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: In one illustrative method, a periodic location update timer value is broadcasted by a wireless communication network and received and stored in memory of a mobile station. A request for data service is transmitted by the mobile station to a wireless communication network, and the request is reattempted at least one time in response to identifying a rejection of the request. If the request for the data service is accepted in response to the request, the mobile station operates in the wireless communication network using the data service. On the other hand, if the request for the data service is not accepted, the mobile station is set in a data service deregistered state. A timer is initialized with an initial value that is less than the periodic location update timer value and started. In response to an expiration of the timer, the mobile station repeats the transmission of the request for the data service and any reattempts in response to any rejections of the request.

Abstract: Reject code handling is utilized for a more time-efficient selection of data-capable networks. One illustrative method for use in selecting a wireless communication network for communications involves the steps of causing a request for data connectivity to be transmitted through a first wireless network; reattempting the request for data connectivity through the first wireless network one or more times if a reject code comprising a non-critical error is received in response to the request for data connectivity through the first wireless network; and attempting to select a second wireless network for communications without reattempting the request for data connectivity through the first wireless network one or more times if a reject code comprising a critical error is received in response to the request for data connectivity through the first wireless network.

Abstract: Reject code handling is utilized for a more time-efficient selection of data-capable networks. One illustrative method for use in selecting a wireless communication network for communications involves the steps of causing a request for data connectivity to be transmitted through a first wireless network; reattempting the request for data connectivity through the first wireless network one or more times if a reject code comprising a non-critical error is received in response to the request for data connectivity through the first wireless network; and attempting to select a second wireless network for communications without reattempting the request for data connectivity through the first wireless network one or more times if a reject code comprising a critical error is received in response to the request for data connectivity through the first wireless network.

Abstract: In one illustrative example, a network name displaying method utilizes a home network list and a preferred network list. The home network list identifies a plurality of home networks, and the preferred network list identifies a plurality of non-home roaming networks. An identification of a selected wireless network is compared with a plurality of home network identifications corresponding to the plurality of home networks. A home network display name is displayed in response to identifying a match between the identification of the selected wireless network and any one of the home network identifications. On the other hand, an alternate display name corresponding to the non-home roaming network is displayed if there is no match between the identification of the selected wireless network and the home network identifications.

Abstract: A network name displaying method involves maintaining access to a Home Public Land Mobile Network (HPLMN) list and a Preferred PLMN (PPLMN) list, the HPLMN list identifying a plurality of home networks and the PPLMN list identifying a plurality of non-home roaming networks; maintaining access to a home network display name associated with the HPLMN list; comparing a MCC and MNC pair of a selected wireless network with a plurality of home network MCC and MNC pairs corresponding to the plurality of home networks; in response to identifying a match between the MCC and MNC pair of the selected wireless network and any one of the home network MCC and MNC pairs: causing the home network display name to be displayed; and if there is no match between the MCC and MNC pair of the selected wireless network and the home network MCC and MNC pairs: causing an alternate display name corresponding to the non-home roaming network to be displayed.

Abstract: An apparatus, and an associated methodology, for identifying to a circuit-switch-connected mobile station with an indication of packet-service capabilities available to a mobile station. A message generator at the network generates a message that includes an indication of the network-entity capabilities with respect to packet communications. A field of the message identifies the packet-service capabilities. A message is sent by the network and detected by a detector of the mobile station. A report is formed indicative of the value contained in the delivered message, and a user display displays an indication of the detected information.

Abstract: An apparatus, and an associated methodology, for identifying to a circuit-switch-connected mobile station with an indication of packet-service capabilities available to a mobile station. A message generator at the network generates a message that includes an indication of the network-entity capabilities with respect to packet communications. A field of the message identifies the packet-service capabilities. A message is sent by the network and detected by a detector of the mobile station. A report is formed indicative of the value contained in the delivered message, and a user display displays an indication of the detected information.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for use in increasing data throughput to mobile stations in a wireless communication network, where data is communicated between mobile stations and the wireless network in a plurality of data bursts within time slots assigned to the mobile station. One illustrative method includes the acts of receiving, through a wireless transceiver, data in a time slot W; tuning the wireless transceiver, during a first portion of a time slot X which follows the time slot W, for transmission; reading transmit data from a transmit data queue and encoding the transmit data in a data burst in accordance with a data burst format; and causing the encoded transmit data to be transmitted in the data burst during a second portion of the time slot X. The data burst may be formatted in accordance with a predefined data burst format of the wireless network and merely shifted in time, or the data burst may be formatted in accordance with a reduced-size data burst format.

Abstract: Apparatus, and an associated method, for facilitating manual PLMN selection of a GAN-connected wireless device. While maintaining connection of the wireless device with a serving GANC, a request is made for a PLMN listing of the potentially available PLMNs with which the wireless device can communicate. The request message is sent to the network, and the PLMN listing is created by a PLMN listing creator. The listing is provided to the wireless device in a response message returned to the device. Selection of a selected PLMN is made, subsequent to the selection, the de-registration of the connection of the wireless device with the serving GANC is permitted.

