Abstract: While a mobile node is engaged in a communication session via a first air interface channel, the user of the mobile node requests a vertical handoff. In response to the user's handoff request, the mobile node goes into a dormant mode to release the first air interface channel. The mobile node then acquires a second air interface channel, which may have a higher data rate than the first air interface channel, and continues the communication session via the second air interface channel. The mobile node may also determine that a vertical handoff may be available, e.g., by checking a preferred roaming list (PRL), and then indicate to the user that a vertical handoff may be available.

Abstract: A method and system for triggering installation of program logic on a machine, such as a PC. A server transmits installation-trigger logic to a wireless communication device (WCD), which the WCD stores in its data storage. When the WCD becomes connected with a PC, the PC views the WCD as a mass-storage drive, and the PC reads and executes the installation-trigger logic in the same manner that a PC would run an AUTORUN file on a conventional mass-storage drive. Per the installation-trigger logic, the PC then downloads and installs a designated software program. The PC then sends an installation-notice to the server, and the server responsively sends a cancellation-message to the WCD. In response to the cancellation-message, the WCD then deletes or otherwise disables the installation-trigger logic, so that the process will not be repeated the next time the WCD is connected with the PC.

Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus for monitoring user-interface operation. One or more wireless communication devices, such as cell phones, will automatically log user-interface events (such as key-presses) and user-interface states (such as display screen state) and will transmit the log-data, via a wireless link, to a central server. The server will then compile the log-data and generate useful output reports regarding user-interface operation. Such reports can assist device manufacturers and distributors (e.g., wireless carriers), triggering changes in user-interface design so as to improve user experience.

Abstract: A mobile station has a plurality of modes for processing incoming push-to-talk (PTT) audio communications. A first PTT mode is a “forced audio” mode, in which the mobile station plays PTT audio communications automatically. A second PTT mode is a “polite” mode, in which the mobile station plays PTT audio communications only after acceptance by the user. A “white list” identifies any parties that are allowed to communicate with the mobile station using the first PTT mode. A PTT audio communication from an initiator that is not identified in the white list is processed using the second PTT mode, even if the first PTT mode is requested. In addition, a PTT audio communication may be processed using the second PTT mode if the mobile station's speaker volume level is below a threshold value.

Abstract: In a communication device, multiple instances of different applications may execute. Advantageously, at least one instance of an application records and stores a browsing history of data items accessed during its execution. This stored browsing history may be made available to later instances of applications. Furthermore, one or more such stored histories may be accessed via a global back or a global forward command, allowing the histories to be browsed according to the order in which they were recorded.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for storing a media file in a device (e.g., a cellular phone, PDA, or alarm clock) and demarcating a portion of the stored media file as a ringtone, without storing the demarcated portion as a separate media file in the device. Thereafter, in response to detection of an alert at the device, the demarcated portion of the media file may be played out as an alert. The stored media file may be an audio file such that the ringtone is an audio ringtone, a video file such that the ringtone is a video ringtone, or an audio-video file such that the ringtone is an audio-video ringtone. Demarcating the portion of media file may include defining a ringtone start point and a ringtone end point. The ringtone start point and end point may be associated with distinct time stamps or data pointers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for dynamically selecting a complete or referenced group indication when initiating a group communication session in a communication system. A client device may include logic through which the device will decide, at the time of group session initiation, whether to initiate the session by reference to a complete group listing or rather whether to initiate the session by reference to a group identifier (e.g., group-ID). The client device may be capable of maintaining group data in order to indicate whether the client device and a communication server have agreed on a group-ID to correspond with a particular group. When a user directs the client device to initiate a session with a particular group, the client device will initiate the session by reference to the group-ID if the client device and communication server have agreed on a group-ID to correspond to the particular group.

Abstract: A method, system, and medium are provided for responding to an event by way of a mobile communications device. One embodiment of the method includes receiving at the mobile communications device an indication of an occurrence of an event; presenting an informational element (e.g., a slideable graphical-user-interface control) on a display of the device that presents contextually relevant data that is related to the event; and receiving user input that disposes the informational element to one of at least two drop zones that are defined by respective portions of the display and that are respectively associated with certain actions such that moving the informational element to one of the at least two drop zones invokes a certain response that is consistent with the corresponding drop zone.

Abstract: A method, system, and medium are provided for efficiently locating a desired item within an ordered list of items, such as a list of contacts, pictures, or football teams. An illustrative method includes presenting a selectable option on a mobile device's display, presenting a positional indicator on the display when the selectable option has been selected that indicates to the user its position within the ordered list of items, and if the selectable option is moved, dynamically indicating the positional indicator's position among the list of items. The selection of the selectable option may be made by any object, such as a finger or stylus. Further, releasing the selection of the selectable option, such as removing the object used from the display, allows for a display of an item in the ordered list of items that corresponds to the position of the positional indicator.

