Abstract: To more fully utilize the available bandwidth of a network link, network nodes in accordance with the present invention allow TDM data to be combined with packet data. A Packet/TDM cross connect switch, having both a TDM switch and a packet switch, is used in these embodiments. Data packets are transformed into TDM packet columns. The TDM packet columns are combined with standard TDM data columns in the payload of a TDM data frame. Data packets may be sorted based on a priority scheme, in which high priority data packets are given precedence over lower priority data. However, both high priority and low priority may be combined in a TDM packet column.

Abstract: To more fully utilize the available bandwidth of a network link, network nodes in accordance with the present invention allow TDM data to be combined with packet data. A Packet/TDM cross connect switch, having both a TDM switch and a packet switch, is used in these embodiments. Data packets are transformed into TDM packet columns. The TDM packet columns are combined with standard TDM data columns in the payload of a TDM data frame. Data packets may be sorted based on a priority scheme, in which high priority data packets are given precedence over lower priority data.

Abstract: To more fully utilize the available bandwidth of a network link, network nodes in accordance with the present invention allow TDM data to be combined with packet data. A Packet/TDM cross connect switch, having both a TDM switch and a packet switch, is used in these embodiments. Data packets are transformed into TDM packet columns. The TDM packet columns are combined with standard TDM data columns in the payload of a TDM data frame. Data packets may be sorted based on a priority scheme, in which high priority data packets are given precedence over lower priority data. However, both high priority and low priority may be combined in a TDM packet column.

Abstract: To better utilize the variable bandwidth of wireless links, a network node in accordance with the present invention escapes rigid bandwidth hierarchy of conventional TDM protocols, which is not suited for fully using the available bandwidth of a wireless link. Specifically, many embodiments of the present invention use TDM frames that have payloads, which do not strictly conform to the bandwidth hierarchy of conventional TDM protocols. For example, many embodiments of the present invention form TDM frames having a payload that is a non-integer multiple of a base bandwidth, such as OC-1/STS-1.

Abstract: The versatility provided by network nodes in accordance with the present invention allows the formation of networks using different types of links, links with differing bandwidth, data rates, and bit error rates, as well as both asymmetric and symmetric links. For example, a network can include a first network node coupled to a second network node with a wireless link. The network can include a third network node coupled to the second network node an optical link and coupled to the first network node by a wireless link. A fourth network node can be easily inserted between the third network node and the third network node using wireless links. The optical link between the second and third network nodes can operate at one bandwidth and the various wireless links would operate at other bandwidths depending on the environmental conditions between each pair of nodes.

Abstract: To provide the quality and reliability of a fiber optic link over a wireless link, network nodes in accordance with the present invention include a link quality management unit, which controls multiple transmission parameters of a wireless interface in response variable link conditions. For example, the link quality management unit of one embodiment of the present invention controls transmission power, modulation, and error correction. In general, a receiving network node provides feedback to a transmitting network node. Thus, in many embodiments of the present invention, the link quality management unit includes a signal quality detector, which measures a signal quality value, such as bit error rate, signal to noise ratio, or error vector magnitude. The measured signal quality is transmitted back to the transmitting node so that appropriate changes can be made to the transmission parameters.

Abstract: A wireless multimedia messaging communications method and apparatus that permits a subscriber to a wireless telecommunications service to receive and generate multimedia messages from known wireless personal communications devices, i.e., cellular/PCS telephones. A multimedia message may be received by the network and selectively delivered to a subscriber of the wireless service. Upon receipt of the message, the network determines an appropriate action to take with respect to the message based upon a profile of the subscriber. The subscriber is then notified by the network of the message and then delivers the message and any multimedia attachments to the message to the subscriber, according to a delivery indication sent by the subscriber to the network. Advantageously, the method allows for the conversion of messages as appropriate, i.e.

Abstract: The versatility provided by network nodes in accordance with the present invention allows the formation of networks using different types of links, links with differing bandwidth, data rates, and bit error rates, as well as both asymmetric and symmetric links. For example, a network can include a first network node coupled to a second network node with a wireless link. The network can include a third network node coupled to the second network node an optical link and coupled to the first network node by a wireless link. A fourth network node can be easily inserted between the third network node and the third network node using wireless links. The optical link between the second and third network nodes can operate at one bandwidth and the various wireless links would operate at other bandwidths depending on the environmental conditions between each pair of nodes.

Abstract: To provide better quality of service, Network nodes in accordance with the present invention use a media abstraction unit to integrate link-layer management with network layer traffic management. Various transmission parameters are modified in response to changing environmental factors. The modification of the transmission parameters changes the available bandwidth of the wireless link. In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the available bandwidth of the wireless link is used at network layer traffic management. Specifically in one embodiment of the present invention, the amount low priority data packet within a TDM data frame is altered to use the available bandwidth.

