Patent Publication Number: US-2004047326-A1

Title: Employment of one traffic block of one code division multiple access traffic channel to communicate respective portions of communications between communication components

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0001] The invention relates generally to communications and more particularly to wireless traffic channel communication.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002] One configuration of a wireless communications device allows a person to carry on a voice conversation with another person at a given time. At another time, the person can employ the wireless communications device to send and/or receive data. In one example of data communication, the person employs the wireless communications device to exchange information with the other person. In another example of data communication, the person employs the wireless communications device to access a website on the internet.  
       [0003] As one shortcoming, the person cannot employ the wireless communications device to conduct an ongoing voice conversation at the same time that the person employs the wireless communications device to communicate data. At the time that the person engages in the voice conversation, the wireless communications device is unavailable for data communication. As one disadvantage, the person must therefore terminate the voice conversation before employing that wireless communications device to perform data communication. Likewise, at a time that the person employs the wireless communications device for data communication, the wireless communications device cannot support a voice conversation. So, the person disadvantageously must end the data communication before employing the wireless communications device to engage in the voice conversation.  
       [0004] Exemplary technologies for support of wireless communication include code division multiple access (“CDMA”) and time division multiple access (“TDMA”). One system employing code division multiple access undesirably requires use of two active channels for support of an ongoing voice conversation at the same time that the system supports data communication. The first active channel of code division multiple access technology serves to carry the voice conversation. The second active channel of code division multiple access technology serves to carry the data communication.  
       [0005] One system employing time division multiple access technology disadvantageously requires use of two timeslots for support of continuing voice conversation at the same time that the system supports data communication. The first timeslot of time division multiple access technology serves to carry the voice conversation. The second timeslot of time division multiple access technology serves to carry the data communication.  
       [0006] As one shortcoming, such systems employing code division multiple access or time division multiple access technologies disadvantageously require multiple resources to support concurrent voice and data needs of one user. As another shortcoming, the systems are unable to support as many needs for as many users as would be the case were the multiple resources not so required, since the systems have a limit on the number of resources that are available to support possible users and needs.  
       [0007] Thus, a need exists for enhanced employment of a traffic channel for support of wireless communication. A need also exists for enhanced employment of multiple traffic channels to support wireless communications of a plurality of users. A further need exists for enhanced employment of a traffic channel for support of multiple types of wireless communications. Another need exists for enhanced employment of a wireless traffic channel to support ongoing voice conversation concurrently with data communication.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0008] The invention in one embodiment encompasses an apparatus. The apparatus includes a first communication component that employs one traffic block of one code division multiple access traffic channel to communicate respective portions of first and second communications to a second communication component.  
       [0009] Another embodiment of the invention encompasses an apparatus. The apparatus includes a first communication component that communicates with a second communication component: a first subportion of a first communication in a first traffic block of one code division multiple access traffic channel, a portion of a second communication in a second traffic block of the one code division multiple access traffic channel, and a second subportion of the first communication in a third traffic block of the one code division multiple access traffic channel. The second traffic block is subsequent to the first traffic block. The third traffic block is subsequent to the second traffic block.  
       [0010] Yet another embodiment of the invention encompasses an apparatus. The apparatus includes a first communication component that inserts identifier information into an identifier portion of a message to indicate a division of a traffic portion of the message into traffic subportions that comprise first and second traffic subportions. The first communication component communicates respective portions of first and second communications in the first and second traffic subportions, respectively, over a wireless traffic channel to a second communication component.  
       [0011] A further embodiment of the invention encompasses a method. A traffic portion of a message is divided into traffic subportions that comprise first and second traffic subportions. Respective portions of first and second communications are inserted into the first and second traffic subportions, respectively. Identifier information is inserted into an identifier portion of the message. The identifier portion comprises a description of the portions of the first and second communications. The message is communicated over a wireless traffic channel.  
