Abstract: A method and wireless device select a set of secure network connections (230) between a wireless device (108) in a wireless communication system and a target destination system (238). A first security assessment (708) associated with each of a plurality of base station connections associated with respective each of a plurality of base stations (116) available for wireless communications with the wireless device (108) is performed. A second security assessment (716) associated with each of a plurality of subsequent network connections available between the plurality of base stations (116) and a target destination system (238) is performed. A set of base station connections from the plurality of base station connections are prioritized according to predetermined security criteria associated with the wireless device (108).

Abstract: A method (200) and an apparatus (106) for a communication device for conveying information contained in an emergency broadcast message to an external device (110) are provided. The communication device (106) monitors (204) incoming broadcast messages in at least one of a broadcast mode and a multicast mode of a Multimedia Broadcast and Multimedia Service, and determines (206) whether the incoming broadcast messages include the emergency broadcast message. If the emergency broadcast message is included, then the communication device (106) receives (208) the emergency broadcast message, transmits (210) an acknowledgment of receiving the emergency broadcast message, and transmits (212) the information (108) contained in the emergency broadcast message to the external device (110).

Abstract: In a wireless communication network having remote receivers (subscriber units) communicating through base units in a service area, each of the base units servicing a cell area encompasses one or more identifiable zones which can be occupied by receivers. According to the invention, at least one measure of the spatial size of the cell is reported to a receiver communicating with a base station, for use in location specific applications. The measure can be a size category, an average diameter or another measure, such as a shape and orientation of the cell, a boundary apex, and a boundary line of the cell. The base station coordinates are conventionally available to the receiver. By providing a measure of size, the receiver can resolve its zone or location to a coarse or low level of resolution. The zone occupied by the receiver is at least within the cell and the size of the cell and location of the base station are now known.

Abstract: A mobile communications system includes a first base station to service a first set of connections from a first set of mobile communications devices to a communications network. A set of neighboring base stations is in communication with the first base station. In an embodiment of the invention, the first base station prioritizes the first set of connections according to first predetermined criteria and prioritizes the set of neighboring base stations according to second predetermined criteria. The prioritization lists are used in deterministic ways to alleviate potential congestion in backhaul links and optimize the overall performance of system and improved quality of service.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for determining which of a plurality of backhaul methods is assigned to a portion of a wireless communication by monitoring at least one quality metric relating to the communication. Then, a backhaul method is assigned according to a predetermined function of the quality metric(s) for at least a portion of the wireless communication from a plurality of available backhaul methods. The quality metric may include any of a variety of indicators, and a default backhaul method may be applied to portions of the wireless communication. These embodiments may be implemented through the use of a wireless communication node including a processor circuit operably coupled to a quality metric sensor and a receiving circuit such that the processor circuit may determine which of the plurality of backhaul pathways should be used to transmit data.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for adjusting a Quality of Service (QoS) for a communication device in a communication network. One step includes registering an application from a service provider with the communication device and the communication network. Another step includes receiving, by the communication device, a token from a token provider that permits a modified QoS level for the registered application. Another step includes sending the token by the communication device to the communication network. Another step includes negotiating the QoS level between the service provider and the communication device, dependent at least in part on the reception of the token. Another step includes providing, for the communication device, the modified QoS level permitted by the token for the registered application.

Abstract: A method and wireless device select a set of secure network connections (230) between a wireless device (108) in a wireless communication system and a target destination system (238). A first security assessment (708) associated with each of a plurality of base station connections associated with respective each of a plurality of base stations (116) available for wireless communications with the wireless device (108) is performed. A second security assessment (716) associated with each of a plurality of subsequent network connections available between the plurality of base stations (116) and a target destination system (238) is performed. A set of base station connections from the plurality of base station connections are prioritized according to predetermined security criteria associated with the wireless device (108).

Abstract: A method, information processing system, and wireless communication system for dynamically updating paging slot cycles associated with a wireless device (104). The method includes monitoring behavior of a wireless device (104) across multiple access networks (122). A set of slot cycles for each access network associated with the wireless device is determined in response to the monitoring (406). The method dynamically updates a set of slot cycle schedules (408) corresponding to the set of slot cycles associated with the wireless device (104) in response to the determining.

Abstract: A method and system for managing communication sessions in a plurality of wireless communication networks is provided. The plurality of wireless communication networks includes one or more home communication networks and one or more guest communication networks. The method at a communication device includes predicting (502) a coverage gap in a home communication network. The coverage gap is within a coverage region of the home communication network. Further, the method includes temporarily utilizing (504) at least one communication resource of a guest communication network when the communication device enters the coverage gap and when the at least one communication resource of the guest communication network is substantially available. The at least one communication resource enables communication at the communication device. The utilization of the at least one communication resource of the guest communication network is controlled by at least one of the home communication network and an overlay network.

Abstract: A method (400) and an apparatus for confirming the position of a mobile station (180). The mobile station (180) may receive a positioning message including information associated with a position of the mobile station. Based on that information, the mobile station (180) may generate a position parameter associated with the position of the mobile station (180). The mobile station (180) may compare the position parameter and a checkpoint value. Based on the position parameter and the checkpoint value, the mobile station (180) may generate an error value. The mobile station (180) may indicate an error associated with the position of the mobile station if the error value exceeds a predetermined error tolerance.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for adjusting a Quality of Service (QoS) for a communication device in a communication network. One step includes registering an application from a service provider with the communication device and the communication network. Another step includes receiving, by the communication device, a token from a token provider that permits a modified QoS level for the registered application. Another step includes sending the token by the communication device to the communication network. Another step includes negotiating the QoS level between the service provider and the communication device, dependent at least in part on the reception of the token. Another step includes providing, for the communication device, the modified QoS level permitted by the token for the registered application.

