Abstract: Methods and apparatus to support personal information management are described. One example method includes receiving personal information of a user from a mobile device through close-proximity communication, wherein the personal information includes government-issued credentials of the user; accessing verification information related to the personal information; and verifying the personal information based on a comparison of the verification information and the personal information. Other implementations are possible.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to support personal information management are described. One example method includes receiving personal information of a user from a mobile device through close-proximity communication, accessing verification information related to the personal information, obtaining biometric information; and verifying the personal information based on the biometric information and based on a comparison of the verification information and the personal information.

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: A self configuring multiple element portable electronic device (100) and method is provided. The device comprises at least a first electronic element (104) and a second electronic element (106) and a joint (112) connecting the first electronic element and the second electronic element, with the joint allowing movement in more than one plane of the first electronic element in relation to the second electronic element, wherein the self configuring multiple element portable electronic device is capable of self configuring an operational mode based on a relative position of the first electronic element with respect to the second electronic element. The method comprises the steps of detecting a relative position of the first electronic element relative to the second electronic element, and selecting an operational mode of the device based on the relative position.

Abstract: A self configuring multiple element portable electronic device (100) and method is provided. The device comprises at least a first electronic element (104) and a second electronic element (106) and a joint (112) connecting the first electronic element and the second electronic element, with the joint allowing movement in more than one plane of the first electronic element in relation to the second electronic element, wherein the self configuring multiple element portable electronic device is capable of self configuring an operational mode based on a relative position of the first electronic element with respect to the second electronic element. The method comprises the steps of detecting a relative position of the first electronic element relative to the second electronic element, and selecting an operational mode of the device based on the relative position.

Abstract: A server (102) receives (302) from an originator a group message directed to an address associated in the server with a pre-defined plurality of recipients whose coupling to the wireless communication system at any given time is either active or inactive. The server stores (304) the group message, and transmits (316) the group message to each recipient of the pre-defined plurality of recipients whenever the recipient is actively coupled to the wireless communication system. The server indicates (318) thereafter to the originator that the recipient has received the group message.

Abstract: A device (102) external to a wireless communication system infrastructure (104), defines (402) a dispatch group having a dispatch group identifier and including a plurality of wireless units (300). The device receives (404) a call for the dispatch group, the call including a message. The device establishes (408), through the wireless communication system infrastructure, a group connection to the plurality of wireless units in response to receiving the call; and delivers (410) the message and the dispatch group identifier to the plurality of wireless units through the group connection.

Abstract: A self configuring multiple element portable electronic device (100) and method is provided. The device comprises at least a first electronic element (104) and a second electronic element (106) and a joint (112) connecting the first electronic element and the second electronic element, with the joint allowing movement in more than one plane of the first electronic element in relation to the second electronic element, wherein the self configuring multiple element portable electronic device is capable of self configuring an operational mode based on a relative position of the first electronic element with respect to the second electronic element. The method comprises the steps of detecting a relative position of the first electronic element relative to the second electronic element, and selecting an operational mode of the device based on the relative position.

Abstract: A self configuring multiple element portable electronic device (100) and method is provided. The device comprises at least a first electronic element (104) and a second electronic element (106) and a joint (112) connecting the first electronic element and the second electronic element, with the joint allowing movement in more than one plane of the first electronic element in relation to the second electronic element, wherein the self configuring multiple element portable electronic device is capable of self configuring an operational mode based on a relative position of the first electronic element with respect to the second electronic element. The method comprises the steps of detecting a relative position of the first electronic element relative to the second electronic element, and selecting an operational mode of the device based on the relative position.

Abstract: There is presented a mobile station (160, 162, 164, 166) in communication with a remote device (160, 162, 164, 166, 180) and a method of operating the same. The mobile station receives (410) context classifications associated with an application (214, 314) from the remote device. When the mobile station detects (420) an event, the mobile station determines (430), its current state and selects a particular classification based on its current state. The mobile station provides (450) the particular classification to the remote device for utilization by the application. The mobile station may also communicate (540) appropriate classifications to different applications.

