Abstract: An apparatus for treating addresses employed in an environmental control network that involves at least one control unit communicating with a plurality of components, each respective component of the plurality of components having an address selected from a predetermined number of address values, includes: an address extending unit coupled with the at least one control unit and with at least one coupled component of the plurality of components. The address extending unit treats each address for each coupled component to establish a respective unique treated address for each coupled component. The at least one control unit identifies each respective component by the respective treated address.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating addresses employed in an environmental control network that involves at least one control unit communicating with a plurality of components, each respective component of the plurality of components having an address selected from a predetermined number of address values, includes: an address extending unit coupled with the at least one control unit and with at least one coupled component of the plurality of components. The address extending unit treats each address for each coupled component to establish a respective unique treated address for each coupled component. The at least one control unit identifies each respective component by the respective treated address.

Abstract: A change in a client device is detected (306) during a transmission of a plurality of packets destined to at least one first destination used by at least one packet session. In response to the change, a determination (312) is made as to whether some but not all of the plurality of packets should be redirected to at least one second destination based, at least in part, on at least one predefined criterion. Accordingly, some but not all of the plurality of packets is redirected (316) to the at least one second destination when the some but not all of the plurality of packets should be redirected according to the at least one predefined criterion.

Abstract: A handover request (408) is received. The handover request (408) is for a mobile station to move between a packet-based network (112) and a circuit-voice with packet data based network (102). The handover request (408) is processed at a network element (108) to appear as a packet handover to the packet based network (112). The network element (108) provides packet circuit inter-working in order to facilitate a handover of an on-going voice session at the mobile station (110) such that the handover appears to be a voice handover to the circuit-voice with packet data based network (102).

Abstract: A system and method for to establish a wireless group call from one of a plurality of communication units to others communication units includes a first step of receiving, from a requesting communication unit a request for a group call with other communication units of the group. A next step includes allocating a common downlink channel for the group call. A next step includes allocating a dedicated uplink channel for the requesting communication unit. A next step includes switching one of the communication units between the common channel mode and a dedicated channel mode depending upon performance criteria.

Abstract: A method is provided for on-demand communications in a communication network with support for a plurality of communication units participating in a common communication, which includes multiple signal initiators, each supplying a signal, which are virtually simultaneously conveyed as part of the common communication. At least one example of an on-demand communication includes push to talk. Additionally, a signal initiator is provided, which is adapted to support on-demand communications in a multi-signal initiator environment.

Abstract: To address the need for a dispatch mobile (303, 305, 307) to more quickly make a call, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention those remote units operating in a dispatch mode (303, 305, 307) will receive a first slot cycle, while those remote units not operating in a dispatch mode (302, 304, 306, 308) will receive a second slot cycle. The second slot cycle is greater than the first slot cycle, so that those remote units operating in dispatch mode (303, 305, 307) will “wake up” during the slot cycle normally utilized for interconnect calls. Because shorter slot cycles are utilized for remote units operating in dispatch mode (303, 305, 307), the time it takes to make a dispatch call is greatly reduced. Additionally the minimum slot cycle duration typically used for standard calls remains unchanged, greatly conserving battery life.

Abstract: The need for enabling content providers to authenticate those given access to certain content is addressed by embodiments of the present invention. When a content delivery server (110) receives a request from user equipment (UE) (101) to subscribe to a content delivery session, the content delivery server determines whether content provider authentication is required. If it is, the content delivery server requests authentication by a content provider (120) for the UE for the session. After obtaining needed authentication parameters, the content provider indicates to the content delivery server an authentication result. The content delivery server then either denies the UE subscription request or proceeds with UE subscription based on the authentication result.

Abstract: A method (400) and apparatus (501) facilitate a session handover between a first site and a second site. A wireless communication unit such as a mobile station (102), user equipment (202, 302) can move from one site to another site whereupon new identifiers can be setup for the new site. If a serving node associated with the new site is also new, identifiers can be set up for the new site and the new serving node.