Abstract: A method (200) and an apparatus (106) for a wireless communication device for receiving an emergency broadcast message are provided. The wireless communication device (106) monitors (204) incoming broadcast messages, and determines (206) whether the incoming broadcast messages include the emergency broadcast message. If the emergency broadcast message is included, then the wireless communication device (106) overrides (208) a settable broadcast service reception preference, and receives (210) the emergency broadcast message. The wireless communication device (106) then transmits (212) an acknowledgment of receiving the emergency broadcast message, and communicates (214) the reception of the emergency broadcast message.

Abstract: The present invention is a communication network (100) and method for monitoring location capabilities of mobile stations (102) in a database (120) of a communication network. Initially, the network receives an identification number from a mobile station (102). If the database (120) does not include a location capability corresponding to the identification number, then a processor (118) requests the location capability from the mobile station (102) and stores the requested location capability in the database (120). The location capability includes one or more of the following capabilities: an autonomous mode capability, an assisted mode capability and a legacy mode capability. To retrieve an entry from the database (120), the network reads the location capability corresponding to the identification number from the database (120). The network then assembles an assistance message based on the location capability of the mobile station (102) and transmits the assistance message to the mobile station (102).

Abstract: A method (400) and an apparatus for confirming the position of a mobile station (180). The mobile station (180) may receive a positioning message including information associated with a position of the mobile station. Based on that information, the mobile station (180) may generate a position parameter associated with the position of the mobile station (180). The mobile station (180) may compare the position parameter and a checkpoint value. Based on the position parameter and the checkpoint value, the mobile station (180) may generate an error value. The mobile station (180) may indicate an error associated with the position of the mobile station if the error value exceeds a predetermined error tolerance.

Abstract: A method (400) and a controller (210) for providing a location-based game associated with a plurality of mobile stations (170) are described herein. The controller (210) may determine a plurality of game parameters based on user input from one of a plurality of players. The plurality of game parameters may include, but is not limited to, a game area (500) having a plurality of activation locations (505). The controller (210) may determine location associated with at least one of the plurality of mobile stations (164). In response to one of the plurality of mobile stations (164) being within a proximity threshold (535) associated with one of the plurality of activation locations (530), the controller (210) may activate a game feature within one of the plurality of mobile stations (164). Accordingly, the controller (210) may provide a point value to one of the plurality of players in response to a trigger event associated with the game feature.

Abstract: A method (400) and a controller (210) for providing a location-based game associated with a plurality of mobile stations (170) are described herein. The controller (210) may determine a plurality of game parameters based on user input from one of a plurality of players. The plurality of game parameters may include, but is not limited to, a game area (500) having a plurality of activation locations (505). The controller (210) may determine location associated with at least one of the plurality of mobile stations (164). In response to one of the plurality of mobile stations (164) being within a proximity threshold (535) associated with one of the plurality of activation locations (530), the controller (210) may activate a game feature within one of the plurality of mobile stations (164). Accordingly, the controller (210) may provide a point value to one of the plurality of players in response to a trigger event associated with the game feature.

Abstract: The present invention is a communication network (100) and method for monitoring location capabilities of mobile stations (102) in a database (120) of a communication network. Initially, the network receives an identification number from a mobile station (102). If the database (120) does not include a location capability corresponding to the identification number, then a processor (118) requests the location capability from the mobile station (102) and stores the requested location capability in the database (120). The location capability includes one or more of the following capabilities: an autonomous mode capability, an assisted mode capability and a legacy mode capability. To retrieve an entry from the database (120), the network reads the location capability corresponding to the identification number from the database (120). The network then assembles an assistance message based on the location capability of the mobile station (102) and transmits the assistance message to the mobile station (102).

Abstract: A flowchart (400) includes the step (402) of collecting a predetermined number of TOA measurements arriving at the assisted satellite positioning mobile station from a base station, the step of (406) simultaneously collecting a corresponding number of GPS position measurements of a position of the GPS receiver, and the step (410) of computing the base station location and/or the step (414) of computing a perceived time bias offset required for a message to travel between the base station and the mobile station using the predetermined number of TOA measurements and the predetermined number of GPS position measurements.

Abstract: A radiotelephone service planning system (10) and method determines best servers in communication systems by determining a interference based communication threshold using interference information (46), such as frame error rate data, in addition to pathloss information (38) between a communication unit (22) and the plurality of other communication units (24a-24c). The radiotelephone service planning system (10) and method generates an image indicating the most probable best server of the other communication units (24a-24c) for the communication unit (22) based on the interference based communication threshold information. Also, the system utilizes variable signal threshold data (32) for a communication unit to allow flexibility in determining a best server site in view of varying threshold limits.

Abstract: A method including the steps of performing a synchronization measurement of a received signal (102), and performing a handoff (110) between a first communication channel and a second communication channel in response to the synchronization measurement. An apparatus including a receiver (50) detecting a received signal over a first communication channel, a receive signal processor (44) responsive to the receiver (50), and a handover controller (40) responsive to the receive signal processor (44). The receive signal processor performs a synchronization measurement of the received signal. The handover controller (40) initiates a handoff between the first communication channel and a second communication channel in response to the synchronization measurement.