Nortel Networks Corporation

Apple Inc.

Northern Telecom Limited

Rockstar Consortium US LP

Stewart Hodde Maxwell

Wesley Ronald Erhart

Srinivas Eswara

Anthony D Bennett

Eric C Corum

Paul Boudreaux

Stephen R Kolski

Jerry Joe Parker

James Brian Welling, Jr

John O'Connell

Sima Chiniwala

Thanh Pham

Anatoly Vaserfirer

Saso Stojanovski

Jerry Louis Mizell

Robert E Denman

Donald V Hanley

Ameel Kamboh

Don L Jackson

Lava Lavu

An access gateway node couples a control node to an external data network, where the control node and access gateway node are for use in a wireless communications network. The access gateway node comprises a data function to route packets containing traffic data between the control node and the external data network. An interface to the control node enables exchange of control messages between the data function and a control function in the control node.

Providing a data function in an access gateway node

In a bearer-independent core network, the switching and transport of the bearer streams is separated from the processing of call sessions that control the bearer streams. The switching and transport of the bearer streams is executed by media gateways and packet switches in the switching and transport layer of the network. The processing of calls sessions that control the bearer streams is executed by call servers in the call control layer of the network. The switching and transport layer of the network may be implemented using ATM or IP technology. In order to redirect the signaling links to a backup call server, a signaling gateway is used. Each media gateway includes a signaling gateway function. The signaling gateways redirect the signaling links by encapsulating each signaling message in a new packet in one embodiment.

Geographic redundancy for call servers in a cellular system based on a bearer-independent core network

A modular architecture for use in a network device such as a Remote Authentication Server (RAS) includes a number of interconnected objects associated with processes, services, access protocols and other functionality provided on the device. Objects may also be associated with users, sessions or other data structures that may be accessed by any of the functional objects in the device. Additional services and updates may easily be implemented into this architecture without disrupting user connections. Redundant copies of the objects may be maintained in memory to facilitate the provision of carrier grade performance by swapping out failed components in the event of a fault.

System for managing sessions and connections in a network

The invention discloses a new protocol to minimize data loss, reduce overhead transmissions on the system, reduce time delays and signal interruption during a handover in a Mobile IP system. Prior art Mobile IP systems transfer policy and charging rules for a particular mobile user device from a server to a gateway after the handover occurs. The invention allows for the transfer of the policy and charging rules during the handover procedure so that the system does not need to wait on a subsequent transmission of the policy and charging rules in order to process the transmissions sent by or to the mobile user, which results in minimized data loss, reduced overhead, and reduced time delays and signal interruption.

Transfer of policy and charging rules during MIP handover

A first access point name associated with an access gateway node involved in a data session of a mobile station over a first type of wireless network is received. In response to handoff of the mobile station from the first type of wireless network to a second, different type of wireless network, the first access point name is transmitted to enable continued use of the access gateway node for the data session of the mobile station over the second type of wireless network.

Using an access point name to select an access gateway node

An improved method and system for providing packet-switched management of switching and handoff functions for a mobile terminal during call setup and user communication phases of a telecommunication session. A radio access network (RAN) including an air-interface base station in communication with the mobile terminal is in communicative contact with a packet-switched core network comprised of a plurality nodes which provide functionality that is equivalent to that of a network of Mobile Switching Centers (MSCs) and Visitor Location Registers (VLRs). A packet-switching backbone network provides communication transport facilities within the core network. Within the core network is a wireless access gateway (WAG) having media channels that provide an interface between the RAN and the core network. An Anchor Packet Gateway (APG) extends the bearer path from the WAG, and hides mobility between WAGs during the user communication phase. A wireless mobility server (WMS) in communicative contact with the WAG and APG serves as a media gateway controller for the WAG and APG, controlling connectivity of the media channels within the WAG and APG. A PSTN Trunking Media Gateway (PTMG) provides connectivity between the core network and the PSTN. A Call Server (CS) in communicative contact with the PTMG and WMS serves as a media gateway controller for the PTMG and WMS, where the WMS presents the appearance of a media gateway to the CS, but in fact functions as a media gateway controller for the WAG and APG. The CS and WMS together present the appearance of a single MSC/VLR to the public cellular or PCS network.

System and method for providing packet-switched telephony

A combination of Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) capabilities including Short Message Service (SMS), Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) and Customized Applications for Mobile network Enhanced Logic (CAMEL) allows an advertiser to pay a portion of the airtime cost of a call originated by a mobile subscriber after that subscriber has listened to a recorded advertisement. The combination delivers a text message that associates with a recorded audio advertisement. The text message, which may be referred to later, is stored by the subscriber's handset and may be a transcript of the audio advertisement, provide additional details of the audio advertisement or it may contain an electronic coupon associated with the advertisement.

Method and apparatus for simultaneous text and audio for sponsored calls

Growing community of inventors

Dallas, TX, United States of America

Stewart Hodde Maxwell