Patent ID: 8315160
Filing Date: 2012-11-20
Classification: H04W

Abstract:
1. A method of flow control in a wireless communication network comprising: receiving data for a dormant mobile station at a Packet Control Function (PCF) for delivery to the mobile station; determining that the mobile station is unavailable for delivery of the data, wherein determining that the mobile station is unavailable for delivery of the data comprises determining whether the dormant mobile station can be activated for delivery of the data by sending a service request for the mobile station to an associated Base Station Controller (BSC) and starting a connection timer and, if the dormant mobile station has not responded before expiration of the connection timer, determining that the dormant mobile station cannot be re-activated for delivery of the data; and sending a message to a Packet Data Serving Node (PDSN) requesting it to turn flow control on for the mobile station by suspending further transfers of data to the PCF for the mobile station; subsequently determining that the mobile station has become available again; and in response to the mobile station availability, sending a message to the PDSN requesting it to turn flow control off for the mobile station by resuming transfers of data to the PCF for the mobile station; wherein the PCF requests the PDSN to suspend or resume transfers of data to the PCF for the mobile station based on including or omitting one or more flow control indications in defined registration messages generated by the PCF and sent to the PDSN.