Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for wireless network selection by multi-mode devices. A mobile device maintains an indication of any wireless network services currently provided to the mobile device. According to an embodiment of the application, the mobile device automatically scans for both GSM wireless networks and CDMA wireless networks in order to acquire a wireless network that can provide a service that is not currently provided to the mobile device. Therefore, the mobile device avoids partial service or limited service when better service is available.

Abstract: An apparatus, and an associated method, facilitates implementation of a parental control feature at a mobile station. A parental authority selects a parental control feature to be implemented at the mobile station and by way of a user interface at a computer workstation or a master mobile station. Detection is made of the selection, and a control signal is generated that includes identification of the selection. The control signal is sent to the affected mobile station. Once received at the mobile station, the control signal is detected, its contents ascertained, and the parental control feature is implemented at the mobile station.

Abstract: A system and method are provided that utilize a mechanism for electronic communication group deletion based on the detection of the completion of the purpose of an event as specified upon creation of the electronic communication group. By specifying the expiry date of a group at the time of creation and notifying members of the expiry date, complete deletion of the group can be performed on the server side to conserve memory, while enabling group members to save content locally before the group is deleted. Upon creating a group, an expiry date can be set for the group and this expiry date and a purpose therefor notified to the members that join the group, and users are then able to join the group. Upon detecting the expiry date, the group members can be notified and permitted to perform a local save, extend the expiry date, etc. The server may then delete its copy of the data and the client devices enable or enforce deletion locally to recapture storage space.

Abstract: A method and portable electronic device for hands-free operation in a motor vehicle are described. In accordance with one embodiment, there is provided a method comprising: detecting when a portable electronic device is within a threshold distance of a motor vehicle; and inhibiting the portable electronic device from transmitting communications when the portable electronic device is within the threshold distance of a motor vehicle.

Abstract: A mobile device with an integrated camera responsive to signals from a camera activator. The mobile device includes application programs capable of editing documents. The user triggers the device operating system to switch from an active application program in which the user is editing a document to a camera application by activating the camera activator. The user then captures an image by again triggering the camera activator, whereupon the active application is restored and the image data is inserted within the document. The captured image is directly inserted into an input field within the open document in the active application.

Abstract: A mobile wireless communications device may include a portable housing that may include an electrically conductive continuous ring defining a perimeter of the portable housing. The electrically conductive continuous ring may be configured to function as an antenna. The mobile wireless communications device may further include a printed circuit board (PCB) carried by the portable housing and may include an electrically conductive layer defining a ground plane. The mobile wireless communications device may further include wireless transceiver circuitry carried by the PCB and coupled to the antenna. The mobile wireless communications device may also include an electrically conductive shorting member coupled between the electrically conductive continuous ring and the ground plane.

Abstract: An electronic communication device may, perhaps with the assistance of a mobile device server, determining that a new electronic message received by the device is part of a message thread that includes the new message and at least one prior electronic message previously received at the device. A comparison may be made of address information of the new message with address information of the at least one prior electronic message in the message thread to determine that there has been a change in addressed recipients between the new message and the at least one prior electronic message. The device may then notify a user of the device of the change.

Abstract: A process for viewing document information on a mobile communication device without having to retrieve the full document onto the device. The solution is client-server based. The client is the mobile device attachment viewing application and the server is the document (attachment) handling process on a remote machine. The process comprises server document information construction and delivery, and document information display on the mobile device.

Abstract: A portable electronic device having a waterproof keypad and a keypad assembly for the waterproof keypad are described. In one embodiment, the keypad assembly comprises: an embossed keypad having a top and bottom surface, the embossed keypad having a plurality of embossed keys on the top surface; a capacitive sensor layer located below the bottom surface of the embossed keypad; and an actuator located below the capacitive sensor layer moveable between a first position in an unactuated state to a second position in an actuated state.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for statistically sorting characters for multi-tap keyboards are disclosed. The method includes receiving, by a processor, an indication of a selection of a key, and adding, by the processor, one or more high probability characters to a list of key characters. The method also includes requesting, by the processor, a plurality of sorted characters, and receiving, by the processor, the plurality of sorted characters. In addition, the method includes adding, by the processor, the plurality of sorted characters to the list of key characters, associating, by the processor, the list of key characters with the selected key, and displaying, on a display device, a first character of the list of key characters.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed at a system and method for preparing a device for power loss when the presence of a component cover is not sensed. The system includes a component cover with a detection portion; a sensor adapted to detect the presence of the detection portion in the component cover; and a processor able to receive information from the sensor and to prepare the mobile device for power loss.

