Abstract: A radio communications device (102) that has multiple receive antennas processes received data communications signals to select between space time coding and spatial multiplexing as a selected transmission technique from a base device (104) that has multiple transmit antennas. A channel throughput (402-412, 450-454) for each transmission technique is estimated based on signal to interference and noise ratios (502-512, 550-554) of signals being transmitted through a MIMO channel (140) as measured by a receiver (708). The transmission technique with the higher estimated throughput is determined. If spatial multiplexing is determined to have the higher estimated throughput and the throughput of each layer of the spatially multiplexed signal is greater than a threshold, spatial multiplexing is selected. Otherwise, space time coding is selected.

Abstract: A communication system is provided that comprises a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) network coupled to a service provider network. An RFID reader of the RFID network detects an RFID tag associated with a mobile station when the mobile station is present in, or proximate to, a controlled area. The RFID network routes information associated with the RFID tag to the service provider network and, based on the information received from the RFID network, the service provider network alters a behavior of the mobile station when the mobile station is entering, exiting, or present in the controlled area.

Abstract: A radio communications device (102) that has multiple receive antennas processes received data communications signals to select between space time coding and spatial multiplexing as a selected transmission technique from a base device (104) that has multiple transmit antennas. A channel throughput (402-412, 450-454) for each transmission technique is estimated based on signal to interference and noise ratios (502-512, 550-554) of signals being transmitted through a MIMO channel (140) as measured by a receiver (708). The transmission technique with the higher estimated throughput is determined. If spatial multiplexing is determined to have the higher estimated throughput and the throughput of each layer of the spatially multiplexed signal is greater than a threshold, spatial multiplexing is selected. Otherwise, space time coding is selected.

Abstract: A portable, wireless, intelligent fire alarm and suppression system is provided for detecting and suppressing a fire in a plurality of locations. The system comprises a portable unit (10) including a sensor (18) for measuring data relating to a characteristic of a fire. A control logic (20) determines the type of fire in response to the data also determines an action for responding to the type of fire. A transmitter (22) wirelessly transmits at least one of the data and the action. A fire suppression element (14) includes one or more fire suppression materials, wherein at least one is actuated in response to the action. The control logic (20) determines a strategy for fighting the fire and may transmit instructions to other portable units to discharge their suppressants. Alternatively, a central control (24) includes a second transmitter/receiver (30) for receiving the at least one of the data and the action from the portable unit (10).

Abstract: A wireless device (108) having a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag (202) and method to operate the wireless device are disclosed. The wireless device includes a switching circuit (204) coupled to the RFID tag. After an RFID signal is received (402), a switching circuit controls a power state of the wireless device according to the RFID signal (404). After the wireless device is on, the RFID signal may direct the wireless device to send information regarding the identity of the wireless device (406), authenticate the identity of the wireless device (408), scan for available wireless communication systems (410), and send information regarding the location and power status of the wireless device (412) using one or more of the available wireless communication systems.

Abstract: A method (900) and a mobile station (160) for autonomously determining an angle of arrival (AOA) estimation are described herein. The mobile station (160) may receive information associated with a plurality of sectors (200) from a base station (140) having a plurality of antennas. Each of the plurality of antennas may provide communication service to one of the plurality of sectors (200). The information associated with the plurality of sectors (200) may be an antenna pattern, a boresight, a downtilt, and a signal strength value associated with each of the plurality of antennas. Based on the information associated with the plurality of sectors (200), the mobile station (160) may determine an antenna gain difference, which in turn, is used to determine the angle of arrival (AOA) estimation.

Abstract: A method (900) and a mobile station (160) for autonomously determining an angle of arrival (AOA) estimation are described herein. The mobile station (160) may receive information associated with a plurality of sectors (200) from a base station (140) having a plurality of antennas. Each of the plurality of antennas may provide communication service to one of the plurality of sectors (200). The information associated with the plurality of sectors (200) may be an antenna pattern, a boresight, a downtilt, and a signal strength value associated with each of the plurality of antennas. Based on the information associated with the plurality of sectors (200), the mobile station (160) may determine an antenna gain difference, which in turn, is used to determine the angle of arrival (AOA) estimation.

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: 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 (900) and a mobile station (160) for autonomously determining an angle of arrival (AOA) estimation are described herein. The mobile station (160) may receive information associated with a plurality of sectors (200) from a base station (140) having a plurality of antennas. Each of the plurality of antennas may provide communication service to one of the plurality of sectors (200). The information associated with the plurality of sectors (200) may be an antenna pattern, a boresight, a downtilt, and a signal strength value associated with each of the plurality of antennas. Based on the information associated with the plurality of sectors (200), the mobile station (160) may determine an antenna gain difference, which in turn, is used to determine the angle of arrival (AOA) estimation.

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).