       [0012] A still further embodiment of the invention encompasses an article. The article includes a computer-readable signal-bearing medium. The article includes means in the medium for dividing a traffic portion of a message into traffic subportions that comprise first and second traffic subportions. The article includes means in the medium for inserting respective portions of first and second communications into the first and second traffic subportions, respectively. The article includes means in the medium for inserting identifier information into an identifier portion of the message. The identifier portion comprises a description of the portions of the first and second communications. The article includes means in the medium for communicating the message over a wireless traffic channel. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0013] Features of exemplary implementations of the invention will become apparent from the description, the claims, and the accompanying drawings in which:  
     [0014]FIG. 1 is a representation of one exemplary implementation of an apparatus that comprises one or more communication components, one or more communication media, and one or more networks.  
     [0015] FIGS.  2 A- 2 B represent exemplary logic that serves to allow employment of a same traffic block of a wireless traffic channel to support multiple contemporaneous and/or simultaneous communications to and/or from a communication component of the apparatus of FIG. 1.  
     [0016]FIG. 3 represents a call flow that serves to illustrate a first progression through state changes for a communication component of the apparatus of FIG. 1  
     [0017]FIG. 4 represents a call flow that serves to illustrate a second progression through state changes for a communication component of the apparatus of FIG. 1  
     [0018]FIG. 5 represents a call flow that serves to illustrate a third progression through state changes for a communication component of the apparatus of FIG. 1  
     [0019]FIG. 6 represents a call flow that serves to illustrate a fourth progression through state changes for a communication component of the apparatus of FIG. 1  
     [0020]FIG. 7 represents a first example of a traffic block of a wireless traffic channel employable by a communication component of the apparatus of FIG. 1  
     [0021]FIG. 8 represents a second example of a traffic block of a wireless traffic channel employable by a communication component of the apparatus of FIG. 1  
     [0022]FIG. 9 represents a third example of a traffic block of a wireless traffic channel employable by a communication component of the apparatus of FIG. 1  
     [0023]FIG. 10 represents a fourth example of a traffic block of a wireless traffic channel employable by a communication component of the apparatus of FIG. 1  
     [0024]FIG. 11 represents a fifth example of a traffic block of a wireless traffic channel employable by a communication component of the apparatus of FIG. 1  
     [0025]FIG. 12 represents a sixth example of a traffic block of a wireless traffic channel employable by a communication component of the apparatus of FIG. 1  
     [0026]FIG. 13 represents a seventh example of a traffic block of a wireless traffic channel employable by a communication component of the apparatus of FIG. 1  
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
     [0027] Turning to FIG. 1, an apparatus  100  in one example comprises a plurality of components such as computer software and/or hardware components. A number of such components can be combined or divided in the apparatus  100 .  
     [0028] In one example, the apparatus  100  employs at least one computer-readable signal-bearing medium. One example of a computer-readable signal-bearing medium for the apparatus  100  comprises an instance of a recordable data storage medium  101  such as one or more of a magnetic, electrical, optical, biological, and atomic data storage medium. In another example, a computer-readable signal-bearing medium for the apparatus  100  comprises a modulated carrier signal transmitted over a network comprising or coupled with the apparatus  100 , for instance, one or more of a telephone network, a local area network (“LAN”), the internet, and a wireless network. An exemplary component of the apparatus  100  employs and/or comprises a set and/or series of computer instructions written in or implemented with any of a number of programming languages, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.  
     [0029] The apparatus  100  in one example comprises one or more communication components, one or more communication media, and one or more networks. The communication components of the apparatus  100  in one example comprise wireless communication devices  102  and  104  and base stations  108 ,  110 , and  112 . The wireless communication devices  102  and  104  in one example comprise one or more of handheld devices, mobile handsets, cellular phones, mobile computers, and personal digital assistants (“PDAs”). In one example, the wireless communication devices  102  and  104  are operable by one or more users  116 . The user  116  in one example comprises a human operator. The base stations  108 ,  110 , and  112  in one example comprise receiver and/or transmitter stations and/or satellites.  
     [0030] The communication media of the apparatus  100  in one example comprise one or more wireless radio frequency carriers  106 . For example, the wireless radio frequency carrier  106  comprises an air interface. The wireless radio frequency carrier  106  in one example comprises one or more wireless control and/or traffic channels. The one or more wireless traffic channels in one example comprise one or more forward traffic channels and one or more reverse traffic channels. The one or more wireless control channels in one example comprise one or more forward control channels and one or more reverse control channels.  
