Abstract: A read sensor of the current-perpendicular-to-the-planes (CPP) type includes a sensor stack structure formed in a central region between first and second shield layers which serve as leads for the read sensor; insulator layers formed in side regions adjacent the central region; seed layer structures formed over the insulator layers in the side regions; and hard bias layers formed over the seed layer structures in the side regions. The hard bias layers are made of a nitrogenated cobalt-based alloy, such as nitrogenated cobalt-platinum (CoPt). Suitable if not exemplary coercivity and squareness properties are exhibited using the nitrogenated cobalt-based alloy. The hard bias layers may be formed by performing an ion beam deposition of cobalt-based materials using a sputtering gas (e.g. xenon) and nitrogen as a reactive gas.

Abstract: In one illustrative technique, a contention-free period indication is communicated by a wireless access point (AP) (e.g. a battery-powered AP) to a plurality of mobile communication devices within a beacon of a superframe. The contention-free period indication identifies a duration of a contention-free period within which the mobile devices must refrain from communicating through the AP. During each contention period subframe of each superframe, information is communicated to and/or from the mobile devices through a wireless transceiver of the AP. During each power conservation subframe of each superframe, the wireless transceiver is placed into a power conservation mode which is at least part of the contention-free period. Alternatively, or in combination with the wireless transceiver being placed in the power conservation mode, information for the mobile devices may be communicated to and/or from another AP within each relay subframe of each superframe which is at least part of the contention-free period.

Abstract: In one illustrative example, a mobile communication device transmits a slot reservation indication to the wireless network for reserving each nth paging slot assigned to the mobile device. At some point in time, a page message request for paging the mobile device is received within the wireless network. A page message for paging the mobile device is refrained from being transmitted within a reserved paging slot, but rather within a subsequent paging slot assigned to the mobile device after a lapse of time associated with the reserved paging slot. During the slot reservation, the mobile device may perform a function such as a GPS location fix or network scanning operation.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for use in delivering a message, such as a Short Message Service (SMS) message, simultaneously to two or more associated wireless communication devices are described. In one illustrative example, a request to deliver an SMS message to a first wireless communication device identified by a first address is received. In response to the request, the SMS message is delivered to the first wireless communication device as well as to a second wireless communication device identified by a second address different from the first address. In one preferred scenario, the first and the second wireless devices are possessed by the same end user so that SMS messages can be received regardless of which device is being used at any given moment. The method may be executed by a server in the wireless network or, alternatively, by the wireless communication device itself.

Abstract: In one illustrative example, a mobile station includes a wireless transceiver which operates with a wireless communication network; a processor; memory coupled to the processor; and a user interface which includes a Push-To-Talk (PTT) switch for transmitting a PTT voice communication through the wireless transceiver, a PTT replay switch for replaying a PTT voice communication previously received through the wireless transceiver which is stored in the memory, and a speaker for outputting audible voice signals. The wireless transceiver is operative to receive a PTT key message; receive voice data of a PTT voice communication following the PTT key message; and receive a PTT dekey message following the voice data. The processor is operative to cause the voice data of the PTT voice communication to be recorded in the memory based on receiving the PTT key message, and cause the recording of voice data of the PTT voice communication to be terminated based on receiving the PTT dekey message.

Abstract: A magnetic head with improved hard magnet properties includes a sensor stack structure and a multi-layered seed layer structure formed over crystalline materials of the sensor stack structure. The multi-layered structure has a first layer including chromium-molybdenum (CrMo); a second layer including nitrogenated nickel-tantalum (NiTa+N); and a third layer including chromium-molybdenum (CrMo). A hard bias layer formed over the multi-layered structure is preferably cobalt-platinum-chromium (CoPtCr). Methods of making the magnetic head are also described.