Abstract: To more fully utilize the available bandwidth of a network link, network nodes in accordance with the present invention allow TDM data to be combined with packet data. A Packet/TDM cross connect switch, having both a TDM switch and a packet switch, is used in these embodiments. Data packets are transformed into TDM packet columns. The TDM packet columns are combined with standard TDM data columns in the payload of a TDM data frame. Data packets may be sorted based on a priority scheme, in which high priority data packets are given precedence over lower priority data.

Abstract: To provide the quality and reliability of a fiber optic link over a wireless link, network nodes in accordance with the present invention include a link quality management unit, which controls multiple transmission parameters of a wireless interface in response variable link conditions. For example, the link quality management unit of one embodiment of the present invention controls transmission power, modulation, and error correction. In general, a receiving network node provides feedback to a transmitting network node. Thus, in many embodiments of the present invention, the link quality management unit includes a signal quality detector, which measures a signal quality value, such as bit error rate, signal to noise ratio, or error vector magnitude. The measured signal quality is transmitted back to the transmitting node so that appropriate changes can be made to the transmission parameters.

Abstract: A network node includes a network interface, a cross connect switch coupled to the network interface, and a multi-medium network interface coupled to the cross connect switch. The multi-medium network interface includes multiple network interfaces, such as an optical interface and a wireless interface. The wireless interface could be for example an RF wireless interface or a free-space optics interface. Some embodiments of the present invention may include both an RF wireless interface and a free-space optics interface. A TDM user interface is also coupled to the cross connect switch. In some embodiments, the network interface is also a multi-medium network interface. Furthermore, some embodiments can include additional multi-medium network interfaces.

Abstract: To better utilize the variable bandwidth of wireless links, a network node in accordance with the present invention escapes rigid bandwidth hierarchy of conventional TDM protocols, which is not suited for fully using the available bandwidth of a wireless link. Specifically, many embodiments of the present invention use TDM frames that have payloads, which do not strictly conform to the bandwidth hierarchy of conventional TDM protocols. For example, many embodiments of the present invention form TDM frames having a payload that is a non-integer multiple of a base bandwidth, such as OC-1/STS-1.

Abstract: A method of accessing a text file comprised of individual messages from a cellular telephone comprises the steps of: accessing the text file; selecting one of the individual messages from the text file; formatting the selected message with a network resident user agent; sending the formatted message to the cellular telephone.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and system of half-duplex wireless communication where a premises has a base station that services a defined communication cell. The base station transmits and receives Request to Send and Clear to Send announcements to and from mobile stations to indicate that the base station can send and receive data. A plurality of mobile stations send and receive data after transmitting and receiving Clear to Send and Request to Send announcements to and from the base station based on the respective time period in which the base station has received the Clear to Send and Request to Send announcements from respective mobile stations.

Abstract: A method of effectuating a change in the operation of a portable communication device such as a laptop or palmtop computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), or a cellular telephone. The device can communicate with a remote host or server using one of two or more different communication arrangements. Various signals indicative of the environment in which the device is operating are monitored, to anticipate or predict a change or transition from one communication arrangement to the other. If the change is determined to be both imminent and significant, the operation change is effected substantially simultaneously, by changing parameters in the transport and/or application protocol layer in the device.

Abstract: The amount of information that must be transmitted from an Internet server to a user's computer or workstation when the user requests an Internet object, for example, by clicking on a URL in a web browser application, is reduced using a cache-based compaction technique in which the requested object is encoded in the server using information relating to similar objects that were previously supplied to the user. Similar objects available in both a client side cache and a server side cache are selected by comparing the URL of the requested object to the URL's of stored objects. Differential encoding is performed in the server such that the server transmits to the client information indicative of the differences between the requested object and the reference (similar) objects available in the server cache. A corresponding decoding operation is performed in the client, using the encoded version and reference objects available in the client cache.

Abstract: A two-way wireless messaging system has a messaging network, and a two-way messaging device that originates, receives and replies to messages having dynamic message components to and from the messaging network. A transaction server is located within the messaging network for opening and tracking messages among various users of the two-way messaging system, and closing a transaction to prevent further message delivery and replies after a predetermined transaction is completed. A transaction can remain open until a reply has been received by every intended message recipient; until a desired number of message recipient received a message; or until a specified amount of time has expired.

Abstract: A two-way wireless messaging system has a cellular network with a mobile switching center for routing messages to base stations, a home location register for storing profiles and a home location register for storing profiles and location information, and a messaging center for receiving, storing and forwarding messages. In the present invention, a set of modular servers is added to add network based message expansion, transaction tracking, directed paging, and user defined services in an incremental fashion.

Abstract: A two-way wireless messaging system includes a messaging network having at least one user agent corresponding to a subscriber of a two-way wireless messaging service. The subscriber receives messages from the messaging network along a first communication channel. The user agent includes a plurality of messages stored therein wherein a predetermined message is stored in the user agent and forwarded to a desired destination in response to an originating message code that is received from a two-way messaging device of the subscriber along a second communication return channel. The originating message code can be expanded by the user agent. The messages stored by the user agent can be modified so that different messages can be forwarded to the predetermined destination. The user agent also maintains location information of the two-way messaging device of the subscriber.