Abstract: A method of selecting a type of resource-allocation to use for a call in a cellular wireless system, such as selecting a type of radio configuration to use for the call. According to the method, resource-availability in one more adjacent coverage areas may be used as a basis to select the type of resource-allocation to use in a current coverage area. For instance, given the choice between a radio configuration that consumes less base station power and a radio configuration that consumes more base station power, the radio configuration consuming more base station power may be selected if base station sufficient power is available in one or more adjacent coverage area(s), and the other radio configuration may be selected if insufficient base station power is available in the one or more adjacent coverage area(s). Distance between the mobile station and a current base station may be considered as well.

Abstract: A multi-mode mobile station is able to wirelessly communicate with a wireless wide area network (WWAN) and with a wireless local area network (WLAN). The WLAN includes a “virtual” visitor location register (VVLR) for storing information about multi-mode mobile stations being served by the WLAN. The VVLR communicates with a home location register (HLR) in the WWAN in order to facilitate roaming between the WWAN and WLAN by the multi-mode mobile station.

Abstract: Methods and systems for adaptive hybrid automatic repeat request (H-ARQ) protocols are disclosed. The protocols preferably adapt to changing network conditions between a client node and an access node by omitting the transmission of certain messages when network conditions are determined to be favorable. In doing so, packets are processed faster, thus reducing communication latency as well as the memory requirements of the protocols. One scenario in which the protocols may operate is where the client node is a wireless communication device coupled to the access node via a wireless network. In such a scenario, the access node may, from time to time, measure a quality of the wireless air interface between the client node and the access node, and determine whether to transmit an acknowledgement message based on the outcome of the measurement as compared to a threshold value.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for monitoring vehicular traffic congestion through the use of inter-vehicle communication and traffic chain counters. Data packets including counter, vehicle identification, direction, location, and speed information are transmitted between vehicles via short-range wireless communications. A receiving vehicle edits a data packet if the data packet reflects that the receiving vehicle has not yet edited the packet and is traveling in substantially the same direction as the vehicle which transmitted the packet to the receiving vehicle. If a receiving vehicle is the last vehicle to edit a packet, the receiving vehicle transmits a reporting packet to a traffic monitoring server via long-range wireless communications.

Abstract: A method to facilitate determination of an extent to which payment should be exchanged between the access provider and the content provider for delivery of content items to the client stations. Each client station will be provisioned with a list of available content items, including for each a flag and/or other data specifying whether the content item is payable or non-payable. When the client station sends a content request seeking a particular one of the content items, the client station includes the flag or other data. As the content request passes through the access provider's system on the way to the content provider, the access provider then reads the flag or other data to determine whether the content item is payable and perhaps an applicable payment amount. The access provider may thereby maintain a count of payable content transactions and/or other data to facilitate proper payment.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for manually configuring low-cost Internet-base-station (LCIB) coverage using an associated mobile station. In an embodiment, an LCIB receives a user command of a first type, responsively enters a coverage-configuration mode, and then receives from a mobile station a series of user commands of a second type, each instructing the LCIB to engage in a power-calibration call with the mobile station. Responsively, the LCIB engages in a respective series of power-calibration calls with the mobile station, each call comprising the LCIB identifying a minimum transmission-power level at which a forward-link frame error rate (FFER) for the mobile station is less than a FFER threshold. The LCIB sets a transmission-power level for a pilot beacon (i.e. configures its coverage) based at least in part on the maximum transmission-power level among the minimum transmission-power levels identified while engaging in the series of power-calibration calls.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transitioning between radio link protocols in a packet-based real-time media communication system. A wireless communication device such as a cell phone will operate under one radio link protocol (such as IS-856, also known as 1xEV-DO) to engage in packet-based signaling for setup of a packet-based real-time media session such as a push-to-talk session. Once the session is set up, the wireless communication device will then automatically transition to operate under a different radio link protocol (such as IS-2000, also known as 1xRTT), and will engage in packet-based real-time media communication in the session over that different radio link protocol. Preferably, the radio link protocol used for session setup signaling will provide for reduced setup latency, while the radio link protocol used for bearer communication in the session will provide for reduced jitter and improved real-time media communication.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for mitigating interference by low-cost Internet-base-station (LCIB) pilot beacons with macro-network communications. In one embodiment, an LCIB transmits a pilot beacon on the forward link of a carrier at a first power level. While transmitting the pilot beacon on the forward link of the first carrier, the LCIB measures a current reverse-noise rise (RNR) on the reverse link of the carrier. The LCIB determines that the current RNR is greater than an RNR threshold, and responsively transmits the pilot beacon on the carrier at a second power level, which is lower than the first power level.

Abstract: A network node in a communication path between a client station and a web content server determines or estimates a power consumption level associated with particular web content requested by the client station. The client station is preferably a wireless communications device operating on battery power. Based on the current battery level in the device, the battery type or total capacity, user preferences and determined or estimated power consumption level, the node sends a power consumption notification to the client station, either prior to or simultaneously with the transmission of the web content. The notification message alerts the user to the possibility of their battery being drawn down to a low level if they download the content, and thus allows the user to abort the download to preserve battery capacity.

Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for reactively managing dropped calls in a wireless communication system. A mobile station determines that it has experienced a dropped call. In response, the mobile station allows a user to continue communicating, such as by recording the user's speech, for instance. The mobile station may then play out the recorded speech to the user or to another call participant, such as upon reestablishment of the call.

