Abstract: Disclosed are methods and mobile communication devices for discontinuing or muting an incoming call alert for a predetermined period of time by pressing a ringer control key. After the predetermined period of time ends, the device may resume its previous incoming call alert setting. Accordingly, by pressing a ringer control key which is typically on one side of the housing, a user may place the incoming call alert, for example, in a silent mode. If placed in silent mode, a user may need not to remember to depress the ringer control key again to change the incoming call alert back to, for example, its previous incoming call alert setting since it may automatically revert back to its previous setting. Therefore, a user may not unintentionally miss incoming calls.

Abstract: A method of regulating usage and/or concession eligibility in a smart card system is described herein. A card acceptance location (110) detects a presence of a smart card and determines its identification code. The card acceptance location (110) checks the identification code against a list stored locally at the card acceptance location (110). The card acceptance location (110) received the list from a second device. If the identification code of the smart card is listed on the list, the card acceptance location (110) performs an action on the smart card.