Abstract: A base station (101) will request the transmission of quality information from a particular remote stations (102, 103) only when data is queued to be transmitted to the remote stations. Once a remote station begins the transmission of channel quality information, the transmission of such information continues until the data transmission is successfully delivered to the remote station. The base station receives the channel quality information and adjusts the modulation and coding of the remote stations accordingly. Where data is transmitted simultaneously to a plurality of remote stations, a set of queues (303) for the multiple remote stations is maintained, and based on queue status, a channel quality request messages is sent to a sub-set of remote stations with data queued.

Abstract: A method for tracking objects in a way that conserves power resources. The method can establish a designed range defining a safe area based upon the broadcast signal of an anchor beacon. When the tracking device is within the designed range, the tracking device can be placed in a mode of low power consumption. Should the tracking device move outside of the designated range, then the tracking device can be placed in mode for active tracking. The level of power consumption can be achieved by only enabling a WAN transceiver in the active tracking mode.

Abstract: A network controller (200, 300) corresponding communication device (400) and method for providing a caller identification to a called party comprises a receiver (202) for receiving a communication and a corresponding first identifier from a communication device (400), a controller for selecting a second identifier from a plurality of identifiers, each of the plurality of identifiers corresponding to the communications device (400), and a transmitter (204) coupled to the controller for providing the second identifier as the caller identification to the called party. The communication device (400) may be used to select the second identifier as well as signal a second communication infrastructure (300) to block calls before forwarding from the second communication infrastructure (300) to the first communication infrastructure (200).

Abstract: An electronic device having a housing with a shroud locator socket. There is a retractable elongate radio frequency radiating element passing through an aperture of the shroud locator socket, the retractable elongate radio frequency radiating element being electrically connected to an electrical circuit located in the housing and being movable from a fully retracted position when substantially located in the housing to a fully extended position when substantially protruding outside the housing. An end cap is located on a free end of the retractable elongate radio frequency radiating element and there is a shroud having transverse ribs that are transverse to a longitudinal axis (X) of the retractable elongate radio frequency radiating element. The shroud covers a protected length (L) of the retractable elongate radio frequency radiating element proximal to the end cap.

Abstract: A method (10) and system (50 or 200) of using a credit card media type (54) integrated with a wireless communication device (52) can include determining (12) that the wireless communication device is inoperable for use in a commercial transaction and enabling (14) the use and authorization of the credit card media type with a predetermined restriction profile that is more restrictive than when the credit card media type is used with the wireless communication device when operable. The method can lower (16) the payment authorization amount or limit a type of item that is purchased to a predefined type based on a remote network being unable to communicate with the wireless communication device. The method can also remove (18) the credit card media type from the communication device and enable the use and authorization of the credit card media type with the predetermined restriction profile.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for determining which of a plurality of backhaul methods is assigned to a portion of a wireless communication by monitoring at least one quality metric relating to the communication. Then, a backhaul method is assigned according to a predetermined function of the quality metric(s) for at least a portion of the wireless communication from a plurality of available backhaul methods. The quality metric may include any of a variety of indicators, and a default backhaul method may be applied to portions of the wireless communication. These embodiments may be implemented through the use of a wireless communication node including a processor circuit operably coupled to a quality metric sensor and a receiving circuit such that the processor circuit may determine which of the plurality of backhaul pathways should be used to transmit data.

Abstract: A method for preventing random access by a mobile station with outdated system information including receiving system information earlier than a time at which the system information is effective, determining that a current time is within a new access blocking offset before the time at which the system information is effective, and delaying random access at least until the time at which the system information is effective.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of a wireless communication system for providing enhanced search results to a user. The method includes monitoring data communication on a user device, determining at least one contextual datum from at least a portion of the monitored data based on a predetermined rule; and generating a search result by applying the determined contextual datum to a search application.

