Patents by Inventor Nicola M. Funnell

Nicola M. 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: 8811943
    Abstract: The details of an apparatus and method of handling simultaneous universal terrestrial radio access network radio resource control procedures which change the security configuration in a universal mobile telecommunications system user equipment are disclosed herein. According to one aspect of the present application, there is provided a user equipment apparatus having a message handler, a sequential processor, a command store, and a security configuration change detector, wherein said message handler is coupled to said command store, is coupled to said sequential processor, and is coupled to said security configuration change detector to save, process, and detect configuration changes in commands respectively, and to determine if there is an existing command at the user equipment, such that the user equipment appears to the UTRAN as though it were processing commands simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Nicola M. Funnell, David W. Pedlar, Robert J. Harrison
  • Patent number: 8554266
    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 neighboring the serving cell or cells of the active set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Nicola M. Funnell, Gideon Roberts, Andrew John Farnsworth, Richard John George, Gjalt de Jong
  • Patent number: 8385270
    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 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: David Winstone Pedlar, Gjalt Gerrit de Jong, Nicola M. Funnell
  • Patent number: 8175275
    Abstract: The details of an apparatus and method for determining uplink ciphering activation time in universal mobile telecommunications system user equipment are disclosed herein. The ciphering activation time is determined for radio bearers other than RB2 by measuring the data rate on each target radio bearer during the time that it takes for a polling or RRC message sent from the user equipment UE to be acknowledged by the network UTRAN. For RB2, the uplink ciphering activation time is determined by taking into account the size of the RRC response message and the data already queued on RB2 for transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Nicola M. Funnell, Andrew Farnsworth, Robert J. Harrison
  • Patent number: 8078144
    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: December 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Nicola M. Funnell, Andrew Farnsworth
  • Publication number: 20110136489
    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: February 15, 2011
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: M-STACK LIMITED
    Inventors: Nicola M. Funnell, Gideon Roberts, Andrew Farnsworth, Richard George, Gjalt de Jong
  • Patent number: 7953226
    Abstract: The details of an apparatus and method for determining uplink ciphering activation time in universal mobile telecommunications system user equipment are disclosed herein. The ciphering activation time is determined for radio bearers other than RB2 by measuring the data rate on each target radio bearer during the time that it takes for a polling or RRC message sent from the user equipment UE to be acknowledged by the network UTRAN. For RB2, the uplink ciphering activation time is determined by taking into account the size of the RRC response message and the data already queued on RB2 for transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: M-Stack Limited
    Inventors: Nicola M. Funnell, Andrew Farnsworth, Robert J. Harrison
  • Publication number: 20110116633
    Abstract: The details of an apparatus and method for determining uplink ciphering activation time in universal mobile telecommunications system user equipment are disclosed herein. The ciphering activation time is determined for radio bearers other than RB2 by measuring the data rate on each target radio bearer during the time that it takes for a polling or RRC message sent from the user equipment UE to be acknowledged by the network UTRAN. For RB2, the uplink ciphering activation time is determined by taking into account the size of the RRC response message and the data already queued on RB2 for transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2011
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: M-STACK LIMITED
    Inventors: Nicola M. Funnell, Andrew Farnsworth, Robert J. Harrison
  • Patent number: 7912494
    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: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: M-Stack Limited
    Inventors: Nicola M. Funnell, Gideon Roberts, Andrew Farnsworth, Richard George, Gjalt de Jong
  • Patent number: 7912000
    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: January 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: M-Stack Limited
    Inventors: David Winstone Pedlar, Gjalt Gerritt De Jong, Nicola M. Funnell
  • Patent number: 7852876
    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: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: M-Stack Limited
    Inventors: Andrew John Farnsworth, Nicola M. Funnell
  • Publication number: 20100279654
