Abstract: There is provided a method and apparatus for allocating transmission resources in a wireless network in which some of the terminals communicate with the base station by exchanging communication frames that are compatible with a first communication protocol while other terminals receive communications from the base station that are compatible with a second communication protocol by using non-standardized communication frames or communication frames that are compatible with another standardized protocol. The base station transmits a plurality of frames, some of which are compatible with the first communication protocol while others—with the second communication protocol.

Abstract: Systems and methods for transceiver communication are discussed herein. A filter module may be configured to filter each carrier signal of a multicarrier transmit signal with a different bandpass filter, each bandpass filter configured to filter a different frequency band. A carrier control module may be configured to control the plurality of bandpass filters of the filter module using a carrier selection signal to enable or disable each bandpass filter, thereby coupling carrier signals of the multicarrier transmit signal to a first set of bandpass filters and decoupling a second set of bandpass filters. Filtering the carrier signals of the multicarrier transmit signal is performed by the first set of bandpass filters while the decoupling of the second set of bandpass filters limits energy in the respective frequency band. An antenna may be configured to transmit the filtered multicarrier transmit signal.

Abstract: A device and method for dropping an air interface is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises communicating over a first air interface and a second air interface, determining an operational parameter based at least in part on a characteristic of the first air interface, and dropping the second air interface based at least in part on the operational parameter. A device and method for adding an air interface is also disclosed. In one embodiment, the system comprises a processor configured to drop one of a plurality of concurrently established air interfaces and to subsequently determine that at least one predetermined criteria is met before attempting to add the air interface.

Abstract: A method and a first device for determining a group owner during establishment of a local-wireless communication connection are provided. The method includes searching for a second device that supports the local-wireless communication connection; searching, if the second device is found, for services supportable by the second device; determining an intent value of the first device corresponding to a group owner authority with respect to a service to be connected among the found supportable services; transmitting, to the second device, a negotiation message including the determined intent value of the first device; receiving, from the second device, a negotiation message including an intent value of the second device; and determining, from among the first device and the second device, a device having the group owner authority by comparing the determined intent value of the first device with the intent value of the second device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for transceiver communication are discussed herein. A filter module may be configured to filter each carrier signal of a multicarrier transmit signal with a different bandpass filter, each bandpass filter configured to filter a different frequency band. A carrier control module may be configured to control the plurality of bandpass filters of the filter module using a carrier selection signal to enable or disable each bandpass filter, thereby coupling carrier signals of the multicarrier transmit signal to a first set of bandpass filters and decoupling a second set of bandpass filters. Filtering the carrier signals of the multicarrier transmit signal is performed by the first set of bandpass filters while the decoupling of the second set of bandpass filters limits energy in the respective frequency band. An antenna may be configured to transmit the filtered multicarrier transmit signal.

Abstract: An apparatus, a method and a computer program product is disclosed for a Bluetooth communication transceiver. The Bluetooth communication transceiver is configured as a Bluetooth low energy device performing timing measurements which are to be used for power saving. Based at least in part on the timing measurements, receive activation timings of the Bluetooth communication transceiver are adjusted. Further, a sleep clock of the apparatus may be used for calibration of the receive activation timings.

Abstract: The present invention relates to communication using multiple antennas, and more particularly, to an apparatus and method for adaptively adjusting, based on a channel environment, an interval and direction of multiple antennas each of a transmitter and a receiver. A communication method according to the present invention may include verifying information about a channel state based on a pilot signal transmitted for each antenna of a transmitter, adjusting intervals among antennas of a receiver based on the information about a channel state, calculating transmission capacity values according to the adjusted intervals among antennas, and setting an antenna to an antenna interval corresponding to a transmission capacity having a highest value among the transmission capacity values calculated.

Abstract: A method and system for local broadcasting of messages from a wireless mobile device to many others located within the same geographic area. This can be done using SMS messaging wherein a message to be broadcast is addressed to a particular designated address and, when received by a wireless carrier system, is checked to determine that it came from an authorized sender, and then is broadcasted by the wireless carrier system to a geographically-limited area within which the sending wireless mobile device is located.