     [0031] The base station  108  in one example employs the forward traffic and/or control channels for communication with the wireless communication device  102 . The wireless communication device  102  in one example employs the reverse traffic and/or control channels for communication with the base station  108 . The base stations  108 ,  110 , and  112  in one example serve to support the one or more wireless traffic and/or control channels for communication with and/or among the wireless communication devices  102  and  104 . For example, each of the base stations  108 ,  110 , and  112  employs a distinguishable instance of the wireless radio frequency carrier  106 , as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.  
     [0032] The wireless communication devices  102  and  104  and the base stations  108 ,  110 , and  112  in one example employ code division multiple access (“CDMA”) technology for communication over the wireless traffic channels. For example, the wireless communication devices  102  and  104  and the base stations  108 ,  1   10 , and  112  employ channel coding that is specific (e.g., unique) to the particular wireless radio frequency carrier  106  employed for the wireless traffic channel. In another example, the wireless communication devices  102  and  104  and the base stations  108 ,  110 , and  112  employ time division multiple access (“TDMA”) technology for communication over the wireless traffic channels, as described herein.  
     [0033] The one or more networks of the apparatus  100  in one example comprise one or more communication networks  114 . The communication network  114  in one example serves to route certain voice, data, and signaling messages and support wireless communication among the wireless communication devices  102  and  104  and the base stations  108 ,  110 , and  112 . For example, the communication network  114  comprises one or more wireless networks and zero or more wireline networks.  
     [0034] Turning to FIGS.  2 A- 2 B, exemplary logic  201  serves to allow the apparatus  100  to employ a same traffic block  701  (FIG. 7) of a wireless traffic channel to support multiple contemporaneous and/or simultaneous communications to and/or from the wireless communication device  102 , as described herein. The apparatus  100  can support and/or accommodate one or more different and/or separate communications in the same wireless traffic channel. The logic  201  employs one or more steps, for example, STEPS  202 ,  203 ,  204 ,  205 ,  206 ,  207 ,  208 ,  210 ,  212 ,  214 ,  216 ,  218 ,  220 ,  222 ,  224 ,  226 ,  228 ,  230 ,  232 ,  234 , and  236 .  
     [0035] The logic  201  in one example serves to allow the apparatus  100  to support up to two contemporaneous and/or simultaneous communications in the same wireless traffic channel. The exemplary description herein is easily extendible to allow the apparatus  100  to support any number of contemporaneous and/or simultaneous communications. For example, one or more implementations of the apparatus  100  support three, four, or more contemporaneous and/or simultaneous communications in the same wireless traffic channel, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.  
     [0036] The communications in one example comprise signaling information, data, and voice. The signaling information in one example comprises setup and/or control messages between the base station  108  and the wireless communication device  102 . The data in one example comprises one or more of text messages, data files, digital images, software components, electronic mail, and facsimile transmissions. The voice in one example comprises an audio communication.  
     [0037] In one example, the communication is originated from the wireless communication device  102  and terminates at the base station  108 . A communication originated from the wireless communication device  102  in one example comprises an upload or uplink carried over one of the reverse traffic channels. The information conveyed in the communication can be further communicated by the base station  108  to another component of the apparatus  100 . In another example, the communication is originated from the base station  108  and terminates at the wireless communication device  102 . A communication originated from the base station  108  in one example comprises a download or downlink carried over one of the forward traffic channels. The information conveyed in the communication can be further communicated by the communication device  102  to another component of the apparatus  100 , as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.  
     [0038] In the logic  201 , the wireless communication device  102  passes through a number of states in traversing the steps. At STEP  202 , the wireless communication device  102  occupies Idle state  270 . At STEPS  220  and  207 , the wireless communication device  102  occupies Voice states  272  and  274 , respectively. At STEPS  206  and  222 , the wireless communication device  102  occupies Single Data states  276  and  278 , respectively. At STEP  234 , the wireless communication device  102  occupies Multiple Data state  280 . At STEP  214 , the wireless communication device  102  occupies Voice+Data state  282 , as described herein.  
