Abstract: Several related methods and apparatus for re-establishing communication for a wireless communication device after a communication loss between the wireless device and a wireless communication network are disclosed. In one illustrative example, the wireless network broadcasts identifiers of wireless devices associated with communication losses in the wireless network over a control channel. After regaining signal coverage, a wireless device monitors the control channel to decode and compare each broadcasted identifier with an identifier of the wireless device. Based on a match between a broadcasted identifier and the identifier of the wireless device, the wireless device transmits a control message which informs the wireless network of the presence of the wireless device. Otherwise, the wireless device normally refrains from transmitting the control message to the wireless network.

Abstract: A method relates to a network identification that uniquely identifies a communication device. The method includes determining a network address corresponding to the network identification. Another step is determining which device manager, of multiple device managers, is assigned the network address. Information and the network address is transmitted to the assigned device manager. The assigned device manager determines, from the network address, a device identification that identifies the wireless device within a communication device network. Using the device identification, the assigned device manager transmits the information to the device.

Abstract: Enhanced reset logic is included in a user's computerized device so that the device owner (e.g., the user's employer) can assure prompt reset (e.g., to insure device use of newly downloaded software versions or other control or security data) while still allowing user convenience (e.g., some limited continued normal use of the device before reset is forced upon the user thus permitting the user to avoid possibly aggravating losses of data and/or ongoing usage).

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for use by mobile communication devices for communicating short messages of the emergency type via wireless communication networks are disclosed. In one illustrative example, a first message center address associated with a home message center and a second message center address associated with an emergency message center are stored in memory of the mobile device. The memory may be a removable memory module, such as a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM), for the mobile device. A user input request for communicating a short message is received through a user interface of the mobile device. If the user input request is identified as being for an emergency message, the second message center address is read from the memory and provided in a message center address field of the short message. The short message having the second message center address in the message center address field is then transmitted by the mobile device to the wireless network.

Abstract: A handheld mobile communication device having a physical keyboard with a first set of keys having indicia associated with the letters A-Z arranged in a standard alphabetic keyboard arrangement and a second set of keys having indica for the numerals 0-9. The numerals are arranged in a numeric phone key arrangement which is at least partially overlaid on the standard alphabetic keyboard arrangement. The second set of keys is differentiated from the keys of the first set using color.

Abstract: A component-based mobile device includes a server component for performing voice and data communication functions and a user interface (UI) unit for performing input/output functions. The server component is a larger unit with a larger server battery and more processing power and includes a engagement portion. The UI unit has a smaller UI battery and less processing power and is designed to fit within or removably attach to the engagement portion. The server battery may charge the UI battery when the UI unit is in the engagement portion. The server component and the UI unit may communicate wirelessly when the UI unit is out of the engagement portion and via a wired connection when the UI unit is in the engagement portion. The server component and the UI unit may be paired for encrypted wireless communication during the manufacturing process.

Abstract: A portable wireless user communication device is wirelessly coupled to a second device over a monitored link. If the link is lost or endangered, then a user alarm is activated at the portable wireless user device and/or at the second device to which it is linked (which may also be a portable electronic device). The type of monitoring and/or the type of alarming may be user selectable.

Abstract: A system and method for wirelessly exchanging an encryption key between a first device and a second device. The system generally includes: a transmitter, provided to the first device, for transmitting a signal that is strong enough to transmit over a predetermined distance while having a strength that decreases exponentially with distance, for example a magnetic field signal; a receiver, for example a Hall effect switch, provided to the second device, for receiving the signal; and a controller for determining when the first device and the second device are within the predetermined distance and controlling the transmitter to transmit the encryption key based on the determination.

Abstract: A mobile wireless communications device may include a portable housing, a printed circuit board (PCB) carried by the portable housing, a wireless transceiver carried by the PCB, and an antenna connected to the transceiver and carried by the PCB. The mobile wireless communications device may further include at least one director element for directing a beam pattern of the antenna. More particularly, the at least one director element may include an electrically conductive main branch carried by the portable housing, and an electrically conductive connector portion extending between the main branch and the PCB.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for data encoding such as 3 to 4 encoding (base64, uuencode etc.) is provided. Bytes of data to be encoded having negative values are made positive while preserving the information to be encoded. The positive values may be manipulated by addition (e.g. to a common store) and bit shifting to efficiently obtain encoded data such as by indexing an encoding alphabet.

