Abstract: The present invention provides for a sending communication client to create and send a token, which includes control indicia pertaining to contact information and communication rules for using the contact information for an associated user, to a receiving communication client. The communication rules control how receiving communication clients can use the contact information to initiate communications with the sending user, using one of the addresses or telephone numbers. The receiving communication client will keep certain, if not all, of the contact information and perhaps the communication rules inaccessible to a user of the receiving communication client; however, the receiving communication client can use the contact information to initiate communications with one of the communication clients of the sending user. As such, the sending user can keep contact information confidential, yet let certain parties use the information according to communication rules.

Abstract: A communications architecture for enabling IP-based mobile communications includes a Local Service Function (LSF) component configured to serve as an IP-based serving area network for a set of x-Access Networks, and a Network Service Function (NSF) component configured to serve as an IP-based home network by managing a MN's subscription and associated profile so that the MN is authorized to use the resources of the LSF. An x-Access Network (xAN) is interconnected to the LSF and NSF for providing heterogeneous Layer 2 access for MNs irrespective of access technology.

Abstract: A communications architecture for enabling IP-based mobile communications includes a Local Service Function (LSF) component configured to serve as an IP-based serving area network for a set of x-Access Networks, and a Network Service Function (NSF) component configured to serve as an IP-based home network by managing a MN's subscription and associated profile so that the MN is authorized to use the resources of the LSF. An x-Access Network (xAN) is interconnected to the LSF and NSF for providing heterogeneous Layer 2 access for MNs irrespective of access technology.

Abstract: The present invention provides for identifying available parking via a mobile terminal, such as a mobile telephone, personal digital assistant, or the like. A service provider is used to receive a request initiated by a mobile terminal to identify available parking, determine a location of the mobile terminal, and identify available parking based on the location of the mobile terminal. Upon identifying the available parking, parking information is then delivered to the mobile terminal for the mobile terminal's user to view or hear. The parking information can be accompanied by relevant maps, directions, and pricing information. A parking space reservation system can be incorporated to further extend the functionality.

Abstract: In a mobile communication system having mobile foreign agents, the present invention eliminates the use of multiple source/destination headers attached to an information packet during the tunneling operation by using either a decapsulation/encapsulation or a forwarding operation with the encapsulated information packet. Either of these operations reduces the overhead incurred in the multiple encapsulation headers by reducing encapsulation of the information packet to a single level. Upon receipt of the information packet at the foreign agent on the communications system, the information packet is directed to the mobile node using a routing chain table maintained by the foreign agent or a next hop routing table maintained by the foreign agent and each mobile foreign agent in the transmission path. Once implemented, these data structures can also assist with routing of information packets within the foreign subnetwork.