Abstract: A method and a Mobile Node are provided for authenticating an Advertisement message received from an Access Router through an Access Point. The Advertisement message comprises a Hashed Nonce Value and a Nonce Index corresponding to a Nonce Value held in the Access Router. Upon receiving the Advertisement message from the Access Point, the Mobile Node initiates a process for configuring an IP address, by use of information received in the Advertisement, for having a session with the Access Point and the Access Router. In parallel, either the Access Point or the Mobile Node sends the Nonce Index directly to the Access Router. The Access Router replies with the Nonce Value sent to the Mobile Node. The Mobile Node hashes the Nonce Value received from the Access Router and compares a Result of the hashing with the Hashed Nonce Value. If the Result matches the Hashed Nonce Value, the Advertisement is considered authenticated and the IP address configured according to the Advertisement is kept in the Mobile Node.

Abstract: A method, a correspondent node and a mobile node are provided for allowing setup of a session between the mobile node and the correspondent node using a new unique indicator in lieu of the home address to enable the correspondent node to uniquely identify the mobile node. The correspondent node uses the new unique indicator to identify the session within its Binding Cache Entry table. The mobile node may change its selection of a home address without impacting its ongoing session. Change of a home address may occur when the mobile node selects a new home agent to serve an ongoing session, or when the mobile node selects a new access interface during an ongoing session.

Abstract: A method, a mobile node (MN) and a correspondent node (CN) exchanging a Secret Authentication Key (SKbm) within an IPv6 network. The MN has a pair of keys comprising a private key and a public key and a HoA. Upon displacement of the MN from a home portion to a visited portion of the IPv6 network, a CoA is set. Thereafter, an establishment message is sent from the MN to the CN through a Home Agent associated to the MN. Upon reception of the establishment message, the CN tests the HoA and the CoA and therefor sends a first portion and a second portion of a secret data. The MN thereafter sends the secret data back to the CN within a signed message. In response thereto, the CN sends an acknowledgement message to the MN comprising the SKbm encrypted using the public key of the MN.

Abstract: A MN, a method and a VMAP for increasing efficiency of handover of the MN from a AR1 to a AR2. The VMAP is hierarchically below a MAP and above the AR1. The MN has a RCoA valid under the MAP and a LCoA valid under the AR1. The VMAP comprises an OMM Function capable of receiving a PathUM thereby informing the VMAP that the MN 412 is handing over to the AR2, computing a LCoA2 valid under the AR2 and forwarding traffic received on the LCoA to the LCoA2. A VMAP Binding Cache Entry for the MN comprises at least the MN's RCoA, the MN's LCoA and a unique value associated with the MN. The VMAP, therewith, computes the LCoA2 using a same function as in the MN. Prior to receiving the PathUM, the VMAP could receive an E-LBA issued from the MAP and addressed to the LCoA comprising the MN's RCoA and the unique value associated with the MN and thereafter, creating or updating the VBCE for the MN using information included therein.

Abstract: A method of establishing a network connection, capable of transmitting data, from a computing device, having a network connection with an existing network, to a network. The method comprises: determining whether data requested by the computing device originates within the network. If said data requested by the computing device does originate within the network, breaking at least a portion of the network connection with the existing network for the data and establishing a network connection with the network for that portion of the network connection that was previously connected to the existing network.

Abstract: A tracking system comprises an arming unit, a motion sensor, a direction sensor, a processor, and a transceiver. The arming unit is switchable so as to place the tracking system in either an armed state or an unarmed state. The motion sensor is arranged to activate the tracking system when the system is in an armed state and motion is detected. The direction sensor and the motion sensor output signals indicative of the direction of travel and distance travelled, respectively, to the processor when the system is activated. The processor acts upon said signals so as to generate an output indicative of the distance and direction of travel. The transceiver actuable to transmit the output of the processor to a remote base station in order that the position of a tracked object can be monitored remotely.

Abstract: Methods and home agent for building a plurality of individual binding updates in the home agent on behalf of a mobile node. One of the methods and the home agent is directed to receiving an Aggregated Binding Update (ABU) at the home agent from the mobile node, building the plurality of individual binding updates from the ABU and sending from the home agent each of the plurality of individual binding updates toward each of the different destination addresses. Each of the plurality of individual binding updates has a different destination address, which is specified in the ABU. Another of the methods and the home agent is directed to intercepting a plurality of binding acknowledgments destined to the mobile node, building an Aggregated Binding Acknowledgment (ABA) from the plurality of binding acknowledgments and sending the ABA toward the mobile node.

Abstract: A method of enabling a customer to carry out a transaction with a remote processing apparatus from a local processing apparatus connected to the remote processing apparatus via a first, unsecure, network, said method comprising the following steps: sending a request to initiate the transaction from the local processing apparatus to the remote processing apparatus across the first network; causing the remote processing apparatus to respond to said request by transmitting a response to said request to said local processing apparatus requesting specified information; and transmitting a response to said response containing said specified information in a transmission from the local processing apparatus to the remote processing apparatus wherein at least one of said response to said request and said response to said response are sent via at least one second network, different from the first.

