Abstract: Methods and systems for assisting customers in retail stores are described. The method comprises obtaining one or more assistance requests from a customer mobile device. The one or more assistance requests include customer device location and assistance information. Further, the assistance information includes at least one of a customer image, a text message, a video, and an audio. The method further comprises analyzing the one or more assistance requests to obtain assistance details. The assistance details include customer data and store associate data. Further, the method comprises transmitting the customer data and the store associate data to store associate mobile devices and the customer mobile device respectively for assisting the customer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for enabling customer self-checkout using a portable device. The system allows the customer to walk in to a retail store, check out items at the store, pay for the goods and present a proof of payment at the store exit. Thus the invention asserts the possibility of having unmanned stores and benefits the stores and the customers alike. The store benefits by not having to invest in separate space, terminal and employees for check out process, while the customers benefits by not having to wait in queue to check out their goods and pay for the same.

Abstract: A communication unit (10) with dual-mode operating capability comprises: a receiver (203, 204) and a transmitter (207, 208) for supporting an initial connection with another communication unit (12) on a first wireless network (16, 18, 20); and a controller (205), coupled to and controlling the receiver and transmitter, to maintain the initial connection and receive messages from or send messages to the other communications unit to effectuate a new connection over a second wireless network (11). A corresponding method includes while participating in an initial connection (302) detecting availability of a new connection (304) and establishing the new connection by exchanging messages between the communication units over the initial connection (310, 312).

Abstract: A method of synchronizing packet rates in a voice over internet protocol system in accordance with one embodiment comprising sending a first parameter from an offering node (100) to an answering node (104), the first parameter indicative of a first rate at which the offering node wants to receive packets (300); and sending a second parameter from the offering node to the answering node, the second parameter indicative of a second rate which the offering node wants to send packets (302).

Abstract: During (101) a communication session for a plurality of user platforms wherein at least one of the user platforms is on hold and wherein the communication session is presently occurring in a first network and is terminable by a Session Initiation Protocol server as comprises a part of that first network, one establishes (102) in the first network a Session Initiation Protocol instance as corresponds to the communication session wherein the Session Initiation Protocol instance comprises, at least in part, session context information for the user platform that is on hold. Then, following a handoff of bearer support of the communication session from the first network to a second network, one uses (104) the Session Initiation Protocol instance to maintain the hold status of the user platform that is on hold with the Session Initiation Protocol server subsequent to the handoff such that the Session Initiation Protocol server does not terminate the communication session.

Abstract: During a communication session (101) for a multi-network user platform (which communication session is presently occurring in a first network and is terminable by a Session Initiation Protocol server as comprises a part of that first network), one establishes (102) in the first network a Session Initiation Protocol instance as corresponds to the communication session. Thereafter, and particularly following a handoff of the communication session from the first network to a second network, one uses (104) the Session Initiation Protocol instance to maintain communications with the Session Initiation Protocol server such that the Session Initiation Protocol server does not terminate the communication session.

Abstract: A dual-band wireless subscriber unit (SU) (112) having an enterprise address of E1 and a cellular address of C1, corresponding method (200), software program (310–320), and WLAN (104) determines (202) that the SU is about to leave a wireless local area network (WLAN) (104). In response, when the SU is involved in a call on E1, the SU sends (212, 208) to the WLAN a SIP message, for example a Refer message with a “Refer To” field of C1 if an ongoing call or a SIP Redirect message with a contact address of C1 if a new call is attempting to begin on E1. In response to receiving either message, the WLAN seamlessly transfers (210, 214) the call to C1.

Abstract: A system and method switches between an active call and a call on hold when handing off a mobile station (204) from a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) (202). A Handover Starting message is received from a mobile station. The Handover Starting message includes at least one first identifier. A Notification message is also received. The Notification message includes a second identifier. The at least one first identifier is compared to the second identifier and a handover of the mobile station (204) proceeds when a match is determined. Subsequently, the mobile station (204) switches from an active call to a call on hold.

Abstract: Information regarding the present location of a dual-mode (or multi-mode) mobile station with respect to a plurality of communication systems is timely maintained by facilitating automated contact information modifications via, for example, a mobility management server (30). In a preferred approach, upon receiving a message (11) evidencing the supported presence of a mobile station in a first communication system comprising a wireless wide area network, one automatically responds (12) by modifying such contact information as is retained in a Session Initiation Protocol registrar. Testing (21) can be utilized to assure the propriety of making such alterations and/or deletions.