Abstract: A plurality of wireless transceivers (114) for communicating messages to SCRs (Selective Call Radios) (116) include a radio transceiver (402, 404, 406, 408), and a processing system (412) coupled thereto. A periodic communication cycle (FIG. 9) is divided into a plurality of time slots, each time slot having a duration equal to or greater than the predetermined propagation delay of a signal transmitted between wireless transceivers. Each of the wireless transceivers is assigned to a corresponding one of the time slots. To transmit a message from a selected one of the wireless transceivers to a targeted SCR, the processing system of each of the wireless transceivers is adapted to locate the targeted SCR.

Abstract: A self configuring multiple element portable electronic device (100) and method is provided. The device comprises at least a first electronic element (104) and a second electronic element (106) and a joint (112) connecting the first electronic element and the second electronic element, with the joint allowing movement in more than one plane of the first electronic element in relation to the second electronic element, wherein the self configuring multiple element portable electronic device is capable of self configuring an operational mode based on a relative position of the first electronic element with respect to the second electronic element. The method comprises the steps of detecting a relative position of the first electronic element relative to the second electronic element, and selecting an operational mode of the device based on the relative position.

Abstract: A device (102) external to a wireless communication system infrastructure (104), defines (402) a dispatch group having a dispatch group identifier and including a plurality of wireless units (300). The device receives (404) a call for the dispatch group, the call including a message. The device establishes (408), through the wireless communication system infrastructure, a group connection to the plurality of wireless units in response to receiving the call; and delivers (410) the message and the dispatch group identifier to the plurality of wireless units through the group connection.

Abstract: A server (102) receives (302) from an originator a group message directed to an address associated in the server with a pre-defined plurality of recipients whose coupling to the wireless communication system at any given time is either active or inactive. The server stores (304) the group message, and transmits (316) the group message to each recipient of the pre-defined plurality of recipients whenever the recipient is actively coupled to the wireless communication system. The server indicates (318) thereafter to the originator that the recipient has received the group message.

Abstract: A self configuring multiple element portable electronic device (100) and method is provided. The device comprises at least a first electronic element (104) and a second electronic element (106) and a joint (112) connecting the first electronic element and the second electronic element, with the joint allowing movement in more than one plane of the first electronic element in relation to the second electronic element, wherein the self configuring multiple element portable electronic device is capable of self configuring an operational mode based on a relative position of the first electronic element with respect to the second electronic element. The method comprises the steps of detecting a relative position of the first electronic element relative to the second electronic element, and selecting an operational mode of the device based on the relative position.

Abstract: A first transceiver (122) detects (402) a need for desired information available from a network server (108). In response to detecting the need and before contacting the network server, the first transceiver attempts (412) to obtain the desired information from another transceiver of a plurality of wireless transceivers near the first transceiver, thereby potentially eliminating a necessity for the first transceiver to contact the network server to obtain the desired information.

Abstract: A communication network including a plurality of intennediaries in which a request for information is generated by a first intermediary and a response to the request is generated by a second intermediary of the plurality of intermediaries. A location token requesting location information corresponding to the first intermediary is included in one or both of the request and the response, and the request and the response are transmitted between the intermediaries, with location information being inserted within the location token in response to receipt of the location token by certain ones of the plurality of intermediaries.

Abstract: A wireless communication device capable of communicating with a local wireless network within a predetermined communication range. If the wireless communication device experiences interference, a low battery or movement outside of the predetermined communication range, the wireless communication device checks to see if a bandwidth, a data rate or a priority can be altered to complete the communication between the wireless communication device and the wireless network.

Abstract: A wireless communication system receives (402) a communication specifying a portable subscriber unit (122) for which the communication is intended, and further indicating an originator location at which an originator of the communication is positioned. The system determines (404) a recipient location at which the portable subscriber unit is positioned. The system then calculates (406) a distance between the originator location and the recipient location, and routes (412) the communication to the portable subscriber unit when the distance meets a distance criterion.

Abstract: In an ad hoc wireless network having a plurality of members (100) a master, while communicating on a first communication channel, recognizes (202) a need for assistance in managing the network. In response to the need, the master negotiates (204) with a member of the ad hoc wireless network for the member to become a sub-master. The sub-master then assumes (206) management of a portion of the plurality of members. The sub-master and the portion then communicate (208) on a second communication channel negotiated with the master.