Abstract: A majority of the IP packets sent from an IP network over a wireless network to a mobile station which is tethered to an electronic device, such as a laptop computer, are destined for applications running on the electronic device. The embodiments are for snooping and filtering incoming IP packets to delineate only those packets destined for mobile station applications, which greatly improves the processing efficiency of the mobile station. In particular, the CID fields of TCP/IP packets utilizing Van Jacobson compression techniques are snooped and filtered.

Abstract: Techniques for maintaining packet data connectivity in a wireless communications network are presented. A mobile station detects a change from a first packet control function (PCF) to a second PCF. The first PCF is connected to a first packet data service node (PDSN). The second PCF is connected to a second PDSN. The mobile station consults a database configured to map at least one previously visited PCF to a servicing PDSN. Based at least in part on the consulting, the mobile station observes one from among a plurality of predetermined origination patterns, wherein an origination pattern defines origination functions to be performed by the mobile station. As such, zombie PPP and mobile IP instances may be detected and handled.

Abstract: A method for selectively maintaining compression state and applying a compression technique after a PPP renegotiation on a Um interface of a wireless communication network. A communication device receives packetized data transmitted from a terminal device, which is coupled to the communication device via an Rm interface. The communication device determines whether the received packetized data comprises compressed or uncompressed data. Upon determining that the received packetized data comprises compressed data, the communication device determines whether connection information identifying a compression slot is included in the compressed data. The communication device further determines whether the connection information exceeds a highest-numbered decompression slot from a plurality of decompression slots on said Um interface.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are presented herein for allowing a keyless access terminal (AT) to access a packet serving data node (PSDN) over a service network stream without deactivating the authentication functions of the authentication network stream.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for allowing a mobile station in a wireless network to perform network authentication in association with mobile packet data services. The packet data serving node (PDSN) does not authenticate the mobile station with an authentication server prior to sending a CHAP success message. Rather, a mobile station is authenticated via an authentication server after the PDSN receives an IPCP message indicating whether the mobile station desires to use Mobile IP in the current session. If the mobile station desires to use Mobile IP, the PDSN uses authentication techniques in accordance with Mobile IP protocols. In the preferred embodiment, if the mobile station does not desire to use Mobile IP, the PDSN authenticates the mobile station querying an authentication server with the buffered contents of a previously received CHAP challenge response.

Abstract: A method for maintaining IPCP address negotiations in a wireless communication network is presented. The method includes a communication device receiving a message requesting an IP address, such as a Config-Request message, from a terminal device, which is coupled to the communication device. The communication device then generates a message requesting an IP address, such as a Config-Request message, and forwards it to a peer (IWF) within the network. The communication device then determines whether it has received an assigned IP address from the IWF in response to the IP address request message. In response to determining that the communication device has not received the assigned IP address from the IWF, the communication device transmits a message with an arbitrary IP address, such as a Configure-Nak message, to the terminal device. The arbitrary IP address contained within the message will be rejected by the communication device, upon receipt of future Configure-Requests containing the arbitrary address.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are presented for extending the protocol synchronization period between a PPP client and a PPP server, wherein the PPP server is located on a wireless communication device. In one aspect, the PPP server generates and sends an IPCP Configure-Nak message to the PPP client whenever the PPP client sends an IPCP Configure-Request message, wherein an arbitrary non-zero value is deliberately sent as the primary DNS address, the secondary DNS address, the primary WINS address, or the secondary WINS address is sent in the IPCP Configure-Nak message. The IP address is deliberately omitted from the IPCP Configure-Nak message.

Abstract: Multimode mobile station includes mobile configuration manager, device interface, and network interface to dynamically provision network configuration for mobile TE2-type mobile terminals and accomodates multiple protocols over multiple carrier access methods over Um interface and multiple access methods over Rm interface. A method for communicating between endpoints, where a mobile node obtains a unique configuration from a network for a managed device. The mobile node dynamically provisions the configuration for the connected managed device, in response to device request or network notice. The node adapts messages over Rm interface for TE2 signals and over Um interface for a wireless protocol.

Abstract: A system for efficiently accommodating an authentication protocol in a communications system. The system includes a first mechanism for establishing a first communications interface between a first device and a second device and for establishing a second communications interface between the second device and a third device. A second mechanism selectively relays authentication signals received by the second device between the first device and the third device. A third mechanism employs the third device and the second mechanism to authenticate the first device via the first communications link and the second communications link.

