Abstract: A method for paging a mobile station where the mobile station (208-212) may be in a dormant state is described. The method begins by sending a first paging message (302) in a first zone (214) of a given area to a selected mobile station wherein the first paging message is sent at the beginning of a paging interval (300). A base station (202-206) then receives a response to the paging message when the mobile station is in the first zone. When the response to the first paging message is not received, a second paging message (306) is sent in a second zone (216) of the given area. The second paging message is sent at a first offset (308) from the sending of the first paging message wherein this first offset occurs less than one paging interval after the sending of the first page message.

Abstract: Various embodiments are described for facilitating network mobility in communication networks with an aim toward enhancing the scalability of MIP. Generally, in most of these embodiments, a network node (121) sends a message to a network device (131) to establish a data path for a remote unit (101) served by the network node. This message comprises a source link layer address which is associated with the remote unit. The message may or may not be sent in response to receiving signaling to facilitate wireless connectivity of a remote unit via the network node. In addition, the network device to which the message is sent may be an access router (AR) or a foreign agent (FA) of the remote unit.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for efficient transitions between operating states in a communication network, includes a preliminary step of having a mobile station in a Dormant or Idle state. A next step includes requiring a data transfer, either to or from the mobile station. A next step includes transitioning the mobile station from the Dormant or Idle to an Active state. A next step includes transferring a bearer path context for the data from a Paging Control Function (PCF) to an RF Bearer Function. This can include creating a tunnel using an Inter-PCF handoff procedure. The result is a direct connection between an RF Bearer Function and an IP Router, without the PCF being in the data path.

Abstract: A method for paging a mobile station where the mobile station (208-212) may be in a dormant state is described. The method begins by sending a first paging message (302) in a first zone (214) of a given area to a selected mobile station wherein the first paging message is sent at the beginning of a paging interval (300). A base station (202-206) then receives a response to the paging message when the mobile station is in the first zone. When the response to the first paging message is not received, a second paging message (306) is sent in a second zone (216) of the given area. The second paging message is sent at a first offset (308) from the sending of the first paging message wherein this first offset occurs less than one paging interval after the sending of the first page message.

Abstract: Various embodiments are described for facilitating network mobility in communication networks with an aim toward enhancing the scalability of MIP. Generally, in most of these embodiments, a network node (121) sends a message to a network device (131) to establish a data path for a remote unit (101) served by the network node. This message comprises a source link layer address which is associated with the remote unit. The message may or may not be sent in response to receiving signaling to facilitate wireless connectivity of a remote unit via the network node. In addition, the network device to which the message is sent may be an access router (AR) or a foreign agent (FA) of the remote unit.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for efficient transitions between operating states in a communication network, includes a preliminary step of having a mobile station in a Dormant or Idle state. A next step includes requiring a data transfer, either to or from the mobile station. A next step includes transitioning the mobile station from the Dormant or Idle to an Active state. A next step includes transferring a bearer path context for the data from a Paging Control Function (PCF) to an RF Bearer Function. This can include creating a tunnel using an Inter-PCF handoff procedure. The result is a direct connection between an RF Bearer Function and an IP Router, without the PCF being in the data path.

Abstract: A system and method for facilitating communications amongst a plurality of mobile units in a network establishes a plurality of underlay communication cells (201, 220, 222). At least two of the plurality of mobile units are positioned in at least one of the underlay communication cells, the units being capable of communications via the underlay communication cells (201, 220, 222). An overlay communication cell (212) is established and covers the same area as at least the underlay cells (201, 220, 222) that include the at least two of the plurality of mobile units. An association between underlay cells (201, 220, 222) is established that include the at least two mobile units and the overlay communication cell (212). A group communication call is established between the at least two mobile units using the overlay cell.

Abstract: A wireless communication system (402) that provides dispatch communication service, and talk group calling service, supports several talk groups (408, 410). A console (412) operated by a subscribing organization resides outside of the communication system. The console is considered a member of the talk groups, and interacts with the communication system over an internet access, via one or more gateways (416, 418). The gateways operate like base stations that provide the air interface to the mobile communication devices. When the operator of the console wishes to patch the talk groups together, call information received from the first talk group at the console prompts the console to initiate a talk group call for the second talk group. When the second talk group call is set up, the console forwards call information such as identifiers and audio information to the second talk group. This allows the members of the second talk group to participate in talk group calls made in the first talk group.

Abstract: A wireless communication system that includes an MS that is a member of multiple talkgroups provides for a prioritization of the multiple talkgroups. A database included in the system maintains an MS identifier associated with the MS and maintains multiple talkgroup identifiers in association with the MS identifier, wherein each talkgroup identifier of the multiple talkgroup identifiers corresponds to a talkgroup of the multiple talkgroups. The database further maintains a prioritization associated with at least one talkgroup of the multiple talkgroups. In one embodiment of the invention, the MS may dynamically prioritize the multiple talkgroups to which it belongs. In another embodiment of the present invention, the prioritization may be statically maintained. In still another embodiment of the invention, the system utilizes the maintained prioritizations to determine whether to interrupt the MS when the MS is involved in a multi-party communication session.

Abstract: A wireless communication system that includes an MS that is a member of multiple talkgroups provides for a prioritization of the multiple talkgroups. A database included in the system maintains an MS identifier associated with the MS and maintains multiple talkgroup identifiers in association with the MS identifier, wherein each talkgroup identifier of the multiple talkgroup identifiers corresponds to a talkgroup of the multiple talkgroups. The database further maintains a prioritization associated with at least one talkgroup of the multiple talkgroups. In one embodiment of the invention, the MS may dynamically prioritize the multiple talkgroups to which it belongs. In another embodiment of the present invention, the prioritization may be statically maintained. In still another embodiment of the invention, the system utilizes the maintained prioritizations to determine whether to interrupt the MS when the MS is involved in a multi-party communication session.

