Patent ID: 8867437

Claim:
A method for communications, comprising: interfacing a lower layer of an apparatus with an upper layer of the apparatus based on exchanging a plurality of messages between the lower layer and the upper layer; grouping information related to at least two of a plurality of apparatuses communicating with the apparatus into one message of the plurality of messages to be sent between the lower layer and the upper layer; including one or more connection identifiers within one or more messages of the plurality of messages related to setting connection between one or more of the apparatuses and the apparatus, wherein a range of values of the connection identifiers is chosen in an effort to reduce a number of entries in a database associated with the plurality of apparatuses; and establishing one-to-one mapping between one of the connection identifiers and a Radio Network Temporary Identifier (RNTI), wherein that connection identifier and the RNTI are stored in one of the messages.