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: A fault detection apparatus for surface mount packages is provided. The apparatus can include a retainer for releasably securing a circuit board such as a printed circuit board having an electrical component mounted thereon via a ball grid array surface mount package. When mounted within the apparatus, a test signal is applied to the electrical component. The apparatus includes a mechanical actuator, such as a solenoid, for applying a reciprocating force to the circuit board. The reciprocating force can disturb a defect in the ball grid array manifesting as a mechanically unreliable connection at one of the balls where an electrically intermittent connection is occurring. By disturbing the mechanically unreliable connection, the electrically intermittent connection can be caused to fail altogether and thereby reveal the defect as a test signal is carried through the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A file comprising control information for the production of sensory effects is stored in a mobile device. When audio information is processed to produce sound, the control information is processed to produce sensory effects that are synchronized to the sound. The sensory effects may include visual effects and/or mechanical effects.

Abstract: A test fixture, for testing an electronic device, includes: a test platform including electrically conductive contacts protruding from a device receiving surface in the test platform; a positioning guide disposed on the device receiving surface; a device retention cover; where the test platform includes a platform magnetic member and the retention cover includes a cover magnetic member, the platform magnetic member and the cover magnetic member being mutually magnetically attractive. A method of producing an electronic device including: preparing the test fixture, for testing the electronic device; placing the electronic device using the at least one device positioning guide disposed on the device receiving surface; and placing the device retention cover upon the electronic device to apply a force to the electronic device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for deriving presence information of a mobile device at a presence node in a wireless system, the method having the steps of: analyzing a message received from the mobile device to determine a message type; and allocating a state for the mobile device depending on the message type found in the analyzing step. The apparatus is a presence node for deriving and maintaining presence information of a mobile device in a wireless system, the mobile device communicating with a network node, the presence node having: a communication system for communicating with the network node; a processor; and an application running on the processor, the application having means for analyzing a message received from the mobile device at the network node to determine a message type; and allocating a state for the mobile device depending on the message type found in the analyzing step.

Abstract: A system and method of pushing user-selected data items from a host system to a user's mobile data communication device upon detecting the occurrence of one or more user-defined event triggers is provided. The user may then move (or file) the data items to a particular folder within a folder hierarchy stored in the mobile data communication device, or may execute some other system operation on the data item. Software operating at the mobile device and the host system then synchronizes the folder hierarchy of the mobile device with a folder hierarchy of the host system, and any actions executed on the data items at the mobile device are then automatically replicated on the same data items stored at the host system, thus eliminating the need for the user to manually replicate actions at the host system that have been executed at the mobile data communication device.

Abstract: A boot method an apparatus arc described which reduce the likelihood of a security breach in a mobile device, preferably in a situation where a reset has been initiated. A predetermined security value, or password, is stored, for example in BootROM. A value of a security location within FLASH memory is read and the two values are compared. Polling of the serial port is selectively performed, depending on the result of such comparison. In a presently preferred embodiment, if the value in the security location matches the predetermined security value, then polling of the serial port is not performed. This reduces potential security breaches caused in conventional arrangements where code may be downloaded from the serial port and executed, which allows anyone to access and upload programs and data in the FLASH memory, including confidential and proprietary information.

Abstract: In a two-way radio communications system wherein subscriber units are provided with multiple features from the software running on a server, a user interface of the subscriber unit permits the subscriber unit user to change the control state of the server software depending on different types of actuations of the user interface. In the preferred embodiment, one, two or more “clicks” on a momentary input switch, as well as pushing and holding and releasing the input switch can be used to select or de-select between multiple services and applications provided to the subscriber unit by the server software.

