A location reporting paging communication system comprising space satellites, ground stations and a remote receiving unit adapted to resolve a global position from signals transmitted from a communication transmitter. The subscriber in possession of the remote receiving unit updates the paging network with global positioning information. A caller paging a subscriber in possession of the remote receiving unit may request the global location of the remote receiving unit. The paging network could divulge or block such information from a caller depending on the requirements of the subscriber.

Location reporting satellite paging system with optional blocking of location reporting

A packet-based, hierarchical communication system, arranged in a spanning tree configuration, is described in which wired and wireless communication networks exhibiting substantially different characteristics are employed in an overall scheme to link portable or mobile computing devices. The network accommodates real time voice transmission both through dedicated, scheduled bandwidth and through a packet-based routing within the confines and constraints of a data network. Conversion and call processing circuitry is also disclosed which enables access devices and personal computers to adapt voice information between analog voice stream and digital voice packet formats as proves necessary. Routing pathways include wireless spanning tree networks, wide area networks, telephone switching networks, internet, etc., in a manner virtually transparent to the user. A voice session and associate call setup simulates that of conventional telephone switching network, providing well-understood functionality common to any mobile, remote or stationary terminal, phone, computer, etc.

Hierarchical Data Collection Network Supporting Packetized Voice Communications Among Wireless Terminals and Telephones

A seamless solution transparently addresses the characteristics of nomadic systems, and enables existing network applications to run reliably in mobile environments. The solution extends the enterprise network, letting network managers provide mobile users with easy access to the same applications as stationary users without sacrificing reliability or centralized management. The solution combines advantages of existing wire-line network standards with emerging mobile standards to create a solution that works with existing network applications. A Mobility Management Server coupled to the mobile network maintains the state of each of any number of Mobile End Systems and handles the complex session management required to maintain persistent connections to the network and to other peer processes. If a Mobile End System becomes unreachable, suspends, or changes network address (e.g., due to roaming from one network interconnect to another), the Mobility Management Server maintains the connection to the associated peer task—allowing the Mobile End System to maintain a continuous connection even though it may temporarily lose contact with its network medium. In one example, Mobility Management Server communicates with Mobile End Systems using Remote Procedure Call and Internet Mobility Protocols.

Method and apparatus for providing mobile and other intermittent connectivity in a computing environment

The present invention describes a system and method for communicating voice and data over a packet-switched network that is adapted to coexist and communicate with a legacy PSTN. The system permits packet switching of voice calls and data calls through a data network from and to any of a LEC, a customer facility or a direct IP connection on the data network. The system includes soft switch sites, gateway sites, a data network, a provisioning component, a network event component and a network management component. The system interfaces with customer facilities (e.g., a PBX), carrier facilities (e.g., a LEC) and legacy signaling networks (e.g., SS7) to handle calls between any combination of on-network and off-network callers. The soft switch sites provide the core call processing for the voice network architecture. The soft switch sites manage the gateway sites in a preferred embodiment, using a protocol such as the Internet Protocol Device Control (IPDC) protocol to request the set-up and tear-down of calls. The gateway sites originate and terminate calls between calling parties and called parties through the data network. The gateway sites include network access devices to provide access to network resources. The data network connects one or more of the soft switch sites to one or more of the gateway sites. The provisioning and network event component collects call events recorded at the soft switch sites. The network management component includes a network operations center (NOC) for centralized network management.

Voice over data telecommunications network architecture

A system and method for wireless communication is disclosed. In one embodiment of a method, a user of a wireless device initiates a communication session during which a wireless data session can be triggered from a voice session and a voice session can be triggered from a wireless data session. During the communication session, data is shared between the wireless data channel and the voice channel.

Method and system for wireless voice channel/data channel integration

A method for a network in a multi-network system to obtain access information for a subscriber unit (104) (SU) involves requesting (1306) access information from an access server (110) which determines (1208) whether a group to which the SU belongs can access the network or another network from the SU location. The access server (110) can also send (1228) information to a network which describes which other networks the SU group can access from the SU location. An access server apparatus (1800) includes a processor (1802) for making access decisions in a multi-network system, a memory device (1804) for storing access information (1100) for various networks, and at least one network interface (1806). A gateway (GW) apparatus (2000) contacts an access server (110) to obtain access information. An SU apparatus (1900) includes a processor (1902) for using information from the access server (110) to access a network.

Method and apparatus for managing service accessibility between differing radio telecommunication networks

Interoperability between terrestrial cellular systems and satellite based cellular systems allows handoffs between different cellular systems. A call in progress by a subscriber unit (101) over a terrestrial based cellular system (100) which includes a mobile switching center (MSC) (105a) and a plurality of base stations (103a-d) is handed off to a satellite based cellular system (1000) comprising a satellite network (100a, 1001b), a regional gateway (1007) and an interface gateway (1005). A call in progress by subscriber unit (101) over satellite based cellular system (1000) is also handed off to terrestrial based cellular system (100). A dual mode subscriber unit (400) provides switching functionality (409) to switch between transmit modes.

Terrestrial and satellite cellular network interoperability

A method for handing off calls between differing radio telecommunication networks recognizes (302) a desire for an inter-network hand-off. When a Subscriber Unit (120) (SU) identifies (304) a new network, a hand-off with the new network can be requested (320). When the SU (120) does not identify (304) a new network, the old network requests (314) location information relevant to an inter-network hand-off from a Location Inter-Working Server (200) (LIWS). The LIWS (200) provides information about other networks which provide service to the SU location and, when another network provides service to the SU location, a hand-off with the other network can be requested (320).

Method and apparatus for handing off calls between differing radio telecommunication networks

An on-board aircraft telecommunication exchange (32) provides communication and authentication services for M subscriber identity modules (SIMs) using N transceivers (36), where M can be greater than N. Associations between SIMs (56) and transceivers (36) are established when needed. Accordingly, a pool of transceivers 36 is provided to serve the collective needs of many subscribers. A SIM based authentication process is performed (100) using a subscriber's original SIM (56). That authentication can be extended to a temporary SIM (106) that is substituted for the original SIM throughout the remainder of a flight. Alternatively, the original SIMs (56) may be locked in place and relinquished when a subscriber provides an appropriate PIN.

Exchange which controls M SIMs and N transceivers and method therefor

The present invention provides a mobile device ecosystem that is simpler than existing options for all of its participants regardless of their role or business model. The ecosystem includes a mobile device and operating software development kit and store, both of which are implemented as web-based services such that creation, testing, and distribution of customized mobile devices, as well as discovery, investigation, and delivery of same, can all be performed using a standard web browser.

James William Bishop

Papers

Method and apparatus for managing service accessibility between differing radio telecommunication networks

Terrestrial and satellite cellular network interoperability

Method and apparatus for handing off calls between differing radio telecommunication networks

Exchange which controls M SIMs and N transceivers and method therefor

System for creating personalized and customized mobile devices