Abstract: A wireless communications system includes a core packet network coupled to multiple base transceiver stations, each station providing wireless services to mobile units. The system supports simultaneous, parallel, wireless communications links between a mobile unit and multiple base transceiver stations by selecting between copies of packets received by each base transceiver station. Thus, the system includes devices for selecting between multiple copies of each packet received from a mobile unit.

Abstract: A wireless communications system includes a core packet network coupled to multiple base transceiver stations, each station providing wireless services to mobile units. The system supports simultaneous, parallel, wireless communications links between a mobile unit and multiple base transceiver stations by selecting between copies of packets received by each base transceiver station. Thus, the system includes devices for selecting between multiple copies of each packet received from a mobile unit.

Abstract: A communications system includes a mobile unit that transmits coded content. The system also includes a number of base transceiver stations that receive the coded content from the mobile unit, decode the content, generate a packet including the decoded content, and communicate the packet. The system further includes a router that receives a number of redundant packets that were generated at different base transceiver stations and that selects of one of the redundant packets using a packet selection technique. The router further communicates the selected packet to a destination and communicates selection information relating to the selected packet to the base transceiver stations. The base transceiver stations use the selection information to improve the decoding of subsequent coded content received from the mobile unit.

Abstract: A wireless communications system includes a core packet network coupled to multiple base transceiver stations, each station providing wireless services to mobile units. The system supports simultaneous, parallel, wireless communications links between a mobile unit and multiple base transceiver stations by selecting between copies of packets received by each base transceiver station. Thus, the system includes devices for selecting between multiple copies of each packet received from a mobile unit.

Abstract: A communications apparatus establishes a link with a remote location, negotiates a facsimile communications session with the remote location, encapsulates point-to-point protocol (PPP) data as a facsimile page transmission, and transmits the page to the remote location. The communications apparatus may also receive PPP data encapsulated in a page transmission acknowledgment from the remote location. Moreover, the communications apparatus and the remote location may switch between voice and data communications using facsimile communications protocols.

Abstract: A method for communicating data is provided that includes storing one or more physical connectors associated with an input/output card and configuring the input/output card to a selected one of a slave, master, and passive mode. An identification for the input/output card may be provided to an end user, the identification reflecting a selected configuration parameter associated with the input/output card.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a distributed service at a router within a network are disclosed. A first router executes a distributed service on a first virtual machine. The first virtual machine receives lease constraints associated with a request to use the distributed service and determines to move the distributed service to a second virtual machine at a second router based on the lease constraints.

Abstract: A method for routing communications at a mobile station includes determining, at a mobile station, one or more routing metrics that are associated with each of a number of communication paths that couple the mobile station and a destination device. At least one of the routing metrics includes the link quality of at least one wireless communication link included in each of the communication paths. The method also includes receiving, at the mobile station, routing information from one or more routers that couple the mobile station and the destination device. The method further includes routing a communication to the destination device based on the determined routing metrics and the received routing information.

Abstract: A communications system includes a mobile unit that transmits content and a number of base transceiver stations that receive the content from the mobile unit. Each base transceiver station determines a value for a metric associated with communications between the mobile unit and the base transceiver station, generates a graded packet including the value and the content, and communicates the graded packet. The system also includes a router that receives the graded packets, combines different portions of the content from each of two or more of the graded packets to create an improved packet, and communicates the improved packet. The different portions from the graded packets collectively represent the entirety of the content such that the improved packet includes the entirety of the content.

Abstract: A communications system includes a mobile unit and a plurality of base transceiver stations. Each base transceiver receives content from the mobile unit, determines a value for a metric associated with communications between the mobile unit and the base transceiver station, generates a graded packet including the value and the content, and communicates the graded packet. The system further includes a router that receives redundant graded packets, evaluates the content of the redundant graded packets, selects one or more of the redundant graded packets in response to the evaluation of the content, and communicates the selected packets.

