Abstract: A network communication entity (e.g., an access terminal, access network and/or application server) obtains a location associated with a given access terminal that is attempting to participate in a given communication service, obtains a priority level of the given access terminal, determines a given level of service restriction for the given access terminal's participation in the given communication service based on the obtained location and the obtained priority level and restricts the given access terminal's participation in the given communication service based on the given level of service restriction. In an example, the priority levels can be established such that low-priority access terminals obtain a first level of service restriction within a defined location region, and a second level of service restriction outside of the defined location region, whereas high-priority access terminals obtain the first level of service restriction both inside and outside of the defined location region.

Abstract: In an embodiment, an originating device sends a request, to a server, to initiate a full-duplex session with a target device. Responsive to the full-duplex request, a half-duplex session is set-up from the originating device to the target device before the full-duplex session is set-up. The target device indicates its acceptance of the half-duplex session, receives half-duplex media from the originating device and selectively indicates its acceptance of the full-duplex session. In another embodiment, during a session currently supported either by half-duplex or full-duplex, the server arbitrating the session receives a request from one of the session participants to transition the session to another duplex-type. The server then selectively transitions the duplex-type of the session.

Abstract: Methods, systems and devices are provided for presenting event feedback information regarding participants to an event. A first radio of a first participant device carried by a first participant receives a first checkpoint communication from a checkpoint device at a first checkpoint located along a first course of the event. The first checkpoint communication includes a first checkpoint identifier and a first event time reflecting when the first participant crossed the first checkpoint. A first checkpoint event time is determined based upon the first checkpoint identifier and the first event time. Also, the first checkpoint event time is displayed on the first participant device. Further, a checkpoint device and an event server may be used to in presenting the event feedback information.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a UE transmits information regarding its local environment to a WWAN-based application server. The application server generates a list of WLAN APs that are in a vicinity of the UE based on the local environment information. The application server sends, to the UE, WLAN AP selection assistance information (SAI) that includes at least the list of WLAN APs and (ii) navigation information by which the UE can navigate to the listed WLAN APs. The UE receives the SAI and provides a user of the UE with directions to a selected WLAN AP based on the SAI. In another embodiment, a communication entity advertises a UE's connection to a WLAN AP along with information related to an estimated duration of the UE's connection. Another communication entity receives the connection advertisement and determines whether to transmit data to the UE based on the advertisement.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a user equipment (UE) determines that a current serving network is associated with a network support zone of a given type, wherein network support zones of different types are characterized by different levels of support for a multimedia client application configured to manage server-arbitrated communication sessions at the UE. The UE loads zone-specific network procedures for supporting the multimedia client application within the network support zone of the given type, and then executes the zone-specific network procedures at the UE. In another embodiment, an application server determines that the current serving network of the UE is associated with the network support zone of the given type. The application server selects zone-specific network parameters and/or features based on the determination, and then interacts with the multimedia client application within the network support zone of the given type with the selected zone-specific network parameters and/or features.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a call originator sends, to an application server, a request to initiate a given communication session with at least one call target, the received request configured to indicate to the application server that the given communication session is associated with a high-priority. The application server configures a call announcement to force the at least one call target to accept the given communication session, and transmits the configured call announcement to the at least one call target. The at least one call target receives the call announcement, and determines that the call announcement is configured to force the given access terminal to accept the given communication session. Responsive to the determination, the at least one call target transmits an acknowledgment to the call announcement that indicates that the at least one call target has accepted the given communication session.

Abstract: A call request message is sent from an access terminal to an application server in order to request initiation of a group communication session to a communication group and to request that an allocation of the floor to the given access terminal for the duration of the given group communication session remain uninterrupted by call targets of the session. The application server announces the session, and sends a floor-grant to the access terminal after the session is accepted by at least one target. The access terminal forwards media to the application server which is then forwarded to the at least one target. The floor is not transferred away from the access terminal during the session. For example, floor requests are suppressed at the at least one target, or floor requests are sent by the at least one target but are then ignored or denied by the application server.

Abstract: A network communication entity (e.g., an access terminal, access network and/or application server) obtains a location associated with a given access terminal that is attempting to participate in a given communication service, obtains a priority level of the given access terminal, determines a given level of service restriction for the given access terminal's participation in the given communication service based on the obtained location and the obtained priority level and restricts the given access terminal's participation in the given communication service based on the given level of service restriction. In an example, the priority levels can be established such that low-priority access terminals obtain a first level of service restriction within a defined location region, and a second level of service restriction outside of the defined location region, whereas high-priority access terminals obtain the first level of service restriction both inside and outside of the defined location region.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a network communication entity obtains a location associated with an access terminal that is attempting to participate in a communication service, determines whether the obtained location satisfies a relationship with a defined location region, the defined location region establishing a first level of service restriction for the communication service within the defined location region and establishing at least a second level of service restriction for the communication service outside of the defined location region, and restricts the access terminal in accordance with the first or second level of service restriction for the communication service based on the determination. The network communication entity may correspond to the access terminal, an access network or an application server. If the access terminal detects a current, imminent or future service restriction, the given access terminal can initiate handoff to another service mechanism and/or inform the user of the service restriction.