Abstract: A mobile wireless communications device may include a portable housing including at least one electrically conductive housing portion configured to function as an antenna. The mobile wireless communications device may also include a printed circuit board (PCB) carried by the portable housing, and wireless transceiver circuitry carried by the PCB and including at least one circuit element carried by the PCB. The mobile wireless communications device may also include at least one current shunt component coupled between the at least one electrically conductive housing portion and the at least one circuit element.

Abstract: Various embodiments described herein relate to a power management block and one or more amplification blocks used in the transmitter of a communication subsystem. The power management block provides improved control for the gain control signal provided to a pre-amplifier and the supply voltage provided to a power amplifier, both of which are included in a selected one of the amplification blocks. The power expended by the power amplifier is optimized by employing a continuous control method in which one or more feedback loops are employed to take 1n into account various characteristics of the transmitter components and control values. Post power amplifier transmission power is detected for input into the one or more feedback loops executed in the power management block. A controller for the power amplifier is design to stabilize the system with respect to gain expansion in the power amplifier.

Abstract: A radiation power level control scheme for a wireless user equipment (UE) device. In one embodiment, a power data history associated with the wireless UE device is maintained, the power data history comprising data tracked over a time window (e.g., a sliding time window) relative to one or more variables on a per transmission event basis. A component of the UE device is configured to determine a time-average transmission power level. Another component is configured to compare the time-average transmission power level with a first time-averaged transmission power limit threshold, the first time-averaged transmission power limit threshold having a value that depends on a transmission power data history for the UE device. A still further component is provided, operable responsive to the average transmission power level meeting or exceeding the first time-averaged transmission power limit threshold, that is configured to reduce a transmission power level of the UE device.

Abstract: Automatic meeting scheduling may be facilitated without the need to open a calendar application to discuss and discover shared available time. A meeting organizer may send a request to one or more potential meeting participants. Based on responses received from the device of the potential meeting participants, the device of the meeting organizer may determine coincidentally available meeting times. The device may automatically select a candidate meeting time from among the coincidentally available meeting times or may rely on the meeting organizer to select a candidate meeting time from among the coincidentally available meeting times. Typical meeting scheduling may then ensue.

Abstract: Various embodiments are described for a mobile communication device having a main processor for controlling the operation of the mobile communication device; a device memory coupled to the main processor for storing a plurality of battery information profiles; and a smart battery coupled to the main processor for providing supply power. The smart battery includes a battery processor for controlling the operation of the smart battery and communicating with the main processor; and a battery memory coupled to the battery processor for storing a Battery ID indicating the model of the smart battery. The main processor is configured to communicate with the battery processor to obtain the Battery ID and select one the battery information profiles based on the Battery ID.

Abstract: A handheld electronic device includes a reduced QWERTY keyboard and is enabled with disambiguation software. The device provides output in the form of a default output and a number of variants. The output is based largely upon the frequency, i.e., the likelihood that a user intended a particular output, but various features of the device provide additional variants that are not based solely on frequency and rather are provided by various logic structures resident on the device. The device enables editing during text entry and also provides a learning function that allows the disambiguation function to adapt to provide a customized experience for the user. The disambiguation function can be selectively disabled and an alternate keystroke interpretation system provided.

Abstract: A system and method for managing battery slump in a battery-powered communications device including: an input configured for receiving battery voltage level information; an output configured for sending a signal for terminating a transmission; and a controller connected to the input and the output and configured to receive the battery voltage level information from the input; monitor the battery voltage level information; and send a signal via the output to terminate a transmission if the battery voltage level information crosses a predetermined threshold during the transmission. In particular, the system and method may further include an input connected to the controller and configured for receiving a signal indicating when a transmission is beginning or occurring and the controller is further configured to receive and monitor the battery voltage level information only when the transmission is occurring.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for decreasing the depth of field of images taken by a camera having a fixed aperture, comprising capturing a plurality of images; generating a depth map from the captured images; isolating a plurality of gray zones within the depth map; generating a plurality of image layers having respective depths of field corresponding to respective ones of the plurality of gray zones; selecting one of the image layers as a focus plane; blurring all other image layers; and superimposing the image layers to create a composite image wherein objects located at the focus plane are in focus and objects at all other depths of field are out of focus.

Abstract: A handheld electronic device includes a reduced QWERTY keyboard and is enabled with a disambiguation routine that is operable to disambiguate text input. In addition to identifying and outputting representations of language objects that are stored in the memory and that correspond with a text input, the device is able to perform a spell check routine during input of a text entry, with the output from the spell check routine being visually integrated into the output from the disambiguation routine.