Patents by Inventor Nicola Funnell

Nicola Funnell has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8391204
    Abstract: The details of an apparatus and method are disclosed for setting the Uplink RRC message sequence number for a new integrity protection configuration to be applied for signalling radio bearer RB0, on completion of a UTRAN MOBILITY INFORMATION procedure. The sequence number is set to a value such that the next RRC message to be sent on uplink RB0 will use the new integrity protection configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventor: Nicola Funnell
  • Publication number: 20120009910
    Abstract: Apparatus and a method for ciphering messages in mobile telecommunications system user equipment and network are disclosed. The apparatus is arranged to store a plurality of current ciphering configurations and/or a plurality of old (previously applied) ciphering configurations and/or a plurality of new (future) ciphering configurations. Thus different ciphering configuration may be applied at different times and for different radio bearers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
    Inventor: Nicola Funnell
  • Patent number: 8073453
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for handling system information in mobile telecommunications system user equipment, wherein updates are applied in a defined order. In particular, in 3G UMTS systems, when System Information Block (SIB) SIB 11 and SIB 12 are received with information elements relating to cell information list (e.g. “intra-frequency cell info list”, “inter-frequency cell info list” and “Inter-RAT cell info list”) then the system information associated with the system information block information element in SIB 11 is applied before the system information associated with the system information block information element in SIB 12.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventor: Nicola Funnell
  • Patent number: 8036385
    Abstract: Apparatus and a method for ciphering messages in mobile telecommunications system user equipment and network are disclosed. The apparatus is arranged to store a plurality of current ciphering configurations and/or a plurality of old (previously applied) ciphering configurations and/or a plurality of new (future) ciphering configurations. Thus different ciphering configuration may be applied at different times and for different radio bearers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventor: Nicola Funnell
  • Patent number: 8009618
    Abstract: Apparatus and a method for handling discard of a service data unit in universal mobile telecommunications system user equipment. Strategies for the radio resource control entity to handle discard of a service data unit by the radio link control entity are presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Gjalt Gerrit De Jong, Nicola Funnell, David Winstone Pedlar
  • Publication number: 20110136487
    Abstract: Apparatus and a method for handling discard of a service data unit in universal mobile telecommunications system user equipment. Strategies for the radio resource control entity to handle discard of a service data unit by the radio link control entity are presented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: M-STACK LIMITED
    Inventors: David Winstone Pedlar, Gjalt Gerrit de Jong, Nicola Funnell
  • Patent number: 7826864
    Abstract: Apparatus and a method for deriving a power measurement summation for use in universal mobile telecommunications system user equipment are disclosed. Conversion from a logarithm scale to a linear scale for summation and back again is avoided. The technique obviates the need for a mathematical processor to convert power measurements in a logarithmic scale (e.g. decibels dB, or dBw) into a linear scale (e.g. mW) to sum the power measurements or a ratio. The summed power component is calculated using data stored in the device (e.g. look up tables) without any need for conversion of the scale used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: M-Stack Limited
    Inventors: Nicola Funnell, Andrew Farnsworth, Chin Ying Cheung
  • Patent number: 7525935
    Abstract: Apparatus and a method for handling discard of a service data unit in universal mobile telecommunications system user equipment. Strategies for the radio resource control entity to handle discard of a service data unit by the radio link control entity are presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: M-Stack Limited
    Inventors: Gjalt Gerrit De Jong, Nicola Funnell, David Winstone Pedlar
  • Patent number: 7480267
    Abstract: Apparatus and a method for handling discard of a service data unit in universal mobile telecommunications system user equipment. Strategies for the radio resource control entity to handle discard of a service data unit by the radio link control entity are presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: M-Stack Limited
    Inventors: Nicola Funnell, David Winstone Pedlar, Gjalt Gerrit De Jong
  • Patent number: 7437153
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for taking measurements in a mobile telecommunications system are disclosed, the system comprising a network of a plurality of cells and at least one user equipment device. The method comprises, at the user equipment device, receiving a measurement control set-up command and, in response the user equipment device, setting up the measurements. Then it monitors for a change in state of the UE and, in response to a change in state, issuing a measurement control pause command and, in response, the user equipment device stopping taking measurements, and maintains the measurement settings initialised previously. The device then monitors for a change in state of the UE and, in response to a change in state, issuing a measurement control resume command and, in response, the user equipment device resumes taking measurements with the maintained measurement settings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: M-Stack Limited
    Inventors: Gideon Roberts, Nicola Funnell
  • Patent number: 7411912
    Abstract: The details of an apparatus and method are disclosed for ensuring that a traffic volume measurement message does not have a validity of CELL_DCH when the user equipment in a UMTS communications system is in CELL_FACH state. The validity is set to other than CELL_DCH at a UTRAN or the UE rejects a message having a validity of CELL_DCH when the UE is in CELL_FACH state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: M-Stack Limited
    Inventor: Nicola Funnell
  • Patent number: 7339904
    Abstract: Apparatus and a method for handling discard of a service data unit in universal mobile telecommunications system user equipment. Strategies for the radio resource control entity to handle discard of a service data unit by the radio link control entity are presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: M-Stack Limited