Abstract: A mobile wireless communications device includes a housing and circuit board carried by the housing and having radio frequency (RF) circuitry and a processor operative with each other. Audio circuitry is carried by the circuit board and an audio transducer assembly, such as a speaker, has electrical contacts that electrically engage the audio circuitry for carrying audio signals between the audio circuitry and audio transducer assembly. A filter is mounted at the audio transducer assembly and reduces radio frequency (RF) electromagnetic interference to the audio transducer assembly during device operation.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing a seamless switching of voice calls between different wireless networks are disclosed. In one illustrative example, a mobile communication device has a processor and one or more wireless transceivers coupled to the processor. The one or more wireless transceivers include a first transceiver portion operative in accordance with a first wireless network (e.g. a GSM/GPRS cellular network) and a second transceiver portion operative in accordance with a second wireless network (e.g. an 802.11 wireless network). A voice call is maintained between the mobile device and a communication terminal through call control equipment.

Abstract: A device and method for scheduling follow-up events in relation to an existing event record. The device receives an input follow-up request associated with the existing event record and automatically generates a follow-up event record having information in its field populated using the information contained in the existing event record. The date of the follow-up event is automatically generated based upon the date of the existing event record. If the existing event record is a recurring event, then the date of the follow-up event is based on the frequency of recurrence. The follow-up event record may be displayed for user editing and may be transmitted to the attendees to propose scheduling of the follow-up event.

Abstract: Apparatus, and an associated method, for estimating a bit error rate of data communicated to a receiving station of a digital communications system, such as a GSM/EDGE cellular communication system. Soft decision values, indicative of confidence levels that decided values have been correctly decided are compared with threshold values by a comparator. A count is accumulated by a counter to whose counted value is representative of decided data values having associated therewith low levels of confidence that the decided values are correct. The count value is used in the formulation of the BER estimation.

Abstract: User interface methods and apparatus for processing voice call requests based on communication conditions of a mobile communication device are disclosed. The mobile communication device includes one or more processors, a wireless transceiver coupled to the one or more processors, and a user interface which includes a visual display. A voice call request for a voice call is received through the user interface. If the voice call request is received during an out-of-coverage condition of the mobile communication device, the processor causes a call denial indication to be displayed in the visual display, which indicates that the voice call request could not be completed. The processor also causes a call reminder setup prompt to be displayed, which may be accepted or declined through the user interface.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a scheme is provided for assigning a personalized indicium to a mobile communications device which includes logic means operable to generate a temporary Personal Information Number (PIN) for transmitting in a request to a network node. Upon validating the request, a response is provided by the network node to the mobile communications device, the response including a permanent PIN assigned to the mobile communications device.

Abstract: A processor-implemented method of operating a mobile communication device operable to execute one or more communication applications includes issuing a query for contact data over a communication network, creating a contact resolution object, receiving contact data responsive to the query over the communication network, the contact data comprising communication contact data for the one or more communication applications, associating the contact data received with the contact resolution object, and resolving the contact resolution object to select communication contact data.

Abstract: Apparatus, and an associated method, for facilitating communication of text data, such as TTY data formed at a mobile node. The mobile node includes a TTY text generator together with mobile station circuitry, operable in a cellular radio communication system. The mobile node provides for CTM (Cellular Text Mode) modulation of the text data. If a connection is formable with the network part of the cellular communication system by which to communicate CTM-modulated data, the text data is sent as CTM-modulated. If such a connection is not formable, detection is made of the failure of the connection, and selection is made to communicate the text data as TTY-modulated data.

Abstract: The invention relates to wireless Internet access points, and in particular to providing a mobile wireless access point for use with high-speed wireless devices. In particular, the system allows client devices configured for short-range, high-speed wireless Internet access to use said system to access the Internet while in a mobile environment, such as a passenger vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method for resolving ambiguities in multi-tap text input resulting from successive keystrokes of the same key. The keystroke timing is evaluated to assess whether a default understanding of the keystrokes should be rejected in favour of an alternative interpretation. The timing between successive keystrokes is compared to a timing value to determine if the successive keystrokes are part of the same character input or constitute separate character inputs. The system and method assist in resolving ambiguities inherent in receiving multi-tap input through a reduced-key input device.