Abstract: An automated method for testing audio signal quality of cell phone transmissions provides a Mean Opinion Score (MOS) output using inexpensive test components. The test system uses a server computer to eliminate the need for expensive faders used in a bench test system. The server computer manipulates data packets from the reference media file to simulate impairments, including losses, errors, noise and jitter, at a much lower cost than using actual faders. Transmission through two separate radio access networks RANs is provided to simulate two parties communicating using separate mobile devices (an end-to-end test solution) with a single cell phone.

Abstract: A test system is provided to test both voice and video quality of the connection for a large number of mobile phones, tablets, laptops or other user transmit/receive devices from a central location. The quality can be expressed as a Mean Opinion Score (MOS) and the uplink and downlink connection quality can be separately estimated. The system allows the use of media fragments that are characteristic of an end user and allows video data to be measured at the time and location that the user typically makes calls.

Abstract: An automated method for testing audio signal quality of cell phone transmissions provides a Mean Opinion Score (MOS) output using inexpensive test components. The test system uses a server computer to eliminate the need for expensive faders used in a bench test system. The server computer manipulates data packets from the reference media file to simulate impairments, including losses, errors, noise and jitter, at a much lower cost than using actual faders. Transmission through two separate radio access networks RANs is provided to simulate two parties communicating using separate mobile devices (an end-to-end test solution) with a single cell phone.

Abstract: A method of and processing function for a resource for facilitating scheduling a meeting the method 200 including specifying 203 individuals to participate in the meeting and desired resources for facilitating the meeting; communicating 207 with scheduling agents for the individuals and with a processor function 300 for a resource 311 corresponding to the desired resources; negotiating with the scheduling agents to determine availability of the individuals and with the processor function to determine availability of the resource; and scheduling 211, 215 the meeting at a time when the resource and a sufficient number of the individuals are available.

Abstract: Coordination among mobile stations enables a terminal device (114) to establish a most appropriate wireless network connection. According to the present invention, a connection request, including network connectivity requirements, is communicated from the terminal device (114) to a first mobile station (116). The first mobile station (116) then transmits the network connectivity requirements to a second mobile station (117–119) that is also capable of establishing a wireless network connection. A determination based in part or in whole on the network connectivity requirements is then made at one of the first and second mobile stations (116–119) which station can provide a most appropriate wireless network connection. A network connection is then established through one of the first and second mobile stations (116–119) based on the determination of which of the first and second mobile stations (116–119) can provide the most appropriate wireless network connection.

Abstract: A communication network (FIG. 1) makes available, to a first vending machine (102) of a plurality of vending machines, information from nearby ones of the plurality of vending machines for coordinating product availability and vending machine location. The first vending machine then determines 502 that the desired product is no longer available at the first vending machine. Thereafter, the first vending machine obtains (504–520) the information including a location of the nearby alternate vending machine for the desired product. The first vending machine then conveys (410) the location of the nearby alternate vending machine to a customer who wishes to purchase the desired product.

Abstract: A reporting mobile station (800) operating in an ad-hoc wireless network (600) and method therein, receives, from the infrastructure (611), designation information (506) identifying a target mobile station, and stores (704) the designation information. The reporting mobile station then detects (706) a communication from the target mobile station, and stores (708) information (508) about the communication. The reporting mobile station then reports (710) the call information to a predetermined lawful intercept entity (612).

Abstract: In a portable subscriber unit (200) a processor (204) is arranged and programmed to maintain (302) in a memory (208) a list identifying a plurality of devices which are to be connected quickly through a communication network, and to establish (304) a new connection with the communication network. The processor is further arranged and programmed to perform, in response to establishing the new connection, when necessary for pre-programming the communication network to minimize the connection setup time for subsequent connections with the plurality of devices, at least one of the steps of (a) sending names of the plurality of devices to a domain name server (DNS) of the communication network to obtain IP addresses corresponding to the names, thereby causing the DNS to cache the IP addresses of the plurality of devices for faster servicing of subsequent connections, and (b) transmitting a dummy Internet Protocol (IP) packet to said plurality of devices.

Abstract: A communication system that provides communication services to a plurality of communication devices over one or more wireless channels. The communication system includes an operator interface that allows for interactive modification of system parameters to provide adjustable service availability.

Abstract: A reporting mobile station (800) operating in an ad-hoc wireless network (600) and method therein, receives, from the infrastructure (611), designation information (506) identifying a target mobile station, and stores (704) the designation information. The reporting mobile station then detects (706) a communication from the target mobile station, and stores (708) information (508) about the communication. The reporting mobile station then reports (710) the call information to a predetermined lawful intercept entity (612).

