Abstract: A mobile communications system includes a plurality of mobile communications devices. A direct link communicates information between a communications network and a selected one of the plurality of mobile communications devices. A broadcast link simultaneously broadcasts information from the communications network intended to be receivable by the plurality of mobile communications devices.

Abstract: There is provided a method for supporting a mobile host in a communication structure having a home agent. The mobile host is enabled to communicate with a Network Address Translation (NAT) server. A packet for the mobile host, incorporating data that includes at least an address and a port used on the mobile host, is translated by the home agent into a global address and a port used on the NAT server, respectively. The packet is sent from the home agent for modification so that the packet can be routed to the mobile host. The packet is compatible with the NAT server.

Abstract: To effect seamless transition of a mobile terminal user (16) from a first radio access network (12) to second radio access network (14), a temporary home agent (19) in the second radio access network assigns the user a co-location address which becomes the source address for all packets originated by the user while accessing the second network. Packets sent in reply to those originated with the co-location address as the source address pass directly to the mobile terminal user at the second network without first being tunneled through the first radio access network. Upon the transition of the mobile terminal user to the second radio access network, the first radio access network will forward any packets addressed to the user at the first source address.

Abstract: A General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) network (141) includes at least one, and preferably, a plurality of radio access networks (161-16m), each providing radio access to one or more mobile terminal users (121-12n). Associated with one or more of the access networks is a corresponding one of a plurality of Serving GPRS Service Nodes (SGSNs) (241-24m), each node serving to identify and authenticate a mobile terminal user. Advantageously, each SGSN also serves to cache IP packets from a sending mobile terminal user and to examine each packet to determine if the destination IP address corresponds to another mobile terminal user in the network. If so, then that SGSN routes the packet to the destination mobile terminal user. Otherwise, if the packet destination lies outside the network, the SGSN routes the packet to a gateway (32) for routing beyond the network.

Abstract: An operator of a network (20) dynamically establishes a business relationship with a Billing Agent (26) to enable the network operator to receive reimbursement for access charges incurred by one or more users (121, 122 and 123). To establish such a relationship, the network operator first opens a communications channel to the Billing Agent after which the network operator and Billing Agent verify each other. Following verification, the network operator communicates proposed business terms and conditions, including access charges, to the Billing Agent. In response, the Billing Agent sends to the network operator an acceptance of business terms acceptable to the Billing Agent. After reaching agreement on the terms and conditions, the Billing Agent and network operator will each digitally acknowledge a formal agreement that embodies the agreed upon terms.

Abstract: A method and system for extending the capabilities of a handheld device by providing a framework within which small handheld devices can use their helper environment, the devices around them, to expand their limited capabilities. Such a framework can be deployed in the office, at home for user convenience or in a public access area as a revenue generating service. A handheld device interacts with the helper environment through several essential steps including device discovery, service query, request transfer and remote control. In order to ensure the proper operation of such an environment, the framework provides essential system components for admission control, resource allocation, task scheduling and device coordination.

Abstract: The present invention includes a generic monitoring system and method having a generic core that includes a logical control layer, various network adaptors at a network adaptor layer and application specific modules at a graphical interface layer. The generic core has the essential components, operational model and functionalities that are common across monitoring tools. Network adaptors glue the core to different kinds of active networks so that messages from the active networks can be translated into a format understood by the core. Application specific modules are used to customize the user interfaces and event handling functions so that the generic monitoring system and method can be tailored to individual application needs. The present invention can be applied to multiple active packet networks with minimum adaptation or modification of the generic core.

Abstract: The present invention is built upon an active network framework and an ontology-based information hierarchy, and, in addition to the features found in current network models, it provides a symmetrical framework for information filtering and binding in the network. Queries from information requesters are directly routed to relevant information sources and contents from information providers are distributed to the destinations that expressed an interest in the information. The query packets and content packets can carry commands that are executed at the active network nodes encountered by the packets as they traverse the network.

Abstract: Public wireless communications will increasingly extend into wireless LAN (WLAN) environments in order to meet the ubiquitous access, high data rate, and local services demands of future Internet appliances. By relying on IP-level services mechanisms, the Public Access Mobility LAN (PAMLAN) can simultaneously support different air interfaces, franchises for multiple services providers, and a multi-segment LAN environment including handoffs. The PAMLAN supports virtual operator LANs representing different network services providers, authorization and accounting mechanism, support of multiple air interfaces, and local IP mobility. A router associated with each base station realizes this highly distributed IP networking environment, and a QoS-enabled switched Ethernet core supports virtual networks and QoS services.

Abstract: Mobile users access the Internet and local network services at hot spots such as airports, hotels, coffee shops and vacation resorts. The mobile users' Internet Service Providers (ISPs) are used as the single point of contact for all authentication, accounting, and authorization (AAA) transactions. AAA transactions for such ISPs acting as “virtual operators” are handled according to a system entirely based on IP. Converging both the AAA process and data transmission at the IP layer works across multiple air interfaces and is interoperable with wireless LAN cards from different vendors.