Abstract: A vehicle computing system enabling one or more processors to establish a communication connection with at least one of a plurality of handheld computing devices within a vehicle while enabling and determining infotainment control based on the location of the handheld device in the vehicle. The system may determine if the at least one of a plurality of handheld computing devices is a driver or non-driver handheld computing device based on a detected location of the communication connection. The system may determine that the at least one of a plurality of handheld computing devices is a non-driver handheld computing device based on the detected location, therefore enabling infotainment control from the non-driver handheld device. The system may determine that the at least one of a plurality of handheld computing devices is a driver handheld computing device based on the detected location, therefore limiting infotainment control from the driver handheld device.

Abstract: A method of acquiring the identity parameters of two or more mobile devices (20), the method comprising: obtaining a list of two or more base stations (1, 2, 3); and acquiring identity parameters from the devices (20) by emulating each base station in the list. Two or more base stations may be simultaneously emulated, and the list of two or more base stations may be obtained by simultaneously interrogating two or more base stations (1, 2, 3). The identity parameters may be IMSI and/or IMEI and/or TMSI codes.

Abstract: There is described a multiple subscriber identity arrangement having a modem capable of receiving messages related to either one of at least two subscriber identities, but not simultaneously. The arrangement further comprises a control unit configured to, when the modem performs communication activity associated with a first subscriber identity: determine whether gaps not allocated for the communication activity associated with the first subscriber identity coincide with paging occasions associated with a second subscriber identity; and, if at least one gap not allocated for the communication activity associated with the first subscriber identity coincides with at least one paging occasion associated with the second subscriber identity, cause the modem to switch to the second subscriber identity to read one paging message on a paging channel associated with the second subscriber identity.

Abstract: A linkage system for linking a soft phone incorporated in an exchange and a hard phone not incorporated in the exchange, and informing the state of the linkage operation. The linkage system allows an exchange which incorporates the soft phone terminal having a telephone function to link the soft phone terminal and the hard phone not incorporated in the exchange and establishes communication between the hard phone and the call destination.

Abstract: A method of wirelessly connecting at least two devices for data communication and a device that is wirelessly connectable by using the method, the method including: generating and wirelessly sending service set identifier (SSID) information of the at least two devices, the at least two devices performing the generating and the wireless sending, collecting and analyzing the wirelessly sent SSID information, the collecting and the analyzing to be performed by the at least two devices, setting one of the at least two devices as a server based on a result of the analyzing, and wirelessly connecting the at least two devices, the wirelessly connecting to be performed by the device set as the server.

Abstract: A master device (e.g., a laptop) controls a videoconference connection with a far-end and acts as a controller for slave devices in a group. The master establishes the connection with the far-end using a wide area network and connects with the slaves using a Wi-Fi connection of a local area connection. To connect to the slaves, the master outputs an ultrasonic beacon encoding the master's address in the local network. The beacon also allows differences in the various clocks to be handled during audio processing. During the videoconference, the master outputs far-end audio to a loudspeaker and sends the far-end video to its display and to the slaves. Each device captures audio/video with its microphone and camera. The master determines which captured audio is a dominant talker's and may only send that audio to the far-end. The video associated with the dominant talker's device may also be sent to the far-end.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wireless communication system and a communication control method. The wireless communication system includes: a wireless terminal; a plurality of base stations; and a host-side base station, wherein, in a case where CoMP transmission/reception is requested, the host-side base station decides base stations cooperating therewith for the CoMP transmission/reception, opens wireless lines for base stations under connection to the wireless terminal, and sends a same signal thereto, thereby performs the CoMP transmission/reception, and each of a plurality of the base stations functions as a relay device in a case of transferring the signal with the host-side base station through the wireless line.

Abstract: An exemplary method to measure propagation of a signal between a first end data input transmit system and a first end transmit air frame detector, of the signal between a second end receive air frame detector and a second end data receive system, of the signal between the second end data receive system and a second end data input transmit system, of a time the signal is received by the second end data transmit system and a signal is received at a second end transmit air frame detector, of the signal between a first end receive air frame detector and a first end data receive system, and of a time when the signal is in the first end data receive system and when the signal is received by the first end data input transmit system, and determine a performance of the signal across a wireless link based on the measurements.