Abstract: A plurality of wireless transceivers (114) for communicating messages to SCRs (Selective Call Radios) (116) include a radio transceiver (402, 404, 406, 408), and a processing system (412) coupled thereto. A periodic communication cycle (FIG. 9) is divided into a plurality of time slots, each time slot having a duration equal to or greater than the predetermined propagation delay of a signal transmitted between wireless transceivers. Each of the wireless transceivers is assigned to a corresponding one of the time slots. To transmit a message from a selected one of the wireless transceivers to a targeted SCR, the processing system of each of the wireless transceivers is adapted to locate the targeted SCR.

Abstract: A controller (112) monitors (306) delivery of two-way outbound messages to a plurality of portable messaging units (122), and records (308) reliability statistics (238) for the two-way outbound messages as a function of delivery parameters. The controller also determines (316) a target transmission reliability for sending a message; and estimates (318), from the reliability statistics, the required delivery parameters for sending the message at the target transmission reliability. The controller then transmits (320) the message in accordance with the required delivery parameters.

Abstract: A method of and processing function for a resource for facilitating scheduling a meeting the method 200 including specifying 203 individuals to participate in the meeting and desired resources for facilitating the meeting; communicating 207 with scheduling agents for the individuals and with a processor function 300 for a resource 311 corresponding to the desired resources; negotiating with the scheduling agents to determine availability of the individuals and with the processor function to determine availability of the resource; and scheduling 211, 215 the meeting at a time when the resource and a sufficient number of the individuals are available.

Abstract: A method and corresponding apparatus for a first controller (106) and implemented in a second controller (110), arranged for providing messaging service to, respectively, a first load (203) and a second load (205), to cooperatively and dynamically allocate a resource (207) between these loads. The method allocates a first and second default portions (221, 231) of the resource (207), and schedules messages from the first and the second load (203, 205) within these default portions (221, 231). Any unused part (243) of the default portions is reported to the other controller and it schedules messages from its load within the unused part (241), thereby dynamically allocating the resource (207) between the first and second load (203, 205).

Abstract: Coordination among mobile stations enables a terminal device (114) to establish a most appropriate wireless network connection. According to the present invention, a connection request, including network connectivity requirements, is communicated from the terminal device (114) to a first mobile station (116). The first mobile station (116) then transmits the network connectivity requirements to a second mobile station (117-119) that is also capable of establishing a wireless network connection. A determination based in part or in whole on the network connectivity requirements is then made at one of the first and second mobile stations (116-119) which station can provide a most appropriate wireless network connection. A network connection is then established through one of the first and second mobile stations (116-119) based on the determination of which of the first and second mobile stations (116-119) can provide the most appropriate wireless network connection.

Abstract: A communication network (200, 300) stores (502) location information for the communication network. A portable device (100) determines (504) whether the portable device is in motion. The portable device requests (510) the location information only when the portable device determines itself not to be in motion. The network sends (512) the location information to the portable device, in response to the request for the location information from the portable unit.

Abstract: A system for maintaining an inventory of items in a facility. Each item has attached thereto an identification tag containing item information about the item. An identification tag reader at an entrance portal of the facility reads item information for each item entering the facility through the entrance portal. A computer maintaining an inventory database of items in the facility updates the inventory database in accordance with the item information read by the identification tag reader.

Abstract: A plurality of transceivers (114) each include a transceiver circuit (409), and a processing system (412) coupled to the transceiver circuit. A periodic communication cycle is divided into a plurality of frames, each frame having a predetermined interval. Each of the plurality of frames in turn is subdivided into first and second portions (301, 303), whereby the second portion is used by the transceivers for requesting access to a communication medium (113). The second portion is further subdivided into a plurality of time slots, each time slot having a duration equal to or greater than a predetermined propagation delay of a signal transmitted between transceivers. Each of the transceivers is assigned to a corresponding one or more of the time slots.

Abstract: A mobile station (106) of a wireless communication system (100) detects (502) a predetermined user command applied to a user interface (308) of the mobile station. In response, the mobile station transmits (504), to a fixed portion (110) of the wireless communication system, a message including a request for local information and services. The fixed portion receives (506) the message, and, in response, determines (508) the location at which the mobile station is positioned. The fixed portion then generates (510) A the local information and services custom-tailored to a predetermined area around the location, and sends (512) the local information and services to the mobile station.

Abstract: A controller (112) defines (402) a channel pattern specifying a network destination for inbound channel traffic, a subscriber unit address group to which the channel pattern applies, and a predetermined time interval during which the channel pattern is to be active. The controller transmits (406) the channel pattern to a processor (310) which processes received inbound traffic. The processor then manages (412) the inbound traffic in accordance with the channel pattern.