Abstract: A method and system for actually identifying a source of real-time media within an RTP stream. A sending node such as a client station or conference server inserts into an RTP header of at least one packet of the RTP stream an actual identification of the media source, such as a text representation of the name or e-mail address of a user who provided the media or a phone number of the station that provided the media. For instance, the sending node could insert the actual identification into an RTP header extension. A receiving node can then receive the RTP stream, read the actual identification from the RTP header, and present the actual identification to a user while playing out the underlying media to the user.

Abstract: A method and system for securely conveying patient medical information to a medical service person is described. The conveyance may be conditional upon authentication of a unique code associated with a patient apparatus and a unique code associated with a medical service person apparatus. The patient medical information may be stored in a network server accessible by a medical information provider and conveyed in encrypted form to a medical service person apparatus via a patient apparatus. The medical information may be conveyed to the patient apparatus via a cellular communication and then conveyed to the medical service person's apparatus via a short-range direct wireless connection such as BLUETOOTH or Wi-Fi. Once present on the medical service person's apparatus, the medical information may decrypted and displayed.

Abstract: A base station (BS) and method to reduce RF interference by a carrier. The BS includes a first power amplifier (PA) that emits a first carrier, a second PA that emits a second carrier, a processor, and data storage containing program instructions. The BS is operable in a first state in which the first PA is on and the second PA is off and a second state in which the first and second PAs are on. Execution of the instructions while the BS operates in the first state cause the processor to determine that the BS receives a mobile station communication and cause the BS to operate in the second state, and while the BS operates in the second state, cause the processor to determine that no mobile stations are registered as being authorized to be served by the BS and cause the BS to operate in the first state.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method and system, in which a network entity determines that an HTTP response destined to a client station contains a markup document that references at least one object but that the HTTP response does not contain the object. In response, in addition to sending the HTTP response to the client station, the network entity will send to the client station a supplemental HTTP response that contains the object, without the client station sending a request for the object. By avoiding the need for the client station to send a request for the object, the extent of HTTP communication by the client station is reduced. In the situation where the client station is a wireless handset or other wireless communication device, the method is particularly advantageous, as the method can reduce the number of air interface communications and can thus help to conserve valuable air interface resources.

Abstract: A system in which a user (e.g., equipment operator) can readily configure a logging system to log desired information regarding a network platform (e.g., one or more pieces of network equipment), rather than restricting the user to select just one of a plurality of logging levels defined programmatically by the platform manufacturer. The system will provide the user with an interface through which the user can readily define one or more logging levels and, for a given logging level, the particular information that the system is to log. Particular information to be logged may include particular messages that would pass to, from, through, or within the platform, particular parameters of those messages, particular platform status or platform settings, and so forth.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for dynamically adjusting forward-link transmission power in a cellular wireless communication system. A base station controller (BSC) or other radio network entity determines that a given cell sector a given sector is serving at least one active mobile station while no other sector in a cluster of sectors associated with the given sector is also serving at least one active mobile station. In response, the BSC dynamically increases the pilot transmit power in the given sector to a level beyond the sector's normal (full) transmit power, in an effort to increase requested data transmission speed in the sector.

Abstract: A method and system for triggering installation of program logic on a machine, such as a PC. A server transmits installation-trigger logic to a wireless communication device (WCD), which the WCD stores in its data storage. When the WCD becomes connected with a PC, the PC views the WCD as a mass-storage drive, and the PC reads and executes the installation-trigger logic in the same manner that a PC would run an AUTORUN file on a conventional mass-storage drive. Per the installation-trigger logic, the PC then downloads and installs a designated software program. The PC then sends an installation-notice to the server, and the server responsively sends a cancellation-message to the WCD. In response to the cancellation-message, the WCD then deletes or otherwise disables the installation-trigger logic, so that the process will not be repeated the next time the WCD is connected with the PC.

Abstract: When a mobile node hands off to a new network access server/foreign agent (NAS/FA) and establishes a data link layer connection with the new NAS/FA, the NAS/FA will determine whether the mobile node is registered with a preferred home agent. If not, the NAS/FA will force the mobile node to hand off to the preferred home agent, while maintaining the data link layer connection with the mobile node.

Abstract: A telecommunications network includes multiple media messaging systems, such as voicemail platforms. A translation server stores messaging system data that associates each mailbox with a routing address (e.g., an IP address) that can be used to reach the media messaging system that hosts the mailbox. The translation server receives a translation request that includes an identification of a destination mailbox and a service code. The service code indicates that a routing address for a media messaging system is being requested. In response to the translation request, the translation server obtains from the messaging system data the routing address associated with the media messaging system that hosts the destination mailbox, and the translation server returns the routing address in a translation response. The routing address may then be used to send a call or to send a media message to the media messaging system that hosts the destination mailbox.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for encapsulating upper layers of CDMA signaling messages between a multi-mode device and a signaling gateway. In an exemplary embodiment, a multi-mode device has a CDMA mode and a Wi-Fi mode. In Wi-Fi mode, the device generates an upper-layer portion of a CDMA signaling message. The device then encapsulates the first upper-layer portion in at least one packet-switched-protocol, such as SIP. The device then transmits the encapsulated upper-layer portion of the CDMA signaling message via a Wi-Fi network and a packet-switched network to a signaling gateway, which then translates the upper-layer portion into an SS7 message, and transmits the SS7 message over an SS7 network.