Abstract: An infrastructure device in a 3GPP compliant system performs a method transporting a plurality of media streams over a shared MBMS bearer. The 3GPP compliant system includes a RAN partitioned into a plurality MBMS services areas, wherein each MBMS service area has at least one already existing shared MBMS bearers for transporting the media streams. The infrastructure device: receives a first request to transmit a first media stream to a first communication group; identifies a shared MBMS bearer in a first 3GPP MBMS service area that is already transporting a second media stream to a second communication group; and determines whether the shared MBMS bearer has sufficient capacity to transport both the first media stream and the second media stream simultaneously. When the shared MBMS bearer has sufficient capacity, the infrastructure device simultaneously sends both the first media stream and the second media stream on the shared MBMS bearer.

Abstract: In a method, a secured link is established between a primary device and a secondary device, both of which are assigned to a user. The secondary device receives, on the secured link, a request for a derived certificate for the primary device and a public key generated by the primary device. The secondary device generates the derived certificate for the primary device based on an original certificate issued to the secondary device and transmits, on the secured link, the derived certificate to the primary device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a lifetime extension to an identity assertion is provided herein. During operation a user will authenticate to an identity management server (also known as an authorization server or an authentication server) to obtain an identity assertion. An identity assertion will be provided upon successful authentication. The lifetime of the identity assertion will be based on whether or not biometric information of the user will be used by the device to which the assertion is being issued to identify the user prior to allowing the use of the identity assertion.

Abstract: Methods for managing resource utilization in a Long Term Evolution (LTE) communication system are described. In one method, an application server: receives signaling indicating resource utilization in the LTE system; determines, based on this signaling, a set of control parameters for a user equipment (UE) receiving service from the LTE system; and sends the set of control parameters to the UE, wherein the set of control parameters indicates behavior for the UE toward at least one of maintaining LTE system resources or modifying standard handover procedures. The signaling indicating resource utilization in the LTE system is sent from UE, the LTE system, or both.

Abstract: A mobile device registers with an infrastructure device coupled to a first communication network and then sends a request to activate PTT service in the first communication network. A communication server is adapted to receive the request to activate the PTT service, and to, thereby, activate the PTT service for the mobile device in the first communication network. Responsive to receiving the request to activate the PTT service, the communication server makes a determination to register the mobile device with a second communication network, generates a service registration message, on behalf of the mobile device, to register the mobile device with the second communication network, and sends the service registration message to the second communication network.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dynamically controlling quality of service (QoS) is provided herein. During operation, a QoS manager will determine if a device is currently being used by an individual. The QoS of the device will then be tailored based on whether or not the device is currently being used by the individual. Devices that may be running applications, yet unused by anyone may have their QoS reduced. This will allow the QoS to be increased for devices that are currently being used.

Abstract: An infrastructure device in a 3GPP compliant system performs a method to allocate MBMS bearers. The 3GPP compliant system includes a RAN partitioned into a plurality MBMS services areas, wherein each MBMS service area has a plurality of pre-established MBMS bearers for transporting media streams. The infrastructure device: receives a request to transmit a media stream to a communication group; selects a set of the MBMS service areas for transporting the media stream; determines an available MBMS bearer in each selected MBMS service area to assign to transport the media stream; and identifies the assigned MBMS bearers to members of the communication group. In addition, a UE performs a method for MBMS service area location update in the 3GPP compliant system. Accordingly, the UE: determines a 3GPP MBMS service area in which the UE is currently located; and identifies the 3GPP MBMS service area to an infrastructure device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for assigning Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service (E-MBMS) bearers in at least two Multimedia Broadcast Single Frequency Network (MBSFN) areas in a 3GPP compliant wireless communication system is provided. An infrastructure device receives identifiers of a primary preferred MBSFN area and a secondary preferred MBSFN area from a User Equipment (UE). The infrastructure device assigns a first E-MBMS bearer in a first MBSFN and a second E-MBMS bearer in a second MBSFN, to support a call to the UE, the first and second E-MBMS bearers providing the same media transmission to the UE as part of a group call. The infrastructure device may receive an attribute parameter comprising a request for Make Before Break service or a request for a boost to coverage, from the UE.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing targeted recall notifications are provided herein. During operation the system will determine a probability of a customer actually having purchased a recalled product. A notification of the recall will then be sent to the customer based on this probability, even if no direct evidence exists that the customer actually purchased the product. Because recall notifications will be provided to customers based on their probability of purchasing a recalled product, customers will be more likely to receive a recall notification on a product that they purchased.

Abstract: A central resource manager is communicatively coupled to a broadcast/multicast service (BMS) capable system. The BMS capable system has a radio access network that includes at least one BMS service area and a total number of BMS bearers for transporting media streams. Each BMS service area has associated therewith a portion of the total number of BMS bearers. The central resource manager allocates, to a first local call controller of a plurality of local call controllers, a first portion of the total number of BMS bearers to be managed locally by the first local call controller, and identifies the first portion of the total number of BMS bearer to the first local call controller. The central resource manager also manages a second portion of the total number of BMS bearers for a subsequent allocation to at least one local call controller of the plurality of local call controllers.