Abstract: A method of rendering text on an output device using a pre-developed image of a custom font. An image file defines an image of a custom developed character set. The custom character set may be developed off-line using graphics development tools. Associated character information enables the location of specific characters within the image. When a text character is output to a display or other output device, a custom font module locates the text character within the image and defines a subimage that contains the text character. The subimage is rendered upon the output device, thereby producing an image of the text character.

Abstract: An electronic device is provided that includes a processor, an output device connected to the processor for issuing a stimulus to a user of the electronic device, and at least one input device connected to the processor and responsive to user interaction. The electronic device also includes a device lock module associated with the processor for implementing restrictions on user access to the electronic device if user interaction is not detected within a predetermined lockout-time interval, the device lock module being configured for resetting the lockout-time interval into a shorter value if a user stimulus is issued by the output device.

Abstract: A mobile wireless communications device includes a circuit board carried by a housing and having RF circuitry and a processor operative with the RF circuitry. A keyboard is carried by the housing and includes a keypad array circuit. A keypad connector is carried by the keypad and is operatively connected to the RF circuitry and processor. A plurality of Key_Out and Key_In connection lines connect the keypad connector and keypad array circuit. Filters carried by the keyboard are connected into each Key_Out and Key_In connection line for reducing RF energy picked up from either the antenna or external interference and interfering with normal processor operation.

Abstract: There is provided a method of representing new email messages on a communication device having a display. This method comprises setting a new message flag when an email message is received by the device; and displaying a new message indicator on the display when the new message flag is set. The new message indicator can be displayed on a home screen on the display. The new message flag can be unset when a messages screen is selected on the device. A computer readable memory having recorded thereon instructions to carry out this method is also provided, as well as a device comprising such memory.

Abstract: A foam support for use between a mobile electronic device display and a mobile electronic device frame having side edges for housing the display is provided. The foam support comprises a base and side tabs located around a perimeter of the base and configured to be folded into a position substantially perpendicular to the base and affixed to the side edges of the frame.

Abstract: A processor-implemented method of placing telephone calls includes determining if a phone call initiated to a phone number has connected. If the phone call did not connect, then the processor determines if the phone number has an associated replace code for any subset of the phone number. If a replace code is determined to exist, then the processor replaces the subset of the phone number with the corresponding replace code to obtain a replace code number and initiates a phone call to the replace code number.

Abstract: A display module comprising a display screen; a controller, said controller having an input for receiving information, and an output coupled to said display screen for outputting display information to said display screen; said controller including a component for determining an area of interest on said display screen; and said controller having a component for dimming at least a portion of said display screen outside of said area of interest.

Abstract: A method and device for setting or varying properties of display elements on a visual display based on characteristics of ambient light. A light sensor is used to sense ambient light; a processor analyzes the ambient light data from the sensor to determine if there are variations in the characteristics of ambient light, and if so, sets or varies the values of the properties of display elements such as text size, image size, text colour and/or image colour. A driver applies the set or varied values of these properties to the display elements, and the visual display displays the display elements.

Abstract: A messaging method in a system including a wireless network, a routing server, and a plurality of mobile stations. A first mobile station has first communications applications and a first PIN and a second mobile station has second communications applications and a second PIN. The method includes sending an invitation including the first PIN from the first mobile station to the second mobile station using one of the first communications applications, and sending an acceptance including the second PIN from the second mobile station to the first mobile station using one of the second communications applications. The method further includes creating first messages including the second PIN and sending them to the second mobile station through the wireless network, and creating second messages including the first PIN and sending them to the first mobile station through the wireless network. The routing server routes the messages based on the PINs.

Abstract: A system and method for generating keys that can be used for encrypting and decrypting PIN messages transmitted between mobile devices. In one embodiment, the method comprises defining a function f, where f(x,y)=f(y,x), and for each of first and second mobile devices, evaluating f with one of x and y having the value of the PIN of the respective mobile device. Each one of the first and second mobile devices can then compute a shared messaging key by evaluating f with the other of x and y having the value of the PIN of the other mobile device. The shared key can then be used specifically to encrypt and decrypt PIN messages transmitted between those two mobile devices.