Abstract: A method and apparatus that process messages within a wireless communications system based on originator priority and recipient priority is accomplished when a server (12, 52) receives a message from an originating party (50). The message includes identity of the receiving party (54), originator priority information, and message content. Upon identifying the receiving party, the server retrieves recipient priority information of the receiving party. The server then merges the originator priority information with the recipient priority information to produce a message priority. In addition, the server generates a recipient index, which identifies an address for subsequent retrieval of the message content. Next, the server provides notice of the message to the receiving party based on the message priority. The notice of the message may be sent to the receiving party's pager, cellular telephone, e-mail account, facsimile machine, wireline telephone, or answering service.

Abstract: A communication system (100) employs a method and apparatus for communicating video information therein. A first communication device (e.g., 101) preferably includes a video compressor (203), a memory device (205) containing a computer program, and a modem (207). The first device receives video information from a video device (116) via the video compressor and executes the computer program to determine a priority between transmission frame rate and resolution per frame. When transmission frame rate is of higher priority, the first device transmits the video information at a first transmission frame rate via the modem to a second communication device (e.g., 102). When resolution per frame is of higher priority, the first device transmits the video information at a second transmission frame rate that is less than the first rate. The second device, upon receiving the video information, may display (113) the information or process the information for retransmission (e.g.

Abstract: In a radio frequency communication system (100), infrastructure transceivers operate in a configuration mode (301-306) and an active mode (307). When in the configuration mode, a given infrastructure transceiver (106-109) derives information regarding RF operating circumstances proximal to the infrastructure transceiver. The information regarding the RF operating circumstances, information regarding the infrastructure transceiver itself, and optionally information regarding present location of the infrastructure transceiver, is transmitted to a communication system configuration server (105). In response, information regarding operation of the infrastructure transceiver is received by the infrastructure transceiver. When in the given infrastructure transceiver is in the active mode, the information regarding operation of the infrastructure transceiver is used to support communications in the RF communication system.

Abstract: A method of spawning a communication service comprises the steps of detecting (201) a failed call attempt initiated by a first communication unit (101) and directed to a second communication unit (109), and determining (207) if a code associated with the first communication unit (101) is an authorized code associated with the second communication unit (109), wherein the first communication unit (101) is associated with a first user and the second communication unit (109) is associated with a second user. If the code is an authorized code, a communication service is spawned (209), resulting in a message directed at a user other than the second user, such as the first user or a third user, or a communication unit other than the second communication unit (109), such as the first communication unit (101) or a third communication unit (109), which may be associated with a third user other than the first user or the second user.

Abstract: In a radio frequency communication system (100), infrastructure transceivers operate in a configuration mode (301-306) and an active mode (307). When in the configuration mode, a given infrastructure transceiver (106-109) derives information regarding RF operating circumstances proximal to the infrastructure transceiver. The information regarding the RF operating circumstances, information regarding the infrastructure transceiver itself, and optionally information regarding present location of the infrastructure transceiver, is transmitted to a communication system configuration server (105). In response, information regarding operation of the infrastructure transceiver is received by the infrastructure transceiver. When in the given infrastructure transceiver is in the active mode, the information regarding operation of the infrastructure transceiver is used to support communications in the RF communication system.

Abstract: A radio communication system (100, 200) employs a method of providing communication services to a communication unit (104, 105) having a plurality of service requirements. The radio communication system (100, 200) further includes a plurality of service providers (101-103) for which the communication unit catalogues (506, 512) service attributes as part of the inventive method. Further, for each of the service requirements, the communication unit (104, 105) selects (514) one of the plurality of service providers (101-103) to facilitate that service requirement.

Abstract: A method of providing a radio communication unit (120) with information regarding radio communication services. The radio communication unit transmits a request regarding availability of one or more specific radio communication services. The radio communication unit then receives information regarding availability of the specified radio communication services.

Abstract: A radio communication system selects a serving transceiver for a remote unit by generating and using a center of mass location estimation. The radio communication system collects uplink and downlink signal characteristics, including impaired signals caused by co-channel interference, from a set of transceivers, including those adjacent to and non-adjacent to the candidate transceiver and remote unit, to aid in the estimation of the remote unit's location within the radio communication system. Using the uplink and downlink signal characteristics, the radio communication system determines weighted coordinates related to predetermined coordinates and the signal characteristics which are used to produce a first and second center of mass coordinate estimation. The radio communication system then selects the serving transceiver to be the transceiver whose predetermined coordinates are closest to the first and second center of mass coordinate estimation.

Abstract: A flexible-bandwith radio is provided. Briefly, the radio is equipped with a multiplicity of modulator and demodulator units arranged to communicate on a multiplicity of discrete frequency bands. There is no need for the individual frequency bands to be contiguous. As a result, the radio is able to simultaneously supporting a multiplicity of band-limited radio channels. The radio is further equipped with a channel combiner unit and a channel divider unit to combine the individual channels to form a high-capacity aggregate channel. The aggregate channel is then provided to the user, or to a user application. In a first embodiment, the radio utilizes a multiplicity of discrete modulator, demodulator, combiner, and divider units. In a second embodiment, the radio utilizes a suitably-programmed digital signal processor to perform the equivalent modulator, demodulator, combiner, and divider functions.

Abstract: A radio data communications system is disclosed in which messages, normally lost to interference caused by independent remote units contending for the radio channel, may be salvaged. If a remote unit communicating a message to a fixed site is interrupted by a second remote unit having a stronger radio signal, the fixed site detects the increase of radio signal strength and activates a synchronization detector which responds to a synchronization data bit sequence which precedes each data message. If the synchronization sequence is detected, the remainder of the first remote data unit message is discarded and the message of the second remote data unit is processed.