Abstract: The present invention supports a communication protocol on a wireless communication network to allocate network resources. The radio network controller maintains quality of service (QoS) profiles. A serving node determines the type of application in a communication call and determines a QoS policy it transmits to the radio network. The radio network identifies the QoS profile based on the received policy and allocates network resources before announcing the call to an access terminal.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing digital content are disclosed through a universal medial connection API, which include registering an application to be used during a session, loading policies to be used during the session, and identifying hardware features to be used during the session. These systems and methods also include steering data to be used during a session and presenting data to an endpoint during the session. The content is delivered from a first client to a second client according to the policies and hardware features that are available during the session.

Abstract: System and method for providing quality of service enablers for third party applications are described. In one embodiment, the method comprises user equipment (“UE”) establishing a communications session with a third party application server hosting a selected third party application and receiving from the third party application server QoS information comprising at least one of a plurality of QoS attributes and configuring a QoS of a radio access network (“RAN”) in accordance with the received QoS information. The method further comprises activating the RAN QoS for the selected application; and establishing an application session with the third party application server via the RAN.

Abstract: A fast handover protocol standard implemented on WiMAX networks integrating Internet protocol fast handover messaging. A standard for performing handover in four scenarios is offered with an embodiment for the message flow to perform the handover. The four scenarios include a mobile subscriber station initiated predictive hand-off, a network initiated predictive hand-off, a mobile subscriber station initiated reactive hand-off, and a network initiated reactive hand-off. In general, Internet Protocol control messages for fast hand-off or handover are used on the WiMAX network. Fast binding and fast binding acknowledge messages are exchanged between two WiMAX access networks in all four scenarios. Other messages used include hand-off initiate, hand-off acknowledge, proxy router advertisement, session information request, and release resources Internet Protocol control messages are integrated with WIMAX control messages to perform the fast handover protocol.

Abstract: A SIP header reduction protocol operating on a communication network to compress the SIP header fields on SIP control messages used to initiate a SIP communication session. The new protocol is implemented on the mobile use equipment (UE) (301) and P-CSCF proxy SIP server (302). The prior SIGCOMP compression dictionary is used to compress those header field parameters defined by the SIGCOMP dictionary. A new 3G Dictionary is implemented with header field parameters for several wireless specific data elements and parameters necessary to access various wireless technologies and services which are missing from the SIP/SDP based SIGCOMP dictionary. Finally, an Encoding Assistant (EA) (310, 355) function is implemented on the UE and P-CSCF that operates a standard encoding and decoding of SIP message header fields to reduce those SIP header fields that are dynamic over time but are essentially static in terms of most user communication.

Abstract: The present invention supports a communication protocol on a wireless communication network to transmit application data on the control channel to an access terminal. Base transceiver stations are grouped and configured into paging zones. The radio network controller transmits a page message and application data to the base transceiver stations in the paging zone where the access terminal is located. Each of the base transceiver stations transmits a page and buffers the application data. The buffered application data is only transmitted by the base transceiver station receiving a response to the page.

Abstract: The present invention supports a generalized link-layer address extension for an information packet transmission on an IP mobility system. In the invention, a link-layer address for a node can be communicated in any information packet rather than confined to a specialized message format. The link-layer address can be used in link-layer routing protocols to simplify mobile IP hand-offs and routing, reducing overhead data traffic and allowing more efficient use of network resources.

Abstract: Disclosed is a buffer management method for a mobile node in a mobile IP telecommunication network. The buffer management method supports a handoff of the mobile node from a first agent of a first network to a second agent of a second network. The method begins upon initiation of the handoff. A first message is sent to the first agent requesting the first agent to buffer any packets being sent to the mobile node. While the buffering is being performed, the handoff may be completed to the second agent. Once the handoff is complete, a second message can be sent to the first agent requesting the first agent to forward the buffered packets to the second agent.

Abstract: In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a method and apparatus is presented for identifying packet-based applications in a packet-based network. As such, the packet-based applications may receive specialized treatment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for allowing a plurality of mobile nodes to access a network with one or more Network Access Identifiers (NAIs), This allows a user to access a network with multiple mobile nodes using a single NAI. The method and apparatus is achieved by the addition of a Session/Device Extension, a Host Identification Extension, a Host Identification NAI Extension, and/or a Lease Time Extension.

Abstract: To communicate in a wireless network, resources of at least one node (20A) of the wireless network are pre-allocated (44). The pre-allocated resources (44) comprise resources normally allocated in response to a call setup request. A first call setup request is received after pre-allocating the resources, and in response to the first call setup request, a packet-switched real-time, interactive communications session is established through the wireless network using the pre-allocated resources of the at least one node (20A).