     [0039] The wireless communications device  102  begins in the Idle state  270  at STEP  202  and then proceeds to STEP  203 . If a voice call does not originate or terminate at the wireless communication device  102 , then STEP  203  proceeds to STEP  204 . If a data transmission originates or terminates at the wireless communication device  102 , then STEP  204  proceeds to STEP  205 . One example of a data transmission originating at the wireless communication device  102  comprises an uploading of a data message from the wireless communication device  102  to the base station  108 . One example of a data transmission terminating at the wireless communication device  102  comprises a downloading of a data message from the base station  108  to the wireless communication device  102 .  
     [0040] If the data transmission is accepted by the wireless communication device  102  and the base station  108 , then STEP  205  proceeds to STEP  206 . The wireless communication device  102  occupies the Single Data state  276  at STEP  206  and then proceeds to STEP  224 . The data transmission is checked for completeness at STEP  224 .  
     [0041] Should a voice transmission originate or terminate at the wireless communication device  102  at STEP  203 , then STEP  203  proceeds to STEP  207 . The wireless communication device  102  proceeds to the Voice state  274  at STEP  207  and then proceeds to STEP  208 . The voice transmission is checked for completeness at STEP  208 . If the voice transmission has completed at STEP  208 , then the wireless communication device  102  proceeds to the Idle state  270  at STEP  202 .  
     [0042] Should the voice transmission have not completed at STEP  208 , then STEP  208  proceeds to STEP  210 . If a data transmission originates or terminates at the wireless communication device  102 , then STEP  210  proceeds to STEP  212 . If the data transmission is accepted by the wireless communication device  102  and the base station  108 , then STEP  212  proceeds to STEP  214 . The wireless communication device  102  proceeds to the Voice+Data state  282  at STEP  214 , and then proceeds to STEP  216 . If the voice transmission has not completed, then STEP  216  proceeds to STEP  218 . If the data transmission has completed at STEP  218 , then the wireless communication device  102  proceeds to the Voice state  272  at STEP  220 , and then proceeds to STEP  208 . The voice transmission is again checked for completion at STEP  208 .  
     [0043] Should the voice transmission have completed at STEP  216 , then STEP  216  proceeds to STEP  222 . The wireless communication device  102  proceeds to the Single Data state  278  at STEP  222 , and then proceeds to STEP  224 . If the data transmission has completed at STEP  224 , then the wireless communication device  102  proceeds to the Idle state  270  at STEP  202 .  
     [0044] Should the data transmission have not completed at STEP  224 , then STEP  224  proceeds to STEP  226 . If a voice transmission originates or terminates at the wireless communication device  102  at STEP  226 , then STEP  226  proceeds to STEP  228 . If the voice transmission is accepted by the wireless communication device  102  and the base station  108 , then STEP  228  proceeds to STEP  214 . The wireless communication device  102  proceeds to the Voice+Data state  282  at STEP  214 , and then proceeds to STEP  216 .  
     [0045] Should a voice transmission have not originated or terminated at the wireless communication device  102  at STEP  226 , then STEP  226  proceeds to STEP  230 . If a data transmission originates or terminates at the wireless communication device  102  at STEP  230 , then STEP  230  proceeds to STEP  232 . If the data transmission is accepted by the wireless communication device  102  and the base station  108 , then STEP  232  proceeds to STEP  234 . The wireless communication device  102  proceeds to the Multiple Data state  280  at STEP  234 , and then proceeds to STEP  236 . The wireless communication device  102  remains in the Multiple Data state  280  at STEP  236  until one of the data transmissions has completed. When one of the data transmissions is completed, the wireless communication device  102  proceeds to the Single Data state  278  at STEP  222 . When the remaining data transmission has completed at STEP  224 , then the wireless communication device  102  proceeds to the Idle state  270  at STEP  202 .  
     [0046] Returning to FIG. 1, the wireless communication device  102  in one example allows the user  116  to choose whether to accept, reject, or postpone receipt of an incoming data communication. The base station  108  sends a signaling message to the wireless communication device  102 . The signaling messages may be sent in a traffic channel or a control channel, for example, depending on the state of the wireless communication device  102 . If the wireless communication device  102  and the base station  108  have a traffic channel set up for communication, then the traffic channel in one example is used to deliver the signaling messages.  
