Abstract: A hand-held electronic device with a keyboard, thumbwheel, display and associated software is optimized for use of the device with the thumbs. The associated software has a plurality of features to optimize efficient use of the limited keyboard space and encourage the use of the device by thumb-based data entry through the thumbwheel and/or through a combination of minimal number of keystrokes. Software features include international character scrolling, and auto-capitalization. The keys on the device keyboard are optimally shaped and configured for thumb-based input. In addition, the thumbwheel is inclined between the front and a side edge of the device so as to be reachable by either the thumb or index finger of the user's hand at the side edge of the device.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for bypassing cache memory when reading data from system memory particularly when the primary memory could include memory types where the read operation mixes non-data with data. A system and method are provided for bypassing and invalidating cache memory when writing data to system memory particularly when the primary memory could include memory types where the write operation mixes non-data with data.

Abstract: An RF isolation container that includes a counterweight system to assist an operator with opening and closing operations, an electromagnet locking mechanism for easier and consistent locking of the RF isolation container and a motion damping mechanism to relieve fatigue on operating components and on human operators.

Abstract: A mobile wireless communications device may include a housing and a multi-frequency band antenna carried within the housing. The multi-frequency band antenna may include a main loop conductor having a gap therein defining first and second ends of the main loop conductor, a first branch conductor having a first end connected adjacent the first end of the main loop conductor and having a second end defining a first feed point, and a second branch conductor having a first end connected adjacent the second end of the main loop conductor and a second end defining a second feed point. A third branch conductor has a first portion within the main loop conductor, and a second portion connected to the second feed point. A tuning branch conductor may have a first end connected to the main loop conductor between the respective first ends of the first and second branches.

Abstract: A system and method for managing memory in a mobile device to prevent the swapping out of sensitive data to non-volatile storage from a volatile memory, to provide enhanced security for the sensitive data. In one broad aspect, there is provided a method of managing memory in a mobile device comprising the steps of identifying one or more data objects stored in a volatile memory on the mobile device to be swapped out to a non-volatile storage component, determining objects marked as containing sensitive data, and retaining so-marked objects in the volatile memory of the mobile device.

Abstract: A fixture for radio frequency (“RF”) testing of an assembled wireless device, the wireless device having a removable casing concealing one or more RF spring connectors, the fixture comprising: a retainer for receiving the wireless device with the removable casing removed; a coaxial connector mounted through the retainer, the coaxial connector having a center contact and a shield contact, the coaxial cable with external test equipment; a circuit board mounted on an inner side of the retainer and having one or more pads each for receiving one of the center and shield contacts; and, one or more probes mounted on ones of the pads for contacting ones of the RF spring connectors to distribute the RF test signals.

Abstract: An apparatus has a keyboard panel with a QWERTY array of alphabetic key actuation indicia. The apparatus further has a QWERTY array of keys that are free of alphabetic key actuation indicia, and are located adjacent to corresponding alphabetic key actuation indicia on the keyboard panel. Other parts of the apparatus include an output device responsive to actuation of the keys, and a processing device operatively coupled between the keys and the output device. Summarized alternatively, the apparatus includes a keyboard with keys arranged in arcuate horizontal rows. The keys in each row have centerlines projecting radially from a respective common centerpoint.

Abstract: In accordance with the teachings described herein, systems and methods are provided for managing memory on a mobile device. A maximum amount of available data storage memory may be allocated for storing data for each of a plurality of software applications loaded on the mobile device. If additional memory is needed for an executing software application, then one of the plurality of software applications may be selected for memory clean-up. Data may then be deleted from the data storage memory allocated to the selected software application in accordance with a pre-established memory retention policy for the selected software application.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for conducting at least two concurrent conversation sessions is provided whereby a user may quickly switch between sessions. A graphical user interface may be provided comprising a first portion for conducting a first communication session and a second portion for immediately invoking a switch to a second communication session. In operation, the first portion of the graphical user interface is switched to immediately conduct said second communication session in response to a user input to invoke the switch. The second component can display notifications for concurrent session activities and a particular notification selected by a user to invoke the switch.

Abstract: A portable electronic device includes a portable housing, and a battery and pointing device carried by the portable housing. The portable electronic device further includes electronic circuitry carried by the portable housing and connected to the battery and the pointing device. The electronic circuitry may switch from a sleep mode to an active mode based upon operation of the pointing device in a non-random pattern, and not switch from the sleep mode to the active mode based upon operation of the pointing device in a random pattern.