Abstract: In according with the teachings of the present invention, a method and apparatus for performing fast call set-up in a wireless network is presented (FIG. 2). A number of efficiencies are implemented to diminish the time required for establishing a call in a packet-based network. For example, call initiation (224) and Base Station Subsystem (BSS-202) resource allocation are performed contemporaneously; radio Link resources and packet resources are initiated contemporaneously (242-244); an A10 interface is established immediately after allocating and connecting packet control function (PCF) resources for a packet data session (246); and a service connection request (254) is performed immediately after a channel assignment process (250) is performed.

Abstract: The invention provides for an improved method and system of registration and hand-off procedures for a mobile node in a packet-based communication network. The present invention obtains expanded addresses over past systems. The invention can also use serving mobility managers to obtain a care-of address to route data-packets while on the foreign sub-network. The invention improves efficiency and reduces message overhead during registration and hand-off.

Abstract: An improved wireless mobile IP system including an apparatus and method for managing transmission of information. Agent advertisements are used to detect movement of the mobile node and derive care-of addressing information for the Home Agent. Foreign Agents and Home Agents currently periodically broadcast an agent advertisement on the data channel. The claimed system reduces the need for agent advertisements by detecting movement of a mobile user into a new network using either the mobile node or a routine on a low-level protocol layer. After detection of movement, an agent solicitation message is transmitted from the mobile node or from the cell-site transmitter. The mobility agent then transmits a single agent advertisement in response. Derived care-of addressing information will then be registered with the Home Agent to support “tunneling” of communications to the mobile node through the foreign network.

Abstract: In an IP-based mobile communications system, the Mobile Node changes its point of attachment to the network while maintaining network connectivity. Security concerns arise in the mobile system because authorized users are subject to the following forms of attack: (1) session stealing where a hostile node hijacks session from mobile node by redirecting packets, (2) spoofing where the identity of an authorized user is utilized in an unauthorized manner to obtain access to the network, and (3) eavesdropping and stealing of data during session with authorized user. No separate secure network exists in the IP-based mobility communications system, and therefore, it is necessary to protect information transmitted in the mobile system from the above-identified security attacks.

Abstract: The present invention supports a virtual private network identifier for an information packet transmission on an IP mobility system. By identifying a virtual private network in this manner, the Foreign Agent will be able to properly route data packets even if two or more Mobile Nodes are associated with virtual private networks on the same home network.

Abstract: An accounting framework is provided for a communications system having a plurality of service providers, including cellular service providers and/or data network service providers, e.g., Internet service providers. Accounting units containing accounting information are exchanged between service providers to allow the service providers to charge for usage of services. The accounting units have a predetermined format to allow them to be exchanged between different service providers. Each accounting unit includes a plurality of fields, including a service type field, a usage of radio interface field, a usage of a visited or external network field, a usage of mobility management field, a quality of service field, a usage of a packet data protocol field, and other fields. Users may be charged for services based on these fields.

Abstract: A communications architecture for enabling IP-based mobile communications includes a Local Service Function (LSF) component configured to serve as an IP-based serving area network for a set of x-Access Networks, and a Network Service Function (NSF) component configured to serve as an IP-based home network by managing a MN's subscription and associated profile so that the MN is authorized to use the resources of the LSF. An x-Access Network (xAN) is interconnected to the LSF and NSF for providing heterogeneous Layer 2 access for MNs irrespective of access technology.

Abstract: The invention consists of an authentication protocol for the Home Agent to authenticate and authorize the Mobile Node's Binding Update message. Two new mobility options compatible with RADIUS AAA are used to exchange a shared secret between the Home Agent and the Mobile Node so the Mobile Node can be authenticated. A Mobile Node-AAA authenticator option is added to the Binding Update message. The Home Agent generates the Mobile Node-AAA authenticator as a shared secret that it communicates as authentication data to the RADIUS AAA server on the home network. The RADIUS AAA server authenticates the communication and generates an Access-Accept message with a Mobile Node-Home Agent authenticator option. After receipt at the Home Agent, a Binding Update message with the Mobile Node-Home Agent authenticator option is transmitted from the Home Agent to the Mobile Node to use as an authenticator.

Abstract: The present invention supports a protocol for a mobile node to specifically designate a home agent and Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting (AAA) server to use in a communication session. By specifying the AAA server, a specific security association can be selected to support secure information packet transmission between a specified home agent and a mobile node. The specific home agent and AAA server are designated using a network access identifier extension on a binding update message, and the security association data is transmitted back to the mobile node using an extension to the binding acknowledgment message. The mobile node and the home agent then use the security association generated by the AAA server to support information packet communication between the mobile node and the home agent.