Abstract: Loading estimation of 3GPP networks. One or more metrics relating to a cell of a 3GPP network may be measured. Loading of the cell may be estimated based on the one or more metrics. The metrics may include metrics measured, estimated, or derived at multiple layers, possibly including one or more of physical layer, radio link control layer, radio resource control layer, or application layer metrics.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wireless communication system. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method and a device for reporting channel state information, wherein the method comprises the steps of: receiving, from a first eNode B, a plurality of pieces of configuration information for a periodic report of CSIs that are set according to each eNode B; and transmitting, to said first eNode B, CSIs for the downlink of the corresponding eNode Bs through subframes that are periodically set according to each piece of the configuration information, wherein the subframes that are periodically set according to the configuration information for said first eNode B are used to transmit a CSI for the downlink of said first eNode B, and at least a portion of subframes that are periodically set according to configuration information for a second eNode B is used to transmit information which indicates the relationship between the downlink of said first eNode B and the downlink of said second eNode B.

Abstract: Estimating loading and potential available throughput a serving cell of a wireless user equipment (UE) device. Physical layer metrics of a channel on which the UE communicates with the serving cell may be measured. Cell utilization of the serving cell may be calculated based at least in part on the measured physical layer metrics. A maximum available throughput of the serving cell may be calculated based on the cell utilization.

Abstract: Method and arrangement in a user equipment for transmitting scheduling requests to a base station. The base station is adapted to serve the user equipment. The user equipment is configured to transmit scheduling requests to the base station only at certain predetermined scheduling request opportunities. The method comprises triggering a scheduling request transmission, transmitting a scheduling request to the base station at the next occurring scheduling request opportunity, starting a scheduling request prohibiting timer and prohibiting any further scheduling request retransmission at future scheduling request opportunities while the scheduling request prohibiting timer is running. Also, a corresponding method and arrangement in a base station are described.

Abstract: Method and arrangement in a user equipment for transmitting scheduling requests to a base station. The base station is adapted to serve the user equipment. The user equipment is configured to transmit scheduling requests to the base station only at certain predetermined scheduling request opportunities. The method comprises triggering a scheduling request transmission, transmitting a scheduling request to the base station at the next occurring scheduling request opportunity, starting a scheduling request prohibiting timer and prohibiting any further scheduling request retransmission at future scheduling request opportunities while the scheduling request prohibiting timer is running. Also, a corresponding method and arrangement in a base station is described.

Abstract: Computationally implemented methods and systems include detecting presence of one or more electronic devices near a wearable computing device, the wearable computing device being a computing device designed to be worn by a user; determining which of the one or more electronic devices that are detected as being near the wearable computing device are at least designed to provide one or more specific functionalities that are being sought by the wearable computing device; and acquiring, by the wearable computing device based at least, in part, on said detecting and said determining, one or more specific functionalities that are available through at least one electronic device that was detected as being near the wearable computing device and that was determined to provide the one or more specific functionalities. In addition to the foregoing, other aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text.

Abstract: A management device (100) for use in an access network (10, 19, 20, 30, 40, 100) including a plurality of data connections (18, 19, 20) between end user devices (10) and an aggregation transceiver device (20) where the connections (18, 19, 20) are aggregated for onward connection through the access network (20, 30, 40), the access network storing in association with each data connection a Dynamic Line Management, DLM, profile which specifies a set of values for a plurality of parameters associated with the respective data connection. The device includes initial profile selection means for, when a line is to be caused to operate in a rate adaptive mode, selecting an initial profile for the line from among the plurality of stored different profiles in dependence upon one or more measurements, or a parameter or parameters derived from one or more measurements, made in respect of the connection while operating in another mode.

Abstract: The technology provides contextual personal information by a mixed reality display device system being worn by a user. A user inputs person selection criteria, and the display system sends a request for data identifying at least one person in a location of the user who satisfy the person selection criteria to a cloud based application with access to user profile data for multiple users. Upon receiving data identifying the at least one person, the display system outputs data identifying the person if he or she is within the field of view. An identifier and a position indicator of the person in the location is output if not. Directional sensors on the display device may also be used for determining a position of the person. Cloud based executing software can identify and track the positions of people based on image and non-image data from display devices in the location.

Abstract: Systems and methods associated with an intercom system for a drive-through, quick service restaurant facility is disclosed. Generally, a plurality of headsets is configured for communication with a base station. A speaker is associated with the drive-through facility is configured to be located near a menu board, and is configured for communication with the base station. A microphone is also configured to be located near the menu board and configured for communication with the base station. A plurality of parameters control the configuration of the intercom system, and the base station is connectable to a wide area communication network to enable remote adjustment of the plurality of parameters.

