Abstract: In a communication device, multiple instances of different applications may execute. Advantageously, at least one instance of an application records and stores a browsing history of data items accessed during its execution. This stored browsing history may be made available to later instances of applications. Furthermore, one or more such stored histories may be accessed via a global back or a global forward command, allowing the histories to be browsed according to the order in which they were recorded.

Abstract: Assigning CDMA channel codes in a multiple beam zone sector such that they may be reused within the same sector. In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes configuring directional antennas in a cell sector to provide multiple beam zones in a cell sector and assigning channel codes for use within the beam zones such that each channel code is assigned for use in only one beam zone of any set of three consecutive beam zones in the cell sector. This effectively reduces the inter-user interference by ensuring at least two intervening beam zones are located between zones that are using the same channel codes. The channel codes may be Walsh codes or quasi-orthogonal functions (QOFs).

Abstract: Provided are methods and systems associated with interactive voice response (“IVR”) systems that control the amount of time a user interacts with the system. According to the invention, an IVR system utilizes a timer or series of timers to determine how long a user has been interacting with the IVR system. When threshold events occur, the IVR system will analyze the status of the call and may switch the user to a predefined destination, such as to an operator queue, directly to a live operator, or to another designated navigation point in the IVR navigation structure. In this manner increasing the efficiency of manner in which the IVR system interacts with a caller.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for dynamically varying a content download depending on whether the download is a foreground-download or a background-download. When a server receives a content-request from a device, the server determines whether the content-request is foreground-generated or background-generated and accordingly selects a set of content to transmit in response to the device. If the content-request is background-generated, for instance, the server may select a smaller quantity of content, since the device user might not be actively involved with the download. On the other hand, if the content-request is foreground-generated, the server may select a larger quantity of content, since the user is involved at the time. Alternatively, the device itself may select a location from which to request content, based on whether the download is a foreground-download or a background-download.

Abstract: A second user requests access to a wireless access point, such as a WiFi connection, provided by a first user. To determine whether the first user should be provided with access, the second user identifies a chain of trust relationships between the first and second users. The chain of trust relationships is established by determining if, for example, the first user is in an instant messaging buddy list of the second user, or if there is an intermediate user who both trusts the first user and is trusted by the second user. If a chain of trust relationships between the first and second users exists and is not too attenuated, the second user provides the first user with network access.

Abstract: A method for mobile call testing is provided. The method involves initiating at a test-control module a test call to a mobile unit, and detecting at a ring-detecting module, via a contactless coupling to the mobile unit, whether the mobile unit rings in response to the test call from the test-control module. Further, the method then involves providing a ring indication from the ring-detecting module to the test-control module when a mobile ring is detected in response to the test call. In one example, the contactless coupling is an acoustic coupling.

Abstract: A first wireless device may connect to a wireless telecommunications network, and it may communicate with the wireless telecommunications network over an air interface signaling channel. The first wireless device may exchange messages with a second device, such as a wired device or a wireless device, in order to establish a session with the second device. The first wireless device may send or receive the messages over an air interface with its wireless telecommunications network using short data bursts.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for dynamic adjustment of the pilot-channel, paging-channel, and sync-channel transmission-power levels based on forward-link and reverse-link RF conditions. In an exemplary embodiment, a base station provides service on a carrier in a wireless coverage area, and computes both an Ec/Ior value and a reverse noise rise (RNR) value for the carrier. Based at least in part on the Ec/Ior value and at least in part on the RNR value, the base station adjusts at least one of a pilot-channel power level, a paging-channel power level, and a sync-channel power level for the carrier. As an example, if (a) Ec/Ior is above a first threshold and (b) RNR is below a second threshold, the base station may increase all three of the power levels, so as to improve service quality and coverage, among other advantages.

Abstract: A user uses a wireless communication device to engage in a communication session over a packet-switched network. The communication session is one of a plurality of different session types, e.g., a push-to-talk (PTT) session or a Web browsing session. The user is identified in the communication session by a user identifier that is dependent on the session type. The user identifier used in a particular communication session is included in a usage record generated for that communications session. A billing system determines the session type from the user identifier in the usage record. Based on this session type, the billing system selects a billing formula to calculate a charge to the user for the communication session.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for dynamic selection by a mobile station of its home agent using its preferred roaming list (PRL). A mobile station maintains a PRL comprising an association between (i) a first set of data identifying a first wireless wide area network (WWAN) and (ii) a first identifier of a first home agent. The mobile station detects a broadcast of the first set of data by the first WWAN. Responsive to detecting the broadcast of the first set of data by the first WWAN, the mobile station connects to the first WWAN. Responsive to connecting to the first WWAN, the mobile station uses the first identifier to register with the first home agent.