Abstract: A method, system, and medium are provided for inputting data into a mobile communications device having a touchscreen. An illustrative method includes receiving a user-entered character string and automatically replacing the user-entered character string with a suggested character string. The suggested character string is marked with a visual indication of the replacement and the visual indication is maintained even if the suggested character string is a correctly spelled word. An input region associated with the visual indication is provided such that a set of alternative character strings as suggested replacements may be provided incident to receiving touch input to the input region.

Abstract: A method, system, and medium are provided for enabling a user to control a mobile communications device that includes a vibration component. One embodiment of the method includes presenting an object on a touchscreen display of the mobile communications device; enabling the object to be moveable on the touchscreen by way of a touch interaction; in real time, continuously varying an intensity of an output of the vibration component to cause a vibrational response of the mobile communications device, such that movement of the object in a first direction causes a first continuous vibrational output, and movement of the object in a second direction causes a second continuous vibrational output.

Abstract: A method, system, and medium are provided for presenting on a user interface of a mobile communications device a persistently visible predetermined region capable of receiving touch input. An illustrative method includes presenting a persistently visible predetermined region capable of receiving touch input on a first screen and transitioning to a second screen. The predetermined region is persistently viewable during and after the transition between the first and second screens. Incident to receiving touch input to the predetermined region, a listing of a set of statuses of events is presented on the display.

Abstract: A method for a WLAN access point to allocate telephone numbers for use by mobile stations. The access point includes stored data indicating one or more allowed telephone numbers. When a mobile station associated with the access point and acquires an IP address, the mobiles station sends a telephone number allocation-request to the access point, seeking allocation of a particular telephone number for use by the mobile station. If the telephone requested number is one of those allowed, then the access point associates the telephone number with the mobile station. On the other hand, if the requested telephone number is not one of those allowed, then the access point provides the mobile station with a list of the available telephone numbers, to allow a user to select a desired telephone number, and the mobile station may then send a new telephone number allocation-request, seeking allocation of the selected telephone number.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing a missed-call list in a telephone device by flagging a missed-call entry as “called-back” when a telephone call is placed to or received from the party listed in a missed-call list. The telephone device may still maintain the missed-call in the missed-call list after being flagged. A user may view the missed-call list to see which missed-calls (if any) the user has returned and which missed-call (if any) the user has not returned. Beneficially, the invention enables a user to retain valuable information about a missed-call and is therefore advantageous to the user of a telephone.

Abstract: A wireless terminal may present a graphical representation of telephone keys serially along at least one edge of the display screen. A user may indicate selection of one of the telephone keys. The wireless terminal may detect the selection of the one of the telephone keys and generate a signal corresponding to the one of the telephone keys selected.

Abstract: A system and method for advertising on a subscriber terminal. A server may send an advertising authorization request to the subscriber terminal. The advertising authorization request may comprise options that a user may select for accepting or rejecting an advertisement to be sent to the subscriber terminal. If the subscriber terminal accepts the advertisement, the server or subscriber terminal may wait for one or more triggering events to occur. The triggering events may include the subscriber terminal being idle, substantially stationary, and/or a specific time of day. Upon occurrence of the one or more triggering events, the subscriber terminal may display the advertisement on its display screen.

Abstract: A method for a WLAN access point to allocate telephone numbers for use by mobile stations. The access point includes stored data indicating one or more allowed telephone numbers. When a mobile station associated with the access point and acquires an IP address, the mobiles station sends a telephone number allocation-request to the access point, seeking allocation of a particular telephone number for use by the mobile station. If the telephone requested number is one of those allowed, then the access point associates the telephone number with the mobile station. On the other hand, if the requested telephone number is not one of those allowed, then the access point provides the mobile station with a list of the available telephone numbers, to allow a user to select a desired telephone number, and the mobile station may then send a new telephone number allocation-request, seeking allocation of the selected telephone number.

Abstract: A method and system for generating a reply message limited to a maximum number of characters based on a dynamic variation of an original message length. A messaging client receives the original message and delivers the original message text for presentation to a user. If the user opts to reply to the original message, the messaging client generates the reply message by including the user's reply message text and only so much of the original message text as will fit in a remaining capacity of the reply message. The method and system is particularly useful in a Short Message Service (SMS) messaging system, but may be useful in other systems as well.

Abstract: A method for management of call tones (tones that a caller hears when they call a party) is described which is particularly suitable for use by wireless telephones. The management of call tones can by performed off line. The method includes a step of: a) downloading a call tone and associated identification data to the wireless telephone (e.g., downloaded from a call tone website); b) establishing, on the wireless telephone a correlation between the call tone identification data and a contact entry stored in memory on the wireless telephone; and c) transmitting a message from the phone to a network server that includes the correlation established in step b). Subsequently, when a telephone associated with the contact entry calls the wireless telephone the call tone is provided to the calling telephone.