Abstract: A method and a communications unit carrying out the method detects communications problems in the vehicle-to-environment communications in an ISM radio band. To determine the functional ability or the performance capacity of vehicle-to-environment communications, the channel usage of the ISM radio band in use is determined by comparing the channel time occupied by communication messages to the maximum channel time available for communication messages. A warning message is output if the occupied channel time exceeds a threshold value.

Abstract: A network targets an individual operating a microcomputer that is linked to an Internet to offer this individual goods or services appropriate to his needs that are available at a place within reach of the individual's present location. The microcomputer is provided with a GPS receiver that indicates the present location of the individual, this location and the identity of the individual being transmitted from the microcomputer to a web site. At the web site, a computer associated with a data bank storing the profiles of a multitude of consumers is programmed to find out whether the identified individual is included in the data bank, and to determine from his profile whether there are available at a place reachable from his present location appropriate goods or services. If a match is found, an offer to supply such goods or services is conveyed from the web site to the microcomputer.

Abstract: Techniques for automatically configuring necessary parameters of a device to be coupled to a network with minimum human intervention are disclosed. In one embodiment, a wired and/or wireless Ad-hoc network is established to facilitate communications among a group of devices. When a new device is added to the network, a rudimentary communication path is initially established between one of the devices in the network and the new device such that necessary parameters (e.g., SSID, WEP security, channel frequency) can be exchanged for the new device to function properly in the network. To ensure the parameters are exchanged in a secure fashion, an additional public security procedure can be used between the two devices.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for broadcasting internet availability at a Wireless Access Point (WAP). The system is operable to process the memory to determine whether the WAP provides free internet access to wireless devices, and to generate a management frame for the WAP. The system is further operable to insert data indicating whether the WAP provides the free internet access into the management frame, and to broadcast the management frame via the WAP for receipt by wireless devices within range of the WAP.

Abstract: A conversion device may receive a first message in a Telelocator Alphanumeric Protocol (TAP) format. The first message may include information that identifies a user device as an intended recipient of the first message. The first message may not be transmissible over a wireless connection. The conversion device may convert the first message into a second message in a first format capable of being transmitted over the wireless connection. The second message may include information that identifies the user device. The conversion device may provide the second message, using the wireless connection, to a messaging device. The wireless message may cause the messaging device to convert the second message into a third message in a second format that is capable of being delivered to the identified user device. The wireless message may further cause the messaging device to provide the third message to the user device.

Abstract: At least one table for mapping measured quantity values of a signal strength, which are measured by a user equipment according to a minimizing drive tests policy in a mobile communications environment, to reported values is generated by including a number n of thresholds therein which are adjustable and indicate signal strength ranges defining the reported values, wherein n is greater or equal to two. The number n and values of the thresholds are adjusted to filter the measured quantity values in the user equipment, and the minimizing drive tests policy is controlled based on the at least one table.

Abstract: System and method embodiments are provided for limiting mobile device neighbor cell measurements for cell reselection and handover. In an embodiment, a method in a mobile device for limiting neighbor cell search and measurements for reselection and handover includes determining a state of the mobile device from one of a plurality of states, wherein the states comprises an idle state, a static-idle state, a connected state, and a static-connected state defining idle state to static-idle state and connected state to static-connected state transition criteria; defining static-idle state to idle state and static-connected state to connected state transition criteria; and selecting a time interval to wait between successive neighbor cell search and measurements for cell reselection and handover according to the state of the wireless device, wherein the time interval corresponding to one of the states is less than the time interval corresponding to another of the states.

Abstract: An all outdoor communication unit (ODU) microwave backhaul system and a split ODU microwave backhaul system, each configured to support a dual channel wireless link, are provided. Each microwave backhaul system includes an ODU having a processor configured to improve a quality of data (having a first and a second communication channel) by performing mathematical manipulation techniques on the data, a conversion, block configured to perform digital-to-analog and analog-to-digital conversions of the data, and a duplexer configured to facilitate substantially simultaneous communication of the first and second communication channels over the dual channel wireless link by optimizing a frequency separation between the first and second communication channels.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for HFN synchronization in a wireless communication system. If re-establishment of an RLC entity occurs during a pending RLC reset procedure, the pending RLC reset procedure is aborted and the re-establishment of the RLC entity is performed. A first RC variable included in a RESET PDU is incremented. The pending RLC reset procedure is restarted. The RESET PDU including the incremented first RC variable is transmitted. A RESET ACKnowledgement (ACK) PDU for the RESET PDU including a second RC variable is received. The second RC variable included in the received RESET ACK PDU is checked and the received RESET ACK PDU is accepted based on the checking result.

