Abstract: A Master device (e.g., a SIM card) is configured with information regarding one or more Slave devices (e.g., SIM cards) that are associated with the Master device. The Master device is installed in a user device that receives content files and access and usage rights from a content provider. The Master device identifies one or more Slave devices that are associated with the Master device and transmits content files and the rights data to the Slave devices. A user device in which a Slave device is installed receives the content files and rights data sent by the Master device. The Slave device extracts a key from the rights data and provides the key to a decryption component of the user device, which uses the key to decrypt the content file.

Abstract: A method (400) for establishing a first communication link between a communications network (105) and a network node (115) in accordance with a first wireless communications protocol. The method also can include evaluating a signal parameter for a signal transmitted between a station (110) and the network node. In response to the channel quality exceeding a threshold, the station can be signaled to establish a second communication link with the network node in accordance with a second wireless communications protocol. The network node can bridge communications between the station and the communications network.

Abstract: A method, wireless device, and wireless communication system for dynamically selecting a network for communicating data over. The method includes initiating a search for a new access network (102). A network information request is transmitted to an information processing system in response to the determining (610). Network information associated with at least one access network is received (618) from the information processing system (120). The new access network (102) is selected based on the received network information. The new access network (102) is then connected to.

Abstract: A method includes providing a cable or component having a first type of connector attached thereto. A device is provided having at least one second type of connector, capable of mating with the first type of connector, attached thereto. The cable or component is detected as proximate the device. An indication is provided that includes instructions as to how to connect the first type of connector and the second type of connector.

Abstract: A method of operation of a cognitive radio in a hierarchical group of cognitive radios, the hierarchy of cognitive radios including at least one master cognitive radio that has a higher position in the hierarchy than another of the cognitive radios in the group, consistent with the present invention, involves establishing a first operational policy for the group of cognitive radios; determining that the operational policy is unsuitable for use by at least one member of the group; and the master cognitive radio dictating a change in the operational policy used by the group to a second operational policy for use by the group.

Abstract: A method (300) for improving a user's experience with a mobile station (100). The method can include detecting whether the mobile station is being held properly. In response to detecting that the mobile station is not being held properly, an indicator (140, 145) can be presented via a user interface (230) to indicate to a user that the mobile station is being held improperly. The method also can include, responsive to detecting that the mobile station is being held properly, generating an indicator via the user interface that indicates to the user that the mobile station is being held properly.

Abstract: A Master device (e.g., a SIM card) is configured with information regarding one or more Slave devices (e.g., SIM cards) that are associated with the Master device. The Master device is installed in a user device that receives content files and access and usage rights from a content provider. The Master device identifies one or more Slave devices that are associated with the Master device and transmits content files and the rights data to the Slave devices. A user device in which a Slave device is installed receives the content files and rights data sent by the Master device. The Slave device extracts a key from the rights data and provides the key to a decryption component of the user device, which uses the key to decrypt the content file.

Abstract: A method and system for managing communication sessions in a plurality of wireless communication networks is provided. The plurality of wireless communication networks includes one or more home communication networks and one or more guest communication networks. The method at a communication device includes predicting (502) a coverage gap in a home communication network. The coverage gap is within a coverage region of the home communication network. Further, the method includes temporarily utilizing (504) at least one communication resource of a guest communication network when the communication device enters the coverage gap and when the at least one communication resource of the guest communication network is substantially available. The at least one communication resource enables communication at the communication device. The utilization of the at least one communication resource of the guest communication network is controlled by at least one of the home communication network and an overlay network.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and devices for remote determination, control and/or inhibiting the use of a speakerphone of a far end communication device. The methods and devices provide the ability to determine speakerphone use and provide remote control of a far end device's speakerphone, including prompting whether to disable the speakerphone of the far end device if determined to be active. Additionally disclosed are methods and devices of a first communication device having a speakerphone including engaging in a communication with a second communication device, determining if the speakerphone of the first communication device is active, and broadcasting that the speakerphone of the first communication device is active. Also disclosed are methods and devices a first communication device including determining an identity of an auditor at a second communication device and indicating at the first communication device the identity of an auditor at the second communication device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for operating a communication device on two networks. A wireless wide area network uplink signal can be detected from a proximal wireless device. A message can be sent to a wireless wide area network infrastructure in response to detecting the wireless wide area network uplink signal, the message indicating the wireless device is proximal to a wireless local area network access point. The proximal wireless device can be communicated with using wireless local area network communication signals.