Abstract: A method (600,700) and apparatus (800) are arranged and operate for facilitating call routing between sites in an enterprise connected by a private IP network (130). A range of identifiers (220-223) served by IP PBXs (120-123) in the enterprise may be registered with a SIP registrar (212) of an inter-site router (210). Call requests to a communication unit (350) outside the home site are routed to the SIP registrar. A site identifier associated with the destination IP PBX allows the call to be completed by the SIP Proxy or the IP PBX where the call was received. When no private IP network is available, a roaming CU registers with a cellular proxy in the visited network. Calls are routed by when an HLR (340) associated with the CU obtains the roaming number from the cellular proxy (330) in the visited site. The MSC completes the call to the visited IP PBX using the roaming number and a local SIP registrar 440 forwards the call to the CU.

Abstract: Fast call set-up for a call to a multi-mode communication unit (102) is facilitated by a method and apparatus for registering and re-registering priorities with a SIP registrar (111). A list of contacts with first priorities associated with a mode of operation in a first enterprise network (106) is established and used. A switch to second priorities is made when a probability of a switch from the first mode of operation to a second mode of operation in a second cellular network (108) satisfies a threshold. The list of contacts includes a contact having an expiration time for the first mode of operation. A quality factor is determined and the list of contacts is re-registered and the expiration time changed if the quality factor does not satisfy a threshold.

Abstract: Fixed network equipment associated with a given private branch exchange provides, and a mobile communication device receives, information that corresponds to compatible interoperation with that private branch exchange, including, for example, a plurality of identifiers including a logical identifier that corresponds to compatible interaction with the private branch exchange. Thereafter, when seeking facilitation of services via that private branch exchange, the mobile communication device can use that logical identifier.

Abstract: A wireless communication unit (101) is operable to reformat dialed numbers according to dialing plans for a plurality of communication networks (103, 107, 109), where the unit comprises a transceiver (201) for communicating with any of the plurality of communication networks; a user interface (211) operable to provide a number corresponding to a target unit (102, 102?) to be called; and a controller (209) implementing a corresponding method to provide a reformatted number (FIG. 3) corresponding to the number and according to a preference that is specific to the wireless communication unit, where the reformatted number is compatible with a dialing plan for a communication network that will be used to place a call to the target unit.

Abstract: A mobility-unaware mobile node (MN) (112) in a visited subnet (110) different from its home subnet (108) sends (302) an ARP Request to discover a first MAC address of a device in the home subnet, the ARP Request containing an IP address assigned to the device. A software program, designated host (106) in the visited subnet and corresponding method of assisting the MN (112) receives (304) the ARP Request, and determines that the IP address does not belong to the visited subnet. In response, the designated host returns (310) an ARP Response containing its own MAC address, which the mobile node will assume to be the MAC address of the device in the home subnet and use for sending packets to the device.

Abstract: A home agent (104, 108) and a foreign agent (110, 114) in a wireless communication system (100) establish (202) a special communications channel (140-154) between themselves, the special communications channel dedicated to messages addressed to multiple mobile nodes. The home agent then detects (206) whether a message received by the home agent is addressed to multiple mobile nodes. When the message is addressed to multiple mobile nodes, the home agent sends (208) the message to the foreign agent through the special communications channel.

Abstract: A dual-band wireless subscriber unit (SU) (112) having an enterprise address of E1 and a cellular address of C1, corresponding method (200), software program (310-320), and WLAN (104) determines (202) that the SU is about to leave a wireless local area network (WLAN) (104). In response, when the SU is involved in a call on E1, the SU sends (212, 208) to the WLAN a SIP message, for example a Refer message with a “Refer To” field of C1 if an ongoing call or a SIP Redirect message with a contact address of C1 if a new call is attempting to begin on E1. In response to receiving either message, the WLAN seamlessly transfers (210, 214) the call to C1.

Abstract: A communication unit (10) with dual-mode operating capability comprises: a receiver (203, 204) and a transmitter (207, 208) for supporting an initial connection with another communication unit (12) on a first wireless network (16, 18, 20); and a controller (205), coupled to and controlling the receiver and transmitter, to maintain the initial connection and receive messages from or send messages to the other communications unit to effectuate a new connection over a second wireless network (11). A corresponding method includes while participating in an initial connection (302) detecting availability of a new connection (304) and establishing the new connection by exchanging messages between the communication units over the initial connection (310, 312).