Abstract: This disclosure details example methods and apparatuses for a wireless communication network and for devices operating in such networks that reduce or eliminate the need for performing random access procedures to obtain appropriate Timing Advance, “TA”, values for use with new TA groups that include cells split from an existing TA group and/or new cells not in any existing TA groups defined for a given device. It is advantageously recognized herein that a TA relationship between one or more cells in an old or existing TA group of a device and one or more cells in a new TA group of the device may be known or otherwise estimated, e.g., based on known delay differences, cell sizes, etc. The TA relationship is used to initialize the TA value used for the new group, e.g., by copying or offsetting the current TA value of the old or existing TA group.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a method and a device for updating a port index in a multi-device system, and a multi-device system. The method includes: detecting whether a device ID of a device is changed in a multi-device system, where the detecting is performed by comparing device IDs of each device in the multi-device system before and after the detection; and for a device whose device ID is changed in the system, updating a port index of the device according to the device ID after the change, where the port index is used to acquire configuration data of the port. The embodiments of the present invention solve the problem of failing to find correct port configuration data by using the port index because the device ID is changed.

Abstract: Program code on mobile computing devices and a server computer receive information about mobile computing devices within a defined area. The program code selects an announcement, from a database based on the information received, having audio that is in a language determined as being utilized within the defined area, wherein the language is assigned a first highest ranking, and wherein the first highest ranking indicates that the language is spoken by a majority of persons within the defined area. The program code selects a transcription of the audio from the database, wherein the transcription is in a language determined as being utilized within the defined area, and wherein the language is assigned a second highest ranking. The program code instructs a television within the defined area to output the audio, and to output the transcription of the audio on a display screen of the television.

Abstract: Computationally implemented methods and systems include detecting presence of one or more electronic devices near a wearable computing device, the wearable computing device being a computing device designed to be worn by a user; determining which of the one or more electronic devices that are detected as being near the wearable computing device are at least designed to provide one or more specific functionalities that are being sought by the wearable computing device; and acquiring, by the wearable computing device based at least, in part, on said detecting and said determining, one or more specific functionalities that are available through at least one electronic device that was detected as being near the wearable computing device and that was determined to provide the one or more specific functionalities. In addition to the foregoing, other aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text.

Abstract: A method for execution by a mobile station (MS) in a mobile communications network, the method comprising: receiving a first MS identifier from the network during a ranging operation involving the MS; using the first MS identifier to extract the contents of at least one message received from the network during said ranging operation; using a second MS identifier, different from the first MS identifier, to extract the contents of at least one message received from the network after said ranging operation is complete. Also, a method for execution by the base station, comprising: outputting a first message destined for the MS, the first message including a first identifier for use by the MS during a ranging operation; determining that said ranging operation is complete; outputting a second message destined for the MS, the second message including a second identifier for use by the MS in subsequent communication with the network.

Abstract: Provided are an operating method for machine to machine (M2M) communication and an apparatus using the method. In an idle mode, an M2M device receives a paging message from a base station. The paging message comprises a network connection type and a start offset. The network connection type indicates a resource allocation for a ranging request. The start offset indicates an offset at which to start monitoring the ranging resource for the ranging request.

Abstract: An apparatus configured to determine one or more channels available for use by respective one or more white-space devices in a particular determined geographical location. The apparatus is configured to: receive geographic location signalling associated with the particular determined geographical location of one or more white-space devices; receive uncertainty indication signalling for the uncertainty associated with the particular determined geographic location of the one or more white-space devices; and determine the one or more channels available for use by the respective one or more white-space devices in the particular determined geographical location by using the geographic location signalling and uncertainty indication signalling.