Abstract: A system (100) and method (300) for mesh/ad hoc participation is provided. The method can include providing (310) an incentive to a user operating a device in an ad hoc network and determining (320) network resources associated with providing the incentive. The method can establish a credit system for devices within the ad hoc network, evaluate a supply and demand for the network resources, and allocate credits to the devices for forwarding packets in the ad hoc network. The method can determine a delivery capacity for the devices and negotiate an optimal packet route through the devices in the ad hoc network based on the supply and demand.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided that check for the existence of a media player cracking tool that is used to sniff, or capture, unprotected content rendered by a media player that uses DRM protection. If a media player cracking tool is detected, the corresponding content file will not be decrypted.

Abstract: A method (300, 400) of and server (200) for providing assistance with control of a subscriber device is described. The method comprises receiving an instruction message (303) via a network that corresponds to spoken instructions from the subscriber device; converting the spoken instructions to control commands (309); providing a control message corresponding to the control commands (313); and sending the control message to the subscriber device (315), thereby assisting with the control of the subscriber device.

Abstract: A wireless mobile device (104) provides challenge/response based authentication by receiving a first portion of a challenge (132) from an external authentication unit (102), such as a network unit, and utilizes an internal partial challenge generator (114) that internally provides a second portion of the challenge (138) and provides the internally generated second portion of the challenge (138) back to the authentication unit (102). The wireless mobile device (104) also includes combiner logic (116) that combines the externally received first portion of the challenge (132) with the internally produced second portion of the challenge (138) to produce a complete challenge (144). The wireless mobile device (104) then utilizes a response generators (118) that takes the complete challenge (144) that was produced and generates a response (146) based on the complete challenge (144), and other secret information (110) if desired using a suitable cryptographic operation.

Abstract: A wireless handheld communication device (102) for reducing a communication delay at a proximate wireless communication device is disclosed. The wireless handheld communication device simultaneously transmits to a remote station (106) through a base station (108), and transmits to the proximate wireless communication device (104) directly. The method includes communicating a first communication on first link (116) to a proximate wireless communication device and communicating, simultaneously with communicating the first communication, a second communication on a second link (112) to a base station, wherein the first communication and the second communication are substantially the same.

Abstract: A method within and subscriber unit that is arranged and constructed for realizing a performance benefit in a communications system that controls performance includes: a receiver for receiving a downlink signal; a processor coupled to the receiver for determining a performance metric corresponding to the downlink signal that complies with air interface requirements for the communications system; a transmitter for reporting the performance metric on an uplink channel; and a receiver processor for processing the downlink signal to provide a received signal having an improved performance metric.

Abstract: A method (300) of and secure server (200) for providing secure assistance with control of a communications unit (101, 103, 105) is disclosed. The method includes receiving (303) an instruction message via a network that corresponds to voiced instructions from the communications unit; parsing (307) the voiced instructions and sending (409) the results to assistant agents having limited access to sensitive information or only partial access to the instructions maintains security of sensitive information. The assistant agents convert (411) the portions of voiced instructions to commands; and the commands are assimilated (415) in a secure server along with other information to provide a control message corresponding to the commands. The control message is sent to the communications unit, thereby securely assisting with the control of the communications unit.

Abstract: A communication apparatus includes a communication device (130) and an activity monitoring device (120). The communication device (130) includes an alert device (275) for notifying a user (110) of an incoming call. The communication device (130) further includes a controller (210) for selecting a mode of the alert device (275). The controller (210) judges, based on data from the activity monitoring device (120), whether the user can be disturbed, and, if the user (110) can be disturbed, the controller (210) selects an audible mode of the alert device (275). If the controller (210) determines that the user (110) cannot be disturbed, then the controller (210) selects a silent mode of the alert device (275). The activity monitoring device (120) produces data representing a biometric characteristic of the user (110), which is used by the controller (210) to judge whether the user (110) can be disturbed. A corresponding method (FIG. 6 and FIG. 7) selects an appropriate alert mode based user biometrics.

Abstract: A video processing system (100) employs a method and apparatus for indicating a location of a person (203) with respect to a video capturing volume (201) of a camera (101). A location determiner (115) receives at least one image from the camera (101), in which the image preferably includes at least a portion of the person (203). Based on the image, the location determiner (115) determines a location of the person (203) with respect to the video capturing volume (201) of the camera (101). An abstract representation generator (119) generates an abstract representation (209), e.g., an icon, of the person (203) and provides the abstract representation to a video processor (117). The video processor (117) positions the abstract representation (209) together with an image, e.g.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing additional processing power to a portable, wireless, communication device. The apparatus includes a housing detachably connectable to the portable, wireless, communication device and digital circuitry carried by the housing. The digital circuitry operable to assist electronic components of the portable, wireless, communication device in processing digital information to increase a data rate of a wireless communication link.