Research in Motion Corporation

Blackberry Corporation

Reseach in Motion Limited

Matthias Wandel

Mark Pecen

Mihal Lazaridis

Perry Jarmuszewski

Lizhong Zhu

Peter J Edmonson

Bryan Taylor

Steven Carkner

Atul Asthana

Steven Michael Hanov

Gary P Mousseau

Marc Pecen

Apparatus, and an associated method, that facilitates communication of data in a radio communication system that utilizes a slotted communication scheme. Multiple successive time slots are allocable upon which to communicate data to a receiving communication station. At selected intervals, a controller causes the mode of operation of the receiving communication station to be changed to pause operation in a receive mode and, during the pause, to cause operation of the receiving communication station to transmit data, such as control acknowledgments or other responses.

Method and apparatus for enabling transmission in a slotted radio data communication system by pausing data reception

A mobile device experiences a condition where a time overlap exists between a packet data burst being communicated over a packet data channel of a serving cell and broadcast data burst being communicated over a broadcast control channel of a neighbor cell. The mobile device sets its RF receiver to receive the packet data burst instead of the broadcast data burst based on identifying that the neighbor cell is not a candidate for an upcoming handoff. On the other hand, the mobile device sets its RF receiver to receive the broadcast data burst instead of the packet data burst based on identifying that the neighbor cell is a candidate for an upcoming handoff. The mobile device may set the RF receiver to receive the packet data burst instead of the broadcast data burst based on further identifying that a call drop is imminent.

Data burst communication techniques for mobile communication devices operating in packet data sessions

In one illustrative example, a mobile communication device receives and decodes a plurality of packet data bursts over a packet data channel of a serving cell. While receiving and decoding the packet data bursts, the mobile communication device also receives and decodes a plurality of broadcast data bursts over a broadcast control channel of a neighbor cell. When a time conflict exists between receiving and decoding at least one of the packet data bursts and receiving and decoding at least one of the broadcast data bursts, the mobile communication device receives and decodes the at least one packet data burst instead of the at least one broadcast data burst when no imminent call drop between the mobile communication device and the serving cell is identified. On the other hand, the mobile communication device receives and decodes the at least one broadcast data burst instead of the at least one packet data burst when an imminent call drop between the mobile communication device and the serving cell is identified.

For each one of a plurality of broadcast control channels, a mobile device measures a signal strength level of a radio frequency (RF) signal from a wireless communication network. The mobile device then repeats the measuring at least one time so that at least one other signal strength level of the RF signal on the broadcast control channel is identified. The mobile device also receives and decodes information which is broadcasted on the broadcast control channel, and stores this broadcasted information in memory. The acts of receiving, decoding, and storing are performed after measuring the signal strength level of the RF signal, but prior to completion of an averaging function for calculating an averaged signal strength level of the signal strength levels.

Scanning and decoding methods and apparatus for mobile communications devices

A method and apparatus for reducing data congestion in a cell having signal strength, the method having the steps of: assigning a congestion penalty at a mobile device to a cell; applying the congestion penalty to the signal strength to create a selection value; and performing cell reselection using the selection value.

Method and system for detecting data congestion and applying a cell reselection offset

Apparatus, and an associated method, for recovering the informational content of an encoded data block. Data bursts are delivered to a receiver. A series of data bursts together include all of the informational content of the encoded data block. A detector detects delivery to the receiver of the data bursts. A determiner determines indicia associated with the communicated data. And, responsive thereto, the data is decoded, selectably utilizing fewer than all of the data bursts that form the encoded data block.

Power reception optimization method, and associated apparatus, for operating upon an encoded data block

A method of cell selection in a wireless cellular network having a plurality of radio system cells involves determining a bandwidth indication for data communication through each of a serving cell and at least one neighboring cell to the serving cell. The bandwidth indication comprises an indication of the capacity for data communication through each cell. One of the cells is then selected for packet-based communication in accordance with the determined bandwidth indications.

Bandwidth-based cell selection in a cellular network

For each broadcast control channel of a plurality of broadcast control channels associated with a plurality of wireless networks, a mobile device decodes control information on the broadcast control channel and stores this control information in its memory. The control information includes a network identification which uniquely identifies a particular wireless communication network. Such decoding is performed in between or during repeated acts of measuring signal strength levels of an RF signal on the broadcast control channel, and prior to completion of an averaging function for calculating an averaged signal strength level of the signal strength levels on the broadcast control channel. Decoding may be performed only for those broadcast control channels identified to have the most optimal signal strengths. The mobile device performs a network selection technique for selecting one of the wireless networks based on the one or more stored network identifications that were decoded and stored prior to completion of the averaging functions, which may result in more expedient network selection.

Scanning and decoding methods and apparatus for mobile communication devices

A wireless communication system includes mobile devices and a local area network. Local base stations are coupled to the local area network. Each base station has a unique address on the network and is configured to transmit and receive data packets to and from the mobile devices and to transfer the data packets between local base stations over the network using the unique address. A subscription server operates on the network. The subscription server is configured to store data identifying the unique address of the local base station covering each of the mobile devices. The subscription server is further configured to enable the local base stations to locate any one of the mobile devices. A redirection software module is configured to send and receive data packets over a wide-area wireless network to and from mobile devices that are not within range of any of the local base stations.

System and method for implementing local base stations

Methods and apparatus for efficient communications in a wireless communication network are provided. The wireless communication network has a predetermined network paging pattern which includes a plurality of page transmission periods during which repeated attempts for initiating a communication with a mobile communication device are made until the communication is established, if at all. The mobile device attempts to decode information over a wireless communication channel during each one of the page transmission periods. If the information is unsuccessfully decoded during all of the page transmission periods, the mobile device causes a message which informs the network of the mobile device to be transmitted to the wireless network. On the other hand, if the information is successfully decoded during at least some, but not all, of the page transmission periods, the mobile device refrains from transmitting the message to the wireless network.

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Waterloo, Canada

Matthias Wandel