Abstract: A telecommunication device includes a first interface coupled to the public switched telephone network (PSTN) in a first local calling area, a second interface coupled to a packet network, and a third interface coupled to a first plain old telephone system (POTS) telephony device. The device also includes a router that directs telecommunications between the first, second, and third interfaces and a gateway that enables telecommunications between the first POTS telephony device and the packet network. Furthermore, the device includes a processor that receives signaling from the first POTS telephony device indicating a desire to establish telecommunications with a second POTS telephony device coupled to the PSTN in a second local calling area.

Abstract: A method for re-routing communications based on link quality includes establishing a first wireless communication link with a mobile station. The first wireless communication link is included in a first communication path used for communications between the mobile station and a destination device. The method also includes monitoring, from the mobile station, the link quality of the first wireless link and determining, at the mobile station, that the link quality of the first communication link has decreased below a low link quality threshold. The method further includes routing, using a router at the mobile station, communications between the mobile station and the destination device to a second communication path that includes a second wireless communication link to the mobile station. The second communication path is selected by the router based on one or more metrics.

Abstract: A method for communicating data is provided that includes storing one or more physical connectors associated with an input/output card and configuring the input/output card to a selected one of a slave, master, and passive mode. An identification for the input/output card may be provided to an end user, the identification reflecting a selected configuration parameter associated with the input/output card.

Abstract: A communications apparatus includes an energy storage device, such as a backup battery, that provides power in certain circumstances, such as when an external power supply is not available. The communications device determines an emergency threshold that provides sufficient power to communicate emergency information. The communications device also monitors the energy level remaining in the energy storage device and provides communications services so long as the energy level remaining in the energy storage device exceeds the emergency threshold.

Abstract: A synthetic code book document type definition (DTD) is generated that identifies selected compression codes, based on specifying code-book extensible markup language (XML) tags having semantics defined according to a generic code book document type definition (DTD). The compression codes are used to compress API commands, defined by second XML tags having semantics defined by a generic API DTD, into synthesized data. The synthesized data and the code-book XML tags are supplied to a destination device configured for storing the generic code book DTD and the generic API DTD, enabling the destination device to synthesize a code book for recovery of the API commands from the synthesized data.

Abstract: In a wireless communications system, mobile units establish data communications sessions using wireless links having negotiated transmission parameters. To reduce data loss during handoffs of the wireless data communications sessions, transmission parameters are renegotiated upon detecting an imminent handoff.

Abstract: A method for communicating data to and from a direct current local area network (DC LAN) in an automobile includes receiving data from a first device that is coupled to the DC LAN. The data received from the first device has a first data format associated with a first lower level communication protocol that is appropriate for the DC LAN. The method also includes determining that a destination address included in the data identifies a second device in the automobile. The second device does not use the first lower level communication protocol for communication of data. The method further includes converting the data to a second data format associated with a second lower level communication protocol that is appropriate for the second device. In addition, the method includes communicating the data in the second data format to the second device using the second lower level communication protocol.

Abstract: An advertising system includes a mobile apparatus that determines location information and presents an advertisement based on the location information. The system may also include an output device that presents a selected advertisement based on audience information associated with mobile advertising targets.

Abstract: A portable intelligent communications device is provided which includes a cellular telephone and a computer-controlled touch screen display. The touch screen display is a high-resolution graphics display which acts as a graphical user interface. Since the touch screen display is smaller in size than a standard laptop computer's display, the information boxes and menu selections are re-sized so as to fit on the smaller screen, however, each of the choices is made large enough in surface area so that a human finger can tactilely operate the touch screen display without the need of a more precise pointing device. Instead of using pull-down menus or drop down lists, the graphical user interface provides a selection list based upon virtual control buttons and virtual “image buttons” in which each image button is labeled to describe the option that can be selected by pressing that button.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for activating an operational mode for a portable intelligent communications device when a user thereof is engaged in a meeting. The operational mode includes various settings of the portable intelligent communications device configured therefor with such settings being activated upon initiation of the meeting. The operational mode is then deactivated upon completion of the meeting. Both activation and deactivation of the operational mode may be accomplished either automatically or manually. In either case, the settings for the operational mode are configured via a graphical user interface on a display screen of the portable intelligent communications device.