Abstract: Reduced delays in data service offered by data-capable networks are provided. One illustrative method includes the steps of receiving and storing in memory a first timer value which is broadcasted by a wireless communication network for use in the mobile station; causing a request for data connectivity to be transmitted through the wireless network, and reattempting the request up to a plurality of times when data connectivity fails; after the one or more reattempted requests for data connectivity fail, activating a timer based on a second timer value which is less than the first timer value; and repeating the transmitting of requests for data connectivity after expiration of the timer.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for the communication of cellular network information between a wireless local area network (WLAN) and a mobile station are disclosed. In one illustrative example, the mobile station receives a generic container message from the WLAN in an extensible authentication procedure (EAP). The generic container message includes cellular network information associated with one or more available cellular networks previously received by the WLAN. The generic container message is not technology or standard-specific and therefore it may contain cellular network information from a variety of different cellular networks (e.g. 3GPP, 3GPP2, IETF, etc.). The mobile station decodes the generic container message to identify and store the cellular network information in its memory. Preferably, the cellular network information includes information for identifying the cellular networks so that the mobile station may appropriately select one of the cellular networks for communication.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for selecting a cellular network to provide one or more communication services for a mobile communication device are disclosed. A scanning operation is performed by the mobile device to identify a plurality of cellular networks that support a voice communication service in a geographic coverage area. The mobile device then identifies which of the cellular networks makes a data communication service available to it. Advantageously, the mobile device assigns priority to or selects a cellular network that makes the data communication service available over a network that fails to make the data communication service available, and may register with that network. The data communication service may include, as examples, an e-mail communication service or an Internet access service. Preferably, the cellular network operates in accordance with GSM (Global System for Mobile) and GPRS (Generalized Packet Radio Service).

Abstract: The lapping of a slider is controlled based on an amplitude of a readback signal which is produced from an externally applied magnetic field. A lapping plate is used to lap a slider which includes at least one magnetic head having a read sensor. During the lapping, a coil produces a magnetic field around the slider and processing circuitry monitors both a readback signal amplitude and a resistance of the read sensor. The lapping of the slider is terminated based on the monitoring both the readback signal amplitude and the resistance. Preferably, the lapping of the slider is terminated when the resistance is within a predetermined resistance range and the readback signal amplitude is above a predetermined minimum amplitude threshold or reaches its peak value. Asymmetry can also be measured in the described system, where the lapping process is terminated based on asymmetry as well as resistance and amplitude measurements.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for performing a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) initialization procedure are described. A terminal profile having a most recent release version format is communicated to a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM). An error from the SIM is detected in response to sending the most recent release version format of the terminal profile, since the SIM is incompatible with this most recent release version. Subsequently, a terminal profile having a previous release version format is communicated to the SIM based on detecting the error from the SIM. This may be repeated further until compatibility between the mobile communication device and the SIM is established.

Abstract: A magnetic head includes first and second shield layers and a read sensor formed between and in electrical contact with the first and second shield layers. The read sensor includes a free layer structure; an antiparallel (AP) self-pinned structure which includes a first AP self-pinned layer, a second AP self-pinned layer, and an AP coupling layer formed between the first and the second AP self-pinned layers; and a non-magnetic spacer layer formed between the free layer structure and the AP self-pinned structure. The first AP self-pinned layer is formed in both a central region of the read sensor and in side regions adjacent the central region. Since thermal stability of the first AP self-pinned layer is proportional to its volume, extending the first AP self-pinned layer in the side regions improves the thermal stability to reduce the likelihood of amplitude flip in the self-pinned sensor.

Abstract: Techniques for use by a data communication device in maintaining communication with a packet-switched communication network which allows data to be pushed to the data communication device are described.

Abstract: Network selection methods and apparatus with home network prioritization in country border regions are disclosed. In one illustrative example, a mobile station (200) is associated with a home communication network (402) having a home mobile country code (MCC). Being outside of the home network country, however, the mobile station (200) selects and operates with a non-home communication network (406) having a visiting MCC. After expiration of a timer, the mobile station (200) scans to identify a plurality of networks in a coverage area within which the mobile station (200) is operating. If the home network (402) having the home MCC is identified as being available, the mobile station (200) selects and operates with the home network (200). Otherwise, if the non-home network (406) having the visiting MCC is identified as being available, the mobile station (200) selects and operates with the non-home network (406).