Abstract: In an embodiment, an access network (AN) receives a request to allocate a given data channel (e.g., a traffic channel (TCH), Quality-of-Service, an Internet Protocol (IP) address, etc.) to a given wireless communication device (e.g., a call originator, a call target, etc.). The AN determines whether the given data channel is available for allocation to the wireless communication device. If the AN determines the given data channel not to be available for allocation to the wireless communication device, the AN determines a priority score to be associated with the received request. The AN initiates one of a plurality of data channel acquisition procedures (e.g., a preemption procedure, a queuing procedure, etc.) if the determined priority score is above at least one priority score threshold, each of the plurality of data channel acquisition procedures configured to obtain the given data channel in order to service the received request.

Abstract: In an embodiment, an originating device sends a request, to a server, to initiate a full-duplex session with a target device. Responsive to the full-duplex request, a half-duplex session is set-up from the originating device to the target device before the full-duplex session is set-up. The target device indicates its acceptance of the half-duplex session, receives half-duplex media from the originating device and selectively indicates its acceptance of the full-duplex session. In another embodiment, during a session currently supported either by half-duplex or full-duplex, the server arbitrating the session receives a request from one of the session participants to transition the session to another duplex-type. The server then selectively transitions the duplex-type of the session.

Abstract: An embodiment is directed to switching between server-arbitrated group communication sessions at an access terminal (AT) within a wireless communications system. The AT participates in a first group communication session when it receives an announce message announcing a second group communication session, acquires priority levels for the first and/or second group communication sessions and determines whether to switch between sessions based on the priority level(s). In another embodiment, the AT participates in a given processing task (e.g., a gaming session, a voice call, a group session, etc.) when it receives an alert that relates to a group communication session. If the alert is specially configured to force the given access terminal to drop the given processing task, the AT drops the given processing task irrespective of whether the AT later joins the announced group communication session.

Abstract: This modular animal toilet assembly system has portable components, and is flushed by various fluids, gravity, flush valve, and air pressure means to public sewage systems, slurry or septic tanks. Some of the fluids include: water, oil, alcohol, anti-freeze, but are not limited to these. It can discharge into waste disposal means, such as, composting, incinerating, dehydrating, recycling or chemical or mechanical treatment. System components share, standardized, connectable, interfaces. Portable components include: toilet bowl fixture, having drainpipe trap, trap door, or sealing means; animal support platforms, having inserts with variously-shaped apertures, through which wastes pass; pipes for fluid intake and outlet. Platforms with inserts support various animals, while allowing animal waste to pass through apertures via gravity and flushing. Activators for flushing include: manual lever and animal-activated means, such as pressure-activated hydraulic system and photoelectric solenoid sensor system.

Abstract: A wireless push-to-talk (PIT) communication system 100 assigns a special dispatch priority to for emergency communications to and from police, fire dept. or communications to other emergency personnel. A communication which has been assigned dispatch priority takes precedence over all other non-dispatch priority communications for initially completing the call and maintaining the communications links. An indication of dispatch priority in a 1xCV-DO system may be achieved by setting a bit in the RequestReason field 604 of the ConnectionRequest message 602.

Abstract: A system and method for sharing geographical location information among a set of wireless telecommunication devices, such as mobile telephones. A first wireless telecommunication device generates geographical location information of that wireless telecommunication device, either through a resident device such as a GPS device, or has another computer device on the network provide the geographic location information, and then shares the geographical location information through sending the location information to one or more servers for relay to a predesignated target set of wireless telecommunication devices. The server stores the identity of member devices of the target set and controls communication between the first wireless telecommunications device and the member devices of the target set. A second server can be used to modify the geographical information, such as providing a map showing the location of the first wireless telecommunication device and other member devices of the target set.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for billing for the usage of direct group communication services, such as push-to-talk services. A direct group communication service provider sets up an account for each direct communication service user whereby the user can establish a target group of wireless devices associated with his account. A billing server monitors the direct communication attempts of the wireless device of the user with the target group and bills the user based upon a predetermined criteria, such as number of wireless devices in the target group communicated with, use of a direct communication service, or duration of talk time.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide methods and apparatus for detecting or announcing presence and/or location information in a wireless communication network. In one aspect, a method for sharing user information in a wireless communication network includes sending an alert from an originator to a target, the alert including information about the originator and requesting information about the target, receiving information by the originator from the target in response to the alert, and updating information in the originator about the target, based on the received information. In another aspect, a method includes sending at least one alert from an originator, requesting information about at least one target user; receiving information by the originator in response to the alert; and updating information by the originator about the target user, based on information received.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide methods and apparatus for restricting media communication in a wireless communication network. The method includes receiving an indication from an originator for setting up a media communication session with at least one target, applying at least one media communication restriction, and sending a request for setting up the media communication if the originator is allowed to have media communication with at least one of the targets. The media communication restriction includes inbound and/or outbound media communication restriction. The media communication restriction also includes carrier-level media communication restrictions and/or user-level media communication restrictions.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide methods and apparatus for providing group communication setup strategy for media communication to a group of users operating on diverse infrastructures in a wireless communication network. The method provides receiving a request from an originator for media communication, determining types of infrastructures on which the originator and targets are operating on, and providing a group communication setup strategy for the originator based on the determined types of the infrastructures.