service-specific data to each service during IMS registration, obviating the need for the user to directly and separately contact each service for the purpose of supplying service-specific data.

Abstract: A messaging service node sends encoded messages to wireless devices prompting the devices to capture media (e.g., audio and/or image) and send the media file to a network address specified in the message. The service node may be managed by a wireless service provider, and provides this media capture message service for unrelated, independent entities such as insurance companies, health or medial companies, government agencies, etc. The encoded message may take the form of a Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) message, but other formats are possible. The media is preferably captured by a camera or microphone incorporated into the wireless device.

Abstract: A mobile station receives a target pilot signal transmitted by a target transmitter in a spread spectrum communication system and measures its phase. The mobile station then defines a search window to search for the target pilot signal at a later time. The mobile station defines the center point of the search window based on the previously-measured phase and the mobile station's direction of motion and speed relative to the target transmitter. If the mobile station is moving toward the target transmitter, the center point is less than the previously-measured phase by an adjustment amount. If the mobile station is moving away from the target transmitter, the center point is greater than the previously-measured phase by an adjustment amount. The adjustment amount may depend on the mobile station's speed. After the search window is defined, the mobile station uses the search window to search for the target pilot signal.

Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for setting forward-link power for an access terminal operating in a coverage area of a wireless communication system, whereby power is redistributed from access terminals operating in the same coverage area and having forward-link power in excess of their needs for maintaining acceptable service quality, to an access terminal that is in need of additional forward-link power in order to attain a desired or required level of service quality. Following a determination that a given access terminal is requesting a forward-link transmission power level that exceeds a first threshold power level, a number of other access terminals are identified as each having requested a respective decrease in forward-link transmission power level by an amount at least as large as a respective threshold amount.

Abstract: A method and system for communicating an ultra-wideband signal carrying a combined digital signal that represents digital signals for multiple communication channels of a wireless communication system. A distributed antenna system includes multiple remote antenna entities. Each remote antenna entity may include an ultra-wideband transceiver for sending or receiving the ultra-wideband signal. The multiple remote antenna entities may be spaced apart within an indoor premises so as to extend cell coverage of a base transceiver station. The ultra-wideband signal may be transmitted in a forward-link direction towards one or more wireless communication devices or in a reverse-link direction towards the base transceiver station. An aggregator within a remote antenna entity may aggregate multiple combined digital signals so as to form an aggregated combined digital signal that may be transmitted in a reverse-link direction towards the base transceiver station.

Abstract: A method for selecting a wireless coverage sector to serve a mobile station, such as in response to a handoff request that designates a sector-identifier that represents two or more possible sectors. A serving radio access network (RAN) may identify potential sectors in the region and may then select the sector whose azimuth is closest to the geographic bearing of the mobile station from the sector's base station. Further, in the event of a tie between two or more sectors or in other circumstances, the RAN may also take into consideration how close the mobile station is to various base stations, such as selecting the sector to whose base station the mobile station is closest. In a system that uses neighbor lists to govern handoff, the invention can help to facilitate handoff in a scenario where a mobile station requests handoff to a sector not listed in the mobile station's neighbor list.

Abstract: A mobile station that is fully engaged such that it cannot be connected to an incoming call without being disconnected from an existing call receives an incoming call notification. The incoming call notification may, for example, take the form of a short message system (SMS) message or a packet protocol message, such as a session initiation protocol (SIP) message. The incoming call notification may identify the calling party and may explain how to take the incoming call. If the user accepts the incoming call, the mobile station is disconnected from existing calls and connected to the incoming call.

Abstract: Elimination of intermodulation interference in a wireless communication system by removing a portion of the spectrum of transmitted signals. According to a received indication of an occurrence of intermodulation interference experienced by a narrowband receiver, mappings are performed between the predetermined narrowband channel frequency on which the narrowband receiver operates and the occupied channel frequencies of at least one broadband transmit signal. Narrowband candidate frequency ranges that linearly combine into frequencies that overlap the predetermined narrowband channel frequency are determined based on the mappings. The narrowband candidate frequency ranges that potentially contribute to the intermodulation interference are then selectively filtered by at least one notch filter until the intermodulation interference is substantially eliminated.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for dynamically varying a content download depending on whether the download is a foreground-download or a background-download. When a server receives a content-request from a device, the server determines whether the content-request is foreground-generated or background-generated and accordingly selects a set of content to transmit in response to the device. If the content-request is background-generated, for instance, the server may select a smaller quantity of content, since the device user might not be actively involved with the download. On the other hand, if the content-request is foreground-generated, the server may select a larger quantity of content, since the user is involved at the time. Alternatively, the device itself may select a location from which to request content, based on whether the download is a foreground-download or a background-download.