Abstract: One illustrative method of reducing undeliverable server-initiated IP traffic within a wireless network (21) includes the steps of identifying that a data connection (e.g. a Packet Data Protocol or PDP Context) for communicating server-initiated IP messages from a host server (22 or 26) to a mobile station (10) has been lost or terminated; causing a notification message having a destination address corresponding to the host server (22 or 26) to be produced based on identifying that the data connection has been lost or terminated; and causing the notification message to be sent to the host server (22 or 26). The notification message may cause the host server (22 or 26) to at least temporarily refrain from communicating and/or to queue server-initiated IP messages (10) intended for the mobile station (10). The notification message may be formatted and communicated based on an existing protocol, such as Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP), or any other suitable protocol.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing manual selection of a communication network for a mobile station are described. A plurality of communication networks are identified by scanning a coverage area within which the mobile station is operating. A plurality of network identifiers corresponding to the plurality of communication networks are then retrieved from memory of a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) in accordance with an Enhanced Operator Name String (EONS) protocol. Preferably, each network identifier is retrieved based on a Mobile Country Code (MCC), a Mobile Network Code (MNC), and a Location Area Code (LAC). The plurality of network identifiers are visually displayed for user selection, and at least two of the network identifiers may be substantially the same. The user selected communication network is registered with and the network identifier associated with this network is visually displayed.

Abstract: In one particular example, a plurality of CPP type sensor layers are formed over a wafer and a mask without undercuts is formed over the plurality of CPP type sensor layers in a central region. With the mask without undercuts in place, an ion milling process is started to remove CPP type sensor layer materials left exposed by the mask without undercuts in end regions which surround the central region. The ion milling process is stopped at or near a spacer layer of the CPP type sensor layers. Insulator materials are then deposited in the end regions where the CPP type sensor layer materials were removed, followed by hard bias materials over the insulator materials. The mask without undercuts is then removed through use of a chemical-mechanical polishing (CMP) assisted lift-off process, which also planarizes the top surface.

Abstract: In one illustrative example, a plurality of page message requests for a plurality of mobile devices which operate in a wireless communication network are received. One or more paging slots assigned to the mobile devices are identified for transmitting a plurality of page messages in response to these requests. However, the wireless network refrains from causing a page message for the mobile device associated with a tolerable delay indication to be transmitted within the one or more paging slots when a paging capacity limit of the one or more paging slots is reached. This allows higher priority page messages to be transmitted within the one or more paging slots. The wireless network subsequently causes a page message for the mobile device having the tolerable delay indication to be transmitted within one or more subsequent paging slots within a tolerable delay period corresponding to the tolerable delay indication.

Abstract: A radio modem method of processing commands from a host device during a data communication session between the host device and a server connected to the network includes the steps of maintaining a Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) connection between the host device and the radio modem device; communicating, over a wireless link with a cellular telecommunications network, data packets of an IP connection maintained between the host device and the server; and while the PPP and the IP connections are being maintained: removing a PPP wrapper of the data packets to reveal a destination IP address; identifying whether the destination IP address matches an IP address of a radio modem server of the radio modem device; in response to identifying a match between the IP addresses, causing the data packets to be routed to the radio modem server and processing and responding to the host device in accordance with a command in the data packets at the radio modem server; and in response to identifying a mismatch between the IP a

Abstract: In one illustrative example, a method for use in making a magnetic write head includes the steps of forming a first pole piece layer of a first pole piece; forming a patterned resist over the first pole piece layer; electroplating a pedestal over the first pole piece layer within a channel of the patterned resist; electroplating a metal gap layer over the pedestal within the channel of the patterned resist; forming a resist channel shrinking film over the patterned resist; baking the resist channel shrinking film over the patterned to thereby reduce a width of the channel; removing the resist channel shrinking film; electroplating a second pole piece within the reduced-width channel of the patterned resist; removing the patterned resist; and milling the pedestal, using the second pole piece as a mask, to form a central notched pedestal having side walls with angled slopes.