Abstract: A cellular communication system comprises a Mobile Management Entity, MME, 117 and a load characteristic processor 203 that determines an MME load characteristic for base stations 101-107 in response to a measured operating characteristic thereof. A selection processor 207 selects a subset of base stations in response to the MME load characteristics, and a load monitor 205 determines an MME load level measure. A transmit controller 209 transmits a load reduction indication for the MME to the subset of base stations in response to the MME load level measure meeting a criterion. The base stations receiving the load reduction indication bias their operation towards a reduced load level of the MME.

Abstract: A wireless communication device (200) and method (300) adapted to prolong the useful life of an energy storage device is disclosed. In its simplest form, it can include: detecting (310) a first threshold of an energy conversion module comprising at least one of a temperature threshold, oxygen threshold, voltage, a current threshold, a power threshold and moisture threshold; sensing (320) a temperature in proximity to a thermal module comprising at least one of a fuel tank, an electronic computing module, and a housing; and generating (330) an air stream based on the detected first threshold (310) and the sensed temperature (320). The device (200) and method (300) can automatically and dynamically manage, for example, temperature, oxygen and/or moisture of an energy storage module, to maintain the energy storage module within desired specifications and tolerances. This can help to prolong the useful life of the energy storage module and its components and help to maintain a maximum recharging capacity.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices and methods of a mobile communication device including receiving data related to an image exhibited on a display device of a digital frame and processing the received data to access at least one communication initiation address. The communication device and the digital frame may establish communication in any number of manners. For example, the communication device may be in the proximity of the digital frame or may touch the frame itself, for example on a touch screen of the digital frame. In any event, the digital frame may include a transceiver to transmit data to the communication device so that at least in part based on data of the digital frame the communication device may automatically or semi-automatically initiate a communication to a communication address associated with the data. Accordingly, a user's desire to place a call telephone based on viewing a photo may be simply initiated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed that authenticate a user of a mobile device with motion sensors. During a learning session, the user initializes the mobile device by providing a motion sample. The mobile device extracts motion features that are unique to the user and converts them to parity bits and to a password shadow. During a recognition session, a motion pattern is gathered from the user moving the mobile device as if it were a virtual pen. The mobile device then uses the stored parity bits to correct small differences between motion patterns exhibited by the same user at different times. The mobile device converts the corrected motion pattern into a motion password that is compared with the stored password shadow. A user is authenticated only if the two values coincide. The system erases the generated motion password.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method and system for controlling load in a communication network having one or more communication devices. The method includes monitoring at least one communication resource parameters in the communication network. Further, the method includes changing difficulty level within a gaming application when one of the at least one communication resource parameters reaches a pre-determined threshold. One or more communication devices are involved in the gaming application.

Abstract: The disclosed are methods and computing devices configured to engage in Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) conference calls and configured to participate as a moderator of VOIP conference calls allow a moderator or delegate to monitor the mute status of call participants and/or control which participants are muted. In this way, a participant would not be required to necessarily adhere to conference call muting etiquette. For example, in the event that a participant's line is noisy, which may be unknown to the participant, the moderator could mute the line. Other distractions to the conference call as a whole could therefore be controlled as well. The ability to mute determine and/or control the muting of a participant device furthermore enables the moderator to engage rules of conduct and/or adhere to rules of order that may be desirable in particular types of conference calls.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for customization of a graphical user interface (GUI) of a communication device in a communication network. The method includes customization of the GUI of the communication device based on one or more of user preferences and user interaction patterns pertaining to a plurality of services accessed by a user of the communication device. The method further comprises customization of the GUI of the communication device based on a predefined set of rules.

Abstract: A device and method of background substitution are disclosed. One or more cameras in a mobile device obtain a depth image. A processor in or external to the device segments the foreground from the background of the image. The original background is removed and a stored background image or video is substituted in place of the original background. The substituted background is altered dependent on the attitude and motion of the device, which is sensed by one or more sensors in the device. A portion of the stored background selected as the substitute background varies in correspondence with the device movement.