Abstract: A communication system provides network-based battery power management that may be transparent to a user of a mobile station (MS). When one or more elements of a network of the communication system determines that the MS is operating at a low power supply charge level and/or has experienced a significant change in a charging level of the power supply, the one or more network elements may arrange for postponement of delivery of a delay-tolerant service to the MS or for adjustment of one or more of a characteristic of a service provided to the MS and a parameter of a radio communication with the MS, including restoration of full services to an MS whose power supply charge level has been restored.

Abstract: Information dissemination in an electronic messaging system is controlled by presenting, to a user, first and second user-action elements. The first element is indicative of whether the first message is to be sent to all recipients in the first distribution list, while the second element is indicative of whether the message is to be sent to a subgroup of the recipients in the first distribution list. If the second element is activated, any recipients that are not also included in a pre-defined set of the recipients are removed from the first distribution list to obtain a second distribution list. If the first element is activated, the message is sent to recipients in the first distribution list. If the second element is activated, the message is sent to recipients in the second distribution list. In one embodiment the first element is a ‘Reply All’ button and the second element is a ‘Reply Subgroup’ button.

Abstract: A server (101) designates and assigns each of a plurality of communication devices to at least one of a plurality of groups. The server (101) prepares a communication having presence information corresponding to a status of the communication devices in the group; determines network infrastructure device(s) serving the group; and transmits, at a pre-determined time, the communication to the network infrastructure device(s). A network infrastructure device (103a-c, 105a-f) receives the communication and transmits, as a common channel signal during the pre-determined time, a signal with the presence information. A communication unit (107a, 107b, 107c) receives an indication of the pre-determined time; transmits, at an interval proximate to the pre-determined time, a signal indicating the communication device's status; and receives, at the pre-determined time, the signal with the presence information.

Abstract: Various embodiments are described for signaling an ad-hoc group of mobile units (MUs). The ad-hoc group may be a group of MUs for which signaling awaits transmission via a wireless communication resource (111). Signaling such a group involves deriving a mobile unit group identifier (MUGI) by combining individual mobile unit identifiers (MUIs) of the targeted ad-hoc group. The individual MUIs are either an identifier of each MU or derived from an identifier of each MU. The derived MUGI is then included in combined signaling that is transmitted (by RAN 121, e.g.) via the wireless communication resource. A receiving MU (101) determines whether the MUGI could have been derived from its MUI in combination with at least one other MU's MUI. When it determines that the MUGI could have been derived from its MUI, the receiving MU processes the signaling as directed to itself.

Abstract: A communication system provides one or more of congestion information and subscriber information to a broadcast applications server when the server receives a request to start a broadcast-multicast service in a coverage area. By providing the one or more of congestion information and subscriber information to the server, the server is able to make an informed, intelligent decision concerning blocking, unblocking, downgrading, or upgrading a broadcast-multicast flow of multiple broadcast-multicast flows requested for delivery to, or currently delivered to, the coverage area via a serving base station, and/or whether to add a new broadcast-multicast flow to the broadcast-multicast flows delivered to the coverage area.

Abstract: Various embodiments are described herein to address the need for reducing call setup delays with respect to supplemental channels. Modifications to channel assignment messaging (104), such as an enhanced ECAM, and service connection messaging (108), such as an enhanced SCM, are described. These modifications enable the assignment of SCHs (110) earlier in the call setup sequence. In addition, embodiments for determining and anticipating when such modified messaging may effectively speed the transfer of data (including VoIP) between a BS (201) and an MS (210) are described.

Abstract: A communication system provides network-based battery power management that may be transparent to a user of a mobile station (MS). When one or more elements of a network of the communication system determines that the MS is operating at a low power supply charge level and/or has experienced a significant change in a charging level of the power supply, the one or more network elements may arrange for postponement of delivery of a delay-tolerant service to the MS or for adjustment of one or more of a characteristic of a service provided to the MS and a parameter of a radio communication with the MS, including restoration of full services to an MS whose power supply charge level has been restored.

Abstract: Various embodiments are described for signaling an ad-hoc group of mobile units (MUs). The ad-hoc group may be a group of MUs for which signaling awaits transmission via a wireless communication resource (111). Signaling such a group involves deriving a mobile unit group identifier (MUGI) by combining individual mobile unit identifiers (MUIs) of the targeted ad-hoc group. The individual MUIs are either an identifier of each MU or derived from an identifier of each MU. The derived MUGI is then included in combined signaling that is transmitted (by RAN 121, e.g.) via the wireless communication resource. A receiving MU (101) determines whether the MUGI could have been derived from its MUI in combination with at least one other MU's MUI. When it determines that the MUGI could have been derived from its MUI, the receiving MU processes the signaling as directed to itself.

Abstract: A presence agent (101) receives a message with a request for a status of one or more entities. The presence agent (101) determines the status of the entities, and transmits a message with the status of the entities. Transmitting the message includes initiating a connection to a communication device (107). A watcher (103) monitors the status of the entities, and provides updated information regarding the status to the users. The watcher (103) receives a request for a status of entities, determines the status of the entities, and transmits, in response to receipt of the request, a response indicating the status. A communication device (107) transmits a message having a request for status of entities. The communication device receives, from a connection initiated by a communication network (105), a message with a status of the entities, and processes the status of the entities, in response thereto.

Abstract: To address the need for a communication unit, a communication infrastructure, and method that extend battery life, the present invention provides a special page message (200) that is transmitted toward the beginning of a paging slot to indicate what groups of messages will be transmitted in the paging slot. This message allows communication units (e.g., 102–104) to determine near the beginning of the paging slot whether they need to continue monitoring the paging slot for messages or pages directed or of interest to them. The message also allows communication units that continue monitoring the paging slot to determine when they can cease the monitoring. Thus, communication units can return to a power-saving sleep mode more quickly than the prior art.