Abstract: A network name displaying method involves maintaining access to a Home Public Land Mobile Network (HPLMN) list and a Preferred PLMN (PPLMN) list, the HPLMN list identifying a plurality of home networks and the PPLMN list identifying a plurality of non-home roaming networks; maintaining access to a home network display name associated with the HPLMN list; comparing a MCC and MNC pair of a selected wireless network with a plurality of home network MCC and MNC pairs corresponding to the plurality of home networks; in response to identifying a match between the MCC and MNC pair of the selected wireless network and any one of the home network MCC and MNC pairs: causing the home network display name to be displayed; and if there is no match between the MCC and MNC pair of the selected wireless network and the home network MCC and MNC pairs: causing an alternate display name corresponding to the non-home roaming network to be displayed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for use by a mobile communication device in controlling the selection of communication networks for communications are described. In one illustrative example, the mobile device maintains a communication link with a radio access network (RAN) (e.g. an IEEE 802.11-based wireless network). The RAN is part of a generic access network (GAN) which further includes a gateway controller. The mobile device maintains, via the GAN, a service connection for a voice and/or data service with a core network of a visited Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN). The mobile device repeatedly performs actions while the service connection with the core network associated with the visited PLMN is maintained. Specifically, the mobile device operates to set and run a timer and, in response to an expiration of the timer, the mobile device sends, to a gateway controller via the RAN, a service connection request for a service connection with a core network of a home PLMN of the mobile device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for use in processing disconnected emergency calls and other communications involving mobile communication devices, as well as the remote monitoring of such mobile communication devices, are disclosed. In one illustrative example, an emergency call with a public safety answering point entity is established by a mobile communication device via a wireless communication network. If the emergency call is disconnected, the mobile device monitors to receive an incoming call message for a continued emergency call from the public safety answering point entity. In response to receiving such incoming call message, the mobile device refrains from producing an audible alert and automatically answers the continued emergency call from the public safety answering point entity without detecting any manual answer signal via its user interface.

Abstract: Home network name displaying methods and apparatus for multiple home networks are disclosed. A mobile station scans to receive a plurality of Mobile Country Code (MCC) and Mobile Network Code (MNC) pairs corresponding to a plurality of communication networks within a coverage area. The mobile station selects and registers with a communication network associated with one of the received MCC and MNC pairs for communication. After the network is selected, the received MCC and MNC pair is compared with a plurality of home network MCC and MNC pairs which are associated with a single home network display name. Based on identifying a match between the received MCC and MNC pair and any one of the home network MCC and MNC pairs, the home network display name is visually displayed in a display of the mobile station. If no match exists, an alternate name is selected for display.

Abstract: A mobile communication device is adapted to provide voice communications with use of a voice service and data communications with use of a data service. The mobile device maintains a preferred network list as well as a service access list in its memory. The preferred network list has a listing of a plurality of networks with assigned priorities for network selection. The service access list has a listing of a plurality of networks that make the data service available to the mobile device. The mobile device performs a scanning operation for identifying one or more communication networks available in a coverage area of the mobile device. When a home network of the mobile device is unavailable in the coverage area, the mobile device consults the preferred network list and the service access list for identifying one of the networks identified by the scanning operation.

Abstract: A scheme for redirecting data to a mobile communication device from a messaging server. One embodiment comprises one or more of the following: setting a redirection flag configured for a user associated with the mobile communication device to enable continuous redirection of data items received at the messaging server to the mobile communication device until the redirection flag is reset to indicate cessation of redirection of the data items; upon automatically detecting that a data item is received at the messaging server, redirecting the data item to a store-and-forward server associated with a wireless packet data network with which the mobile communication device is registered; and upon determining that a valid IP address is associated with the mobile communication device, transmitting the data item from the store-and-forward server to the mobile communication device over the wireless packet data network.

Abstract: In one illustrative method, a periodic location update timer value is broadcasted by a wireless communication network and received and stored in memory of a mobile station. A request for data service is transmitted by the mobile station to a wireless communication network, and the request is reattempted at least one time in response to identifying a rejection of the request. If the request for the data service is accepted in response to the request, the mobile station operates in the wireless communication network using the data service. On the other hand, if the request for the data service is not accepted, the mobile station is set in a data service deregistered state. A timer is initialized with an initial value that is less than the periodic location update timer value and started. In response to an expiration of the timer, the mobile station repeats the transmission of the request for the data service and any reattempts in response to any rejections of the request.

Abstract: Reduced delays in data service offered by data-capable networks are provided. One illustrative method includes the steps of receiving and storing in memory a first timer value which is broadcasted by a wireless communication network for use in the mobile station; causing a request for data connectivity to be transmitted through the wireless network, and reattempting the request up to a plurality of times when data connectivity fails; after the one or more reattempted requests for data connectivity fail, activating a timer based on a second timer value which is less than the first timer value; and repeating the transmitting of requests for data connectivity after expiration of the timer.

Abstract: A host server is operative to control the pushing of user data messages to a plurality of mobile communication devices adapted to communicate in a wireless communication network. In particular, the host server is adapted to cause, for each one of the mobile communication devices operating in the wireless communication network, user data messages to be pushed to a mobile communication device via a packet data connection; receive, from a serving node in the wireless communication network, an IP notification message having an IP destination address of the host server and including an identification or address that identifies one of the mobile communication devices, the IP notification message being produced in response to a termination of packet data connectivity for the identified mobile communication device; and in response to receiving the IP notification message, at least temporarily refrain from pushing user data messages to the identified mobile communication device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for selecting a cellular network to provide one or more communication services for a mobile communication device are disclosed. A scanning operation is performed by the mobile device to identify a plurality of cellular networks that support a voice communication service in a geographic coverage area. The mobile device then identifies which of the cellular networks makes a data communication service available to it. Advantageously, the mobile device assigns priority to or selects a cellular network that makes the data communication service available over a network that fails to make the data communication service available, and may register with that network. The data communication service may include, as examples, an e-mail communication service or an Internet access service. Preferably, the cellular network operates in accordance with GSM (Global System for Mobile) and GPRS (Generalized Packet Radio Service).