     [0047] When the wireless communication device  102  receives the signaling message, the wireless communication device  102  sends a notification to present to the user  116  an opportunity to accept, reject, or postpone receipt of the incoming data communication. The notification in one example comprises one or more messages, rings, tones, or screen display items. The wireless communication device  102  in one example comprises one or more signal interface components  120 . The signal interface component  120  in one example comprises one or more of indicators, buttons, icons, and touch screen displays. Exemplary indicators of the signal interface component  120  comprise DOWNLOAD, REJECT, LATER, and UPLOAD. The DOWNLOAD indicator is employable to accept the incoming data communication. The REJECT indicator is employable to reject the incoming data communication. The LATER indicator is employable to suspend the incoming data communication. The UPLOAD indicator is employable to request execution of an outgoing data communication.  
     [0048] The user  116  in one example employs the signal interface component  120  to send a signaling message to the base station  108  that serves to indicate acceptance, rejection, or request for postponement of receipt of the incoming data communication. Upon receipt of a signaling message that results from operation of the DOWNLOAD indicator, the base station  108  begins transmission of the data communication. Upon receipt of a signaling message that results from operation of the REJECT indicator, the base station  108  discards the data communication. Upon receipt of a signaling message that results from operation of the LATER indicator, the base station  108  stores the data communication and periodically attempts to resend the data communication to the wireless communication device  102 .  
     [0049] In a further example, the wireless communication device  102  in one example allows the user  116  to choose whether to initiate an outgoing data communication. The user  116  activates the UPLOAD indicator to send a signaling message to the base station  108  that serves to request transmission of the data communication, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.  
     [0050] For explanatory purposes, now referring to FIGS.  3 - 6 , exemplary call flows  302 ,  402 ,  502 , and  602  serve to represent progression of the apparatus  100  through a number of illustrative state changes. As presented in the following discussion of the call flows  302 ,  402 ,  502 , and  602 , referring to FIGS.  7 - 13 , the wireless traffic channels employed by the apparatus  100  comprise one or more traffic blocks  701 . The one or more traffic blocks  701  serve to carry zero, one, or a plurality of communications. The one or more traffic blocks  701  comprise one or more of identifier portions  702  and  802  and one or more of traffic portions  704 ,  812 ,  1002 , and  1102 . The traffic portion  812  comprises one or more of traffic subportions  806 ,  808 ,  902 , and  1202 .  
     [0051] The apparatus  100  in one example employs code division multiple access technology for communication in the traffic blocks  701 . For example, the traffic block  701  comprises a group of bits. In another example, the apparatus  100  employs time division multiple access technology for communication in the traffic blocks  701 . In a further example, a group of bits that comprises the traffic block  701  can be transmitted in a certain time allocation.  
     [0052] With code division multiple access technology, the apparatus  100  in one example supports multiple communications by dividing the traffic blocks  701 . For example, referring to FIG. 9, the wireless communication device  102  transmits voice and data traffic in the same traffic block  701 . In another example, referring to FIGS. 7 and 11, the wireless communication device  102  transmits multiple communications in multiple (e.g., staggered) sets of traffic blocks  701 . For example, the wireless communication device  102  transmits voice and data traffic in the same code division multiple access traffic channel by alternating transmission of portions of a first communication in instances of the traffic block  701  of FIG. 7 with transmission of portions of a second communication in instances of the traffic block  701  of FIG. 11.  
     [0053] Referring to FIG. 3, the call flow  302  serves to illustrate a progression of the wireless communication device  102  through the following state changes: the Idle state  270  to the Voice state  274  to the Voice+Data state  282  to the Voice state  272  to the Idle state  270 . Upon occupation of the Idle state  270  of the wireless communication device  102 , the base station  108  and the wireless communication device  102  have set up a forward traffic channel and a reverse traffic channel. The wireless communication device  102  proceeds to the Voice state  274  after receiving and/or sending a voice transmission.  
     [0054] During the Voice state  274 , referring to FIG. 7, the traffic block  701  of the forward and reverse traffic channels carry the voice transmission in the traffic portion  704 . Referring to FIG. 8, while the voice transmission remains active in the traffic subportion  806 , the base station  108  sends a data transmission request  304  to the wireless communication device  102 . The base station  108  employs associated signaling in the traffic subportion  808  in the forward traffic channel to notify the wireless communication device  102  of the waiting data transmission. For example, the associated signaling comprises a message such as “alert with information.” 
