Importance

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Abstract

A communication system (100) that includes a plurality of communication units (101-108) and infrastructure equipment (110-115, 140, 141) employs a method and apparatus for providing communication services to a communication unit (e.g., 101). The infrastructure equipment includes a plurality of base sites (110-115) that provide communication services to corresponding service coverage areas (120-125). The service coverage areas (120-125) are further arranged into paging location areas (130-132). When the communication unit (101) becomes active in the system (100), the communication unit (101) determines its registration type. When the communication unit (101) is of a first registration type, the communication unit (101) transmits a registration message to the infrastructure equipment (e.g., 141) whenever the unit (101) enters a new location area (130-132). When the communication unit (101) is of a second registration type, the communication unit (101) transmits the registration message to the infrastructure equipment (141) whenever the unit (101) enters a new service coverage area (120-125). Thus, when the infrastructure equipment (141) receives a communication destined for the communication unit (101), the infrastructure equipment (141) conveys the communication to the communication unit (101) based on the unit's registration type. However when the communication unit is of a first registration type corresponding to the first registration process, in which the infrastructure pages the communication unit prior to conveying a communication to the unit, and the location area containing the communication unit consists of a 'single service coverage area' communication is conveyed directly to the communication unit without first paging the unit.

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First Claim