Abstract: A method and system to control WCD handover. A first base station will request load information from a second base station, and, based at least in part on a result of that request, the first base station will control handover of the WCD. The first base station may decline to hand over the WCD to the second base station in response to determining that the first base station did not responsively receive load information from the second base station. Further, the first base station may determine a level of confidence in load information of the second base station based on whether the first base station received load information of the second base station and based on whether the first and second base stations are provided by the same vendor, and the first base station may then use that level of confidence as a basis to control handover of the WCD.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus and system for managing frequency use in a system where multiple air interface protocols are in use. When a wireless communication device (WCD) is operating under a particular air interface protocol on a particular frequency channel, the WCD detects a threshold signal under another air interface protocol, and the WCD responsively transitions from operating under the particular air interface protocol on the particular frequency channel to operating under the particular air interface protocol on a different frequency channel. The method may thereby help to reduce likelihood of interference.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method, system, and device for secret fingerprint scanning and reporting. When a portable communication device has been lost or stolen, an entity may transmit a fingerprint scan-report trigger message to the device. In response to receipt of the fingerprint scan-report trigger message, the device then automatically invokes an integrated fingerprint scanner to scan a fingerprint of a user of the device and to report the resulting fingerprint data to a remote destination. Optimally, the scanning and reporting are done without notification to a user of the device. The method, system, and device may thereby help to identify the user of the device and to potentially recover the device.

Abstract: A method to help restrict operation of a mobile device in a situation where a user of the device may be distracted, such as when the user is driving a motor vehicle. The device presents the user with a test and reveals the solution to the test, and the user must then enter into the device the revealed solution within a predefined period of time. If the user enters the revealed solution within the predefined period of time, then a fair assumption is that the user is not distracted. On the other hand, if the user does not enter the revealed solution within the predefined period of time, then a fair assumption is that the user is distracted (e.g., is driving), in which case the device will responsively change an operational characteristic of the device so as to restrict the user's interaction with and operation of the device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method, system, and device for secret fingerprint scanning and reporting. When a portable communication device has been lost or stolen, an entity may transmit a fingerprint scan-report trigger message to the device. In response to receipt of the fingerprint scan-report trigger message, the device then automatically invokes an integrated fingerprint scanner to scan a fingerprint of a user of the device and to report the resulting fingerprint data to a remote destination. Optimally, the scanning and reporting are done without notification to a user of the device. The method, system, and device may thereby help to identify the user of the device and to potentially recover the device.

Abstract: A method and system for managing access probe transmission in a wireless communication system. Upon determining that an external impact event, such as a severe weather event, natural disaster, criminal activity, has occurred, base stations may wirelessly broadcast a control signal that causes certain wireless communication devices served by the base stations to suppress transmission of access probes, while allowing other wireless communication devices served by the base stations to still transmit access probes. In a given coverage area, suppression of access probe transmission by one or more wireless communication devices may thereby free up access channel capacity to facilitate calls or other communications by other wireless communication devices, such as first-responder devices for instance.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus and system for managing frequency use in a system where multiple air interface protocols are in use. When a wireless communication device (WCD) is operating under a particular air interface protocol on a particular frequency channel, the WCD detects a threshold signal under another air interface protocol, and the WCD responsively transitions from operating under the particular air interface protocol on the particular frequency channel to operating under the particular air interface protocol on a different frequency channel. The method may thereby help to reduce likelihood of interference.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for disabling text-entry capabilities. In one embodiment, a mobile station detects that it is being supported by a given single hand of a user and not by two hands of the user. The mobile station also detects that it is being operated by the single given hand of the user and not by two hands of the user. Optionally, the mobile station also determines that it is moving at greater than a threshold rate or detects more than a threshold degradation in text-entry proficiency. In response to detecting at least that the mobile station is being supported and operated by the single given hand of the user and not by two hands of the user, the mobile station disables one or more text-entry capabilities.