     [0055] The user  116  of the wireless communication device  102  is presented with an opportunity to accept, reject, or postpone receipt of the data transmission. In one example, the user  116  sends to the base station  108  an acceptance  306  of the data transmission. The user  116  employs associated signaling in the traffic subportion  808  in the reverse traffic channel to notify the base station  108  of the acceptance. For example, the user  116  effects the acceptance through activation of the DOWNLOAD indicator on the wireless communication device  102 . The wireless communication device  102  proceeds to the Voice+Data state  282 . Referring to FIG. 9, the traffic block  701  of the forward traffic channel is adjusted to carry voice and data in traffic subportions  806  and  902 , respectively. Referring to FIG. 7, the reverse traffic channel is adjusted to carry voice only in the traffic portion  704 .  
     [0056] If the data transmission is completed while the voice transmission is still active, the base station  108  sends an indication  308  of completion in the associated signaling of the traffic subportion  808  to the wireless communication device  102  to indicate the completion of the data transmission. The wireless communication device  102  proceeds to the Voice state  272 . Upon receipt by the wireless communication device  102  of the associated signaling in the traffic subportion  808 , the traffic block  701  of the forward traffic channel is adjusted to carry voice only in the traffic portion  704 . The reverse traffic channel carries voice only in the traffic portion  704 . Upon completion of the voice transmission, the wireless traffic channels are properly closed and/or held idle with the wireless communication device  102  proceeding to the Idle state  270 .  
     [0057] Referring to FIG. 4, the call flow  402  serves to illustrate a progression of the wireless communication device  102  through the following state changes: the Idle state  270  to the Voice state  274  to the Voice+Data state  282  to the Single Data state  278  to the Idle state  270 . FIG. 4 illustrates the state changes and the message flow for this particular scenario. The wireless communication device  102  begins in the Idle state  270 . The wireless communication device  102  proceeds to the Voice state  274  after receiving and/or sending a voice transmission. Referring to FIG. 7, the traffic block  701  in the forward and reverse traffic channels carry the voice transmission in the traffic portion  704 .  
     [0058] While the voice transmission is still active, the wireless communication device  102  initiates a data transmission request  403 . Referring to FIG. 8, the wireless communication device  102  sends the data transmission request  403  to the base station  108  as the associated signaling in the traffic subportion  808 . For example, the associated signaling comprises a message such as “data burst.” In one example, the user  116  effects the request through activation of the UPLOAD indicator on the wireless communication device  102 . The base station  108  accepts the data transmission with an acknowledgement  404  as the associated signaling in the traffic subportion  808  of the forward traffic channel. The wireless communication device  102  proceeds to the Voice+Data state  282 . Referring to FIG. 9, the traffic block  701  of the reverse traffic channel is adjusted to carry voice and data in the traffic subportions  806  and  902 , respectively. Referring to FIG. 7, the forward traffic channel is adjusted to carry voice only in the traffic portion  704 .  
     [0059] If the voice transmission is completed while the data transmission is still active, referring to FIG. 13, the wireless communication device  102  sends a disconnection message  406  as the associated signaling in the traffic subportion  808  to indicate the completion of the voice transmission. For example, the associated signaling comprises a message such as “release.” Upon completion of the voice transmission, the wireless communication device  102  proceeds to the Single Data state  278 . The traffic block  701  of the reverse traffic channel is then adjusted to carry data only in the traffic portion  1102 . The forward traffic channel is idle. Upon completion of the data transmission, the wireless communication device  102  sends a notification  408  to the base station  108  as the associated signaling in the traffic portion  1002 . The wireless communication device  102  proceeds to the Idle state  270 .  
