Abstract: Apparatus, and an associated method, by which to facilitate operation of a roaming mobile node to perform a packet communication service. When the mobile node roams beyond its home network, detection is made of the available networks in whose coverage area that the mobile node roams together with the communication capabilities of the available networks. A preferred listing stored at a storage element of the mobile node is accessed to determine if any of the available and compatible networks are listed on the preferred listing. If so, selection is made of one of the available and preferred networks. Otherwise, a network not contained in the preferred listing is selected through which to communicate.

Abstract: One illustrative method of reducing undeliverable server-initiated IP traffic within a wireless network (21) includes the steps of identifying that a data connection (e.g. a Packet Data Protocol or PDP Context) for communicating server-initiated IP messages from a host server (22 or 26) to a mobile station (10) has been lost or terminated; causing a notification message having a destination address corresponding to the host server (22 or 26) to be produced based on identifying that the data connection has been lost or terminated; and causing the notification message to be sent to the host server (22 or 26). The notification message may cause the host server (22 or 26) to at least temporarily refrain from communicating and/or to queue server-initiated IP messages (10) intended for the mobile station (10). The notification message may be formatted and communicated based on an existing protocol, such as Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP), or any other suitable protocol.

Abstract: Several related methods and apparatus for re-establishing communication for a wireless communication device after a communication loss between the wireless device and a wireless communication network are disclosed. In one illustrative example, the wireless network broadcasts identifiers of wireless devices associated with communication losses in the wireless network over a control channel. After regaining signal coverage, a wireless device monitors the control channel to decode and compare each broadcasted identifier with an identifier of the wireless device. Based on a match between a broadcasted identifier and the identifier of the wireless device, the wireless device transmits a control message which informs the wireless network of the presence of the wireless device. Otherwise, the wireless device normally refrains from transmitting the control message to the wireless network.

Abstract: A visor assembly for a passenger compartment of a vehicle having a visor housing and an extender blade received within the visor housing movable between a retracted position and a extended position. The visor housing includes at least one lower receiving member provided on the inner surface of the housing having an upper portion supporting a bottom surface of the extender blade and a stop limiting the inward travel of the blade through the cavity in the housing. At least one upper receiving member disposed in the inner surface of the visor housing includes a lower portion engaging the top surface of the extender blade to support and guide the extender blade through the aperture in the housing.

Abstract: A visor assembly for a passenger compartment of a vehicle having a visor housing and an extender blade received within the visor housing movable between a retracted position and a extended position. The visor housing includes at least one lower receiving member provided on the inner surface of the housing having an upper portion supporting a bottom surface of the extender blade and a stop limiting the inward travel of the blade through the cavity in the housing. At least one upper receiving member disposed in the inner surface of the visor housing includes a lower portion engaging the top surface of the extender blade to support and guide the extender blade through the aperture in the housing.

Abstract: This invention relates to a needle guard which is adapted to position the needle relative the lower stitch forming mechanism and further serves to minimize skipped stitches during the sewing operation. The needle guard is positioned beneath the work supporting surface of the machine and during the sewing operation is disposed proximate the needle path. Upon completion of the sewing operation the needle guard is retracted from the path of the needle. Adjustable means are provided so as to accomodate the needle guard to needles of various sizes and to permit positioning of the needle guiding surface with respect to the path of the needle.