Abstract: A server (101) designates and assigns each of a plurality of communication devices to at least one of a plurality of groups. The server (101) prepares a communication having presence information corresponding to a status of the communication devices in the group; determines network infrastructure device(s) serving the group; and transmits, at a pre-determined time, the communication to the network infrastructure device(s). A network infrastructure device (103a-c, 105a-f) receives the communication and transmits, as a common channel signal during the pre-determined time, a signal with the presence information. A communication unit (107a, 107b, 107c) receives an indication of the pre-determined time; transmits, at an interval proximate to the pre-determined time, a signal indicating the communication device's status; and receives, at the pre-determined time, the signal with the presence information.

Abstract: A communication system provides separate subscription keys for a non-subscriber version of a broadcast-multicast flow and a subscriber-only version of the flow, thereby controlling who may store or render the flow. In one embodiment, separate subscription keys may be assigned to a same broadcast-multicast flow. The communication system may then switch the keys used to encrypt the flow, or may use different keys to encrypt different copies of the flow, in order to allow at least non-subscribers to view one version of the flow and only subscribers to view another version of the flow. In another embodiment, the communication system may assign a group subscription key to a group of broadcast-multicast flows that is separate from the keys assigned to each individual flow. The group subscription key may then be used to encrypt a non-subscriber version of any broadcast-multicast flow in the group of broadcast-multicast flows.

Abstract: A communication system provides one or more of congestion information and subscriber information to a broadcast applications server when the server receives a request to start a broadcast-multicast service in a coverage area. By providing the one or more of congestion information and subscriber information to the server, the server is able to make an informed, intelligent decision concerning blocking, unblocking, downgrading, or upgrading a broadcast-multicast flow of multiple broadcast-multicast flows requested for delivery to, or currently delivered to, the coverage area via a serving base station, and/or whether to add a new broadcast-multicast flow to the broadcast-multicast flows delivered to the coverage area.

Abstract: To address the need for inter-operability between 3G1X networks and wireless packet data networks, architectural and messaging embodiments are described that provide for new interfaces Ay, Az, and Ap. The Ay interface supports messaging between a 3G1x base station (BS) (103) and a packet data network access network (AN), such as an HRPD AN (123). The Az interface supports messaging between a 3G1x base station (BS) and a packet data network packet control function (PCF), such as an HRPD PCF (125). The Ap interface supports messaging between a 3G1x PCF (105) and a packet data network PCF, such as an HRPD PCF. Using A8/A9 and Ap interfaces, then, messaging between a 3G1x BS and a packet data network PCF is enabled.

Abstract: Various embodiments are described herein to address the need for reducing call setup delays with respect to supplemental channels. Modifications to channel assignment messaging (104), such as an enhanced ECAM, and service connection messaging (108), such as an enhanced SCM, are described. These modifications enable the assignment of SCHs (110) earlier in the call setup sequence. In addition, embodiments for determining and anticipating when such modified messaging may effectively speed the transfer of data (including VOIP) between a BS (201) and an MS (210) are described.

Abstract: The need to enable wireless presence-based services more efficiently is addressed by embodiments of the present invention. A wireless presence proxy (WPP 415) monitors the messaging and messaging responses of a mobile station (MS 401) via wireless transceiver equipment (411). Such messaging and messaging responses do not explicitly specify a presence state or state change for the MS. Thus, based upon this monitoring, the WPP infers the presence state/change for the MS and maintains MS location information. The WPP communicates any presence state changes and confirms MS presence state as required by the presence server(s) (225). By monitoring messaging, notifying the server(s) of MS presence, and handling server requests (potentially from many servers for the same MS), embodiments of the present invention reduce or avoid many existing inefficiencies, such as wide area paging and call set up and tear down for each presence ping, from each presence server.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for operating in reduced slotted mode. Following the release of the traffic channel, a mobile station (102) and base station (108) operate with a shorter slot cycle governed by a reduced slot cycle index value. The mobile station and base station operate using the reduced slot cycle index value until a particular time occurs governed by a reduced slotted timer value or for a period of time governed by the reduced slotted timer value. The invention provides faster call setup for mobile station terminated calls, without requiring registration with a MSC (110) to change between the reduced slot cycle index value and the registered slot cycle index value.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for operating in reduced slotted mode. Following the release of the traffic channel, a mobile station (102) and base station (108) operate with a shorter slot cycle governed by a reduced slot cycle index value. The mobile station and base station operate using the reduced slot cycle index value until a particular time occurs governed by a reduced slotted timer value or for a period of time governed by the reduced slotted timer value. The invention provides faster call setup for mobile station terminated calls, without requiring registration with a MSC (110) to change between the reduced slot cycle index value and the registered slot cycle index value.

Abstract: To address the need for efficiently performing channel assignment in a manner that reduces call setup time, the present embodiments provide an abbreviated channel assignment message (300) that references information stored by a remote unit (113). The information that is referenced can be removed from the message. By shrinking the channel assignment message in this manner, the present embodiment allows it to be transmitted in a paging slot without negatively impacting the battery life of listening units. Thus, the reduced-call-setup-time benefit of transmitting a channel assignment message in a paging slot can be realized without trading off battery life.

Abstract: To address the need for reducing call setup time without degrading the originator's service, a RAN (103) transmits a channel assignment message in a paging slot monitored by a target unit (113). The target unit responds to this channel assignment page indicating its availability and location within the RAN coverage area. The RAN then indicates the availability of the target unit to the calling unit (120) that originated the service request. In this way, the originator is able to proceed with the communication service, while the target completes its call setup.