     [0060] Referring to FIG. 5, the call flow  502  serves to illustrate a progression of the wireless communication device  102  through the following state changes: the Idle state  270  to the Single Data state  276  to the Voice+Data state  282  to the Single Data state  278  to the Idle state  270 . The wireless communication device  102  begins in the Idle state  270 . In one example, the forward and reverse wireless traffic channels have not yet been set up between the base station  108  and the wireless communication device  102 . The base station  108  sends a data transmission request  504  to the wireless communication device  102  in a control channel, for example, as a downlink. The data transmission request  504  in one example comprises a message such as “feature notification.” The user  116  of the wireless communication device  102  sends an acceptance  506  to the base station  108  as a response in the control channel, for example, as an uplink. The control channels are thus employed to set up the forward and reverse wireless traffic channels. The wireless communication device  102  proceeds to the Single Data state  276 .  
     [0061] Upon occurrence of the Single Data state  276 , referring to FIG. 11, the traffic block  10   701  of the forward traffic channel carries data only in the traffic portion  1102 . The reverse traffic channel is idle. While the data transmission is still active, the base station  108  sends a voice transmission request  508  to the wireless communication device  102 . Referring to FIG. 13, the base station  108  sends the associated signaling in the traffic subportion  808  to notify the user  116  of the wireless communication device  102  of the presence of the waiting voice transmission. The user  116  is presented with an opportunity to accept or reject the voice transmission. In one example, referring to FIG. 10, the user  116  accepts the voice transmission by sending an acceptance  510  to the base station  108  as the associated signaling in the traffic portion  1002  of the reverse traffic channel.  
     [0062] Upon acceptance of the voice transmission by the wireless communication device  102 , the wireless communication device  102  proceeds to the Voice+Data state  282 . Referring to FIG. 9, the traffic block  701  of the forward traffic channel is adjusted to carry both voice and data in the traffic subportions  806  and  902 , respectively. Referring to FIG. 7, the traffic block  701  of the reverse traffic channel is adjusted to carry voice only in the traffic portion  704 . If the voice transmission is completed while the data transmission is still active, referring to FIG. 10, the wireless communication device  102  sends a disconnection indication  512  to the base station  108  in the associated signaling in the traffic portion  1002  to indicate in the reverse traffic channel the completion of the voice transmission.  
     [0063] Upon completion of the voice transmission, the wireless communication device  102  proceeds to the Single Data state  278 . Referring to FIG. 11, the traffic block  701  of the forward traffic channel is adjusted to carry only the data transmission in the traffic portion  1102 . The reverse traffic channel is idle. Upon completion of the data transmission, referring to FIG. 10, the base station  108  sends a completion indication  514  as the associated signaling of the traffic portion  1002  in the forward traffic channel to indicate the completion of the data transmission. The wireless communication device  102  then proceeds to the Idle state  270 .  
     [0064] Referring to FIG. 6, the call flow  602  serves to illustrate a progression of the wireless communication device  102  through the following state changes: the Idle state  270  to the Single Data state  276  to the Multiple Data state  280  to the Single Data state  278  to the Idle state  270 . The wireless communication device  102  begins in the Idle state  270 . The wireless communications device  102  sends a data transmission request  604  to the base station  108  in a control channel, for example, an uplink. The base station  108  sends an acknowledgement  606  to the wireless communication device  102  in the control channel, for example, a downlink. The control channels are thus employed to set up the forward and reverse wireless traffic channels. The wireless communication device  102  proceeds to the Single Data state  276 .  
     [0065] Referring to FIG. 11, the traffic block  701  of the reverse traffic channel carries data in the traffic portion  1102 . The forward traffic channel is idle. While the first data transmission is still active, the wireless communication device  102  initiates a second data transmission. Referring to FIG. 13, the wireless communication device  102  sends a request  608  for the second data transmission in the associated signaling of the traffic subportion  808 .  
     [0066] Referring to FIG. 10, the base station  108  sends an acceptance  610  of the second data transmission in the associated signaling of the traffic portion  1002  in the forward traffic channel. Upon acceptance of the second data transmission by the base station  108 , the wireless communication device  102  proceeds to the Multiple Data state  280 . Referring to FIG. 12, the traffic block  701  of the wireless traffic channel is adjusted to carry the first data and the second data in the traffic subportions  1202  and  902 , respectively, of the same reverse traffic channel. The forward traffic channel is idle.  