Abstract: Communications are established between an originating mobile station (104) and a target mobile station (120) in an expedited manner. An initial short packet is transmitted from an originating mobile station (104) and the initial short packet is translated into an Internet Protocol (IP) packet. The IP packet is transmitted to a target Packet Control Unit (PCU) (116). An acknowledgment IP packet is responsively received from the target mobile station (120) via the target PCU (116) and a communication link is established between the originating mobile station (104) and the target mobile station (120).

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for routing data from a service request in a communication system. A context is transferred from a packet data gateway, such as a Serving GPRS (GSM Packet Radio Service) Support Node (SGSN), to a Base Station System (BSS) coupled thereto. The context specifies where data for this user should be sent. The service request is received at the BSS and includes data. The data from the service request is routed to an appropriate location, based at least in part upon the context.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for handover of a communication device between a first network and a second network while the communication device is in an ongoing communication. The communication device can register with the second network. The communication device can also enter an ongoing communication via the first network. The communication device can send a transfer request to the second network to request a handover of the ongoing communication between the first network and the second network without interrupting the ongoing communication.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for handover of a communication device between a first network and a second network while the communication device is in an ongoing communication. The communication device can register with the second network. The communication device can also enter an ongoing communication via the first network. The communication device can send a transfer request to the first network to request a handover of the ongoing communication between the first network and the second network without interrupting the ongoing communication.

Abstract: A communication system comprising a mobile station and a network implements a persistent packet data control channel that provides for a continuous exchange of control information, such as system information (SI) messages and handoff-related information. The mobile station implements the persistent packet data control channel by mapping the persistent packet data control channel to a packet associated control channel when a packet associated control channel is available and to a virtual associated control channel when a packet associated control channel is not available. The virtual associated control channel allows the mobile station to pass control information to network in the absence of an uplink Temporary Block Flow (TBF).

Abstract: A communication system provides for a mobile station (MS) to pre-register with a Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) servicing a neighboring Routing Area (RA) that is a handoff candidate. In pre-registering with the neighboring RA and SGSN, the MS at least partially registers with the RA and SGSN, that is, at least a portion of the MS's registration information is conveyed to the neighboring SGSN serving the neighboring RA, prior to the MS being served by an associated neighboring BSS 230, for example, prior to an initiation of a handoff of the MS to neighboring BSS 230. By pre-registering with the candidate SGSN, a duration of a registration process and the corresponding service disruptions when the MS is handed off to such an SGSN are reduced.

Abstract: A method in a wireless communications device including obtaining timing advance, for example, by determining (430) timing advance based on a distance of the wireless device from a base transceiver station. In some embodiments, the timing advance and corresponding location information is stored in a look-up table on the wireless device. The look-up table data may be populated or updated from timing advance information generated on the wireless device and/or obtained from some other source. In some embodiments, the wireless device transmits a modified access or normal burst when using a timing advance determined on the wireless communications device.

Abstract: A method in a wireless communications network connected to a packet network including receiving (410) at a packet server handover information, e.g., neighbor measurements, from a wireless communications device, negotiating (420) with the radio communications network, e.g., with a base station controller, for a radio resource transfer for a mobile wireless communications device, and sending (440), from the packet server, radio resource information to the mobile wireless communications device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for managing in a mobile subscriber the traffic flow of a communication connection during a cell reselection. The method includes communicating via a communication connection with a first cell, and monitoring communication conditions, while communicating with the first cell. An approximate time is then determined, when conditions associated with the flow of communication via the communication connection with the first cell is consistent with transferring the flow of communication to a communication connection with a second cell. The mobile subscriber then establishes a communication connection with the second cell, while maintaining the communication connection with the first cell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a subscriber device that is capable of registering on more than one communication network simultaneously, and to a location register for a communication network for recording the networks on which the subscriber device is simultaneously registered. The subscriber device may be active on all registered networks, or only on one registered network. The location register may prioritise the list of network registrations. A method of maintaining the location register and of setting up a call to the subscriber device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of routing control information and bearer traffic in a packet network. When a wireless communication device has established a connection in a coverage area serviced by an Access Network Controller (ANC) and a Serving Node and roams into an area serviced by a new ANC and a new Serving Node, the present invention routes control information to and from the device through the anchor Serving Node (Serving Node through which the connection was established). Bearer traffic is routed to and from the device through the ANC and Serving Node serving the area in which the wireless communication device is located.