Abstract: A method for managing carrier status via the Short Message Service (SMS) by a centralized system in a multi-carrier environment includes: associating a driver with a first load to be transported, using an SMS-enabled cellphone number of the driver; storing the association of driver and load in a database of the system, along with a unique identifier of the carrier; transmitting, by the server to the driver, an instruction as a text message to the driver's cell phone with instructions for replying upon arrival; receiving, by the server from the driver, a response consistent with the instructions for replying upon arrival; updating, by the server, a status associated with the driver's response in the database; repeating the steps for a second driver of a second carrier; and providing, by the centralized system, status reports related to both the driver and associated load, and the second driver and associated load.

Abstract: A method includes selecting a subset k of N accessible antennas to use to process a transmission received at the N antennas and sent by a user equipment, and processing the transmission from the user equipment at least by using baseband information from the k antennas. An apparatus includes one or more processors and one or more memories including computer program code. The one or more memories and the computer program code are configured to, with the one or more processors, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: selecting a subset k of N accessible antennas to use to process a transmission received at the N antennas and sent by a user equipment; and processing the transmission from the user equipment at least by using baseband information from the k antennas. Additional apparatus, computer programs, and computer program products are disclosed.

Abstract: A communication expands a text message into a web page and provides a link to the web page to a recipient device. The web page includes image content representing a subject or verb of the text message.

Abstract: To cancel interference from the other cells and improve throughput characteristics without needing complicated processing, provided are a reception section that receives a reception signal including signal components from a plurality of base station apparatuses (BSs), and a signal detection and channel estimation section (61) that performs signal detection and channel estimation processing based on a factor graph on the reception signal, where the signal detection and channel estimation section (61) estimates interfering components from base station apparatuses of the other cells except a desired base station apparatus included in the reception signal at a symbol level, and reuses the interfering components in the signal detection and channel estimation processing based on the factor graph.

Abstract: A method of operating a wireless network includes sending a pattern of wakeup tones. Each of the wakeup tones has a different frequency. A sleep mode is periodically awoken from to listen for the wakeup tones. The pattern of wakeup tones is received during the listening. It is decided whether to listen for at least one second tone. The deciding is dependent upon the received pattern of wakeup tones.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide for embedded change logging for data synchronization. In an embodiment of the invention, an embedded change logging data processing system can include a change embedded database (EDB) disposed in a pervasive device. The EDB can store entries for notified changes in data for multiple different end-user applications in the pervasive device. The system also can include a change log service (CLS) disposed in the pervasive device and coupled to the EDB. The CLS can include program code enabled to register with multiple different end-user applications in the pervasive device to receive notifications of changes, and to write entries to the EDB responsive to the notifications. Finally, the system can include a synchronization client disposed in the pervasive device separately from the CLS. The synchronization client can include program code enabled to directly access the EDB to perform data synchronization with a remote host.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods, apparatus, computer readable media and other implementations, including a method for communicating network information. The method includes transmitting a request message from a mobile device to an access point, and receiving, at the mobile device, a reply message transmitted from the access point in response to receiving the request message, the reply message including data representative of a transmitted signal power level at the access point of the reply message. The method further includes determining, based on the received reply message including the data representative of the transmitted signal power level at the access point, a received signal power level at the mobile device of the reply message, and a round trip time from a first time instance when the request message was transmitted from the mobile device to a second time instance when the reply message was received at the mobile device.

Abstract: A mobile apparatus data sharing method includes the following steps: receiving a request for activating a sharing functionality on sharing data; obtaining context information of the mobile apparatus and a contact list which includes information of several candidate contacts; classifying the information of the candidate contacts into several candidate groups according to the context information; displaying the candidate groups via the mobile apparatus; determining a target contact group from the candidate contact groups according to a contact group selecting signal generated by the mobile apparatus; and transmitting the sharing data to the target contact group according to the information of the candidate contacts in the target contact group.

Abstract: A method for providing presence notification for PTT chat group communications includes a server receiving, from a communication device of a member of a chat group, a session initiation message to start a session for the PTT chat group. The session initiation message includes a member-selected priority. The server generates an event notification message that includes an indication that the chat group is active and has been assigned a priority, and sends the event notification message to communication devices of at least some of the other chat group members. Additionally, where a group priority has been assigned to the chat group, the group priority is assigned to the session. Otherwise, the member-selected priority is assigned to the session.