     [0067] When one of the data transmissions has completed and the other data transmission is still active, referring to FIG. 13, the wireless communication device  102  sends a completion lo indication  612  to the base station  108  in the associated signaling in the traffic subportion  808  to indicate the completion of the finished data transmission. The wireless communication device  102  proceeds to the Single Data state  278 . Referring to FIG. 11, the traffic block  701  of the reverse traffic channel is adjusted to carry only the data transmission that is still active in the traffic portion  1102 . The forward traffic channel is idle.  
     [0068] Upon completion of the second data transmission, referring to FIG. 10, the wireless communication device  102  sends a completion indication  614  in the associated signaling in the traffic portion  1002  of the reverse traffic channel to indicate the completion of the data transmission. The wireless communication device  102  proceeds to the Idle state  270 .  
     [0069] The apparatus  100  also supports handovers or handoffs between the base stations  108  and  110  of continuous communications of the wireless communication devices  102  and  104 . For example, referring to FIG. 9, the base station  108  supports voice and data in traffic subportions  806  and  902 , respectively, of a first wireless traffic channel. In a further example, movement of the wireless communication device  102  from a physical region serviced by the base station  108  to a physical region serviced by the base station  110  results in the base station  110  supporting a continuation of the voice and a continuation of the data in traffic subportions  806  and  902 , respectively, of a second wireless traffic channel.  
     [0070] Referring to FIGS.  7 - 13 , the traffic block  701  comprises an identifier portion  702  and/or  810  that serves to describe a corresponding one of the traffic portions  704 ,  812 ,  1002 , or  1102 . For example, the identifier portion  702  or  810  comprises one or more of identifier information, identifier code, a header field, a label, a tone, and communication exchange information. In a further example, the identifier portion  702  or  810  serves to identify the corresponding state of operation of the traffic block  701 , for example, Voice state  272  or  274 , Single Data state  276  or  278 , Multiple Data state  280 , or Voice+Data state  282 .  
     [0071] The identifier portion  810  serves to label the traffic block  701  of the wireless traffic channel based on the communications transmitted in the traffic block  701 . The identifier portion  810  is able to support any of zero, one, or a plurality of communications. Modification and/or expansion of the identifier portion  810  in one example serves to accommodate one or more selected capabilities and/or states for supporting transmission of communications in the same traffic block  701  of the wireless traffic channel.  
     [0072] Referring to FIG. 7, the identifier portion  702  in one example comprises one bit. Referring to FIGS.  8 - 13 , the identifier portion  810  in one example comprises five bits. In a further example, the identifier portion  810  in one example comprises any number of bits, for example, more than five bits. The identifier portion  810  in one example comprises the identifier portion  702 , identifier code  802 , and identifier code  804 . The identifier portion  702  in one example comprises mixed mode information. One implementation of the mixed mode (“MM”) information of the identifier portion  702  is presented below.  
                                                      MM:   Mixed Mode               0 - Voice               1 - Voice + Data + Signaling                      
 
     [0073] The identifier code  802  in one example comprises traffic type (“TT”) information. One implementation of the traffic type information of the identifier code  802  is presented below.  
                                                      TT:   Traffic Type               0 - Signaling               1 - Data                      
 
     [0074] The identifier code  804  in one example comprises traffic mode (“TM”) information. One implementation of the traffic mode information of the identifier code  804  is presented below.  
                                                      TM:   Traffic Mode               000 - Rate 1/2 Voice + Signaling/Data               001 - Rate 1/4 Voice + Signaling/Data               010 - Rate 1/8 Voice + Signaling/Data               011 - Full Rate Signaling/Data               100 - Rate 1/2 Data + Signaling/Data               101 - Rate 1/4 Data + Signaling/Data               110 - Rate 1/8 Data + Signaling/Data               111 - Reserved                      
 
     [0075] The transmission rate of a communication in one example relates directly to the percentage of the traffic block  701  allocated to the communication. For example, the communication at different times comprises different percentages of the traffic blocks  701 .  
     [0076] The steps or operations described herein are just exemplary. There may be many variations to these steps or operations without departing from the spirit of the invention. For instance, the steps may be performed in a differing order, or steps may be added, deleted, or modified.  
     [0077] Although exemplary implementations of the invention have been depicted and described in detail herein, it will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art that various modifications, additions, substitutions, and the like can be make without departing from the spirit of the invention and these are therefore considered to be within the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.