State apparatus, and associated methods, for controlling packet data communications in a radio communication system

In a method of communicating packet data in a communication system having network infrastructure and a mobile station between which packet data communications pursuant to at least one packet service-type are selectively permitted by way of a communication channel, a QoS (quality of service) parameter associated with each of the at least one packet service-type, the QoS parameter defining a communication channel access-time delay-period within which access to the communication channel is to be provided to effectuate the packet data communications, an improvement of a method for operating the mobile station, said method comprising:

• operating the mobile station in an active state when packet data is to be communicated between the mobile station and the network infrastructure, a dedicated traffic channel assigned to form the communication channel to communicate the packet data thereon when the mobile station is operated in the active state;
• transitioning operation of the mobile station from the active state into a control hold state responsive to a first selected period of communication inactivity;
• a transitioning operation of the mobile station from said control hold state into a virtual traffic substate when the QoS parameter associated with the packet data service-type is beyond a selected level, the dedicated traffic channel releasable out of assignation to form the communication channel subsequent to transition of operation of the mobile station into the virtual traffic substate;
• and
• transitioning operation of the mobile station from the control hold state into a control-hold power save substate when the QoS parameter associated with the mobile station is within the selected level.

A method for operating a mobile station in a selected operational state, the mobile station forming a portion of a communication system and selectively permitted to communicate packet data pursuant to at least one packet service-type with network infrastructure of the communication system, a QoS (quality of service) parameter associated with each of the at least one packet service-type, the QoS parameter defining a communication channel access-time delay period within which access to the commuciation channel is to be provided to effectuate the packet data communications, said method comprising:

• transitioning operation of the mobile station into an active state when the packet data it to be communicated between the mobile station and the network infrastructure, a dedicated traffic channel assigned to form the communication channel to communicate the packet data thereon when the mobile station is operated in the active state;
• transitioning operation of the mobile station into a control hold state from the active state responsive to a first selected period of communication inactivity;
• and
• transitioning operation of the mobile station into a virtual traffic substate from the control hold state when the QoS parameter associated with the packet data service-type is beyond a selected level, the dedicated control channel released from assignation to form the communication channel.