Abstract: Session signaling register message transmission methods and apparatus well suited for use in a communication system which supports mobile nodes capable of moving between domains and access nodes in a domain are described. Broadcasting of session signaling register messages is supported to reduce the number of registration messages which need to be transmitted between a mobile node and an access node. A paging and location server is used to reduce the number of session signaling register messages transmitted between domains. A visiting node registers with a paging and location server. The session signaling address of the paging and location server being used by a visiting mobile node is registered with the visiting node's home session signaling server. As the visiting node moves between access nodes in the visited domain the paging and location server it uses remains the same eliminating the need to update the home session signaling servers.

Abstract: Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate Mobile IP home agent (HA) discovery in a wireless communication system. Discovery of a HA for Mobile IP can be conducted as described herein for a mobile terminal located on a network wherein movement of the terminal is managed by a network-based mobility protocol. For example, various aspects described herein can be utilized for discovery of a HA located in a 3GPP network from 3GPP and/or non-3GPP access. Further, various aspects described herein can be utilized to discover a gateway acting as mobility anchor for a network mobility protocol utilized by the network. As additionally described herein, HA discovery can be conducted in connection with DNS query formation and communication, network attach and/or re-attach procedures, Neighbor Discovery signaling, and/or other procedures.

Abstract: The claimed subject matter relates to configuring a host device through utilization of MMP, which is a protocol that is based upon MIP but not associated with several deficiencies associated therewith. In particular, a wireless terminal can be configured to run MMP and send messages that conform to MMP over a wireless link. A base station can be configured to act as a DHCP server. The base station can provide configuration information to host device by way of DHCP.

Abstract: Providing for inter-system idle mobility management for independent mobile networks is described herein. By way of example, registration of multiple mobile IP (MIP) addresses to a mobile device can be utilized to facilitate inter-system device tracking. An Internet Protocol (IP) home agent that serves the mobile device can associate the MIPs with a home IP address of the mobile device. When communication is received for the home address, device paging can be initiated by utilizing at least a plurality of the MIPs bound to the home address. A mobile device response can provide a current active network address, and the received communication can be delivered via such active network address. As disclosed herein, the mobile device can switch attachment among the networks without signaling such networks, based on the multiple address bindings. Accordingly, significant power reduction can be afforded to mobile devices in idle mode.

Abstract: The claimed subject matter relates to systems and methods for processing messages in a wireless communications environment. In an aspect, a communications method is provided. The method includes establishing a communications link though an access component with a network domain node and enabling at least one other communications link through at least one other access component with the network domain node. This also includes enabling concurrent communications with the network domain node via the access component or the other access component.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for establishing communication links, used to support communications sessions with one or more end nodes, e.g., mobile devices, are described. Various features are directed to a mobile node controlling the establishment of initial links to a first access node and the establishment of new links from a first access node to a second access node during a handoff operation using highly efficient messages and signal.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for storing, manipulating, retrieving, and forwarding state, e.g., context and other information, used to support communications sessions with one or more end nodes, e.g., mobile devices, are described. Various features are directed to a mobile node controlling the transfer of state from a first access node to a second access node during a handoff operation thereby eliminating any need for state transfer messages to be transmitted between the second access node and the first access node during handoff. Other features of the invention are directed to the use of a core network node to store state information. State information stored in the core node can be accessed and used by access nodes in cases where a mobile node does not send a state transfer message during a handoff, e.g., because communication with the first access node is lost or because such messages are not supported.

Abstract: Group communications methods and apparatus are described. In particular, methods for granting a mobile device access to a communications resource, e.g., the right to transmit data, associated with a group are described. User requests for the communications resource are suppressed by the corresponding mobile device, for periods during which the communications resource has been granted to another mobile device. A mobile device may store a suppressed user request so that a resource request signal may be transmitted after the communications resource has been released by the mobile device that was previously granted the resource. In this manner requests that cannot be granted are not transmitted, increasing communications efficiency as compared to systems where requests are not suppressed at the mobile devices. A priority scheme is used in some embodiments to determine whether or not a request should be suppressed while another device has been granted the communications resource.

Abstract: The claimed subject matter relates to systems and methods for processing messages in a wireless communications environment. In an aspect, a communications method is provided. The method includes initiating a registration with a network domain node and generating sequence information with respect to the registration. The sequence information is then employed to facilitate further communications with the network domain node.

Abstract: Described herein are mechanisms and methods that facilitate enabling a first network module to “take over” for a second network module. For instance, an access router can he configured to act as a regional mobility agent with respect to a wireless terminal. The wireless terminal can then identify a different access router that is to act as a regional mobility agent, and transmit such request to a mobility agent. The mobility agent can create a tunnel with the access router that is acting as the mobility agent, and such access router can create an add message and transmit such message to other access routers associated with the wireless terminal. The add message informs the access routers that a particular access router is acting as a regional mobility agent and aids in creating tunnels between access routers.

