Abstract: The invention concerns a method (200) and system (100) for managing communications for a multi-mode communications device (130). The method can include the steps of establishing (210) communications with at least a first wireless network (110) and advising (216) the first wireless network of the multi-mode nature of the multi-mode communications device. As such, the first wireless network can be made aware that the multi-mode communications device is capable of communicating with a second wireless network (120).

Abstract: A system (20) and method (50) of establishing a rapid push-to-send data exchange in a multi-wireless network environment can include a first wireless network (24 and 26) having a fast network channel to exchange an Internet Protocol (IP) address or other data, a second wireless network (23 and 27) operatively coupled to the first wireless network having a high bandwidth data channel to exchange data using the IP address in a wireless peer to peer data transfer, and a communication protocol. The first wireless network can be an iDEN network and the second wireless network can be a CDMA network. The communication protocol can relinquish (66) communication using the first wireless network once a dedicated data channel on the second wireless network is established. The communication protocol can also simultaneously transfer (56) voice traffic on the first network when the first network is exchanging the IP address.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for secure communication techniques in a communication system. The system can include a first device which communicates with a second device over a channel. A security association can be established during a first session between the devices via an asymmetric key exchange. The security association comprises a Traffic Encryption Key (TEK) and a first state vector. The TEK comprises a shared, secret symmetric key. The security association is stored in each of the devices for use during a second session between the devices to expedite security association establishment during call set-up of the second session. The security association can be associated with the second device in the first device, and with the first device in the second device. An updated state vector can be generated at the first device. A second session can be established between the first device and the second device by using the TEKs from the first session and the updated state vector.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for secure group communications in a wireless dispatch system which includes a group of devices. The group of devices can include a first secure device which communicates with a plurality of second secure devices over a channel.

Abstract: An encryption capable communication device (10) can include a transceiver (38 and 44) and a processor (12) coupled to the transceiver. The processor can be programmed to receive notification of a secure call alert indicative of a desire for secure communications between an alerting device and the encryption capable communication device serving as a recipient device and further cause the recipient device to switch (64) to a secure mode in response to receipt of the notification. The processor can be further programmed to initiate a key exchange (67) between the alerting device and the recipient device if needed and automatically respond (70) to the secure call alert by the recipient device in the secure mode when a user of the recipient device selectively responds to the secure call alert. The processor can also establish a symmetric traffic key during the key exchange using Automatic Public Key exchange techniques.

Abstract: A system (20) of establishing a rapid PTT call setup in a multi-wireless network environment, can include a first wireless network (24 and 26) such as an iDEN network optimized for rapid push-to-talk call setups in typically less than one second and a second wireless network (23 and 27) such as a CDMA wireless network operatively coupled to the first wireless network. The system can further include a communication protocol among an originating mobile subscriber unit (22), a target mobile subscriber unit (28), the first wireless network, and the second wireless network, where the first wireless network and the second wireless network receive a request for a PTT session and the PTT session is set up on the second wireless network using the first wireless network. The system can further include a PTT server (25) operatively coupled to the first wireless network and the second wireless network.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method (200) and system (100) for managing communications for a multi-mode communications device (130). The method can include the steps of establishing (210) communications with at least a first wireless network (110) and advising (216) the first wireless network of the multi-mode nature of the multi-mode communications device. As such, the first wireless network can be made aware that the multi-mode communications device is capable of communicating with a second wireless network (120).