Abstract: Apparatus for transferring packet data incorporates a “hand-off” feature that allows the transfer of an existing PPP connection from one packet server to another packet server. Such a hand-off control message or call continue transaction can be initiated by any of the servers involved in the transactions. For instance, assume an initial arrangement where a point-to-point call is set up and in progress between a user and a private network via a first packet server (e.g., a first Serving LAC) and a second packet server (e.g., an Anchor LAC). If, for example, the user moves out of the region served by the first packet server into a region served by a third packet server (e.g., a second Serving LAC), then a hand-off control message transaction, according to the invention, is initiated. Either the second Serving LAC or the Anchor LAC may initiate the call continue transaction. Alternatively, radius servers respectively associated with the packet servers may be employed to perform the call continue transaction.

Abstract: A communications protocol in a computer readable medium of a general purpose computer system that operates as a special purpose controller when executing at least one program for broadcasting information. The communications protocol includes an access point location, an access point Internet protocol (IP) address, a media access control (MAC) address, a number of access point radios, and a radio type protocol of each access point radio.

Abstract: A Network Access Server incorporates a “hand-off” feature that allows the NAS to transfer an existing PPP connection from one NAS to another NAS. In particular, 3 new control messages are defined for use in the NAS. Namely: (i) Continued Call Request, (ii) Continued Call Reply, and (iii) Continued Call Connect. These 3 new control messages comprise a L2TP control message header, message identifier (e.g., continued call request, etc.), and a number of fields.

Abstract: A coupled data network with a system for registering end systems is disclosed. A foreign network includes a foreign mobile switching center and a foreign base station. The foreign mobile switching center includes a serving registration server, the foreign base station includes a foreign access hub, and the foreign access hub includes a proxy registration agent. A home network includes a home mobile switching center with a home registration server. A first end system subscribes to the home network and operates within the foreign network. The end system includes an end registration agent, the end registration agent being coupled to the proxy registration agent, the proxy registration agent being coupled to the serving registration server, and the serving registration server being coupled to the home registration server.

Abstract: A wireless data network includes a wireless packet switched data network for end users that divides mobility management into local, micro, macro and global connection handover categories and minimizes handoff updates according to the handover category. The network integrates MAC handoff messages with network handoff messages. The network separately directs registration functions to a registration server and direct routing functions to inter-working function units. The network provides an intermediate XTunnel channel between a wireless hub (also called access hub AH) and an inter-working function unit (IWF unit) in a foreign network, and it provides an IXTunnel channel between an inter-working function unit in a foreign network and an inter-working function unit in a home network. The network enhances the layer two tunneling protocol (L2TP) to support a mobile end system, and it performs network layer registration before the start of a PPP communication session.

Abstract: A Message and communication system in a coupled data network is disclosed. The coupled data network includes a foreign network and a home network. The foreign network includes a foreign base station with a foreign access hub, the foreign access hub including a first serving inter-working function. The home network includes a first home inter-working function. A first mobile end system is a subscriber to the home network and operates within the foreign network. A first message is transportable between the first mobile end system and a first communications server through the first home inter-working function and through the first serving inter-working function of the foreign access hub in the foreign base station.

Abstract: A wireless data network which provides communications with a Point-to-Point Protocol server is disclosed. The network includes a home network that includes a home mobile switching center, a wireless modem and one or more end system. The wireless modem and the end systems are connected together via an ethernet link. The network also includes a PPP server, wherein PPP information sent from PPP server for the end system is encapsulated buy the wireless modem in an ethernet frame and sent to the end system via the ethernet link.

Abstract: Apparatus for transferring packet data incorporates a “hand-off” feature that allows the transfer of an existing PPP connection from one packet server to another packet server. Such a hand-off control message or call continue transaction can be initiated by any of the servers involved in the transactions. For instance, assume an initial arrangement where a point-to-point call is set up and in progress between a user and a private network via a first packet server (e.g., a first Serving LAC) and a second packet server (e.g., an Anchor LAC). If, for example, the user moves out of the region served by the first packet server into a region served by a third packet server (e.g., a second Serving LAC), then a hand-off control message transaction, according to the invention, is initiated. Either the second Serving LAC or the Anchor LAC may initiate the call continue transaction.

Abstract: A virtual dial-up service is provided via multiple Internet Service Provides (ISPs). In particular, a remote user accesses the virtual dial-up service by establishing a connection to a serving ISP. The Serving ISP establishes a first tunnel to an anchor ISP. The latter establishes a tunnel to, e.g., a private intranet. As a result, a virtual private network (VPN) service is provided that enables remote access, via multiple tunnels, to a private network.

Abstract: A wireless data network that provides communications with a Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) server is disclosed. A home network includes a home mobile switching center and a wireless end system, the home mobile switching center including a home registration server and a home inter-working function, the wireless end system including an end registration agent, the end registration agent being coupled to the home registration server. The wireless data network also includes a PPP server, wherein a message is coupleable from the end system through the home inter-working function to the PPP server.