Abstract: Described herein are mechanisms and methods that facilitate utilizing a base station as a regional mobility agent (e.g., regional home agent, regional foreign agent, and/or the like). Thus, a base station can have functionality embedded therein that enables the base station to create tunnels with other base stations and selectively direct data intended for a wireless terminal to those base stations. Such base stations can then transmit the data to the wireless terminal.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for storing, manipulating, retrieving, and forwarding state, e.g., context and other information, used to support communications sessions with one or more end nodes, e.g., mobile devices, are described. Various features are directed to a mobile node controlling the transfer of state from a first access node to a second access node during a handoff operation thereby eliminating any need for state transfer messages to be transmitted between the second access node and the first access node during handoff. Other features of the invention are directed to the use of a core network node to store state information. State information stored in the core node can be accessed and used by access nodes in cases where a mobile node does not send a state transfer message during a handoff, e.g., because communication with the first access node is lost or because such messages are not supported.

Abstract: A mobile communications system that uses IP packets to transmit data between end nodes, such as mobile devices, is described. In order to facilitate session establishment, maintenance, security, and handoff operations, access nodes through which end nodes communicate with one another include a session signaling server module and a mobility agent module. The session signaling server module may be implemented as a SIP server while the mobility agent module may be implemented using Mobil IP signaling. The mobility agent and SIP server within an access node are identified using a single shared identifier, IP address. The same security method and common secret may be used to provide security with regard to both mobile IP messages and SIP messages. Sessions admission decisions and resource allocation for admitted sessions can also take place internally to the access node of this invention without need for signaling to external elements.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus related to message compression/decompression are described. A compressed message is generated by indicating what changes are to be made to a previous message to produce the message sought to be transmitted. The required change, in the form of at least one command and corresponding parameter, is transmitted as a compressed version of the message being communicated. This approach takes advantage of the fact that messages sent over time often include much of the same message content and only one or a few fields may have changed. The techniques are general and involve including a command in the compressed message along with at least one parameter. The command indicates processing to be performed on a previous message to generate the uncompressed message. The parameter may be, e.g., data to be inserted into the previous message or specify a location in the previous message where the change is to be made.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for compressing messages used to support mobile communications are described. After transmission of a first mobile IP message which may be a conventional mobile IP message, a compressed mobile IP message is transmitted. The compressed message includes a new “compressed message” indicator and information which is to replace information in the previous message or to be added to the previous message to construct a new message. In some embodiments, the compressed message includes a mask field, e.g., a sequence of bits, each bit corresponding to one field of a standard registration request message or binding update message. If the mask flag bit corresponding to a field is set, it indicates that the compressed message includes information to replace the content in the corresponding field of the previous message or to be added to the previous message as a field corresponding to the asserted bit.

Abstract: Session signaling register message transmission methods and apparatus well suited for use in a communication system which supports mobile nodes capable of moving between domains and access nodes in a domain are described. Broadcasting of session signaling register messages is supported to reduce the number of registration messages which need to be transmitted between a mobile node and an access node. A paging and location server is used to reduce the number of session signaling register messages transmitted between domains. A visiting node registers with a paging and location server. The session signaling address of the paging and location server being used by a visiting mobile node is registered with the visiting node's home session signaling server. As the visiting node moves between access nodes in the visited domain the paging and location server it uses remains the same eliminating the need to update the home session signaling servers.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for improving tunneling techniques and reducing packet loss in mobile communications systems are described. The methods and apparatus are well suited for use with Mobile IP and can facilitate handoff operations. A mobile node establishes multiple tunnels, representing downlinks, from the mobile node perspective. The different downlink tunnels are through different access nodes but terminate at the same home agent. The mobile node maintains, at most, a single uplink tunnel at any given time with the home agent. Tunnels representing uplinks and downlinks are managed independently. Thus, each of the uplink and downlink tunnels can have different lifetimes and can be created/removed independently allowing for flexibility in handoff operations.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for time synchronizing one or more parameters in a communication system is provided, wherein the apparatus generates a request message for requesting time synchronization of a parameter, the request message comprises a transaction ID, a requested parameter, and an index value associated with the requested parameter, transmits the generated request message to a first node and receives a response message from the first node, the response message comprises an index associated with the requested parameter and a response value.

Abstract: A method of configuring parameters in a communication system is disclosed, wherein the method comprising determining if an event occurred. If so, then method generating a first electronic envelope by a first process, wherein the envelope comprises an process identification (ID) and attaching the first electronic envelope to a request message, wherein the request message is generated by a transmit process.

Abstract: The claimed subject matter relates to systems and methods for roaming in a wireless communications environment. A method for roaming between networks is provided in one aspect. This includes receiving a request for network access at a visited network and receiving a profile from a home network in response to the request. Upon receiving the profile, selectively offering services to one or more access terminals based at least in part on the profile.