Abstract: A communication system is provided with program logic for enforcing an IT Policy specifying suitable encryption encoding levels for corresponding security classification levels (and/or encryption strengths).

Abstract: A system and method for the creation and automated selection and inclusion an automated signature text with an electronic message, wherein the automated selection of the automated signature text is dependent on attributes of the message, the designated recipients, or attributes of the designated recipients as compared to the sender's attributes, such as the encoding type and/or transport method selected for the electronic message or the location of the recipient without the need for multiple user profiles or manual editing by the sender. At least one of a plurality of automated signature texts is associated with at least one encoding type of a plurality of encoding types, at least one message transport type, or with at least one predeterined recipient attribute or the outcome of a comparison of the recipient attribute with the sender's attributes. The appropriate automated signature text is inserted prior to encoding of the message for transport.

Abstract: A multiple-band antenna having first and second operating frequency bands is provided. The antenna includes a first patch structure associated primarily with the first operating frequency band, a second patch structure electrically coupled to the first patch structure and associated primarily with the second operating frequency band, a first slot structure disposed between a first portion of the first patch structure and the second patch structure and associated primarily with the first operating frequency band, and a second slot structure disposed between a second portion of the first patch structure and the second patch structure and associated with both the first operating frequency band and the second operating frequency band. A mounting structure for the multiple-band antenna is also provided, and includes a first surface and a second surface opposite to and overlapping the first surface.

Abstract: A multiple-element antenna for a wireless communication device is provided. The antenna comprises a first antenna element having a first operating frequency band and a floating antenna element positioned adjacent the first antenna element to electromagnetically couple to the first antenna element. The floating antenna element is configured to operate in conjunction with the first antenna element within a second operating frequency band. A feeding port connected to the first antenna element connects the first antenna element to communications circuitry and exchanges communication signals in both the first operating frequency band and the second operating frequency band between the multiple-element antenna and the communications circuitry. In a wireless mobile communication device having a transceiver and a receiver, the feeding port is connected to both the transceiver and the receiver.

Abstract: An improved handheld electronic device and an improved method facilitate the entry of data when the data is to be of a particular arrangement of alphabetic (A) and/or numeric (N) and/or other characters. In the depicted exemplary embodiment, the handheld electronic device includes a user interface that facilitates the entry of postal codes, zip codes, and the like that vary from country to country by processing key inputs according to a data format that has been selected on the basis of its correspondence with a country. In the example of address data, the handheld electronic device detects the entry of country-specific data, such as the name of the country or one of its geographic regions, and selects a corresponding data format for processing keystrokes during entry of postal codes, zip codes, or other codes.

Abstract: A filter for reducing co-channel interference within a communications receiver may include a multi-channel, space-time filter circuit that filters n signal parts that have been split from a communications signal by jointly estimating space-time filter weights and multi-channel impulse responses (CIRs). The filter may further include a multi-channel, matched filter circuit that receives multi-channel signals from the multi-channel, space-time filter circuit and has a filter response that is provided by a channel impulse response estimation from the space-time filter circuit.

Abstract: A wireless communications device may include at least one virtual antenna, and a space-time filter circuit for filtering a communications signal received by the at least one virtual antenna by jointly estimating space-time filter weights and at least one channel impulse response (CIR). The wireless communications device may further include a matched filter circuit downstream from the space-time filter circuit and having a filter response that is provided by a channel impulse response estimation from the space-time filter circuit.

Abstract: A mobile wireless communications device may include a portable housing, at least one wireless transceiver carried by the portable housing, and a satellite positioning signal receiver carried by the portable housing. An antenna may also be carried by the portable housing and connected to the satellite positioning signal receiver. Further, at least one electrically conductive director element may be carried by the portable housing in spaced apart relation from the antenna and inductively coupled thereto for directing a beam pattern thereof.

Abstract: A method for automatically configuring an access control point based upon the network resource requirements of an application. The installation of a new application on a mobile device or other user device is accompanied, before, during, or after installation, with the distribution of access control information. An access control point blocks communications based upon access rules. An access update module modifies or sets the access rules based upon the access control information. The access control point and the access update module may be located within the mobile device, within an associated wireless connector system, or in other locations within the mobile communication system. The setting or resetting of the access rules based upon the access control information may be triggered during installation, modification, or removal of the application.