Abstract: A wireless data network which provides communications with a Pier to Pier Protocol server is disclosed. The network includes a home network that includes a home mobile switching center, a wireless modem and one or more end system. The wireless modem and the end systems are connected together via an ethernet link. The network also includes a PPP server, wherein PPP information sent from PPP server for the end systems is encapsulated by the wireless modem in an ethernet frame and sent to the end systems via the ethernet link.

Abstract: A coupled data network which ensures in sequence delivery of messages is disclosed. The copuled data network includes a foreign network and a home network. The foreign network includes a foreign mobile switching center and a base station, the base station including an access hub with a serving inter-working function. The home network includes a home mobile switching center, the home mobile switching center including a home inter-working function. A roaming end system is a subscriber to the home network and operates within the foreign network, a message being transportable between the roaming end system and the home inter-working function through the serving inter-working function using a protocol that ensures in sequence delivery of data packets.

Abstract: A wireless data network includes a wireless packet switched data network for end users that divides mobility management into local, micro, macro and global connection handover categories and minimizes handoff updates according to the handover category. The network integrates MAC handoff messages with network handoff messages. The network separately directs registration functions to a registration server and direct routing functions to inter-working function units. The network provides an intermediate XTunnel channel between a wireless hub (also called access hub AH) and an inter-working function unit (IWF unit) in a foreign network, and it provides an IXTunnel channel between an inter-working function unit in a foreign network and an inter-working function unit in a home network. The network enhances the layer two tunneling protocol (L2TP) to support a mobile end system, and it performs network layer registration before the start of a PPP communication session.

Abstract: An inter-working function selection system in a coupled data network is disclosed. The coupled data network includes a foreign network and a home network. The foreign network includes a foreign mobile switching center with a serving registration server. The home network includes a home mobile switching center with a home registration server and a plurality of unassigned home inter-working functions. A first end system is a subscriber to the home network and operates within the foreign network. The first end system includes an end registration agent to form a registration request, the end registration agent sending the registration request through the serving registration server to the home registration server, the home registration server including a module to select an active home inter-working function from the plurality of unassigned home inter-working functions based on the registration request.

Abstract: A coupled data network with an accounting system is disclosed. The coupled data network includes a foreign network and a home network. The foreign network includes a base station with an access hub and a foreign mobile switching center with a serving registration server, the access hub including a serving inter-working function, the serving inter-working function including a foreign accounting collection module. The home network includes a home mobile switching center with a home inter-working function, the home inter-working function including a home accounting collection module. An end system is a subscriber to the wireless data network and coupleable to the foreign access hub. The home and serving accounting collection modules collect accounting data on message traffic transported between the end system and a communications server through the home inter-working function and through the serving inter-working function.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, a method is provided for remotely managing a plurality of network element of a telecommunications network through a special communication link including a computer internet such as a local area network, the world wide web or the Internet. A management computer is connected to an element management system server through a communication link including the computer internet. At least one of the plurality of network elements is also coupled to the element management server through the computer internet and the at least one of the plurality of network elements is managed via communications conveyed through the element management server between the management computer and the at least one network element.

Abstract: Apparatus for transferring packet data incorporates a “hand-off” feature that allows the transfer of an existing PPP connection from one packet server to another packet server. Such a hand-off control message or call continue transaction can be initiated by any of the servers involved in the transactions. For instance, assume an initial arrangement where a point-to-point call is set up and in progress between a user and a private network via a first packet server (e.g., a first Serving LAC) and a second packet server (e.g., an Anchor LAC). If, for example, the user moves out of the region served by the first packet server into a region served by a third packet server (e.g., a second Serving LAC), then a hand-off control message transaction, according to the invention, is initiated. Either the second Serving LAC or the Anchor LAC may initiate the call continue transaction.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, a method is provided for remotely managing a plurality of network element of a telecommunications network through a special communication link including a computer internet such as a local area network, the world wide web or the Internet. A management computer is connected to an element management system server through a communication link including the computer internet At least one of the plurality of network elements is also coupled to the element management server through the computer internet and the at least one of the plurality of network elements is managed via communications conveyed through the element management server between the management computer and the at least one network element. Preferably, management is facilitated by the management server generating an interactive web page at a client workstation with objects associated with management of the at least one network element.

Abstract: An improved technique for gray scale compression of document image data is disclosed. The method comprises evaluating subportions of an image array as to relative levels of sameness and attempting to create sub-arrays having the same pixel value. Successively smaller sub-arrays are evaluated as to gray scale sameness unti 2.times.1 pixel arrays are encountered. At that time a code unique to each possible 2.times.1 pixel arrangement is stored. A high speed, real-time compression implementation is facilitated through described hardware. Document images are subdivided into 8 pixel by 512 pixel slices. As one document slice is stored in a first buffer RAM, a previously stored slice is compressed. As the pixel information is stored, tests are performed for 8.times.8 and 4.times.4 array sameness and one bit data stored according to the results of those tests. High speed compression is facilitated by querying the stored data as to the 8.times.8 and the 4.times.4 array sameness prior to further processing.