Abstract: This disclosure describes techniques for establishing a PPP data session between a user terminal (UT) and an Interworking Function (IWF). The process involves establishing a PPP2 link with the IWF in response to detecting a mobile IP data session request from the UT, detecting a PP1 link with the UT in response to the PP2 link being established, detecting that a PPP2 link failure has occurred, and reconfiguring at least one of the WCD and the UT to an initial state.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to techniques for selection of wireless network interfaces for data communication within an access terminal. The techniques may rely on a set of interface selection rules to identify network interfaces that are eligible to serve a particular communication application or the type of traffic forwarded on behalf of another device. In addition, each network interface may be assigned a priority. Upon identifying eligible interfaces, e.g., interfaces that satisfy all of the interface selection rules, the techniques may involve selection of the eligible interface having the highest priority. The assigned priority may be dynamically adjusted based on the connection state of the interfaces, prioritization according to changes in system latency, interface cost, and the like.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to techniques for supporting transition between network communication protocols in a communication network. The techniques may be applicable to different network communication protocols, but are especially useful in the transition from the IPv4 communication protocol to the IPv6 communication protocol in a wireless communication network. In general, to reduce consumption of scarce IPv4 address during the transition period, a network communication device implementing a dual IPv4/IPv6 stack acquires an IPv4 address only when necessary to communicate with IPv4 resources on the network. The network communication device uses an IPv6 address at the start of a communication session, and does not acquire an IPv4 address unless a need arises later in the session for communication with an IPv4 resource. The IPv4 address may be acquired for a limited period of time, such as fixed period of time or a period of actual usage, to further promote availability of IPv4 addresses.

Abstract: In order to assist an exchange of data between one or mobile communications devices and the Internet in a mobile communications network, bidirectional tunneling of IPv6 messages inside IPv4 messages is performed between a home agent and one or more foreign agents. Optionally, where a mobile communications device is a wireless mobile unit, the mobile unit itself automatically engages in bidirectional tunneling of IPv6 messages inside IPv4 messages with the home agent whenever the wireless mobile unit detects loss of wireless coverage in the mobile communications network and presence of coverage in a type of wireless network lacking foreign agent functionality.

Abstract: A system and method for invoking the performance of mobile node registration in a wireless communication network. The system comprises a terminal device for transmitting and receiving packetized data and a communication device coupled to the terminal device. The communication device monitors the packetized data for an Internet Protocol (IP) address contained in an IP address request. If the IP address request is for a static IP address the communication device waits for network movement information. Based on the received network movement information, the communication device solicits network address information. Upon receipt of the network address information, the terminal device then initiates Mobile Node registration. As a result, the Mobile Node registration is automatically invoked whenever the terminal device changes its network point-of-attachment.

Abstract: A system and method for transparent Mobile IP registration within PPP negotiation uses a mobile telephone to relay messages between terminal equipment and a Foreign Agent (FA). An IPCP configuration request message by the terminal equipment requesting the assignment of an IP address is modified by the mobile telephone to delete the IP address request option. Other configuration options are forwarded unchanged by the mobile telephone to the peer/network. The peer/network responds with an acknowledgement of the requested configuration options and flow control between the terminal and the MT is asserted to permit Mobile IP registration. In the course of Mobile IP registration, and IP address is assigned to the mobile unit by the FA. Upon completion of the Mobile IP registration, flow control between the mobile telephone and the terminal is deasserted and the IP address assigned during Mobile IP registration is provided to the terminal equipment.

Abstract: In a wireless communication system, a method for early determination of network support for Mobile IP is disclosed. A mobile node is in communication with a wireless network. Then a test is performed for a disconnect condition wherein the disconnect condition is an early indication of network non-support for Mobile IP as identified by at least a requirement for authentication. Early indication relates to identification of the non-support for Mobile IP prior to or during network packet connection. If the disconnect condition is found, the mobile node disconnects from the wireless network. If the disconnect condition is not found, the mobile node stays connected to the wireless network.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a key update scheme for use in a mobile IP network. The update scheme may be implemented to facilitate key updates between a mobile device and a server computer that authenticates the mobile device. The techniques described herein can facilitate key updates in a manner that accounts for potential message loss during the update routine, mobile device failure during the update routine, or other problems typically encountered in a mobile network settings. In this manner, the techniques can provide a robust scheme for key updates and may improve network security.

Abstract: A system and method for selecting from a plurality of data service options in a wireless communication network is presented. The system includes a terminal device for originating a call and for transmitting and receiving data in accordance with a selected data service option. The terminal device includes a dialing interface for inputting a sequence of one or more symbols representing a dial command string for originating the call. The input symbol sequence includes information indicating the selection of a data service option. The system also includes a communication device, coupled to the terminal device, for receiving the dial command string from the terminal device, for storing a plurality of pre-determined symbol sequences including standard telephone numbers and reserved telephone number sequences representing different data service options, and for comparing the contents of the dial command string with the stored pre-determined symbol sequences.

Abstract: A wireless communication device and a method for transmitting and receiving at least one frame between a terminal device, connected to the wireless communication device, and an interworking function. Selected ones of a plurality of corresponding configuration options of a first and a second instance of a communication protocol, executing on the wireless communication device, are checked to determine whether they are equal. If the selected ones of the corresponding configuration options are equal, all but certain ones of a plurality of packets may be passed through the wireless communication device without unframing and reframing the communication protocol frames encapsulating the packets.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for conserving home agent resources in mobile Internet Protocol (IP) deployment is disclosed. In a wireless communication system supporting mobile IP, a release candidate set is generated and updated during operation of the network. When an inactivity timer associated with a mobile node satisfies a condition, the mobile node is listed in the release candidate set. Successful communication with the mobile node results in removal from the release candidate set. The release candidate set is accessed when a home agent desires to reclaim resources on an overload condition.