Abstract: A method of assigning Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service (E-MBMS) bearers in a Multimedia Broadcast Single Frequency Network (MBSFN) area in a 3GPP compliant wireless communication system is provided. An infrastructure device is operably coupled to a radio access network comprising one or more MBSFN areas, wherein each MBSFN area supports a plurality of E-MBMS bearers for transporting media streams to user equipments (UE). The infrastructure device receives, from a UE, an identifier of a preferred MBSFN area and a request for a boost to the quality of the transmissions. The infrastructure device assigns first and second E-MBMS bearers in an MBSFN area to support a call to the UE, the first and second E-MBMS bearers providing the same information to the UE in their media content streams. The UE may employ application layer time-diversity reception of the media content.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for distributing content to a plurality of mobile stations using a downlink point-to-multipoint (PTM) bearers and downlink point-to-point (PTP) bearers. A controller can process events, to determine whether a current modulation-and-coding scheme (MCS) level applied to downlink transmissions over the downlink PTM bearer is to be changed or maintained, and to communicate a change message whenever the current MCS level is to be changed. An actuator can adjust, in response to receiving a change message, a MCS level that is applied to downlink transmissions over the downlink PTM bearer.

Abstract: A 3GPP compliant system includes a radio access network (RAN) partitioned into a plurality MBMS services areas, wherein each MBMS service area has a plurality of MBMS bearers established a priori for transporting media streams. An infrastructure device: receives a request to transmit a media stream to a communication group, wherein the request to transmit is received after the MBMS bearers were established; determines a MBMS bearer in a MBMS service area to assign to transport the media stream; generates a MBMS connect message that binds the communication group to the assigned MBMS bearer, wherein the MBMS connect message includes an identifier for the communication group and an identifier for the assigned MBMS bearer; and sends the MBMS connect message to members of the communication group.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dynamically controlling quality of service (QoS) is provided herein. During operation, a QoS manager will determine if a device is currently being used by an individual. The QoS of the device will then be tailored based on whether or not the device is currently being used by the individual. Devices that may be running applications, yet unused by anyone may have their QoS reduced. This will allow the QoS to be increased for devices that are currently being used.

Abstract: A method for reducing set-up signaling in a Long Term Evolution (LTE) communication system is performed by an LTE subsystem. The method includes the LTE subsystem: receiving from a first user equipment (UE) a first message as part of a connection procedure to connect the first UE to the LTE system, the first message having contents that include an identifier for identifying a virtual channel on which the first UE intends to transmit media; determining a status of the virtual channel; and based on the status of the virtual channel, determining whether to send to the first UE a response to the first message that allows the connection procedure to proceed or to send to the first UE a response that terminates the connection procedure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for assigning Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service (E-MBMS) bearers in at least two Multimedia Broadcast Single Frequency Network (MBSFN) areas in a 3GPP compliant wireless communication system is provided. An infrastructure device receives identifiers of a primary preferred MBSFN area and a secondary preferred MBSFN area from a User Equipment (UE). The infrastructure device assigns a first E-MBMS bearer in a first MBSFN and a second E-MBMS bearer in a second MBSFN, to support a call to the UE, the first and second E-MBMS bearers providing the same media transmission to the UE as part of a group call. The infrastructure device may receive an attribute parameter comprising a request for Make Before Break service or a request for a boost to coverage, from the UE.

Abstract: A method and eMBMS-enabled infrastructure device are disclosed that provide an updated mechanism for a client, or user equipment (UE), to report its location such that an eMBMS-enabled application desiring eMBMS location information can uniquely identify the MBSFN in which the UE is located. The method and eMBMS-enabled infrastructure device identify an eMBMS area associated with a user equipment UE by receiving, from the UE, a Multicast Broadcast Single Frequency Network (MBSFN) Area update message from a user equipment, wherein the MBSFN Area update message uniquely identifies an MBSFN Area and includes an extension identifier derived from one or more of a cell identifier, an eNodeB identifier, an identifier of a group of cells, a service identifier, a tracking area identifier, and a paging area identifier, and optionally further may include an MBSFN AreaID, and determining an MBSFN Area serving the user equipment based on the received eMBMS area identifier.

Abstract: A method of assigning Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service (E-MBMS) bearers in a Multimedia Broadcast Single Frequency Network (MBSFN) area in a 3GPP compliant wireless communication system is provided. An infrastructure device is operably coupled to a radio access network comprising one or more MBSFN areas, wherein each MBSFN area supports a plurality of E-MBMS bearers for transporting media streams to user equipments (UE). The infrastructure device receives, from a UE, an identifier of a preferred MBSFN area and a request for a boost to the quality of the transmissions. The infrastructure device assigns first and second E-MBMS bearers in an MBSFN area to support a call to the UE, the first and second E-MBMS bearers providing the same information to the UE in their media content streams. The UE may employ application layer time-diversity reception of the media content.

Abstract: A method between a controlling server and a participating server, a network, and a server include enhanced signaling via a Multicast-Broadcast Single Frequency Network (MBSFN) report allowing User Equipment (UE) to communicate MBSFN areas to a controlling server. Thus, the enhanced controlling server's Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Services (MBMS) decisions can count all visiting devices in addition to its own in its MBSFN areas. The method, network, and server include new signaling and additional info to provide a participating server with MBSFN areas that will have MBMS activated for a group session. This enhances the participating server's determination of which its visiting devices need unicast bearers. The participating server can add information related to the current MBSFN area of its UE to a message to the controlling server indicating joining the UE to a group.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for dynamically switching mobile stations between point-to-point (PTP) and point-to-multipoint (PTM) operating modes. For example, a particular mobile station can determine whether reception of information over a downlink PTM bearer is inadequate or adequate. Upon determining that the reception of the information over the downlink PTM bearer is inadequate, the particular mobile station can generate and transmit a complaint message to a controller. It can then be determined whether the particular mobile station is to switch between the PTP operating mode and the PTM operating mode. A signal can be processed at the particular mobile station. When the signal is to switch to the PTP operating mode, the particular mobile station can switch from the PTM operating mode to the PTP operating mode and start receiving downlink transmissions over a PTP bearer.