Abstract: To address the need for faster location determination by GPS-equipped units, this application describes embodiments of the present invention that provide GPS-assist data to a remote unit (110) that is determining its location. This GPS assist data is relative to a central point of a grid element that contains the particular remote unit. The grid element is a geographical area within which a predetermined number of GPS satellites are viewable from anywhere within the grid element. By providing GPS-assist data for a grid element, the remote unit receives GPS-assist data sufficiently local in nature to help it determine its location more quickly. Also, because there are significantly fewer grid elements than cell sites over a region such as the US, the maintenance of current GPS-assist data on a grid element basis requires less network bandwidth than it would on a cell site basis.

Abstract: A method of updating Global Positioning System almanac data includes steps for obtaining a current satellite almanac for a satellite constellation at a server in a communications infrastructure associated with a wireless device (102), creating a subset of the current satellite almanac in the server that includes satellite almanac data only for fewer than all satellites listed in the current satellite almanac (104), and transmitting the subset of the current satellite almanac from the server to the wireless device (106).

Abstract: A method of updating Global Positioning System almanac data includes steps for obtaining a current satellite almanac for a satellite constellation at a server in a communications infrastructure associated with a wireless device (102), creating a subset of the current satellite almanac in the server that includes satellite almanac data only for fewer than all satellites listed in the current satellite almanac (104), and transmitting the subset of the current satellite almanac from the server to the wireless device (106).

Abstract: To address the need for faster location determination by GPS-equipped units, this application describes embodiments of the present invention that provide GPS-assist data to a remote unit (110) that is determining its location. This GPS assist data is relative to a central point of a grid element that contains the particular remote unit. The grid element is a geographical area within which the same 12 or more GPS satellites are viewable from anywhere within the grid element. By providing GPS-assist data for a grid element, the remote unit receives GPS-assist data sufficiently local in nature to help it determine its location more quickly. Also, because there are significantly fewer grid elements than cell sites over a region such as the US, the maintenance of current GPS-assist data on a grid element basis requires less network bandwidth than it would on a cell site basis.

Abstract: A subscriber unit (102) monitors a percentage of slots in a control channel (108) for a time period, and determines a utilization of the control channel (108) during the time period based upon the percentage of slots monitored. A percentage of slots in the control channel 108 to monitor for a page during a subsequent time period is selected based upon the utilization of the control channel (108) during the time period. The percentage of slots monitored during the subsequent time period may be adjusted based upon relative usage of page types in the control channel (408), recent call activity (410), and received signal strength (412).

Abstract: A communication system (101) provides a subscriber unit (105) with access to an information network (130) through gateway equipment (110) that is coupled to a network server (120). The subscriber unit (105) transmits to the gateway equipment (110) a request for data from the information network (130). The gateway equipment (110) communicates the request in a message to the network server (120), the message including an identifier for the originating subscriber unit. The network server (120) retrieves data corresponding to the request from the information network (130), and conveys this data to the subscriber unit (105) using the identifier. Preferably, the network server (120) communicates with the subscriber unit (105) via a message service (140) that provides external access to the communication system (101).

Abstract: A radio communication system (100) includes equipment (112) that manages communication initiated at a subscriber unit (122) and targeted at another subscriber unit (124). At the initiating subscriber unit, a communication mode is selected (410) from among multiple communication modes supported by the target subscriber unit. A mode independent identifier is obtained (420) for the target subscriber unit, and transmitted (430) to the system equipment along with the selected communication mode. The system equipment uses information based on the mode independent identifier to access (510, 520) the target subscriber unit. The system equipment then operates to enable (530, 540) the communication mode at the target subscriber unit, and to establish (550) communication between the initiating and target subscriber units.

Abstract: A subscriber (510) to a radio communication system acquires new neighbor cell information after switching to a new server site (530) during lulls in an ongoing communication session. In one embodiment, the new server site (530) broadcasts neighbor cell list information during lulls in the communication activity on the communication channel in an unsolicited manner (710, 720). In an alternative embodiment, the subscriber (510) first transmits a request to the server site for neighbor cell list information during a lull in communication activity (810, 820). The server site (530) responds by transmitting neighbor cell list information during one or more lulls in communication activity on the communication channel (830, 840).

Abstract: A radio communication system (100) has a subscriber unit (150) that operates to reduce registration requirements, particularly for power up operations. The subscriber unit (150) saves communication environment information before powering down, and restores the stored communication environment upon a subsequent power up, if the stored environment is deemed current (200, 300). Preferably, the subscriber unit (150) provides notification to the system of its powered up / down status (230, 335). The subscriber unit may complete a full power up registration process if the stored communication environment is determined to be outdated (360).