Abstract: Disclosed are a method and apparatus for sending a communication to destination client devices. The communication has two message sets: an address set containing an address list and a content set containing content. Both the address set and the content set include one or more messages. The address list includes at least one address for each destination client device. Example content types are text, hyperlinks, web pages, audio, images, and video. Each message of both message sets may be sent separately to a network entity, such as a short message service center. When both message sets are received at the network entity, the network entity may correlate the address set with the content set and responsively send the content to each address in the address list.

Abstract: A power control command (PCC) transmission scheme is disclosed. In one embodiment, the PCC transmission scheme may involve an access network engaging in a respective existing communication session with each of a plurality of existing access terminals and sending a respective existing series of power control commands (PCCs) directed to a respective existing access terminal according to a respective existing time schedule. The transmission scheme may further involve the access network deciding to initiate a new communication session with a new access terminal and, in response to the deciding, assigning a new time schedule for sending a new series of PCCs directed to the new access terminal that differs from at least one respective existing time schedule. The transmission scheme may further involve engaging in the new communication session with the new access terminal and sending the new series of PCCs according to the new time schedule.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for handing off packet-transmission between sectors of a wireless communication system is disclosed herein. During transmission of a packet from an access network to an access terminal, the access terminal determines that the packet should theoretically be transmitted to the access terminal in fewer timeslots in another sector than the number of allowed timeslots remaining for the packet transmission in a current sector. In response, the access terminal abandons packet transmission in the current sector and hands off to the other sector, in an effort to increase throughput and save air interface resources.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for handing off packet-transmission between sectors of a wireless communication system is disclosed herein. During transmission of a packet from an access network to an access terminal, the access terminal determines that the packet should theoretically be transmitted to the access terminal in fewer timeslots in another sector than the number of allowed timeslots remaining for the packet transmission in a current sector. In response, the access terminal abandons packet transmission in the current sector and hands off to the other sector, in an effort to increase throughput and save air interface resources.

Abstract: Methods for evaluating an access probe transmitted by a wireless communication device (WCD) in a wireless communication system are disclosed. When an access probe is received by a radio access network (RAN), the RAN determines if the WCD that transmitted the access probe is physically located outside a predetermined distance from the RAN. If the WCD is located outside the predetermined distance from the RAN, the RAN evaluates whether a threshold air interface condition is met as part of a determination to accept the access probe and establish communication between the RAN and the WCD.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for determining which page attempt to shed. In accordance with these methods, when a page attempt from a first sequence directed to a first access terminal (AT) contends with a page attempt from a second sequence directed to a second AT for transmission over the air interface of a RAN, the RAN determines which sequence has been shed to a greater extent. The RAN then transmits the page attempt from the sequence that has been shed to a greater extent and sheds the page attempt from the sequence that has been shed to a lesser extent. The methods advantageously help to avoid one sequence of page attempts being disproportionately shed.

Abstract: A mobile station uses a search window to search for a target pilot signal transmitted by a target transmitter in a spread spectrum communication system. The search window may be centered on the expected phase of the target pilot signal at the mobile station. To calculate the expected phase, the mobile station estimates a transmission delay associated with the target pilot signal, based on at least the target transmitter's location and the mobile station's location. The transmission delay may account for the time it takes for the target pilot signal to propagate from the target transmitter to the mobile station. The expected phase of the target pilot signal may then be calculated based on at least a nominal phase of the target pilot signal (e.g., the phase when transmitted by the target transmitter) and the estimated transmission delay.

Abstract: A mobile station transmits a message by transmitting an access probe that includes the message preceded by a preamble. The mobile station selects the length of the preamble from among a first preamble length and a second preamble length. The second preamble length is greater than the first preamble length. The mobile station makes the selection based, at least in part, on the distance between the mobile station and the mobile station's primary base transceiver station (BTS). If the distance is greater than a threshold distance, the mobile station selects the second preamble length. If the distance is less than the threshold distance, the mobile station selects the first preamble length, provided that an idle handoff to a neighboring BTS that is more than the threshold distance away is unlikely.

Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for selectively scheduling control channel messages ahead of traffic channel data. When a RAN in a wireless communication system operating at least according to IS-856 determines that a delay condition exists in the transmission of a particular control packet to access terminals, the RAN will determine if there is a particular traffic packet in active transmission that is classified according to best effort service (or similarly-characterized service class), and further if at least a threshold number of a nominal number of time-slot segments of the particular traffic packet remain untransmitted. If such a traffic packet is identified, the RAN will cancel transmission of the particular traffic packet and replace it with immediate transmission of the particular control packet.

Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for shifting the phase of a PN long code for access attempts by an access terminal in a wireless communication network. An access terminal may seek to acquire access from a base station that is detected by the access terminal above a threshold power level, even if the access terminal is further away from the base station than a threshold distance beyond which access is not normally granted. According to one embodiment, the access terminal will, upon determining that it is beyond the threshold distance, embed in an access request message an apparent distance that is smaller than the threshold distance, by phase-shifting a timing signal and encoding the access request message with the phase-shifted timing signal. The access terminal will then transmit the access request message on an air interface communication link to the base station.

Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for dynamic adaptation of reverse-link power control based on the distribution of ATs implementing different protocol versions. An access terminal in a wireless communication system that includes a base station may operate in a first state in which, at least, the access terminal uses a first protocol for determining and adjusting transmission power on a reverse link of an air interface with the base station. While operating in the first state, responsive to receiving a protocol version message from the base station on a forward link of the air interface, the access terminal will transition to operating in a second state in which, at least, the access terminal uses a second protocol for determining and adjusting transmission power on the reverse link of the air interface with the base station. The first protocol is different from the second protocol.

Abstract: A method and system for vertical handoff of a mobile station from a first-protocol RAN to a second-protocol RAN. The method and system provide a make-before-break vertical handoff, by having the first-protocol RAN (i) acquire, on behalf of the mobile station, a traffic channel assignment defining one or more traffic channel parameters for air interface communication in the second-protocol RAN, and (ii) pass to the mobile station, via the first air interface protocol, the one or more traffic channel parameters so that the mobile station can then readily switch over to communication under the second-protocol RAN. Optimally, the acquisition and passing of the one or more second-protocol traffic channel parameters may occur without the mobile station having requested the handoff, without the mobile station having asked for the traffic channel assignment, and without the mobile station having yet begun communication with the second-protocol RAN.

Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for enhanced idle-state sector selection during hybrid-mode operation of an access terminal. A hybrid access terminal engaged in an IS-856 data communication session in a hybrid IS-2000/IS-856 wireless communication system will, responsive to a handoff of the IS-856 session, select a sector for its next, upcoming IS-2000 idle-state scan prior to the start of the scan. The selection will be made during an interval between IS-2000 idle-state scans, thereby reducing or eliminating the possible need for idle-state handoffs during idle-state scans, and resulting in shorter idle-state scans and better IS-856 performance.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for determining whether to accept an access request from an AT. In an embodiment of the invention, a base station receives an access request from an AT that is located within a sector served by the base station. In response to receiving the access request, the base station obtains the physical location of the AT within the sector. The base station then determines whether to accept the access request based on the physical location of the AT within the sector.

Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for enhanced Simultaneous Hybrid Dual Receive operation. A hybrid access terminal engaged in an IS-856 data communication in a hybrid IS-2000/IS-856 wireless communication system will use its high-gain antenna to conduct IS-2000 tuneaway scans when the access terminal determines that the IS-2000 signal received from its serving base station is below a level that can be reliably detected by its low-gain antenna. At the same time, the access terminal will continue to use its low-gain antenna to engage in the ongoing IS-856 communication, thereby avoiding interruption of the IS-856 communication by IS-2000 tuneaway scans, even when RF conditions are sub-optimal. The access terminal may apply a DRC offset to its DRC request when using just its low-gain antenna for IS-856 communications.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for handing off packet-transmission between sectors of a wireless communication system is disclosed herein. During transmission of a packet from an access network to an access terminal, the access terminal determines that the packet should theoretically be transmitted to the access terminal in fewer timeslots in another sector than the number of allowed timeslots remaining for the packet transmission in a current sector. In response, the access terminal abandons packet transmission in the current sector and hands off to the other sector, in an effort to increase throughput and save air interface resources.

Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for variable persistence delay in access terminals receiving a concatenate page message. When an access terminal (e.g., a mobile station or wireless communication device) receives a page message that it determines is part of a concatenated page message, the access terminal will compute a backoff delay and a persistence delay according to delay parameters selected based upon the determination. According to an example embodiment, the access terminal will use the place-order of the received page record in the concatenation of page records in the page message to select values of the delay parameters. Other access terminals receiving the same concatenated page message will similarly select delay parameters. By associating the delay parameter values with place-order in the concatenated page message, each access terminal may used different values, and thereby compute different delays.

Abstract: A mobile station will sort wireless coverage sectors in order of distance of the sectors from the mobile station, and the mobile station will then scan for pilot signals from the sectors in the sorted order. The invention can be applied advantageously to provide an order of scanning remaining set sectors in a mobile station operating according to a code division multiple access protocol.

Abstract: Systems and methods for dynamically adjusting the size of an access search window are provided. In an embodiment a base station uses an access search window size, which is initially set to a default value, to determine whether to accept access requests from access terminals (ATs). The base station operates to accept access requests from ATs when the ATs are within the distance defined by the value of the access search window. The base station further operates to measure an amount of traffic for a sector of a wireless coverage area and change the value of the access search window size based on the amount of traffic on the sector.

Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for dynamic adjustment of auxiliary pilot triggering based on latency. In an example embodiment, an AT that engages in a data communication that requires low latency will transmit its auxiliary pilot unconditionally and without regard to the payload sizes of the packets it transmits. Thus, the AT will not use a comparison of payload packet size with a threshold packet size when determining whether to transmit its auxiliary pilot. Rather, the AT will begin transmitting its auxiliary pilot upon a determination that it is engaged or will engage or has begun to engage in a communication that requires low latency. At the same time, an AT that engages in data communication that does not require low latency will advantageously trigger its auxiliary pilot less aggressively in response to an instruction from the base station to do so.