Abstract: When the loss or theft of a mobile device is detected, script interpretation logic executes a script to disable one or more functions or the mobile device, such as personal organizer functions in the mobile device. The script may be stored locally on the mobile device, so that the mobile device detects loss or theft and then executes the local disabling script. Alternatively, the script may be stored at a service provider and may be sent to the mobile device when loss or theft of the mobile device is detected or reported. The script may, for example, include instructions to encrypt private data on the mobile device, to send the private data to a data storehouse, and/or to otherwise disable one or more of the personal organizer functions of the mobile device.

Abstract: A method for selecting a frequency band, from among a plurality of frequency bands controllable by a radio network controller (RNC), to carry a data communication. The method may include obtaining frequency band usage measurements for a plurality of frequency bands, and using the frequency band usage measurements to select a particular frequency band of the plurality of frequency bands to carry the data communication. Frequency band usage measurements may be based on how many idle slots (and/or data channels) are carried through each of the plurality of frequency bands during a measurement time period. A comparison of the frequency band usage measurements can be used to determine which frequency band sent the greatest number of idle slots (or the fewest number of data channels). The method provides for selecting a frequency band best suited (e.g., has the most available capacity for carrying a data communication) for carrying the data communication.

Abstract: A mobile information device may download and execute Java MIDlet and non-MIDlet applications. The mobile information device may use generic content descriptors to download and manage non-Java applications.

Abstract: A wireless communication device, such as a cell phone, will transmit into a network an indication of a person's health status, such as a quantity of exercise in which the person engaged or a measure of some aspect of the person's body systems, as determined by a health status sensor provided separate from or integral with the wireless communication device. Based on the reported health status information, the network will then register a discount on the price that a wireless service provider charges for providing the wireless communication device with wireless communication service.

Abstract: An access point for a wireless network, such as a base transceiver station, might use a variety of different methods to allocate its resources among mobile stations. For example, the access point might vary the way it allocates available bandwidth among the mobile stations, thereby also altering the data rates between the access point and the mobile stations. Various criteria, such as the number of the number of mobile stations actively communicating with the access point, might be used to trigger the access point to change how it allocates bandwidth among the active mobile stations.

Abstract: A VPN server on a radio access network may initiate a virtual private network (VPN) over a shared network, e.g., Internet, on behalf of a wireless terminal. The VPN may span the shared network, but not span the radio access network. As a result, the radio access network may be able to analyze and manipulate data sent by the wireless terminal. Additionally, the VPN may securely transport the data through the shared network.

Abstract: A call is established between a circuit-switched network element and a packet-switched network element. A first call record is generated to record the circuit switched network element's involvement in the call, and a second call record is generated to record the packet-switched network element's involvement in the call. The first and second call records include the same call identification information to identify the call. The call identification information may include an internetwork call identifier, an identification of a carrier or service provider associated with the call, and other information that, in combination, uniquely identifies the call. The first and second call records are stored, e.g., in a centralized call record repository. Call records for a given call can be retrieved based on the call identification information for the given call.

Abstract: A method and system for automatically connecting a calling party with a called party when the called party is leaving a message for the calling party. When first person is attempting to call a second person at the same time as the second person is leaving a voice mail message for the first person, a network system will determine that the second person is leaving the voice mail message for the first person and will responsively engage in call control signaling to disconnect the second person from the voice mail server and to instead set up a call between the first person and the second person. Once the call is set up between the first person and the second person, the first person and the second person may then conveniently talk with each other.

Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for interworking between half-duplex and full-duplex conferencing. A half-duplex (HD) conference will be conducted through one conference server and will involve floor-control, a full-duplex (FD) conference will be conducted through another conference server, and the conference servers will exchange bearer traffic so as to cooperatively provide an HD/FD conference. When the HD conference server detects that any of the participating HD client stations holds the floor in the HD conference, the HD conference server directs the FD conference server to put the participating FD client stations in a listen-only mode with respect to the HD conference. On the other hand, when the HD conference server detects that none of the HD client stations holds the floor, the HD conference server directs the FD conference server to lift the listen-only restriction.

Abstract: A VoIP call signaling method including a codec selection mechanism that measures the effective data transmission rate and other network characteristics. In some embodiments, a proxy performs a network test between itself and both end terminals to quantify the quality of the link before notifying both of the endpoints the optimal codec they should use for a peer-to-peer call. In alternative embodiments, the proxy informs the endpoints of the network characteristics and allows the endpoints to negotiate the codec selection. The network test preferably identifies delay, bandwidth, jitter and packet loss rates.