    Inventors: David Winstone Pedlar, Gjalt Gerrit De Jong, Nicola Funnell
  • Patent number: 7333442
    Abstract: Apparatus and a method for ciphering messages in mobile telecommunications system user equipment are disclosed. The apparatus is arranged to receive ciphering configuration parameters in a Radio Resource Control (RRC) layer; forward ciphering configuration parameters to a Radio Link Control (RLC) or Medium Access Control (MAC) layer; and, in response to subsequent receipt of a message from the network, which message indicates that the user equipment device is to start ciphering, configuring the user equipment device to start ciphering using the ciphering configuration parameters in the RLC/MAC layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: M-Stack Limited
    Inventors: Nicola Funnell, Andrew Farnsworth
  • Publication number: 20070116053
    Abstract: The details of an apparatus and methods of handling simultaneous universal terrestrial radio access network radio resource control procedures with activation times in a universal mobile telecommunications system user equipment are disclosed herein. According to one aspect, the apparatus includes a message handler to receive a received message from the UTRAN, a sequential processor to receive an ongoing command, a command store connected to the message handler to save the received command. The message handler determines if there is an existing command at the user equipment such that the user equipment appears to the UTRAN as though it were processing the select commands simultaneously while actually processing the existing command sequentially.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2007
    Publication date: May 24, 2007
    Applicant: M-STACK LIMITED
    Inventors: David Pedlar, Nicola Funnell, Robert Harrison
  • Publication number: 20070060191
    Abstract: Apparatus and a method for deriving a power measurement summation for use in universal mobile telecommunications system user equipment are disclosed. Conversion from a logarithm scale to a linear scale for summation and back again is avoided. The technique obviates the need for a mathematical processor to convert power measurements in a logarithmic scale (e.g. decibels dB, or dBw) into a linear scale (e.g. mW) to sum the power measurements or a ratio. The summed power component is calculated using data stored in the device (e.g. look up tables) without any need for conversion of the scale used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2005
    Publication date: March 15, 2007
    Applicant: M-Stack Limited
    Inventors: Nicola Funnell, Andrew Farnsworth, Nelson Cheung
  • Publication number: 20060141999
    Abstract: Air interface management apparatus for use in network-based control of measurements made by mobile user equipment with respect to cells of the network is adapted to detect conflict in content of measurement control messages instructing the report of pathloss measurement values. Conflict is detected in particular where the message specifies: a) an identity for a triggering event for which the category or categories of cell to be measured is determined at the receiver solely by said identity and comprises detected set cells, or b) periodical measurement in respect of a detected set cell. Pathloss measurements are not possible in these cases. The apparatus provides a mechanism for dealing with detected conflict by blocking transmission of, or response to, a measurement control message giving rise to conflict. Alternatively, the message or the response may be modified to avoid the conflict.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2004
    Publication date: June 29, 2006
    Inventors: Nicola Funnell, Gjalt de Jong
  • Publication number: 20060030294
    Abstract: Apparatus and a method for ciphering messages in mobile telecommunications system user equipment are disclosed. The apparatus is arranged to receive ciphering configuration parameters in a Radio Resource Control (RRC) layer; forward ciphering configuration parameters to a Radio Link Control (RLC) or Medium Access Control (MAC) layer; and, in response to subsequent receipt of a message from the network, which message indicates that the user equipment device is to start ciphering, configuring the user equipment device to start ciphering using the ciphering configuration parameters in the RLC/MAC layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2004
    Publication date: February 9, 2006
    Inventors: Nicola Funnell, Andrew Farnsworth
  • Publication number: 20050276417
    Abstract: Apparatus and a method for ciphering messages in mobile telecommunications system user equipment and network are disclosed. The apparatus is arranged to store a plurality of current ciphering configurations and/or a plurality of old (previously applied) ciphering configurations and/or a plurality of new (future) ciphering configurations. Thus different ciphering configuration may be applied at different times and for different radio bearers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2004
    Publication date: December 15, 2005
    Inventor: Nicola Funnell
  • Publication number: 20050249241
    Abstract: Apparatus, and an associated method, for routing data in a communication device defined in terms of a protocol stack. The protocol stack includes an upper logical layer, a lower logical layer, and a mid stack layer. A determiner determines the configuration of the radio bearer by which the data is to be communicated. If a determination is made that the radio bearer is configured such that it does not require its application to the mid stack layers, a data bypasser causes the data to bypass the mid stack layer. If, conversely, the data is to be applied to the mid stack layer, the data is caused to be routed therethrough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2004
    Publication date: November 10, 2005
    Inventors: Andrew John Farnsworth, Nicola Funnell
  • Publication number: 20050250529
    Abstract: Mobile user equipment for use in a cellular communications environment performs an improved cell selection on transitions out of a connected mode state. The transitions might be from one connected mode state to another or from a connected mode state to idle mode. The improvement in cell selection lies in assembling the list of candidate cells prior to cell selection. In the prior art, the list of candidate cells would usually be restricted to the serving cell or active cells supporting communication between the equipment and the network prior to transition. In embodiments of the invention, the list might comprise cells which are not the serving cell or which are outside the active set, for example a network-preferred cell or cells neighbouring the serving cell or cells of the active set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2004
    Publication date: November 10, 2005
    Inventors: Nicola Funnell, Gideon Roberts, Andrew Farnsworth, Richard George, Gjalt de Jong