Abstract: A wireless communication system (402) that provides dispatch communication service, and talk group calling service, supports several talk groups (408, 410). A console (412) operated by a subscribing organization resides outside of the communication system. The console is considered a member of the talk groups, and interacts with the communication system over an internet access, via one or more gateways (416, 418). The gateways operate like base stations that provide the air interface to the mobile communication devices. When the operator of the console wishes to patch the talk groups together, call information received from the first talk group at the console prompts the console to initiate a talk group call for the second talk group. When the second talk group call is set up, the console forwards call information such as identifiers and audio information to the second talk group. This allows the members of the second talk group to participate in talk group calls made in the first talk group.

Abstract: A wireless communication system transmits data over a first link from a first mobile station (MS) to an infrastructure at a first speaker link power level, and over a second link from the infrastructure to a second MS at a first listener link power level, during a first time period. Each of the first power levels is designed to avoid the need for retransmissions of erroneously received data. Upon expiration of the first time period, data is transmitted over the first and second links at reduced power levels, which transmissions include retransmissions of erroneously received data. Error targets used in the transmission of data may also be adjusted after expiration of the first time period. In addition, the power levels and error rate targets may be individually adjusted on a link-by-link basis based on the RF loading of each link and/or based on error metrics determined for each link.

Abstract: To address the need to provide interurban dispatch services, embodiments supporting an interurban dispatch group call service are disclosed. Call control in the controlling network equipment (e.g., 110-131) manages the dispatch service in both the local urban area (101) and the remote urban areas (151). Call flow embodiments that enable this management of group call service across urban area boundaries are described in detail.

Abstract: A wireless communication system transmits data over a first link from a first mobile station (MS) to an infrastructure at a first speaker link power level, and over a second link from the infrastructure to a second MS at a first listener link power level, during a first time period. Each of the first power levels is designed to avoid the need for retransmissions of erroneously received data. Upon expiration of the first time period, data is transmitted over the first and second links at reduced power levels, which transmissions include retransmissions of erroneously received data. Error targets used in the transmission of data may also be adjusted after expiration of the first time period. In addition, the power levels and error rate targets may be individually adjusted on a link-by-link basis based on the RF loading of each link and/or based on error metrics determined for each link.

Abstract: A wireless communication system transmits data over a first link from a first mobile station (MS) to an infrastructure at a first speaker link power level, and over a second link from the infrastructure to a second MS at a first listener link power level, during a first time period. Each of the first power levels is designed to avoid the need for retransmissions of erroneously received data. Upon expiration of the first time period, data is transmitted over the first and second links at reduced power levels, which transmissions include retransmissions of erroneously received data. Error targets used in the transmission of data may also be adjusted after expiration of the first time period. In addition, the power levels and error rate targets may be individually adjusted on a link-by-link basis based on the RF loading of each link and/or based on error metrics determined for each link.

Abstract: A toric contact lens includes a posterior surface and an anterior surface, one of these surfaces including a toric optical zone, and these surfaces being shaped to form a ballast. A diameter of the posterior optical zone and a diameter of the anterior optical zone are selected to minimize thickness of the lens based on the cylindrical correction of the lens.

Abstract: A priority scheme for a system that supports dispatch and telephone services whereby more important calls, of the type spanning across the same or multiple cells, are dynamically assigned higher positions in the queue for the next voice channel to become available. Less important calls are readily identified and can have their voice channel taken away, i.e., dropped, to provide a channel for an emergency call. The priority scheme also makes it possible to for the priority of call in progress to dynamically change, e.g., increasing priority over time so that its voice channel can't be taken away by a higher priority call, or decreasing priority of call as a function of time in progress.

Abstract: A multi-service communication system (100) includes a packet switching network (101) and a base site (108). The packet switching network supports multiple communication services, such as voice and data. A communication link (102) having a bandwidth substantially equal to an aggregate bandwidth of radio communication resources (115-116) supported by the base site is provided between the packet switching network and the base site. Attributes of a first communication service are compared and contrasted with attributes or characteristics of a second communication service with respect to the criticality of the attributes and/or characteristics. When one attribute of the first communication service is more critical than an attribute or characteristic of the second communication service, one or more of the attributes and/or characteristics of the second communication service are modified based on the critical attribute of the first communication service.

Abstract: In a resource allocator (106), a reserved resource group comprising at least one communication resource is maintained for use in supporting non-queued services. When a request for the at least one non-queued service is received, a communication resource from the reserved resource group is allocated to the request (305). When the reserved resource group becomes depleted, at least one more communication resource is assigned to the reserved resource group with greater preference relative to allocation of communication resources to requests for at least one queued service (307). In a preferred embodiment, a communication resource is assigned to the reserved resource group prior to allocating resources to any queued service requests. Additionally, communication resources (200) having varying grades of service can be accommodated.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses a method of providing communication service to members of a talkgroup in a radio communication system (100). A typical system (100) includes a plurality of communication units (116-122), a plurality of communication sites (106-112), and a central controller (114) that communication resources among the communication units (116-122). Upon receipt of a request for a talkgroup call from a communication unit, the central controller (114) grants the talkgroup call request for the first talkgroup. When the central controller (114) receives, during the first call, a talkgroup call request for the same talkgroup, the controller (114) agglomerates the two concurrent talkgroup calls, thereby providing communication service to all members of the talkgroup using a single communication resource.