    Abstract: The details of an apparatus and method of handling simultaneous universal terrestrial radio access network radio resource control procedures which change the security configuration in a universal mobile telecommunications system user equipment are disclosed herein. According to one aspect of the present application, there is provided a user equipment apparatus having a message handler, a sequential processor, a command store, and a security configuration change detector, wherein said message handler is coupled to said command store, is coupled to said sequential processor, and is coupled to said security configuration change detector to save, process, and detect configuration changes in commands respectively, and to determine if there is an existing command at the user equipment, such that the user equipment appears to the UTRAN as though it were processing commands simultaneously.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: M-STACK LIMITED
    Inventors: Nicola M. Funnell, David W. Pedlar, Robert J. Harrison
  • Patent number: 7826617
    Abstract: The details of an apparatus and method for determining uplink ciphering activation time in universal mobile telecommunications system user equipment are disclosed herein. The ciphering activation time is determined for radio bearers other than RB2 by measuring the data rate on each target radio bearer during the time that it takes for a polling or RRC message sent from the user equipment UE to be acknowledged by the network UTRAN. For RB2, the uplink ciphering activation time is determined by taking into account the size of the RRC response message and the data already queued on RB2 for transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: M-Stack Limited
    Inventors: Nicola M. Funnell, Andrew Farnsworth, Robert J. Harrison
  • Publication number: 20100216464
    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 4, 2010
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Applicant: M-STACK LIMITED
    Inventors: Nicola M. Funnell, Gideon Roberts, Andrew Farnsworth, Richard George, Gjalt de Jong
  • Patent number: 7778626
    Abstract: The details of an apparatus and method of handling simultaneous universal terrestrial radio access network radio resource control procedures which change the security configuration in a universal mobile telecommunications system user equipment are disclosed herein. According to one aspect of the present application, there is provided a user equipment apparatus having a message handler, a sequential processor, a command store, and a security configuration change detector, wherein said message handler is coupled to said command store, is coupled to said sequential processor, and is coupled to said security configuration change detector to save, process, and detect configuration changes in commands respectively, and to determine if there is an existing command at the user equipment, such that the user equipment appears to the UTRAN as though it were processing commands simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: M-Stack Limited
    Inventors: Nicola M. Funnell, David W. Pedlar, Robert J. Harrison
  • Patent number: 7769373
    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: September 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: M-Stack Limited
    Inventors: Gideon Roberts, Nicola M. Funnell
  • Patent number: 7747275
    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: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: M-Stack Limited
    Inventors: Nicola M. Funnell, Gideon Roberts, Andrew Farnsworth, Richard George, Gjalt de Jong
  • Publication number: 20080187138
    Abstract: The details of an apparatus and method for determining uplink ciphering activation time in universal mobile telecommunications system user equipment are disclosed herein. The ciphering activation time is determined for radio bearers other than RB2 by measuring the data rate on each target radio bearer during the time that it takes for a polling or RRC message sent from the user equipment UE to be acknowledged by the network UTRAN. For RB2, the uplink ciphering activation time is determined by taking into account the size of the RRC response message and the data already queued on RB2 for transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2008
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Applicant: M-STACK LIMITED
    Inventors: NICOLA M. FUNNELL, ANDREW FARNSWORTH, ROBERT J. HARRISON
  • Patent number: 7349696
    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: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: M-Stack Limited
    Inventors: David W. Pedlar, Nicola M. Funnell, Robert J. Harrison
  • Patent number: 7212805
    Abstract: The details of an apparatus and method of handling simultaneous universal terrestrial radio access network radio resource control procedures which change the security configuration in a universal mobile telecommunications system user equipment are disclosed herein. According to one aspect of the present application, there is provided a user equipment apparatus having a message handler, a sequential processor, a command store, and a security configuration change detector, wherein said message handler is coupled to said command store, is coupled to said sequential processor, and is coupled to said security configuration change detector to save, process, and detect configuration changes in commands respectively, and to determine if there is an existing command at the user equipment, such that the user equipment appears to the UTRAN as though it were processing commands simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: M-Stack Limited
    Inventors: Nicola M. Funnell, David W. Pedlar, Robert J. Harrison