Abstract: Access from a first processing apparatus to an application running on a second processing apparatus is established by sending, on behalf of the first processing apparatus, a log-on request to the second processing apparatus via a first network. There is a response to the log-on request with a demand for authentication data being sent in reply to the demand. At least one of the demand and the authentication data are sent via a second network that differs from the first network.

Abstract: A method of at least partially creating a network connection from a computing device to a network wherein the method comprises determining the bandwidth associated with the network connection that it is desired to make to the computing device from the network and assessing whether this bandwidth is available from the network before commencing creating the connection. Generally, this method will be used during a hand-over process from an existing network to the network.

Abstract: A mobile user in a foreign wireless network registers via a foreign server, which communicates with a home server in the user's home network to exchange data pertaining to use of a service by the user. The data are in a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) MESSAGE in accordance with the SIP. In one embodiment, the foreign network holds data indicating use of a service or services in the foreign network by the mobile user, and sends to the home server a SIP MESSAGE including data for the home network to use for billing. In another embodiment, the home network holds account details relating to the use of the foreign network by the mobile user. In response to a SIP MESSAGE from the foreign server identifying the mobile user and the service or services requested by the mobile user, the home server sends to the foreign server a SIP MESSAGE including data indicating permitted use of the foreign network by the mobile user.

Abstract: A wireless LAN comprises an access point and plural mobile communications devices requiring data communication with the access point. A controller at the access point controls the supply of data communication to the mobile communications devices. The controller sets up a peer-to-peer connection between a first mobile communications device already receiving a data communication supplying a given service and a second mobile communications device requiring that service.

Abstract: A wireless data network, which covers a first physical area and has a wireless node is increased by generating access control information for the wireless data network. The access control information is communicated to a second wireless network associated with a mains power supply, e.g. a lighting circuit, operative in at least one part of the first physical area located within a secure environment. The access control information is transmitted to the wireless node using the second wireless network. The access control information is changed from time to time (preferably at predetermined intervals). The preceding steps are repeated for each change.

Abstract: A method is provided of allocating bandwidth in a wireless LAN having a plurality of access points, each using the same wireless technology for data communication with users. The method comprises continuously monitoring bandwidth usage by each of the access points, and re-allocating bandwidth from a low bandwidth usage access point to a high bandwidth usage access point.

Abstract: A wireless LAN comprises an access point with a data communicator for data communicated over different channels, each using a respective wireless technology, and at least one mobile communications device with a data communicator for data communicated over the channels and using the wireless technologies. A first of the channels uses a wireless technology operating at a first frequency bandwidth, and a second of the channels uses a different wireless technology operating at a second, non-overlapping frequency bandwidth. The wireless technology used for the downlink channel operates at a higher data rate than the wireless technology used for the uplink channel. The controller controls data communications over the downlink channel and the uplink channel to maximise the downlink data communication QoS.

Abstract: A method of reducing the bandwidth required to operate a wireless network comprising transmitting at least a first and a second advertisement according to different network protocols in the same, or substantially the same, frequency channel. Such an arrangement may be suitable for areas which are covered by two or more network protocols.

Abstract: The quality of service of a connection to a wireless network is controlled. Computing devices are connected with at least a high and a low service level to at least one access point of the network. The method causes computing devices connected to the network at the high service level to receive a higher level of service from the network than computing devices connected to the network at the low service level. The higher service level is attained by (1) preferential polling, (2) providing a higher bit rate or lower latency, or the like, for computing devices connected at the higher level of service. The different service levels provide a pricing policy according to the level of service provided.

Abstract: A local area network comprises a plurality of access points. Each access point includes a first transceiver for wireless communication with one or more user workstations. The access points include second transceivers for wireless communication with one another. At least one of the access points is configured for movement to enable re-configuration of the local area network.

Abstract: A tracking system comprises an arming unit, a motion sensor, a direction sensor, a processor, and a transceiver. The arming unit is switchable so as to place the tracking system in either an armed state or an unarmed state. The motion sensor is arranged to activate the tracking system when the system is in an armed state and motion is detected. The direction sensor and the motion sensor output signals indicative of the direction of travel and distance travelled, respectively, to the processor when the system is activated. The processor acts upon said signals so as to generate an output indicative of the distance and direction of travel. The transceiver actuable to transmit the output of the processor to a remote base station in order that the position of a tracked object can be monitored remotely.

Abstract: A user is alerted to an expected occurrence of an event and automatically provided with a predetermined notice period of the expected occurrence of the event by identifying an event having an unreliable start time, but a start time that can be predicted more accurately as the time of the event approaches by monitoring a precursor parameter to the event. By monitoring the precursor parameter, a prediction is made of when the event is likely to occur. Advance notice that the event is expected to take place is automatically issued during a predetermined notice period before the expected time of the event. Session Initiation Protocol communicates the advance notice.