Research in Motion Corporation

Blackberry Corporation

Provenance Asset Group LLC

Wireless Innovations LLC

Fraser C Gibbs

Ronald Scotte Zinn

Catherine M Phillips

Joseph Tu-Long Deu-Ngoc

Jeremy Thompson

Charles Wang

Catherine M Coode

A method and apparatus for resetting a maximum tunnel watermark, the method starting a reset timer for a maximum tunnel count at a mobile device; on expiration of the reset timer, checking whether a current value for the maximum tunnel count is less than a maximum value for the maximum tunnel count, and if yes, setting the current value of the maximum tunnel count to the maximum value of the maximum tunnel count.

Method and apparatus for maximum tunnel reset

Methods and apparatus for providing manual selection of a communication network for a mobile station are described. A plurality of communication networks are identified by scanning a coverage area within which the mobile station is operating. A plurality of network identifiers corresponding to the plurality of communication networks are then retrieved from memory of a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) in accordance with an Enhanced Operator Name String (EONS) protocol. Preferably, each network identifier is retrieved based on a Mobile Country Code (MCC), a Mobile Network Code (MNC), and a Location Area Code (LAC). The plurality of network identifiers are visually displayed for user selection, and at least two of the network identifiers may be substantially the same. The user selected communication network is registered with and the network identifier associated with this network is visually displayed.

Methods and apparatus for providing manual selection of a communication network for a mobile station

Techniques for use in a mobile station for use in manually selecting a communication network are described. The mobile station identifies a plurality of communication networks available for communications. The mobile station retrieves from a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) a plurality of network names identified by a plurality of address pointers corresponding to the plurality of available communication networks. The plurality of address pointers are stored in a first file of the SIM, and the plurality of network names are stored in a second file of the SIM. The mobile station then displays the plurality of network names.

The invention is directed to a process for transferring data packets through a protocol stack employed by the device for transmitting packets on a packet connection to a wireless network, said wireless network operating at least two, distinct wireless access technologies such as GSM/GPRS and UMTS. The packet transfer process generally comprises each layer of a protocol stack for a currently active packet connection path providing confirmation to a next, higher layer in the stack of successful reception of a data packet from that layer, thereby confirming successful transfer of the data packet through the stack. The first layer of the stack stores a copy of a transferred packet until such time as its receives confirmation from the next, lower layer of successful transfer of the packet of the stack. In the absence of such confirmation and on the occurrence of a switch (hand-off) of the packet connection to a new connection path, particularly one of a different wireless access technology, the stored packet is transferred to the protocol stack to be employed by the wireless device for the new packet connection path. Consequently, the packet transfer process avoids packets being lost on the occurrence of a switch between different technology wireless access packet connection paths.

Method for transferring data in a wireless network

Methods and apparatus for use in a wireless communication device for communications with a wireless communication network are described. In one illustrative technique, the wireless device sends a message to the wireless network which causes data connection parameters of a previous data connection to be reset. Preferably, the message is a disconnect frame. After the message is sent, the wireless device sends a request for a new data connection to the wireless network. Thereafter, the wireless device communicates data over the new data connection with use of new data connection parameters. The data connection parameters may include an encryption parameter. The actions may be performed in response to a communication failure, such as a device reset that occurs while being out-of-coverage.

Methods and apparatus for reestablishing a data connection with a wireless communication network

In accordance with the teachings described herein, systems and methods are provided for managing communications between a mobile device and a wireless network. The mobile device may include an executable network management program that causes the mobile device to terminate a first communication link with the wireless network while in an out-of-coverage state, and queue data in the mobile device relating to the first communication link. The network management program may further cause the mobile device to receive instructions to establish a second communication link between the mobile device and the wireless network, and delete the queued data relating to the first communication link.

System and method for erasing a data frames queue on a mobile device

Methods and apparatus for use in a wireless communication device for re-establishing communications with a wireless communication network are described. In one illustrative technique, a data connection is maintained with the wireless network for communicating data with use of data connection parameters (e.g. an encryption parameter). In response to a communication failure, the wireless device attempts to establish a new data connection with the wireless network. To do this, the wireless device sends a message to the wireless network which causes the data connection parameters to be reset. Preferably, the message is a disconnect frame. After the message is sent, the wireless device sends an attach request to the wireless network. Thereafter, the wireless device communicates data over the new data connection with use of new data connection parameters.

Methods and apparatus for use in reestablishing a data connection with a wireless communication network are described. Initially, a wireless communication device maintains a data connection with a wireless communication network. During an out-of-coverage condition with the network, the wireless device is powered off. This causes the wireless device to reset its parameters associated with the data connection, but the wireless network will fail to disconnect since the wireless device is out-of-coverage. After being powered back on and regaining network coverage, the wireless device transmits a message to the network which causes one or more network parameters associated with the data connection to be reset. Subsequently, the wireless device transmits one or more additional messages to the network for reestablishing the data connection. In the preferred embodiment, the data connection is a Packet Data Protocol (PDP) context with a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) attachment, the message is a disconnect frame, and the one or more additional messages include a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) attach request. Advantageously, a data connection is substantially seamlessly maintained for the wireless device despite network connection complexities.

Growing community of inventors

Waterloo, Canada

Fraser C Gibbs